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My 1 year appointment check-in is in a week. I was really hoping to be 100 pounds down for that, but I'm going to miss it by about 10 pounds. Sigh. But I can't be too upset, because hey - almost 100 pounds down in one year is AWESOME. I'm still going to do my best to ramp up the Water and tamp down the carbs the rest of the time I have left so I can get closer to a triple digit loss. So far, I'm achieving my water intake, I'm exercising more than ever before and I'm keeping my calories around 1000-1200 with carbs under 75 mg a day. Fingers crossed I can make it to within 5 pounds by next week! I did a quick pouch test and I can hold 6 ounces. I think that's a decent size and should be great for continued success. Two of the many things I've learned that I have to be careful about: 1. Carbs have to stay around 50-75 grams or I will not lose anything. 2. It is really easy to eat over my caloric allotment if I allow myself to pick at food over several hours. I am now eating what I feel is a good portion, and then putting the food completely away so I don't sit there and eat on it over the next hour or two. I'm a bit sad still seeing some folks posting about losing 100 pounds in just a few months... but my body isn't wired that way, and there's not a damned thing I can do about that. I am seeing a slow but steady loss and that is just fine really - slow but moving lower is still progress! SO I still have about 40 pounds to goal. I am not going to be too upset if I don't make it, but I really think it is still possible. Here's hoping anyway!

Welcome! I think it may vary by insurance. I know mine (SmartHealth) actually wouldn't approve you as is since your BMI is "too low". They require a BMI of 35 with co-morbidities, or 40 or higher for no-cormobidities. I would recommend calling your insurance company directly to see what all they require. I wasn't required to have any medically-supervised weight loss, but there were several people in my class who had to do 3-6 months. Good luck!

Hey I was wondering how others may have loss weight i know everyone is different but I just would like an idea of maybe what to expect I'm 5'2 weight is 236.. My last appointment was june 16th and now I'm just waiting to get a call to setup my surgery day.... So I wanted info from people with similar weight and height but everyone's story is welcome! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Its been 7 weeks since my life has changed and I'm happy. I turned 57 years old on July 27 - Yea Me!!! So far, I have lost 37 lbs and gone from a size 26 to a size 22: These are the things I have noticed since my RNY surgery July 16. 1) Menopausal hot flashes have stopped!!!! Thank you Jesus!!!! 2) No more arthritic pain in my lower back. I can walk distances now. No longer need to ride the buggy in Walmart! 3) Bowling balls do not fit my hand anymore. Had to get the finger inserts changed to a smaller size!!!! 4) I'm a "cheap date" now. Husband doesnt have to spend much money on me when we go out to dinner! 5) Everyone is noticing my weight loss and complimenting and encouraging me to continue. 6) I have "fallen out of love" with fried foods. 7) I have "fallen out of love" with Pepsi, Coca Cola and RC sodas. 8) I am no longer taking blood pressure medication 9) The entire surgical experience was pleasant (only had 3-4 days of surgical gas discomfort). Incisions were closed with a "crazy glue" type of substance that fell off as the incisions healed. 10) Finally have learned the consequences behind overeating and eating too fast and not chewing food properly (I ended up in the bed, in a fetal position calling for my mama!!!!!) I'm so happy with the way things are going. Looks like I'm losing on an average of 5 lbs per week, trying to lose 150 lbs. My biggest problem: Laziness is still a problem when it comes to exercising though. I just can't seem to go to the gym. In the meantime, I'm walking places every chance I get. Just trying to keep moving.

@@Mjohnson4631 We all have that fear of failing. Don't worry - you will lose weight. Many actually gain weight immediately after surgery from the fluids, stress of surgery, and swelling. Just stay with your plan and ignore the scale right now! Congrats on your pre-op loss - you're off to a great start!

yup. most people feel that way. you've just been through major surgery. you probably had an IV, they may have given you steroids or an antibiotic. your only job in the first month is to heal from surgery - if weight loss comes along in those early days that is fine, but it may not and is not a reflection on your ultimate success.

I expected this to happen (and it sounds like you, did too) :grouphug: so I'm just using this time to get used to being banded, learning good habits and focusing on what needs to be done to be successful in the long term. I was banded one month ago (June 14th) and am sitting at a 10lb loss. My first fill is Friday and I'm not expecting too much from it. There are tons and tons and tons of threads on this. Many people have been where we are right now and have had incredible success. We will, too. I'm not going to judge (or sabotage) my future on the few weeks immediately post op and hope you don't either. Wishing you the best of luck! kagead

Hi everyone! My name is Natalie. I will be having gastric bypass on Monday, May 19th. I will post a pre-operative picture to this thread. I can't believe how fast my pre-op time has gone! In December 2013, I attended an informational seminar with my sister to learn more if I would be a candidate for weight loss surgery. My insurance required a total of 4 pre-operative visits. Being a full time nursing, the time has just flown by . Suddenly, it is the month of surgery and I am feeling a mix of emotions. I am beginning to feel nervous due to never having any prior surgeries or hospitalization, however even more excited in thinking of all the opportunities that could open up for me... In my very near future! I just wanted to introduce myself to the community, as I would like to share my journey, positives and negatives, with others! (Hopefully, the majority of it being positive). Do any of you have any suggestions for final preparations? In some threads, I have seen people purchase smaller spoons and plates.. Does anyone have any other ideas that I could consider? Well, hello again. I look forward to talking with you

That sensation would make me very nervous if it lasted overnight, but keep in mind I am a very anxious person! I've had that sensation in the first couple weeks of my surgery when I would eat too quickly or take a bite too much. The latter happens even now when I make a mistake, but the sensation goes away within half an hour or so once the food has moved down. How bad is the pain? I wonder if something could possibly have gotten 'stuck?' I'm new to weight loss surgery, so maybe some others will pop in here to give their experiences. I would say though if the pain continues, maybe contact your team and speak with them about it. If it becomes even more painful when you try to breathe, you might even consider a doctor's appt. I know that pulmonary emboli can cause pain in the chest when breathing in. Are you struggling to get air at all?

i have no idea what to write... my weight IS dropping but i am eating all the wrong things .... i have no idea what to eat to keep my calories up when i work out. chicken wings, ice cream... **sigh** i need to stop. i am very pleased with my loss this week so far. i've dropped 4.75 pounds. i am not sure if it is the working out, the eating or the muscle milk.... i did buy 2 jugs of muscle milk. the peanut butter/chocolate is pretty good. i am going to try the banana cream today before i work out.

I am so sorry about the hair but it really does grow back. That is sweet the your hubby is taking you out, enjoy yourself and remember cake is at least a 2 hour walk. LOL Excellent job on the insulin levels..:welldoneclap: :confused:

Yes, my surgeon's told me how much I could expect to lose total after surgery and that it was possible to exceed that expected percentage. My surgeon said "you can lose 60% of your excess weight or more" basically. I'm in the "or more" category at the moment. In my experience, they want to give a conservative estimate since not everyone makes it to their expected loss. Also at each post op visit where weight loss was monitored (ie: not just the staple removal appt) they would say if i was on track or exceeding expectations. You can certainly call the office's nurse line and ask approximately what you should be losing per month. And yes, I think 40 pounds down 6 weeks out sounds like fabulous progress--but I'm not your surgeon so I don't reeeally know I didn't reward myself with prizes because that would personally take me down a path of rewarding myself for something I really just needed to do for my health. I do a little cheer every time I meet a goal and maybe get a coffee that week, but my big prize to myself will be a new wardrobe at goal or under goal. So that's expensive enough! I have a history of holding myself to high standards though, so prizes at mini milestones are like "yeah well you should be doing this anyway so keep it up!" ha.

Alatina, You are doing great. I have similar dates/stats and haven't done nearly as well as you are but I'm excited about my loss. Sorry that you are feeling it isn't going fast enough. Maybe working out on a more regular basis will help. I have exercised at least 5 days a week for 40-90 minutes for the last 2.5 months. It isn't making me lose pounds any faster but I have dropped sizes. Good luck. Celeste

Hi my name is Marc and this it my first time ever posting my private feeling and life on the web... I'm 39 years old, been diagnosed with ADD, witch I'm currently on Vyvanse for, and it seems to be helping a lot with my memory and bouncing on and off topic.. That said i apologize if I bounce around alot, And for my very bad grammar, and punctuation. I'm working harder to get better at it.. It's not easy though... I'm looking for feedback, and unbiased constructive criticism is ok... I'm going to give snap shots of my life and the love I had and lost... I feel each one of us that's over weight got here not because we said (I want to be fat when I grow up), but by genetics and life in general that laid the path that we chose to lead, us to the moment when we say (ENOUGH )..... (I'M SICK AND TIRED OF HATING MY SELF, I'M SICK AND TIRED OF MY SELF PITY PARTY).....(I WANT MY LIFE BACK AND I REFUSE TO FORGET AND GIVE UP ON MYSELF AGAIN)..... I've said most of that to myself over and over again over the years.... And time and time again I ended right back on The self pity train... Not understanding why I keep lying to myself, not understanding what's wrong with me... I'm miserable every day, yet I don't do anything about it.... ( WHY WAS I CREATED BROKEN?). Why is it other people in my life can change there path with determination and will power but I can't seem to stay commented, to my heart, thoughts, and feelings like everyone else I know... Every one I have ever talked to when I asked how did you over come what ever it was they overcame said when your ready you will do it..... (DO IT FOR YOURSELF, DO IT FOR YOUR SON,DO IT FOR YOUR WIFE.) Sometimes I wonder if I known then what I know now would it have made a difference?..... If I new 1 year ago November 27 2015 my life would change forever in the blink of an eye... Would I? Could i have made different choices to better my self and my life before that fateful day?... The emotions, betrayal, pain , and hurt beyond anything I've ever felt before burned into my head forever... that is the day my weight loss gurney started.. that is the day my wife took of her rings, that I the night she said she had to leave at 11pm to clear her head... that is the day I knew what real pain was... that is the day I cried all night with my 8 year old son crying as saying momma will be back... I new in my heart she was going to have an a fair that night... I knew that i let go the best thing that ever happened to me that night.. And i found her at the guys motel room the next morning after putting my son on the bus.. (AGAIN I ASKED MY SELF WHY AM I BROKE. WHY DIDN'T I LISTEN TO HER CRYS FOR HELP AND TAKE IT SERIOUSLY WHY I'M I NOT CAPABLE TO MINDSET MYSELF AND CHANGE?)... My wife is the most amazing woman in the world.. In my opinion the live and support she gave me for 14 years cannot be matched my another... I knew this yet I continued to let my food addiction and computer addition control my life why? Am I alone in feeling this way? Thinking this way? On that day I vowed to lose weight and change my life... it was and still is to late for my change to help us, but never to late to help myself... she met me when I was 300 pounds. I weighed 480 on that fateful day. 1 year later I'm currently at 368 pounds.. 112 pounds lost on my own... The weight was never a deciding factor in her decision that night... she tried to help me change and lose weight and got nothing but lies and attitude back.... she worned me for years, even threatened to move out 4 years ago yet that was still not enough to change? (REALLY WTF IS WRONG WITH ME). We both work the same job we both work 50 plus hours a week. Yet we would come home and I'd go right on the computer or TV. She would cook clean the house do all the financial help with are sons homework, make shure his lunch was made. We're the heck was my head? I loved her yet I gave her false lies about changes I'd make and not be there for her when she needed it... why on earth did it take her leaving me before I'd stop blaming my mental and facial abuse growing up on why I can't achieve a simple goal?. We're still living together but she might have found an appointment and be moving out in December... why is it that now I understand what I put her threw? I'm balancing my checkbook cleaning the house worries about paying off my 13k in credit card dept. Working 72 hours a week to get ahead.i feel like I'm drowning yet I've only delt with this for a few months.. and she was with me for 14 years? How can I say it was the addition? I've been really working hard on losing weight and I'm signed up for the gastric sleeve. I have all completed except for quitting smoking and phyc evaluation. My problem is now now ever eating.... my wife had some orioes. Do you think I could stop at 8? No next thing I new the whole bag was gone.... why am I still having a hard time to stop myself? Is there a method I can learn? I refuse to go gain my weight back.... I fight with always being hungry never full... I've got way more energy now that I'm 112 pounds lighter any help and support would be appreciated . Sent from my SM-G930V using the BariatricPal App

So, I don't know a single person who does want their hair to fall out. There is not much you can do about that. However, you can make yourself get in the liquids and protein that your doctor requires right now. Sometimes we just have to do things we don't like, but it is for a short period of time. Being a picky eater won't lead to long term malnutrition and hopefully that will help you make healthy choices. One more thing, let the worry go. This is a complete lifestyle change now and not a diet. Your journey will be much more pleasant if you don't worry thru it.

Hi there congrats. And I'm 183 from 244. It's understandable that your tummy starts to get full fast so constant sips help as you get further out you can take in more some people don't have trouble drinking for me. I'm 5 months out and a switch flicked now I can drink more . Even sucking on ice will help. set timers to remind you to drink. If you don't feel ready that's okay take your time. No rush. Little tries when you feel ready. For me puree was after 2 weeks. Realistically I wouldn't worry about loss skin right now. Loss the weight then worry you have alot to focus on which is getting to goal. To be honest I'm quite young and though I'm not at goal I have alot of lose skin. But I'd prefer lose skin to being fat. So wearing spanx. I just keep it moving lol. Good Luck Sent from my Vivo 5R using BariatricPal mobile app

My insurance company also is making me do 6 months. After getting some clarification really what it meant is that I have to see my primary physician each month to talk about weight loss and changing habits. I am just at the end of the forth month. My husband has surgery in nine days for his sleeve.

@@melps My surgery was a week before yours and I'm in the same boat. My surgeon said to expect to feel pretty fatigued until about six weeks out or so, due both to healing from the surgery and the rapid weight loss we're experiencing. Congrats on your weight loss! You're off to a great start!

Heather - comiserations on your job loss. Must surely mean that there is something better out there for you. Best wishes job hunting.

:rolleyes:I love being cold. I was always the first one to sweat and be hot before anyone else. I used to dread going into stores because I would sweat so much that my hair would be drenched in a matter of minutes. Now I keep my house set at 76 to 78, I freeze at work and I hardly ever sweat (I live in Arizona) and I love it.

Hello ladies.... I too am in your boat MsBoo79. I suffered from Kidney failure in March from undetected HBP and I also have PCOS... This is my last resort... I got so tired of all the weight loss programs failing... even though all of these doctor appointments are getting on my last nerve, I know it will be all worth it in the end. I am scheduled for surgery January 10th, 2012 (5 days after my 29th birthday) and I am soooo excited, and extremely nervous ... I can't wait to see how I look when I turn 30 ... :aureola:

"Back in '70 I wanted to have weight loss surgery" You wanted surgery when you were 3? Well, good luck and keep posting. tmf