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Thanks guys!! I searched the forums for the "first bite syndrome" and was pleasantly surprised to find exactly what I needed. I tried the hot tea before supper tonight (and also a cracker 20 min before supper - something else I read about) and WOW...what a difference. I sat there and got through my entire meal with minimal discomfort!! My first query on this site was a total success!!!!

hi there! i haven't had surgery but am seriously considering a private consultation with Dr Kennedy. i heard that the operation is no longer available in this country on NHS and has to be done in england - some newspaper article i read online that was published in Feb 2008. not sure if this has been changed though! seriously considering going private here but not sure what the cost is and if payment plans are available? would love to know if you have seen Dr Kennedy and can answer any of my many many LOL! queries!! my doctor supports me which is great and has referred me for a consultation in belfast, but this could take upto 6 months alone! angie xx

Hello everyone I'm a Day 4 Post Op Sleever from Down Under and I had some queries that I figured you would all be best at answering. My surgery was last Wednesday, 22 October and was a complete success. I was out of hospital on Friday and have very little pain from my incisions. My greatest amount of pain is from my IV site which hurts like a complete mudda four days on!! I have no idea what they jambed down that needle, but holy God, it's done some damage!!! Now, I've got all my information of how I should be eating from the dietician. I am currently on a full liquid diet and can consume anything that can be sucked through a straw. Each day, I increase my quantities in ten milligram increments until I reach 100ml which is where I'll stay. I've been very careful about not inhaling liquids too fast or having anything too thick, but I'm finding no troubles at all with what I'm doing thus far. I measure out my amounts and I eat my Soups or drinks using a spoon and always make sure that one spoon sip is taken and swallowed down before I embark on the next one. What I'm struggling with is that I don't seem to have any problems with my liquids. I don't get the feeling I'm too full or that I've drunk too quickly or anything. And this will sound strange to ask, but is that normal???? I'd have thought I'd have some issues at some point. Albeit, I'm not pushing the envelope here - I think down my liquids and can take regular sips without problem My only side effect I seem to get is gas - a joyously happy sensation where I end up trying to mimic a mother rocking a baby, in the hopes that the wretched air bubbles come up. So from everyone's experiences here, am I sounding like I'm doing ok?? Should I be feeling like I can't take in the designated mills that my dietician has advised?? I certainly have had no nausea and every day I feel better and better with little tiredness. I'm thinking I'm doing something wrong!!! That said, I am losing weight. Since surgery, I've come down about 3-4kgs. I'm just worried that I'm doing something amiss and will bugger up my new tummy and make it too big. So please forgive the early day paranoia talking, but would love to hear everyone's opinions/advice. Thanks kindly RozzieJ

Hi, everyone - I'm on my first day of mushies. While I know not to eat and drink at the same time, I'd like to know, from your experience, how much time should go by after eating before it's okay to drink again. :help:

I'm THE WORST person in the world to talk about other human interactions but I'll give you my current take on your query.. Just go do it... Find something you like to do... Preferably something legal.. Find a group that is already doing it... Join in.. If all those people suck, move on to another group.. Eventually you'll strike up something with someone... Use this forum as a starting place... So many people with so much in common here... Ok, it's not necessarily gonna be coffees and play dates.. But (from what I hear), an e-friend can be every bit as good as a 'real life' friend.. I reckon friends are like taxis... When you don't need one, there's hundreds around.. But when you need one - nothing!! But that may just be my bitter, realistic side showing... You'll be fine... Unless you're some sort of freak... And even then, there'll be a group somewhere for such people.. Good luck on your Quest my friend!!!

Hey ladies, Sorry if this is too intimate a topic of conversation, but have a query and nobody to ask. I was watching "embarrasing Bodies" on TV, and someone had undergone a labiaplasty to tidy up her bits, and it occurred to me that we carry fat all over our bodies, so what happens down stairs when we start to get thinner? I've thought about my arms, or legs or boobs sagging, and I'm kind of prepared for the "apron", but now I have a new phobia developing!!

It takes a while to get the hang if it all. You are right about the slider food part, sliders don't work with the band you need the right textured foods to be squeezed through the band so it can send those messages to your brain to trick it into believing you're full. Also Protein keeps you full longer. What I always do is always have canned tuna or canned Beans in my pantry and if I'm limited with time to cook myself chicken, eggs, fish etc I quickly make a yummy tuna, tomato and onion salad with just a drizzle of olive oil, you meet the texture and protein requirement. Have you seen a nutritionist? If not maybe a couple of meetings with one to guide you how to eat with a band might be a good idea. I only had two appointments because it was part of my aftercare program but if I have any issues or queries she is always available via email or phone. It's just a matter of fine tuning your diet and knowing what to always eat and once you've got that sorted it does make things a lot easier. Do a search on the Internet for high protein foods, print it out and refer to it, I've done this and have it stuck on my fridge.

You can party without booze. Holding a drink in your hand doesn't make the fun. You do. Take your own Nesttea or whatever. My friends don't look at my glass and query what is in it. As for eating look around you most thin people are not eating. Drinks and food are props you make the fun. Doddie

Well aren't you making quite the grand entrance to the conversation @ Not only are you talking to me whilst pooing, you're also talking boobs and foreplay with the beautiful @@CHM This young lady happens to be my favourite person in the world... So with that in mind, I trust you'll treat her well... Now, to your query - It's my theory that, as you expel your waste, you subconsciously feel the need to replace it. And as everybody knows, when it's time to talk sh*t, you come and see the doctor.. Not just any doctor... THIS doctor!! So tell your family and friends... Shout it from the rooftops... For the best sh*t, you come talk to Dr KindaFamiliar!!!! NEXT!!!!

Thank you all for your input.. I said last night that I'd reply to each of you so here goes... @@Christinamo7 I'm aiming for a higher Protein than the 'bare minimum'. I've been a regular gym-goer but have been a little lax recently... (It seems I've been distracted..) When I'm doing weights, I do tend to consume more protein. Again, I've not been tracking until the past two days and I'm ok with my protein intake and my fats. I've not been certain about carbs so have been taking it easy. But from what I've seen in the thread, I may be underdoing the carbs. Thank you very much for your input @@DaisyAmy I intend doing myself up a new training regimen this weekend. I'm going to add some HIIT to three of my cardio sessions as well as starting some more strict weights. Good luck with breaking your stall.. Keep us posted!! @@FrankiesGirl You make a good observation re the 'cheat meal'. That was something I partook in during a past weight loss experiment and it did seem to work. Once I've got used to tracking, I think I'll add a Sunday night cheat meal and see if that helps. You say you try to keep your carbs under 100g daily - I've noticed that I'm sitting at around 40g per day. I've no real idea about such things so if 100g is closer to the mark, I'm definitely short on carbs. I also note that, when I add my exercise (not that I've done it but I'm just checking), my 'net calories' appears to be waaaay to low. I'm thinking I may try the high cal/low cal on alternating days, depending on exercise levels and intensity. Thank you for taking the time to reply... @@fernandfj Again, I note that you're around 100g of carbs per day. As I stated earlier, my carb intake is MUCH lower than that, so it looks like I'll need to up them somewhat. Like you, I have three meals and two Snacks. I also add a 'recovery' Protein shake after my morning gym session in an effort to alleviate the DOMS etc. Thanx for your input mate... Much appreciated! @@Bufflehead I'm trying 1500 cal a day now. Doing the tracking of course, just to see where i'm at. Hopefully the mindfulness re consumption plus a change in exercise will kick-start things.. Thank you so much for replying. Your assistance is appreciated.. @@gary5862 Yep, the exercise will be changing. I've been 'lifting' to some degree, but not recording weights and reps etc... I'll be doing up a new program on the weekend and will refer back to your post when I'm setting my reps/sets.. Thanx for your input mate... And for doing the math for the 'dumb Americans'... @@LipstickLady At least you said those things needed to be 'tracked' and not 'recorded'. I can only imagine what sort of recordings you'd be after!! I don't mind either the 5:2 or the 18:6 theories. I'd forgotten about both of them. As I'm still yet to feel hungry, either of them will be relatively easy for me to have a crack at. I'm not sure that I want your friends analyzing me. Actually, I had a friend of mine ask me to be a 'case study' for her Psychology assignment. That lasted exactly one 'session'. I was no use to her because it seems I broke all the psychological 'rules' that she was trying to prove... But I digress... I've no fear of the dark side. Feel free to tell me more... Thank you for taking the time to reply.. @@Inner Surfer Girl Yep, I'm new to the whole tracking thing. I didn't feel the need for it until now. I was one of the 'lucky' ones who had been around the weight loss thing for a few years so had some level of knowledge. My protein target varies depending on exercise/weights. I aim for at least 100 if I'm not lifting and for 140+ if I am. As far as fats go, I'm getting most of mine from fish. Salmon in particular. Fresh and smoked. I have smoked for lunch and fresh for dinner. Now, I don't like fish - but it's the best way to get what I need protein- and fats-wise. In the carb department, I MOSTLY stay away from the crappy carbs... But I'm also a weak, weak man... And I really miss Pasta... Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm... Gnocchi... Thanx so much for your input. Your advice is ALWAYS welcome. @@Wolfgirl78 I've put all my details into the MFP app. I'm just tweaking the protein/carb/fats balance, hoping to get it right. I did notice that what it wanted me to eat was pretty high. 2400cal if I remember correctly. I guess if the 1500 cals experiment I can always up them to somewhere closer to the recommended level. Like a lot of people here, I'm doing protein first and everything else after that. Thanks for sharing your advice.. @@Tommy Joe As stated earlier in this post, I do remember having the 'cheat meal/day' in a prior attempt at losing. I know it didn't harm the losing so it's definitely worth another shot. Good luck with your WLS mate. Keep us posted with your progress.. And thanks you for your kind words. I've not taken the time to 'celebrate' my losses yet, but I'm a lot closer than I was 12 months ago. Cheers mate... @@mistybell Thank you!!! Any input is helpful. Again, I seem to be underachieving in the carbs department. I've been staying under 40g per day, yet everyone seems to be up around 80-100g a day. Definitely something I'll be looking at. Thanks for your reply... @@jintycb Yeah, I'm getting there!! Thanx for your kind words... Apart from the 'mankini' references. The advice one can get here is invaluable. I know I can ALWAYS post a query and get a variety of responses. I'm definitely looking into the caloric increase to kick things off again. And yeah, you know when the stall passes - it'll be alllll over these boards!!! Thank you... @@Dub Oh yeah - we looooove the stalls!! I do my protein powders each day. They're low/no carbs. I'm up over 100g each day, with 140+ if I'm doing the weights. And I'm hearing you re the 'crunch'... That's the sh*t that I crave... I just chew ice... It doesn't really help - but it's a good story to tell... Thanx for your advice mate... Much appreciated All - Thank you so much for taking the time to reply. As stated, I know that there's always a variety of answers and that's pretty much what I was after. Of course, if anyone else has any advice, I'm all ears!! Post it here or flick me a PM.. Thanx again all.. Kinda...

Hi there, I'm looking to speak to some women who have undergone bariatric surgery for an article in New York Magazine to learn about their experiences. Quotes could be under pseudonyms if people aren't comfortable sharing their real names. Would anyone from your group be interested in speaking with me briefly on the phone next week? Thanks so much! Anna Silman, senior culture writer at The Cut/New York Magazine You can reach me at anna.silman@nymag.com

To be blunt and to not waste anyones time.. Asking a surgeon for a detailed response about the effects of bariatric surgery on an individuals metabolic rate (particularly as we're all different) is like asking a baker to fix a rare sports car. In short, you need an endocrinologist. As for the impeded weight loss. You sadly had a bit of a rough trot of it immediately after your surgery - so this would definitely have short-circuited the system - giving much credence to the points made by our learned friends on this site, that you may have to wait it out and see how your body normalises. As far as references for current academic research go, please see below. As you'll know, academic research is normally very narrow in its focus, so you'll have to go through quite a few of them in order to assimilate a potential 'ground truth' for yourself. However, there are some articles which offer the generic information you seek which might at least allay your current fears. Naturally, this comes with the caveat that without full knowledge of the endless subtleties and nuances the endocrine system plays on our bodies, it might appear attractive to propose one hypothesis for your current predicament, for it to then be incorrect because of a previously unidentified and unevaluated interaction. Consequently, if you want your rare sports car fixed? Go see a specialist mechanic Hope this helps. Any questions or queries, please do not hesitate to ask. Best of luck, Daydra x Bariatric surgery in obesity: Changes of glucose and lipid metabolism correlate with changes of fat mass Original Research Article Nutrition, Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases, Volume 19, Issue 3, March 2009, Pages 198-204 F. Frige', M. Laneri, A. Veronelli, F. Folli, M. Paganelli, P. Vedani, M. Marchi, D. Noe', P. Ventura, E. Opocher, A.E. Pontiroli Show preview | PDF (216 K) | Recommended articles | Related reference work articles 2 Effect of bariatric surgery on liver glucose metabolism in morbidly obese diabetic and non-diabetic patients Original Research Article Journal of Hepatology, In Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available online 20 September 2013 Heidi Immonen, Jarna C. Hannukainen, Patricia Iozzo, Minna Soinio, Paulina Salminen, Virva Lepomäki, Ronald Borra, Riitta Parkkola, Andrea Mari, Terho Lehtimäki, Tam Pham, Jukka Laine, Vesa Kärjä, Jussi Pihlajamäki, Lassi Nelimarkka, Pirjo Nuutila Show preview | PDF (808 K) | Recommended articles | Related reference work articles 3 Dramatic Reversal of Derangements in Muscle Metabolism and Left Ventricular Function After Bariatric Surgery Original Research Article The American Journal of Medicine, Volume 121, Issue 11, November 2008, Pages 966-973 Joshua G. Leichman, Erik B. Wilson, Terry Scarborough, David Aguilar, Charles C. Miller III, Sherman Yu, Mohamed F. Algahim, Manuel Reyes, Frank G. Moody, Heinrich Taegtmeyer Show preview | Purchase PDF | Recommended articles | Related reference work articles For purchase 4 Bariatric surgery and its impact on sleep architecture, sleep-disordered breathing, and metabolism Review Article Best Practice & Research Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, Volume 24, Issue 5, October 2010, Pages 745-761 Silvana Pannain, Babak Mokhlesi Show preview | PDF (355 K) | Recommended articles | Related reference work articles 5 Progressive Regression of Left Ventricular Hypertrophy Two Years after Bariatric Surgery Original Research Article The American Journal of Medicine, Volume 123, Issue 6, June 2010, Pages 549-555 Mohamed F. Algahim, Thomas R. Lux, Joshua G. Leichman, Anthony F. Boyer, Charles C. Miller III, Susan T. Laing, Erik B. Wilson, Terry Scarborough, Sherman Yu, Brad Snyder, Carol Wolin-Riklin, Ursula G. Kyle, Heinrich Taegtmeyer Show preview | Purchase PDF | Recommended articles | Related reference work articles For purchase 6 ESR1 gene and insulin resistance remission are associated with serum uric acid decline for severely obese patients undergoing bariatric surgery Original Research Article Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases, In Press, Corrected Proof, Available online 14 November 2012 Weu Wang, Tsan-Hon Liou, Wei-Jei Lee, Chung-Tan Hsu, Ming-Fen Lee, Hsin-Hung Chen Show preview | Purchase PDF | Recommended articles | Related reference work articles For purchase 7 American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, The Obesity Society, and American Society for Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery Medical Guidelines for Clinical Practice for the Perioperative Nutritional, Metabolic, and Nonsurgical Support of the Bariatric Surgery Patient Review Article Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases, Volume 4, Issue 5, Supplement, September–October 2008, Pages S109-S184 Jeffrey I. Mechanick, Robert F. Kushner, Harvey J. Sugerman, J. Michael Gonzalez-Campoy, Maria L. Collazo-Clavell, Safak Guven, Adam F. Spitz, Caroline M. Apovian, Edward H. Livingston, Robert Brolin, David B. Sarwer, Wendy A. Anderson, John Dixon Show preview | PDF (1294 K) | Recommended articles | Related reference work articles 8 Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Perioperative Nutritional, Metabolic, and Nonsurgical Support of the Bariatric Surgery Patient—2013 Update: Cosponsored by American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, The Obesity Society, and American Society for Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery Review Article Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases, Volume 9, Issue 2, March–April 2013, Pages 159-191 Jeffrey I. Mechanick, Adrienne Youdim, Daniel B. Jones, W. Timothy Garvey, Daniel L. Hurley, M. Molly McMahon, Leslie J. Heinberg, Robert Kushner, Ted D. Adams, Scott Shikora, John B. Dixon, Stacy Brethauer Show preview | Purchase PDF | Recommended articles | Related reference work articles For purchase 9 Bariatric surgery and the gut-brain communication—The state of the art three years later Review Article Nutrition, Volume 26, Issue 10, October 2010, Pages 925-931 Maria de Fátima Haueisen S. Diniz, Valéria M. Azeredo Passos, Marco Túlio C. Diniz Show preview | PDF (156 K) | Recommended articles | Related reference work articles 10 Postoperative Metabolic and Nutritional Complications of Bariatric Surgery Review Article Gastroenterology Clinics of North America, Volume 39, Issue 1, March 2010, Pages 109-124 Timothy R. Koch, Frederick C. Finelli Show preview | Purchase PDF | Recommended articles | Related reference work articles For purchase Bariatric surgery has become an increasingly important method for management of medically complicated obesity. In patients who have undergone bariatric surgery, up to 87% with type 2 diabetes mellitus develop improvement or resolution of their disease postoperatively. Bariatric surgery can reduce the number of absorbed calories through performance of either a restrictive or a malabsorptive procedure. Patients who have undergone bariatric surgery require indefinite, regular follow-up care by physicians who need to follow laboratory parameters of macronutrient as well as micronutrient malnutrition. Physicians who care for patients after bariatric surgery need to be familiar with common postoperative syndromes that result from specific nutrient deficiencies. 11 Update: Metabolic and Cardiovascular Consequences of Bariatric Surgery Review Article Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinics of North America, Volume 40, Issue 1, March 2011, Pages 81-96 Donald W. Richardson, Mary Elizabeth Mason, Aaron I. Vinik Show preview | Purchase PDF | Recommended articles | Related reference work articles For purchase Obesity is a disease state with polygenic inheritance, the phenotypic penetrance of which has been greatly expanded by the attributes of modern civilization. More than two-thirds of obese persons have comorbidities, many of which are characteristic of cardiometabolic risk syndrome (CMRS) in addition to other life-quality–reducing complaints. The CMRS is associated with increased cardiovascular events and mortality. Individuals with a body mass index greater than 35 infrequently achieve or maintain weight loss adequate to resolve these metabolic and anatomic issues by lifestyle or pharmacologic strategies. Data suggest that some of these patients may be better served by bariatric surgery. 12 Secretion and Function of Gastrointestinal Hormones after Bariatric Surgery: Their Role in Type 2 Diabetes Review Article Canadian Journal of Diabetes, Volume 35, Issue 2, 2011, Pages 115-122 Alpana Shukla, Francesco Rubino Show preview | PDF (1234 K) | Recommended articles | Related reference work articles 13 Cirurgia bariátrica: como e por que suplementar Review Article Revista da Associação Médica Brasileira, Volume 57, Issue 1, January–February 2011, Pages 113-120 Livia Azevedo Bordalo, Tatiana Fiche Sales Teixeira, Josefina Bressan, Denise Machado Mourão Show preview | PDF (548 K) | Recommended articles | Related reference work articles Open Access 14 Tratamiento quirúrgico de la obesidad: recomendaciones prácticas basadas en la evidencia Original Research Article Endocrinología y Nutrición, Volume 55, Supplement 3, March 2008, Pages 1-24 M. José Morales, M. Jesús Díaz-Fernández, Assumpta Caixàs, Albert Goday, José Moreiro, Juan José Arrizabalaga, Alfonso Calañas-Continente, Guillem Cuatrecasas, Pedro Pablo García-Luna, Lluís Masmiquel, Susana Monereo, Basilio Moreno, Wilfredo Ricart, Josep Vidal, Fernando Cordido Show preview | Purchase PDF | Recommended articles | Related reference work articles For purchase 15 Micronutrient deficiencies after bariatric surgery Review Article Nutrition, Volume 26, Issues 11–12, November–December 2010, Pages 1031-1037 Padmini Shankar, Mallory Boylan, Krishnan Sriram Show preview | PDF (376 K) | Recommended articles | Related reference work articles 16 Xeroftalmía bilateral por déficit de vitamina A secundario a cirugía bariátrica Endocrinología y Nutrición, Volume 54, Issue 7, August 2007, Pages 398-401 Beatriz Alonso Castañeda, María Ángeles Valero Zanuy, Paula Soriano Perera, Francisco García Ruiz, Roberto López Lancho, Susana Perucho Martínez Show preview | Purchase PDF | Recommended articles | Related reference work articles For purchase 17 Metabolic surgery and gut hormones – A review of bariatric entero-humoral modulation Review Article Physiology & Behavior, Volume 97, Issue 5, 14 July 2009, Pages 620-631 Hutan Ashrafian, Carel W. le Roux Show preview | PDF (403 K) | Recommended articles | Related reference work articles 18 Bariatric surgery in duodenal switch procedure: weight changes and associated nutritional deficiencies Original Research Article Endocrinología y Nutrición (English Edition), Volume 58, Issue 5, 2011, Pages 214-218 Francisco Botella Romero, Marta Milla Tobarra, José Joaquín Alfaro Martínez, Llanos García Arce, Angélica García Gómez, M. Ángeles Salas Sáiz, Antonio Soler Marín Show preview | PDF (188 K) | Recommended articles | Related reference work articles 19 Alteraciones del metabolismo óseo en la cirugía bariátrica Review Article Medicina Clínica, Volume 136, Issue 5, 26 February 2011, Pages 215-221 Virginia Ruiz-Esquide, Pilar Peris, Laia Gifre, Nuria Guañabens Show preview | Purchase PDF | Recommended articles | Related reference work articles For purchase 20 Bariatric surgery in patients with late-stage type 2 diabetes: expected beneficial effects on risk ratio and outcomes Original Research Article Diabetes & Metabolism, Volume 35, Issue 6, Part 2, December 2009, Pages 564-568 E. Renard Show preview | PDF (212 K) | Recommended articles | Related reference work articles 21 Reversible neurologic dysfunction caused by severe Vitamin deficiency after malabsorptive bariatric surgery Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases, Volume 2, Issue 6, November–December 2006, Pages 656-660 Michael M. Rothkopf Show preview | Purchase PDF | Recommended articles | Related reference work articles For purchase 22 What can bariatric surgery teach us about the pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes? Original Research Article Diabetes & Metabolism, Volume 35, Issue 6, Part 2, December 2009, Pages 499-507 F. Andreelli, C. Amouyal, C. Magnan, G. Mithieux Show preview | PDF (245 K) | Recommended articles | Related reference work articles 23 Seasonal changes in serum 25-OH-Vitamin D3 after bariatric surgery e-SPEN, the European e-Journal of Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism, Volume 3, Issue 5, October 2008, Pages e208-e210 F. Granado-Lorencio, A. Simal-Antón, I. Blanco-Navarro Show preview | PDF (176 K) | Recommended articles | Related reference work articles 24 Decreased dopamine type 2 receptor availability after bariatric surgery: Preliminary findings Original Research Article Brain Research, Volume 1350, 2 September 2010, Pages 123-130 Julia P. Dunn, Ronald L. Cowan, Nora D. Volkow, Irene D. Feurer, Rui Li, D. Brandon Williams, Robert M. Kessler, Naji N. Abumrad Show preview | PDF (640 K) | Recommended articles | Related reference work articles 25 Nutritional Deficiencies in Obesity and After Bariatric Surgery Review Article Pediatric Clinics of North America, Volume 56, Issue 5, October 2009, Pages 1105-1121 Stavra A. Xanthakos Show preview | Purchase PDF | Recommended articles | Related reference work articles For purchase

So, here I am a day after surgery. Guess what! I made it through in tact. With a few scars, a little less hair and a lot of learning to do. The day went as planned. I arrived at seven thirty as instructed and was in my gown, support stockings and rather fetching paper knickers by eight. The formalities were taken care of - a couple of signatures were needed on well-guarded legal papers ensuring I wasn't able to claim for damages in the unlikely event of me failing the post operative "aliveness test". One point I would like to raise here is that the "unlikely event" was suddenly presented to me as 1in 1000; a dramatic increase of odds from the original 1 in 1666.6 recurring that I was originally quoted. Was this a method of getting people in then telling the truth so they were less likely to back out? Had the surgeon's month since seeing me last gone so drastically wrong? Either way - I was in my paper panties and nothing was going to get me out of them! Following the sombre surgeon's sojourn, I was introduced to the man who was in the responsible position of anaesthetising me. A very nice chap with the most god-awful dress sense. I get the feeling it was some kind of patient amusement tactic. Making me believe that, I may well look like a transvestite mental asylum patient in a floral backless dress that flashed tight disposable panties, but at least I didn't look as silly as him. Or maybe he was just partaking of his own drugs. I was led down the hall to the room where I was to be sedated and knocked out. This is where my innate coward pushed aside my bravado and made his way to the forefront of the stage. There, laid serenely in front of me, was what I can only describe as a mortuary slab with a green blanket. I looked back at the pendulous double swinging doors as they eased closed and surveyed my opportunities for a semi-clad escape. I was laying down before I could work out whether the doors would open outwards or whether a mad dash through would do the anaesthetist's job for him. The peer pressure of being so dressed on front of three professional people allowed a few more moments of assumed nonchalance to reappear through my devastated pride. I lay down and looked up. As I considered the six nostrils floating above me, an oxygen mask was put over my face. Panic time! I desperately searched through my arsenal of puerile wit and innuendo so I could disarm the team into such fits of hysterics that I could take flight, or at least delay this trip for a few more minutes. My hand was prepared for the drugs and a cannula inserted. I didn't have much time! Eureka! I created a joke. One so funny that they would be in stitches before me! I made my pre-emptive strike... As the first two words of my epic joke were muttered...I found myself rather confused about the fact that I seemed to skip right to the end, miss the middle, miss the punchline and awake sobbing in the recovery room. Here I would like to assure all readers that it's perfectly normal for emotions to run a little high whilst waking up from the anaesthetic. And that I am indeed a little girl. I had read as many stories about the post-surgery pain that I could. All searches that I had made under "no pain after surgery" had assured me that there would be very little to none at all. In fact, I was so annoyed by the discrepancy in these stories and fact that I wiped the tears from my face and questioned the nurse on whether they had actually had to do open surgery instead of the promised laproscopic one. She reassured me that everything had gone smoothly and requested more tissues for me from her colleague. Eventually I pulled myself together and allowed them to wheel me back to my room. All the way wondering if something wasn't quite right. Had my searches for "no pain after surgery" been misleading? As the hours passed by slowly and the pummelling leg massagers pummelled, I really got to grips with the pain I was feeling. After being sneered at by one nurse for not having the experience to understand true pain until I was able to give birth, I queried my tolerance to other feelings outside of my own comfort. Was I just "being a man" and not handling it at all well? I came to the conclusion, yes - I was. The pain, initially described as 9 out if 10 (10 probably feeling one step away from the gates of hell) was re-evaluated in my mind as the anaesthetic wore off, as merely "heavy discomfort". Apparently they pumped my abdominal cavity full if gas so as to spread the organs and make surgery easier. A little like the stories one hears of brattish children using straws to inflate frogs before popping them.And this was what was causing my distress. Imagine being forced to drink a litre of very fizzy Pepsi in ten seconds. That feeling of just before you erupt in a thunderous belch - held in place by someone tying up the opening of your stomach. Or that feeling when you under chew and rush swallow something far to big and indigestible for your narrow pipes - like a tough piece of steak. As it makes its way slowly down to the stomach neck - then momentarily fools you into thinking these are your last moments on earth. Immense and intense agony for people with a pain threshold such as mine - passable and manageable for others. This cause me to get very little sleep last night and I had to sit upright throughout. I also subjected myself to a truly dreadful film with Matt Damon and Thandie Newton. I was unsure at that point with was more painful to sit through. Today is a slightly different story. The abdominal gas is still present but now displays itself in "referred" format. The gasses press hard against my diaphragm and cause my shoulder and back to hurt. The muscles that I am using to move my excessive bulk about that are compensating for my temporarily retire stomach muscles are not used to carrying the majority of my weight and are, in turn, screaming back at me for subjecting them to such torture. I am able to drink clear liquids far more easily today and I can feel myself getting much better with every hour that passes. Touch wood, all will be back to normal fairly shortly. I am due to be on liquids until Monday then pureed food for four weeks. I am quite a fan of baby food - so don't think this is going to be much of a problem. After then I will move on to small portions of solid foods for the rest of my days. No bread, pasta or rice or anything that could block the passage way through my newly partitioned stomach. A regime of watching exactly what I eat will be in order from now on along with a healthy dose of exercise. The edge of my hunger will be abolished from when I have my first band fill in five weeks time, in which case it will give me that helping hand that I have been missing from previous efforts. All in all, I would say that I don't particularly want to go through surgery again (mainly because I am pathetic with pain, but slightly because of the disposable panties) - but I am very much looking forward to being able to explore a new kind of life in the coming years. I do believe I now deserve a co-codamol / Voltarol cocktail! For those of you who are starting to read these posts from outside the Lap Band community and want to know I little more about what I have had done, you can follow this link which sums everything up pretty nicely: Lapband.com - About the LAP-BAND® Adjustable Gastric Banding System If you would like to see the stories of others who have gone through the procedures, their trials and amazing successes, please visit http://www.lapbandtalk.com or http://www.ukgastricband.co.uk Originally posted at: Lap Band Blog

alohakam do a query on the fill forum and also go down to the states forum and ask on your state section. Folks go to Mexico all the time I am sure someone will be able to help you. Myra

Hi april160 and welcome. I too have not been banded yet but hope to be late february/ early march. You could have a point r/e the gallbladder but it should have been the first thing any GP would have queried and hopefully sent Simmah for an ultrasound. Hopefully we will here shortly from Simmah to see what the problem was....

Hi, I️ had my sleeve done on Oct. 11th, 2017. I live in Anchorage.I used to live in Eagle River. I still have not quite figured out how to use this app well. I️ think most of the posts when I query Alaska are old posts. Are you getting excited yet?

And on September 5th your Good Wishes will help me over that hump into post-surgeryland. To answer your original query, they usually ask why you want this surgery? They want to make sure you don't want to look like a movie star, but more deeper reasons. How hard have you tried losing weight in the past? Very few people can reduce and keep weight without surgery. Do you understand portions of your anatomy won't be the same? Some people fear surgery because they look on it as mutilation of their body. Can you understand, do you feel you can follow a different meal plan the rest of your life? This is not something you do over a weekend and then go on living a careless food life. Are you frightened of dying,either on the table or in daily life. Nobody will do surgery on someone already unstable emotionally. What are your plans for the future? Nobody will perform surgery for someone who wants only to be a centerfold in Penthouse. Besides unless the photographer positions you just right you will have 5- 7 teensy abdominal scars, nobody wants to airbrush those out or use a special lens. With some kinds of surgery you are on a lot of vitamins, with every one you are on some Can you afford up to $150 a month for vitamins? You will be eating a much less copious amount of food, maybe you'll have extra money there? Most times your vitamins will be less than that amount. Most important: Be positive -Be committed - Be Friendly But,most, Be yourself, Be Yourself, the world wants and needs You. That's why you are here, there's a spot only you can fill. Check back with us often- we support your decisions- we have or will be going through all these things and we would treasure the time we spend with YOU! Frustr8 and the Bariatric Pal Crew

Hi, I'm from Perth and I was sleeved on 31st March by S Watson at SJOG Murdoch.... I'm 2 weeks post op and going in for my first post surgery consult next week.... Just finished up on the liquid diet and am struggling to find purees that don't cause an upset tummy:) let me know if you have specific queries or concerns and I am happy to answer based on my own experience:) I am SOR- female, 26 and pre surgery BMI 38 but I am now down 8kgs in 2 weeks...

Hi SuzKelly- I really feel for you. I felt like I had to jump through hoops, and I felt jerked around when I was trying to qualify for my wonderful insurance benefits. I had to go through a six months documented weight loss program. During the time I was trying to qualify for the 'benefits," I did a lot of reading on the various bariatric procedures available. Of the procedures available, my insurance company would only cover the Band, Roux-En-Y Gastric Bypass, and an outdated technique that no self-respecting surgeon would do anymore. So around the sixth month and 17 pounds of weight loss, I decided that VSG was the best procedure out there, and my best chance for losing the weight and KEEPING IT OFF! People with he Band and Gastric Bypass still have all of their stomachs. Their bodies can produce lots of ghrelin which makes one very hungry. With VSG most of the stomach is removed. Even if our bodies compensate by producing more ghrelin in the remaining stomach, I don't think it will be able to produce enough to make us as hungry and the Band and Bypass people get after a year or so. So, I decided to self-pay. Fortunately, we have very little debt. Since you have a lot of debt, it seems you best choice is to try to fight the insurance company. Try to document as many co-morbidities as you can and get started on your six month documented weight loss attempt. Some insurance companies are starting to cover VSG, but not most. You might find out by posting a query on this web site which insurance companies have paid for VSG. Naming the other insurance companies that are covering this procedure might aid your argument with your insurance company. Best wishes for success with your insurance company!

Hi Josilyn, Welcome, Can you post your questions, there are many wonderful people on here that will be glad to answer any question that you may have. Also there are many answers to question in the search query as well. Wishing you success.

Alegra works like a champ for me! (gotta break them in half though) If you have a real alergy problems, have you considered alergy shots? I hate slow days at work! I had to runs some queries on my system that absolutely killed my computer for days on end. Sure, I ended up with some interesting data, but oh man! I spent most of that time sketching, because I couldn't do anything else. Yup, you know what to do, and that is the first step. ((((hugs))))

I am not a good person to ask either but last year I did get alot of recipes of this site and used them. If you do some queries on recipes in the food category, you should be able to find those threads. I haven't had an appetite so here's a typical menu breakfast - south beach meal replacement bar lunch - tomato, cucumber, sprouts with balsamic vinegar and spices dinner - green beans, small potato, fake crab usually fried in a little olive oil with onions, garlic, peppers, etc The large lower fat avacados are readily available here so sometimes I mix one with tuna, add some sprouts and I'm set for a few meals. Last night, I cooked up black beans, some ground steak, added tomatoes, onions, spices, etc for a soup. I will probably throw some black beans in a salad at lunch in the next couple of days. I supplement with protein shakes, etc. Sorry I don't have better suggestions but I am finding that simple things work best.

I was sleeved last week. I plan to answer that query with "a lot." My weight is no one's business just as the fact that I had bariatric surgery. When people ask how I lost my weight, I plan to answer, "diet and exercise." In each case, I am telling the truth, but preserving my privacy.

Why are you attempting to censor someone? Maybe you should get the "hell off this site" if you have a problem with someone's queries in the rants, raves and off-topic section of this forum. Your negativity is not healthy and could be hindering the success of others! :angry

Well I wake up with a query stomach, hunger, nausea or something else? Embarrassing silence,from the world, just same old same old. Reba McEntire says in one of her songs " Is there life Out,There?" begining to wonder myself. Do I get up, get a cup of liquid, start on my morning pills? Hate to do it on a totally empty stomach, cereal and eggs don't appeal much-- maybe open a,protein shake and use it to wash things down. Missed my 6AM Carafate but at 8 and 8:30 I have 8 pills scheduled, my phone app keeps going,iff to remind me. Sounds like a Pill Box shaking, still better than an disembodied voice saying " Did you forget your pills?" Oh Heckity Deckity,put my feet over the edge of the bed and stand up. IT'S MORNING! LOL- waaa waaa!