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stay on liquids as much as possible...You don't want the surgeons telling at the last minute that they won't do the surgery because all of the foods that's in your system...I knew a patient that was turned away on surgery date because she was eating foods on a regular...If you get hungry...Try sugar free applessauce, sugar free pudding...things that won't stick in your system.....GOOD LUCK...I HAD MY LAP BAND SURGERY ON 3-25-10..AND SO FAR I LOST 30LBS. I AM STILL EXCITED AND MOTIVATED....GOOD LUCK...YOU CAN DO IT...WE ALL CAN IF WE PUT OUR MINDS TO IT.

Carmen thanks so much for this post, I am only 10 months post op, and I too would not change a thing about my experience with the band so far. I love my band and to date have lost 67 pounds. Its so nice to read such a positive post. Well done Gaynor

Yep, he's done all of mine. I was just there Wednesday. He is top notch. I drive 10 hours round trip to see him when there are 3 surgeons that will see Mexican patients less than 2 hours from me. I have pics of him doing my fills.

11-23-06 Menu for Thanksgiving breakfast! 3 ego waffels syrup/butter water 3 hours later lunch noddles in cup water 5 hours later THANKSGIVING FOOD I went a Thanksgiving without eating turkey! I went a Thanksgiving without eating pumpkin pie or sweet potatoe pie! I did not drink any sodas havent had any since 11-10-06!! I ate out of paper cups I filled the cup half way up with veggie dressing Then half a cup of turnip greens Then my brother made my a fat free banana pudding!! I ate 2 servings of that!!!! popcorn for dinner and 2 bottles of water that day! Laying in the bed this is what my body said to me My mind says EAT its been 45mins! My fat tummy says you are really not that hungry DRINK water!! My thighs says you should RUN from the table!! My butts says you should be spanked for even thinking about food! My heart says a change is coming!! hang in there Tia

If you'd gained 10 pounds after being sleeved then you'd have reason to be concerned. 30 pounds in two weeks is phenomenal, be patient and give your body time to catch up.

Do research it if you can. The attacks must vary in intensity. I only had one MASSIVE attack that was so so painful I had surgery a few days later because I did not want another one of those. I will never forget it. It started suddenly in the middle of a Costco! It was an 'easy" surgery, as far as surgeries go. I have not missed my gallbladder and it has been about 10 years.

:clap2: Weight hit 279:clap2: still dropping. 10/26/06 320/279/210

I am close to ONEderland. I have lost over 80 lbs and that is great, but I am starting to look at the other side of the ticker. I finally have less than 60 bls to loose to make it to goal. 50-something is a great thought when you start with 140 on that side! I also see this as an amazing accomplishment to get to the point in my journey that I start to look at the goal and not getting 25% to goal or 50% to goal. I'm sure I will celebrate ONEderland (hopefully next week) and I think I will treat myself to a manicure when I get to the century mark. The small goals I set for myself are great but this is a milestone I didn't anticipate and it is a great surprise! I know I am still months and months away from goal, but I am starting to feel like it is something I can accomplish and this is the first time that I really started to feel that way. It was just arbitrary goal. A couple of days a go a friend said "Another 60 lbs? Really?" I said well that is a healthy BMI. What should my goal be? He couldn't really argue with that. If I get down to 165 that will be awesome and losing anything more than that will be gravy. I hope I can get to 142.5 That will be half of what I used to weigh and that is my goal. I always say "Aim high if you want to accomplish great things!" Banded 10-29-08 Dr. Kirshenbaum Denver, CO Self Pay - $9950

I am close to ONEderland. I have lost over 80 lbs and that is great, but I am starting to look at the other side of the ticker. I finally have less than 60 bls to loose to make it to goal. 50-something is a great thought when you start with 140 on that side! I also see this as an amazing accomplishment to get to the point in my journey that I start to look at the goal and not getting 25% to goal or 50% to goal. I'm sure I will celebrate ONEderland (hopefully next week) and I think I will treat myself to a manicure when I get to the century mark. The small goals I set for myself are great but this is a milestone I didn't anticipate and it is a great surprise! I know I am still months and months away from goal, but I am starting to feel like it is something I can accomplish and this is the first time that I really started to feel that way. It was just arbitrary goal. A couple of days a go a friend said "Another 60 lbs? Really?" I said well that is a healthy BMI. What should my goal be? He couldn't really argue with that. If I get down to 165 that will be awesome and losing anything more than that will be gravy. I hope I can get to 142.5 That will be half of what I used to weigh and that is my goal. I always say "Aim high if you want to accomplish great things!" Banded 10-29-08 Dr. Kirshenbaum Denver, CO Self Pay - $9950

I think that if you can inspired so many people like us, why not inspire yourself, you can do it, and you look amazing now, but if loosing 10 or 20 more pounds will make you happy, go for it, you said it, you are a goal oriented person, so keep with the good work and you will suceeed, just think of people like me whom are just going to start this journey and for whom you have became an inspiration, and that will give you the push to continue. You are the motivation of so many others, then go ahead and push a little harder and you will see how you will succeed. You are so closed to your final goal that I feel jealous (in a good way) Don't give up, don't discourage yourself. You Can Do It.

After many weeks of waiting, I'm finally scheduled to be banded May 10 in St. Louis by Dr. Van Wagner. The approval should have been a formality, but of course BCBS-NJ took their sweet time-about 8 weeks. The last time it took me that long to get a date was high school. :heh: Pre-op testing this Friday and next Thursday (still dread the upper G.I.). Clear liquid diet for ten days also. So now it's finally sinking in-this is going to happen, and my life is going to change-for the better.

Actually my DH is joking but it pisses me off. He's always making remarks about how I can get my boobs done or get some lipo on my hips. As if! Bloody accountant - he complains if I buy milk for crying out loud, yet my tits are important to warrant 10 grands worth of surgery? Stupid, shallow, superficial. Has he looked at his own boobs lately? They're bigger than mine! Why is it important to him that I look perfect? Actually if I had cosmetic surgery all I'd want is a chin implant, I have a weak chin that's changed a little with age and I'll probably get that chinless look when I'm older and get jowly. I wont be accepting that I'll definitely be getting some work done on it, probably in a year or two when I start working again, it costs quite little. He laughs at that, like its unimportant, apparently big fake bouncy boobs are way more of an attraction. Men!

OH! how I envy you...I still have about 10 weeks to wait ( waiting for private health cover to kick in ) Like you I am already trying to loose weight, mainly to help with the knee pain I am suffering at the moment but also to make sure my liver is in the best possible condition for the op. My first Dr appointment is made for 28th Sept so my op will be in the 3 weeks after that. Good luck and stay in touch, Id be interested to hear how you go, I am in Queensland, I see your in NSW. Have a great day linda

Hi everyone So I'm 24years old, female and on Monday the 21st of January 2019 I had my gastric bypass. So far everything is going great and I feel really lucky to be doing so well. I have to admit I did not do the pre-operative diet but this was decided through a consult with my surgeon; upon release from hospital on Wednesday the 23rd of January, I weighed exactly 120.2kg. I've decided I will wait until Monday to weigh myself again but I'm excited to heal and get myself on this journey back to health. Anyway, I'll stop rambling now, just wanted to say hi and if anyone has important tips on anything then please let me know my water intake is great at 1.5-2.5L per day already! #hydrate hydrate hydrate Sent from my BLA-L29 using BariatricPal mobile app

Next month I will Celebrate my 2 year surgiversary and I'm not happy with my current weight...but I am working on it. I've gained 8 pounds in less then two months. I am now wearing size 12. I was happy at size 10 but my goal size is an 8. I am not too concerned w/the numbers on the scale but more interested in the size I wear. Last week I had my 2 year f/u with my bariatric team and requested the RMR test ( basically this test determines how many calories I can eat to maintain and to lose weight). When I first had the test done I was at my heaviest and was told to lose, I had to stay under 1600 calories. I expected the amount of allowable calories to be less (since I lost weight) but to my dismay, it went down to 1000-1200 calories to lose and 1300-1600 to maintain. It was a significant drop, my exercise physiologist was also surprised and said it was more then he wanted. He was hoping for 1400 calories. I also lost more muscle mass. Admittedly, using weights was a hit or miss for me. After reviewing my exercise plan, turns out I was not working out at my target heart rate. He suggested I work out 3 to 4 days a week and make sure I stay within my target rate. Additionally, two of the four days should include weight training w/intervals of Hiit training. I've heard of target heart rate but had no idea how important it was nor did I realize how important weight training is to keep my metabolism revved up. I share what I've been told to help those battling regain. Takeaway: * be mindful of your target heart rate * incorporate weights It's definately not a one plan fits all but an option. I'm also curious if anyone has had a repeat RMR & what was their result?

Nine months Wow what can I say but this LB Journey has been BETTER than any amusement park feeling my insurance could buy!! A lot can happen in 9 months. I lost the weight of a small child or young adult for that matter 97 pounds. Wow I FEEL AND LOOK SO DIFFERENT! I was banded on June 29, 2009. One month early to my surprise. I had all the pre-op work done and I was just doing my job of reading everything I could about LAP-BAND®. I was making sure I was an expert on the subject before I even got banded, Ha Ha LOL I knew absolutely nothing!!! That was of REAL importance to me and my amazing journey. YOU WILL LEARN DAILY!! All I knew was eat slow, chew your food well and PROTEIN first and fit all the water and liquids in you can but NOT with a meal. Let me just say there is way more than just this. I set some goals back in the day, now I will look back at my older blog and see what I have accomplished? My biggest goal was to go skiing this winter and I did about 10 times I did well and it was just like riding a bike it all comes back to you. I rode a bike too that is so much fun!!! I want to dance. Yes. I have been Dancing and it is so fun! I want to eat normal. Yes, I eat way normal! EAT FOOD. NOT TOO MUCH. MOSLTY PLANTS. I want to think normal. Yes, I think normal! I want to look normal. Yes, I look normal! I want to FEEL normal. Yes I FEEL normal! I want to see myself as NORMAL. Yes, I look at myself and I see normal! I want to feel sexy again. Yes, I feel sexy again! I want to look sexy again. Ok, I am working on it...... I want to buy clothes off the rack. Yes, I can buy off the rack! I want those clothes to FIT me. Yes, clothes fit me I am a size 12 / 14. I want to be looked at, not look through. Yes, people talk to me now and look at me! I want to be successful. Yes, I feel and I am successful! I want off blood pressure medicine. Yes, I am NOW OFF all Medicine! Yippee. I want off my sleep apnea machine. Yes, I am off my apnea machine! Yippee. I want my normal body back, the one I had when I met my husband. I am Working on it. I was NORMAL I DO remember how it feels. Yes, I must say I FEEL NORMAL again Thanks to my LAP-BAND® I HAVE FORGIVEN MYSELF. MANY TIMES I was invited to speak to a group of newbies and there were about 50 people with many questions. I was with a young man who had GBPS and was at his goal. I am not at goal yet but have been successful on my journey and work well with my band. I was able the thank my Doctors and give back to the program that has given so much me. Wishing you and all my FRIENDS the best on your journey. I am still learning everyday. imaluckydog

Hi All! I had my sleeve done on August 19th where I weighed 247 lbs. Today Sept 10th I weigh 237 lbs. I am totally ill with this number. I dropped those first 10 lbs the first week and now in my 4th week the scale won't move. I'm counting proteins and getting in at least 48 to 60 oz of water a day, plus working out 5 days a week. I am at a loss. All I can do is keep doing what I'm doing cause it's not like I can get upset and over eat since I can barely get down the little I eat now. Did anyone else have this issue? Sorry for this boo-hoo Blog. I just know next time will be better...

Sure, everyone has this. How much did you lose presurgery? And you've lost 10 pounds in three weeks. Not Too Shabby!

I am not sure if my mood is related to my banding, or just general depression. I was warned about being depressed, but I thought I would be too excited about losing the weight. I was banded 3 weeks ago today-I am down 19 pounds. I am having no real problems with my band and am eating small amounts of pretty much whatever I like. So what's the problem? I am so down in the dumps. I can barely get myself out of bed. I haven't even sent my Christmas cards or finished decorating for the holidays-let alone wrap all of the presents for my family. I can barely force myself to go to work, even though we only have 2 more days until Christmas break. No matter how much I sleep, it's all I want to do. The only thing I can think to do is try to get more protein-I'm not using the powder like everyone recommends. I kicked caffeine before my surgery-so it's not withdrawal. I am just generally sad-apathetic...Is this part of the banding process-part of holiday stress-or a combination of both?

I was also banded by Dr Watson in March. He's a great guy and makes you feel really comfortable and at ease. I had about 10 days off work after the op and was pretty uncomfortable till about Day 7 or 8 with terrible shoulder tip pain from gas and port pain. But turned the corner and have never looked back. I'd recommend staying the extra day in hospital - I left after the first day and regretted it. All the best,

Thanks everyone for your support and help. I am just starting to figure out what to do. I have had my band almost 10 years and it is time to come out. I am scared of what damage they will find when they get there and I am trying to select a new Doctor. I looked locally at what my insurance company recommends as Centers of Excellence and I also see that there are some top hospitals outside of my region, such as The Cleveland Clinic. I am wondering if it will be worth it for peace of mind, to see if I can go to one of these more experienced hospitals for a revision? It would be a 1 hour plane ride and around $200 from Chicago or a $150 train ride for 5 hours each way. I would not want to drive it, that would be about 6 hours. Am I being unreasonable or am I just reading too deeply into horror stories and assuming that I will have problems? Any recommendations for an excellent surgeon in the Chicago area...when I say excellent, I mean world renowned. I care less about personality than I do skills.

Hi, I'm knew here but could relate to your post. I have not had surgery yet, still waiting for a date here in UK. But totally terrified of hospitals and surgery! My son had a horrific accident many years ago when he was 10 years old (he is now 31) and I spent months in hospital with him as he underwent one procedure after another, it took its toll on both of us but thankfully he survived. I have chosen bypass because I'm diabetic and have fibromyalgia. It will help diabetes get under better control but won't cure the fibro in fact I've been told that it will probably make that worse to begin with so except a lot of pain after surgery due to the fibro, this hasn't helped my nerves! I'm going to see a hypnotherapist at end of September to get some help with this fear. The dying part is a normal fear after all we are choosing this surgery to better our lives not end it! But it depends on any other health issues you have and your surgeon, have you asked him/her what percentage of patients have had complications or death with them? All surgery comes with a risk and many surgeries have a much higher risk than the bypass. No surgeon wants to have patient death rates, it doesn't bode well for their career, so if you were a big risk they wouldn't be doing it until you had lost some weight first, maybe inserting a ballon to help you. It's the complications that concern me, I'm already anaemic and they can't fund out why, this will get worse after surgery. The diabetes is known as the "silent killer" but the fibromyalgia affects my quality of life much more and I live with daily pain, to add to that with further complications would finish me off anyway - It's important to focus on why you are doing or wanting this and try to stay positive, I know that's hard but if you can be positive about it, you almost always get a positive outcome. Take care x

I am newly banded - 12/10. Doing fine but feeling full all the time. I guess from swelling? On full liquids and looking forward to my favorite mashed cauliflower in 2 weeks. So far so good.

Hi again. I was banded on 12/10 and had my 2nd follow up appt today. From the 2 weeks prior to my surgery til today I have lost 23 lbs!! Almost a pound per day since the band. I am so psyched. I feel great but still have some twinges in the incisions. Trying not to bend or stretch too much. Overall I am feeling great. Glad I did it.