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Hi BD2SD, and welcome aboard. I haven't been sleeved yet but like you I believe it is the surgery for me. My sister and I toyed with the Lap Band but after the seminar...nah! I'm not from Central NJ but Philly isn't that far away. Besides, there are so many wonderful people on this site, I'm sure you'll connect with someone from your area in a very similar situation. Congrats on the weight loss so far. Keep up the good work and I look forward to reading your progress. Be well. Niki

For Dr. Umbach, you can go to Lap Band Las Vegas - Gastric Bypass Nevada - Weight Loss Surgery to get additional information. I met Dr. Umbach through Medical Tourism and was quoted $10,900 for the procedure which included pretty much everything except flight costs, pre-op testing and pysch eval (insurance covered these) and my nutritional counseling. Worth every penny to me! Sorry - I don't know more on other doctors in Vegas, but other may chime in.

Thanks amazing right! I'm a complete different person. Half my size extremely thin hair but haven't visit the salon lately.

I agree too You need to keep a food, Water and exercise log to keep yourself accountable. All of these can be tracked on my fitness pal AND it is free. Over time you will realize that your band is a tool and not magic. Everyday I wake up and I have no idea what my band may bring. It could be so tight I can barely keep liquids down or so loose I feel I could just eat the house down. Just remember the band restricts food going into your stomach and not the thoughts that go into your brain. I have had my band for 9 years and it took about 2 years for me to recognize that the food was not at fault.... I was. It was the choices, quality and quantity of these foods I put into my body. Do not get frustrated with yourself or the band. Every banded person has there own journey so do not compare yours to anyone else. A twenty pound loss is exactly that a twenty pound loss.... congratulations Keep everything in your life as positive as you can, look forward and not backward and you will be amazed at how strong, powerful and awesome you truly are. You got this!!!

Yeah weight loss will help PCOS but not cure it, but the differences are like night and day. My only problem with pcos is the 5o'clock shadow and dark spots on skin on armpits, I'm lucky enough to not have anything else and I'm not diabetic nor do I take metaformin anymore. I have successfully had a baby without help tho and that's after being told pcos would make me infertile - guess what doc - got that wrong lol. Surgery in 20 days so looking forward to never having to wax my chin again!

I am 7 days post op and with pre op weight loss combined, I have lost 24.5 pounds from a strict liquid diet. I was reading ahead in the instruction manual and learned I have 3 more weeks of liquids before I can even have puréed foods! I feel like I've been duped by the program. Of course I'm still healing and maybe I'm just freaking hangry, but who wouldn't lose a lot of weight when you're on a strict liquid diet for basically 5-6 weeks? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

You might also keep using protein shakes to get your protein requirements, and high protein yogurts. If you don't keep up the protein levels, you will lose muscle, and more hair. Also our bodies use starches first before it burns our body fat, but it is not the same process as when you eat dense protein, your body uses the stored fat for fuel, you become fat adapted instead of running on glucose. And that is what corrects insulin resistance, we correct our metabolisms and hormones.

In short, yes! I follow the guidelines I was given. Very strictly at first. Now at nearly two years out and at goal not as strictly, but still within my maintenance calories. That doesn’t mean I didn’t ever “slip” but it was rare during weight loss phase. I figured I did something drastic, went through a major surgery and I wasn’t going to mess it up. I’d suggest tracking what you eat vigilantly, making an appointment to see your nutritionist to review your plan and come up with options that work for you, and consider therapy. Come here often for support! Best of luck to you ❤️

I started July 2016 , my surgery date is Feb 13. (Tomorrow). My insurance and program required 6 month weight loss and hitting target weight before surgery.

I am having surgery on April 2nd at the Florence/Oasis of Hope, with Dr. Fernando Garcia. I am 44 and have battled with my weight all my adult life, I swear I can hear my moms voice saying you better not eat chocolate cake and chocolate milk for Breakfast it will catch up with you... all the while being a size 6.... fast forward 10 years and it caught up with me and then started multiplying. I now am battling degenerative arthritis and a torn meniscus, 7 years I have been told nothing is wrong with me all the while it getting worse and my ability to keep active dimensioning. I am now so out of shape and in so much pain that I have been taking anti depressants just because the pain finally got to my normal up beat attitude. After 8 months with this orthopedic doctor he was able to do an MRI and he was able to diagnose me!! I thought yeah now they will fix it and I can get moving and lose some weight, the next thing he said is if you want replacement surgery you will need to lose weight.... I lost MY MIND!! WHY would you not have discussed this during all the shots the draining and the pain I am enduring to now tell me that I will have to continue to fight a fight that I already struggle with when healthy and who knows how long it will take me to lose enough weight... That was last month... I have now made the decision to go forward with the weight loss surgery, I had been pre approved before but switched jobs and states before I was able to jump through all the hoops to get it done, I have had psych test and nutrition classes so I do believe that I am prepared that way. Mentally I can't WAIT!! I am getting married Sept 16, 2016 and I WILL dance at my wedding!! I have a wonderful supportive man that loves me how I am and only wants me healthy and happy. Please let me know your experience and if you have any regrets. I will be returning to work ASAP but it is an office job so from what I have read I think I will be ok...

I just posted this new weight loss surgery magazine article on the new Gastric Balloon: The gastric balloon is a newer approach to weight loss. It is an alternative to Weight Loss Surgery for obese patients whose BMI’s may be too low to qualify them for Weight Loss Surgery. It can also be an option for you if you do not want surgery because of its risks or because you want a completely irreversible treatment. How It Works The gastric balloon is placed in your stomach to partially fill it. This helps make you feel full so you are inclined to eat less and lose weight. The program depends on your readiness to make changes in your eating behaviors, and you are likely to be more successful if your doctor works closely with you during the time you have the balloon inflated to establish healthier nutritional habits. Like weight loss surgery, the gastric balloon is a tool for weight loss that depends on behavior change. Patients are supposed to have nutritional counseling and learn new eating habits during the months they have the balloon in place. Orbera also promotes establishing a sustainable exercise routine, managing your appetite, and learning how to keep yourself motivated. The Procedures for Implanting and Removing the Balloon It usually takes less than 30 minutes to get a gastric balloon implanted. The procedure is endoscopic, not surgical. You receive an anesthetic for your throat, and then swallow a deflated balloon attached to a catheter or small tube. The surgeon places the balloon using endoscopic instruments, such as a probe with a camera, and then inflates the catheter with saline solution or air. You can go home within hours after your balloon is filled. For 1 to 3 days, you follow a liquid or soft foods diet. You may have multiple balloons inserted over the course of your treatment. For example, Obalon’s 12-week program includes up to three balloons, each with a size of 250 cc (about 1 cup), for a possible total of 750 cc. Other company’s balloons may be larger, such as 400 cc. To remove the balloon, the surgeon gives you a sedative. The process takes only a few minutes, and you will be sedated for only about 30 minutes. Differences from Weight Loss Surgery In general, the gastric balloon is an obesity treatment designed for lower-BMI patients than weight loss surgery. In general, you are eligible for the gastric balloon starting at a BMI of 27. In contrast, health insurance plans that include weight loss surgery set eligibility for reimbursement at a BMI of 40, or a BMI of 35 with an obesity-related comorbidity, such as type 2 diabetes or hypertension. A BMI of 27 is not even considered “obese,” but rather categorizes you as “overweight.” Unlike Weight Loss Surgery, the gastric balloon is not intended to be permanent. The Orbera intragastric balloon can be used for up to 6 months, while the ReShape Duo may be used for up to 12 months. Manufacturers of the gastric balloon claim it can help you lose about 10 to 15 kg (20 to 35 lbs), at the rate of about 1 kg (2 lbs) per week. In comparison, Weight Loss Surgery patients may lose about 80 to 100 lbs. (35 to 45 kg) in their first year after surgery, which is also a rate of about 1 kg/week. They have continued effects of the surgery (e.g., restriction from a smaller pouch/sleeve) after that time, since surgery is permanent. Effectiveness and Safety The gastric balloon can help you lose weight at a steady rate for the months or year you have it in place. It can also help encourage you to establish healthy eating patterns. Some research studies have also found reductions in visceral (or abdominal or belly) fat (that’s the unhealthiest kind of body fat). Patients who are most compliant and lose the most weight are also likely to see improvements in type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and fatty liver. The gastric balloon has fewer risks than surgery. It can lead to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Nausea and vomiting are among the more common side effects. Pregnant women, individuals with psychological disorders, and individuals who are misusing drugs should not get a gastric balloon. A Few Different Versions Multiple companies make versions of the gastric balloon. For example, Apollo Endosurgery, makers of the lap-band, make the Orbera gastric balloon. Obalon sells its gastric balloon in Europe and Mexico. A smaller medical device manufacturing company, ReShape Medical, makes the Reshape Duo balloon, which was approved by the FDA yesterday!

Congrats! You look fantastic! All your hard work has sure paid off! It's such an inspiration to see stories like this. It keeps me working hard towards my own 100 pound loss mark! I think a lot of us can't imagine losing 100 pounds, but you showed us it's possible. You look so happy and that makes all of the hard days worth it! Congrats!!!!

OK, I have learned a new lesson in this journey. The first couple of months, no one really noticed my weight loss until I hit the 45 pounds lost mark (about 3 months out), then all of a sudden everyone was noticing, complimenting, pointing and gasping! Tomorrow will be my 5 month surgiversary, I've had an easy journey with no pain, sickness, nausea and I'm already 10 pounds away from my ultimate goal. Great news, right? I have realized that being thin doesn't equate happiness. Now, people are used to seeing me at this weight and I don't get the constant compliments as I did before. I'm finding myself slipping back into old negative thoughts, old habits and such. I didn't get my mind right............along with my body. I thought if I lost the weight, my smile and inner happiness would miraculously come along with it. But I still have this "fat girl" mind inside the thin body. I am such a blessed person, but how do I turn this around and turn the negatives in my life into a positive? I can't afford regular counseling..... does anyone know of a great book that helps?

Hi there. So I was banded almost two weeks ago and I have to say that I am pretty happy with my weight loss. The last time I checked I was down 21 lbs. Which is great! However, ever since the surgery I have been gettin severe stabbing pain at the port area and no matter what it wont stop. At first it was a stabbing pain, but now it alternates between that and well to describe it being elbowed in the boob times 10 but at the port site. I called my surgeon and went to the ER as instructed. They did a CT scan and blood work and didnt find anything. After I got to deal with the jerk doctor there who told me none of the surgeons would want to touch me and lectured me on the band and its "horror stories" he sent me home with vicoden. That doesnt help. I am a student and I drive to school so I can't be on them when I do. Thats 8 hours of pain. Has anyone else gone through this? The band feels fine. I dont even notice it. Its the PORT that I want to cry over. Any suggestions? Thanks :confused:

Thank you all for answering my question about the chiropractor, I feel much better knowing that I can still get my adjustments when needed. I will probably wait 6 weeks like most of you have indicated and with any luck some weight loss will help the situation. I hope to be a bandster soon :tongue2:

I was getting adjustments every 5-6 weeks pre-surgery. I am approaching 4 weeks post-op, and haven't had an adjustment yet, just due to my port area still being a little tender. I think I am going to wait another 2 weeks, and start up with my adjustments at 6 weeks post-op. BTW - since my surgery I have lost 18 pounds, and feel the strain on my neck and lower back has slightly improved. I wonder if it could be from the weight loss?

My doc stresses Protein (my doc does 1 week of some allowed carbs for some volume, then cuts them out again) and exercise. Just follow your doctors orders and the plan he gives you. I just started mushies today too and I'm expecting the weight loss to slow some but I'm still eating such small portions, I can't imagine gaining. Let's hope!

It's wise that you are weighing all of your options but is there a solid reason why you think you will lose your insurance? If you know for a fact there is a high risk of you losing it, I'd go for the sleeve. I do love my band but I do know that the cost of fills and unfills along with the necessary routine visits to the doctor can get pretty pricey pretty quickly. If you're just thinking what if what if with no real reason as to why you'd lose your insurance, go for the band. You generally don't need that many fills a few months out and if you do it's a fill/unfill here and there as your band adjusts due to weight loss.

Hi all... Just wondering what is the average weightloss everyone experienced for the first 6 months? Thanks!!!

The rationale for the 1 year (or longer) wait that some surgeons impose is to help preserve liver health - being obese (or worse), our livers are not in the best of shape to begin with (which is why some surgeons impose the pre-op diet, to help improve the liver condition since they are working in such close proximity to it when doing the sleeve) and then it gets seriously taxed in its role im metaboliziing all the fat that we are losing. With all that going on, it doesn't need any more stress from handling the alcohol. My doc's rule is no alcohol during the entire weight loss period (and reinforced in the psych eval as to whether one can give it up for 18 months, give or take - whatever it takes to get the weight off.) My surgeon also specialized in biliopancreatic transplants, so needless to say he's a bit anal about liver care. I also tend to listen to him on such things as he has a better perspective on the issue than most bariatric surgeons. Take it for what you will - we're all adults here.

I've started my weight loss journey at 267 and I am proud to say that I am 166. I went from a size 22 to a size 12. I need to lose 11 more pounds to hit my goal weight of 155. Every one tells me to stop now but not sure. [ATTACH]42057[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]42058[/ATTACH]

Remember that you are healing. I was on full liquids for two solid weeks after my band was put in. Also remember that it takes some time to get the gas out of your system, not to mention the anasthesia, antibiotics and everything else that goes with major surgery. And it was major surgery. As for the quick weight loss in the first four days? That's not so unusual post-op. Your on liquids. You will see your greatest weight loss in the first few months and then it will taper down to about 1-2 pounds a week once your on solid foods. You'll get there. Be calm and let your doctor know about your concerns, he'll get you through them.

Yup. Your last line is ON POINT. Every surgeon is different. These are great general guidelines, but they are not "THE RULE". I am allowed gum/straws/alcohol. Six months was the rule by my doctor, I was given clearance at three. I had a catheter as does everyone else in our practice. No complications. 60% is the worldwide average MAYBE, but of all the sleeved people I know, ALL have exceeded 60% weight loss. I think that's an extremely low estimate. Everyone I know hit their goal, or are within 10 pounds of it. I know you said it, and I agree with you. Everyone's surgeon is different. Follow your team. After all, you entrusted them with your life.

That's what I've noticed with a lot of the bariatric patients that I follow on social media. Keto/ low carb and some version of plant based diets seem to be popular. I've recently stopped eating most meats ( except fish) and my body seems to prefer this. Congrats on your weight loss and new life!

So this weekend didn't go as well as I hoped for in terms of dieting//working out. Saturday would have been day 2 for my diet & working out for my pre-op diet but I woke up with a really sore throat that morning & I couldn't really get out of bed until I had to for work. I worked late that night and then had to drive back to my parents house to start my winter break from college! Yesterday I was still not feeling the greatest so there wasn't alot of exercising on Saturday & Sunday besides work but I did pretty good with the eating part, I was definitely reasonable with the choices I made so that's a plus in all this. So today I woke up feeling much better so I started again on my diet & work out. I'm doing my 3 protein shakes a day & then a Lean Cuisine, or another meal similar, for dinner. Lynn, my nurse that is awesome, told me that I need to do 90 minutes of exercise a day to have weight loss so that's what I have been doing. On Friday, which was day 1, I did 60 minutes on one of the bike machines & then I did 30 minutes on one of the olyptical machines at my schools fitness center. Now that I am at home & don't have access to an actual fitness center I'll just be using our treadmill that we own. Today I started on the treadmill & had 45 minutes completed & I was really getting into it & I had my iPod blasting & then the machine turned off out of nowhere! Now it is not working, oh boy. My brother suggested that I use our Wii Fit games that we have cause those are work outs too I guess? So I'm going to look into that as well. I hope everyone else is doing great & is enjoying this time of year! Luck & words of encouragement are always appreciated! Until tomorrow... missKAYLA :cursing: