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Yes I am tooo. I was doing intermittent fasting since March of last year, not only did I lose weight but cravings for snacking and eating in general. Since I hav been in stage Puree I’m hungry all the time. I hate this feeling, it seems the only thing that helps is scrambled eggs with a slice of cheese. Just saying that makes me hungry, I really don’t want to go into my eating phase feeling like this!

I had my lapband surgery on 3/31 and I have lost a total of 31lbs, but I have not changed sizes yet. I figured by now that I would be able to buy smaller sizes, but I have,kt even had anyone say anything about my weight loss except my mom and husband. No one else knows that I had the surgery, but I would have thought that after 31lbs there would be some difference. I'm getting a little discouraged!

Yes, definitely talk to a counselor. It'll help. It's hard dealing with multiple things at once, I have depression too and am fighting not using food as comfort food or a crutch while losing weight.

Painful? I was in pain when I woke up but got much better after a coupledoses of fentanyl (I believe that's what they gave me in the hospital) the rest of that day I was regretting my decision,( at home) when the pain meds weren't in effect. The next day I was a lot better, still uncomfortable, butmuch better. Third day I only took the meds once and then that was it, still sore, but I did not need meds. Everyone has a different pain threshold. The weight loss rate is what you make of it. It will be faster if you have more to lose, but you need to eat right to make it work. Don't think you don't need to watch yourself. If you can't exercise right away, some people don't and still lose, but I would definitely start when you can. As for steak, well it depends. Some people can't eat it, some people can. I have barely any fill and I can eat whatever I want. As for having it removed, it usually is not removed unless there are complications. It's supposed to last, also there is a risk you'll regain the weight.

Medicare is Medicare in all states, only thing I can think of why the person had to wait 6 months, was maybe they didn't have documentation of any weight loss programs they tried before considering weight loss surgery. The doctor will ask have u tried anything else like taking supplements, diet pills, Jenny Craig, or weight watchers and etc. If you say yes you most likely will not have to wait. My doctor never asked to see anything he just put it in his notes. That's also an requirement Medicare wants. Hopes this helps.

but your weight loss is good. 20 lbs in 3 weeks? NOt to shabby. Thanks for the reply.

There will be loose skin bc of how rapid the weight loss is. Start exercising and weight training as soon as you get cleared to. Also, lotion lotion lotion. Keep your skin moisturized. Other than that the rest is genetics...some people have great elasticity and others not. My skin is loose but I didn’t weight train right away...wish I did. I am now. I’m 44 as well. But ill take the loose skin over how big I got any day!!

Welcome! Everybody has to start somewhere. I would suggest taking some time and searching on this site. There are so many great posts about WLS and there is a ton on here about having it done in Mexico. As of the ibuprofen question, you are right....in both Bypass and sleeve they prefer you dont take it as it can cause ulcers which can be very serious when a good portion of your stomach is no longer there. I suffer from severe osteoarthritis and Psoriatic arthritis. I used to have it something fierce in my ankles and knees. I also have it badly in my spine and shoulders. I take NO ibuprofen ever. Since losing weight, My knees, ankles and feet no longer bother me at all but if they did, I would go and have some cortisone. My back on the other hand is much worse and i suffer with pain everyday. I use alot of heat, ice, bio freeze and when desperate i take tylenol and muscle relaxers. I have also used essential oils for pain relief and relaxation. Regardless of the pain in my back, I feel 1000 times better than when i weighed 310lbs. I have more energy and get way more out of life. It is very likely that your arthritis will improve greatly with weight loss. I wish the very best for you and hope that you are able to get in and get things moving so you can enjoy life. You are young and have lots of time to bounce back. I always say if I have had any regrets it is that I waited too long but thank goodness i am there now. I am 53 and was 51 when i had bypass.

I also can't wait to lose the weight so I can get more tattoos

Support YOURSELF! I read several WLS boards daily and I'm truly amazed at the helplessness and lack of power some of us have. I've been there myself, having dealt with seasonal depression, early childhood abuse and growing up with a mom who had Borderline Personality Disorder. In my 20s depression reared it's ugly head in a big way and the weight gain started. I'd weighed around 150 and at 5'5" that was close to ideal. I finished my 3rd decade weighing about 225, despite getting psychological support. In my 40s after getting up to 260, I sought counseling to deal with unresolved issues with my mom, who had passed away 10 years before. This helped me deal with relationship issues I had on many levels with pretty much everyone in my life, and I dieted my way down to 190. I felt in control and powerful. That was a great feeling. Today I read a post laying out strategies for success in losing weight. It listed a few good ideas and some that were a bit impractical, but the point I got out of it was in order to succeed, we must support ourselves; get the trigger foods out of sight, etc, but I think it missed a key point. It's not about hiding bad foods...it's about keeping healthy foods available in the moment we are being tempted and taking back our power over temptation. This is where I've been missing the boat recently, a technique I know works, but in my blue mood, had forgotten. The strategy I've used is positive affirmation. You visualize how you'll feel, look, walk 20, 30, 40 lb lighter and create an inner dialog of positive statements: I'm enjoying shopping for clothing one size smaller. It feels great to take a walk without my knees hurting so much. This chicken Greek salad tastes so fresh and it's providing my body with nutrients and Protein to support my healthy lifestyle. You create a positive environment within your mind to support your goal of being healthier. You replace the negative inner dialog, you KNOW what I'm talking about, with positive self talk. It's a habit you develop over time, usually about 6 weeks. It's a known fact that thinking positive thoughts while developing a new habit helps in establishing the desired behavior. You focus on the new behaviors, not on overcoming the old behavior. If you find yourself berating, chastising or otherwise having a negative inner dialog, you stop, breathe and replace that dialog with a positive affirmation: I am worthy, I am powerful, I am in control and move on. I did this throughout my band journey, including the 3 month supervised term and especially during the year I was struggling with the complications. In the last few months, I'd let the negative self talk sneak in...the fear of regain, feeling vulnerable, powerless and depressed. I forgot the mantra "If you believe it, you'll see it" and I did...30 lb of regain since September. So go ahead and hide the Cookies, better yet, leave them at the store, but don't forget to visualize yourself 1, 2 or 3 sizes smaller, congratulate yourself for every accomplishment and forgive a misstep. You are worthy, you are powerful, you are in control. Bandarella????

Heating pad HW 312, pre-op (RNY) 255, current weight 198

I agree with Kimberb, my highest weight was 209 prior to pre op liquid diet and before surgery I was 199 and after my bypass which I did it 18 months ago I became 159 but totally stopped losing more! Last week I started another liquid diet and boom, I lost 4 pounds, presently at 155 and Still have to lose another 20 pounds in order to lose all my excess weight! Presently lost 75% of my excess weight! When I read other people's success story see that I lost what they've lost in just 2 months and get discouraged! I guess they had better results than me! But I read a lot of feedbacks and I realized I never took enough liquid on daily basis and now I Increased it to 48-64 oz, I start to lose little bit and that's good news for me! Thank you everyone for your efforts and input! It really helps and appreciated! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hi all. Sleeved July 22 2014. Time of surgery I was 216. My goal was to make it to 155-160. I'm 5'6. Well 160 came and went. And 155. And 150...I am currently sitting at 130. Which is way way too thin. How do I put weight back on? It seems no matter what i eat....i do not gain. I'm currently on holiday and I have been eating like an absolute animal. Pizza. Pasta. Crepes. Ice cream. And I've lost two pounds. I've been to a nutritionist and she gave me some hints (whipping cream in my smoothies lol) but I'm looking for other tricks or tips from my fellow sleevers. I need to put back on 20 or so pounds before I can book plastics.

RNY and sleeve both have their advantages and disadvantages. Some factors to consider: Sleeve is still relatively new - about 15 years. RNY has been done in various forms since the 1950's. RNY is by far the most common bariatric surgery. Approximately 80% of all bariatric surgeries worldwide are RNY. Becuse of the two factors above, there is a great deal more experience and long term statistical information on the outcomes of RNY surgeries compared to sleeve. This may be part of the reason that some insurance companies are still hesitant to cover the sleeve. RNY is more invasive than sleeve but average weight loss for RNY patients is substantially higher than it is for sleeve patients. That may change as more experience is gained with sleeve and better procedures and techniques are developed. RNY is widely acknowledged as the single most effective "treatment" for type 2 diabetes currently available to medical science. RNY has a greater risk of malnutrition than sleeve because RNY involves both restriction and malabsorption while sleeve is restrictive only. Both surgeries appear to be equally safe as far as mortality goes. However, non life-threatening post-op complications such as infections are more common for the more invasive RNY than they are for sleeve.

I have decided on the RNY but after learning more about the sleeve, I was considering it. Only because of being able to have my excedrin (well the other types now). I get lots of headaches. But on other hand I'm counting on having many less after weight loss. So may not be a problem after. Guess I've become dependant on it....scared to NOT be able to have the ability, if needed.... Everything else points me to RNY so will go with it but that's the one thing that gives me pause. Sorry, think I'm just rambling here...

I have to do protein mostly, but I can have lean meat and veggies. But they want me to have 4 of their products per day. I'm doing my best to do that. I have still been hungry. I want to include my kale to their shake, cause I don't want to be constipated. I want to be sure to loose weight prior to the surgery, but I don't want to be sick. I'm already starting to feel nauseous. I have to eat something. It's one thing if my stomach wouldn't allow me to eat, but I'm hungry. And with this band it starts to lock up if I don't eat. That's another reason I want this thing out.

I was told to take around 50-70g of Protein a day. What is ur protein target? I dint keep any expectation on what weight I want to reach in 3/6/9 month. I just have a general goal weight to get to in a year's time.. 70% off my excess weight. I try to keep active with house work n do got for yoga.. Try not to stretch the ankle a lot. I trying drinking at least 1.5ltr of Fluid a day but Water is still very hard on my stomach. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I heard someone else say they gained 5 lbs from the IV so I knew it was coming. I gained 5 during hospital stay but had lost the excess water in a day or two. Don't worry... drink plenty of water and you'll flush the excess through your system quickly.

Hi "Losing for me" Thank you so much for your reply. I would love to get together and chat or a coffee. I am open to both. I live in rural Onoway area. Let me know when you are available to chat. Evenings work best for me....I will be out of the country for a week and back on the 17th. Mondays and Wednesday evenings work best for me for chatting. Were you banded in Edmonton? Congradulations on your incrediable weight loss. I am so looking forward to a "new healthy me"

flower, I just put anti-biotic ointment on them, still do at 8 weeks. They are starting to raise up, so I'm thinking it's time for some Mederma to help them flatten out. Next time I'm at Wal-Mart, I plan to look for the Mederma bandaids. I can feel my port if I press on it. It doesn't poke out visibly. Some poeple do have pokey ports when they lose weight, but I don't think it's abnormal looking, really. Maybe those folks will post. Here are a few threads that might interest you... http://www.lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=6117 Scar Stages http://www.lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=6938&highlight=poke who can feel their port? http://www.lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=4268&highlight=poking wierd looking port Just a little research for ya, hope it helps.

I had Lap Band surgery in 2004. I can't eat fruits and anything else that is not soft. I have severe GERD and acid reflux. I would like to have revision to Mini Gastric Bypass, all that done in Toronto, Canada. What is that like, is it a good choice? What are the possible problems with Mini Gastric Bypass? How do you maintain weight since it is not adjustable?

Female Height: 5’ 6” Starting Weight: 250 Starting Clothing Size: 20 Surgery Weight: 228 Surgery Clothing Size: 18 Current Weight: 140 Current Clothing Size: 4/6 In the beginning: • I had a lot of restriction due to (I am assuming) increased swelling from the additional procedure of the hiatal hernia repair. I am comparing myself to 4 other family members who had the surgery with the same doctor and described their post-op experience as feeling sore and having the ability to drink 2-4 ounces of Fluid without difficulty. It was difficult to even consume 1 ounce. Week 1 post-op was what I called “hell week.” I was very weak due to the lack of ability to consume fluids/calories and remain properly hydrated. • The 6 week post-op diet was difficult, but I reminded myself that I ate whatever I wanted (and in copious amounts), whenever I wanted for many years. • Once I was released to a full diet, foods did not taste the same. Some of the things I use to think of as delicious, were now bland and without flavor. I read a study that links your sense of taste to your stomach lining. However, this “lack of tasting” does go away and food eventually does taste great again (uh-oh!). • I monitored my calorie intake. I did, however, have my ups and downs. I slipped and fell into crappy eating habits. Despite the food restriction, I found that I could slowly graze on things and that the “bad” foods tend to be the “sliders”. • However, I constantly caught myself falling back into consuming these bad foods and I would work on redirecting my behavior. I was constantly “checking and balancing” my eating habits; trying to change my way of living. • Exercise started with walking (1 mile, 2 miles, 3 miles, and as my endurance and ability increased, 4 miles in one hour). As the weight began to melt off, along with my increased endurance, I upgraded to intervals of jogging (I would jog the straight-a-ways and walk the curves at the local school track). I would also use my elliptical trainer at home and by the time I reached my 6 months post-op point, I could complete a one hour, high intensity cardio session on my trainer. Feeling great! 6 Months Out: • As the weight began to melt off (I was weighing 167 pounds at this point!), I did have that “fallen” face look. My skin was saggy and loose. So, I decided I wanted to fill up my loose skin with muscle. Weight lifting slowly trickled its way into my weekly workouts and—at first—it was about a twice-a-week affair. I also upped my Water intake and made hydrating my face, neck and body with creams and lotions a daily and nightly ritual (as hydration helps to increase elasticity in skin; my face doesn't look fallen anymore...it takes time, but it does retract!!!). • My ability to consume fluids and food had greatly improved by this point. I seemed to be able to consume fluid the best after a good workout. I could drink water faster and in greater quantities! I continued to monitor my calorie intake and tried by my best to refrain from eating bad foods. Even when I did succumb to eating unhealthy foods (which happened on a weekly basis), I stayed within my calorie range. • My Protein intake was still around 60-80 grams per day. I really like the Premier Protein shakes. They come in ready to drink 11oz containers, they are only 160 calories and pack 30 grams of protein. About 12 Months Out: • 153 pounds; size 10 • By this time I was lifting about 3x per week at home. I began to notice my skin firming up around the muscles I was developing. At this time I began taking pre-workout supplements (NO-Xplode), post workout supplements (Cell Mass) and I upped my protein (100-120 grams per day). My goal with the supplements was to create longer workout endurance, quicker muscle recovery repair. I knew that the more muscle I had, the more my calories my body would burn due, as well as a better a metabolism. Even though I wasn’t really dropping that much weight at this time, my waist size started to go down with the increased muscle mass. • A little after the 12 month mark, I went down another 3 pounds, but I also went down an entire size! Typically, before the weight lifting, I would see a size drop about every 20 pounds. So, this was awesome! • Still working on eating clean at this point. I probably ate clean about 80-85% of the time. Weekends were a killer for me! It was hard with the weekends off, kids at home, and being out and about. No routine! Now, 22 Months Out: • 140 pounds • Size 4-6 misses • I eat clean foods 90-95% of the time. “Dirty” foods tend to make me sick now. • I have one cheat day, and I still limit myself and stay within my calorie range • I consume 150-170 grams of protein (still drinking the Premier Protein) • 1800-2000 calories on my cardio days (twice a week) • 2200-2500 on my weight lifting days (5 days out of the week). YES…I do more weight lifting than cardio! And carbs (good carbs, not dirty carbs) are your friend!!! Key for energy retention/endurance and muscle building! I consume more on my weight lifting days. Key intake is about an hour/hour-and-a-half prior to workout. • I still have really good restriction • My skin around my face has firmed up! It doesn’t look fallen. I’m a high school teacher and I get mistaken for a student all the time! • I do have some extra skin (and very little) in my upper arm area, upper thigh/groin; however, it isn’t that much! The muscle I have built really helps! The belly area has a little “apron” and—of course—the stretch marks from weight gain and 4 pregnancies make it look like a very wrinkly old grandma; but other than that, my stomach is flat! I do plan to have a tummy tuck this summer… so bikini here you come! All in all, I LOVE my SLEEVE!!! I would do it all over again! They key thing—and most doctors tell you this from the get-go—you HAVE TO CHANGE LIFESTYLE for LONG-TERM SUCCESS! The weight will come off that first year, but once you’re in that maintenance mode you can easily put weight back on. Especially eating dirty foods that are higher in calories/sugars/fats. They slide through your restriction, they are full of empty calories (no nutritional value), and they will be your downfall. Does that mean you cannot enjoy a piece of cake, chips or some other dirty food? No, but you have to teach yourself to say “no” most of the time; and when you do say “yes,” limit yourself and eat in small quantities. Don’t make it a daily thing, make it a once-a-week kind-of-thing. EXERCISE! You don’t have to turn into a gym rat…in fact, you don’t have to go to a gym at all, but find some kind of active activity that you can engage in at least 3 days a weeks, for a MINIMUM of 30 minutes. It can be hard at first (grueling even), but before you know it—with consistency—your body will crave it! YES!!! Literally, your body will crave the activity! I wish all of your sleevers and soon-to-be sleevers the best of luck! I hope you find your success in this life changing journey!

Okay so I am usually very upbeat. But today I am feeling blue. It's pouring rain here, there hasn't been any sunshine for days, I haven't walked this whole week, outside of going to my classes. I want to be in a size 14 sooo bad!! I can get them on up over my butt and but there is like two inches between the button and the hole. I keep having to put it in perspective, it has only been 8 weeks. I mean really! My double chin won't go away, and it is all that I see when I look in the mirror. My stomach fat is starting to really hang now, and my inner thighs, and instead of feeling prettier, I am feeling uglier. Everything looks bad in the mirror right now. People have said that the double chin won't go away, that the skin will just hang there. I am 40 and realize that my skin has lost is elasticity but I was really, really hoping that the double chin would disappear. AND I HATE TO EXERCISE. I am walking, weather permitting, and doing crunches a couple times a week, but I know I need to be hard at it EVERY day. So the bad habits are still there, although I haven't blown it with food. That has been the one constant for me, thank god. I am losing, no stall, I have been down 1.5 - 2 lbs every week and that is all i ever wanted was to have consistent weight loss. Today I weighed in at 236, that is down from 272, that is 36 lbs in 8 weeks, I should be so amazed by that. But today, I am not. I am feeling like a big fat cow, still. The voice in my head that tells me I am fat and ugly and not worth a shit, it is back and I am sad. I have the tools, I know what to do. I just feel frozen in this muck right now. Anyhow, I am so glad I have a place to ramble. Maybe someone has made it all the way through my pity party here, or maybe not. Thank you who ever you are for taking the time to read my feelings. Somethings I can say here that I can't say out loud to anyone else. My husband get's so nervous if I even hint that I am not GREAT all the time, he remembers all the depression and how bad it had a hold of me. So I don't want to burden him with these feelings. It is the middle of the semester as well, and it is the end of my junior year in college, I am tired on so many levels. I quit smoking when I had the surgery and I have not started since and right now I would really like some chocolate and a cigarette. Haha, well enough for now. Bye.

We were 14,110 feet up...got a little dizzy from the altitude but drank half a liter of Water and was good to go back down. I had forgotten how much fun I have when I go out and DO things instead of sitting around promoting fat exansion when I was heavier. Still have about 50 lbs to go so Look Out World when I get to goal! I'm planning a trip to China to Celebrate getting to goal weight. ; ) What do y'all plan to do to celebrate getting to goal?

Ok, I’ve been seeing people here and there with my surgery date of 5/10/18, but I’d like to kinda get everyone together in one thread so we can keep up with each other and cheer each other on. I mean I have family and friends as a support system, but I’d like to talk to the folks who are going through the same process at the same time. If you’re interested in forming a May 10th sleeve day group, hit me up. Good luck to everyone! HW: 311 CW: 257 SW: We’ll see on May 10! First goal weight: 191 lbs Second goal weight: 159 lbs Goal weight: 142 lbs 5’6” 34 yo female in NC