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My co pay just for the hospital room and nurses etc that I had to pay up front before admission was $275 the co pay is 10% thats just for the room, not for md, surgery, iv's meds pre surgery anything like that. So total cost of stay in room from 6pm -10am normally is almost $3000. It adds up what the hospital bills. This was all in a BC Anthem Bariatric Center of Excellence with approved md's etc

I agree with the other poster that they are way too high in sugar. Check with your dietician on what your doctor recommends. A large portion of that 180 calories is the sugar. Your 10 g protein are only 40 calories. I try to minimize fat, salt, and sugar. For Protein shakes, ready to drink type, I use Worldwide Protein Shakes. They come in 21 and 35g protein. Cheapest place to get them is Trader Joe's. Target has started carrying the 21g recently in 4 packs, around $6, in vanilla, chocolate, and Cookies n' Cream. Trader Joe sells both 21 and 35 in just Chocolate and Vanilla. The 21's are about $1.69 each and the 35's about $2.29. Vitamin Shoppe only carries the 35's but in all the flavors (Vanilla, Chocolate, strawberry, banana Cream an Cookies n' Cream). Individually they are $2.79 each but if you buy a 12 pack for $27.99 that works out to about $2.33 each, pretty close to Trader Joe's. I order them online at vitaminshoppe.com and they often have specials with free shipping or if you sign up for their rewards program you get coupons for money off orders. GNC carries 35's in Vanilla and Chocolate in the stores, all flavors online, but they are the most expensive, $2.99 a can. WW shakes only have 1g sugar in the 35's (I get them from Vitamin Shoppe), 1g fat, 0.5 sat fat, 10mg cholesterol, 2g carbs in the 160 cal flavors and 140 of those calories are protein. Some of the flavors are 170 cals and maybe have anothe g of sugar but I don't think any are more than 3. I am reading from the can of Vanilla that I drank today. If you are looking for a way to get in more protein, I would suggest the WW shakes, plus you are getting very little sugar and fat. Oh and the sodium on the can of Vanilla is 150mg and Potassium 240mg. I have trouble with low potassium so I am always looking for stuff that has more of that than sodium. I hope this helps, and good luck on your journey. Please feel free to share the above info with your dietician. I used them before and after surgery I still drink them at least 5 days a week. I bring them to work and have them first thing. You may find you are tighter in the morning after a few fills, and this works for me. I wait about an hour then have Breakfast, usually protein Cereal from kaysnaturals.com and/or yogurt (I mix my own--fat free Greek yogurt from Trader Joe--comes in 2 cup container--22 g protein per cup 0 fat, 6g sugar--I divide into four half cup servings--11 g protein 0 fat 3 sugar--for fruit I mix in Smuckers sugar free preserves 10 cal tbsp, plus some cinnamon) So with the shake (35), cereal (10) and yogurt (11) I manage 56g protein before lunch.

How do we join! My surgery date is 12/19

Hi all, Just joined up and wanted to introduce myself. I'm being banded tomorrow (13/01/2007) and can't wait. I have been looking forward to having it done for so long now and cant believe its only 7 hours away! I find these sites so informative and helpful...and will endevour to track my progress on here if thats ok. Anyhow,until next time...when I'm a true bandster....Debby:)

Haven't posted in a while but just wanted to share. I am almost 10 months post op and down 55 pounds. While there are days I hate this band (like now as I'm trying to eat chicken breast) the positives definitely outweigh the negatives!

Hi Sharon....so sorry you're having a hard time. Every doctor's requirements seem to be different. Mine didn't even require a pre-op diet other than to lose 10% prior to surgery. Basically she told me to try to lose because it would shrink my liver making it easier and safer for surgery. I know a few folks here did have to go on a two week liquid diet such as you...hopefully they'll be able to help with input. Just know its not forever and you're surgery will be here before you know it. Hugs

My surgery was 10/20/11. Starting weight was 285, weight at surgery 250, current weight 154. I'm happy to share my experiences with anyone and everyone that's interested. Challenges do arise as you get further out but you can ALWAYS find a solution! It's all about control, not denial.

Just want to show you Newbies what you can achieve if you follow the rules and do the work required and it is work ! The band doesn't do it for you - it's only a tool... You gotta make healthy food choices and exercise This is a total lifetime lifestyle change !! 3 yrs ago right now I was in surgery... 1st year got to goal 145 !!!! (Thanks Karri for being my muse) Got the next few lbs off by Sept 08. Have maintained my weight loss for 2 yrs !!! (fluctuate between 136-140) How you may ask (by following the rules) I have finally gotten that this really is about a lifetime lifestyle change and not a diet I eat HEALTHY 98% of the time - Allow for treats 2% of the time - Hit the gym - weights, cardio & classes 3 to 4 times a week and with the help of my little friend (the band) I have become a healthier person with tons more energy and feel 10 yrs younger.. Life is good !!! And let me tell I have always been a shopper (even at 250) but now EVERY THING looks cute on - Love being a size 4/6 - instead of 18/20 to 22/24 !!! It's doable pple - If I can do it so can you... I am a food addict just like everyone else - the secret - take back your power !!! I walked down the candy/cookie isle in the grocery store last week and snubbed my nose at the crap... That's empowering !!! Just gotta toot my own horn this morning !!!! :wink2::party::thumbup::cool:

Hello, this is my first time posting but I have been lurking fir quite some time. I am 29 days post op and I am EXTREMELY dissapointed. I have followed my Drs orders to the tee. I have gotten in my 64 oz of Water and my 70 grams of Protein daily (1 Premier Protein and the rest from food). I am very particular about what I eat and I always choose lean Proteins and no bad carbs or sugar. I am allowed to eat about 550 calories a day and I have use MYFITNESSPAL to make sure I meet that. The only thing I have been unable to do is walk much. I have NO energy. When I grocery shop, I am usually about to pass out with dizziness at the checkout counter. Here's my dilemma. I have only lost 13 lbs . I know we are all different and lose at different rates, but I have lost more weight than this on every program I have ever been on. I don't regret having the surgery, but I am certainly feeling like I may be the one anomaly that will fail at this process. I have read many stall posts and i find my case to be different than most in that I lost all my weight within 10 days of surgery. That means I have been on a 19 day stall that started basically one week after surgery. Has anyone else been in a similar situation? Did things ever turn around you? Does 550 calories sound low to you? I've spoken to both my Dr and my Nutritionist and they both agree my weight loss has been low. I am almost in tears here, any input would be greatly appreciated.

Yikes! First of all-what a douche bag for trying to talk you out of your choice of procedures. If you feel that he and the new doctor you are seeing aren't intelligent enough then you need to bail. Why the hell will the second doctor not give you a fill after 3 months. That is beyond rediculous. Why the feck did you get the band in the first place if the moron isn't gonna fill it?that's like giving someone a brand new set of flat tires on their car. Won't get you very far. Seems like doctor number two doesn't get it at all. Walk far away and don't look back. When I finally make the first consultation appointment in September, the first doctor I saw was a loser after 10 seconds. He is foreign born and trained and was like a damn used car salesman. He barely made eye contact and spewed facts about the band like he was reading a script. The last thing he said afer his whopping 5 minutes with me was "so, you wanna do it?" like he was looking to close the deal on a his used car. After speaking to the program director I flat out asked him if he would have a family member have surgery with this guy. He was silent. Then I asked who in Los Angeles was the best. He turned me on to another doctor in the practice that is one of the top in the country and has done over 1900 bands since 2001 when they were approved. I am very pleased so far with this doctor. Point being if you don't feel comfortable you don't have to stick with the guy. Its your body. I'm just still amazed that he won't give you a fill after 3 months.

Hi! I too have PCOS. It certainly makes losing weight harder. I've had PCOS for about 20 years, but was only diagnosed about 10 years ago. I'm 31 days post-op and I've lost 20 pounds all together. (Including pre-op). The hunger issue I think is mainly mental; however, cravings are still tough. I've determined that life is just not fair, and so I just deal with the PCOS as it comes. This works for me anyway. I know losing is going to be harder due to the PCOS, but I also work in the medical field and I know that weight lifting helps the most with buring calories and fat and adding muscle, which ultimately increases the metabolic rate. Good luck!

I have to have surgery before end of the year! 7-10 days for letter listing reasons, appeal takes up to 15 days. Then for insurance at surgeons office to hurry and file ththe appeal.

Hi all I had my gastric bypass on 22nd January and I have had a few complications along the way one being I have a blood clot in my new stomach which I am on injections for and lots of medication. I just want to know from you lovely people when you had your op did you ever feel the need to eat? Did you get hunger pains? How many teaspoons/tablespoons did you eat per meal and when can you properly excersise? Thanks All X

I met with the dietician last week and will be doing my dietary consult on 9/19. The dietician explained that they advise use of Bariatric fusion Meal Replacements. Has anyone used these and if so which flavors are good? Just want to know what to buy on 9/19! Thanks!

Yuck. I was on Topamax for a good part of a year and it definitely had heavy duty side effects as I was titrating up. I also didn't like the idea of taking a medication every single day. I feel like I've tried literally everything for migraines. I know how crazy this sounds (to all those who suffer from regular migraines) but I suffered from migraines for over 10 years - it got so bad that I was taking a prescription drug (relpax) every single day. Then I read this book that changed my life - "Heal Your Headache" by David Buchholz. It advocated changing your diet and stopping taking medications that would have a rebound effect (medications like Excedrin and my Relpax). I follow the diet restrictions pretty closely and only take my Relpax every once in awhile. Just following the book's advice worked wonders for me. I really feel like I have control over my headaches. I guess if your headaches are infrequent and the Excedrin works for you and you're happy with it, stick with it. But if they ever increase or you want to try to get off meds altogether, I totally recommend that book. Best of luck.

Hi there! I was wondering if you are Jody Barfield from Moultrie? I'm from norman park and was just banded on 01-17 by dr. bagnato in albany! Welcome aboard and congrats on starting the journey to a healthier you! Who are you thinking of to do your band?

Hi Guys....My name is Melisa and ive been a banster for 3 years now! Ive lost 70 lbs and have no regrets about getting the band! Ive gone from a size 20 to a 14 so far! My band was too tight a year ago and i had 1/4 cc taken out. i gained some weight from that so i just had some put back in. im hoping to get down to 150 or size 10! whichever comes first! I recently started walking so im hoping that will help too. My band is pretty tight again so i can mainly only eat soups comfortably. No big bulky foods! And that is good for me! Keeps me away from burgers and pizza as well as other bulky fattening foods!!! I will try to post some before and after pics soon. If anyone has any questions feel free to ask. Good luck banster friends! <3

I am 10 weeks post sleeve surgery. I love the support meetings I attend. I am actually going to one this evening. There are people in the group who report on the complications they may have had but for the most part the meetings are really supportive.

Bring Dollars and small bills and HIDE IT WELL and YES things are EXPENSIVE> I had to have one of my nurses get me a box of tampons and I gave her a $5 and I got a box of 10 tampons.

Hi Ruthi, I am so sorry you had to go through so much with your Lap band. Good thing you got sleeved! So your like 10 weeks out from your sleeve surgery right? What are you eating now, and how was your first month after surgery with food? Kelly65 (California Sleeve Sister)

Just had surgery on 1/7/15. Everything is fine except I've been experiencing some wicked muscle cramping in my right upper obliques. It started the day after surgery. I assume it was dehydration but I'm now wondering if my muscles got pulled from being inflated during surgery. Anyone else with this possible complication? I can't sit for over an hour and walking for more than 10 minutes aggravates it as well. Only thing that settles it is lying flat on my back on my memory foam mattress.

Try some refried beans for protein, you might tolerate it better than meats for the moment. I am 10 weeks and I get that sharp pain every now and then when I eat to fast.

Hello! I am a 40 yr old female from Cape Cod Mass. I have been overweight forever, but in the past few years I reached my highest peak @ 255lbs. In January of this year I looked into bariatric weight loss thru BI in Boston. They have a comprehensive and long program, which I completed in about 3-4 months and was told I would be a good candiate for surgery. I waited a few more months, as I was trying to decide what was best for me. Once I decided to go forward, I had to pick GBP or Lap Band. Since I was not a diebetic and on medications for health problems and the gbp seemed so severe, I opted for Lap Band surgery. My date was set for Monday 8/30/10. The week prior I did a partial liquid diet using mostly the unjury protein drinks. They taste good and filled me up. It was easier than I thought and I lost 10 lbs prior to surgery, just as my doctor wanted. I was super exicted and nervous but my surgeon is renowned in thie field and I was confident. Unfortunatley for me things did not go as planned. As I woke up in recovery, a nurse who did not seem to know about bariatrics, handed me 2 containers of liquid percocet and some water, telling me to drink it all down. I did as I was told, only to be hit with such pain in my chest, I thought I was dying. I could not breathe, I vomited, I was sweating and very upset. Nothing s/b given orally so soon after surgery and I will never know if that caused what happened next or not, but it was a long road for me. As a mom with a 6 yr old who was due to start first grade, I was happy to have my surgery scheduled before her school started, knowing I would be in the hospital for just one night. Well, for me it turned into a long 6 days! On day 3 my Dr stuck a needle in the band and took out all the water (15 cc) trying to loosen things up. 4 days after surgery I still could not keep 15 cc of water down and he decided to go back in and pop 2 stiches to loosen me up. This is called a revision and he said he had only see this happen in 2 patients prior to me...and he has done this since the surgery came about. I had to go backunder general anthesia and into the OR again. By the next day I was drinking some water and by Sunday afternoon I was finally released. I am 2 weeks out from my 2nd surgery and down a total of 30 lbs. I had my 2 week follow up with my doc and he says I am doing better than most. I am back to walking 3 miles a day (which I had started the month prior to surgery). My main issues now are with constipation and all that fun stuff.. Some days I don't want to get out of bed. I am cranky as I miss food. I loved to eat and it is harder than I expected to go without. On Saturday I tried on some jeans than are a size 20 (I was in 24/26) and they were a bit loose. This was exciting but only temporarily lifted my spirits. I still feel a bit off...not sure why exactly but trying to move ahead and getting stronger. I am on stage 4 diet...some solids, and so far, so good. This is my first time on a blog, and I am anxious to read other people's stories as well as chronicle my own. Thanks for reading:))

I was having trouble with water too, I'm 4-weeks post op. My hubby downloaded an app on my phone called Waterlogged, $4 for the full version. I thought he was nuts, but now my phone makes bubbling noises every 10 minutes reminding me to sip!! It's helping me change my habits.

The company I went through charged 5200. I am 10 days post op and could have gone to work last week but I took two weeks off. I have found everyone is different through.