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Hey everyone! Just wanted to find out if what I'm experiencing is unusual... I'm coming up on my one year bandaversary on May 26th and am down 110 lbs! I'm thrilled with this, but my skin is driving me CRAZY! I noticed my face tingling and burning and itching and decided to go to a dermatologist. I was diagnosed with Rosacea.. giving Metrogel and another prescription topical med. These meds made my face worse... dry, flakey, red, etc.. But finally I think I have the Rosacea under control (by using Cetaphil cleanser and Aveeno moisturizers - after years of using expensive spa products, who knew?). Now I am experiencing another issue. I had my eyebrows waxed on Saturday by my hair stylist (who has done my brows for years). Well... MY SKIN CAME OFF with the wax and hair. YEOWWW~ that hurt! Now my skin under my eyebrows is all puckered and is definietly gonna peel.. the pain and tenderness and REDNESS is over, but now everyone is asking about my eyelids because it looks BAD. Have you guys noticed any "thinning of the skin" or anything? Could this be a lack of some vitamin or mineral? Could it be related to the Rosacea? My stylist used wax for sensitve skin and it wasn't hot. She went to the wax for sensitive skin after I lost a little bit of skin the last time she waxed them(nothing like Saturday.. I have racing stripes under my brows!). I've been waxing for years and have never had a problem.. Thoughts?! Right now I'm afraid to ever wax again... Are my skin issues weight-loss related? Hormone related? Nutritional issues? Any insight would be great!

:nervous I attended my first WLS support group meeting last night at the Medical Center where I'll be having my surgery. All but one of the people who stood up to give their testimonials were RNY people. One lady, whom I had met at a seminar in Sept. '06 was there. She came over to tell me all about her surgery, which was 11/29/06, and her weight loss--over 80 lbs. so far!!! I got a little envious, and even started wondering if RNY would be better--they seem to lose weight so fast. This is ridiculous, I've been researching and considering lap band for over 3 years! Does anybody else get these doubts? I guess when I think about it, the whole reason I felt lap band was better for me all along was that the weight loss seems to be a little slower, and it seems that there are less complications. Plus, the mal-absorptive feature of RNY is sort of counter-intuitive in my mind (for me). I would never deign to tell somebody else what is right for them, but lap band always seemed right for me....still....that envy sure did creep up on me. Thanks, Carol Insurance approved 4/17/07, waiting on a surgery date--should be in May

Thank you so much for your encouraging response! I am feeling hopeful, and really, really hoping that Medicare will cover it. I think that the loss of weight would improve my mobility a lot. Thanks again!

Hi everyone [emoji5], I'm about to change my life for the better. After years of weight-loss struggles due to hysterectomy and hormones I finally got up the nerve to walk into a weight-loss clinic and forever change my life. Scary as it seemed the team at the center were and are beyond helpful and kind. Not only that but my Dr. Had bypass surgery himself so he knows all the struggles we will face. My greatest shock is I've suffered for 24 years with GERD and the Dr said you have a hienal hernia let's knock that out and get you a gastric sleeve and put this behind you. So here I am headed for scope and ultrasound next week then to the next step. Today I weight 236 at 5'4 yet I'm beautiful so I can not wait to find that hot mama [emoji7]just dying to be set free. [emoji173]#happywifehappylife #dothisforyou Sent from my SM-G981U using BariatricPal mobile app

Yes, I believe that exercise has made a difference in my weight loss. I didn't start exercising right after surgery because I had plantar fasciitis, and exercise just made it worse. Plus, I was losing fine just with the dietary changes. But, at about 4 months out/60 lbs. down, I knew it was time to get started. Plus, my surgeon flat out said that if I want to get all the way down to goal, that exercise is not an option...it is crucial. So, I joined a gym, and started going regularly at the first of January. At first I did 20" on the elliptical 3 times a week, plus a couple of sessions of strength training per week. I didn't have huge changes on the scale, but it was steady. Then, by the end of February, I felt confident about my fitness level to take it up a notch, and started taking a spinning class. All of a sudden, I started dropping like 3 lbs. a week, which to me is even more impressive since I'm under 20 lbs. to goal. I love the spinning so much that I now take a class every day except Sunday (because they don't offer one on Sunday!) It's fun, envigorating, and man, does it shred the pounds! I read something in a fitness magazine that I think is very true. It said that sometimes people get discouraged early in their fitness program because they don't see big changes on the scale. Here's the thing, your body starts hanging on to Water after you start exercising, because it needs water to process the glycogen stores in your cells. Plus, after several weeks, you also add some muscle weight. So, don't sweat it if you don't see appropriate feedback from the scales right away. Keep it up, because it is well worth it in the long run. Keep in mind, that you need to start at a level that is appropriate for you own level of fitness, and then progress so that you improve your fitness without getting burnt out or injured. The best way to measure your fitness level for cardio is a heart rate monitor. One other thing...most people don't enjoy fitness activities until they have some level of physical fitness, but, of course you have to exercise to get physically fit. So, either find an activity that you genuinely love to do, or accept that you just have to force yourself to do it until you get to the point where you want to! Tami

Add ex husband"s wedding reception and 12 hours of travel to get there, to day 10 of liquid pre-op. Surround yourself with cake, Cookies, peanuts, M&Ms, fruit pies and pretzels. Watch everyone around you tuck in. Eat nothing. Go home starving. Ugh. Fortunately we found a Soup place near our hotel and ate some veg soup and tomato basil soup that filled us up, but I just got yet another glimpse of what life after surgery will be. I will be surrounded by tempting food, and I will have to not eat any of that junk unless I want to jeopardize both my weight loss and my health. No one said it would be easy, right? I'm curious what tough situations others faced during pre and post op and how they got through them? I had to give myself a stern talking to.

Hi Tonya! Congrats on getting banded!!! I married my busband, and wear a wedding band proudly! I banded my stomach and wear my tummy band proudly! You asked a few questions, and here's a quick response. You can always eMail me - as I can not get on this website as often as I want too!!! 1) What do you think contributed to your weight loss (besides the band) Determination. Determination. Determination. I have been fat. I have hated myself. I felt like the world didn't approve of me, and I couldn't stand all those feelings. EVERY SINGLE DAY I woke up with yet another day to make a difference or choice about my fat. I worked it every single day. 2) Did you do low carb or low fat or both? HIGH Protien. 60grams minimum a day. NO Sugar I cut carbs WAY down - I didn't want ANY, and avoided at all possible opportunity - by doing this, because carbs are naturally in so much, I was able to really keep the carbs at bay. Avoided all empty calories. (i hate water, and some bottled waters have empty calories - i use that as an example of 'empty calories') 3) Did you have PB incidents? Nope. My husband does. (he was banded 7-5-06) Eat small bites, and slowly. I was really taken back by how much slower I eat, and damn if I wasn't full faster! I had one incident, where I was having dinner with friends, wrapped up in talking, took a bite of salad and we are guessing it got stuck. I spent the night in the hospital, great morphine, but it was painful, embarrassing, and down right frustrating!!! 4) Did you exercise - if so, how much? Ok, I have OCD. I was exercising 7 days a week. Doctor, Nutrionist, trianer and husband all made me cut back to 6 days a week. I would go in there and pound myself for at least two hours - and still not think I did enough. Then I decided I would go in, burn 100 to 200 calories, then think, if I can burn 200 cals, I can burn 300.. Eventually I was burning 700 calories in 45mins, and could allow myself to leave the gym feeling like I had contributed to my daily process of weight loss attempts, and not beat myself up that I did not do enough to loos weight that day at the gym. I have not been back to the gym in MONTHS !!! I started a new job across town and just could not fit it into the day. Well, hubby and I are going back to the gym this Monday, as he needs to loose weight and I need to FIRM up my butt and thighs!!! I hung a calendar in my closet. I weigh myself everyday. I lost 10 to 14 pounds a month, and this contributed to my weight loss goal being hit in under a year. Was I starving? No. I learned I was craving crap. I craved bacon that I used to eat up to ten pieces for breakfast b4 surgery. I craved high carb snacks - because emotionally I was depleated. Upset, happy, and even stupid. To resolve the need for a sugary snack, and to hold me over when I know we're only an hour or two away from dinner and I know I need to eat my dinner..... I will grab about 6 or 8 animal cookies. (Stoffers are the best) We keep them in the cabinet, the kids and hubby and I will grab a few on the run. It resolves that need to 'snack' and a little sugary taste so I don't totally feel like I am depriving myself. It is all in moderation these days. And I still focus big time on my PROTIEN first. There are still items I stay away from in my diet choices. But slowly I allow a few things in very concentrated moderation form, back in. Someone on this board once posted - and it is my mental chant: NOTHING TASTES AS GOOD AS SKINNY FEELS Physically, mentally, emotionally, ...... I am honestly the best Melanie I have ever been. I have rambled enough. Sorry!!! Sending you then very best for banded success!!!! -Melanie

I wouldn't. They are NOT the same as flour....they can get all gummy in the pouch, believe me. Just don't. Need to be super sure everything will go through ok. A PB now could mean trouble from here on with the band. Plus, they will totally slow up any weight loss you are experiencing.

Hi there yep i still have the same weight loss althought i seem to have to now be very very careful in what i eat or drink. I dont think that i can have another band due to the mrsa. But we will have to waite and see,iI was self funding, nhs would not fund me. Mrs D

HI all first post on this site feeling realy desperate in need of help had lap band in august 2005 start weight 25stone 7lbs had it done as private NHS patient MR SUPER birmingham had first fill of 5mls to SAGB cost £265 pound and had ok weight loss. went for second fill and it cost £265 but only got .5ml . This was may 06.Between may and october had lots of vomitting and PB .in october last year went to ireland for half term and while there band completly obstructed. i tryed to drink but nothing would go down ended up on a drip and having to be flown back from ireland to have emergency unfill costing £265 .MY weight was by now 18 stone 15 momths post band. after 8 weeks doctor did refill only putting 4mls this was november it cost another £265 . then in january same thing happened and they took all the fill out again .I have now got an empty band and my weight has gone back to 20 stone .doctor said will do refill maybe 2mls at a time each will cost £265 . MR super just puts xray forms at bupa hospital you dont see him:think my problem is the money i keep paying for fills and unfill and refill again, i have no doctor as i self paided and my pct will not fund after care i feel gutted and out of control with my eating i had to buy new clothes today as nothing fits it feels like the old hatefull days of worry if i pay for more fill am i wasting money

well, people have died from tonsillectomies and wisdom tooth extraction, but then...how many people are we talking about? Your chances of dying are higher than THAT, but the mortality rate is 0.3% of dying from gastric bypass, and lower for the sleeve (I can't remember the rate for the sleeve, other than it's lower). So you have at least a 99.7% chance of NOT dying, which I'd say are excellent odds. I think a lot of people - esp oldsters like me - remember the old intestinal bypasses and other weight-reducing surgeries they did 30+ years ago, and yes, those WERE risky. But the surgeries they do now are very different - and they're really no more risky than having your gall bladder out. They're safer than hip replacement surgeries, which are done every day. just do your research. I was very surprised when I did - my perceptions of weight loss surgery were proven wrong, and I'm so glad I had it done.

Congratulations on your weight loss. 240 pounds is fantastic. I am almost 3 years post-op RNY surgery. This article describes my approach in the "Maintenance" phase. http://www.breadandbutterscience.com/Surgery2.pdf

how long did it take you 100plus weight losses to achieve your goal of losing the weight how many months or year???????

Hi, I will be having the new AP band. When I asked my surgeon about it he said that it is softer than previous bands, and that they believe it will facilitate greater weight loss. I would also be interested in further information regarding this band from Dr C, or anyone else in the loop. Susannah

i was allowed to shower 2 days post op with the instructions that over the incisions (which were still covered with steri strips) that i just allow the Water to cascade over them, no scrubbing or anything like that. the water didn't budge them and i didn't get any soap on them unless it rinsed out of my hair or off of my shoulders. i was very careful. they removed my steri stips for me yesterday as i had an appointment anyway and they wanted to look at the incisions. i can't bathe or swim for 3 more weeks though. only showers.

Hi Tracey, I think I just hit my sweetspot too! I know what you mean about the new foods but you just have to try them. For breakfast I usually have egg beaters with some shredded turkey or ham and a slice of light cheese. It packs in a ton of Protein with very little fat and low caloric content. If I don't have time to make my breakfast, I have a box of shredded wheat in my desk and I pour about 1/2 cup for myself. Also, I sometimes bring oatmeal and make myself a packet. Trader Joe's has a great blueberry and flax seed variety. lunch varies for me... sometimes it's half a Lean Cusine, or just some slices of low fat/sodium turkey and ham. Salads are another staple as they go down very easy for me. I also LOVE salmon sashimi. Where I used to gravitate towards the pizza and burgers for lunch, they just don't do it for me anymore. For starters, if it's not super thin crispy crust pizza, I'll PB. And for me, the pizza PB is the worst of all! And considering pizza was my FAVORITE food - I'm amazed at how little it matters to me. dinner is usully whatever I make. I try to stay away from takeout when I can for the health factor and also the money factor. I made a small tray of killer eggplant parm on Sunday (baked the eggplant, not fried!). I couldn't eat much. Last night I had 2 of the 2" square ravioli as dinner and I was set! I can do chicken when cut small, chewed well, and it's moist. I think I'm definitely going to miss my summer grilled chicken sandwiches that I used to order at the grill on Sunday nights... oh the small sacrifice! There's also a great book that I got on Amazon called Eating Well after Weight Loss Surgery. They give some great recipes and many things are specifically in there for lap band limitations. Check it out and good luck!

Thanks Julie - that is very helpful - esp coming from someone who is so successful at 'banding' - weight loss. I did measure for awhile then got into 'eye balling' everything but I'm going to try what you described. Since I eat mostly 100% Protein at Breakfast, I normally try to do 1/3 of protein, 01/3 cup vege and maybe a (1/3 cup)carb so I'll use the 1/3 cup measuring cups for lunch and/or dinner! Getting excited for your upcoming p.s. - take care, mary

I just had my psych eval with Pam Kance Brolin - Family Therapy Associates. On Route 1 North, in Monmouth Junction (a couple of miles north of Forrestal Village). She is the wife of Dr. Robert Brolin of NJ Bariatrics. She was terrific, and of course is well versed in weight loss surgery patients. If you need more info, let me know and I'll send you her contact info. I hope to get approval soon! Good luck to you. :girl_hug:

I am 11 days post op. I am still wondering if this is gonna work? Anyone else have that? I have PCOS and nothing ever worked. I really don't want to be disappointed with this. It's a huge change. I've list 10 lb total since surgery and I know that is great I was just hoping to be one of those 40 lb loss in the first month girls ya know.

My carrier, Independent Health does cover Vertical Sleeve, and my BMI is certainly high enough (50+). They do require a pre-surgery weight loss of 5% starting weight. Last time I was at the surgeons office he gave me a hard time because I barely lost anything. I am journaling, exercising, and have been eating right. I keep getting depressed because I'm so afraid that when I go back on february 17 that he'll put me on the backburner and make me wait forever. Self-pay for this surgery, including the hospital stay and necessary consults is $29,000. If I can't lose this 5% by then (it's been 3 months of dieting like this), can I ask him to make a petition to my insurance company to see if they will cover it anyway? I've been jumping through hoops for this surgery since May 2010.

Ok so every time I stall, doesn't usually last too long but about a week or so with no loss, all of my saggy, baggy "stuff" tightens up really nice. At the rate I'm going I don't think I'll need plastics. When my body's in losing mode my stomach gets all gross then I plateau and it firms all up again. Nice! Two months ago I thought for sure I would need some stomach work done but now I'm not so sure. Yay me!

I didn't have unwanted hair per se, but I seldom shave my legs anymore because body hair is very slow to grow and the texture is fine. However,since wls, my hair (on my head!) is very curly, whereas it was pretty straight before! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

My very curly hair has straightened! It's hormonal. I had straight hair until puberty, corkscrew curls until pregnancy #1, straight hair until pregnancy #2, and softer curls until WLS. Maybe it'll go curly again at menopause... Sent from my SM-G925V using the BariatricPal App

I am so excited and nervous at the same time. My surgery is set for October 7th! Yay!!! I am ready for for my new beginning. Any tips on vitamins and hair loss? I am very worried about the hair loss and how bad it will be.

christinenicole, I'm having the exact same problems as you. One day I eat a salad with no problems, next day same food and I'm stuck. Am also stuck in weight loss..why? I am controlling the quality of food I eat but not the quantity..I thought the band would do that. I am 2 1/2 months out of surgery. Getting annoyed. I know I am ready for a fill.