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Howdy-- I've been working on getting insurance approval for over a year and finally succeeded. I expect surgery to be scheduled for some time in December. Like everyone, I have a number of concerns, but my situation seems quite different than most. I am quite active physically, cycling over 100 miles per week year-round, often much more than that. On a typical multi-day ride, I burn over 4,000 calories per day. I also scuba dive and snowboard, which also have significant calorie burn. I asked my nutritionist about my ability to do these activities on a severely-restricted diet, and she either didn't believe me, or didn't have much experience with folks like me. Yep, I'm fat alright, but I am also extremely active physically, and need someone to tell me two things: 1)How soon after surgery can I expect to resume riding my bike, and 2)What kind of caloric intake should I expect to be allowed on days that I engage in vigorous exercise, and how and what should I expect to eat to sustain it? Thanks!

I started with my seminar in January and my intake appointment in Late January. I made the decision to this in December. I had to do a 3 month supervised diet and then get a cardiology clearance (my cardiologist is über careful so I had a stress test, nuclear stress test and echo on top of the EKG the surgeon wanted. That's a good thing, but it added a month to my wait time. But now I have the date and time (I check in at 7:30 on the 15th and hit the OR at 9:30). I am sure the next two weeks will fly by! I have started dreaming about why I will look like and what I will do when I lose 85-90 pounds. . I have my first shake sitting by me. Since I don't have to do full liquids I am starting today instead of next week. Hopefully I will lose a few more pounds this way.

Im a 26 year old that has stuggled with weight my entire life before getting married and a class 2 ac joint seperation pretty ruff sports injury i was on my way down in weight to 240 from 300 in 12 weeks time then the injurys and 3 kids later the sames things dont work .im scheduled to see my doctor on dec 27,2011 to set up my lap band surgery . im currently around 370 pounds . how fast is weight loss expected after the prcedure . and are contact sports out of the question.

I've used "my diet diary" by medHelp. I've used it for 6 mons and it's similar to MFP (which I've been trying). The biggest difference I see is 1. Each snack is separate and can be timed 2. You can scroll through all the foods you have used before, not just see the last 5 3. You can go onto your desktop and print out your daily diary (had too for pre-approval visits). Though it drops any "quick adds" you do 4. It sends reminders to track food AND water (MFP only seems to do meal reminders)

@@meantforsunshine Hi There, Congratulations on having your surgery. So sorry that you now have this crappy diagnosis. I have Psoriatic Arthritis and my mother had Rheumatoid arthritis. Recently I started showing signs of Rheumatoid as well and I was tested for it when I was tested for Psoriatic and the tests were negative. Not sure what the Paddison program is but I will tell you this. I have to limit my Protein because of kidney issues caused by years of medications for my arthritis and being overweight. I have a strict no more than 65 grams of protein per day or it taxes my kidneys. I eat a diet mainly of meat, veggies and fruit. I have noticed that my Psoriatic Arthritis has improved so much since my 152lb weight loss. My disease has been in remission and the only time it seems to kick up now is when they put me on oral or IV steroids so I avoid them unless it is life threatening which has not happened since 9 months post op. In fact, I spoke with my doctor on tuesday and we have been weaning me off of cyclosporine which is a immuno suppressant and are even lowering my dose of Stelar which i get every 10 weeks now. It used to be 8 weeks and double the dose. There is even talk of removing me from it completely at some point. So, I tell you all this because both my rheumatologist and my dermatologist are amazed at the transformation this surgery has done for my health. I suffered with Psoriatic Arthritis which is auto immune my whole adult life. I remember the onset began when the weight started piling in in my mid 20's. Obviously with RA, the goal is always to get you on a biologic that stops the progression and the same is true of Psoriatic arthritis so i am nervous about taking me off of the thing that gave me my life back. Anyway.....the diet you are speaking of meats, veggies and fruits are exactly what got me to the point that I am at. I did not have to pay for a special diet as this really is what the bariatric diet is centered around. Not sure if this helps but it has been my personal experience and I could not be happier.

Sadly - I don't remember. I do remember talking about how it's a tool and not a magic pill or button that will make the weight disappear. Truthfully - if you say 1-2 lbs a week, you should be safe. That's a safe amount of weight to lose and a realistic amount. Sure, you'll lose more in the beginning but as I'm slowly finding out, it does taper off. But, it's worth it. WORTH EVERY PENNY AND POUND. :wink2:

I am also afraid they will cut me open and my liver won't be shrink enough. My surgery is Tuesday March 12th. I haven't 25 lbs since first seeing the surgeon. I had a 3 week pre op diet, did great, then my surgeon got the flu and my surgery was moved out 2 more weeks and I haven't done so great. Part of it was feeling depressed due to being rescheduled. I have maintained the weight loss but I am still scared I might have re-enlarged my liver. What does everyone think? Some post say they didn't even have to do a pre op diet.

I just had mines done last monday and so far the biggest thing to your weight loss should be your protein and water. Try the weight loss raw protein at whole foods and follow the protein diet for 2 weeks and i guarantee you will get results.

hey girl.... I understand your emotional needs, and first and for most, not sure if you can do the lap band again. Something for you to research. I am scheduled for my band on 12/3 and literally can not wait. I must say, I did go to 2 doctors. The first one, I told him I was self pay, and to me it seemed once he saw dollar signs he could care less what I did or didn't do. So I went to a 2nd Dr. and the attitude was night and day. He was kind, caring, and very somber about the whole procedure. The one thing I can tell you that has been drilled into my head, the band is a TOOL. Only I can make the true difference in changing my habits, and lifestyle to make this work for me. But I have had way too much support from all sides, more good stories and outcomes than bad, but you have to want the lifestyle change, not a band aid. I wish you the very best in your Quest, and I guess in all this rambling, make sure the doctor you choose makes you comfortable....your paying him for a service, and he/she should be with you to the very end. Please feel free to write me, if you need to vent, or ramble....I am a stay home mom, and always enjoy meeting new people. Good luck, and happy holidays

I am about 6 weeks post op. I've already called my bariatric office and left a message. About 10 days ago my husband had a stomach bug that we thought was food poisoning from him getting Chinese take out. It lasted three days. This morning, I woke up and felt "not right." Then I started to get nauseous. I took a zofran and drank half a protien shake with some decaf. Four hours later, I popped another Zofran because the nausea came back. I went to the bathroom and had diahreah, but once the zofran kicked in again I felt better. Now, I'm having this strange gurgle pains going through my intestines. (I think it's my intestines at least.) I ate a sf Popsicle and I felt it travel all the way through. I haven't thrown up at all but I thank the zofran for that because I truly think I would be otherwise. I've had no complications at all, I think everything is healing okay inside. I haven't had any pain anywhere. Yesterday I was packing some boxes and now I feel a little like I did some ab work from bending and moving around. Usually, I would take pepto or Imodium and go from there--but I've had issues being "backed up" two times in the recent past and I don't wanna constipate myself. Is the gurgling all the way down thing normal? Should I take some pepto and tough it out later? Should I try saltines? I've been the anti carb since I started.

I got stuck about 9-10 months post op also. I reached a weight some where in the 170"s and just sort of sat there with only losing a few pounds here and there for about 6 months. I know that is probably not what you wanted to hear but it happens, I about drove myself crazy trying to figure out what I was doing wrong or what I needed to do. I analyzed my food diaries and all I could see was I was always over in fat and carbohydrates and under in calories, below 1200 and sometimes below 1000. I talked with my nut. at the doctors office and she suggested I increase my protein and increase my cardio from 3 days a week to 30 min daily. I did all of this and finally started losing again. The one thing that did happen to me was I lost inches when not losing weight. On the months I had a large weight lose I lost little inches and on the months I had a small weight loss I lost a lot of inches. Just have patience, I know that is hard to do some times when you want this so bad but patience pays off, believe me it did for me and I was not aways perfect and did allow my self an occasional splurge. Good luck!

Before my consult, my surgeon requested an EKG...I had it last week and my primary doc called today and told me I needed to see a cardiologist ASAP and that to be prepared that I may not get to have my Lap Band surgery. I'm prematurely terrified...what kind of EKG abnormality would stand in the way of this surgery? Blessings, Michelle

I am 3 years post-op RNY gastric bypass surgery. After surgery I was given a maximum weight lifting restriction. Since it was so long ago I don't really recall the limit but it was around 10 or 15 pounds. That restriction went away fairly quickly. I think by the time of the first follow-up meeting where they removed the stitches after surgery, they eliminated this weight limit. The weight limit was in writing and most companies will honor the weight limit due to recovery from surgery. It means that certain tasks cannot be performed until you are healed. If you work in surgery, I would think most hospitals would comply with this requirement.

I don't know what the issue with it is, it was written in Comic sans size 12 there's no cursive so i'm re~posting it in Arial size 18. If you can't see I don't know what else to do no one else has said they cant read it. Sorry in advance if this is long and I ramble a bit, I just need to say something's out loud and I am hoping you all understand and don't mind me talkin' :} My surgery is scheduled for next Tuesday the 19th in Las Vegas with Dr. Thomas Umbach. I have been on my pre surgery diet for a few days now and am finally doing ok and not wanting to attack and steal crackers from a 2 y/o who was eating them as he passed me by on Sunday....lol I have been soooooooooo freaking emotional the past week, i'm sure part of it is the lack of food, caffeine, nerves about surgery and being that time of month didn't help. I have only had 1 surgery before and it was foot surgery so I know everything about this surgery is going to be very different. When I had that surgery I did not come out of the anesthesia very well made me very nauseous and I was looped out for several hours. I do have my fears that something will happen to me during surgery and I won't come thru it. But I trust my Dr and his experience with doing this surgery. I would be stupid to think there are no risks or complications (I usually see all the bad before the good has a chance to peek thru) I think my biggest fears are how will I do with the anesthesia & the "not knowing" what to expect (like how much pain I will be in, how hard it will be to drink, how i'm going to handle new things for the 1st time after my new tummy) I know I will lose weight and I have already made up my mind that I didn't get this big over night and i'm not going to lose it all over night either. My goal is to lose 10lbs a month and become a healthier better me, to get off the insulin, have less pain from my arthritis, fibro & nuropathy. I have never really been one to exercise but I have been walking as much as I can and I have already gotten things started with a personal trainer and a program once I am cleared for exercise and until i'm cleared I will continue to walk and get my stamina built up. I want to say THANK YOU to Alex Brecher for this website and for making it possible for people like us to talk to others who know where were coming from and understand our feelings. The staff here have been awesome also and to A LOT of the members here who share there journey & photo's with the rest of us. Who give us support and are willing to answer questions (even dumb ones....lol) give us a kick in the pants when we need it and the courage to keep going. I have learned so much from reading post after post, my daughter thinks i'm crazy because I "take notes". I hope at some point I will be able to help someone else out and inspire someone to keep plugging along and take the steps needed to become healthy and happy :} Thank you in advance if you read this, I do appreciate you all. I just needed to say it all out loud I guess and I only have a few supporters that I can talk to without judgement and cruel words. Thanks again, Katrina :} God bless all those who have upcoming surgeries. I will be looking out for your stories & updates.

It's not swelling that causes the extra weight after surgery, it's all the Fluid they pumped into you to keep hydrated. Most people see this extra weight disappear within a week or two. I almost always see it go away for people within the first week. Don't sweat it, the weight loss is coming very, very soon. Just stay hydrated, that's critical at this point in your healing, and hang in there!

I had my first visit with my surgeon this week and I'm so excited to start my journey! Per my insurance requirements I have to lose 23lbs before they can schedule my surgery. Question is, should I be super restrictive and lose the wt as fast as I can or just slowly. Dr recommends doing it over 3 months. I'm just afraid I won't be able to!

I have been sick for about a week stomach virus I'm sure. Today feeling better but hungry today anyone else gone through this

I was banded on Tuesday as well!!! It was very breezy for me, in and out of the hospital. My surgery was at 11:30...and out by 3:30. I have tried tried tried to get liquids down... but I have been having the gurggiing were I feel like it wants to come back up. Other then that, and a slight shortness of breathing, I am doing fine. Pain is still there but not unbearable like the first 2 days. I am so excited for my fellow Tuesday bandits... lets keep in touch and share our stories!!!!

I would definitely discuss that with your surgeon before surgery. Plus you should have a pain management person at the hospital, or at least I did. She was the PA for the overnight internist who gave me meds for high BP & anti nausea patch. The PA talked to me 3-4 times before discharge about how my pain levels were & how controlled they were, etc. that's when they decided they send me with liquid lortab since I was on IV dilaudid while in hospital. If you let your surgeon know beforehand about what has & hasnt worked for your FM pain in the past, they'll should take that in consideration & try to get the best pain med that will hopefully work for.

Hey Matt, wishing you the best of luck. Use your surgery as the tool it is and I am confident you will succeed with your new weight loss surgery. Those of us that have struggled with our weight certainly know disappointment when we yo yo with our weight, but this is your key to success. My surgery is in 4 weeks and I am beyond excited. Good luck my friend

Hi everyone! I'm new! Well not really, I've been here quite a while reading about all the ins and outs...watching others journeys. This is my first post! What a blessing this forum is! I've read so many inspiring and helpful posts from people who know exactly how I feel! I appreciate any responses and want to say congratulations and good luck to you all!! I have been through many different emotions before surgery as the rest of you have and have now gotten to the point where I just can't wait to get this done! I am so ready to start my new life!!! I have been through all of my appts with the specialists, dietitian, nutrionalist, psychologist, and 3 month of doctors visits. I am now just waiting for my patient advocate to call me with a date. I am so excited and look forward to sharing this journey with all of you!

I was official sleeved on August 31st. at 4:30 in the afternoon. The doctor ended up doing a biopsy of my liver. I ended up staying in the hospital for two days. Due to me having trouble swallowing the 64 ounces of liquid and70 ounces of Protein. Well I finally got it down, but I'mm sick of the Protein drinks they are to sweet for me. Any suggestions. I need to do this for two weeks. I already lost 18 pounds total 9 pounds before surgery and 9 pounds after. Can someone show me how to put a tracker on. Thanks, C

I'm four days after my first fill, 3 ccs in the band. Not much restriction. So I had a piece of halibut, an ear of corn, some pieces of cucumber, and about half a plum at dinner. Three hours later I'm really hungry. So I had a teaspoon of peanut butter. The halibut was half a lb. before cooking. Was this a good day or did I eat too much?

Hi John, I have usually heard that 3-4 oz is the recommended portion, but obviously one size does not fit all. Most men normally can consume more than women, so you may be allowed a larger portion size. I'm only 4'11', so the nut told me to aim for 50g Protein a day, which is less than a lot of the other recommended grams listed on the posts here. You should talk to your surgeon/nut if they haven't already given you portion sizes. Remember, listen to your body, chew thoroughly, and be cautious - just because you can eat something today, doesn't mean you will not have a problem tomorrow. Good luck! Joan

My surgery is less than two weeks actually, its oct 9 and so far I have stuck to what is on the list my Dr gave me.. What would happen if I indulged a little like ate chicken for a dinner and had a few drinks one night? Has anyone done this?