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Statistically, this is the time when regain happens. The ability to eat a lot more at this point is also common. The hard reality is that it's really up to us, at this point. I am also coming to the same realization. I am going to need to increase my diligence and really watch it, or I'm going to gain. I also have not gotten all the way goal (within 5-10 pounds and had plastics) so I don't have any wiggle room. My surgeon does not do revisions for regain. His coordinator openly said that at the last support meeting, stating that if you didn't do what you needed to do to keep weight off, a second surgery probably isn't the answer. He had also told me previously that they are finding areas of ballooning in sleeves which is probably the reason capacity increases, though there is no evidence to support that it causes gain, and the risk is higher, so not worth an unknown benefit. I always knew regain was possible. What I didn't know is how EASY it would be. I thought you'd have to really be going out of your way to eat wrong, way too much, etc. My harsh truth is that it only takes a little indiscretion, for a very short time, or those pounds pack on. Every veteran sleever I know who has regained says it's harder to get it off the second time, also a disappointing thought. However, I do know what it takes to lose the weight and maintain it, so that's what I've got to do. I saw some statistics @AlexBrecher posted, and I think it said revisions accounted for about 11% of all WLS. It didn't say what the revisions were. So while my surgeon doesn't support that, obviously, it is being done. I suspect some of those numbers are band to sleeve, or sleeve to RNY for complications. To answer your question - I'd be trying to go back to basics before I would undertake another major risky surgery to combat a regain of 20 pounds. You know what to do, you've done it before. Good luck to you.

I'm sorry to say I've become a lurker. .... Life has become so incredibly busy that it's getting harder and harder to relax!! In February 2011, I headed down to Mexico and had my sleeve done. Since then I've lost 100 lbs. I lost the weight in about 8 months and have had no trouble keeping it off!! A huge reason I can keep it off is due to being VERY active! I've become a long distance runner- tomorrow I will do my 4th half marathon. I have another half marathon in September, and my first full marathon in October. In January, I'm traveling to Disneyworld to do the Goofy Challenge. I get up Saturday and do the Donald Half, then go on Sunday to do the Mickey Full. If I complete both in the allowed time, I get a Goofy medal!!! In march my fiancé and I are finally getting married in Hawaii!!! - and yes, there is a half marathon tied in 6 days after : ) My biggest changes?? To do what I CAN do! When I was big, I'd give up on everything- including myself. Now? I've had a running injury for the last 2 races. My second half, I ended up walking the last few miles. My third? I got injured 3 mile in and WALKED the next 10 miles!!! I won't give up!!! Eating wise? I still do Protein first and I still do not eat and drink at the same time. I still carry a drink with me everywhere and get 3 liters liquids in per day. I still stay away from popand slurpees like it's the plague as it's just too much of a slippery slope for me. Since having the sleeve my attitude has changed so much. I'm enjoying life and the people around me. I've gone onto a major fasttrack at work ( I've had 4 promotions since surgery, 6 raises, and 3 bonuses) Life is good My biggest recommendation for new sleevers? CHUCK YOUR SCALE!!! I only lost weight one week a month. It majorly f$cked with my brain! One more thing- get active! The trick is to find something you love. Running for me gives me time to myself ( which I very rarely have), and it allows me to think things through and clear the cobwebs. I also like hiking and do it multiple times per week right now. Now I'm off to pack my gear! Have a great evening!!!

Hey Kitty! I am fairly new to this too but I have done similar research using my top notch Google search skills! I do have a surgery date - June 22! Excited! I do have 3 children, mostly grown...2 in college & one graduated from college last year. Also, 2 'almost' step-sons...19 & 21. I have been very very selective in who I talk to about WLS. I have a job that is fairly high profile and they don't need to know anything other than I am working hard to lose weight & get healthy! Would love a few WLS friends to 'chat' with!! Moe

DO YOU THINK IT'S REALLY BAD TO TRY SOUPS 10 DAYS OUT POST OP???

Was sleeved on June 19, 2013

My PB was beyond burp, but definitely not vomit. It hurt like hell for about 15 - 20 minutes before anything came up - in the sides of my waist, and mostly in my back between my shoulderblades. Just pain, no nausea like when you vomit. My body tried to burp a few times but it couldn't get out. Each time I would try to burp, I could feel something coming up just a little, but never all the way. When the food finally came up I knew it was happening and made it to the sink, but it wasn't the same feeling as right before you vomit, though I did salivate excessively (no slime though). When it comes up, it's not nearly as bad as vomit because there's no acid involved, just whatever got stuck, anything you put down afterwards, and saliva. Now - my husband thought I was vomiting because I still made the same wretching sounds, and it's still as spasmic, but it's not the same as true vomiting. Trust me -- I've puked twice in the last 10 or 12 years, I hate it that much I fight it with every means possible. I feared PB more than anything, more than the surgery, more than the post-op pain, etc. But I promise you -- if all PBs hurt as much as mine did, you won't mind the "unsticking" because it means the pain stops.

Hi I havent really found my sweet spot yet either,I have the luck of having two bariatric nurses that have also had the band so they have wonderful ideas that work rather well. They told me to eat about 3 baby carrots or carrot sticks before my meal to fill up as they seem to take longer to pass thru,I have been doing this for about a month and have lost 7 lbs. Prior to that I was really at a stand still. I had my band 10/21/08. My Dr is a firm believer in keeping the band semi loose, I will see him again 1/09 I sure he will not give me a fill, I had a .5 fill the day of surgery and 4cc Nov 23. It sure has been tough during the holidays. New eating habbits are hard enough but all those goodies to avoid were TERRIBLE.

I am 10 months out. I got sleeved in June 2015. I am 44 years old. I was 200 and now I'm 130. I starting losing in October, November and December. I lost 50% of my hair. Literally clumps fell out. Because of this site and all of the hair loss posts, I didn't freak out as much because I knew if I was going to lose hair it would start around the 4th month and last 3 months...which is exactly what happened. I abruptly stopped losing hair after 3 months and now it's all growing back. It's the rapid weight lose and hormones. It's not about getting more protein or certain shampoos or supplements. If you're going to lose hair, it's going to happen. You'll be so afraid it won't stop and then it just does. I didn't get bald spots, but it got very thin and I lost about 6 inches in length. It does suck, but it was worth the weight lose. Good luck!

I am sooo incredibly happy that I found this thread! I've been stalled for about 10 days and I know it's Water and Protein, but I thought I was doing something majorly wrong. I've got my protein up, and today I finally drank all the water that I needed. How long does it take to get yourself out of the slump and back to dropping weight, once you get your protein and water met? Thanks.

My surgeon requires to stop drinking 10 minutes before a meal. I don't have to wait 30 minutes to drink after a meal, no, I have to wait an entire hour! That sucks.

I need a fill also. My first was Dec. 15. I change it to Dec. 10.

Had surgery yesterday at 10:45am. Lapband and hernia. Came home today about 7pm. They have me on pain meds that I think make me itch. I'm so sore around my stomach. But happy about my new life. I love this site...I'm going to need alot of support. Thanks everyone.

Folks, As promised, below is the current Tricare policy as stated in their regulation. I'm assuming the items in red are the most recent changes since CPT 43770 is the procedure code for the lapband. I hope this information proves helpful or at least saves you a little research. Good luck to you all. TRICARE POLICY MANUAL 6010.54-M, AUGUST 1, 2002 CHAPTER 4 SECTION 13.2, Change 66 dated 12/10/2007; Change 67 dated 12/13/2007 SURGERY FOR MORBID OBESITY I. CPT PROCEDURE CODES 43644, 43770 - 43774, 43842, 43846, 43848, 43886 - 43888, S2083 II. DESCRIPTION Morbid obesity means the body weight is 100 pounds over ideal weight for height and bone structure, according to the most current Metropolitan Life Table, and such weight is in association with severe medical conditions known to have higher mortality rates in association with morbid obesity; or, the body weight is 200% or more of ideal weight for height and bone structure. III. POLICY A. Gastric bypass, gastric stapling or gastroplasty, to include vertical banded gastroplasty is covered when one of the following conditions is met: 1. The patient is 100 pounds over the ideal weight for height and bone structure and has one of these associated medical conditions: diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cholecystitis, narcolepsy, Pickwickian syndrome (and other severe respiratory diseases), hypothalamic disorders and severe arthritis of the weight-bearing joints. 2. The patient is 200% or more of the ideal weight for height and bone structure. An associated medical condition is not required for this category. 3. The patient has had an intestinal bypass or other surgery for obesity and, because of complications, requires a second surgery (a takedown). B. In determining the ideal body weight for morbid obesity using the Metropolitan Life Table, contractors must apply 100 pounds (or 200%) to both the lower and higher end of the weight range. Payment will be allowed when beneficiaries meet all requirements for morbid obesity surgery including the ideal weight within the newly determined range. IV. EXCLUSIONS A. Nonsurgical treatment of obesity, morbid obesity, dietary control or weight reduction. B. Biliopancreatic bypass (jejunoileal bypass, Scopinaro procedure) for treatment of morbid obesity is unproven (CPTprocedure code 43645, 43845, 43847, or 43633). C. Gastric bubble or balloon for treatment of morbid obesity is unproven. D. Gastric wrapping/open gastric banding (CPT2 procedure code 43843) for treatment of morbid obesity is unproven. E. Unlisted CPTprocedure codes 43659 (laparoscopy procedure, stomach); 43999 (open procedure, stomach); and 49329 (laparoscopy procedure, abdomen, peritoneum, and omentum) for gastric bypass procedures. V. EFFECTIVE DATES A. Laparoscopic surgical procedure for gastric bypass and gastric stapling (gastroplasty), including vertical banded gastroplasty are covered, effective December 2, 2004. B. Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding is covered, effective February 1, 2007. - END -

10, 30 or 50 pounds lost is a great accomplishment. Be proud of yourselves!! I don't know any of you but your losses give me inspiration...

I knew this day was coming. My daughter sells the Cookies. She's been a scout for 10 years now. I've always taken them to work, to sell to coworkers. In prior years, I could easily put away a whole box of cookies in one sitting. Now that I'm sleeved, I think I'll be able to refrain ... but it's going to be hard. Especially when I see my coworkers chomping down on THIN MINTS.... Lord give me strength!

Congrats to you! I too love trying on clothes. Trust me, in my past, which was most of my life, I had to shop the plus women's section. Now I get to shop in the" regular" women's section. I hated trying on clothes because they never fit properly. Now I'm a size 10 and large tops. I can spend hours trying on clothes and I likey!

I'm 5ft 10 and an E cup and people go goggled eyed if I tell them that, not that I go round talking about how big my boobs are, lol. But they go goggle eyed because they cant believe they're that big - on me they just look like regular breasts, a nice size, although I'd love to be a bit smaller, a D cup just so I can buy any bra I want would be PERFECT. Very best of luck to you, you've done soooo well and you're looking fantastic already.

I had my surgery yesterday morning and everything went fine. I am nervous at every twinge of discomfort that I feel because I am worried about the whole "slipping" that I have read about. Pain med is just tylenol extra stength in a liquid form. I did not sleep well at all last night due to the discomfort. I have five "holes" where they went in for surgery I was surprised I figured three..I am going back to work on Monday so I have the weekend to finish recuperating. I am excited to start this journey..I did well with the pre op diet and took off 13 pounds in 10 days while on that. Thanks to all of those who take their time to post, I have read many many posts over the past month and decided to join today. :smile2:

i just had surgery at kaiser richmond. We did a pre op diet of 3oz Protein with veggies and a carb (1/2 cup potato/ sweet potato/squash or slice toast whole grain bread less 80 cals) for lunch and dinner, or a fruit instead of veggies at Breakfast. Add to that 64 oz of Water, stop drinking 10 minutes before eating and don't drink until an hour after eating. Chew every bite 30 times. No caffeine, alcohol, carbonated drinks, no Protein Drinks or drinks with more than 20 cals/ cup, no straws, no gum, no Pasta, rice, fried foods, etc. It was hard at first, but i lost hella weight and after a couple of weeks started having a better connection with my hunger and more energy.

I went to my 1 month follow up with the plastic surgeon and asked him several questions. He said the swelling is normal for the first few months because of all the skin that was removed (10 inches around the front and 8 inches around the back) so the lymphatic system has to grow new channels through the new area under the incision. This can also cause Water retention in the hips, thighs and calf area if I am on my feet too much. He also told me that at the 3 month follow up, if I am not happy with any areas, we can talk about "fine tuning" the areas with liposuction or trimming more skin (no extra charge for touch ups). That made me feel better about my concerns. I just need to be patient and take things easy for another month at least so the swelling will stay minimal. So sweat pants for another month before I try to get back into my jeans and dress pants.

Okay, another pound gone?? I had a mini goal to lose 5lbs by Sunday, but I lost four. So this morning I weighed and lost another pound! 35lbs lost total...this is amazing!!! So for my March goal I have 10 pounds to go! Someone please pinch me! Be blessed! Coming Soon... Diva Style Cosmetic Consultants, Inc.

I relate to everything said in this thread. I never thought I was THAT big until I started looking at side by side pics. Even when people said "wow you have lost a lot" I would always shrug it off like no I haven't. The saggy skin for my is mostly my gut and a little on my inner thigh. I wear a compression shirt everyday and that helps me and my image issues I have now. I might look into plastics at some point, but I want to wait a couple years until I have settled into my goal weight. I'm down a little over 160lb in 10 months going from a size 48 to 32/34 waist pants and 4XL to a L/XL shirt. When I started this mentally I battle if I COULD do it. Now mentally I worry about keeping the weight from coming back. I track everything I eat, but will beat myself up over little overages some days.

I’m having so many mixed thoughts swirling around my head. I hesitate to post this today. I am grateful for having gastric bypass to have the tool to combat metabolic disorders and inability to exercise due to disability (post exertional malaise) and I was at the point it was all or nothing. All my fight was getting me nowhere fast. I know I’ve come a long way, I’ve also paid a hefty price physically and am still dealing with many health challenges. But I also know my body could not carry the burden of all that weight. And I will do everything in my power to maintain the weight loss. i reached goal Sometime last month. I overshot it a little. Although based on my height of 5’ I’m within my goal range. I haven’t been actively trying to lose for a few weeks. I raised my calories somewhat but not drastically. I started out at 208lbs with a BMI of 40.6 and today am 102.4 and a BMI of 20. its Funny though, I write my weight on a calendar daily, and write Daily log of my weight, meals, calories and protein to Track and plan what I will eat the best I can based on what’s available in the fridge, freezer, pantry. I haven’t given solid thought to my progress, I’ve just taken it one moment at a time. My weight fluctuates slightly and that’s ok. Other things weigh on my mind though. I hesitate to call it a celebration when even my birthday this month went unmentioned and Covid-19 will be around for the foreseeable future. It’s not impacted my odd daily routines of living with lifelong chronic illness and disability. I’m homebound much of the time as is. It’s risky going to get groceries but a necessity. But It’s had more of an impact on healthcare. i Had an early one year follow up with my surgeon February 11 and discussed continuing severe pain and spasms in left side under ribs along with other symptoms along with my history of ulcers in the remnant stomach and small intestine, they said I needed a double balloon enteroscopy. But I had to see a different doctor for the test. I couldn’t get an appointment until March 12 to see that doctor, I asked if they could schedule the test since it takes a while but no I had to wait to see the doctor first, who of course ordered the test. Which was then scheduled for April 27. And what happened, of course no one called until the last minute and it was then canceled indefinitely. And I’m left in pain, I sent them a message and they tell me I could go to the ER to be evaluated. First of all how is that a good idea? And evaluated for what? That’s why I saw the doctor and he ordered the test (actually both doctors did) I’m at a loss as to what to do and meanwhile I’m just trying to move ahead. i don’t even want to discuss this. I’ve other health issues that I’ve been waiting months to deal with. My doctor gives me attitude. Even things are obviously a problem. I saw my general doctor February after waiting a few weeks. I had sudden severe pain just lightly touching the front of my throat. I had a thyroid ultrasound. I also saw an endocrinologist. I was supposed to go to the hospital for further tests. But this was cancelled indefinitely. I’ve also been having nosebleeds and I don’t know why ... but it’s all been put on hold and none of the doctors care to follow up. I have been making plans about having skin removal surgery. Since it’s the only thing I can manage to do right now. The excess sagging skin is very problematic especially my thighs. A thigh lift, and Having a Belt lipectomy/Butterfly lift to remove excess skin might also help benefit strengthening my core which I can’t do with exercise. I’ve been working on this with Hospital BC that is part of BariatricPal and they are so helpful in the process. I’m trying to think of it as a vacation in Mexico with benefits. I’ll need financing of course. I’m far away from rich. It’s a goal to have a body I haven’t as long as I can remember. I haven’t been this weight as long as I can remember either. I could never reach this goal on my own before even as hard as I tried with strict low carb and calorie counting. I only managed 124lbs and it didn’t stay there long. So taking that last step of getting rid of ugly sagging, rashy problematic skin feels like part of the journey to finish. A crazy thing in times like these. I’ll be pinching pennies as hard as I can. But part of me is determined. And also ... trying to ignore the rest. I had wanted to deal with the other health issues first but looks like that won’t happen so I’m going to try to roll with it and see what happens. maybe it’s dumb for me to write this. I don’t know anymore. I’m exhausted. But I think that I want others to know that if I can do this with my chronic illness and disability And despite how hard it has been for me ... that others can succeed and reach their weight loss goal.

Hello everyone I have my first fill appointment on April 10 th and would love to get some advice on this. I am not sure if the surgeon filled my band with anything when in surgery because when I went for my post op appointment of course I didn't ask . You know when you got to your doctor and you have so many questions then you just for get to ask ughh I hate that..lol. anyways I do not get hungry I actuall have to remind myself to eat most of the time and today is my 17th day post op. Is this normal? I'm not complaining at all but I'm not sure if I should get that first fill. When I do eat I really cannot take much in either and I'm struggling to get in all the water I need. I have been taking those whey protien shots just to make sure I get enough protien for the day. Any advice on having a first fill? Anyone not need your first fill? I'm not sure if it that I don't need it or if I'm just scared to mess something up in there.

Hi Christi, I was wondering if you could PM me and let me know who the Dr. is, because I too was banded in Mexico on 3/3 and I have my first fill appointment on 4/19 with a Dr. in Dallas. I don't think you are being overly sensitive considering the amount of money it costs and the fact that you (we) don't have the luxury of ongoing care from the Dr. that did your surgery. The Dr. should give you his full attention when you are there and taking into consideration that you had your surgery in Mexico and may have further concerns and/or questions. I would find another doc or give this one another chance and stand up for yourself and demand his full attention. I am sorry you were made to feel unimportant and it is not right! Hope it all works out for you in the future. Kristi/Keller TX