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This is awesome! Congratulations on the weight loss.

did you explain to your doctor that you were vomiting after eating and that's why you're not getting enough calories in? perhaps you can get a prescription for an anti-nausea medication that will help you. it's so important to get your Protein in, and if you don't eat enough calories, your body will hold on to what it already has and it will negatively impact your weight loss.

Judgy Wudgy was a bear... sadly Judgy Wudgy had no hair. Judgy Wudgy wasn’t so judgie - or soon to be pudgy - cause Judgy Wudgy gave up KFC/McDonalds/Taco Bell/In and Out Burger/Wings/Chips/Soda/Pizza/Little Caesars & anything Judgy ever ate to get her the RNY surgery. Judgy found RNY Talk as a means to share her success stories and not to desensitize herself and others about the % of folks who regain their weight loss because they couldn’t give up the things that got Judgy to where she is right now. Judgy is pre-op and probably needs to find another source of support but comes back to RNY for the FREE ENTERTAINMENT it provides. The end. And the moral of the story - if you judge the person you think is judging - you too are judging. POOF - what a concept.

JohnDeereGal, welcome back!!! By the way, you just had your surgery on the 9th, and you are already at the mushies stage? I am so jealous. I wish these doctors would all follow the same guidelines for the after surgery diet! I am still on liquids until the 21st, and I feel as if I am going to die. Well, CONGRATULATIONS on your surgery as well as your BIG weight loss!!! I've only lost 7 pounds since my surgery. I suppose everyone is different.

That is great! I started around the same weight and sleeved last week! What an inspiration ! U should be so proud!

Hello all!! I'm just looking for advice and tips, I am 4 months out and have lost about 53 pounds. I am very happy with everything but myself. I am so disappointed in myself because I often find myself eating the wrong things necessary for weight loss. I have done well to avoid anything that may harm my pouch but not so great with foods to avoid for weight loss. My vices are tea and ice cream. Even though there are many I can't tolerate, there are plenty I can. I just don't want to have done this for no reason and end up right back where I was. What have you guys done to ensure your success. How do you maintain a healthy diet? Thanks!!

I was banded 2/7 and have lost about 30lbs so far. I am supposed to be on protein shakes, broth, non-cal drinks/jello etc. but occasionally I crave something salty. So once in a while I have a thin slice of cheddar that I chew to mush, or (you'll) laugh I go to the fridge with a teaspoon and have a spoonful of mustard or some condiment or sald dressing, just to get the taste. Has not been a problem and I don't think its impacting my weight loss.

Hi, I have my first appt today at noon... I have so many medical records I am not even sure what to take, what to copy. Did you all have a letter from your primary care doctor to take with you? Since I am on standard I barely go to my primary doctor... could never find a great one (except for colds and all that) but had a great GYN doctor , neurologist, pain doctors for all my things... So I have all those records. I am also a disabled veteran and have all that documentation (basically it documents in outline form what happened to me over the last 10 years). I am 5"3 and about 229, so I am right on the cusp of the weight requirements. Any thoughts of how to organize my records? Doctors notes you took with you? Thanks so much for all your replies they have been so encouraging. I can hardly believe I am going to possibly get weight loss surgery, in one way it makes you feel like, "How did this happen" and then in another way I see how great it has been for people in my family who got their lives back. Take care, Heidi heidshosh@aol.com

We've received one common request over the last year+ from members on LapBandTalk who've undergone or are interested in the Realize® Band procedure: An online community they can call their own. Following the success of LapBandTalk and VerticalSleeveTalk, we're happy to announce that we've just launched the beta release of the Realize Band Support Community, located at RealizeBandSupport.com . We're confident that you'll find what you're looking for at the new Realize Band Support (RBS) Community. If you're currently a member of LapBandTalk or VerticalSleeveTalk, you can just log in with your current credentials, there's no need to sign up for a new account. Log in now to join the REALIZE Band community and become one of our founding members! Wondering if Realize® Band is the right choice for you? Looking for information and community after your Realize Band Surgery? Look no further. You'll find everything you need at RealizeBandSupport.com . I started LapBandTalk the night I came home from surgery mid July 2003. Following my own Lap-Band® procedure, I was looking for information and community support. I came across a few helpful web sites, but they all lacked a sense of actually belonging to a group of people who share many similarities, struggles and habits. After years of researching and reaching out to the community, we've been able to build the most comprehensive online resources for all types of Weight Loss Surgeries. Hundreds of thousands of registered members contribute amazing stories and useful information to our pages.

Today marks day 7 Post -Op and I'm feeling almost normal. I still have mild soreness around my port incision and the gas pains have been gone for about 3 days. I found out this morning that I am still not ready to sleep laying down in bed so it looks like a few more nights of sleeping in the recliner. My starting weight was 303lbs and as of this morning I weighed in at 276lbs and i seem to be losing about a pound a day. Keep in mind that is including my pre-op weight loss. I am on mushy foods now so I have been eating things like mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, apple sauce, pudding, etc. As far as side effects I am having a spasm like feeling in my throat/chest. Seems to happen only when I am up and moving around so hopefully that will be a thing of the past shortly. I'm trying to remember to take small bites and chew everything until its mushy but that part is really hard because I am one of those people who take large bites chew only a couple times then swallow. The same thing goes for drinking. I take huge gulps and swallow. I literally could drink a bottle of water in one gulp and be done so sipping on anything is so frustrating. I actually remember that I would wonder why people pack around a bottle of water or pop for so long and not just chug it. I would never have a glass or bottle of liquid for more than 5 minutes ever. I guess I thought the same way with food because I was always the first person to clear my plate. Anyways, this is just an update of my progress.

Oops! Back at the top of this series of messages, the lady says she has Cigna and it does not cover weight loss surgery. Cigna doesn't have individual plans in Texas so I never see them do "individual health" cases. It would appear in Florida, Cigna has both group and individual coverage. Just like maternity, the best way to get this covered would be to get a job with a company large enough to have group insurance and specifically, have a plan that covers weight loss surgery. Many group plans don't cover weight loss surgery. It is an additional cost (and benefit to the employee) and not every company sees the value of doing it.

Maitai, in Texas, individual health plans (these are different than group plans) do not offer such riders. Group insurance plans may or may not opt for such coverage. Group insurance is given as a "benefit." It is another way to pay employees to work for them. So, if a company has the weight loss option in their plan, they are trying to give a very good benefit to their employees. Many plans don't have the option because they don't want to spend more on their employees, short sighted as that may be. In the individual plans in Texas, weight loss surgery is excluded, and some other things are as well. There is no rider I have ever heard of to add weight loss to an individual plan. The individual health market exists to make money for the company's stockholders and limit risk to those they deem insurable. If you and your "health conditions" fit their idea of reasonable risk, they cover you. They may rate you up in cost or eliminate coverage with a waiver. Everyone else not fitting the model gets declined.

Well Since my endoscopy I found out that I have GERD which I should mention I never knew I did have. Secondly I also have H. Pylori so that was fun to find out that I had that. So they put me on a rigourus round of antibiotics and now I have to lose 10-15 lbs pre op. I had my surgery postponed to 10-11-2012 which is fine with me I know I can do it. So if any of you come across my blog and have any tips or tricks in order to lose weight that would be greatly appericiated. I have bought my protien shakes, bought fruits and veggies, etc etc, no carbs either. SO any other advice would be helpful this way when I go there I will be able to get this done. I dont want to get to the surgery center and they say they cannot do it. Please any piece of advice helps THANKS IN ADVANCE

This sounds morbid or fraudulent but please hear me out. I've had the Lapband for almost 2 years and it has been nothing but problems. i cant wait to get this thing out of me! I've been busting my behind and have lost some weight but no im screwed. To get the lapband out, my insurance covers it, no question but i cant switch unless i again meet the same criteria as pre op. I dont have high blood pressure any longer, nor is my bmi over 40. i dont have a co morbidy. Im terrified that if i take the band out, i'll gain all the weight back. Is there a way i can "fake" a test to make it seem like i have either (per insurance) high blood pressure, sleep apnea, high cholesteral or diabetes? My doctor can argue the issues with the band but stated a Co-Morbidy still needs to be present. It sucks the the band hasnt been working for me in a healthy way but i cant switch to something safer. i feel like i have to choose to be miserable or be fat :-( like im being punished for trying my best on a crappy tool with some results but but now im stuck with it. anyone have any input? Any way i can get around this insurance hurdle? Thanks-A-Bunch!

I was sleeved on the 23rd of may and was in the hospital for two days. In those two days I was not hungry couldn't bare to look at anything. Now in starting to feel hungry again. I was used to barely eating and losing 15 lbs now I feel so by hungry I'm afraid to eat and afraid of gaining or something. Is this normal ?

I gained 30lbs after my car accident too, but it was pre band and that was what started the process. I'd look at it as, ok I survived and accident that could have taken my life, but I'm still here and it's time to make myself even healthier. Go back to your band way of eating, see your Dr for a fill if need be. You did this once, you can do it again. Log what you're eating and stick to your plan. You survived and car accident, you can do this too! Glad you're back with us!

You should have 20-30g of whey protein within 60 minutes of a work out to preserve strength/muscle gains.

VerticalSleeveTalk Newsletter Hey Sleevers!It’s hard to believe, but summer is halfway over! We hope you’re keeping cool and getting a bit of rest and relaxation during these long summer days. Of course, we also hope you’re staying on track with your weight loss goals, too! To keep you motivated, here’s what you’ll find in this month’s newsletter. Sleevers Poll: What’s the Best Part about Weight Loss Surgery? Member Spotlight: Meet Fiddleman! Weight Loss Surgery in the News: More Possible Benefits of Surgery! Summer Reading: May We Suggest The Big Book? After reading the newsletter, Alex Brecher Founder VerticalSleeveTalk.com Sleevers Poll: What’s the Best Part about Weight Loss Surgery? Poll: Besides weight loss, what has been the biggest benefit since getting surgery? If you haven’t had surgery yet or if you just got it, what are you most looking forward to? Better health, with fewer medications and better reports from the doctor. More energy to do my favorite activities and keep up with friends and family. Clothes shopping! (Enough said). Self-confidence and pride in myself. food doesn’t rule my life any more! Something else – see my answer! Mark your answer and sleep apnea, pre-diabetes and hypertension, but wanted to be a positive influence to the people around him. His sleeve surgery was in July of 2012. His highest weight was 360 pounds, and he’s now lost more than half of his body weight to get to a weight of 175 pounds. Since getting surgery, he says he has a “new lease on life.” His marriage is the best that it’s ever been, and he’s more physically active and social, participating in cross fit, racing and yoga. SOme of his great moments include: Hitting goal weight of 180 during month seven after surgery Running an 18 minute 5k and a 37-minute 10K a few months of training hard every other day on his treadmill Being asked to model and tell his story for his Weight Loss Surgery Center web site Putting on medium size clothes and size 32 jeans, after wearing size 48 pants and 4X clothes. One of his biggest challenges was being active, but by now, it’s become a habit. Fiddleman says he logs a couple of hours daily on VerticalSleeveTalk.com to “read other people's stories and questions and to help others.” He also tries to learn from others’ experiences. He says that the boards help him stay accountable. His advice to others is to “keep calm and carry on. Follow the plan and resist the urge to cheat and sabotage your efforts. Temptation becomes less and less the longer you create a separation between you and a temptation. Always strive to feel in control of both your eating, drinking and fitness daily goals. Do not give up for the prize of a new life full of opportunities is worth the struggle. And lastly, share your successes with others. Success breeds more success.” Fiddleman, your success is amazing and a testament to your hard work. Congratulations on all that you have accomplished, and thanks for sharing your story and advice in our Member Spotlight! Do you like learning more about our members? We can’t do it without you! We need you to nominate members that you want to see featured in the newsletter. Nominate someone else or yourself in the meal plans for losing weight. Order your copy from Amazon or VerticalSleeveTalk.com! That’s all we have for this newsletter. We hope you enjoyed it and it inspires you to keep pursuing your summer goals. As always, feel free to contact us at any time. See you on the forums! Take care of yourself and each other. Sincerely, Alex ============================================================== If you no longer wish to receive this newsletter, you may unsubscribe by going to your Control Panel and clicking on the Newsletters tab, or clicking on the following link: {unsubscribe}

My husband works for Rio Tinto and they have a rider on the insurance policy about weight loss surgery. does anyone out there have experience with this?

Welcome to the group your a young looking 49 year old how was surgery? What was highest weight? How much you lost? How much you set your goal weight to be?

Dietician instruction are just as different for maintaining as they are for weight loss phase. Glad you have a consult to dial your diet. My instructions. I was encourage to add low glycemic carbohydrates to slow/stop weight loss to maintain. Whole grains, Whole wheat pasta/breads, brown rice, sweet potato. ( nothing white or processed)(I don't tolerate brown rice well. I feel bloated and lethargic). She gave me a carb range to stay within. https://www.health.harvard.edu/healthbeat/a-good-guide-to-good-carbs-the-glycemic-index I have always spaced out my meals to four to six smaller meals a day. My restriction with the sleeve was noticeably less after a year. Maintaining in year four, I eat protein fruits, vegetables, nuts, grains, beans, dairy and low glycemic carbs. I still stay away from sugar and processed stuff. I indulge once in a while. My maintaining diet changes to three programs. I am female 5'5" and 130 pounds. Maintenance :1300 to 1600+ calories give or take. When I gain I am back to basics: 1000 to 1200 calories. I am carb sensitive I gain in a heartbeat. The weight comes off slowly. It's knowing your body physiology. Distance running: my calories and carb ratios increase to a range that I'm surprised I can get in. I got to goal doing elliptical and a bit of weight lifting. My goal was a 5K in memory of my mother. Checked that off my bucket list my first year. Each year I have increase distance. I used a sports medicine dietitian to learn how to fuel my body for long runs with a sleeved stomach. I'm curious to see what your maintaining plan looks like. If you don't mind, please post back and share it.