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@@Beni - Congrats on your surgery and weight loss! Thank you for sharing your journey. It has helped me a lot. Oh em gee!!!!! To be able to cross my legs!!!! That is on my positive list. I haven't been able to do that in.....well.....forever! I have always been overweight. I don't really know what it's like to be smaller and healthier with energy, but I can't wait. My husband and I went to Vegas three times. I had to stop several times because my feet and back hurt sooooo much. I could tell he was getting frustrated with me. He never said anything or made me feel bad, but I could just tell. I will take all your advice and put it into action. I know everyone is different, but like I always say, "knowing is half the battle, G.I. Joe." lol Good luck with all you do! @Delirose - Good luck with your upcoming surgery!!! I'm so sorry about the loss of your mother. I don't want to overstep my boundaries, but I'm positive she is proud of you and will watch over you forever. I understand what you mean about food. It is my comfort. I'm working with a therapist to break my habit of comforting myself with food. It's a battle but with all my newfound knowledge and this surgery, I think I beat it down. I'm sending you well wishes and prayers. Good luck! @@saj54539@yahoo.com - Good luck to you as well with your surgery. Like you said.....today, it IS worth it. And tomorrow will be too. I am also sending you well wishes and prayers. Thank you for sharing. Good luck! @@Rosalinda - I wish you all the luck for your surgery. Congrats on that beautiful baby boy. Just remember, you are doing this for him as well as yourself. You want to be there in his life for a very long time to come. I am find out that worry is a normal part of this procedure. The way I am dealing with it is, I'm making sure everyone I care about knows that I love them and that no matter what, I want them to be happy. Just a suggestion, maybe you could write your son a letter. Pour all your love and hopes and dreams into for him. He probably will never have to read it because you'll do great. Make sure that no matter what, he is taken care of and loved. The chance that something will happen is so rare. This procedure has come such a long way over the years. Trust the doctor, trust the program, trust that it WILL work. I'm not an overly religious person, but I think praying is a good form of therapy......for me at least. Trust in God as well. (Honestly, I normally do NOT get into religious discussions, but I feel like it could help. It's helped me.) I wish you all the luck this life has to offer. I'm sending you love and prayers for you and your precious son. You go girl!!!! To everyone I didn't mention above, thank you for all your wonderful words and advice. It has really helped ease the majority of my fears. I wish you all the best!

So I lost 9lbs first few days after surgery, but I haven't lost anything else for 10 days now!!! Is this surgery not going to work for me???? What should I do??

What do others Suggest? Losing hair in clumps but I get 60 grams protein, take double multi vitamins, biotin, iron, b12 .... gastric by.pass 1/17 Anemic....

Just be patient and go with the flow. I started losing mine 5 months post op. I am now almost 10 months and the hair loss has stopped. Keep getting your protein and biotin. Hopefully all will be good Sent from my SM-G920P using BariatricPal mobile app

Your positive attitude is what will pull you through this time. Congratulations on your weight loss! Good-luck with your new adventures of a beautiful skinny single lady looking for someone who DESERVES to be with you and will share your love for the outdoors and most importantly love you forever!

I was eating creamy chicken Soup for like 5 days and had enough. Today I decided to make angel hair Pasta, a can of plain tomato sauce (2g of sugar), with a scoop and a half of Bari Clear Protein powder mixed in, blended it all together in the blender and let me just tell you IT IS DELICIOUS Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App Next I'm going to try blending up Mac and cheese probably auntie Anne's brand because it's gluten free Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Starting weight: 249 Surgery weight: 233 Today's weight: 162 Today is my 4 month surgiversary. I can finally say it was all worth it. First few weeks/months I had a ton of buyer's remorse. Nausea, mourning the loss of eating, an ulcer, etc. I am happy now. I have a great husband, 2 beautiful boys, a beautiful home, and a job I love. Yet I wasn't happy because I hated myself before. RNY has helped me lose 87 lbs, 13 until I hit my goal, and I am HAPPY again. I'm comfortable in my own skin, which I never imagined I could be. To people in the real early stages, I promise it gets easier. I promise. It will always be a struggle, I struggle daily with Water and Protein, and I'm losing hair (and I'm a hairstylist! Yuck!) but it is so worth it! Thank you RNY. It's the single best thing I've ever done for myself.

Loulou, It's about 'existing' until we learn how to live. I pray that you do realize that you are having an awful dip in your depression. I hope that you seek the help you need from your doctor. That's not what you need to hear right now, but as my friend here on the boards, if I could I would be taking you to see a doctor, even if it meant going to the hospital to do so. Go ahead and get angry with me, I can take it. I truly know this is not what you wanted to hear, but rather, what you need to hear. I know the black pit of depression and have known it since I was only 12 years old. I know what I am talking about. Because you are so heavily medicated, perhaps the meds need to be changed, what you are taking right now does not appear to working for you to well. Promise me that you will at least call your doctor TODAY!!! Please and let your husband and other loved ones know how you are feeling. The worst thing in the world for you to do right now is isolate yourself. YOU ARE NOT ALONE!! There are alot of people who love you and this dark feeling is only temporary I swear. It will pass and then you can breathe again. If you need or want to, my email address is cspiller@earthlink.net. I will be more than happy to talk to you anytime. I have seen you here on the boards and you have also been so positive, and right now you can't. Let others help you as you have helped them for so long. Please take care of yourself. You are far too important a person in this world and as they say here in America, you're one of the good guys and we need as many as we can get. To lose even one means great sadness and loss for us all. ((((((((HUGS))))))))))) Cindy

U look great!!! Congrats on ur weight loss.

Hi all. So I had my revision 4 days ago. A 45 -50 pound weight loss would be perfect but I am terrified of regain. I am so afraid I'll gain again. Is anyone out years from surgery and maintaining??

The best way to find the requirements for your surgery is to go to the web site for your policy and search "bariatric" to see what comes up. There should be policy guidance which lists the requirements. Some require a history of trying to lose weight (doctor's records can be enough), others require a monitored weight loss plan - often your surgeon's office already knows the requirements because they do this. Do make a list of questions you want to ask your surgeon. Consider bringing a trusted relative or friend with you to the appointment. My first consult was 3 hours and had to be done after attending an informational seminar at the hospital. There was a lot of information to digest (no pun intended) at that first meeting, so having another set of ears around doesn't hurt. best of luck.

it's a good sign you have a solid calorie deficit (which means weight loss). One of the first cut backs your body makes when trying to stop itself from starving to death...is turning the thermostat down. Heating your extremities is extremely calorie costly. Cutting the blood flow a bit helps conserve energy. Also...when you're heavy and your body is trying to use up a surplus of calories...you might be warmer than most people because your body is trying to pump and dump some of those extra calories.

Today started out Oh Tuesdays Last night even after trying on jeans Bleck! I can’t even start a post! When I was in college in 2004, I took a creative writing class and the instructor would give us 10 minutes to close your eyes and type (for those who can do that, which is probably 80% of the population in this day and age) but she would tell you not to delete anything, just type. After the 10 minutes, go back and copy and paste the parts of whatever you just wrote into a story. I guess I never fell out of that habit, for I LOVE to write. I hope to have a few books published before I die. Last night, before I went to attempt jean shopping, I went to Lane Bryant to try on a swim suit that I ordered off line just to make sure that it was going to fit and actually make me look decent enough to wear it in public. I tried it on and fell in love with it and now I’m so excited to get it in the mail. I went home and told Ty that I was so happy, that I found a suit that looks good on me and that we would have so much fun in San Diego. I felt good about myself, which is something I haven’t felt in a while. Well, then it came to be bed time, I started a load of laundry because right now I only have 1 pair of jeans that I wear to work that fit me. I forgot to get up early and put them in the dryer with enough time for them to be dry for work…. Well now I don’t have any pants! So I tear apart my room looking for the only other pair that actually fit me and they have been eaten by a monster or something. Just my luck. I find a pair that I know are too small, but are the only ones that I’m going to be able to button. THEY ARE TIGHT. I have to use a hair tie to make an expansion so that I can make it through the day… I debate calling in, then I remember that I need to save leave to go to San Diego to visit Ty… I walk out of the bathroom and continue on with gathering my things for work, and Ty says, “See you found them!” I had to shut him down quickly and inform him that these jeans are too small. He asks for a hug and I tell him I don’t want to give him a hug because I feel terrible. So he hugs me and tells me that I look fine, and I had to tell him about the hair tie. THEN HE LAUGHED!! Boys are dumb. I almost burst into tears. I had to tell him it isn’t funny, and then the apologized, which I believe, but still. So now I’m at work… I started the morning off feeling sorry for myself. Then it was iPod time…Music is my everything. I grew up with music in my house all the time. After listening to a few songs, I was in a bit of a better mood and I realized I put myself in this mess; I’m on the right path to taking myself out. This is my time.

Coming from a pre-surgery patient your weight loss is inspiring. It reassures me I'm making the right choice and that this can be done. Congratulations on your hard work and good luck on reaching your goal.

At 9 months out I was at around 900 calories. Part of your slow loss may be due too few calories. I would add a snack to your day. Complex carbs, i.e. veggies, fruits and whole grains (like brown rice) are okay on my Nuts plan. She stresses healthy, balanced eating. My Nut says I need at least 64 to 100 grams of protein a day. She has me avoid any beverage with over 5 grams of sugar. I do for the most part except milk which I drink for the protein. By eating at least 64 grams of protein, eating protein first, then veggies, and then carbs- it makes it pretty impossible to eat much rice or other grains. So she never sets a limit on my carb intake as long as I follow the rules.

When I was recovering from surgery I was scouring craigslist for some stuff related to my home remodel. Cool. Well, I somehow stumbled into the personals "missed connections" In my pain pill induced stupor I had this romantic vision of eyes meeting across the train platform but before the fated lovers can speak, or exchange phone numbers, she is wisked away... and true love is missed. Well, not really, but it sounded like a fun romantic thought. So, the other day I went by a local business to pick up an growler beer order "to go" (for my sons to try a microbrew I really liked and wanted to share with them) the place they have you wait is like on display for EVERYBODY to look at you and being it was a brewery it was like 90% men in there. So, a nice looking man, probably 10 years younger than me, but who knows, was looking pretty intently in my direction. We exchanged glances, but for all i knew, he was waiting for someone to walk in the door as he was pretty focused looking. Even so, I decide on whim to put up a missed connections ad. My description of myself/time of day was detailed enough, that if you had seen me, you would know it but I didn't put my age or home town location or anything like that. My description of him was a little vaguer but still.... hair color, general build, color of clothing. I kinda said something like, i am single, if you are, let's have a beer together. I put that ad up an hour ago and I have 2 replies already. So, either I have discovered that #1 missed connections is just a pool of crazies and not my romantic notions OR #2 maybe there were 2 guys sitting there thinking they would like to say hello. I am leaning toward theory #1. The one that sent his picture though - I am pretty sure that was him but the baseball cap is throwing me off a little. Damn, now what do I do? HA! Why do I get caught up in these ideas of romantic intrigue? If nothing else, it maybe tells me I need to be a lot friendlier in person and maybe some one in real life will actually ask me on a date so I never have to log into a dating site again!

I had surgery 1/25/17. I arrived at the hospital earlier than originally planned. They originally scheduled me for a late surgery - 4pm. Four days before surgery, I got a call saying someone canceled and they were moving me up to 1pm. This of course changed my plans up tremendously and made prepping for surgery harder. I did the liquid diet for several days before surgery, and I became slightly unpleasant to deal with- especially the second day. But as the day before approached I did everything I was supposed to, remained on liquids, bathed with the special soap, drank as much as I could, threw away all my straws, no aspirin even though I had severe headaches, and went and had the urinalysis done. The day of surgery I arrived and was quickly asked to give another urine sample before I went to pre-op. I was then taken back, shown my bed and asked to get into the lovely gown and slipper set. After that they put on the leg squeezy things (to avoid blood clots in your legs because you will be stationary), put an Iv into my hand (ouuuuuuuch) and took my blood sugar and vitals. Then they left me with my one allowed visitor ( the nurse was actually very nice and allowed my grandma and boyfriend in for a while because I was so nervous). The anesthesiologist came to see me, asked me several family history questions and whether or not I smoke, exc. Finally the doctor came and saw me, I knew he was doing about 6 surgeries that day and they were running behind. He assured me everything would be fine and they wheeled me out. Entering the or is always terrifying to me. Here they are counting out surgical tools and I am beginning to panic. The nurses notice and call anesthesiologist to come and give me something to calm me down while they move me. I try to move to help them but they insist I remain still. They "hover" me to the operating table (they inflated my bed and literally hovered me over it was cool in hindsight). The nurse was very sweet complimenting my eyes but I jumped whenever they touched me. Finally they put the mask on, and either turned something on, or injected something because the last thing I heard was "goodnight....." I could hear voices long before I opened my eyes. I remember struggling with nurses, somewhere trying to tell them i had to pee. I didn't want to have an accident. I began to physically struggle and heard someone say, it's okay, let it go, you'll be fine. I guess I did but passed out shortly after. My grandma and boyfriend were right there with me whenever I was released to a room. I was unaware at the time but they had placed a catheter inside me (thank God they did this while I was out). I eventually opened my eyes. My throat was so dry, it didn't hurt but I remember looking at the clock and thinking, "it's time...for ice!" How wrong I was the nurse told me I couldn't have anything until tomorrow morning!!! It was only 6pm. I moaned and whimpered, I think from desperation, thirst, pain, exhaustion. I passed out again and woke up to my grandma leaving for the night. Sometime around midnight, the nurse came. She made me get up even with my protests, she forced me to walk around with the catheter in! I was hurting, and sullen. I just wanted to lay down. But she was insistent I had to get up and do laps. The next day I woke up and all I could think about was water! I was receiving fluids and antibiotics via my Iv but it wasn't enough. As soon as I could have it, I let it sit in my mouth forever, just embracing the feeling. Then I was told I had to be picked up for x-rays. They wheeled me around for what seemed like forever. Finally I had to sit in the waiting room for again what seemed like forever. Finally they take me in and make me drink these....god awful things...one is barium, and the other I don't know. But the purpose is to see if my stomach is leaking. Hooray! I pass the test and back out into the waiting room I go. Finally I get to go back to my room..but they won't let me lay down. They tell me I must sit up the majority of the day! I become grouchy, and about that time they come and take out the catheter. I sit there, hooked up to fluids and realize- I have to pee. I struggle with boyfriend's help to the toilet and try to sit down, even though it's...uncomfortable. not hugely painful but I mean I do have 6 holes in my stomach- one connected to a drain they have to empty every 6-10 hours. (Blood all kinds of crap) I am also coughing a lot of mucus, which hurts. A lot. Nurse gives me Breathing apparatus and tells me to practice breathing deep. (I do not do this- it hurts.) Finally I am allowed in my bed after I complete the correct number of laps around the nursing station. I sleep most of the day, but they bring me Jello and broth- I eat neither out of spite. That night I practice getting up and going to bathroom on my own. The night goes without incident except I can't sleep comfortably. I'm used to sleeping on my side and can't. Just as I fall asleep at 3am, a vampire nurse appears and stabs me with a needle to "take my blood- is time" I whimper, waking up boyfriend with my frustration. He wakes up frustrated as well because he is going back to work that morning. My third and final morning is full of frustration. Boyfriend is gone, grandma is late, dog has an accident that must be cleaned up. They kick me out of my bed early and force the regulation Laos down my throat. They do give me ice Water with crystal light and my last meds. The doctor comes in and clears me to go home. That is at 11am. We b don't actually get transport to leave until almost 3pm! Home: staying with grandma while I recover and take time from work. First day I sleep, but I do get up to walk 20 minutes two times a day, terrified of not following the routine. I sip the water but it is unpleasant. Day 2 complete and utter meltdown. Don't regret the surgery but do miss solid food a ridiculous amount. Not sure if strong enough to do this. Grandma consoles me in time of need. Only want water and sugar free applesauce. Sugar free pudding is too sweet, and I'm sick of jello, and lookin at broth makes me nauseous. Push through till day 7, have another meltdown over not food related issues. Continue eating applesauce (1/2 of a 4 Oz cup). Day 9: follow up with doctor, discover I am allergic to the adhesives in the bandages and sterile strips- causing me to itch and have redness. Doctor removes them and clears me for mushies! I'm so excited I come home and want 2 eggs!! ( turns out...one was enough, eyes bigger than stomach- must get that under control) Pre- surgery - 365 Doctor check in after 9 days-339 9 day loss- 26.5 according to nurse Excited, and full, and is about time for a nap! Sent from my SM-G930T using the BariatricPal App

I was banded November 2009. I quickly lost 150 pounds. I am now 2 years out, I have gained all my weight back and am severly depressed. While I still eat smaller quantities, I have gone back to my old patterns of eating. Has my pouch stretched? Do I need to have surgery againg? Wht do I do? I am so discouraged and ashamed of myself. How many people can fail at weight loss surgery? Please give me some advice. Thanks. Terri....Colorado

I dunno 'bout this missed connection business. Reading the posts brings to mind two old movies that, I'll admit, vary from the scenarios you describe, but the aura is the same. At best, and this is not a movie, you'll find @@Miss Mac's ending (good going!). At average, "Brief Encounter." At worst, "Strangers on a Train." It's also hard to believe, @@CowgirlJane that you received a response from the man at the microbrew. You're outside the city, but not in an area with pop. under 500. I can imagine myself running an "MC" ad: "We glanced at each other this morning, 8:37 a.m., on the northbound Lex just before it pulled in to the 42nd. No idea which car we were in, but, hell, here goes I was seated 3rd in from the south end of the rear center bench on the east side of the car wearing black coat, black shoes, carrying a large tan & black bag. I'm brunette and was wearing Estee Lauder's "Dashing Coral" lipstick. You, about 5'10, dark hair, brooding eyes, light gray suit. Shall we give it a try?" If 92% of males who ride that line around that time read the ads daily with intentions of replying, it's conceivable that I'd receive 200,000 replies. Now that I think of it, it would make sense to place an ad only if a carrot-top catches my eye.

@@Brown Suga Good idea with the extension cord. I drug my bag out weeks ago...lol. I haven't done my pics and measurements yet but I do know I need to go get a pedicure before the surgery. I've never had one before and I don't want anyone laughing at my funky feet while I'm unconscious. I already have a cell and ipad charger in there, oh and some slippers for the hospital walks. I borrowed a pair of maternity pants for the trip home if I need them. For Vitamins I found some liquids vitamins, one for day and one for night. A friend told me that liquid vitamins have a better absorption rate than pills. Also got some liquid Tylenol, some have said they have allot of trouble swallowing the caplets. I have bought some protien powder and some protien Water. I also got some Biotin and callogen because they help improve the elasticity in skin. Might help with the loose skin some, never hurts to try. I am going grocery shopping tomorrow for some broth and liquids for the first week or two after surgery. I'll go get my next step foods when its time. If they are here I may be too tempted to eat them while I'm on liquid stage. I didn't get this way because of my strong willpower ???? I even bought some Nioxin shampoo and conditioner because many have said that while it didn't stop hair loss it did help grow it back a little quicker. I am so ready for this, I am glad to have found this site. Nice to meet others going thru this as well, don't feel so alone.

Hello! I was bloated the first week, but after that it just kept going down as I was loosing! I never really had a big belly, my problem areas were my back, arms and thighs. The only thing I've been working on is Brazilian JiuJitsu, so my weight loss and shrinkage has solely been on my own. [emoji847][emoji173]️

Hello! I was bloated the first week, but after that it just kept going down as I was loosing! I never really had a big belly, my problem areas were my back, arms and thighs. The only thing I've been working on is Brazilian JiuJitsu, so my weight loss and shrinkage has solely been on my own. [emoji847][emoji173]️

You basically answered your plateau problem. . maintaining your diet only takes you so far if you're not pushing yourself and burning those calories off. I know just getting back into this this past couple weeks by exercising 5 times a week for 45 minutes to an hour . . and all I do is walk, has allowed me to maintain a steady weight loss. Also, what's a common daily menu for you? Are you getting enough Water? Wish you the best in your journey!

Hello all, October 17th here! Bags of mixed emotions but I can't wait to start this journey!!! Check this out- I had to work the past two Saturdays and so I took the liberty of printing out this lovely blogsters (is that even a word?) recipes and happenings Phase by Phase. I put it all in a lovely binder for later reference. (Please note that I worked from home for over two months with no reimbursement for paper or ink so HA no guilt here!!) She's amazing, funny, sassy and oh so yummy. The creator, I believe, of the now famous Ricotta Bake. She provides way more and much better information than my surgeons affiliated weight loss center does. http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com/?m=1

Hi boogie thanks for the words of encouragement now I’m officially 2 weeks post op and still at the same..😞…I have an upcoming visit with my nutritionist, I will have to ask if this is normal or am I doing something wrong, I’m tracking everything I eat and walking 5 to 6 days a week…. The only thing I can think of that may be affecting the weight loss is my intake of my daily calories.. I’ve just upped it a bit I was in the high 300 to 450-ish yesterday i hit 500… not sure if all this is right.