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Try microwaving them for about 10 seconds. The chocolate ones are really good that way as are the apple pie it softens them up quite a bit. Right out of the wrapper, not so much.

10 pounds in six weeks! I would be ecstatic! That's 1 and half pounds a week. Keep up the good work

My bmi was 45, I gained 20+ lbs from the band once they let the fluids out, since I was literally starved my body soaked up all the nutrition I could bring to it now and held on to all the weight. It was quite discouraging since I was trying to lose 10 lbs but instead gained 20.

I am now approved and have a date to be added to the losers bench. 01-04-17

I had 3 steroid injections over a few months last summer/fall--one in my S/I joint, one in my facet joints, and one epidural. I know a lot of people find relief with the injections, but they didn't make a difference with my pain. However, I think that my weight (and the fact that most of it it in my gut) has been causing most of my back issues--at over 40 lbs down now, my back is not bothering me nearly as much. The injections themselves are not a big deal. My doc did put me under to do them, but they only take about 10 minutes each. I couldn't drive the rest of that day, and slept most of it anyway. I did end up taking the following day off as well, because often you have increased pain for a few days immediately after the injection.

@@Oregondaisy I have had a lot of experience in this area. I had spondylothesis in my lower lumbar. My disc was almost completely worn away and my L5 had actually fallen creating an unstable lumbar. The nerve was actually trapped caused severe nerve pain. In 2001 I had a lumbar fusion of my l5/S1. Lumbar is a huge surgery and takes a very long time to recover. I was left with nerve damage that ran down my right leg. It almost ended my career because we could not get the pain under control. Many many epidural injections, physical therapy and narcotics and I was still in severe pain but my spine was stable. I wanted a non narcotic solution and finally learned about an internal neuro stimulator. We tested it externally and immediately when we turned it on the pain down my leg improved so significantly I began to cry. Two weeks later I had it installed surgically. That Neurostimulatoe gave me my life back! That was in 2005. I went so many years in severe pain before I found a solution. I have recently had a 3 level spinal fusion in my cervical spine. This too was a huge surgery. Because of the years of recovery needed for lumbar fusion I was terrified to have another fusion and waited until the problem became required due to cord compression. Cervical fusion although painful is definately not as bad as lumbar fusion. Before I had my lumbar fusion a neurosurgeon told me that if I was his wife, mother or daughter he would recommend that I wait until it was absolutely required to survive before having lumbar fusion. One fusion can change everything about how your spine operates causing more damage down the road. He warned me that this is such a long recovery and if you think you know pain now, you definately will after. I really wish I would have listened to him because he was right. I would try every single alternative more than once before moving forward. I wish I had know about the neurostimulator first, it would have made my pain so much more comfortable that I would have been able to live with it without lumbar fusion. I ended up having that lumbar fusion and then a revision before I found a tolerable solution. I have done a ton of research on this subject. I truly believe that my whole spine has been effected by my decision to move forward with lumbar fusion. I now have severe arthritis in my T vertebraes as well as the deterioration of my cervical spine. I still have lower lumbar pain every day but that neurostimulator finally broke through that nerve pain in my leg. Lastly I would say, epidural injections are definately worth it as long as you get results. I used them for 12 years to control my cervical spine pain and when the wear got too bad they stopped working, that is when I knew it was time to think about fusion in my neck. Good luck in whatever you decide to do. Just make sure you manage your expectations. Just because they are doing surgery, does not mean that nerve pain will go away. You may have to find other solutions. I choose not to live on narcotics and have learned there are many more options out there to deal with my pain. I was living on narcotics for over 10 years and honestly they didn't even really help. I know I will live with back pain for the rest of my life, I also know that the more I exercise the better I feel. I no longer let it rule me. I definately did at one point in my life. I will say a prayer that everything works out great for you in whatever you decide. My post is not meant to scare you, but More to make sure you research like crazy before deciding, Best of luck and feel free to reach out directly with questions.

I am only 19 years old and will be turning 20 by the end of this month. I decided to have this surgery about a month and a half ago and I've already completed my pre-surgery checklist. I should be able to schedule my surgery within the next few weeks. I've noticed that when I research the sleeve and success stories, not many of the sleevers are young like me. Is anyone else having this surgery in their early 20's? It would be great to connect with some individuals who made this decision at a young age such as I am!

WOW, I didn't start having those kinds of issues until about a year and 1/2 after my band was placed and then we finally found that my hiatal hernia had ripped out (worse than originally). It took so long mainly because I kept dragging my feet because I was afraid I'd lose my band, but unfilled it might as well have been gone anyway. My husband can count on one hand how many times he's puked since his surgery. My mother and sister don't either. Can't speak for the other people I know because I'm not that close. I assumed when they say they don't have problems they mean it. We've all accidently swallowed something not properly chewed and had some discomfort until it finally settled. There are foods that make my relatives and I uncomfortable like dry meat and white breads, white rice and other sticky things like that. But I was hoping that would continue to be a "problem" with the sleeve because I considered it a great tool to keep me on track eating healthier nutrition packed foods rather than calorie/carbs with little else of value. I only know personally one person (who I forgot in my original count, so I guess that makes 10 now) who went out of state. Ohio many facilities that are reputable and have a lot of experience. The person who went out of state actually went out of the country about 4 years ago. Her port flipped and she's never had a fill because she could barely afford the first trip and has not had the money to go back to have it fixed and it will cost more to do it locally. I don't know who she went to in Mexico, but doctor in Ohio who tried to fill it didn't bad mouth her surgeon. I guess that's something that can happen anywhere, though it's rare. I'm glad I'm sleeved, I don't have anything bad to say about it so far. But I hate to be overly praising it because I just don't feel we have the numbers of patients long term yet to know what the risks will be in a few years. I've seen the very people on another board who two years ago were practically "selling bands." Now because they had issues and they've been sleeved are acting as if ALL bands WILL fail and ALL sleeves will be successful. Heaven forbid if they have issues with their sleeves they will probably be badmouthing sleeves and "selling" whatever salvage surgery they end up with... until that has problems... I just don't think we know enough yet to think any weightloss surgery is THE one. It might be THE one for me, but not someone else. In weighing the pros and cons, I will say that if someone were going a good distance for WLS surgery I would probably recommend the sleeve over the band simply because the follow up is less and it's often difficult to find someone who is willing to take over fills if your surgery wasn't done with them. My surgeon used to, but he has so many patients now he feels it's unfair for his patients to have to wait longer for fills. I learned yesterday that I will have to take B-12 weekly because that is mainly absorbed in the stomach not the intestines. I just don't know if we know enough about what else the removed potion of the stomach does longterm. Time will tell.

I agree. I'd love to find just one band patient that has had their band for 10 years without complications, another surgery, a 2nd band, or the ever popular "band issues". I was able to find 1 band patient on OH that had her band for almost 9 years, she is on her 2nd band, and now is going in for a revision to the sleeve. She just "lived" with the band issues because she thought it was a fair trade off to lose the majority of her weight. For me, it's not about doing well, or losing _____% of my excess weight. It boils down to quality of life. Not being able to eat a good, healthy balanced diet because certain foods would not go down, or the ever lovely puking on the same food I ate the day before without issue. For me, that is not a high and pleasurable quality of life. Not to mention all of the maintenance, in and out for fills and unfills trying to find the sweet spot. The stats on revisions for sleeve patients that have been documented at 5-7 years out is between 3-5% vs. 25% with the band. For me, that speaks volumes. We all know someone or several that have done well with each WLS option. Unfortunately, I know way more people that have complications or "band issues" than I know true success stories. It is a personal choice. You have to weigh all the pros and cons. Look at the big picture, and then proceed. My mom has a band, and is almost 3 years out. She pukes 2-4 times weekly. Lives on mushy, soft solids, can't eat lettuce or bread, and forget chicken. She's had over 20 fills/unfills trying to find the sweet spot, and still at almost 3 years out she has 40 pounds to goal. BUT, per the stats, she's considered a success. I just hope she doesn't screw up her stomach tissue along the way by just "dealing/living" with band issues. On the other hand, my younger brother has a band also and is about 15 months out, he's lost over 100lbs and doesn't have any of the band issues with the exception of eating certain foods. Unfortunately, he hates getting the fills at this point so he's on a forced diet because they can't get the fill right on him either. If I wanted to diet, I wouldn't have gone through WLS to begin with. Think twice, cut once.

I was told 100mcg a day for the b12. I was tired too on the 10th day...I am 22 days out now and i went back to work this week and I still feel better than i did on day 10. I too thought that something was wrong but there wasnt i had blood drawn and all that good stuff. just keep the water bottle to your lips when you are supposed to and sip sip sip. I know its so annoying when we say that but I promise you that you will be able to suck it down much faster very soon.. I can get through 66 oz and more at this point. you just have to focus on it...and if you need a nap take one..it will get better I promise.

I was banded May 13. I went in for the Pre-Op on the day before, and asked to report to the Hospital at 7:30 am. I was not called in untill almost 10:00am. I started my Protein diet 2 weeks before at 240 and on Surgery day I was 223. Nurse started the IV, gave me a shot of anticlog med., put on leg massagers and was taken in for surgery at about 11:00 am. Next thing I remember I was in recovery being to move from bed to a recliner. I was taken for the x-ray and asked to go to the restroom and given a sip of juice. I was given instructions to go home and was discharged at 2 pm. The first 3 days were the hardest in the sence that it was so hard to get in and out of bed and out of chairs. I did not have problems with the shoulder pain, Thank God. But gas was some what uncomfortable. I am still on liquids. I've been having cream soups. I put them in the blinder and use water instead of milk and it does the job. I do get full very quick. I am not able to eat nearly as much as before. I went back to work yesterday and by noon I was tired and very sore. I got home at 3pm took med and slept until this morning. So all seems to be going good. My coworkers say that they are able to see a big difference already. I have not actually weighed myself yet, but I did notice some shirts fitting a little lose. Did anyone have surgery on the same day or close enough that can share their experience with me?? Good luck to all.:laugh:

It's a decision I've been struggling with myself; having to wait a long time to see my dr for the referral is just giving me more time to second guess myself. On my own I'm always able to lose 10-20 lbs but no more than that and end up gaining back more; time to break the cycle! I've been chatting with the surgeon's office and they are confident I met my insurance company's requirements; thought I'm scared of the thought of going through with this I'm more afraid of what might happen if I don't. Can't wait for the day when I no longer need my CPAP and blood pressure meds! No matter what you decide, I wish you well on your journey...

Hi VST, I wanted to post for you my three months results post vsg with Dr. Ramos Kelly. This last month showed a 9 lb loss and this month is the same with a 9 lb loss, however this month showed a big turn out in inches. (You can view inches lost for this month now, just scroll down) So my body is changing its shape finally and many are seeing the difference including me. I am being more lenient with my diet, but I try to always stick with my water and protein first. I have yet to drink any soda or type of carbonated beverage and would now consider my self a nonsmoker as I have not smoked since I started my pre-op diet back in late April. Yippee!! Bonus, I am still taking my vitamins everyday which I thought would be difficult as I have never been on the pill popping thing, but I'm still trucking along with it. I will get some blood work done next month so I can compare it to my results before surgery. I will share them with you if you when I get them. I still use vertical sleeve talk.com to ask any questions I have and for support as well as a way for me to share my results with others. I also am still using the weighttracker.info to keep all my personal number data. This is a great site because they give so many ways to keep track of weight, inches, and so much more; plus I love to use the graphs on days I feel down. I try not to ever over do the scale. Some weeks there is a great loss and others there just isn't. Then it starts up again so I try to only weigh once a week on my Tuesdays so that I can add my weight to my charts. You will be able to see below in results, but I have only lost 3 lbs. in two weeks, but currently this week I have already lost 3 lbs. too. It's so weird, but I feel like I am getting a hold of the slows and the quicks on the scale and stick to what I am suppose to do and believe that all things will turn out fine. So no huge changes, but the ship is moving along just fine and from where I was to where I am now it has been amazing. Now to the results. Start Weight: 273 Pre-op: --- 6 lbs. lost Surgery Weight: 267 1 month: 247 -- bmi 39.0 -- 20 lbs lost 2 month: 238 -- bmi 37.3 -- 9 lbs lost 3 month: 229 -- bmi 35.9 --- 9 lbs lost Lost since surgery: -38 Lost Total: -44 lbs. Weekly Break Down, lbs. lost pre-op week: 6 lbs week 1 -- 8 lbs. 2 --5 3 --3 4 --2 5 --2 6 --3 7 --3 8 --1 9 --2 10 --6 11 --0 12 --2 13 --1 Start Jean size: 24/22 Current Jean size: 20 loose/18/16 Start Shirt size: 3x/2x Current Shirt size: 2x/ 1x Inches: Neck Start: 16 Last: 15 Recent: 14.5 Loss: -.5 Total Loss: -1.5 Upper Arm Start: 15 Last: 14 Recent: 14 Loss: 0 Total Loss: -1 Forearm Start: 11.5 Last: 11 Recent: 10.5 Loss: -.5 Total Loss: -1 Waist Start: 49 Last: 43 Recent: 40.5 Loss: -2.5 Total Loss: -8.5 Abdomen (belly button) Start: 55 Last: 51 Recent: 47.5 Loss: -3.5 Total Loss: -7.5 Hips Start: 55 Last: 51 Recent: 49 Loss: -2 Total Loss: -6 Bust Start: 54 Last: 50 Recent: 48 Loss: -2 Total Loss: -6 Chest Start: 44 Last: 40 Recent: 38.5 Loss: -1.5 Total Loss: -5.5 Thigh Start: 30.5 Last: 28 Recent: 27 Loss: -1 Total Loss: -3.5 Calf Start: 17.5 Last: 17 Recent: 16 Loss: -1 Total Loss: -1.5 1st month loss: -19.5 in 2nd month loss: -9 in 3rd month loss: -14.5 in Total Lost: -43 inches

You really need to ask your doctor about this. I was told to absolutely not lift anything over 10 lbs for at least 2 weeks, or until I get the ok from my doc. Best of luck!

Question 1- I struggled. There was a time right at the beginning of the pandemic (1st surgery was Dec 2019) where all I could drink besides hot tea was grape powderade zero (hated artificial grape pre-op) and everywhere was out. I distinctly remember crying in my car, like full on grief crying. I had buyers remorse for several weeks after that wondering if I’d ever be normal again. Be prepared with emotional/ therapeutic support if you’re already battling disordered eating. Question 2- A dry cough is indeed a symptom of gerd. For me, it’s now hiccups. If you’ve ever heard those honking plastic chickens just know that’s what I sound like. I did end up having a revision to RNY and hiatal hernia repair. They don’t remove your stomach, it’s still in there, they just bypass most of it and attach it in a y shape to another part of the intestines while keeping a small portion attached. The only reason I have hiccups again is because I have another hiatal hernia that needs repaired. Would I do it all over again knowing the journey I’ve been on? Absolutely. Would I also be more prepared mentally? Also, absolutely.

I wonder if any one is experiencing thin hair?. I was told before surgery that hair lost is one of the side effects. My hair is thinning and this is not funny. Has any one tried anything that has helped? I am great full with my weight lost at this point, hopefully still to loose more a little stalling but that's okay. Initial weight 200 lb, surgery date 10/10/16 current weight 157 so far. Sent from my SM-G920T using the BariatricPal App

I get my Band on 10/31/06. I have to admit,,, I'm getting nervous. I've got all these people telling me "Shirley don't do it! Youv'e already lost a lot of weight!" Like I don't no this wright??? Anyway they are telling me about how many people they no that have had this done, and they are forever sick. "My guess is By-Pass Surgery" They just don't no the difference. I'm told I wil never eat again. I no I plan too! I no it won't be much, but,, I still plan to eat someday. If some one out there wants to get back to me, and give me some pointers or tips. I would really appreciate it. Because I have all ready bought my Protien Drinks, I've watched a tape on the Procedure, I'm going for my Pre-Op visit Wednesday,Whew, I'm trying to get all my ducks in a row as they say. But,,, somehow my head is getting spun around So please get back. I'm in Michigan, my highest weight was 356, now 239 that's on 1200 calorie diet it works!!! My Surgeon is Jeffrey Genaw. Out of Henry Ford Hospital.

My face within 4 days of surgery and now 19 days post-op everyone is commenting on the drastic change in my face and abdominal area. I can tell because size 42 pants which were snug on me 3 weeks ago fall off of me without a belt to hold them up. I put on a pair of size 36 jeans 4 days ago...albeit they were a TAD tight in the waist.

hello lynn,i was banded in melbourne july 19 like you i am on 3 site's i also love being on this site, i love your state my son live's in embleton so have been over there a few time's,i'm sure you'll have no regret's about your decision to be lapbanded i am one of the slower one's it has taken me all that time to lose 10 kilo's but it's the best i have done for many years, jenny

I'm four days post op, sleeved on 4/14 I've tried to keep a positive attitude throughout, but today it's been difficult to do so. I'm an over-prepper. I've read hundreds of forum threads and watched dozens of youtube videos. I came into this knowing exactly what to expect, that there were a lot of different possible things that could happen and pains I might feel, but that my journey would be my own. I knew about Water nausea, gas pains, walking, throwing up, lightheadedness, Protein, the works, What I wasn't prepared for was the abdominal pain. The 'big stitch'. This is the pain in my lower abdomen, right side, from the biggest incision, where the stomach is pulled through. There's a figure 8 stitch underneath the surface keeping my tissue and muscles together so I won't get a hernia in this spot. And it's some of the worst pain I've ever felt. You don't really realize how much you use your core/abdominal muscles until you suddenly can't. Lifting my right leg is nearly impossible because of the pain. So is pulling with my right arm. In the hospital, the techs had to lift my right leg for me when I got in and out of bed. Everything has to be done with my left side.. pulling myself into bed, off the toilet, or getting out of a vehicle. My legs dangled off the edge of the seat in my roommate's truck when I tried getting out on day 2, and it was the most excruciating 30 seconds or so of my life until he came and helped lower me down to the ground. I was nauseous from it and nearly threw up. Because of that, I haven't dared leave the house in a vehicle in fear of repeating it. I can't put on socks or pants by myself. I feel like an invalid. I am discouraged this morning. I've been trying to take myself off the tramadol so I can be somewhat coherent. I don't like feeling drugged up, because it makes me lethargic and I spend the day dozing in and out of sleep. I want to be walking and active (and have been. I walk around the house several times a day and have gone on two long walks around the neighborhood). I want to start healing. But the abdominal pain is nearly constant, shooting to a 10 on the pain scale when I use those muscles. So, I took a dose of meds this morning. I'm really surprised this pain hasn't been really talked about in this forum and others. Is it because it's rare to have? Does it resolve quickly for most people? I'm feeling pretty alone in this. My gas pain has been so minimal, and drinking water has been so easy, I feel like if i didn't have this stitch pain, I'd have a very easy ride right now. But this has been almost all I can focus on due to the intensity. I could use some support.. words of encouragement.. advice.. anything. I know this will be worth it in the end. I'm not falling into the trap of buyer's remorse. But this is still very difficult to handle physically and mentally here in the moment.

My pre op was Friday with the surgeon and all was well my pre op diet starts the 4th of June. My dr. Makes everyone do 10 days on a liquid diet. Sent from my SM-G900P using the BariatricPal App

Hi all! I just had my Gastric Bypass on 4/10/18. I was out of the hospital by 4/11 and have been having trouble getting a full night's sleep. At this point I don't even nap during the day, and I'm still up half the night. Has this happened to anyone else? Any tips on how to get through this? Hoping it doesn't last much longer!!! Thanks, SaRose

Hi everyone!! I am very new to this, I just created my account this morning. Im not sure if this is the correct place to be posting this so if its not please let me know. Let me first start off by congratulating everyone on your weight loss!!! ( green with envy over here) I am 39 years old, 5ft. 6 and 216 pounds. I am wanting to lose approx. 80 pounds. I started researching WLS options about 2 months ago. I am still trying to decide between the plication and the sleeve. My story is no different than so many people I see in the different forums. I have tried just about every diet out there even the lovely cabbage Soup diet (gag). My weight has been up and down for the last 10 years. Im so tired of the yoyo and the emotional scars that come with it. Ok so enough of the pity party. What I would like to know is this: What made you decide on plication verses the sleeve? Or any other one How did you decide on what doctor to go to? Have you been happy with your choice? What about emotional eating? Stress eating? If there is a problem after surgery where do you go? ( assuming it was done abroad and you live in the states) Thank you in advance for any insight you may have.

My surgeon also does his as outpatient. I'm scheduled for October 19.