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Hi not sure if you'd get denied, I guess it all depends on your insurance. My insurance just told me I have to gain weight by the 1st of march because my bmi is under 50 and my insurance will deny me. I have been eating high carbs since last week I'm just hoping I've gained, I really can't tell.

First off can you reschedule it secondly drink lots of water and eat a lot of good foods that will not make you gain weight and maybe take a water pill if you have any I hope you get to have your surgery you should tell your doctor to that's why you're up a little maybe he will take your last weigh-in.

My water weight fluctuates extensively so I was nervous about my last weigh in. Stay away from excessive sodium and hydrate as much as you can! I had protein drinks and minimal carbs 2 days before weigh in and was able to lose 4lbs. I scheduled early in the morning as well to get the lowest weight possible. Good luck!

I kind of knew I would have gained weight since last months weigh in due to me quitting smoking 3 weeks ago....gained 7 lbs. But they did say because I just ate and it was a evening appointment and water retention can be part of those lbs. They scheduled my last 2 appointments for September and October so looks like surgery may be in November

Hello, the consultant at the clinic that I went to is about 5'4" and started at 346, she is now 140. She let me touch the port on her abdomen to see how it felt. If she hadn't shown me where it was I wouldn't have known except for the scar that is there from the incision. I believe she had a tummy tuck but i didn't ask. When I was much thinner 20 years ago and had a baby I was left with sagging skin that will always be there unless I have it fixed. My highest weight at 5"3" was about 190. Hope this helps. Lena

June -July 2005 I research Different Doctors in the US and the fee for this procedure was out of my limit. I have insurance that does not pay this surgery. I then started to check for Doctors in Mexico. August 2005 I found Dr Juan Lopez Corvala TJ Mexico his credential and referral were and the fact that he works with Doctors in the states training them im pressed me. I decided to have the surgery done by him and set up my procedure. On the 11th I went for a full day of testing. and meet with Doctors. I was very impressed with the care that I had and the Doctors and nurses were very good. August 12, 2005 I had surgery done August 14, 2005 I left to come home feeling pretty good. August 21,2005 A suture came lose and my wound started to open this began a long process to heal with lots of wound care and Antibiotic. I had a reaction to the antibioic shop and then had to take cortizone shot to stop the rash which lasted about two weeks. During this time I was still nursing the wound. Because I had the surgery in TJ I was not able to have a fill until the wound healed because the Doctor that I had chosen would not touch it with the would open which set me back two four months. December 17, 2005 I went for my first fill 1cc. I had lost 25lbs since surgery. The Doctor had a hard time finding port. December 23, 2006 I had no retriction from this and went back a month later . When the Doctor pulled back he found no fuild he said I might have a leak he hard a very hard time finding port lots of sticks. He put something else in port that he said would hopefully stop the leak and now I had 2cc Jan. March 13, 2006 I still had no restriction and this Doctor didn't want you to return for two months. I called a two months later March and had lost 5 lbs Doctor didn't want to give me a fill because I had lost weight I had to beg he when he drew back this time he said the fill was there. He place .5 in making me at 2.5 cc in a 10.cm inamed still had a very hard time find port. April-June 2006 I still had no resriction no weight loss. At this time I was very discouraged. So I had decided just to forget the fills for a while. All during this time I could eat almost any and everything I wanted two. I decided in June that I had to find a Doctor that would do fills underf floro. I start researching and found Dr. Hugh Houston that would take pt from TJ Mexico. July 21, 2006 I am now in two July. I contacted his office and setup an appointment. I went for my fill under floro. Doctor Houston was very hard on me and at the end of the consult he as me if he was to hard and I told him no.. He was very nice He just was up set that I went to TJ and had surgery done. I was so scared I was afraid what might me found a port that had fliped or a leak. Well guess what it was neither it was a swollen esphagus. About five times the normal size. What caused it either over eating or During this time I had to have antibioic for a sinus infection and decongession medication. I did have fuild in my port 2.4 now I have 2.8. I was on liquid for the first week and now I am on processed meat. Dr. Houston told me to be very careful and protect on esphagus. July 30, 2006 My diet is Protien shake or Yogurt for Breakfast and 3 oz of protien for luch and Supper around 500 to 700 cal a day. I had gain some weith back not much but I am not finally on down swing and I have restriction.. YEA...........

That dessert probably helped you lose some weight. Look it is not the best choice, but you are going to stop losing if you don't up your calories. The body will protect itself and if you can... up those calories to 1000. Your body needs to eat and use calories to lose. I know it sounds strange but it is fact.... Don't be so hard on yourself. So you ate a little dessert. Don't do it a lot. Once in a while if you find you can handle it. If it becomes a problem and you crave it too much. Then you will have to find other complex carbohydrates to eat. I did not eat for almost 6 months. I had to be taught again to eat. It was not fun...I had complications and so was on a drip. Be happy that you are able to eat. But try to keep the choices as healthy as you can...okay

Hello, Grats on your surgery date. I was banded Jan 18th 2007 in Mexico By Dr Kuri. I have lost 21 lbs so far and just had my first fill March 15th. I love the lap-band life, but the first 4-6 weeks are hell. Just to let ya know, lol. BUT IT IS SO WORTH IT... I feel like a new person. Not just because I'm losing weight, but because I have energy and knowing I have the band encourages me to want to eat healthy and exercise more. It does change you for the better inside and out.... GOOD LUCK!! Jessica 192/171/130

Hi! New to the site! I have been overweight my entire life. I started losing my weight journey in 2001 when my gyn doc put me on Adipex. I took those for about a month or two. Then my primary doc told me to stop taking them because of blood pressure. So I joined this program, LA Weight. Loss about 80lbs. with them spent years spending money with them and said I'll never have WLS! Tried over programs as I moved to and from different states( Quick Weight Loss, WW 3 times, Atkins and South Beach). In 2005, started taking Phentermine again through online Pharmacies along with doing LAWL again. Did that for about a year. Finally stopped and gained all the weight back. So in '06, I decided I need to have GB surgery but how was I going to pay for it. So, in '07 I started going to seminars. Started hearing about LAP BAND and all it's stories and cost. Met people who had it done and heard all there wl stories. So, in '08 had a REALIZE BAND placed at a start weight of 310 lbs. loss only 40lbs. I exercised and did my proteins, everything just couldn't pass 40lbs. Never really controlled hunger. Just made it to where food would get stuck and then I would start having problems. Had several fills and unfills. Over the course of 4 years I started thinking well maybe I could start taking pills again. My doc even put me on a low dose Phentermine for 3 weeks, a tease! I thought we were on to something! His rationale was to jump start my metabolism! Ha! In May of '11 found a job with WLS coverage. I new that my precert would have to start one year from the time of my initial coverage (July) with 6 month (Jan '12-July '12)wl supervision. I had it down to a science. Started seeing my PCP in Jan and joined WW again for the 3rd time. July rolled around I scheduled appt with surgeon. Had a scope done didn't find anything wrong with band, just some gastric irritation below due to H. Pylori bacteria. Put me on a 2 week PrevPac. The bariatric coordinator sent paper work to BCBSof AL. They wanted to see proof of where I paid for band. Took about 2- 3 weeks for approval. Schedule for band removal and RNY on 10/22! Wt now 312lbs!

Food was terrifying at first. Now at nine weeks out, things are iffy. Experimenting with what settles well. Most things don't but I know it will get better. Meanwhile, I am losing weight so no complaints!

I don't know about you, but I chose the sleeve over gastric bypass because I don't want to never be able to eat another piece of birthday cake! Forgive yourself. The fact that you feel guilty about it is a good sign. You wouldn't have cared about it a year ago, so consider the progress you've made. The only problem is now you've seen the danger of being able to eat slider foods. Why can't they just fill us up like chicken does! Why do they go down so easy and why did the whole piece of cake fit in my sleeve! (This is how I feel about popcorn). We should all enjoy birthday cake once in awhile, especially our own. They key is "once in awhile" like normal folks do! Congratulations on your weight loss so far.

3pounds away from goal weight I'm now 139.4 [ATTACH]15477[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]15478[/ATTACH]

Wow, I really need to re-focus. Over the last 3 days I have eaten so much of the stuff that I swore off over 2 months ago. Saturday was my birthday, I turned 37. My wonderful sweet husband took me out for a date day without the kids. The day started out great, I went for a 5 mile walk and then went and had a 90 minute massage. We decided to venture to the city and we were having a great time meandering the streets. My husband decided that he was going to have some ice cream and this is where I fell off the wagon big time. I figured heck its my birthday, one little scoop of ice cream will be ok. I got a scoop of mint choc chip in a cup. About 45 minutes after eating it I started to feel nauseated and then my stomach started to cramp, yup I am thinking that I experienced my first episode of dumping. After relieving myself in the rest room I felt much better. We later went to dinner at a mexican restraunt. I had a chicken enchilada, I pulled the chicken out of the tortia. I felt that I did ok with dinner with the exception of some chips and salsa oh and lets not forget about 1/2 of a strawberry daquri. Later I spent half of the night in the rest room with horrible diarrhea. Humm so did I learn my lesson? Apparently not, because I had a few bites of candy on Easter and I ate cookies today.....not just two cookies but 4! Oh my goodness, it is like I just snapped....I have been so disciplined which has shown in my weight loss (55 pounds in 8 weeks). What in the heck am I doing? Today I just could not control my self, it was like "I have to have sugar or I'm going to die" kind of feeling. I have been doing so good without sugar for 8 weeks, I think that one scoop of ice cream started it all. I am going to try my hardest to get back into my routine tomorrow. I have to control these urges. I also haven't been getting in all of my water like I usually do, and I am certain that I have been no way near my normal amount of protein intake. I am reminding myself of a quote from Susan Maria Leach's Before and After book "Nothing tastes as good as thin feels". I am going to say it over and over again and hopefully it will sink in. At least even though I've been out of control with my eating over the last few days I am still doing my 5 mile walk 4 days a week (I work 12 hour shifts the other 3). Re-focus.....Re-focus! Thanks for listening!

Subject: One year and 85 lbs later The time has come for me to post my long awaited 1st year bandversary entry. What has my band meant to me? I have asked myself this question many times over the last 12 months. I’ve come up with a laundry list of ramblings. Preband – it represented HOPE, Anxiety, and the What if’s of life after WLS Early Post Band – the what the heck did I do? And WHERE THE HELL IS MY RESTRICTION? 1st Fill anticipation – I AM HUNGRY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Where the hell is my restriction???? 2nd Fill anticipation – I am hungry but not AS MUCH or as often 3rd Fill anticipation – Restriction lasts for about 3 weeks 4th Fill anticipation – OK lets clamp this puppy down!!!!!!! 5th Fill anticipation – HOLY CRAP .3 cc’s was too much fill! I am only able to smell foods and sip soup 1’st UNFILL – removal of the .3cc’s was the difference between soup and FOOD……. And is where I’m maintaining at since January 2008. Also…. Getting an unfill and eating real food is what started the scale moving again. Things that have amazed me: I have POWER over my hunger. I have actually FORGOTTEN to eat. I CAN eat without drinking I CAN be full on very little food. Things that I have realized about myself: Restriction Wise I swell (get tighter) when I’m on my period or when I’m stressed I am tighter in the mornings and more open in the evenings. Foods that worked last week, might not work so well this week. I can raise my hands and do a little shimmy to pop up a stuck item of food Things that I have realized about myself: Non band I am a stress and emotional eater. I crave sweets around my cycle I am pretty happy and comfy in a size 12 It scares me to HOPE for a size 8 or 10 (because it is unknown to me) If I COULD eat pizza…….. I WOULD, so keeping a decent amount of fill is what is needed for ME not to be able to. Dairy Queen has become my go to place for stress eating (and this is NOT a good thing) Things that I had to overcome once banded: Realizing that you don’t HAVE to eat multiple plates of food at a buffet in order to “get your money’s worth” Realizing that people REALLY aren’t LOOKING at how much or how little you eat! Realizing that you CAN keep your band a secret if you want! Realizing that fast food joints don’t really offer much choice, Its cheaper to order an appetizer or alacarte, or split a meal with my 4 year old. Being banded is NOT rocket science, and for me it has worked well because I knew going in that FOR ME and MY GOALS I needed to be in diet mode, and truth be told the scale moves when I am IN MOTIVATED DIET MODE. It stalls when I Go to dairy queen for a small blizzard… but I don’t gain I chose the band for its adjustability and the hopes that I will for once in my life MAINTAIN a loss! Would I do it again? In a heartbeat Will I be rebanded if needed in the future? In HALF a heartbeat! My band has really given me the power over my appetite and that is priceless. Journey with me as I enter YEAR TWO of my Banding Experience

I'm all set for April 2nd and ready to learn as much as I can from everyone here! I have so many questions, I don't even know where to start. Just wanted to post how exciting this is for me. Feel like I'm finally taking control. 43 days and counting. j~ How do I attach the weight tracker on here?

Hello Everyone, Having sleeve surgery next Tuesday the 26th in Ypsilanti, Michigan. Dr. Schram is my surgeon. I have read until I'm dizzy and have watched the Youtube videos over and over. I think I'm ready and there is no way I could be without all of this help. Thanks so much. My stats are as follows: 6 ft 2 in, 337 lbs, 52 years old, Male, 8 kids and a grandchild due any day. I want to keep muscle and end up weighing about 220. Here are my questions: Once I am healed up how much Protein do you think I will need each day to keep muscle and not lose too much weight? I like to work out and will the rest of my life and don't want to get frail looking. Second question: My daughter works for a company who makes Protein drinks. Looks like pretty good stuff. Only 1 gram of sugar but 21 grams of carbs. Does that sound right? Last question, for today, I have read a lot of stories about bad gas pain right after surgery lasting for quite awhile. From my research it looks like that type of bad situation is rare and most people walk off mild gas shortly after surgery. Is this true for most of you? Again, thanks for all of your help.

Once I am healed up how much Protein do you think I will need each day to keep muscle and not lose too much weight? I like to work out and will the rest of my life and don't want to get frail looking. I was told to get a minimum of 60g of protein and to shoot for 70g. It took me 5 weeks post op to be able to get in more than 60g. Second question: My daughter works for a company who makes protein drinks. Looks like pretty good stuff. Only 1 gram of sugar but 21 grams of carbs. Does that sound right? That sounds pretty high in carbs to me. I would look for something lower in carbs because many of us are told to keep the carbs low during weight loss. Last question, for today, I have read a lot of stories about bad gas pain right after surgery lasting for quite awhile. From my research it looks like that type of bad situation is rare and most people walk off mild gas shortly after surgery. Is this true for most of you? Gas pain was horrible for me right after surgery. Walking did seem to help it but the pain was pretty strong for a few days. After that, I still had some gas pains off and on, but it was manageable. Good luck to you!

I have lost from 229 to 163lbs. and can't seem to lose anymore weight. When I went in Jan the doctor said it was too tight and that my pouch was a little dilated and he removed 1/2 cc of fluid. I am due to go back in a few weeks for a recheck with a different doctor(insurance changed). Any suggestions to increase weight loss?

Elevated CRPs are associated with increased of heart attacks. So they're not good obviously. But I also have read a lot of stuff that suggests that if your body is inflamed, it is almost impossible to lose weight. First you have to calm the inflammation, and only then can you start to lose weight. Your sleeve will do wonders for your body I suspect.

Hi KatsenD. Some people are really rude. It sounds like your cousin is insecure about themself and has to put the focus on some one else-You. Good luck with your surgery. You won't regret having it done. (Especially when the weight starts to come off and they start to notice the difference). saleel22

Hi and Welcome! This is a great community and people here are very helpful and genuine in their efforts to educate the newly sleeved and those who are contemplating sleeve. I know you'll enjoy getting to know more about VSG. I was sleeved just 4 months ago. I used to drink Optifast in my pre-op diet. Dont like the vanilla flavor, but I think the chocolate is okay. I like the Vanilla better with a half tsp of coffee blended with cold milk. I dont take the Protein shakes with Water -- I always use cold milk. I used Optifast because it was a more balanced Meal Replacement for me and it had 19 to 20g protein in one serving (46g). Wishing you a safe surgery, speedy recovery and awesome weight loss!!!

I love NORMAL too. I always told my sister, who has always been a normal weight and size, that I couldn't wait to be NORMAL too. I couldn't give her enough examples of the things she takes for granted that I am just now experiencing. Yeah for NORMALCY !

I don't think you can OD on yogurt. Lol. If that's what tastes good right now, why not? I don't think that you have to worry. Sooner or later you're likely to get tired of yogurt and move on to other things. As long as you're getting all of the nutrition (Protein, Vitamins, etc.) that your doctor recommends, you're doing great. Congratulations on your weight loss!!

I've been thinking about signing up for Weight Watchers or Nutrisystem, just so I can get the small food portions.

My has me at 800-1000 cal per day. I struggle geeting 800, usually more around 650 Preop weight 389 current weight 333 lost to date 56lbs rny 6/11/13