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Good luck. I quit September 1st with the commit lozenges they worked great. I did gain about 10 lbs but for the first time in 15 years I am a non-smoker. AWESOME I have my surgery November 25th. I feel better knowing I have done EVERYTHING to be healthier pre surgery.

You can do it... I packed up the smokes 4 weeks ago after I had pneumonia and a two day stay in hospital... didn't enjoy that one bit! Unfortunately I gained 6lb... I've lost some of it but I am struggling to get the last 2-4lb off... but I will do it! Back to the gym for me next week...!! Good luck =]

Hi Everyone! I am almost 50 years old and I am considering LapBand. I went and had a consultation and they are check my insurance. My BMI is 31 so my chances are low. I have fought my weight for most of my adult life and part of my childhood. I did well from 7th grade to 12th grade. Not skinny but healthy. I did well in my late 20's but then in my 30's it has been a steady climb. I have tried all kinds of diets and I am looking for a better tool than counting points or drinking shakes for over a year etc etc. I weigh 198 pounds and I should weigh around 140lbs. What has your overall experience been with the band? Glad you did it? Would you do it again?

I had lap band in 2009, it slipped in 2017, and I had it revised to bypass December 2020. I lost 16 pounds in two weeks then nothing for over a month. I worry that our bodies already got used to the lower calorie intake from when we were banded. I also think that is why I gained so much when my band slipped because I was eating “normal” amounts of food, but my body had been set at band amounts for a decade! I’ve finally started losing slowly again in the last week. I too got discouraged reading people’s posts about their significant and quick weight loss, I was starting to feel like a failure. But we each have our own journey and I wish you all the best on yours.

^^^ I agree with this 100%. We see posts on here from "revisionists" who say the weight loss is much slower from them than it is from "virgin" surgeries. Just follow your plan. As long as your weight is trending downward, you're good.

Me. I can relate to slow weight loss with the sleeve and for many of the same reasons you've stated. I had a lap band in 2005. Did great, but was miserable and later found out that my band had slipped. I had it taken out in 2009 and did pretty well maintaining my weight until I had some major life changes and did some stress eating. Gained all of my weight back over the course of 2 years. Had a sleeve done in 2018 and my weight loss was slow but steady. I'm still not at goal, but I'm happy and feeling good. COVID lockdown has totally stalled me and maybe added a few, but my tool is still there and when I'm ready, I'm confident I'll get back on track. Stay the course. Follow your plan. It will work. (side note: it is my understanding that revisions typically lose slow. Something to do with the impact on our metabolism. Sort of a "been there-done that" mentality.) Good luck!

Hi everyone. I am new to this forum. I am actually new to this journey. I have finally accepted that I cannot control my weight on my own and am in the process of checking off the boxes for insurance approval to have the gastric sleeve. My main concern at this point is that I will be denied by insurance. My BMI is 38/39. But I do not have sleep apnea, COPD, diabetes or hypertension. I do have osteoarthritis in at least one knee, scoliosis, GERD, prehypertension, and fatty liver disease. Can anyone with a bmi in this range and none of the top 4 major comorbidities share your stories with me, whether approved or denied? I would be especially interested in any experiences with Fed BCBS. Thanks in advance.

Does anyone feel like there metabolism has change for the better? Reason im asking is I cheated a couple times and I felt like I over done it but I am still losing weight like crazy.

It's been almost 9 months since my lap band surgery. Lots of GREAT days, a handful of what I like to call "learning experiences". I have learned which foods go down and which foods, even when I chew them into liquid (Pallisade Peaches - absolutely delicious) just won't pass through. I've gotten better at respecting that muscle burns fat and you need more muscle while you're losing weight if you want to KEEP losing weight. I've learned that sizes and numbers don't make me happy but a 'come hither look' from across a room from my husband of 29 years DOES make me swoon!!! And I've learned that this is a life long journey and there is no prize for who makes it to the finish line (goal weight) the fastest - as long as we're all running in the right direction, it will happen. Thank you to this board for helping me remember why I went through with this surgery and to keep me motivated to stay on course and take care of myself. What an amazing life this is, huh? Especially now that I have lost more weight (45 lbs) than I have to lose to get to goal (44 lbs)!

Yeah, but after the 43 pounds everything just has seemed to stop! Hoping the weight start back to coming off.

Oh boy am I ever accident prone!!! I've fallen off the front steps to my house so many times that I've actually "learned" how to fall so I don't hurt myself too badly! It's crazy!! I'm hoping once I drop a good bit of my weight that my balance will become better and I stop falling down the steps... It hurts!! LOL

I am hoping there might be someone out there that can help. I have trouble with workout pants that will stay up when I work out. I carry most of my weight in my stomach. Anyone with similar problem that has found a good brand of workout pants they can suggest?

Wow, you lost fast! We started at similar weights, I was 205 last June before the pro op diet for 2 weeks, surgery in July. And I am still at 156. You look amazing. How do you still have hair? I’ve only lost 49 lbs and I have only 1/4 of my hair left. Admitting to envy! But you are inspirational. Congrats!

It's normal to flip-flop. And it's normal for people to tell you what you should and shouldn't do. You need to go with what you think is best for you. Me, getting the band was the best thing I could have ever done. In less than a year I had established new eating habits, lost all my excess weight, established a bit of a fitness regimine, and got pregnant. Best decision I made in a long time!

I am on my pre op diet, my surgery is Wed Jul 6th. My problem is, I have not lost the weight that he asked me to, nor do I think it will be down by time I do my pre op Tue Jul 5th. Anyone else have trouble losing those stubborn pounds. Its the 4th of July weekend...so you know what that mean..sticking to the diet will be very very hard, but the good side is..grilled food is low fat lol. But I am going to be trying to fight it, even though I have to help with the cooking. Any suggestions and do anyone have any good ideas of what can be consumed during the liquid diet afterwards? Ann bmajyk on Yahoo

Take a few deep breaths and hugs to you. It's really tough to read about the bad stuff. There is always that possibility with any surgery. You need to examine what your outcome can be. What will happen if you don't make the changes? Can you loose the weight on your own? Can you stay with that weight loss program, Are you happy with your body/mind/soul at this time? Will having the surgery help with any long-term conditions? Can you commit to the after care? What will happen if you do nothing? Sit down with your mental health professional, talk about your fears, your hesitations. They can help you discover if you are ready. Think back to when you started the process, why did you want to do this? This decision is a huge step, life will change. Try not to keep reading all the bad experiences. Yes be aware that things can go sideways but its not the norm.There are many more with positive outcomes or these surgeries would not be done as much as they are. Hang in there! Find your path , find your peace. Sent from my SM-G920V using the BariatricPal App

I'm going to share my positive experiences with having the VSG with the hope it will ignite a spark of optimism in you about it. Besides my mild state of panic about having the IV inserted (I have a completely irrational needle phobia and always freak out about them, no matter how much I promise myself I won't) the surgery itself was as smooth as it could possibly be. When I regained consciousness I actually was confused for a moment and thought the surgery hadn't happened yet because of the absence of pain and discomfort. The anesthesiologist had done a terrific job. My period started during the surgery, and it did feel like the cramps had been amplified that first day. I'd brought a heating pad with me, and that provided some relief along with the ample pain medicine I was given. I was slightly nauseous but that abated when they increased my meds a tad. I slept for a few hours, and then felt ready to start going on laps. I actually was told I needed to slow down my pace because I was feeling so well I just zipped up and down the hallway. I slept very well through the two nights in the hospital, and during the day would snooze when I wasn't walking or watching movies. I brought my laptop and a HDMI cable so that I could hook it up to the TV and my parents (my support team since my husband was working) and I could watch them. I had the surgery in Tijuana, Mexico, because my BMI was too low for my insurance to be willing to cover any of the costs, and the facilities exceeded my expectations. After I was released I felt energetic enough to go to the little touristy area and explore and shop, and then chilled out by the pool at the hotel. After we left Tijuana my parents and I went shopping at the outlet just over the border before making our two hour road trip back up to LA. We stopped at a couple of scenic places, and at Panera for dinner where I had broth. I felt completely comfortable the entire way, without being burdened by fatigue or pain. The only discomfort I experienced was from an allergic reaction to the tape used over the incisions. They caused tiny, itchy, angry welts. Fortunately they healed quickly. My recovery was easy. In a way it was even enjoyable because I gave myself permission to just lounge around the house and recuperate. I'd stocked my kitchen with Protein powders, popsicles, Crystal Light, PB2, broths, Jello, and the like before surgery, along with everything else I thought I might need, and put the house in order so I could just relax. The blog site "The World According to Eggface" has a great post about things to stock up for the liquid phase, and I recommend that you check it out. You can also find packing list for the surgery on YouTube and this forum. I binge watched Ray Donovan and all these other shows people had raved about but I never had time to watch, read books, and took gentle strolls through the neighborhood. I'm a professor, and I started teaching one month post-op with more vitality than expected. I was back on campus preparing for the quarter prior to that point. I think if I'd had another job a total of two weeks off - one for the surgery, and one for post-op - would have been sufficient. I'd worried I'd be lacking in stamina, but was already benefitting from the weight loss in that first month. I've increasingly gained energy, fitness, and confidence in the months since surgery. I learned about my appetite changes and got myself into an eating and drinking schedule during the time in between surgery and going back to work. I threw up due to having the VSG just once. I'd eaten something that was spicier than expected, and guzzled Water to try to put out the flames. That caused me to throw it up. I was really sick in December, but that was due to a virus that several of my students had, and I would have gotten regardless of having had the VSG. It was a week of misery, and then I rebounded. I'd been a tad bit concerned prior to surgery that I'd lose hair, have loose skin, and would look and feel aged. I'm grateful that none of those problems became a reality. I lost a tiny amount of hair around the four-month mark, but it was only perceptible to me. My skin isn't the least bit loose, and my scars have faded entirely. You cannot tell I ever had surgery. I'm in my early 30s and am now getting carded again, and confused for being a student. Strangers have paid me sweet compliments. I've gone from a size 14 / XL to a size 6 and am still losing. The shirt I wore today was an XS. I have PCOS and have seen an improvement in my blood work and symptoms post-surgery (no more painful acne breakouts that throb all night and make me want to hermit at home because they are so unsightly). This time last year I was incredibly self-conscious and would dread the thought of running into friends I hadn't seen in a while because I knew they'd notice my weight gain. I shrank into myself like a turtle retreating into its shell then. Now I am emerging, blossoming. I am actually living my life instead of just existing in it. I feel freed. I had mentally prepared myself to have "buyer's remorse" because I'd read that it was quite common, especially in the first month, but I have honestly never regretted this surgery. For every medical procedure there is, there is someone who has had a painful and horrific experience. Someone who has had everything that could go wrong go wrong on them. There are people who've died from having their wisdom teeth or their tonsils removed, from reactions to OTC medicines, from childbirth. And we're surrounded by risks everyday - cars, tubs we could slip in, food we could choke on. You have to look at the risks of not taking action, too. Obesity can shorten your life, and it can shackle you to health problems. The VSG is really a low-risk surgery if you chose a qualified surgeon and follow the guidelines given to you. Many of the problems people experience post-surgery have solutions to them. As an example, some people with acid reflux problems have felt better by taking a PPI. People who are very fatigued might have a Vitamin deficiency a blood test can identify, and then they can treat. I felt better when I increased my Vitamin D. You're likely to be able to make it over any obstacle you encounter, too. Hopefully you'll go for this surgery, and you'll benefit from it like I and so many others have. Best wishes to you.

Yay! Looking great! I can't weight for my surgery next week! LOL. I hope I do as well as you!

PROUD GRAMMY: Thank you so much for your kind words and encouragement. I feel like a whole new person, yesterday I even dyed my hair blonde to Celebrate my "so-far" success. I will have to figure out something really exciting to do to celebrate goal weight. I always love reading your posts because you are so kind and always positive. Congratulations on all of your success!

I appreciate the discussion also. I was banded on April 18th and lost 20 pounds pre op but haven't lost since. Now that I am three weeks out I'm feeling like I can eat a lot more. Trying to be aware of what I am putting in my mouth but I guess I wanted results immediately. My doctor said not to worry about losing weight until your fills start. But it is frustrating.

Hi everyone.... I was banded on 3/22 and lost 15lbs in a few weeks. Since staring back on trying to eat normal I've gained weight. I go for my first fill Wednesday. After reading your comments I feel better. Thanks for posting. Good luck everyone!!!!!

Welcome Claire! I completely understand wanting to just survive the recovery phase. Especially those first couple of weeks! I too could give a wink about weight or meds immediately post-op, I just wanted to concentrate on getting some kind of nutrition in my body so I didn't feel so weak. I'm sorry that you're suffering from a cold. I can only imagine how much more frustrating and taxing it is on your recovery process. However, like all things in life, the cold will pass, your recovery will come and you will be well on your way to success. This site is a great place to come and ask questions, read others experiences and just have conversations in general about the sleeve. I hope your recovery is quick and that quickly and positively adjust to this new life style. Good luck to you!

Fear not! January will be over soon and the weight loss rush will slow down as New Year's resolutions fade...

Good luck to you as well! Great job publicly documenting your weight-loss journey. It will really help you keep on track & stay accountable. I did the same thing when I had surgery three years ago. We look forward to you sharing much more. Good luck! You are not alone!

Technically, you can get one whenever you want. You may want to be at least be at or close to goal for optimal results, but its not a game ender. I have read that there may be some docs who would want you to be at a stable weight for a certain amount of time...but I had 4 consults, and none of them had this requirement. 🤷🏽‍♀️ I had all my consults at 7 months post op (when I reached goal), with the intention of getting it done right away, but my chosen doc didn't have a free spot open until 6 months later, which turned out to be a good thing because I lost almost another 20 lbs by the time my surgery date came around. I'm over a year post plastics today (and weigh basically the same as the day I had plastics).