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Every doctor is different but my doctor told me around 4 weeks post op is when I will be getting my first fill.

I was banded on July 12 and I'm already back at work. I had a little pain and was nautious the first few days but other than that it went well. I am starting at 331 pounds at 5'10". I would like to get down to 185. I can't wait to see some results in a few weeks. I live in Dallas, TX and I'm looking for a good friend to walk this road with me. Thank you! Adjustment Doctors.doc [ATTACH]24477[/ATTACH]

Hi everyone.. im 3 weeks post op. Healing very slowly. Emotionally a mess. Get major panic attacks. Cant go out cause i feel Like im about to pass out all the time. Anyone here experiencing similar emotional struggles? Any solutions? Advice?

Lady- Your in the right place for support and it's ok to be scared. Having the sleeve is life-altering and surgery does come with complications. That said, I am so happy that I have my sleeve now and wouldn't look back. It's working great for me. You didn't say how the person popped her staples, so its unknown if this occurred because of medical error or patient error. However, if you follow your doctor's diet you shouldn't "pop" your stapleline. After the surgery, you follow the diet progression and sip, sip, sip your liquids, and listen to your body. It will tell when you've had enough. It's also important to follow the pre-op diet so your liver shrinks and your surgeon has plenty of room to work. The good news is...you don't starve after surgery!! I was sleeved last thursday (9/16) and am on the liquid diet for two weeks. I sometimes feel "empty," especially in the morning, but never growling hungry. That's the beauty of having the fundus of your stomach--where the hormone ghrelin is prodcued-- removed. Good luck to you and keep checking in - Fit

I am so glad I found this post. It's been 3 weeks and I'm going through the same thing! I see I'm not the only one that's going through this. I was so scared that something was wrong! Thanks for this post!!!

I posted this as a response to someones concerns over a stall, but I thought it may be helpful to everyone. First off let me preface this by saying we all need to really look at our eating/snacking/water intake etc when experiencing a stall. That said my aunt (she has had no surgery) has been working out with a personal trainer for 3-4 months now and really works hard at her physical fitness just completed her monthly weigh-in where she was so bummed to learn when she stepped on the scale that she had only lost around 1.5 pounds, but when the body fat part of the weigh-in was done she had lost almost 5% of body fat. So though her pounds were low she had made some great progress. So keep in mind a few weeks of losing body fat is a welcome exchange and will really change the way your clothes look and feel! Chin up.

Robert, Of course this is a scary decision. Heck I took one of my friends to a seminar and was very supportive of her gastric bypass surgery and was astonished as to why she was scared when it was her week to have it done. Well, when it came to my turn to have a lap band done ...I was SCARED. April 17 is my new birthday because I was banded and have now lost 31 pounds. For me this is the best decision I could have ever made. I am proud of you and you will be in my prayers along with all the others who are with us on this journey. Please do the liquid diet because it does prepare you mentally and physically for what to expect when you see food and don't react "normally." I am on solid food but am also taking the liquid diet supplies from the surgeon's office for Breakfast. Feel free to ask me any questions regarding my experiences after the surgery. I've talked to many folks and several of us had the same experiences. Take care and let us know how you are doing. Best regards, Dolores

Hello Everyone! I am so excited to finally have begun my journey! I looked into banding about 3 years ago, and vowed that someday I would do it for me, for my health. BUT I didn't see a way that I could do this unless we had insurance. Two years ago, we got the insurance, but unfortunately my then 13 year old daughter was diagnosed with brain stem cancer, so obviously and rightly so, all of our financial and emotional resources went to helping our daughter. This year, I finally took the plunge and started the process. I started in June 2010, and things proceeded slowly, but finally got approval from insurance and the timing was finally right considering my daughters condition. I had surgery Dec. 9th! I am so thrilled that I took the plunge. I had a few jitters, but kept repeating the words that I read in my approval letter from insurance..."this surgery is medically necessary." I'm SO GLAD I did it! Including the weight that I dropped on pre-op diet and this week alone, I am down 30 lbs. I never would have imagined ME losing that much weight. All I've known is gain, gain, gain. It is so fun seeing the scale go THE OTHER WAY!!! The thing I'm battling right now is I did catch a cold/virus. I've got a red,raw throat and have been coughing like crazy. My port sight is SO sore anyway, but then add the coughing to it and I just have felt rotten. I called the doc office today and they told me to stay with consistent doses of my pain med as it also has a cough suppressant in it. Thankfully that has helped considerably. I have learned a lot just reading posts and replies from people. I think this will definitely help make this journey easier! BTW...how do you get the weight trackers into your sig line?? Thanks! Hairdoerbren

*grinnin ear to ear* *pls excuse the jumble/typos - blogging via crackberry* Heyyyyyyyyyyyy!!! ((This will just be a quickie update until I can get to a pc)) I made it to the other side!! Not w/out a few obstacles. But 3 days post-op, and I feel pretty great. My surgery was on Tuesday, and today...I'm in amazement. 1st of all - the pain that I anticipated wasn't the issue - my biggest prob has been nausea. Like, morning sickness on crack. The. Worst. *blah* And other then my BP going thru the roof and them having to admit me to ICU b/c of it...everything else went off with out a hitch. I was up walking by wednesday eve, and kept it going yesterday...(And looking forward to putting on some kicks and walking the block I'd be remiss if I didn't say that Potomac Hospital (in Woodbridge, VA) freekin rocks! Dr. Halmi & staff made this experience a great one, as far as surgery goes. Now, the pure craziness? I started at 310# pre-liquid diet. Today, I weighed? I'm already down to 283#! *gadzooks* I'm still sorta-kinda in disbelief, really. I had to go buy new pannies today...like, WTH? *laughing wildly* I will say - I'm. More. Motivated. Than. Ever. Tomorrow, I'm gonna take a stroll down by the water...then after my follow-up, I'm gonna hit step class once a week. But the real excitement for me? Going back to bellydancing class. I have never felt sexier than after a good belly-dance workout. Just beware - you may end up knocked up, like I did! (Quiet as kept ladies - one of THE best workouts you'll ever get. Total body, plus the added "benefits" that come with working the Yoni *wink, wink, wink* - anyone in the DC area down, we can try to meet up for a class. Check out Dr. Sunyatta at: MamaSita Home) In any event - I just wanted to send out a collective thank you to all my friends/fam - real world & online - who have been praying for me and supporting me and encouraging me beyond belief. I could NOT have done this without you. More follow-up's as the transformation continues...but for now, sweet sleep!

Yeppers!! It's actually not a plateau, but a stall -- I stalled for weeks 4 and 5 (losing a grand total of 2 pounds), but like a lot of people who are ahead of us, they started losing right away again. I'm losing again this week. So, just keep plugging away -- you really can't not lose weight with the sleeve if you're doing everything right -- so eventually you will win over the fat Hope this helps!

Wow! Thanks for the 411 lil rr...I was at a stall for a week, but my hubby swore I was still losing, we figured it was inches ...I will take it

I am hoping i can use the time when I was in radiation theropy as part of the supervised diet. I had to go in daily for weigh ins and had a diet i had to follow. I must admit it was the funniest diet ever... Doctor: " do you like milkshakes?" me: "Like diet shakes" D: "no fully leaded icecream kind" me: "Look at me of course i do" D: " well i want you to drink as many as you want" M: "ummm thats the first time i heard that in a diet" D: " Trust me if you can get em down drink all youlike" yeah i could not drink em after the 2nd week so i lived on ensure shakes ... damn the cruel irony

Hi All - This is my first official post to ALL. I have been doing all of the pre op things that you have to do and now my journey will begin tomorrow. Tomorrow I will begin a 2 week Pre-op liquid diet. I have been reading everyone's posts and trying to prepare myself for this. I have been having the same feelings as some of you - Will I ever be able to eat bread again? Today I want to eat the items I will not be able to eat again for a while. I really think I will struggle with the mental hunger and have been trying to identify triggers - so I can avoid them. I am hoping to keep myself busy the next couple of weeks so I don't make everyone around me crazy. I am a pretty steady person and I can not believe I am having stress about it. I think it is just like the first day of school and a new job. The unknown is a little disturbing. I can focus on the things I have control over. Making sure I eat the right food and making sure I stay active will help quite a bit. Here's to a wonderful new year - I wish all of you the best. This will be an interesting year.

I used Carnation Instant Breakfast Sugar Free with Skim milk it is 13 grams of protein. I add 1/3 c of dry milk which makes it up to 21 gram. I am still not close to getting in all of my fluids in daily but I am meeting my guidelines of the 60 grams. The first few weeks my doctor stress the fluids and then start increasing the protein. I am losing about 3 lbs a week, this may be slower than others but I am still losing and it is not coming back.

Hello Jewel, this is shackdog in Idaho. I think your plan of attack is on course, I to was a self pay. when I started just shy 4months ago I was at an all time high for me. 411 bmi of 52. Well here it is not quite 4 months later and I have lost a total of 86lbs and my BMI is 42. Down three shirt sizes and 4 pants sizes. The best advise I can give you I have found is to follow the docs instructions to a tee. This forum is a great tool but like all tools it is just as good as you use it. I have found that there are many persons with great intentions and ADVICE but use the tool wisely. I also joined a support group here local and have not missed one meeting from the beginning of my journey. If I can ever be of assistance you can reach me email boiseman2001@yahoo.com . Good luck and welcome to the gone for good club..........

I am scheduled for my seminar and doc's appt this week ... but the doc's office made it very clear that all the visits and testing was included in the cost, which is fully covered by the insurance company, with the exception of a one time $300 co-pay. My insurance company is Oxford, which I understand to be a bansters best friend. I wish you luck ... just keep your eye on the prize!

Hi All! I'm blesed to discover this site. I just had surgery July 8th. I can't complain because my wounds are healing well, and overall I feel strong. I know I'm ok, but can't help to freak out at all the new sensations my body is experiencing. I'd like to know if anyone shared my experiences and how you handled it. I'll see my dr in two weeks, but would like to know of other patient's experiences. To begin with, I experience lightheadedness in the morning. Not enough to feel like I'll faint, but enough to make me nervous. I try to eat no more than 30 minutes after I wake up to combat the occurence, but it still happens. Did anyone experience this? Is it still related to surgery, am I weak? Does it go away eventually? For the first time yesterday I experienced something stuck in my esophogus. I chewed through a piece of cauliflower, but guess not enough. It was one of the most unpleasant, frightening, nervewrecking experiences. I ddin't know if I'd vomit it, if it pass, or just stay there. Drinking Water didn't help much. I know we have to chew thoroughly, and thought I did. Will this happen often? What do you do when it happens?! Does this "stuck" sensation eventually go away with time? I was under the impression that our esophogus wouldn't change. Yet, mine is so delicate. I need to be careful with the thickness of food, gulps of water, I can't swallow soft gels, etc. Will this ever go away? I'm sorry if I sound hysterical and misinformed. I thought I researched the surgery enough, but honestly wasn't prepared for my new stomach. I'm not disregarding my progress: I feel strong, sleep well, stitches healed, 18 lbs down, NO LEAKAGE!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yet, I experience nervousness with these new sensations. I would love to hear from anyone that can shed light on this. Thanks!

I am also 8 weeks out, love my sleeve 85% of the time, it saved my life as you all know, as far as alcohol i dont miss it because i have no problem drinking it,,,,,,,,,,,,my Dr. said i could have a few when i felt like it but to be careful, i have already learned my limit witch i am sure will go down the smaller i get............

I am 8 weeks post op also and am amazed every day with the changes in my body, mind and spirit. In the beginning I was really hung up on the scale and when that week 3 & 4 stall hit, I panicked thinking what have I done? But, the scale eventually moved again and the inches keep coming off as well. I am already off blood pressure and diabetes medications and feel better than I have in years. I do have rheumatoid arthritis as this cold weather has reminded me this weekend, lots of pain in knees and hips. For now, I am switching from walking to riding my stationary bike to compensate. I am even considering a yoga class as a friend at work has invited me to join her. Bottom line, I am not giving up. I am focusing on fluids, protein and good carbs and just taking this journey day by day.

amberj- i have bcbs in wash state. i went to my 1st seminar sept 7th, and started the paperwork. they approved me 100% in nov, and i just got banded dec 13th. they required a psych visit. a nutritionish visit, a note from my dr stating why she thought i would be a good canidate. she knew of my struggles with my weight and my family history. i also had to have weight watchers fax my year long history with them. bcbs approved me within 3 weeks- god bless them ! im down 14 lbs and it has all been VERY easy. good luck to you !!

Hi everyone, my name is Bonnie. I am 5 feet tall and was 223 lb when i started my journey last November. I have insulin-dependent diabetes, sleep apnea (using CPAP at night), high blood pressure and have had both knees operated on. Since November, i have been working toward my life changing surgery. I am 62 years old and have finally come to realize that if i do not do something now, especially when i have all the tools in my reach, i would be crazy. I jumped in with both feet. My first step was going to the seminar. My doctor was so confident and knowledgeable. I was given the pamphlets and appointments were made. Then the work began, losing the 10% required for the surgery. It was hard work and i worried that I was not going to be able to do it. I had failed on every other diet (i wish i had all the money i spent in my lifetime on diets of all sorts). It was taking too long for me to lose the 22.3 lbs i needed to lose. At my next weigh-in appointment, one of the nurses talked with me about my worry. She was so supportive and understanding that i pushed forward. I did not make the goal by the time my surgery was scheduled, but by the time the surgery was to be performed, but by the grace of God, i made it !!! ... i went through the dieting, appointments with the pulmonologist, cardiologist, psychologist, labs and GI testing. I was doing it. i really did get caught up in the optimism and support. Last Wednesday night, the night before the surgery, i was worried, really worried. Like most, i was worried about the unknown. I heard some horror stories about not being able to handle certain foods, the nausea and the vomiting. I was told and i believe that if you listen to the doctor and follow her instruction, you will not be sick. From the beginning, if you do not drink when you are supposed to drink or eat when you are supposed to eat, the possibility of these things happening is very real. No drinking when eating. Stop drinking 1/2 hour before eating and begin 2 hours after. Must follow progression of foods, clear liquids (see through liquids) for 5 days, full liquids for 2 days, then pureed foods. I struggled and did this for a week AND i lost 8 lbs. I feel great (don't get me wrong, it was still surgery on your abdomen with the incisions and piercing pain when you cough) BUT it goes away. I keep thinking over and over, i will not have to ask for a seatbelt extender this year on the airplane for vacation and i will not have to take pain meds for my legs. My journey is moving forward ...I hope everyone who is contemplating this surgery goes forward and succeeds. Don't wait until you are 62. I feel wonderful right now, even with the fear of sneezing, about the 30-some lbs i have lost so far. Good Luck to everyone. Thank you for listening.

I suggest you think long and hard before saying no. Approval is one big pain in the a$$ and so if it were me if only one gets approved...go through with it and then that way it's one less battle to fight. You can continue on working toward getting the second approval. Also the one who goes through it first can provide experiences for the one in waiting. I have a rather sedentary job. I am a software engineer and bang on a keyboard all day. I am 7 days post op and I am fairly confident I could have returned to work three or four days after surgery but I took a week and half off for recovery and follow up visit. Pain was minimal for me and the worse part was the gas cramps. If you see my stats below you can see I am no small guy either. Good Luck to you both....

Took two weeks off and I have a desk job. Can't imagine doing that kind of work one week post op, but then again, I'm probably a lot older than you.

My dr says it will be horrible nausea for 2 weeks. He is giving me the patch to put behind my ear. Surgery is Tuesday. What can I expect, nausea-wise?

Hello, Saw that you were from St. Louis thought I would chime in because I am a St. Louisian too! I live in Union just west of St Louis. I am a beginner as well. My first appointment is at Des Peres Hospital in two weeks. I'm hoping that I meet the requirments for my insurance to cover it otherwise I will be out of the picture. So far after looking at what is required I think I will fit the bill! The only downsde is I have to wait 6 months but that is fine by me, plenty of time to get healthier for surgery! Good luck and keep in touch local friend! P.S. I gotta get a pic up here!