VDLT

I have both scale and NSV today! 40 pounds down as of this morning. So excited! For NSV... I performed at a show last weekend and for once I didn't hate my pictures. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Congratulations on your weight loss, you look fantastic! I am earlier out than you (shy of 5 months) but from what I have read on here it seems some folks experience a "bounce back" after getting to their lowest. Hopefully some vets will post to let you know if you should continue losing until your body decides for you, but that is what I would personally do. I am still so afraid that I will never get to my goal (which by the way is in the overweight range).

Thank you so much for the information, you are always so helpful. It makes sense to keep with the shakes for now, specially since my weight loss has diminished to a crawl. I will check into bars in maintenance though, hopefully this year! LOL I was using Quest Bars during my weight loss phase, but they changed their pre-biotic fiber from isomalto-oligosaccharide to soluble corn fiber. The soluble corn fiber made me SUPER gassy.... I couldn't even be in the same room with myself it was so bad. So I searched around for other bars using isomalto-oligosaccharide and eventually settled on Combat Crunch. They are great for me in maintenance, but I don't know that I would recommend them during the weight loss phase, because they are higher in net carbs than Quest Bars. You could try Quest Bars yourself and see how you fare with them. Many people have no problem with them at all after the ingredient change. I was just unlucky. Another poster recently posted some info about Oh Yeah! ONE bars and the nutrition on those looks similar to Quest, but I haven't tried one yet. They allegedly carry them at Vitamin Shoppe.

@@JamieLogical which bars do you eat? I am 4.5 months out and still have a Protein shake a day because I like them and it is an easy breakfast for me but would like to check out some bars. Thanks!

You look fantastic! Congratulations. I started out at the same weight but am an inch shorter. My goal weight is higher than yours but this is so inspiring!

I am about 4 and a half months out and just had pizza this past weekend. It was a crazy day of rehearsals and a show and I had not eaten all day and someone brought the group pizza. It was all I had available. I ate one and a half slices, bread and all. I was able to tolerate it but the grease put me off a bit. I rather not make it a habit but I am not kicking myself for it either. In this for the long haul...

Weight 2/22/16 is 156.5. Goal weight 152. Thanks so much!

I just talked to mine. We talked about my previous attempts at weight loss, my daily activities, if I exercised. She then asked if I had support from family in regards to weight loss etc. I brought the letter I had written to the insurance company in which I outlined my history with my band and the problems I had developed and she asked questions to make sure I knew what my life would be like with the sleeve. I did not have to take any tests.

I was a revision with hiatal hernia repair. My surgery was on a Thursday and I went back to work 2 Mondays after (so after 18 days). I have a sedentary job though and my employer was aware I had surgery. I kept my office door closed as I was still tired and didn't feel like people coming in and out. Look into FMLA. I know it sucks to take unpaid leave but it is an option if your company is large enough for it.

I take these and I actually like them. the Advanced Multi EA. https://www1.bariatricadvantage.com/catalog/us-en/1/Multivitamins And I have a Protein shake every single morning. I take my thyroid medication with 3 glasses of Water because I have to wait an hour to have anything else then drink a Protein Shake. I then take my Vitamins before or after lunch depending if I am working from home or office. Check the values on these versus what you are taking to see if they are comparable. I also take a Vitamin D gummie and a sublingual B12.

Banded in 2001 and did well with weight loss for a while. A series of fills and unfills caused severe shoulder pain, esophagitis, gastritis, and a hiatal hernia. I was miserable for such a long time. Went through a complete unfill in 2012 and regained all my weight. Converted to sleeve in October of 2015 after 14 years with the band and could not be happier. I have in these 4+ months lost what took me almost a year with the band and am more confident that I will reach the goal I never did with the band now that I have my sleeve. My hiatal hernia was repaired when I converted so my reflux and heartburn also resolved.

@@Emilie.Lancaster PANCACKES?!?!??! Can you share please? Thanks!

I am also 5 feet tall and weighed 195 on surgery day. I have lost 39 pounds since my surgery day on October 1st. I would like to lose 21 more but will see where my body settles. Stalls will happen, I have had a few, and I am now averaging close to one pound a week but some weeks are less than that. I am thrilled with these results.

@@Tootsietoes how far out are you? @@sam1016 keep trying and know it is a lot easier to do the right thing after surgery because you are not as hungry, it helps tremendously

Hey there, I was banded in 2001 and revised in 2015. I did not have a slip but after a series of fills and unfills I developed a hernia, esophagitis, gastritis, severe left shoulder pain, and a myriad of other band related issues. I felt like crap, developed really bad eating habits including a sweet tooth I did not have before, all because of the band. I was unfilled for three years prior to my revision and regained all my weight. I feel great now that I have revised and am down the weight I regained. Just a few pounds to go to my lowest after banding. I have no regrets about my revision. The recovery was a little rough for me because of how long I had the band and the hernia repair and because I did not take any pain meds after discharge, but it has been worth it. Read through the revision boards. There are lots of us on here who have revised and some long term revisions that have done great. Best of luck and feel free to ask any questions.

2/15 weigh in 156.5 Didn't make my goal but happy with the results! Will be joining the next one...

I didnt have a waiting period because I was a conversion with complications. I was going to go the self pay route if not but so glad it was covered. Not only for the money saved for the surgery itself but what if I had any complications or problems? I was worried those would not be covered if I went self pay and they happened. Honestly if you only have 4 more months to go, it will go so fast and it wont matter a year or so from now. I understand wanting it now but honestly, it won't matter down the road...

Thank you for responding. I will probably go to Macys And they aren't really trained in measuring there and will make you fit into a size they carry even if you don't!!!! Independent boutiques are best but if you don't find one try Macy's or Nordstrom's or a big department store that carries many brands! Or try the Reddit link above and do it yourself!

I am so sorry to read this, I can't even imagine how sad you and your children must be. The fact that he made FUN of you while you are trying to better yourself however says a lot about him, his insecurities, and how he would sabotage you. It seems you might have an easier time going through the changes, both physical and emotional, that happen around surgery and the first few months without him around actually. If you have friends and family that are supportive please reach out to them and let them know just how much their help, support, and compassion are needed right now. If they offer to come and help or just come and give you a hug, let them. Best of luck to you. Here is to you getting super hot and moving on to bigger and better things!

Thanks for posting this. I always have a horrible time with bras. I am still wearing whatever I have in my drawer and the fit on all of them are bad. I still have a ways to go so don't want to get too many... any suggestions for stores that measure you but are not super expensive would be greatly appreciated. I am in Florida. Not a huge fan of VS. Their straps always fall of my shoulders and I don't really care for their branding...

I am only 4 and a half months out but I eat the same things over and over for the most part. I do go out onfe a week, twice at the most and then I try to make good choices as well. As of right now the repetitive eating is working in that I am seeing it as fuel and nothing else. At least fo rme, I want to try and stop looking at food as entertainment or reward etc. As far as how someone "normal" eats, who the hell knows. I have come to terms with the fact that I am a mental fattie and I will just have to deal with that for life. I will always want to eat stuff I shouldn't so right now I am not giving myself permission to do that too often.

If I am just generally frustrated or pissed, dancing (I belly dance) really helps me. I put on music and make myself practice. If I am feeling unappreciated, fat, ugly, or just down what works for me is getting a massage or getting my nails done, or just a blow dry (crazy curly hair over here). I do my makeup and wear something pretty. I know it sounds borderline silly but it does make me feel a lot better to take some time to take care of myself and do something nice. Since you mentioned you are tactile oriented I think the massage or the nail treatment would work for you as well.

Yay! Glad all went well!

I use a multi from Bariatric Advantage: Advanced Multi EA Chewable Tablets For B12 I use this sublingual: http://www.cvs.com/shop/product-detail/Natures-Bounty-Sublingual-Liquid-B-12-Liquid-5000-mcg?skuId=860685

Nothing. Sleeve of steel here. I haven't been overly adventurous but have not encountered anything I could not tolerate. After fighting with the band for over a decade and not being able to eat anything but crap, I deserve this sleeve! LOL