Search the Community

My Sister says I was reborn on February 22, 2011. Haha it's cute! Well I'm still feeling pain, fear that every little thing is a leak or some other complication and A LOT of regrets. I still wonder what I was thinking and why I'd put myself through this. I keep thinking about long term & how my life as I've known it for the last 26 years is gone. Everything I've known about eating...gone. But here are some numbers that I keep thinking of to try to make myself feel better & look forward to healing so that I can work out & try to take advantage of this opportunity I've been given. Highest weight ever : 305 Highest weight recorded @ kaiser: 286 Goal weight set by surgeon for surgery: 255 Weight on day of surgery: 248 Today's weight(1 week out): 238 That's good right? Right!

I'm almost 2 weeks and still a little bloated. I think some of it is b/c my tummy is too sore to "suck it in".

Mine lasted over 2 weeks. I had lost weight, but my clothes were very tight until it went away.

Be sure and get all your vitamins and supplements in. I was starving if I missed a dosage but always felt satisfied if I was nourishing my body. V8 Fusion is great along with any supplement you can mix in your shake. I'm almost four weeks post op and still find more satisfaction in shakes and liquids than I do any solid. Just a thought but maybe it will help. It gets better... Good Luck

My biggest incision, about an inch or two, to the left side of my belly button, is a big indent but bulging above the incision. It's always been that way since surgery and I've asked Dr about it twice and he said is the stitch and it will dissolve in a few weeks and it'll pop back out. Is everyone's like this?

I don't know if there is a "better" overall, but there may be a better for you at this time. If you aren't satisfied with your loss rate, or if you are stalling a lot, then try a change and see if that shocks your system into action. Initially, I needed six small meals a day but as I have progressed and could eat more different things, and more of them in a sitting in some cases, I have dropped one or two of those smaller meals to keep my daily calorie count in line. Smaller meals have classically been used to smooth out the insulin spikes during the day and to keep from getting too hungry and over-eating. Changes in intake or exertion are often used to break stalls; some find that upping their calories for a short term breaks a stall, fooling the body into thinking that it's no longer starving; trying the very low carb diet for a while, if you haven't already been doing so may do it - the shift into ketosis mode may tell your body that you're serious about this. Or try the other way around if you have been doing low carb and try adding carbs (preferrably complex carbs rather than twinkies!) - I have found that adding complex carbs in my meal (like some whole grain toast along with some meat and cheese) before a workout allows me to workout longer and with greater intensity than when I have a lower carb salad and meat. Another thing to look at is your workouts and exertion level. Simply changing a routine can often help, or varying the intensity of exertion. I found at around this three month time that my condition had improved enough that my exertion levels weren't taxing me as much as they used to - walking as fast as I could without breaking into a jog previously would get me into that 80% max heartrate zone (around 130+ at my age) that's often recommended for optimum cardiac and calorie burning effect but by the third to fourth month that same pace could barely get me to break 100 - it didn't feel all that much easier, but my body could sure tell the difference. Lots of things to try, good luck in ramping it up!

My best advise to you is two things: When you me doctor says you can start working out - go get your butt in the gym Secondly when you hit your first stall - don't panic. That is when I lost the most inches and in my opinion that was more important than the scale.

Space them out too! I tried to take three pills 5 min apart and it was not good! Got stuck!

I have felt so sick all day today. Between feeling constipated and nauseated. Not sure what is worse. I have barely eaten anything. I did manage six cups of Fluid. I am 4.5 weeks out. Anyone else feeling this way? Miserable...

Hello, I am 3 weeks post op and is really enjoying the band. The surgery is really not that bad. The liquid phase is hard but remember it is for healing not for taste. Good luck and much success.

Hi There. Hoping someone could give me some insight. I am 5 weeks out, lost a ton up front and have stalled for the past 2.5 weeks and actually gained 5-7 lbs back, but this morning I woke up with very swollen ankles! I'm following the plan and so I'm quite frustrated. I have never had a swelling problem except for once for a few days following my third child. I'm also fairly healthy besides my wight issue. So I'm so curious as to what is happening with my body?! I have a Dr. appt tomorrow, so I will hopefully get some answers then too, but I wondered if this has happened to anyone else?

Fairlife milk is delish! I miss it. I’ve been told no dairy for the first 2-3 weeks and they prefer we stay away altogether... but I know I’ll cave.

Sorry for the same post three times

I'm a week and a day post op and I have only lost 13 bounds all together I feel kind of depressed about that because I think I should have lost more weight than that. Ant feed back???

The first 4-6 weeks after surgery are for healing, not losing. Most don't loose during this time, some even gain, so if you lost 13 pounds you're doing great. Put the scale away for the next month and concentrate on following the post op diet, making smart food choices, and healing. Then once you're back on normal food and all healed up you can start worrying about weight loss.

I was banded on May 31st and lost 14 lbs the first week. Since then, I've lost 16 more lbs. At first, I started watching what I was eating and taking a lot of protein, but now I feel so discouraged. Fall semester for school started in August and since then, I have not been eating like I should. I have 4cc's and I feel like I can eat normal again. It's the worst feeling in the world because I look in the mirror and feel horrible about myself. I'm 12 hours away from my doctor and nutritionist, and phone consultations are not motivating or helpful. Does anyone know of a diet plan that can get me back on track? I'm thinking of finding a doctor close to my school so that I can get a fill and get back on track. I started INSANITY a week ago, and I've been sticking to it. I'm only 20 years old, and this has just been really difficult to deal with. I need motivation again. Thank you

Was just in for a cleaning last week....my teeth are perfect. Clean bill of dental health. You do need to take your vitamins, and you do need to be extra careful to brush more often because you're eating more often. I do recommend that anyone going into weight loss surgery get a dental checkup before surgery and get any issues repaired and resolved beforehand. Dental infections can be dangerous and you don't need the extra stress.

Well as always I am a lap band week poster, I just want to wish everyone a wonderful weekend as I don't log on during the weekend. (Computer is laying on the floor in my closet and can't set it up right now, remodeling) See you all on MOnday, or I guess I should say read about you on Monday. Take care, you all. Love,

I have awful heartburn as well. I have had it before and after the surgery. In the last 2 weeks I've started taking Prilosec once a day (just 1 pill) and also one of these Probiotics (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005P0NYFI/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) and there is a world of difference. These probiotics are inexpensive and they WORK. I've been heartburn free for 2 weeks now.

So, for the last week, I have been wearing my normal bra, and its just to dang big, I can barely wear it as its just too big - This morning I decided to look in my drawer and found some smaller bra's and decided to try one on - I went from a 48 DDD to a 44 DD I am SOOOO happy, I have had Big girls for quite some time and if they get really small, it will not bother me at all!! LOL sorry I just had to share

Also the nerves in your stomach continue to heal for 8+ weeks after surgery, so your stomach isn't getting smaller, but your nerves can get better at detecting food in your stomach and relaying that info to your brain.

I would check with your doctor to see if you're even supposed to be taking Vitamins yet, which may be why they're making you sick. I had my band to sleeve revision on the 14th and I'm not allowed to take any vitamins until my 2 week post op appt on Tuesday. And then, it supposed to be in liquid form since I'm on liquids only for 3 weeks. Your post op instructions may be different, but just a thought.

I've lost 45 pounds so far. My goal is to lose 115. I am 40 years old. Before surgery, I didn't have any wrinkles or saggy skin -- not even around my eyes. I am about 9 weeks out from surgery. I now have wrinkles around my eye when I smile. This is especially right under my eyes and the outer edge. My eyes are in more than they used to be. My belly looks very wrinkly/saggy right now. Some of this is due to four pregnancies but is just more visible since I lost weight. I was surprised that my upper arms are already showing a little bit of bat wing. When I started, my arms were 14 inches around. I've lost about an inch and a half in each, so it isn't really that much. But there is flabby skin under there now, and I am hoping it doesn't get any worse. I started lifting weights including exercises that specifically target the back of my upper arms. I am also working on strengthening my core. As for my eyes, I can't do a lot about them. I'm not upset about it. I remember hearing when I was younger that wrinkles show that you had a life that gave you a reason to smile often. Before my surgery, I did sometimes wondered if I hadn't smiled enough although I have a life that should have merited it and now I have the wrinkles to prove it. I should say, I don't think the wrinkles make me look older. I think the weight I've lost in my face actually makes me look younger. Just today someone mentioned she couldn't believe I'm old enough to have a 17-year-old daughter. She thought I was in my late 20s or early 30s.

I'm heading in for appointment number 1 today. I've got my binder all ready to go. They are going to think I'm a nut. It has the notes I took during my information session via webinar; a calendar for the several date options I would like to consider based on my teaching schedule (April, May, July); my documentation proof of 6 months of supervised diets as required by my insurance; copies of recent blood work and EKGs from my recent gallbladder surgery; pages of stuff I've found on this site and most importantly my list of questions for today. I've been thinking about WLS since 2004 when my then 60 year old mother had her bypass. I was heavy, but not heavy enough. I can remember joking with my PCP about being more than capable of gaining a few more pounds to qualify. But at the time I was working for United Airlines and our insurance policy specifically excluded all kinds of WLS. So I never actually thought I would be walking into a surgeon's office for this discussion. I retired from United and gained 35 pounds over the 10 years- neither of which I thought would happen. I'm a life long dieter. Diet pills in high school when I weighed 140lbs; Weight Watchers in college dropping from 160 to 140; Jenny Craig, many attempts at WW, South Beach, Atkins and most recently Ideal Protein. I even took Redux in the FenFen era. I have really good BCBS insurance now. Unfortunately I pay a fortune for it because my husband lost his job and we pay cobra. But since the payment is as big as the mortgage, I figured I should take advantage of it while I have it. The requirements for approval are surprisingly few- Be 18, have a BMI of 40 or 35 with co-morbid conditions; complete a psychological examination and participate in either a 6 month structured diet program or 2 three month consecutive programs. I'm 48. My BMI is 42. I did WW for 7 months in 2013 and Ideal Protein via my cardiologist for 9 weeks. I take BP medicine, a low dose aspirin, and a nitrate to reduce chest pains caused by a totally blocked small artery in my heart. So with the exception of the pysch eval- I'm already done with my requirements. It was a comment during a snow storm this winter that was really my light bulb moment. My 17 year old and husband headed out to sled one day and my daughter made a comment that broke my heart- She said "Mom, have you ever gone sledding with us? I can't remember even one time" OUCH! The truth hurts. I haven't done anything with my kids over the last 10 years and now they are all grown up. (17 & 20) I don't think my daughter ever understood because she was very heavy but never slowed down. I think she just thought I didn't want to do anything with them. Breaks my heart and I need to change that by being active with them moving forward. I want the 4 of us to do a Mud run kind of thing or ride the roller coasters at Cedar Point with them. (side note: my daughter stayed on WW and lost 65lbs in 2013 unlike the hubby and I who weigh more now) I have enjoyed lurking on these boards for the past view weeks and look forward to taking the plunge with all of you. Happy Friday!!! Amy

Hello VSG Family, I had my surgery on 09/21/11 in Juarez, MX. My surgeon was Dr. Jose Rodriguez and staff! Fantastic people!!! I would do it again if I got the same set of people. I am 3 weeks out, and down 22lbs. *Note: My photos have not been edited. They will load up to a large size on your screen. ("Close button is on the bottom right hand side.")They were taken on my cell phone while I was in the hospital, so please excuse any darkness and discrepencies. I get alot of questions like; What was it like? (Great Experience for me) Have you ever been there before? (Nope! Had to get a Passport and everything.) Where you scared? (Of course, but I needed this surgery -- so fear was not an option!) Keep in touch all.. *Note: There were 2 bathrooms in my room. *Note: There were 2 tv's in my room also.