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Karyn, it will wash that well-chewed food right through the stoma and rob you of the all-important feeling of satiety, which is the purpose of the band. The band restricts the flow of food from the upport pouch where it signals via the vagus nerve that you are full. If you drink, the food washes through the band opening (stoma) and you no longer feel full, develop the desire to eat more....and that kills weight loss.

Hi, Generally, the answer depends on your insurance. I have Cigna. I attended an information session and found out that my insurance requires a 6 month medically supervised diet. So I started that process first. Then I made an appointment for the psych consult. Around the same time I made an appointment with my primary care doctor. She wrote a letter for me on the spot. It was very simple, just identifed multiple attempts at weight loss. I was seeing a different doctor for the supervised diet. I got copies of my records before I went to NYU for the appt with the nutritionist and consult with Dr. Kurian. I saw both on the same day--along with the nurse for an exam. After meeting with Dr. Kurian I met with Nilsa, the surgical coordinator. She suggested getting additional details about the visits for the medically supervised diet, which I did. When I met with Nilsa we set a tentative date for surgery and she took care of getting insurance approval. Here's where it gets ugly. The office is very busy. Nilsa is very very busy. My paperwork was not submitted until three business days before my surgery. I was going nuts. Everytime I asked Nilsa when she was going to submit the paperwork, I got the run around. Finally, I called the office manager (Marianne) and Tammy (who is very helpful). If you read other posts about NYU you will see that many of us are frustrated by the administrative staff. That said, I wouldn't go anywhere else. Dr. Kurian is GREAT. At the end of the day, that was the single most important factor in my decision. Good luck and let us know how you are doing.

Tomorrow afternoon I will be interviewing for a chance at a GIGANTIC promotion. Although I am totally qualified for the position, I wouldn't have dreamed of throwing my name in the hat 3 months ago. The weight-loss and ability to control my eating has given me that much confidence. Part of me is terrified but another part is so grateful that I've found the confidence to pursue these opportunities I've let pass for too long. Getting the call that I made it to the interview stage is one NSV, actually facing the THIRTEEN member interview panel will be another. Actually getting the job? Beyond my wildest expectations! To those contemplating this surgery, I would say that the greatest benefit to this surgery beyond the weight loss is the confidence and self assurance you find on the other side.

I too am in the same boat, baby two or wls. I also choose weight loss surgery first. Then hopefully once my weight stabilizes we will try. I'm worried about gaining too much weight when pregnant but I'm hopeful that the sleeve will be the tool I need to help others not get out of control.

I totally agree it is probably your gallbladder. With significant weight loss you can develop gallbladder problems or gallstones. You need to see your primary doctor or your surgeon. Or since you are saying your lower back aches you may have developed kidney stones, that also is a problem. You need to get an appointment as soon as possible as it probably will get worse before it gets better don't put it off.

I am only 17 months out. I have lost 110 pounds and cannot imagine life without my band. I have only had a few minor issues with acid reflux, but that only started 3 months ago. I will be able to say in 5 years that I have maintained my weight loss, plus 10 more (which will put me at my Doctors goal), because I do not wont to go back to the old me! I like the new me. : )

November 16th- I got the call I have been waiting for. The insurance copy has approved the surgery. I am set to be banded on December 19th @ 7:30am at St. Joseph Health Center in Warren Ohio.... YEA!!! I started crying when she called. I can't wait. I feel like Dec. 19th is never going to be here. I have the Psych Workshop tonight at the Weight Loss Center (WLC) and Gabe (boyfriend) and Mom and Dad are going. I am very interested to see what that's like. When I went for my first consult the nurse informed me about this workshop and the purpose is to discuss the emotions that go along with lossing a large amount of weight and due to that a lot of people split up. I DO NOT want that to happen so I asked Gabe to go with me, since this is can help build our relationship. I had my nutirion appt this past Monday and she gave me all the information for the first days/2 weeks after surgery. It was very interesting, enough though I have done a lot of research there is still information I didn't know. I also never knew how to read nutrtion labels. If you are in this area (Youngstown, Ohio) and you are interested in this surgery you should really consider St. Elizabeth and St. Joseph Weight Loss Center. A lot of people in this area think they need to go to Cleveland or to the big city to get this surgery, but they can have this surgery and get the best treatment right here. I have nothing but great things to say about my experience with the WLC and its employees.

I think your nutritionist is misinterpreting the data. It's not that the bypass is NECESSARILY more effective long term, only that we have more EVIDENCE of it being effective long term. The sleeve as an individual operation is a relatively new procedure, so we just don't have as much long term data either way vs the RNY. But the info we do have is very promising. I've done a lot of reading and from my (layman's) understanding, the bypass will help you lose weight faster (6mo to a year) vs the sleeve where you typically lose slowly over a period of 18 months. The typical difference between loss I think is often 10% of your weight ON AVERAGE, which may or may not be a big deal to you. (It wasn't to me, which is why I went with the sleeve.) Regain typically comes down to compliancy post-op more than what procedure you get. The average losses comes from the people who lose 150 lbs and completely overhaul their life and the people who eat around their surgery and lose less than ten or go on to gain past their original weight, so honestly I really didn't take it much into account when I was picking my procedure. I was much more concerned about the life I'd be living post op with both procedures and about my individual comfort level with the concept of the procedures themselves. Sleeve fit my vision for my future, so that's what I chose even though my surgeon was more in favour of the RNY as the "gold standard". It is true the RNY is more invasive and also produces more restriction both in terms of volume of food AND type of foods you can eat. A lot of the things I can very easily eat post-op with my sleeve could make your average RNY patient very sick. some people see this as a pro to the RNY, others a con. There are good reasons to pick either procedure, and sticking to the plan long term will bring success with EITHER procedure. After that it comes down to other factors: if you have GERD, if you have type 2 diabetes, how much weight you have to lose, how comfortable you are with malabsorption of nutrients, the speed you want the weight loss to be, whether you'd prefer the proven track record of the RNY, whether you want the ability to revise down the line, etc. There's a lot to consider here, so definitely stick around and do some reading, but don't let the nutritionist tell you that you HAVE to get the RNY just because "after 5 years the sleeve stops working" and accept that as gospel or use it as the only deciding factor in your choice. Any surgery can result in weight regain, just as any surgery can result in stunning lifelong success. The specific surgery itself isn't nearly so important as the lifestyle changes you implement alongside your chosen procedure.

Same here. For years I ate tums like candy. Then was prescribed ranitadine, and was taking that twice a day. Dr found the hiatal hernia during surgery (in my pre-op interview he said he was sure he'd find one). He fixed it with no problems. I haven't had to take anything for heartburn, GERD or acid reflux since. That was almost as good as the weight loss results from the band.

Amber, Thank you for the info and the link. I went to there and read through it. That makes perfect sense and it feels good to know that if that were the reason for hair loss that it would eventually grow back.

Hi all! I have yet to have the surgery but am definitely considering it. I've already set up my first meeting with the doctor but I have so many concerns about the long term. I've been reading lots of great and wonderful outcomes along side many struggles but have any of you had any problems with hair loss, vitamin deficiencies, or anything else that is less common? Are there any regrets? I'm really concerned that I will have all the wonderful results along side many new health issues brought on by the surgery itself. This is so hard ... everything in me wants this but at the same time, I'm so worried I will lose my hair, I won't be able to take in all the nutrients I need to be healthy, etc. This is so scary to me! Please anyone with advice, knowledge, or experience...help!!!

Wow! Thank you again! What great information. I'm definitely going to get that book. My sister in law has a good friend that had the VS done last June and had a problem with hair loss. My sil says she went by the book on everything and still lost some hair. Now I'm wondering if it was the lack of the right type of protien. I'm going to run this past my her. Just out of curiosity, who was your surgeon and is he/she in Texas? I think I've found a really good one but I like to stay informed and make sure I'm choosing the right person. It's not easy placing my life changing procedure in someone's hands. I want to make sure it's the right hands.

hair loss doesn't always have to do with the Protein and Vitamins. Having adequate amounts of those could help but drastic weight loss with any diet can cause weight loss. It takes a bit for your body to reset itself with your new weight. Hormone changes is probably the big one for major weight loss. Here is a link of what can cause hair loss. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hair-loss/DS00278/DSECTION=causes Also, Most people on this forum say their hair loss started at around 3 months after surgery then started to grow back 3 months after that. So that goes with what the article says. But I've also seen some say it took anywhere from 6 months to a year to start growing back. It depends on the person. It will grow back so don't let that idea be a major part of your decision.

I am with Northern California Kaiser and did not have to do any classes. I had to have my psych evaluation, and have other screenings complete like my female annual, and yearly physical. I did have to meet a pre-op weight loss goal before my surgery would be scheduled then a 2 week liver shrinking diet before surgery. I had my surgery in Fresno.

G'day, all. I'm almost 6 weeks out, and the weight loss is going very well. I'm down 29# and about 2 sizes. My 18yo daughter is so excited for me, and so is my husband! She points out changes in my body, from "I can fit my arms around you to hug all of you now!" to "Your knees look different!" I am so blessed to have them behind me in this journey. Just a few negatives right now -- I still have to have a BIG nap (2+ hours) almost every day. I hope that improves soon. Also, just today, I'm having some nausea. I decided to go back to pureed food for a day to see if that helps, and it does a little bit. I'd love to hear from anyone else who has had exhaustion and/or nausea at 6 weeks . . . although overall this is SO worth it! Best of luck to everyone. This is not an easy journey, but by the grace of God, we'll all get through it!

I only lost 16 pounds in my first month after surgery . Is this a normal weight loss? I started at 201 pounds. I'm worried that this my slow down next month. I have not started exercise yet! I did start working again after 10 Days of Surgery its been a Struggle with lots of emotions. Just reaching out for advice. Thank you !

The less you weigh, the slower the weight loss. The one downside of being a lightweight

I find it so I interesting that some continue to lose with increased calories. I guess I MIGHT have continued to lose if I had continued exactly as I was when I reached goal but added back so W additional carbs and weight loss stopped. And also so weird to me that at younger ages, more calories are consumed and weight loss occurs. If I, at age 60, were to eat that many I truly would gain. Smh!!!

I am still losing about two-three pounds a month. I'm pretty dang small/petite so I'm looking for input from you all about how you arrived at goal? Did your body just stop losing? Did you make an effort to increase calories? I've always said my body will decide. I didn't have a personal goal weight. My surgeon's goal was 170. I'm 140 and 5'2". Size small/x-small and 4 jeans. I work out 5 days a week 60-75 minutes. How I eat and exercise all feels very comfortable and easy to me. I like my lifestyle. It feels healthy and balanced. If I want to go for insurance to cover PS, I have to be stable weight for 6 months! I must be close. If your weight loss slowed down like mine, how long before you stopped losing and found that bounce?

@Apple203 LOL. Nice! Funny, it's now solidly 70/30! Soooooo folks, it will be interesting! I saw the surgeon yesterday. I'm definitely going to have the RNY! Woot! And I was 40.4 BMI Let me tell you, you canNOT out-engineer the scale. LOL. I knew I was under threshold at 232.6 and 5'4" (nekkid that morning, after peeing and pooping). So I wore my heaviest clothes (pants, very thick long sleeved shirt, jacket), had a full bladder (pounded down a 20fl oz water) and had a jacket on. On my scale I weighed in at 235.6lbs. I was thinking, "OK, I got this. Cool. I'd weighed 236.2lbs on her scale the last time." Well, drumroll please...I'm such a fool! I was thinking the BMI would be higher because the scale weight is higher...and remember, the insurance goes by BMI. Bahahahahahaha! Ridiculous. I weighed 237.2lbs on her scale. I was like, "Well, crap!! Lemme peel my jacket off!" Then I was down to 235.1lbs. At least I showed a loss from the last visit. I was this close to asking if I could go pee like a racehorse--but I didn't. *snic* And damn if the scale doesn't show up the 235.1 with? You guessed it...a BMI of 40.2 or 40.1 or 40.4--something like that. So yeah. There's that. But, she said that she wanted to go ahead and submit me for insurance approval. She's pretty sure they'll give the ok based on 35BMI, but would feel better about me still being at 40BMI at submission. So now. We wait. If I were a betting girl, and I think I am...I'm betting that I will be having surgery sometime like the week after Thanksgiving or first week of December. She wants me to go ahead and get the party started sooner rather than later. My BP was like 159/96 in her office--even on 3 BP meds. Oh, and this morning? I'm 232.8lbs...nekkid, after peeing (ham on the side )

April marks my 5th month of a 6 month medically monitored weight loss plan that was required by surgery. I’ve done everything else that the surgeon required and now I’m just waiting. I’m starting to get nervous about whether or not my insurance will approve me for the surgery...or that I will have gained weight and not be able to get approved for the surgery. According to my PCP and my surgeon, I meet all of the requirements for the surgery and I’m down 7lbs. from my starting weight but I’m struggling to lose anymore. I can’t seem to help stressing out about it all. What do you do to get out of your own head and not stress? Any words of encouragement are welcome!

I have a friend who was just certified to be a life coach (or health coach -- I don't remember which). But she specialized in weight loss. I had thought about going to her to help me out before I decided on WLS. Now, I think if I seek out that type of service I would go with someone who specialized in working with WLS clients. I would be willing to pay $100 or so for an hour's consultation maybe once a week for 3-4 weeks. I would want to talk about fitness, nutrition and the emotions I'm going through. Talk about the food challenges I'm having and some strategies to overcome that. Talk about what I'm doing for fitness, how that's working and if I need to change anything up. Talk about struggles I'm having emotionally -- emotional eating, boredom eating, strategies for eating healthier while running around, etc. I would be less interested in cooking classes or recipes, etc., because I feel like I can get enough general information from books and such. If you're considering doing this in person (not over the phone or over the internet counseling) I would expect to get local recommendations -- like maybe local cooking classes or nutrition seminars, maybe bike/walking groups in the area, some things like that. I hope this gives you some of the info you're looking for.

Hi, as everyone else, I too have hit a plateau. Surgery was 6/29. I'm 2weeks 1 day and down 15 lbs. Keep fluctuating up and down but staying around the same weight. Sticking to the 4 oz per each meal, no snacking nothing. I tolerate everything. No problems. It almost messes with my mind, makes me feel like the surgery wasn't done. I was expecting it to be more difficult. Makes me wish I could just see my insides to know it was done. I guess waiting for the fail to start. To hopefully jump start the weight loss again I did join the gym today. Will start a workout tomorrow! Wish me luck!

When I started the 6 month diet process, exercise was a four letter word. I couldn't do a lot. Walking was a chore. I started at 338 (my highest weight was 354). Following the doctor supervised weight loss plan (about 1200 calories a day) & joined the Y. I could barely do Water aerobics when I started & only 3 minutes on the elliptical. I wouldn't have ran if I was chased by a masked man with a butcher knife. During that 6 months, I lost 50 pounds! On May 18th, my surgery weight was 288. I walked the halls every time I had to pee, which thanks to my IV, was once an hour. My doctor cleared me to go back to the gym at 7 weeks post op. I was shocked at how fatigued I felt & that I had to start all over. I was at the gym for 2 hours the day before my surgery. But it didn't take me nearly as long to get back up to speed. I'm now 11 months out & down 143 pounds total. Ive bounced up & down from 195-205 for THREE months. The scale seems like its going to start moving again soon! I'm 195 pounds right now, from a size 30/32 tops & jeans to a size MD/LG & 11/12 jeans. . I'm 5'7. My goal weight is 160. I'm having a corset trunkplasty on May 28th which is estimated to take off 15-18 pounds of skin & fat in my stomach. The surgeon took a girl similar height & weight loss to mine from a 12/14 to a 6/8 after the surgery. I started saving my taxes & anything I could scrimp together when I started this whole process cause I knew I was going to have stomach skin issues. Now I can hit the elliptical for an hour to an hour & a half at a time. I lift weight, low weight lots of repetition to sculpt & not bulk. I can RUN! On purpose! I can run a straight 11 minute mile, walk 3 minutes, run another mile, walk 3 more, run again. That's 3 miles baby! I'm training for my first 5K. I plan to run the entire thing. I love Zumba & spinning and can do the entire 1 hour class without issues. This has been the hardest change I've ever made but so worth it! Good luck to all you newbies, you CAN do this! (If curious about my exercise or food at a year out, feel free to add me on MyFitnessPal, my diary is open. User name: KristieAtkinson) Kristie

I'm not all that happy, but I was ready for less weight loss during the mushy phase. I saw my nutritionist today-lost 1 pound in the last week and a half!!! argh! Two weeks post surgery I had lost 10! Iknow not to be frustrated, and I go in for my first fill tomorrow, so..I posted earlier that I had been feeling hungrier, and as if I can eat more now. I'veread So many posts like this, I really shouldn't be even writing this, but I just needed to vent, y'all! Upping my Water and Protein should help-at least I didn''t gain, right? I'll try and remain positive!..