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I have Bc/Bs of NJ, Medallion, I think it's a PPO, I got a response very fast, about 10 days. Everything was covered except the anesthesia. (I think they have fixed the anesthesia part by now.)

I was banded in 9/19/07 and I went did Clear liquids for 1 week, 1 weeks for mushies...but the moment I was off mushies and on to soft foods I was off and running. I figured chicken is soft...but so is eggs with cheeese and cheese dip and ranch dressing etc.... Basically I have gained back the 10lbs that I lost while on the liquid diet. I just want to know why I am still so hungry after being banded, I am due for my first fill on November 1. Why isn't the weight coming off quicker? I figured I would gave lost more than 10lbs. My friends are expecting me to lose a ton of weight and I feel like I am letting them down... HELP! :eek:

I measure every weekend. I do chest, stomach, waist, biceps, thighs and calfs. Since my pre op on 8/19 I've lost 26 inches.

Mayasgram said it all for me. Im down from a diabetic stage. Was taking medicine and taking blood sugar levels 3 times a day. All this just post op 10 days

<TABLE class=wide cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0><TBODY><TR><TD> I saw this post on another WL support site and did find it veryinteresting. Some of the things this guy says really DOES make youthink. I know I AM quilty of several of the things he wrote about.Remember, this is NOT me writing the following stuff ... It is justsomething I copied from somewhere else. I hope reading it can helpUS all out.Sherri*****************************************************Enough is enough... the truth about the bandI've been reading a lot of the posts lately, and noticing a fewtrends. </PRE> I thought I might address them. </PRE> Many of you are not going to like it, and I expect to get flamed. Iam not trying to peeve folks off, but I feel it is time for someoneto post a frank discussion on the band. Take my words with a grainof salt. This is not directed at any one person in particular, butat a general trend of threads appearing lately. If you're pissed atme after this… OK, but then again, maybe you'll get something out ofit in between the anger. </PRE> Here it is… </PRE> Quit your whining. </PRE> The band is not a miracle. It does not magically make caloriesdisappear from food. It is a tool you need to work WITH not AGAINST.If you work against it, you'll fail. End of story. </PRE> Let's clear up a few misconceptions about the band. </PRE> The band is not malabsorptive like the gastric bypass. The GB worksby allowing the patient to eat less, and more to the point, toabsorb LESS calories from the food they eat. The band ONLY restrictsthe QUANTITY of food, not the QUALITY. If you continue to eat high-calorie crap, you'll lose nothing… period. What this means is thatyou DO need to change your eating habits. You need to eat healthierfood, and less garbage. Some folks will lose some weight with theband because of the smaller quantities without changing their eatinghabits, but that loss will slow or stall, and WILL NOT BESUSTAINABLEunless they learn new habits. Face it folks, what we eat is what gotus fat in the first place. If you don't wanna change that, then youcan stay fat, and don't complain that you aren't losing. </PRE> Yes, you can have occasional treats. I am not saying that you haveto live a deprived life with no treats ever again, but keep themoccasional, and keep them small. Dessert every day is NOTOCCASIONAL. Once a week, maybe. Start looking at your favorite foodsand look for ways to make them healthier. Maybe use less fat, orhealthier fats, leaner cuts of meat, more veggies etc. Try to treatyourself with healthier foods as well, fruit instead of pie, bakedpretzels instead of fried chips, try those rice cakes you see in thestore. When you do have a treat… have ONE SERVING. Look at thelabel… if it says that 9 rice cakes are 1 serving… count them outand only have 9, not the whole bag! Use the sugar-free versions ofthings, the lower fat versions, and the lower carb versions… eatmore fresh foods, and less from packages. Yes, I know that freshfood is more work… too bad. You wanna get healthy? Then do it right.Kraft in the box might go down fine, but is it the right thing todo? Make the effort to cook healthier. It takes more time, butaren't you worth it? </PRE> RNY and Gastric Bypass patients need to diet too. If you think thatthey lose faster, you are right. In essence from malabsorbtion, theytechnically starve to lose initial weight, and lose a lot… morequickly than we do. SO WHAT?!?!? The human body is an amazing thing.It is smart, and learns to compensate. If the GB/RNY patient doesnot learn new, healthy eating habits, then they WILL GAIN THE WEIGHTBACK. In the long run, we have the advantage, as we do not lose atALL without new habits. We have to learn from the get-go, and in theend… our system willl adjust with us as we lose… not giving oursmart body a chance to get used to the new "arrangement" andcompensating for it. RNY/GB might look like a miracle, but it isn'teither. You still are the one in control, but the complications forit are much worse. I'm not dissing it, it is the right choice forsome, but for those who which to switch, simply because they havenot been doing the band with TRUE lifestyle changes… well… they arefooling themselves. Wisen up, and realize YOU need to change to makeany bariatric surgery a long-term success. </PRE> Head hunger, and stress eating are real. They are some of the thingsthat got us here. If it happens to you… GET HELP. Don't just standthere and say… duh, I don't know how to stop. Get on a program, seea therapist, join a bandster support group. Don't just cry aboutit…, DO SOMETHING. If you know emotional eating is an issue, thenyou have an EMOTIONAL PROBLEM, best dealt withby a therapist. Guesswhat folks, that is part of a whole weight loss program! Some maynot need it, but if these issues plague you, then get the help! Thatleads me to the next one… </PRE> Yes, you DO NEED TO EXERCISE. If you think you don't, then you arebeing foolish. Exercise does not mean a formal program at a gym witha personal trainer (although that is a GREAT IDEA). It means gettingout there and moving… biking, skating, swimming etc. Move… move…move!!! A sedentary life is another of the things that got us here.If you think sustained weight loss will happen without it, then youare again fooling yourself. Don't forget, that other than ahealthier life, the number 2 reason we got this done was to lookbetter. Folks, diet alone will not give you a better bod, exerciseand diet will. </PRE> This is not a liquid diet. Yes you will have periods of being onliquids, before and after surgery, and right after fills, but thisis not meant to be liquids for life. The band works by allowing asmall amount of food to stay in the pouch for a while, keepinghunger away. If all you have are Protein shakes… well frankly, theypass right thru, and give NO sustained satiety. You'll be hungry.Period. If all you can get down are liquids, then you are TOO TIGHT.It will NOT HELP YOUR WEIGHT LOSS TO BE TOO TIGHT! In fact, theopposite is true. If you cannot eat solid foods you will likelygain, because LIQUID CALORIES ARE MORE DENSE. You have GOT TO eatsolid food. </PRE> Low carb does not mean NO carb. Should you restrict carbs… yep. Weeat too many. This does not mean eat only protein. You cannotsurvive on only protein, you need veggies and carbs too… just lessof the carbs than you have been having. For one, try using healthiercarbs… want a potato? Eat a small baked red-skin new potato, withsome butter spray on it… instead of fries. Try Dreamfields low-carbpasta for Sunday spaghetti dinners, try brown rice instead of MinuteRice. Avoid the carbs in packaged foods… Mac and cheese, rice a ronietc. If you want mac and cheese, make it from scratch with lower fatcheese and Dreamfields or whole wheat Pasta. Use wholegrain bread,not Wonderbread. And… eat carbs last. Eat the protein first, thenveggies, then if you have room finish your carbs. Lastly… eliminatethe sugar… get it out period </PRE> Fast food is bad. End of story. Stay away from it… all of it. </PRE> Is a pre-op liquid diet important? You bet your boots it is. No, Iknow not all doctor's ask for it… but that doesn't change the factthat they should be asking for it. First off, it shrinks the liver,making it easier for the surgeon to perform the procedure. Second,it begins the weight loss process. Third, it speeds up recovery byhaving the body have less solid waste in the digestive tract, itwill work less, and not stress the points where the band is attached. </PRE> Is the post-op diet… liquids… mushies then solids important? Seeabove. This is for healing. Yes you can eat solid food sooner, and Iknow that this varies from doctor to doctor, but that doesn't meanit should. The stomach needs time to heal, and even though you CANeat solids earlier doesn't mean you should. Heal properly first. Asmost docs will say, any weight loss during this phase is a bonus.This is not the time for loss but healing. May folks WILL gain whengoing to mushies. Expect it. If you don't, you are one of the luckyfew… not the norm. Most folsk do not see real weight loss forMONTHS. This is how it is, deal with it. </PRE> You WILL NOT LOSE ALL YOUR WEIGHT IN A COUPLE MONTHS. Especiallythose of you with under 75 lbs to lose. Less to lose, the slower itwill be… that's it folks. If you got the band with 60-75 lbs tolose, do NOT expect to lose as much a month as someone who has200lbs to lose. Won't happen. If the doc told you it did, he lied.Most successful band patients lose 75% of their excess weight in theFIRST 2 YEARS… yep… years, not months. Deal with it… you are notgonna lose it by summer for swimsuit season. This is not intended tobe SPEEDY weight loss… if you don't get that, see #3 above. </PRE> It's OK to go to a foreign country to get my band because it is moreaffordable to me… Hmmm this one is debatable, and I will keep myopinion of foreign docs out of it. First off, when it comes tosurgery for my body, I don't want the lowest bidder, even though Iwas also self pay… but let's put that aside. I see too many folksgoing to places like Mexico for this procedure because they say thedoc is a brilliant surgeon… this is only 10% about the actualsurgery folks! It is the pre and aftercare provided that makes itwork. If you do NOT have an aftercare doc set up locally BEFORE yougo to Mexico for the surgery… then you are making a HUGE MISTAKE. Iam getting tired of seeing folks say…" I just got my band lastweekend, anyone know of any docs I can see for fills around here?"Geez?!@?!? What are you thinking? Didn't you have this all set upbeforehand? How could you have such a procedure done to your body… aprocedure that requires constant attention (and it is not just forfills folks!) and not be prepared before you do it? If this is yourplan, then I am confused on what you are doing. Aftercare with theband is not just fills, and you need access to a band doc locallyfor any problems. Sure you can get the procedure done in Mexico, buthave preparations for aftercare BEFORE they cut you open. </PRE> Look at the whole program. This is NOT just a surgical option. I'vesaid it before and I'll say it again, the surgery is only 1 hourlong… the rest of my life will be losing and maintaining myhealthier body. Nutritionists, exercise physiologists,psychologists, dieticians, support groups, a good fill doc… theseare ALL necessary to lose and maintain our health. If you only dealwith some of them… you'll fail. When you scout out docs to do thisprocedure, see how they deal with ALL of these factors…not just arethey a good cutter. Then, after the surgery, follow through with allof these. </PRE> If you don't know… ASK! The doctor, not the web group. Sure, it'sgreat to get support and ideas here, but I am amazed how many peopleare on here soliciting medical advice… ASK YOUR DOC! If he won'tgive you a straight answer… then he's not a good doc, and you needto seek out a better one. I mean COME ON!?!?! Now that we have thatstraightened out… let's say your doc tells you to do something… likestay on liquids for 2 weeks… DO IT. If he is a good doc, then thereis a reason to do what he says. This is NOT about you making yourOWN… UNEDUCATED judgment calls… he's the pro here… do what he says.If you don't understand why… then we go back to… ASK. </PRE> I'm sure I could say more, but I am also sure that I've pissed offhalf the folks who have read this. </PRE> Just had to get it off my chest. It is HARD WORK. Anythingworthwhile is. If you thought it was gonna be easy, then you wereeither lied to, or deluding yourself. </PRE> Work hard… get healthy… have a good life. We are ALL worth the time,effort and yes money, to be better healthier people. </PRE> __________________ Big Paul Banded Nov. 17, 20051st fill 1/3/2006: 3.2cc 2nd fill 2/7/2006: Removed 3.0cc, replaced 4.0cc 3rd fill 3/6/2006: Removed 3.6cc, replaced 4.0cc Unfill 3/14/2006: Removed 4.0cc, replaced 3.2cc 4th fill 4/3/2006: Removed 3.2cc, replaced 3.8cc 371/236/189135 lbs lost! 47 lbs to go! </PRE> </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></P>

I was banded on April 19, 2013. To date, I've lost 29 pounds and 15 1/2 inches!!!!! I'm so excited!

JAN 27 2007 Oct 27 2006 weighing in @ 245. today i go in for my surgury and i feel okay my stomach is a little sore but over all I'm ok. I was told to sip on liquids for the next 2 weeks, i think that lasted for about 7 days than i started drinking chicken noodles broth. and shortely after that i was eating regular. I went to the MD for my 2 week check up and lost about 10 pounds I was so excited. He scheduled me for another appointment the following month, I was down another 5 pounds, this was over the Thanksgiving break I tasted a little of everything, I did'nt have a taste for junk food as i usually do. My next appointment was Dec 27, and I was weighing in @224, I just know i gained weight because of all the food from Christmas, but to my surprise I lost. At that time I got my first fill 1cc, I wanted the doctor to add more to my fill but he insist that 1cc is enough, and he will increase the fill every 2 months. My goal is to lose 100 pounds bring me to 145-150. My next fill is 2/27. Its 3 months as of today and so far I have lost a total of 21 pounds per my last weigh in at my MDO but I've purchased a scale(worst move i made) and my scales tells me I'm between 215-216, so on record I'm 21 pounds smaller off record I'm 30 pounds smaller. :clap2: latley I've been snacking more than I like, I love puff cheese dodlles and woppers candy. i started walking anywhere from 1-3 miles, but not consistantly. I would like to lose an average of 15 pounds a month, it looks like I'm about 10 pounds a month which isn't bad but they say the weight loss slows down and I have a long way to go. about 70 pounds to go. i want to reach my goal within a year of surgery so that about 8 pounds a month, and so far I'm on the right road. but i'm afriad if i start walking and cutting my calories the doctor isn't going to fill my band because he may think its working at the size i'm at. :faint:

Today was kind of a bummer day. Three days in a row and the scale hasn't moved. I know I shouldn't weigh everyday but I am a slave to the scale. It just seems that if I'm only drinking 700 calories or less a day that I should lose weight even if my body is in some sort of starvation mode. I am getting my protein. Usually I get right around 70grams of protein a day. I could drink more water. I guess I'll make that my goal for now. To get at least 48oz preferably 64oz of water a day. I think I strained something in my tummy yesterday. We were trying to load a couple of our steers up to go to the butcher and I yanked on this gate that was stuck in some mud a couple of times befor I realized it probably wasn't a good idea. Today I have pain on the center left side of my upper abdomen. I haven't taken any pain for it. I want to be able to feel exactly what's going on in case it gets worse and needs some kind of attention. I need to remember to take it easy. So needless to say I didn't ride my bike today. I think I'm gonna wait one more week or so. I had started riding really slow and only for 10 minutes at a time. Now I want to wait until this new pain goes away. Calories today: 645 but I'll probably have some broth befor bed. Take care all!

Well my education seems to have just begun. I know some of you may know me. I was banded almost 6 months ago and I have lost 90 lbs. So why do I say my education has just begun? I think Phase 1 is learning about the band and making a decision. Phase 2 is pre-op and post-op. Phase 3 would probablly be learning to live with having this tool. Well I am just learning what it means to be banded with a band that has not only hit the sweet spot, but reminds me at every meal. (Phase 4) I had my fourth fill 2 weeks ago. My fills usually take 10-14 days to really take full effect. I don't know why, but I have talked to many other bandsters that have the same phenomenon. Well this one started working immediately. So I was a little worried about what would happen 10 days later. Well now I know. Now if I don't take very small bites and chew, chew chew I spew, spew spew. Sorry, but that is the truth. I had PBing/vomiting twice two days ago, once yesterday and once today. I am begining to remember. Things have definitely changed. For instance this morning for breakfast 2 pieces of bacon and a tiny nibble of eggs was all that would go down before I could start to tell I had enough. I have been lucky enought to have great results so far without the real "intense" restriction. I can't eat much now and have to take small bites. I hope that once I get used to this restriction it will help the lbs drop off. I am ready to get home from this conference and get back into my routine. I miss "the usual" stuff, and I miss my Wii Fit. I haven't weighed in since Monday. I'm am going through withdrawl.

Welcome Gina! I had VSG on 9/2/10 and I also had a history of dvt's and pe's. I had my filter placed about 1 week before surgery, everything went fine and i'm doing well. They went in about 3 weeks after my surgery to remove the filter but they we unable to retrieve it.......the dr said that it's fine to stay there the rest of my life actually. I'm okay with that because I feel like I have protection in case I ever get another clot in my legs I know that it wouldn't be able to travel to my lungs like before. I wish you luck with you up coming procedures and your weight loss.

i didnt take it as you were being too harsh! you are right, they went to school for a reason. she isnt new to the lap band. they have been doing it here for 10 years i believe. so i'm sure she knows what she is saying! thanks for your input!

I started with bmi of 36 - gained 10 pounds to push me over threshold for insurance. Now at 32 bmi going into surgery on July 5. I don't think it is frivolous for me to do this. Other people who told me I don't really need this don't prick their fingers 2 times a day and take metformin along with its wonderful side effects. They also don't have a genetic disease that prediposes them to liver disease and possibly requiring a transplant. So, I'm doing this so I can live longer with a better quality of life. Quality of life also includes living without discrimination that overweight/obese people face. Sorry for rant.

Glad to ! but in this economy Yes ! you should be very Happy that you even have a Job ! Up here in Michigan, they have all moved into different States, and Countries. So I see 8 out of 10 unemployed, and have lost their home. So belittle you ! NO WAY ! I'm talking FACTS ! So you should be glad you have a job. I live next door to a Surgical Nurse. You think she has a job ? NO ! Why the people don't even have insurance, So elective surgery has to weight. Results LAID OFF ! So you can dream on about harsh posting from me. But it don't really happen,,, Most people that read my posts, know this is True. So I guess you just stay in Left Field, and life will go on BYE !

no one WLS is better then the next..all WLS require work and a mental change and a def change in eating habits and begin to exercise to make the most of whatever surgery one gets. the plication as my dr told me is my stomach folded into itself and stitched to make a small banana like (sleeve) if you will..it will (and has) helped me eat less and since this is a new procedure and still in early trials, i had to sign waivers on it...my dr did it pro bono for me....i was super morbid obese and the dr wanted me to have the bypass and i said no.....so he offered me this with the band but STRESSED that if didnt follow the lap band rules (eating my allotted amounts, stop eating junk food and begin to (move), no WLS would help me...... most WLS can and will help one lose at the beginning (the pre and post op diets helps with fast mainly all Water weight loss) and its amazing and its a confidence booster......and then when people REALIZE that they cant eat what they use too and just push it and overeat anyhow or not follow the rules, then the surgery isnt working..and 10 or more posts a day on this forum saying what am i doing wrong etc.. get whatever one you want but understand that its not a miracle....it will help you if you help it...i am living proof of that......but i also know/understand if i dont do my part the bypass, the sleeve or the DS or the band or plication wont work..people rush into WLS in my opinion thinking i had surgery and now i will automatically lose 100 pounds in a week..doenst work that way....a total mindset and attitude change is a must for success..esp when one was as large as me when i started..i either did it the right way, or got bigger...i had no other options.

Congrats. I get banded on 10/1. I am excited for us both

I live in the San Gabriel Valley, Covina near the 10/210 and 57 freeways. Glad to exchange email addresses if you like.

I am doing much better now. I have lost 74lbs since being sleeved on 2/19/13. Best wishes to you.

3 and half months post op and have only lost 10 lbs! Anyone else having this problem?!

Hi Everyone, My name is Gina. I just joined this forum last week. I came across it by accident actually. I was researching information on the Sleeve procedure and I bumped into this wonderful forum. I've been hesitant to post anything because I am just learning about the procedure and diets, etc. But, I wanted to introduce myself. I am 33 years old. I just started my 2 week pre-op diet today. I'll be having surgery on 12/20/10. This forum has been a tremendous help on what to expect and how to prepare for this upcoming event! Surprisingly, I'm not really scared, I'm excited, I can't wait to start this journey, although it won't be an easy one. Has anyone ever had the VSG and had a filter inserted for DVT? I have history of blood clots and have been on Coumadin for over a year, but, my surgeon is going to have my Vascular surgeon come in and implant the filter to avoid the blood clots. I'm pretty sure I'll have more questions coming up, but, I just wanted to introduce myself. Gina

I have sizes 24-10, and I can't WAIT to donate each size as it gets too large. I have several plus-sized friends who are happy to have the clothes, and I'm thrilled to give them my stuff. I'm only about 6 weeks out and have ditched bags and bags of stuff; coats, summer stuff I'll never wear again, 24s, 22s, 20s, and coming up on some 18s that are vanity sized. I think a 14 for summer is realistic, and for $3, even if it's not -- or you blow by it, who cares at $3. It is a little panic-inducing at first, like, am I REALLY never going to need these clothes again? Really?

Hi everyone, I just had a question that you guys may know the answer to. Or maybe someone is dealing with this too? I was sleeved 11/30. My surgery went great and I am losing weight well. However, on Monday I ate a piece of soft tofu and steamed broccoli. (I have been eating soft foods since week 3- per my Surgeons orders.) 10 minutes later, I had severe abdominal pain that radiated to my back. I vomited just a little and had to go to the ER. The pain went away after 40 minutes. Had a CT and labs done. Everything was normal. No gallstones, no leak, no elected liver enzymes. Potassium was a little low. The doctors just called it gastritis. I saw my surgeon the day after and he said it was very hard to get gastritis while taking nexium or any PPI. Got an ultrasound done which really didn't show anything. So since then, I've been eating fine (miso Soup, soft seafood, Protein shakes, yogurt, light cheese). Until today... I had 1 scrambled egg (which I usually eat). 10 minutes later, I had the same attack. Severe pain, nausea... No vomiting though. The pain went away within 15 minutes. Does anyone have any idea what this could be? My sleeve is great, no leak, healed staple line. Gallbladder is fine- no stones. And each time this happened, I did not overeat.

Yes I get this all the time! I don't take offense or feel as if people are being too opinionated or invasive. There are people I work with who may not know me personally but have seen me around who say wow you look great you don't plan to lose more do you? or People who know me well who say you look good right there don't lose anymore because you are a nice weight and you still have great curves you don't want to lose that. My mom feels like I should ignore everyone lose as much as I can because why else go to this extreme to have surgery without achieving the highest weight loss possible. I feel like I'm a good weight too but I know I want to lose a little more just to have some wiggle room. I'm 5 '4 166 pear shaped size 8-10. 160 would be a max weight 150 would be a reach weight. 140 was my original goal but now I don 't think I want to go lower than 150 lb. So all that matters is what you think and feel. let them say whatever I take it as a compliment that people think you're getting too skinny lol! I've been wanting that problem for years.

There is no way to know how long it will take YOU to feel comfortable going back to work. That said, here is my story: I was sleeved on 10/19/11, released from the hospital on 10/21/11 and back at my desk job 10/25/11 only because I don't like my jerk of a boss and decided I needed Monday as a "me" day. My doctor said he wanted me out for at least two weeks but I cannot just sit at the house for that long (especially since my time off was unpaid). I heal rather quickly though. The biggest challenge for me so far has been my emotions. I was not allowed to take my birth control (hormone balancer), my mood stabilizer, or my antidepressant for three days. This threw me WAY out of wack emotionally. I am just starting to get back to my normal self. Another challenge has been that I work in a large room of cubicles with about 200 other people who all seem to have great smelling lunches. Oh and there were back to back pot luck lunches yesterday and today. Smelling all that food and then drinking my lunch is tortorous! This too shall pass once I can actually chew something. At home, I don't have a problem. I hope I have helped you or someone else in some way with this post.

I have to disagree, the amount of weight lost has nothing to do with how much you weigh. Everybody is different. For instance, my mother was 270 before her gastric bypass, at 5'7" her goal weight is 170. So that's 100 pounds. The fact that you are only 5' your suggested goal weight would be 115 to 130. So technically you need to lose the same amount as her. I don't see how that would make you any different than her. She had gastric bypass in March and she has already lost 80". On the other hand, I have friends who have had gastric sleeve that have lost as much weight and at the same rate. Whatever surgery you choose, it's gonna be hard, but there's no way of knowing how much or how fast you will lose weight. That all depends on how much effort you put in, but you could be just as successful as anyone else. Most people do lose the majority of their weight the first year, but honestly you would have less saggy skin if you did only lose 10 pounds a month. So it's a win either way, lol!

I'm on day 7 of my pre-op (Band goes on tomorrow!) and I was not given a calorie goal, I have been limited to 20 grams of protein per day. (A Carnation SFInstant breakfast with 1% has 13 grams!) Amazingly, I'm OK, and I've lost 19 lbs this week.