Search the Community

My doctor did not recommend a fill for 6-8 weeks after surgery to ensure that everything internally had healed. The band is placed and usually the stomach tissue is stitched around it to keep it in place. They like the band to settle into its new home before putting Fluid in which could shift it out of place and pull on the sutures. Giving your body a chance to fully heal is not a bad thing and it will bring you over all long term success and that is what we want. Even though right now we want that instant gratification. That is not really the way the band works. Try not to compare yourself with others, this is YOUR journey and they are on theirs. Best of luck to you.

It sounds right on to me - exactly what my doc wants me to do and what I am working on (just joined curves this week!)

The feelings you're having are pretty normal at the stage you're at. I think the depression (to an extent), the fatigue, the "remorse" are nothing more than your body reacting to the fact that it's not getting what it's used to in terms of foods (good or bad) at this very moment. I noticed a very large change in attitude at about the end of the week 2 mark and it's gotten better and better every week since. Embrace the positives. Look at what you've accomplished so far. Grasp onto that, try new things. Some of the foods you thought you didn't like before you may now, and vice versa. It's amazing how our tastes change after the surgery. I couldn't eat anything overly sweet, and things that didn't taste too sweet or too salty to me before surgery were amplified by what seemed to be 100% after surgery. Best thing for me, honestly. If you told me even a week before surgery that there would be days I would actually be craving a salad, or a few slices of a tomato, I would have probably told you that you were crazy. I've always liked those things, but never craved them. Now, the healthier I eat, the more I crave healthier foods. You can succeed and looking at your progress, I'd say you already are. Stick with it...it really does get better!!! Best of luck!

I think I saw this originally posted on the forum here somewhere, but for anyone who missed it.. it just came back around to me in e-mail and it made me laugh all over again :smile: >>A WOMAN'S WEEK AT THE GYM This is dedicated to everyone who ever >>attempted to >>get into a regular workout routine. >> >>Dear Diary, For my birthday this year, my daughter (the dear) >>purchased a week of personal training at the local >>health club for me. Although I am still in great >>shape since being a high school football cheerleader >>43 years ago, I decided it would be a good idea to >>go ahead and give it a try. I called the club and >>made my reservations with a personal trainer named >>Belinda, who identified herself as a 26-year-old >>aerobics instructor and model for athletic clothing >>and swim wear. >> >>My daughter seemed pleased with my enthusiasm to get >>started! The club encouraged me to keep a diary to >>chart my progress. >> >>MONDAY: Started my day at 6:00 a.m. Tough to get out of bed, >>but found it was well worth it when I arrived at the >>health club to find Belinda waiting for me. She is >>something of a Greek goddess - with blond >>hair,dancing eyes and a dazzling white smile. Woo >>Hoo!! Belinda gave me a tour and showed me the >>machines. I enjoyed watching the skillful way in >>which she conducted her aerobics class after my >>workout today. Very inspiring! Belinda was >>encouraging as I did my sit-ups, although my gut was >>already aching from holding it in the whole time she >>was around. This is going to be a FANTASTIC week-!! >> >>TUESDAY: I drank a whole pot of coffee, but I finally made it >>out the door. Belinda made me lie on my back and >>push a heavy iron bar into the air then she put >>weights on it! My legs were a little wobbly on the >>treadmill, but I made the full mile. Belinda's >>rewarding smile made it all worthwhile. I feel >>GREAT-!! It's a whole new life for me. >> >>WEDNESDAY: The only way I can brush my teeth is by laying the >>toothbrush on the counter and moving my mouth back and forth over >>it. >>I believe I have a hernia in both pectorals. Driving >>was OK as long as I didn't try to steer or stop. I >>parked on top of a GEO in the club parking lot. >>Belinda was impatient with me, insisting that my >>screams bothered other club members. Her voice is a >>little too perky for early in the morning and when >>she scolds, she gets this nasally whine that is VERY >>annoying. My chest hurt when I got on the treadmill, >>so Belinda put me on the stair monster. Why the heck >>would anyone invent a machine to simulate an >>activity rendered obsolete by elevators? Belinda >>told me it would help me get in shape and enjoy >>life. She said some other crap too. >> >>THURSDAY : Belinda was waiting for me with her vampire-like >>teeth exposed as her thin, cruel lips were pulled >>back in a full snarl. I couldn't help being a half >>an hour late, it took me that long to tie my shoes. Belinda took >>me to work out with dumbbells. When >>she was not looking, I ran and hid in the restroom. >>She sent another skinny witch to find me. Then, as >>punishment, she put me on the rowing machine -- >>which I sank. >> >>FRIDAY : I hate that witch Belinda more than any human being >>has ever hated any other human being in the history >>of the world. Stupid, skinny, anemic, anorexic >>little cheerleader. If there was a part of my body I >>could move without unbearable pain, I would beat her >>with it. Belinda wanted me to work on my triceps. >>I don't have any triceps! And if you don't want >>dents in the floor, don't hand me the barbells or >>anything that weighs more than a sandwich. The >>treadmill flung me off and I landed on a health and >>nutrition teacher. Why couldn't it have been >>someone softer, like the drama coach or the choir >>director? >> >>SATURDAY : Belinda left a message on my answering machine in >>her grating, shrilly voice wondering why I did not >>show up today. Just hearing her made me want to >>smash the machine with my planner. However, I lacked >>the strength to even use the TV remote and ended up >>catching eleven straight hours of the Weather >>Channel. >> >>SUNDAY : I'm having the Church van pick me up for services >>today so I can go and thank GOD that this week is >>over. I will also pray that next year my daughter >>will choose a gift for me that is fun -- like a root >>canal or a hysterectomy. I still say if God had >>wanted me to bend over, he would have sprinkled the >>floor with diamonds!!!

Hi, I had my surgery on December 10, 2013... the first two weeks I felt great... but now I am nausea and vomiting, the doctors have tried several things but I still nausea even when I take the medication for it and vomiting every few days. I see my doctor tomorrow also and I am going to ask for a CT, ultra sound or endo scope to find out if something is happening which medication won't help. I talked with several forums and one lady said it has been 10 months and she still isn't doing great. I somewhat upset because I am not sure if I made the right decision to have the sleeve. I hope things are going to be ok.

Congratulations on the smaller size! I'm thrilled too because last week I bought a size 18 dress! I started out in a size 24 and had a few size 26's. It so much fun for the sizes to go down for a change isn't it? :rolleyes2:

I am starting back to the gym next week - 6 wks out.

My paperwork was supposed to be submitted to Aetna on January 6th but my cardiologist did not indicate that I could stop taking my blood thinners for a couple of weeks prior to surgery. My surgeon's office said they would call him the next day; get the ok and submit the paperwork. I called Aetna on the 13th to see how things were progressing and they said that they haven't seen the request. I figured, "oh well, maybe they couldn't reach my cardiologist." I called Aetna again on the 20th and they still haven't seen the request. So, I call my surgeon's office and explain my concern. The receptionist tells me that the insurance specialist is out of the office "today" and that she was transferring me to her voice mail. Well, I left a message on Wednesday and it is Friday night. I still haven't heard from them. I was in no hurry to get banded because I have been doing great on my own. However, my roommate just told me that he is moving back to nasty, disgusting, frigid, tax-you-to-death Boston in February and he is my ride to and from surgery. I need to get this over with before he leaves. I am self sufficient to a fault and it kills me to have to ask anybody else for a favor. Apparently it doesn't hurt me to whine though.

I'm 2 weeks post-op and down 20 lbs. I thought I'd try some mush foods. I'v been drinking more than enough fluids. So I had about 4 tlbs of mashed potatoes slowly...got the Hiccups, I thought "I'm not suppose-to drink with meals", finally they passed. Then the next day I tried some cream-chicken soup, got the hiccups again this time I drank some water. The part thats wierd is the hiccups feel deep down my throat, I guess I'm alittle scared. As you guess I'm not going to eat today. But I'm wondering how normal is this. Thought I'd ask this forum before calling the doc. Vera

I have insulin resistance (borderline diabetes) so I think the higher Protein, lower carb way of eating just makes me feel better and probably helps my blood sugar. I have heard people say it helps the weight loss, too. I guess you could always try it for a couple of weeks and see what happens. Nancy

thanks for all your advice, like i said, i know i am doing well so far, but as i am eating normaly i dont think im eating as healthy as i should be, i was just wondering if the high protein low carb diet would make me feel better or be healthier than what im actually eating now...ive actualy not lost any weight for a few weeks now and i think i need a kick start....or a fill..if my surgeon will give me one!

I think it is your new, tiny stomach you are feeling. I had that too for about a month. There is still a lot of swelling which is why it hurts. pre-surgery weight 325; surgery date 2/28/2013; surgery weight 307; 8 weeks past-op weight 281.4; 12 weeks post-op 274

Two weeks out I would have been able to. Like ms.sss if anything I was taking naps still but if you have the time to rest and still go then you should be fine.

Today I am walking for 30 minutes at lunch time, then another 30 minutes after work, and I will finish it off with about another 30 minutes of workout video this evening. I do this 3 days a week and then the other 4 days it's just the walk in the evening and at lunch.

hi erica this is a very good ideal. i was waiting to see if anyone was going to start one. glad you did. i just started back at the gym its been a week. but, today i did the south beach workout tape. was only able to do it for 12mins before i felt like i was dieing. but, im gonna master it. then i went to my store and bent and moved stuff around. will come and post what i did at the gym tomorrow. ok erica can you glitter my name like you did yours and i will copy it from off your post then you can delete it. that is hot.

I decided to go check out the YMCA, they have much more to offer than curves and when my hubby gets back he'll get a free membership and I'll get a discount off my monthly fee everytime he goes so I went ahead and joined. I walked/jogged 20 min yesterday. Today I just did a fitness assessment with a trainer. There is a program called "Commit to be fit" and you get 5 free training sessions with a fitness assessment. I had to go and get a release from my Dr to participate because of high blood pressure. I am pretty out of shape but not quite as bad as I expected. I did 18 situps in 1 minute, 9 bench presses with a 35lb bar and my flexibility reach was better than the skinny little thing helping me. I could reach 11.5" on their measuring box and she could only go 7". I didn't do the step test since my pulse was already a little high from rushing to get there after work. She took my blood pressure and it was extremely low for me, after I got a lecture on Tues from my Dr for not taking my second HBP med cuz it was a bit high on Tues. I don't know if I trust her monitor. I'll have to dig mine out and if it's low still, maybe I only need 1/2 a pill. I plan on checking out the Pilates class next week, I've never done it.

It depends on the surgeon. Some prefill it, but I think most wait until you are 4-6 weeks post op. I waited.

unfortunatly, sugerless does not mean carlorie-less. I would not think in terms of cheating, rather health. Is it healthy to be eating the ice cream. After two weeks, shouldnt you be experimenting with chicken, 3 starches (carbs) a week, veggies, etc. I would talk to your nutritionist and ask where you should be. . hope this helps. Sorry for the misspellings

Thank you for responding. I'm glad to know I'm not alone in this. I mean I was supposed to be drinking liquids for 2 weeks and was eating mash potatoes and pinching meat. Should I confess this to my doctor in case I have done some damage? I know....I'm pathetic.

Had my 1st fill yesterday at 10am. I can tell no differents yet. I'm on liquids till Friday. Hope on Friday I fine some differents on how much I can eat. I did lose only 1.4 lbs since my last visit to the doctor. That is really a little depressing, but I knew I was not losing and I knew I could eat way to much. I need to make better choices. I still getting many carbs. I not a great meat eater. I love cheese, but have never been able to lose weight when I eat to much cheese. I can eat beans but they are high in carbs. I don't eat eggs, I cant stand the smell or the taste of eggs. Besides I tried to eat scrambled eggs at the resturant last week and the didn't go down very good. I cant eat tuna but with the mayo and pickle relish that not to heathy either. I just have to start excerising I have no excuse now. I'm feeling much better and I'm getting my engery back. I just have to do this. The fill was the really really easy yesterday, I was really nervous, but it was a breeze.

Hi, don't worry, it works, I am like you started out at 270, and I am 5 ft 4 in. Lost 50 since Jan 2010. This surgery is great and it works, plus one thing to remember is it's long term meaning that you will loose but not all in one month. I average 5.6 #s loss a month. No problem eating just eat smaller portions--stick to the lap band diet. You should not get stuck on liquids or musshies. Only solids get stuck if you do not chew, chew, chew. I have had a few experiences--I tested the limits of my band--yes there are limits and you will know--it will come back up. When something gets stuck it does hurt for a while-10 to 30 min. YOU WILL LOOSE WEIGHT. Oh the procedure for lapband surgery in Korea costs, about 7, 000.00 dollars or a little less. People for Canada come to Korea for this surgery too. Pass the word, take a vacation to South Korea and have the surgery, spend a few weeks in the Land of the Morning Calm. Read my blogs and you will see what the benefits are of the surgery. There are many others on this site who are doing well. Some loose more #s than others during the journey, just be PATIENT AND ENJOY THE RIDE.

Posted 5th June 2009 Well, giving nuff thanks and praises, I've made it to 50. It seems really weird saying that. 50 use to seem such an old age. I'm optimistic about the future, I'm grateful to have made it thus far, and would now like to improve my health and quality of life. Later this evening I'll be celebrating with family and close friends. I've choosen an Italian restaurant located at Canary Wharf (Amerigo Vespucci). Tomorrow I'm hoping I can get a pedicure a spa treatments. Update: Today I have an appointment with the bariatric team, will I get my date today? Lets hope my blood pressure has gone down a bit. I really am excited that this could be the day, what a wonderful birthday present that would be. I've waited so long. I recently had an appointment at the hypertenstion clinic and saw for the first time Prof. Jackson, the consultation was fantastic, I left there for the first time hopeful and confident that he had a grasp on what needed to be done. My medications have been changed yet again. I've also been given treatment for anemia (iron tablets) if this causes me any complications such as constipation, they will do an infusion of iron. On another note my daughter and gran daughter are off on holiday for 3 weeks on Monday. Dajah is just 14 months and spends a lot of time with me. Oh boy,I'm going to miss her sooooo much, I'm already worrying about her - but I've not communicated that to my daugher, I just pray that they enjoy themselves and get back safe. Hyacinth.

I find it interesting how different my body is in only four months....almost to the day. Now, I know I've lost A LOT of weight. I am smart enough to know that with the amount of weight I have lost I will see changes in my body. However, there are times I look at myself in the mirror, shower, get dressed, or just touch my arm that I think, "Who is this person, and why am I touching her body?" Let me explain. Last night I was showering. As I was washing my body, I swear it felt like a different person was in the shower and I was in her head. I didn't feel like "ME"...well the really fat 330lb me. I then tried on clothes I bought before surgery that were WAY to tight on me. Both things are now big on me. The shirt is less big, but I remember when I tried them on and laughed at the fact they didn't fit. The thought that they would ever fit seemed so far fetched to me. Again, I knew I would loss weight....I just wasn't ready for the psychological changes that would have to come with the weight loss. I still wear clothes that are baggy. When I do wear clothes that fit properly, I am so self conscience at first and it takes me hearing from many people that I look fine before I can actually leave the house. I have actually begun to get a little perturbed that my new favorite lounge around shirts are getting way to big for me. I've only had them for a month and a half and I thought they would at least fit until October. To be honest, I would be happy to have them for years and years due to how comfy they are. Now with that all said, I love seeing my body change and shape into the person I always felt like under all the extra weight. I never thought I was depressed but now that I've lost weight, I can say that I wasn't as happy as I could have been. I am so much happier now. I love seeing men take a double take or have them smile and flirt. That hasn't happened in years. Now before people start going off about how I'm married and I shouldn't look for that....relax. First, I love my husband with all my heart. Second, everyone flirts and everyone likes to be admired. If you say you don't...you're full of crap. And trust me, if you read my blog from a few days I go, you will know that being full of crap can be very painful!!!! The good thing is that even though the scale is moving at a snails pace these past five weeks....my body is still surprising me. I can't wait to see what it looks like around Christmas time. To be honest, I am REALLY looking forward to the day I see my parents out and about and they don't recognize me. This happens to my sister ALL THE TIME. For those of you who don't know, my sister had by-pass surgery around three or four years ago. There are sometimes I go to her house and am still in shock that the little tiny person I am talking to is her...hopefully one day I will get the same response. But for now, I am going to keep being surprised in the shower....maybe I should have said in the mirror...the other one sounds really, really bad.

I'm in a stall, but I wouldn't say it's hell. I've only lost about 6 pounds post-op. while it is a bit disappointing, i get it. I lost 30+ pounds in the 3 month pre-op diet. I know my body and it has always fought me at 210(ish.). Seems to be it's resting point. I know that it will start to lose again. Nobody on here has not lost the weight (or regained it all) unless not on program. And i'm learning how to eat. So i'm happy. And of course I'll be happier when the scale moves again. Sleeved 8/21 Current weight 212 Date in May: 253