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I start my preop on Sunday..2 weeks of nothing but liquid. I have the worst anxiety about it and frankly I feel like its just not possible to live 2 entire weeks without food. Like at this point I can't imagine going 1 day without food let alone 14. How.is.this.done?? So much of my life is focused around food..I'm scared of this diet!!

I too had the Mirena and was surprised when I bled for the first few weeks. It was light, but I usually didn't get a period. That being said, this January (1 yr. post-sleeve) I started bleeding again and found out I had a large fibroid that led to a hysterectomy. Most ob/gyn's will tell you if you are bleeding in a way that is abnormal for you, you should get it checked out because it is a sign of uterine or ovarian cancer. Luckily for me it was neither. I know it is very expensive, but peace of mind and assurance that you are healthy is very important!

Hi I know exactly how u feel my doctor had me on 7 days clear liquid diet and the first day was so difficult to think I be with out food for a whole week but honestly once u see that u are not hungry it is easer it all in our mind now I'm in my first week of mash food and I'm ok with it but every now and them I do crave so good that I can have like bread or rice but I just talk myself out of it just think of ourself .

Awesome job! We have similar stats.. I am also 3 weeks out.. (surgery was 3/20) and I am down 36lbs (21 since surgery). I started my journey at 269! Feels so good to put on smaller clothes! Way to go!

Not even a little hungry. Three months out now and nope, still not hungry but every once in awhile and when I am, three or so baby bites is all I can do.

Thanks ladies it's so helpful to hear that there are others and it's normal. If there were stiches, I think I pulled them. I felt them pop and after that the pain was much worse. I asked the nurse at my one week appointment and she said it was probably some pain from the muscle. I'm out of my meds and she advised that normally they only use Tylenol after the first week. I accepted that at the time, but it's much worse now than it was before my appointment on Thursday.

2 weeks then it was GONE. I know exactly what you are feeling. The pain would paralyze me. It was AWEFUL. but once the 3rd week hit it was gone and I could sleep on my sides and stomach too. First 2 weeks back only. Hang in there

I totally had this pain. It scared the crap out of me. I thought I pulled or ripped sutures or something. The nurse told me it was totally normal. It was always a sharp stitch-like-cramp that would shoot towards my belly button and my back (on left side only) but as soon as she said that it was because the majority of the surgery happened on my left side it totally made sense. She said nerves, muscles, tissue etc etc got cut too that and that it will take longer to heal on that side. She also pointed out that the reason I wasn`t feeling it week 1 was because I had some good pain killers haha it just dawned on me while reading this post that I haven`t had that pain for like 4 days now! whoop whoop!!! now, if only my number 2`s would smarten up (or harden up...!) and I would start feeling more energy and less lightheaded and dizzy... I can get going on this journey! good luck to you and let`s do this! Heather

From what I have watched on TV..I would wait a bit longer to really participate fully in all out contact. You definitely want your sleeve line to be fully healed and for me I was still feeling the internal stitches pulling until around 6 weeks. It wasn't until then that I felt healed. Although the other part of this is..you are going to be tired after the surgery with the nutrition restriction etc, so keep that in mind as you plan your return to the ring! The excess skin is a crap shoot..age, genetics etc..all play a part.

So for my 2 week pre op diet.. I can have 2 - 3 protein shakes and one small meal a day that consist of 3 oz of protein, some veggies and starch. What do most of you eat?? Im guessing alot of grilled chicken, maybe some tuna and brothy soups and salads? Tomorrow starts my diet and im nervous!!! Im a stay at home mom with 3 kids so i eat alot bc im bored and its in front of me!!!

I took a big gulp accidentally about a week out and realized it didn't hurt. Not telling you to try that but I definitely don't have to sip my water. I know a lot of people that can take normal amounts in their mouth. You can chug a water bottle but I personally can take 4-6 good sized gulps with no issues.

Why is it a 2 week process? Since my heart attack over 5 years ago, I have a nuclear stress test done annually....takes 1/2 day...then the Dr. has to revue the results, (pictures) usually no later than the next day....but the EKG portions while you are on the treadmill, he is there on the spot reading as they are printed out.... But if the cardiologist knows this is fro pre-surgery screening, which is routine for them, then he can clear you the same day....

Don't stress.....the Echo is actually easier and quicker than the Nuclear method..... They do a echo on you while at rest...then put you on the treadmill and run you through the paces...at the peak, they will immediately do another echo....that's it...Finished. He/She can see the results right then and there as they are looking at the screen....you can ask right then "Am I then cleared for surgery?" Then as you are getting ready to leave, you can politely ask the results get to your surgeon ASAP because they are waiting for them to wrap everything up. Only reason 2 weeks, is the cardiologist to send the report out...but it should not take that long....

My surgeon doesn't have an after hour number. I have a emergency center that does treat lap band patients. I didn't have a problem until I had to take all these pills! I just ate another shrimp. Went down fine. I think I will be ok until my appointment on Tuesday. It's just pretty scary when you can only drink one cup of Water in 5 hours. This week was the first week I had to take any pills in 6 months. All my Vitamins are gummies or liquid. I only took the one Azithromiacin this morning and cut into 4 little pieces. No Sudefed or Ibuprofin today. I think I will live. I just hope the 2 Ibuprofen didn't hurt me. Thanks y'all!

For me? Follow the protocols. After they remove your stomach those first 3 months are first a healing nightmare and then quickly becomes so fun with losing so fast. Then our tummies really heal and people's bad habbits can come back. For me I avoid it by just focusing on my protein and water goals. But I do it by making really awesome, delicous dishes at home. I currently make (and these are all low carb, high protein meals): Chilli Tandoori chicken Butter chicken Chicken Teriyaki Maryland Crab Cakes I took the time to practice and try stuff out. If I didn't like something or it didn't go down well, I brought it into work and gave it away. I spent a good month sourcing recipes, trying them out and now I have delicious protein meals that are SOO much better than anything I'd buy on the fly. I don't even CRAVE the stuff I'm not suppose to have cause i"m just excited to eat the awesome gourmet food I made. That and walking 15 minutes at 10:00 and 3:00 as well as a half hour at lunch. Those are my absolutes. Doesn't matter where I am or what I'm doing, unless I'm on jury duty or something. I walk briskly at those time. Not a stroll, I'm out to MOVE. Finally, Stairs. I run up any flight of stairs I can. At work we have a flight of 16 steps. I do sets of UP & Down at least 3 times a day. Usually I come back from my brisk walks and end it with a set of 3 on the stairs. It doesn't really take that long. I invested the time on the front end for the recipes and now I have them down pat, can buy the ingredients with ease and throw together my meals for a whole week in a few hours. I make sure I walk 3 times a day and take advantage of the opportunities to move when they are presented. I've been fairly successful so far, I'm dropping inches consistently and then lbs are a little less predictable but our metabolism doesn't like to lose weight at this rate and will fight us from time to time. Overall this whole process is simple, but not easy. The way to make it easier on ourselves is to commit to the post surgical protocols. Good luck! I'll say this, the 1st 8 weeks were a nightmare for me, I had the VGS, Hiatal hernia repair and gallbladder removal. I hit a massive regret and depression wave around week 4 or 5. I cried my self-pitying eyes out and let myself feel all those emotions. Then I picked myself up again and haven't looked back. Nobody is gonna have a EASY time, but it will be faster and more fun if you follow the diet instructions and watch your body reveal itself to you. I am now happier than I have been in years but it wasn't a cakewalk getting here. So try to keep your head up, eyes on the prize and remember to allow yourself to feel all of your emotions and deal with the psychological stuff that comes up so you can enjoy this new life you are birthing for yourself.

I met with my surgeon for the first time on October 2nd. Since I have acid reflux really bad, my only option for weight loss surgery is the gastric bypass. I was prepared for this choice because I have done a lot of research on wls. I have 3 month worth of diet and Dr visits, and about 6 weeks after that should be my surgery. Is there any advice or information that anyone thinks I should know?

Any time you have any symptoms that last longer than 2 weeks that does not resolve with going on liquids, if you've been irritated with food being stuck, should be examined by your lap band surgeon. Classic signs of band slippage or pouch dilation are, new onset reflux and coughing especially at night, with stuff coming back up. And painful eating, and food intolerance issues. Sometimes, if you've had a very bad stuck episode, it does not mean slippage, sometimes going on liquids a bit to see if things resolve will help, but again...slippage symptoms will not let up until you get some saline removed. Chest pains (where the lap band pouch is located) not associated with heart issues, and painful eating, frequent vomiting and stomach pain and nausea..

I know how you feel. The worry that "what if THIS doen't work" rears its ugly head from time to time. When it does, I log in and read other's posts. I have never had a feeling or worry that hasn't been touched on here. Reading words of encouragement, knowing that others have gone through and are going through the same feelings/concerns helps. I went years believeing I must be the only one who feels this way because I was always the biggest person I knew. But you know what, here we are connected by this specific issue. I took so much information from those that came before me. I read about what they did when they stalled, took advice on the best way to succeed and took comfort in thier kind words of support. I love my doctor and NUT and am still convinced I made the best choice for me. But, reading other's experiences here hits home for me. I know you all know what I feel. And we can relate to your struggles too. You are not alone through this and there are tons of people (me included) who are more than happy to buck you up, share what worked for us or just listen when you're concerned this won't work. Slow loss will happen to some, stalls will happen to some, don't give up, don't go off your plan. Do the very best you can, it is all any of us can do. You are still not very far out from surgery. still healing and your body is adjusting. I really have found that eating the small meals several times a day make it easier to get in the Protein, not feel hunger and stay energized. Tracking will not only give you a good big picture but it will help your doctor know what is working for you and what is not. You got this! Take control where you can, plan your meals - - search for recipies that you will enjoy. I enjoy food, so it helps me greatly to know that I'm not on another "diet" where I can't enjoy anything. Dont' be afraid to add in food items or liquids (staying on your doctors plan, of course) just do it slowly and you'll expand your choices. I hope today is a better day for you, you are doing great so far and this is just the beginning.

I am 7.5 weeks out and I've lost about 45lbs. I'm wondering if that's normal or too slow??

I've had 4 fills in total. I have 7.5 cc in a 10 cc band. - no efills. I find sometimes in the morning I'm very tight. If I drink a few sips tea or coffee (some people drink warm Water and lemon) and wait about 10 mins. for I eat I am able to eat my Breakfast with no problems at all. I host a monthly coffee group of bandsters and many people in my group also find the band too tight in the morning but some people also find their band tight at other times during the day. Many people have tried the warm liquid prior to eating and it works for them. I'm not always tight in the morning but usually 3 out of 7 days of the week. Good luck. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs Start with a 54" waist now 33"

I was sleeved Wednesday of this week and experiencing the exact same thing.

I went back to work after 3 days with the limitation of lifting no more than 20lbs. I was just fine but was do tired by the end of the first few days. Some people have said they needed a full two weeks. Only you know your body and how you heal, recover, and handle pain. I think 3 weeks would be more than enough though! Good luck!!

I'm a counselor at a high school and my surgery is scheduled for the 17th. I will be out for three weeks while the students are on Christmas break. I was reassured that this will be enough time off from work, although I can have up to 6 weeks.

I'm looking at having mine Dec 16th and therefore I'll get a 2 week break. My surgeon (depending on your work habits) only require a 3 day recovery time off from work. I can't imaging going back that soon and I'm glad this is scheduled for the break.