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I'm 25. I started at 260 and three months later I'm at 222. I have always had tight skin. I am 5'8. I don't think I will end up with a lot of loose skin, but I am looking jiggley. I was not always overweight though. I gained 115 lbs in college. My friend went on her own diet last year and she started at 250. She got down to 175. She has been overweight all her life. She had a lot of loose skin. She is 5'4 and is 24 years old. I think it's all about the elasticity of your skin. She broke the diet and is now the same weight as me.

I have Kaiser. I'm able to email or leave a message for my doctors, are you able to do that? I usually remember questions after I leave my appt. I email. Usually my surgeon's PA gets back with me, but once the surgeon did himself. At my 10 day I'd lost 15 lbs. now I'm 20 days and have lost 2 more. I look at it as 17 lbs in 20 days, none of my diets were this successful. I lost 96 lbs pre-op and was losing an avg of 3 lbs weekly (some 0, some 6). Depends on that time of the month for me too. Per my surgeon, I'll be very swollen internally for weeks and need to focus on healing, liquids (64 ounces daily) and protein (60 - 80 grams daily) for at least the first 6 weeks. So that's what I'm doing. I've already had a fainting episode and "over-did" activity, trying to walk to much, too many errands, and I've become over tired and pain increased. I'm reminding myself to take it easy, day by day and weigh once a week and not really count it but every 2. (In one day my weight can fluctuate 3-4 lbs).

My wife had lapband and I did the bypass. I am happy I went with my decision! Waaaaaay more inclined to lose weight! Instantly off high blood pressure cholesterol. Once I lost about 30 pounds I didn't use cpap anymore. So much more energy and breathing easier! Wife said she is happy but she works twice as hard to lose and mine comes off pretty easy. Sometimes I think Im dreaming when i reach down and feel the belly! You aren't doing something crazy. You are taking your life back! Your whole relationship with food will change for the better! Oh yeah I was prediabetic as well. Gone! The only pill I take now is a multivitamin.

There is different degrees of pain for everyone. I had no gas pain so I was lucky there but I had bad pain for about a week in the incision he took the stomach out of. But in my case he had to go through a 30 year old scar and he said it took him an extra 15 minutes because it was tough. I stayed on the liquid pain medicine every 6 hours and it was bearable. My stomach. Looked like the himalaya mountains from all the Fluid they had put in me. I gained 10 lbs after the surgery but it left again within a week and my stomach was back to normal. That was surgery but now I am 3 months post op and down 52 lbs. I am also 66 years old. You young woman will do so much better. Just remember it is major surgery but it is well worth it. I could never have lost this much weight before. Best of luck to you all. Get r done, LOL.

I have gone to 2 of the 6 required nutritionist visits required for weightloss surgery. I see the surgeon next month to decide what type of surgery I want to have. I am 26 yrs old, 6'3", and 327 with sleep apnea, high cholesterol, pre diabetic, and minor reflux. Dieting hasn't worked too well bc I always gain it back. I've been on 4 major (and expensive) diets since I was 13. I am just so tired and beat down feeling... My wife is scared for me to have gastric bypass and I am too but I am starting to feel likes its my only option. Any encouraging words?

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I am having my surgery on 12/14, excited yes, but worried about one thing. I am hypothyroidism And I am wondering how this will effect my losing the weight. Anyone else with same story?

I just had the sleeve 10 day ago. I do not have a thyroid. I will be on pills for the rest of my life. But as far as weight loss goes I have lost 25 lbs since pre-op so I guess it doesn't matter. If you don't have an endocrinologist, may I suggest that you go to one. They know more then the primary care.

Mine is just awful. I have lost 170 pounds now, have about 15 to my goal. My arms, thighs and stomach are the worse. My doc and surgeon have both said that I will be a good candidate for the stomach surgery and have a very good chance of having insurance pay for it. I work out with weights at least once a week. I can actually see the muscle definition under the baggy skin. I am hoping that it will get a bit better with time.

Hi everyone, It's been 5 days since I've had my surgery (7/11) and I've been reading these posts religiously each day. I've noticed lately a lot of questions regarding post-op eating plans and I thought I would share what I've been instructed as part of my post-op recovery. Day of surgery and the following day--Clear liquid diet...My diet for these two days consisted of clear broth, Jello, gatorade and Water. I had no appetite and took my time drinking fluids. Full liquid diet for 1 week...my diet this week consists of milk, Protein shakes, thinned or liquid yogurt, jello, pudding, strained Soups, broth. I'm required to eat 50 grams of protein each day, low fat and sugar free/low carbs. One product I fould I like is called Isopure. It's high in protein, low/no carbs and about 150-190 calories depending on flavor. You can buy it at GNC. For my Protein Shakes I drink something called Muscle Milk. I'm also trying to eat only 3 times a day and not include extra liquids like water during or up to an hour to 1 1/2 hrs. after i eat. So far my appetite is non existant but I'm sure that'll change as the days progress. Next is pureed foods for 1 week...I'm actually looking forward to this. Everything I'm suppose to eat is to be blended. Some examples include beef stew, mash potatoes and gravy, blenderized soups, maltomeal or cream of wheat, strained or pureed veggies and fruits. I can supplement my protein intake by adding in protein powders or shakes. Again 50 grams min. protein per day, low carbs and low sugar, 3 meals a day and NO drinking during or up to an hour to 1 1/2 after you eat. After blended foods come mushy/soft foods for 2 weeks. Examples of foods to eat...soups, ground meat (not steak), flaked fish like tuna, eggs scrambled with milk, cottage cheese, yogourt, well cooked veggies. Again 3 meals a day, 50 grams min. protein per day, low carbs and low fat if possible and no drinking during or up to an hour to 1 1/2 hours afterwards. The last two weeks is a regular diet. Again 50 grams min protein/day, 3 meals, low fat and sugar if possible and NO drinking during or up to an hour to 1 1/2 hours afterwards. The main goal the first 6 weeks after surgery is to give your stomach time to heal. If you start eating too much you risk the chance of stretching your new pouch. These 6 weeks should also help reinforce eating habits you'll have to follow to make this process successful. To help with hunger and cravings make sure you eat protein first. Doing so will help minamize hunger and cravings between meals. Also make sure you "layer" your foods when you eat. Protein first followed by starches, carbs, etc. And no drinking during or up to an hour to an 1 1/2 afterwards. Doing so will just wash the food out of the pouch, thru the opening and into the stomach causing you to get hungry sooner. Please keep in mind that nothing is full proof and that you can cheat but if you stick with the plan you should lose weight. Also keep in mind what I've written is what my dr. has told me to do. If others have been told differently than they should follow what they have been told by their drs. Finally I want to say that patience and determination will be rewarded. Each one of us has had many years to program ourselves in the way we eat. Now we have to learn to re-program ourselves. The weight didn't come on overnight nor will it come off overnight. Keep with it because it's our chance for a new beginning. Den

My *** plan covers 100% for BMI 40+. For BMI under 40, a person needs to have 2 well documented comorbidities. All surgery patients have to go through Psych evaluation, 3 months (4 appointments) of supervised medical weight loss, an upper endoscopy, visit with dietician, 2-3 weeks of liquid diet (dependent on BMI) and anything else that may come up (I had to see a vascular specialist because I have blood clotting disorders). I have done everything through my surgeon’s office - so easy and they are really nice. I am 2.5 months in on the supervised medical weight loss and having my endoscopy and dietician visit next month. Should be good for surgery in Sept or Oct, depending on COVID and the schedule of my surgeon (they had over 3,000 surgeries to reschedule after the first outbreak of COVID). I will submit to be approved once I complete everything. Hope this helps!

hi guys i have not made a post in quite a while i've been reading about everyone and you all are doing great. i'm still no closer to my sleeve but that's another story all together but i digress. i just had a general question for everyone, how much weight did you lose on your pre-op two week liquid diet. i'm just curious any feed back would be greatly appreciated. every one keep up the good work and i am so happy for everyone progress.

Welcome Twilight! I felt exactly as you have described before surgery - I think a lot of the people on this board have. But I knew I needed the band to use as a tool to not gain the weight back. I've been successful losing the weight in the past - but never successful at keeping it off. This was a big decision for me, but as my health continued to worsen, and my weight was still rising - I KNEW I had to do something different. I was banded on Nov 1st and have worked my way through 2 weeks of liquids and am now enjoying mushies. Reading through the threads on this board (old and new) helps me immensely - during research, pre-op and now post-op. There are some bandsters here that I "clicked" with (even though they don't know it! ) and I look for their postings and get lots of help and encouragement from them. What you are feeling is natural for anyone going to have surgery - but try to think about working with the band and being successful, and improving your health and quality of life. Best of luck to you!!

Hi all new to site. Read a lot of info thanks to everyone sharing. Not sure if it's made me more anxious or calmer lol. Wondering if anyone wants to share their experience together i'm scheduled for next week dec 8th. Excited anxious nervous scared!! Just want it over with before I change my mind. Scared of the hair loss oh I probably could go on. Looking forward to doing things I haven't been able to do in a long time due to my weight. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I'm one week post op and I've actually gained two pounds. Been on jello and shakes for two weeks. [emoji20]

I don't have allergies to it but I don't and didn't use that toxic crap not even once post op. Coming up on 2 years post op and I made my weight loss goals, and currently maintaining! You don't need that fake crap!

Glad you're doing well. I am in that situation right now.. dstollery said it all. Your info is very informative and I need to hear that right now. My band has stopped working. Wheather I contributed to that or not (I don't know) but my Dr.said that it is no longer working for me. I've had my issues with it and no weight loss in 2 yrs I still have the co-mobilities I had before banding and My insurance will pay for the bypass, but BOY Oh BOY am I afraid. As you said I've done every diet too! over and over w/o success. Oh well, as soon as I can get the band taken out I'm almost sure of regaining some weight back. At that point I would give the bypass a serious thought. I hate to sound so negative about regaining, but thats one of my biggest fears. Because of my diabetes, for me I don't lose w/o help. It's been proven in the past.

Hey everyone so I'm new to the vsg world. And I have been having trouble loosing weight. I have PCOS. So this makes it extra hard. I was looking in the keto diet. Has anyone tried it. And how successful are you or have you been. kira marrie ♡

Hi there, Sorry to hear you have a bump in the road but congrats on your plastics! It sounds like you did very well on the program to begin with. I would suggest getting back to what got you to lose the weight in the first place. It will be important to get back on track. There is a 5 day pouch test that I would recommend trying. You can google it and it will help you get back on track. Good luck and keep us posted!

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.

Every one is different...i guess it depends on your self control. Yes I hated food at first and I completely avoided junk food...but family started to say I was getting too small and it madee eat more and eventually id taste a piece of donut here and there and now recently ive bern binging on junk. I feel helpless I habe np self control and I have gained ten lbs. Im trying to practice self control and get to my goal weight of 140. So you just stay away from old habits and stay in control. However, my doc said that research does suggest that rny patients do gain 10-20 lbs back eventually. I don't ever want to be big again either.

You're never too old to do this, KristiKay. In the very first informational meeting that I went to, there was an 80-something woman who was one of my surgeon's patients and she had it done about 10 years prior. So, don't rush into something that you are not sure of. That said, you could enjoy many, many more years of svelt, active life and do a LOT of things you probably can't or don't now because of weight. That's the way I looked at it. Not to mention, it's a good way to head off those sure-to-come health problems that result from the obesity. If you need a recharge of motivation, I suggest 2 things: 1. Go onto YouTube and search for Gastric Bypass Success Stories. There are many there and seeing their stories is motivational. 2. Go to www.obesityhelp.com and look at all of the before/after photos on their home page. They change them regularly and there are LOTS to look at. Every one of them is impressive and many are truly inspiring. Hang in there!

I am 53 and had my RNY surgery on April 9th. It was the best thing I ever did !!! I was very fortunate that my insurance paid for everything and I did not have to be on any diet. I had about 80 lbs. to loose, my BMI was 37 and I had high blood pressure. My general physician wrote a letter to the insurance which was required by my surgeon which helped as well. If you tried supervised diets in the past does your ins. accept that ? I know mine did but I did not have to go that route. My weight has been up and down for years and getting older I cannot work out like I use to when I would run 5-6 miles a day. I just can't do that anymore.... So I chose the RNY and am so happy I did MsCook had some really great motivators above. My little motivator was that I bought a really nice, expensive top and my 1st goal is to fit into it by the end of September. I have other goals set along the way... I'm taking baby steps and each goal I make for my self puts me that much closer to fit into my skinny clothes again. Good Luck

i worry about needing a tummy tuck and a breast lift/augmentation. as my doctor was going over things pre-op with me he said to be sure to give myself at least 18 months from surgery before i consider any additional surgeries. he also said that to help the skin be sure to exfoliate (sp?). he said to scrub problem areas very well to help skin to renew. dont know how well that will actually help, but sure isnt gonna hurt to do it! my plan has been that if i do need any surgeries i have to maintain my goal weight for one year before i get it/them. its the deal i made w/ myself and w/ my dh. cant wait to get there!

Howdy, I had a lap-band years ago but did not have a support system so I was not able to lose much weight. I also encountered some problems so I gave up trying and had the saline removed. I have moved to a new area with good support. I had an endoscopy this week and everything is all right for me to start again. I get my first fill on Tuesday. Yeah! The Time is Now.