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Today was better on the all liquids. My body did get numb to the fact it's not receiving solid food. So it's day 19 of my pre-op diet. I got below the 279 I was stuck at for a few days. I've now lost 18lbs of the 25lbs I'm supposed to lose. I've only rode my bike for 15min. so far today. I might get the other 15 in later but if not that's okay. I usually relax a little one day a week. Tomorrow will mark the 10 day countdown until surgery. I just try not to think about it too much. Yet at night when I'm trying to fall asleep (and can't) it's all I think about. Hope everyone is doing good. Calories today: 1020

How hard is it to actually stretch your band? I feel like I eat too much at times but I don't ever vomit or feel the need to vomit. I've had 3 fills but still feel like I need a little tweeking.

In the spring of this year, I changed jobs, moved and finally obtained health insurance that doesn't exclude WLS. After speaking with several co-workers regarding recommendations for a PCP, they almost all suggested that I go to an internationally known teaching hospital. I established myself as a patient of one of the internal medicine specialists and, until today, have been very happy with the coordinated care that I have received. The clinic related to this hospital provides complete care, including labs, diagnostic testing, and specialist care in-house. All of my medical records are available for all of my doctors to review. If my gyn orders bloodwork, the reports are available for my PCP, my bariatric surgeon and my endocrinologist to review. They also have a secure online site that I can access my test results myself. However, today I am wondering if this practice is too bureaucratic and regimented. I have been taking the antidepressant Effexor XR for over 10 years. This drug runs through your system very quickly and causes horrible, awful withdrawal symptoms if a dose is missed. I had my prescription set up with "autofill" with my pharmacy. I don't call in monthly refills; the pharmacy automatically processes refills and notifies me when I need to pick up my medication. Thus, I was not aware that the refills had run out and new script needed to be obtained. Last week, I called the pharmacy to check on the meds and I was told that my doctor needed to authorize a refill and they had contacted their office. They stated that there was nothing I needed to do. On Monday, when I had one dose left, I called the pharmacy and was told the same thing. I panicked a bit because of the short supply of my medication. I was told that my PCP denied the request for a renewal of the script. I determined that the pharmacy called my doctor near my former residence who denied the renewal because I was not currently a patient of his. I told the pharmacy that they needed to contact my current PCP and they informed that they had faxed her also. I also called the PCP department as well. I was told that the refill would be called in within 24 hours. Today, I followed up with the pharmacy, who has not heard from anyone regarding my script. My PCP doc is working the hospital until Friday. She is not responding to her admin assistant's urgent message on my behalf. The pharmist flatly refused to give me a dose or two hold me over. I am dizzy, nauseated, irritable and unable to control my emotions. I am scheduled for an upper endoscopy tomorrow with my WLs surgeon ( the last test before I get a surgery date, insurance is approved. As a last resort, I called the bariatric department to see if my surgeon would call in a small script to hold me over and to enable to me undergo the endoscopy with him tomorrow. If I am shaking, hurting and vomiting, I doubt he will be able to do the endoscope. My request that the surgeon call the script was flatly refused. I was also accused of lying by the patient coordinator on the phone because she didn't see any indication that I had called my PCP more than one time yesterday morning. Apparently my PCP's secretary didn't note the calls in the system. My surgeon's patient coordinator believed their computer over me. At this point I am emotional mess and a physical mess. I don't know what to do. Tomorrow, I don't know if I should try to have the endoscope done or if I should try get an appointment with my former PCP and drive 3 hours to see him. I am worried about what kind of aftercare or emergency care I may receive if I have surgery with this surgeon's practice. I am sure that I am going to change pharmacies and change PCPs. I have never experienced a situation where there wasn't another internist or P.A. available to cover for another. Am I overreacting? Does anyone have any thoughts or suggestions?

Wow, litn_bug, that is quick! I hope the jitters don't get the best of you; you've clearly been working on this a long time and it's finally here! Be prepared for the immediate post-op period of pain, soreness, tiredness and possible questioning. It happens to everyone! But each day out from about day 3 will see marked improvement in the way you feel and before long you will have completely forgotten about the discomfort and distress. And you'll be banded! Good luck, and please let us know how it goes!

The amount of weight you lose corresponds with the number of calories you burn minus the calories you consume. It is simple math. If you are consuming 14,000 calories a week and only burning 20,000 then you are going to only lose 1 - 2 pounds a week. To speed up the process you're either going to have to burn more; consume less or both. I use the bodybugg to tell me how many calories I am burning and chart everything I eat to know what I am consuming.

I honestly don't know what type of band I have. I know I should have been more attentive to that. I looked at one on a fake stomach but I didn't pay attention to the details. About the saline already there, my doctor explained it like this. He said that with each band he has to fill it with saline to test it before/during the procedure to put it on. He said that he removes the saline but there is probably 1-2cc left. I have not had a fill but I have good restriction. I am eating about 3/4 of a cup of food until I am feeling full and sticking with high Proteins. I am not drinking any shakes unless it is what fits with my schedule that day. I am eating that 3/4 of a cup of food 4 times per day instead of 3. My days are long and I just can't make 3 last all day. I lost 4 lbs last week (5th week post op). :tongue2: I am exercising almost everyday. My doc told me at my post op appointment that as long as I felt good restriction and was losing 2 or more pounds per week, he will not do a fill. I am supposed to check back with him sometime between October and December when I think I am ready for a fill (ie losing 1 or less pounds per week). In His hands!

Wow!! that is great. I am 1 week out and I'm on soft food. I don't feel that hungry. I was told that I'm not hungry because I'm still swollen on the inside. So my fear is when the swelling goes down am I going to be starving, I hope not. I hope it contiues this way. How long before your swelling went down how do you know when you have no more swelling. I don't go back to the Dr. till Nov 4. I'm nervous. I wonder should I just measure and eat, or eat till I'm full.

Hi Daniel, Sorry you're having such a difficult time this last month and a half. I bet the new fill will start helping. You just have to stick to the "rules of the tool", no more than 1/2-3/4 cup at a sitting, 75% protein & 25% good carbs (track your food, it's so easy to forget and over do it!), 64 ounces of water (30 min before and 1 hour after eating), at least 30 minutes of exercise a day. I kinda know what you're going through, I've been on a 6 month stall...lost 7 pounds in 6 months! It was, however because I was not following the "rules". They really are important to the weightloss process. Once I started following them again, the weight started coming off again! Good luck with everything! It can definately be a difficult lifestyle change...ya just gotta do it, for you! I'll be rooting for ya!

Both Thursday and Friday turned out decent for me for calories. Friday was an almost perfect day. Only slipped on 1 peanut butter cookie and a spoonful of ice cream. Not too bad at all considering where I was last week. It's very nice to have my support system back home. Also helps that I have time and someone to cook for again. It's so much easier to be good that way.

I thought I was going to DIE! I guess my band is a 11? not sure what that means, they only put in 3cc's, they had me drink a half a bottle of water before I left, I felt kinda wierd but nothing alarming,,,then I got back to work about 25 min later, I started getting horrible pains in my upper back, felt like I had to burp over and over but nothing helped., It got so bad I thought I was going to have to call 911. I called the center they told me to come back, by the time I got there 15 min later I was in tears and could barley walk, they rushed me in the back and imediantly removed all 3cc and I had instant relief. They nurse thinks the Dr was trying to get me to my "sweet spot" too soon and my body couldnt handle it. They put back in 1cc and told me to do liquids for 2 days then 1 day mushys, they said that if after the forth day I dont feel my portions are smaller they will do another fill in 2 weeks. I thought I had done alot of research on this but was completly un prepared for this, do you think part of it was the barion for the furoscopy fill?:help:

Well, my first thought is that you are losing about a pound a week and that is a healthy amount to lose. Otherwise, are you holding yourself accountable for everything you are eating and drinking? Food logs and journals are helpful for keeping tabs on problems. Also, sometimes I dont lose weight if I am getting too few calories.

I'm not counting calories. I refuse. I just eat when I am hungry. I am also not doing a set cardio program yet. I find that when I start a heavy cardio program, I get hungrier than I need to be, so I've been doing lots of resistance, walking more and taking the stairs more in my every day life, and doing very short spurts of HIIT (tabatas) here and there when I feel up to it. My weight loss was stalled for a bit, but once I started adjusting my carbohydrates (adding more) my body was happy. I lost weight better if I am taking in simple carbs. I knew this from pre-surgery, but everyone is so low-carb gung ho that I thought I'd see how it went... the answer is not good White rice works for me. You've lost a lot for how long it's been since the surgery Slow and steady is better for your body/mind anyway, so keep at it. We're getting there.

Hi everyone, I haven't been able to get online much since surgery. Thought I would say hey and let you know whats going on and see if anyone has suggestions. Surg was 9/3/13 at 221.... last office visit I am down to 172.2 yeah!! HOWEVER There are concerns of erosion. I have appt to see dr in the am. I haven't had a fill yet, but I remember the nurse telling me there were 3 cc in band at surgery so I am going to ask to remove a smidge, that is if it doesn't have to come out. I will be completely devastated. And if I hear one more time "Well, just eat like you still have the band" from people who have no idea what its like. I may kick them i the shins!! i did want to ask how much do you eat at meals?? i have had 2 c coffee, 1 bottle Water, 1/3 c ham salad (no bread) and 1/2 c of chicken n noodles (more chick than noodle) thats all... since 5;30 am and it's now 11pm. its not that I am full.... my stomach just feels ugh and I am done. Don't want to eat anymore. But, I could kick someone butt for some Dairy Queen right now. Even if I had it, literally 2-3 bites, I'm done. Just wondering what others think. Now that i have password,,, you will be seeing me again.

Hello 830830...congrats on your recent surgery. One week after surgery..I had a day of. mourning over the lost if my best friend, my consoler, my go to. ...FOOD. On that one day, I wanted to binge ..I wanted my best friend that I loved so much for 40 years. I knew I could use my friend anymore.. I was so sad.. It was day of realism..however, with that mourning..my mind flipped. It was also my day of acceptance..that I had to let go of my best friend. Though I know my friend can come and knock on my door again, I am doing the best to keep her a bay. Every since my sleeve, it is so much easier to jump into what life has to offer..rather than being in a stupor with high fat, high sugar food. I have discovered my cues of head hunger'. I.e. Tiredness', stress , and anxiety. I am very aware when I have head hunger..then I take the time out and evaluate what situation I Have put my day in. Then I slowdown..tell myself that nothing is worth being anxious about ..to,sabotage my health journey. You are going through a transition..and that is an integral part of growth towards health..when I are feeling out of your body. The time to analyze your feelings and write it down..face your new reality. Make sure you are not over exercising. Not eat all your Protein...etc etc. Your body is healing.. So be patient..be kind to yourself.. I am so happy that had that one horrible day. I did not binge..I eat what I was directed to. But it was a day of awakening. So embrace change. Even though it is foreign to you right now.

I am ashamed to say I must have had like 10 last suppers. For about 2 weeks before banding I went and ate a huge plate at like every one of my favorite resturants.

Hi! I have a Van Guard 10cc band and I was just reading the thread about how it's taking sometimes 7 fills before people feel the right restriction. I was wondering if theres anyone who has the 10cc band and gets their fills done under fluroscopy. Does the fluroscopy help to be more aggressive with fills so that you dont need so many? I dont go back to see my surgeon until the first week of July and I'm constantly starving and can eat just as much as I did before the band so it was really depressing to read about so many people having such a difficult time getting restriction. I'm losing weight under sheer willpower at this point. My surgeon does all of his fills under fluroscopy so I am hoping that I wont need so many. Any thoughts on this? Thanks!

I have never written before, but have read through many of the posts. I was banded on July 21st and weight loss has been elusive. I lost about 15 lbs on the liver shrinking diet and then nothing until last week. Last week I lost 7 lbs, but this week the scale is either slowly going up or staying the same. I usually have a Protein shake for Breakfast and a Protein Bar for lunch and then try some type of meat for dinner. I had my first fill last week of 3 cc's. I am not sure what I am doing wrong, but I feel like something isn't working. Any suggestions? Thanks!!!