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I'm not sure if I'm still stalling with my weight because I have not weighed myself in two days. I will say that if I am, my weight must be shifting because I wore a skirt today that I couldn't zip at the beginning of my stall. I'm still learning how to eat in different situations. Yesterday I went to brunch and had scrambled eggs with cheese. It didn't go down very well, felt kind of stuck, but I kept taking bites and tried to chew better. I only ate about 4 bites but I felt overly stuffed for a couple of hours. I got the hiccups sort of (this has been happening when I eat too much), but felt better later in the day after I took a walk. Today I sort of returned to work. I am a teacher, but will not start this year until mid October because I am taking over for another teacher who will leave and not return once she has her baby. I'm going back to my old job and school, so I went in today for their first work day back. It was great to see everyone and I got a couple of compliments. There is another teacher whose mother passed away yesterday so I will be going in this week to set up her classroom and do what I can for her. Well, not much else happening right now. I'm just glad that I'm finding other things to focus on besides the scale. I was almost about to get depressed over the stall and then I remembered some fitness goals I wanted to accomplish and decided to start on those. I signed up for a two hour per week tap and jazz class that begins Sept. 10. I'm hoping my surgeon will release me for full exercise when I see him this week so I can start back to Jazzercise (haven't been in well over a year), it's been four weeks and I think I'm ready as long as I don't push myself too hard.

Just wanted to send along an update. The first pic I am at my pre surgery weight of 320 lbs this fall. Had my sleeve done 10/08/2012. The last two pics are from this week, 10 weeks post op. I am currently at 252 lbs. I hope to be at goal around 180 lbs. - 68 lbs... half way there! Appreciate all the real support here. So glad to be on this journey with you. My knees and back don't hurt anymore as they used to. I enjoy working out and being active. Already more comfortable sitting on those questionable chairs . It's Christmas Eve and I already feel like this surgery was the best present ever. Can wait to loose more an get to goal. Can't completely imagine what if will be like then. Hope it's awesome! Peace and a Happy New Year!

me too... I think I used the term only for my 1 1/2 pound loss because of my previous weeks loss being 10 pounds. I know they all add up!! Bet you cant wait to be banded Kerri... Good luck for when its you joining the "losers" XX

Oh yes. 10 days worth. I stick myself one last time tomorrow. My belly is all purple from them...they hurt so much. How long do u have to do them for?

After surgery everything is in transition. There is the transition from full liquids to pureed foods to solids; the transition in allowed meal volume; and the transition to allowed food categories. Each transition opens up new opportunities. So experiment. In Indiana they have a saying. If you don't like the weather, wait 10 minutes. It is sort of like that with food after surgery. I documented the approach I used after surgery in the following article. I hope it is of help. http://www.breadandbutterscience.com/Surgery.pdf

Consider yourself lucky... I came home from the hospital almost 10 pounds heavier than when I went in. IV fluid did me in... It took almost a week for me to lose it.... Be patient, the weight will come off

The pain is intense whenever I move, not gonna lie. I have ice on my side and crotch right now. And yesterday after surgery I had to go to the ER because of extreme bleeding from my rear incision. Fortunately my doctor met me there, checked everything, and assured me it was normal to have leakage especially in the first few days even though I have drains. It has subsided since then but is not completely done. But I had my binder off for the first time and I cried with joy at the sight of my flat stomach and the fact that I could see my hooha without lifting up a pile of fat or skin. I will take the pain for a lifetime of flat tummy any day! Time for my meds! Sent from my XT1635-01 using BariatricPal mobile app

For me it never hurt to swallow it was just hard to swallow enough Water with pills because i would fill full and uncomfortable right away. But im 5 days out and its okay to swallow small pills. I cut my big in half and take them about 10 mins apart. Sent from my LGLS991 using the BariatricPal App

i recommend the yoplay whipped yogurt that worked really well for me...and as far as the weight loss...dont worry once you get your adjustment when its time it will all melt off...i was stuck at 25 pounds lost which was all pre surgery until just before my first adjustment...i actually gained1-2 pounds back....since then i have lost 10 more pounds...just focus on healing and feeling healthy....good luck!

Well on tuesday is my weigh in day.. I am nervous about not being down.. I have been hungry.. With being on liquids my surgeon said that i am not to focus on losing weight that this is a time to heal, but I feel like I need to be down some weight. I don't want to be stressing over this but I can't help it.. I have been keeping my calories to around 1100-1200. This has not been to hard i feel satisfied with this number but sometimes feel like I am eating to much.. How crazy is that.... Onto another topic I have a discharge anyone else have that like 10 days post op. It is a clear bright yellow... I have no fever, not a lot of pain but had night sweats last night and mild chills tonight.. I am waiting to call my clinic tomorrow morning. I am hoping it is nothing.. It is coming from the port site.. Anyways time for bed. PS does anyone in canada know where to find this greek yogurt everyone is talking about??? Thanks for any feedback...

My IUD is my best friend ....well at least for the next 10 yrs lol

8/10/09 Day four. Somebody shoot me. this f’ing sucks. I’m having less than 500 calories a day with 95% of them being liquid. It should be 100% liquid but I can not tolerate the powdered protein they want me to be consuming every day. I’ve tried every imaginable form of it out there. It all tastes like crap. It’s all thick. Really I’m not being a baby about this. I’m the girl who can’t drink milk because it’s yucky. If I force myself to drink it, it’s just going to come back up. I can hardly eat jello because the texture makes me gag. So I’m started to supplement my liquid diet with a daily single serving of tuna. 60 calories, no carbs & 12 grams of protein. cheater I know. go back thru my blog I don’t think it’s any surprise that I’m a cheater. So any way let’s add to it. let’s pour salt in my wound (I hate the word wound). I had to start using my bypap machine Friday night. In order for insurance to cover it they have to see that I’m using it 4 hours a night. Really? instead of helping me sleep better this thing just ensures that I don’t sleep through the night. It’s uncomfortable. It’s noisy. It smells funny. I feel like a dumb a. so I’m not sleeping well and I’m tired because I’m consuming minimal protein. I’m having a WTF was I thinking moment today. Really? all of this for what? To be healthier and get into a size 10 jean. Maybe an 8. Really? please God promise me this will all be worth it down the road because today it isn’t. 8/12/09 Day six I could not get out of bed this morning. I slept like crap thanks to that stupid stupid bipap machine. Really? I have to add that to my already stupid restrictive life. Now I’m not even allowed to sleep? Anyway, so I call into work. Told them I felt awful which was the under statement of the year. I think the lack of protein finally hit me. I felt like I was moving my body through water. My limbs were heavy. I was sluggish. And my head was foggy. Gosh it’s great to be me. So I slept in a little then got as far as my desk. In my pj’s, unshowered I spent the next 3.5 hours working on photos. That wasn’t so taxing. I told the kids to pretend like I wasn’t home. Sha was there. I just shut my door. I felt good about what I got done. I played some tutorial videos as I worked and actually learned a thing or two. I had to rush through the shower to get out the door in time to get to the hospital by 1:45 for my pre admission testing. On the way I gave Dad a call to get an update on him. He talked all the way from Reinbeck to Cedar Falls and then some. At this point I was crabby. I was so tired. I was dizzy. A couple times I thought this must be what it feels like before you pass out. So I sit thru the pat’ing. She’s telling me to do this and don’t do that and I’m just sitting there staring at her. I know I’m not smiling, I don’t think I had the energy to smile. I told her at one point I needed to write some of what she was telling me down or would never remember it. I told her the liquid diet had wicked away my memory and my personality. Sad but true. Once I’d signed off that I was aware of all the bad things that could happen from the procedure they walked me down to the lab for yet more lab work. Why is it a little tiny needle in the crook of my arm hurts so much more than the thousands upon thousands of jabs that I take while sitting for Juno? Finally I’m allowed to go to my appointment with Dr. hodges which requires me to drive around to the other office. Yeah well first I have to remember where I parked my car. I go outside and I hit the lock button so that the horn can lead me to it. Except when I hear the horn I seriously can not tell what direction the sound came from. It’s like a freaking fun house! finally after walking around for a minute or so (it’s not a big parking lot) I find my car. Thank goodness!

My original goal was actually still (barely) overweight by my BMI. I'm 5'1" and started at 242. My goal was 135 pounds. It took me 17 months to get there. Eventually, after pregnancy, I wanted to lose the baby weight and readjusted my goal down ten pounds. I got there but it took about another 14 months after I had the baby to lose the 10 pounds from her, plus the 10 to goal. Over the next few months, I was put on a medication that suppressed my appetite and I've dropped to 116-118 pounds. I've maintained for 2.5 years now. I think the point is you can pick any goal you want, at any point you want. So long as it's healthy and within normal for your body, your sleeve can get you there. It doesn't expire. It takes time, effort and sometimes a little jumpstart is nice. I started my baby loss with a green smoothie cleanse. Silly, 2 smoothies during the day and protein for dinner, but a way to get refocused for ten days. Only minimal results, but I'm a notoriously slow loser. I'm skinny. I won't lie. But my BMI is normal. My labs are good. I eat healthy meals. I think our hangup about "too skinny" comes from the same place as being "too fat" and formerly embracing our curves. Being told not to get too thin, or to eat a sandwich has been just as damaging as being told "I have such a pretty face" or "carry myself well for my size." To hell with that. Be the size you want to be. Period. It's your body. You get to decide. You've come this far. And congrats on that. It might take longer to get smaller, but so what? It took me over four years to get this size. Do you think that stops me from enjoying it? Cheri

I'm very happy with myself today. I finaly hit my goal weight:thumbup:. I went from 259lbs (size 22) to 155lbs (size 10). It took me almost 1 year 5 months to do it, but it was worth it!!!! Now I think I'll see if I can get down another 15lbs just for the fun of it.:thumbup:

I am on day 9 of a 2 week pre-op liq. diet, I do EAS AdvatEDGE shakes. They only have 2 net carbs and 17g of Protein (lucky me my surgeon requires low carsd, Protein Shakes only). The chocolate seems to be the best, and I think I am going to take the advice of someone up there and put it in the freezer! Initial Eval: 09/08 Post-Op: 01/09 LAGB: 02/09/09

I was sleeved on the 22nd by the surgical specialist group of NJ. Dr. Boynton was my doctor as he was awesome. I've been feeling pretty good except for the left side incision. It is really sore probably because it is healing. The only other issue I have is coughing.

I ate about a cup of watermelon and my heart rate shot up to 146 bpm which is way outta norm for me. Took it 10 min to settle back down. I called my Lapband doc who said no more watermelon and to contact my reg doctor which I did. Reg doc put me through blood work and EKG and all was normal but they both felt it was too much sugar. Really? Isn't that natural sugar??? I love watermelon!!!

Hello, been a roller coaster of a ride this week re: gastric sleeve journey. Good news: my husband has come around, and said he will fully support my decision to have the sleeve. So relieved! Bad news: After I've accepted the changes, mentally, and invested a lot of time w/lab work, Upper GI, psych eval, and meeting w/the dietician....there may be a snag with insurance! So, apparently, Aetna has a requirement that you have had a BMI of 40 for at least 2 years. Currently, I have a BMI of 40. However, my BMI for the last couple years has been between 33-35, well, actually as I'm thinking about it...probably 37-38. I asked the gal at the Dr's office who schedules the surgery if we could go back to 2002. She said we could try, but most likely, Aetna will want the weights from more recent times. Awaiting Dr's records from OB/gyn after having a baby in 2010---but I think it will fall just shy--like I'd have a BMI of 39. Now, am I backwards in this logic? Wouldn't showing a BMI of 40 from 2002 give more credibility to the fact I've been struggling with weight this long, have been able to lose it, but I gain it back, which is why I need something this drastic??? So, my question is...have any of you with Aetna had luck submitting BMI/weights from 10-11 years ago? Or, anyone with Aetna have luck submitting a current BMI of 40 but in last couple years, records showed a BMI of 38 or 39 (no comorbid conditions---just asthma and immune deficiency which I don't think they consider)? Thanks!

@@healthymommy good news you have lost X amount of weight you gained 10 lbs, not 11+ you are here looking for help you are being honest with yourself admitting you want/need to get back on tract you have been drinking 8-10 glasses of beer could have been 11+ called doc, now taking prilosec better news all the above problems can be fixed you are ready, willing and able to get back on tract you are able to go to point A, and drink Protein shakes i know you can get back in the swing of things once again be the success you were meant to be good luck kathy

I am 2 years post. I have been eating and drinking horrible since the holidays. Drinking 8 to 10 beers twice weekly was a normal thing for me. Of course when you drink you get hungry, so snacking was normal too. I know what I have been doing was no the right choice. Now, I gained 10lbs. I am very upset and plan to get back on tract. In the last week I started having a burning feeling under my ribs and I burp more then I ever have before. Big burps! I called my dr today and was honest about drinking. He said that I have caused inflammation in my stomach lining and need to start taking Prilosec once a day. Has anyone been in my position? I need help I know. Did I stretch my tummy? I hope not. Any positive input would be great?

They can remove the excess abdominal skin without doing a full Tummy Tuck, it is called something like a paniculectomy. The difference is, there is no muscle repair or tightening, and often no liposuction to contour the new shape. I am about 5 1/2 weeks out from a full Tummy Tuck, and it was not something I needed great help with. Never anyone to wipe my backside!! The incision is healed now, and I can remove my compression this coming Tuesday----yay!!!! The PS removed 12 pounds of skin and flab. I began my lap band journey at 289 pounds in a size 22/24. When I went to have my TT I was 184 pounds and in a size 14. I am now 175 pounds and in a size 8-10 misses or a juniors 11. I am 5'9" tall----so it is stretched out a bit--but I have my life back!!!!! If you get a chance to get the skin removed, or a TT---or whatever surgery you think will improve your ability to move or to feel better about yourself---DO IT!!! As for insurance paying. It has to be proved to be a medical necessity. If you get rashes or skin breakdowns, now is the time to see the Dr. for them and have them documented. If the excess weight from overly large breasts is causing back problems, now is the time to have it medically documented. Waiting til the time for PS is not going to be enough. They want proof you have tried other things, or that it is an ongoing problem. Good Luck to all of you. You will learn to love your new selves when the realities of what you are now able to do hits you. I feel like I may be pushing 50---but I feel better than I did at 30-----and a helluva lot more capable of actually doing it! Kat

Had surgery 8/10,only list 35lbs. Went for an adjusting Tuesday,had not been since 3/11,very discouraged. Tryin to start with a new slate. My downfall is I hate all protein shakes,that either make me gag or throw up. Major frustratated. I'm now current first day of mushy food,for bfst I had a hard boiled egg ,*shrugs*,so far that's all until lunch and I have tuna fish

Please help me! I can't get any answers from the bariatric support as to how to help me with this awful constipation. I am 10 weeks 4 days post op. I had my gall bladder out 5 weeks post op due to awful chest pain. I thought maybe that was causing some of the problems with constipation. NOPE! I take 2 stool softeners a day. I drink 60 ozs of water everyday. I am exercising, (well not like some of you) but walking 2 miles 3 times a week. I cannot get any relief from constipation unless I take milk of magnesia! This is not normal. I do not want to be addicted to laxatives. I just don't know what to do! I do not even pass gas now. I was very gaseous before this surgery. I did not have constipation problems either. It is like my intestines are asleep and I can't wake them up. I'm concerned. I need help. Sometimes I wish I could go back to January 8th and rethink this whole surgery thing!!!

Egads, that's worse than fearing erosion. I hate feeling like that...I can't stop the "tape" in my head sometimes, especially when what I see confirms what I feel. Fat and Ugly. Maybe it's time I waxed my eyebrows. That always makes me feel Neat and Clean, rather than fat and gross. Geez, I can't wait till I get to a weight when I don't feel so gross anymore. 10 more pounds? 20 more pounds? What's it gonna take? I just cringed when I read those words. I can so relate.

I had a laproscopic hysterectomy 10 days ago. I have done remarkably well with that surgery. I overdid it a few days ago and started cramping so I took one of my pain pills (Lortab 7.5 mg). Well, it made me nauseous and I vomited yesterday morning. Felt bad the whole rest of the day and then after dinner last night, I noticed that I had heartburn and reflux. Took a Pepcid with no relief and took some Tums which helped a small amount. Was fine all day today and then got heartburn and reflux after dinner again tonight. I have an appointment with my band doctor on the 18th of this month. I have 7.5 cc in a 10 cc band and think I'm right where I need to be. I've lost 64 pounds since surgery on June 4, 2010. I have only vomited 2-3 times since being banded so of course I am worried about my band. Just need to get some reassurance from you fine folks. Any advise is greatly appreciated. Sandy