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Congratulations!! I would be excited too if my process had gone that quickly. Mine took about 2 months and I have been banded now for 1 1/2 weeks. It has definately been a experience. Be patient with yourself!

We had our 3rd support meeting tonight. It usually runs from 4:30pm - 6pm, but we had a bigger group & did a round table (a few minutes with each person), so we didn't get out until around 6;30pm. I enjoyed listening to everyone's story & hearing about their triumphs and struggles. During our 1st meeting back in January we decided everyone would bring at least one bariatric friendly recipe to each meeting, so 6 months down the road, they would gather all our recipes & create a little book for everyone. We put our names on each so we get credit, and they're going to have the NUT confirm nutritional the values. I happen to be the type of person that likes to cook & try new recipes as time permits, so I brought 7 or 8 recipes with me We talked about protein bars & which ones everyone liked. The winners were Quest protein bars, which also have a very high fiber content (17 grams in the White Rasberry Chocolate flavor I ate earlier) with 190 calories, and Pure Protein which averages around 200 calories but has a lower fiber content. Someone else chimed in about PB2, which I've heard of, but didn't know anything about it until tonight. I guess this is a powder peanut butter that you add a little water to.. I guess it turns into a slightly grainy peanut butter. Traditional peanut butter contains about 180 calories, while two tablespoons (approximately 12 grams) of PB2 powder, and contains just 53 calories. I hear it tastes OK, just not sure I want to try this. When it was my turn to speak, I talked about the fact that I've been getting really diz zy & light-headed almost on a daily basis. I thought it was an issue with my not meeting my protein requirements, which I thought was supposed to be 60-70 oz. The registered dietician asked me how much I was getting & I told her my average was probably 50ish. She said anything over 40-45 oz is perfectly acceptable. Remember, I'm on maintenance not in the beginning phase. Then she asked me about my fluid intake. I told her around 30 oz per day. It's something that I struggle with daily! B-I-N-G-O! More than likely, I'm getting dehydrated & am at high risk of having low potassium levels as well. I need to have at least 64 oz per day (actually we all do) and because I drink of 6-8 oz of chai tea (that has caffeine in it), I'm dehydrating myself more. She suggested I try 6 oz of V8 juice every day for a week. She thought that would help keep me more hydrated & boost my potassium & sodium levels. I thought V8 had a higher salt content, but she thinks my body needs it. She suggested I only do it for a week to get myself going then focus on getting those liquids in. Note to self: Gotta keep up with those required fluids to reduce potential issues with constipation AND more importantly, avoid the chance of getting hospitalized as a result of dehydration. So not worth it!

I have been big my whole life but I have always been active. Until my 40's. I always played sports and have a physical job. But then age & injuries ended my sports day and a promotion at work meant sitting on my butt. I slowly started to gain weight. I did the Atkins diet and had great luck. I got down to 280 and I was hiking, kayaking and felt great. Then summer happened. It's a busy time with work and I started putting the weight back on. Then my mother got sick and was in the hospital for 6 months. By the time she went into hospice I was spending 18 hrs a day in the hospital. Vending machine snacks and hospital food. Next thing I knew I weight 370lbs! Last year I tried Weight Watchers and lost 35/40 lbs. Then I hit a wall. 2 months no weight loss. Summer came and back to the rat race and off WW. I only put a few lbs back on and seem to level out at about 340. Then this past December we went to Disney World with the kids. (18,19 & 23yrs old) My back problems & foot pain really took their toll. It was there at Disney I decided enough was enough. The beginning of January I started the process. The I got the flu and was sick most on the month. I started getting my clearances in Feb and was schedule for late March. Only problem is my pulmonologist would not sign off. Three sleep studies later and a breathing machine for my apnea & I was cleared at 3:30 the day before my April 25th surgery! I have a few health issues that have played in to my Lap-Band decision. Type II diabetes (major factor in my mothers passing), sleep apnea, high blood pressure & cholesterol. And my back is shot. Surgeon told me that I'm going to need surgery at some point and that I need to lose weight or my rehab will be brutal. And losing weight may put it off for a few more years. Things seem to be going as planned. I have no major complaints. I miss certain foods. Big time. I still get hungry more than I would like. Going through some major lifestyle changes. My girlfriend and I love to go out to eat! We live in NJ just a short drive from Atlantic City and dozens of world class restaurants!!! A couple of weeks ago a had a bit of a set back. We went to a VIP party for the new Atlantic City Margaritaville. Open bar and free food all over. While I did ok with the eating I had a lot to drink! I paid the next day as my stomach let me know that I screwed up. I gained three pounds and did not lose any weight for a week. Lesson learned. A good friend who had the surgery a year ago told me that once I get my first adjustment things are going to change and my reaction to something like that will be more immediate. I hope that I have learned my lesson! That's the Readers Digest version of how I ended up on this journey. So Thursday I have my first adjustment and another phase of this journey will begin.... :-)

Woo Hoo!! Yes, it is hard work, but you will see the results and know you made the best decision for you. I am out 4 weeks with my revision and down 12 pounds (after a 6 month stall with the band, LOL) Just got back to the gym and doing my RIPPED classes with modifications.

Hi. My partner is scheduled for surgery in 4 weeks. I am doing the Optifast diet with him in support. I am also reading up as much as I can about it. With all that others have been through, could anyone please offer suggestions on how I can support him during both pre and post-op?

Congratulations on taking the first step! I am a week away from my surgery and I can tell you the time does go fast. I started my journey 7 months ago. You may have requirements from your insurance carrier. Those are what make the time fly by. Good luck and keep us posted!

Doing well, down 21.5lbs. Pain is finally gone from where my port was. When they went in for surgery they found my bands sutures had broke and the band had moved to my esophagus causing esophageal dilation. I had esophageal spasms for the first few weeks. They finally stopped and I am feeling pretty darn good.

Finally lost 3lbs but I swear each week it goes up then down! Still upset. So happy for you though way to go!!!!! Get it girl

I was also, then I thought about my family, and my 2 precious boy's. I did this for them. I did it so I can live a healthy life, and see my family grow. I'm 8 weeks out, still a newbie, but so far I am happy I made the decision. I looked at it this way if I didn't do it now, I have 2 pages worth of medical condition's that are waiting to enter my life. Life will be more frightening if you didn't have surgery!

Hey how are you doing?! My stall finally broke! I was stall for a good 2.5 weeks tho. I bumped up my calories, protein and water and it worked. Also, during that stall I did lose inches even though I didn't lose lbs.

Thanks for the reassurance aqua and kindle. I was really worried I am doing something wrong...I mean doesn't a stall mean u r stuck at a weight and not gaining?! Lol I will work on my protein and water and just keep plugging away. I wanted to lose another 12lbs before my birthday on April 8 so I could be down to 230...may not happen but I won't give up. Thanks guys!

Thank you for the responses. I see the nurse to talk about diet and nutrition next week. I am a little worried. I have been heavy for many years and I need to get rid of it

Things that came in handy for me: Gas X: You will likely have gas at first Liquid Tylenol Tongs: You will not be able to reach or bend for a few days. Plenty of liquids (broth, shakes, water, juice) Clothing: Wear loose clothes and undies to the hospital, also shoes that you can just step into. This makes getting dressed to come home so much easer. Have some nighties or house dresses and loose undies to wear around the house and loose strechy pants to wear out (your waistband area is going to be very tender for a couple weeks) Sleeping: I was not able to lie flat for more than a week. Also, your stomach muscles are very tender and your incisions are still hurting so getting up and down from the bed was just too painful. For the first few days I had to sleep in an upright almost sitting position then I slowly lowered myself each night. If you have a recliner that would be ideal. I do not, so I used chair cushions and pillows and propped myself up on the couch. It was 1 1/2 weeks before I was able to go back to my bed.

Your welcome. I was going to buy the case at GNC, but they didn't have one, so I thought well maybe I should try it first. Bought the three, fourth free. I was sold after drinking it. Thinking about using it in some form of smoothie and with Silks Coconut milk or maybe figure a form of a sorbet. Freezing into cubes and add it to the milk. By the way it is 16 oz of fluid if I didn't add that before. Will be difficult for me just to sip. LOL

Hey everyone! So here's the thing... I'm 5 weeks out of surgery. I haven't weighed myself in a couple weeks because I tend to get a little obsessive with the scale. I know I am losing weight because my clothes fit better. But when I look in the mirror, I see "before" me... I am having trouble getting past that. Any of you going through the same thing? I am just now getting my strength back to clean the house and be more active with my dogs. They of course, are enjoying every moment. I'm just so worried that mentally I will lose it. I don't want to be the girl who gets so frustrated with body image that I reverse my progress. I'm on a regular diet now and regular liquids. I'm sticking to healthier non-carb foods and sugar fee liquids as well as my 64 plus ounces a day of Water. After all the jabbering, I guess my question is... if any of you are going through this, how are you handling/dealing with it? Thanks for any advice/tips!

Thanks for all the insight everyone! I really appreciate it! I guess it just takes time. I am only 5 weeks out. I guess maybe I figured things would be moving a little faster, but then I remember that it's a process and @ Amy, I'm not sure about the optometrist... I'd check with your doc's! Have a blessed on y'all!!!

I'm an old timer...11 weeks out nad eating a full variety of food. You can friend me I'm irishmama2004 on there and on youtube

Yes, the clean out is essential (and therapeutic!) Find things to keep you busy when you are at home. Identify the triggers at home that make you want to eat (mine were sitting at the computer and watching television, wandering through the kitchen, well just about any excuse, but I digress) and start practicing making changes now. I bring a glass of water or a protein shake to the computer. I would save my one sugar free jello allowed for each day for nighttime tv watching. Also, keep reminding yourself that this is just one week. That was my mantra for the liquid phase. "I can do this, it's only a week...." Good luck! You'll do great. Surgery day will be here before you know it!

Starting my liquid diet on Monday for a surgery date of 9/29 but I have been pondering that awful question for the last week! "Will this really work?" .... I have struggled with my weight my entire life and even though I have lost 37 lbs to date on the diet I am still asking myself that dreadful question several times a day. I have SEEN the results that this surgery can give to people from this site as well as family members but I still have so much doubt that I will get this procedure done, go through the life changing decisions, and see ZERO results. My brother, who has had the sleeve, tells me that it is not possible to fail at this but I am still sooooo scared that it is :/ Anyone else have these doubts???

Hey everyone! I've been considering the band for about a year, started my preliminary testing last September and found out about a week ago that my insurance approved me! They are going to pay 90% (I have Blue Cross PPO) which is awesome because I could *never* afford it myself - at least not presently. My surgery date is February 4th (having it at Cedars-Sinai hospital with Dr. Nishi) and I am SO excited! I had this strange and still undiagnosed upper abdomen pain that started last fall. I had every test possible and they all came back normal and/or negative. After some antibiotics, repeated acupuncture and a serious reevaluation of my life (trying to deal with stress mainly), I've been feeling much, much better recently. All my doctors (I have every specialist known to man) are very excited about my surgery and don't seem to think my weird stomach pains will affect it at all. Prior to this past October I had never been in the hospital. If I had been approved for surgery before having all the tests I did last fall I would have been scared out of my mind. Now, though? I've been poked and prodded and pricked and put under anaesthesia twice so I'm actually not very nervous for surgery. I think the timing has been amazing. The one thing that makes me nervous is the catheter since I've never had one. Any advice? I'm so happy to have found this forum - everyone seems so caring and supportive!! Oh, I'm at 230 right now and I'd like to be around 150 - I'm 5'5".

I received a card from my surgeon that explains that I had surgery that limits the amount of food I can eat and to please let me order a half portion from the menu and charge me accordingly. I haven't had to use it yet as I am still eating at home at 5 weeks out from surgery, but it will sure come in handy when I am ready to venture out there into the restaurant world in a few more weeks.

Honestly, I didn't call back regularly at first, the insurance coordinator called me once a week or every two weeks, to check my progress on clearances, I admittedly procrastinated at first because there was a very stressful situation going on at the time. She continued to call and one time she asked me was I still interested in the surgery. I told her yes and finally started to do everything this year, I ended up having to meet with my surgeon again as well because it had been so long. Anyway, I did call the insurance company when I was still looking for a doctor and had them explain to me what was covered and what I would have to pay as well as what was required. A few people I know who had wls too were telling me I had to do 6 months of dieting before but I had to keep telling them no I don't because I already called the insurance company twice and I already know! Because of my high bmi, the 6 month requirement is waived. I haven't had any problems so far, just astronomical co-pays. The office and staff have been really helpful in helping me with insurance. I have BCBS too.Still keep on top of it and follow up, and sometimes it's sad but the office staff will chase away patients, I've left some pretty nice doctors because of crappy staff, now I'm not suggesting you do this, but just keep it in mind just in case. Sorry for the mini novel LOL

I am also two months and two weeks post op and I have had pistachios and peanuts with no issues. Just chew them very well.

Yes, you lose fast at first. After 2 - 4 weeks, you may hit a stall for up to a week. After about the first month or six weeks you will lose about 2 - 2 1/2 pounds per week. All totally normal. You should make sure that you are getting whatever Protein intake your NUT recommended. For many people it's around 80 grams per day. Also make sure that you drink plenty of Water, and focus on getting in a good bit of exercise.