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Hiya i will be on a permanent residency visa, going to the sunshine coast, having op in uk then emmigrating to oz 10 days later, what is a fill? how often and how much am i looking at many thanks for your help coll

I am on day 8 now of my preop liquid diet. It was challenging over the holiday having to attend 4 different thanksgiving dinners but I allowed myself one serving of lean meat per day and that helped. Now I am back to 6 smalls meals a day all liquid. I am allowed to have Protein shakes, cream Soups made with milk instead of Water, greek yogurt, sugar free pudding with Protein powder added, sf Popsicle, chicken broth, sf Jello, and anything to drink that has no caffeine, alcohol or carbonation. My daily meal plan usually looks something like 7:00 AM Protein shake, 10:00 AM protein shake, 1:00 PM Soup, 4:00 PM Protein Shake, 7:00 Shake or Soup, 9:30 PM Greek Yogurt. I also add in jello and sf Popsicle along with my water if I get hungry. So far I am down about 1 pound a day.

I am Day 10 post-op. I get in 64 fl oz of Water per day, but it takes me all day to do it. I am noticing that I can sip more at a time now -- verging on what I would call a gulp. It takes me 2 hours to drink a premier Protein shake. I am seeing improvements every day, so I feel pretty good about where I am right now. I hope this helps. Good luck!

I have complained enough about it but I am on the same path you are! I wouldn't wish this on anyone BUT in finding the bright side: 1) I went ahead and bought a new pair of walking shorts and capris (we're talking Kmart here so no big $ invested) because I know that I won't be out of them in 10 days like some people. And I am a thrift store shopper by nature so this was a big splurge as an atta girl for doing what I needed to do. I also bought 3 new tshirts from CJ Banks. Again, on sale, but they are ELBOW LENGTH!!! and with my flappy arms just what I needed. 2) As you said, it won't come back. I know some folks have rebound weight gain but this first 20 are gone forever. and 3) Here's my biggie. I did this on the DL. I AM SO GRATEFUL for that decision. I knew I would be a slow looser. I was only eating about 2k calories a day when I was "pigging out" so I knew. When I did Weight Watches I had to undercut my allowed points by about 1/3 to lose the 1 pound a week once I'd gotten past that first 2 or 3 weeks. That's the main reason I kept this private. I will admit that in 2001-2002 I basically went on a long term fast and lost and lost fast so this is going a bit slower than even I expected. But still, it's going. And it will eventually be gone. And I am so glad I don't have to be explaining to people why I'm not losing weight. The one friend I told asked me last weekend when I was going to have my surgery. :(Yep. After 2 week pre-diet liquid fast and over 1 month post op, she wondered when I was going to finally get it done! And she's been in Florida for 3 months and not seen me everyday so it's pretty obvious it's not showing yet! Hang in there. We'll get there too. We're just walking instead of running.

I'm a little over 2 weeks post op, and I've been sticking to the foods In my diet plan. I've dropped a total of 19 lbs but today I weighed myself again and I've gained back 3 lbs.. could this be because I'm about to get my period in 3 days? Please tell me it's just hormones and I'm not messing this up somehow Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I have UHC. It was a very simple process. Took about 10 days to get my approval once everything was submitted. I didn't have to take any health/nutriton classes. I had my very first consult with the lapband doctor on Sept 26, 2009 and had surgery November 1,2009. I only had to submit a referral from my primary MD because my BMI was lower than the "required" 40. Hope all goes well for both of you

Welcome! I'm pretty new too, surgery is scheduled for August 19. You'll learn a lot of great info from this site!

I started the process in April of this year. Had to have 4 visits with my PCP and 1 with nutritionist. 3 wks for insurance to approve. Pre-op is tomorrow 10/3 and surgery is 10/9. I asked for a case manager with my insurance copy, she confirmed everything I needed and check on the approval status.

I've dread them for almost 10 years now. Wish I could wake up and it's January 2nd.

Dec 30, 2013 was the day i thought my weightloss journey would change my life for the better. As soon as i awoke, my life was changed, i was in excruciating pain in my chest that they thought i was having a heart attack. I ended up staying for 1 week n a day. It would've been longer but i was scared of getting a feeding tube do i forced myself to drink. To make a long long story short, I'd end up having an egd monthly, upper gi 3 times, sent to specialists to figure out what happened to me. I've been on so many meds, throwing up most nights anything that I'd eaten that day to present, acid reflux an understatement ! Ph tests, swallow test, had 3 different surgeons see me. Finally, lots of continuous praying, i was sent to the surgeon that was suppose to do the surgery initially. After 3 months of her investigating, she decided that i need a revision. So here i am, starting all over again with the stages, minus 85% of my stomach. To this day, i can still only drink about 32 ounces of liquiq per day, forcing that. It hurts to drink, eat, swallow my own saliva, i hate to think of eating or drinking. I lost 83 lbs, put back 10 bc i started eating rice, although it hurt, it was less painful and simple to cook wo wasting it bc i can't eat it! I gave up on exercising and even caring. I told my doc that as well. She's very kind and hard knocks at the same time. There will be 2 surgeons, i am scared, she said id need a drain, i might be cut instead of scoped bc of possible scar tissue from vsg, and a higher chance of leaking. Wow, seems like i can't catch a break. Please pray if you don't mind. I just moved up and fixed thanksgiving so that i could try and eat with my family. Dec 4th, im discouraged but trying to be hopeful. God willing, this will make things the way they should have been b4, if not better! God bless you all and gl. Thank you for reading my story. I hope to have good news postop!

First let me say Thank You for all your prayers. My surgery was Friday 9/16. Here is my story and I'm sticking to it. First I am still very sore and still alot of gas. My surgery had a few complications. I have a hypo-Thyroid so this played a little issue with the surgery but not bad. Then they discovered that I was bleeding under the skin and had to put a drain and bag on. I only say this so everyone knows that not every surgery is perfect. That being said I do have to say that outside of the complications it really was a wonderful experience. The people from Belite were there with me all the time. They were great and compassionate and honestly caring. JoAnne from Belite was actually there and when she came to see me after my surgery, she immediately ran to the Dr's and told them that I did not look well. I had every Dr and nurse in my room. I tried to get up severval times after surgery to walk to relieve the gas but as I sat on the end of the bed I fell back and passed out. They were there to fix the situation and since I had to stay in bed...no walking,,,hence a slower recovery. Belite was there to pick me up, transfer me to the hospital in Tijuana for pre-op then take me to the hotel for the night. We met with the surgery team that night at the hotel and they answered every question we had. INT hospital is one of the cleanest hospitals I have ever seen and I was a little hesitant of going to Tijuana. We felt very safe. I actually felt more safe there then in some of the US cities. And we were full-time RV'ers for 10 years so I have seen alot of cities. Dr Rodriguez and his surgical team were the tops in their field. We are now thinking of going back in a few months for my husband and will not hesitate to use Belite and Dr Rodriguez. Any questions I haven't covered pleas ask. Everyone else that had their surgery done the same day as me had no problems. I think my problems were a result of a combination of a 58 yr old women 5'0 245 lbs and with a Hypo-Thyroid problem. I really can't say enough good about, INT Hospital, Dr Rodriguez and his team, and all my new friends at Belite....Thank you especially JoAnne, Jamie, Amy, and Alberta (driver) Good Luck to all approaching their surgery and my prayers will be with you all. Janet

I had gastric by pass 3 years ago. Lost 107 lbs. Now I have gained 10 lbs and would like to get it off. Any suggestions would be so wonderful. Dom IN NEED OF HELP

Almost twins!! 10-17-2017

You know....healthcare staff really p*ss me off. Its like they dont realize that they are providing a service, and you are a PAYING CUSTOMER (without you they wouldnt be getting paid by the ins. company!). I am glad that you made the reference to the waitress, because really, its not all that different. They think that they can talk down to people, demean them, be rude, and we will just keep coming back and giving them our money. I actually left a doctor because his office staff was so rude to me, so I decided to take my "business" elsewhere. Another time, I had to get off work early to drive to see a doctor that was an hour away from my home. When I got out of work, my car had a dead battery. So I had to hurry up and find someone to help me jump my car. I got a late start, so in an attempt to be courteous I called them and let them know that I might be 15 minutes late. (Mind you I have been seeing this doctor for 7 years, and my mom has been going there for 20 years and neither of us had EVER been late to an appointment before). They said that if I was 10 minutes late, then I would have to reschedule my appointment! I said "If I have to reschedule my appointment, it will be with a different doctor." So I rushed to get in on time, and I made it approximately 8 minutes late. I was standing at the check-in counter and I heard a woman in the back saying "Abby called and said that she was going to be late, and when I told her if she was 10 minutes late then she would have to reschedule, she said then it would be with a different doctor." And another lady said "oh my god, what a bitch." They didnt know that I was standing there. I said "Don't worry, I made it here just in time!" and gave her a little smile. They were both shocked that I heard them. If I didnt love my doctor then I would definitely have changed doctors right then and there.

I got my period about 10 days early and about a day after getting out of the hospital. It ticked me off too, because I had intentionally planned my surgery date at the middle of my cycle so I would not have to "deal" with recovery and that time. Ugh. But I must say I am not on any type of hormone, pill, patch, etc. and my periods are completely 100% normal since being sleeved. Except for getting cheated on that extra week back in Oct. I think it is more common for them to be out of whack, so I don't know exactly what I'm doing but they were normal before and after the sleeve, so maybe I'm just lucky?

Hi everyone! Like many others, I too have read this site for some time now. This is my first post because I've been a little apprehensive to post--but then I thought, "what the heck" and decided to introduce myself. I'm 19 (young I know) and I decided to begin my lap-band journey in June of this year. Basically, my main reason for choosing to have this surgery is because this really is a last resort. I know some of you may be thinking that I'm awfully young to have to move to a "last resort" but, hear me out. I've been overweight my whole life, seriously, my mom started watching what I ate at age two. Anway, at twelve I was diagnosed with dismetabolic syndrome with insulin resisitance. We hear about this a lot now, well type two diabetes in children now but when I was diagnosed my case was actually just surfacing. In one of the leading children's hospitals in the nation, I was the only patient with a condition like mine in the whole hospital. Anyway, sorry to go on and on. So, now at 19 I am at risk for PCOS and have normal blood pressure but it's abnormally high for my age. My mother and gradmother are also overweight--so I guess you could say it runs in the family. I am experiencing things that a fifty year old woman should be dealing with--not a nineteen year-old. I'll give a few more details about my self, just so you get the idea---I promise to make it short! :eek: I also have lower back pain and joint pain in my knees. I did tae kwon do for three years and while I was healthier, the weight never seemed to come off. Oh, I almost forgot my diet! Since about twelve I have been eating low carb but have not cut out carbs completely. And last but not least---my weight and height (for the whole world to see) I am 5'7 and about 330. OK, so now you know a little about me. Let's see, what else can I say...ah yes, surgeons. I have United Heath Care (primary) and Coventry (secondary) insurance but am having to go through conventry. My primary won't cover the surgery until I am 21 so...secondary insurance it is. As far as the surgeon...really my only option is Dr. Hohen from the Bariatric Center of Kansas City. Coventry only has Dr. Hohen in their network--at least that's anywhere close to where I live. I like in the KC metro area but go to school in Springfield, MO. While I am mentioning school--I'm an English Education major and I love literature---Go English! :biggrin1: Anway, this is getting to be a novella...so I'll end it here. I look forward to meeting all of you and have enjoyed reading the plethora of information on this site--it's amazing. Oh, and as of now, I am still in the beginning of this journey. As of Friday, my file is being referred to the person in charge of the psych. consult! Finally, after 3 months the ball begins to role!:clap2: Lauren :kiss2:

After the Prilosec last PM I still had a wicked cough while trying to sleep BUT no heartburn at all today. I spoke w/ the NP at my lap band center and she suggested I take the Prilosec daily for 7-10 days and that I go to full liquids for a few days as well as avoid caffeine, spicy foods and alcohol. Joan

Hi... I am in South Jersey too. Burlington County. I went to Dr Kirkland. He is awesome! I was banded on 10/4. I have lost 45 pounds so far. He believes in fill & not making you wait. I could have had 3-4 fills by now but i have only had 1- 1/2 cc's put in & I do not need any right now. It feels great! Good luck!

My period came like a week early the day AFTER surgery (not cool) and the next period was about 10 days EARLY! . . . So more frequent. Hopefully they go back to normal soon.

@@LisaCan do this welcome, welcome, welcome and welcome i see you are less than one day old!!!! talk about your newbies 66 lbs down OMG you are doing great i've always heard losing 10 lbs a month is average/good in 5 months, 66 lbs down i would say you are above average sorry about your hair loss this is common side effect that happens to many but IT will grow back don't get discouraged easier said than done you are obviously a smart cookie since you chose to have weight loss surgery you found this great informative/support group you are great by jumping into the boards so quickly with your questions people will answer your questions tell their experiences give you support............ but at the end of the day ALWAYS listen to you doc or NUT (short for nutritionist) trampoline?? sounds great you are obviously getting "UP" in the world continue to follow all the rules keep up the good work kathy

Thank you. Congratulations on your anniversary and your success!! Sent from my XT1635-01 using the BariatricPal App

Thank you. 135 by December. Sent from my XT1635-01 using the BariatricPal App

Hi! My husband is in the Air Force and we are stationed at Lackland AFB, TX. I was seriously considering the RNY surgery, but was too scared of the possible complications and side effects. Just this past week I found out that Tricare is now covering the lap band surgery. I had said before that if they ever did I would do it in a heartbeat. However, we will be moving this summer (more than likely) and I don't want to start the process of getting approved and then have to start it over when we move. I just hope where ever we move I will be able to find a good surgeon. Does anyone know how to look for a great surgeon in the bariatric field? Or have any tips of what to look for? Also, my BMI is only 34 right now however I am borderline diabetic, I have PCOS, hypertension, high cholesterol, and had my gall bladder removed 10/07. I could still lose 100lbs and be in my normal wt. range though. Also, I'm looking for people's experiences with getting the lap band. What I can look forward to, or not? I'm very excited for this journey! I know that with the lap band I'm not going to drop 60lbs in a month or anything and this is particularly why I chose the lap band. I really wanted something that will help me keep off the wt. more effectively than just diet and exercising. I really see this as a tool to lose wt. more than just a miracle wt. loss procedure. Thanks in advance for all your advice!:wink2:

My seminar was 2-10-07 and my surgery is set for 4-2-07. My first consult with the Doc. Was 2-27-07, misc. appointments, then pre-op diet is tomarrow 3-19-07 for two weeks and my last Doc. visit is 3-22-07, and I will be banded on 4-2-07 = less than 60 days from seminar to surgey - self-pay!!!! GOOD LUCK AND HEALTH TO YOU AND ALL!!

If you do not have insurance to cover, there are many places to have this done. I know Mexico is a bit far and I would think a little scary, but there is a lady in Cincy that is cheaper than that. Just ask around on here, tons of self pay's under 10 grand. Most say they would do it again in a heartbeat.