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Thanks so much for your input. I don't like the fact that with the Bypass your stomach gets cut either! I also don't mind a slower weight loss. You've helped me a lot with your input. Thanks again!

So, I’ve read various posts about regretting the journey that sleevary (yes I’ve created a word) brings. However, do some of you fully regret being sleeved or are you impartial to it? For instance, my journey to sleevary was quick fast and in a hurry. I never considered having WLS. In fact, I was one of “those” individuals whom laughed at the very idea of WLS and even said “I’d never do that”. Until June 2011 hit and I was diagnosed with Diabetes. That is when I said I HAVE to take control of my health and weight and must be proactive about it. And proactive I was. I was dieting, exercising and losing weight. Until, my cousin told me about a WLS forum. I attended not thinking anything of it. And the surgeon announced the fact that WLS reversed diabetes. Instantly, I said “sign me up”. I did not hesitate nor did I think about it. My insurance had a short process – 3 months, and since I had a comorbid disease the doctor said I would be approved. I did my research and sure enough it was proven in the research that WLS fully reversed diabetes. So literally, less than three months from my first WLS forum, I was on an operating table getting sleeved. I did minimum research, I knew about the risks, but to me, being diabetes-free far outweighed any leaks or any other complications. July 17, 2012 I’m sleeved. Told no family members, coworkers or anyone and went through the recovery process by myself. Thankful to God, I had no complications (and still do not have any). It’s January 2013 and I’m down 91lbs thanks to my sleeve and exercise (I’ve been a gym rat). 91lbs Horray!! One would be ecstatic right!? I look good (like a new person), I feel good, and best of all I’m diabetes FREE. After all, that was my goal for sleevary… Right!? Absolutely. One would think I’d be living the high life, I’m no longer classified a “big girl” I don’t have to shop at Ashley Stewart or in the plus size section(s). I should be happy. Shouldn’t I!? Well, I’m not. And here’s why… I can barely eat. I throw up sometimes but it’s very minimal. I feel most foods going down my esophagus, and although it doesn’t hurt it is uncomfortable. I can’t enjoy basic foods anymore…! Am I miserable? Am I unhappy? Absolutely not. I was never a food junky. However, do I believe I should have and could have lost this 91lbs without being sleeved? Certainly!! So why did I do this to myself!? Why did I take away 85% of my stomach? And now I can’t even enjoy the simple things in life... I can’t go out to eat with friends or on a date to a restaurant with a cute guy or participate in work functions that involve food because it’s embarrassing to be full off of three bites and have everyone sit and stare and wonder what’s wrong with her!? There’s just so many “normal” things that you just cannot be a part of post sleevary -- like enjoying a full slice of pizza, or popcorn at the movie theater (granted NOW I can eat popcorn but a month ago forget about it, pizza not so much) or how about a bagel with cream cheese or a full sandwich (and I’m not talking about a gigantic 12in sub just a measly homemade sandwich with two slices of bread), or how about indulging in thanksgiving dinner or eating a snickers candy bar without feeling stuffed or eating more than 1 egg or to have to chew EVERYTHING to a paste-like consistency before you swallow. The list goes on… Two of my friends know about my sleeve, and one is overweight. She is so excited to be sleeved and I told her if you do not have any medical problems it is not worth everything that you are giving up. Sure, you are skinny but is it worth the basic joys of life!? To some it is. To others it is not. To me, a person formerly (I love that word) living with a horrid debilitating disease YES it’s worth it! With that being said, I DO NOT regret my sleeve. And I thank God that I have not and prayerfully will not in the future have any complications. I just caution those whom are out there to try to lose weight naturally (unless you have severe health problems) and truly think about whether the sleeve is worth you losing your basic liberties (whatever they maybe)…! But, I can and will say. I love my sleeve. I love my surgeon and I love God for allowing me to become insulin and finger prinking free! However, I do wish that I would have taken control of my health BEFORE I became diagnosed with diabetes. Had I had any inkling that I was even close to that diagnosis of that dreadful disease (and I don’t care what people say, IN MY OPINION, that disease is like being diagnosed with HIV it is just awful – don’t even get me started on how life altering living as a diabetic is and how depressed I was… Ugh!) I would have ran to the nearest gym and stopped all the ice cream and soda (because that’s all I used to eat) cold turkey!! All I am saying is… Think about it! Truly, sit down and think about whether being sleeved is right for YOU! If it is, WELCOME TO THE LOSERS BENCH!!! If it isn’t, WELCOME TO THE LOSERS BENCH ALSO!!! You can do whatever you put your mind too! Persevere and rise to the challenge. God Bless you all~!!!! I love my VST-Family. SmoochieS~! TinaMari – Sleeved & Loving It July 17, 2012 – Washington Hospital Center.

My doctor did not require a goal weight. But, he is making me do a liquid diet for 7 days before surgery. Bet of luck to you.

Hello------ I can only speak of what I know. I know that I am glad of going to Mexico Dr. Aceves and paying HALF what the states cost. I know that the care I got there was far far superior to any hospital I have ever been in. Now regarding calories and muscle building, to maintain muscle while working out you must have protein as you stated...to me I still have a stomach not as large so again to me it would seem that if I wanted to build I would ingest protien...like before. I am no expert. Regarding the cancer of the stomach...I too am predisposed for cancer, however, I am losing the weight and doing other things for my HEALTH. I refuse to allow the thought you threw out to enter. The way I figure it is HEY I am doing better weighing less....

I am about 10 weeks post Op and have lost about 35 pounds. The last week I have eaten some things I shouldn't and I feel like I am failing at this whole thing, not just because of what I ate but because I feel like I should be further along and I can't see the weight loss on myself. I'm driving myself crazy. Anyone else struggling? Thanks.

Lianntx I m with you on this sister... Weight loss is happening slow and steady.... Again no complains... Just making it a point to stay focused and positive... At this point that's the only key ☺️

Here is the best thing about the sleeve - it takes away your hunger and cravings (for a while at least). I know it is hard to imagine but it is true. You won't want carbs - you won't want food. I had to make myself eat for the longest time. I am now about 18 months out and my cravings have come back some. Nowhere near what they used to be and I also can control myself and I know I can't overeat because it could stretch my stomach back out. I do eat what I want now that I am at 160lbs. That means sometimes I will have one scoop of ice cream or sometimes I might eat one small slice of pizza. The key here is I don't do it all the time and when I do I have very small portions. I also workout a few times a week. I have ate this way for about 6 months now and have successfully kept my weight around 160 give or take a couple pounds. I had similar concerns as you. I am 100% glad I did this and I feel awesome! I look awesome! I wish I would have done this sooner. If you follow all your doctors guidelines for what to eat at each stage you will do just fine. Congrats on your surgery date. A new you is right around the corner!!!

Sweetie - BOTH of your parents abandoned you - not just one of them...I guess our parents did what they knew - and if they knew better they would have done better...... that said - your feeling like you have to 'please' everyone via weight loss or other things you accomplish in life - is normal - yes normal -- how the heck does a child parent their siblings? my step-son (who is now 16) played the exact same role for almost two years with his 8 years younger little brother....while his mother sat on the computer in her bedroom, often with the door shut! -- it is neglect and abandonment - on many levels -- HUGS to you! you are brave and determined to resolve the past so that you can walk smiling into the future - good for you!

Hi. I'm also from KY (Alexandria, about 80 miles north of you) with a history of panic disorder and clinical depression. They've mostly been under control, but I must admit, about 3 days after surgery I started to panic somewhat. But not because I felt anything inside - in fact, if it hadn't been for the incisions and gas pain, I wouldn't have known I had a band in there. I panicked because I was afraid I'd never be able to eat normally again. I'm two months out now, and to be honest, I kind of wish I WASN'T able to eat what I can. I haven't hit my "sweet spot" yet - the amount of restriction where I am satisfied between meals. But at the same time, I've lost 20 pounds. I could never have done that without the band. The only time you "feel" anything is if the band is too tight (and they regulate that with the fills) and you don't chew your food properly, eat chunks too large, or eat too fast. Otherwise, the band itself shouldn't cause panic. The depression might be another thing, though. But again, it's not so much because of the band itself, but the things in life that make us eat so much in the first place. You might want to share your concerns with your doctor and his staff, and certainly your co-worker who shares weight loss experience. I've found that the more I share my panic and depression with others, the less hold it has on me. Don't let your panic keep you from getting healthy. Keep me posted on your journey and best wishes. Jan

Don't limit yourself to what someone else has said or tried to limit you to. You say "This was my chance to lose weight, and now it's gone." nothing is stopping you from losing weight, with or without surgery, in the meantime do what you can and switch insurances. It's more than likely your coverage level and not that they don't do them. Even with Aetna - they state they don't do them to some, for others it's a 6 month wait and for other it's a 3 month, depends on what your plan level is. Keep checking, see if an upgrade is available or just change insurances all together. BCBS is only a 30 day wait, you may want to check into getting them if you REALLY want the surgery.

There are days where I hesitate to even think about getting the band and there are others where i am excited for the unknown!! I have managed to make a few calls today with the dietition and the physicion that the surgeon reccomended for me (man I cant spell today) Im not thinking straight!!!Anyway you get the drift! Either way I really know in my heart that something needs to be done about my huge weight problem that has been haunting me forever! I remember the days when I was 100kg (about 220lbs) and now I wish i was back there instead of being 131kg (288lbs) If i can manage to get off 132lbs (60kg) which is a huge ask I will be happy. That will bring me down to 70kg which is (154lbs) That for my height is still big but It would be true bliss. I have yet to meet a banster that has lost this amount of weight anyone out there with this success your motivation will be appreciated!

Hi, all I had the lapband surgery in Lafayette, LA with Dr. Gary Stevens December, 2006. To date I've lost 43 pounds. I would have hoped to have lost more weight almost two years post surgery but I had a complication which I am now just getting over. I started vomiting January of this year but did not tell my doctor. I can't tell you why but it was a definite mistake on my part, because by March I couldn't keep anything down. My doctor unfilled my band for 3 months and told me I had a pouch dilation. My band was too tight. Three weeks ago I had my first refill. So basically I'm starting over. I did manage to maintain a 40 pound weight loss through all of this. I lost another 3 pounds the last 3 weeks since my refill. My surgery was self-pay and so were my fills so I guess you could say I'm a lot smarter now that I've been through all of this. I will ONLY be eating 1/2 cup of food per meal; only drink between meals; limit carbs, and CHEW, CHEW, CHEW. (I'm addressing head hunger which promotes emotional eating for me.) I have so much to make up for but I feel I'm back on the right road and feel fortunate I was able to keep my band. Sorry so long, but I felt the need to write all of this down, for myself and just maybe for someone else out there with my same issues.

After I gave birth in 2010, I attempted to lose weight quite a few times. I reverted back to my old fail safe...the south beach diet. This diet has worked for me numerous times and fairly quickly too. I also got a prescription for phentermine from a local doctor. In Hawaii, only one type of phentermine is prescribed, which is the non time-release pill. I used to get it in New York and have only used the time-release capsule in the past. I'm not sure if it was the pill or if it was me, but it didn't work for me this time around. I was able to eat through the symptoms. It wasn't as long lasting and didn't do much for my night time eating. My husband and I purchased an elliptical, but I rarely used that. I even tried to go walking with my cousins, but it was just different this time. Everything was different this time. I couldn't find my motivation, and when I didn't succeed my depression would take over. I have always been able to overcome, but not this time. Worst of all, was the pain. With every pound that added to my frame, I found a new nerve, muscle, or tendon that ached. I had pain when I stood too long. I had pain when I sat too long. My feet, heels, back, arms, shoulders, neck, and everything in between were in constant pain. Eventually my workouts subsided, and I entered the cycle of putting on weight and being in pain. I started to think of other options of losing weight. I saw an old co-worker on my facebook that used to be 400 lbs down to less than 200 lbs. I haven't seen any pictures of her in a long time and was surprised at how much weight she lost. I started searching her facebook page for any clues for her success. Alas, I finally found a discrete post from a year prior about her surgery. That was when I really started to think and wish about having weight loss surgery. I have thought about it when I was lighter, but I have always been what I like to call a "healthy fat person." I don't have diabetes, gout, high blood pressure...nothing. I was now a weight where the doctors would start to take surgery as a valid solution for my problem. I often wished that I wouldn't have cravings about food that was around me. I often wished I didn't always have this problem and that I could fix it somehow where it didn't dictate my life. So in June of 2013 I made my first move towards getting weight loss surgery. I called Dr. Fowler's office.

Delarla, my first period was scheduled to arrive 4 days after my surgery and it did not happen. The following month it was late by 5 days. But my PMS was strange . I got bloated and my band became very tight I actually lost 3 pounds during that time since all I could do was liquids and yogurt I was so tight . This month is the same thing, the past week I have had this tightness and again I have lost 2 pounds but have not actually started yet but I know it's on it's way. I have the classis symptoms. My Dr. (ortiz) told me this was all normal, rapid weight loss and surgery can delay a womans menstrual cycle, he told me it could take up to 3 months to regulate. Don't worry, I think this is the norm for most of us new bandsters. Hope this helps Michelle 4.6.04 265/238.5/160ish

Hi Everyone, I'm off to Bali in July and I am absolutely dreading the flight to and fro. It's only about 5 hours but it is so uncomfortable. I was hoping to have lost more weight before I went, but my first fill hasn't had much effect, and I don't have another until the end of May. I have an aisle seat, so that helps a bit, but the tray won't go down and the belt won't fit. I hate the idea of asking for more seatbelt. oh,cringe cringe. I'm 320 pds. Anyone have any tips? Thanks, Rachel.

Oh sorry this was the first method of weight loss back in the 90's here is the definition Vertical banded gastroplasty (VBG), also known as stomach stapling, is a restrictive operation for weight control. Both a band and staples are used to create a small stomach pouch. In the bottom of the pouch is an approximate one-centimeter hole through which the pouch contents can flow into the remainder of the stomach and thence onto the remainder of the gastrointestinal tract. Back then it meant being opened up and not using laparoscopy will say it hurt will not lie but I did it again hoping for better results seems the lap band has better results and if something goes wrong it can be removed easily well surgery anyway not removing a band. Go to this link to see a picture http://www.docshop.com/education/bariatrics/gastric-banding/vbg

YAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Wow you are losing weight already!!! Good for you. I will start mine on monday and im kinda excited but i hope i keep this" positive' atitude when im hungry and watching my family eat we can go through this "together" I have the Bariatric Advantage shakes and bars. ill look at how many cals/ carbs/protein and ill let you know yaaa!!!!!!! high five to you! Y

I'm new to this group. This is my first post. I had my VSG done end of October last year and have lost a ton of weight. I started at 244 with the 2 week pre-op diet and I am now at 189. My problem is I've been having abdominal pain and diarrhea. The abdominal pain can be as bad a labor pains at times and can make me almost pass out. I'm not sure if this is the result of what I'm eating (or not eating since I feel like I'm not able to eat as much as I was a couple months ago, protein that is), or is it something else? I was at the ER a few weeks ago and they did a CT scan which said intestinal wall thickening, so they put me on Flagyl antibiotic. I'm a nurse so I know this is not normal. Any ideas on what might be going on? Melissa

I don't know what is normal..everyone is different, but I've heard others say on here that the weight loss is better when they get lots of protein in (low carb) and drink lots of pure water. You are still early out. You probably should just concentrate on staying hydrated and healing still at this point. Good luck to you!

Long story short, I have a beautiful baby daughter who means the world to me. Don't get me wrong, there's 1,000,000 reasons to do this in the first place, but it breaks my heart to imagine passing down bad habits to her or (at worst) her losing her father. I know exactly what it takes to lose weight. Calories in, calories out. Just stick to that, and you'll lose. Its insanely simple - yet somehow I can't stick to it. Logically it seems idiotic to not get a handle on this. I mean no judgement, I'm just speaking honestly. Somehow, I CANNOT get a handle on this. I'm at the point where I'd call this addiction. Food is tied to my emotions. At my best, I'll go months and months eating right (enough) and lose 50+ pounds. I even lost 120 in younger days. Somehow, the motivation eventually drains from me and its like nothing will stop me from checking out . . Its just not 'there' anymore. Before I know it, the weight is back. I've been down the same road so many times. The thought of going down it again, dedicating my life to it, is draining. I'm fatigued and I haven't even started (again) yet. I'm not sure where to go from here. Questions: 1 - What is the success rate, no BS. I mean long-term success where people are living happy lives and food (one way or another) isn't their end-all be-all. 2 - I keep hearing you have to make a lifestyle change, diet, lose weight, eat right, etc. . . I'm also hearing if you don't, you can grow your stomach back and gain weight again. This sounds incredibly discouraging, because if it was that easy, wouldn't we all just do it without surgery? 3 - What is the best option for long-term success? Apologies for the vent session. I'm at the end of my rope and I'm frustrated.

Congrats...on your weight loss and more important your marriage to your partner. !!!!

I am a massage therapist and although massage can not make you loose weight it can reduce stress by lowering the cortisol levels in your body. And it is totally worth it to pamper yourself!

I am going to have surgery this week, I am a nurse. The thing I fear the most is the depression afterwards. I have already thought about the lost of food some how depressing. I realize that looking better will be the bonus. I want less weight on my feet. I want more energy. I wrote a list of reasons I need this and want to loose weight. I promise myself to read it when I am down. At the point you are now you can look how far you come and know that it's only going to be better. You want better health and your working in that direction. Some days are one moment at a time. This is your journey and you will do well. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G750A using the BariatricPal App

Thanks for your replies . I called a different center of excellence this afternoon. The surgeon this morning was really discouraging. He told me my weight loss potential was only 100 lbs smh when I know 50-60% isn't 100lbs... Maybe he was thinking of the lap band .

Hi, Anyone out there at the 6 month mark??? I have alot of questions. I have 4.5 ccs in my 10 cc band. My weight loss has slowed down drastically. I went to the doctor and I only lost a half a pound in 5 weeks. I have noticed my food intake has gotten to be a lot more. I am not sure if I Stretched out my top pouch. how do you know if you do stretch it. will you feel it? And if it is stretched can it go back to normal. I know they said that the weight loss will slow down, but I didnt think this slow. Anyone having the same issue? Angie