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Now what about past weight records? I haven't been morbidly obese for that long?

I have United Healthcare and I went for my first consult today, I have to go to some nutrition classes and get some testing done. Since I'm 37 with no medical issues don't have to get to a BMI of 40 to get the surgery? I hate to gain anymore weight!

Interesting article today... here's the link: http://news.yahoo.com/weight-loss-surgery-may-help-menstruation-skin-hair-180405888.html

My biggest fear is not being able to fit in the seats. The last time I flew it was circa 1997 and I weighed 170lbs. Now I weight 350lbs. Can people who have gone to Mexico tell me how they flew, such as if they went economy or first class, did they have to purchase an extra seat, etc.

I haven't been to Mexico, but I've done a fair amount of work travel. Hopefully now that I'm losing weight it won't be something I'll need to do anymore, but I found it helpful to ask to board early. I've never had an issue at the gate just asking if I can board early due to a medical condition (obesity is a medical condition). Then when they call people with little kids and disabilities, you can get on the plane and it'll give you a minute to get situated and ask for a seatbelt extender if you need it before the plane gets packed. Good luck to you!

I had my sleeve surgery about 10 days ago. Saw the Doc at 1 week post-op check up. I was discussing this very topic with him, and while the article posted above goes into a lot of detail, a key aspect of early stall is simply related to the fact that while you were in the hospital, they pumped lots and lots of fluids into you (remember the frequent IV bag changes?). Well, that adds a lot of Water weight to the body and it takes some time to get the body into a rhythm of reducing. I think this dovetails into what the article says in greater detail. -RC-

It's been two weeks and I have only lost maybe 2-3 lbs. actually I go up and down. I have been working out a lot and getting my protein/water. I am getting so frustrated. ????

It gets better. Other than the not losing weight like I want too part. lol. Good luck!

Hello Everyone, Today is my last weigh in and my stress test I don't think that I am at my starting weight. I actually think that I am about 7 pounds over. Honestly, I have been having B'organic Protein shakes. For Breakfast lunch I ll have the mix leaves with a packet of tuna and a slice of avocado. I may have grapes, strawberries or a cup of yogurt for snack and then I'll march back upstairs to my bed after work and stay there until the next day. And get up and start all over again. Will this impact my surgery? I am hoping to get a surgery date before I leave today. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

@@hipnthighsfordays I hope that it doesn't impact your approval or surgery. Many insurance plans will not approve if any weight was gained during the supervised diet period. Some surgeons won't operate if you haven't lost weight either. Your shakes may have a lot of sugars as well - and not enough Protein. It's important to check labels. I don't see how you could gain 7 lbs though if that's all you were eating. Hopefully you are wrong on your weight! Good luck.

I'm on one of those plans where you have to lose as much as you can for 6 months before you can get approved and then start the real pre op stuff. Anyway I'm about 8 - 9 weeks in on the plan which is low carb high protein and I'm really struggling. Not with food, the food is fine but the weight is not melting off like it should on a low carb plan. My doctor made some tweaks to my diet last week and I'm trying that now and it did help stop the slow climb I was having but my body seems not to want to go beyond 10 pounds loss. Now here is my real fear... if I'm struggling this much on a pretty liberal diet where I still get to eat all the things I like with the exception of highly processed foods, sweets, grains, bread. Which honestly I really don't miss at all.... what is it going to be like when I get to the real highly restrictive diet I'm expected to follow pre and post op? I don't know, I'm beginning to have doubts that maybe surgery won't help and all sorts of crazy thoughts like maybe something is just wrong with me. I swear I have not been cheating at all! Yet I've only loss about 10 pounds???? what is wrong with my body... sigh... The fear that I might go through surgery and nothing changes wakes me up in the middle of the night in a panic.....

hi so my name is jessica and i am new to the bypass forums but not new to the site. ive kind of been lurking since wendsday of this week and wanted to tell my story. i am 24 with a high weight of 290 pounds right now i am in month four going on month 5/7 of my required visits for insurance and have lost 8 pounds not a lot but ill take it. i have a awesome husband who is my rock and is supporting me through all of this and is keeping me accountable when my head hunger kicks in and i want mcdonalds really bad lol so thats me ill update more as i go along i should be having surgery in march or april of 2016 so anyone having it around that time message me and we can keep up

Thanks to all for this post and the replies. I am having almost the exact same problems but I haven't lost nearly the weight you have. I am going to try keeping a closer watch on my Protein, drinking more Water less coffee (with sugar free creamer). I also have not been good at exercising but I am doing better and have found some buddies to exercise with some days which helps. I also just bought a book that was recommended in another thread and I hope that it helps. Failure is not an option!

I will be 1 year out in July 2013.. Had surgery in Mexico with Dr Garcia.. Yes I did have issues but have lost over 70lbs.. This is the smallest I have ever been.. It feels so good to buy clothes ! I still have issues with reflux, I take 1 prolosec in am & 1 in pm.. My insurance has covered all my after care, including 2 hospital stays for a C Diff infection. Also I still struggle with food. Sometimes difficult to eat with the reflux. One of my docs wanted to convert my sleeve to a bypass but I dont want to do anymore surgery.. I was suposed to have another EGD last Fall with a monitor placed for 2 days but I didnt want to do anything at that time.. My C Diff finally went away in December. Ok, so Im actually going to try & attach pics.. One is of me & my son from October 2011, I probably weighed 185.. The other 2 were taken a few days ago at 129 lbs! I never liked to take pics before so it feels weird to take them now.. Good luck to all in their weight loss journey!!

Ok, I have to share this with someone that would understand what a big step this was for me. I went for my last appointment with the surgeon yesterday and I expressed by what if I fail concerns with him. We talked for ahile and I was reassured I have every opportunity to succeed at this as anyone. The line that struck me was - We'll (the MD staff) will be there with you every step of the way on your weight loss journey even at 3 am. You'll never be able to forget we are in this toegether once you have the surgery - OK a little corny - but it worked for me. I stopped my Last suppering that I've been doing all month and I actually had the nerve to walk into VICTORIA SECRET today. I broswed like I belonged there and I will belong in a few months. I am not afraid to success. ROAR!

Hi everybody, I've been lurking on the boards for so long that I felt it was time to come out of hiding and say how much inspiration you've all given to me without knowing it. You are a great source of information, comfort, and camaraderie -- it feels wonderful to know that I'm not alone. My real name is Michele. I'm originally from St. Louis, MO but I've been living in the Houston area (The Woodlands to be more exact) for 14 years. I'm 49 years old and I have a host of problems that I hope are going to be greatly improved by the surgery -- diabetes, high blood pressure, low thyroid, high cholesterol. Diabetes is the main one. My mom was about 100 lbs. overweight and died when she was 62 from the complications of diabetes. It's taken several of my friends too, and I just don't want to go out that way if I can help it. It's funny, I'm a conservative Republican but I tell everyone "Thank you President Obama!" If it weren't for Obamacare I don't know where I'd be. Because of the PCIP program which is part of the Affordable Care Act, I am able to get insurance and I couldn't afford it previously. I was turned down for other insurance and the Texas Risk Pool insurance was twice as expensive as what I pay for deductibles now. Anyway, my insurance covers bariatric surgery. I had to be on medically supervised weight loss for 6 months, then they approved me. Because of previous surgery I had on my ears this year, I've already met my out of pocket maximum so this surgery is free for me. I have been truly blessed. This past year has been an epic saga trying to get to this point. After doing everything I needed to do for six months and gaining approval for the surgery on the first try, I found out my surgeon was out of network because the medical group he was a part of fell apart and he joined with a new group and my insurance couldn't find him on their network anymore. Finally my insurance suggested that I find a different surgeon so I looked around and found one who has a lot of good reviews online -- and this is going to be my hero - Dr. Dexter Turnquest. My surgery is scheduled for Monday the 19th at 1:00 pm. I'm so excited that it's finally happening yet I'm feeling more nervous and I have more trepidation than I thought I would. My surgeon allows only Clear Liquids for the first week (yep the week of thanksgiving - maybe i can find some turkey broth). Then after that I go on the soft diet. He said he wants his patients eating their Protein, not drinking Liquid Protein, so I'm glad I won't have to be on the Protein Shakes -- I'm sorry, they're mostly awful. I worry what it's going to be like to be at home and not chowing down. I wonder what it's going to be like not to eat certain things, not to eat as much as I used to eat. I wonder if I'll get really depressed because that's been my coping source all these years. But I know that God is on my side and He has brought me to this and He'll help me get through it. But I can't help wondering and worrying a little if it's going to be really hard. Can anyone recommend things I should have on hand for that first week when I'm home that I would regret if I didn't get? My friend is going to spend the night with me the night I come home (which will be Tuesday afteroon) but after that I'm mostly going to be on my own sitting in my little apartment. Please let me know if there were things, medicines, food items, that you were really glad you had around. Anyone else live in The Woodlands area? I would love to go to a support group and make some new friends. I think it would help me get out of myself and help me take the focus off ME. There's so much more I could say so I'll just leave it at that for right now -- thanks again to all of you for being here!

Congrats on the weight loss. You might try the nutrition forum. I know there are some recipes floating around.

The Antijared has some loose skin there but nothing too awful. He's done well. But frankly, there isn't much you can do. Take care of your skin, keep it healthy and hydrated.....yeah, that might help a little, but it's no guarantee. How much weight you have to lose, age, genetics....they are the contributing factors and you can't control those things. And resistance training....well, if you build muscle to replace the fat, that will help fill out the space vacated by fat loss, but no one is ever going to be able to build enough muscle to replace all of the lost fat. That's just a fact. So again, it just depends on the elasticity of the individual. And not to burst bubbles, but you can do toning exercises till the cows come home....your muscles will thank you, but it doesn't affect your skin. Skin cannot be made to shrink by working the muscles underneath. And someone can say they did X bicep curls and didn't get bat wings....but that doesn't mean the curls had anything to do with it. Sorry to be pessimistic, but just trying to keep it real. Be healthy, lose the weight, live a long life...the skin is an annoyance, but it's better than the fat.

I have not had a fill since December 2015. Since then I have gained 30lbs. Do you all think something may be wrong. I have been researching cause and the slipped band scare me. I don't have any of the symptoms of a slipped band. Plus I don't want to feel like a failure for allowing my band to slip. Is it normal to gain so much weight just because I haven't gotten a fill. I will make an appointment on Monday to resolve my fears but I would like some input.

Time to start this journey [03 Sep 2006|10:57am] [music | The first time ever I saw your face [03 Sep 2006|10:57am When did it hit me? When Chris said, "think of all the things you would have done in Alaska had you not had a mobility issue"(?) Probably. It all seem to come to synchronicity (great album BTW). Half day at school, I needed to renew my prescriptions and see the doctor about that darn rash. I went to my dentist after school let out and had that off bite drilled down since it hadn't really felt right since doing the new filling. It took but a brief five minutes and I found myself back out in my car and heading towards Main Street. Left. I think I'll get those prescriptions in person rather than waiting for the pharmacy to call them in. Five blocks away and I was parking right next to the front door. How often does that happen? I walked up to the window and signed in and sat down. "Mrs. Reeves did you have an appointment?", a new receptionist peered out from the glass partition, "No I just happened to be in New Port Richey for a dentist appointment and need to have a rash looked at" (TMI I though to myself, too much information) but it seemed to appease her and I waited. Less than ten minutes and I was walking down the hallway past the examination rooms, going, going, to the last room which I know to be my doctor's preferred examination room. Wednesday, he's not there on Wednesdays, it's his day off. "What are you here for today?". I like the older staff. I know them, they take their time and I can ask about the issue "downunda" without feeling like the PHCC grad staff is "sewgrossing" about it at lunch. I tell her all of the truth, that I have a rash down there and that I have another rash on my arm. My back is killing me ( couldn't be that extra 200 pounds could it..answer your own question Patty, YES!) The list is long. She smiles, she comforts me and takes my blood pressure. She leaves. I'm waiting for the nurse practioner to come in but I hear my doctor's familiar pitch and tone. It's Wednesday, he isn't here on Wednesdays. The door opens and my nurse has returned, "Is Dr. Sichelman here?" "yes" "he isn't here on Wednesdays it's his day off" I tell her, "Dr. Galadi is on vacation so he is covering" she tells me. (how often does that happen?) This is going to be a day for unexpected things. My doctor comes in, I show him my rash on my arm, it's not really anything what else? There is the lump on my stomach in the mass of large fat on my belly I feel a pea like object, he feels it, it's nothing. He notices the rash below my stomach. I've been treating it with ointment for how long? (should I tell him years? Should I tell him two baths a day?) "it's been there awhile" I managed. He pulls at my underpants and notices another flush of skin below that. I admitted sex hadn't been what it use to be and he tells me to go to my OBGYN, "we really don't deal with that". Before I know it the conversation has turned with the problem at the moment and he begins examining me. This is a man of medicine, a healer at heart and I never appreciate him more than this moment. I have a staph infection and then a yeast infection. Before I leave there I will end up have a stack of nine separate prescriptions. I cover myself back up and sit down on the bench. He sits down at the other end and the nurse is stationed with my chart and a pen at the desk. The greater question, the greater issue, my weight. "So when are we going to get this weight off?" It's a question, a subject that he and I have talked about for years. My doctor of 16 years. Through the phase of Phen-Fen, Meridian, Redux, 1200 calories, 1800 calories, over the counter products into last year and the diagnosis of Type I Diabetes, rehabilitation to begin some type of activity until now. It's serious. My back is giving under the pressure, I take Lasix for water retention, blood pressure medication and he switches me today to two types of medication. "I know Doctor. I don't know what to do. I've tried, I've tried for years." This is a moment of honesty, the reality that my life is on the line. He tells me I'm looking at ten years. (ten years until my body breaks a blood vessel in my brain, tens years until my heart faults, ten years of semi goodness left in my body) He goes on to tell me about another patient. "He had the same problem as you. He had the gastric surgery, came in a few months back and I hardly recognized him." *A year ago I couldn't have, wouldn't have entertained this procedure* I can do this on my own I said. But a year later and an increase in 25 pounds told me that there comes a time when one has to admit they are in over their head. I was in over my head and I knew it. "Where did he go?" I was ready. I'll take some fries with that bypass [05 Sep 2006|11:59am] I refused to go to Community Hospital. Some how my brain is in 1983 with my first pregnancy and the halting news of things that had happened in this antiquated facility. But that was then, this is now. Reconstruction, new specialists are the norm for hospitals. This one has taken on the issue of obesity with a center for Weight Loss Surgery. I called three gastric doctors before realizing that there was going to be more than just a surgery. I went online and found the center's information site and read. I read for perhaps an hour. There was gastric bypass surgery, there was another type of surgery that was invasive. There was also the type of incision. I was quickly opting for laproscopic surgery. Small incision, scope to aid the doctor to see what was inside. Less invasive, quicker recovery(...I'll take some fries with that). I phoned the center and the voice on the other end was a rich accent (Jamaica?) and gentle. She asked all the questions I anticipated. I'd been down this road with my children and their pediatric disorders. Who? What? What kind of insurance? The quicker route would be to have my doctor's office call this center because everything is a referral. Making a decision to have a procedure like this is the first step the second, step is the business of it. Is it covered by insurance? The following Monday was a holiday and as it just happened to be, she was having a seminar with a few other patients. I would attend. That weekend went fast and Monday morning I was on my way down to New Port Richey, to the hospital, to the empty parking lot (holiday) to the office of Ivy. The first thing I did was sit down OF COURSE that is what fat people do when they first enter a room! (note to self: send that joke to Louis). We made our way across the hall to the meeting room. There is something about conference rooms that put me at ease. I expect a lecture, a Power Point because the screen is down and soon we are joined by a couple. Later I would exchange email addresses with "Patti" who happened to have a favorite color too...PURPLE! She saw my "Pattypreferspurple" email address on the sign up sheet and we clicked from that moment on. She had come with her husband. Then there was Gerry. I looked at them and we all seemed to have this spiritual connection. I was past being shy about my obesity, I'm big and I know it. After a few hours I was hungry and my sugar was getting low. I asked Ivy for a banana or something to raise my sugar, FOOD? She called down to the cafeteria and ordered up a few breakfast items and coffee. What do fat people love to do when they come together? ORDER IN! What did I care that there were pastries on the tray, I was here for a procedure that wouldn't allow me to eat more than 1 oz. of food, " A shot glass" as I put it. We laughed, ate, drank and got down to the business of filling out paperwork, copying identification cards and preparing ourselves for the business of weight loss. and it occurred to me. These people were smart, well articulated and with the collective as a group, we were already breaking down the percentages of the data on the Power Point and realizing that a large % of the group did not return post the procedure in the study group. So I admit that I too have the misperception that fat people are stupid, food numbed individuals who wile the hours away in front of a television doing everything but being nutritiously sound in mind and spirit. I'm beginning to learn a lot of WRONG things that like the rest of the world, I believe to be true.

I have been an emotional eater all my life. It's the only friend that has never left me. Heck that pizza from high school is STILL on my hips! I worry about gaining the weight back. I wworry about cross addition. Heck, I worry about both! But I've done OA before, just need to get serious about it again. I'm lining up therapy and an outside nutritionist. I've even enrolled in a Lifestyle Change group focused on healthy living. I'm just hoping that by this fall when I should be due for surgery, I'll actbactually be ready for it!

Don't cancel your surgery!!! What you're feeling is normal and let's just say that the negative feelings will pass the closer you get to your date. I was "all over the board" emotionally prior to WLS--One day i'd be happy about the surgery then the next day I would feel the opposite. Because I was a 20 year yo-yo dieter, I knew how the lose the weight but NOT how to keep it off. The result was more regain over & over & over again till I hit my highest weight of 330. I felt like a failure and the medical issues from being morbidly obese was more "pile on" of negativity. I couldn't walk up stairs, problems w/breathing walking to my car, sleep apnea, back pain, knee/joint pains, asthma, couldn't fit in booths at restaurants, airlines.... and so on. Focus on the things that you plan to do once you get your health under control and ignore everything else. Put yourself (your health) FIRST this time. WLS is a tool to help you get to your goal but it's not a "cure-all" for everything going on in your life. As far as the skinny co-workers chatting-- IGNORE THEM. Their story is NOT your story and YOUR JOURNEY is NOT their journey. Check with the surgeons office to see if they have WLS support groups that meet and start going to the meetings. This helps me ALOT to hear the stories, tips etc from others that are in the same boat. And know that even after the WLS, there will be good & bad days. I'm still on my WL journey and even on the worst days I don't regret having RNY done. Good Luck to you both!!!!!

You will do wonderful!!!! I have to get my before pictures on here but I didn't take any. My family and friends are in denial that i weighed over 300 lbs. I have alot of muscle though too! Oh well! Doesn't it feel good to get on the scale and know you have lost instead of praying you didn't gain!!!!! Have a great Holiday!!!

Hello all, This is the second time I wrote this the other one just disappeared???? :embarassed: :faint: Ok so I have been lurking alot and posting a litlle for the pass month or so. I heard about the lapband in dec of last year. I have done TONs of research and decided to do it.. I am a mother of three children under the age of 5 and a wife to a wonderful man. I am at the highest weight of my life right now and just ready to make a life change. ( I am 6'2 and 315lbs w/ BMI of 40) So today is my LCD day(life changing day) I am commited to changing all my old bad habits and making new ones. I have two appointments next week to see a psyc dr and a nutritionalist. once that done my doctor will file the ins. I am praying I get approved. I have united and have been told they are real good about approving. I am seeing Dr woodman in Memphis Tn. Anyone heard of him? Anyways just wanted to say thanks for all of your inspiration you all have offered and be prepaired I sure I will have LOTS of questions.. :help: Jenny (soon to be bandster)

I'm 4 months out, and fortunately I haven't experienced any stalls. what everyone is saying is correct, I exercise all day except when I'm sleeping, I'm not for sure if that is good or bad but, at work I do chair exercises, I walk for an hour on lunch, I walk after dinner, I ride my recumbent bike while watching television and when I'm in bed I do leg lifts until I fall a sleep. I even go to the gym on the weekends, I know crazy right, but I haven't had a stall and I am dropping weight like crazy.