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hI . WELL, I will probably be gettin the surgery in April, I'm a manager at the Welcome Center, I do not lift much. I'm more a babysitter for my counselors. I have a desk job but to be safe I plan on taking 10 days after surgery. My days off are Thurs and Fridays, so I can only hope he operates on Tues taking Wednesday as a personal day and Saturday to Wednesday as vacation time. Good Luck to all the future banders.

Thank you. I'm sort of doing that now... using my arm to get up rather than my body, but still it's hard. I am an administrator so I sit at a desk all day; not too demanding. Although I do have to travel 2 hours on 10/28. I hope that won't be a problem because I have to do it. Anyone else feel a bit depressed? I'm just thinking to myself, "what did I do?"

I work in a restaurant and do a lot of physical labor. I went in for surgery on a Tues. and was back to work the following Tues. I didn't lift anything over 10 lbs. for about 2 or 3 weeks after. The doctor suggested 6 wks. of no heavy lifting but that just wasn't feasible. I've had so much more energy starting almost immediately after my surgery that it was no big deal going back to work. I feel that if you get your protein in you feel stronger sooner.

I'm a part of the group that ended up being way over prepared. I brought my own binder about a month before surgery, only to find out the day before surgery that the hospital provides one for you. Great, I thought - I can wear one while the other is being laundered. After surgery I wore it maybe two days and that was it. I never had a great amount of pain and zero complications. My recovery was quick and easy. But not everyone is so lucky and I've read many posts where people found the binder essential, and some even wore it for a month or more. So again, the necessity is unique to the individual. Every time I come across those binders I think that I should probably toss'em (I'm 14 months out), but I never do. Now that I'm entering the plastic surgery phase (probably 01/17), who knows, they might prove useful.

I'm on day 8 of my clear liquid phase and so far it's gotten easier since my parents brought me home the broth from chicken soup from our favorite local diner...however, I'm still frustrated with diet drink choices...I'm usually an avid water drinker but I need some variety..has anyone had any issues with Bai5 drinks? They have 1 gram of sugar and 10 carbs and only 5 calories..my NUT said I can have anything diet drink as long as it's clear...what are your thoughts on that if you've had Bai5 drinks?

I had surgery on 4/8/10 and am down 60 lbs so far. I'm back to working out again, although not yet at the level I was 15 years ago, but getting there. I can carry my 60 lb daughter around, almost as much as she'd like me too even. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine I would lose this much weight in 3 months! I am really happy about it! The trainer I have at the Y has told me that because I've lost the weight so quickly, it will come back quickly, even though I have the lap band and even if I keep working out. My Dr. has told me that once I reach my goal weight, I can eat a bit more than I do now (1/2 cup instead of 1/4 cup at a meal) and maintain my loss. Has anyone lost weight quickly and started to gain it back, even if they keep exercising and eat about 1/2 cup of food every meal?

Welcome.... My surgery was on 9/19. We started a forum called "September Members" we also started a Facebook support for our Sept people. We figured we would all be going going through the same things about the same time! Everyone on this site is awesome! My esophagus was eroding. Still trying to figure out a medicine for me...uhg! They told me I could take Previcid over the counter till they can figure something out. Just open the capsule... Don't take it whole! Jess...Surgiversary 9/19/12

Your welcome, I hope it helps. SD: 10/10/12, Converted from Lapband to RNY, HW (before band) 263, HW (RNY) 230, Preop 219, after surgery 223, current 209

You're 7 weeks out. Relax. You've done well. You didn't gain your weight over night. You wont lose it over night either. Wait until you're 6, then 10 months out. Your hunger and appetite comes back with a vengeance and the weight doesnt melt off anymore. Im 10 months, almost 11 and I'm in the maintenance stage. Sounds like youre doing everything right!

@Rocshae I'm July 27th in NY. How are you doing? Are you on the preop diet right now? I'm on day 10 of it. (Did you just hear my stomach growl? LOL)

You are losing about as fast as I did. I started preop 135 days ago and have lost 85 lbs. It was ~1 lb a day for quite a while at the early stages of our journey. In the last 2 months, it has slowed to under 10 lbs a month now, but is still steady but slower as I approach my maintenance weight already. As far as if I feel my stomach is too small or too large, I believe it is just the right size. I was never hungry or full before this journey and now I feel full at about 3/4 cup of food. I am not sure I am getting hungry yet but can tell when it is time for me to eat.

I've been working on a healthier eating profile for several years - had an indirect calorimeter done so I'd know my calories needed to lose/maintain and have been food journaling forever. After my initial appt with my surgeon on 1/14/10 I cracked down on my diet by sticking to a 1200 calorie diet, so that by my first follow up I'd lost 10 pounds (2/1). Nevertheless, my surgeon uses the Medifast (4 shakes + one lean and green) from the initial follow up until surgery. Yes, I have cheated from time to time - some "cheats" have been allowed(add'l protein in the form of eggs, cheese, chicken), some have been a few mini pretzels, a slice of bread, some popcorn... Had my last meeting with the surgeon and my PAT's on Friday(2/26/10) - down 25 pounds. I am having the worst time making the four shakes a day - esp living in the North where eating cold in the cold equals cold!:biggrin:

I'm down a total of 36 lbs, which is fantastic. I started this journey at 310, and I'm now at my lowest point in about 10 years (I think I was around 270 after I gave birth to my youngest. I could be wrong though...it was a while ago) I am slightly irritated that I'm still so swollen that my clothes are not reflecting the loss, and I am frustrated that I can't do much walking because my stomach HURTS (I hit 3300 steps yesterday, which was an accomplishment. Pre-surgery, I was doing 10k steps). I know that I need to give my body time to heal, but I am ready to start MOVING! Last night was a bad night. I was told that "This time last week you still had your whole stomach. I am sad for your missing stomach" and "God gave you a stomach because he wants you to eat." To say I saw red would be an understatement. After the pain I've gone through in the past week, to say things like that just irritate the everloving fuck out of me. And I'm agnostic bordering toward atheism, so saying God did anything is guaranteed to get me to turn a mute ear. By that same token, God gave me a gall bladder for whatever reason (it's been gone 9 years), a thyroid gland (partially gone for 6 years) and reproductive organs (non-functional for 10 years due to surgical intervention). Just because some Big Invisible Friend allegedly gave me something doesn't mean that it works. And when you have something that isn't working as intended, you fix it. My stomach wasn't working as intended, for whatever reason. I had no shut-off, and whether that was physical (I couldn't read hunger cues) or mental (because food=comfort). So I fixed it...with the aid of a surgeon. He and I decided together which surgery would be best for the amount I have to lose, for my general health and for a lot of other little reasons that go into making this kind of momentous decision (I didn't just close my eyes and point to a chart for which surgery I wanted. I thoroughly discussed the options and chose the one that was best suited for my situation) So in closing, don't bother with the pity for my missing stomach. If you want to feel anything for me, feel happy that I took control of my life for a change. Feel happy that I can walk up and down the stairs as intended, without heaving for air at the top or limping up them one step at a time (that is my NSV for today...walking up and down the stairs without pausing and without painfully pulling myself up one step at a time) Be glad that I took this step before my health deteriorated to the point where I would need my hips and knees replaced (my knees...oh my knees...they feel completely different with just this small amount lost. I am SO looking forward to walking longer distances and eventually starting the C25K.)

Hey, you gotta start sometime. The more you lose preop the closer you are to goal! I was so excited I actually started my preop diet early and lost 10 pounds more than my surgeon wanted me to.

I can commish. I created a Yahoo league here if you guys want to use that. https://yho.com/nfl?l=976933&k=6fcd1a7e59267c85 Standard Yahoo scoring and positions. It's set for 10 teams right now but can be expanded up to 20 if there's interest.

I had been about 75 lbs overweight for more than 20 years and could never keep the weight off. In the past 5 years, I gained another 100 lbs and this past Thanksgiving, I realized that my food addiction was never going to get better without help. I wish I had had the surgery 10 years ago. The lack of that almost constant nagging sensation to eat is gone and I couldn't be happier. So I don't think that you should feel silly about getting help to lose the last 50 lbs. I can totally relate to the fear losing "the food". I had a little panic attack a week or so pre-op about being afraid that I wouldn't be able to eat as much after surgery. Then I realized how silly I sounded to myself and told myself, "That's the whole point of the surgery!" I felt nervous right up to the time they knocked me out for surgery. I was laying in the surgery waiting room and was thinking,"What would happen if I just got up and walked out right now?" But I was committed to my path. It's been 21 days post-op and I don't regret anything I've gone through pre or post-surgery. I would think that unless your doctor tells you not to exercise, that it can only be a benefit. I'd think you'd have more lean muscle mass after surgery and being in better shape, you'd have a quicker recovery.

WELCOME to LBT. I'm not banded yet, but I did my sleep study already. I spent 2 nights at the clinic. Both nights they hooked up to a machine to see if I was breathing normally or if I would stop breathing in my sleep. 1st night was without a cpap machine, and they said I stopped breathing 10 times an hour. 2nd night was with the machine. I didn't stop breathing one time. I can honestly say I have not felt more rested in years after the night with the machine. I now have my machine at home and use it every night. It took alittle time to get used to having a mask on my face, but it really isn't that bad. Good luck!!

Hi all i, m from the uk and we have to do this liquid liver shrinking diet for 10 days!! 2 litra of semi or skimmed milk, 2 x 200 ml lowfat low sugar yoghurt. Any sugar free drinks and sugar free jelly. I, m on day 3 and its hard but just think about the end result:-D you can do it. Good look on weds :-D

I've not and will not tell my PCP....I figure asking forgiveness is easier than asking permission. lol this is my life and body....I don't want to live another decade without this tool....and end up sick and another 10 years wasted. What I want to know is how many here who've gone to MX have had a problem like an infection... seems to me most complications are from US surgeons. IDK what ya'll think?

My PCP was on board with weight loss surgery. Once I was denied by my insurance company, I figured out the whole Mexico thing, had surgery and sent my PCP the surgical notes. When I saw her next, she asked if I was pulling her leg. NOPE! Told her how it went down, she seemed pleased. Done deal. You are welcome to read my blog post about it http://hoosierfatty.wordpress.com/2013/05/10/first-doctor-visit-after-surgery-in-mexico/ Of course your PCP will continue to treat you after the surgery. In reality, the only thing I needed help with was some follow up blood work after surgery. If your PCP doesn't come around, maybe it's time to look for a new doctor with an open mind? Good luck!

There are several surgeons in Mx to choose from. The price range varies from 4k - 11k. Experience, location (coastal vs boarder town), and venue (clinic vs hospital) plays a big part in the pricing. If you're going alone two surgeons stand out due to them having very hands on coordinators in Tijuana. Dr. Ponce de Leon/Trish and Dr. Illan/Omar. Dr. Alvarez and Dr. Aceves are the most expensive but they also have excellent reputations on both sides of the boarder. Dr. A. Ortiz and Dr. Pompa both work out International Centers of Excellence (I.C.E) and Dr. A. Ortiz has been doing WLS (mostly Lapband I think) for a long time. I don't know as much about Dr. Pompa. A Lighter Me has been in TJ for 10 years and they have different surgeons to choose from and different locations like TJ, Puerto Vallarta, Cancun, Guadalajara, and more I believe. ALM's feature surgeon is Dr. Lopez. Ready 4 a Change and ALM were once one company. I believe they have similar locales. Their pricing is similar. Their feature surgeon is Dr. F. Garcia. He has about 8+ years experience. Very well reviewed. Dr. Almanza at Jerusalem Hospital is very well known. His hospital is a clinic. There are many threads about him. Those are the names I know best and have researched at one time or another. I chose Dr. Lopez with ALM although I may switch to Dr. A. Ortiz. I have sleep apnea and a heart issue, SVT, that kicks in every once in awhile and I think an I.C.E. location might calm my nerves. I'm sure there are many others who can chime in with even more data and expand this list. Good luck. Amanda Rae

7 more hours and I'll be checking in at the hospital. The 10 day liquid protein diet has been fun. At least I've lost 11 lbs or so. Today was clear liquids and that broth sure tasted good.

I know this is about lap band, but the diet you are supposed to follow is similar to what I was on before. I started out as a snail. I hardly lost and everyone else was losing huge amounts. It was funny because after about 3 months or so, I turned into one of the biggest monthly losers, even for some folks who weighed more than I did. I was losing over 10, 12 or more lbs a month. Some folks start losing slowly and then their bodies kick in with all the added Protein, maybe because I was in such bad shape when I started?? who knows. Folks will keep telling ya, anyone can eventually lose the weight, its keeping it off that is hard. Hopefully, with the band we wouldnt put it back on. No more yo yo dieting, this is it this time.

That is so sad! My husband has bc/bs through his work and they quit covering the band 01/01/2004. But they still covered bypass! When I found this out, I was torn. I DID NOT want to do bypass. Finally through a co-worker at my work I found out uhc did cover it. But I had to wait until an enrollment period came around, then had to wait for the first of the year. My surgery was 2 weeks ago (May 18th) and I'm waiting for the bills to start rolling in. Right before I got the approval from insurance, I found out my Dr is 'out of network' which can work to your advantage or severely against it. So I'll continue waiting. And if I end up paying a few thousand dollars, it's still better than self-pay either here in the states or Mexico where sometimes you have a problem finding a Dr to do maintainence.

I got approved!!! After 10 months, 2 denials, countless phone calls & faxes I got approved!!! I am soooooo excited I can hardly stand it... Thank you all for your support in this very long process! I will be joining the November group!! Wow, I can't believe it! Glenna