Search the Community

I've also heard such dire predictions from the so called "nay sayers", and also that on average an individual will loose only 66% of their excess weight with the band. My weight loss has also been basically stalled over the past few months, but I do attribute that to the 2 surgeries I have had since December, 2012. I will reach my first "bandiversary" short of my goal, however also 78 lbs less than I was, and much healthier from a clinical standpoint. I have little doubt that I will reach my goal, as I know how to work with my band and how to eat a healthy, band friendly diet. The carb addiction which was a major factor of my weight gain is in the past, and I am vigilant to keep it there. I know from my history, it will be the exercise which will help me reach my goal. It helped me to begin to use a "Fitbit", which helped me see how many calories my activity level that day had burned, and it motivated me to get on track and exercise more regularly. I still lack the patience to participate in "My Fitness Pal", at least I believe that is where you log your foods daily. I just try to stay with basic and unprocessed foods, and that has worked for me. I also believe that motivation for success and maintaining focus on goals are integral parts to successful weight loss. We will all get to where we want to be weight wise, if we are sufficiently motivated to get there!

Hi Ladies: I'm guessing it all depends on where your port is and how deep it is. My port is just below the middle of my rib cage and it's not visible at all. There is a scar above it, but other than that it's not noticable at all. Mine feels like it's only about 1/8 inch below the skin but it doesn't stick out at all. I know that there are plenty of people whose ports are noticeable. I know that my plastic surgeon spoke with my band surgeon before my banding. She discussed my being unfilled prior to the plastic surgery. She told me that she wasn't even going to touch my port because it was high enough that it wouldn't be in the way of my tummy tuck. It'll be interesting to read how others respond. Sue

I'm trying to lose at a slow and steady pace. I worry about having a lot of sagging skin. Since my fill last Tuesday I've lost like 5 pounds this week. I think my weight loss will continue like that for a while b/c I'm just not hungry. I eat 3 meals a day but they are very small meals and I'm done. Is that okay or should I eat more high calorie foods so I lose slower? Also right now I'm not even exercising. I had a hysterectomy almost 4 weeks ago so it will be 2 1/2 more weeks before I'm cleared for exercise again.

Hi, don't worry, it works, I am like you started out at 270, and I am 5 ft 4 in. Lost 50 since Jan 2010. This surgery is great and it works, plus one thing to remember is it's long term meaning that you will loose but not all in one month. I average 5.6 #s loss a month. No problem eating just eat smaller portions--stick to the lap band diet. You should not get stuck on liquids or musshies. Only solids get stuck if you do not chew, chew, chew. I have had a few experiences--I tested the limits of my band--yes there are limits and you will know--it will come back up. When something gets stuck it does hurt for a while-10 to 30 min. YOU WILL LOOSE WEIGHT. Oh the procedure for lapband surgery in Korea costs, about 7, 000.00 dollars or a little less. People for Canada come to Korea for this surgery too. Pass the word, take a vacation to South Korea and have the surgery, spend a few weeks in the Land of the Morning Calm. Read my blogs and you will see what the benefits are of the surgery. There are many others on this site who are doing well. Some loose more #s than others during the journey, just be PATIENT AND ENJOY THE RIDE.

Hello, this is my first entry. I am 39 years old and was banded on 12/2/2011. I have been struggling with my weight for the last 8 years with a steady BMI of 34. I could no longer control my eatting habits and the weight was just not leaving the way it used to. I am married; however, I only told one person I was being banded; and she did not understand why. I didn't want to hear the criticism from anyone. I prayed about my decision and this was a personal choice. My husband of 14 years does not understand - he does not feel anyone should have surgery to loose weight. He believes you should be able to do it with mere will power. Needless to say, the first couple of days was challenging but I am now 17 days post op and no one have a clue that I have had the surgery. I was sore for the first 2 days (the pain medicine was awesome) and I told my family I was on a liquid diet thus is the reason why I was not eating.

So, I saw my nutrtionist yesterday and she says I am doing fabulous and that I am a poster child for the Sleeve! How awesome is that. All my blood work came back great, im deficient in anything and Im keeping my weight stable YAY!!! She asked me about any loose skin and I told her that I have been using It Works products and that I lost 9 inches around my belly. She said that was awesome! She told me to bring information about it to our next support group to share! Thats so cool, she said that she was impressed that I have had minimal skin issues I am too! Im so excited to go shopping these days too I love being able to try on the normal size clothes. I weighed in still at 143. I am 4lbs from my goal and am going to step up the exercise a notch to try and hit that goal Have say tho, going from 240 to 143 and from a size 20-22 to a 6 is amazing for me to see. I hope all of you are having a wonderful journey like me. Im here to chat if anyone has any questions or would like me to share anything from my experience.

My doc says no acid foods including tomato soup for 8 weeks! And NO tomato juice or sauce, oranges, peppers, pineapple, grapefruit, hot sauce. ...also no skin or seeds, such as in strawberry or other berries.

hi everyone....my weight loss too is slow... but I have arthritis..dont move around much....but Im optimistic...with all of you to guide me I'm sure I'll loose weight!! [media]Weight Loss Calculator and Diet Tools at Weight Loss Center ]

Yeah i was banded Dec 1st 2011 And After surgery I have only lost 17 pounds! Like you im loosing inches like crazy, and can no longer see back rolls through my shirts, and the scale is slowly moving...gets on my nerve! i nly weigh myself once a week on monday mornings.....

She's gynecologi-riffic ! Current mood:steely Category: Blogging In all of history, there are certain events that are so important, so vital to world culture that they are universally celebrated. I'm speaking of things that have the power to change the course of history, such as the creation of the Magna Carta, the re-unification of Germany, and of course, the unveiling of Britany Spears' labia. Of the 3, by far the more revelant topic has to be the showing of the hoo-hoo. Now don't get me wrong.....I love most vaginas....I just don't want to see the ugly ones. Britany Spears was an underage sexual icon throughout most of the 90's, and the Earth-shaking revelation that her downstairs is akin to a Salvadore Dali painting (you know the one...that one with the droopy clocks hanging over the tree branches).....well....that just sucks all the joy out of being a man. Because I tend to be benevolent, I have decided to write an open letter to Ms. Spears' privates: Dear Twatty, Ever since I saw you on the internet, my life has not been the same. And I don't mean that in a good way, either. The truth is, the sight of you glaring out so bare is a little disturbing. So what's the deal? Did Brit have a really bad bicycle accident? Was she in a fire that resulted in a vaginal skin graft? And don't give me the old stanby arguement that she just had two children.....We both know that those kids were delivered via C-section ( I know because I'm all stalker-y like that. And also because the scar was showing). Whatever the reason, let me offer a few suggestions: 1) - The bare look is not a good look for you. In fact, you may want to grow out the pubic hair as long as possible, and then attempt a combover to cover up a lil' bit (Hey, whatever.....it works for Donald Trump). If , like myself, you have trouble cultivating a proper pubic thatch, then I would suggest looking into buying a merkin. 2) - Do not underestimate the importance of a good distraction. Perhaps if you affixed a pair of "truck nuts" to your mommy parts, it would draw the eye away from your chaotic goodies ( "Chaotic".....get it? Here I'm attempting to link the name of her reality show to a disparaging adjective. Pretty funny huh? No? Oh, never mind....). 3) - Maybe start hanging around with chicks that have even uglier "down below's" than you, thereby making yours look better by comparison. You could befriend Lohan and Paris Hilton and....what's that? Ok, nevermind. The path you take, Beev, is not as important as the act of taking action. Just recently, I had to caution my teen son not to look at your pictures, lest he be scared of all women. respectfully, Trey As a postscript, lest I be viewed as misogynistic, I have decided to offer my female friends a service. If you are concerned that your clamster may not be lookin' so sharp, I will gladly inspect. Just call me, set up an appointment, and place your feet in the stirups. I'll even numb it for you, if you want.........

They are likely "Steri-Strips." They usually fall off after a couple weeks or so. After your showers, I'd suggest you do pat them dry, though, because moisture can hold bacteria. But when you see them basically hanging off, while gently pressing down on the skin from which the loose part separated, go ahead and peel off the last bit, as long as you aren't feeling a tug of the skin tissue below. But yes, they normally ease off after a while. Also, do you have a post-op appointment? Oftentimes, the nurse or whomever will check them, and advise or remove them then, if they are basically hanging off.

Hi, I was banded on Dec 16, 09 in Sydney. I was in hospital overnight and was home by 10 am next morning. I found the experience very easy other than experiencing some severe shoulder tip pain around 6 pm the night of surgery. They gave me some morphine and i had a great night sleep. I didn't have any other problems. The next morning I had a barium swallow before being discharged. The shoulder tip pain continued for about a week but each day got a little better. I used Nurofen Plus (crushed up) about twice a day. I didn't have any vomiting. I now can eat pretty much what I like but in smaller quantities. I have lost 8 kg so far but this is now slowing up as I find as time goes on I am able to eat a little more. My first fill isn't due until 10th Feb (due to doctors being on holidays). I am looking forward to getting the fill done. The first two weeks or so I found i didn't need to eat anything until around lunch time. Now I have a small size yoghurt for breakfast, maybe a small tin of tuna for lunch and some cooked fish for dinner. I like you was so looking forward to getting the procedure done and I was not nervous at all. I just looked upon it as a positive thing i was doing for myself (it was my Christmas present to myself). I am hoping in all to lose about 28 kg. My starting BMI was 34 but due to other health issues i was able to get it done. I have spent my whole life dieting and am sick of loosing weight, getting to almost my goal and then putting it all back on plus a little more. I am hoping even to loose 20 kg and maintain this I would be a happy person. I wish you all the luck with your op I am sure you will be happy with it. Lisa

Hi very.rara I was banded in Perth by Dr Stephen Watson in December 2007. I have to say that it was, hands-down, the best thing that I have ever done for myself and I have not regretted it for an instant. I think I can safely count myself as one of the "success stories" , as I am now just 5 weeks post-op from having plastic surgery to repair all the damage that I did to my body by carrying so much excess weight for so long, and I feel FANTASTIC! With regard to your questions: What can I really expect from the surgery? If you've ever had surgery before, you can expect that this will be an easy one in comparison. If you've not had surgery, it is hard to know what you are up for and some people have been surprised by the fact that cutting through skin and muscle will actually hurt somewhat and take some time to heal. I've had a lot of surgeries over the years and the band was one of the easiest but it IS still surgery and you don't get over it completely overnight. how long were you in for? Hospitals are not my fav place in the world. I was the first patient in the theatre in the morning and consequently was allowed to go home that evening - if I had been scheduled for later in the day, I would have had to stay overnight. As like many I hate vomiting, so at all lengths I want to avoid it, what foods would you advice I stay away from? You should get an eating plan from your surgeon but here are some pointers in general: Immediately after surgery and for the next 4-6 weeks, you will be on a special "recovery" plan. The time periods differ from surgeon to surgeon but they all have the same basic pattern. Mine was: Days 1 to 4, Clear liquids (clear Soups, jelly, juice, teas such as peppermint or ginger ), Days 5-14 thick liquids (creamed soups, yogurts, milk/fruit smoothies, etc), Days 15-21 very soft foods, called "mushies" in this forum (scrambled eggs, chunky soups, really soft casseroles, tuna with mayo - fat free of course!, etc), Days 22+ gradually work back to normal solid foods, focussing on lean meats, vegetables and fruits and avoiding processed white carbohydrates such as white bread and Pasta. You'll find a lot of advice about food here but there does seem to be a real split between what our Australian doctors advise and what most of our US counterparts are told. The US seems to have an obsession with Protein and Protein drinks and with avoiding carbs at all costs. I don't subscribe to that opinion at all and truly believe that protein drinks are one of the worst choices you can make after you've finished with the healing process and not much of a choice during it - there are so many better tasting options out there!! You'll find that as you heal (probably about 2 weeks post-op), you'll start to feel hungry again and feel that you can eat anything, especially if you chew it enough. DON'T DO IT! You won't have "restriction" at this stage, so it might be easy but it can be damaging long term. The soft diet isn't because eating will be hard at this point, it is mostly to stop your stomach from having to churn to digest the food, which can prevent the stitches holding the band in place from healing properly and can lead to slippage much later down the track. The best advice I can give to avoid vomiting (after the healing phase) is to chew every single bite slowly and thoroughly and to stop and listen to your body in between each bite. It takes time to change the eating habits of a lifetime but it can be done. If your band isn't too tight, you should be able to eat just about anything you want if chewed slowly and thoroughly but you should find that you can only eat between a half and a whole cup of food at a time. Try to eat solids rather than "slider foods" like chocolates and icecreams, so that your band has something to work on. The whole point of the band is that it holds solid food up at the top of your stomach, triggering the Vegus nerve and fooling your body into thinking that you are full. If you drink your calories or eat foods with no fibre/substance to them, they will slide straight past the band and you won't get the "full" feeling. I think I've been pretty successful with the band - over 2 years now, down over 50 kg and feeling fabulous. If you want to ask any other questions, feel free to send me a private message or post the questions in this thread. Good luck!

I had my surgery on gastric sleev on 11/11 , I was 7 ibs up when I got home on 11/12... I lost the 7, but I'm only 2 ibs down from day of surgery... it's so disappointing esp when you hear people loose 10 ibs or more their first week! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

WOW - if you think you had a real episode - especially post-sleeve or on the pre-op diet - you should go to the doctor. Truly serious on this - it is a more traumatic event that you realize. You stressed your heart, your kidneys, your skin, your limp system, your BRAIN...you depleted amino acids and minerals you may not have had enough of anyway. If you can, go get checked out.

Hi There, My Doc says to try anything that I want and I will find out just what works and what does not. I have found that soda is okay or carbonation is okay but in small amounts. I get a feeling of being bloated that lasts a while. I drink wine but try to keep it to a very minimum! Like Band Groupie says everything in Moderation. But what you really need to know is that all of these tasty drinks are empty calories and you will pay for them in not loosing weight or having it slow down. I have found this to be true for myself. I have slowed way down on the weight loss and I am rethinking my need for Alcohol! Good luck! The Skinny Margarita sounds really really good.

At least your doc didn't decide to break away from his group right when you were ready to get a date. I was already approved for surgery, had everything done but a date and when I asked for a date was told that my surgeon was leaving the practice and they didn't know what they were going to do about his patients at the time. I cried and cried...I was in shock...then I got mad...called back and they offered to call up a local surgeon in the area to see if he could take me on as a patient. Fortuantly there was a cancelation for a consult, I got in and got a date pretty quickly. I only ended up a month behind my fellow lapbanders that got to be the previous doctors last surgeries before changeing the practice set up. Every delay is very emotionally stressful for us. I think we pin all our hopes and dreams on this surgery because most of us see this as our last and only way to finally loose the weight. Unless you have struggled with weight I don't think anyone can truelly appreciate how emotional and stressful the entire process is and how every delay can feel like the end of the world. Melissa

My highest weight was 445 in January 2016, my surgery date was 09/20/16 and my weight was 407 day of surgery. As of today, 01/31/17, 133 days since surgery I have lost 151 lbs. I never thought "what I had lost" would surpass "what I needed to loose" so quickly. Only 149 lbs to goal. It seems so much more possible now. I take it one day at a time, one meal, one choice. I don't think about what I need to do tomorrow or that I need to loose "x" amount of weight by "y" date. I'm just thankful I'm alive and I'm moving forward. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

i agree, not normal for most of us. I was on a very strict post op diet. The point isn't to see what you CAN eat but what you are supposed to be eating right now! You can rip your stitches loose and hurt yourself internally. IF your doc said you could eat real food (solid etc) already, you are one in a very few allowed such a progression.

I have heard that insurance will cover some skin removal procedures if there were medical complications due to the excess skin, but havent actually known anyone with first hand knowledge. Has anyone else see insurance cover it? HW 385 SW 359 Sleeved 10/5/16

The first thing I and everyone else noticed was my butt went goodbye. I have had mixed feelings about this. It is not the flat weird shaped butt now. It looks like it did in my early twenties so I should be happy but I kinda wanted to keep my super curves just have a flat stomach. It is just frusterating to be able to fit in a 16 pant except for my stomach. The butt in a 16 pant is loose but the tummy is a little too tight. Ugh. It will balance out I am sure. I also lost weight in my limbs right away, my upper arms, hands, face, and neck. My girls are a little smaller but my cup size is the same. The whole thing is kind of strange when I think about it but I am happy with the way I look. I like to be able to sit on the couch and put one leg up with my foot flat if that makes sense. I can bend over and tie my shoes without having to hold my breath. I can see my hoo hoo!

I had my "education meeting" today. A mandatory meeting for to-be-banded folks that have a surgery date with my Dr. What a waste of time. 2.5 hours of an RN talking about everything I all ready know(mostly from LBTF). I guess the meeting is needed because one lady actually asked when will the band be removed? She was shocked when she heard it would be in her for life. She was the one who also asked how soon she could schedule the surgery "with this Dr." to remove all the extra skin ? I also met a lady in the Dr's office that has been banded for 4 years. What a downer she was. She said she hasn't really lost much weight and can eat "anything she wants". Well maybe thats the reason she hasn't lost anything. She pooh-poohed LBTF as a bunch of kooks. Said I should join her support group so she could teach me how to eat with the band. A- NO thankYou. On another journal (sunshine2) I found a link to www.livingafterwls.com that celebrates living after weight loss surgery. I love this site. They have a newsletter, recipes, and the neighborhood, which is alot like here. A great resource. I'm very psyched. This time in 2 weeks I will be banded!!!

Goin for an upper GI this morning first one since banded almost 2 1/2 yrs ago..........but i was thinking for what these things cost these Dr,'s should have a deal with plastic surgeons to be included in the band to have excess skin removal done........i would just LOVE to get rid of these man titties.....and no...chest exercises don't work too well on a 43yr old man because i'm pressing 400lbs for the last 2 yrs with no results and butterfly presses.....i'm sure others would agree also.....i'm sure they could include it in the post surgery....might make the insurance go for it...any input on this??

I reached my goal about a year ago-about 100 pounds. I struggle with striking a balance. I eat great some days, terrible other days. My band is very loose. I had a hard time staying in a sweet spot. Went from very hungry to getting sick after a very small fill. I am 8.5 pounds away from target weight as of this morning. I am in loosing mode, eating like I was as I lost the weight (very low carb/low fat/low calories). I really hope to get at least most of it off before Thanksgiving, then it will be Christmas uggg. Curious to hear how others are doing in maintaince mode.

Well here i am, just trying to take my first steps in the process of potential lap band surgery...... baby steps, that is all that I can do. I remember "starting" the process 3 years ago. I called someone, and had an appointment to be seen 2 months later. but then i thought i could do it on my own...... so a few weeks before the consult, i called and said "hey i am doing this on my own, i've lost 8lbs since i've made the appointment" Well looking back on some old journals, i see that I am about 50lbs heavier than i was then. Three years in a row now i've been hospitalized in the winter for Asthma type symptoms, and for stomach problems. I don't know why but during an April Doctor appointment, i was shocked that my Doctor asked me if I thought about having surgery to help me in this journey to better health.... gee Doc (i've been with him for 13 years... he knows me inside and out) I am here because of my lungs and difficulty breathing, i am here because of the stomach problems i've been having, I am here because my FBS are getting higher and higher every year, (although still in Normal range), I am here because my knees have been causing me so many problems........ Gee Doc, I didn't say anything about my weight!!:thumbup:, I immediately told him, noway......I am doing it "on my own" this time, like i've been telling him for 10 years. he smiles, and he supports me, he'll do what he can to help me....but he say's well if you are ever interested, I will send you to a wonderful program in Pittsburgh. I said goodbye, and I will see you in July!! You know for the first time in my life, I am truly happy, happy with who i am, happy with my children, happy with my husband (second husband, first husband left me 10 years ago) My husband loves me so much and shows me all the time, he loves me 125lbs over weight! so in reality.......... this makes me a perfect canidate for this surgery. My family health history is not good, 3 out of 5 of my brothers have/had 100lbs to 250lbs to loose at one time. My only sister could loose about 50lbs. 3 of my brothers are diabetics now (we are all under 50) My dad died at age 52 from his 3rd heart attack. My mom died at age 58 she was 150lbs over weight when she died. THIS IS WHY I NEED THE HELP TO LOOSE THIS WEIGHT. I have an incredible faith in God, and I go to Him for every decision I make, and this is no different, i am taking this to prayer. My husband is so supportive, he is even coming with me for the class to see what all of this is about... and i say to him, what if this doesn't work? and he say's well then i'll keep you the way you are. I've told a couple of friends, some supportive, some down right angry..... but ultimately it isn't what they think or feel, but how i think and feel.... I'll talk more about that later :tt2: