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So here I am having lost 128 pounds, joined a softball team.. feeling terrific.. and it hasn't even been a year! I keep thinking how amazing it is. I am still losing at a pretty good clip. I am not thinking about food at all. I eat when I am hungry and have so much energy it is amazing. Last year at this time I would have been thinking about what was I going to have for lunch what was I going to make for dinner etc. Now I don't even have thoughts like that. It is amazing. I also have to say .. my sex life with hubby has always been awesome but holy crap it's out of this world now! We are like newlyweds! Can you tell I am loving life? If not I AM LOVING LIFE! Praise God for my lapband!

Hi BBrecruiter2000! Yep, you're so right about clothes shopping in France! I usually buy clothes in England, when I'm visiting family, or buy men's polo shirts at sports warehouses! I'm seriously looking forward to the day when I can walk into any shop and buy what I want rather than what fits! The final crunch came for me when we wanted to take the kids skiing - something I did quite a bit when younger. I couldn't find anything to fit - even at Decathlon (mega French sports warehouse). In the men's section I could get the waist size, but I'd have needed to be 10 feet tall....................aagggh! Anyway, hopefully, by next February (skiing season here), I'll be able to get an all-in-one and actually accompany my kids on the slopes! TTFN, Sarah

Hello All! AFter being on a rollercoaster all my life, I have finally decided to actually do SOMETHING about it! I am just starting my testing for the lapband and waiting for insurance approval. I was as high as 325 about 10 years ago and down to 200 about 4 years ago. Now I am back at 250 and can't seem to get any of it off. At 52 years old and 5'3" I think this is the tool I need to help me. Good Luck to Everyone and Keep me in your prayers too! Debbie

drmeow, I have to lose 10 pounds by a certain date to show them I can follow a regular eating plan after the surgery. I lost 6.5 pounds the first two weeks then gained back 5 the next two weeks. :::sigh::: I am also doing what you are doing - cutting out the grazing and giving up sweets. I am trying really hard to only eat three meals a day but I get really hungry in the late morning and in the evening and last night I went to bed at 7:30pm because I couldn't stand it. On the sweets my rule is "no sweet binge sneaks" so if I'm with people and they are sharing a dessert I will have a bite or two because it's not sneaking and it's not a binge. I'm thinking this is more difficult than just going cold turkey but I'm trying it for now. Today was a good day on the scale so I'm hopeful for the next two appointments that I will reach the 10 pound goal. Then I need my psychiatrist to be convinced that I'm ready and we can schedule the surgery. Fhew. It will be a year since I started this whole thing before those two things are done. The weight loss clinic mistakenly had me in the "no surgery" category for months before it was found out to be a mistake in their records so that really screwed me up. But maybe I needed that time after all. Doing well on the eating now and feeling good about it.

Hi Melissa! I am in Jacksonville too (also 5'6" - 35 years old) and I'm just finishing my insurance required 6 month requirement! I have 1 last visit with Dr.Cyves and then they are going to submit my info to Cigna and once approved I will FINALLY be banded! They are predicting March. I was 318.5 when I started the process, and I weighed last week and was at 303.5. They are only having me add 10 minutes of exercise a day and I have to eat under 30 carbs per day. I've done my Psych Eval, Nutritionist visit, and I also did my labs, EKG, and chest x-ray. My file is ready to submit and just needs Dr C to sign off on it. I've researced this for a few years, and am getting anxious and impatient. Thank God you only have to do 3 months. Who is doing your surgery? Have you been to the weightloss seminars? I went to Dr. Webb and Dr.Cyves. I chose Dr. Cyves because of his experience (nearly 800 bands) and that is the only WLS he does. He is also a Pediatric surgeon and before he moved to Jax he did surgery on babies while they were still in the womb. He has to have Amazing skills to have done that! Best of luck and pm me from time to time to let me know how things are going. If you happen to be using Dr. C he has monthly support group meetings the 1st Thursday of every month at 7:30 pm at his office on Beach Blvd. I go to them to learn more about the band and to hear 1st hand from the people that are losing the weigh with their band tool.

My doctor also based in Florid had me eating Clear liquids days 1-3 after the surgery. That is Water, broth, natural or sugar free juice and clear Jello. Day four I started and am still on creamy liquids. Like 100% blended Soups, Protein drinks, cream of wheat that is Soup like consistancy. The hardest part I found was my friends bringing over foods for my family to cook, it smelled so good and I wanted to eat it. The other hard part was tv commercials. Every other one is about food, and when you can't eat it, it is torture. I recomend getting dvds to watch so you won't be bombared with food ads while you are recovering. I also bought cross stitch to do to occupy my time. While I was on really strong pain meds it was hard to read a book. Tee Hee. I'm going to be weighted tomorrow, but my scale says at least 10 pounds this week.

2 months post op. Dont chance it. do 4 ounces of meat And maybe a piece of brocoli... im 10 months post op. ive only been ill twice from having a bit to much or eating to fast.. Stinks when you have like 2 seconds notice that you are going to lose it. yeah. Typical guy here i dont like to be sick so i avoid it at all cost.. Chris

I grow my own - that way I know they're fresh! I make kefir, which is much easier than yogurt - just pour milk in, wait a day, drain the kefir off - done. No heating or other nonsense required. I ordered the grains that hold the probiotic colony and make the kefir from Amazon - just search "kefir grains." Only costs 10-20 dollars. I've had mine for 5 years, and have given them away to several people since then (they multiply over time).

My favorite: http://www.amazon.com/Now-Foods-Protein-Isolate-10-Pound/dp/B000MAK59O

I'd had my Lap-Band 10 years when I had it removed last year. It had become too tight even without the fluid. I'd maintained 60 of my 80 lb loss for 8 years, but if I'm honest, I was miserable with that thing. Instead of being disappointed when I was told it needed to be removed, I was relieved. I don't think I would have come to that decision myself as I was so afraid of gaining it back. Predictably, in less than a year, I'd put on 50lbs despite eating relatively little and upping my exercise frequency. I had a mini-gastric bypass almost 3 months ago and I'm really pleased so far with how things are going. The weight isn't flying off, but the loss is steady (I've lost 45 of the 70lbs I'd like to lose). I can eat more than with the band (about a cup), so I don't feel ripped off all the time. I seldom vomit and when I get full, it's gradual and feels natural. I tolerate most foods, so my diet is way more balanced and varied. I do experience dumping which is unpleasant, but I'm learning its triggers (sugar, high GI carbs etc) and am avoiding those foods. As I was an insulin resistant "sugar enthusiast," this is not necessarily a bad thing. I'm developing some aversions to sweets and therefore, don't really feel all that tempted or deprived (even at Christmas!). All in all, I think you will be really happy with your choice and only regret not doing it in the first place. Good luck!

I had my band year ago probably 8 and my revision on Oct 9th this year, the band never really worked until I started to have partial esophageal paralysis. Once that happened I was fast tracked for the removal and revision. I am on week 10 and down 58 pounds more than I ever lost with the band and the only thing that has caused an issue was the pain on my left side it would hit mostly at night for the first 5 or so nights it was pretty damn bad and I would have to take my pain med to sleep. After that it has been pretty smooth sailing. Good luck

Hy-Vee part-skim mozzarella cheese sticks. I mispoke, it's 6 grams for 1 oz. I am 1 month and 10 days post.

I just came out of the woods a couple of days ago. Days 1 through 7 were torture. So much gas pain and bloating. Day 8 was so so and days 9 and 10 have been awesome. 100% pain free starting day 9. It happened all of the sudden for me, no gradual recovery. I didn't have a BM until I started mushies, which I believe was day 7 (against doctor's orders). I couldn't take liquids anymore. I started eating tuna salad and egg salad well chewed and very slowly. I'm pretty convinced a large part of my problem though was the Protein shakes. The milk seemed to cause me to have a violent gassy reaction that only seemed to escape through an occasional burp. Possibly just coincidence? Hang in there. If you are like me, your energy will come back with a vengeance and you will be so glad you got the band.

I’m scheduled for Wednesday, 12/19!

I guess that you can say that i have relatively normal hunger at close to eight years out - I get hungry near meal times (getting there now, about an hour away from dinner and that pot roast in the kitchen is smelling awfully good!) and if I get busy and skip a meal a will feel hungry for a while until I get distracted by something else and what do you know it's way past lunchtime. Loss rate can be quite variable, but you have a lot going for you being male and young-ish (in your 30's if I remember other posts?) which tend to help things. With the sleeve, I needed to lose about 100lb, having lost 50 or so a few years before and kept that off, and I was starting to ramp up my intake at six months to slow things down and ease off that last 10 lb. And I wasn't being all that aggressive on trying to lose fast in preference to losing sustainably; there was another guy online around that time with similar stats to mine and he was done in about four months by keeping his calories lower (similar 100lb loss with the sleeve) so it is quite possible. What I would look for as an indication of your loss rate would be your history - how easily have you lost in prior attempts - and that can be a good gauge. Good luck with it, whichever way you go....

Here is a copy of a message I exchanged with Diane the first of February. Well hello Dear Friend! Thanks for having me in your thoughts. No, I haven't fallen off a cliff or any other mishap. Just I've been incredibly busy tackling the day to day routines. With recovery slow and my energy level not as I would like....I spend all my useful time trying to "catch up" ...then I wipe out and start all over the next day. In general....everything is progressing as it should....but it will still take time to get to a good baseline. My legs get wobbly when I have overdone it....so I know when "not" to push the limits. My headaches are greatly reduced as is the dizzyness that I used to suffer on a daily basis. My brain fog is going away....and I am able to concentrate and stay on task! (that is my most profound post surgery gain) I am still tired out...suppose that is par for the course...but every month is better than the last...and I know I will be in a better place down the line. As for my wt loss.....well, the doc didn't want to give me any fills...during my medical crisis....so my first fill was end of November!!!...and he barely put anything in! (he is going ultra conservative on me) I had a little more in January...but still he is holding back...saying..better to go slow. I didn't lose anything at all from November's fill....but I have lost 10 lbs from January's fill till now. I will go back in March for more...and then, I think he will treat me the same as his other patients (I hope) It has been a very long road for me. My band was placed May 23,06....ten days later I was admitted for the pericarditis...then you heard about all the drama that followed! So....in normal cases...I should be bragging a 50lb wt loss..but alas, it is only 10 lbs so far. I proudly ran out of the starting gate......then seriously tripped on my shoelaces...and lost that race! I guess it is a lesson in patience....and certainly a lesson in knowing I am truly blessed....a walking miracle! I remind myself of that every day! I have not had much "me" time to enjoy going on the boards. I also was a little shy from all the bickering and banned members that happened a while back....just never got around to see how the dust settled and if it got back to being supportive and full of good humor. Now....all that was about me.......please, let me know how YOU are doing and about your personal success with the band. I'll bet you are looking real good these days! Big smiles to ya....Diane : ) ****She is active on the MoyaMoya forum. But even there she doesn't post very often.**** Myra __________________

Hi Connor I meet with my surgeon on March 3 to decide bypass or sleeve I'm hoping for sleeve but not sure. How bout you? Where are you sitting at this point? Where are you from? April is so close! Hopefully you can get it done in April. At my rate it looks like I maybe a July or August surgery. Sometime this week my coordinator is supposed to call with my appt dates. I'm getting very impatient lol. I started all this back in December. But had to wait for seminar which wasn't until late January. I have UPMC luckily with that insurance I just have to do a 6 month supervised diet, NUT/support group classes each month. (Due to a high BMI) Along with physic eval, labs, ABG pulmonary test, upper GI X-ray, and endoscope. My coordinator said she can get three of the tests scheduled and done in one day! Which is great... I also have to lose 5-10% weight in these 6 months What's the update with you?!? How are things going?

Seems like you have it all under control and are well in your way. Sad you had to wait for a seminar. Why couldn't you still start without the class? I too had to do all this. And yes a lot can be done all at once. Drink lots of water. That will help with hunger for your 5-10% loss. Time will go fast!

Hey guys, I go in and meet with my surgeon again on March 31 for my pre-op appointment. On April 4 I will begin my 10 day liquid diet, and the surgery is scheduled for April 14. I know that, with time, I will have this, and other, questions answered by my surgical team. However, at this point, a million things are going through my mind. My main question is, how much time did you guys take off of work? At one of the surgery meetings I had at the bariatric center, we were told that it would require 2 - 3 weeks off of work but for more sedentary positions (such as my job) it is possible to return to work after as little as one week but it all depends on the surgeon and his decision. I know that everyone's post op experiences are different so that also plays a role. My surgery falls on a Thursday and, when I requesting time off, I told my boss that I would plan to be back sometime during the middle of the following week but it could change, and if it did I would let them know. So, the question is, how long did you guys have to take off, especially those of you with desk jobs? Thanks for the input!

Oh gosh me too. I’m almost 9 years post-op from my RNY. Lost a total of 110 pounds. Kept it all off for several years but then gained back 60. I’ve lost 10 on my own but coming here for encouragement and support to lose at least 40 more.

In my opinion, there is no conflict at all. I really believe we should love ourselves at all sizes and ages etc. If you don't, you will never find self love even when you are "thin". Self love runs very deep... or not... and you would be amazed at the number of normal weight, attractive women who lack this. Once you ahve lost weight, you may have excess skin. I am astounded by the numbers of people who seem to despise themselves over that issue. It has been my observation that if there isn't at least some level of self love and acceptance, they are still unhappy after plastic surgery. love yourself, but make the best decisions to live a high quality life - it was increasingly difficult to live that high quality life the heavier and older I got. People tell me I look 10-15 years younger since losing weight and I feel about 20-25 years younger. Just do it - get healthy - there is no conflict.

I had band to sleeve revision May 28. I love my sleeve. It is so different than the band. I wish I had done this years ago. My band slipped MAy 2014 they removed all the saline and I gained back 87 lbs of the 100 that I had lost with the band. I am 4 weeks post op today with the sleeve and I have lost 19 lbs. I think it's going to be a slow steady losing pace but I am also learning good eating habits along the way. I also am 50.

I'm 3 days post opt and my left leg was red. I did notice it in the hospital but kept forgetting to pint it out to anyone. I don't have a fever and it looks like today it's back to normal. Did anyone else have that? Eating is a slow process but going reasonably well. I too am having a hard getting water in my body. I'm down almost 10 pounds to date.

Thanks for sharing your story, Eli. You are a true inspiration! I had my surgery 10 days after you did - it has been an amazing year. I admire your courage and strength at such a young age! Be proud of the fact you took control over your life and made changes. I wasn't as fortunate - I waited until I was 44 years old. I lost too much time. I'm making the most of it now, but my one regret is not doing this sooner. You are an amazing young man! I wish you nothing but good things. Again, thanks for sharing your story.

This was my main concern pre-op and I can say that 10 weeks out - it is not gone, but it is much less! Much, much less! I don't eat anything that has a lot of sugar. It is the one thing I avoid post-op like the plague. Carbs - I'll try. Fat - I'll try. But sugar I keep at a distance because I too was a severe sugar addict! One good thing about detoxing off sugar is eventually your body rejects it. My dad brought home a Protein shake that is different than my usual. It had 44g of sugar instead of 6g my normal one has. I drank half of it and felt like shit. That was about 1 month post-op. So eventually your body does say "Keep that shit away from me". Cravings... my cravings have really shifted have sugar to salty post-op. I do crave sweet things occasionally but I keep them out of sight, out of mind. I used to be a person who would have a brief thought of McDonalds and then be in my car at 1am getting 10pc mcnuggets, large vanilla shake, 3 choc Cookies, a mcchicken, and some cheese sticks! Now I can turn down ice cream when people offer me! So much more willpower after surgery!!! I don't know if I will ever have my trigger foods again... it is something I've discussed with my therapist/addiction specialist and she told me that one day I will learn that I can have a treat and trust myself to not go overboard. I don't have that trust yet... but each and every day it builds more. On the same note, our post-op diet is a forever diet. I don't eat perfectly... but no one does all the time. I eat well 90% of the time and 10% of the time I'll have some kind of snack. And I will also add that post-op it is easier for me to get back on track, saying no to food is not a problem anymore. I don't feel powerless to sugar anymore! And it's an amazing feeling!