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Hey Im just really starting too. I looked into it before, but my insurance didn't carry it then. now it does and I am going to the seminar next week, which the surgeons office told me was the first big step. I would like to have my surgery late March as well. Just in time to start losing weight for summer. =)

I am two weeks post op... your fears are normal. You are exactly where you need to be... asking and sharing with people who have been exactly in your shoes. Education is power... I personally made the decision to move forward with the GS because the health issues I was afraid I was facing far outweighed the risks on the surgery for me. Good luck in your decision making process. Remember, one way or another, the decision has to be yours... this is your life, your desire to change, your health. Blessings.

I have a week to go till surgery..... doing my shakes now....kind of rough start with them but I know I have to do it. Nov. 10th cant's come soon enough

Hi. I was just banded on Nov. 5th. Even though I was making big changes.. stopped drinking Diet Coke, took smaller bites, tried to watch what I was eating, I also felt a need to eat. We had several last meals. Steak one night, ribs another, then I had some sweets, etc. I know exactly how you are feeling. Just remember that after the splurge to watch it the next day. I only had to do a liquid diet for 1 week before surgery. I did end up losing 17 lbs before I had surgery. Since Monday I've dropped another 10!! Of course a week of Clear liquids will do that to a person. Good luck and enjoy your journey. It does get easier and after you are banded you don't have a choice, but to follow the plan.

I can't believe I'm actually posting anything. I've been stalking you guys for so long. I'm having my surgery by Dr. Landerholm in Edmonds, Washington on 3-29. I've already started the pre surgery diet (just because I wanted to get started--the doc didn't request that I do until 10 days before but I feel silly just sitting around waiting to lose weight)--anyway I've already lost nine pounds in the first week! I know it's mostly water but I havn't seen the scale respond like that for years!:clap2:

I am 2 weeks post op.I have not thrown up once.I was afraid of that.The biggest thing is to watch your intke.Small bite is key also chewing throughly.With drinking sipping no gulping.Prepare yourself before hand it helps.

Hi- congrats on your success thus far. I just joined today. I had my gastric sleeve on March 27th so one week ago today. Doing well with my liquids. Still have some pain, but everyday is getting better. Started pre-op diet at 235, surgery date at 223 & today at 217, so feel like Im making progress. Having trouble with some family who cant understand why I would do this & trying hard not to be emotional. At this point I feel like this is done and the q&a sessions should be done. Tired of having to justify why I did this. Anyone else experiencing this?

:ranger: Hi, This is my first post. I have been lurking a little for the past couple of weeks. I live in rural Nebraska with my very supportive husband of 42 years along with my almost 12 year old grandaughter and 2 Bischons. I attended the information seminar 2 weeks ago and have my initial evaluation on Sept. 6th. I have a BMI of 35 but several of the comorbidities. Hypertension, sleep apnea, arthritis, reflux and now plantar fasciitis and I have the big "61" coming before the month is over. It looks as though I am going to have to pay from my own pocket. Is it really worth it to go to Mexico? The surgeons in Lincoln charge $16,000 for the whole package including several fills. Is this in line with the rest of the USA?

Holly... Boy do I hear ya on the exercise.. I tell myself everyday that I'm going to do some walking and I only get in about 2100-3500 steps according to my pedometer, when I should be getting in 10,000 or more.. Right now I am more or less coasting until the 1st of October when I start my liquid diet... My DH and I are retired and spending the summer out here in the San Francisco, California area. We went touring last Wednesday and I could hardly walk anywhere, we kept having to stop so I could rest. When we got home that night I told myself that I would drink a couple of Protein shakes every day and walk, walk, walk.... Well the first day was good, but since then I've been a little lax... My hips and feet get to hurting so bad and on good days I can only walk about the length of a football field and back and then I'm done... That is so pitiful especially when I was very athletic in school and in my young adult years I was a dancer... Does walking or exercise affect your hips and such like mine do? I am wondering if it is directly related to my weight or if there is another underlying problem.. That is good that the visit to your dietitian went well even though you already knew what she said... This is the greatest site to learn from, plus have the most wonderful support system around... I will be having my consultation with the dietitian the end of September.. I have already had my phone consult with my Dr, so I pretty much am set as far as what he wants me to do prior to surgery and that is just do the liquid diet 10 days before my surgery day... I sure am glad that I don't have to do a 4 week pre-op exercise program. I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to make it... They would have to start off very gently with me.... I am very angry with myself for getting so out of shape and so much overweight... :huggie: But I am sooooo happy I am getting the band.... Keep me posted on how your exercise program is working....

Hi Bobbie! Yeah, I noticed the other thread is more active too. That's okay, once the party is officially "started" (in October!) then all the threads will fill up nicely! So my visit with the dietitian was OK, but I didn't learn anything that I hadn't already learned HERE on the boards! I see the exercise people in another week, to get set up for a 4-week pre-op exercise plan at the gym. My private pay plan includes 16 weeks paid at a gym across the street from the hospital where I'll have surgery (and I'm also a nurse there.) I feel too fat and tired to exercise, so I need the accountability and the "cheerleading" too! The gym reports to my doctor about how often I go, and I have to log in so many hours there or surgery is postponed! Are you just "coasting" and waiting for things to start happening, or what -- what's going on in your journey?

Mary, it is so aggravatingly slow and arbitrary!!!! You can go for a fill in 4 weeks and I have to wait 7 weeks to see the doc I don't want to see, I'd rather go and get a fill!!! Excruciating!!! Mimi

As very nervous....its only been a week..,ive lost 5 lds yeah,,,,but really misss my girls and going out ..so tonight Feeling great and having tolerated ....string cheese ,soups,guacomoli. Hummis, i decided ill try..the girls do not know...they think I am on a medically supervised diet....we went for chinese...i ordered won ton soup. Drank half the broth was fine,,,,then ordred diced beef for lettuce wraps.....I never ate the lettuce....just put some on my lettece and ate with a spoon...i chewed and chewed. Went down fine...once or twice felt like it was a bit much....but all went well...no alcohol of course

I realized yesterday that I must be doing better than I am giving myself credit for. I noticed for the first time that my face is looking less fat. My jeans that were once tight are falling off of me. And a favorite shirt that was once too "clingy" to be remotely flattering now fits as though it should. I guess 30 pounds really does make a difference! I am struggling with not getting on the scale every day. I know that it is bad and not very productive, but I have trouble with breaking this habit. I got yesterday and it said I had gained a pound. I got on today and it reported a loss of four. So, beginning this week I am not going to jump back on a scale until my next fill, which is 1/16. Besides, I am sure their scales are much more accurate anyhow! I hadn't really set smaller weight loss goals, but I think that it is a good idea. Something to keep focused on during the "rough spots". So, my first goal is 50 pounds. Let's see how long that will take me! :drool: Good luck to all of you and best wishes for good health and weight loss for the New Year!

Losing these extra pounds is wonderful! One of the things I wanted to accomplish is being able to get down and play with my grandchilden! My oldest grandson Dylan just turned 7 and I took him to Disney World~all four parks in five days. We took one day off to swim in the pool and get in the hot tub and shop! I was able to walk without giving out of breath, ride ALL the rides with him, even Splash Mountain and Mission Space, (although I can say I have been there~done that) which were very scary even for me. I FIT in all the rides, did NOT have to have anyone PULL me out of them, Had a BLAST at 58! I just realized, that I FEEL YOUNGER!!! Taking off weight is Wonderful, no I have NOT lost 100 lbs, NOT met my personal weight loss goals yet, but I AM getting there with the help of the LapBand AND I am reaching the goals I set for my life changes and it feels good. I did not overeat on this trip, we bought groceries and cooked at the Condo, I took Crystal light for my water, snacks that I could have in my backpack, and it was all good. I did have a little of the Funnel Cakes and a Dole Pineapple soft serve as a VACATION TREAT! We had a great week. Then last night went out to eat in Destin/FWB at Fish Lipz on the Gulf of Mexico. I had the appetizer of Crab Cakes, they were so fresh and delicious, All I could eat! Drank water later, FULL! Everyone else had Ribeyes, Salads, potatoes loaded, I ate slow all went down and stayed down. $9.00, I was a cheap date, LOL Enjoyed food and friends we seldom see. I never knew how much fun is was to PLAY until NOW! Thanking God for the Band!:thumbup:

So today is a mix of emotions... first let me say I am not a patient person and if this process has taught me something it's that I must be patient... but like I said that's difficult. Got a call from the surgeons office and I need a formal dietician visit for insurance review.. I finished my 6 month (7 visit) on March 15. i anticipated being banded in April... I am hoping it happens in May but am unsure...Now I am wondering if the dietician visit was required with the 6 month supervised, I was going to Weight Watchers the entire time.. but dang another bump in the road, but I shall persevere!! Where to start.. well let me bare the craziest thing about this whole journey... 4 years ago i attended a weight loss surgery seminar with a friend as her moral supprt... I was not judgemental but swore up and down that this was not for me, BECAUSE i love food.. well duh, I guess I am not the brightest bulb on the tree... Over the last 4 years I have lost and gained over 200 pounds.. the most being 80 pound loss. I wonder some days why I can't keep my weight under control. I remember saying at the time to myslef "I would never do this, I would feel deprived, I would hate to live without eating anything I want".... the irony is that now I can not wait to be limited... I love structure and am (I know this is weird but) am already following the pre-op diet because I can't wait anymore.... but it's a matter of being ready and knowing you have tried everything... I hadn't had enough failure then to concede that I needed a better tool to help me. It's not that I can't diet... I can and do, and have my whole life. I can spout fat, calories, carbs, protein and fiber of most any food you can name. I know what good nutrition is and I understand input/output. I can tell you how many calories I burn in 30 minutes of many exercises... I am not dumb... I am not lazy... I am not weak.... I AM ALWAYS HUNGRY!!! I know that sounds silly but that is really what it comes down to. I really feel that many of us are in the same boat. I have accomplished so much... and am a prefectionist in many ways, (OK, it may seem like I'm bragging here but I am making a point).. I have three fabulous, successful, athletic children who never get in trouble, they are respectful and kind, I have a great marriage, I graduated college with a great GPA, was great at my job when I worked, love staying at home now and caring for home/children, did the PTA president thing, always a homeroom mom, always volunterring at church.. and can do anything I set my mind to BUT keep a healthy weight. I find it embarrassing at times... that's a lie... I find it embarrassing most of the time. As unfair as it is we all know the fat discrimination... it sucks and it makes me feel "less than" in certain situations. I know that is more my problem than society.. but I also know how I am viewed compared to my size 4/6 friends... I hope I have not rambled too long... I feel myself purging all the negative and finally getting in touch with my feelings.... this process has been great for intraspective analysis, and I am getting there... and believe it or not, am already feeling much lighter!

I am having surgery next week. Insurance doesn't cover it but doing it anyway. Have 100 lbs to lose. Am nervous and excited and hopeful. You all have inspired me!!! Thanks!

Hi Apples, it seems we may be at the same point in our banding, the very beginning :-) What exactly is the 6 month supervised diet? I am a little confused. I see some women apply and have the surgery in a few weeks, others talk about months and months? Is it all your insurance issues?

:welcomeB: Hi Joyaddison! Welcome to LBT! Being hungry after surgery is very common. After your swelling goes down, you may start to feel hungry again, at least until you get some fills. It varies from person to person. I did start getting hungry a couple of weeks after surgery. I have had 2 fills, and I only had decent restriction for about a week after my 2nd fill. Don't get me wrong, it's still a lot better than before, I just have to have some willpower until I get good restriction. Believe me, it has been well worth it. Good luck and I wish you the best!

While I am still on mushes for this week I decided I would sample some real food tonight. I had made a simple casserole of egg noodles, cream of chicken soup, cheddar soup, broccoli, and chicken, topped with a little cheddar. I actually made this for my friend, but decided I would have a little. So I got our my appetizer plate and fork that I bought pre-band and served myself a very small portion, about a 1/4 of a cup. Thinking I would not be able to get it down. I took my time chewed well and poof it was gone. I now have more confidence that the band and I will work together. PLEASE NOTE, I have not had a fill other than the little he put in the band at surgery. I could probably eat anything. But still no hunger and I only ate that as a test of real food. If I get on the scale tomorrow and I have gained an ounce, I will just die :thumbdown:. But I also know I can't continue eating baby food the rest of my life. First step, I know it should have been all protein, but it was not planned. Tomorrow I plan to try some fish for dinner. Thanks to all who commented on my blog, I am glad it helps. You can also read my chain in the "Men's Room" Men of March. Thanks all:smile:

Good luck on your journeys!! I will be 1 year out Dec. 18th. I have done well with no regrets. I've lost around 130 pounds. Don't exercise until your doctor says. It was about 3 weeks for me. My life has changed so much. You are going to love how you feel. When you aren't losing the pounds it seems like you're listing inches. Be patient because there are times you will be frustrated. Also never compare with others. I will admit its hard not to. Have a wonderful day!!

Thank you all for your encouraging messages. This is day 5 post-op and I am feeling really good, drinking a little more today, and hopefully even more tomorrow! Have not been on the scales yet, going to wait till Thursday, 1 week.