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Hi I also have intense burning in small area on upper left. I was sleeved on 1/19. I haven't gone to dr yet , What did dr. they tell you? I did. They said it was acid reflux. Call your doctor.

Hi Jill! I am newly banded on 9/19 too!! Feeling so good it scares me. Typical post op pain at sites but moving and doing well. Peek at my thread under "newbie" i posted more info about me today. I wish us botha speedy and easy recovery. On to thin & healthy!

I'm 22 and my surgery is thursday!!! i'm really excited. Ive told all my close friends except the boy i like because i think he would be worried about me so i'm not. None of my sorority sisters know. Not even my big. I'm really excited that I would potentially be a sized 8/10 for my senior formal next fall wish me luck girls!!!

I made a posting on here a few days ago concerning my right eye and retinaoschisis. I can never spell it right. Went to the eye doctor today and I have a bubble in the central vision between two layers of the retina. I got another shot in the eye which is normal, please don't freak out. It is now noted in my chart that they may now be considering surgery on my right eye. The surgery would require a gas bubble to go where the vitreous gel once was and for me to lay facedown for approximately 10 days. The hope is that the gas bubble would help get rid of the bubble and put the retina layers in place. In June they're going to do a die test on my eyes which I have had before. . The purpose of it is trying to determine where the Fluid is coming from. They are also going to be trying me on another very expensive medication which insurance will cover in my case. It may or may not help. I have about 100% sure that I'm not diabetic or that high cholesterol plays a role in this My eye doctor is aware that I am considering sleeve surgery and she actually told me that I may want to consider putting it on hold and focusing on this eye. It basically boils down to which is more important. We will know more about this I in a few months. I'm still planning on my May 4th consultation. All I know to do right now is pray and continue going forward.

I was in the same predicament, my team let me know it was ok not to lose any weight during that time it's more just for documentation. If you lose below requirement bcbs will not cover you. I actually gained 10 lbs during 6 months and had no problem whatsoever getting approved with bcbs. Good luck! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Help! Haha I'm leaving for a 10 day vacation and I'm 4 months out from surgery. Down 73ish lbs from preop and feeling great! I'm so worried about how I'm going to stay on track in Europe. I don't know what the food will be like and how I will get in all my protein. Thinking about packing 10 protein drinks but that's silly right? Not sure. Thought about 100 calorie nuts packets and protein bars. Any suggestions for what I can bring with me or any suggestions from anyone that has been to Paris/Loire Valley or Barcelona while on track and seen or know of any good ideas or options so I don't come back 10 lbs heavier. My weight loss journey has been a battle and I fight the demons every day. I haven't had an easy, not hungry time of it and I really don't want to lose now! Thanks in advance for your help! Band to sleeve revision surgery 1/16/17 HW: 283 CW: 210 GW: 160

I have a blog, but am looking for more people going through the same things as me. Www.adorkabletreasure.wordpress.com November 13: The Major Decision Within the last month, I've decided that I needed a change in my life. This change could potentially change my life dramatically-for the better. I am terrified of what will happen, the long term effects and the process in general. However, I need to do this. I need to do this for me. I need to do this for my son. What is this change? What could possibly change my life so much? Weight loss. Yup, this is another one of those blogs. I've always wanted to lose weight. It just never happened. I think I really packed it on when I was about 12 or 13. I remember coming home for Christmas break and my mom calling my school to ask what they were feeding me. I don't remember when I passed 200 pounds. I remember passing 300 at the end of my pregnancy and being so so grossed out. I've lost about 30 pounds post pregnancy.....4 years ago. My insurance covers bariatric surgery 100%. That was a shocker. I've gone back and forth with considering this as an option for some time now, but I haven't made any progress on my own. It's time for some professional help. Hey, after the year I've had (divorced, moved to a new state, multiple family deaths, new job etc) I need to do something positive for me. And I need to do everything I can to make sure I'm around to see my son grow up. The first step that I took was finding someone who took my insurance. It's new in my area, so not many people are contracted with them. Calling my insurance didn't help, they couldn't find anyone within 50 miles of me. I did find one though! I'm set up to do the seminar on the 30th, and the first appointment with the doctor is December 3rd. I am most interested in the sleeve. Here's to a new, terrifying adventure. December 1: Today, I F-d Up. Well, yesterday and today. Yesterday, I was so engrossed in decorating the Christmas tree that I completley forgot about the WLS orientation. 6:30 came around, and so did my memory that I was suppossed to be somewhere. So it's been rescheduled. For the 10th. Maybe I won't fail at life and forget again. Todays screw up: I totally ruined my brothers Christmas. I forgot to take his Christmas present out of the car.....anndddddd he got in the car today. So his wonderful "big" surprise of an Xbox One was completley ruined. I'm thinking about putting a pair of slippers in the box instead..... On another note, my kid is back!!! December 9th: The Insurance Drama Begins.... So - I just moved to Nevada a few months ago. The insurance that I have is through Amerigroup. According to the receptionist, Amerigroup will only approve a surgery if I am on medication for high blood pressure or diabetes - no matter what the BMI is. I am on neither. Although, my doctors appointment on Wednesday, my blood pressure was 143/107. Maybe I should have that checked. My insurance that is offered through my work starts on January 1st. With Cigna. Cigna only covers 1 doctor in Las Vegas, and it's not the one I am scheduled to go to the seminar for tomorrow. So I am in a bind. Do I go to the seminar tomorrow anyway or should I just say screw it and start with the Cigna doctor? (Who has a seminar on the 15th). So many decisions!! December 11: Seminar = Completed I went to the seminar last night. There was a lot.of information given. The surgeon seems very straight forward, no bullshit kind of guy. I kinda want to know if he takes my insurance, you know sometimes the insurance sites don't list all the doctors they actually cover. I have an appointment with him on Tuesday, so hopefully I will hear good news. It did leave me debating between lap band and the sleeve though. His results from people who have had lap band are great, unlike all the horror stories I've read about it. I troed talking to my mom about it, and without a beat she said "its not like you're going to change your eating habits anyway". So I guess I can count her out for support, even though she suggested it in the first place. I'm going to try and go to the other seminar for my new insurance on Wednesday night. December 13: Officially In The Program It's official. I am on my way to VSG. I'm scared, nervous, excited, and overly cautious. I so want this, I've wanted this for years. Walking into the back office, I was shocked that I had gained 25 pounds since moving to Vegas. I had done so well, and worked so hard to lose it, and it's all back. Starting Weight: 295.2 pounds. What. The. Hell. Meeting with Dr. Teng, he told me that I was basically almost three persons. For my height, I should weigh a max of 140. Ummmm, that's only 155 pounds...no big deal... He asked me what my heaviest was - 310 at the end of pregnancy. He asked what my lightest adult weight was, from 21 years and up - lightest was 270 (I had my son when I was 20). He looked a little shocked. Then he asked what my lightest was at 18/19, which was 210. He said some things I already knew. What I am doing at home isn't working. I have to make the commitment to change. I have to work for it. Surgery is not a band aid, it's a tool. Then he told me that lap band will get me down a hundred pounds, but not much more. He is recommending the sleeve. My next appointment I make a final decision. Overall, it was just a short visit. Information gathering I suppose. The lady at the front desk, who happens to also be the dietician, said that she would discuss more about what happens at the next visit (for nutrition). My insurance (Cigna) requires that I lose 10% of my body weight before surgery. That's 30 pounds. The doctor also told ke that Cigna requires 4 months of nutrition counseling. He said that if everything goes well, I should be able to get the sleeve in March. I don't think he accounted for this being mid month, so I am going to guess April is the correct month. I am going to a nutrition appointment on the 28th. I am pretty sure she said that these were 28 days apart, but she also said something about some class being 1 or 2 times a week. I am not entirely sure what that is. Each nutrition class is $40, that my insurance does not cover. I go back to see the Dr. Teng on January 31st. That is 7 weeks into this program. By then, I should have lost at least 17 pounds to be on track for insurance approval. Here's to the most dedicated I've ever been. Last meal: chicken pot pie, ceasar salad, and lemon cream cheese pie at Marie Callendars. It was fantastic. December 21: Weigh In #1 Welp....it's been a week. I have been overly aware of what I have been eating, and how much. I've gone out to eat and ordered a salad when I wanted a burger. I stashed away the chocolate bars that were bought for me while on my period. I even went into a bakery with my mom and didn't have anything. I got on our tiny, old, hard to read scale. Its past 285, but not 290. So I'm just gonna call that a 287. Which is 7-8 pounds. Ish. Not too bad for the first week. When my new insurance kicks in, I will be able to get a wireless scale for free. Hopefully it ships quickly. I'd like to actually be able to tell what my weight is.

I have lost 10 lbs. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I also was sleeved on the 11th and i can't do the protein shakes they make me sick to my stomach. I did however try the Special K protein drinks and can tolerate them better the down side is they only have 10 grams of protein in them.

It took me a long time to go down a size too. If you are like I was when I started, in the plus sizes, there is a BIG gap between sizes. The difference between a 22 and a 24 is a lot more than the difference between an 8 and a 10. Also, if you are like me, you were probably straining the upper end of that size you were wearing pre-op.

I finally got a surgery date, after extreme stress for the past few years. My mom passed away on Mother's Day and I flew in from out of state just in time to be with her. We had a very rough past few years losing both of my brothers, one to cancer and one quite suddenly. This threw my mom into a deep depression and dementia that got progressively worse. Trying to deal with it from another state was very hard and she didn't want any help. I got through losing my younger brother but my older brother really crushed me. I have no other siblings. Now, my husband has prostate cancer that spread to his pelvic bone. Our lives have changed forever. As long as the meds they put him on work, he can live for another 10 or more years. He has started hormone pills as that is the best treatment to keep the Testosterone down. I pray it works as my entire immediate family is gone and I'm terrified of being alone and living without him. His moods are up and down and everyone tells me I have to be strong for him, but I'm not sure I have much strength left! He wants me to go through with the surgery and of course I am, but I have so many other things on my mind. Sorry for venting so much. I am really lonely and scared, but need to do this for myself. I'm hoping it will turn my life around. My husband is trying to prepare me for a life without him and after 33 years of marriage and working so hard toward our retirement plans, I wonder what our future is. My pre-op is Oct. 10 and my surgery is Oct. 23rd. We should know by then if the hormone pills are helping. I hope all the stress I'm under doesn't effect my recovery.

Totally discouraged at the moment... Received a Realize Band on 2/4/08. Waited 6 weeks for my first fill of 3 cc. After another 3 weeks, I went in for an additional fill because I felt I was eating too much. Received an additional 1.5cc. That worked for about a week until I tried some very well chewed steak. After throwing that up, I haven't been able to get my tummy to settle down. Nothing goes down well. I went 10 days throwing up daily. The dr. removed 1.5cc yesterday in an effort to help me consume liquids, but as of yet, I haven't noticed much of a change. It feels like I swallowed a baseball, yet the lower part of my stomach is VERY hungry. Has anyone else experienced extreme irritation? How long does it take to calm back down? The dr. wants an upper GI in 2 days and the thought of that has me cringing. Need your insight!!

Hi! My name is Michele, and I am starting my two-week pre-op diet in the morning. This will include 3 shakes each day, two Protein bars or meat sticks and sugar free drinks. My surgery is scheduled for April 19. I'm nervous and excited all at the same time. I can't believe it's time already! Is anyone else in this phase and scheduled for around the same time? Sent from my XT1565 using the BariatricPal App

GARBGLDKFIHERJBJF Last week they said they are closing at noon today for the pre-op, for the holiday (that makes sense???). I said well when do you open? He said 5am, but don't come early because they'll be busy with people in the hospital. I said so like 10:30? He said yes. Then the preadmission lady calls over the weekend to get questions filled out; and said they close at noon on Monday. I said yep, I'll be there at 10:30. Couldn't sleep well last night, I've been up since 7am. I get the kids ready for our 45m haul to the hospital. We get there early (10:05am), and the lady says, pre-op closed at 10 today!!!! Are you...argh... what!!! I am so pissed right now. I asked if tomorrow is enough time to do pre-op for Wednesday -- she said yes, but her super smart office is the one that re-itterated that they closed at noon today, and I see how far that got me. If my surgery is post-pone due to their incompetence, so help me....

I was banded on 10/21 and didn't have my first fill until 1/14, almost 3 months post op. I go for #2 next week and I'll be 4 months post op. I think like with everything else, each doc is different. I wish I had one that could get me in every 2 to 3 weeks for a fill lol Still on the hunt for the sweet spot :-)

The area around your port will always stick out and be lumpy, unless you have one of the new low profile ports. The more you lose, the more you can feel and see it. I was banded 10/14/10 and mine is still tender and most likely always will be according to my surgeon. If I lean against a counter, or carry a box or laundry basket pressed against it, it hurts.

My program make us lose about 5-10% of our weight before surgery so the liver would be smaller on the day of operation. But I've seen other programs are different. But absolutely, tall to your doctor. If the nurse didn't help much, Doctor it is.

I had surgery 10/10. Initially I felt fine with little pain. I went through the 10-day pre-op diet (Clear liquids, nothing greater than 5 Cal/serving, outside of the 1/2 stength gatorade). But I was weak. Surgar free Jello was my saving grace, thought I was eating gold. I''m in week 3 (2 weeks post op) I was progressed to soft - thin cream of chicken and potato Soups were my best friends. I am now on modified regular and doing well with the diet. One hiccough was the melon mix-up. The list said melon, so I went with my favorite fruit - watermelon. I had 2 bouts of explosive diarrhea, thought I had the flu. Next day it dawned on me that it could be the watermelon. I tried it again, smaller amount and had a bout of diarrhea within 30 min. I know now that watermelon is not for me yet. I wish I had joined a support goup before surgery, but at least earlier than I did, as many questions arose and I felt foolish calling the doctor. But I know I shouldn't have. I have only lost 1 lb in the last 3 weeks and it's making me crazy. My doctor says, don't worry about the weight, just stick to the plan and all will be well. But I am still worried sick that I'm doing something wrong. I haven't exercised as much as I should have, as I felt weak. About 2 weeks ago, on Tuesday I woke up full of energy and have been moving a lot every since, but still no weight loss. Any advice - I promise not to be so long-winded next time.

I just got back home from surgery last night. We flew into San Diego and the driver picked us up there and brought us back there when it was time to fly back out. We did need spending money for our last meal which is about $25-$30 a person depending on what you eat and I also bought my meds there because I wasn't sure if I could get the specific medication here in the states that I needed and for 5 boxes of Nexium Mumps and 2 boxes of Supra doll pain meds it was about $150.00. Other than tiping dirver and buying a drink at the airport for traveling home thats all that I needed other than meds. Now if someone comes along with you they will have to buy their meals. My husband ate his meals at the hospital cafeteria and loved the food, plus it was very affordable. Nothing he ate was over $10 bucks and they were very large portions as well. He made 2 meals out of some of the meals. So it all depends on how much you want to take. They do take credit cards so that is helpful too. I hope this helps.

And with that, I really don't need to say much more... Hahaa!! Anyway, I've said a million times that I'll never be in the healthy range according to my BMI. I really don't plan to lose more than 10 or 15 more Lbs at this point. If that keeps me in "overweight" ... oh well. I know I'm healthier today than I have ever been in my life and I can do more physically than folks 10 years younger than me!!! I'm totally ok with that.

tomorrow preop appt, history, physical and anesthesia consult. at 10 and 10:30am

Hi. I had my surgery Nov 4 2010. I've lost 69 pounds and feel great.... But, I want to to lose the last 40 and it will not come off. I've been working out with a trainer and eatting 1200-1500 calories a day. My Protein is 60 - 80g per day. I don't know what I'm doing wrong. I love my sleeve and so happy I did this but just wish this last 40 would go away . I eat 5 small meals a day. Usually about 6oz servings. I'm worried I've lost all I will lose. I've been stuck at the same weight for 10 months. sw- 256 cw-187 gw-140 Thank you! Katie

I know you didn't ask me but i'm volunteering the information. I am on a medication called Trulicity. I haven't lost a significant amount of weight (10 lbs) but it has helped my A1C. Before my last A1c of 5.9, it was 6.6. However, I have made significant diet changes..no fast food and limiting the carbs so I am sure that has contributed to the low A1c. I think Victozia has to be taken daily and Trulicity is only once a week. My endocrinologist told me that after about 6 months, the weight you lose from these medications always comes back

Welcome from Texas to you all. You will love this site and your band. I will be a month out tomorrow and have dropped 19 pounds and 20 inches. Can't believe it will be a month. My surgery went very smoothly in and out in about four hours. I am sorry about you not knowing about the shoulder gas pain. Mine has finally all went away. Best of luck to you all. If I can help you further just PM me.