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I lost about 15 pounds in 2 weeks. That is the exact diet my doctor put me on too minus the vegetables. Wt. loss is different for everyone though. You may lose more or less. I have not used Bariatric fusion but as for flavor, I thought the unflavored one worked the best as I could add my own flavors. I was allowed to add frozen berries to my shakes. My doc did not allow any tea or coffee. Good luck!

I am coming up on my 4 month anniversary next week. 40 lbs down. 18 to first mini goal. A great start on my journey. Walking and movement are my recommendation to everyone.

Hi all, My name is Jill and I was banded on November 24th by Dr. Harris Dabideen in Flint, Michigan. I was lucky because insurance approval process was not difficult at all. I was seen by the doctor on September 23 and was scheduled for surgery on 11/24. I was very nervous before the surgery and the 10 day pre op diet was difficult, but I made it through. Surgery went very well and I was lucky to have no nausea at all. Weight before pre-op diet was 238, day of surgery 226 and at my 2 week check up today I was 216. Total of 22!!! I feel really great about my progress. Just found out today after talking with the doctor what type of band that was used and it was the lap band not the realize. I am new to this web site. Can someone tell me how to get those cute weight tracking bars at the bottom of your chats? Hopefully soon my diabetes will improve and I can live without taking insulin, which was why I really wanted this surgery. I also have sleep apnea and use a CPAP machine hopefully soon I won't have to use that anymore. But I will probably need another sleep study completed. I have been walking everyday with my husband, who has been a wonderful support to me through the surgery process. Hope everyone has a great day!

I had thoughts just like you. I could give myself a million reasons not to finally go through with WLS. Not sure if I could handle it. Not sure if it could handle me... But it wasn't until I started having physical limitations that kept me from walking in a grocery store without crying from horrific back pain after only a 5 minute walk from the parking lot into the store. I got to the point where I was using a handi-capped plaquard in order to get close to the front door of the store, so I could ride around in one of those stupid go-cart to go grocery shopping. On top of all of that, I had an extreme thyroid condition, hypertension and pre-diabetes, (none of which was getting any better either). I had lots of swelling in my legs daily that created permanent red marks circling my shins. I think it was either the beginnings of lymphedema or some kind of ulceration that was happening. I went to a Chiropractor, an Orthopedic specialist and a Pain Management specialist with 3 years of medical care. The chronic pain I was experiencing was getting worse, not better. I finally had to do something. I knew in my heart that if I lost weight, some of these issues would get better. So I finally made the commitment and I'm very happy to say that after all the hard work I went through these last three years, it pales in comparison of what has happened in only the last month since my post-op. It took several months of planning, and along the way, I slowed down my eating habits before my pre-op and managed to lose 18 lbs before my pre-op. I lost 5 lbs during pre-op and an additional 20 lbs. post-op. What more important is that some of the horrific and painful physical issues have gotten better. My diabetes issue is gone, my hypertension is just about gone and will be med free soon. My thyroid, well, that will always be an issue, but it is better under control and less dosage on the meds. My back pain? WOW!... I haven't had to take a muscle relaxer or pain meds since the surgery. The swelling in my legs is gone. It's much easier to walk around. And even though I still park close to the store, I can now walk through the store with no problem. I still feel the stress, but it's not enough to stop me from walking. If I had any doubts before the surgery, I must have been out of my mind, because the results have been more successful than 3 years of physical therapy without the surgery. So... for me? This was a no brainer. Wheelchair bound, or freedom of walking. WLS was the best thing I could have ever done for myself and for my health. Hope this is a help to you.

Well here goes, my story. I have always had a weight problem, for as long as I can remember. I can remember my Dad grilling me about how much I weighed when I was in like third grade. My Dad was slim as a young adult, but put on a few pounds as he aged. My Mom struggled with her weight, but she is a strong minded woman, and has never been "fat". She loves to cook and bake, but she is great about not eating what she cooks. I am a "Mature" adult now, (translate that to read almost ready for Medicare), but feel much younger, and want to continue to feel years younger. I started thinking about bariatric procedures shortly after my cousin, who is a sugeon, had a Roux N Y procedure himself. He subsequently specialized in bariatric surgery and is currently doing mainly bariatric procedures. Throughout my adult life I have been or participated in Weight Watchers, Diet Center, Weight Down Workshop, Over Eaters Annon., TOPS, and a bunch more that I can't even remember, plus have tried almost every diet that has come along. I even went so far as to make an appointment and go see him last summer. But when I checked with our insurance company, they informed me they don't pay for ANY bariatric procedures. My cousin (bless his heart) offered to do the surgery for free, but I would still have to pay the hospital and anesthesia costs, which were going to run about $14,000. I didn't have $14,000 sitting around, so I started looking at options in Mexico. I choose to go to Tijuana and have the surgery there. I was sleeved three days ago, and so far am very happy with my choice.

Hooray for all the gardeners! I'm almost three weeks out now and I can't wait until I feel more comfortable gardening in my knees...and maybe feel less sore!

HI all first post on this site feeling realy desperate in need of help had lap band in august 2005 start weight 25stone 7lbs had it done as private NHS patient MR SUPER birmingham had first fill of 5mls to SAGB cost £265 pound and had ok weight loss. went for second fill and it cost £265 but only got .5ml . This was may 06.Between may and october had lots of vomitting and PB .in october last year went to ireland for half term and while there band completly obstructed. i tryed to drink but nothing would go down ended up on a drip and having to be flown back from ireland to have emergency unfill costing £265 .MY weight was by now 18 stone 15 momths post band. after 8 weeks doctor did refill only putting 4mls this was november it cost another £265 . then in january same thing happened and they took all the fill out again .I have now got an empty band and my weight has gone back to 20 stone .doctor said will do refill maybe 2mls at a time each will cost £265 . MR super just puts xray forms at bupa hospital you dont see him:think my problem is the money i keep paying for fills and unfill and refill again, i have no doctor as i self paided and my pct will not fund after care i feel gutted and out of control with my eating i had to buy new clothes today as nothing fits it feels like the old hatefull days of worry if i pay for more fill am i wasting money

I hate that you are going through this. It sounds like your fill was too much at one time and it slowly began tightening up from swelling as the weeks went on. You probably started pbing and that increased the swelling. Many times getting a large fill like that is ok, but in some cases, like this, it is a recipe for disaster. This doesn't mean, however, you can't make your band work for you. You just need to make sure you take your fills slow. My surgeon ROUTINELY gives 4ccs at the first fill, but I knew I didn't need it. The PA put 2ccs in and after drinking water, she actually withdrew 1 of them out. I don't need big fills. After this is over, just try being patient, and I will be hard, but take the fills slowly. Ask your surgeon if you can come in every 2-3 weeks and get 1cc or less each time until you get restriction. He/she should be ok with that, since it can help you avoid this misery in the future. Good luck and keep us updated. Oh, and I am sorry about the liquid diet.

I am 3.5 weeks post op and I still have 2 steri strips that have not come off. The uppermost strip hasn't even started to loosen and my lower right has only a little bit left. As they loosen I have been trimming the tape so it doesn't catch on my clothes. I was in on Monday for my first fill and my surgeon wasn't concerned at all. Said they will come off in time. I can relate to your incision healing though. About 3 years ago I had gall bladder surgery. I had one incision that one morning when I woke up it was red and oozing all over my bed. I went immediately to my surgeon, the same one in fact, and he had to clean it out and put me on antibiotics. Glad you got in right away and got yours taken care of before you got to that point. I had no idea mine was even a problem until it burst open. So I have been extra careful this time around. Definitely no lifting, pushing, pulling and keeping my clothing free of the sites until they heal. Sounds like you are on the right track. Good luck in healing!

Congratulations on your weight loss thus far. Just remember your energy and enthusiasm in the coming weeks if and when you hit a stall and don't beat yourself about it! Your body will lose weight at its own pace.

September 8th is almost here!!! Eeeeeekkkkk!!! We are dropping the kids at Grandma & Grandpa's, the 2 dogs at a kennel and heading over the passes tomorrow. I'm not really even nervous yet. Just more excited, so far. There might be a tad touch of anxiety. I clean when I get anxious and well, my house is spotless. After deciding on the Sleeve 5 years ago, then waiting for insurance to add it, doing the 6 month diet, the 2 week pre-op low carb diet, the BIG day is finally just about here! I'm anxious to get the old me back, be happy & healthy and feel confident about myself again! Let's do this!!!

when did anyone start doing crunches or using an ab machine? I am only 2 weeks out. thank u! Sent from my SM-G900T using the BariatricPal App

So I retired last Thursday on December 31st, was sad, took over full time house duties so my wife could focus on starting her career, I have a planner and do their school and appointments, cook dinner and wash and maintain the house, ironically my 8+ hour days became 14-16 hours, but I'm catching on, January 10th will be my 7 month surgerversary, I'm probably at 254 from 388 in January 2015, taking my vitamins and protein, no gym last two weeks due to shoulder injury and we are in transition from insurances so no surgeons visits til March or April, but overall very content and vigilant with my progress, I figured December would be my make or break, my weight loss has slowed significantly, but I'm still going strong, to all those thinking of or just having had surgery, I don't regret a single minute, and it really is life changing, very rarely when I question it because I can't eat something or couldn't finish my meal I just remind myself that if I had none done this I would have had a heart condition or diabetes by now and my choices would have been taken away forever, I've had a piece of cake, drink of soda, and an occasional beer, but with wise moderation and only once a month, nowhere near what I used to drink or eat, and I really stick to my healthy diet 90% of the time, here's to another great year, and good luck on your journeys, my new milestones for this year 1. Hit 195 goal weight by summer or close 2. Be in an XL shirt by April 3. Save for a kayak if possible

Glad to know I'm not by myself. 🙂 We will get through this. Good luck next week.

I actually worked more before surgery. First, I had to make changes to several applications to ensure I was not going to be needed for them to work properly; Second, I didn't want to be sitting around doing nothing but worrying about surgery and my pre-op diet or anything else. I kept myself busy. After if I recall I was home for two weeks. The first week I did some noodling for work but I just couldn't focus well. Second week I was more able to focus. I think I prepared the company for 3 weeks just in case. But I only intended to take 2 weeks. To note, I had an open RNY with Gaul bladder removal and a hiatal hernia fix. I ended up with a drain for a week or so. Not the average surgery. I was in hospital for 3 days. Good luck and enjoy the ride. Tek

It’s a week tomorrow I had my sleeve and I’m the same weight today as I was the day of the op , I know we’re all different but I thought I’d have lost something. Ive resisted weighing myself until now because I don’t want to be obsessed with the scales just thought I’d weigh once a week , bit disappointed with no loss at all Has this happened to anyone else here ? Any tips or advice would be gratefully received. Hope everyone one is doing well xx

Awesome! Rock your sleeve! I got on the WiiFit a week after surgery and it yelled at me. Said I made my goal BUT the deadline had already past so I'd need to set a new goal; tsk tsk on me. Then I got on it a week later and it told me I am losing weight too fast which is dangerous. Then I learned it asks other users in the household (namely the boyfriend) how my sleeping habits are ("Is she getting too much sleep? Too little sleep?"). The WiiFit is a backstabber! I won't let it take away from my successes Glad you're doing so well with it, though.

Surgery is scheduled for the 15th, I am so excited!! Can't wait to start the next chapter of life...the healthy one!!

My dr said no hot tub for the first week to 10 days after surgery so I'm guessing after that it would be fine. I'm sure if you are healed from your surgery the hot tub would be fine.

I was on the pill before surgery. But stopped about 2 weeks before. I'm not on anything right now. And I'm afraid the pill will affect my weight loss. What's your experience with weight loss post op??? HELPP

I am having trouble too. So far, I take them very slowly with HOT water. Hot water will open the band a little. If I take them too close together, I PB them back up. I am going to look for a pill crusher. I started having this problem mainly a week ago, after my 3rd fill.

Most of the patients who go to Mexico fly home after a day or so, with little problem. However, your energy level will be a bit low for a couple weeks. If you are talking about a "lie around the pool and relax" vacation you would be fine, and some gentle strolling is good for you. Strenuous hiking wouldn't be.

I too am 10 years out. I was getting hungry, gained about 35-40 lbs. then, I started watching some documentaries about our food supply like "food, Inc.", "Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead" ....all on Netflix. Anyway, it changed everything . I bought a Vitamix, and now I 'drink' 6-8 servings of fruits and veggies 5-7 days per week in green smoothies. I lost 40 lbs and have kept it off for over a year...I don't crave a lot of the stuff I used to, and don't count calories or anything like that. My weight before gastric bypass was 344, and I hover around 176-182 now, which is just where I want to be. Best wishes!!

I have a two-week liquid diet starting on the 17th for my surgery on September 1 and I am definitely dreading it more than the surgery or any of the post-op discomfort. I keep referring to it as "doctor-sanctioned" anorexia to my friends and family. I'm only supposed to have 500 calories a day of Protein shakes, sugar free jello/popcicles, and green salad with zero-calorie dressing. Meanwhile I'm supposed to continue working out, which is currently burning 500+ calories 5 days a week. And all of this while I still have 100% of my stomach! Seems INSANE! Good luck to you tomorrow and for the rest of the week. Hopefully it won't be as bad as we all fear.

My BCBS TX plan specifically covers bariatric surgery in the plan with a $5000 co-payment. All I had to do was meet with the surgeon and complete my psych evaluation. Once the surgeon sent in the paperwork, it was quickly approved within a week or two. The surgeon I picked required a couple of things not required by the insurance (thus not covered by the $5000 co-pay) which were a one time NUT class, and an endoscopy. The endoscopy was covered by my insurance minus my yearly deductible.