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I started my bariatric journey absolutely sure that I was going to do the DS. (We had friends who had done it - as in the whole family, parents and kids - and were thrilled with the results, and that's what even got me to consider bariatric surgery.) But my surgeon (pretty much the only one in my area who had experience with DS and could accept my insurance) refused to allow me to do DS - said it was too extreme for someone with my BMI (around 40 at the time), and offered me the choice of either band or sleeve. I knew that lots of people were unhappy with the band, so decided to go with the sleeve. Truthfully, now I'm so happy that I did that and not DS. My weight loss is going really well, and the idea of having to swallow all those pills (I can't even get in my multivitamin every day) - ugh! Despite certain issues with my sleeve (very restrictive, quite a bit of throwing up), I still LOVE it.

Lovemyself2012 I haven't had my surgery yet but I believe & listen to everything I read online so the first thing I'm going to do one month out of surgery is get hammered & then as a result become an alcoholic! And it will all be your fault!!!! LOL Seriously tho how can you really know if it didn't slow down your weight loss? However I do know that when I drink alcohol I become a "professional" dancer & shake my booty all night at the club far more than if I drink Water all night.

True, but you but for a document that is supposed to last 5-10 years anyway, you shouldn't be forced to update a passport before its expiration date because of weight loss. That's where immigration officers need to use some gumption

There is a band to sleeve revision forum here that you might want to check out. I think there are some people that have been successful in achieving weight loss with the band. They work hard at it and use it as a tool. One of the many problems is, I think, that the weight eventually comes back (as it did with me), and the band really isn't meant to be a permanent implement in your body. After a while, it has to be removed or replaced, and so many things can go wrong from hiatal hernias to erosion, scar tissue, and ulcers. My band and port was being strangled by scar tissue and was causing me pain. I wanted it to come out desparately anyway when I realized I had band-induced bulimia. I don't think you will find a lot of people here at this forum cheering on the use on the band, but if you want another perceptive, there is another forum that you could ask on: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/ I think the sensation of hunger varies from individual to individual. It is true that the hormone grehlin is removed when 85% of your stomach is removed; however, that is only one of about a hundred or more hormones that regulate hunger. I feel hunger when I haven't eaten in a while. I'm only two and a half weeks out from surgery, but I would say that the sensation of hunger is greatly reduced, and I think that will be a mostly permanent condition. I think the sleeve is a much more permanent solution for weight loss compared to the band, and it also has a much longer history of success than the band has. I still enjoy food, and I am satiated after my incredibly small meal:-) I had a small slice of pizza last night with chicken sauage on top, and it was delicious, followed by a sugar free pudding.

Yes, I have the book and it is an excellent read. Another book which I would recommend is Eating Well After Weight Loss Surgery by Patt Levine. This book has at what stage you can eat the recipe or whether you can blend it. Great asset.

I was banded May 16th of this yr. i have had NO stuck episodes,weight loss is at 45 lbs, And I have had 2 fills going on the 2nd of August for my 3rd filll!!My question is this...Today I have been so dizzy all day!!! It is like wene u have gotten drunk and u lay down and ur whole world is spinning!! Has anyone else had this plus I have had NO energy today and kinda feel bad!!! Is it cuz im just under the weather or is it something to do with my band???Very concerned!

Congratulations! Take it one day at a time. If you have any questions feel free to email me. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs tomander@bell.net

Thanks guys. I too have PCOS and in fact had to go on infertility medication for the baby that I lost shortly after birth and for my twins (my youngest was a HUGE surprise since I had to try so hard to have a baby previously and was told by every specialist I would never have a child on my own with the degree of PCOS I have....It's safe to say they LIED!!! lol). I am just looking forward to the possibility of the evil facial hair going away some what, it's a PITA to have to pluck my chin daily and cream my upper lip once a week :-P I have tried every thing under the sun to lose weight to no avail. Of course having PCOS makes it much harder than what it is for the average person. I have been heavy my entire life and been sent to this endo and that dietitian always looking for a reason for my size because I was always super active, actively involved in every sport from karate to gymnastics to ballet to softball to tennis to basketball to track to the swim team (the list goes on). I even, at 4 tender years of age, was in Childrens Memorial Hospital in Chicago, IL for a weeks time. The children around me were dying of cystic fibrosis, leukemia etc and here I was, for all intents and purposes, a healthy child. Then at, oh IDK, 9y/o I was sent as an out patient to the University of Iowa childrens hospital (again endo dept) where low and behold they found me to be in perfect health aside from my weight. I have done the South Beach, I have done the Atkins, I have counted my calories, I have tracked my food (religiously and HONESTLY), I have even been on weight loss medication (which worked great but the moment the doc stopped giving it to me was the moment I put all the weight back on and then some!). This is my last resort....I am doing this for myself, for my kids....but am I being selfish by wanting just one moment of my life (hopefully for the rest of my life) to be average to slender in size?

By Dr. John H. Sklare One of the biggest obstacles to overcome, for those who want to lose weight and get healthy, is coming to terms with the time it takes to accomplish this formidable task. In a nutshell, the more weight you have to lose, the longer it will take. I was getting ready to respond to an eDieter who was struggling with this, "It's going to take forever" thinking, when I ran across a short parable that brought it all home for me. Before I continue, let me share this short story with you. Once upon a time a very strong woodcutter went to work for a timber merchant. The pay was good and so were the work conditions. For that reason, the woodcutter was determined to do his best. On the first day, his boss gave him an axe and showed him the area where he was supposed to work. The first day, the woodcutter cut down 18 trees. "Congratulations," the boss said. "Keep it up!" Very motivated by the boss' words, the woodcutter tried even harder the next day but found he was only able to cut down 15 trees on day two. The next day he tried even harder but, at the end of day three, he had only cut down 10 trees. Day after day he found himself cutting down fewer and fewer trees. "I must be losing my strength," the woodcutter thought. He went to the boss and apologized, saying he could not understand what the problem was. "When was the last time you sharpened your axe?" the boss asked. "Sharpen? I had no time to sharpen my axe. I have been too busy cutting trees..." This little parable captures beautifully a major mistake made by those wanting to lose weight, reclaim their bodies and live a healthier life. Some people get so mentally and emotionally involved in the big picture that they lose track of the only thing they can really control -- which is the present moment. My caution to you is this: Don't get so caught up in thinking about all the weight you want to lose in the future that you lose track of what you must do today. Focusing on the NOW and the choices at hand is how you keep your axe sharp and chip away at that forest. The eDieter I mentioned above made the mistake of focusing on the forest and losing track of the trees. She couldn't shake the debilitating and frustrating thought, "It's going to take forever" and that is exactly what happens when you focus on the forest and not on the trees. In my opinion, those that find success with weight loss are those that take it one day at a time. The big picture, particularly for those with a lot of weight to lose, is just too overwhelming for most people. The best way to address this forest (total amount of weight you want to lose) is one tree at a time (one day at a time). To accomplish this goal, you must stay vigilant and be mindful about each healthy choice you make. Each day provides you with numerous opportunities to "sharpen your axe." Each healthy choice you make sharpens your axe, and you simply can't get where you want to go without sharpening your axe every day. You must attend to the issues of today before you can realistically entertain thoughts of tomorrow. So I suggest you look forward to each day's choices. Because each healthy decision you make provides you with an opportunity to sharpen your axe, take down another tree in that forest and close the gap between who you are and who you want to be.

1. Hollyberries...........298.............296..............285.........11 2. TxArcher..............360.............357..............345.........12 3. Longhorn..............211.............209..............199.........10 4. Momto1(Wendy)....241.............242...............229........13 I was disappointed that I gained a pound this week. I really don't know what happened. Although this is typical of my past weight loss patterns.

I think any weight loss is awesome. You are doing a great job! As far as exercise, I was not up to speed walking until, 14 days post op. But once I started it really helped those inches fly off. I am now down three pant sizes and I have lost 32 pounds. I feel great and energized.

It's great that your listening to your body and band! Some people get to wrapped up in getting fills to fast, they think it's going to speed up the weight loss process! In reality a lot of times it causes more problems than benefits! I can tell you have the concept of the band and I feel your going to be very successful on your journey! Your doing great!

Hi Liz, glad you found the site! I am so happy myself to have found this back in November 2011, so I had a lot of knowledge wayyy before my surgery. Best thing here is we are all here to help and listen,no matter what! Oh, and congrats on the huge weight loss!! You should be soooo proud of yourself ((hugs))

Lol, "It's about time?". That comment would be way too supportive. Here's a sampling of some of the REAL comments people hear: "Surgery? That's taking the EASY way out" "Why don't you just try to diet and exercise?" "My friends sister's best friends aunt had weight loss surgery, and she gained all her weight back" "I know someone who DIED because of weight loss surgery. And that was AFTER they gained all their weight back!" Obviously that last one is tongue and cheek, but you get the idea.

I asked after a month after my surgery if I could drink because it was my 30th birthday, I couldn't make it through a milestone like that, that I couldn't drink... I am fine. My surgeon said, "your weight loss will slow down..." I have discovered that vodka and DIET OCEAN SPRAY CRAN-GRAPE OR CRAN-POMEGRANATE juice helps. My weight loss has not slowed, just happened. Y'all need to be informed!! Drink!!! It's awesome!! Just don't substitute your FOOD addiction for alcohol.... Alcohol can still be enjoyed, just don't over do it. Love all my VSG family!

Coming from a LOOOOOOONNNGGGG line of alcoholics I have always chosen to stay away from alcohol because I've seen the negative effects it has on people, their health and their family. I always turned to food because that felt safer to me (and look where it got me!) so I will basically echo what everyone else says, not because I want to be a "downer", but because I feel like it should be said. Obviously you have an issue with knowing your "limit" or you never would've needed WLS to begin with and it is dangerous territory to substitute one addiction for another. That is why the amount of alcoholics among WLS is high-people with addictive personalities use one addiction to cope with the loss of another. It doesn't matter if you're escaping using Hostess or Bacardi-they both put you in a bad spot! You've already done so much damage to your body by overeating, you are finally blessed to have the surgery and basically be given a second chance at health and at a month out you feel good about filling your newly constructed stomach with alcohol like you got away with something?! You have an "I'll show them attitiude!" but haven't you already learned that it's YOUR body that suffers? I agree with what others are saying if it really is true that you couldn't make it through your 30th birthday without a drink there are bigger problems you should face. I'm all for drinking in moderation I just feel like those of us with food issues probably have a hard time with "moderation"!

I decided to wait, mainly because I have HS, and hoping that it will go away with weight loss like it normally does.

Hi everyone hope you’re well, I’ve been on the pre-op diet for three weeks and I was very nervous because I had a scheduled trip to Las Vegas. Before the trip I had been meal prepping, measuring my food, weighing my food, etc. so naturally I was very nervous for what I was going to have to go through Las Vegas because all my friends were going and I knew I could not eat as I normally would or drink any alcohol whatsoever. It was very difficult because all the options are fast food and restaurants so I made sure to order the most protein dishes but I found myself eating more larger portions than I should have. I did a lot of walking and I took the stairs when possible. I was there for five whole days no desserts sticking with three meals a day and no snacking while watching all my other friends eat anything they wanted. I was so nervous to get up this morning and weighed myself since today is my first day home because I have my psychologist appointment on Monday. I wanted to show progress but I was so scared that this trip may have set me back. I am so excited to announce that I am actually down four more pounds while on my trip in Vegas putting my total weight loss in the past three weeks on pre op diet to 21 pounds. Thank you God!

hair loss usually starts at about 4 months for most people no mater what kind of Vitamins and supplements they take, or what they eat. Can you get some ready to drink Protein drinks to drink in the morning. I remember you had problems with ingredients in Protein Drinks.

My hair came out pretty bad about 4 months after my c-section. I had a huge bald spot in the front for about 2 weeks...then it grew back great, so I am hoping that I get the same result with this. eep. Knock on wood and all that!

EVERYONE I told thought this at first too, I think my future father in law still kind of thinks an actual over sleeve is involved. Congrats on your weight loss!

I posted earlier on the "Weight loss challenge" thread, that I had weighed on the hotel scale and it showed I was 239 well I reweighed myself on that same scale it is showing me at 250 lbs now. SIGH!! I asked if the scales were calibrated and they said they hadn't been in a long long time. So they calibrated them. Now I have gained 10lbs. YIKES!!!!!!!! I hate this. It is awful. I hate this. I hate this. My clothes are not fitting any tighter and I don't feel any different. So I don't really know if this scale is accurate either. I know I am not eating right. Eating too much junk that is for sure. Have bruised the bottom of my left foot and can't really walk as much till that heals. I just bought a 20 min Pilates dvd to use on my laptop so that will help me get re-focused. I can stop eating the junk stuff. I can drink more Water. I am not going to let all the issues with my mom, with the death of my son in laws girlfriends, and any other emotional issues keep me from losing the battle on weight. I have to fight this every single day. I have to get stronger and be more diligent. Stay strong guys!! I just get so disgusted when I see that scale creep in the wrong direction. Heck I wouldn't mind if it creeped. This time it bungee jumped in the wrong direction. SIGH! I guess it could have been so much worse. I still feel good. I just need to work harder I guess. This is just a wake up call for me. I knew I had not been eating properly for awhile now and not getting the right amount of exercise. SO this will just jumpstart my battle again. OK you little f%^&king fat cells. Gonna fight now. Watch out here I come. LOLOLOLOL

I don't know enough about you, your eating (food choices, amounts, frequency), exercise, and fill history to give you suggestions. Are you talking about a weight loss plateau, and if so, how long has it lasted? Have you discussed this with your surgeon and/or dietitian? Do you feel that you have optimal restriction? Do you think you need a fill? Etc, etc, etc... Three days of a liquid diet might help knock off a pound or two, but it's not a longterm solution.

Most of us have lost hair. Many posts here. Buy a wig, cut your hair; rather have thin hair and be thin lol!!!

i am a hairdresser, and Biotin is a good supplement to take to help with hair growth. ive also been experiencing hair loss after surgery, luckily i was blessed with a thick head of hair, so its not very noticable to other people. my only other suggestion would be to make sure youre getting in your recommended daily amount of Protein, since our hair is made up of about 90% protein!