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Hi Everyone, I'm a little concerned about my stupid decision. I had Sleeve Plication on 10/22 and was really good about the liquid diets for the first week, but I felt hungry and miserable the entire time. I mean, sleepy, tired, hungry, like mental pain... On week 2, I started the full liquids, but by mid-week, I was already eating the mushy foods. By the end of the week, I was already eating regular foods of all kinds. I haven't felt much restriction of any kind. I just finished week 3 and have only lost 6 pounds. I can't seem to get rid of the hunger pangs (literally feel like I'm starving every 2 1/2 hours.) Did I screw everything up? What can I do to fix it? I was literally able to finish a whole roll of sushi for dinner last night, and today I was able to eat a good size of lasagna. I'm so frustrated with myself and disappointed.... HELP!

I too was banded on Tuesday 5/29. Went home the next day and was pretty tender. Yesterday was much better. today I hardly notice it unless I move the wrong way. I have hunger pains that come and go and occassionally feel like theres a knot under my sternum. Doc has me on Clear liquids for 2 weeks but its a lot more tolerable than the preop diet....ALOT! I had a little depression yesterday but its subsiding. Main thing is I'm bored.

@caprice, I am going through the same issues right now. I keep gaining the same 6 lbs. I have been going through this since June. Don't freak out, this might all just be Water weight that continues to fluctuate. You can definitely lose the 10 lbs by your appointment next week, but it might take some buckling down such as cutting out all sugar (including fruit) for a week. Don't give up!

Literally the only thing that I wish they would have told me is that there is a 3% chance that you can develop a wheat allergy or celiac disease with any surgery that has malabsorption. I developed a wheat allergy and it completely blindsided me. I have crappy luck so had I known I would have expected it. Still would have done the surgery, but I would have expected it (not joking about the crappy luck. I had an MVD in 2017 and there is only a 1% chance of getting meningitis and guess what? I got meningitis. Yeah, my luck is crap). Also the hilarity of me having to call the bariatric surgeon because I was having chronic constipation and their confusion because they'd never had a patient with my surgery have that issue as it's generally the opposite (diarrhea) made my day. I laughed so much when the doctor had trouble processing that (I absorb iron really, really, really well so the fact that I was taking 3 iron multi's is what caused that issue. I now take 1 iron multi and 2 non-iron multi's and my iron level is the high side of normal... yeah). Also, keep in mind that everyone loses at their own pace and try not to compare yourself to others. You'll get there. It may be slower than someone else that started at the same time, but you could actually lose more than them in the end. You could also be a chronic staller (that was me. I've never met anyone who stalled as much as me) and that is incredibly frustrating (oh, the stress and frustration!), but it happens. And yes, even if you're not a chronic staller, stalls DO happen and are 100% normal (generally can last up to 3 weeks. Though some can last longer as I had a few that lasted in the 40 day range. No joke.).

did they give you a program to follow for food? are you pushing Water and Protein? maybe a protein liquid diet for a week to jump start you? I'd call the doctors office for help

What a wonderful ride this week has been! On Tuesday we had a great performance and I got a few new pics of me singing! Then I had a whole new photo shoot! I have never felt so beautiful in all my damn life. For once I felt like the person I always wanted to emerge. She is here....oh yes she is! I had a wonderful photographer and she made me so comfortable in front of the camera. What a wonderful new life this is. I turn 40 this week! I feel better than I did when I was 20! I am going to have a party on Friday with all my girlfriends. We are going to take a Salsa class and then dance the night away and I am going to make a poster of all my new photos so share with everyone! Happy Birthday To Me! Come share in my joy! http://www.lapbandtalk.com/members/57955-albums5264.html Why not go out on a limb? Isn't that where the fruit is? Surgery Date: May 21, 2009 Starting Weight: 280lbs Dr. Michael Metz - St. Luke's Hospital Denver, CO:thumbup: Follow my progress thru photos: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/members/5...lbums3475.html

He's a great doc, went to him last August 1st, Husband is going in next week! Father, Sister, Friend, all have gone to him, and had no complications, and are doing great so far.

The 3 week stall, if not fer here I would have panicked. Love the support here, and love helping others and giving ideas. Almost learn something every day and I def did my research before surgery. This board is amazing!

I tried the Vitamin patches based on reviews on here and it wasn't a good experience. I went from having all the energy in the world to feeling like the life had been sucked out of me. I kept trying them for 2 weeks and went back to the chewables and felt better immediately. Horrible experience for me

Today marks exactly one year since I started my preop diet and I was reminded of all the wonderful things I've learned from this site so I thought I'd share a few. 1. Never knew about the 3 week stall until I read it on here. 2. salad Bar-Someone else had posted this tip. I now go to the Salad bar at Safeway right down the street from my house and load up the container with all sorts of veggies and do not add any dressing. Then for the week I just use my precut veggies out of my box. I waste so much less and it's super easy. 3.Powercrunch bars...they are my favorite. 4.Genepro unflavored Protein. Love this stuff heard of a new one called Piping rock that I will try when I run out of GENEPRO. 5.If you stall keep measuring as you're probably losing inches 6.Healthy options at fast food places, recipes, snack ideas And now I've ordered a new moisturizer cream. So much wonderful information on here. I am sure there is more that I am forgetting. How about the rest of you what have you found to be the most helpful? ~LA

Hello all, I am currently thinking about getting banded. I am going to my 3 month initial evaluation i guess it's called in a couple of weeks to the surgeon. My doctor has put me on a 1800 calorie siet for now, i have been on it for the last 2 months in 2 weeks it will be 3 months and i am coping very well. I am learning to limit myself to those 1800 calories, at first it was very hard to adjust becasue i was not feeling full, sometimes i still dont always feel full. i have lost 12 pounds so far on this diet. I am very new to all of this. I have no idea what i am doing. I know for sure i want this done. after discussing with my fiance of 10 years i finally am ready to do this. I am like some others on regards to who to tell, who to not tell, I told my fiance of course, and my sister which i already regret and didnt even have the surgery yet, she wanted me to talk with someone about all of this. she wanted me to talk with someone who had the band already, but i did not want to put my personal buisness out there like that. So deep down inside i have lots of questions and worries but cant bring them out, i dont want to freak out my fiance....after the surgery how long will i need to be out of work? i see some people have been out for just a couple of days and were fine... others a week....i am trying to schedule this around some vacation i will have but only about 7 days. I dont know if that will be enough? i work in a hospital and have to lift people....not sure if that will be ok? and what do you have to do before surgery? do you have to go on a 2 week liquid diet before surgery? i will probably have all my questions answered in about 2 weeks when i see the surgeon, but just in case i forget something i thank all that replies...i still think i have no clue what i am doing...exept for running on the treadmill almost everyday like crazy my doctor keeps telling me what speed to go up to and what incline to go up to every time i go to her....it is always a challenge and i think im going to die when im on that thing...but i do it. any advise to what food will make you feel full or not hungry in 1 hour? i have been breaking my meals up as much as i can..B L D is 400 cals each with 200 cal snacks in between each one...sometime i have to eat the snack with the meal other times i can break it up...i have already lost 12 pounds they saif i cant gain any weight at all....

I feel your pain. Mine was submitted last Wednesday and I am trying to hold off on perstering them to see if they received my approval. I think if I don't hear something today I will call tomorrow. I was told it could take up to 30 days for approval but with my insurance, it should only be about a week. Waiting is so hard for me.

Hi Everyone, Things are still going well for me. I am so grateful for that, believe me. When I have read of others problems on here I cannot believe my luck. Long may it continue. Now the water weight has gone I did a proper weekly weigh in and am one pound down on before surgery. (However, you could call that 8lbs as that would include the iv fluid weight gain that has gone too) but still one more pound to take off my ticker. Hooray. Went out and about again today, saw someone I hadn't seen in three weeks and they actually said and I quote "Wow, you have lost weight in your face" Thank you thank you thank you. This is the first time someone other than me and my hubby has noticed! I do have one small problem, no, that is overstating it. It isn't a problem, just a little query I am hoping someone can help me with. On one of my incisions sites I have what looks like a piece of clear plastic wire/gut/fishing line???? sticking out. It appears to be attached inside me. Do I a) cut it off close to the skin and forget it? or need to get my doctor to take a look at it? The incision itself is healing nicely and there is no pain around it, and is not puffy or red or anything. So Ladies help me out here, what do I do next? Don't you just love the fact that we can call on each other whenever we need a helping hand. I am as I have stated before, a bit of a luddite when it comes to technology, but here I am asking help from people I have never met who may be half way around the world. Not only that, I am pretty certain that I will get a response too. So thank you in advance if you do respond, and thank goodness for technology too. Best wishes all Phoenix

Hello Fellow Michigander- Do not give up, my friend. You were given a tool, and you have forgotten how to use it. Go back to a week or two of just liquids, then do mushies, start all over again. Write down all the reasons you decided to have the surgery in the beginning. Did you think about the flabby skin when you made your decision? I did. I knew I was going to have some body image problems along the line. For now, I can cover everything with clothing. Later, when I am closer to goal I will start looking for solutions that I can afford. Are you exercising? Drinking enough Water? Go back to the beginning, get out your pre-surgery literature and just commit yourself to using this tool to your best advantage. If you still can't muster up the resolve, you may want to ask the surgeon to take the second step and give you a gastric bypass. Lots of super obese people start with the sleeve, and work toward bypass. Don't give up on yourself!!!

My health care partner nurse told me to increase my protein by 10 - 20 grams a day because I felt that my weight loss was slowing. I was doing between 50 and 60. So I did and I lost 6.2 lbs this week!!

My food palette is so much smaller... I can't stand most food. St paddy's day meal used to be my favorite, I was gagging while cookin it for the family and didn't eat a single bite. Right now the only food I can eat without feeling nauseous is fresh mozzarella, black olives, pickles, garlic hummus and triscuts - I still use unflavored Protein powder in my crystal lite and eat 1 sometimes 2 Protein Bars per day. Even yogurts are tasting too sweet. It's VERY depressing. Flip side - im steadily losing weight (down 30lbs since surgery 8 weeks ago) and am rarely hungry. It's common, and you just have to find a happy medium. Your tastes will Change on the turn of a dime, and from what I've been told in due time you will enjoy foods again

A couple of week's ago I did my sleep study. Turns out that I have mild sleep apnea. I went back last Monday (the 14th) for the 2nd sleep test with the CPAP machine. I lasted the minimum 6 hours that I had to be there. I basically came close to having a panic attack. At first it was fine with the mask. The pressure wasn't much and I was able to breath. As I slept the lady kept increasing the air pressure (she told me she'd be doing this). I felt like I was sufficating. Every time she's increase the pressure I'd get that feeling and I would take the mask off. It was like I couldn't breath with the mask on (she only let me try the over the nose mask and the full face mask). I HATED that confining feeling and sufficiating feeling. On the questionaire that I had to fill out before I left it had the question "If you used a CPAP during tonight's study, would you use one at home if told to?" I put NO in capital letters. Well, I was on vacation this week and when I got home I checked my answering machine. Turns out that the doctor does want me to get a CPAP machine. Uh no. I don't really even want to go thru the motions. If I go get that machine I am NOT going to use it. I had the worst night's sleep EVER that night. I about had a panic attack that night and I don't want to have to go thru that every night. I'd never get any sleep. So should I just go thru the motions, get the box, and not use it? Or not waste my time? Do you think it'll be a show stopper with the doctor? Any advice would be appreciated.

I belong to Kaiser and have no problems seeing the bariatric dietician or a nutritionist..In order to get services you need to be the squeaky wheel.....Yep, call them back and tell them that it's urgent you see the nut.....you might not get an appt today, but they can offer something this week or the next week. Let me know what happens when they call you back. If that doesn't work, then go to see your PCP and he/she will get you in.... Keep trying....

(March 13, 2010) It's been a couple of weeks since my last post but I have been one very busy woman! Since my last post I turned 40 on Feb. 23rd! I danced the night away with about 10 of my good girlfriends. We took a free Salsa class and then danced, danced, danced. It felt so good. I wore a gold, mini-dress and some high heels and carried a wand! Oh yes....I acted like the Goddess that I am and I was very proud of myself. I felt it was like my first birthday all over again. There was no shame in the way I felt. I looked good and I knew it. Vain....yes but hey, you only turn 40 once. I celebrated the whole week and enjoyed life to the fullest.:glare: I have also has some difficult experiences with Lilith (my band) in the last few weeks. I experienced first-hand how anger and stress can make your band tighen with a vengence. I don't get angry much but I was upset with a lender who was not giving my client the attention she needed. This lender started to yell at me and I was NOT going to take that so I made sure I put them back in their place. Well, by the end of that episode, I was shaking, my head was pounding and Lilith (my band) was in an uproar! For the next few days I tried to stay calm but I could not get water down and I had acid reflux to levels I have never EVER had before! So off to the doctor I went. I had a full 1cc taken out. That took me to 4.0cc's. Well, I still was throwing up and experiencing bad reflux so just a few days ago I went back in and let them take out another .5cc's. SO that put me at 3.5cc's right now. I can't say it was bad either. Finally that fire in my belly calmed down and Lilith loosened her grip. But during that time I lost an additional 10lbs. I was already at goal but now I am in the 155 weight range. I don't think it looks bad on me, hubby says I still look great so maybe I will stay between 155-165 and feel ok. I am not really going for the emaciated look so I am trying to be careful! I don't know.....but I do know I don't really want to lose it like that again! Can you say.....ANGER MANAGEMENT??? My size 12 jeans are too loose now, I was getting away with wearing them without looking too baggy but not now. Hi-Ho Hi-Ho it's off to shop I go.....(giggle) Since I have reached goal, I have been trying to focus on the positive changes in my life. Things you take for granted but notice when you now blend into the "normal" world. Things like.... Using a regular sized towel to wrap around you while you are getting ready in the morning. People looking you in the eye when they talk to you. Men whistling at you. The way you feel in your clothes. Getting a good nights rest because your body does not always have body parts falling asleep to deadness. Liking the image that looks back at you in the mirror. Shopping in the regular sized stores. Feeling sexy for no reason Knowing you can fit into a airplane seat (I have a trip coming up, more later) Accepting compliments without shame. Feeling good in room full of women! Women can be so catty sometimes, but I can hold my own now! I no longer hide in the shadows! I could go on and on. This life of mine....of yes....this life of mine if finally happy and content. There are a few other things I am watching close. My periods are all out of whack. I had two, just two weeks apart! Gotta see if I can get more vitamins in. I am also just no longer intrested in food. Yes, I know that's weird. Sometimes I think I have cravings but when I get a bite it just does not taste the same or feel the same. Do you know what I am talking about? Sometimes eating was just totally emotional, it tasted good because it was a release. At this point of my progress I can really and truly say....I can take food or leave it. Well friends.....I am off to Italy! I will be gone until April 1st. A full 17 days to relax, unwind, enjoy my husband and see the world. It's my first time overseas! And....I will fit into the airplane seats! (HA):wink2: Thanks for all the wonderful comments on my photos! I truly felt beautiful for the first time in my life and now I have those photos to help me remember that feeling! I will tell you all about my wonderful adventures when I return! Love you all BUNCHES! And as always.....I AM BLESSED! Why not go out on a limb? Isn't that where the fruit is?:smile2: Surgery Date: May 21, 2009 Starting Weight: 280lbs Dr. Michael Metz - St. Luke's Hospital Denver, CO:thumbup: Follow my progress thru photos: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/members/5...lbums3475

Lynn thank you so much for some great advice. My husband will be here to help me & my doggies will be here to comfort me also. I'm from Ohio 5'8 290lbs will be 50 in july YEA HA.....I would like to stay in touch with you for pointers & friends. What kind of chewable vitamins do you take.Yes I'm going to the store this week and getting s/f jello,broth,popsicles. Also what kind of protein drinks do you use?I'm glad your doing well & have the support, this is a life style change for all of us & a good one. I'm really excited about the surgery. I'm not doing so good on my per-opt right now but I'm trying , how do you do on your per-opt?The weather here in Ohio is so cold about 20 degrees & we have about 13/15 inches of snow on the ground & suppose to get more tonight or tomorrow, I'm so ready for Spring. We just bought a 25ft camper last Oct & only got to use it once & looking forward to this summer. Well you take care keep in touch & Happy Valentines Day... IzzieBell

nope, I didnt get one of those. But I guess my surgery is not the typical american kind, ie, I had my first appointment on mon, and the next day I decided to go for it, and surgery was on sat. no pre op diet, and barely any info for what foods to eat after. my doc also was going to give me my first fill a week after surgery, and it seems like my fills are totally up to me. good and bad points I guess.

I didn't have to jump through any insurance hoops. My BMI was very high at 50 when I met with doctors and insurance approved same day. The doctors I went to is a 1 stop shop. I went in for the consult and in same day did all tests, psych, insurance approval and scheduled my surgery date...which is now tomorrow! (it was scheduled 7 weeks ago) My dr. put me on 3 week pre-op because I have so much to lose. I have not had to supply my insurance.(Blue Cross PPO) with anything. I had to go back to dr. For more blood work, endoscopy procedure and then pre-op dr. Appointment. I think my experience has been easier than most in dealing with insurance...I've been very lucky. Best of luck in your process!

Today is much better than yesterday. I am pretty much able to get up with little or no assistance now. (My bed is kind of high - didn't realize that would be work). I could always walk around and even go up and down stairs right after surgery. Soreness has been replaced with a feeling like a muscle that has been really worked out. The only thing that is still a bit problematic is cleaning myself well after using the bathroom. I can't fully stretch yet. Thank goodness for showers and the fact that my wounds closed up with some sort of "superglue" so they can get wet. Sorry if that is a bit more than you wanted to know, but there are lots of things that I didn't really consider. I was always thinking long term, never week one after surgery.

Hi everyone! I just recently discovered these forums and wanted to introduce myself! I am a 33 year old woman from a big city in northeastern US, and I was just approved for my surgery! Within one phone call, I was notified of my approval AND given a date. It's 11/20/18. My BMI is 45.8, I look/feel sick all the time, what with dark circles, my avoidance of strenuous activity due to body pain, a constantly flaring skin condition and, obviously, the excess weight I carry. I have binge eating disorder, which I'm attending therapy for starting next week, too. I'm having VSG, and not many people in my life know outside of some select friends and my coworkers (we're in healthcare & very close). I have some support (mostly at work), but because of my social community and family's views, this sort of surgery isn't exactly something people get excited about. Body, gender expression, femme positivity is where it's at among my peers. My family is not supportive of this decision at all. Despite all that, for the reasons I mentioned above, I'm having VSG surgery done because I'm just over it and I want more from life than this. I'm excited/terrified! I follow a lot of people (mainly ladies/queer folks) on instagram, but I don't feel comfortable sharing my intentions on that platform. So, here I am! Any November dates for surgery out there? Can anybody maybe relate to my lack of support and have any advice? Just wanna be friends? Thanks for reading!

So now I am in the few days where i can find every excuse in the book not to go to the gym.:w00t: For starters I had a Dr appt, Had to get kidgits off to daycare and school, and had to arrange for sleep:closedeyes:, So I ended up getting about 3 hours of sleep, and looked at my schedule of Zumba with eyes crossed. I Had to pick up 3 kidgets from school, daycare and bring them home, one had orchestra practice at 630, my class started at 6...dinner had to be made, ect. Another day another excuse. legitimate mind you all the things I did today were things I HAD to do. Or came up last min and couldn't be avoided (oh the pleasures I would have had telling my 16 yr old brother to stay at school...hehehe :devil_smile:my horns are showing) I bought contraband from the bread store, cookies and nutter butters yum! But I'm not in the refrain from stage. just being aware. It makes it a little easier when you have kidgets (with endless metabolism) ready to eat whatever I don't "want" two bites and I hear the whine, if you're a mom you know the whine, the "I want it" whine. So another epiphany today :sad:(yes I am SO enlightened, the cure for obesity here I come! just after the cure for greediness and cancer) My 5 year old is JUST like ME! I don't mean devilish good looks or personality galore. I mean eating hobbits. She has always said she wanted to be big like me, she didn't want me to be short, she wanted me to be "bigger" She didn't eat breakfast, ate a small sandwich for lunch and didn't "eat" till snack time all the way till dinner. she makes healthy choices, apples bananas gold fish... just seems like a lot of food consumed after her high activity point in the day. She has however just joined taekwondo 2 days a week, and ballet one day a week 1/2 a day for each class. sigh, I just don't want her to become "squishy" like me. :thumbup: I have a Dr appointment that I am going to talk to her Dr about her eating habits, she not "fat" but is getting chubby and is headed to be a "boredom" eater. She eats, and asks for food if she is bored. I dont particularly like that idea. off I go to save the bathroom from the invasion of the girls. :troll:Wash hair and become the sea monster from the upstairs bathroom.