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Be patient. No one got this way overnight and it won't be fixed overnight. I was banded back in Aug of 08 and lost 40 pounds pretty quick (over a few months) but then hit a plateau for about 6 months and I am still struggling with this plateau. As the fills continued and my exercise ramped up to include some time on a stationary bike, I began to lose again. Right now I am down about 52 pounds and still working at it. Hang in there. ( I was stalled in the process early on by a post surgical infection which set me back a few months with the complications necessitating another surgery to reinsert the port which was removed due to the infection)

Why is your diet so strict that you can't have the things that most people can have on the post op diet, like ricotta cheese? is it because of the complication after surgery?

I was banded June 9. The best decision I ever made. I had one regret after the surgery because I had a few complications the week following the surgery but that was because I had an add on surgery with the lapband and it caused to much swelling. I have lost 87 pounds and feel so much better, I wish I would have done this earlier.

Me too! It was scheduled before I even thought of WLS. I breathed into a tube, was out within seconds, and then awake again before I knew it. No complications. I arrived at 9:00 am and left not more than 2 hours later. Good luck, I'm sure you'll be fine!

Hi, I am having my lapband removed, had lost 30 lbs but gained it back, The lapband really never worked, I lost most of the weight through starving my self and drinking shakes. I have done a lot of research and the mgb seems like the best approach since it is reversible, which is very important to me and has great results with the least complication rates. If you had the mini gastric bypass, what was your experience after surgery? got sick? recovery length? how long after the surgery where you able to go to work? how much can you consume (portion size) 3 month,6 month and 1-2 years post op.? Are there any foods you can't eat? Did you lose more weight then you intended or resulted in under weight? what is your height, start weigh and end weight? Your responses will be appreciated. Thanks

I feel the same way I am scheduled for July 10th! I am afraid of failing also....and the pain and the complications.....

My surgeon says my surgery went well with no complications. Once I woke up i was in a lot of pain in my abdomen. It feels like you are being stabbed over and over and in waves of pain. I do have gas but it's subsiding as I walk and pass gas. When I got back to my room the pain would not subside. My 1st nurse was rude and told me that I'm only allowed a certain amount of pain medication at a certain time as it was prescibed. I put up with pain until I got mad cause I felt like I was being tortured. She came at 430pm and gave me morphine. It did nothing I called for her 4 times after and she was ignoring me. I was in so much pain. My bf had left to walk our dog and I was alone so I text my sister because I couldn't even talk from the pain. I told her what was happening let's just say that lady rushed in my room and gave me propofol and I passed out with no pain finally. After that my nurse switched shifts and I have a great nurse who is giving me my nauseous and pain meds that work. Point of story: You should not be in pain at the hospital!!! Day 2 which is today took my drink test and I passed. I'm feeling so much better today. Only taking ice chips. Tried to sip a bit of soup yesterday and my tummy got tight. So for now only ice chips. Sent from my SM-G920T1 using BariatricPal mobile app

I guess my ultimate question is.....Were you not given any post-op diet instructions? Any literature at all regarding your after care and what is permissible to have during each of the post-op phases? If not call your surgeons office and ask for some, if so follow what they have given you. The dietary restrictions are not meant to be a punishment, they are there to protect you from hurting or damaging yourself or your band and to let it heal properly so that you can make the most of your new tool. By not following the rules you do put yourself at risk for complications.

The longer you participate on this forum, the more differences you will read with instructions given by surgeons to their patients...each doctor has their preferred protocol. My surgeon required a 2 week pre and post op diet, so I was on liquids for 4 weeks. And post op, I could not even have the fresh veggies! The low carb liquid diet is prescribed to shrink your liver, to allow the surgeon to have better access to place your band. Obese people tend to have more fat in their livers. So, I hope you are using the sugar free jello. You really should find a Protein drink that you like, because likely periodically post op you will return to drinking Protein Shakes after fills. I have to return to a liquid diet for 2 days after getting a fill, then 1 additional day on soft foods. I would continue to search and try several more brands until you find at least 1 that you do like...and be certain to read the nutritional values/ingredients label. You should look for shakes which have a minimum of 20gr protein per serving, and the best protein for bariatric patients is whey isolate protein. There has been some heated discussion on the forum about whey protein, but it is still considered to be the gold standard for bariatric nutritional needs. I use the Wheybolic Extreme (1.5 scoops) from GNC (chocolate and cookies 'n cream flavors). When mixed using 1% milk, I get 37 gr of protein per shake. You should also have been given a number of protein grams to have every day...try to meet that goal. BTW, the day before my surgery, when I could only have Clear Liquids, I had to host a luncheon (I had agreed to do that 6 months prior to having a surgery date) for my woman's club. While everyone was enjoying their chicken salad or quiche, I enjoyed sipping my iced water...you do what you have to do. My band surgery had been delayed for over a year due to unplanned medical complications, so when I finally received medical clearance, I ran with it before anything else could happen to delay it again! Best wishes as you continue on your journey...

It feels like forever since I've been on here to give an update! Last time I posted, I had just gotten my date for the port revision surgery and was about to be heading off for vacation. First of all let me just say vacation was AWESOME. Leaving Massachusetts and heading to Florida for a week was a much needed break! Little things throughout that week helped me to realize that my body is changing for the better, and at 70lbs lost so far the difference is noticeable, even though I don't always perceive it to be. For instance, the last time I was on an airplane was in Feb. 2006, and I remember it being so cramped and uncomfortable and barely being able to get the seatbelt buckled if I managed to buckle it at all. This time, I didn't feel like I was invading the seat next to me, and not only does the seatbelt buckle, but there's a good five or six inches of extra belt leftover after I tighten it. Such a good feeling!:blushing: Later that week came the amusement park rides...I haven't been to an amusement park in probably at least 4 years for fear of not being able to fit on the rides and having to be asked to get off. I've never actually been asked to get off a ride, but the anxiety of thinking that it was a possibility was more than enough to keep me away for all those years! I guess I figured stop going before that happens, because I cannot even fathom how humiliated I would feel if that happened to me in front of everyone waiting in line. So, even though I knew that this time I shouldn't worry I still kind of did...but happily discovered that my fear no longer seemed to be warranted! Needless to say I had a fantastic time and went on just about every ride in the park.:biggrin2: Came home from vacation on May 11th, and then had my follow up surgery to correct my flipped port a few days later, on the 14th. I met with my surgeon the day before and discussed the procedure and I asked the questions I had. I finally remembered to ask what size band I have, and it's a 10cc band. I asked about what the chances were that my port would flip again later down the road, and he said not likely but not impossible. He did say that of the patients he has had to do the revision surgery on, none have had any further complications...hope I continue that tradition! The day of surgery went very well, and was definitely much easier than the initial surgery. I got to the hospital around 1:30pm, and the procedure was scheduled for 3:30pm, although I think they actually got started a little closer to 3:00. I was out of the hospital around 5pm, stopped at the pharmacy to get my Rx filled on the way home, and asleep on the couch due to the Percocet by 6pm. The procedure itself was much easier, and I only had to have local anesthesia with sedation instead of general. Which I was thrilled about because I hated the horrendous sore throat I had before with general. I was sore afterwards, but not nearly as bad as last time since there was just the one incision and it was just below the surface. I'm barely a week postop now, and feel 99% back to normal...just a little soreness if I try to do too much with my ab muscles, and my incision is nearly healed. My surgeon did my first fill while doing the surgery, and I think he put in about 1cc. I notice a little bit of difference as far as restriction, but not much, definitely not as much as I was hoping for. Perhaps next week at my follow up appointment he will do a second fill. We'll see! How is everyone else doing?

Thanks for all the replies. Your words are helpful and kind. I know that if getting the lapband, its not a quick fix. And that's something I want. I don't wanna do something drastic and quick and it ends up hurting me in the long run. I can give up foods....its like I've not tried it already lol.... I guess my biggest fear is going in and getting the band in place. Never did well with anesthesia and it seems like with the last 4 surgeries I've had, there has always been complications and my stays would be longer in the hospital. Maybe I should just shake the feeling off. That's my biggest fear.... The only fear I have right now after I get banded and if I get banded is my body not accepting the new change and rejecting the band.

Stalls happens to nearly everyone. Personally I suspect that the people who do not hit stalls also find valuable antiques at garage sales, win free cruises and never get traffic tickets. I stalled from week 3-7 (but did not know because I did not weigh myself except at the doctor), then I suspect I stalled multiple times after that too. I still made it to where I needed to be. Bariatric teams usually stress the importance of hydration over food at this point post surgery. There is usually more concern from the complications of dehydration vs low calorie intake - we are trying to use the excess stored fat after all. Ask your team if it is okay to only eat the amount you are comfortable with and at the frequency that works for you. The extended eating time frame is usually for when we start solids. Most of the time If we hold up our end of the bargain (mentally), our bodies will do the same. It will all come together eventually and life after WLS will not always feel like a chore. Good Luck!

I, too, have had no complications and have no complaints about the band. My surgery was 11 months ago and I've lost 65 pounds so far. I can eat almost everything I could eat pre-band. I've only spit up about a half-dozen times, and each time, I knew EXACTLY why it happened (usually from eating too fast)! Yes, some people have complications, or don't see the progress they want, but for some of us, it is the perfect tool to lose weight and keep it off. It's great that you're keeping yourself informed about the what-could-go-wrong, but try to think positive! It works!

yeah, because u need a special liscence to use radiation. im a healthcare worker... i used to work with radiation, that's why i was so curious. i was also wondering what the complications are with finding the port..... are they sometimes too deep? mobile? something else? congrats on the quitting smoking!

I agree with everything thats been said. Also, throwing up regularly can cause other complications (like slippage). So its really important that you go have a talk with your doctor. He may just need to take out .1 cc and it could be perfect restriction. But being too tight and throwing up all of the time is just as bad, if not worse, than not being tight enough. Go get checked out!! good luck!

In terms of diet... there are people who eat a lot of carbs, even refined ones, and don't gain weight. I think, on some level, it really is calories in vs. calories out and the type of calories only matter if (a) you have something metabolic going on like insulin resistance or (:svengo: certain types of food make you lose control or lead you down a slippery slope. Now, this is on maintenance. When losing, it's very important to get Protein because otherwise we lose lean muscle tissue instead of fat. But on maintenance, everyone has to work out for themselves what will and won't work and the answer will be different for everyone. The scary part of maintenance, for me, has been figuring this all out. When on a diet, I just followed my program's plan the best I could. But maintenance was wide open. There were times in the beginning, and even a bit now, where I felt out of control with my eating even though I might not be gaining weight or gaining much. I have to learn what causes that and how to prevent it. It's complicated by the fact that I am an endurance athlete and a certain amount of carbs are necessary for peak performance. So figuring out my carb ceiling has been interesting. Another complication is acid reflux. It makes me think I'm hungry when I'm not. So I've had to balance wanting to be off the PPI vs. dealing with this fake hunger. I tried stopping the prilosec and only taking Pepcid AC when I had acid. I didn't want to be taking a pill every day if I didn't have acid every day. But I found the Pepcid didn't control things very well and I was taking it 5-7 days a week anyway. So I'm back on the prilosec and I've decided that I will stay on it, maybe for life, if that's what it takes.

The other thing about that clinic is that they do too many surgeries in one day to save money. That's how Almanza got to do 200 sleeves in such a short time. By doing 10 surgeries in a day, which is not safe. If you end up with a complications due to his being fatigued when he does your surgery, then it's going to cost you more money than if you paid a few thousand extra to go to an excellent surgeon with a great reputation. There are quite a number of surgeon in MX with great facilities and reps who are in the 9000-10000 range. When it comes to our bodies and our lives, it's not worth it to price shop IMO.

It's been a long while since I first posted these questions and received so many helpful answers. For my insurance to pay, I had to get to and remain at a bmi under 35 for a year. I was able to get there and remained for longer than a year (plus had to wait scheduling with two surgeons, etc.), but it's done now. HolyMotherOfPete was the pain bad. Not all the time and not the incision, seriously, all numb there, but the abdominal pressure and spasms. Coughing/sneezing are murderous for a few days. I had some complications with a few things, but also a big reaction to the bandages--blisters everywhere. Apparently, I'm allergic and didn't know it. Anyways, as so many great people have shared theirs, I'm sharing my results. Thanks again to everyone.

It was a certainty that I was soon to die if I didn't deal with the fat...and quickly. I did it. The odds of complications seemed an acceptable risk given the circumstances. I won.

I just had mine on June 5th. It was kind of in 2 parts where the first part was asking about my history, childhood, etc. The second part was more about the band, what my expectations were, screening questions to see if I was an emotional eater, what had I already done that the doctor had asked me, if I was familiar with the lifestyle changes and possible complications, etc.

Yeah that was due to my extra time in the operating room it went from a 1.5 hr surgery to a 7.5 hr surgery because of my complication and also I was in ICU which was $4500.00 a day then a regular room for $1300.00 a day so in all I stayed 8 days plus everything else yeah its really expensive

Happy Sleeversary to me I can't believe that it has been 12 months since I had the surgery. For those of you who don't know me here are my stats: Starting weight was 173kg/ 382 Pounds and my current weight is 87kg/ 190 Pounds. Before surgery I hadn't slept lying down in a bed (comfortably) in over 7 years. I had chronic asthma, everything hurt all of the time (although I denied it back then) and it was just a struggle to move around. I had the surgery on September 3 2012. Things went badly. I got a leak. It took several surgeries and many months in ICU/ Surgical Ward before I could get the all clear to leave. That was November 2012. I didn't go back to work full time until the end of January 2013. Since then, well heck, things have just been getting better and better. The weight loss has been amazing. I've lost 86 kg/ 189.5 pounds - so tantalisingly close to half way lol. No fudging though - pesky 0.5kg The NSV's have been even better - the CLOTHES, shoes, movement, I am a "runner" now (on week 3 of the Couch to 5 K and am running in a 5K obstacle course at the end of the year), energy, clarity in thinking, enjoyment in life, exciting opportunities, flying without the embarrassment of asking for an extension seat belt, people looking you in the eye, not being "invisible" anymore, shop assistants are helpful and attentive, men FLIRT (okay, so maybe I do too - just a little), I've had a significant promotion, looking to travel OS next year, am planning for a future THAT I WANT not just settling for what I think I can have. For anyone considering this surgery know that there are real risks involved. For a while, the first few months in fact, I had really thought I had stuffed up and ruined my life by having the surgery. This was due to the complications and difficult recovery that I had during this time. Looking back now, whilst I would never want to be back in that place, I am so grateful for where I am now that I truly believe this to be the most wonderful, life changing – life SAVING – thing I could have done for me, for my family and to secure my future. Where to from here? Well I want to lose about 14kg more which will mean an overall loss of 100kg and my weight will be around 73kg. I am quite tall so I would look quite thin at this weight. Not sure if I will get there or will want to, but at the least, I would like to lose another 10kg hopefully by Christmas. I am loving my new active life, the way that food has become fuel and though still enjoyable, it’s no longer the driving force in my life. I wish you all the same happiness and success in your own journey’s! I have put in some comparison photo's for you guy's to see the transformation Best wishes to you all! Cheers, Liss

have my second pre-op appointment with my surgeon. I have read, researched, and spoken to many people that have had this surgery. I am working hard on staying positive and having realistic expectations. I have not been worried about complications at all, until today. I know these negative thoughts are normal. My strategy is to push them aside and focus on all the benefits this surgery will bring. In the past few days, arthritis in my hips has been acting up due to the weather changes. I know that carrying all this extra weight does not help. My son is graduating from High School 9 days after my surgery. My first goal is to be there for him. It did suck that the dress that I bought for the graduation would not fit. My hope is that it fits by the time of the graduation. This is exactly why I am having this surgery, to be there for my family. I am not so focused on a weight goal, more on being healthy.

Yeah, that's a bit unexpected. Although I guess it's not really a complication of the surgery. It's an issue that is common with all forms of rapid weight loss.

As far as variation between doctors goes, I guess some are more cautious than others. Some accept and some reject ideas about carbonation, coffee, etc. Basically though there are a lot of similarities. I went to check out 2 different surgeons before choosing mine - they both had a pre-op diet, both for either 10 days or 2 weeks. One was restricted to a few no/low-fat foods, and the other had a liquid Meal Replacement. Both gave the same reason - to lose fat off the liver before surgery to avoid complications during surgery. Different approaches for the same objective. Common sense needs to be used, but the doctors have information we don't that would make a difference to what would make sense, so they need to give rules. Do you know what chemical affect smoothie yogourt mixed with stomach acid will have on a swollen irritated stomach? Yogourt is actually good on the stomach, I think - I'm not trying to scare you off of it, but that's why we need to check out the rules. One bandster on here talked about being allowed solids within a week post-op but had problems, another said, same deal, but they didn't have problems - who knows what the end results of those will be vs. those who have waited longer to start solids because of their doctors advice. Common sense would say though that if you are having problems on solids, go back to mushies or liquid. So yes, we do still need to use it, then check with the doctor. Glad to hear you're not hungry on a 600 calorie diet, but if you are talking post-op you will have a harder time soon when your stomach is less swollen. Good Luck.