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Hi, I'm Cassi. It has taken me several years to make this decision. I previously felt like I was "giving up" or somehow "cheating" if I chose to do bariatric surgery. I felt like I needed to learn the lessons I needed to learn by working through this on my own. Now I've come to a point where I feel like the lesson I need to learn is that I don't have to do everything on my own. It's okay to ask for help. It's okay to NEED help. For so long I attached a lot of "moral rightness/wrongness" to choosing the surgery, as if losing weight the "old-fashioned way", i.e. diet and exercise, meant I was somehow stronger, better, etc. I have come to see it as a tool, a way of helping with the hunger part of the equation while I stay committed to the diet and exercise parts. I went to my PCP on Sept 6, 2007 with my decision to do the lap-band, which she whole-heartedly supported. From there, insurance had to approve the referral to a bariatric surgeon. They initially denied it, but then reversed their decision a few days later based on additional notes from PCP (showing consistent weight loss attempts). I have been to the requisite seminar, have scheduled the psych eval, and have scheduled the initial consultation with the surgeon, set for Oct 19, 2007. I'm hopeful that an approval to have a surg. consult. will mean that they will approve the actual procedure. It doesn't necessarily meant that, of course, but I can still hope, yes? Right now I'm at the stage of practicing eating with a lap-band--not the microscopic portion sizes, of course, but chewing thoroughly, eating slowly, avoiding "cheat" foods like ice cream, etc. My concerns are primarily centered around social issues. How/what do I tell people who say, "Wow, you look great!"? What is life at a Thanksgiving family get-together like? How do I deal with those who think I took the easy way out (believe me, I understand their mindset--I've been there). I just don't want to feel like I have to "explain myself" for the rest of my life. Anyway, sorry to get long-winded. I tend to do that. :-) I'm looking forward to getting to know many of you. Cassi

So Monday is my day!!! I am sooo excited but very nervous. I guess my major concern is complications. I have a 3 yr old son and he is my entire life. If anything happens I do not have family to take him in. I am doing this to get healthy so I can be there for him for years to come, It is exhausting just playing with him and I want to cherish these moments with him. But the thought of never seeing him again scares me. My mom died when I was 3 so it just brings up a lot of issues. My other concern is failing. I have about 150 lbs to lose. I have been very open about this surgery to just about anyone who will listen lol. I especially like to bring up tiffykins posts and replies when someone smarts off to me about surgery or just has a question. But I fail what will they think. I have never been small. When I was 14 I was in a size 22. I have gotten down to 160 when I was 16 but I never thought I was small. My goal is 150. I am big bones (yes I really am..not an excuse...I just know Ill never be 120 because Im not built like that) but I want try maybe 140. I would really love any advice people on here can give me in regards to losing and what worked for you. I know exercise is very important and will be doing as much of it as I can. I know that I can lose weight very quickly when motivated but I have always gained it back but can you tell me your weight loss stats at about say 5 months out? I have a wedding in June and I know that I most likely will not have lost all I have to lose but I hope to at least make a pretty good dent in it. I understand everyone is different but Im just curious.

I would agree with that for the most part. I had laparoscopic surgery back in 1995 and the incision, just below my belly button, was about 1/2 inch thick. (yeah, I wasn't too thrilled about that) Anyway, at about a year it was for the most part healed to where it stayed for almost a decade. In the last few years though, it has suddenly started to thin and fade even more...not sure what is up with that, and not like you really want to wait a decade, but I do think the skin heals even more over time. I was very lucky with the plication...my doc made tiny incisions and they are as thin as a hair. They already just look like small scratches, and that is less than a month out. Of course, I still have a big catepillar under my belly button from the first surgery years ago, so it's not like I am going to be parading my fat belly around anyway, lol! I am trying to take good care of my skin right now anyway, to help with the elasticity and hopefully help my skin shrink as much as possible. I put really high end collagen lotion on my stomach, arms and legs everyday, and this included my scars, so maybe that is helping them to heal quickly too. Someone on another board mentioned that they apply Maderma. All the Water we are drinking is also supposed to help with skin healing. I'm holding on to that hope at least!

my names ashley. i just recently had the surgery but i feel like the weight loss has come to a halt and its super frustrating. i am following the food plans and i do my shakes and go to the gym but i cant get passed 236 and 237. what am i doing wrong. someone please help me

Have you tried actually eating more calories and shocking your body into weight loss again?

Thanks all! Today, I attend the informational meeting. Over the weekend, I happened to run into the nurse from the Dr's office where I I went for medically supervised weightloss (meds). During our conversation, I shared with her my decision to have lapband. She thought it was a great idea for me (she knows SO WELL what I dealt with!). She told me to call their office today to request a letter to prove that I have been under a dr's care in the past for weight loss. She indicated that insurance will require it. She said that the dr will definitely help me out! So, I called this morning. He said that as far he is concerned, I am an excellent candidate! So, he was VERY agreeable to putting together a letter! He asked me to call him after the meeting today to let him know what I need from him. Amazing! I'm feeling like a June banding might actually be a reality! I consider this DIVINE INTERVENTION!!!! It was the "extra" message that I needed to tell me that this is to be MY JOURNEY! JudiM

So I am still in the planning stages, but have made my decision on gastric sleeve. I have about 80-100 lbs to lose. THere is so much info out there that has helped, but would like some direct first hand answers! I am debating between Dr Leon or Dr Ortiz in TJ. Any thoughts? I am concerned with feeling like a normal person. How long before you felt normal, as in you could eat normal healthy food (just in much smaller portions) I will not live the rest of my life on soft food and Protein shakes will I? I am 5"8. Every one talks about skin. I know its different for everyone, but does everyone have lots extra skin? Do you have more with sleeve than you would just traditionally losiing weight? I have lost about 70 lbs before (gained back of course) and did not have any skin. That mean i probably won't this time? Now my weight is very evenly distributed everywhere Will I lose my hair?? I want to get this started asap...If I chose April 8 surgery date, I will be vacationing in Florida May 2. Will I be miserable, what would i be eating by then?

DIfferent procedure, but I seem to have wound up with a sleeve-esque side effect -- the loss of hunger. I had surgeru in 2006 and have truly felt hunger maybe 6 - 8 times. If I ate only when hungry (which is the going guideline) I would easily go 4 - 6 days without eating. That is a fact, because I have done it. I routinely go 1 - 2 days without eating (for reasons other than just not feeling hungry). And when I'm out with other people, they have to remind me that they do get hungry... please Wheetsin... let us eat... I used to put a pop-up reminder in my calendar at work to go eat & go drink. I gave up on that. I typically do not eat breakfast, and maybe have a drink or some Soup at lunch. I try to eat dinner with my family, but it's not unusual that I cook for others and just have a scoop of cottage cheese. At this rate, you'd think I would hit goal...

When people ask how you are losing, just say you got some help from your doctor. Hopefully that would be enough to satisfy their curiosity. If they want more details (as I remember sooo many times when I've lost weight before - i.e. "omg- tell me your secrets!") you can say, "ya know, weight loss is very different for everyone...if you want to lose weight I'd suggest going to your doctor to discuss the best method for you."

Hello, FYI if you go to the search bar and type in weight loss stalls, click on the down arrow and choose forum under topic, over 1000 forum results will show up. A lot have good information and share suggestions. Everyone is different. Remember, it takes 3-4 months for you body to adjust to major surgery. Your body is still healing. That being said, this is not a miracle cure, but a tool. There will be times when the scale will not reflect weight loss, however, you body is losing inches. Be patient! Good luck in your journey.

I have Aetna insurance I had to write down all of my attempts at weight loss, do 90 days of nutrition counseling, a stress test and a sleep apnea test.

Good work out on the loss. It's a learning experience. Stay the course baby

Thank you for your post. I found online this as well from http://www.benefits-...-and-lemon.html mix one teaspoon of raw honey (unheated) with the juice of two teaspoons of lime or lemon juice in a glass of room temperature or lukewarm Water (not boiling water!). Take this remedy as a wake-up drink once in the morning on a empty stomach. Also commonly taken after a big and oily meal, this simple delicious tonic is an effective digestive and detox tonic. And of course, in every successful weight loss program, do bear in mind that principles such as forming healthy eating habits and diets, and keeping to a regular exercise regime over the long run are extremely important as well.

Sounds pretty normal. I have days where I have no hunger and other days where I could eat more. Maybe increase your water on those days. You are not saying the average amount of calories you are getting but you may need to increase them if you are doing a lot of physical exercise, your body cannot go like that without fuel. Drink an extra protein shake, that will fill you up and give you the protein boost. Also congratulations on your weight loss.

Makes sense...losing weight can help PCOS, which can cause facial hair.

At 30 days post surgery I was 9kg down from my surgical weight. At 3 months I was 16kg down. At 6 months I was at my goal of 60kg. At 10 months I’d lost another 9kg and have maintained between 50 & 51kg for the last 3.5months. That was my journey. Yours will be different because of all the factors @catwoman7 mentioned. Best advice is don’t compare your rate of loss with others. For every fast loser there’s a slow loser. If you’re determined, focussed & willing to make long term changes you will be successful. I’m very glad I had the sleeve surgery & I hope you will be too. Good luck.

I haven't had the surgery yet but my friend did 4 mts ago and with no exercise has loss 60lbs.... As of my understanding and as I believe with any weight loss exercise will just make the overall process much better as well help to tighten up any loose skin you may have.

Lots of sleevers lose weight and do not exercise. Weight loss is 80% diet and 20% exercise. You don't have to exercise but.. Most people are following their doctors plans though, and all doctors tell you to exercise. My doctor did tell me they try to do gastric bypass only on older less active people, and the sleeve is a better option for younger people that can be physically active. If you are losing weight for health purposes, you should be active and work out. I have an associate that had the bypass, they are young, and they worked out heavily in the beginning. Easily dropping weight, getting up to running 5 miles a day. Later, almost 2 years down the line when this person was able to eat more and ravenously hungry, the fact they could and did workout daily prevented them from regaining. Working out is your insurance plan against regaining and also to maintain/improve your health. The sleeve and bypass, are not going to be as magical after the first year, you have to build habits that will help you maintain your weight loss.

i used dr. mark paya in west hills...if ur looking for a surgeon that wants his patients to be sucessful and healthy he is the one!!!!!!!!! i cant say enough good things about dr. paya...he isnt going to sugar coat weight loss and baby u...he is going to support YOU doing it...he will congradulate ur success' and let u know straight up when your doing something wrong...if u tell him ur eating mc donalds and not losing weight..he is going to tell u ur not going to lose weight eating mcdonalds...his 1st words to me at my consultation were "are you ready for this"???? before he even went over the procedure and details he will make sure you are ready....he was crystal clear that the bad is just a tool...it wont stop u from eating ice cream it wont pull u off the couch and make u exercise...its a tool...the rest is up 2 u...

Studies show that weight loss is more rapid with bypass in the first year, however, by year two, weight loss from the sleeve is the same as bypass. As OutsideMatchInside said, weight loss is 80% diet and 20% exercise. Once you've reached your weight loss goal, those numbers flip when you go into maintenance mode. Here's something I've heard from weight loss veterans...If you think losing the weight is hard, get ready. Maintenance is 10X harder.

From your most recent post it sounds like you now have the information needed, but I'll copy and paste below what Tijuana Bariatrics sent me last year (it could have since been updated) in case anyone else is seeking it: Pre-Op Instructions Gastric Sleeve, Plication and Lap Band Use any prepared canned or powdered Protein drink. You may purchase these in any health food store or many grocery stores. Please be sure it contains at least 15 grams of protein per serving. 1 Protein Drink at Breakfast 1 protein drink at lunch Dinner: salad with Protein (chicken, fish, egg, etc), small amount of low fat dressing, or fat free dressing or olive oil and vinegar. 1 protein drink in the evening if needed You may also take 1 Metamucil capsule per day if needed for hunger. Start this phase the day before surgery: Do a light breakfast the day prior to surgery and take only Clear liquids after that. This consists of broth, Jell-o, sugar-free juice, any clear liquid You may have nothing to eat or drink after the midnight preceding surgery or 8 hours prior to it. If you are a Same Day Surgery arrive with an empty stomach and wear compression stockings during your trip. You may take needed medications (such as heart or blood pressure medications) with sips of Water the morning of surgery as directed by our Doctors. Do not take any aspirin, Advil, Nuprin, Aleve or any other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication for 7 days prior to surgery. These medications cause unnecessary bleeding after surgery. This includes baby aspirin and most arthritis medications. If you are not sure, please check with our Doctors.. For headache or minor pains you may use Tylenol. You may restart these medications the next day after surgery. Do not take any herbal medications for 7 days prior to surgery. Bring comfortable shoes and slippers to Mexico, you will be asked to walk several times per day. Please bring your medications in properly labeled pharmaceutical bottles for documentation of dosages. You will be on a liquid and soft food diet for two weeks after surgery. Stock up on sugar-free liquids: Crystal Light, sugar free fruit juices, apple sauce, yogurt, sugar-free pudding, sugar-free jell-o, thin Soups and caffeine-free teas. If you do not like the flavor of chicken broth, make chicken noodle Soup and strain out the solids. Avoid all carbonated beverages (fills the stomach with gas). Avoid sugar (extra calories that fight against weight loss). Caffeine makes you urinate more and can lead to dehydration. You will need to drink plenty of liquids to prevent dehydration after surgery. Sport drink bottles with measurements on the side will help ensure you are drinking enough liquid. You will need to drink at least two quarts (2,000cc) per day to prevent dehydration. You will not be able to gulp liquids so you will want to drink small amounts throughout the day. RNY/Bypass, Mini Bypass and DS Start this phase 2 days before surgery: Take a laxative (any laxative that you usually use). Take only clear liquids after that. This consists of broth, Jell-o, sugar-free juice, Gatorade and any clear liquid. You may have nothing to drink after the midnight preceding surgery or 8 hours prior to your surgery. If you are a Same Day Surgery arrive on an empty stomach and wear compression stockings. *Please follow the pre-op diet as instructed below 1. BMI’s 30 to 31 no diet-only clears liquids the day prior to surgery 2.-BMI's 32 to 39 - 7 days 3.-BMI's 40 to 49- 10 days 4.- BMI's 50 to 59- 14 days 5.- BMI's 60 to 69- 21 days 6.-BMI's 70 and over- 1 month

Water, water, water. I could be that you are eating too many calories. I'm 3 months out and my surgeon has me a 900 calories (I'm still eating 800). How much protein are you getting in? Protein will help in weight loss also. Good luck and be strong.

So I will give you my personal experience , take from it what you will. As Jenn said, many people are doing great. MANY. However, there are those like me. I didn't do bad but definately could have done better. I am approaching my two year anniversary and I never reached goal and honestly, I've recently gained six pounds in one month! Alarming to me because I never though this would be me. I know what to do and have taken steps to start to loose again. But the reason I'm posting this is to share with you my reality. As superdave said, If there is some mental work you have to do before having the surgery-do it. The first six months weight loss is pretty rapid. After that, it takes effort EVERY DAY (at least for most of us). I have no regrets and would do it again but I just think everyone should work on the mental aspect of weight gain before attacking the physical.

Hello everyone. I am in the very beginning stages of the lap band process and am looking forward to reading your insights on the process. A little about me: I am 29 years old, am 290lbs and have been overweight since I was 15. I also have PCOS (diagnosed 5 years ago) and am hoping that eventually I will be able to have children. After 9 years of marriage it is not my number one motivator - as I have become spoiled with my current lifestyle.:confused: My main motivator is that my dad and his identical twin brother both died at the age of 53 of heart problems. They also had other health issues like diabetes and high blood pressure. I know that I am a ticking time bomb because I am already insulin resistant and my once textbook blood pressure is starting to creep up. I have tried many weight loss programs and nothing has worked for me so I am hoping that this is the one thing that can really help.

What am I not doing right? Start weight 247/now 201./Goal 145. NOT THERE YET! FRUSTRATED. Fills...unfills... exercise.... yep... done triathlons 4x, ran a half marathon... trainers galore.... Too tight... too loose... Any ideas out there? Cause I am sick of this and thinking of moving on to another weight loss surgery. Thanks for any help! Angie