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I’ve had migraine since I was 14. Had surgery 12/10/19 down 34 lbs and my migraine are horrible! I have had one for every day for almost a month! I am currently waiting for insurance approval to try Botox!! My family all seems to think it’s bc I’m not eating enough and there are days I feel feel pressure to eat more! I think I’m eating too much I feel like I should have lost more by now! I struggle to get in exercise because of the migraines! Hopefully I get approved to try Botox My current migraine meds are not working!

I'm barely two weeks out from surgery and still on liquids only. A friend threw a party for another friend of ours and I had assumed it was going to be the open house sort of situation she normally hosts, but it turns out it was a small group and a sit down dinner. Neither of these friends know about my surgery and I wasn't ready to share so I had decided to say my stomach was a little upset so I wouldn't be drinking and prolly wouldn't eat much. Well turns out my stomach WAS upset and I had diarrhea (it cleared up before I left for the party, but I was worried it would resurface!!), so I guess I talked it up. In any case, that excuse worked and I put a few things on my plate moved them around, fed some to the dog, sipped water and nobody cared. But I was determined not to be "niced" into eating something (you know what I mean "have a small bite, it's OK!" or "Just taste this" or "a sip of champagne shouldn't upset your tummy anymore") before I left home and I was glad it turned out to not be needed. Just made me feel good about going forward and my commitment to lifestyle change.

Just attended a lecture on food cues and impulsivity. MRI scans showing brain activity were done on obese-prone and obese-resistant rats. The results? After two days of being over-fed, obese-prone rats had continued motivation for food. The obese-resistant rats motivation levels were nearly zero—and the effect lasted for days. Researchers are hopeful this research translates to us humans AND that we can make positive changes. Promising changes to appetite hormones and specialized behavioral changes could be the key. Believe it or leave it, MRIs on obese-prone people showed that after just six months of exercise motivation centers in the brain are reduced!

This past week as been one of the WORST ever. I ended up in the emergency room with SEVERE abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. I threw up all over the emergency room staff and was really scared something was wrong with my band. After being told it was only the "stomach flu" I finally got a decent dr who ran 3 or 4 more tests and viola! My gallbladder was infected and had to come out. I got my gallbladder out yesterday and am feeling like I got the band all over again. Ouch!! This explains why on a previous post I was complaining of constant nausea!! It hurts to breathe and the awful awful nausea! :sick So apprently after you lose a bunch of weight it's really commom to develop gallstones and possibly a gallbladder infection. So, if any of you guys end up in the ER with abdominal pain and vomiting insist on a gallbladder check bc weight loss can do that to you. If they tell you it's just the stomach flu don't buy it!!! After a few days I should be good as new! Can't wait to feel normal again! :phanvan

Alex Brecher has dubbed bariatric dietitian Elizabeth Anderson,BariatricPal.com's Reporter at Large for Obesity Week 2014. Elizabeth is attending nutrition lectures, seminars & meetings and she'll share news you can use throughout the week-- minus the scientific jargon. Just attended a lecture on food cues and impulsivity. MRI scans showing brain activity were done on obese-prone and obese-resistant rats. The results? After two days of being over-fed, obese-prone rats had continued motivation for food. The obese-resistant rats motivation levels were nearly zero—and the effect lasted for days. Researchers are hopeful this research translates to us humans AND that we can make positive changes. Promising changes to appetite hormones and specialized behavioral changes could be the key. Believe it or leave it, MRIs on obese-prone people showed that after just six months of exercise motivation centers in the brain are reduced!

Im suprised they did it that young. I had a 26yr old coworker who was allergic to latex and for some reason i cant remember now couldnt use bc. The drs and ins would not tie her tubes ubtil she was 30, even though she had a 10yr ols and a 3yr old. She basically used abortions as her birth control.

@Cheryl my insurance has always paid for my fills.. most plans that approved surgery should pay for the after care.. statements that everyone has to pay for fills out of pocket are simply not true.. Obamacare will change the way we all get our healthcare forever... sadly people like Donna will suffer the consequences.. the health care exchanges set up by the Feds will dicatate what and how you receive health care... period...

Welcome, I have empire bc/bs and called to get their policy (a 20 pg document) It seems as of January 1, 2008 no 6 month supervised diet (at least according to my plan. By the way I'm from Brooklyn too, nice to see brooklynites here Gigi

I too have PCOS but I'm to scared to go off BC. I have been on it for 15 years and every time in the past I went off it was a disaster. We're you lady's on BC before?

I get mine from www.mercola.com The whey is made from GMO free, antibiotic free, hormone free, free range grass fed beef. no artificial anything. If you are lactose intolerant, he also carries a vegetarian pea protein, but I have not tried it. I get the chocolate, but I think this time I am going to order the three pack that has strawberry, vanilla and chocolate. I've been told that Unjury has a good unflavored protein powder, but I haven't tried that one yet.

I weighed more in hospital too bc they pump you with all the fluids, then when I weighed in at my 7 day post up I had lost 8 pounds, my doctor said that was normal bc it was the fluids balancing out.

I gotta wait 6 months to. Hoping it flies by. BC I'm feeling impatient.

Hi All! I've had my band for 5 years now from today actually and it hasn't helped me at all. Like many, I lot weight, got sick and then gained it all back plus some. I'm making insurance calls and researching the sleeve. I've heard it's wonderful especially for candidates like me. Please give me any insight on what it's like to have revision and travel the "sleeve" journey. What's food intake like, sugar intake, similarities from the band or the differences, positives and negatives. I would love to pick as many brains as I can. I feel like I need to change what I'm doing now due to low success but scared that bc lapband was the wrong decision that I will make another wrong decision. Help! - Kara

my goal is to water ski - I've always been a watcher bc I've been to heavy for my own arms to support my weight. Maybe next summer.

Hey Jack, Thanks for your concern. I'm a nurse, so I'm well aware of what they're talking about, and what's involved in bypass versus the band versus DS; I've talked to several nurses at my work who've had the surgery and have been able to ask really detailed questions that the average WLS consumer might not think of. I have a list of 25 things I plan to ask the doctor during my consult. Apparently, the smaller the amount bypassed, and the earlier in the digestive process it takes place, the less malabsorption there is. (This "jibes" with everything I learned in nursing school, and has been verified by my husband who has a BS in Biology and who's counseled people on nutritional counseling). Obviously, ANY malabsorption is a problem, especially for someone with an autoimmune disease as I have. I need all the help I can get to keep my inflammatory condition at bay, which is why I take roughly 25 vitamins, mineral, and other various supplements a day. So that's an enormous concern. OTOH, not having anyone able to follow me after banding is a huge concern as well. Even the one doc up here who does fills is difficult to get in with and is talking about not doing them anymore; and he wont' actually touch the band, just do the odd fill. Yikes. There is literally no one within 2500 miles who would follow me and help me if I had a complication; I'm not sure people who don't live in Alaska quite understand how isolated we are up here, and how limited our health care choices are. It's really quite frustrating how limited we are. The lack of follow up care is scary for me, and why I'm reconsidering banding. The safest operation in the world becomes dangerous without proper follow up care. The money situation with us is enormously difficult. Without going into details that I'm uncomfortable sharing, there is no way I can have my surgery financed. I have to go through my insurance company or it will not happen. We've figuratively cut the fat out of our budget in order to support a family of FIVE on two health care worker's incomes (we're not doctors, just a nurse and dental assistant) in one of the most expensive states in the US. So it's not as though I'm not motivated; there is literally no way to do it (and I'm a persistent one). I can always wait until we move to Washington or Oregon sometime in the next 5 years, but how much weight will I have gained by then? (I don't wanna know). So it's frustrating right now. My insurance would cover me going to Texas for the band, but I'd have no follow up care. My new insurance (as of April 1) won't cover WLS at all. So if I'm going to do something, I have to do it now or else possibly wait several years. In the meantime, my mobility is failing, my comorbidities are getting worse, and my Sarcoidosis is getting worse as well, in part because of my inability to exercise and the stress of my weight on my lungs. (I was in the ER the other night because of a flare up, which led to a panic attack). Sucks to be me, doesn't it?

Hi All, Being nearly 40 and fed up of being a fat bloke I’ve decided to get myself some WLS. Thinking sleeve as don’t like the re-plumbing idea! My GP has referred me to the NHS bariatric service but I can’t face the wait so am looking at private options. Curently thinking of traveling to Belgium using either Prof Dillemans or Chris De Bruyne. Does anyone have any experiences of these guys and of getting aftercare back home in the UK?

Hi! I also have PCOS and I am going to go with the sleeve hopefully soon! My surgeon explained that for PCOS the sleeve is a better option for me  bc they remove the stomach hormones and if for some reason the sleeve doesn’t get the desired results then can always do a bypass down the road.  Something I just learned is dairy is not good for PCOS. I thought I was doing good drinking Premier Protein shakes and the dietician said to reduce dairy and do plant based Protein with almond milk fit shakes( Vega Protein Powder is sooo good) bc dairy cause inflammation and other trouble for pcos. Hopefully once you learn more and your test results come back you can make the best decision for yourself! Keep me posted on your journey! Good luck! 

I was banded about the same time as you and have been taking my regular Multivitamin each day since my six week checkup. I take it at night with my other meds (BC and Zoloft). I also take two Calcium citrate pills that are rather large. I split them in half. I take two halves in the AM and two halves in the PM. I currently have 4cc's in the standard AP (10cc) band. I don't have any trouble getting them down. And these were my doctors orders. Hope this helps. Sheila

I was able to eat 2.5 oz of soft pasta and 5 oz of ground beef. I feel very full now. But im super worried that I was able to fit almost 8oz in. Im thinking I just stretched out my sleeve. Maybe Bc these were soft foods. Im 5 weeks post op

Please don't think I'm being rude, but why not? I go out a lot. I don't drink as much anymore when I go out..... Only bc I don't like "drinking my calories." I did have a margarita twice this week bc it's Mardi Gras time in New Orleans, where I live. I just made sure to exercise a little extra those two days. I do eat out quite often. I mean, I have to eat, so what's the difference if I eat at home or in a restaurant. The one thing I do differently is that I check out the menu on line before I go so that I can pre plan what I will order. Live with your surgery. Enjoy your life. That's why I had the surgery...., so I could live again!!!!

Try Level, it's made for diabetic ppl, 1 g of sugar and 15 g of protein, it's 11 oz, a great supplement to the three meals a day... Also you can get it at walmart, in the diabetic section, chocolate and vanilla, Both taste good to me... I also suggests getting a lot of differnt kinds, try then out, dont invest in a large quantity bc If you can't stand the taste or texture then you'd have wasted money and have a bunch of drink you don't want. Isopure vanilla powder, is my go to protein shake, I use 8oz of Kirkland (costco brand) original soymilk (9g protein), 1 scoop of isopure (25g protein) 1 teaspoon of cocoa powder and a splash of sugar free hazelnut coffee creamer, it's delicious, almost like a cold coffee, minus the coffee, and it's 34g of protein!

Hi, I just started a new Vitamin Celebrate One 45. It’s a large capsule so I was surprised my dietician recommended it. I have been fine on the other Vitamins I have taken up until this one. Within 20mins of taking it I got nauseated and just felt off. Has anyone had any issues with this one? Not sure if it’s bc it’s so big, or if just being new I need to get used to it. I have a call out to my dietician but she doesn’t call back for several weeks and my surgeon says call the dietician lol. Not sure if I should try it again tomorrow to see if I get used to it. The only time o ever had an issue with a Vitamin was when I took a Iron pill years ago and it instantly made me sick… maybe to much iron in this? Any thoughts?

So.....stop. Just stop. Quit sabotaging your ability to gain results. It's not too late to get realigned with the suggested methods your bariatric group instructed you on. You use the term, "I can't ". I'm calling BS on this. You can, you simply choose not to. You've had weight loss surgery.....altered your body in order to set yourself up for losing weight. It's not to late to make the mental adjustments needed to support this. People the world over are flooding their gyms and diet centers this month in hopes of fulfilling their New Year's resolutions to lose weight. Be a joiner, lol. Follow along.....or better yet....lead the way. You've had a head start on them.....now leave them in the dust. Or don't. Your choice. Keep doing as you've always done and be content with not getting the most from your surgery. Or follow the rules and thrive with the benefits that will be forthcoming.

Anyone else in their first post op week feeling randomly emotional? Like I just had the intense urge to call my dad and weep. Not having regrets, no pain or even serious dicomfort and my boyfriend is taking excellant care of me, just felt like crying. I assume it the hormonal changes and most likely having to skip my BC for two in the hospital. Oh well, still happy to be on this side of the surgery!

Your body is literally in shock from surgery. It's trying to figure out what the crap you did to it, lol. And it will feel somewhat weird for a while, as all of your organs and bones and muscles try to adjust. I was on my period when I had surgery and I ended up bleeding for two weeks, then didn't have a period for over a month...when my doc put me back on my BC pills, things started to straighten out. Major surgery like the sleeve is a pretty large trauma to the body. Things will straighten out!! As long as you know you aren't pregnant, you're fine.