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Im only 5 weeks out, i find it much easier to grab a Protein shake and take it to work with me.

I hope someone can help me figure out why my blood sugar is still in the lower 300s. I don't feel like it is high but when i take it it is. I am taking my glucophage liquid and advandia. I have lost 30 lbs. since being banded. I go for my 5 week checkup to see if i need a fill on Monday. I just want to take my sugar in the morning and it be in the 100's. :help: Also how do I change my ticker!!!!

Thanks everyone, I am actually on the Merinea (an intra utirine IUD) so I forgot about it when they asked what meds I was taking, because I don't ever think about being "on" it (Seriously the best BC EVER!) But they said it was fine. It has very low hormone levels and localized. 3 more days! yikes. Thanks for all the info though. Sara

Hello Everyone....The big day is today at 10AM. I was up early, watched CNN, took my shower, saw my daughter off to school, and now I am here wondering why I am not nervous yet! I guess it is because it is the right thing to do! I survived the pre-op 3 day liquid diet with no problems, and I am looking forward to the beginning of my new life! Charlotte

:thumbup:Hello I'm looking foward (NOT) to beginning that phase myself in two weeks. I wish someone would tell us what the very best protein shake is as far as protein content etc. I am NOT interested in using a protein that's made of gross proteins. GOOD LUCK! MARY

At Newton Wellesley, they have a weigh-in the day of surgery and they cancel anyone who's gained weight. I went on the 5:2 diet the day after my first weigh-in and the 1700 calorie diet 3 weeks later after my first meeting with the surgeon/NUT. They cut me to about 1000 calories 5 days before surgery and I went in down 30 pounds (about 40% of my loss goal achieved). So far, I have had an incredible recovery and I think it had a lot to do with the fact that I lost 30 pounds in 2 months, which meant there was a lot of room in my torso for the surgeons to maneuver (my surgery only took about 30 minutes). I have also heard that the high Protein pre-opt diet strengthens the stomach tissue, which results in a firmer staple/suture hold and faster recovery. If I was going in on the 9th, I'd go on a 1000/calorie high protein diet today!

I was very worried about loosing to slow, but I had my 6 week post up Thursday and my NUT & surgeon told me I am doing totally fine and that I have lost a good amount of weight. Wednesday i'll be 7 weeks and have only lost 27lbs. Since I was told by my doctors i'm doing fine, I am seeing this the good way and hope it helps you too -> Loosing slowly is better later on because the faster you loose weight the greater the chances you'll get them back. The slower you loose the harder it is in the future to regain. Of course keep in mind healthy eating always. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

(Silently raises hand) me! I had one on the way to the hospital and one on the way home. When my surgeon asked me if I smoked, I lied. :-(. My plan was to quit while I'm the hospital. I was there 3 days so I thought it would be easier. Nope! I really want to quit but damn it's hard!

Don't feel bad, I did the same thing. I guess I wanted to try things out and see if I could tolerate them I was banded on 2/7. I will be 2 weeks out on Wednesday. I actually ate some chocolate. Guess what I kept it down! Hopefully tomorrow will be better. Hang in there.

I am going through the same exact thing (I was banded 1/31). I am a :hungry: hungry :hungry: hungry caterpillar (remember that book??!!). I just called my doc to see if I can get a fill before my 6 weeks because I feel like I am going to lose my mind. Just 3 weeks post op and I am so dang hungry. I lost 20 pounds right off but it is already creeping back on and I am feeling like there is no band in there (of course my port incision still hurts sometimes so it reminds me that something happened!) Sorry to sound whiny, it's just so hard when you feel so eager to make progress but you are back to feeling as hungry as before the band. I mean, I can't eat quite as much as back then but am feeling very little restriction. Okay, a little restriction but not enough. Anyhow, hang in there lapband4menow....I will try as well and Pam-bander I think your tips are very good

I had bad shoulder pain and it could take days-weeks to all come out. Mine lasted nearly 2 weeks.

You should be talking to your doctor/nutritionist smita. But lana is spot on..... for the first 2-3 weeks, you will need all the nutrition you can get and it may be hard to get it in. So focus on the protein and water. You won't be able to consume many calories anyway! GOOD LUCK!!!

I had my gallbladder removed in September and usually I am very tough regarding pain but I just couldn't get enough of the pain med. I was in the ER twice with the pain and to the doctor several times during the week following and they couldn't find what was causing the extreme pain. Finally, a week and a day after the surgery, I got sick of it and decided to try it without the pain meds (they didn't seem to be helping anyway and I was having trouble getting a good breath while on them) and within 5 hours, I had no more pain. I must have been having some type of weird reaction to the pain medication (I believe it was Tylox and another one that I don't off hand remember the name of). So, if I ever am able to get the band, it is little or no pain meds for me!! Hope things get better for you soon!!

It seems that just as each Dr. has his own pre/post op diets, each has their own theory on hair loss. Some will blame it on a lack of protein, or overall deficiencies, others on the after effects of anesthesia, or a shock from surgery. They also often blame stress. One will recommend biotin, another zinc, yet another nioxin. It is a guessing game!!! It may be one of those issues, or a combination of all of them! I began losing hair, and I lost the whole hair, including the little bulb where it come out of the scalp, mine was not breaking off, it was falling out. This started about 4-5 months out from surgery. It grew worse, until my part was VERY wide, you could see the shape of my scalp! I changed hairstyles, and used tons of product. I lept my protein up from the begining, so that was not my issue. I took the biotin from about 6 weeks out, began taking the zinc. Nothing seemed to be helping. I used special shampoo all along. The one I got from Sally's Beauty supply suggested to me, just seemed to make it worse, it kept my hair sooooo dry! I eventually went back to a strengthening shampoo, that made what hair I had feel best. I treated my hair very gently, went to washing it only every other day. I would say I lost easily half my hair. In the last month it has stopped falling out so badly, I am back to normal hair loss. I cannot see my scalp so clearly now, so I am thinking I may be starting to regrow, and it is shadowing the scalp. I am hoping that is the case! I used to have to buy clips etc. for heavy hair. Now if I put my hair in a ponytail, it would be about as big around as a dime! I may have lost more excessively than others will, because I have lost ALL my hair before due to chemo. Maybe that made me more succeptable to the loss of hair, I don't know. It was traumatic. I actually had people mention it, it was obvious! It was scary. I finally decided I could be thin and wear a wig. I could not have a full head of hair, and slip on a thin suit. About the time I wrapped my mind around accepting it---it quit! Maybe stress does play a role! In my case it lasted several months. I have never been extremely tight, I am able to eat most anything, and do maintain a healthy diet. The one thing I did change, was to add more fats into my diet, I was told that is necessary. I was also told I could expect it again when I have my TT---oh joy! Hang in there!!! It does get better. Just when I thought it never would it did..... Kat

eating boullion AGAIN... is this normal to "eat" all the time the first week. I am getting in boullion, water, sf popsicles and sf jello. I feel like I am doing it ALL the time!!! Not that I am worried about weight gain, just wondering if anyone else "ate" all the time the week after surgery. I know I am suppose to be getting my water in and I have been so far. :clap2:

Well I have less than 24 hours til surgery. I am excited, can't wait to start losing weight and being healthier. I have been faithful on my pre-op diet so I am curious as to how much I lost this week. I am looking at this last week as a running start . Any and all suggestions and helpful tips for my post op first few days would be great. I am on Clear liquids until I am home from the hospital and then on liquids for 3 weeks, which means foods thinned down enough so it slides off of a spoon. Wish me luck Lost_Secret:clap2:

Completely normal. The port is the sorest likely because of the fascia suturing. Try supporting your abdomen with your arm as you move - if you have a pannus, put your arm under it and carry the weight with your arm. If you carry your weight higher, support under the incision. I found that by doing thism, I could alleviate 70 - 80% of the pain while walking. Standing & sitting still hurt, but I'm going to guess it was tolerable within a week. It took me 3 days to get into my own bed and stop living in a recliner.

Hi ladies, I was banded May 3rd and I thought i'd never survive the full liquid diet. I kept asking myself "why did I do this to myself!?!", but I survived and I am excited I chose to do this. Hang in there. Like everyone says, everyday gets better and they truly do. My port is still a little sore when I turn an awkward way, but it's all been worth it. Down 16 lbs post-op. Getting my first fill in 2 weeks.

I am on an Optifast only liquid diet, 6 shakes a day for two weeks. I have known fatty liver. So I need to do this. But these shakes make me want to vomit. I managed to get one day this morning and only 2 more ounces. I just cant do it. Any advice?? Please!!!

I had a "surprise" hiatal hernia repair at the same time as my sleeve surgery. I never had any symptoms, so it was never diagnosed. My recovery was a little rougher. I had shortness of breath, chest pain with inspirations, left shoulder pain and some jaw pain. I felt like I'd swallowed a golf ball and it was lodged in my throat. It was scary because the symptoms mimicked cardiac symptoms. I had no cardiac history, but then again... I had no symptoms of the hiatal hernia to begin with. Well, I spoke to my Doc and he reassured me I wasn't having a heart attack. Everything I was feeling was due to the hernia repair. It took about 10 days before I started feeling better. My Dr. said hiatal hernias were not unusual and he does several repairs at the same time as the sleeve surgery every week. I'm feeling a whole lot better, in fact, I'm going back to work on Monday.

Hi. I don't know about hard/soft masses? I had my Sleeve almost 3 weeks ago. We knew I had a small Hiatal Hernia going in. Well, the Dr. said, it was really big. They just sew it shut. I know its going to make me feel better. I have had no complications. Again, unsure if we are talking the same issue/Mass? Good luck too you!

Well everyone....I am in the land of the living...I was banded yesterday. It was so funny as I was watching Big Medicine the night before my surgery and saw a lady that was doing the lap band surgery...I love that show. Listen anyone who has not done this surgery...It is probably the best thing that could have every happened to me. For many years I suffered from an eating disorder and it got out of control. For anyone out there that may feel that binging and purging can make you loose weight (trust me there are people out there that feel that way). You will not you were looking at at a previous bulimic that gained 50 lbs! It's better you do what you have to do and get this band. I know this journey won't be easy but now I am in control of ME and that is the most important thing. Here is the low down: 1. I waited until 1:20 p.m. a lady met with me and brough me to OR I was put in a waiting room. 2. The nurse told me to put on a robe that could finally fit me. You know the hopital gown that you have to put two on or you will be ass out..yeah...that can't happen there! lol. I also got a took to put on.The nurse came in asked a few questions. She weighed me and to my suprise I lost 15 lbs.:whoo: 3. The anestigolist (mind my spelling) met with me to explain what he would be going and asked what meds I am on and if I am allergic to anything. 4. Then I met with Dr. Cobourn for a while. He answered all my questions. He told me he loved my touqe and not to start without him.lol. I told him I would try not too! 5. I was then taken to OR they strapped me up to the machines and sent me to lala land. 6. I woke up. The post op nurse Francine was amazing. She came me all sorts of cool drugs lol. I got some demerol and codine. 7. Dr. Cobourn met with me breifly and told me that I had a bit of a hernia and he fixed it! HA...I went to Peel for the same problem and they turned me away saying nothing was wrong. 8. I had a lot of gas pain in the shoulders which I think was the worst. 9. Got home and put a hot Water bottle on the shoulders took gas X and went beddie bye. 10. One thing that helps with the gas I found was a nice message. My hubbie gave me a message it helped move around the gas. 11. I slept on the couch for the evening as my couch has a lot of pillow which was very comfortable. 12. Woke up this morning to some gas but now soreness in the tummy. I guess the stiching is making me sore. The gas is starting to come out (gross) and is litterly a byatch to come out lol. All in all ... everything went well. I am very happy and that each and everyone of your for your support along the way. If it wasn't for you all I would be in the dark as to what to expect. At least by reading your experiences I now know what to expect. You all are amazing! Thanks again for all your support.

Hi, I thiink 40 pounds in 14 weeks is an amazing result! You should be proud. Why can you only keep down salads and soft foods? Is your fill too tight? Maybe you are craving sugar because you are not getting enough calories and/or Protein? I'm not banded yet, but hope to be soon. I would call your surgeon's office. Best of luck to you! Margie

I did a bunch of research before narrowing my list to 3 surgeons... 2 here in Idaho and 1 in Mexico. The patient coordinators of the two in Idaho were arrogant bitches who wouldn't answer any of my questions until I set up appointments with them first. I explained I was over 3 hours away from them, and just wanted some basic info (how many VSGs has he done, what's his complication rate, what are the pre and post op requirements, etc) but they refused to help me. My contact at the Mexico office was extremely helpful and exchanged dozens of emails and phone calls answering all of my questions. After more research, I discovered my Mexico option was by far the most experienced with a complication rate 1/100th of the US average, so that's who I went with. The best decision ever...great care and great results.

Oim currently on depo and I am not sure how well it will help. Before surgery it worked great but since the surgeries my period has came back and I've had it for 3 weeks. I'm a newbie 4 weeks next wednesday. I'm thinking about switching back tothe pill. But everytime I Get the shot I have gained a few pounds. Its different for everyone. But very common to gain