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Yes I was getting really into pilates and getting really strong, then I herneated 2 disks in my lumbar spine. Still suffering from it although it is getting better. I'm still not sure if the exercise had anything to do with the back injury. It's been since June and I have lost a lot of the muscle tone that I had gained. It's a bummer.

When I started thinking about wls I started wanting the lap band. I visited with 2 doctors and with the amount of weight I needed to loose they both said they would not do the lap band for me. I then started researching about the sleeve and thought my doctor knew what was best for me. I have to say there was a lot of issues with the lap band that I was starting to hear about. slippage and erosion. That kind of turned me off because I had heard a lot of people getting a revision years after lap band. So I went ahead with my surgeons direction and I could not be happier.

I chose the sleeve because I wanted to keep as much of the natural digestion process in place & avoid the malabsorption issues I heard can happen with bypass. I didn't want the band inside me with the need for adjustments and fills, and the risk of slipping. I don't really have a firm final goal number in mind yet, but I've lost about 60% of my excess weight in 6 months (if I end up around 175-180, that is) and I'm pretty happy with that.

Hello Girls, I am also in my early 20's and feeling so frustrated! I reciently just got married and I have yo-yod for years! I will force myself onto chicken and rice and nothing that tastes "good" and kick my butt at the gym to lose weight sure but then as soon as i slip up and suddenly i am eating "normally" I gain all of my weight back plus some. I had a belief that i would be able to have the will power to lose my weight if i just pushed myself for my wedding... well i did i pushed and i lost weight and then the month before the wedding i was so stressed i ate and BAM! all my hard work was back on plus some. I am in the begining stages of this lap band thing. I just signed up for the forum today because i feel like i need some support from people who are in the same boat. I am young i dont have kids but im terrified that if i couldnt keep myself healthy for my own wedding what is ever going to motivate me enough and now I am ready to accept that i need help. I have done the trainers the diets and none of it works for long. I am willing to do the work! i just feel like i need a head start just a boost to help me stay on track and keep it going. I dont want to get baby weight in a few years and feel even more trapped in my own body than i do now. I seem to be rambiling but it just feels nice to be able to talk to some people in the same situation. most everyone i have found is older. I hope someone has something that help me make this a little easier. Thanks so much ELise

Hi, congratulations on making a decision to have weight loss surgery. When you meet with your doctor, they will examine you and ask you what surgery you are thinking about and then give you their opinion of what surgery they believe is the best surgery for you. I am a revision patient from a lap band to the sleeve. I had my band in July '07. At that time the band was the only surgery I qualified for at a BMI of 35. By lap band standards I was a success because I lost 50% of my excess weight loss. I never found the "sweet spot". I wound up having my band overfilled to get restriction. In the beginning my doctor did not have the equipment to do fluoroscopy to see if it was too tight. This resulted in me throwing up a lot due to tightness. I also started to eat more slider foods, which don't fill you up, because I knew I could tolerate them. I then began to have major heartburn and was on prescription medicines for them for over three years. I was in graduate school and working full time so didn't have time to give this the attention it needed. When I saw my lapband doctor, he told me that my band was in the proper position etc. Earlier this year, I asked him about a different surgery, and he referred me to my sleeve surgeon. My sleeve surgeon performed an EGD and found my band had prolapsed. Additional tests revealed it was causing problems with how my esophagus was functioning. Since I have had my sleeve. I have had no heartburn. I am 7 weeks out from having my band removed and the sleeve performed. I feel so much better now. I have not thrown up since my surgery and have not encountered any food which I am allowed that has not agreed with me.

Well, I don't know what you are eating but a lot of people advise, if your calories are below 1000 in a day to increase your calories up to 1200 - 1300. A lot of people have luck doing that. Too few calories your body tries to reserve. I know you don't have much time for exercise but If I don't exercise, I don't lose weight. Good luck!

Hello all! I've been banded for 26 months now but i've only lost 26kgs/57.2 lbs on the 1st year and on the second year i just stopped losing. I had a big change in my life(moved from my home country to another) so i kinda went into a depression and ate alot of junk food hehe. I even gained 6 kgs/13.2 lbs, but if i didn't have the lap-band i'm sure i would have gained 20 kgs/44 lbs or so. Anyway i just decided to post because after i found these forums i became so inspired again. I am finally eating right and doing exercise 5 times a week. So i'd like to thank everyone here for being such a great inspiration. *bows* :clap2: Now i need to lose those 6 kgs/13.2 lbs and keep going!

Hi b. No, I did not have to have it supervised nor documented, just a historical of different weight loss attempts. Hang in there. Once you realize the end is near, the adrenaline will kick in and you will be on the road to a better lifestyle. Things happen for a reason (I truly believe that) - so maybe the time you are spending for the supervised weight loss will be the time needed for something else to take place in your life... I see doc tomorrow and anesthesiologist at hospital to go over last minute prep.

Hi, I am trying to find a doctor in the jacksonville/orange park area that is all for weight loss surgery. Do you have any docs in mind to get referred for weight loss surgery. I have gerds, urinary incontinence, high blood pressure, bad cholesterol, etc. I have an exclusion in my insurance through wal-mart we have aetna choice pos II. I hear that if it is medically ness. then aetna could pick up what's called a rider to pay for it. Now I need to find out who would make this decision through wal-mart to tell aetna to pay for it. Wish me luck!:confused:

I like Dr Vickie Prince in Mandarin. I'm not so crazy about her PA, although she is ok for routine things. Dr Prince was very supportive of me and my weight loss attempts, I really appreciated that. She did more than say "you need to lose weight". She helped me with plans to accomplish that goal.. Lisa

I have had several people that I don't see on a regular basis mention that it looks like I've lost some weight. One actually said "wow Jenn how much weight have you lost?" My daughter who sees me every single day said that she can see a difference in my also. She said "your belly looks smaller" lol. When I look in the mirror I still see the same face, the same belly and butt. I think it's more in my mind's eye and how I interpret it though. I was way off track for way too long and two weeks ago decided it was time to get my head right and go back to doing what I know how to do. I have lost 11 pounds and I am more committed than ever. Hearing that I actually look like I've lost weight was an even bigger motivator! Just give yourself time, do what your dr. tells you to do and you'll do amazing! Good luck on your journey!

Rowdee, congrats on the weight loss! If there is one thing i've learned within this group the last 3 months, it's that no one loses at the same rate, eats the same foods or the same amounts or exercises the same. That makes it very hard to compare your loss with anyone else. But you are losing and that's YOUR goal. Set up some goals for yourself, both big & small, and then accomplish them on your own pace. Do not worry about how you stack up to the rest of us. Keep up the great work, get your exercise in and keep making healthy choices!! Best of luck with your journey.

You don't say how much you lost- but whatever it is is great. The first few weeks are for healing, not weight loss. Follow your docs. instructions as far as your intake. Measuring your food and journaling what you eat may help you in eating the correct amount. Excersise is also great, increases your metabolism so you burn more calories all day long. Good luck!

I wouldn't worry about the gain right now. I am sure it is just water gain or it has something to do with your body adjusting to all the changes. Just make sure you are getting in your protein and fluids. That is most important at first. I wish you the best!

I just had my sleeve surgery on the 22nd. I have to agree that it was a rough time to have surgery as I mourned the loss of a turkey feast Thanksgiving day... HOWEVER, it was one day and has now passed. I'm still on full liquids, which is getting old but I've only got 4 more days before the puréed part starts. My highest pre op weight was 288 and this morning, 263.6. I'm still feeling a wee bit weak but post op pain is minimal now. I have another week off before going back to work. My sweet husband has done the diet part right along side me so I wouldn't struggle doing it otherwise. As difficult as the beginning part has been, the journey so far has been amazing and we both look forward to a life changing year! I feel incredibly grateful to live in a time where medical advances provide the tools and opportunity for a longer, healthier life, rather than to succumb to the health problems of morbid obesity all too early in life. Lots to look forward to!!?

It is completely out of a nutritionist's scope of practice to form a professional opinion regarding the suitability of a particular procedure. What you are receiving from her is purely a personal opinion---and you will get many of those from people who are equally as unqualified to give them. Put it in perspective. She has a personal bias; she does not have the professional expertise to form a professional opinion regarding whether surgery is appropriate. Her role is to impart the information you will require in order to be successful with loss once your banded. That's it. Ideally, she should be on the same page as the physician who referred you to her. She should provide information that supports the stated goal--which is eating/weight loss success with an adjustable gastric band. It sounds as though you just got a vibe from her. Even if she didn't actively discourage surgery, I think this is worth mentioning to the surgeon who referred you.

Oh - I think they notice, how could they not? They just don't think your weight is the most important thing about you. Obviously you are incredible and your weight never was part of "who you were/are" Congrats on your weight loss thus far!

I agree with pookey, myfitnesspal is a godsend for me. It makes me accountable for everything I eat and water intake and exercise. Sure, I have days where I dont exercise enough , have enough water etc but it helps me get back on track. You are doing great just mix it up a bit and I bet the weight loss kicks back in soon. Best of luck to you.

I am two weeks post op and am very hungry. We are on vacation at the beach and I have four kids to still cook for plus hubby. I am now eating solid food really chewed up. Is this o.k.? I feel that I am cheating and will not lose weight. I haven't been on a scale in five days so I do'tknow is I have lost or not. Should I stop eating normal food chewed really well. I am only two weeks post op. I shouldn't be filled for 4 more weeks. What do I do. I feel fine, except that I am cheating myself. Help. Is this normal to eat so much mushie food? Thanks, Buffy

Aloha Brenda.....I am also 5'3" and was 223 lbs when I was sleeved on Oct 25. At 7 weeks out I had lost 22 lbs and was THRILLED. Think about that.....when was the last time you lost 22 lbs in less than 2 months? And even though you have stalled, it happens to a lot of us and it will start coming off again. Honest. You won't be gaining it back, I'll tell you that. And every day you will get a little stronger in the exercise department. I honestly didn't exercise for 4 months after the surgery because I was traveling through Europe! So I was walking, but not doing anything aerobic. Now, 7 months post op, I have lost 70 lbs, and I run / walk on the treadmill every day and I do my strength training exercises faithfully. I love exercising now because it's so much easier. So it will all come in good time. The advice the others have given you is great advice; we all have to learn what works for us. But since we are the same height and same starting weight almost, take a look at some of the photos on my blog (link below) and hopefully you will be inspired........I think I look like a completely different person. I'm sure I'm a lot older than you, but you'll get an idea. Good luck and keep us posted.....I have a feeling in a week or two you'll see some nice steady progress. BTW, I have been losing a lb a week for about the last 2 months and am SO happy with that because I don't have lose skin issues that you can have with fast weight loss.

Hi!!I am a 34 yr old SAHM of two toddlers!! I am at 301 lbs. I have been over 100 lbs over weight for about 15 yrs now. I have pcos, hypothyroid, fibromyalgia, anterior knee syndrome, bulging discs, degenerative disc disease, heel spurs, etc. I have flip-flopped several times between gastric bypass and lap band. I was told by a surgeon that with pcos and hypothyroid, i would have a hard time losing with the lap band. But the bypass seems very scary to me. I know I will have to work with my band and I'm very willing to do that. I am so excited about starting a new life. I am way too young to feel the way I do. My DH started a new job in jan and new insurance starts May 1. We just found out that his company has an exclusion for WLS in their policy!! Now I'm planning on going to Puerto Vallarta to see Dr Joya. Anyone have any experience with him? I hope I am making the right decision!! I look forward to learning from all of you and sharing this exciting journey!!!:wave:

I have been more amazed with the inches lost than the weight itself, I've always been more about the size anyways, knowing I tend to look smaller than what I weigh Anyways, in 6 months I have lost 81 inches. I about fell over when I took the last measurments LOL!

Over -52inches, and like you Irene, I didn't measure from my highest weight. Oh well, it is sure impressive to see the amount of inches we lose as we lose weight!

I also posted this on the Pos-Op board, but I thought I should share it with my December friends, too. :biggrin: It's been two weeks since my surgery, and I have updates. I lost 20 pounds on my 2 week pre-op diet, and since then I've lost 14 pounds more. I've been absolutely fanatical about following all the rules of each stage of the diet. I want to succeed, and I especially don't want complications (slips, erosions, etc.) I know sometimes that's unavoidable, but at least I won't have any guilt if it happens. liquid Phase: After reading on these boards that many people gain weight before their first fill, I was deeply concerned that I would lose my progress. So on my liquid phase, after the first few days where I could only get down broth and tea, I stuck pretty much to my pre-op diet, not eating the vegetables of course, but adding in more Protein shakes, for a total of 800-1200 calories a day. I did not drink diluted juice even though it was "permitted," sticking instead to Protein Shakes and, two times, fat-free milk. Mushy Phase: I knew from reading these boards that a major pitfall for many bandsters is the mushy phase. Being that we're hungry and mushies go down easily, the calories can easily add up - many people understandably gain weight during this stage. I didn't want that to happen, so I was afraid to move forward to mushies - but I knew I should leave the liquid diet behind already. I was trying to solve the problem, when I decided that I could do mushies but I would have to keep track of what I was eating and how much. So, I joined Weight Watchers. Diets never worked for me for very long in the past, but I figured the 3.5 week liquid diet should have shrunk my stomach a bit, and knowing I have a fill coming makes it mentally easier to hang on and not go off plan. Before surgery I didn't think I'd care if I gained a little before my fills, but now I do. I've lost 34 pounds in 4 weeks, and I just don't want to go back. I've been sticking like glue to the plan. I weigh and measure everything before I put it in the food prcessor, and I track it online as soon as I've eaten it. I eat mostly low point foods, but I've also splurged on higher point items - did you know you can process french fries? To make them mushy I mixed in some Soup, which I also have to count points for, but they still tasted like french fries, and were worth every point LOL! I've also pureed pizza with a little extra sauce - it doesn't taste like pizza by the time you add the sauce in, but it was fun. Mostly, though, I stick to low point foods: sugarfree pudding, fatfree yogurt, scrambled egg whites with fatfree salsa (pureed), boiled vegetables (pureed), unsweetened applesauce, etc. I also eat whatever my family is having for supper, measured out and pureed. All in all, I've lost 14 pounds since surgery. Anyway, that's where I'm holding now. I have my first fill next month, and I'm terrified. I hope it won't be too painful! Anyway, that's the update. Good luck to everyone on this journey!

Wow you all are doing GREAT! I am about 50lbs loss... give or take a few.. I dont keep track of my weight that much anymore... overall I am trying my best... I went from a size 32 to a size 28 (I still wear my 32's though) Anyway great to hear from you all.