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I don't have a date for surgery yet (actually I still have my psych exam before my file can be sent to insurance). But I've been slowly buying some Vitamins each paycheck. Several months ago I was buying Shakeology from Beachbody which has about 23g of Protein per serving and 75% of all the vitamins and minerals you need for the day, so I have a couple of those stock piled. I plan on slowly stocking up on a few things as I go - s.f. Jello, s.f. popsicles, I also have a juicer and I like to juice an apple with some greens every day so I'll need to get some produce the day before my surgery. I'm single so I don't have to worry about anyone but myself. I'm not having anyone stay with me, I'm pretty sure I'll be fine. I'm sure if I really wanted to I could stay at my sister's house - but honestly since I'll be on a liquid diet for 3 weeks after sugery all my stuff will be here at home so I doubt that's something I'll do. Good luck to you on your surgery.

My surg is scheduled for next Friday---and we have a vacation planned in December--including two flights of 10hrs/5hr layover/3hrs.... I was told they advise no major travel for 6 weeks, so 2 months out should be fine. Enjoy your cruise!!

I just got approved last week and fingers crossed they said i will be sleeved in november

Today I had my EGD done and let me tell as soon as I got too the hospital I got very anxious about getting the sleeve. The prepping for the EGD was as If I was going to have surgery. I told myself ," omg I'm really doing this." My surgery is on Oct 2' only got a week left.

I have surgery on Monday, Oct 1st and I'm down 14 lbs in 10 days on the liquid diet. My weight loss stalled on days 6&7 and I'm not sure why. I stuck to the routine, except I ate a diet yogart with 50 cals. both nights, which is limited to shakes, broth, Water, sf Jello & sf popsicles. I try to walk 2-3 miles every other day and I did this on the 5th day. Is this unusual or do most people stall on their liquid diet? Also, I have a desk job and I took the week off from work, will this be enouugh time? Thanks!

I had followed a low carb diet focused on fruits and veggies with lean meats, and lost some weight, but then gained and lost the same 2-4 lbs for months. Once I was approved, I was given a diet to follow that pretty much allowed all of those things, but no grains (not even oatmeal). Grains cause inflammation in the body. Then there was the two week liquid diet, that had 3-4 Protein shakes, one small green salad and one yogurt a day. I only lost 7 lbs on that one. My body, even after surgery, loses slowly. I can tell you that removing grains from your diet (and sugar) will have an effect on your weight loss. You could focus on the types of foods you will eat post-op - high protein, lean meats, veggies and fruits... which would prepare you for the lifestyle change AND help you with your weight loss goal - pre-op. Having surgery does require some discipline, and only you can decide if you are ready to take this step. But if you choose a plan and get started, you may just find it to be tolerable and well worth it. Good luck!

Do you have to meet with a dietician? I have to see a dietician every month during my 6 month period, but it is a requirement from my insurance company. She has me on a diet that has six servings of carbs, six of protien, three veggies, two fruits and two fats a day. Then for snacks I am supposed to have 1 cup of skim milk I lost the first month but haven't done as well the second two months but it teaches a lot of the habits you need to have to have success after the surgery. I don't know how the doctoer would expect you to be losing weight if he doesn't give you any guidance. If you could lose it on your own why would you be having surgery.

Congrats. My eval was weird but easy, just a bunch of questions. Like you, I'm at the end of should I say, beginning of my RNY journey! 2 more weeks til I submit paperwork for approval! GOOD LUCK!!

I was told it would be ok to open it up, but i started one week after surgery, not 3... Hmmm...

As much as I couldn't wait for real food, I was also scared about having an episode; like the ones we read about. Because of that, I ate SO slow, and my bites were extra tiny. I paid close attention to how each bite felt, and little by little, I found my comfort zone. Certain things didn't feel good. They didn't make me sick, but I just didn't like the way they felt; made me a bit nauseous. So I excluded those things, and stuck to what felt comfortable. All the ground meats worked very well. Eggs, sort of hit & miss. Sometimes (even three months out), if I eat them in the morning, I'll taste them for hours. Not sick, just grossed out. Just a suggestion..... On the fruits & veggies, make sure the veggies are cooked until they're very soft. Fruit and vegetables have been tricky for me. Some cause immediate discomfort as soon as they hit my stomach. You'll be fine! It's okay to be a little scared, because that will help keep you focused on what you need to do. In the beginning, all of the teeny tiny slow eating helped me to retrain myself. If I'm preoccupied while eating, I may forget, but only momentarily. Good luck!

I think telling them that you need surgery to be healthier is a good answer. Also the eight year old is big enough to help you with things the first couple weeks when you can't lift things over 5 pounds. When I was a kid and my mother was sick she used to say "Nurse Nancy get me ......" (Anyone else have the "Nurse Nancy" book?) Your oldest can be a Nurse Nancy or John and bring you drinks or jello.

I can tollerate most foods. I have to limit pasta as it is so dense I feel really full from it. Now that I'm healed, nothing "gets stuck" anymore. I feel great which is wonderful. Had an infection in my incision initially so I didn't feel great for serveral weeks. The weight loss seems to come in waves - wish is was more consistent but beggers cannot be choosers. I"m down 47 pounds since I started the liquid diet 2 weeks before my surgery!

I've been using Patch MD patches since before my surgery. I just had my 3 month check up yesterday. And yes, for the most part, they work. The 1 vitamin that I'm still having issues with, even with the patch, weekly doses as well as daily chewables, is vitamin D. I'm deficient. So, every other tested level was within the "good" ranges, just that Vitamin D was low. I'm currently using the following: Patch MD MultiVitamin Plus - Daily Patch MD B12 Engergy Plus - Daily Patch MD Vitamin D3 - Daily Essential Stacks Vitamin D3 K2 "Sunshine Fuel" - Daily Biotin - Daily 50,000 IU Vitamin D2 - Once a week I've been cleared to stop everything else since my levels were good.

I'm a slow loser averaging 1 pound a week. There are a lot of us who are slow losers so don't be disappointed if this is your experience. This is a will power diet until you get some restriction help. And even at restriction I don't feel full while eating. I get a full feeling after I stop. So I measure my food and stop when it's gone.

Jenni, I am going through the same exact thing! I was oddly happy to log on and see your post. Not because I am happy that you are hungry, but happy that I am not alone! I was banded on 3/10. As of 3/25 I had lost 9lbs. Of course I had been on a liquid diet for 3 weeks. My doctor started me on normal foods as of the 27th, but told me to start with softer foods first to make sure I had no problems. I returned back to work on the 28th and have gained back 4 pounds. I am freaking!! I have not had any fills yet. I am starving all of the time, but trying to really watch what I eat and not eat to much. I don't feel like i can get full. Please, someone tell me this will change and I will be successful! I hope someone can give us some advice and encouragement.

I know how you feel. I was just approved last week. Phone would ring and caller id would be disappointing. It wasn't til I made myself unavailable, the call came in. Hope it's soon!

Good thread. I think I won't be sleeved until early oct. Not too much prep involved. i bought 2 bottles liquid multivitamins (buy on get one half off) and two bottle calcium gummies same bogo. Gas-x strips, also on sale.besides water, water, and more water.... I think I am doing isopure 3 bottles, I was told by my nut 1/2 bottle a day for 1 week. Crystal lite and popsicles. Week 2 one pure protien shake at 35 g and one atkins @20g and that's it per day, after that, I plan to be out shopping myself. I have 4 little guys at home ages 5,7,10,and 13. My 10 year old has mental illness, so it will be a challenge since, my husband isn't the best at setting her limits. Only my DH, best friend, and college daughter knows this is happening. ( love my parents, but not the most supportive, my grown sons don't need to know, either)-so best friend offered to take time off to be with me, hubby will as well. I am a clean freak, so it will be tough seeing the kids making a mess and not be able to clean up (the way I clean). I will let hubby take care of getting them up and ready for school, dinners and laundry and such. He really is amazing that way. So what if their hair is natty or their clothes are on inside out??? Lol

Went to the seminar today to get much needed info. The group we are going with has three surgeons who do these surgeries. I was interested in the sleeve but the doc leading the group today said he is not keen on the VSG only because of the track record of restrictive procedures. He made sure to point out that whatever the patient wants the patient gets but I think they push for the RNY. One of the other docs really likes the VSG so maybe he gets all those patients. Our appointment is Oct. 10. We have to get letters of approval from our primary doc and show past weigh-ins from office visits. Has anyone out there had trouble showing a history? I especially am concerned about showing my son's past weight issues. He goes to the docs far less than I. Any input will be appreciated.

I've chosen not to tell my patents or in-laws bc I know they won't be supportive. It's sad, but true. It took me three years to reach this decision and its about saving my own life and living a long time to mother my three, small children. My husband is nervous, but very supportive, and my best girlfriends are my biggest cheerleaders so I'm VERY lucky to have a great team. But even if I didn't, I made this decision by myself, about myself and would do it anyway. I hope you will have some peace of mind and that you're family will come around and support you! I bet they're reacting negatively out of fear and worry. Try to educate them as best you can. Good luck to you!!

Hello All, I need a little encouragement. I have recently decided to postpone my surgery due to some pretty serious personal problems (separating from my husband and relocating with my lil one). I was planning to have the operation in December during the holidays because that's when I would have the time off from work, and I was 6lbs within reach of my pre-surgery weight. Well, it looks like the next time I'll be able to take 4 weeks off (My doctor recommends taking off a month) will be end of June. Since making all these decisions I've been really down and eating like crazy!! June is so far away! I'm an emotional eater and I'm trying not to be. But honestly, with the major transitions in my personal life I'm struggling and I've been eating everything under the sun! I'm scared I'm on a downward spiral to completely diving in to a bucket of ice cream and fried chicken! Any encouragement you can offer would be nice and is very welcome! Thx community!

Glad you are feeling so good after surgery! I have a couple of weeks to go and I hope to do as well as you! Is it accurate to say that you are not having much pain?

Thanks it's been GREAT have not been sick everything is wonderful!!!! 30 lbs down its been 3 weeks

Congratulations, how very exciting! I am still waiting for my nutritionist to send in the necissary paper work (its been two weeks ) but after she does hopefully Ill be in your position, waiting for surgery!!!

Date of Surgery: October 26, 2009 (my "re-birth day") Pre-op weight: 288 Current weight: 208 weight goal: 150 Pre-op health issues: sleep apnea asthma high cholesterol joint pain difficulty walking, needed cane often shortness of breath had surgery on both knees due to torn cartilages from excessive weight back surgery was recommended I could not walk more than 1 1/2 blocks before I was out of breath, and experienced severe lower back pain that made me cry and stop in my tracks. My doctor was adamant that I had to have back surgery, saying it was not related to my weight. I needed numerous cortisone shots to relieve the pain. The back doctor told me I had to have back surgery if I wanted to be able to walk without pain - "I SAID NO". I wanted to see if the pain would subside if I lost some weight, AND IT DID! I no longer walk with a cane. I can walk many blocks without shortness of breath and WITHOUT PAIN. Dr. George Fielding of the NYU Program for Surgical Weight Loss and his staff saved my life. There are two other wonderful doctors at NYU, Christine J. Ren Fielding (his wife) and Marina Kurian. Although I was confident that any of these three doctors would do a good job, I chose Dr. Fielding for several reasons. First, he had the LAP-BAND® surgery himself, and I felt he would really know what I was going through, and that he would really understand my feelings. Second, he is an Aussie, and I love his accent (LOL) - I love to hear him talk, so I ask him a lot of silly questions just to hear him talk in that Australian accent. I have had five fills so far - I skipped one month because my band was still very tight, and I knew they would tell me I did not need a fill - and I would still have to pay the co-pay. I saved myself a $40.00 co-pay (lol). I am going in for my 6th filling today, May 13, 2010. The only thing I hate about their office is that their scale always shows me three pounds heavier than my home scale! So I always ask if I can bring in my scale with me but after laughing at me, they tell me I can't do it (Grrrrr). I was told by Gaspar, one of the Nurse-Practitioners, that I should write an article for their newsletter about the type of exercising I do to help with the weight loss. I do lots of home exercising by using things commonly found at home, such as lifting weights (liquid laundry detergent), etc! I am thinking about doing that, but I also thought about starting this blog to have a shared support system. In this blog, hopefully you will find many helpful tools, such as: 1. healthy recipes, called recipe of the day 2. types of exercises 3. activities 4. ability to share your thoughts and feelings http://life-after-lap-band®.blogspot.com/ :thumbup::thumbup: