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I've sold some and donated some. The best stuff went to a friend who is my old size. But yeah, I have been buying and selling on eBay for over 10 years.

Almost 1 year out and 130 lbs down... Not to scare anyone, but I wish I knew how INCREDIBLY painful the gas pains were (even though they are totally benign). They hurt like a MF! I missunderstood and thought that it was more like stomach gas and was not prepared for the damn nerve pain in my shoulder. So the post surgery recovery was HORRID...like it is for everyone. Mine lasted about 10 days. BUT in all that was the ONLY thing that I had problems with. Everything else has been like I thought it was going to be with only a very few teeny minor issues that I dont care about anyhow. Ive had dumping and poo problems, but I would take those any day of the week for how I feel in my "new" body. My dogs love me more than ever now that we can do longer and longer walks. No regrets!

Isn't that the hardest part? "Don't focus on the scale!" is a mantra for after surgery but prior to it, we are all its slave and live in fear of its judgement and retribution. Evil sadists, the lot of them, stringing you up for every mistake you enjoy. Oh, popcorn, how I long for you! Okay, I kid, but it is hard to know what your weight will mean for you. You need to ask your insurance and office plainly "If I can't lose this weight but show I am doing this to try (diet, food tracking, exercise) per the program... what is the program policy?". My surgeon emphasized I could "not" gain weight between my pre-surgical consult and surgery, but neither of my insurances have weight or program requirements that way. What they do require is that I follow the clinic program, so my surgeon could choose to postpone if I was not in compliance. I was 100% on board... before my surgery got canceled 1 week into my liquid diet. After that torture, and working from home for 8 weeks, of course I ballooned. Ughs! I kicked my butt and started back on my program a few weeks ago, then got my reschedule last week. I am back to my weight in January when I saw him, but 10 pounds over where I was the last time I started the liquid diet in March, which is frustrating. I will do it though and not cheat! I make it a competition to get through each day and I love to win. I had to find my motivation again with this whole situation derailing it, but it IS hard when you don't know about surgery. It is so easier to stay motivated with a deadline, at least for me. So I guess my advice is to 1) get an answer from your program about the weight and 2) find that motivation. You might not lose the pounds but find a way to prove you are on the program (journal food, fitness tracker?) to let them know you are a proactive part of your own success, if they will just work with you.

I'm scheduled for VGS 5/19/2020. Anyone start to panic approaching their date? What did you do to calm it? Did you back out? Or did you go through with it and regret? Or were you happy you did it? I'm between just ignoring it and calling off my surgery. Every night I get closer, my sleep gets worse. Only thing stopping me from canceling is I've put this off for 2.5 years and I'm out of the 3 year approval window. I've literally rescheduled 3 times already since 2018. Only reason I can do it is COVID messed up the surgery date I had in April. If I back out now, I have to start all over again and I barley qualified the first time around. But I'm seriously wondering if this is the stupidest idea I've ever had and I should just let it go. It's not like I can't drop it. I just pile it back on. Maybe that's OK? I'm thinking, I'll keep the date and if I just can't, I can't. Better to march forward than to back out. I have 10 days. Anyone else freak out like this?

Hi! I’m late to the party y’all! I’m from down south. I had my revision surgery 10 days ago. It went well but my husband wasn’t allowed in the hospital since they were on quarantine and performing emergency surgeries only. Mine was considered emergency since I’ve been throwing up since my sleeve surgery over 2 yrs ago. I had a lot of pain the first couple days and then I fell and it was 10 times worse. I feel so much better finally except for a stabbing pain in my left side/back area. I’m guessing it’s an internal stitch in a muscle cuz it’s the same spot that hurt so bad after I fell. My 1st post op appt is next week.

I had gastric sleeve Oct 2017 at our military base and I’ve been sick since. No one could figure out why I kept throwing up everything until we moved to Shreveport, LA. My stomach was too narrow causing everything to get stuck! As soon as insurance (Tricare) approved, I was in the hospital immediately having what they labeled as an emergency surgery. At our hospital, any surgery has to go thru a board for approval since the pandemic has everything screwy. I am currently 10 days out from RNY surgery where they converted me to a gastric bypass, repaired a hernia, did a liver biopsy and removed scar tissue. Can I just tell ya this Mama hurts? I’m awake at 4am with left side pain.

Hello, My name is Kelsey and I am a 26 yr old type 1 diabetic nurse. I am not married and I do not have children. I recently packed up my belongings and sold my house in PA, in hopes to finding a brighter, happier future in North Carolina. Ive been here for about 2 months now. One morning, while getting ready for a long 13 hr night shift, I looked in the mirror and was stopped dead in my tracks when I saw what was looking back at me. Who was that? What did I let happen? There I was. 220 lbs looking back at me. Rolls, stretch marks, fat....staring back at me. I wish I could say the mirror lies, but it didn't. That was the solid truth. That was the reflection of someone who dreaded getting dressed in the morning because of how I looked in all my clothing. The reflection of someone who hated getting a bath because she'd have to see herself naked and notice how the bath water doesn't even reach above her stomach when she lies down in it. She cant even submerge her thighs in the water. The reflection of a girl who's eyes welled up with fresh salty tears cause every night when she lies down for sleep, she tells herself she wont do this tomorrow. She wont overeat, comfort eat, boredom eat, and emotional eat the next day... and when the first daylight hours comes realizes she already failed the promises she made to herself the mere hours before. It's painful and frustrating to hate everything you are in terms of appearance. Its hard to want to go out and meet people and make friends in a new area when you know all you're going to be focused on is pulling your shirt out away from your stomach when you sit down, hoping it, for once, wont cling to you. On April 14th, 2020, I googled possible options to help me battle this overwhelming addiction to food and overeating and discovered this thing called Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty (ESG). Even as a surgical nurse, I never knew this existed. I was intrigued to say the least. On April 15th, 2020 I was emailed back by a near gastroenterology clinic after my inquires on the procedure. In just the few following hours, and one phone call interview from the surgeon... I WAS APPROVED and medically cleared for the procedure. Then the assistant mentioned the finances and bills. Because I wasn't quite obese "enough", the procedure wouldn't be considered medically necessary, therefore wouldn't be covered by insurance. The price tag? $10,000 out of pocket. That night I laid in bed excited that maybe I found a crutch that could help me move forward and not loathe myself so much, but also distraught over realizing how much money i'd have to dedicate to something that relied so much on my own dedication to it. Oh well, its time right? April 16th, 2020 I told my parents about my decision to proceed with the procedure. I was apprehensive about mentioning it for a few reasons. 1. I didn't want the lecture about "maybe theres more important things you could use that money for". After all, some decisions I have made in the past haven't been the most thought out or haven't been what my family would have chosen for me. So was I disappointing my family? maybe. And I am so exhausted and tired of disappointing my family. I know I don't look the way they want me too. I've had several family members make heartbreaking comments about my weight and my body and "if would just lose 20 lbs, the opportunities [I'd] have. I've heard things like that for years. Eventually you start believing it. Your weight stops doors from opening, stops you from being loved and wanted, prevents you from being respected and admired. I do blame a lot of my anxiety and overthinking tendencies on my weight. it makes sense in my mind. Im physically disappointing. Why would anyone want me? 2. "Why don't you just exercise and eat fewer calories like a normal person?" It's like they never tried to lose weight and think its just that easy. Of course, sometimes I was just lazy and lacked the motivation to exercise like I could have. and yes, I indulged way too much and too often in foods that weren't necessarily good for me. But I also have type 1 diabetes, which makes balancing exercise and food consumption difficult. Let's say I am on one of my "get healthy" kicks and I go to the gym, hop on the treadmill, and not 8 minutes into it my insulin pump reads my sugars as 139...122...97...71...and before you know it im in the critical 40s and slurring my words and shaking uncontrollably. I need a sugary, carbloaded snack just to maintain a safe sugar level. Counterproductive... Frusturating. May 6th, 2020. Covid-19 restrictions are finally being ever so gently lifted. Elective surgeries are starting to resume. On this day, I got an email from the office assistant asking about a tentative operative date. May 21st at 1:30. Be there at 12:30. . . you know I will be early. Finally, I have a countdown to start and a new beginning to look forward to. I read the preop paperwork sent to me about all the guidelines for the few days before surgery and the lifetime of recommendations for after surgery. 2 tablespoons of substance for the first several weeks after surgery? That's a bit drastic. Especially considering I would eat 3 plates of food at a buffet before. Oh well. Its about time, right? Today is May 9th... about 3 am. I'm at work and just cant stop thinking about the road ahead. Less than 2 weeks.... 12 days. That's it. Wow..

I didn't get a rash from my bypass - but I did for my second plastic surgery (first plastic surgery I did not). I was having a reaction to the surgical glue or tape that they used - it's evidently not uncommon. I was talking to my veterinarian about this. She said it sometimes takes two or three exposures before your body starts reacting to something, so that might explain it in my case (of course, your can react during the first exposure, too - like yours did) anyway, I contacted my plastic surgeon about it, and he put me on steroids for about 10 days to suppress the reaction - and then after that he removed the tape (he couldn't remove it right away because the incisions were still healing). So ask your surgeon - they may put you on something to suppress the allergic reaction.

Probably the crappiest of all pre-surgery diets. Three 20 ounce servings of skim milk or milk alternative (Fairlife), 1 serving of low sodium broth, and at least 50 ounces of water (flavored drinks of low/no calorie under 10 only) per day. I am a wateraholic, so I down 120 ounces a day, minimum, so that part isn't hard. Depending on BMI, the clinic has patients do it for 2-3 weeks. Fortunately, I only have to do 2 weeks, but I did 1 week in March. At about 550 liquid calories per day and 160-170 ounces of fluids, I got dizzy and peed A LOT, but I dropped a pound a day. One of the best ways to get through it was blending with ice to thicken and adding sugar-free syrups to change up the flavor each time. The sweetness made me crave savory though. I'd pump up my evening "dinner broth" with paprika, a few drops of Cholula, or add some peppercorns as I heated it. And sometimes I'd freeze a portion of my daily 60 ounces in these mini silicone popsicle molds to make something I could nibble on.

Man, I used to be somewhat addicted to that show. Very sad, and should be an eye opener for all , struggling with WL or not! As for do I think it is real. Yes I do think that it is real. I almost scheduled my surgery with Dr. Now but decided against it, then did more research and 2 years later had the surgery done free of charge through my insurance near my own hometown thank God! He is a bit harsh and I hope that his harshness is only for tv purposes. I also wonder, does he not require each client to do nutrition classes or have a psych eval? I mean, I only hear him require this after he has been very harsh, has made accusations, and has turned someone away due to their 'dishonesty" and/or unready/unwillingness. So the 15 pounds a month- that really depends on how much weight that a person still has left to loose for the height they are, age, etc. It also depends on which surgery they got. So a person might be 4 months away from the date of their surgery but if they are still more than 100 pounds overweight, depending on their height 5, 10, or even 15 lbs per month (again depends on the WLS that they chose), is probably not too much to ask. I will say that this was something that bothered me about Dr. Now, I feel like he had the same expectations for which client which is garbage. Some Dr.'s give goals before they will perform the WLS on anyone, others don't. I was very hesitant because of this and I don't think I would have been able to get the surgery so quickly if there was a special WL goal beforehand. I did inquire about this and the way my Dr.'s looked at it was they could give a goal but many people have a food issue and having to meet some goal is only prolonging a persons journey to health. So, yeah, "My 600-lb life" is probably fact and no I did not have a WL goal before surgery, although I had one after surgery (I was told that I was loosing too fast, in my research I am loosing at a normal rate for the WL, duodenal switch loop, that I had and I personally think as long as I am healthy and losing weight (not under or over), it is all good. Side note- I can't stand to watch that show anymore. It seems different than when it first started and I don't like that the journey isn't fully followed or explored the way that it seemed like it was back in the day. I think that there are also different versions with different names as well, which can be why it seems so different. I have always had many motivations for WL, and that show was a big part of it!

That is unusual. I was supposed to stop eating AND drinking at the midnight before my surgery (which was at 10:00am) In any case, I'm excited for you...good luck, and keep us posted!

In my opinion WLS is a magic bullet. It is the game changer when it comes to losing excess weight and maintaining the new weight. We don't always succeed on the first try. Sometimes people need a second try or maybe even a third. Inadequate weight loss after lap band is quite common, revision to bypass also and many patients do quite good after revision. Maybe you want to do a quick medline search about this. You're now a few years older and more experienced. Maybe you're now being able to handle problematic things in your life differently. You might also be more disciplined now when it comes to certain things. Think about your younger self and compare it to your now-self. I'm sure you're able to handle things way smoother than you did e. g. 10 years ago. The same can be true for this whole weight loss thing. Of course there is the chance that you might fail again. There is always the chance of failing, doesn't matter if it's weight loss, learning a new language or performing at your job. If we couldn't make these changes before any WLS at all, why is it possible for so many people after they had WLS? It just is because WLS is the game changer. Lapband is different. It doesn't provide the same hormonal changes a bypass does. I always cringe when I read or hear this. "Dedicated". "Eliminate". "Avoid". Same with "struggling", "fighting" or "food is the enemy" etc. - being at war is so damn exhausting. Make peace with food. It's easier in the long run. If you don't white-knuckle things you might discover something interesting: not all lifestyle changes are a struggle or need dedication in the long run. You might indeed discover (or re-discover if you were into sports in younger years) that exercise can be fun and fulfilling. Or that healthier food doesn't taste that bad. Or the opposite around, that this junk food is actually not as tasty as you always thought it is. You might discover, that when you feel more comfortable in your body and with yourself that you don't feel that need to eat in the same strong and overwhelming way. You might notice that you say "No, thanks but I don't want it now" when you get offered French fries or chocolate or whatever and really mean it. However, there are many people who aren't able to maintain their "new lifestyle". I have no idea what makes or breaks this. I sometimes have thoughts in the back of my head that maybe some people are just lucky in reacting very good to WLS and don't actually need to watch their intake that much. They also don't live in the gym. When you browse around the board you're going to notice that maintenance calorie intake is very different in different people, even though their stats are quite similar. Nobody can tell if WLS/revision to bypass is making it easy (or less hard) for you or not. I sometimes feel it's like playing the lottery. You won't know to what group of patients you will belong before you got the revision. Short term weight loss doesn't really bring some benefits (someone correct me if I'm wrong please), however, one doesn't have to get to a normal weight to reap the benefit of weight loss. So many patients feel like "failures" because they don't get to a normal BMI. Yet, when you look at the studies actually not that much patients ever get down to a normal BMI. And sh*t on "eliminating carbs". Like really take a big dump on it. (Years ago we should eliminate all fats, now it's carbs. I wonder what the future will bring.)

I'm five years out and I still obsess over everything I eat - plus my weight. The dietitian at my clinic says I'm obsessing about my weight and calories too much and keeps suggesting I look into "intuitive eating", but I know myself too well. "Intuitive eating" for me would put me right back up to 300+ lbs. I am not "normal" and probably never will be. So the only way to keep my weight where it is is to weigh myself several times a week and track everything I eat. I spent a month in India last fall and, although I certainly was no where near stuffing myself silly, I was eating normal-people-sized portions, plus snacks. I wasn't tracking and of course, I didn't have access to a scale. And then I came back just in time for the holidays (I didn't gain any more then - but I certainly didn't lose it, either, with all the holiday events). So I ended up six lbs heavier which have been a BEAR to get off. So I think I'm just one of those who has to be obsessive about weight and calories or I'm going to naturally gain weight. People are all different...so they have to do what they have to do. re: getting too small: many WLS'ers never get all the way to goal - studies say about 10-15% of us get to a normal BMI. But for those of us who do, our lowest weight usually isn't our "permanent" weight - the majority gain 10-20 lbs after hitting bottom (actually, the majority of ALL WLS'ers gain 10-20 lbs during years 2 or 3 - not just those who make it to normal BMI). So I wouldn't worry too much about your sister at this point. Yes there are some who do develop eating disorders - but getting "too small" and obsessing about food can also be normal behavior for some of us, and it's not necessarily indicative of any eating disorder. And she may very well bounce up 10-20 lbs in the near future - it happens to an awful lot of us.

That's awesome for you, I'm so happy for you! Can I ask how tall you are? My sister had the sleeve in July of 2019 and she has gotten to the point where I consider her too small. She obsesses about everything she eats. If she has "the munchies" she'll eat a lemon drop to get a different taste in her mouth so she won't want to eat. I'm worried she has gone too far and may have an eating disorder.

I’ve read over and over again that WLS is not a magic bullet. It takes dedicated, sustained lifestyle changes. But, if we can’t maintain those changes (eliminate carbs, low calorie diet, avoid trigger foods) before surgery, how can we expect to maintain them after surgery? I’m thinking long term here: 5, 10, 15 years after surgery when the magic of weight loss is gone and it’s just daily life. If I can’t stop eating now, how could I expect that to change in 10 years? Really looking for help here. I had lap band surgery in 2014 and I weigh 15lbs more than my highest pre-surgery weight. I gained back all weight I lost and more, and have the same bad habits. I’m thinking of revising to gastric bypass, but I’m wondering if I’ll just fail again. BUT, if I can theoretically make a sustained life-style change post-surgery, why can’t I actually just do that now? (I try, every single day, and I fail week after week). I feel like it’s possible or impossible. If surgery doesn’t make it easy, what benefit does it have beyond short term (1-3 year) weight loss?

I've been told I am one of those "faster losers", so I got to goal at around 7 months (127lbs, 108lbs lost at the time). I lost a little bit more after that, gained after a vacation in september, lost it, gained these recent 6lbs, lost it again. I went as low as 109 lbs (too small!!) and as high as 121 lbs (over my acceptable limit!!) in that time period. Today I am at 115 (total 120 lbs lost). 115-120 is my happy place. It does get a little bit more challenging the further out we are. I mean, losing 10 lbs off a 230 lb body is waaaaaayyyy easier than losing 10 lbs off a 130 lb body. Just keep on going, it will be slower yes, but if you make an honest effort ad stick to it, it will come off a little by little. It does get discouraging when the visible results are not as dramatic, so I get it. Maybe keep track of your body measurements? Sometimes you'll lose inches and not lbs. Also, I find that looking at old pictures of myself and seeing how far I've come to be a great motivator.

Congratulations you will love your new baby I remember I was 310lbs now I'm 226 lbs. My surgery was june 2019, Don't be scared it's easy 123. Lol. Good luck.

Congratulations../ had my done right before the Covid 19 breakout 2/27/2020.

It seems to be pretty common for people to be active on forums (and in post-op support groups for that matter) for a year or two and then disappear. They've just moved on with their lives and don't feel like they really need it anymore, I guess. I stick around because it keeps my head in the game - and there are a few of us still around here, I'm guessing for the same reason - but most people do disappear after awhile. And not just on this forum - I've seen it on others and....as I mentioned...in post-op in-person support groups, too. I'm battling with losing a 10-lb gain. I've always monitored myself really closely (weighed myself several times a week and track every bite of food that I eat), so I just cut back on calories by about 200/day and increased my exercise. It works, but it's S-L-O-W going. But then, I'm 4 lbs overweight (according to the BMI charts), so I wasn't expecting any huge, quick drops. One-two lbs a month was about what I expected - unless I was willing to drop to sub-1000 calories or something, which I wasn't... regain once you're a few years out is pretty common. The trick is to catch it and deal with it before it gets out of hand. There are some vets who've had success with programs such as WW, Keto, and IF - so you could always try one of those if your current method isn't doing the trick. Lots of people have managed to re-lose their regains, so it can be done!

Soooo....my surgeon requires a COVID-19 test done prior to my surgery in 5/15. I had it done yesterday. MY GOD. With everything going on right now...patients are not allowed in the medical offices here for testing. It was done in my car. I'm gripping the steering wheel..the inside roof of my car!! It was THE most horrible medical experience I've ever had to date. I really can't find the words. When it was over...I cried all the way home. Driving and crying. It felt like a bleach and ammonia dipped hot pencil was stuck up my nose and into my brain! I swear its not an exaggeration. I just wanted to vent. I am hoping that I test negative. I have only been outside of my house twice and did everything I could to prevent my risk of exposure. It's MY time!

Hi all - I just found this forum and am trying to make a decision and thought it would be good to get insight from those who have actually gone through this. I have been researching surgery for quite some time and am ready to do it. I have it narrowed down to two options. My insurance excludes anything weight related so i am strictly self pay and thus limited financially. Here are my two options: Angeles Hospital Tijuana - Approved and preliminarily scheduled for July 10. Hospital reviews are primarily great from what i have seen. Slight language barrier. Surgeon Juan Corvala seems to have a lot of clout in the industry and rave reviews. Downsides are lack of follow-up but that would be the case for Blossom as well since I live in Indiana. Time spent is roughly the same. This one has 2 nights in the hospital followed by one night at a hotel before traveling home. Blossom Fast Track - Have been preapproved and received the financial piece and it is to the penny the same as Angeles. I started researching Angeles because I came across some very negative reviews on Blossom but reading this forum, these reviews are all great. So now i'm wondering what time frames all of the reviews i have seen are from. Seems to be a "safer" option to remain in the US and less paperwork (passport, etc). Anyone actually been to one of these two facilities within the last 6 months or so that can tell me your experience so i can weigh the options and make an informed decision? Thanks!

Hi!!!!! So I am 10 days shy of 2 years post op... Lately with this pandemic and quarantine I have gained approx. 8 lbs from March 13th to the present day. I know that I am eating more out of boredom and being home alongside the fact that I am a snacker always have been before and after the surgery.. My biggest concern though is cheese. Lately I have been on a cheese kick.. any type of bagged shredded cheese that I can eat a small handful of at a time. Peccorino Romano grated cheese I can eat by the small handful.. It's so weird to me.. Like I liked cheese before however never ate it like this. There are days that I can literally eat just handfuls of cheese throughout the day in replace of actual meals or other foods.. Is this normal? Am I lacking Vitamin D or salt.. What are your thoughts? Any feedback welcome..

Yep, I get it. I understand a lot of people believe it is either sugar, fat or carbs,,,,,,but my body does it with lots of things, and I get the exact symptoms catwoman7 mentioned above......plus severe cramps and it all happens within 10-20 minutes of eating. I've been having better days recently, I am 11 weeks out today. I get it with food I have eaten before and have been okay with. I have been told I just have to ride it out......other than low potassium and continual dehydration my surgery/insides are perfect! You are certainly not alone! Loz

(sleeved 11/15/2019) TMI I know ... But does anyone have dumping syndrome with anything they eat ?! Anything I eat, my body is like NOPE and dumping happens.. I eat only certain foods because most things make me nauseous so I'm only eating like grilled chicken and some veggies (ones I can handle ) and my body still dumps everything... I've told my surgeon and the nurse said to just keep track of what I eat. I have. And I do. They also don't know why a lot of foods make me extremely sick.. anyone else have this issue ?! [emoji30] Sent from my moto g(7) supra using BariatricPal mobile app

You gained 10 pounds since surgery?