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I gotcha flaca - I am 20 months out and although I am not to goal yet, I have lost 125 lbs. 1. Protein first - this is the motto of vsg and it is important on so many levels, protein is so important, and if you are stuffed to the gills with protein first, you don't have the ability to eat crap. 2.water Water water - not just for hydration but because it gets the fat moving and aids in loss. change your fitness routine - you said you get 2-3 miles a day on treadmill? add an incline of 3 or more, run instead of walk, don't hold the hand rail, wear a backpack, etc. And finally, you said you didn't come here for advice on your marriage. Okay, understandable. However, and I speak from experience, our success in weight loss is intimately tied into our psychological health, which includes relationships with others and ourselves. Therapy is a vital component toward recovery. Hope some of this helps =)

Doing well. Day 5 of my pre-op diet. I'm literally DYING without my carbs! I have lost 4 lbs since starting it tho. I spoke with Dr. Weaver last Mon, and Paula the nutritionist on Tues. I'm leaving a week from tomorrow, and guess who's ALREADY PACKED? Yeah, I'm THAT excited. Leaving for CO a week from tmrw. Already shopped for post-surgery needs, and now on the hunt for unflavored protein powder. Super de duper excited! Come on March 1st!

I am new to the site as well, and wish I had followed afterf my surgery. I am two years out and 150 pounds lighter. I got off track for awhile and of course with spring around the corner I'm Back!! Good Luck with your surgery truly a piece of cake!! (pun on words) I'm involved in a great new product,k it is a new protein shake that is sweeping the nation. Been on it 4 days and lost 5 pounds. Get excited for the new you!! Best Wishes, Sherry http;//sherrybellingham.myvi.net

zeama I had my first fill today 8/15. Do you know how much they added,and have you had any trouble eating? Oh, I forgot you are on liquids. My Dr. doesn't make us do liquids unless you have a problem. I had a protein bar and I felt really good for about 3-4 hours. I have 3.5 put into my 10cc. band. you are doing great, lol

Thank you all. Trying to get to that dreaded protein number but the protein shakes get old and they get too sweet. I will look for all the ones listec

Welcome Bev, Most of your responders are also fairly new. I have had the band for 8 months so let me add my two cents worth. The times you will be restricted to liquids and mushies are right before and right after you are banded. Don't start the liquid diet before your doctor requires you to. (You'll get bored and cheat) the liquids and mushies after the surgery are OK to start with cause you won't feel like eating a lot for a while (usually you are on for 2-3 weeks depending on doctor) After you start getting hungry it is sort of fun trying to see what you can make mushy, I have heard some really weird things on this site! if you like weight watchers and enjoy going, keep doing that. You probably won't start losing until you get to the right amount in your fill and ww can help you make healthly choices. There is not as much being deprived as you might think. I hit my sweet spot with my last fill (I can stay full for 3-4 hrs on about 1/2 to 1 cup of food) (after 6 fills) If I want a cookie, I eat it but I don't want the whole bag like I use to, thats what the band does for you. Also, I know that I need my Protein, and veggies so I eat those first and even though my husband has the biggest sweet tooth going and I always have sweets in the house, most of the time I just say I'll eat them later and then, never do. what I can't eat (and it seems to be different for everyone) is prime rib, steak, lettuce and doughnuts.(Can still do danish though!) lol

Hi all, No i was not banded by Spivak, but I live in Houston and too have wanted to find a support group here. I live near IAH/59 N and beltway. I was banded in june and have lost a little over 50lbs. You all are very lucky to be able to eat- I have not been able to eat "real" food before 4pm on most days. Due to stress my stomach tightens up and I really have to listen to my body and eat when I can. Ex: today is the first time I have been able to eat the meat of a $1 cheeseburger from Mc d's. Do ireally need that, no, but do I miss it- yes. Junk food does go down easier than what you need so you really have to be careful. Also check out unjury.com for protein- really good and I drink it daily! If I can help with anything please let me know. Good luck and you wont regret it. I was also a self pay and it hurt the pocket book, but I was sick of being fat. I still have 70lbs to go, but I didnt gain it in one year and need to take my time. This is not a cakewalk and this takes major adjusting. You learn how much of obesity is mental and you learn quickly that when stress is around you can't eat and it is hard!!! Good luck!:nervous

Ladies, Ok, running is out for me unless I want a black eye :glare:! So I am working out on my elliptical machine and walk on my treadmill at home. I purchased the Biggest Loser DVD's (all four of them) and those are fantastic. Too many lunges for me, but I do them. I won't even try the jumping jacks (the girls are too big:ohmy:), but what are you doing for exercise. Just trying to get an idea of what is working for everyone else on there. I don't think I am losing as fast as I should be, I know I am just at 7 weeks out, but the majority of my weight loss was before I was banded. I have my second fill today, but I have never felt any restriction since I got banded. Even the day of the surgery. I came home and drunk a 12oz Protein shake without any issues. I feel tightness when I eat something dry (chicken or steak) but that is about it. Most of the time I stop eating because I know I shouldn't be eating that much. Are any of you doing low carb (Atkins or South Beach) and if so, is it helping. Also where are you buying your work out clothes from, particularly a sports bra? Ok, I know I snuck three topics in this one, but just looking for some answers. Thanks ladies

Quest bars can be found at GNC or Vitamin Shoppe, the others at Walmart in the diet and protein drink section or grocery store in the health food section

When using unflavored you probably want to add it to thinks with a stronger flavor..but I dont notice much of a change. You dont want to heat protein above 140 because it will start to clump.

Good Luck tomorrow, I too am getting banded this week, August 21st is the big date, everyone keeps asking me if I am nervous, I tell them no. I guess being a nurse I am very aware of what is going to happen during surgery. Although this is the first surgery I have ever had in my 32 years LOL. I had to take this week off of work just to prepare my self for what I know I have to do after surgery. I went to the local health store yesterday to buy some Protein shake so I could see which one I like and can tolerate drinking. To my amazement they were not as bad as I thought they would taste. I drank one this morning with my coffee and they really do curb my appetite, so that had made me feel much better about my success with my band. I have been on this computer all week reading post and trying to mentally prepare myself for what is in store for me. I am getting excited to start a new part of my life. I am also very anxious and really just want Thursday to come. So wish me luck and I enjoy reading everyone's experiences on these posts. Veronica RN:w00t:

Be assured you did not make a mistake. It's only been 5 weeks. Once you receive your first fill things will start to go more of the way you expect it to go. Always be aware of your lap band rules. No drinking 1hr before, during, or 1hr after meal. Eat SLOWLY, Chew, Chew, Chew. Eat things that will stay in your band the longest! Soup or liquids are bad choices because you get the calories but they don't stay in your band long. Proteins are important. Work close with your doctor and let him know everything(even the things we are not so proud of) be honest with him and yourself so he is best able to adjust and inform you of the things needed to be done to be sucessful. Please like I said to the others, please keep us informed on your progress. Good Luck!

Hi Mel, and welcome to LBT. I think with every type of weight loss surgery, no matter which forum or location you go to on the internet, you will find people who are thrilled with the choice they made, had problems with it, or wish they had gone a totally different route. Another thing that tends to happen is a lot of the people who have no problems and are very happy with their choice tend to not post on the internet as much because everything is great, they have no problems and are out living their lives. What is important is that you do your research. Way the pros and cons of all the availabe options, talk to your doctor and make an informed choice on what is best for you. With the band, you have to work at it harder than with most wls. The band is a tool, but once you commit to getting it, you also have to be willing to commit to a whole new way of eating, to changing to a healthier diet and to exercising. It takes all of that to be successful with the band. With all that being said, I love my band and am very pleased with it. Best of luck to you. Please let us know if you have any questions, we are all here to help and support one another.

I really depends on two things, who your insurance provider is, and what options were purchased with your policy by your employer (or whomever provides your insurace). My insurance company required a 6 month diet plan, BUT they accepted 6 visits in 6 months with my PCP that showed my weight, bmi, and some discussion about my weight and what to do about it. Just contact your insurance company and ask for (in writing) the requirements for WLS through them. Good luck to you!

Everyone is so different. If you read the statistics, most people experience significant weight loss with any form of surgery. Most people who don't tend to be more vocal . . . because when you are having issues you tend to do more research and seek answers. You may notice common themes in people who don't find success. * Eating slider foods, ice cream, sweets, chips that don't stay in your pouch. * Failure to eat healthy, balanced Proteins, fruits and veggies as the primary nutrition sources. * Grazing throughout the day instead of focusing on primary meals. * Lack of incorporating moderate exercise 3 times plus a week. * Failure to take personal responsibility for your health and well-being. Not being really ready to commit to a lifestyle change. * Failure to address the issues of emotional eating/food addiction that may have driven people to obesity in the first place. * Lack of adequate support systems through doctors offices, support groups, friends & family or online support. Are you really ready to do this . . . if so, you should be able to start looking at common reasons why people have success or failure and develop a strategy for how you will set your life up in such a way to encourage success or combat issues. The first step is to look inside yourself to help determine the reasons why you have a weight issue. Doing a lot of research also helps. Try to analyze people who are succeeding or failing on your own to develop traits that will gear you more for success than failure.

Hi, I am so glad to have found this site. This has been a God-send. Reading all of your comments has helped me tremendously - Thanks. I am only 4 days post-op, but still feeling so tight in my chest. I burp all the time and occasionaly have shoulder pain. Is this all normal? I can barley drink liquid without feeling miserable. I think I'm drinking approx 2-3cups of Water a day, About 1/2 C sf Jello a day and am getting about 4-6 g protein(shake) a day. This is much tougher than I ever anticipated. I'm a mom of 3 kids, so I have to keep my energy levels up somehow to still be mommy. So far I've lost 13 lbs, but I'm sure it's all water weight. Please Help! Gratefully, DianaS

Hi, I had my lap band done on December 5th I came home weighing 300 today and I am 282 but I havent had any hunger. Im on full liquids still So I have an 8 oz protein shake in the am. a greek yogurt for lunch and a 8 oz protein shake in the pm, I also manage about 6-7 glasses of water through out the day. I Know you may feel like you should have lost more but you are at a great start and you're starting weight wasn't extremly high so I wouldn't stress. You are going in the right direction!

Sounds like the weight is going down, but you need to make sure that you get your protein. Also, are you using something like myfitnesspal to keep up with your caloric intake and your protein. Definitely want more protein than anything else. My doctor said eat protein first, then veggies (like green veggies), then anything else. I totally agree with Xavier.

Hi Bullit - I hope your port area is feeling better. My port is about 4" under my left boob, seems low to me - I hope it doesn't drift to my thigh as I get thinner! Yes, I also felt weak the 1st two weeks or so - our bodies are in shock, and having hardly any carbs or calories does make you weak, that too gets better as our bodies adjust, adding just a bit of soft foods (tofu, hummus, yogurt) has helped me. Are you drinking your protein? You should try and get at least 60 gms a day. I've been doing pretty good on drinking my water, and you will find as your post op swelling goes down it is easier to swallow, though I think the post op swelling gives us a feel as to what a fill will feel like (?) I know when I go back to work, next week, getting all my water in will be harder to do. I was banded in Mexico (DR. Rumbaut) and have my follow up/fill Dr. Fox, not too far from me in Tacoma. Hang in there - We are doing great!!!

Yep that's it. Still on post op regiment of liquids and I'm getting really sick of the Protein drink taste. I need to stay positive and motivated and I keep thinking to myself, this is a new chapter in my life and the reason I chose to do this extreme step is for my wife and 21 month old daughter. I want to be able to play soccer, or basketball or run with her in the yard. And in my old 400 pound frame that just wasn't going to happen. It's also nice to know there's a whole community of people male and female experiencing exactly the same things I am at each stage of this process.

I just was banded on 11/18 and this is my 3rd day at home on the post surgery liquid regiment. Last night as I was trying to finish my last protein drink, I got really nausea. Was the reason I got nausea because I over drank? How do you know when you hungry and suppose to eat or not?:drool:

Hello! I am new to this forum. I have decided that I can’t win this weight battle on my own. I need help as I am convinced that I am doing great harm to my health. A few months ago, I knew nothing about banding. I’d heard about gastric bypass but I never really thought of myself as “that overweight” (by the way, I am) and focused on being a failed dieter. I gave up dieting. I only gained the weight back after killing myself to lose it. No more WW, Nutrisystem, Atkins, South Beach, and so on. I’d lose weight with a great deal of effort and gain it back the minute I felt a modicum of success. I learned that I was pre-diabetic about three years ago. Blood fasting sugars about 120 each day. Pre-diabetic – well heck..that’s not so bad. I mean, I am not truly diabetic I told myself. Of course today, that number has jumped to 182 some days. But still under 200! I am not REALLY diabetic! Right? Wrong! I was seeing the gastro doc because I have developed “fatty liver disease”. Isn’t that a pretty name for a disease? Hey folks, I have fatty liver disease (but remember, I am not diabetic, only pre-diabetic!). So now let’s count my co-morbidities – pre-diabetes (just had my Metformin dose increased to 4 tabs), high cholesterol, high blood pressure (just doubled that dose) and fatty liver (my daily martini has changed to an occasional glass of wine but I haven’t stopped eating like a Viking. (no offense to any Vikings out there). What a mess I’ve become. And every visit to the doctors – PCP or specialist, ends with “if you could just lose 10 lbs…” Incidentally, my BMI is 41 and I am 5’7. I wear a 20 to 22 and 1X to 2X. I am a big girl and have been for most of my 58 years though never as big as I am right now. My husband loves me no matter what size I happen to be thank goodness but I know that he wants me to live a long time and that he is worried I will not. My gastro doc mentioned that if by the next time I saw him, I did not lose some weight, I should consider surgery. I think that was the dose of reality I have been waiting for since hearing I was “pre-diabetic” a couple of years ago. This time the words were not as softened as the word “pre” softened diabetes. It was just out there. You are obese and are unable to lose weight and you will die if you don’t change things. After feeling totally shocked that he recognized that I could not fight this battle without help, I began to research my options and found myself here on this website lurking every evening and reading all of your thoughts, prayers, concerns, and successes. When I read between the lines of what you all write however, I see HOPE. You all share hope that things will be better and can be better with a little help. I’d reached the point that there was no hope anymore but now, thanks to you and my gastro doctor, I can see that even at my age, there can be a future without obesity. So, I have taken control of my health and have decided to be banded. I attended the Weight Loss Information Session at Brigham’s and Women’s in early Dec. I scheduled my consultation with Dr Ali Tavakkolizadeh for Jan 21 along with the Nutritionist that day. I have an appt with Dr. Cynthia Worth end of Jan for my weight management behavioral evaluation. I have called Aetna and learned that I am covered for 80% and that there is a 3 month and a 6 month program. I am not sure yet what the difference is between the two programs but most certainly would prefer the 3 month one. I saw my PCP last week and asked for my medical records. All of these appointments were scheduled within one day with little effort. I take it as a sign that success is in my future. Thanks for reading my story. If anyone has experience with Dr Tav, Dr Worth or Faulkner Hospital which is where Dr Tav does this surgery, please write. My thoughts are with all of you fighting this fight.

Hi MaidMarion, Yeah, I have something in common with someone besides being a bander. We are "same day new banders". You are nearly as young as my daughter who is 43 years old, lol. I know I am going to need all the encouragement that I can get, for I am a terrible one to snack. I am missing them already and I have just begun to change eating habits...one month now. I really don't know just what I can and cannot have to eat, I just know that protein is the number one thing to have and fats are a no-no. I do thank you for your helpful suggestions on exercise I can do and I am hoping to be out of this wheelchair at least by September or sooner with luck. Keep in touch. Leelee

Hi St®awberry! First, I think it's great that you are considering the lap-band. While I haven't had my surgery date, I have read many, many success stories on this forum. Yes, there are those who lose LARGE amounts of weight, some that loose very little, and some who have complications. Regardless, this is a "tool" (which is always stressed) and much of your success will depend on your hard work. I have close to two hundred pounds to loose and I'm confidant that the band will help me get there. For me, another reason why I chose the band over other procedures (besides the aforementioned reasons) was that many of the other options are considered "malabsorbtave" and for me, I don't feel like I can ever be healthy if my food is not absorbed. I tend to be one of those people who believes that your body is a vessel and I just can't make myself believe that I would be healthy. Allowing my body to function similarly to how is usually does is what I'm aiming for with the band and you're still able to absorb all of the nutrients as you normally would, just modified. Just remember that follow-up is key with this surgery. Best of luck to you, no matter what you choose!

Have you gotten an unflavored Protein powder to add to recipes and things like Soups? There is a pretty good chicken Soup protein on unjury.com...I get sick of the sweet also but there are tons of easy high protein recipes out there..good luck!