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I had surgery on October 15th I was 19st 9 lb as of today I'm 14stone 10lb when will I start to slow down?? I'm 5 ft 10 so only want to loose another 2stone 10 lb

I was sleeved 10/09/13 and Sunday weighed 207 got on the scale today and was 212.5 which there is just no way. I'm wondering if anyone noticed a fluctuation when they went back to using birth control pills? I almost forgot I started taking my BC again on Monday so was wondering that's the culprit

Hey N! How's your journey going? Have you met it's Coirin yet? What did you think? Pre-op 275.9lbs -surgery 10/5 265.0lbs -11/11/12 241.8lbs

:confused:I just wanted to say that I went to the doctor today. I was way overfilled. He said that the tightness in my throat and all the acid I have been getting were classic symptoms of too much in my band. So he took out half of my fill. I guess that has me at about 3 cc's or so in my 10 cc band. I was sort of bummed that he had to do this, but it is a lot better already. I still have some tightness in my throat, but nothing like I did. I imagine since this is the same day he did my unfill it may take a few days. But I feel so much better already. He said I should come back in a month and we will reevaluate how much more of a fill I can have at that time. Sounds reasonable to me. Again, thanks to you who responded to my post. Pam

I'm also getting my band out due to problems I'm having with it. Personally, if someone can get their head around removing half their stomach (which I'm still working on), the sleeve seems a better option. Yes the band is less invasive, but with the sleeve you're not constantly trying to find that sweet spot. Plus, I discovered on my last doctor's visit (maybe I was already told but forgot) that these bands were not really expected to last for life...that at some point many will find their way back into surgery to have them removed/replaced within 10 years or so. They still don't know how long they'll actually last. .

I'm really kind of bummed lately. I've been doing quite well with my foods and exercise. I'm going to be 9 weeks out tomorrow. I started training for the Long Beach Half Marathon. I don't know what I've done, but the knee I had surgery on 19 months ago is worse than ever. I'm going to give it a few days rest before calling my orthopedic surgeon. I just hope this doesn't cause me any problems with my weight loss!

Hi Everyone, I got sleeved on 3/19 and have been progressing well. Today I started with a "burning" feeling beneath my left incision. I also have pain in m back on the left side. Has anyone else had a similar reaction? Thanks!! Patti

A friend of mine is a freak of nature. her body is ripped. She jogs 5-10 miles 4 to 5 times a week. works out with weights 4 times a week. and does hot yoga 4 times a week. of course she only works 3 days a week/ pt. She wants me to go with her but I dont have that kind of time nor am I "THAT" motivated.

I just had surgery on November 6th. Very excited that as of this morning, I am officially down 25 pounds! I lost 15 pounds on my pre op diet and another 10 pounds since my surgery. I know the goal while I a healing is not to lose weight but I was super excited!

I was just commenting on this to my husband!!!! pre-band (I am 10 days out) I would have reflux at least a couple times a week. Mostly if I skipped Breakfast or had an empty stomach and it would be bad enough that I often threw up bile (sorry for that image). Well, now I am not sure if I ever truly had an empty stomach before, LOL cause this is a whole new feeling. I think I will have to learn what empty and hungry and all of those things feel like. As stupid as this sounds, I didn't even realize exactly where my stomach was in my abdoman. I always thought it was a litle lower and more center. I was surprised to see it on flouro and now feel where it is when it is empty and hungry. Obviously I never felt true hunger pains before. So now I have to question did I have reflux from having an empty stomach (my solution was to eat something of course...a sandwich or a couple slices of toast usually did the trick) or from whatever I ate too much of the night before that was probably still hanging around.... but like you, I haven't had any reflux at all since the band.

I had an orientation at Barix in Ypsi MI yesterday. I am from Toledo area. So far so good. Dr. Schram met w/me one on one. He instructed me to lose 10-15#'s for fatty liver. He wants a Pulmonary function test and documentation from my Cardiologist that I can tolerate the surgery. He said he wants my asthma under complete contol before he would consider surgery. Barix insurance dept is going to submit referral to Paramount insurance co. He has a good reputation. There is a site for Barix on Obesityhelp.com . They have facilities in MI and OH. There are testimonies from patients who have had the surgery. They just started doing the Lapband. Dr. Schram has done about 80 since May. He works at both MI Barix clinics. Tthe facility looked good. He stated he has done thousands of surgeries (ByPass) and has never lost a patient yet. If I get approved I will feel comfortable going to Barix. Good Luck w/your surgery Sandy

Hello everyone, My name is Bariatric852. I am a 28 year old female who has just undergone laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery earlier this month. I am coming up to three weeks post op on a full liquid diet. I am craving solid food so much - I miss chewing my food. I am actually looking forward to puréed food stage starting on the 27th of May. The various weight loss surgeries were initially brought up by a specialist in a sleep clinic dealing with my sleep apnea. This was nearly three years ago. During these years leading up to my surgery, I have seen a multitude of doctors and specialists. Psychiatrist, clinical psychologist, surgeons, dietitian, physiotherapist. A lot of professionals to see. I have quite a few health problems such as Clinical Depression, PCOS, Sleep Apnea, high blood pressure and Borderline Diabetes... The doctors gave careful consideration to all of the above and gave me the green light to go ahead with the surgery this year. I was given the choice of gastric sleeve or gastric bypass. I chose the bypass. My weight, at it’s heaviest was 155kg or 341.7lbs. In preparation for the surgery I had to lose 5-10% of my body weight. I managed to do this and my weight pre op was 125.5kg or 275.6lbs. Three weeks later and my current weight is 120.6kg or 265.9lbs. My family say I look a little thinner especial around my face. I know I have a long journey ahead of me. Life-long dietary supplements and antidepressants (21 pills a day). And a lot of hard work to be put in. But I look forward to seeing my weight drop and my body and mind becoming healthier.

Thanks everyone! I really appreciate all the input. I think I'll probably be feeling much more up to singing on Christmas Eve ... maybe not the Sunday before, so we'll see what happens with that. I've never had surgery, so I'm not sure how my body will react, but for some reason I feel pretty confident. I guess I'll find out December 19 All my pre-op tests came back with really good numbers, so I'm hoping my good health (besides obesity, of course) will help me out with my recovery.

Hi Jennifer - Yes you are worth it !!!:eek: I love my band for the great tool it is - I love me for doing the work that it take to lose the weight - I am 7 months out 76 lbs lighter. Feel 200% better and 10 yrs younger. I eat healthy 98% of the time - I exercise 3-5 days a week depending on my schedule - For me it hasn't been that hard - I went thru major surgery to get this tool - so my head is totally in the game - I know that I must make a lifetime lifestyle change in my eating and exercise habits - this is not a diet but a new way of life. It's not the magic cure to our issues with food but it is a geart tool to help control your portions. All you have to do is eat healthy and add exercise into your life and you will do great. For lunch had 1/2 soft taco - and brought my chilli relleno home for dinner - well guess what - I didn't want it -I wanted fish & veggies - so that's what I ate - I am no craving healthy foods .... Good Luck on your journey...

In researching VSG I came across an interesting explanation as to why some insurance plans cover weight loss surgery and others do not. I can't confirm the accuracy of this explanation but it sounds very plausible. There are generally two kinds of insurance plans: employer funded and commercial plans. Employer funded plans are used by many employers with more than 500 participants as it is more cost effective to fund their own plans. They will use an insurer to administer the plan, but since most of the funding comes from the employer they have a big say in what is covered (within lawful restrictions). Commercial plans are offered by insurers to the general public, or to smaller employers. They are funded by the insurance company through premiums and investment of their assets. The health plan, not the employer is on the hook for costs in this case. Many commercial plans do not cover WLS because they realize that their membership is very transient and change plans often. For example someone who is a member of a Blues plan this year is likely to be a UHC or Cigna member next year. Health plans understand the long term healthcare cost savings of WLS but do not want to spend their dollars today to generate savings that will help out the plans the member will participate in 5 or 10 years down the road. Many employer plans take a longer view of this situation, realizing that as long as you are employed with them they will have responsibility for your healthcare costs, and thus are more likely to pay for WLS as a long term investment in your health. So when a health plan denies coverage or publishes a specific exclusion, they may not be stupid, just focused on their short term financials.

I saw a brochure for a lap-band seminar, and for the first time considered that losing my 90 pounds of "baby fat" might require more than yet another do-it-yourself diet. My doctor happily gave me more information, and I also researched AIGB on-line. A few days later, my 300 lb diabetic husband and I visited a support group, and both made the decision to go for the band. We already knew from talking with his co-workers that his insurance would pay 100% for qualified patients to have the operation. I went for my diagnostic visit, where I was told that I had to come back for four months of counseling, testing, and evaluation before surgery next spring. They also told me that I'll have to pay 10% up front, plus my co-pays for each visit, and $100 for each fill. Doesn't sound like 100% coverage to me! My husband is going back to his regular internal medicine doc Tuesday, and I plan to tag along to ask questions.:mad:

Donali, I'm really worried here because nobody has ever mentioned avoiding medications. I took a Motrin yesterday. Not one single word about avoiding pills from my doc. Where are you getting your info, and where can I get the full book? My biggest complaint about the band is the vast difference in information. I wish doctors would be more consistant. I'm supreised INAMED doesn't require each patient to sign off on receiving a booklet. If I didn't happen upon this post, I'd never know about aspirin. What about Tylenol, Motrin, anti-anxiety meds, thyroid med? Right after surgery I was taking liquid Children's Motrin and Tylenol. Now I can take regular pills. Even took a large Vitamin today, although I'm only taking my big Vitamins till they're gone since I was told to try Flintstone's chewables. Regarding the mortality rate, Dr. Ortiz said it's zero in Mexico for 10 years now while gastric bypass is one in 50.

I was just reading this....and I think this is a strong team... I really like it... I wish they'd team up! Free Republic Home · Browse · Search News/Activism Topics · Post Article Skip to comments. Condoleezza Rice for vice president 2008 Town Hall ^ | 1/30/08 | Town Hall/Rusher Posted on 01/30/2008 11:09:19 AM PST by OPS4 At the Mackinac Island Conference we began Plan B: Promoting her as a VP. This strategy cut down on our costs significantly, and was more appealing to those who already had a favorite for Pres. Mr. Rusher explained the demographic aspect of the idea: appealing to black voters and female voters. These two blocks are DNC strongholds. This is a good idea strategically, BUT we need to focus on what she has done under the Bush presidencies (both 41 and 43). *As an expert on Russian affairs, she was able to stand up to Yeltsin and build relations with Putin. * As the face of the US to the outside world, she was the one person who countries who didn't like Bush would deal with. * She was able to convince North Korea to abandon its pursuit of nuclear weapons and come to a bargaining table. (This is a country that considered nukes a "birth right".) * She is a vehement defender of the War on Terror. This is very important. Despite the moonbattery and protests about the war, she was able to articulate time and time again why we are there. Anyone who can handle both Yeltsin and Barbara Boxer is one tough cookie. She would always relay the good news in Iraq development (including the new hospital built in Baghdad.) The new infrastructure developed in the peaceful Iraqi provinces have Dr. Rice's stamp of approval.( For a full view of the progress in iraq, see Iraqcoalition.org: Homepage of The New Iraq.) Progress has been slow, but steady. Some in the Military are predicting more troops coming home as soon as this year. Many naysayers, in the GOP, say we should avoid any connection to Bush 43 at all costs. I say Bush did what was necessary, and the work is not done yet. We need to have some sort of carryover into the new administration to ensure a smooth transition both at home and abroad. Anyone who says Condi supporters are racist and sexist are dead wrong. We are realists. We support Dr. Rice not because of her immutable characteristics, but because of her strength and leaadership. Come and join us. TOPICS: Front Page News; Government; Politics/Elections; Your Opinion/Questions KEYWORDS: condi4prez; elections; koolaid; mccain; okaywithme; rice; rusher Navigation: use the links below to view more comments. first1-50, 51-100, 101-150, 151-170nextlast Rice also brings foreign policy experience that can't be matched by any of the front-runners of either party. Fluent in Russian, she holds a Ph.D. in international studies and is an expert in Soviet military affairs. Not a bad résumé item in an era when Vladimir Putin is so busy flexing his muscles that he can't seem to keep his shirt on. A former provost of Stanford University, she also served as national security adviser during Bush's first term. Since becoming secretary of state, she's busied herself trying to advance democracies in the Middle East and, recently, getting Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to sit down together. Washington, says an internal poll by Zogby International found that 41 percent of Republicans thought Rice would bring "excitement" to the presidential ticket. This could be a way to blow both dem front runners out, McCain/Rice 2008, what's your opinion :confused:

I was cleared for a regular diet after 10 days post op. I just had to chew very well. I started beef jerky around 1 month post op and I've never had an issue.

I have not told my parents. My mom has been trying to get the bypass surgery. She has had insurance issues. Because, my WLS process was so quick and she has been struggling for so long, I just don't have the heart to tell her. I have not told anyone, other than my sis. And I only told her in case something bad were to happen. She is my emergency contact person. I would suggest telling your mom all your health issues and why it is so important to have this surgery. Their your parents. They will still worry about you and continue to love you. Take it from a mom who has a 24 yeard old girl and a 19 year old son. We worry about you regardless of how old you are. Best regards!

I got a call on Tuesday confirming that my Pre-op appointment was on Monday, August 2nd and that my surgery would be on Tuesday, August 10th (of course, with approval from Tufts...which they will send the paperwork on August 3rd...the last date of my I Can Change Program). They said that I have to be at the hospital at 11:30AM for a 1:30PM surgery time. I was hoping that I'd get an early surgery....so I'd get it over with right away. I am SO excited. My doctor says that we have to take 2 weeks off from work....and I was a little bummed b/c I didn't really want to use 2 weeks of vacation time to recover. I was hoping that it would just be 1 week and that I could go back early. However, I have just found out that I can use short -term disability, so if I end up really needing that 2nd week, I can stay home and focus on healing...and I won't need to use 2 weeks of vacation time....just the first week will be taken from my vacation time. :mad: :cursing: Yayyy !! That means I can save it for when I am skinny...and go to some exotic island in my [not yet purchased] teeny bikini! hahaha.....Pipe dreams right now....but hopefully in a year, reality! Anyway, b/c I'm not just using vacation time and I will be out for the full two weeks, I ended up just telling my boss and my co-worker what I was doing. I made sure to let them know not to say anything to anyone; as I wasn't even going to tell them. I think my boss was a little hurt when I said that b/c she said, "Why??" and I told her that it was a really personal thing for me...and I didn't want to have that extra pressure of lots of people knowing and examinging me. My co-worker said, "You aren't THAT big?? Why do you want this?" After I explained to her that I was unhappy and showed her all about it, she seemed very happy for me and I think will end up being really supportive. My boss, who I knew once I told her, was going to do some extensive research on the LapBand did exactly that....and promptly informed me the next morning that it was FDA approved and that b/c of that, she approved. Hahah...she is so funny...and she really does care about me more than from just an employee standpoint, which is nice. Anyway, now 4 people are in my little circle...and I do not feel inclined to tell anyone else. I think my boyfriend will be bringing me for surgery....and I think he will even stay the day with me. He works a ton and it is hard for him to get time off without his boss bitching and moaning...so I am happy that he cares enough about me to persue it. I start my pre-op diet a week from today. YIKES! I'm so nervous!! I'm still trying to research some good protein drinks and unflavored protein to add in to things. Anyone have any suggestions? I'm nervous that I won't even be able to make it the 10 days! Anyone have tips to help sustain them through this time??? ~Jen

I know that it is normal to not be hungry post RNY. I am 10 days out. Up to today, if been managing to eat, even though I am not hungry. I set alarms to remind me to eat. But today has been a very different day. I simply have not been able to eat today. One teaspoon and I want to vomit. I am not feeling sick and nauseous, it's just that I can't bare to eat a thing I am so full. Is it OK to have the days? My total calories today were 97 cals. I am taking all my vitamins.

I tried a salad today (lettuce and spinach mixed). I've been craving salad since my surgery (March 10). Unfortunately it was uncomfy to eat so for now it's a no go for me. ????. Will try again in a few weeks. I'm sad, salad is one of my favorite foods, especially in the summer!

I'm scheduled to have my sleeve done in November. I have an event 10 days later that requires an hour plane ride. Is that do able or am I asking for trouble?

I hopped on a plane 7 days post-op and it wasn't bad at all. Just make sure wherever you're going that you can get/bring the types of food that you're allowed to have. I flew for a work meeting and had to sneak out of dinner (to go to the grocery store for yogurt), and out of lunch (around the corner to a Soup shop). As long as you can do that, you should be okay. Everyone is different, so it'd be interesting to see if others feel if they were ready at 10 days out. Good luck!