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I agree that many are misinformed and that is part of why they say the things they do. This is EXACTLY why I've told only four people, my parents (and so far my mom's keeping her mouth shut), my DH and a friend who was also thinking of the band. I have had to have my date changed, and I may not tell her about the updated date. Though she checks in here from time to time, so she may see it (if so, hello!). I plan on not ever telling people. If I am successful and lose weight with the band as I plan to be, then I will merely say it's been a combination of exercise and portion control that has helped me to lost weight. I've been fortunate that I've jumpstarted my weight loss and have lost a little over 40# already before being banded, so if I continue to lose, no one will say anything.

All I have to say is DANG, you kicked butt losing your weight in less than a year. I thought I was doing pretty good til I saw how much you lost. Congrats on the weight loss, sorry to hear of you slippage.

Glad that worked out so fast for you! I had to do an additional three month weight loss/ nutritionist trial. While I hated to do more it was so that Tricare had no reason not to approve me and it made it all ok. I will have my surgery on August 6, 2012. And am so thankful for my approval : ) Looks like we are in the same area : ) Maybe we can get together sometime : ) Best to you on this wonderful journey

Only YOU are an expert on you. Only YOU know your relationship. I wish you great success in your weight loss and your happiness.

Look at all he did for you during and after the surgery, which shows how much he loves and supports you. Hes maybe feeling a ton of conflicting feelings and said something on the spur of the moment. Haven't we all done that in our lives, then wished we hadn't because it was the emotion of the moment, rather than really how we felt. It's probably about himself rather than you. I can only read into what you have said in the OP and maybe I am wrong but he sounds like a very loving and supportive husband who may need a bit of support right now himself. I hope you get to talk soonest and work things out xxx P.S: Great weight loss!!

Really? So my struggles with weight loss aren't the same because I chose not to be resentful? Interesting. I am not telling the OP to "add" to her husband's (choice to) "struggle". I am simply suggesting she not suppress her excitement/joy/accomplishments because he chooses not to handle them maturely. Compassion is extremely important, I agree 100%. Compassion should not equate to lack of pride, though.

Trying to decide between bypass (RNY) and sleeve. I am leaning toward bypass but I am not sure. A little about me. I am 5'7" and my high weight was 265 (BMI of 42) current . Diabetic, HBP, Apnea and high cholesterol. The turning point was when my endo Dr was stumped at why my A1C was still high after all the drugs I was on...."duh, I eat like crap!" I went on a medically supervised weight loss diet for six months (exactly like the pre-op liquid diet) and lost 65 pounds. Transitioned off the diet and gained back 40 (CW is 240lbs). Decided the next step was WLS. My BMI is now 38 with all the same complications. According to charts my weight should be less than 165. From the research I have done I have a 50% chance of reaching: 158lbs with RNY or 170lbs with sleeve. My question is the 12 lbs worth the RNY vs sleeve. I am not sure what the extra "effort" of the bypass is??? Is day to day living different between the two procedures. I am leaning towards RNY for a couple reasons. 1) I have a better chance of getting at least a reasonable weight. There is an 80% chance of being at 190 with RNY two years out vs 208 with sleeve. I like those odds better. 2) Once you have the sleeve done you aren't going to go back and have the RNY done (if that is even possible). I am looking for input from people. What was the logic you used to decide pick the bypass. For the record my doctor has recommended RNY but it seems a lot of people in the support group has sleeves. Thanks in advance. Astro!

Congratulations on your loss, you must feel amazing! WOW! That is a lot of clothing....I am pre-op but I sell a lot of stuff on ebay and my local craigslist. You might want to try those options, because you will get a small percentage back from the consignment shop. Hope all goes well!

I think an average of five pounds a month is perfect. That is about how mine has gone with a few long plateaus where i was too lazy to drive down to LA (4-5 hours) to get a fill. This so-called slow loss makes me 100% sure that I will never gain any of it back. Its just a lifestyle now.I know the changes the band helped me make are forever...

I was banded Aug 11, 2011 no issues yet

I've only lost 30 lbs in 6 months and am getting a little discouraged. Has anyone else experienced a slow weight loss and have you been successful getting more off? I feel Im in the green zone...I just want to think this can be done...I have 130 lbs to go!!! thanks for any support..

I buy the precooked chicken and steak strips for fajitas (they're in the meat section of my grocery store). That way, I always have an option of just pulling out a couple of ounces of them to heat up for a "meal". There are also beef tips in gravy that are precooked, you can just take out a portion and heat them. Fat free refried Beans are one of my favorites -- especially with some salsa mixed in. I also buy individually wrapped tilapia filets -- put a little pat of butter and some blackened seasoning on them and microwave for about 1-1/2 minutes. You've definitely got to get more Protein in or you are going to lose muscle mass and hair. I usually drink a Protein shake for breakfast. Muscle milk 100 is my favorite and it's perfect for in the car on the way to work. I also eat a lot of almonds... I counted out 24 in a handful, so I know exactly how to count it. Days I'm home I eat leftovers for breakfast -- just finished 2 chicken on a stick skewers from the Chinese food place last night. On another note... I've only thrown up once since surgery and this may sound funny, but it wasn't as bad as I was afraid of and it actually wasn't as bad as throwing up pre-surgery. Maybe you don't have as much stomach to heave or whatever but it was over quick. Sorry if TMI!

Thanks Deb! Glad I'm not the only one, yes we can definitively cut our hair, and who knows?? After surgery we may want a major makeover anyway. Plus they make great extensions now a days! I am taking my biotin and protein now, and plan on staying on track after surgery! Thanks for your inspiration!

I too am concerned about my hair (yes I too am vain but I love my hair) I have spoken with my surgeon, nutritionist and pcp they all tell me the key is getting your protein in and you can take biotin as a supplement. So you know I can cut my hair short and it can grow back I can handle that but I want this surgery, I need this tool. Hopefully you can find what works and you too will be as excited as me.

Clearly you are not short of dedication, drive and willingness to succeed. Your exercise program is impressive. I am no expert when it comes to the fine anatomical details that contribute to a highly functional metabolism. However, I can succinctly enumerate some ideas that might help you as they have worked for me in achieving and maintaining an athletic build at my ideal weight. 1. Nutrition and diet: They say 80% or more success of weight loss comes from the kitchen, outside of the gym. Eating at the right time, the right types of food in the right quantities to match your body type are going to make a difference. Let us break those items down: 1. The right time: The body needs a constant source of the macros every 2-3 hours to keep the insulin response consistent in the blood stream. Ideally, one should eat a small meal of 200-300 calories when waking up, every 3 hours, until going to bed. This is especially important if you are very active to prevent the body from going into starvation mode due to a net negative of calories from working out the amount you do. The first meal at rise will " wake up your metabolism" and the last meal at bedtime will keep the metabolism burning throughout the night. However, it is important that these two meals be of the right food. I do not fast. Period. I have read a lot of good things about IF and 5:2, but it is just something I have no practical experience with for maintaining a healthy body weight with an athletic body fat percentage. For this reason, I cannot offer any advice on it. 2. The right food: the first meal should.be a fast digesting Protein such as whey because your body has gone all night without food. The last meal should be a slow digesting protein such as casein (shake, pudding, etc). The casein molecule are larger than whey molecules and take longer to absorb. This will keep your metabolism burning during the night. The meals during the day should be protein first. Try and target about 30 g of protein every meal. All meals should be low carbohydrate except for before and after working out. Before working out, your meal should target a 2:1 ratio of carbohydrate to protein. Keep the carbohydrate one that is low on the glycemic index so it does not burn up too quickly. The carbohydrates consumed after a workout should be the faster burning variety in order to assist in transporting nutrients to your muscles faster. 3. The right quantities: each meal should be about 200-300 calories. It is enough to satisfy hunger and fill you up, but not too much. We want to prevent insulin spikes that result in storage of fat. 4. Body type: Each body type is going to respond differently to food types. This is true if you are a pear, an apple or a box body type. Look up what foods are best for your body type. Now that we have stressed the importance of nutrition, let us look at exercise. 2: Exercise: you have quite a comprehensive exercise program, but I cannot help but wonder if your body has become too efficient at it. Your body needs a constantly changing set of intensity in order to respond. For me, cross fit workouts fit the bill because every workout is different and very intense. They are short too. Most workouts fall between 10-20 minutes with some on the shorter side and some on the longer side. However, I am not in a workout for longer than 30 minutes. All the lifts are compound (both power and Olympic lifts) and all the cardio falls under what is called metabolic conditioning. Metabolic conditioning is designed to push you every single time. Here are some example workouts I did this last week: 95/65 lb Thrusters x 20 reps 5 Muscle-Ups Thrusters x 15 reps 4 Muscle-Ups Thrusters x 10 reps 3 Muscle-Ups Thrusters x 5 reps 2 Muscle-Ups Thursday February 6th, 2014: (Compare Results to January 3rd WOD) EMOM for 12 Minutes: Full Squat Snatch x 1 with 3 second hold at bottom of OH squat then Seven sets of (total of 28 minutes): 30 seconds of Rowing (for max meters) Rest 30 seconds 30 seconds of Handstand Push-Ups Rest 30 seconds 30 seconds of 24″/20″ Box Jump Rest 30 seconds 30 seconds of Push-ups Rest 30 seconds Wednesday February 5th, 2014: EMOM for 8 minutes: 3 Front Squats @ 75-80% then For Time: 1000m Row 50 Wall Balls 20#/14# 30 Thrusters 95#/65# Tuesday February 3rd, 2014: "Open WOD 11.1" 10 min AMRAP: 30 Double Unders 15 Power Snatches 75#/55# The Power snatch loads are as follows: Men and Masters Men 45-49, 50-54: 75lbs/35kg Women and Masters Women 45-54: 55lbs/25kg Masters Men 55-59, 60+: 65lbs/30kg Masters Women 55-59, 60+: 45lbs/20kg Rest Exactly 5 Minutes then... "Open WOD 12.1" 7 min AMRAP of: Burpees This workout begins from the standing position. The Athlete will move from flat on the ground to touching an object with both hands that is 6 inches above their max reach. Score is total reps completed in 7 minutes. Monday February 2nd, 2014: 15 minutes to find heavy Push Press then 7 Minute AMRAP: 10 Chest to Bar Pull-Ups 10 Alternating Pistols 10 Handstand Push-Ups Rest exactly 2 minutes, and then… 7 Minute AMRAP: 10 Burpee Box Jumps 24"/20" 10 Shoulder to Overhead 115#/75# The lifting portions of the workouts are done at a weight that makes sense for me. Consider moving away from the machines for your weight lifting and into free weights where more emphasis uis placed on correct for and correct muscle activation. Free weights also require a bigger emphasis on balance and agility then machines. I know this is a big step and may not be right for you at this time, but I offer it for your consideration.

Amanda, You're right on track. Protein is gonna be your new best friend. Liquids might get a little tougher to get enough in daily, but I found that going to the gym or doing a rigorous cardio workout is the perfect way to develop a thirst and get in more fluids. I even add in some Protein drinks like Isopure or the like for some extra protein. As long as your meeting those Fluid and protein goals, you can take your time adjusting to the new meal regimens. Sounds like you haven't encountered any stalls yet, so be aware they are coming. It's just the body trying to adapt to the changes and hang on to remaining weight. It will adjust and the weight loss will resume. Don't let it get you flustered. Stick to your guidelines. You're doing great.....keep up the good job.

Some surgeons are a lot more lax than others. My doc says 10 days clear liquids, 10 days full liquids, 10 days mushies, but there's a respected program out of Cornell University that starts you on mushy foods after 3 days, if I remember correctly (you can google Cornell Weight Loss Surgery Guidelines and probably find the guide rather quickly). I don't know how comfortable I'd be with non-pureed foods my 2nd day post-op....so I'd suggest at least doing the Cornell thing to take it easy on your stomach.

It sounds to me like it was a win-win. You planned for it, plus you learned from it. You planned for a not-so-healthy treat. Yes, I make some bad choices sometimes, without planning for them. :smile2: AND, you learned that you'd have prefered a healthier choice! To me, after being banded, it isn't cheating--ever. We are no longer on "diets"--we are continually learning and adjusting. We make choices. Some are better than others. Some have more calories than others. Some help us on the way to weight loss, some don't. I think you did great!

Your English is wonderful. If you look at my signature, you'll see that I was once 440 pounds and got the sleeve surgery when I was 285 pounds. Any weight loss surgery requires you to make life long changes in order to be successful and requires eating healthier and exercising. As you lose weight, exercising becomes more achievable and as you lose weight, you learn new ways of eating to keep it off. One of our members here runs marathons and is training for a triathalon after losing to goal weight with the sleeve. Do a lot of research, ask a lot of questions, and make the decision that's right for you when you feel ready.

I do have to do the 6 months for my insurance. I am really impatient but at the same time, there is so much more to it than the "diet" - I have met with a physical therapist to talk about exercise routines before and after, social worker to talk about any issues in general, nutritionist to talk about changing habits before surgery and several nutrition classes. That is above and beyond meeting with my primary Dr each month just as a check in on my weight and weight loss. I can't wait but am thankful at the same time that there is so much learning involved!!

Hi Tracey! Welcome and congratulations! Your story is much like mine except I still have my thyroid (it is just non functioning). I also take 300mcg of Synthroid due to Hashimotos disease. I can assume that my thyroid contributed to my weight gain and failed attempts at prior weight loss. My surgery was on January 13th and I have done well with it as I am confident you will too. I have gained a lot of valuable information from folks here...just explore and read. It was such a comfort and inspiration pre surgery. Everyone is anxious about the hospital experience I suppose. The time spent in the hospital seems to fly by...my experience was much better than I could have imagined. The pain and misery I experienced in just existing made the pain of surgery doable. My abdomen was pretty tender for about 6 days then it was smooth sailing, actually. There have been a few days of exhaustion since but no more misery. Pre surgery, I could (and would) sleep at will but now my energy is much more abundant. Days following surgery, I did crave various food but that has since passed. Getting required Protein in post surgery has been a small challenge but if you track your intake through myfitnesspal, you eventually find a formula that works plus it is a great tool to log and track calories and nutrition. It has definitely been life changing already...in wonderful ways. Stay positive. This tool is a phenomenal gift! It's not always easy but it is worth it...YOU are worth it!! Blessings to you!

I am having terrible hairloss also... Maybe that is the vitamins ... I forget to take it and because I actually eat reasonably I thought I would be ok - no anemia. I guess it is time to hurry and really do what the doctor says. I have lost about 1/4 of my hair. My pony tail is so thin....

As others said, work with your surgeon to understand which surgery is going to be best given your current health. If you have severe reflux or gerd they should steer you to the RNY bypass. If you don't, both surgeries work fantastic. Also....this should never be about losing weight fast, don't get me wrong with both surgeries that will happen. The biggest factor is getting yourself to understand the lifestyle changes needed to get to goal and maintain your loss. Remember the surgery is only a tool. You have to learn to change a lot of your own behaviors to lose the weight and keep it off and that takes time to do. It took me 15 months to loose 151lbs which I consider fast, now I work very hard every day to maintain that loss.

Hello! So obviously, I'm new here. I just wanted to say hello, and add my 2 cents. I'm 5'8, and my current weight is 360lb. I can't say for sure that this is my highest weight, as I'm pretty sure I've lost some weight since January, but I never weighed my self, so I can't be sure. I guess it really doesn't matter though, 360lb is high enough, don'cha think! Lol. I've been fat (said not as derogatory, but as a factual statement), almost my whole life. I had the few years pre-puberty as skinny, but once 11 or 12 hit, that was over. I am lucky enough to have gained confidence in my self in my early 20's. Loving myself, body and all. So I never tried all the questionable fad diets and gimmicks that are out there. However, I was aware that a lower weight would be healthier in the long run. Obesity runs in my family, and my Nanie (my Mom's Mom) died from complications due to being obese. I knew I didn't want to end up in the same situation as I got older, so I did try calorie counting and exercise. While it was semi successful, I just wasn't able to lose much, nor keep it off. I knew I needed something more powerful, and lasting, for me to make weight loss work. So I've always been interested in bariatric surgery. Due to many circumstances, surgery through health care (Canadian here), was just not an option, and money for pay myself surgery, was just as unlikely. However, after a few family members went through they're own surgery, seeing how helpful surgery really was for weight loss in individuals who haven't been able to do it on their own, some of my family decided that they wanted me to have this chance, and put things in motion for me to be able to do this. Fast forward to now, a few months later, I have a surgery date of September 5, going to a surgeon in Mexico, the same one that one of my family members went to. She is confident enough in her experience to have set me up with them. In fact, she'll be traveling with me, to help me out. I'm excited for this journey, and a little nervous, I've never had surgery before, but I know this will be good for me. While I've been lucky enough to have remained relatively healthy, with only sleep apnea as an issue I have, I know that won't last as I get older if I don't do something now. So that's my story so far. I'm loving being able to read everyone's story on here, and hope to add more to this great community!

I must say I've been tempted because I had an empty stomach and was so hungry for just about anything. It helps to have your shake in your hand while you're around household foods. Don't linger in the kitchen when you know temptation is there. I cook dinner every day and remember the delicious taste of every ingredient and every bite; I talk and remind myself that this liquid diet is not forever. I will eat again one day soon, these same foods in smaller quantities. Be patient, remember your weight loss goal, and stay on track.