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Since last Fri I have been dealing with an infected tooth. So much pain, never in my life would I wish it on anyone even my worst enemy. To spare the details, I was eventually able to get some relief with some home remedies...going to the dentist on Wed. as they want me on antibiotics for 5 days before extracting. Point is, it sure has helped kicking off pre-op diet. I was going to start this week (1 wk earlier than doc orders) but I havent been able to eat anything but sugar free pudding since Fri. At first it was because of the pain, now it is simply because of constant nausea (from the antibiotics) Bright side - lost 3 lbs this wkend...although I thought I would gain because of infection. Anyway....guess this is my body's way of getting me ready.

I'm waiting on insurance approval now too. After going through the 6mos of pre-op appts I met with my surgeon yesterday. He and his staff told me that it could take 4-6 weeks before surgery. Unfortunately my employer changed our insurance starting Jan 01.... that could throw a wrench in and slow down the approval. Ugh.. I just want to get this over with and move on.

I updates my profile from my computer and added a pre-opt picture. I'm a little embarrassed but I'm so glad I will never look that way again. Who else is getting sleeves this week?

I'm doing great. I'm a little miserable as far as the bloating and the pain from the actual incisions. Otherwise, I'm doing so much better. I was re-opened so that the band could be pushed up a bit. In a week and a half I had lost 30 lbs. About 6 lbs of that was due to dehydration for which I was hospitalized twice. Now, I'm at 247lbs. I figure that's not too bad considering that I was unable to eat or drink for 11 days. I've passed my one week of liquids and now I get to find out for myself what kinds of foods (besides beef) I am able to tolerate. I'm in a weird place in the mushy phase because I was banded about 3 weeks ago but was adjusted a little over a week ago. At this point, I just kind of try and see what I'm able to tolerate. Thanks for all the support! I couldn't have made it through the second surgery without all of you!

I had 9 previous abdominal surgeries due to a nasty staph infection after a hysterectomy. Due to this the surgery was a little trickier to navigate through all of the mesh. It almost had to be completely open vs. laproscopically. Then, I got dehydrated. It was hard for me to find things to get down, but this site was a big help with solutions. I stocked up on crystal light lemonade before surgery, but to this day can not tolerate it to get it down. My go to drink is decaf unsweet warm tea (helps in the morning) and then iced cold the rest of the day w/ lemon added to it. Adding lemon to my water helped for some reason also. Then I had a deep vein thrombosis in my arm where they tried to do the iv. I have had a stroke at the age of 32 (35 now) so when I saw and felt what was happening I got to the er pretty quickly to get it broken up. This is not something most people would have. It is something I am prone to. The biggest advice I can give is to worry the most about getting the liquid in (warm chicken broth went down pretty well and it counts as a liquid). You don't want to get dehydrated. I was so worried the first week because I couldn't get enough protein in me. My doc told me at my first post op appt that it was normal, but he didn't tell me b/c he wanted me to try. The second week was much better with the protein. So, don't worry yourself so much over that. Just keep sipping from the time you get up until the time you go to bed...

Hi Everyone, I have been reading furiously over the last few days since being back from getting my Lapband. I was banded on the 2nd Oct 07 after many years of yoyo dieting, successes and failures, ups and down, highs and lows. I just couldn't get my headspace right and knew that if i didn't get banded I would just keep on eating. I'm 5 ft tall and 95kg(209lbs) and can't move freely. I have arthritis in my knees and get tired so easily. I look at my kids and feel so guilty not being able to live life with them. I look in the mirror and hate what I see, so now I have to change once and for all. Hopefully I can find support through this journey here as I know I won't get it from my never been overweight friends that stop eating for a week, lose 3 kilos and are happy! They have no understanding what it's like to be in this body. Looking forward to reading more of your amazing and inspirational stories.

I have been looking at this site for several weeks (my husband says I am kinda obsesed...lol), as well as other sites trying to find one where I can feel comfortable posting as well as getting positive feedback and answers to my questions. I have to say, everyone here is so positive and uplifting and I have learned so much already just looking around. I cannot wait to continue to learn more as I get deeper into the discussions and find support as my surgery date gets closer. I have never thought about having weight loss surgery till my husband and I went to see a fertility specialist and were told that my weight (along with having PCOS) is the main factor preventing us from getting pregnant. As I sat in his office sobbing, feeling embarrassed and down on myself, he told me about the Lap Band procedure. He said that it was a lifestyle change and that he has several overweight patients that have had the procedure and have not needed fertility treatments. When I got in the car, I dried my tears, took a deep breath and called the doctors office and reserved my space in the next information session the following week. We have been trying to get pregnant for over 5 years...this could be my answer to not only starting a family, but a change that will make me healthy for years to come! I started my journey in May 2011 by attending an information session, then my first consultation appointment with my doctor. I was informed at that time that my insurance requires a 6 month waiting period (which from reading on here is fairly common). I was upset that I had to wait, but these past several months have been months of reflection. I have worked hard on changing my eating habits, exercising 5-6 times a week and working with a trainer twice a week. My husband has been my biggest supporter and number one cheerleader. Looking back, I am thankful for this time of reflection and time to get my eating and exercise on track. I am an emotional eater and turn to food for comfort. I now try to turn to other things like exercise, reading, and yes, surfing this site gathering information. I still struggle with a fair amount of emotional eating and/or making bad choices, but from where I was the begining of the year, it is much improved. I have completed all of the required appointments (labs, therapist, sleep study, nutritionist, etc.) and my last supervised doctors appointment is on October 10th. I am keeping my fingers crossed for surgery in November. Everything checked out great with the exception of having mild/moderate sleep apnea, which I am having a hard time dealing with. I have had my cpap machine for a week and am still trying to get use to it. I am also going on a thrift store hunt this weekend so I can stop spending so much money on clothes as I loose weight. I am 31 years old and have so much life to live. I have been heavy all my life, but have been watching the scale go down the past several months...and will continue to watch it go down. I am so ready to see what the future holds...and I cannot wait to be able to go out and do the activities I miss doing, but I am too self conscious or heavy to do like roller coasters, water parks, race cars, etc. I am doing this surgery for me, with fantastic plans for the future, and a healthy, long life! So I will end by saying an official hello, and I hope I can be as helpful and encouraging to others on here, as I know you all will be to me!

My insurance originally required a 6 month supervised diet, but that changed in August, so I only had to do a 3 month diet. I went to the seminar on June 15 and has my 1st appointment with my doctor on June 21. When I went in for the initial appointment I was hoping to have my surgery scheduled ASAP, but having to wait has actually been beneficial. I have a significant amount of weight to lose (100+ pounds) and during this "waiting period" I've started to eat better and joined a gym to prepare for my life post-surgery. I was just approved today by my insurance company and my surgery date is set for October 15.

Hi, I'm recently found this forum last week. My wife and I both decided to get banded and just finished all of our pre-surgery testing for the lap-band. Hopefully our insurance will approve us quickly so we can still get this done before the end of summer. Does anyone know if it matters if your BMI drops below the required number during the pre-op diet? My BMI was 35.6 on the day I met with the doctor. Since I have hypertension my BMI meets the requirement for my insurance, but what happens if or when I loose weight during the pre-op diet? Should I be concerned? Was anyone else in the same situation?

I have seen and read a lot of posts on here that have mixed opinions about the pre-op (liquid diet). My doctor suggests a 14 day liquid diet consisting of 4 protein shakes and one 400-600 calorie meal a day. It has been a rough road! Day 3 I had a headache that wouldn't subside. I've had to say no the Valentine's Day chocolates, going to a buffet lunch with my in laws (who are in town), had to practice self control while grocery shopping and so on and so forth. I've missed food so much I've cried. I'm addicted and that's why my weight has gotten this high. This pre-op diet has forced me to face hunger. To feel what being hungry really feels like. To practice saying no to myself, my family and my friends. I'm now 6 days in to this diet and I'm feeling better. Sure I'm hungry and want some things but it's getting better. Saying no is getting easier. I am proud that I can do this pre-op diet. That even though I want to eat badly I'm not giving in. I'm learning how to take care of myself. This is just the beginning. So to anyone out there having a terrible day know that you're not alone. You'll have rough days. Days when you want to eat your sadness away. Days when you want just the texture of some food. But stick with the diet your doctor has put you on. This is just the start of your lifelong journey. You will be saying no a lot once you get the surgery so start now!

Hello, i joined a couple weeks ago..just been reading topics and threads. i have my first appointment with my surgeon and hes team on Tuesday and Wednesday of next week. I am so ready for this! weight was always problem for me since i was a kid. i'm going to talk to him about the sleeve as well. my sister had it done last year and has lost 100lbs with little complications! If all goes well i should be getting the surgery in December too

started my journey the first week of February, had surgery May 8th its a lot of stuff to do, but make a check list and keep on truckin!

Good Luck! You will do do fine!! Take it very easy the first week! Keep us posted.

I am too I just did part 1 of my psych emulation for the lap band and next week is part two which is on the computer and I go to a seminar tomorrow night and then working on seeing the dietitian

Nice to see another North Westerner, welcome! Your story is very similar to mine, in that my husband didn't seem to think it could happen for a long time, then after the seminar, was very motivated to see that I got it done. Of course his excitement has waned a bit as I had to do a 3 month diet, and some other delays. But there is light at the end of the tunnel. All prep work is done except my last weigh in, which is coming up the 17th. Then we submit to insurance. I am sure there will be a fight there, but we will see. Good luck with your journey, and keep us posted!

The 3 month diet plan wasn't too bad. I can't say I stuck with it 100 %, but i did try. I lost about 11 lbs, not great, but that is the reason I want the lap band cause I am not great on doing it on my own.

I'm in the same boat. I too have Aetna and a starting BMI of 35. I have done the sleep study. I had a mild case, not "bad" enough for a cpap machine, but I still had several "episodes" during my sleep study. I have just finished the 3 month diet/excercise/nutrition program and am currently waiting to hear from Aetna. i have no other co - morbidities other than asthma, joint problems and back problems.

I am only one and a half weeks post-op but I do have hypothyroidism. So I can't give you staggering results as proof it doesn't matter but I have already lost 14.5 pounds. I asked that same question on here before I had surgery and I spoke with my surgeon about it and everyone agreed it shouldn't matter as long as you have your thyroid under control with medication. Have you had your TSH checked lately? Are your numbers in the normal range? As long as you are actively being treated it shouldn't make a difference. Good luck to you!

I use the Isopure 20 oz bottles. My favorite is the Lemon Green Tea. I mix it with regular tea, so I'm intaking more liquid. I also really like Blue Raspberry. I get mine at GNC. They often put it on sale for around $35 a case. I'm also a Gold Card member there, so I can get 20% off during the first week of each month.

Along with what Cindy C said --- I spent 2 years researching weight loss surgery and finally decided on the LAP BAND - I am 3 1/2 weeks post surgery and it is the BEST descion I have ever made~ Keep us posted

The Core plan is different from the Flex plan in that you aren't alotted a certain amount of points per day. There is a core foods list, and you can eat any of the foods until you are satisfied. The list includes these (quoted) food groups: Lean meat and fish Fruits, Veggies and leafy greens Whole Grains Milk and dairy You still get like 35 points to use during the course of a week. On things like White bread, sweets, alcohol (any foods not on the core list) For me, since being banded I find this easier to follow and easy to get my protien. I feel that it pretty much mimics the food plan the doctors have perscribed for me anyway: Avoid refined sugar and flour, eat whole grains, limit empty carbohydrates, alcohol and sweets. So it's easy for me to get my Protein from the meat and dairy and Beans, then I fill up on veggies and fruit and use a little healthy oil in the mean time. And like others have said, have a glass of wine on special occasions or one peice (not a whole bar) of chocolate. For me, it provides the structure on a weekly basis for what has been advised by my doctors a few times on paper before surgery.

I am not familiar enough with Herbalife so don't know for sure, but you need to read labels very carefully. What is the carb to protein ratio? Doesn't Herbalife have a lot of carbs? At three weeks out you should be adding more food sources of protein. What does your NUT say? Are you following your program? Are you getting in all of your protein and fluids every day? Are you taking your Vitamins and supplements as directed? Are you avoiding starches and sugar? Are you exercising? Almost everyone experiences a stall about three weeks after surgery. If you are doing everything you are supposed to then you just may be experiencing your first stall. Embrace the Stall! http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/351046-Embrace-the-Stall

I to have severe arthritis in my knees. The 2 weeks before surgery without meds was diffuclt but after surgery I could walk without pain!. I am now 1 week post opt and my worst knee does not hurt. We all have different exprinces, be encouraged ,