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I'm 58 years of age, male, 340 lbs, 5'11.5" and semi-retired from teaching. I made the decision to have gastric bypass of some kind in 2014. During the fall of 2014 I made an appointment with my physician, actually I think it was my annual checkup! When discussing my health issues, i.e. pre-diabetic, sleep apnea, morbid obesity, osteoarthritis, and borderline high blood pressure I brought up the possibility of having gastric bypass. I was VERY nervous to ask about this as I figured he would treat me as a failure for not wanting to lose the weight the old fashioned way (which I had done 3 or 4 times since I was married 34 years ago). Shockingly, he was very positive about it! This started the process, he said there were surgeons in the metro area, I live in the Omaha/Council Bluffs metro, but on the Iowa side of the Missouri River. The bariatric surgeons were located in Omaha. So off I went, first I contacted a surgeon in Omaha who said I needed to do 6 months of nutrition counseling. I could do that through my general practitioner's office. During August and September 2014 I met with the nutritionist and was off on my journey, so I thought. Late September, my wife and I were stunned to find out she had advanced ovarian cancer, it was truly heartbreaking and awful for us, our daughters and other family and friends. She became quite ill very fast and we were so worried that she wasn't going to make it two months. My surgery plans, of course were put on HOLD. Anyway, through lots of prayers, great physicians and my wife's determination she licked the cancer and by January 2015 she had been through 3 rounds of chemo and surgery to remove the tumors. The pathology report came back with such good news about being in complete remission the surgeon called my wife personally to tell her, he was VERY excited that it went that well. My wife still had 3 more chemos in front of her, but finally on February 27, 2015 I restarted my process. Initially, I had begun the process through an Omaha bariatric unit, we quickly had found out in the fall at the same time my wife became ill that our insurance would not cover physicians in Nebraska. We were limited to Iowa. Because of the severity of the wife's illness she was able to get a waiver to get a specialist in Nebraska. My "illness" as such was not life threatening and they would not approve the surgeon in Omaha. I made my second shot at appointments with the University of Iowa in Iowa City, IA. This is a 3.5 hour drive from home but it was a major medical university and the original home of the "father of bariatric surgery". So I felt that this would work, even with the long drives on occasion. The first appointment went well, they sent me home with nutritional counseling, paperwork completed and a pre-surgical diet to follow. They told me to lose 35 lbs by May 22, 2015. I went home, two days later I had a eschemic colitis attack. Four days in the hospital, one partial colonoscopy, lots of bleeding etc. etc. etc. I had never had a problem with my colon before, let alone an attack. The diagnosis came back that the attack tends to be one and done. But could possibly happen again, more than likely it would not. Thank god. My biggest fear was that gastric bypass wouldn't be an option because of the colitis. Gratefully, the doctor's had no problem with me continuing. After a rocky start, I was back on track by the middle of March and the weight loss plan that the U of Iowa put me on was basically the soft diet that I would look forward to following surgery. I found their diet was very helpful and keep me from being very hungry. I think working on the 64 ounces of Water a day and the 3 cups of skim milk for Snacks was probably the key to my success during the pre-op period. I did start an exercise plan at that time which for me was 10,000 steps a day AND/OR 30 minutes on the treadmill. It took a few weeks to work up to 30 minutes as I started at 20 but within 3-4 weeks I was there. By late June, I had lost nearly 45 lbs! On or about June 27th I went in for my pre-op checkup and they were very pleased with my progress. All systems go! Surgery was now officially on July 1, 2015. Stopped at a BBQ place in Des Moines on the way home. I suppose this was a last supper sort of thing lol. My wife and I hit the road for Iowa City. Arriving the night before, as I didn't really want to get up at 4 a.m. to make it there for surgery at 7:30 a.m. Remarkably, surgery was very uneventful, took about 2.5 hours was in recovery for another couple of hours because my room was ready and then started walking around the hospital floor that evening. Pain was minimal, I have had some other abdominal surgeries so kind of knew what to expect after gallbladder surgery, hernia surgery, etc. This was my first laproscopic though. It looks like you have been shot with a machine gun as you have 5 holes in a circular pattern of sorts around your stomach. I had two drains. These stayed in for a week! I went home the next day, and the drive back was also very smooth. Kudos to my wife who is an excellent driver too :-). Way better than me....lol. I stayed home the rest of that week and the next Monday as that is when my post-op appointment was and another return trip for a 20 minute doctor appointment. (7 hours for 20 minutes, uggh). But I did get my drains removed, those are a pain in a couple of ways. First they dangle from your body, second you have to drain and measure the amount of Fluid that you are dispelling from your body for the doctor's information. Of course, my menu was full liquid at this point and for the most part that went pretty well. I couldn't get 64 ounces of water down very well, but usually 50 or so. Lots of blended, hmmm crap.

Well, it is post op day three, and I want to thank everyone who gave me so much encouragement yesterday! I am feeling better today. Still sore, but much better than yesterday morning. I was able to drink an unsweetened ice tea last night at dinner time, and even sipped some apple juice when we got back to our room. I had my procedure done in Tijuana, Mexico, and we choose to stay in San Diego overnight before we flew home. (Have a six hour flight today, with a two hour lay over in Minneapolis, MN, then another hour long flight to Iowa, then a 45 minute drive home, so will be a LONG day.) Am sipping apple juice this morning, and plan to have a Protein drink before we leave for the airport. I am amazed that I haven't felt hungry at all since the surgery. Usually I am ALWAYS staarved. I can't wait to get home to get on a scale and see how much I have lost. I lost 20 pounds on the hated Pre-Op diet. I couldn't believe how the weight dropped off, BUT the diet was horrible. NO carbs. I really missed my potatoes, Pasta, breads, etc. I guess I better get used to it, cause I'm going to have to eat those things in real moderation in the future. I am so excited to get to the mushy foods stage, I can't wait! But today I am just going to concentrate on feeling thankful that I feel so much better today! Thanks again everybody who wrote to encourage me! Kathy [link=http://www.TickerFactory.com/weight-loss/wt7yUNu/] [image noborder]http://tickers.TickerFactory.com/ezt/t/wt7yUNu/weight.png[/image]

I am just starting my appointments and am both excited and nervous! I am pleasantly surprised about how healthy everyone is saying I am. I am 41yo and start weight is 325lbs. Excited for the change and being healthy!

Yeah I can understand the weight gain. I gained about 4-5 lbs from the iv fluids. Hoping to get those off once I start getting my protein and daily fluid up. I wouldn't worry about it this early.

mine has been how effortlessly the weight comes off and how I'm not craving foods like I used to!

How much weight have u guys lost since Monday if u don't mind me asking? :-)

Hi! I was banded just over a month ago. I lost around 6 pounds the first week, but only 2 since then. My surgeon has a new doctor in his practice so I haven't seen my surgeon since my actual surgery. I really do not like this new Dr. He made me feel horrible about not losing more weight. I have been doing what I am supposed to but my losing really slow. He just made me feel like he didn't believe me and I was completely honest with him. Anyways, guess I am stuck with the practice for now but wish I had made another choice. I am really curious to know what guidelines other people's doctors have them following. For example, my doctor has me on Low Carb...only 30 carbs a day. I hear other doctors have no restrictions on their patients except them eating smaller portions. I would even be glad to have a calorie limit to follow rather than Low Carb. I know I should do what my Dr recommends, but if other people can eat what they want (healthy) and still lose, then why not?? I would love to find a buddy that I can bounce ideas off of, so PM me if you want to chat. I could really use some advice on the whole Dr thing as well as determining what I should be doing eating wise.

Thanks everyone for your input!! I had a little pity party over the weekend but I am back at this week. I can really tell I got a fill as I have been sick several times. I am going to stick to the low carb for now but I hope to one day not to feel like I am on a diet. I was never a huge overeater before but still gained weight each year. I am going to try to not let this guy bother me as I know I have been doing the right things (for the most part). There was a women I was talking to in the waiting room who was a couple of months out and had only lost 6 pounds so I know I am not the only one. I hope it will come off a little easier now that I have had this first fill.

Sooooo, I've been on here a a medium amount. Asking questinos, lurking, reading. Even tried to answer a few and be supportive to a few...although it feels that I still have no idea what I'm doing since I'm still new to all this. Yesterday was my month mark. I started at 242, only had a 1 day liquid diet pre-op plan (so no weight loss before surgery), ......and I have lost 23 pounds in one month. Now...to me, that totally blows. Because I have read where some people lose 50 pounds in one month. Should I be happy? Should I be disappointed? I mean, I know everyone is different......but still.

I bought ankle weights and took out the lead weights that are inside the wrap thingy then stuffed all the lead in my bra. It was hillarious. I looked like Pamela Anderson

I'm looking into lap band surgery but I only have a BMI of 38. Insurance will only cover if I have BMI of 40, hence a difference of 10 pounds. I'm on my 6 month insurance recommended diet. My Dr says I'm crazy to gain weight just for the surgery.... but I really want it. What do you all think?

I am going to my one year post surgery check-up and am a little nervous. I have been doing well I think but you never know what they will say. I have lost weight and that is all that counts to me!!!!!!!!!!!

Look at all the IV fluids that were pumped into you. It's normal to gain a few pounds after the surgery. And what the heck are you doing housewoek after 3 days?!!!!

Congrats Mel! I just got banded Tuesday and I actually gained 1.5lbs from the day of surgery so Im just hoping it will go away soon. Good luck! You are doing great

have lost ,,, 120+ lbs,,, feel,,, friggin amazing,,, I have SO So,, much energy,,, I work in LV,,, and used to sit on my ass during lunch,, I now,,, make a point to get up and walk around the casino,,, or whatever hotel Im at,,, Im playing tennis,,, b ball,,, swimming like a fish,,, Ive worn out most of my friends,,, but who cares !! Ive made new ones,, keys,,, listen to your doc,, and most importantly your nutritionist,,, exercise as much as you can,,, and watch the caloric intake,,, Ive also,,, quit drinking ,,, cold turkey,,, if your on the fence on this procedure,,, its a game changer,,, it is a TOOL... a powerful tool,,, but crud will go in my body,,, I eat,,, 800 calories or less a day,,, have never had a ,,, slow down,, or weight pause,,, steadily,,, 12 to 8 lbs a week,,, but once you get the Protein correct,,, ammt,,, it will change your life !! WOW

JUST A LIL PAIN BUT NOT AS BAD AS I WAS THINKING! Im on full liquids and im drinking Isopure Protein drinks and Water - I was given pain meds and nausea meds too. So I'm doing great! I get lil chest pains here and there but they only last a few seconds, any of u get that post op? Is it normal? My starting weight was 347 (highest) and preop diet on my day of surgery 332 and 2 days post op 328.0 - wow !! I'm loving my sleeve !!

Your body will lose weight in steps, not a gradual level loss. Mine does anyway. I'll go 4 days without losing a pound and then 2 will fall off. Pretty weird but that's the way it goes. Don't worry about it. Your fat can not sustain the level of calories you're taking in. It has to give in and come off eventually. Hang in there. From a guy's point of view.

I have managed in a week and 2 days to lose 16 lbs. but my weight has not changed in two days. I know this sounds like I am being a "baby" , but i am worried what I am doing wrong. I am slowly adding mushy solids trying to maintain my Protein. I do weight every day I am sure that is not a good idea. Anybody further out from me have any words of wisdom??

I had 3cc I went to the dr this morning and he took out 1cc and 1/2. I go back in two weeks and he said he will put some in then if needed. I feel so much better already. I had lsot 6 pounds since my last visit 4 weeks ago. I will probably gain when I go back in 2 weeks though cause yesterday I couldn't even eat. So when I start to eat solids i will probably show on the scale hope not though. Elfe I was pbing I guess cause when I would eat it would slowly work its way back out with slim and food Water actually projected back out. Is that what you call that pbing. I'm having homemade potato soup for dinner and supper. Back to solids tomorrow.

Hello everyone! I have been lurking on on this forum for about a year or so, and it's been invaluable for learning about the procedure so thanks to all you that have been contributing your experiences and ideas. I was sleeved outpatient on Thursday and went back Friday for a quick check-up, and it seems my progress is so far so good. I'm excited to have my sleeve, but at the same I don't think I have fully processed it yet - it's not like getting a boob job or lipo, you can't process it immediately but I'm sure when the lbs fall off I will "get it" I was on clears Thursday, mainly ice chips on Thurs since even swallowing Water was very uncomfortable. Due to the anti-nausea patch I also had the world's driest mouth, it was disgusting! The hotel i stayed at overnight had a free continental Breakfast so I decided to have some heavily diluted apple cider, it was nice to have something that tasted nice after only tasting the disgusting liquid oxycodone the day before. I also grabbed a few skim milks, caffeine-free tea bags and light yogurts to bring home for the next week Today I just had my first Protein drink, a scoop of Optimum Nutrition Double Rich chocolate in 8 oz of skim milk, it's relatively tasty so I'm happy with it! The worst part of my experience are kind of random: it took about four people to get an IV in me - I've known from having to do labs that I have the world's worst veins, but apparently securing a vein for IV is a lot more challenging. They brought in the anesthesiologist and fifth time was a charm, he managed to find a teeny tiny vein in my right wrist that worked for most of the time. I went back the next day to get more fluids and unfortunately the IV popped out a couple of times. The first time they put it back in but then when it started leaking again they spoke with the Dr, who said that I was healthy enough to just get my fluids the old-fashioned way (thank goodness, I hate being a pincushion). Also, I have gotten a few bouts of hiccups, which are very aggravating and painful when they come right after surgery...the Dr I spoke with suggested that I take my valium and alternate between sipping hot and cold liquids. Don't really know the science behind it but I've been hiccup-free today so I'm happy. So anyway, I'm very excited for the future! I had some second thoughts when I was thinking about the sleeve...food has been such an important part of my life (which goes for many others here I'm sure) so I went though almost a mourning period thinking about all the things I couldn't do, like each a McD's happy meal, Indian buffets or an entire Chipotle burrito. Then I guess it clicked with me that I did have a choice - I could eat all that stuff if I wanted to, the tradeoff would be that I would die early from health complications or maybe develop diabetes which would restrict what I could eat anyway. So why not get out ahead of all these things and take the initiative to lose the weight before life forces that upon me? I'll try to participate here more, there's so much insight about post-op care, sustaining weight loss and activity, can't wait to be a "loser" with the rest of you!

Hello Everyone: Visited with my surgeon, shrink and dietician yesterday and now I'm scheduled for Feb. 17 for the Lap-band. Looking for local folks going through what I am. My weight got up to 358lbs when I said whoa and now its time for a lifestyle change and a new me. Hope to hear from you about what you are going though.

​hi everyone, I'm a newbie to this site but I hope to be able to learn some things and make positive connection here. I am on day two of being off of pureed foods and my wounds are healing well. I am being super neglectful of everything I choose to eat because I don't want any post surgical issues. I'm excited to have lost 18.5 lbs. And look forward to getting to my goal weight! ​Jazer

Hello everyone my name is Brianna. I'm 20 years old and 277 pounds. I started a new job at a hospital as a patient care assistant where I take care of patients that have had surgery and one being the Lap Band surgery. Since I have been working there this memory of me wanting the Gastric Bypas surgery came into my mind...but then I thought to myself why not get the Lap Band since i'm still young. So now i'm in the process of working on my 6 month diet that my insurance requires, getting my doctors appts. set up, and all that other little stuff that is required before surgery. I'm soo excited to do things that me weight has stopped me from doing before. Such as playing a game like Basketball, or tennins, or anything that requires a lot of movement. Or going on rides that require you to be locked in..or there is this ride at the fair here in Columbus that there are little seats that dangle from this huge thing and when it's turned on all the chairs go around in this circle(hard to imagine if you haven't seen it before), but i have never been able to fit into it..and i would love to some time. I just want to be able to enjoy life...so..here i go..on a journey...:car:

I just peeked into the excercise and fitness section and noticed far less post than in the post op section. Most of us who had the band were not exactly what you call gym gurus before we were banded, hence we gained weight which pushed us into morbid obesity! Im saying this in the most non judgmental way possible WE MUST EXERCISE! I know some have never even entered a gym, thats ok, there is still time to join, if not at least power walk/jog for 30 minutes a day. This post was as much for me as it is for those who are struggling with excercising! Good Luck and lets continue to encourage each other in this area!

hi everyone. i'm a week post-op and reading the topics on this forum has been very helpful. i'm not sure if this is the right place to post this, but i hope it is. i've been struggling, as most people do, with the post-op liquid diet. my surgeon and nut wants me on it for another week with 'thick liquids'. its driving me crazy, and last night i caved and had a small slice of cheddar cheese in arabic pita bread (very thin white bread). i chewed very thoroughly and everything was fine. the fact that my sleeve tolerated it makes me want to move myself in to pureed foods sooner, because i don't know if i can do another week of broth/soup and yoghurt and i don't know if they have me on it so i can lose weight ~faster (which i don't care about) or because pureed food might be 'too much'...my mini-sandwich experience makes me think it won't be. basically i'm confused and wondering if moving to a pureed stage sooner would actually do any harm, did anyone have a similar experience or try doing the same thing?