Search the Community

Hello. It's been a long time since I came on this site or posted. I am scared to death to write this post, as I already know what many of you will say and I also know most of the answers. I'm so scared of all of you because everyone has success stories and I am a complete, dire failure. I had my revision from band to GB last June. I have a lot of emotional problems that are being treated with many medications and weekly therapy. My really good therapist has little experience in WLS or food addiction. We've tried to communicate my issues, but seriously, each time I go in there is a new legitimate crisis that must be addressed first. She speaks about using EMDR to combat my complete refusal to follow my WLS program. But that has yet to be done. I'm completely and profoundly ashamed of myself and it has made me ditch the whole GB life that I was absolutely excited about in the beginning. You're all such a success, even the ones who struggle are doing laps around me. Please don't beat me up for being such a failure, I do that every day. My highest weight was 372. I put myself on a diet before even applying for WLS and lost 35 pounds. I had the bypass in June a week before my Father died of cancer. I tried so hard. After surgery I lost 35 more pounds, leaving me at 300. And in the deepest shame, I must admit that I only lost 8 pounds since my WLS a year ago. I have never gained, just maintained. At first, I was totally committed, then more crises occurred and I slowly let go of the rules. I know, it's awful. I began to eat a little larger meals at dinner and did not eat all day. It's like torture pushing food into my mouth in the morning. I made egg muffins, did them for a while but gave up. I had a hard time eating at all. Food did not appeal to me. I was doing my Protein and Vitamins religiously, oddly still am. My bloodwork was perfect. If you knew me and my life experiences, you would wonder why I didn't kill myself. But I am. I let go. My stomach never rejected extra food or made me sick. I had hoped I would dump on sugar or something, but that never happened. I began to eat a little sugar and that escalated to more and more. My stomach must be very large as it holds a standard adult meal. I always held in more food than those of you here on the forum. It was suggested that I eat three meals a day and two or three Snacks. I also drink a lot, even pop. By all accounts I should have blown up by now. I did damage and did not care. I don't really care what I eat. You know the destructive thinking of not caring even though you know it is only killing you. I'm super messed up. I'm a very honest person to others but not to myself. Yes, I hate myself, sometimes. I don't even care (or so I force myself to believe) if I ever lose weight. But honestly, I wish I could get it straight in my head that that is the path I chose with such enthusiasm. I was diagnosed with severe asthma and put on supplemental oxygen, in and out of the house. Yes, I felt sorry for myself. I have two replaced knees that prevent me from walking well or far. I had to use a walker to get around and do my job. It sucked. But, having lost the weight I did, I was taken off the oxygen, and with a lot of work, began to walk on my own, though not well. I want to go to PT so bad. I lost my job a long time ago (which has taken a mean toll on me) I was denied unemployment, took them to court and am awaiting the judge's decision. If I am denied again, I will request yet another hearing. My husband has been taking care of us on a $9.00 dollar an hour job. The past few months we have been surviving on all the cheapest food, which does not offer much nutrition at all. We are so poor, we sold everything we owned on craigslist for pennies. My husband cooks all our meals, but doesn't really support a WLS diet. I hate to say that he doesn't support my necessary diet. Not cruelly, but just not "think" of it. Especially since I'll eat anything. I can't stand long enough to cook. I tried to sit on a bench to cook, but my legs ended up hurting more. I do the housework I can, and try to walk the supermarket when I can. Good, healthy food is more expensive than we could afford. I'm still managing to get all the protein I can. But financially, we are screwed. Back to my failure to desire to get back on my diet...I want to care, but my mental health has deteriorated so much I can't. Even my psychiatrist feels for me but I've been on most of the meds that there are no more options. He is worried, as am I. I've looked for groups in my area, found and tried a few, but people don't get bariatric surgery. I was in groups of anorexics, etc. I just don't fit. Like I don't fit here, but I'm reluctantly reaching out. I have a dual diagnosis of severe mental illness and obesity. Its hard to fit in when the two are inter connected and I don't understand how to manage the two. But no weight loss after an entire year is an emergency in my opinion. I'm so hard on myself. I drink so much Water that I float, take in enough supplemental protein and take my prescribed vitamins. I just can't seem to get in a regimen again. I can't even believe I'm sharing this deeply personal and shameful post to you. Keep in mind my dual diagnosis, it is very, very hard for me to care about myself. Even with therapy. I don't regret the surgery at all, as I'm hoping with all my heart that I will make this happen. I'm a survivor. But coasting on no weight loss or gain is not good enough. I did not have this surgery to only fail. But I did. Please don't berate me. I'd just like to see how you successful people would respond to such a post. And, no, there is no easy answer. I need help.

Okay, I admit I'm anal retentive and I used to check up on other band manufacturers post op diets! HA! Research and post op diets are my big thing in the bariatric community. At one point I was comparing the diets to the stats but I quit doing it when I realized that many band makers are justifying their band over another and their stats are not always accurate. But for the time being, it's the best we have in the areas of studies and such. As I wrote, I didn't even respond to that post. Tact isn't my area of expertise and the only thing I had to offer was something against what her doc was suggesting so I didn't respond for that very reason. But it DOES make me feel like my head is popping when I read something like that. I want the whole freak'en world to experience "thin" again without slips, erosion, or other complications. So while I try to tone down that feeling a bit, it still comes out. That's why I didn't respond to the post.

There is no place to post this where newbies won't see it and newbies are likely to become annoyed, accuse me of being mean... whatever. So be it, go for it and say what you have to say. Cuz you know what? I don't care. I received a PM this morning regarding a thread where someone did as they do, cheated on the post op diet. Someone a little more experienced came back essentially saying that when s/he cheated an old timer came back throwing a fit. It was probably me that s/he was talking about. Okay. I probably did throw a fit. The more experienced bandster went on to say that they didn't believe anything I wrote and they had no problems from cheating on the post op diet. How stupid is that? Seriously, what kind of dumb ass does it take to say it's no biggie to go against the post op instructions? The claim is that the diet has changed and all these docs have different diets so it really doesn't seem to matter what you eat because (the way I read it anyway) regardless of what you eat post op you are following SOME doctor's diet SOMEWHERE. Yeah, this is true. Some docs don't even mention there IS a post op diet (Laurend's doc, for example). Others are too strict such as my own doc. Anyone know why the docs are changing the post op diet? They are dumbing it down for us. We don't follow the diet. My own doc did the same thing. His thinking was that people aren't doing what they are supposed to so to make it a little easier he essentially dumbed it down so that people wouldn't cheat. I can understand that, and to be honest I am the one that pushed him into changing the diet because people are not following it anyway. His was two weeks of clears, two weeks of fulls, two weeks of solids, and gradually reintroduce solids. That is too much, people couldn't do two weeks of clears so they eat fried chicken at 4 days post op. I think the thinking from patients is that if they are going to cheat anyway, they might as well go for it. When I approached him about changing the post op diet he was a little annoyed and basically said if I could do a better job with it to write it out and he'd consider it. He took most of my suggestions, not all but most. You know, the stats for slips are increasing. They have gone from 3% globally to now Inamed is hinting that it is up to 7%. Gee, I wonder why. When I saw that thread I had to restrain myself from suggesting all dumb asses eat taffy and steak right after surgery. I actually had to restrain myself from writing that. I'm to the point that I don't care, they can eat what they want. It's their band, their stupidity, their everything. I'm not talking someone who learns from their mistake but instead someone who changes their beliefs to fit their behaviors. Big, huge, mega difference. I am not talking someone who doesn't understand the reasoning behind the diet, I'm talking someone who knows full well why the diet is important, WHAT is healing (and it's not stomach swelling), someone who knows they are doing something wrong and instead of bloody well taking responsibility for their own actions they justify it by changing their beliefs to fit their behaviors and telling newbies that the old timers are wrong. You know what isn't wrong? Slips that have more than doubled since docs started changing the diet. At first I thought it was newbie docs that didn't have a clue what they were doing because they are not experienced. Everyone wants a piece of the $$$ bariatric pie. It's easy money for many docs. I thought it was their technique. But you know, it's since the docs started changing post op diets that slips have more than doubled. But those of us who have followed the diets, worked hard, and reached or are reaching goal... we don't know what we are talking about. I don't know how much longer I'm going to harp about post op diets. It might make a difference to a small few but I see posts whining about old timers and others whining that we don't know what we are talking about. I'm going to stick to pushing research BEFORE surgery. Let the dumb ass idiots eat steak and taffy if they are truly dumb asses. It's their band, their choice. AGAIN!!!! I am referring to those that know better but change their beliefs based on their own behaviors vs. reality. I honestly don't know if I am in a pissy mood today or if I actually mean what I am writing. How's that for distorted!

Congratulations on your decision to take control of your life and health! As a fellow Oregonian, I can tell you that there are several good surgeons/hospitals in the Portland area. Salem Hospital's Bariatric Surgery Center also has a great program and the staff are awesome. This is who I chose. Salem Hospital and their bariatric surgery center are also recognized as national centers of excellence. If you know others who have had WLS, talk to them to get their recommendations. Do your research and attend a few informational seminars (this is pretty much how you have to start the process with any bariatric surgery program). You'll get a feel for which surgeon/program will be the best fit for you. The seminar will also give you a more clear picture of each type of surgery. Depending on your insurance, it can be a lengthy process with many, many hoops to jump through or it can be a very simple and quick process. Expect to go through several pre-op procedures, labs and clinic appointments (surgeon, dietician, psychologist, etc.) either way, though. You came to the right place for support and advice. The members here are wonderful and very helpful. Good luck and keep us posted on your progress!

I'm 32 and had the sleeve 1/7/20. Down 77 pounds. My first two days were very difficult, but mainly in the sense that I could not get my water down, and I was so nauseous that I was even throwing up my anti-nausea meds. I had a few hiccups, including 5 weeks post op, landing back in the hospital for dehydration but that had nothing to do with the surgery (although I am sure it was exacerbated by my recovery), and everything to do with the stomach bug my family was passing around. I got a couple bags of fluid, and was let go the same day. So far I really don't have too much excess skin, but it is early. Ideally I would like to lose another 50-60 pounds. Not sure how my skin will be then. Socially, my situation is probably a bit different than most. I work at a hospital, and my best friends all work with me. They knew about the surgery and have been 100% supportive since day one. They are used to patients of all kinds, so my being a bariatric patient was no big deal. They do razz me occasionally about how little I eat before I get full...but it is kind of comical at times, and its all in good humor. This was by FAR the best choice I have ever made. No regrets at all, never have had any.

I use BariatricPal Multivitamin ONE “1 per Day!” flavorless capsules from https://store.bariatricpal.com/collections/bariatricpal-multivitamin-one! BariatricPal has a special offer that will cost you only $99 for an entire year's supply! Check it out at https://store.bariatricpal.com/99 You can view a large selection of bariatric-friendly Calcium supplements at https://store.bariatricpal.com/collections/calcium.

So far, this would be purely for estetics. In other words, no rashes or other issues yet. I still have quite a ways to go though. How do you get insurance to pay for it? I keep forgetting that I will hopefully have another baby here in the next year or two, so I need to live in the moment and stop obsessing about the future and what my belly will look like. You know, when I lost 50lbs 4 years ago the "traditional" way, I NEVER thought about plastic surgery. Do you think it is more common with bariatric patients because we've already taken the surgical plunge????

There are many days when we just get tired of being strong. I really feel for those who do not have a supportive environment and have to walk alone through this weight loss experience. A therapist is a wonderful tool to help you get over the lumps of emotion. Bariatric Pal has also be an outstanding emotional resource for me. I know that not only can I come here with medical issues, I can also come here for a shoulder to lean on. Stay with us. There are o many that have gone on before us who can look back and hold out a hand.

You sound like you are deeply struggling with the whole process. I am sorry that you didn't get better service from your first doctor. It sounds like he/she really let you down. My suggestion is you start keeping an exact journal of what you eat, drink and when you exercise. Ten when you are ready start over with a new bariatric surgeon.You really need someone on your side who can guide you whatever direction is best for you. Please don't give up mentally or physically. Fight for yourself to get this worked out in a positive way.

Hello fellow bandsters, ex-bandsters, and bandster wannabes. I am not posting this to beat anybody up or anything like that so please don't take it that way, but I'm just writing because I can't understand why so many people feel as though the band has fell them. So I'm ranting basically. I have been reading many posts in which people who have had surgery around the same time as myself and even after me are having or has had complications with their band and I can't understand that. Grant it, I do understand that many have had success and because of other issues with their body they had to have their fluids removed for either pregnancy or other surgeries and for whatever reason, the band is selfish. It doesn't apparently want us to have babies or other surgeries that we need for our continued overall good health. Okay, I get that and the band stops working and needs to be removed. Okay, cool. However, I have read other peoples stories and apparently funds were not available for aftercare to get the proper adjustments needed to stay restricted. I keep reading posts that state they never achieved the "sweet spot" and all I can say is I'm sorry. If you are self-pay, again, I'm sorry that you weren't able to keep getting your fills because proper fill capacity is the key. Yes, I realize many of you also have to drive miles and hours just to get that and believe me, I understand gas and money these days. But at the same time, you should have been given the guidelines to follow in order to successfully lose weight (types of food to eat and avoid and amounts) and if your bariatric team did not do that, then shame on them. The band can't say, however, "Don't put that ice cream in your mouth. Don't drink this or eat that." Only you have total control of what goes in your mouth. I have also read many people's journeys in which they didn't even need fills and have lost impressive amounts of weight. To you I applaud and congratulate you because I was not that fortunate. I had to get my fills and unfills when I was too tight. That's another problem I keep reading about over and over. If you are too tight, you will not lose weight you are in the red zone and are setting yourself up for failure. I hated that I had to get an unfill or two or three because I loved that tightness and I wanted to lose weight so bad, but I'm so glad that I listened to my professionals because it paid off in the end. So what am I saying, the band does not fail. YOU FAIL, I'm sorry. There are some unfortunate souls that well your body just doesn't want as you say something "foreign" in you. Well, God bless you and I hope you have found another way to lose weight. For you new people, IT IS NOT EASY!!!!!! Even in maintainence, it's not easy. Again, if you have the proper restriction YOU WILL NOT OVER EAT PERIOD. Can you eat anything you want? Yes for some of us but not everything. After being banded, some foods and drinks we just can't do and that is a plus for many of us because we don't need them in the first place. Why is it still hard in maintainence? Because you have to still be careful about not eating too fast and chewing your food really good so that you don't get stuck. For me and I'm sure for a few others, that is a daily struggle. So all in all, the band is a great tool to help you lose weight if YOU REALLY WANT TO, but YOU have to do the work. The band is just placed around your stomach and that's it. It doesn't think for you. Again, I'm not trying to disrespect anyone but just clarifying the fact that the band doesn't fail by itself. Best wishes to all of you.

Premiere Protein was my go-to as well - I thinned it a bit with milk. And I drank a lot of Pho broth in the first week. Don't go crazy with protein bars and snacks or bariatric foods - I ended up giving most of mine away

There isn't really much that's "restricted for life" with bariatric surgery, other than the fact that you want to make a conscious choice to start eliminating sugar and saturated fats, and focusing on complex carbs rather than simple ones. If you have gastric bypass, sugar is always going to be a problem and likely to cause dumping syndrome, so that's one thing that you do end up having to deal with minimizing for a lifetime, anyway. But that's a good thing, no matter how you slice it. But eventually, you will be able to eat relatively normally, you're just going to be eating phenomenally less than before. You will actually be blown away by how much less, honestly...I have been.

I take the Bariatric Advantage Cinnamon Calcium tablets and they taste amazing. I got some free samples at the hospital, tried a few other kinds, then bought these. I got mine on www.dietdirect.com. Their prices were better than the Bariatric Advantage site. They also sent me some free samples, which caused me to send them another order. I'm getting BariWise protein bars and hot chocolate too. But that's another topic - sorry to digress!

I'm experiencing low levels of Iron despite adequate supplementation and continually eating foods high in iron. According to my PCP, it is an effect of my screwed up hormones. My hormones have been wacky since surgery and it is also effecting my red and white blood cell count. It still is not clear to me why this is occurring, but it has never occurred before surgery. I feel quite tired throughout most of the day. I did skip my one year follow up because my PCP seemed like an adequate replacement. However, I have finally realized that a second opinion would be important. My bariatric center does NOT let patients visit with the surgeon, period. I can't even e-mail the guy. So, I am going to try out the new bariatrician. This is the third new guy they have hired since my surgery. I am hoping he has a better opinion of what is going on.

Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is usually what Bariatric teams suggest. Call your email/team & ask. Also dehydration causes wicked headaches so try make sure you are properly hydrated (water and electrolyte drinks) as this *may* solve the problem Get Well Soon 💜

I was also a mild case - like you. In fact, I think I was also a 5.5. It was pretty borderline. The sleep physician said I should get a CPAP machine, but when I brought it up with the PA at my bariatric clinic, he said he wasn't sure if it would be worth it, since the sleep apnea would probably disappear after I lost the first 20 or 30 lbs, so I skipped it. I don't know if you have that option or not. But I felt the same way - I didn't want to fork over a lot of money for something I was going to use for maybe a month or two tops.

Google "Bariatric surgeon, ( your zip code )". Hopefully u will get a few names.

Don't forget to look at out of pocket maximums for the year- I know my insurance charges deductible plus 20%, but if costs go over the out of pocket max for the year, I don't pay. Unless, of course, bariatric surgery is marked as "out of pocket maximums don't apply." Good luck!

Yes, I can see that coming. I will see my GP in a week or two and I will ask him, but honestly I do not think he will have an answer as he is not a bariatric surgeon or an expert on this field. The next time I will see my surgeon is going to be in October, hopefully he will have some answers... When are you going to talk to your surgeon?

RogofUlm's Story Vertical Sleeve surgery: June 24th, 2014 Pre-surgery high weight: 265 Weight at surgery: 254 Initial goal weight: 154 Time achieve goal: 8 months (including 2-week pre-op diet) Stretch goal weight: 145 Time to stretch goal: 10 months (including 2-week pre-op diet) Total weight loss: 120 I went on my first diet at the age of 7, and sometimes feel like I've started a new diet every Monday morning for the last 48 years. I've done 'em all – from a 40-day hospital stay in a ketogenic program in 1974, to Weight Watchers (3 times), Diet Center (2 times), Jenny Craig, Nutri-System, Atkins, South Beach, Cambridge, Slim Fast, Fen-Phen, grapefruit and egg, and even starvation. I've probably lost close to 1,000 pounds throughout my life, including three or four diets resulting in nearly 100-pound losses. And after all that, at the age of 55, I still found myself 110 pounds overweight; with diabetes, apnea, asthma, arthritis, high cholesterol, and borderline blood pressure. With a wonderful wife and 10-year-old child at home, I was a heart attack or stroke just waiting to happen. So why was I able to lose weight so effectively at times, but never keep it off? Same as most people, I suppose. When fully committed, I could “flick the switch” in my brain and resist anything… for a while. I'd lose a bunch of weight and start looking and feeling better, and then I'd be at a party with lots of goodies and think, "What the heck. I've done so well, so I’ll treat myself just this once and get right back on my diet." Hello, slippery slope! And then the cycle would begin: pig out, starve myself, pig out, starve myself… Eventually the pig outs would last longer and require more and more fat, salt, and sugar to satisfy. And, of course, each new day brought a brand new commitment to get back on track, so I wouldn't eat anything until 6 pm... and then I'd pig out again. That “switch” doesn’t always stay flicked, you know? So what's the definition of insanity again? Doing the same thing over and over, and expecting different results. Then, 20 years ago, I lost a bunch of weight and maintained it for quite a while. But because of a bad reaction to a medication, I eventually had to have a hip replaced. Everything went well with the surgery and I even quit smoking in the process. Great, right? Yeah, but then the weight started coming back on, and eventually I gained about 50 pounds. So then I bounced around for a few years, yo-yoing all over the place between 60 and 100 pounds overweight, until I got married and we had a baby. Of course, during the pregnancy I gained 40 more pounds of "baby weight". But unlike my wife, I never delivered mine! So that brings me to the more recent past, when all those years of being overweight finally caught up with me and I began getting all the "fat diseases”. When the diabetes first came on, I dropped 30 pounds without even trying. But eventually we diagnosed it and got it under control with pills; and then the weight came right back on. A couple of years later, my weight started dropping again "for no reason". Of course I knew what was really going on, but the weight loss felt so good that I rode it down 45 pounds. But again, eventually I had to get it back under control, and again, all the weight came back. So by the time I decided to have WLS, not only was I taking pills plus daily insulin injections for diabetes, I was sleeping with a CPAP machine for apnea, and taking fistfuls of pills every day to manage the other co-morbidities. And that brings us to last year. In addition to all the diseases, I was exhausted and achy all the time, and had trouble dragging myself out of the recliner to play with my kid like I should. I'd take naps after stuffing myself at lunchtime, and exercise as little as possible. We all know the drill, right? And I’d gotten myself hooked on chicken wings with high-calorie sauces, a mountain of French fries, blue cheese dressing, and four large glasses of tea. I'd go out 2-3 times a week for wings, but I'd go to different restaurants because I was so embarrassed by how much and how frequently I was eating them. And gradually, I got more and more disgusted with myself. During that time, two of my co-workers had weight loss surgery: one bypass and one sleeve. Every day for about a year, I watched them get smaller and smaller. They didn’t keep their surgeries a secret, so when I asked about their experiences, they graciously shared all the details with me – the good, and the bad. And gradually I got to the point where I said, “I WANT THAT!” So my inspiration to have weight loss surgery was a direct result of my co-workers’ successes, and their openness about having had weight loss surgery. Once I decided to get sleeved, I went "all-in". I followed all my doctor’s post-op rules to a tee (with the exception of coffee – my one remaining vice). But this time something was different from all those past diets. Because of the restriction in my stomach, instead of losing momentum and giving in to temptation, I was able to stay on the horse. My new “tool” gave me the strength I needed to consistently make the right choices. I lost 110 pounds and made it to goal in 8 months. And in the two months after that, I lost another 10 pounds to give myself a comfortable buffer. I put away the CPAP machine; I’m off all diabetes, blood pressure, and asthma meds; and I'm on the lowest dosage of my cholesterol meds. In a few more months, I hope to be off those too. So now that I’ve reached my final goal weight, I don’t need – or want – to lose any more. I’m exactly where I want to be for the first time in my adult life; which, quite frankly, is a totally mind-blowing thought! My big secret? Just follow the danged rules – all of them! (And mind you, I’ve been a rule breaker all my life.) If you do exactly what your doctor or nutrition program recommends, the weight will come off. After a month or two of making good (but difficult) choices, the cravings for the foods that got you to your pre-surgery weight will start to fade away, and the pride in your accomplishment will have a stronger pull than the food. That’s when you really get on a roll! Here’s the formula I used to get to goal weight quickly: Start every morning with a Protein shake for Breakfast. Eat 60–80 or more grams of protein daily. Drink 64–120 ounces of fluids daily. (I drink tons of Crystal Light, or generic, sugar-free/decaf iced tea.) Do not consume any starches or sugars. Get all carbs from green veggies, legumes, and dairy products. Do not consume empty liquid calories/sugar (fruit juices, ice cream, etc). Try to avoid alcohol. It’s empty liquid calories that turn to sugar in your body and can lead to poor choices. All Snacks must be protein-based (Jerky, nuts, cheeses, Greek yogurt, deli meats). Get some exercise 4-6 times a week. Never leave the house without a plan for what you can eat and drink while you’re out. If necessary, bring food and drink with you. Restaurant eating is not hard: 1) skip the bread; 2) order a meat (or legume/bean) dish; 3) replace the starch with a second vegetable; 4) skip the dessert. You’ll probably end up taking some of the meat and most of the veggies home for another meal. Beef/turkey jerky is my secret weapon. It’s saved me more times than I can count, so I try to always have some in the car for emergencies. You can buy a bag of jerky almost anywhere. It’s kind of expensive and not great for sodium-restricted diets, but it’s also high protein, low fat, okay sugar, and a 3.5-ounce bag is a meal by itself! If you fall off the horse, get back on immediately – at the next meal. Not tomorrow, and definitely not next Monday. That’s what got us here! Go to Bariatric Support Group meetings in your area, if possible. Participate actively in online forums like BariatricPal. Read as much as you can about the process and the journey; and especially, read posts and articles from those who had their surgery a few years ago. Try to understand what lead to their successes and/or struggles. Share your story and reach out to help others who are behind you in their journey. By helping them, you’ll help yourself as well. Have a goal weight in mind and strive to get there. (I weigh myself every single day.) But also set lots of smaller goals. It’s fun and inspiring to achieve them. Believe that the slimmer person in the mirror is the real you. Always be looking forward. Don’t look back over your shoulder waiting for the heavier person to drag you back. Let that person fade into history. A little vanity is okay. Enjoy how you look. Accept compliments graciously and don’t deflect them. Have fun trying on smaller-sized clothes that fit now. Compare before and after pictures. Take pride in your accomplishments! Accept that this is a somewhat selfish process. That’s okay, too. You don’t have to apologize for it. And don’t let other people interfere with your progress. We have to make our weight loss program a priority in our lives. But at the same time, recognize that your journey affects your friends and loved ones as well. Be sensitive to their reactions and their emotional needs, without allowing it to derail your program. And finally, try to have fun losing the weight and getting healthy! Now, I’ll admit that many people think this much rigor is unreasonable and unsustainable. They believe that you need to learn how to “eat normally” on your way down. I get it… but I don’t buy it. (And believe me, self-discipline has never been one of my strengths.) My philosophy has been that there’s plenty of time to learn how to eat for maintenance once I get to my goal weight. That way, if I add something back in my food plan and it causes me to gain a few pounds; I only need to re-lose those few pounds. I don’t need to lose them PLUS all the rest that haven’t come off yet. That’s a whole lot harder and more daunting than just losing a few. I also believe that we get a 9–12 month “honeymoon period” (when the weight comes off more easily and the hunger is more manageable), to get our heads in the right place for the long haul. I firmly believe that people who take maximum advantage of their honeymoon period are far more likely to get all the way to goal weight; and hopefully, to keep it off. And now my theory will be put to the test... Over the next few months, I’ll need to start experimenting with what works and what doesn’t. I’ll need to add back some foods that will stop the weight loss, without causing a gain, and without putting me back on the slippery slope. But what are those foods? My doctor suggests that if you want to increase your carb intake, to add only foods that you would eat cooked as part of a meal (like brown rice, whole wheat Pasta, sweet potatoes, barley, quinoa, oatmeal, and green peas). No white bread, pasta, rice, or potatoes, no refined sugar, no fruit juice, soda, or ice cream, and nothing that would tempt you to go to the fridge or pantry for a handful or bowlful as a snack. That sounds reasonable, so that’s what I’m going to try. But what about all those yummy foods I’ve been missing? I don’t know yet. Maybe the day will come when I can have one small scoop of ice cream, or four cheese crackers, or a mini chocolate bar, or a sandwich. But today is not that day. For now, it’ll be baby steps until I’ve maintained my weight loss for a good long time. If the truth be told, since I detoxed completely from starch and sugar, I haven’t really craved the stuff. So how do I feel about my weight loss journey so far? Believe it or not… it’s been a total blast! And see... that’s another reason to follow all the rules and lose the weight quickly – the compliments, your reflection in the mirror, clothes that fit and look good, the extra energy for family and friends, and most of all, your new-found health – are a thousand times more fun and motivating than anything that could ever go into your mouth! And here’s one final thought… Several months ago I ran into a woman I hadn’t seen for a while. She’d been thinking about weight loss surgery, but was afraid to take the first step. But when she saw the “new me”, she said the exact same words I had said a year ago, “I WANT THAT!” Well, a few weeks ago she got sleeved and she’s doing great! And that’s how this wonderful story continues… I wish all of you great success, and a healthy, exciting, and fun journey to good health!!! Rog (of Ulm)

There is no comparason if you check the long term studies from Europe. In the U.S. the lap band is the new kid on the block and has gottan some bad press because so many of the U.S. Doctors are not qualified to do the surgeries, or haven't done very many of them. This procedure was only approved by the FDA in the last couple of years is my understanding. When I went to two specialist in bariatric surgery and requested banding they were both condesending about why I would choose this over bypass surgery. There was a suggestion that I was not as serious about weight loss if I chose banding. The new book on banding by Dr Ortiz "Lap Band For Life" should show banding in a more positive light. This book will answer alot of questions other Dr's have as well as the layman and seeker of help for life changes through weight loss surgery. Hopeful Brenda Banded September 24, 2004

Hello Everyone, My name is Iris and I am with Bariatric Support Specialists and I would like to take this opportunity to invite the members of LapBandTalk.com to join us and Dr. Lloyd Stegemann of New Dimensions Weight Loss Surgery based in San Antonio, TX for the LapBand Buddies Weight Loss Surgery Cruise & Conference. The cruise & conference is scheduled to sail aboard Carnival's Elation from the port of Galveston, TX to Cozumel, Progresso and Belize, May 14 - 21, 2006. We have a great educational conference planned that will cover things like nutrition, exercise, mental health issues, fashion shows, makerovers and much much more. We have some great pricing for the cruise & conferece that makes it affordable for everyone. Even better we have a payment plan that makes it even more affordable. If you would like more information on the LapBand Buddies Weight Loss Surgery Cruise & Conference please send me an email to bariatricsupport@gmail.com and I will send the information out to you. This is a great opportunity to meet your fellow LapBanders and I hope that everyone will be able to join us. Sincerely, Iris C. Slack, CTC, ACC, CBSGL Bariatric Support Specialists

Hi! I'm about an hour and a half north of Pittsburgh. I went thru Hamot Bariatrics in Erie with Dr Ali. I was self pay and his total cost was $14,125. They have a monthly support group and lifetime support with the nutritionalist. I am very happy I chose them! I am only three weeks out, but feel free ta ask any questions!

I have 2 girls 10 and 11 and they always leave food on their plate. When are you scheduled for surgery? Every surgeon is different, my surgeon said the preop diet is not necessary and he's a top bariatric surgeon in Boston. He said he can get to the stomach no matter what and he doesnt think we need the added stress before surgery. I will have Clear liquids the day before and since I started 6 months ago the nut had had me make many changes, one at a time so they stick with me. No diet whatsoever, but lifestlye changes.

I am a newer nurse and have been working in Outpatient Surgery at a hospital which is a Bariatric Surgey Center of Excellence. I have been on the chubby side my whole life, and even while being in the military for 10 years (not as a nurse), it was very hard for me to make weight every 6 months for weigh-in. I could pass the run portion of the 6 month physical fitness test with flying colors; but my weight, majority of the time, was either right on the line for "max weight" or well over. Now that I am in my mid 30's it is not as easy to lose the weight. Back to the nursing question- I had thought about Lap Band before but it was not until I started working at my current job did I decide to actually get it myself. Every week I have at least 6 or 7 "banders". I also talked to some of the surgeons on a regular basis.I then started doing my research, picked a surgeon, and finished all the pre surgery criteria and got approved. Now I just have to schedule my surgery, which I will do on tuesday. I believe that my knowledge and experience with patients who had the surgery was my deciding factor...........