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What type of weight loss surgery did you have? If you had bypass you might try the pouch test which allows you to understand if you have stretched the pouch. You can google "Pouch test" or 5 Day pouch test. It basically has you begin the first week as if you just had your surgery. I would start by totally going back to the basics. Liquid diet. And then introduce high Protein, low carb meals back into your diet. Are you exercising? if not, you have to get back on that horse right away, it will help boost your metabolism. Also make sure you are getting 64 oz. of Water per day. All of those things will help you get back on track. Good luck!

I wasn;t required to lose weight but I was required to do the liver shrinking its important ot do it. When I had my gall bladder op years ago they do the same thing and pull back the liver to get at it mine tore and had to be fixed and its difficult to do. Its also heavy and in the way if its big so the smaller and softer it is the better for holding it back out of the way undamaged. You don’t have to do the all milk etc if you don’t want to but cut out sugars and cabs so it uses whats stored in it that will shrink it and soften it up before the op.

I'm so happy for you! I just feel like I can't any longer with this weight and this process is taking so long

I am pre-op and loving going to the Nut. I am learning so much about food and the in and outs that even now it is changing my life. I am shocked at how uneducated I am about food and others around me too. Maybe because of my love for learning and education I am so shocked on the misunderstandings about food we all have. I can honestly say I wonder if I would be where I am today in my weight struggles if I would know what I know now! I can say greatest shock is the difference between carbs and sugars and that some prepared packaged food are good for you

Good morning guys, I've heard people who swear by it and others who swear against it. I've talked to a couple of personal trainers in the past and both insisted that strengh training is essential in weight loss and that you should do it since you start your weight loss journey, because gaining muscles boosts your metabolism, etc. I also talked to a nutritionist before who told me that I should wait until I have lost a larger amount of weight and then start strengh, otherwise my scale won't move. Losing inches is great, but I love to see my scale go down as well, I guess I can say that I'm addicted to the scale. (I know, I shouldn't) Ultimately, I just want to do what's right, not what I want. I've done my research and from what I've read I think it's a good idea to do strengh exercise along with your cardio since the beginning of our journeys, I tried at the beginning, but I was never consistent, but now, I've been doing it consistenly for 2 weeks, I do 20 minutes weights and then 45 minutes cardio, 3-4 times a week. What has been your experience? Have you done strengh/weights since the beginning and lost weight steadly? or Did your weight loss stop when you started doing strengh exercise? , and if it did, when did you start losing again, a few weeks/months? Or Did you wait to start your strengh training later on, after you lost more weight? I just would like to hear your experiences on this. Thank you guys, and have a great day! Love, Elena

After smoking for 17 years I also quit by using an e cigarette. I smoked that for one year and now I am completely smoke free and losing weight! I highly recommend the e cigarette!

Hey Susie. Sorry to hear that. Good job on the weight loss though. Its tough in Peru to stay away from the carbs. I know. I messaged you before. My wife is from Peru. I had heard that the by pass was better to cure diabetes even though the sleeve seemed to be doing it as well. A lot of cholesterol is your genes. Even if you exercise, watch what you eat and are thin, you can still have high cholesterol. While I love Peru, there medical care is not really up to par IMO. I would do the tests again just to make sure.

Great job on the weight loss!

Hi guys! I'm a bit curious about something. I have read a ton of blogs and it appears that everyone is put on different post op diets and I have also read that many people have had different weight loss. I was wondering if maybe the post op diet has anything to do with the way you lose weight in the long run. My diet right now is 2 weeks liquids (no sugar), 1-2 weeks mushies then solids. What were some of your diets and how much have all of you lost? -N

I just don't want to get sick. Ive been to nutritionist on one other diet and gained weight. I think with banding I will learn portion control. Another thing that worrys me is I take medicine at night I have to eat with will they let me know how to handle that

When I started with my first consultation back in January 2013 I was certain I wanted the bypass. As I read and did more research, I realized that the part of the process that concerned me the most was not the surgery itself but the re-routing of the intestines, the malabsorption part of it, and the possible complications from those two things. That is not to say there are not possible complications with the Sleeve, but for me, those were my main concerns. I realized because of that that the sleeve was a better option for me, even though I may be able to lose more weight with the bypass. I feel like whichever surgery I had would be an awesome tool. if the difference between what I would lose with the 2 surgeries would be 20 pounds more with the bypass, than I would do the sleeve -which I was more comfortable with -and WORK IT to get those extra 20 pounds or so off. Know what I mean? That's how I came to my decision and haven't regretted it! I would say though, don't depend on anyone's experience....read up, do as much research as you can, and make the most informed decision possible that you feel the most comfortable with.

I just had my base weight weigh in and my first appointment with the LPN is in October. But I have all my appointments set and ready to go. Actually will be done with them before I visit with the LPN for the first time! Just started the south beach diet. My dr wants me down 5% before surgery. That is a requirement for all his patients. I would love to be down 10%. I'm on day 2 of the first phase and it's tough! It's getting better! I have a friend who did it and met another woman locally. I'm excited... Not nervous yet... Looking forward to a new and improved me!! Anyone local just starting out?

Hi there! I suggest a book"weight loss surgery" for dummies. It is very informative. If u have iPhone u can download a sample for free. And buy later( nook, android too)

So this is just my 2 cents, but this happens -- the brain is an amazing and irritating thing! My personal name for this is "eating my fears before my fears eat me" - mainly the brain's auto-response that by having surgery, I'd never enjoy my favorites again, etc. Plus my fear of failure in losing the required weight (I had to lose a certain % of weight so that my insurance would pay). The good news was that after I freaked out for a week or so, I realized I was more motivated to lose weight and have the surgery than I was to have all that food - but this took some deep thinking and bargaining with myself. You might also be having "food funerals" which a lot of people do, thinking they'll never be able to eat a certain favorite again. Turns out that after surgery you can eat most anything once you're released for regular food, it just becomes a choice of whether you should have those things. Anyway, you're going through what I would call a natural process of realization and it's what you do next that matters. The way I got through was a very stringent daytime eating plan, and then a dinner of something slightly off my plan - that way I was bargaining for what I wanted but the majority of the day I was on plan. It worked, I made my required weight and surgery happened! You can do it!

HI I joined forum today. In November 2012 I started my journey...my insurance required 9 months with a medical doctor for weight loss efforts. I completed it and all other test and clearances by August 2013. I didn't hear anything for about 2 months. I tried to contact the clinic and all they kept telling me was the person over the department had to review my file and send it to insurance. Called my insurance and they said it only take maybe a week for approval BUT no one sent then anything. Frustrated, it seemed when I called the clinic to get some direction people avoided my calls and began not being as friendly as they had been before. Now, I wasn't calling a lot and I even told the redeptionist I understand workers are busy and things take time I just wanted to know a time limit..1mth...3...6..before my paper work is submitted to insurance? Everyone who has been through the process knows for insurance it is time sensitive because after a certain amt of time I would have to start my 9mths all over again. Then one day the receptionist said well you need to speak with the coordinator she has some questions...ok 2 mth later and you are just telling me this? At this time I had postponed starting a new position because I couldn't miss any days during my 6 week training. Left a message for coordinator to contact me..stil nothing I had to start my training. In my 3rd week of training she finally called me at 8am in the morning and she wasn't friendly at all. I was told that since I had gained weight during the 9 mths that they need me to do another psych eval which I was cleared before. They all knew I was seeing one of their doctors for weight loss using phentermine which I lost 22lbs in 3 mths 20 in the first 2 mths. I had gained 10 of those back during the last 7mths being off the meds and by law you can't be on for more than 3mths at a time. This has been my weight loss struggle for over 20 yrs I would do well on some meds until the effect wore off and although still trying weight over the years would creep back on plus some. We all know that story. I was very upset that it took them 3 mths to get in touch with me to tell me they wanted another psych eval and my insurance company was stunned as well they even said "It is proven that usually people who take meds for weight loss regain some if not all and more weight back after the dosage has stopped". I was not happy...I am ok with the waiting process as long as things are moving forward but it was the disregard I felt that made me uncomfortable. So I thought if it is this hard to get and answer and the feeling I was bothering those who are suppose to help...how will my after care be? How will the surgery go? One lady in one of my nutrition classes said her April 2013 surgery was postponed due to sergeon not being available and it was July and she was still waiting for a new date. So I called another hospital OSU Medical Center. They scheduled me for intake. I met the coordinator first who was very nice and gave me a lot of information on what she will be doing for me during the process (she will handle paper work for insurance) and same day met the nurse who went over all my options because they do all 3 surgeries at OSU (I stuck with lapband) and after her met with the nutritionist. They received my paper work from the other clinic and if all goes well all I would need to do is 4 weeks of nutrition with OSU (once per week) and meeting with the surgeon because everything else hopefully is done. They did their own lab work on me but will accept all my other clearances. I felt comfortable and at home at OSU. Crossing fingers that I can get approved and maybe surgery before the summer. I will finishing up my degree in April this year as well! woot woot lol Looking forward to the support this forum offers & future banding friendships. ~Blessings

I don't weight every week. With my personality I will be focused on that and get bummed out. With my Dr we go for follow ups 1 week, 1 month, 3 month and then yearly till 5years. After my next appointment (3 month) then I will start weighing myself monthly. Congrats on your success. Keep it up!

kennedy- i'm so glad you also should make a ticker so you can see how the weight goes down. Every morning I weigh myself and then update my ticker. I know its only 14 pounds but-- I haven't lost 14 pounds like ever .

did you meet with his staff yet? I'm going tomorrow for my first visit. Had my sleep study already. Looking forward to seeing how much weight I lost in my first 4 weeks of ore op!

Just curious. If your bmi is NOT 40 Or greater and you don't have hbp, diabetes, heart issues or sleep apnea (so your only problem is weight) will you somehow get approved for the procedure? Any other tips you guys can think of to get approved? I've had 2 vascular surgeries and had my surgeon write that band would eliminate some of the vericose problem but not sure ghi would go for that. Any tips and tricks?

My excess stomach never did me any favors. It allowed me (with my help, of course) to over eat tremendously. It caused me to have constant hunger and cravings. It got me to 264 pounds and just below the diabetic line. Because of my weight, I was unable to do so many things, and I missed out on so many opportunities with my kids. Five years ago, a lemon sized brain tumor was found in my noggin. It's estimated that it was growing there for about ten years. They cut that out because it was affecting me in a negative way. Six years ago my gall bladder was removed due to gall stones and severe pain. I didn't hold on to any of these things because they were making me unhealthy. My stomach was no different. You would have a cancerous growth removed, I assume, or a sketchy mole. You would fix a bad heart or liver or joint. You would remove a tonsil or appendix if you had to. Why not part of your stomach if it would make you healthier? Think about it.

Slim Lola, yes, a pep talk is exactly what I need. I was very excited to get my sleeve, so didn't really get nervous. This time it isn't for weight loss (I weigh 135lbs), but for bile reflux. So, the 'prize' at the end is not quite as exciting. Thank you for the pep talk! I would love to read journals of the day of surgery. I know the bypass is different than the sleeve surgery.

I am nervous. I have pre testing on the 10th this month. My nutritionist said I had to weigh the most 215 at the day. My surgery is the 17th of March. I am nervous because right now I weigh 218-221. The scale keeps bouncing around. I am looking for advice to lose the weight so I can be cleared for surgery !!! I have been drinking lots of wter, eating Protein first, working out. I just need something extra to get over this hump. Thanks!

I understand what you're saying- and nothing anyone can say here is going to change the decision I've made to follow through with this. I KNOW I can't go back to where I was. I know this. It's just disheartening to hear from your surgeon that although you're removing half your stomach, you "might not lose a lot of weight". How is that even an option to NOT lose weight?! My fear is that since I'm a revision, I won't be successful as if I was a WLS virgin. I've gained weight. None of my clothes fit me. I'm back on BP meds. I KNOW what needs to be done, and I'm doing it on 2/19. I guess I'm just looking for those success stories from other successful banders who have gone on to be successful sleevers.

Everyone was "scared or nervous" like you. It's a very natural reaction. However, nearly everyone wishes they'd done this sooner when asked afterward. I can't believe how much better I feel and how much happier I am after losing all of this weight.

I asked my surgeon and my nutritionist the same thing. They both told me that when you get down to your ideal healthy weight, you will be able to eat to maintain, because your body and your eating habits will adjust. Just as there are some who do actually gain weight back if you're not careful, you can also adjust your calorie intake and activity habits to stay at the weight you want to maintain. Hope this info helps, and I wish you the very best in your journey!