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I thought everyone but Jordin tanked!! I like Blake, but I didn't like either of his performances last night. I'm thinking Lakeisha's going home, too. I guess we'll see. Show starts in 10 mins for me!

Thanks for your replies. I feel as if I have turned a corner an am now just really tired! 10 hours sleep a night seems to be helping.

19 days till Idol '07

I'm very sensitive to smells especially mouth odors... and now I'm on the offending end 🤢 I've worked in oral surgery for 28 some years and I can smell rotting enamel and perio.. Since surgery I have yuck mouth and I cannot make it go away. Granted, water intake isn't up to what I used to consume and my diet has been almost keto like... this morning my breath was so bad it made me nauseous..🤢 10 days post op sleeping 1/2 way seated upright.. I don't want to have that breath.. smells like I'm pooping out of my mouth...🤢🤢🤢🤢 Any suggestions? Will it go away soon? Lapband placed: 8/2011 Lapband removed: 3/2017 VSG: 8/2/2017

Even after losing 98 pounds... I still sometimes look in the mirror and think I"m still that fat girl that weight 256 pounds 10 months ago... it's all part of the process and our minds catching up with our bodies. I agree with "indecision".... just let the feelings happen, it's all part of the process and just keep in mind this is a journey.

I had my 6-week post op check today - all going well, surgeon is about as pleased as I am! I thought some of you might be interested - seems his approach to eating now is more relaxed than for some of you guys in the US. His reckoning - I should work my way from 1/2 or so cup of food per meal, up to 1 cup or a bit under over next 6 weeks, strictly 3 meals a day forever. I need no longer worry about “protein first” in each meal - a good mixed balanced meal is more important now. If anything, eat well-chewed veggies first so I get in enough, then protein as it tends to not pass through as easily (my pouch is a “fobi pouch” with a silastic ring permanently set in the bottom. A “no-stretch” pouch.) My surgeon has longitudinal data on 1700 patients post RNY. Makes for great comparisons and predictions! My weight is maybe 3 pounds ahead of his estimate for me at this point - but he is right on in his predictions of when my 5 pounds a week loss dropped to 4, 3, and now to 2 pounds a week. His estimate is this will be reasonably steady for 6-10 weeks, then a pound a week average until the 9 month post op point. My current lack of interest in food, lack of hunger and food drive, is exactly as per most of his patients. His research - 1 year after RNY the average intake is 750 calories a day - which he says is fine, if the diet is balanced, and with a good vitamin supplement daily. Blood work tells us whether the food we are eating is hitting the right balance. He also isn’t as wedded to “you must have 70g of protein a day” - a reasonable amount, sure, but he said ‘your liver makes protein, and some days with less is really normal’. So, in his relaxed guidelines, we are both pretty happy with my easy progress - AND best of all I am cleared to go scuba diving in 9 weeks! Hooray!

I had my surgery Feb of 2013. At first all was going well, I never felt any restriction, I didn't have any complications. My progress went great at first, until I started back on solid foods. I didn't have problems adjusting to a solid food diet afterwards, and little by little I started eating a bit more, and a bit more. I guess I've pretty much just hit a wall as far as the surgery is concerned. I didn't follow through like I should have, so instead of the usual "surgery failed me" posts, this is my "I failed my surgery" plea for any assistance. I had surgery with Dr. Kim in Colleyville, and after recent contacts from his staff as well as their "awesome" support group leaders, it appears unless I have a revision surgery I'm on my own with getting back on track. I've put on about 30 pounds back, I started at over 400 and I'm sitting around 330 right now, so there was some success, I'd just like to get back on track and get to my overall goal weight of 260. Anyone been in this position before, and what did you do to start things back up? I'm working out, I hike about 10-15 miles a week, and I mountain bike 20-25 miles a week (just started back up). I carry a pretty good amount of muscle mass from my powerlifting days, but have recently retired from competitive lifting so I'm not lifting as heavy weights, or as often.

I weighed this morning and I was 394!!! I started at 450 on July 27, had surgery on Aug 10! It has slowed down but still coming off. I get my first fill on Sept. 21! Thats all thanks! Jerry

I was banded on 10-1-10 as well. Day after surgery was good, day 2 was rotten. I felt nauseous all day long. Today being day 3 is better, still not getting much down in terms of food though. My doctor said i should have lots of creamy soups, protein drinks and Gatorade. I'm lucky if I get one protein drink in a day, and maybe a cup of soup. My appetite just isn't there and after the severe nausea from yesterday, i'm scared. Since surgery on Friday I'm down 9 lbs. For a total of 20 including my low carb pre-op diet. I'm sure much of this is water weight as I'm not hydrating myself as much as I should. Wishing you all lots of luck! RSG

Protein shakes.... try to get 60 grams of protein it will take the edge of your hunger.... 100% whey unflavored with 8-10 ounces of warm Water and a tsp of better then boulion chicken base... very good....21 grams of protein there Isopure clear has 40 grams of protein in the bottle Keep the protein up and water intake too..... GOOD LUCK!!

Well my last appointment with my surgeon is August 6th hoping to schedule my surgery for August 21st. My surgeon requires a 10 day liquid diet. I have lost 40 pounds since April 30th. People are saying "you don't need the surgery". However I do need the surgery it is a tool not a miracle. I have had a weight problem since I was a child. I don't like a lot of foods. I am a very picky eater. I don't like any food that is mixed with anything. I have never had a Mcdonalds hamburger or any other fast food hamburgers. I don't like anything on a bun. Don't like soup, goulash or anything that mixed up. My problem is baked goods. I love to bake but I have not baked in the last three months. I joined the YMCA and I work out twice a day most days. I am up to about 6 miles a day now. Feeling much better than I used to. I am looking forward to the surgery so I don't have to worry about putting it all back on again. Good luck everyone on your weight loss journeys. I am so excited.

I love it❤I found it when I was looking for Calcium Citrate tablets a month ago at Wal-Mart, either there are more bari-babes in my county than i,knew or 5K-athletes have separated the supply. Well I bought a bottle, I m all for the ease of use, shake it up well , it tastes just like a melted orange push-up frozen treat. And under $10 the price isn't bad either. They won me over!😝🍶

Who is your dr.? I was sleeved at Forest Park Medical Center in Dallas on July 6th. I am 56 years old and I am a self pay patient. At the start of this adventure I only needed to lose about 65-70 lbs to get to my goal weight. I wanted the surgery for 2 reasons: 1) vanity (yes, I admit it:) & 2) as a preventative measure so I wouldn't get some of the health issues that go along with being overweight. I've used botox for about 10 years and I anticipate continuing to use it. Without a doubt, I don't have the same elasticity in my skin as I did 10-15 years ago - so I am just taking this one day at a time - and when/if the day comes that my ta-tas no longer fill my bra, I'll be first in line to get a boob job:). I don't think I will have enough excess skin to consider surgery elsewhere - but I'll make that decision, too, if the day comes. Your VSG journey will take you down different roads: The first 2-3 weeks, you will be focused on healing your body from the surgery. Then you'll be focused on taking your Vitamins and trying to eat enough to keep your energy level up. Serious thoughts of cosmetic surgery - at least for me - are still about 45 lbs away:) Good luck on your journey!

Hey everyone, I was banded on June 10 and am trying not to get to concerned about it but my weight is at a complete stand still. I have in total lost 28 pounds, thats 18 during pre-op and 10 since surgery. I will get my first fill on July 21 and can't wait. I don't feel much restriction but am still trying to eat small meals and I'm not snacking. Is it possible to still be in starvation mode and the body is holding on to what it has? I still have not started exercising which I'm sure will help. Any advice to help me move this along will help.:biggrin2:

Katie, I had surgery the week before you. I have lost 25.5 lbs, but I haven't lost anything in over a week. I had my first fill on May 19 and I have an appointment on June 24 at which time I hope to get my second fill. I have 5 cc's in a 10 cc band. It is a struggle at this point because I don't feel the restriction at all at this point. I think I felt it a little after my fill but it did not last long. My band started out with 4 cc's on my surgery date. My fill was for 1 more cc on May 19. I don't think being hungry 3 - 4 hours later is that bad. I think you can allow yourself a small snack in between meals. I don't snack after Breakfast and I sometimes will have a late afternoon snack (sugar free pudding or yogurt). I always have a little snack in the evening before bed. Good Luck Alice Banded April 8, 2008 271/245.5/150

I totally agree with all of ya'll---I'm ok until DH starts making wonderful dinners for the kids, they smell sooo good. My doctor has me on shakes only--I've read others that are eating cream of wheat, etc. My surgery was June 3rd-- the diet started a few days before the surgery so I haven't had a bite of ANYTHING for over 10 days and still have a week to go. The only thing I have had are protein drinks--can someone suggest some other things that I am supposed to be able to consume right now? Thanks!

I started my two week all liquid diet and vitamins. I am taking about 10 different vitamins. My girlfriend had the sleeve in Feb. and she only takes a multi vitamin and iron. What is everyone else taking?

Hello Everyone, I am new to this website and wanted to tell everyone about my weight loss and fills. Please feel free to ask any questions you may have. I am a female 5'9" tall and my highest weight was 302 lbs. I weighed 298 lbs. the day of the surgery (5/28/04) I have had 3 fills: 7/9/04 - 2.0cc 8/9/04 - 1.0cc (total 3.0cc) 9/30/04 - 0.5cc (total 3.5cc) The 3rd fill made my band too tight. I was so restricted I couldn't drink Water or swallow my own saliva without spitting up. 10/2/04 - removed 0.25cc (total now is 3.25cc) I currently weigh 270 lbs. (11/10/04). I have lost a total of 28 lbs. in 5 1/2 months.

all of the above posters are correct. With hospital weight gain, it's from the IV fluids. Some people come back from the hospital 10 lbs heavier than when they went in. It can take a week or so for it to work its way out of your system.

I am a band to sleeve revision. On Monday, I will be 6 weeks post-op. I had a band for 10 years. If you pull up my profile you can access my story. I explained all of my troubles before the sleeve surgery in that section. So far I have not had any complications and I am feeling really good now. I am back on a regular diet again. I worry about the leaking problems too so I try to follow the food plan and just hope that I don't feel any leaking symptoms. My surgery was done at one time. He removed the band, performed the sleeve procedure, and repaired a hiatal hernia. It's still pretty new to me. Maybe someone else can help you with your questions. Good luck to you.

MissSammyD, First of all congratulations on your decision. You will not regret it. My success is due to multiple events that worked in my favor. First, I was falling apart medically. I had or had been recently diagnosed with multiple co-morbitities before banding and I was starting to feel the impact. I just could not go on living with all the pain and suffering. When my grandaughter was born I made up my mind that I wanted to be around for her and of course my family also. My doctor advised weight loss surgery. I was so serious about changing my life that I quit smoking the day after the lapband seminar. I was scheduled for surgery in September, but a few days before my surgery the hospital called and said that I was to be re-scheduled because there was a shortage of a drug used in surgery and all non urgent surgeries had been cancelled. I was already 12 days into the liquid diet. My next scheduled date was 2 weeks away and I had to continue the Protein diet. This diet consisted of 2 low cal Protein drinks, one for Breakfast the other for lunch, then 1 can of Soup at night with all the sugar free popcicles and sugar free pudding(s). I was on the required protein diet for 1 month. I lost at least 30 lbs. on the protein diet alone. I cringe with the thought of drinking another shake. lol When I went in for my first fill I ended up getting an unfill because I was way too tight. I'm one that needs very little in my band for restriction. They had put in 3cc's in the 10cc band during surgery and unfilled me down to 2cc's. I'm doing great with 2cc's. I started losing immediatley after surgery. Remember that it could take several fills at 6 weeks apart before you have restriction. We are all different. I was just lucky to get restriction right a way. On the other side of the coin, was that I was losing too quickly, I was getting too weak and was looking rather sickly. I know this because I had only told a few people at work about my surgery. I was approached by a couple of very concerned co-workers who thought I had cancer or a very serious illness due to the amount of weight I had lost and how I looked. I then decided to announce the lapband. They have all been very supportive. I started exercising as much as I could handle at first. I started with small walks around the block, at the school track, riding my bike on low gears, started walking in the pool, walking on a treadmill, 10 minutes of step aerobics. I have built up to working out 40 minutes a day at 1or 2 activities mentioned. I can now jog 2 miles. I can swim 40 minutes. Last weekend I did a 20 mile bike ride. Its awesome!! Most importantly, all of my blood work has come back normal (diabetes, gout, cholesterol). I am off 5 different medications, off my CPAP machine. I am normal medically except for high blood pressure which will be evaluated in july. Take it one day at a time. There is no big race to lose so fast! Also, keep in mind that fast weight loss can lead to gall bladder problems and require surgery. In addition, you want your skin to tighten/tone up as you go. You also want to keep your hair from falling off. In my case, I'm a bald male so I'm ok with it falling off. lol In all seriousness, I now eat properly and even if I did have hair I'm sure it will not fall off. I have never eaten properly in all my life, so this has been a win win situation for me. As I said, you will not regret doing this for yourself. Yes, the journey get difficult at times, but, you get back on the wagon, especially when you start seeing the results. Keep me posted on how you do please.

Not sure where you are in your journey. I have been quite successful in a short period of time and I think it was because I "went off the social grid" for the first 3 months. No dining out, no guests for dinner, no worry about what people think or say, just total focus on doing what they told me to do. My wife wasn't crazy about, but I told her it was only temporary and promised we be going out and socializing soon. After 3 months, I started my new life. My old life was such a distant memory, it was totally irrelevant. Now I eat like a little girl in a size 0 dress. I order a glass of wine and slowly sip it (I never finish it before we leave), and pass on the bread. If it looks like a multi-course meal, I'll order a cup of soup for the appetizer round. I'll then order something moist for my entree (beef stew, chicken piccata, etc). I'll eat a little, comment on how filling the soup was and take it to go. If it's a casual restaurant, my wife and I order two appetizers to share and she eats 2/3's of it. I still log everything, but seldom eat/drink 500 calories. I would steer clear of Water or anything you might drink more than 4 ounces of. My final advice would be to negotiate a plan with your family. Be ruthlessly honest about what your obesity is doing to you. Paint the picture of your state of health 10, 20, or 30 years down the road. Get them to visualize your grandkids losing their grandmother before their high school graduation. Share the pain and embarrassment of obesity (crying helps). Then do some math, figure out how long you'll need to be "off the grid" and tell them they can dine out, go to birthday parties, holiday dinners, whatever WITHOUT YOU. You must shake your mind and body into a new realty. It may take 6-8 months (or more), but it'll take less time than recovering from a heart attack, cancer, etc. After 6 months plus of 100 calorie meals, dining out and splurging on 250 will feel like a Roman Feast.

Well, once again, I can feel myself losening up. I think the swelling goes down and I get lose again. I still have some restriction, but not as much as I want. I'm going to call for another fill and have him do the fill just like he did this last time, not to take ANY out, and just add a little, I'm so close to that sweet spot. I can't eat a whole bunch, but can eat more than I should. I do force myself to stop eating before I eat too much. I've had fills in the past that got tighter after a few weeks, so I'm hoping this one will get tight again, so we'll see. In the meantime, I will make another appointment for another fill. NOTE TO SELF, time to exercise again and you will lose! Quit depending on the band to do all the work for you!!! ...End of Note to self. Last Monday when I woke up and stepped on the scales, the exact number was 171.6 - yikes! This morning, it was 164.5, so the weight has dropped a lot in the past 5 days. I'm sure in the morning I will probably weigh more than I did this morning, I went to my aunts house for a family get together. Well, had a peace of homemade chocolate cake, ate barbeque, and just ate more than I should have. I'm planning on hitting the gym tomorrow, and eating right so hopefully by the time I weigh in on Monday, I can be happy. I really really really want to see the 150's again! But more than that, I just want to be at goal. I'm almost embarrased that I've had the band as long as I have and not reached my goal. I knew when I got the band it was going to be a long process, but I seriously thought I would be at goal by 18 months. I'm now getting close to 3 years! January will be 3 years. I guess I should be happy with how far I've come, I'm down from a size 18 to a comfortable 10 and when I'm weighing around 160 I wear an 8 comfortable. Today I'm wearing my size 8 capris and they feel good. So I should be happy with my progress, and I am happy. I just want it all. I do not want to be the statistic bandster that usually only loses 60 to 70 % of their excess weight. I said from the very beginning I would lose 100% of it and by jolly I will! I need to THINK before I eat, I need to quit grabbing the chocolate out of the candy dish, and most of all I need to exercise! Time to refocuss and finish what I've started. So, as of tonight or this morning, Sunday at 12:45 am CST, 9/6/09, I promise to myself that I will recommit to the bandster program. Recommit myself and give me what I deserve. I deserve to reach my goal, I deserve to take time out for myself and exercise, I deserve it all! So, by my 3 year Band anniversary, which is 1/18/10, I will be at goal! My goal is somewhere between 140-150. I'm going blog my daily progress, or at least try and blog daily. I seem to do better when I blog....I want to keep myself accountable to my promises to myself so I'm putting it down in black and white! Here goes my final push.........time to cross the finish line and finsih this race!

I started working from home today and that sure did make the day go by much faster. I didn't blog yesterday since I had a busy day. My sister was kind enough to take me to get a pedicure and manicure since they scraped my gel off my fingers prior to surgery. It was quite a comedy scene since she is 9 months pregnant and I am not walking 100% (a bit hunched over). We must of looked like a coupe of losers. Her 3 year old daughter fell asleep in the car and we had no stroller. Since I would normally just carry her and let her sleep on me, it was my sister's turn since I can't lift anything over 10 lbs for 2 more weeks. What a show we gave the ladies in the nail salon! Too funny! Today was a pretty successful day, I started skim milk which went well. Then tonight for dinner my family was having chinese food so I decided to have some broth. It was so nice to taste something different even though it was only 8 teaspoons full! LOL I also wanted to remind everyone to make sure they take their measurements!! I did that on Saturday and cannot wait to see what they are in a month Have a great night all!!!

Hi everyone. Today is 1 week since surgery. I feel fine except I'm still sore & a bit black & blue near my port incision. Has anyone experienced that? I've lost 20 lbs. Lost 6 lbs since surgury, 20lbs so far including the liquids I was on 2 weeks prior to surgury. I get my 1st fill 3/10/05.