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Hi everyone, My name is Amy. I had the band on 8/24/10, I lost almost 50 pounds with the band but never reached my goal because I had a lot of problems. I kept having to have fluid put in and out, I put up with reflux WAY TOO LONG because I didn't want more fluid removed because I was gaining weight. I ended up with an esophageal ulcer and became anemic from it. I had all the fluid removed in early 2017. I am almost back to my pre-surgery weight of 256. I am very unhappy with my weight and it is making me depressed. My insurance recently approved a conversion from band to bypass. I need to wait to build up some time off at work so I am looking at sometime early next year for surgery. Having the surgery makes me nervous but reading your posts here are helpful.

Ughh! Well I'm waiting on the news from my 2nd level appeal and honestly hoping this flu will help me in needing to lose my 10 lbs per doc. Lose my appetite. But feel horrible none the less. Hope everyone stays well during this crazy flu season!!!

Trader Joes I am trying out Protein drinks before I am sleeved 10/22. I picked up 2 cans of prepared protein drinks at a trader Joes and liked them. The chocolate has 35 grams of protein, 170 calories and 4 grams of carbs. The vanilla has 21 grams of protein, 4 grams of Fiber,and 110 calories. I don't know how it will taste to me after surgery bit now it is good.

I had to go back to the hospital early in my recovery too. I fought it for an entire week. I had flulike symptoms that I just tolerated and ignored because my experience in my complicated, lengthy original hospital stay had been so miserable. Finally, my doctor ordered me back. I DID NOT want to go, but I went. Turns out I had a kidney infection, and had I continued to struggle at home, I could have been in very serious trouble. Now, looking back, I'm glad I went in. I jumpstarted my recovery. If you can't stay hydrated, you should go back in. Being seriously dehydrated will compromise your ability to heal and recovery, and is dangerous anyway. The first month of my recovery was pretty hellish. But then things even out. I'm now 10 weeks out, and yes, it does get better. I have lost a lot of weight (31 pounds), and I'm not sick anymore. I just live my day to day life. The suffering was definitely worth it. You'll get over the hump too, even if now, it doesn't look like it. Hang in there.

Hi everyone! I'm new here. I'm Samantha and I'm 10 wks post op. Have good/bad days. Nice to meet u all

Congratulations! I just passed my 3 month anniversary also (surgery on July 10, 2009). I've lost 65 pounds too. I'm not sure about your skin but mine is terrible! I'm not sure it will shrink because I was chubby even as a child and have been overweight ever since. I'm going to start a good core workout next week and trying to use weights now. I'm hoping that'll help because my insurance won't pay for plastic surgery of course! :laugh: I'm really excited and happy about my weight loss and my experinece so far! You're done wonderfully! Awesome job!:blushing:

i was banded 5/3 and other than my port site i don't feel anything anymore. I don't know what your doc has you doing, as youve seen on here everyones is different. Mine had me walking from post op to my room. I would look into scopamine patches if you don't already have them for the nausea. For the gas, my doc said the best thing to do is walk. And sure enough for the first few days post op it seemed like every step i took a burp or two would slip out. He hammered on my walk walk walk. I know everybody's experience is different. Im not sure why your in so much pain. But each day gets better. i battled some slight nausea then about day 10 it was gone. I hope you feel better and everything is ok!

I was banded on May 3. Anesthesia is NOT my friend. I had 3 tough days of pain and nausea, then it passed. I slept sitting up in a comfy chair for a few days. I would call the doc if you are concerned that this isn't normal. I'm doing great now. Just had my 2nd week follow up appt. and I'm going in next week for my first fill. I'm down 10 pounds in 2.5 weeks. I feel pretty good. My knees are killing me from trying to walk and exercise a bit. I'm hoping that will subside once I get some of the weight off of them. Good luck to you... and I hope you feel better.

Starting Weight 223. Goal 135. Banded 01/13/2012

I can't tell you how many times I have read on the forum not to expect too much if you are over 50!! That is just nutty. My mantra is "Who's Universe is this?" IF I buy into someone else's Belief System [bS], then THAT is what I am stuck with. Hey--I was stuck in a rut before my WLS. Dr. Aceves told me before surgery in a 45 minute consulation about what to expect with the RESULTS from this surgery that HE would deliver 50% to me -- but the other 50% was up to ME. 10 words 20 letters IF IT IS TO BE -- IT IS UP TO ME No one is going to do this for you. NOW is the time to get into relationship with your body in a way that you never have done before. Learn how to be a Body Listener--not a Body Big Mouth. What do I mean? I was told to TEST one food at a time. NOW just because suzy-q on the Forum can eat something post-op, does not mean that I can eat the same thing. So testing means I try to eat something--and if--my body says NO...then it is a NO. Don't try to override in your HEAD what your BODY is communicating to you.I read about the number of people who are NOT losing, who have gained __# of pounds and are shocked, or they are throwing up all of the time. To those people I would say to use a little SALT: Stop-Action ... Listen-Think. IF IT IS TO BE -- IT IS UP TO ME Stop what HURTS, stop what makes you throw up, stop trying to be your old SELF, stop trying to be like someone else. Stop those Actions. LISTEN to your body. Obey your body. THINK about it. THINK about what is no longer working, TEST it for yourself, Test it again and again if you need proof, and then BELIEVE what your body is telling you. Are you using a food journal? IF so, this is a great place to post your discoveries. For example, here we are in the middle of the summer and there are lots of BBQ's going on. Body Big Mouth wanted a BBQ'd cheese burger with dill pickles. So I tested. I ate 2-3 bites and the food was so HEAVY that I did throw up, then I had to sleep for a couple of hours to feel better. But Body Big Mouth did not give up. I waited a week or two and I wanted what I wanted. Test it. SSDD Same Stuff Different Day I ate 2-3 bites and the meat was so HEAVY that I threw up, and then had to sleep for a couple of hours to feel better. Now Body Big Mouth still wanted what I wanted, waited a week or two and decided to test it again. I ate 2-3 bites, the meat was so heavy that my body hurt. SSDD Stop-Action ... Listen-Think IF IT IS TO BE -- IT IS UP TO ME After three tests, notes in my journal, I realized that I was not being a Body Listener ... I was being a Body Big Mouth--I wanted what I wanted when I wanted it--I did not want the results that I was getting--my Ego was louder than my Body-Talk and I was not listening. So back to being a Body Listener. Back to doing what works for my body. I have lost 45 pounds in 90 days by realizing that Dr. Aceves gave me the vehicle for a new body. Now I have to retrain my MIND and my MOUTH to be in relationship with my new vehicle. I need to know when to throw on the BREAKS and Stop-Action...Listen-Think. I have to understand that this is a journey of Self determination and my surgeon gave me the support that I need. He did all he could do--he did his part. Now I have to do my part. IF IT IS TO BE -- IT IS UP TO ME Be a Body Listener. Will you please post your thoughts on how you have become a body listener for yourself? Here are my Before - After pictures [so far] on YouTubes

im going to try week 3. DH is out of town for the next 10 days so not sure how consistent i can be with wee one...

I used them pre-op during my two weeks liquid diet. After surgery (10/1), they were too sweet to tolerate and the protein isn't enough.

I am pre-op and the vitamin sample packs from Celebrate were the very first ones I tried. And I was stupid and took them on an empty stomach my first time taking them, so yup, I vomited within 10 minutes. I am going to have two backup plans: ENS Shakes from Celebrate, and also liquid vitamins. I'll see what I tolerate best post-op. Good luck with the liquid vitamins!

It's not Covid 19 because I'm a chronic asthmatic. It'd be in my lungs and my lungs are fine. I was told even before my surgery that I had an increased risk due to the malabsorptive nature of the surgery. I even have someone in my nutrition support group that had the same surgery and suffered chronic issues with his vitamin levels to where not only was he hospitalized, but he ended up eventually having to have his intestines re-connected because of it. That's part of the reason I'm so mad at myself, because I KNOW better!

Speaking of ice, if you live near a SONIC drive in, go buy the 10# bag of their ice -- pelletized -- they sell it like any other store in bags. Keep it for blending, it is way easier than cubed.

I've had the same experience with stalling. I went the whole month of January without losing weight and was worried that I wouldn't lose anything else. I just knew I had gone through way too much to only lose 42 lbs. I've lost another 10 and I'm stalled again but I'm not so worried this time. I'm not over eating it's just my body trying to catch up to the weight loss. 52 lbs in 3 months is an awful lot for my body to get use to. I think the rest will probably come off in spurts. (I hope)

I did the exact same thing. I had my RNY on Jan 13th. I lost about 18 pounds - but stalled at 3 weeks - for 10 days. My doctor said to hang in there and I finally started losing again.

Terry, congratulations on your success and for hanging in there during such a long stall! With all the work you're planning once the weather gets better, I'm sure you'll make that 10 lb goal. I'm looking forward to being able to say I'm down 100 lbs and I'm so glad I had this surgery. It wouldn't happen if I didn't because I would have already fallen off the wagon with valentines day and Girl Scout cookies. I am happy to report, this morning I am down 1 lb. I had a shake and zucchini for dinner and walked further, faster and on dirt trails(uneven terrain). I felt like it was a better work out. I can go back to the gym today too...that helped me with presurgery weight loss of 30 lbs.

I am now 1 week post op and had been recovering quite well I think. I spent Tuesday night helping out at a cold weather shelter where I really did absolutely nothing except sit in a chair most of the night. No one would let me lift anything etc because the knew I was only 5 days post op. well, yesterday I slept most all day and today and I still sore as nobodies business. If I had it to do all over again I would, because homelessness is a cause I feel very passionately about and whatever pain I am feeling is nothing compared to the pain and suffering of living on the streets, especially when it is cold outside, but whew....taking way longer to recover than I thought it would. I can't really say anything to my family and friends about how sore I am because not one of them wanted me to go to the shelter The good news is I am 35 pounds down from my HW. 10 pounds from DOS and that included the 8 pounds I put on in Fluid at the hospital!

Okay so I know im probably annoying everyone with my questions but im a newbie and im freaked out and the doctors office isnt open yet but i just had my surgery yesterday and the incision where the port is has a burning sensation going on and its really freakin me out! Im like in tears worrying about it and I just dont know if its normal! Also I am not sleeping well...took some pain meds at 830 fell asleep woke up at 10 with horrible shoulder pain I couldnt even lie down sat there til 1230 took more pain meds and then went to sleep and woke up at 430 like I dont wanna keep taking pain meds to be able to sleep! Wahhh the pain plus the little sleep is getting to me! Someone help!

I get mine at Sam's...about $19

I found a treasure at Price Chopper. It is "TopCare" whey protein. I like the vanilla because I can do a lot with it. I have added: vanilla and one equal, any flavor xtract one one equal, instant coffee and one equal, SF chocolate syrup and one equal, vanilla and cinnamon and one equal, or one banana, some vanilla and one equal. I even added rootbeer xtract, a dab of vanilla, and one equal and had a rootbeer float. It is reasonably priced ( less than $10./lb.), has 110cal, 4 carbs, 3 sugar, and 20g protein. I have a soy allergy and can handle the wee bit that is in this product--wayyyy at the end of ingredients. "Try it. You may just like it!!!" Valentina

Best wishes to you both ! I was sleeved on 10/14 and have already lost 34 pounds...it just melts off if you do as you are told.

The only thing I'd be concerned about is that 50 lbs is not much to lose. I'd ask the surgeon to give you at least a 40f so you will have a better shot at being able to stop the weightloss after you hit50-60 lbs lost. If he gives you a 32, it might be a lot harder to stop the weightloss when you want to. That's just my opinion, and some people say bougie size has very little to do with it, but mine's a 40 and I've lost a lot of weight, never thrown up, never had problems with any food, etc. I love that I'm able to eat anything, just a lot less of it. I'm almost 5 months out and losing steadily. A good example of what I can eat is what I ate yesterday. 1/2 cup of oatmeal with 7 cashews and 10 frozen blueberries 2 string cheese 1/3 of a mango 2 ozs of rice/vermicelli/scrambled eggs/chicken breast 1/4 cup of greek yogurt 1/2 cup of endive/mashedpotatoes/bacon/nutmeg/vinegar mush with 1 cheese souffle (Admittedly this meal took me about an hour to eat but I knew I needed to try to get dinner in because I have a kidney infection so I had been sipping white beer and cranberry juice all day. Man it's hard to drink beer after VSG.) Then before bed I had 5 saltines with light gouda cheese. I thought after all that I'd show a gain on the scale (the beer and cranberry juice alone was 700 calories) but I actually lost another 2 lbs. I dunno, maybe bougie size doesn't matter that much, but I know I can eat enough healthy food with a 40f whereas some people I've read that have a 32 can't get in much more than 1/4-1/2 cup of food at a time. If I only had 50 lbs to lose, I'd be scared it wouldn't stop. I have a few friends that are 20-30 lbs below goal and try very hard to gain weight. We're all different, so it's hard to say, but I do know that a 40 allows me to get in proper nutrition (my 4/5 month bloodwork was excellent!) and still lose weight. Additionally, if for some reason a 40 is too big and you have trouble maintaining, you can have additional surgery to convert to a bypass or switch, but if you get a 32 and can't stop losing, what can you do? Nothing except get used to weighing 110 lbs. Just my opinion. I do think the sleeve is an AMAZING tool, but for someone who has only 50 lbs to lose, it's a risk that your body might get down way below goal before it matures/heals enough to allow you to stop.

Has my surgery yesterday at 12:30 in Concord, NC. I feel pretty good right now. Moderate pain just above my belly button. Unfortunately they just weighed me and I was up 10 lbs from yesterday right before surgery. I know this is a lot of water weight, leg compression pads, etc.....but still. Walked some last night and it felt pretty good. The biggest pain is not being allowed to drink anything yet. My mouth is so dry and pasty. They did give me some mouth swabs so I can swab with a little water. All in all, so far so good! Thanks to everyone for your thoughts and prayers!