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Well congrats on the scale moving. I know it has to be frustrating to lose it then suddenly gain it back. I think it will look good on your pre-op journey to have some weight loss documented!

Just think of it like this, if you're following your dr's plan, there's no way you can't lose. With the calories alone it makes it impossible. Add exercise to it, it the recipe for success. You guys got this. And weight is just a number, it's the NSVs (non scale victories) that mean the most. Smaller pants, shirt, and someone noticing that hasn't seen you in a while that says how great you look.

Sugar turns into fat. I lost a good amount of weight just cutting out the sugar.

I ran across this video which has a pair of pants with Velcro in the waistband that can get you through a few sizes: https://youtu.be/oTxDpaYeuEw Starting at minute 7:19. I was wondering if any of you sew and can share pattern numbers that have worked best for you as you have lost weight?

Weight loss can be slow with bandsters who have a low BMI however I started with a BMI of 33 ( but didnt do a pre op diet). After I was banded I lost 20 lbs in my first post op month. Within 4 months I had lost about 55 lbs. It is the last 15 pounds that are killing me, not the first. Don't worry if you don't lost a lot before being banded. As long as you follow your doctors orders, have a good diet and exercise you will lose your weight. Also don't be discouraged if you weight loss is slow. We all lose differently but get the end result that we are hoping for. You can do this :thumbup:

My doctor set a goal weight and I shrugged. It was in the right direction anyway. For now, I just use it as a general goal post. I can't make a decision until I get close® to it. If your goal is making you want to give up, head for smaller goals, easier to achieve and encouraging.

You know, while I am in a completely different circumstance than you are, I kinda ended up just like you -- My husband is a diplomat and in June we move to Paraguay in South America. I thought to myself, this would be a great time to get my weight loss surgery done. I had initially wanted the lap band. So we scheduled an appointment with the surgeon who's done the most weight loss surgeries and he said, "I don't do bands, but you can choose the sleeve or the bypass." Well, I knew I didn't want the bypass for the dumping and other stuff, but I had never really considered the sleeve. I read up on it and decided, ok, I'll get the sleeve. We went back to the doctor, and he said, ok how about in 2 weeks. Yep!! I literally had to start my pre-op diet THAT day. It was crazy. And then I went in and all is history. So, you CAN do this!! From what I've read on the boards, Aetna seems to be easier to deal with -- so go for it

Hello everyone, I'm so glad I fell upon this site. I'm currently going through the process for the insurance company and I'm into this since August 2010. THe insurance company changed its criteria a month into it so now I'm another month behind but I'm cool with that. I'm looking at all this paperwork and appointments that I have to make and the diet after surgery etc and honestly, I'm quite overwhelmed and terrified at the same time. I love to eat...and not that I love to eat so much that this is why I'm in need of surgery. If you look at my habits I don't think they are much worse than some skinny people but for some reason my bad habits love to stick to my butt and thighs. I'm not a huge over-eater, I don't endulge in a ton of sweets (although I do have my moments during that time of the month) but I do love my Mt. Dew and McDonalds Sweet Tea...yep, hard for me to give those up but I'm doing well. I'm afraid that I will lose my love of good food....I'm scared to give up food??? Does that make sense? I love the festivities around the holiday dinner, I love to cook etc. how did you deal with not being able to eat!!! I can't even imagine. At least on a diet you can splurge once in awhile. I'm scared that maybe this is the reason I'm not ready for the surgery. I desperately want to be healthier (skinny is not my goal...healthy is my goal) because I don't want to be an embarrassement for my son, I want to be around to watch him grow up and I want my husband to be proud to call me his wife. he has NEVER said anything to me about my weight...this is all on my, but my son is 2 1/2 years old and we hardly have any pictures together because I'm embarrassed. Perhaps that should be motiviation enough to stop eating???? How did you deal with the changes? HOw did you adapt to 6 weeks of liquids, pureed food etc.? How do you adjust to a normal life with the lap band? How are the fills? Does anyone regret this decision? I'm not looking for instant gratification and I know that by-pass isn't for me - - I don't want my insides re-routed - - I'm scared of the post-op life????? I told the doctor that I'm not looking to be a supermodel thin person. I'm looking to lose about 80 pounds and I'd be happy. If I could have a final weight of 155-170 that would be great. I don't want to have to shop in the chubby-chic stores anymore. Can you feel the port under your skin? That kinda freaks me out. Advice, stories, words of wisdom are welcome. Thank you in advance.

I have screwed up something with my weight loss ticker and cant seem to get it back. Plus I hate the way it puts 3 decimal points :-(

You are doing this surgery for you and your health and this should be about you. My husband wasn't on board with this decision at first but I told him that I am doing this for my health so I can be there for him and my kids. My husband's point was that he wanted us to try and have one more baby before the surgery. Your boyfriend should understand that this is all about your health. Unless if he is scared of losing you when you start losing weight and looking fabulous.

Thanks for the info Suzette. I am so glad everything is going as planned! I am in a dump today. I completed everything on the 3rd and have a surgery date for the 20th. However, I am still waiting on final insurance approval for the surgery. The doctor office seem pretty confident - however - I am worried because I did not lose weight during the 3month nutritional visits. Well, initially I lost a couple of pounds - but ended up gaining before it was all over. I think I gained 3-4lbs. I need to ask around and see if anyone else had this problem. Being hypothyroid doesn't help.... I am supposed to begin my liquid diet on Monday - but I am not at all motivated (because of insurance). I have called the insurance company everyday. Yesterday, they told me it was still pending and should be complete by Friday. I wonder if that is good or bad.... Anyways, I hope you all of the best with you surgery! Sept 16th!!! OMG!! that is in 3 days. Janice

katie its nice to hear someone else talk about measuring per volume not oz - i know all NUTS are different, but I was told to always measure/eat per volume when i met w/my NUT prior to WLS - she instilled in me to eat per volume only, i was allowed 1/3 cup after my different stage- about 5 months later i was allowed 2/3 cup woopie my weight loss is slowing down now, but at goal i will probably be allowed 1 cup i was told never measure according to oz Carol, back to you per my NUT a sleeve can not stretch when I was a Newbie - I was afraid if i ate 2 bites extra - oh nol - look out - or if i ate too fast, or if i didn't chew enough- I ws a nervous wreck If I just looked at a cookie, OMG, i would gain 15 lbs - and bye bye sleeve our sleeves should last a lifetime - unless certain exceptions i guess (don't know exactly know what they are) , just covering my ass don't stress yourself kathy

:frown:Hi everyone. I am set for surgery on NOv 15th and I was doing well pre op with shaled and one small no carb meal and then it happened this weekend , My husband pissed me off and and I started eating! I did not go to crazy but enough that I feel like a failure and if I can not do this how can I manage the band. I have been so hungry that at times it has been so difficult....i will crave chicken thats how hungry I have been getting..and I get in a good amount of protein. I know today I need to get back in the right state of mind and I still have another week but I feel 1- like i screwed up already and 2 like I am not even benefiting from the pre diet weight loss ......

my Dr weighs me everytime I come in and I see him at one week one month then every three months. But I go by the eight I have at home since it is at the same time every time and I can be in my b-day suit no cloths adding extra weight. I weigh every day just because I find it interesting the corilation to what I did/ ate the day before to the amount lost or gained, but I only track on Wednesdays. But some people just cant handle the every day weigh in it drives them crazy. for me not knowing would drive me crazy.

My doctor does both LAP and Realize; for me he chose Realize. He has done probably a thousand surgeries so I trusted him to decide. Personally I might do some research on doctors who have more experience than 50. The other question is this doctor a specialist in gastro surgery or is he/she a general surgeon? A specialist has to do extra study in their area; so even it they have only done 50 it's not like they are joe shmo off the street. My surgery was done at a teaching hospital. I was seen by no less than 4 Med students while I was in the hospital who were doing a specialty course in weight loss surgery.

Hey everyone! My date is scheduled for Feb 14th! I'm so excited. I am going to Israel for 2 weeks in January, otherwise I could have had January 24th as my date. But, I'm ok with traveling and then going on the diet/surgery in February. My birthday is Feb 23rd and I think this will be the first year I don't eat cake on my birthday! Oy! I am so excited and have such an amazing supportive group of friends and family! Quick question for anyone.. how much weight do you loose during the 2 week pre-op diet? Also, some people said they were able to eat a small amount of food, and others didn't. My doctor said liquid only and sugar free jell-o. So I'm just wondering. Thanks! Tanya

Thanks for your replies...I'm not getting my hopes up but am definitely hoping for an approval. Best wishes on the surgery Kathy...may I ask...did you have other issues that helped with your approval? Mattie...I'm hoping you are right. I even said to the dr...if my appointment had been later and I'd had coffee and Breakfast this would be a non issue. I had the stomach flu two days before my appointment so that definitely didn't help. I just wonder if I go back and weigh in 5lbs more in a month would they approve it or would they say no based on they know I gained it just to make the limit...grr. I guess I will just have to wait and see. Thanks for your replies and best of luck to you both!

Your cardiologist will have to "clear" you for surgery but with your new plumbing, you are likely better able to tolerate surgery than before you heart attack. I had a heart attack 3 years ago struggled to lose weight and am a diabetic. My cardiologist felt that I was an acceptable risk for surgery and I had my VSG done December 15. I am already benefitting from the procedure. You have had a real interesting journey and, like me, have to work closely with your medical team to chose your next step. Good luck.

I have reconsidered my goal weight, too. My doctor put mine at 140. I started at 233. I have now lost 35 pounds and there is no way I want or need to lose another 60 pounds. I am 49 years old and a grandma of 6, I am not trying to look like Jennifer Aniston here! I want to be fit and curvy and I don't think I need to be that thin to accomplish it.

my fill in june was that way - 3 weeks of heart burn and very little food but the weight was pouring off, my last fill was a nightmare and after a week and not being able to drink more than 1 or 2 oz of fluid i went back for an unfill. they only took out .5cc but now i am too loose and if i am not careful i could easily over eat,, my next app is septt 23rd and i will chat about how to fix this ...

The dietician with tell you all about Portion Control and how to judge things using your fist, a deck of cards and a pair of dice. Counting calories is simple. Just do it online using Calorie Counter, Diet Tracking, food Journal, Nutrition Facts at The Daily Plate or FitDay - Free Weight Loss and Diet Journal. For the sake of argument, this is probably your supervised diet, not your pre-op. Good luck and keep your head up.

I am very frustrated today. I went in for my consult at Weight Loss Surgical Center in KC last November in which they checked to see if my insurance would pay and I received a phone call saying they would pay but it had to be done at an acute care facility which they did not have but were in the process of building one. Fast forward to a month ago and I called to check on the facility and if it was completed & they had just done their 2nd surgery there so the ball starts rolling again....get phone call to set up another consult OR pre-op visit. I was on the fence whether to do it or not and after joining this group and reading the success stories I am 110% committed so left 2 messages to set up pre-op consult and the person that gets insurance clearance had been calling me WEEKLY to update me on Tricare's requirements that were being met each week SO I think as soon as the facility meets Tricare's requirement I am a go....NOPE....now I'm told that my BMI is under 40 and I do not have the 2 co-morbidities to qualify. WHAT!?!?! Talk about popping someone's bubble fast that was ready to get this going..........so now I wait as they try to gain clearance from Tricare. Why would they tell me last year that they would defniitely pay for it and now possibly NOT? They had the same requirements last year that they do today. Very disappointed & upset. Anyone else have to deal with Tricare? Do they pay for your fills as well? I have a $1,000.00 family deductible which I met last year from being in the hospital twice and if I could have had this done before Oct 1st I would not have had to pay a dime! But my health is worth the $1000.00 at least and I just want to do this and I think if I'm denied I will really fall in to a deeper depression...I don't want to have to eat until my BMI is over 40 to get the surgery so I may be left of my own. I lost 84# once before but its all back and then some. They think my thyroid issues will count so they are going to run it by Tricare. Thanks for letting me vent and if anyone has Tricare just wondering how they were getting them to pay for your surgery!

I have heard a lot of people saying that after their complications they gained the weight back. My question is how? Are they not eating right and exercising? Or is it just automatic that since the band has gone bad you will gain the weight back? I’m just curious if the band helps me loose all the weight wont eating right and exercising help me keep it off not matter what complications may occur with the band later on down the line?

Take a deep breath and RELAX! We all find things to stress about prior to surgery, even when we're incredibly excited and ready to make the changes necessary to succeed. If your procrastination is going to cause your surgery to be cancelled, then perhaps you aren't quite mentally there yet. It takes a while to make such a big decision. This surgery will change your life, and while most of the changes are wonderful, postive ones, there are some negative sides, too. It's work. Eating right, working on your emotional triggers, dealing with the changes in your life - these things are work, and can be a little scary. In my opinion you really need to sit down and think. Are you ready for this? Are you stalling because of natural fears of surgery, and of change? Is there a bigger issue at play here? There's absolutely nothing wrong with pushing your date back until you have your head in the right place. If you're not ready, the recovery will be harder for you. Every ache, every pain, every hassle of post op life will seem like a huge problem to you, instead of the minor nuisance it really is. Complications can happen. Be sure you trust your surgeon. If you've done your research and feel comfortable, then you're just having natural worries before surgery. If you don't know much about your surgeon or you don't entirely trust him/her, then perhaps you need to find someone else to work on you. I know that I definitely worried about complications. I was very scared, even with a fantastic doctor like Dr. Aceves (who has a great track record). It's normal to worry. I don't know the ins and outs of your particular insurance policy. The fact is, once you choose to have the surgery if you do have complications they can choose not to pay whether or not the bills for your preop were submitted to them. They're going to know you had the surgery at some point. I doubt they're going to raise your rates over this, though. If anything, your rates might drop if you don't have as many health risks after you lose some weight. I had a smooth recovery. There is nothing I regret about this surgery. Well...I do miss the hunger sometimes. I wish I wanted to eat. And I'm a slow loser - "only" 45 pounds in three months. But I've never lost more than 30 pounds on any diet before - even the ones that dragged on for four or five months. I've never been able to control my diabetes with diet and exercise before. There are a lot of huge benefits. I was only uncomfortable post op for about five days. I'd gladly trade five days of pain pills and discomfort for 45 pounds - and 45 pounds is just the start of my journey. People that have endured leaks and horrible complications still come out a few months later LOVING their sleeves. This surgery is well worth it. It was worth every penny that I self-paid, and every second of discomfort. I'd do it again in a heartbeat. Get your head in the right place. If it's the right time for you, move forward and get this surgery done and over with. Trust me, you'll love it once you're on the loser's bench. ~Cheri

I have completed 8 day on my preop diet and have only lost 3 lbs. I have cheated once, having 2 pieces of chese and that was it. I really think I should be further than this and am worried I wont be able to have the surgery because my liver will be too large. I see the doctor tomorrow, wo I will find out then I am sure. I am also concerned that if I cant lose weight now, how am I going to lose it when I start eating real food again. How much do people usually lose on the preop?