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How do you get your posts to show your personal information at the bottom? My weight, etc...doesn't show up when I post a new thread. Thanks!

Hi Shirley! I can certainly empathise with you about making the right choice! I too take ALOT of medication for pain & nerve pain in particular. I was fully able to swallow all (8) of my tablets after the initial 'leak test' post-op day 1. For me the sleeve was a safer option, less complications & because my husband & I wan't another baby, I didn't want to become severely malnourished. It also 'guides' your weight loss' where you do have to eat healthy & exercise for it to work for you. You still are quite restricted with a sleeve, as 80% of your stomach is removed. I can only have half a mouthful of Water per gulp & have to sip everything. I really don't feel hungry at all too, which is great! But if you aren't happy with the surgery option, change it. It's important to go into surgery with a positive mind & wake up with a fresh new attitude. I can only say how I feel about it (which I do feel superbly about)' only you can know what is right for you Hope that helps x

Hi all, my name is Yana! I am 26 years old, 271lbs, 5'3", and I live in Richmond, VA. I am very glad I found this place to connect with other people who are or have been in the same boat as me! I have started the process to get sleeved! per my insurance requirements I have a 6 month waiting period. I have already seen my nutritionist, done psychology evaluation, and will do my first PCP visit in mid January, oh and a sleep apnea as well. I have always been fat! all my life! but right now I feel like I am in my highest and need to do something about it. I was 200lbs when I met my husband, and almost 4 years later and one baby, I am 271lbs! not good at all! I tried weight loss pills, NutriSystem, Herbalife, all kind of diets and nothing was permanent. I have been considering weight loss surgery for the last couple of years. I started a new job recently, and I had to get my health screenings done, and I had to do it twice, my shocking moments was when I saw the results and my glucose level were very high and my blood pressure was high as well. I was like, I have a 20 months old son! and a husband with PTSD from war, I need to do something to be able to keep this family together!, and that's when after a talk with a really good friend of mine, she told me that she had the lapband and recommended me about the procedures and well! here I am, starting my journey! and very excited about it. Sorry for the long post and my writing, English is my second language =) Thanks for reading, all your posts have been very inspiring and encouraging. Yana.

I have been looking at this site for several weeks (my husband says I am kinda obsesed...lol), as well as other sites trying to find one where I can feel comfortable posting as well as getting positive feedback and answers to my questions. I have to say, everyone here is so positive and uplifting and I have learned so much already just looking around. I cannot wait to continue to learn more as I get deeper into the discussions and find support as my surgery date gets closer. I have never thought about having weight loss surgery till my husband and I went to see a fertility specialist and were told that my weight (along with having PCOS) is the main factor preventing us from getting pregnant. As I sat in his office sobbing, feeling embarrassed and down on myself, he told me about the Lap Band procedure. He said that it was a lifestyle change and that he has several overweight patients that have had the procedure and have not needed fertility treatments. When I got in the car, I dried my tears, took a deep breath and called the doctors office and reserved my space in the next information session the following week. We have been trying to get pregnant for over 5 years...this could be my answer to not only starting a family, but a change that will make me healthy for years to come! I started my journey in May 2011 by attending an information session, then my first consultation appointment with my doctor. I was informed at that time that my insurance requires a 6 month waiting period (which from reading on here is fairly common). I was upset that I had to wait, but these past several months have been months of reflection. I have worked hard on changing my eating habits, exercising 5-6 times a week and working with a trainer twice a week. My husband has been my biggest supporter and number one cheerleader. Looking back, I am thankful for this time of reflection and time to get my eating and exercise on track. I am an emotional eater and turn to food for comfort. I now try to turn to other things like exercise, reading, and yes, surfing this site gathering information. I still struggle with a fair amount of emotional eating and/or making bad choices, but from where I was the begining of the year, it is much improved. I have completed all of the required appointments (labs, therapist, sleep study, nutritionist, etc.) and my last supervised doctors appointment is on October 10th. I am keeping my fingers crossed for surgery in November. Everything checked out great with the exception of having mild/moderate sleep apnea, which I am having a hard time dealing with. I have had my cpap machine for a week and am still trying to get use to it. I am also going on a thrift store hunt this weekend so I can stop spending so much money on clothes as I loose weight. I am 31 years old and have so much life to live. I have been heavy all my life, but have been watching the scale go down the past several months...and will continue to watch it go down. I am so ready to see what the future holds...and I cannot wait to be able to go out and do the activities I miss doing, but I am too self conscious or heavy to do like roller coasters, water parks, race cars, etc. I am doing this surgery for me, with fantastic plans for the future, and a healthy, long life! So I will end by saying an official hello, and I hope I can be as helpful and encouraging to others on here, as I know you all will be to me!

Just wanted to know if anyone else had more to add to this post. I'm now on the pre op diet and I'm starting to lose weight. I still have this nightmare that my surgery will not be covered. My wife says I'm crazy. Anyone else in the same situation? Please tell me I have nothing to worry.

Hi, I'm recently found this forum last week. My wife and I both decided to get banded and just finished all of our pre-surgery testing for the lap-band. Hopefully our insurance will approve us quickly so we can still get this done before the end of summer. Does anyone know if it matters if your BMI drops below the required number during the pre-op diet? My BMI was 35.6 on the day I met with the doctor. Since I have hypertension my BMI meets the requirement for my insurance, but what happens if or when I loose weight during the pre-op diet? Should I be concerned? Was anyone else in the same situation?

Hi Dean, I was banded May 15th and I had my first fill today. I lost 10 pounds since surgery and the nurse said that was very good! She said a lot of patients don't lose anything in the first month and some even gain. So don't worry about it, you're doing great. We're all anxious to lose the weight fast but it's really not healthy to lose it too fast. You're on a new journey and the weight WILL come off!

Along with what Cindy C said --- I spent 2 years researching weight loss surgery and finally decided on the LAP BAND - I am 3 1/2 weeks post surgery and it is the BEST descion I have ever made~ Keep us posted

Awesome job!!!! Keep up the good work! It took me 2 months to lost 36 lbs. and I'm happy as can be with that (that's including the 10 day pre-op diet, LOL!). That's a lot of weight to lose in a month!!!!!!!

Thank you for reply. I guess I am still nervous about my inability to exercise. I cannot walk very far without pain and I worry about the ability to lose weight. I know with the weight loss that I should have less pain but I don't know if it is going to be enough. I am confident the diet will be manageable but if I cant take celebrex i am not sure how mobile iI will be. I know I am worrying to much but I only have one shot at this. I know when I did weight watchers I just stopped losing. I got so discouraged I figured I might as well give up. I can't thank you enough for responding so quickly and will keep you posted. I have just started the required testing. I have to do a colonoscopy and will have to stop my meds for a few days. I will see how I do. The arthritis is not going away so I have to be reasonable. God Bless

I am at 10 months post-banding and wanted to share my NSVs with all of you. :clap2: In no particular order: 1. I have a noticable jawline & cheeckbones, and only 1 chin. 2. I can sit in any seat now and not be squished in by the sides. 3. I now shop in the misses section for my tops (size Large). 4. I weigh less now than I have for the last 18 years. 5. I can cross my legs! 6. I can sit in a booth in a resturant without my belly hitting the table. 7. My collarbones are visible again. 8. Hubby can reach all the way around me when he hugs me. 9. I am just over 1/2 way to my goal weight (mine, not doctors). 10. I can look down when standing and see my toes! At my first visit to the surgeon my weight was 329. I now am 249.6. My personal goal is 165 or so (doctor says 135). At 5', 3", that was a lot of weight to carry around. I work out 1 1/2 to 2 hrs 5 days a week at the gym and love it. I hope to be at goal weight at my 2 year bandaversary. Thanks for sharing with me.

The only person I didn't tell beforehand is my Mom, because I didn't want her to worry about me. But, I find that the more people I tell, the more accountable I become. I think in my mind I know people are looking at me, watching to see me gain or lose weight and therefore, I can't "pig out" in front of them. Then, once I lose the weight (which I will), I'll be a great example for the surgery, hopefully inspiring someone else who is looking for an answer to their weight problems. That's my ideal goal.... until then, I'll probably regret telling the world on those days when I just want to be bad! Either way, do whatever you think is going to create a strong support structure around you.

dwbrown sorry you've had all these medical problems/surgeries - you are obviously very brave/strong dealing with what you have gone through happy you found this site - we love to give advice, but first we need to hear the questions you newbies should be asking we're always here to support everyone you didn't ask, but i just want to mention there are videos that you do from your chair only - i started out with some of those before WLS and continued for awhile - they could be helpful to you also you have a wise dr. - suggesting the sleeve as the way to go we on the sleeve board all say how wonderful the sleeve is, we're kindof biased, but the sleeve is the best WLS The sleeve works as a tool/assisting you to loose weight. Be good to the sleeve, work with it, and it will be good to you there is alot you have to do also - but i see your strength, so i'm sure you can accomplish the rules that go along with the sleeve glad you already have been approved by your insurance - thats one big thing you don't have to worry about early congrats on your future with WLS you will love your sleeve good luck

Even when I was the lowest amount of weight in my mid twenties I still perceived myself as fat. Something else to work on I guess... I complained a lot one day about it and my Mom got fed up and drove me to the grocery store and had me hold up 2 thirty pound bags of potatoes and she told me that I used to carry that weight. That alone really put into perspective how my body had changed as I struggled to hold on to them and carry them around. You sometimes cant help how you feel but try to redirect your thoughts to remind yourself of where you have come from. Well done on your weight loss

Hi Aplus, I guess I can say I was never really scared until recently for the surgery, and when my doctor told me if I did not lose weight I probably would not be around to see my daughter marry and have kids, because of the health problems I have which are related to my weight, that day I knew what I had to do. Of course I get a little more scared each day I get closer to my date. Today I even prepared a Will, and some other legal documents in case something is to happen, just to be prepared. I know when I go into that operating room the Lord will be with me, and if it is my time I will be ready. I'm ready to start living again, because for the past 15 years all I have done is exist.

Milk is a good (not great) source of Protein. unjury has a chicken Soup flavored Protein powder, which I have a sample of, but have been as yet afraid to try. If you're still on the full liquids phase, you could blenderize some cottage cheese with a little milk to thin it down. Cottage cheese is a great source of protein. Personally, I don't like ANY of the sweetened protein powders or shakes. None of them taste good to me, and they all seem to give me the trots. Always keep in mind that this phase of the post op diet is NOT for weight loss, it's for healing, so try not to worry too much about your calorie intake right now.

Okay I'm getting worried that I might not loss anymore weight. I'm currently 6 weeks out and I intake about 800 calories per day and I get all of my Protein in (like 70-90) and I get all of my Water in (80-120 ozs) and I work out every other day burning 700-800 calories on the treadmill. My question is will this 10 day plataue ever end. I'm scared I've might have messed up by getting this surgery and it don't work for me. I've only lost 20 pds since 2/15 and 15 pds on a 14 day pre-op diet. Here is my eating schedule: B: Protein shake S: Low Fat Cottage cheese L: 2-3 oz Tuna with 1 oz lowfat string cheese S: Protein Shake D: 2 oz Salmon, with 1 oz broccoli S: (2) SF popsicles before bed. Help any one! Sheka

Mari, congratulations on all your progress!!!! I'm also trying to get to 125lbs. I always share on this board that I've been one of those people that have stalled and dropped, stalled and dropped.... even thought I keep consistent with food/exercise/fluid. I think some of us are like that. For me the main thing is that I am losing the weight!!! It's soooo HARD when I am stalled though! But I just tell myself it will pass and I focus on what I need to do. Don't let it discourage you. It looks like you are doing GREAT! Keep up the good work kiddo! Oh, BTW, like you, there are some foods that I just have an aversion to. So I just don't eat them. I eat the ones that feel right. So it could be that the eggs and bacon are just not for you right now. It may change as time goes by.

I was banded 3/15/10, after trying for years to lose weight on my own. At 24, I was diagnosed with PCOS, and it took almost 2 years for me to become pregnant. I had thought about lapband, but not too seriously in the past. The kicker for me was when my dad (at 59) was diagnosed with diabetes, and told me it was because of his high weight. He weighed one pound more than me. I suddenly didn't see myself living long enough to see my (now 2yr old) daughter getting married, and that terrified me. The hardest part about post-op life is learning to slow down (when eating) and really listening to your body. You're body tells you when you're hungry, and when to stop eating. It tells you when your band is too tight or when you need a fill. It tells you when a food is good for you and when it's not going to work anymore (like eating chips). The hardest part by far was slowing down while eating. I had become accustomed to cleaning my plate at every meal, and it was a foreign concept to put the fork down and push the plate away when there was still food there. Good luck in your decision!!

Hi all, I'm new to all of this - just started thinking about getting the lap band a few weeks ago when the scale tipped way past the number that I swore I'd never see again. I've been a yo-yo dieter for years - I've been every size from a 24 to a 10. Right now - my bmi is RIGHT AROUND 35 but I have mild diabetes and a very extremely UNDER ACTIVE thyroid i'm scared to death of this surgery because of the POST OP way of life but i'm even more scared to gain any more weight - i have tried EVERYTHING - i just don't know what else to do....:thumbup: So any help or words of advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!!:thumbup:

I was banded by Dr. Ortiz in Mexico in January 2005. My total weight loss over the next three years was 130 pounds from my highest weight, 110 pounds after banding. My decision to go to Dr. Ortiz was cost - my insurance didn't cover bariatric surgery and I absolutely do not regret my decision. The procedure was still new in US in 2004/2005. I had a surgeon friend who performed my fills "blind" whenever I needed more restriction and we truthfully were "winging" it. I did ultimately have an overfill, but ignored the signs because I loved the weight loss. The price I paid was that I needed an emergency unfill (my surgeon friend moved to another state). I went a year with no/minimal restriction but had actually gotten too thin and needed to gain 15 pounds. I maintained that for about a year, then decided to get a fill. It was then (I only had approximately 2 cc in a 4 cc band) that we figured out something was really wrong because I became severely restricted and had an unfill again. The UGI revealed band slippage. I am waiting until after January 1, 2009 to meet with my new band doctor to decide what to do. I am self-pay because I no longer meet the criteria for bariatric surgery (or do I?). I'm not counting on BCBS to pay for this but I will probably go along with the surgeon's recommendation. I hate going into debt for this, but I hate being fat more. This is my story. Whatever I have had to go through, it was worth it to be thin again. FYI, my mother was one of the first gastric bypass patients in the US in the early 70's. She die four years ago, it did extend her life, but the quality of her life the last 10 years was pitiful. Land Band surgery spoke to my heart. I liked having my stomach and intestines and not dealing with malabsorption, etc. Looking forward to hearing from anyone who identifies with my issues and now problem of band slippage. I did it to myself - stress, overeating and mad vomiting. It still involves being able to control yourself and I wonder if I can do it without being banded. Probably not . . .