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I'm packed and ready for my trip. My backpack weighs about 10 pounds. Will that be too heavy? I have a weekender, it's heavier but it's on wheels. I'd rather just use my backpack. Will 10 pounds be too heavy?

BANDED APRIL 1, 2009 I woke up from surgery with left shoulder pain and it let go at about day 10, returning here and there on occasion. i was so bothered by it because i couldn't take a deep breath which helps with recovery. i am a swimmer and all i wanted to do was take a deep breath. it still hurts a bit on occasion, and like someone above said, it might come back. pain meds help and when you're done with those, tylenol helps. also, i used a heating pad which helped a lot. it gets better. good luck.

I am 10 1/2 weeks out and my doctor just cleared me for any food. When you get cleared for regular foods, it's better to try to get your protein from food rather than protein drinks. I haven't used any protein drinks since 6 weeks, and then I was down to one 30gr Premier shake a day. It will depend on how many oz. of food you can get in without feeling too full whether you will need to keep using the drinks. I can have 8 oz. of food at one time, but I still can't get that in, but I eat so much protein (you need to eat your protein first at each meal) Remember though that the protein drinks are considered liquids and not food. You will be able to eat what everyone else eats, but of course smaller portions! Good luck! Don't worry about that now. Just take it a week at a time. You will do fine.

Yes, you can. I'm 19 months out and eat pretty much whatever I want, just in small portions. That said, I have ridiculous restriction and one scrambled egg fills me up. So for me, drinking one Protein coffee or tea each morning is a great way to boost my protein intake to where I like to be (90+ grams a day) without eating all day long. But my situation is a bit different as I'm stranded in Central Asia. When I'm stateside and have access to hundreds of different protein options it's definitely easier to reach my nutritional goals each day. Though honestly, I just don't like to sit down to four heavy meals of meat or eggs a day and drinking a shake is an easier way for me to get there. But if you don't like them, it's not something you're going to have to do beyond the first six to nine months. I'm not going to lie, though. If I had to drink a Protein Shake every single day for the rest of my life and the trade off was being this size, I'd do it in a heartbeat. ~Cheri

Hey all! So for the last 3 weeks I have been at the same weight! I only weigh once a week, I'm not a scale freak! But I've switched up my diet a little bit, more water , more protein, diff proteins, my sugars are barly any and my carbs are never higher than 10-20 and I never eat bad carbs , bread , white flour ! What's the problem Ahhh! I'm 12 weeks out!

I've always taken Centrum (or the generic equivalent from CVS or Walgreens). I started with the chewables and after a few months moved to the regular tablets. I guess you could check with your clinic to see if it's OK for you to move to tablets. I think I was about six months out before I did, but then again, at 10 weeks out I was taking other supplements in tablet form, so maybe ...??

Hey all, I need your assistance! I'm new to this site. My aunt had her VSG last August and looks amazing. I attended a seminar 3 weeks ago that my aunts surgeon asked her to speak and share her experience. She and my doctor recommended this surgery and I was so hyped to learn of this procedure, turned in my insurance information at the seminar and enrolled into "the program" Thispast Monday was my appointment to go over insurance, and she immediately told me my UHC Premium PPO has a lifetime max of $15,000 and I must have a 5 year history in order to qualify. My out of pocket would be $3200 which is do-able... however the surgery will cost well over $15,0000 and I do not have a 5 year history My weight has gone up and down, up and down over the last 10 years, and I've moved so much within the last 5 years I didn't have health insurance for awhile and no record of 5 year history. My BMI is 39.5 now after losing 10 lbs due to new migraine medication, (before it was 40.3) with multiple comorbidities (hypertension, high cholesterol, PCOS, foot pain/arthritis, GERD and urinary incontinence which is all new to me that started 2 years ago.) I'm at a loss. The insurance nurse told me I need to find other insurance. Do I really need to find another job to get this procedure done? I had an interview with JPMorgan Chase last week who I believe goes through UHC as well, but the nurse believed they worked better. I don't want to risk getting a new job making less money, just to find out I'm denied. I called the number on the back of my insurance card to confirm if this was in fact true, and they said yes and would have a bariatric case nurse from UHC call me within 5-7 business days... but they will probably just confirm this awful news that my employer is requiring all this and has this cap. I need help. Anyone's thoughts, experience, knowledge? I'm in tears. I don't wan't to lose all this weight again, just to have it gained all back and more like I have my whole life. My body can't take it anymore, especially now that I have all these new comorbidties. Any work for Chase and has UHC that could inform me of the requirements? Or any help. I'm desperate. Your responses would be so much appreciated. Thanks Comorbidities

That's great! I'm actually looking at late July or early August. In my 1st consultation they told me it could be as soon as 10 weeks if we didn't have any issues. So far we haven't had any. After my next appt on the 29th I'll find out then. Congrats on you starting your process too!

Hi! I was referred by my PCP to attend the bariatric orientation in Fresno (tried Fremont 5 years ago and wasn't ready and have heard good referrals about Fresno) on 3/1/13. Met with the surgeon on-on-one 3/13/13, NUT on 3/19/13, MH on 3/27/13, pre-op with surgeon on 4/5/13 and I have surgery scheduled this Tues, 4/23/13! My process has been super fast. No 12-week supervised diet. My surgeon took into account 24 pounds I had lost over the course of the last year and I already met my goal weight on 3/13. Kaiser called me 4/17 with my surgery time and then called today to pre-admit me. No co-pay either. Everything has really fallen into place. Only 5 more days until surgery! ????

Ok, so here is a question for everyone...i had my sleeve surgery done Nov.1, 2019. Ever since, not sure if it is weather related or not, but, since i have been eating foods after the surgery i sneeze, like between 3 to 5 times. I dont sneeze during any other part of the day, just after i eat. I have heard about getting the hiccups, but not sneezing. Any other sneezers out there?

My doctor doesn't base decisions regarding whether I need fill only on my loss. It's only one part of the equation. Why? Because if I eat the way he recommends, I will lose whether I have restriction or not. He takes into account how I feel, as well. It really is important to consider hunger in addition to loss. hair loss really isn't due to rapid weight loss. It's due to an interruption of the hair growth cycle by trauma. In this case, the trauma is anesthesia and surgery. They interrupt the growth cycle, and the evidence becomes apparent a few months later. It happens for most of us, regardless of how much we lose, whether we eat enough Protein, and so on. As "insurance," it's not a bad idea to ensure that you do get adequate protein and Fluid, as well as Biotin and zinc. Using a shampoo/condition system like Nioxin can help, too. But mostly, these things just let us reassure ourselves we're doing what we need to do to prevent undue loss; our bodies still go through the changes, and ultimately recover, and hair growth resumes as normal. ETA: My loss is slowing now, but I consistently lost 10 pounds a month for the first 8 months I was banded. Now I lose that in 6-8 weeks or so. Because my doctor gives banding patients the same dietary guidelines as his bypass patients, this does not surprise him at all--it's what he likes to see. (Banding rates are slower because we don't have the malabsorption that bypass patients do, but your loss doesn't strike me as outrageously fast.) Your loss is not what one would expect at the year mark for bypass. It makes me wonder how much experience the practitioner who does your fills has with either procedure.

Well I'll start by introducing myself. My name is Becky Noe and I live in Colorado. I just had my surgery on February 15, 2012, and just moved into my soft food stage. I've not had a fill yet and my Dr said if i keep losing 1-2 lbs a week and am not hungry that we can push out my fill. That being said, I think my scale is on CRACK LOL according to it I lost 19 lbs so far...but wait..one day i get on and it says 275, i get on the next day 275 i get on the next day 275 i get on the next 277!! What the heck!! Anyway daily weigh-in's are not healthy for you..causes too much stress...that's what i keep telling myself. My reasons for getting lap-band are twofold. One to be a healthier me. I need it to live, love and laugh with my family far into the future. I tried all the other things...weight watchers, Atkins, South Beach and Slimgenics. The latter was a decision after the devastation I encountered in 2009. I went thru Kaisers hoops..on the waiting list for a year, all my classes and tests done, surgery scheduled for Sept 2009....lost job and insurance in July 2009. Slimgenics worked very well for me...lost 44 lbs...then plateaued ....they couldn't get me out of it for NINE Months...talk about frustrating. Then of course they say..well you have used up all your weeks..you have to pay for more and I was like WHY would i do that..you haven't helped in the last 9 months. So instead of paying them, I just started dropping money into the savings account. Even after a second job loss. My husband and I decided to Self Pay so there were no excuses. The other reason I wanted to do the surgery, is my daughter and I breed, raise and show Australian Shepherds. Well for the last 8 years SHE shows them, I sit on the outside of the rings watching, taking pictures and dreaming of the day I can do it again myself. Besides that I do Web and Ad design, Photography, Jewelry making and make Braided Kangaroo Dog Show leashes. All while working full time. I am really looking forward to the new me and the next stage of my life and also looking forward to delving into the archives of this board for information and hopefully making friends. Becky Noe

You don't need to weigh everyday, you will be discouraged, I weigh every two weeks. Also just bc you had this surgery doesn't mean your going to lose 10 pounds in a week every week. You didn't gain all your weight over night, your not going to lose it over night. Sw 256 Cw 185 Surgery 3/17/17

Egad, 13 miles? Good luck with that. I made it 10 miles one time and that was about my limit and I only weighed 150 lbs at the time. I envy you folks who still have cartilage in your knees

So i went to speedway and i see this pacakage that says cheese jerky so of course im curious its called snack patrol which is cheese and jerky omg so good it has 10 grams of protein and makes a great yummy snack since i have been looking for diffrent things to snack on i put it in the microwave for 15 seconds love the warm cheese melting feel hope u guys enjoy

I think it sounds like too few calories. Your body will think it's not getting enough and it might backfire on you. How long ago were you banded? I think after two or three weeks after I was banded (09/08/10), I started trying different foods. I've not had a problem eating anything, I just make sure I chew whatever it is I am eating, really well and it seems to work. Good luck to you.

thank you for the post! I have absolutely no idea if I'm in the green zone, duh! I do know that I get hungry, I mean hunger pains about every 4 to 5 hrs and have to eat. I stay up late so around 10 or 11:00 at night I'm hungry so last night instead of shooting for Protein, I decided to eat leftover broccoli from Red Lobster and of course there was one of their biscuits in there too and I ate one pinch of that so I'm not sure if it was that or the broccoli but the broccoli kept coming up in clumps when I would throw up. I was like gosh I didn't eat that much! lol.but it kept coming up. I have eaten soft foods today. It is a learning curve for me still as I'm only 3 months post so I'm still learning what I can eat and still remembering to chew chew chew. I will say I would do it all over again! Donna

Today my scale hit a wonderful number !! In two months and 10 days I am down 30 LBS !! I am on cloud 9 today !! Only 40 more to go and I will be wearing that beautiful red sweater instead of the standard black at Christmas dinner !! I LOVE THIS WONDERFUL BAND !! YAHOOOOO !!! karen 03/08/04 DR Borao 241/211/170..........

Take a deep breath. It is a thing, because it IS A THING! I have a stall about every 3 weeks. Frustrates the heck out of me. But eventually they break- Mine last 7-10 days. and then I move on like gang busters. Just stick to the plan and keep chugging Water as you can. You are in good company.

I have just returned from a 10-day cruise. I ave only had one fill, but I had no problems with the air travel to the port nor with the cruising itself. I found it very easy to stick to 3 meals a day. At dinner, our waiter kept saying I didn't eat enough, but he got used to me after about 3 meals. There are lots of healthy choices. Now, having said all that - I did succumb to the homemade bread (and a couple cocktails). I exercised every day in the Ship's gym and managed to keep my gain to 2lb. I leave for another cruise day after tomorrow and I am going to leave the bread alone, exercise like crazy and I think I will be fine. I see my surgeon tomorrow and I decided not to get a fill. I just don't want to be on a ship and get into trouble. Hope this helps.

I can understand the hesitation with sharing. I didn't want to tell my mom or sister for many of the reasons you all listed but when I did tell them, I was TOTALLY surprised at their reactions. They are way more supportive than I could have imagined. Of course it is your decision whether or not to disclose but I've adopted the mentality that I am doing this for me. Who cares what they say? I know it's easier said than done but you really have to think about what matters to you. You are your first priority and have no reason to feel ashamed for taking control of your life. You said it yourself, they have no idea what it is like to be 100 lbs overweight so there is no way they could ever relate. Do you plan on ever telling them or will you keep it to yourself forever? Also, I have 2 sons ages 7 and 10 and I decided to tell them and I made sure to explain what was going on and why and to answered all of their questions. I even showed them one of the videos from www.weightlosssurgerychannel.com Check it out if you haven't already! Very informative,

Going to be a slow go - I would say at most 10 days. Make sure you move and move around a ton right after surgery, It gets better every day! Its the law for medical leave so try and shorten your shifts down a little to 5 hours may be a lot easier, but wait to you see how easy 8 will be when you drop a 100 pounds

I guess I EFT one thing out don't want to complain. I am my wife's full time caregiver she has been disabled in a wheel chair for 24 years five years ago she had a stroke leaving herewith no long term memory limited short term memory some communication problems. I have explained and her doctor has explained what will be done to me. I can't or won't make an issue that the bottom line I am having surgery because I have never known one day in my life as a normal person. I was 200 pound plus at 10 year old . Second and as important I don't want to die I have to stay alive as long as I can so my wife has someone to care for her. No way I want her ever in a nursing home. I don't like telling people about this too much because I do not want anyone to feel bad or feel sorry about the situation . I will make no excuses for my weigh problems it is all on me. Thank You

Hi, I am wrapping up my fourth week post surgery. Eating anywhere between 400-750 calories per day. I lost 10 pounds the first 2 weeks and now nothing for 2 solid weeks....why????

Hello everyone my name is Jessica and I am sure that my story can relate to many others. I've been having my entire life coming from a family that is also very overweight and I wanted to make a difference in my life. I love being active and working out and trying to do different weightlifting and things like that but I found that because of my weight I would get injured often. I ended up getting a tear in my meniscus which sent me to physical therapy for an extended period of time and then occasionally it would still hurt when trying to work out on it. I realize that I really needed something to help me with the eating aspect of dieting and becoming healthier so that I could be able to work out and really be as active as I want to be! I actually looked into getting gastric bypass in the past and my insurance didn't cover it and at the time I do not have the funds to pay for it, So When it came to my attention that I would be able to get a surgery for weight loss and have it be covered by my insurance it was a breath of fresh air! I am also a preschool teacher and being so overweight I feel as if I am almost a bad role model for those students. It makes me sad to think that they look up to me so much and I should get healthy role model to them! I got married in April 2013 and one day we want to have children. I feel if I were to get pregnant now at a weight of 369 pounds that I would have complications with my pregnancy and it could not only hurt myself but also my future child! At first I decided on the sleeve procedure and then I went to a support group and I realize that a lot of the patients that had gotten the sleeve then went on to get the gastric bypass years later. I realized that perhaps just going straight for the gold and getting the bypass was the best option for me! I called my doctor the next day after researching it with my husband and I actually switched my procedure to gastric bypass weeks before my actual procedure! I have battled with weight gain and loss and self-esteem issues my entire life, and now I feel that I finally have a tool that can really help me to lose the weight and to keep it off and to be healthy and live a long, long life! When I started this journey with the preoperation diet on December 10 I weighed 368 pounds. On the day of surgery I weigh 347 pounds. At my doctors appointment after the surgery on December 26 I weighed 334 pounds! So I am down 34 pounds 10 days post-op and I'm feeling great! I am definitely looking forward to being cleared to exercise to help with the weight loss! I feel so great to a found a forum in which you can actually talk about all of the different things that you're going through during the process of weight loss surgery! So I'm very excited to get to know everyone and be able to answer any questions that I can personally answer ( although I am kind of a newbie at this point) but also to be able to ask those questions of you guys who have experienced what I am experiencing!!!!