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I had plastic surgery after my weight loss and insurance didn't pay for any of it. It cost me $19,600 for a lower body lift and breast lift with augmentation...good luck.

Has anyone had lipo to get rid of the double chin? I'm just wondering how effective it is and if bariatric patients have had success with lipo alone in this area (i.e. would most weight loss patients have loose skin in this area after lipo). I'm planning to have abdominoplasty and brachioplasty next month, and I'm considering asking my surgeon about liposuction in my neck as well. Thanks for your help.

I think it's really very common. From what I have read on here, a lot of us had that stall at the two or three-week point. No worries, your loss will start back up again. Hang in there. You are doing great???? Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using the BariatricPal App

I dont know. I heard other people mention on a different post that going back to the liquid phase for a few weeks helped get there body losing again. I wish you the best of luck with ur weight loss

Have you noticed any non-scale victories? Are your clothes fitting better? My nutritionist said that the body fills empty cells with water, which weigh more than fat (or something like that) but you should see differences in your measurements (which is why she recommends taking measurements...which I did not do!). I found that during my stalls is when most people noticed my weight loss!

Welcome to your first stall. They will happen FREQUENTLY (at least in my own experience). Your body has been through a lot and sometimes it needs to catch up with itself so it stalls you weight loss to do so. Your weight may even fluctuate back and forth from 1-3 pounds. It happens. stalls generally last between 1-3 weeks but can go on for longer (my longest two were 23 and 27 days respectively). Try not to stress about it because it's NORMAL (almost impossible not to do, I know). My first stall was at month 3 and it was the 23 day one. I questioned ever little thing I did and, yes, I thought 'am I doing something wrong?' but if you stick with your diet plan and just ride it out the weight loss will kick back up again naturally. In the 9.5 months since my surgery I've lost 110 pounds, so it DOES work. Some months you'll lose more than others, but you'll still lose.

You’re likely in a stall. They’re very, very common. The first one usually occurs around week 3 but it can begin before or after that. I thought of them as my body needing a breath to catch up with all the changes - the surgery, the reduced & changed diet, the weight loss, etc. They can last one week or a couple of weeks & you’ll have a couple of them on your journey. You will start to lose weight again. Just relax & stick to your plan. Good luck & congrats on your surgery.

I'm new here and wanted to express how I am feeling with what seems to be a great support group!!! I am only 23 years old and meeting with my surgeon on August 6th for a 4 hour long appointment. Meeting with him, behavioral analyst, program coordinator, dietician, and an exercise specialist. I am ready for this! Being overweight my entire life, and coming from a huge Italian family where food is everything, I have never been able to lose weight and keep it off. I have tried different programs (WW, Jenny Craig, Omnitrition) as well as attending a weight loss clinic and wasting thousands of dollars. The breaking point for me was going to the gym, everyday for 2 hours with my boyfriend for a year. We ate right, did the gym thing... he lost 86 lbs, and I didn't lose one. My doctor finally referred me to the surgeon after documented failed attempts. I was interested in Lap Band, but after my first info session, I am being recommended for the sleeve. Can anyone tell me about their experience? Like I said, I am excited to be comfortable with my self. Happy that I have the support from my family and friends that I do. But nervous, as this is a huge decision.

Hello, I'm new here and so glad I've found rnytalk! Surgery has been my goal for the past 6 months and now that everything's a "GO!" I'm so anxious and afraid. I feel like my concerns may be a bit invalid/vain however I still feel this way. But I figure this will be the place to help me through-- 1. What do I tell my coworkers about my "mysterious" weight loss? I shouldn't be ashamed about the surgery but my weight has ALWAYS be an embarrassing subject for me!! 2. How do I not have/reduce the issue of excess skin as I work toward my goal weigh? My heart is beating fast as I type cause I'm so scared. I feel like I can't admit my fears because my support people will be like "well, don't have the surgery then!" But they don't really understand what this is like for me :-( I have a few other concerns but these are the most pressing issues right now.

Although I was banded in May of 2008, this is my first post on here. I now wish I would have visited this site more often, as it may have prevented some of the problems I have had. In November 2008 - just 7 months after my surgery, I tried to take some Ibuprophen caplets first thing in the morning (looking back, not the smartest thing to do, but my back was killing me that day and I was desperate for relief). The pills got stuck and I vomited about 4-5 times in a 2 day period. My band slipped. My surgeon informed me that this typically does not happen with an occassional illness, but usually after prolonged, violent, vomiting episodes. WRONG!!! It can happen very easily - I'm the proof. I am an RN who researched the Lap-Band® surgery and my surgeon for almost a year before making the informed decision to have the surgery. I followed the rules and did everything I was told to do. I ended up having a revision within 2 days. My band has not worked the same since. Beginning with the very first fill I had acid reflux, which I had never had before. I had lost nearly 90 pounds with my first surgery, but I have not lost any weight in over a year now. In fact, I recently started being able to eat more and was gaining back some of the weight I had lost. I went in for a fill last week and was told that I may be too tight. I thought they were nuts! I was able to eat things I shouldn't even be able to eat and was eating almost normal portions! I was informed that sometimes the band can be too tight, and it causes the esophagus to stretch - therefore, allowing you to eat more and with no discomfort or vomiting. I thought they were full of it. I knew what too tight felt like. I have had to be unfilled several times and was not able to hardly swallow water. My Dr. ordered an upper GI and to my surprise, they were 100% correct! I was too tight and even after 1 hour later, the barium had not passed through my band. My esophagus was enlarged about 3 times more than normal. I had no idea this could happen. They also found that I have a large hiatal hernia. The radiologist sent me straight to my Dr.'s office for a total unfill and I must wait a month for my esophagus to return to normal size and possibly have a hernia repair before getting another fill. I am soooo discouraged and disappointed. I feel like a total failure. I have tried and failed every diet/weight loss program there is and now I can't even make a LAP-BAND® work for me! This was my last hope of ever getting the weight off. I forgot to mention that I paid privately for my surgery - TWICE!!! I still have about 3 years to pay off! Any advice/wisdom/encouragement would be appreciated.

I was banded on 3/1. As of today, I have lost 51 lbs. and I still haven't had a fill yet! When I went into my first monthly followup, I was averaging 4 lbs a week. My doctor was pleased and said that since I was still losing weight, he saw no reason to give me a fill yet. However, the loss is slowing down so I'm pretty sure I'll get my fill on my next appointment. Congrats to everyone on here! I'm glad to hear all the success stories. I'm happy with my weight loss, but I'm even happier with the way I feel. That's more important to me. Have a great day everyone!

Well, I am very new to this entire process and new to forums. I just started this process in late June by attending the initial seminar, then this past week I had my initial appoitment with the sergon and staff. Because I my BMI is 38.9, I have to jump through the insurance hoops. My insurance has the requirment of six-months of a doctor supervised weight loss program and two medical issues related to weight. My fear right now is jumping through all the hoops and BAM! Insurance denial. But I guess that is a bridge I will need to cross when it's time. As for the rest, I have only told very close friends and family that I am considering WLS. The reactions is what gets me the most. My good friend and co-worker was so positive. She knows I have struggled, we spent six months together working two days a week with a personal trainer. She lost thirty pounds, I ate my way through the exercise. Another "friend" told me to come over to her house and she would go through her pantry with me and show me how to make simple healthy choices. What? Seriously? I have two Masters degrees, do you think I am mentally retarded (sorry if I offend)? I KNOW what healthy eating looks like, I eat healthy (before 9 PM after that, it's all down hill). The last reaction is, "don't you think this is drastic?" Well, yes, yes it is drastic. I have tried for ten years to get back to a healthy weight and I keep gaining. I can no longer be trusted with a stomach. Here's to the next six to eight months. I am going to keep a positive attitude and know that the best is yet to come.

well.. I just drank more fluids when I wanted something..but I do love my popsicles.. cant live without them.. talk about an addiction to sugar free tropical popsicles.. look it up.. there is a pic of me there LOL. but seriously hang in there.. there are good things coming.. you need that wt loss before surgery to shrink your liver to make the surgery easier for the doc.. stick to it.. and if you can do this.. then anything is possible.. best of luck to you keep up the good work.

how long has it been since the weight loss stopped? You may just be in a stall. It's common to hit one occasionally while on a weight loss journey. They typically last 1-3 weeks. And they are frustrating!

Give it a little more time. It will get better. I suggest getting out and walking, even if only for 5 or 10 minutes at a time. This will help the gas resolve much faster and you are going to feel better. You are still early out and everone is different in their recovery and weight loss.

Thanks everyone, I was just curious Pryor to surgery I was maybe a 5 cocktail a year kinda gal so no love loss. Totally not worth dying or getting sick over. Thanks for the feedback.

First of all - Congratulations on the weight loss - to all of you. I know how hard you've been working and what determination you have. I also know really really well the fear you are facing. I was in the same place 12 years ago. My surgery was 13 years ago this month. I lost 170 lbs and have managed to keep it off - Yeah! I was really afraid of re-gain those first couple of years - especially as my appetite came back. I've roller coastered a bit at times but have managed to stay within about a 15 lb range. Don't let the fear stress you out because that can act as a push into old eating habits. Here's a few things I did to help me stay stable. I changed my eating habits drastically in that first year while I could. I cut out all sugar, went low on the grains, stopped all fast food with the rare exception, and went organic. It was easy to do that in the beginning when I was v. motivated because I kept thinking long term. I set up good solid exercise routines - doing things I liked like biking, dancing, swimming and walking. I continued to do those things because I liked them. I didn't get on the treadmill or exercise bike because I didn't like them and knew I wouldn't keep it up. I also set up and have continued to do a simple weight training routine. I got help when I needed it - used the professionals in my program but also went outside for psychotherapy and life coaching. Lastly I worked hard at not freaking out when I did gain a pound or 2 or even 10! I'd just do an inventory of where I was getting slack - esp. with the rules of the pouch - and trusted myself to get back on track, even if it took me a few days or even a week. I didn't freak out, go into despair and start that downward spiral of beat myself up, eat more, beat myself up more, eat more, etc. This is all simply put here but I put in a lot of work and time and continued vigilance yet learning to let go and enjoy life up to this day. I know I'll never gain back that weight. Good luck to all of you. The fact that you are concerned and looking long term is a great sign that you'll make it!

I did 6 weeks, no cheating about 4 years ago in a medically supervised weight loss program.

I did one before I even heard about the lap-band. A NP from my gynecologist's office runs a Phentermine program, so I signed up for it. I was on it for an entire year. Even though I didn't lose much weight with it, I am glad I did it, just because I was able to use it as my documented weight loss effort when I decided to have surgery. I would think that the insurance would accept anything, as long as it was documented by your doctor. That's the kicker, in most cases. I have heard of people being denied because they weren't weighed at their doctor's offices every month (and the weight being the reason for the appointment). Make sure that you know whether your insurance just requires documentation of your effort or whether they want documentation of a medically-supervised weight loss attempt.

I am 14 months post-op and did not experience any hair loss.

Many condolences for the loss of your family member (pet). I've had to put down 3 dogs over the last 6 years (age) and it's no fun. This may sound like little consolation but: keep your focus. You've made it so far already to derail your plan. The journey is just beginning. Take this as a lesson that there will be bumps along the road, but you need to adapt and move forward through the struggles.

I pretty much got the chance to contemplate and pursue all 3. I looked into lapband in 2006. I met with the surgeon and opted out because I didn't like having to go back and forth to the Dr. to get the fills, and at 20 years old, I just wasn't ready at that point. I then looked into the vertical sleeve gastrectomy, because my sister was in the process of getting it done, and I had a lot of time to research it with her. I was so head strong and determined to get this surgery and did not want the RNY for fear of malabsorption issues and how invasive the surgery sounds. After finding out that my insurance only covers RNY, I then decided to choose RNY. I'm now so happy and at peace with my decision. I've researched and I feel comfortable knowing that the procedure I'm getting is known as the "gold standard" in terms of weight loss surgery. RNY has been around since around the 1950's, so there's been plenty of years to perfect the procedure and plenty of long term data has been obtained to prove that it is successful long term and safe. While the VSG surgery is emerging in popularity because there isn't much risk of malabsorption, there really isn't enough long term data right now to prove how successful the surgery is, since it's about 15 years new at this point. I also like the fact that RNY provides patients with more weight loss, quicker, and more patients in the long run tend to keep the weight off. Go with what feels right for you. Do the research and you'll be able to come up with a decision. Weigh the pros and cons of each one

Hello everyone, I'm new to this site (and blogging). I'm 23 years old from the Bronx, NY, 220lbs, 5'3", BMI 39. I started my journey this Thursday 12/27/12 with my first consultation @ Dr. Scott Belsley's office. I was very please with how they treated me. According to my insurance (Healthfirst) all i need is 2 consecutive monthly visits to my PCP. Besides that I will need a Psych eval, pre op testing and that's pretty much it. I've been extremely anxious about the process because i'm afraid to get denied by my insurance. I have also never had any type of surgery and I dont do well with pain. I feel like i'm going to get cold feet at the last minute and i'm really hoping i dont because i'm ready for my life to change. ANOTHER BIG FEAR OF MINE IS hair LOSS. I heard that i affects you 4-7 months post op. i'm so not looking forward to that. Feedback on your experiences with insurance process, post-op, fears, hair loss, post op dieting would be highly appreciated..

The other day at work a woman who I hadn't seen in months walked right past me and then came back and said hi and that she didn't even recognize me at first! Then today at a family BBQ everyone made it a point to tell me how great I looked! Down 110 pounds in 4.5 months The weight loss is slowing down... And I've encountered a few stalls... I think three. But I've gotten through them Silly me at today's BBQ I had like 8 ritz crackers and a spoonful of relish and three chunks of pineapple. I thought I was fine... But I ended up in the bathroom for a little... Note to self... Don't mess with crackers or pineapple again! But all in all a good day

I eat a lot of chicken and fish too. I also like lean pork loin. It comes in different flavored marinades. I like the honey mustard and terriaky. You don't say if your working out. If your not, I would start. It really works wonders for weight loss. Start slow and gradually increase your duration and/or intensity. I would also journal what you eat, then you can see what your eating. I did it on paper but lots of people like to use apps online. One is fitday.com. Hope this helps.