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I am 10 months out and still enjoy the Premier Shakes. I love the chocolate, vanilla and strawberry but now they have to be very cold to drink them. Not so much at the beginning. I put them in the freezer for about 10 minutes prior to drinking them. They are a good meal replacement. Not always filling but they are healthy

I had my surgery over 10 years ago at Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove.. I have/had a lot of complications which I don't want to scare away anyone pre-op. I too am looking for any support groups other than in the city.

My surgeon's office called and my surgery time is at 10:00am Monday morning. My heart skipped a beat when I saw the number on my caller ID.

I'm glad to hear this too. I had my sleeve on 9-10 and yesterday and today I have been able to drink my protein quicker. I was worried, my post op paper said 1-2 oz over an hour...but I think that's more for the first couple days when your stomach is swollen inside. Jealous of the soup though....I'm on liquids for the first 2 weeks.

I know four people who have the LapBand. Each lost huge amounts of weight, but hated going in for fills. Three had complications (port infections requiring replacement). One got married and had all the Fluid removed and did not go back for a year and regained 90 of the 100 pounds he lost. The other two also grew weary of fills and stopped after maintaining weight loss for three years and have both regained a significant amount of weight. The final person did well and has no significant weight gain, but has slippage and erosion and is need of removal. Three of the people are now going through the process of revisions to the sleeve. All were afraid of going so drastically but all said they wished they had gone for the sleeve. There is also a man in my support group who has had his band for 8 years, he lost 160lbs but it is now creeping up and he is also going for a revision. It was the my wife, four friends/neighbors and this forum who helped me make the decision to get sleeved. I too was set on the band because it was reversible and less intrusive. My wife wanted me to have a more get it and forget it type surgery that did not require multiple fills. I was sleeved and I am now 65lbs lighter and shrinking after being sleeved on 2/19. My wife and I will be celebrating our 25th anniversary next month, and she said this is the best gift I could ever give her. Good luck to you on your journey no matter what you decide. Sent from my iPad using VST

How long ago did your Dr tell you this? At 10 months out, you should have progressed to eating a balanced diet of Protein and veggies. Are you trying to do low carb? If so, I can almost assure you that is the reason why your energy is low. Carbs are quickly converted to glycogen and stored in your liver. Glycogen is what your body needs for energy. Did you have your surgery in the U.S.? Do you have access to a nutritionist? Have you tried Premier Protein shakes from Costco/Sam's Club? Many, many folks who have struggled with protein shakes have found them tasty. But, I'm more concerned that you aren't able to eat a balanced diet. Are you to tell me all you eat all day long is meat or meat type products?

Does 8-10 pounds correlate with about a month? Could it be that time of the month? Hormones are weird.

My arrival time was 6:30 a.m. and surgery time was 8:30 a.m. I checked in, proceeded to the surgical suites, changed into a hospital gown and bonnet, had my vital signs taken, urine tested, and an IV line started. The pre-op nurse completed her admission assessment on me. Then the CRNA (certified registered nurse anesthetist) collected a quick history on me by asking me questions. Then the operating room nurse explained what would happen to me. Finally, the bariatric surgeon told me the surgery would take 30 minutes at the most and obtained an informed consent from me to proceed with the procedure. I was wheeled back to the operating room, given the IV cocktail of benzodiazepines, and fell asleep perhaps 10 minutes later. I awakened in the recovery area because the surgery already happened.

Lately (within the last thirty pounds) every time I lose 8-10 pounds I step on the scale one day and am magically 3 pound higher. In the beginning I didn't think much of it - Water, I thought. Except I then have to work as hard to get those 3 pounds off, they don't just come off like water weight. Someone please tell me this is normal. I'm ten (to 11 or 12) pounds away from goal...so .....close....... :shakes fist violently at universe:

Sorry everyone this is real personal but I want to know if I’m the only one cause I’m really struggling and my doctor is booked out a few weeks. So I am about A month and 10 days after surgery I’ve lost about 35 lbs. but last Friday I had an issue I ate my lunch it was simply just some chicken nothing special but I’m sitting at work and it hits me I HAVE to go to the bathroom I’m rushing over there and out of no where I feel something running down my leg I went to the bathroom without even knowing. I thought maybe I was getting sick took it very easy this weekend on what I ate I had no problems at all. But here I am today ate my lunch I’ve been extremely paranoid so I had just a light broth nothing exciting and the same thing almost happened but my extrem paranoia has me running to the bathroom any time I feel any little thing in my stomach. Has anyone else had anything like this or any tips or tricks?

Oh yeah.. Down 10 pounds since surgery on the 15. Total of 26 since my very first weigh in on may 2.

I was sleeved on 8/19. 7 days post op today and feeling ok. One incision is still pretty tender but otherwise I'm feeling ok. I've lost 9lbs since surgery. SW 224 DOS 211 CW 202. Total of 22lbs lost.

my doctor said after 30 days. I was on vacation on day 19 post op and I had a few drinks over a 3 day period. I felt fine. But, I can no longer drink as I did in the past. I was able to drink two glasses of wine but I drank very slowly and it took me about 2 hours to finish...and I felt like I drank much more.

Yep!!! I had/have Aetna POS and they require three months if you follow the multi-phase plan (monthly weigh ins, nutritionist, counseling, etc.). My surgeon kept telling me six until they called and Aetna verified it was only three. One thing I will tell you is they sat on my application for two weeks and no one touched it until I called the headquarters (only number I could find) and got to speak to a person in preauth. Once that happened they approved in less than 24 hours. I started the process in July and had surgery on 11/19.

@@Backer16 You rock! And because of your support your wife will definitely be more successful! I too have an incredible supportive husband who has been there every step of the way. There are some things that were great and some things where he meant well but made me cringe. Helped: Keeping all bad stuff away from me during the pre op diet which is very very hard. In fact, he would not eat anywhere near me for those 10 days Encouraged me before during and after the surgery, truly being excited for me. Celebrated my milestones by telling me how great I looked and even buying gifts of clothing or encouraging me to buy that cute workout gear because I had earned it. Went clothes and shoes shopping with me and seeing how excited I was because I could pretty much fit into regular clothes and shoes in regular stores. Unfortunately he doesn't say no though, and in fact would encourage me to buy things that wouldn't fit 2 months later. LOL! What didn't work: My husband at first was afraid to eat in front of me. Didn't bother me but he felt guilty mostly because he still eats crap. It left me feeling like I was always eating alone and very different. When he finally did get comfortable he started bring serious crap into the house. chips, Cookies, crackers and because he feels guilty, he sometimes brings me something I shouldn't have. In the first 6 months it was easy for me to say no, now there are days when I don't say no and I should. For example, he had McDonald's About 2 weeks ago and he brought me an apple pie! I told him never ever do this again. But I ate it! These things, although he means well is not helpful. In the beginning when we would go out to eat. I would order something eat 3 or 4 bites and the server would always think I didn't like it. My husband would then tell them I had surgery and couldn't eat anymore. It took him along time to realize that this really bothered me and was completely unnecessary. Now, we simply ask for a to go box right away. Many times we share a meal. I did tell him this bothered me but he was afraid it was rude to not eat everything. He was raised to clean his plate. Now, he totally gets that the portion control in this country is horrible. Apparently in the beginning he was more concerned about insulting them than realizing sharing my personal business bothered me. In his defense, if someone asks I will always be honest so he thought it didn't bother me. We are 15 months post op and have learned a lot of lessons. I say we because my decision to have weight loss surgery definitely impacted both of us. I cook different, shop different and that impacts what we eat and even when we eat because I do all the cooking. I also do not eat fast food ever so if we go out to eat or get to go food, I look for dense Protein and veggies. You can't get that at McDonald's. This impacts his decisions as well and probably does make him a little healthier in the process. He is now watching his weight, thank goodness so he has stopped bringing crap into the house which is definitely helping me. I wish you both the very best of luck! She is very lucky to have someone so supportive. I don't know what I would have done without my hubby through this process,

Totally normal to be nervous - I almost backed out a week or two after scheduling. The closer I got the calmer I got though, which is weird. Or maybe I just didn't have the energy to be nervous bc I was too lethargic from the Pre-Op diet! I think you are lucky to be doing it young. Not that it should be taken lightly, but in my 20's and 30's I wasn't heavy enough to be a candidate - still struggled with my weight/dieting/body image, but just not extreme enough for this kind of medical intervention. I am 45 now, and when I look at the before and after pics, some of the women just look SO amazing, and then I realize that they are the ones who had it done while they were younger. Everything bounces back better Not to dis the rest of us, we still look and feel a far cry better than if we had not had the procedure, (I'm 10 days post-op now, so I'm kind of an expert, haha), but I think for most in our age group, it's the body contouring and "lifts" and skin tightening that make the best end result aesthetically speaking. Just remind yourself that you made this decision for a good reason and try not to second-guess that too much, because that's extra stress that really isn't worth it. Just shoot for "optimistically cautious"

I was just sleeved on Tuesday 10/2, came home yesterday. It makes such a difference to be able to recover at home! I've been feeling much better at home, but let it go a little too long today between taking my pain meds, won't do that again I guess. But it's not really my incision sites that are sore, it's all my stomach muscles around that, they feel so tight. I'm also having trouble getting my gas bubbles moving sometimes, sounds like the heating pad is the answer, I'm gonna have to try that! I had a little trouble at first getting in my liquids in the hospital, scared to drink too much, was having some nausea, etc. But I think my nausea was caused by my own nerves. =) Just continuing to sip away and hope I get enough in. Congrats to all the new sleevers, here's to becoming part of the 'losers club"! P.S. I had to do that swallow/leak test too, and that clear liquid did not taste good, and they had me standing upright first on the table and then had to lay me flat, that was not a fun "ride" to take on that machine the morning after my surgery and feeling nauseous, but I know it was a necessary test!

#1 - Perhaps, since you are self pay you can find another doctor to do the surgery. But, no matter what dr you go to I heard it is safer if you do loose some weight prior to the surgery (just what I have gleamed from the boards - I am sure someone can explain why better). I am on day 3 of my pre-op and its killing me. However a couple of tricks that my dr told me was to take One Chromium Picolinate 400 mcg per day can be taken for fat-burning purposes. One Metamucil capsule can be taken at 10:00 am and one at 3:00 pm for hunger pangs My PCP also prescribed Phentermine (15mg) just to help take the edge off. I've also found if I drink LOTS of Water it helps. Good luck to you, I know you can do this

Got approval letter yesterday from insurance co. Pre-Opt exam and appointment to sign papers is scheduled for this Friday with Dr. Goldstein. I am so excited!!!!!! Is a June surgery date realistic, or do you think its more likely to be scheduled for July? No date is too soon as far as I'm concerned. I'm ready to get this show on the road. Started this process January 4, 2011, 6 months later I'm more than anxious. Jerseygirl is it true Goldstein only requires a 1 day liquid, and day of surgery fast? I'm 264 lbs. I'm a little nervous about only losing 4 of the recommended 10 lbs pre-surgery. Hope it is not a problem when I see him Friday. My goal weight is 135, but depending on how I look and what size clothes I wear, I can be happy at 150 lbs. I'm 5'8" and dont want to look like a bobble head.

My kids were 14, 10, 7 & 4...I did not tell them anything, just that I was tired and needed to rest. You should be fine without them knowing. Just tell them that you need to rest.

Just went to dr goldsteins seminar today, but yes he only does one day pre op liquid diet, 7-10 post op liquid, another week of mush, and then he said by one month out you're on whole foods. I was really impressed by him at the seminar, feeling very good about choosing him! First appt is the 14th, got a journey ahead of me, at least 3 months!

I've had this pressure feeling going up and down my esophagus the last several hours and minor pain in the center of me back. I don't have a clue how to fix this. I was banded last month and the doc has me back on solid foods and im struggling with enough and too much. My next appt is Jan 10. Please advise if you can thx.

Thanks for all the help!! I am anxiously awaiting to go to the first seminar. My insurance company recently implimented some new guidelines that do not have a "criteria"" to meet. Its all case by case now. When I called the insurance company they told me that they just put this in place within the last 2 months. I am unsure if they require a personal letter but if they do I will be sure to take all of this advice and add it. The addition of how this will benefit my life, prevent future obesity related diseases and should be used as a tool are all very powerful things to include. I was wondering if I should also include that my husband has only been on the job for 6 years and we have a long time with this policy should be included. I assume if they are aware that it would make them benefit in the long run by not having to pay for other obesity related issues it would sway them. I also feel like because my BMI is only 39 that gaining the 8-10 pounds to make it a 40 BMI would not be beneficial.I am hoping not to have to fight it. Thanks again!

Thank you for all the responses, I still am looking at getting the Lap band, I want a lifetime of weight loss. But i have been out of control for so long that my dr put me on Phentermine for 11 weeks. He said no more then that. It hasn't given me the energy everyone talks about, maybe insomnia lol, but just dry mouth and sweaty palms, no high blood pressure yet. I just need it to curve the appetite. I now can actually eat a real serving and be satisfied. I am hoping this will help me into the band easily. I have been workin my a$$ off since orientation, and it has showed, but slowly i stoped loosing and my munchies were getting worse then ever, plus im doing the healthy ways class. I hope one day to be able to say I have kept my weight off for 10 yrs:) That is my ultimate goal and we will all get there!

Disclaimer: I've never been a person who paid much attention to other people's opinion of me or my actions. I did tell a few people of my decision prior to banding and now tell anyone who asks. The prebanding reactions were mixed but the post banding reactions have all been positive (as in I'm proud of you for taking decisive action). I think most people (unless they've been living under a rock for the past 5 years) realize that weight loss success rates are somewhere between 1-10% without medical intervention. The ones who had negative reactions were mostly due to the fact they didn't understand the lap band procedure is not the gastric bypass procedure. Once I explained the difference, there were even some with less than 40 lbs to lose who were wondering if they could do it because they haven't been able to take the weight off on their own. I have been banded just shy of 6 months now and by some standards, am a slow loser. I'm OK with it but the first 3 months were really tough and I had my doubts. What I know now is that everyone loses at their own pace and not to compare myself to others who lose faster. If I had the chance to go back and reconsider, I would do it all over again.