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My husband and I split 6 weeks ago. I guess it's taken me this long to admit that it's over. I have been asked if it's to do with the weight loss, but to be honest, the problems were there when I was big, and they didn't go away when I lost the weight (which I was hoping would happen - it's funny how you think losing weight will miraculously 'fix' what's wrong with your life). So here I am, at 40, single again. I am lucky to have a good job, am in the position to be able to buy over the family home, will have primary custody of my 4yo son, and sole custody of my 16yo son (from my 1st marriage), so it's not all bleak. I know this is the right thing for us, but being single again is scary, and not having been single for any longer than 3 months since i was 16yo, I feel like a fish out of Water, all of s sudden, not quite sure of what my new life entails. Anyhow, I would love to chat with others in the same boat, who can help guide me through the 'maze' of this change in my life.

It's really happening! Yesterday my surgery date for LapBand was set. Oct 16, 2007! I will check in at 6AM at the Nebraska Surgery Center in Lincoln. Surgery is scheduled for 7AM. Monday Oct 1 I will begin my 2 weeks of slim-fast and one sensible meal. Oct 15 I will start clear liquids in preparation for sugergy. I will see Dr. Taddeucci again on Thurs. Oct 4 at 1:45 in Lincoln. I need to have some questions for him.:confused:

Spoke to Nancy , my Nut today. She says I need at least 65 grams protien a day (at the minimum). So. that is my mission. Blah! But...whatever I need to do to break this stall. Its driving me nuts.

I called my claims administrator today, I was starting to get panicky about the timeline, and someone offered me some solid advice and calmed me down until I could call. I'm very concerned about being able to have my sleeve done before the end of the year. Effective January 1st, my insurance will change, and I will lose my bariatric surgery coverage. I started this process officially end of July, but had seen my PCP in June and July to try and see what could be done about my weight. So, I called. We rearranged my appointments a little bit to get about another week squeezed into my timeline. I'm up for team review the 25th of September, from there, I schedule my consultation with the surgeon. I'll have two more visits to meet insurance requirements, the last one is on November 1st. After my appointment I call this gal back and she submits everything to my insurance. She said it should take a week, but we'll have an answer by November 8th. After that, it's just a matter of pre-op, and scheduling surgery. Could be all said and done as early as December 6th. SQUEE

Depending on what your surgeon requires of you, you may or may not need to do this. It is medically supervised and my surgeon requires it, I even had to buy the shakes from his office. 4 a day for 2 weeks. The purpose is not for weight loss but to shrink the liver to make it easier and safer to do your surgery.

If your insurance has already approved your sleeve, there is no chance you will be denied now unless you do something like send them a certified letter stating that your weight has dropped below a 40.0 BMI and to please reconsider. And probably not even then. Your surgeon won't care. This is assuming you have already been approved -- if not (which would be odd given that your surgery is in less than a week, correct?) then show up for your final weigh in wearing ankle weights and wrist weights and you'll be fine

Wonderful for you! I am 19 days out from surgery and have lost 25 lbs. I found some clothes in my closet that I never wore because I bought them and then quit smoking so gained weight and they were too tight. Now they fit beautifully! My hairdresser noticed yesterday I've lost weight. Others are commenting they can see it! I just know I feel better. And I haven't taken my diabetes medication in over a week! My fasting blood sugars are within normal range! We are well on our way! If it seems slow going just remember the slow weight loss is usually the permanent weight loss!

Day 19 post-op and so happy to be here. Until September I'd never heard of a sleeve gastrectomy and was not looking at doing bariatric surgery. Being overweight/obese most of my adult life I assumed I'd carry the burden and the health consequences to my grave. I was diagnosed with diabetes in 2004 and have done a fair job of losing small amounts of weight, eating clean food and staying active BUT not enough to stop it's progression. At the age of 54 SO much of my mental energy has been spent on what to eat, how to eat it, shame over emotional binges, isolation due to my size and downright self- loathing. Several people I know had the Lap-band and I was curious about it. I got on the internet and Googled surgeons in the Dallas area (not my home) and filled out a form requesting information. That same day I got a call from a representative of Dr. Nicholson's Clinic and shared my heart and they offered a solution/tool in a Bariatric Vertical Sleeve. To make a long story short I planned my trip to Dallas for an informational class and personal Dr. consultation. I was sold and set my surgery date for Oct. 18th, 2011 at Forest Park Hospital, Dallas, TX. I was about a month out of surgery when I started doing some research and asking different questions. Because I live on a ranch an hour drive from any medical services the sleeve is an ideal choice. Three weeks post op the risk of surgical complications are nil. That has been a big peace of mind for me. I started my pre-op diet on Oct. 4th and found it to be a bit of a struggle. I despise sweet, milky drinks and gagged down Slimfast, HoneyMilk and Carnation Instant Breakfast Sugar Free. I did not know about the Bariatric Advantage Products or Unjury.....boy I wish I had. If I had one piece of advice it would be to hunt like crazy till you find something that you find pleasant and drinkable. It will make the days after surgery much less stressful. I've since ordered some of the above products. During this time I also meet with the psychologist, nutritionist and went through the pre-admit process. The whole time I wasn't sure I would go through with it. The Nicholson Clinic is really good about letting you know that you can cancel or delay until you are ready. Even the night before going in I was not sure. So many changes, so much to give up, so much unknown. It was by faith and the grace of God that I made it to the OR the next day.....and sooooo thankful that I did. My check-in was noon on the 18th of October. It went smoothly and I was in the holding area shortly after that. My husband went with me and was a huge support. It is good to have someone with you. Being dehydrated made some of the IV stuff a bit trying but that was over quickly and I was resting when the anethesiologist (sp) came in. I'd had a horrible cold the week before and had a nasty cough. He promised me he would get that cleared out and he was true to his word. Don't remember a thing after he injected a relaxing med into the IV. Woke up being moved to my bed. The whole day I kept dozing off and dreaming that the surgery was the next day and feeling the dread. Then I would realize it was OVER and feel utter elation. The 24 hour hospital stay is a bit of a blur. Good drugs. I will say that it was challenging to get up and walk regularly, not drink, and battle a crazy head hunger. I just wanted to eat big bites of some comfort food like mac and cheese or enchiladas. I thought I was starving to death and ask myself what the heck had I'd done. It was an internal battle. I'm not sure if anyone else has had a similar experience but it has really reinforced for me the need for the Sleeve surgery. It will be the tool that helps me finally overcome obesity and achieve my goals in life. It's just too short to waste sitting around in a love affair with food that doesn't love me back. Leaving the hospital and going to a hotel in the area worked out fine. I slept and sipped. On day three I was able to stop the pain medication and Tylenol...both were so sweet and gagging that I did better without. I used ice packs on my left side and it seemed to help. I must say that the pain was more than I had expected but not anything to keep someone from doing it. If I could have choked down the meds I probably would have taken them a few more days. Also, do practice sipping before your surgery. I used the one ounce cup for a week before just to get the hang of it. A week post-op and I was able to drink at just the right pace without thinking about it and loved feeling normal again. On the 8th day I flew home and had a 2.5 hour car ride. It went great and there is no place like home! I really began to heal quickly once I was in my own home. I've been following the Dr.s orders as well as possible and was back in Dallas for the 2-week post op exam. I've lost 22 pounds, yea, and can begin soft foods this coming Tuesday! Hello scrambled eggs! One note, I had really felt sore on my left side and was concerned that there was a problem. Turns out it is text book for week 2 due to the healing process and increased activity. This may not hold true for all Dr's patients but for Dr. Nick's he adds extra stitches in the left side muscles and they begin to pull. Who knew? Living in an isolated area it was recommended to me to find an online support group. My nutritionist suggested this one. I look forward to this part of the journey! It will be a pleasure to hear about each of your stories and learn from the experiences of others. There is no time like NOW! Source: Day 19 and I Can't Stop Smiling!

:confused:A question for those of us that have made it past "the day"! I will have my surgery on a Thursday, and my boss is leaving Friday for a week long vacation and I'm housesitting for him. He doesn't know im having any surgery. His animals are old and won't jump on me or anything.... It's an easy job, Ive done it a zillion times and it pays well! My question is.......am I going to need someone with me? How soon can I drive after surgery? I was counting on my younger sibling to stay with me and help me, but his job is sending him out of town last minute durning that time! My mom was my other back up, but she has had some recent health problems and isn't driving. I don't know if she will be able to drive by that point or not. Am I being unrealistic? Can I stay by myself durning recovery? Can I drive? How soon after? The house I will be in has a decent flight of stairs up to the bedroom, but in my dr. info it said stairs were fine.... What do you think? I don't want to set myself up for failure and be miserable, but on the other hand, It might not be an issue at all. I'm kinda stuck at this point.

Welcome to band land! Just get in diet mode -- for the first 6-8 weeks and then it will pass soon and you will know that the difference with this diet -- you will keep off the weight. G

Any time you plan to have an abdominal surgery of any kind you need to get your band COMPLETELY EMPTIED!! The possibility of having food get stuck or having a PB or vomiting episode is not a risk you want to take with stitches in your body......the discomfort alone is bad enough but the risk of ripping stiches is even worse. You can start refilling just a few weeks after your surgery when your stitches (both inside and out remember) are sufficiently healed. You can't just go back and 'fill 'er up'....you'll need to work up gradually again but probably not as slowly as you did the first time. Hope your surgery goes well!

I'm 4 weeks out tomorrow, but I've been more or less putting the brakes on when drinking. Today I was distracted and drank 17oz in less than an hour. No problems whatsoever - no feeling like I'm going to throw up, no weird abdominal issues, no strange sounds, gas or anything. Only difference is the liquid disappeared faster than normal and my urine was nearly clear. I talked with my surgeons office about this a while back, namely that I was able to drink much faster than 1oz over 15 minutes. They weren't concerned with my ability to drink twice to 4 times as fast. I've always been able to drink fast. Even with my lap band, I could consume 20oz in less than a minute, so consuming 17oz in less than an hour is still very, very slow for me. I'm worried I'm somehow doing damage or stretching the pouch, but like I said, I don't feel anything abnormal. Is this normal/okay only 4 weeks out?

You could need another fill because you've lost weight and lost fat under your band. If you are hungry in less than 4-5 hours after a meal, can eat more than 1.5 c of solid food, and are gaining weight then you need a fill. However, if your eating has only recently changed then it's a mental change. Keep a food diary for a week. See what you're eating, the quantities, and when you're eating it. Also - if you keep a food diary and exercise diary for two weeks, and take your weight every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday you'll have evidence to go to your Dr. with to say that you need a fill.

Went to see my surgeon today, everything was ok, I have another week of liquid diet and then to solids, no smuchies for me ...from liquid to solid as per his own words. So the schedule for my fill is November right after my Birthday...so excited, I will be able to enjoy my night out with my sister and girlfriends in Atlantic City, NJ! It seems all the healing meditation worked... Keep positive, fill your life with love, harmony and peace!

Hello all, I know this topic has been discussed at great length but sometimes it can help to write it down and get specific direction for one's self. I have stalled and have adapted some bad habits. I find myself eating Cereal for Breakfast rather than eggs, slider foods for lunch instead of grilled chicken, etc. I just recently had my most "aggressive" fill so I am excited about that but still the 9 months of hard work has paid off but I just need to get back on track. I've tried doing just liquids for a couple of days to get free from the carbs or bad habits only to find myself starving after the days of liquid. The scale hasn't moved for over 2 months and I am ready to get it moving again. I know I just need to start eating right but any other ideas? Also, as I add cardio to my routine I find myself even more hungry than when I don't work out. I know this is normal but it is a different hunger that I am not a fan of. I really want to eat a large portion after working out. Basically, just venting and looking for "here's what I have done with success when I am where you are" experiences as I know what I am going through is normal. My one year anniversary is coming up in less than 60 days and I'd like to finish the year strong and get below 195 before March 3, 2011. Any and all advice welcome.

If my friend tells me one more time how much weight she thinks I have lost off my face, I will scream. I have lost 25lbs since op six weeks ago and 17lbs prior to that, a grand total of three stones, with the same again to go. I am delighted. But every time we meet, she only comments on how well I am doing by referencing how thin my face is....but never mentions the fact that I am 3-4 clothes sizes smaller! I am close to shouting at her next time IT CAN'T ALL HAVE COME OFF MY FACE!!! Then she goes on about her need to lose 8lbs... maybe I should comment "if that's going to come off your face, how much are you aiming for off your body?" but I don't think she'd get the irony :-((((( Thanks for listening....

Hello All, Thank God, I have had no complications or any serious problems with my band, that's what keeps me motivated, well, at times haha. Anyway, I know I'm not in the best shape of my life but I never felt this way. I noticed that after my filling (3rd one) for the last 2 weeks, I have been out of breath easily, I get winded even going down the stairs. I don't get dizzy, or anything like that. Can it be due to the filling? Maybe because I'm not eating as much? I haven't been eating anything just crackers, cheese and Soup mostly. Does anyone else get like that after a filling? Thanks, Chris

Hi everyone, I was banded 1/19 and will get my first fill 2/18. I am excited yet nervous. I have those fears of how long will it take to find restriction. I feel like I have some with just the band and I am praying maybe with a fill or two I will progress. I know I have to keep doing what I need to do and I will. But honestly I am nervous that this will fail and I will fail. I have been on normal food for a about a week and a half and I can't eat certain things and if I don't chew really good it goes down rough and slow. I honestly hope this is a sign that I will find restriction within a couple fills. Well I love to hear about everyone's experiences. Thanks

I've had a rough couple of weeks. It started out with gaining 3 pounds and not knowing why. Then last weekend I went out of town to visit family and gained 3 more pounds. Then today, I broke down and ordered pizza and ate way too much! I now have left over pizza in the fridge....ugh! I need to get in for a fill but I can't afford it right now so I need to buckle down and eat better. I also need need need to exercise. I just can't make myself do it! Any suggestions to get me through this funk?

Way to go! I am self pay as well. My band date is May 12th. I have done labs, xrays, ekg, pet scan, stress test and now I have to go in for pre-op testing the week before surgery. Crazy!!

I really need a motivator--and a fill! I just really don't like exercise and just the other night I ate 5 pieces of pizza--yes you read that right 5 pieces :confused:! I am 28 going on 29 in Aug. and just really want this to work and want to be healthy but am so scared of failure that I really haven't begun to try! I have (somehow) maintained my weight-loss, but I need help! 1 week till fill #2

Krista our surgery is the same day. When I was told I could have vegetables I was so happy. I'm really not a veggie eater which isn't good but I sure do love them now. Lol. I feel for you. How many days do you have to do the pre op diet. I only have to do it for two weeks.

Welcome Nancy. Yeah, it's pretty exciting to be starting this journey - and it gets more exciting as time goes by. Your date will be here before you know it. You will have a much shorter wait than I did. My surgeon's office works as fast as they safely can, but there is a great demand for this and other weight loss surgeries. Just be sure you follow all your surgeon's rules for your pre-op preparation and the post-op diet and exercise limitations. The first few weeks post surgery are critical to your band healing against your tummy and the port healing in place. You may not lose a lot of weight during that 6 weeks or so, but it will all fall into place as the months go by. It's been a wonderful journey - I love my band and the results I am having. food is no longer a top priority in my life and I have so much more energy, so much less arthritis pain. I wish you good luck.

It has been almost 4 months since my surgery & overall I feel incredibly fortunate to have had this procedure, and have adjusted well. I have had very good weight loss and feel so much better.... However, I am am confused about fills! I had my first fill just about three weeks after surgery.. and within three days had to have half of it taken out. I was so uncomfortable. Second fill, about 5 weeks after that went fine. Third fill was yesterday. I drank the water exactly as instructed while in doctor's office. No problem. Drank another couple bottles of water during the rest of the day, without any problem. Had a bit of broth yesterday evening, and that seemed to go fine. But over the course of the evening-- and overnight-- I started to feel increasingly uncomfortable. Throughout the night, burping, hiccuping, and spitting up. Now 24 hrs after the fill I still don't feel good. I am afraid to even drink anything. Is there that much swelling that goes on after a fill? Will this subside? Do I need to get an unfill? And if so, how do I manage thru the snowstorm until doc is back in his office? Any tips for managing this?

Hang in there it will get better soon. I am 15 months out and down 80 lbs. I think one of the secrets of success is having a support system. My doctor had a support group but it was too far and not at a good time for me to go, so I met some people on these boards and we started our own support group. We meet once a month and talk by phone or e-mail the rest of the time. We are all getting ready to go to a WLS Conference in Houston next week, we are all rooming together. It will be so much fun! Find you a support group in your area it will make such a difference. I would love to talk to you. I met someone on these boards before I had surgery and we e-mailed all the time. She ended up not being able to have surgery due to heart problems but we still talk all the time 15 months later. You can private message me or e-mail me at crodriguez17@comcast.net if you want to talk. Cheri Cheri