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Not sure if anyone is going to read this, but I figure blogging about my journey will give me something to look back on. It will help me note my progress. Surgery date is still 32 days away. It's the Monday before Thanksgiving. I just weighed myself and am currently at 256 (and that's rounding down). I usually stay around 255. My story is similar to everyone elses so I won't waste time with the details. Let's just say, a lot of time and money spent with very few (if any) results. I'm 27, and I realize I'm not getting any younger. I have been reasonably health, but had a scare that pushed me to start researching weight loss surgery. I'm very glad that I did and I'm extremely excited. Although I'M healthy, my family has a history of diabetes and heart problems and I wanted to nip that in the bud ASAP. I know a common question among the board is who do you tell about this journey? For the most part, I've told everyone. Everyone I work with, my whole family, and a few close friends. Amazingly, every single person I've told has been extremely supportive. I even told one of my friends (who I thought would react negatively) and she surprised me by being supportive! I feel super blessed to have such great people in my life. However, I have this one close guy friend that for some reason, I can't make myself tell. I do have feelings for him, so maybe that's why? It's been stressing me out a bit, and I'm really hoping that after surgery, he doesn't ask how I lost the weight so quickly. I guess I'll just have to jump that hurdle when I get to it. Originally, this journey was only supposed to be a 3 month one. However, the doctors confused my insurance, and it ended up being 6 months. Which isn't horrible...I'm just glad I'm getting it done. All of my pre tests are finished (since I orginally thought 3 months, I got right on it) and everything came back wonderfully. I have my psychiatrist appointment on Monday (the 24th). For those of you that are curious, I only have to pay 80 bucks. He doesn't accept my insurance, but I found him to be cheaper than the ones that do! My sister went to him when she had her bypass surgery a few years ago, and she said it only took a few minutes! I'll make sure to blog about my experience afterwards. I have my last appointment with Dr. K on November 3rd and I still have to get my primary doctors approval. Still two more nutrition classes left! I expect to start my pre op diet on or around November 11th. Not too excited about that, but I am determined to make it through! Well, that's a lengthy first blog! The others will be shorter.

You have hit on exactly why I am going to do this, too. I realistically don't think I'll ever be skinny...I'll be happy to get to 200, and I think I'll feel and look great when I get there (I'm 5-9). And I'm not scared of the procedure...I've been through much worse in a trauma situation, so I know I can handle this. What I'm scared of is the total change for the rest of my life. It isn't something we can switch on and off. I have a half-cup measure sitting on my kitchen counter and I look at it and think can I really stick with that? But I would never consider bypass, so this is like my last great hope. And I NEED to make this work. The people here are so encouraging and helpful...I know I am going to be depending on them to keep me going. They definitely understand better than my family. Which makes sense since these people have been through it. I know you can make the changes necessary to be successful with your band. It isn't a day by day decision...sometimes it's a minute by minute decision. We just have to hold on a minute at a time and it will get better. The fact that you've come this far and are ready for surgery shows that you are determined to make your life better. And those simple things you are wanting so much will come as you work with your band. (I'm talking to myself here as well as to you...I'm being banded Jan. 24). Wishing you the best procedure and recovery possible. Keep us posted. Hugs~ Emily

Even though it is just around the house I've been walking and walking and feeling better. I think I slept much too long last night in just one position which didn't help much. I only stayed one night in the hospital and between those things on my legs pumping up and down and the blood pressure monitor and all the interns I got NO rest, so I made up for it last night. I'm happy to say I'm feeling better...have no gas, and not hungry. I have absolutely no regrets over having this surgery. It is something that because of this forum I was well prepared for. I have had 5-way-bypass surgery and the pain from that can't even compare to this. I was 6 mo. recovering from that excruciating pain. I know my age isn't helping much either, but I'm going to do everything I can to make this work. Thanks all for all the support. God Bless, Dody

Southwest Bariatric Surgeons - Lap Band & Gastric Bypass Weight Loss Surgery - Austin, TX located in austin

I have a band and would like a sleeve revision. Problem is I can't find a revision surgeon willing to see me since they didn't place my band initially. That doesn't make sense to me:( I have excellent health insurance though. Do any if you know a good Houston area revision surgeon?? Thanks!

Hi All, Well there is definately a difference between my first band surgery and my revision. There is no fill in the band at all and I am STARVING. I've been on Clear liquids up until I had some tomato Soup this evening (same consistency at Slim Fast) and that finally took away the terrible hunger pains I was having. I mean, it was actual PAIN. And it's only been four days since the surgery. I am surprised I am so hungry even though I don't have any fill. Anyone else here had a revision have the same experience? The doctor did mention to me I didn't have to be on the clear liquid phase for as long as normal because I would be hungrier, but this is bad! Hopefully when I add yogurt to my diet tomorrow that will help some. Any thoughts? Mae

I had a BMI of 31. But, I also had a lap-band. Since I was a revision, there was not as much concern about my low BMI. My doctor told me that I was not the only person at 30 or so BMI to get the surgery. It is unlikely, however, that you will get insurance to pay for it. I was self pay and I am happy with the results so far. There are a few low BMI folks on the board-- Lara

Hi everyone ! I am due to have my band out on 7th July and then a sleeve revision in oct/nov. I am so nervous and have an overwhelming fear of dying. I'm 27 year old and although I want this more than anything I'm terrified !! Was anyone else like this? X

Just thought I would say HI. I Live in Australia and I had a lapband done nealry two years ago. I have had no luck with my band. I have only lost 10kg in this time. I am finding my band is either to tight and I vomit all the time or too loose and I am hungry and eating lagre meals. I went to see another surgeon for a second opinion and he wants to take my band out and do a gastric bypass. I was asking about the sleeve but he wont do one because I have had the band. He said that the band leves too much scar tissue and the chance of a leak is really high. Wow I have never even thought of having a bypass was a bit of a shock to me. Which I dont really know why because a sleeve is something pretty major. So I would love some imput or advice about he bypass good or bad thanks.

I'm having my band removed and gastric bypass done Feb 10th. How long was everyone off work? Most things I see say 2 weeks but some people are saying 6 weeks minimum. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I have a band and my sister the bypass. I have problems with my esphogaus which effects my band. The most frustrating is eating, it's been over a year and every day is different. One day I can eat and the next I struggle. Now my sister, she has a problem with malabsorption, so she struggles to not lose more weight. A lot of health issues for both of us have been eliminated since having the surgery. You have to weigh the risks of everything and make a decision.

Thank you all for the kind words and advice. I'm hanging in there. My surgeon feels the dry heaving is due to an ulcer they found post-op. I'm on Carafate now. He said it could take weeks to improve, so I'm just praying at this point. Still weak, but I think that's due to several factors - one, I have little interest in food and can't force myself to eat much other than Soup and fruit; two, I've lost 90 pounds in three months, which I suspect is too fast; and three, two surgeries in two months. So I just need to push through it. Ugh. I pray so hard for the day when I can say I don't regret this! I just want to feel better. That's why I made the choice to have bypass in the first place. Also, I wish my sense of smell hadn't suddenly changed! What the heck? Everything smells so nasty now. My doc keeps asking if I'm sure I'm not pregnant, and I'm all, you've tested me THREE TIMES in the past month. Yes, I'm sure. Ugh.

Wanting to talk to anyone that has gone from band to bypass but is still on this site. I think lessons learned from the band will help with the bypass surgery. Would love to talk to anyone who has had this experience. Thanks! (Band slipped and doctor felt bypass was the way to go)

I'm in dire need of help if anyone has it. I'm so depressed and emotionally gone. Been struggling with weight my whole life and trying to get an approval to get a bypass. But my Dr won't budge or even listen to me. What have you gone thru and what have worked for the surgery to be approved. Sent from my SM-N920V using the BariatricPal App

If you don't have any other medical issues and given your current weight, I think you might be better off to look at lap-band or another WLS that is not quite as drastic as gastric bypass. Ask your doctor if he'd be willing to sign off on something else, besides gastric bypass.

Your amazing Jachut. Good for you! I can't get over your tight body! We're about the same age & I've had tt/lower body lift/revisions & 2 boob lifts & I still wobble like a huge bag of jello! It's horrible to see me run. I have to for hockey & it's not easy. I'm the same re: good or bad eating...scales stay the same. :w00t:

Congrats on your weight loss success, I am sure it is a wonderful feeling of accomplishment when you see the change in your body and your health, keep up the good work and keep us posted, I am awaiting my revision from Lapband to VSG surgery on July 12th I am on my pre op diet which is not bad I must do all lean proteins and fruits and vegetables, and my vitamins but No Carbs, its funny because there are good carbs and then the obvious ones...lol so I am learning to do this all over again and I must do it the right way, well you continue on your Journey and I wish you the Best.

Decision is sometimes straightforward with only one clue and answer. But having options; particularly considering the sleeve without available long term medical experience makes the decision difficult. It seems all of us passed the same experience. By the end of the day, sleeve seems though irreversible, minimally invasive. Still, if loss of weight is not satisfactory, a complimentary surgery ( duodenal switch or bypass) can be contemplated.

My boyfriend and I just started dating he had gastric bypass surgery 3 months ago. I have a degree in culinary arts and am trying to develop new recipes/ideas for us. I too want to transition to his diet so we both live healthier lives. Any recipes, suggestions, or comments would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for the replies and encouragement. Like I said in my original post, I am 95% sure I am going to go through with this. It's more for health reasons than vanity's sake. You all have given me a lot of good information to move forward with this. I am attending a WLS support group on Monday evening with a friend who had gastric bypass (RNY) in December. I am hoping to connect with banded folks face to face to get more information. Plus, the doctor who did my friend's RNY is the doctor I would choose to do the banding, so this is all good.

I think I'll look better (although with more wrinkles and lots of saggy skin!), but when my mom had her gastric bypass, it was really weird. At 53 she had virtually no wrinkles, but she was 150 lbs overweight! Now that she's about 130 lbs, she's had a couple of face lifts and other various plastic surgeries to get rid of wrinkles. It's not that she's vain, but that instead of always looking younger than her age, she looked older! The really funny part of it to me is that people always asked me if I even recognized my mom since she'd lost so much weight (she was overweight for most of my life, expect for short times when any given diet was successful). The truth is that now when I look at pictures from when she was heavy, that's who I don't recognize! To me, how she looks now is how I always saw her, even when it wasn't how she really looked. I think that looking and being healthy (and then dressing the part!) always looks better than being overweight.

Hello jersey peeps!! I have been banded since Feb. 18. Just had my first fill yesterday whew what an experience.. I had my surgery done in vineland by Dr. Attia. Wonderful doctor. Was going to go to Voorhees where half of my office went for their gastric bypass but changed my mind. My weight loss is very slow too. I just have to get back in the gym and walk, walk, walk. Since he said no lifting yet.. Plus, he has me back on liquid diet cause of the fill.. Well, hope everyone has a great day..

History of the LAP-BAND In the 1980s, Dr. Lubomyr Kuzmak invented the first gastric band with an adjustable balloon along the inner circumference. The Bioenterics Company improved upon this original design and Dr. Mitiku Belachew (Belgium) placed the first LAP-BAND in 1993. The Inamed Company purchased Bioenterics and continued to perfect and refine the design. Surgeons have performed more than 120,000 LAP-BAND procedures, making it the number one bariatric surgical procedure worldwide. The gastric bypass is still the most common bariatric procedure done in the U.S., but the FDA approved the LAP-BAND for use in the U.S. in 2001 and the number of patients having LAP-BAND surgery has increased rapidly as more patients learn about the procedure and health insurance coverage for it improves. In the early 1980s Lubomyr Kuzmak was driven by a sense of purpose and passion to develop a better and safer gastric restriction procedure for the surgical treatment of severe obesity. He became a visionary pioneer who applied his inventive talent to design and patent an adjustable gastric band and a method to place the band by laparoscopic technique. He did initial investigational studies of his device and method. While the food and Drug Administration demanded expanded studies in the U.S., Dr. Kuzmak taught bariatric surgeons at International Workshops at the University of Padua, under the sponsorship of Professor Mario Lise, Franco Favretti, Gianni Segato, and later Guy-Bernard Cadiere, and at the University of Liege, under the sponsorship of Mitiku Belachew and Claude DeSaive, soon advanced the implantation of the adjustable silicone gastric band by minimally invasive techniques. Professor Paul O’Brien of Monash University was an early participant in these workshops. He became a leader in the laparoscopic placement and teaching of this procedure in Australia

Hello, I met with a surgeon for an initial consult last week. Before I met with him I was confident that I'd be going the band route. He's really pushing me toward bypass. Said only 4% of his surgeries are bands anymore. I know there are potentially more long term side effects and the results are slower, so i'm not going into it blid, but I just don't know about the bypass route. How do you all feel? How did you make the decision for a lap band and do you regret not going the bypass route? I'm still leaning toward the band. Thoughts?

I am down to the last 20 myself . . . and I am still consistently losing. It is getting harder however and I find I have to "tweak" things regularly. I will stay on a particular "plan" for a week and if I see that my weight is moving in the right direction, I stay the course. When I start to stall out or don't see movement, I make changes to exercise, calorie intake, Protein intake, food choices, etc to change things up and hopefully make them move again. It seems like keeping my body "guessing" seems to be the best way to peel off the pounds at this point. I also do not keep my calorie intake the same every day to avoid a rut. I have very low calorie days (800-950) mixed with higher calorie days (but never above 1250 calories). I usually do two low, then one high but it is not always the same. At six months out, I have found that I stall at any calorie level if it is always the same. I also can stall if I eat the same foods every day (which is in my nature to do). This works for me, but of course our bodies are all different. I suffered through many plateaus in the beginning, and once I learned how to break them, I turned plateau busting into part of my regular routine . . . and it is working beautifully for now . . . who knows if it will still work the last 5-10 pounds to goal . . . or if it will work when I bypass my original goal and go for the smoking hot goal of 125???