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Congratulations! 110 pounds in 10 months - great results and proof again that the band is a tool that properly used can enable someone to achieve life changing weight loss. I hope I do as well once I get banded. Down 17 lbs so far on a pre-op diet. Thanks for sharing your achievement and letting us all see the light at the end of the tunnel. Eric

Hi All: I was banded in Mexico by Dr. Rumbaut on September 28th, 2006, so tomorrow will be my 10-month anniversary. I am happy to report that I have lost 110 pounds thus far and am looking forward to losing more. I have had two fills in my 9.75 band and they total 2.5 cc's. For me right now, that seems to be plenty. I have a hard time getting anything down in the morning and sometimes at lunch. When dinner time rolls around, I am ready to eat, but can only do 1/2 cup to 1 cup of food. I stay away from most starches and certain meats, but I try to get in whatever Protein and veggies and fruits that I can. I also do Soups and Protein shakes so I can get the nutrition that I need. I also work out at least four times a week. The band has been a great tool for me, but I have to remind myself daily that it is only a tool. I still have "head" issues with food that I am working on by going to a support group meeting once a month as well as a weekly group therapy session meant for weight loss surgery patients. It has been a long time coming, but I am very, very happy with my decision and at this point in my life, I cannot think of a better way to lose weight for me. It has truly been the answer to all of my prayers my whole life, since that is how long I've been heavy. I wish everyone the best of luck and I wish you all the greatest success and I hope to be on this forum fairly frequently now. I find the best help to be the support one gets from others.

I started a list of motivational sayings and thoughts. I add to it whenever I think of something good. I read it everyday. I thought I'd share and encourage you to do a list of your own: 1. If I can take it than I can make it. 2. A goal without a plan is only a wish. 3. I got this, come hell or high water! 4. White jeans, heels, tankini and a dress.. 5. Take control of food and your life. 6. Live the life you dream of! 7. Crossing my legs, being comfortable on a plane, less jiggly while running and more stomach space while riding. 8. Climbing!!! 9. Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a new result, is called insanity! 10. How's that working for you?! 11. This is the beginning of making all your dreams come true. 12. You are braver than you know and stronger than you think. 13. Nothing tastes as good as thin feels. 14. FOCUS 15. Be kind to yourself. 16. PATIENCE 17. You can train yourself to be disciplined. 18. It's just a habit, it's ok to break it.

E, I started thinking about eating smaller. I bought WLS for dummies. The best advice I took from the book was that some Weight Loss Surgery (WLS) people start eating like every meal they have is their last. I actually went from 258 lbs to 247 lbs in the 3 month period before my wonderful surgery. edie banded 7-19-6 8-17-6 224 lbs

Welcome welcome lol. I've been banded since 12/22/10 & soooo very happy that I made that decision. Just do your research , & go to a support group meeting if you have to & this way you can be "all ears" & get pamphlets etc. Thats what I did. Good Luck with whatever you decide.

So, Friday, I spent the day at Cedar Point here in NE Ohio with my wife. We got there at about 10 AM, and we ended up leaving at 10:30 PM. In that time, I managed to ride almost every roller coaster that they had in the park. Only one of them was I completely too big for. Sure, some of the safety bars and harnesses were a little on the tighter side, even for their larger riders areas, but six months ago, I wouldn't have been able to ride anything. I had a blast with my wife, and as of today, my BMI is now enough under 40 that it no longer rounds up to 40.

Would you change surgeons pre surgery if: You discovered a surgeon locally (10 min drive) instead of across your state (3 hour drive) if there were no additional expenses and they would accept your info from Dr you have surgery scheduled with?? I found out my surgery date today 12/30 but it requires 2 more trips across, another $500 program fee and the local Dr is a center of excellence as well and likely will accept everything and do surgery within same time frame. I see pro's being - Dr is 10 mins away I CAN attend bi-monthly support groups locally Fills will be local No hotel bills Help!?!:confused:

Surgery week is here! My surgery is Wednesday, November 18th. I've got most of my stuff packed. I am packing for the hospital and the weekend after as I am staying with a friend at her apartment that has an elevator! My kitchen is cleaned out except for post-surgery items. I have the rest of today and the morning tomorrow to work and then two weeks+ off for recovery. One more trip to the pharmacy to refill prescriptions and get a few things and I'm ready. This journey started when I was put on my first diet at the age of 6 because I wasn't thin. (I wasn't fat either, but I wasn't thin.) I've never been thin, but its only been the last 10-15 years that I've really put on the weight. Like everyone else, I have tried everything. In July I realized that I was sick and tired of being sick and tired. My knees were starting to hurt climbing stairs, my feet were starting to become a problem, my diabetes (A1c) and blood pressure were creeping up, my wardrobe was soon going to need to go up another size and that was getting harder to find, and I realized that I had reached the point that I was ready for surgery. I had exhausted my last option and was ready and willing to make this step. So here I am almost the eve of surgery excited, contemplative, and scared. Ready to just get on with it and not have to be anxious anymore. To everyone else have surgery this week! Best wishes! pam

Oh yeah, my NUT wasn't terribly effective. I had to lose 10 pounds and it was really hard to lose. I'd go to the nutrition appointment and she'd say, "Well, you're down another pound, so it's going in the right direction. Are you chewing everything completely? Are you making meals last 30 minutes? Are you exercising on schedule? You're doing everything right, so just hang in there." Yup, I paid for that advice 4 times. No diet advice, no suggestions on how to change the exercise routine, etc. She's a nice person, but it's also hard to look at someone who is 5'10", weighs probably 135 lbs., and think of her as some sort of support person on this journey. I finally started losing weight when I went onto strict Adkins induction. I've lost quite a bit, but losing those first 10 took about 12 weeks!

thank you!!! yesterday was horrible...today is so much better. i picked my husband up about 10 last night so he is here with me now. i am being the strong one now, have broke down a few times but it's ok. we are celebrating her life and remembering the good and happy times. it makes us feel better!! i will start back to walking this next week. have to go monday and help my mom clean out her apt. i had my first stuck episode tonight and man oh man talk about hurt!!! i pb'ed and then slimmed. but was ok after i stopped panicing lol. but thank you all again!!

Hello everyone , its finally over and i made it through...I must say surgery went great no problems , i got out of bed after it and walked the hospital floor 6 times , i felt good,As far as the gas wow gas x is my best friend , And another thing the noise that your belly makes it unreal there is like a band in there just singing,I must be honest today was not such a great day for me, I was starting to feel depressed on whats going to happen for me in these next few months as my body image does change,I think its a scary process to go through and i am so thankful for this forum for me to learn , thank you so much

I finally got the nerve to tell my mother in law...against my husband's advice. Well the first thing she said was "Why can't you take Dexatrim"...."I have to watch my weight all the time, if I can do you, you should be able to do it." I was nice but I told her "Giving yourself an enima or taking laxatives everyday is NOT a HEALTHY DIET". I told her you told me you could NEVER SEE ME SKINNY because I have a pretty face...do you know how much that hurt me? She said, well I can't see you skinny and you do have a pretty face. She said, it's funny "MOST FAT GIRLS DO HAVE A PRETTY FACE". Then she went on to tell me about the people that she knows that have failed at WLS. I finally started to cry and told her you have NO IDEA! I told her I just wanted to let her know what I was doing but I am going through with it for my HEALTH...my LIFE! She said ok and changed the subject. My HUSBAND was SO RIGHT about her! I told him I told her and he said that was the WRONG person to tell it was NONE of her business. I didn't tell him her reaction and I'm not going to. He was be MAD! About 10 minutes later she asked if my Husband was going to take off of work for my surgery. I WANTED TO YELL by now but said OF COURSE HE IS!! Never in a MILLION years would I let her know he wasn't OK with this surgery at first! My oldest daughter told me today on the way to Church to just ignore her she doesn't have a clue. Everyone deals with this issue in a different way BUT if she CARES ANYTHING about me she will call the night before I go in but if she doesn't not to worry about it. She also said, MOM in FIVE years what will it matter...do you really have to worry about something that won't matter in five years. Do what is BEST for YOU and your HEALTH and don't worry about what OTHERS THINK! I LOVE when my daughter shows me a different way to view things. THANKS all for listening and I hope I can help someone that is going through the same thing with family or friends!! BE STRONG and BE TRUE TO YOURSELF!!!

I can sit here and name at least 10-15 stories of things going wrong from people who had bypass. You have to do the research and then make your choice, it's all about what you feel more comfortable doing. Good luck on your journey!

I was sleeved 12/19, left the hospital on full liquids and was told I could add mashed taters, yogurt, soups, and cream of wheat on 12/26. But I'm having a spoonful of potato soup on xmas day. I weighed on 12/23 and was down 10 lbs.

I had Mu surgery on 12/19 I immediately started broth, Jello, premium Protein shakes, pop cycles sugar free, propel Water. I am nearly drinking a total of 24 onces of Fluid I find it difficult to do more

Hello everyone! How is everyone feeling? This post is kind of long, but it's basically my update on how my surgery went I'll just fill you all in on how my surgery/recovery went... June 28, 2013 Got to the hospital around 5am. Checked in and around 5:15 I was called to the back to get prepped for surgery. After they got me into the hospital gown and got my I.V. In they allowed my parents and fiancé to come to the back. They gave me reglan to coat my stomach... Well I had a less than good reaction to it. I got hot, couldn't stop moving, and I kept asking if I was doing the right thing... Man o man was I scared... I was scheduled for 7:00 and my surgeon was late... I wasn't happy about that... Finally around 7:20 they came and gave me a shot that calmed me down and I fell asleep. The next thing I remember was kissing my parents and fiancé bye and then rolling out of the room, down a few halls and through a few doors. Next thing I know I see a big light to my left and hear someone say, "ok Dr. Richardson is on his way," then I was out. I was in recovery and was told my family could see me for 10 minutes on the even hours. I was in recovery for 9am. And my dad and fiancé came in for the 10am visit. Then my mom and fiancé came in for the noon visit. My fiancé had to leave to go to work. And my dad had to go run some errands so they both left. For the 2pm visit my mom was not called back until 2:30 which made me nervous. They asked again about a room since everyone else in recovery had already been moved...and there was all new people in there.... Between visits by my parents and fiancé I remember being woken up by alarms and a nurse telling me to take deep breaths through my nose. This happened every time I fell asleep. When asking when I would have a room and the nurses lied to me and my family and said I hadn't been assigned one yet. The real reason is because my oxygen levels and heart rate kept dropping. (Because of sleep apnea that we didn't know I had) It really bothers me that they never did tell my family what was happening in recovery... Just before the 4pm visit I was finally sent to a room that they forgot had been assigned to me... The rest of the afternoon I just slept on and off. Around 7 I got up and went to to the rest room and walked the halls for a few minutes. I did this again around 9pm when my dad was back. After my 9pm walk I was itchy. So i was given Benadryl and I was out until 2am when I walked again... Around 6am a nurses assistant brought me some ice, which I was glad to have. Then around 8 my nurse came in and asked if the doctor had came in an started me on liquids... I said no, but a lady brought me ice. Well it turns out I wasn't supposed to have ice yet... And the assistant got in trouble. I was itchy again and got more Benadryl. At 10am I was finally allowed to have sf lemonade and ice. It was yummy! Then I was released at 1 and my fiancé was there to pick my mom and I up at 2pm. The ride home went well. I haven't had much gas pain or severe nausea. But I have had some pretty intense hiccups! But those are getting better too! I hope everyone else is doing well with their recovery!

today is sunday february 3rd. today is the superbowl and also my BIRTHDAY!!! i am 5 days out (i got sleeved on tuesday the 29th of Jan) and feel pretty good. gas and stomach pain has seemed to give me a break today. it's almost 2:00 EST here in boston and I haven't taken any pain meds yet. i start my day with my 2 chewable centrum vitamins (btw i def need liquid centrum. i don't the like the taste or smell of the chewable). then i drink like a Sobe Zero water or Vitamin Water Zero. then i take my Sublingual B12. then i'll have a water bottle. (all slow sips of course). then i'll take a quick 10 minute walk outside. then come back, try like a special K drink or i'll have the instant carnation breakfast with a little ice and fat free milk. then my calcium tablet. then more water. then maybe another vitamin water. sometimes if i feel hungry i'll make tomato soup for dinner. then i take my 2nd calcium tablet. more water so on and so forth. been showering daily and i love it. needed it too lol. Just wanted to share. hope i'm doing the right thing. hope this helps others too. any questions or tips please feel free to comment or leave me a private message. thanks, Mark

I was worried about getting the leather band wet and if it would be to "watch like" for me. I really hope the silver bracelet comes out nice. HW 385 SW 359 CW 331 (54lbs down!) Sleeved 10/5/16

I'm having a hard time too I'm 10 days post opp and finally went a little yesterday. I read on another thread to put Fiber powder in your shakes and that should help I'm going to try that. Good luck. I have a hard time getting all mt Water in too but I put some crystal light in and 1 finally got a full 16 oz bottle of water in with in and 1hour and a half. I hope you feel better soon! HW 375 SW 337 CW 322 SURGERY DATE 7/31/13

I don't think anything like the SLEEVE was around50-70years ago! I do know they have data that is 10+ yrs post op. maybe longer.

I love my fitbit alta. I like how it keeps me motivated without being in the way, as i am not really a watch person. The one issue i had was that its kinda ugly. My husband is fixing that by getting me a fancy bracelet for it for christmas. Tamalynparedes@gmail.com HW 385 SW 359 CW 331 (54lbs down!) Sleeved 10/5/16

One word for you... ENEMAS. Go get you a double pack of Fleet and use both of them. You'll get some relief IMMEDIATELY! TRUST ME! ~Leticia **HW: 259**PreOp: 216**SURG: 3/21/13 **Discharged @: 221** 3 mons post op. CW: 160.0 lbs. --- Only 10 lbs to my goal ---

Had mind out 20 plus years ago after loosing a hundred pounds (I was 19 at the time). Regular incision. That scar is much worse/noticeable than my port scar. Don't mess with a gall baldder. The pains can be HORRIFIC. Lie on the bed in a fetal position and feel like you can't breath horrific! And I have a VERY HIGH pain threshold. I was a young and come hell or high Water I was going back to college after spring break. Someone I worked with (super thin) had it removed had complications and was out of work for 3 months. Another reason to not mess with the gall bladder.

How hard is walking for you? Is it like super pain, a little pain, or no problem at all? For me, when I started, I could only stand on my feet for like 10 mins before the pain got too bad so I did laps around the kitchen island pushing my desk chair in case it hurt too much and then sat down and rested and got up and pushed it more. When it got easier I started going outside and walking a couple houses down and then back and then the next day aim for another house or a stop sign or whatever to get to til I could do it around the block. My first time around the block I said to myself ok, it's the same distance to walk back as it is to keep going and if I keep going the way home is downhill...keep going it is. I'm up to 2.5 miles now although that last 1/2 is a beast lately! Maybe because I added in a 30 minute floor stretch/resistance band workout to the day 5x a wk. Though I really don't have any great insights for reaching those 10000 steps, I struggle with it myself, I just wanted to say congratulations @@Sajijoma! What an awesome job you are doing. Such a great example of how far you can go once you take that first 'baby step'. I am inspired and very proud of you