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Hey everyone! Ok so I weigh 250 lbs and my surgery is in Oct. 13 ..... I'm so excited but I'm a bit worried about having loose skin after the weight loss ..... I'm just wondering if there's any way to prevent that from happening ??

I watched a ton of weight loss surgery videos on YouTube and got a lot of my information from them. When it came time to see the surgeon I didn’t really have any questions for him. I do, however, wish I asked more questions about the post op diet as far as calories and protein since they don’t stress on protein goals until you are eating solid food. My best advice is to relax and take advantage of the required supervised diet. I only took advantage of it at the end. I wish I also took my measurements before surgery as the only ones I have are not at my highest. Take before pictures and progress pics. Your surgery will be here before you know it.

I'm so excited and nervous! Walking into my appointment today, I almost turned around! I was so nervous of the "what if's".... What if I'm too big for surgery... what if he thinks I'm not a good fit for the surgery I want... what if he looks at me and tells me I'm not trying hard enough with other options (my mom's suggestion: "Why don't you exhaust all of your other options first honey!") What if he likes everything and first surgery date avalible is in December... what if!!! Thankfully my husband was by my side and I'm too chicken to tell him "lets turn around and hide!" What if nothing! ***Happy "I'm getting surgery" dance!!!!**** (never thought I would be happy about going into surgery willingly! needles *cringe*) He approved me for surgery, he said two weeks of shakes/ less than 1,000 calories a day and surgery on June 13th!!! Bonus: Work is good with the days off, kids are going to hang with my mom and my honey is going to be by my side (he is my rock!) On a side note: The girls in my office are always having some sort of weight loss something going on... I think the current thing is $5 to weigh in each week for 6 weeks and at the end the "biggest loser" gets the "pot". They have always invited me to join in, but at twice their weight I've never been interested in everyone knowing my actual weight. Today they told me they didn't want me to join... that they all knew they would lose!! (this actually makes me happy!) Happy Tuesday everyone!

I would rather the loose skin than the weight. I love what has happened to my health, life, and body since surgery three months ago. I would make this decision a million times over

I would bake instead of fry. I'm sure your not eating a whole bag of cheese sticks. I'm deprived myself So much when I had my lab band that i eventfully gained 50lbd and now I'm sleeved!

Hi all! I had a band put in in 2009. Lost 70 pounds, it slipped in 2012 and I've gained back 30 pounds. I decided something needed to be done before I gained all my weight back. Had a plication done and my lap band was left in cause it does give me some restriction. I'm in tremendous pain, nothing like the other two surgeries. Has anyone had this done? I would love to hear from anyone in my boat. I'm on day three and thinking "what the hell have I done to myself" that's the drugs and pain talking I'm sure. Chime in if you have two cents!! Thanks a million!!

Thank you all so much for your kind words and above all your generous support. I have 2 people in my life who are very supportive and all of you. I will just concentrate on all the positive around me as I become closer to starting my journey. I wish I could go to bariatric weight loss support groups but unfortunately there is none in my area, I live 2 hours away from the hospital and surgeons office, so would make for a long drive. I will just get my support and information on here through all of you. Thank You Again

Almost all have hit the stall at two or three weeks out. You body is just catching up. Take your measurements during this time and I bet you are loosing inches. Keep positive the weight will start coming off again. Put the scales away.

The Depo shot is notorious for weight gain. Can your doctor put you on something else? I would go see your surgeon and tell them your situation. Then they can suggest the best course of action. Good luck, and hopefully you can get off that Depo!

I have a friend who started exercising this month. she is going to a club, trying to go everyday. by the 2 week mark she hadn't noticed any weight loss, she became discouraged. thankfully she commented on FB & this is why I am starting the topic. One of her friends sent this message to her. Melissa wrote: "Jackie, stay with it. food Journal is a great idea, it's just simple math; Calories in-calories out=calories deficit. Livestrong.comhas a place to keep track of the food and the workouts, giving you an approximate idea of how many calories you've burned. What you're doing so far is great, adding some strength training in there will help a lot. When you have more muscle you burn more calories, even just sleeping. Strength training can be lifting weights, pilates, yoga, boot camp...something where you are taxing the muscles. Weight yourself once a week about the same day/same time...you will go up and down everyday a bit. But don't be so concerned about the weight, think about how your clothes are fitting you, even better take measurements of your waist, hips, thighs, and upper arms, monitor those. 1 pound of muscle and 1 pound of fat are the same weight...but muscle is much more dense, hence you may lose fat and gain muscle, but your clothes get looser. The best way to lose weight is 2 pounds per week, it's been proven that's the best way to keep it off. It didn't take you 1 month to put the weight on, it will not take you 1 month to take it off. And like I said have fun, don't get obsessive, just enjoy the day for what it is and the goal will come, you just have to keep working. It's fantastic that you feel better after only two weeks, enjoy that! Be Proud! You're doing great! Ask questions when you need to. Sounds like you have lots of support, that's huge...we are all routing for you! You've got this ROCK STAR! http://www.livestrong.com/" Do you have support? Do you accept support? Can you listen to that support, even when you don't want to? I love the support I get from this site. I don't know any of you but I feel encouraged and accountable. I feel that it is important to support each other, as most of us have only had criticism. I feel that it is important to enjoy each day for all the minutes I am given. I hope that I never forget the weight and inches I lose and forget who I am. Paying it forward is our responsibility. Can we really do this?

I had a five week stall. Then, overnight, I lost five pounds and now I"m stalled AGAIN. I have both my middle fingers up to this dreaded stall! My mom said that we lose weight as we gained it....does anyone know if this is true?

In my former obese life, I only wore jeans that fit. It didn't matter what type. Now, with two thirds of my excess weight gone, the jeans that fit are actually called skinny jeans. That cracks me up every single time I put them on. As long as I wear tunic style tops, I can get away with it. My legs have always been my thinnest part.

Just be patient. I know it's frustrating when the scale doesn't move. I'm on week 11 and I've had at least 3 different weeks where the scale doesn't move for 7 days, then I'll mysteriously be down 2 - 3 pounds overnight. Your body is just acclimating to the lower calorie intake and sometimes it is holding onto every calorie, trying to replace the glycogen stores in the muscles. I don't have a formula for getting the scale moving again, but I do try to mix things up to keep my body from getting used to a set pattern. I walk a little extra, up my vegetable intake, or eat low carb for a day or two to see how my body will react. I was eating pistachio nuts and sunflower seeds last week and EEEEEKKKKKK! I gained 2 lbs that week. Monday I went back to basics of eating my refried Beans and chicken (eating 4oz every 2 hours), this morning I've lost the extra 2 lbs plus another 1lb. For the 1st time in 4 years I'm under 310lbs.

5 months down, psych eval, EGD, sleep test..etc. scheduled my last weight management and pre op nutrition for October 11. That 6 months flew by but just don't know if it's real yet. Don't have a date yet or even if it's looking hopeful, just wondering if anyone else is in the same boat?!?!

I think ultimately its up to the surgeon.. But the surgeon takes into account that the physcologist is trained to spot mental / emotional issues that might arise after an event or life altering event such as lapband surgery. Alot of people are like ya so what life altering by losing weight. It's a HUGE emotional journey.. I think almost everyone should have some type of professional help to fall back on for the journey. I wouldn't trade my band for anything but it's not always ups there's downs with it.

I had surgery on Dec 31, 2009. I went from 258 to 160. Then I went on the depo shot due to some female problems I gained alot of weight back and I am so depressed. The last time I had a fill was over a year ago due to the fact I lost my insurance. I want to go get another fill but the last one I had I had a hard time getting alot of stuff down. What do you think I should do?

So, I know there are a lot of posts on here about the "3rd week stall". Has anyone been through a 2nd week stall? My first week post-op I lost 15 pounds!!!! Then I started puréed foods and ever since the scale hasn't budged! It's been about 5-6 days of nothing, nada,zip! Don't get me wrong, I am very thankful for my initial weight loss and I'm sure my body is freaking out but how do I get the scale moving again!? I'm getting about 80oz fluids/day and hitting my protein goals that my NUT set. I've also been out and about walking around target, Walmart, the mall, etc. I know I could probably do a little more exercise but I'm a little hesitant until my 2 week follow up appointment which is tomorrow! Any suggestions would be great!

I'm so worried guys. So my doctor office called and they're worried about my ins approval. Out of my 5 years of required weights , there has been 1 year that I was under the BMI of 35 . I have diabetes, sleep apnea and other como. She wanted to prepare me for worse. Has anyone experienced this situation ? Any approvals or denials? I have did everything else and now this....

You know, I would say you need to find another doc to do your fills and follow up care. I have an 11cc band and it took 7.5ccs to finally feel restriction. I was banded in Mexico (by an amazing surgeon) but I live in Indiana. So, it was really too far for me to travel back for fills and follow up. I now use the Fill Centers USA for my fills / follow up and I've been pleased. The doc I see really listens to me and is just generally great. She's put in more ccs per visit than the "usual protocol" recommends, because I was having no restriction. She also has done her own research into my band size and how much she can put in. The most important thing is that your doctor listens to you and treats you accordingly. You had the band placed because you needed help with weight loss, like everyone here did. You deserve to have the band work the way it's supposed to, and it won't if it doesn't have enough fluid in it to cause restriction. Good Luck!

I've been doing low carbs since my surgery (about 10 1/2 mos. out) -- I DO NOT count the carbs in my fruits and veggies. I figure they're good for you, you should be eating them, so they don't count. I DO count the carbs in breads, pastas, cereals, rice, etc. You get the idea. Frankly, I think (and it's just my belief) that given our small stomachs, we need as much fiber as we can possibly get -- I still battle constipation and if I don't get enough fiber in, I'm miserable. I've also come to realize in my short time post op, that while we should restrict "bad" carbs, we need to emulate normal eating as much as possible. Our tummies are going to be naturally restrictive (seriously) -- and despite what we eat (even if we fall off the wagon), we're going to lose. I'm about 5 pounds from goal and am still losing at a pretty good clip, despite the fact that I'm upping my calories, upping my carbs, etc. The thing about weight loss, something I think we often lose sight of (and I do all the time despite almost being at goal and almost a year out) -- is that we don't lose at a steady rate. It's stair steps -- sometimes we lose a bunch, then our bodies stop. Then we lose, then we stop. It's our bodies' way of adjusting to the weight loss -- it's mentally frustrating (believe me!) -- but, we have to accept that we will lose as long as we are active and eating well. Now, if you're gonna binge on cake, well after awhile you're not gonna lose. But, eating well, moving our bods, and keeping the weight loss thing in perspective is what it's all about

Hi I got banded on Oct 29th and my paper from the hospital said advance to solids as tolerated but I sm seeing slot of people who were banded with me or around the same time are still on liquids only. I have still been losing weight even though I been eating solids. Please let me know if I am messing up.

The psychologist I went and saw is a military one. They get paid the same no matter what. She did ask about my younger years with being over weight and talked alot about my mother being over weight also. She did ask me what I expected after the lapband and what I expected from the lapband. I am sure she will give me a glowing review, but the thought of failing is still there. Jennifer

Wow, guys, that sounds really bad! I do know there are bad tenants out there (I've encountered them) but it really is crazy the things people will do. A friends father is a landlord in another town in this area and they have a 13 page lease....it's actually famous among my friends because pretty much everyone has rented something from him at some point before--usually right out of college. Anyway, I saw it once and was laughing at the stipulations in there (can't remember specifics but I'll ask) thinking that he must be the most paranoid man on earth. Nope, they said. All of that comes from specific experience. He has a million crazy stories, apparently. But I'm just not one of those people (as far as I know anyway...this whole thing has started to make me worried that I'm some horrible tenant that no one would want). I always pay on time, and have never complained about a thing. Only times I've ever called them is when my toilet was broken (and I couldn't fix it) and when a window air conditioner needed replacing because it was blowing hot air--in three full years. I'm not silent but I'm not loud (I play music while I'm cooking, and am often up late and need to walk through the apartment). I used to smoke in here, but had I known anyone was complaining would have stopped immediately...I....I don't know what else you could complain about me about. Oh well. What's done is done. But good news.... I'm off to sign a lease! In a building kind of like the one I'm in now. Not nearly as old or historic--this one I live in is 220 years old and on a cobblestone street while the new place is (I'm guessing) just over 100 but age and historic factor were never the issue, I'd have moved into a brand new construction just as easily--I'm just pointing out the differences. Anyway, it's a converted townhouse, one apartment per floor. On the same street, but 6 blocks up. I have the ground floor this time instead of the old attic which is different but nice. I loved living up here even with the 4 flights of stairs because it's cute and pokey and the ceilings are slanted and it feels very cottage-cozy. But with the ground floor, I have no more grocery issues (planning shopping trips around weight and size of purchases is not fun), and "possession" of the little backyard area--mostly a patio with paving stones but some dirt areas in which to grow things (the landlady said, when I asked, "oh please do...I'd love for someone to get some good use out of this"). It also comes with a parking space in the alley behind the building which is a godsend around here. Where I live now is very close to the river, bike trails and the tourist stuff so getting home past 7pm means a loooong time circling for a space, and moving the car at all on weekends in summer usually means parking in a parking garage when you get back because there's no point in even trying. I have the parking enforcement number in my cell phone to report when things get bad (it's supposed to be 2 hour parking only for everyone but residents. That never happens). Size wise it's practically identical--one bedroom plus a den that many people choose to use as a bedroom (here that wasn't possible because of the location of the only bathroom so the den is a den). It's about $150 more per month than I figured they'd raise my rent to this year had they renewed, and $50 more than the kind of ugly one bedroom I looked at farther away and on the busiest intersection in town (all of this includes utilities too). Because it's share-able though, and I've given the option to several friends of mine who are looking to move to this part of town, my costs will actually wind up lower than they have been in 4 years.... So basically....I'm still sad to leave but this will be a great move physically and financially. I love this place and this couple of blocks (the waterfront, the cobblestone etc) and my neighbors (not the ones in the building--the ones who love up and down the street) but I can easily come down for visits. Hey, I can plan my daily walking regime to come by here :tongue:. I've been spending the afternoon researching shade-loving plants and debating climbing roses (for the fence not the house) or jasmine :tt2:

Congratulations on the recovery! My recovery went very well also. Just be sure to still take it easy and allow your body time to recover. Just as a heads up...many of us experience a stall at three weeks. It's completely normal and weight loss will start again. Best of luck and welcome to the Losers' Bench!