Search the Community

Oh No! I have BCBS too. Through Bank of America. I'm on my last month that but I gained 2 lb in month 2 also. At my last weigh in next week, I should be at a total loss of 4 pounds. This is because my bmi was only 37.2 so I was afraid to loose too much. It's like you're damned if you do and damned if you don't. What state are you in? I'm in the Dallas area.

Tracy, I was an exercise hater. Hence my weight getting to 330 pounds. I realized that if I didn't make exercise part of my daily life I would always be fat. So, right out of surgery I decided to move every chance I had. I was up and walking around the exterior of the hospital within an hour of coming out of recovery and kept walking until I was given the go ahead by my surgeon for full exercise. I joined a gym (Curves) the day I turned 4 weeks post-op and I faithfully go every day. I have made so many new friends and have found so much support through the owners, employees and members that I actually look forward to going. I also ride my bicycle with my husband as often as daylight permits. My grown kids actually have started to join us and it has become a family outing every weekend and it is so much fun. My husband has always told me to push past the exhaustion of exercise and when I feel like I can't breath anymore to focus on slowing down my breathing and the feeling will pass. I would stop and plop on the sofa at the point where breathing got hard and give up. I've discovered that he was right. It does get easier when you push past that point and concentrate on your breathing. I love riding my bicycle and feel so alive like I can ride forever. I'm telling you all this to try and motivate you to find some form of exercise that you enjoy and will make part of your everyday life. I want you to succeed and become healthier, lose the weight and become happier, more confident and help others in their weight loss journey. Exercise is a necessary part of life. Best of luck to you and feel free to message me if you have any questions. P.S. Sassy is a good thing! Donna

So for me when I stalled I know that my body was struggling with what it was going through. I re-evaluated what I was doing. I found I was eating too much: I cut back to 600-700 calories and one snack three meals a day. I have always been exercising(walking) and I didn't change this. The scale is DEFINITELY your friend. I beleive if you weigh yourself regularly you keep on top of your weight loss(or not). You can make adjustments if it slows or you gain. Keep in mind also processed foods, they have alot of sodium and can slow down weight loss. Try to consume more foods that you prepare rather than pre-made.

And Matty? A LOT of people beat the average weight loss:)

from the research i've done, you basically have a "genetic reaction" to the surgery. in other words, don't beat yourself up or OBSESS (a big problem around here) about whether you lose 65% or 75% or 85% of your excess weight. the initial loss is virtually all out of your hands. it's the long-term years afterwards that your behavior and healthy habits will determine if you keep it off. that's what you control. that's what you should focus on. just try to be at peace with wherever you land after a year or so. it's nothing you did wrong (or right, tbh). it just is what it is. and it will be 1,000x better than where you were pre-surgery!

You are doing just fine. I also started in January. 303 lbs. My surgery weight was close to yours and my surgery date was July 28. I am 5'3". I have lost about 30 lbs since surgery. My doctor said that since i lost enough prior to surgery to significantly lower my BMI that my weight loss would be slower. He is well satisfied with the average of 10 lbs per month as am I. I go to the gym at least 3 times a week and get about 800 calories a day, and stay active as much as possible throughout the day. Sent from my KFTT using the BariatricPal App

Hi and congrats on taking the steps to a healthier and better you. The sleeve is a wonderful and I absolutely love life post-op. As for your questions, I'll answer honestly and openly as I can. 1) I am a smoker. Smoking inhibits healing, and can cause ulcers. Not only that, it increases your risk of a leak due to hindering healing of the staple line. My surgeon knew my smoking status, but I didn't quit pre-op. Could it have contributed to the fact that I did have a leak, yes, but the biggest issue in my recovery and leak issues was because I had a band first that destroyed my stomach tissue. Smoking also complicates anesthesia recovery. Your abdomen is sore, causes more coughing and I had to use a spirometer to help prevent pneumonia. That really sucked because coughing caused major discomfort. I have quit twice since surgery, and am now trying to quit again. I actually went on Wellbutrin to help with the withdraws of nicotine as the patch, gum and cold turkey make life with me pure hell. 2) I had a huge panel of labs, a chest xray, psych eval, and consult with a nutritionist. Some surgeons require an upper gi and sleep study. 3) I didn't have a drain initially. A lot of surgeons use drains to make sure there is no leak, and some pull it before discharge, some require it stay in for about a week. I only had drains due to the leak repair surgery, and they stayed in for over 2 weeks. 4) I was not catheterized for my revision. I urinated before surgery, and was dry when I came out. 5) hair loss can happen to anyone that goes through surgery. It's a pretty normal occurrence. There is absolutely nothing you can do to stop it. It's a combination of anesthesia, surgical stress, and rapid weight loss. I lost hair for about 3 months, and I lost half of my hair. Luckily, I had super thick, coarse hair and no one that didn't know me before never guessed that I had lost all of my hair. The only thing you can do pre-op and during your recovery is to take hair/nail/skin supplements to help with regrowth. Biotin is usually the one most people choose. I didn't do anything to help with regrowth until I started losing. I used Folicure extra care shampoo. I started having new growth pop in while I was still losing. Currently, I look like a chia pet, and have chopped my hair off, layered it and bleached the top to help hide some of the new growth. I kept the back and underneath dark to help give the illusion of depth and volume. Unfortunately, hair loss seems pretty inevitable. There's several patients on this board that got in there Protein and extra protein, and they lost more hair and lost it for a longer period of time than I did, and I didn't get in my protein until I was on soft solids when I could eat chicken and other meat. My main advice is make sure you can handle the mental and emotional aspect of this surgery. It's a huge change, and no matter how much you read or talk to people will you really grasp it all until you go through it. I truly believe going in positive, and upbeat helps. Find strength within yourself, and know that you are doing something absolutely fabulous for yourself and your family. Know that recovery can be difficult, you'll be tested, you'll be exhausted, you might be mad at yourself especially during the post-op diet, but all of that is just temporary. Questions to ask your surgeon: What size bougie do you use to make the sleeve? What are your leak/complication stats? What are your expectations of my weight loss? Do you provide follow up care, labs, access to a nutritionist and psych if needed post-op (especially since you'll be self-pay find out what all is included in that cost)? Do you prescribe an acid reducer such as Prilosec, Prevacid, Nexium to protect the sleeve, how long should I be on it? Post-op diet instructions? Pre-op diet instructions? How many sleeves have you performed? How many bariatric procedures have you performed? How long is the hospital stay? Leak tests, how many and when are they performed? That's all I can think of right now. Best wishes on your consult, and if you need anything ask away. We'll all be here for you through this journey.

I have tri care south and my doc looked over my hospital charts an that was good enough with me wanting to loss weight and such

I completely understand what both of you are saying. I lost 100 pounds with my band in 2011 getting down to 146# at 5'7" (about a size 4-6). At 42, I had never been that little. I also received a lot of comments that I was getting too thin. The comments were from family as well as work friends and I feel like they were genuine. Over the course if the next year, I put on about 15 pounds. Then, when my band slipped and they removed it, I ballooned up to 200# almost instantly!! I am now 11 days postop with my sleeve. At age 46, my goal is to be healthy, live life, and yes....look hot in some kick-butt clothes! lol! Pre surgery I was doing boot camp classes, yoga, hiking, stand-up paddle boarding....all without the constant concern of what others thought!! It was amazing!! I don't want to get as thin as I was before and had the same concern with 'shutting off the weight loss'. I would be interested in other folks thoughts on this topic as well.

I agree- you probably don't need a fill since your hunger is very much under control. Your doc. will probably want to see you anyway, but honestly I don't think I would bother. Of course, the choice is yours. Congrats on your weight loss.

Good for you! My dr isn't really strict about Protein either.... But I try hard in hopes I won't lose tons of hair hopefully you will be able to handle meat better later on! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Some people lost weight prior to surgery in the support group I attend and some folks didn't. I lost 20 pounds without even trying by cutting out the 6 diet cokes I drank each day. It is a good goal to lose some weight pre-op because it can add to your total weight loss after the operation. But this goal is possibly not set in concrete. But as you say Kaiser Northern California in Sacramento may be dictating that requirement. So drink enough Water and I wouldn't cut out all salt completely. Salt is important to your diet too. My mother cut out all salt from her diet and that drove her into the hospital emergency room.

In my surgeons new book "Ultimate Gastric Sleeve Success: A practical guide to help maximize your weight loss results" (2013), he states the following: "...some surgeons and healthcare professionals are going overboard and pushing too much Protein. Some programs are telling patients to eat 80 grams of protein a day. I believe this is way too much! your body probably cant process this much protein healthily. The 'average' American women only needs about 45 grams a day and a man needs about 55 gms a day. The initial push for such high protein levels was due to the malabsorption that occurred with gastric bypass and duodenal switch patients...All the protein we need is provided by our natural food sources, especially given our advances in surgery that lead to better absorption of nutrients."(pg 50). Just thought I'd share

Weight loss has slowed don for me. Lost Another 4 pounds since 5/21. Total loss is 29 pounds including 2 week preop diet. Hoping for some more losses this week. Upped my exercise and water.

Gut bacteria may decrease weight loss from bariatric surgery What do you think about this? Date: March 6, 2015 Source: Cedars-Sinai Medical Center Summary: Some patients do not experience the optimal weight loss from bariatric surgery. The presence of a specific methane gas-producing organism in the gastrointestinal tract may account for a decrease in optimal weight loss, according to new research. The benefits of weight loss surgery, along with a treatment plan that includes exercise and dietary changes, are well documented. In addition to a significant decrease in body mass, many patients find their risk factors for heart disease are drastically lowered and blood sugar regulation is improved for those with Type 2 diabetes. Some patients, however, do not experience the optimal weight loss from bariatric surgery. The presence of a specific methane gas-producing organism in the gastrointestinal tract may account for a decrease in optimal weight loss, according to new research by Ruchi Mathur, MD, director of the Diabetes Outpatient Treatment and Education Center at Cedars-Sinai. "We looked at 156 obese adults who either had Roux-en-Y bypass surgery or received a gastric sleeve. Four months after surgery we gave them a breath test, which provides a way of measuring gases produced by microbes in the gut," said Mathur. "We found that those whose breath test revealed higher concentrations of both methane and hydrogen were the ones who had the lowest percentage of weight loss and lowest reduction in BMI (body mass index) when compared to others in the study." The methane-producing microorganism methanobrevibacter smithii is the biggest maker of methane in the gut, says Mathur, and may be the culprit thwarting significant weight loss in bariatric patient. Mathur and her colleagues are conducting further studies to explore the role this organism plays in human metabolism. While that research continues, bariatric patients may still have options to improve weight loss after surgery. "Identifying individuals with this pattern of intestinal gas production may allow for interventions through diet. In the future there may be therapeutic drugs that can improve a patient's post-surgical course and help them achieve optimal weight loss," said Mathur. The study, "Intestinal Methane Production is Associated with Decreased Weight Loss Following Bariatric Surgery" was done in collaboration with the Mayo Clinic. The paper is being presented by Mathur Thursday, March 5, at the 97th annual meeting of the Endocrine Society in San Diego. Story Source: The above story is based on materials provided by Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. Note: Materials may be edited for content and length.

It really does make a difference post surgery, you go from being hungry like the wolf to being in control. Yes you might still get hungry. but it will be controllable. I now look at foods as Maybe I will taste a little of that, but you won't have the panic that you have to eat something before someone else gets it. And truly there are many foods, I can take a teeny taste and I say" Why did I used to eat that? It does not taste good enough to cheat with! " And you will find you don't have the desire to cheat, because in the long run it just isn't worth it. And since you have so little room inside, there is no room for junk, so you do want to eat the things that are vitamin rich and good for you! I know of what I speak, I was a Food Sinner for years and years and years, so when I saw the light, had a Come to Jesus moment, whatever title you feel comfortable with, I had a fair amount of BlubberWeight to get rid of, but I am now a 120 pounds lighter than my highest weight, lost 77 since surgery, yeah me , the tried every diet known to modern man, some of them siily, but I was grasping at straws, it really works even if you're 73 like me! My natural Basal Metabolic rate is akin to a seasick snail but it is working for me too. Oh occasionally I do get a little jealous of the losses of the young ones, but then I remember Life gave me a different answer sheet to what they were given, as long as I answer mine correctly I can't go wrong either!

I am so sorry for the loss of your friend. Yes, if you have sleep apnea, please take care of it. My best friend lost her Dad last year to ii, it was heartbreaking...and sooo cureable!

I do believe that body composition and weight loss are connected. I'm still researching but I wonder if those who have a hard time losing despite doing everything have lots of belly fat. My fat is mostly in my mid section. I've found that those few people I know with saggy stomachs have a hard time losing. I also believe that most people have normal metabolisms and can lose if they stay under a certain amount of calories. Then there is us who work out and eat right and don't lose or in my case gain. I eat around 1000 or less. Before I had to go up and down on my calories every few days. It was unhealthy. I starved then binged every few days. I don't want to go down that road but I've gain 2 lbs in a month.

I think you do whatever you find works for you! Even if it makes no logical sense. I was very successful with the band and the way people say that they're eating really low calories and not losing and that suddenly they eat a bit more and weight loss starts - I dont know, I find the less I eat/more I exercise, the more weight I lose. Simple, logical, what you'd expect. I wonder, did I find success relatively easy because my body works the way science says it should? Am I lucky that I've got a "normal" metabolism or something? I suspect so. I never dropped anywhere near 600 to 800 though, so I cant really say. Maybe I would have found the same thing if I'd eaten so little. You've got to appreciate true fat loss v weight loss too though. I do find I can drop a little weight wise if I dont exercise for a couple of days. But all that is is Fluid changes in the body - exercise damages your muscles (which is what makes them grow) and they attract a little Water and swell a bit.

Hey @Band Aid mom - I feel that one too! Some men just seem to lose SO much easier, it's nearly maddening. Good thing we love them because that trait would make it hard if not. On the other hand, mine began losing when I started my pre-op too, and then pretty quickly shifted into 100% supportive without doing all of what I was doing eating-wise. Then post op we walked together a good bit, but since i kept losing (and he didn't) I started running. He's continued to sort of lag behind in terms of fitness and food and weight loss, but he's continued to be much more active than before all of this, and eats much healthier foods and smaller portions than before. I'm really proud of him, and (like you) love that he's supportive. Still, I'm not sure i'll tell him that part of his best support is not outdoing me in weight loss! Also - good for you doing a try-it period! That's help you know if it's going to be harder or easier for you, and which things you like or can't stand. I did the same, and then ended up just starting a couple days early since I was mentally feeling ready. We had one last dinner out - but I actually ate very little, not at all a "Last Meal Pigout" - and was happily satisfied. And I will say, for nearly everyone that weight DOES start coming off once you're fully on the liquids and post surgery. It's going to happen--just you watch! Kate

Hi everyone, I just joined in hopes to get some help. Over the past year, I have had several dr's tell me "why don't you get weight loss surgery?" I would just look at them and reply, I'm not rich! Finally, about a month ago my PCP mentioned it again. I snapped at her asking , so are you going to pay for it? She said, honey, your insurance covers it. So after a month of convincing my family I called horizon to confirm they actually cover it, and they do! However... They only list two doctors. And after reading reviews and experience from both, I do not feel comfortable with either one. One dr had 2 fatalities in one day and the other is not very experienced at all. I have called a few places and no one seems to accept this insurance I am in New Jersey, union county. Trying to stay away from Elizabeth Nj, to many bad experiences there. Car broken into on one occasion and mugged on another. If anyone in my area can help with a surgeon in my area I will forever be thankful! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I had "buyer's remorse" the first couple of weeks. It's common - and people usually get over that pretty quickly. a lot of women notice crazy hormones the first few weeks or months of surgery (weird menstrual cycles and emotions all over the place). It's because estrogen is stored in fat cells, and it's released during rapid weight loss. It'll stabilize once your weight loss slows down.

I am 10 years out from my sleeve surgery. I came to give an update (I used to love them when I was new!) and a warning. Update - I weighed 275 at surgery and now weigh 177. My weight varies within a 5 pound window. I don't worry about it, don't think about it, and rarely weigh except at the doctors office. It took several years to relax and get to the point of stepping away from the scales. My stomach has not stretched. I can eat approx 1/3 to 1/2 cup at a time and eat 4 or 5 times a day. Cautionary tale - I have eaten as I was told to do, always putting protein first. I take vitamins. I try to go for nutritious veggies after protein. After 2 years of feeling awful I now know that I AM MINERAL DEFICIENT! It's a long story about how I found out, but I now have concrete results from hair tissue mineral analysis plus extensive blood work. Mineral deficiencies are rampant in the population, not just bariatric patients, but we are more susceptible due to our diets. Our soils are depleted of minerals so our food is as well. It's not just about, for example, being calcium deficient. It's about the ratio of all the essential minerals like magnesium, iron, etc. They have to be in balance for them to work. So taking calcium supplements or iron or whatever aren't doing any good if the rest isn't there for them to work with. (hope that made a little sense) You aren't going to hear this from most doctors, it usually takes a functional doctor to be willing to dive into this. One symptom was passing out whenever I got hot. I was taken by ambulance to the hospital twice for this. My "regular" doctor kept telling me I was dehydrated and to take potassium. (Note: I still drink 100 oz a day since surgery, how am I dehydrated). He was looking at basic blood work. Under his treatment I got worse. Once I had all the tests done, I have almost too much potassium but practically no magnesium and low salt, both are needed to interact with the potassium. Good news - This can be reversed. I am telling everyone I know to start supplementing trace minerals. It's easy, I use a few drops of trace mineral concentrate in my water all day. Due to my deficiencies I take some other mineral supplements but that is the main secret sauce. And it's so easy! I feel like I have come back to life!! That's probably way more than you wanted to know. I'll be quiet now. LOL I just hope I help to keep someone else from going down this path.

Also - Kiwi - my surgeon highly favored the sleeve. I asked him why, and he explained that besides it being easier to do than bypass, it kind of took the control from the patient. It's becoming the most successful WLS as far as quickness of weight loss and longer term results. He felt that the band patient had to be in the right frame of mind. Out of his 10 post-ops, 2 were well ahead of expectations, 5 were right on track, and 3 were not doing well at all with weight loss. I assured him that my mind was set on the band and that mentally, I was ready. He thought for my starting body type (I started at 243 lbs) that the band would be alright. I get no greater pleasure than going in for every follow-up/fill and proving to him that I'm totally ROCKING this Lap Band!! He's always full of positive compliments for me and my progress.

I am 8 weeks post RNY. Need guidance on what the best standard daily intake for gram % for breaking stalls and Continued aggressive weight loss. (Carbs—Fats). I can reach the daily protein goal as well as liquids without any problems. New to the grp. So, apologize if this has already been asked previously by-others. 😁