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I really needed this post today. So THANK YOU! I have said this before but I am doing this for myself first, but my beautiful daughter second. I can not imagine her life to be anything like mine as I was growing up. I do not want her to look to her mother as an excuse for being over weight. I want to be healthy and full of energy and able to keep her weight under control by exercise and healthy eating. I am also doing this for my future children, when that time comes. Spending a life full of ridicule, hurt feelings, and negative thoughts is no way for any child to grow up.! I love my sleevie because I can only take a bite of the things I love and walk away, I also hate my sleevie for the same reason. Last night all I wanted was some Diet Pepsi. I am still having that craving today! It's going to be a rough day. Especially because I stepped on the scale and am still stuck at 224.0 ! ARG! I almost threw the scale! I actually debated buying a new scale because I am sure this one is broken! LOL. This is a great time of year, and without me focusing on the food I am focusing on all of the other more important things. Like how excited my 2.5 year old daughter will feel when Santa comes! Food is still controlling my every thought, but I am still pushing on and I will break free sooner or later. Love Your posts. Thanks for this one today.

Yay! It is rough at first, but it REALLY DOES get better each and every day. Drinking hot drinks always made me feel better in the beginning. I wish you a speedy recovery and LOTS of weight loss!

Thank you so much Lissa and Sharon for the helpful replies. Now that I know that Prilosec (on top of the Famotidine) helps you, Sharon, and Tums helps you, Lissa, I am going to pick up some of both! I was hoping it would be fine to take somethiing on top of the Famotidine (which I take twice a day already as well), so knowing that taking Prilosec has helped you, Sharon, I am sure it won't kill me! Not that I tho't it would but.... Anyway, another question: Are the "foamies" where you feel acid rumbling / building up into your throat? I have read about people on this board experiencing "foamies" but haven't had it defined as of yet. If that IS what it is, I DEFINITELY have the foamies, especially if/when I take pills earlier in the day! I will start watching the clock more closely to time my gut feelings. I also get hungry sooner after exercising (which I am happy to say, I have been walking 30 minutes per day, at least 5 days per week since the middle of week three post-op and it kicked my weight loss into a higher gear). I am down 41 lbs in total. 10 pre-op and 31 post op since sleeved on 10/17. So exciting! I have been using the MyFitnessPal.com app on my phone daily and it is a great tool. I am shooting for 50 to 60 g of protein a day and trying to keep the carbs low-ish. You are on there, aren't you, Lissa? I love being able to keep track of everything there. I finally think I am OVER utilizing the pen and paper routine to track, but must admit, I do miss not being able to see a whole week or more at a glance. I had created an Excel spreadsheet of everything I ate and drank and tracked cals, protein and carbs plus fluid intake and exercise for the first 4 weeks. But using MyFitnessPal is just SO much easier and less time consuming that I know I'll be more likely to continue tracking for the long term with it, whereas with paper, I always quit eventually because of time constraints. Lissa, I looked at a bunch of protein bars at The Vitamin Shoppe but they all had 35 or more carbs per bar and that worries me a bit. I am trying NOT to be paranoid about carbs but I do want to do this right and I DON'T want to screw up my losing streak, IYKWIM! I get to come of of soft foods as of Tuesday and am glad to be moving on to the "permanent" stage of eating on this journey. I just have to figure out what to purchase and fix so I won't get burned out on all the soft foods I've been eating (mostly eggs, cheese, cottage cheese, ground up chili with beans, refried beans and the like). I am SO ready for a REAL bite of REAL chicken (not ground down in food processor til it looks like baby food!' Thanks for your help. Hope your Thanksgiving weekend is relaxing! Leah p.s. Sharon - love your new picture on the board. It's lovely!

Start counting girl!! :-) Try to start with just counting protien. If you are not keeping track I can assure you that you probably not eating enough of it. If I don't keep track I end up with like 35 grams a day. I shoot for 80 grams per day. I find the weight loss completely stalls if I dont eat enough. Add in walking 3 days per week to start too and I think you will start to see the results!!! I keep track on myfitnesspal.com

Thanks guys. I'm fairly confident that whoever the doctor is, they'll do the referral, but I was concerned about that being a potential hold-up. Reading the insurance handbook, it does stipulate that weight loss surgery isn't covered unless its for morbid obesity, and since I meet that criteria, I should be alright. Also, if they refuse me, and try to say it isn't necessary, there is some CA state health board I can petition which will overrule the ins. company based on medical necessity. What does it mean when they say they want documented weight loss attempts? This seems to be pretty common across the board, for both insurance and the surgeon. Does my stack of diet books, my gym membership, taking OTC things like Alli and Adipex from Mexico, and doctor's orders from a year ago (from this free clinic I was going to at the time) count?

I'm about 5 weeks post op almost 6 now. I still can not tolerate much. My new tummy hates mashed potatoes, refried beans, avocado, chicken, tuna, and now even my protein shakes. A sip in and up it comes. Im living off iced tea, strained soup and yogurt and sick of it!!! My nut says some heal faster than others and dont get discouraged but how can I not? Im starting to feel regret. A month and a half later and I think, "will I ever eat again???" I have lost weight, yes. But is it because of the constant vomiting??? Ive already been hospitalized for dehydration because I couldnt keep fluids down. Had several infections, and now just sick and tired of feeling sick and tired. Please help. The constant regret and negative thoughts are taking over.

Tenshi, First, welcome to the loser's bench. Yes, the euphoria will settle in soon. The first few days are the hardest and it takes a little time to really adjust to your new reality. But, like anything else, time will make it better. Sip, sip, sip and walk, walk, walk. Once the weight starts melting away, you'll feel much better about the process. Soon you will wonder why you didn't do this much sooner. Congrats and you will rock that sleeve!!

After spending time on the board off and on all day (and feeling upset because I havent lost any weight in 2 weeks) I thought I would go to Sonic and get a small bite to satisfy my crazings. Last time I went out to eat was 2 weeks ago and I was stuffed with half a sandwich. Not today. I ate a whole burger and small fries. Am I wrong in doing so? YES. Will this help me break my stall?? NO. I wanted flavors that I havent tasted in 7 weeks but should have gone with someone and only had a few bites. I am not going to beat myself up for this cuz I know that will just make things worse instead of better.

Wow, congrats on your weight loss, please try and get your protein in, I can't stress how important it is for your nutrition and hair. LOL - I hate just plain water and it gave me heartburn and I did feel sick too when I would drink it. I always have to put something into it so I can drink.

My follow up was today. Since April 24 I have lost another 10 pounds!!!!! I feel like the weight is sliding off now. At first when I looked in the mirror I felt like it was working. Ive learned that it takes time and patience. It doesnt happen overnight. I thank all the people to gave me advice on this forum. Lol like im accepting an award. Anyone else gaining more confidence??

Thank you before the weight gain i was a very well self esteemed 170 and full figure thats what i want again to obtain! Thank you for the support!

My nutritionist has a band...she was banded in 2003..she is 10 years out, has had a child, is at goal weight and has had no problems. I hope to be just like her, minus the child, I already have 4!

Even with the same insurance provider, policies can vary. Are you required to lose weight in order to be approved? This is typically information that your surgeon's office gets from your insurance provider, so I would check with them. You can also check with your insurance provider, but I've personally had issues with customer service reps giving out bad info. If your policy doesn't require any weight loss or exclude you from approval for weight gain, it shouldn't matter. You may also want to ask your surgeon if he or she will do surgery if you've gained weight, as some surgeons won't.

Hello all, I'm pre-op...actually waiting for the word of approval from Aetna any day now. I admit that the sleeve was my first choice. However, when I heard about the chances that the acid reflux could worsen I quickly went with the bypass. I'm reluctant because I've known 2 people that have died after weight loss surgery. So, naturally my brain is racing. Yet, at the same time, the reality is that my current health isn't great and if I keep on the same path it's definitely not good. My surgery is more for the medical issues (Diabetic, BP, high cholesterol, etc), then weight loss. I'm at the moderate level according to my surgeon. I just want to move forward with a healthier life! What are some words of wisdom, experiences,positives and negatives that some of you have experienced? Is there anything that you would have done differently? How was your support system? I've only told a select few. I'm excited about this opportunity, but I don't want the naysayers to bring me down. People already can tell that I've lost a few pounds (in preparation for the surgery)...and they are already saying things like "don't lose too much weight...you don't wanna look sick". Well, I'm like...I AM SICK!!! Smh It's so frustrating. I mean, I have my good and bad days with health. It could be worse...but it could also be much better. Thoughts? Comments?

I have had 5 fills (banded 2/3/10). I am up to 7cc in a 9cc band! I am not at that "sweet spot" but I can tell some little changes are happening with the band. I am down 39lbs since surgery. I had to have my Gallbladder out yesterday so my weight is up a little today with fluid retention. Hang in there. You did not say how many cc's you have?

My doc says heartburn is not normal and to report it but what I am feeling doesn't exactly feel like heartburn and at times it doesn't make sense for it to be heartburn... 1. It feels this way first thing in the morning 2. Feels this way when I am hungry and at that TOM it is worse Is this the description of "feeling tight"? that I have read about? I just feels like there is a 10 lb weight on my chest...no burning, no nausuea or sick feeling...but I just don't know what to call this feeling. Can anyone relate?

I do not know how to start the weight tickier.

Maddie, what does that calcium powder taste like? I quit taking my supplements for two days and lost a pound each of those days. I took them again and gained a pound back! This is really making me crazy. I tried to take a multi pill again today and it tried to come back up again.

I am 7 days into my 2 week pre op diet and have only lost 6 pounds! I don't know if this is considered good or bad. I was actually hoping to loose about 10 pounds in the first week. I still have a week to go, so hopefully I can knock off 10 lbs by then. I work am a front desk medical receptionist, so I don't really do much running around. I guess that may be the reason why. I also am not a liquid kinda gal, I know I deffinatley do not drink 8 glasses of water a day. I guess i have to start drinking more water. How much weight have you lost during the pre-op diet if your on all liquids?

Hey twnkl....it's really hard to say how much you should lose on your pre-op diet, because people are so different. A person that needs to lose 200 lbs will probably lose more pre-op than the person that needs to lose 50. The important thing is not really the scale number (unless your surgeon has given you a "bottom line" weight that you have to reach before he will operate), but the size of your liver. So, even though it's difficult, stick with the doc's plan (yes, even drinking your water....adequate amounts of water can help control appetite) and everything should be ok. Good luck!

Eating 800 or less calories is putting your body in starvation mode. Then your excercising for a long intense period of time so your body will not loose weight. It will hold onto what you have and also gain to protect itself. You have to get more protein and you'll do well.

OK i do 45 mins on the elliptical and 25 mins on the wii active 30 day challenge seven days a week. I eat only two times a day, not alot my cal intake is around 600 to 800 a day. and i drink unsweet decaf tea and water. thats it nothing. Can anyone tell me WHY am I gaining weight instead of losing weight. I know I am not getting the right amount of protein in but surly that cant be the problem could it. I am doing everything my doctor say except for that. I called Friday and told the nurse I am having trouble getting in the protein and she told me to do the protein shots. My next appt is Sept 10th but I can always get another one before then if need. I have only had one small fill ( my Dr will not tell u how much he puts except for it was a very little amount). Any ideas on what I can do to get this weight to start moving.

YES, not getting enough Protein, along with not eating enough calories is a BAD BAD BAD combination! You MUST get your protein first. That is the first and foresmost rule for WLS patients. Rule #2 is eating 3 balanced meals a day. It sounds like your body is in starvation mode and you will not lose weight until you start eating. I eat a whole grain breakfast w/20g of protein; 30-40 grams of protein for lunch and 30g protein w/veggies for dinner. I walk 2 miles a day AND a 1hr workout almost daily. I've lost about 2-3lbs a week for the last 2 weeks since I made a conscious decision to eat breakfast (very bad at this) and eating balanced meals the rest of the day. GET YOUR PROTEIN!!!

I got hurt 3 1/2 years ago in when I was in the Army, Got acute herniated disk in my L5/S1 also messed up my hip and left foot from the way I landed. After the accident I gained 130 lbs which made the pain worse. I am 6 months post op and have lost all the weight I gained after the accident and then some. I feel amazing, off all pain meds and live a very active lifestyle again. There are days that I am sore but nothing like before. The weight loss definitely made it easier on my joints. I also played sports all through my childhood and even played semi-pro football into my early 30's. Those effects of those injuries over the years seemed to lessen as well. Hope the same positive results happen for you too! Good luck!

More than likely you will! Every pound of body weight creates 3-5 pounds per square inch. If you are 100 pounds overweight, that means an additional 300-500 pounds per square inch. This helps gravity pulling the arch closer to the earth (relaxed/flattened arches) which make the foot longer. Most of us suffer from some edema (swelling) that gravity again helps accumulate in the feet and ankles (adds width). By the way, shoe width is determined by the circumference at the ball of the foot (like measuring your waist). It only takes 1/4 of an inch to put you into the next width. Of course it is easy to get the blood to our feet but the valves in your veins have to work really hard to get it back to the heart! Just remember, when you lose weight, you will have a blast buying new apparel but your shoes and sandals are you health and lifestyle Equipment! Make sure you are measured and professionally fit regularly!