TriciaC.

Hi, I'm also 4 mos out with a stall between 192-195. I'm also became caretaker for my elderly Mom so lots of stress going on here. I know how that can impact a person's health but at least I'm not gaining. Still thrilled to be in "onederland" and really enjoying breaks I get from other fam members so I can do my. Reformer Pilates classes where my focus is now cardio/sculpt. I also hop on my treadmill at home buty water intake has really taken a dive. Need to work on that. The great news is that my A1c # for diabetes no longer requires meds. I'm so, so, happy about that🙂. Btw, my highest history of weight gain was 261, pre-op was 245 to 235 from the week fast, and now 192. Goal is 150 since I am 5'6". I had the revision from lap band to gastric sleeve. My niece had the bypass and she said that her stall required her to go back on protein shakes 3x a day un order to trigger more weight loss and so far she has lost 100 pounds. I think I will be trying that, too. Good luck to everyone and I love seeing the pics Mizzkay! You look awesome. Blueslily, thx for keeping this topic alive. I'm right there with you on the stall. We can do this! Sincerely, Trish

I truly feel your pain; it's been 2 1/2 weeks for me (post op since April 28) and it's happening a few pounds shy of "onederland" which is torturing me further. I have been exercising my butt off, too. It did coincide with my soft food phase which I am still doing. My common sense tells me that my digestive system must be trying to readjust. I also notice that my bms are much less frequent which tells me I probably need to do better with H2O intake and fiber. Are any of my observations something you can relate to? I wonder if I will ever get back to the rapid pace of my 1st month weight loss.

That's great about the strawberry and honestly, I consider my plan overly cautious. I figure I know my body better than anyone and one plan doesn't fit all. Some soft foods I've handled well include tuna salad on lettuce leaves ( just chew, chew, chew like crazy), very flaky halibut, tiny pieces of shrimp mixed with cocktail sauce and bits of avocado, 1 egg mixed with egg white, lactaid milk and salsa (cooks up very light and wet). That's my soft protein go tos. Frozen fruit and fresh fruit like Strawberries, blueberries, and blackberries blended with Glucerna vanilla protein powder, lil Spinach, almond milk or coconut water comprises my smoothie mix. Dairy is usually cottage cheese with blueberries or baby bell soft cheese. Sooo good. I'm down 35 #s in 38 days now. Veggies are soft string beans in can and boiled carrots. Can't stomach cauliflower for some reason. I eat every 3 hours or so and exercise every day; weightlifting, treadmill, recumbent and flex bike. Trail walks. My problem though is eating too late. Feel full till next day afternoon. Sugar free hard caramel candies by Werthers are also my treat. I guess my whole point is that everyone is different and we just have to find our own happy place which I do with tiny bites of new things. Good luck!

Hi, I also had my surgery close to your date(April 28). My headaches came intermittently but not often so I bought liquid Tylenol. I thought maybe it had to do with coffee withdrawals or because I can NEVER get 64 oz. Of water into a day. I then started exercising; working up a sweat and oxygenating my brain and body. Things got a lot better afterwards. Not saying this would be the problem for you but it might help to troubleshoot these things. I also noticed that I feel awful when I don't get a bowel movement as often as I feel I need it and my head starts to hurt so I use Soylent Protein drinks (just a few sips) to get things moving. You can buy on Amazon. Now that I'm ending the 5th week, I've found that just a few sips of espresso with cream helps to regulate me too. As a previously heavy coffee drinker, this has become my wonderful heavenly treat.

Lol, not a stupid Q. Everyone I know asks the same Q. Onederland is when we reach the 100s. We can say we weigh ONE something;-).

Hi there! Thx for answering my post and now I know where I went wrong with trying frozen cauliflower mash alone with salt and pepper. It grossed me out at that time but now I will revisit it and add more seasoning and some type of cream. TY for the insight!

Congratulations! I'm sure it feels so good.. I can't wait to experience Onederland as well since I am on the precipice at 203.4. I am 1 month out and 30 pounds lost. It's going quick but I am now on soft foods and expect a slow down. I kind of feel freaked out to be so close. Are your clothes now getting too big? I can't wait for an excuse to go shopping, lol.

Hi, I'm also starting 5th week and will remain on soft foods for the next 2-3 weeks per Dr.'s orders. So far, I've done well with cream of wheat, egg whites and avocado or protein shake with frozen or fresh fruit in the morning. Also Cottage cheese with pineapple. lunch or dinner: surprisingly, I can eat tiny bites of shrimp cocktail and tiny bites of avocado mixed in. I put lemon juice on shrimp and mix cocktail sauce into the mixture. Very tasty and satisfying. This is my fav meal. I can also eat refried beans with a sprinkle of cheese. Very soft chicken (dark meat bbq'd). Soups, and long boiled potatoes and carrots. Mashed potatoes, mashed cauliflower too. Snacks are sugar free choc pudding, sugar free hard candies, skinned peaches or watermelon. I've been consistently losing 1-2 pounds every 1-2 days, always exercise every other day and can now swallow multi vitamin and vitamin supplement of D-3. I can never eat more than 3-4 oz. per meal but can drink up to 6 oz. of protein shake. Remember not to drink 30 min before meals nor during meals. I hope this helps you since we seem to be in the same place post surgery!

Hi everyone, I had my surgery April 28, 2021 and I have lost 32 pounds since then. Technically, I had a revision; removal of lap band and conversion to sleeve. I started at 235 but have been as high as 267. I have just started soft food stage and Dr. said this should last 2-3 weeks. I would appreciate any suggestions for some savory foods to try. So, far, I've found shrimp cocktail (tiny pieces that I chew, chew chew) with small pieces of avocado mixed with cocktail sauce to be the best. I also like cottage cheese with pineapple pieces.

I had my wife's iPad Mini and was posting from the wifi at the weight loss center They have their own surgical/recovery, so no hospital for me. I was in and out from sleep as well, I would take a sip and do something until I nodded off, which usually happened within 15 minutes. I'm at home now (was discharged around 8am this morning). Feeling pretty good, minimal pain so far, I'm being careful to keep up on the hydrocodone and Zofran. Its nice to be home isn't it? I hope you have all the support you need in place. I was curious, though, how long will it be before you follow up with your surgeon and how long did your surgeon say to wait before you could exercise? It's great to be home! Exercise wise, walking daily, work up to 60 minutes a day, can be broken up to start. I don't have any specific dates for weights or anything more strenuous as of yet, I hope to start cycling after the weather gets better. I have a 1 week follow up scheduled for the 4th, and then monthly appointments for the at least the next 6 months (might be 12), then yearly appointments. I'll also be following up with my PCP in April or May for my diabetes. Additionally, I'm also going to be testing my daily blood sugar more often and keeping more detailed logs so that my PCP can help me reduce my dosages - I'm currently on 2000mg metformin ER and 10mg glipizide daily) Wow, so happy to hear that walking can be immediate since I am an avid walker, (did 7 miles in 2 hours today!) If and when I get my sleeve, (not sure now, cuz I'm doing so well on my own since I had to cancel because of big out of pocket expense), I wouldn't want to give up any of the activities I do now. Your follow ups sound very well organized, too. I wish you the best in your journey and although my revision from band to sleeve is probably not going to happen, I will follow you to support you when I can. :-)

I had my wife's iPad Mini and was posting from the wifi at the weight loss center They have their own surgical/recovery, so no hospital for me. I was in and out from sleep as well, I would take a sip and do something until I nodded off, which usually happened within 15 minutes. I'm at home now (was discharged around 8am this morning). Feeling pretty good, minimal pain so far, I'm being careful to keep up on the hydrocodone and Zofran. Its nice to be home isn't it? I hope you have all the support you need in place. I was curious, though, how long will it be before you follow up with your surgeon and how long did your surgeon say to wait before you could exercise?

ur one tough cookie! Don't know if I would even think about posting on the day of my surgery. I wish you the best recovery and since I have had previous surgeries, (including the band) I would only advise you to stay on top of your pain meds because often we try to "tough" things out because we get that false sense of security from the anesthesia still being in our system. And then "WHAM!" it wears off and we are then playing catch up with our pain meds. Better safe than sorry, imo. Take care :-)

Hi , Congrats on your approval. I also was supposed to be operated on by Braverman last Jan. !6, 2-014, but I cancelled when I found out that my insurance approved the surgery but would only guarantee payment for the band removal and not the revision to gastric sleeve. I am curious to know your opinion on the NEW Program and their professionalism? Braverman has good personality but the administrative side is questionable in my opinion. Has that been your experience? Have you had any problems getting your records of all diagnostics performed on you?

Hi DylanRae, Your post really resonated with me. I was also denied payment for part of my surgery which is a revision from band to sleeve because the band removal was considered medically necessary but not the sleeve. The waiting game is excruciating; especially when I was notified by my bariatric surgeon's office the DAY BEFORE surgery (my fast day which ended 14 previous days of a crappy diet to reduce my fatty liver). I have however, changed my mindset towards this weight loss center in terms of self sabotage, as you brought up in your letter. That day I learned my surgery had to be cancelled (can't afford up to 25 grand for sleeve part), I went to Carl's jr and had sweet potato fries and a burger with my husband. At that point, it finally dawned on me that I am letting OTHER PEOPLE dictate my emotional eating and my husband was wrong for joining me in that self sabotage act. Afterwards i cried and got angry. All night. I finally came to a realization. I can change. I can do it on my own. **ck Them!! My suggestion, cuz it is working for me, is to get angry. Yup, there, I said it, and most people would disagree with me. I am so angry at the system of bariatric surgeries that i am rebelling and remaining on MY OWN healthy eating plan and working my arse off with daily walks and weight lifting. I am losing weight, maybe too slowly for some, but it's working and I'm not as frustrated as I was before with that entire process. I limit breads and dairy, salt and fruit. I refuse to eat sweets or sugar and EXERCISE. You have to do both. I don't want to be part of that "cattle call" and the indignities that go along with it. My advice to you is to get active. And get angry like me. Don't let bariatric surgery be your above all end all to you life as a young woman. You deserve to have a rewarding life of self control and self love. Keep telling yourself, "That will be there when I'm done" In other words all those foods that entice you will be there when you are done reaching your goal weight. Don't let other people convince you that you can't have that self control because you CAN!! Stay away from those people who like to help you sabotage yourself; you know who they are. Most people are clueless in how to support us. I am 52 and you are very young compared to me. You have more time to change your life around and enjoy the benefits of exercise (endorphins and serotonin feel good hormones) and being outdoors. (it has helped me to become less mad, too). Just start with walking around the block with your ipod. My music is so motivating for me. I personally feel a tremendous weight lifted off my shoulders for deciding NOT to get anymore surgery. Now it's time to trick your body into thinking it needs healthy foods, not fatty foods. Rebel girlfriend! Use that energy to rebel for yourself. For being your own solution that only YOU can take credit for. There's my soapbox. Hope I helped someone. Hope I helped you. And I might add, before the hate responses start, that we are all unique individuals who sometimes just need to find that one thing that will motivate us to try to live healthier and happier. We can be the creators of our own destiny WITHOUT surgery. If you decide to go through with it; I will be your greatest supporter:-)

I thought I was the only one with the rotten luck. Despite all these cancellations, are you staying on a pre-op diet prescribed by the doctor for the original date of surgery?

I feel your pain Nicol, My surgery was cancelled by me, when the surgeon's office called the day before surgery to tell me my insurance wouldn't pay for the sleeve portion of the surgery but only the lap band removal. No clue if and when it will get resolved. That was supposed to be Jan.16. Meanwhile, were and are you still on your pre-op diet? I am having a very hard time trying to adhere to mine. I'm starting to modify it each day past surgery date. How does one stay motivated with such a let down? All I can say is I AM staying busy and if these doctors think I'm going to pay for another $350 for pre-op an post op food, they are cray cray.

I'm a mom too, and my surgery was supposed to be last Thursday, but last minute insurance problems derailed it and I had to cancel the surgery. Real bummer. I wish you the best though. Keep a positive frame of mind up to the very second the anesthesiologist tells you to count backwards from 10. (you will prolly get to 8,lol) I will be watching and supporting you every step of the way.:-)

(7) years ago, Oliak did my lap band procedure. Initially I had a (50) pound successful weight loss. But the distance and numerous saline adjustments weren't working for me. I've had many problems with getting "stuck" and vomiting food that was too dense or fibrous. Foods that are supposed to be good for you and able to satiate your appetite. It became a vicious cycle. I am now with another bariatric surgeon named Dr. Quebbemann, trying to get approval for a revision but having problems with my insurance wanting to cover only the band removal but not the gastric sleeve. Very frustrating. From what I remember, Oliak wasn't a warm and fuzzy type of Dr. Most of them aren't, I suppose. I am not familiar with Owens. Is he in the same area as Oliak? My new surgeon is based in Newport Beach and Beverly Hills. He works with Dr. Braverman and I am disappointed that although I voluntarily cancelled my operation the day before, (supposes to be Jan. 16, 2014) neither of them have contacted me to speak about my circumstances. (insurance issues). I thought this was supposed to be a "team" effort. Not the case when the surgeon's office notifies me that only Part of the surgery is going to be paid for by my insurance the DAY BEFORE scheduled surgery. Not cool at all.

Hi, I am new to this forum and have just posted a topic myself. I thought I would reply to you as best I can, though. My bariatric center put me through a whole lot of procedures, maybe because i am having my lap band removed and reverting to the sleeve. My pre-op tests included: full body scan for body fat composition sleep apnea device to wear at home over (2) days time to record data ultrasound for potential blood clotting endoscope procedure to view the insides of stomach; which in my case revealed stomach ulcers and H. Pylori bacterial infection. Thus, I am on heavy duty antibiotics and previcid for ulcers. Barium test where u drink the barium and x-rays are taken 16 test tubes of blood for lab work mammogram It sounds like a lot and it is, but better to be very comprehensive rather than quick about things when you are going under the knife. In my case, at 52 years of age and (7) years of lap band failure (vomitting and getting "stuck"), it's probably necessary. I just finished 2 weeks of pre-op diet food that I was forced to purchase through my doctor's vendor, which I find disturbing but something that can't be fought against. Now I am in limbo, although my surgery was supposed to be done on last Thursday the 16th. Apparently, my insurance doesn't deem the gastric sleeve portion of my surgery to be medically necessary. Wish me luck with that!

Can someone share with me if it is common for health insurance NOT to pay for the gastric sleeve portion of the surgery but will pay for the removal of the band? My insurance, Blue Cross/Shield determined that the band removal was a medical necessity but he revision to gastric sleeve was not a medical necessity. Has anyone else had this problem but was able to get it resolved? My insurance approved the surgery but says it has to "review" post op whether to pay for the additional service of gastric sleeving. I am not sure if I should take that leap of faith. The sleeve portion can leave me with up to a $25,000 bill.