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Hi, I had surgery in Toronto 3 years ago. The fill Doctor I was seeing in Winnipeg has since joined the army! Luckily I have not had a fill for almost 2 yrs and have maintained my weight loss until recently. Before I gain any more weight ....I am up 6-8 lbs and really am feeling it! Any way, I need a fill and Winnipeg is closer to me than Toronto....anyone have fills in Winnipeg who've had their surgery elsewhere?? Thanks !!!

Surgery in three days and you better believe I have anxiety and apprehension! I am starting to think, "Whoa, do I really want to to do thing?" I come down on the side of YES!!!!! I have already lost 42 pounds and I feel so gooood. Can only imagine what it will be like to hit the 100 pound loss that I want. I have had three other major surgeries, but they were not elective so while I had anxiety and apprehension, I knew I had to do it . Think that is what makes this so different, but I believe that is why it is so important. We are making a conscious decision to do something for US. Many of us are "caretaker" personalities who have focused too much on others and it feels awkward to focus on ourselves!

Than you all... This website has helped me in so many ways... I have friends who have lost 100lbs by diet and exercise they are against me having it done. I have another friend who is super skinny and she doesn't want me to get it done ( but I don't take weigh loss advice from someone who's never been overweight) and I think if I sit them down like you said then they might be more supportive.

Thanks. My total calories are usually around 800-850 and Protein around 80-90, a bit lower than yours (I'm at 8 months out) , maybe I should up them a little and see if that speeds up the loss. Do you track carbs?

Hi JB, Thanks for your note! I am excited for you. And, as my book title states...It's NEVER Too Late! I am interested in your journey. PLEASE keep us updated on your progress. Join me on my Facebook page www.facebook.com/aftertheband You are welcome to post some before, during, and soon to be after pics there. The walking will REALLY help the weight loss. You will learn in my book that I too had a knee pain issue. A minor set-back...but not a show stopper. Are you on Twitter? I am @aftertheband I have several media apprerances lined up. Some have national coverage. I will post them on my Facebook and Twitter page. I hope you can tune in. BE WELL, Karen

My surgeon has me one an almost all Protein diet from Physician's Weight Loss. Only about 450 calories. He wanted me to do it for 2 weeks, but 3 weeks if I could. I will have been on it 3 weeks by the date of my surgery. On Monday this week (my 14th day on the diet) he told me that I could eat lean Proteins as long as I did not overdue on calories. I love sushi grade tuna - very rare or raw, so I have had tuna 3 times (4 oz is the same as 2 of 5 daily drinks) and tonight I just had 3 egg whites scrambled. It was true emotional journey the first week of my liquid diet. I went to birthday party on the 5th day and thought I might tackle someone as they walked by with their hamburger and piece of birthday cake. I have had great support from my firends and co-workers. They have a planned, non-food activity almost everynight with one of them, and on Friday we are having a food free "hello to the new me" party - complete with pajamas, great movies and games. Over half of my 10 co-workers also went to all liquid diet (not alcohol - slimfast and such:p ) during work hours, so that has been great as well I have lost 22 pounds in 2.5 weeks. One of my biggest vices has been Dr. Pepper, so I have given up all caffeine and artifical sweetners to try to completely get past my addiction to caffeine including diet drinks. I hope this help, and I know I probably told you way more than you wanted to know. Good luck and best wishes, Mouster:D

This is a reminder to me to treasure my second chance through wls, I wanted to share. A.coworker needed to lose 17 lbs in five weeks in order to qualify for special training (she's in the military). She dropped the weight through plastic wraps, zero carbs, steam room, something called laser Lipo, and a weight loss drug she bought in Mexico-- some kind of amphetamine . She met the weight but was unable to do complete her physical training because she collapsed. She went to the hospital and her heart is arrythmic and the IVs for fluid have been difficult because she is dehydrated. She had a staph infection and developed energy to the antibiotic she was given. It's awful! Before wls I did several unhealthy things to lose weight. If I hadn't had wls I might still be trying things that I knew wouldn't work. If you are thinking about wls, please know that it can finally end the crazy train of fad diets and desperation if you use it as it was meant to be used.

Hi everyone. I was sleeved on March 2nd and at this point in time I am very disheartened in my journey. I have only lost 30 lbs thus far and feel I've fought very hard for even that which includes a lot of working out. I eat right and have been following the guidelines yet I am barely losing. Is anyone else having a similar issue? Most stories I see show significantly more weight loss within this timeline compared to me. Additionally and this is tmi (sorry in advance) but at this point I have to ask - this far down the road does anyone else still experience extreme diarrhea? About 90% of the food I eat cases this to the point I'm afraid to eat with friends or go out if eating is involved. I never know what food will affect me, most cases a food that I previously ate and was fine with, may cause diarrhea a couple days later if I eat that food again. I can't find a common link that causes it. When I spoke with my doctor Activia and time was the only thing recommended but I'm almost 3 months out and still having this issue. Does anyone else experience this? Is so, is there anything you've tried that seems to help? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Maybe it's not related to your band at all - I'm not a doctor, and have no medical background, but it sounds a lot like how I felt with my gallbladder. I had gallstones about 7 years ago, well before I ever considered being banded. The only thing is that walking helped that pain subside. When I went to the ER, they told me I fit the 4F profile for gallbladder disease - Female, 40, fertile and fat. When it happened I had started losing a lot of weight, and they said that rapid weight loss contributed to it. If it happens again, I think I'd throw it out there as a possibility.

WOW 2 Miles! Walking is encouraged and needed but man, don't push it! You have wounds inside that needs to close! You will LOVE how you feel in the coming weeks! There are times when you feel a little disappointed that you can't have something, but the weight loss and the all day energy, without crashes is worth it. What was hard for me was about 2 weeks out when I felt great and its easy to forget you had the surgery and you want to eat the things you had been... but intellectually, you know you can't. I'm 48 days and learning a whole new way of eating and its a lot better food than I thought! Take it easy!

I posted this in response under another thread, but since it got so long I decided to cut and paste it as a new thread also.... Hang in there....It DOES WORK.... LAST CHANCE???? My Health was deteriorating fast! My family history was grim, having lost both my brother and sister from obese related illnesses...sister was the worse going through amputations, cardiac and other circulatory surgeries, infections, and finally renal failure....they flat out said she had too much going on to qualify for kidney transplant. I started down the same road, diabetes out of control, my blood work was all over the place, nothing was normal. Had clogged arteries resulting in one hart attack, had to undergo cardiac surgery... My PCP was very blunt and honest, told me I was a walking time bomb and did not have long to live. Stated if I could but loose 50-60 lbs, this would all start to reverse itself. It was my LAST CHANCE! Knowing that I have tried every diet under the sun, and failing miserably at every one of them, He recommended weight loss surgery and referred me. WLS was my LAST CHANCE! That is why I have never taken this lightly...full steam ahead...I can care less what others think, let them find their success. I found mine!! NO WHINING HERE I want this band to do the maximum performance, everything I anticipated.Would not settle for anything less... And it did!!! Lost over 100 lbs in a year......all my illnesses have been reversed...no more medications or insulin injections. I go to the gym every chance I get. (it's 4 am as I'm typing this, will be at the gym at 5) My hunger/cravings are in check, have no interest in food or eating most of the time. And when I do eat, the band limits my portions, making it impossible to overeat or binge. Also, when I do eat, all I do is eat wisely, making healthy choices. No more diets, no more calorie counting..... Does not mean I don't enjoy the treats in life...I do! It's just that I don't make a pig of myself...all things in moderation thanks to the band... Head Hunger....perfectly normal, but it goes away eventually....I have gone out of my way to purchase something I was craving, only to throw it away after one or two bites..... The band turned my life around...all my Dr.'s are astounded...(and I have/had a lot of them) I do not, have not, any weight loss goals...how can I ??? I was OBESE because of a lifestyle of bad eating and being a coach potato....NOW my lifestyle has changed, and the reverse happened, I went on the opposite direction and lost weight until I was back to what my body determined was normal...where it should be for someone who eats right and gets plenty of exercise. Maintenance?? I don't get it...I have been on many, many diets so I understand what maintenance is in terms of dieting programs. But I am not on any diet program....simply put, because of WLS, my eating, what and how I eat, has been changed...and it will stay that way for the rest of my life....it is the New Normal for me. So there is nothing I can do differently. I suppose I could get Fluid taken out of my band, to allow me to eat more, larger portions...but that makes no sense to me. Why would I want to do that? I was fat-obese because I ate too much of the wrong things, I am now at optimal weight with very little body fat% because I eat less, way less, and eat good wholesome healthy foods...it's that simple. Sprinkle on top of that fat burning exercise and there you have it. (notice I said fat burning, not calorie burning) I should say, concerning my health improving and illnesses reversed, a Heart Attack, (MI) the damage is done to the cardiac wall - muscle and cannot be fixed, and with this, there are 2 medications I will take for the rest of my life.... BUT that does not stop me from running 3-5 miles 5 days a week, and strengthening what I do have.

My BMI is 40 also and I am hearing the same thing from my co-workers...their like what? You don't look big enough to have WLS...I guess it's just the misconception that you have to super obese and not be able to move before you should consider this route! However they are wrong I have struggled all my life with weight loss, lose a few pounds here and gain it back there! I hope and pray that this I'd the end and I can finally feel normal even though I'm not sure what normal feels like...lol

I started Biotin from GNC a few months before surgery. I got the 5000 mcg tablets, not the chewables. I'm honestly not sure if it made a difference or not as I still lost a lot of hair. The worst of it was between the 3-6 month mark. I'm 7 months post op now and the hair loss is still happening, but it is slowing down thank goodness. I often wonder if it would have been worse had I not been taking the Biotin? But I'll never know. I've been using a local pharmacy brand shampoo that has biotin and collagen in it, so maybe that is helping as well. Even with as much hair as I lost (and it was coming out in gobs!) I never dealt with any bald Patches. There was some thinning around my temples but it was only noticeable if I pulled my hair back into a ponytail for work. New baby hairs are finally starting to grow in their place, making my ponytails look wild now. Did the hair loss suck? For sure. Enough for me to regret the surgery? Hell no. 9 days away, so exciting! Good luck to you!

Hi there! Since I'm new to this site I thought I would introduce myself. My name is Dawn and I am from Ontario, Canada. I am 7 years post op Rny. I am a teacher and weight loss surgery support group leader. My first year past surgery can be found at diminishingdawn.com If I can answer any questions or help anyone feel free to drop me a line. This surgery will be the best thing you will do for you. That said, after a few years it gets to be much harder. The good habits you put in place in your first year or two will make or break your success! Work your surgery hard! Take care! Dawn

Honestly? My suggestion would be to contact your weight loss team and ask them to delay submitting for approval with your insurance for another month. That will give you the chance to adjust to a diet that will get your weight down below where you started off and start some exercise. While I was still waiting to meet my reqs, my diet was one 30g protein shake at 9am, a 20g protein bar at noon, a cottage cheese cup/low-sugar greek yogurt/another protein shake or bar at 4pm, and then 5oz of lean protein and 5oz of veggies at 7pm. I'd generally end up between 1000-1200 calories. For exercise, I would just walk outside for about 30-45 minutes since the gym was not an option. Couple that kind of a diet and routine with delaying submitting to insurance for 4 weeks and you should get back below where you started.

Just try to get back on track for the pre op diet. The idea is to shrink the liver. I was able to have a meal replacement for breakfast and small portions of meat and vegetable for lunch and supper (2-4 oz meat with 1/2 cup vegtable and 1/2 meal replacement) for day 1-7. Snacks were a protein bar or liquid. At 3 days prior is when I had to have only clear liquids with no caffeine or carbonated drinks. As much as I felt hungry, the idea of giving my surgeon the best conditions possible for sucessful surgery kept me focused. My nurse who prepped me for surgery said they see the pre op weight loss average of about 20lbs.

My NUT said to eat 3 oz of protein first, then 3 oz green/red veggies, then any starches last. If I try it this way I will be less likely to eat the carbs as I should be full on the protein and veggies, however, if I do have room it may be for 1 bite of starches. A lot of people on here do limit their carbs to maximize weight loss, but they don't completely eliminate them. Chances are high that these people are getting their carbs from milk, veggies, and fruits.

I had surgery February 18,2011. I am 30yrs. I have lost 38lbs. so far. I had my 2nd adjustment today. I am still very nervous about this new journey. I can't believe I have actually lost weight. Today I weigh 333 lbs. I feel very doubtful about my wight loss but at the same time very, very hopeful.

You look awesome! Congrats on your loss and on running 2 5k's in one week! Wow!

I'm suffering from several symptoms of PCOs: weight gain, hirsutism (increased hair growth on the face, arms and belly), irregular and often nonexistent menses, "spotting" and Patches of darker, velvety skin on the legs. I read that the surgery might solve it. Mine is due in less than 2 weeks (yay!). However I am still worried that my eating habits caused some permanent, irreversible damage to my body. For instance, ovarian cysts, which tend to evolve into tumors sometimes. If I lose weight and kiss the other PCOs symptoms goodbye, do the cysts disappear or do they stay for good? If you could tell from your own experiences, I'd love to hear.

I found away to slow down my weight loss by grazing. Yep I'm so depressed about the shitt around me yep. Down 31 pounds since 2/28. Started at 297 now 266. I'm slowing down I just need to move out of the freakin state.

I just wanted to say Congratulations on your loss and enjoy your new life! How exciting no matter the reason.

i just changed up my diet. instead of eating the same thing everyday i ate a little more fat and somedays i ate more calories and somedays i eat the average. to be honest i cheated last week and had 1/2 cup of ice cream 2 days in a row and a few chips and dip for the superbowl. i have been getting a little caried away on the cheating but i still keep my calories around 1200 calories, i dont recommend cheating everyday but i think once in awhile it gives the body something different. i am going to do better starting tomorrow because i didnt go through all of this to eat bad. the band has helped me so much, i eat less and i really pay attention to calories and i try to eat good. i havent really been paying attention to my protein though. my hair is getting really thinner now so i need to focus on more protein. its hard to focus on protein and calories at the same time. i guess it just takes some adjusting. andrea i wish you luck just remember that what works for me may not work for you and i think that i must be lucky so far to even lose at all

Hey guys...im abigail i will be getting sleeved at nyu langone medical center by Dr.Ren Feilding. Im nervous but more exciting than anything. I have been big all my life n im ready to make a change because my weight has held me back for most of it.... so let me tell u a little about me im 18 like i said 250lbs and 5'0 tall... im kind of scared about to weight loss process years ago my mom had the.gastric bypass and had so much excess skin that after she had to lift her boobs and get a tummy tuck her legs,back and arms need doing to but there isnt enough funds. But im saying all of of this to say what was your experience with skin was your journey hard?? Im looking forward to hearing from u sleevers!!

I'm only 2 months post op, so I haven't experienced this yet. I already have pretty thin/fine hair, so I'm REALLY hoping this doesn't happen to me. I think it's a combination of not enough Protein and the shock to your body after surgery. And if you are one of those people who can't tolerate food and doesn't get back to eating "normal" foods right away, I think your body will miss out on some nutrients needed to keep your body healthy. Since your hair isn't necessary to life, I think that's the first thing your body says, "Ok, let's forget about healthy hair and focus on a healthy liver" or something like that. I'm not a doctor, obviously... so who knows why we lose the hair. Not everyone has this problem tho... and it does come back!