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I feel for you. I was still on mushies at thanksgiving this year and my family decided since I couldn't enjoy any part of the dinner, that they wouldn't through a thanksgiving dinner. Christmas is where I am going to have a similar situation to you. We get our extended family together then and I have two cousins and an aunt that can pack it back and I will have next to nothing, honestly though that thought doesnt bother me. I am happy to eat so little, but it is so frustrating when people can eat alot of anything they want and dont gain any weight. My husband is like that, so its a daily thing for me.

Anyone loose weight while eating tofu? Stir- fry veggies? Sent from my iPhone using RNYTalk

See if you can download the Medicaid requirements. My insurance company had a lot of very specific stipulations and requirements. I read those papers so many times, and it was good to have a hard copy. Don't try to lose right now - not before you know the plan's requirements. Some people have to actually gain a little to meet BMI requirements for surgery. Once you have information from the insurance, see how your PCP feels about working with WLS patients. Even if there is not a prolonged PCP supervision program required, you are going to need your PCP support and most likely letter of recommendation for the surgery. You can also start researching surgeons and then checking to see if they are approved by insurance. The insurance company can certainly give you names, but you may find others that may also be approved, but the insurance list is not up to date (not unusual). You want someone who not only does a good job and has been doing these procedures for years, but also a program that will follow you for years afterward. For example, my program has 2, 4, 6, 8-9, 9-12, 18 month followups, with yearly followups for 5 years. You will need that support and supervision. Absolutely start going to free seminars that many programs offer. Even if not approved by your insurance, it will give you a lot of information and ideas of what will happen. It is a good place to start your education. Just remember that they are selling a product. Keep that in mind. Focus on facts and not the sales pitch. You can also start watching YouTube programs. Dr. Matthew Weiner has a ton of good information - all the way from choosing the right surgery and how surgery works, to long term maintenance. Bear in mind, his post op diet will probably be different from your own surgeon's (MW starts soft veggies very early on, while mine made me wait 8 weeks). But he does have a LOT of good information that is sound and will give you a good foundation. You want to go into this armed with all the information and education you can get. It's very sad when someone has surgery and then says, "I didn't know about such and such" or "why didn't they tell me this or that." You have to take responsibility for your own education on this - no excuse for ignorance with all the good info out there. So there are some ideas. It is a lifelong journey, not a sprint. It's great you are in a place where you are really ready to make the changes at such a young age - before you get all the degenerative breakdown and health issues that many of us have from decade upon decade of obesity. Keep us posted on your progress.

If you have stuck to the liquid diet and haven't cheated you should have lost weight. Go and be proud.! And if you didn't lose (even though I am sure you did) be proud that you are stciking to this diet, because seriously this pre-op diet is freaking hard! Hold your head up high, you are getting healthy and you are going to feel better by getting this weight off. You are gunna wear non elastic pants, in fact you are gunna rock some skinny jeans! Just keep up the good work! I want to add you have to do what will make you feel most comfortable, whatever that may be. Good Luck!

My pre-op was actually really easy. I was told to do a solid food high Protein, low carb diet. I was feasting on steaks, pork chops, chicken, steamed broccoli, cauliflower, etc. My hubby and I ate really nicely prior to my surgery. Now that I'm post op, and starting to enter Bandster Hell, I'm not eating the steak, pork chops, etc. But I'm eating way too much (in my mind) as the swelling has gone down in my stomach and I don't get my first fill until February 2. I'm losing (albeit slowly). I'm looking forward to my first couple of fills, so that I can really restrict how much I am eating so that the combination of exercise and eating less will kick into gear and begin the serious weight loss. But it will be so worth it in the end!

Thank you so much! I really appreciate it! I guess it's just one of those down days I'm having but I know it will get better! Hope your weight loss journey is going great! Karen

I don't know what to say. I've yet to have my surgery, but I'm sure I'll have lots of conflicted feels leading up to it. I only know that I'm doing it to help me get to where I want to be......and to help me stay there for the rest of my life. I think that if I keep that in mind things will remain more clear. I hope that you are able to gain total clarity and get in touch with why you want to have the surgery and what you believe the benefits will be in your life. The night before any type of surgery is nerve-racking.....I assure you. i remember being antsy as hell the night before I had an ankle tendon repaired. I had an awesome surgeon and things were fairly textbook leading up to it. I was worked up for no reason whatsoever. Surgery is not something we have every day......and can get us weirded out.

Yes, I have heard of this happening...my surgeon was very specific about the compliance with this requirement. I had to loose 6 pounds in 3 weeks, just after comming back from a cruise. There are medical reasons your doctor sets a number he/she wants your weight at...exercise to burn some additional calories in a responsible manner, limit your salt intake, and comply 100% with your pre-op diet. That's what worked for me... Good luck!

My surgery is scheduled for this Wednesday. I go to my final pre-op dr appointment on Monday and I'm still not down the 5 freaking pounds I need to be! I'm self pay and so scare they will reschedule my surgery. Has anyone ever had this happen?

I'm new to this, haven't even had my first fill yet. But I do know everyones weight loss is different. And on average with the band you are to loose 1-2 pounds a week, so if you do the math 20 pounds is right there. I would suggest you discuss with your nutrionist what you are eating to make sure you are getting in the right amounts of protein, calories, etc. Good luck.

Sorry, if it is in the contract in writing that it must be a 12 month supervised program of weight loss, then that's it. I had to do it, my insurance required a 12 month MD supervised weight loss program and I had to have a 5% loss of my excess weight in that 12 months. The loss is to show your committment to the change. In my case, the 5% loss would have totalled 9 lbs. They also required me to visit MONTHLY and maintain regular attendance, miss a month and the clock starts over! In that year I had another health crisis, and ended up actually gaining 17lbs on top of the 9lbs I needed to lose (they don't look at your highest weight, they look at the weight your doctor records when you start the clock on the 12 months). I then started to lose some before my 12th month, but was still up by quite a few lbs. I had letters from my internist and my cardiologist saying it wasn't my fault and that the gain was because of my medical condition and meds I had to take. The insurance company didn't care, I still had to lose the weight I gained, PLUS the original 9lbs. So I guess the answer is no, there is no way around it. Make sure you call your insurance company and have them mail you a copy of their requirements so you have them in writing. Study them and make sure you will be able to meet each of them (like my 5% excess loss, monthly visits, etc.), call and make your appt now and get started. Is it required to see an MD for those 12 months, or would a program like Jenny Craig suffice (VERY important to find out the distinction!)? Make sure that your doctor documents EVERY MONTH not only your weight, but what you are doing to try to lose weight. It can be as simple as documenting that you are eating more vegetables, that you have started walking 30 minutes a day, that you cut out sweets, that you are trying Atkins, whatever. But it MUST be documented EVERY MONTH. Sucks, I know. I was denied because I didn't lose the weight and all total it took me 15 months until I got covered. Had I known that was what was going to happen, I would have taken a loan and been a self-pay with Aceves or Rumbaut or Ortiz in Mexico. When I switched to this ins company I had been told it was a 6 month requirement, only to find it was 12 months. By the time I got into it, then denied, I got so mad I decided those f&%k#$s were going to pay for this surgery come heck or high Water. I wish you both luck, get started NOW!

Great weight loss pre-op and the best to you on your journey to a new you. Congrats, sending a prayer for a quick recovery.

To many people who travel down the weight loss path, via surgery or conventional methods fall victim to their weight scale. DO NOT let your weight scale or any scale be the sole factor in determining your progress with weight loss. You know your weight when you started, you don’t need daily or weekly validation of your efforts so don’t get stressed out about having no immediate access to a scale. The weight you have gained or lost will be there when you do finally get to step on a scale, relax and focus on the journey…

12 years out. I had several blood transfusions after my WLS so I had big regrets. The issue was that I replaced food with alcohol (was not a drinker prior to WLS) 3 years ago I got my sh*t together and got serious about supplements and started Keto. I am now at a healthy weight 145 and plan to eventually get back down to my lowest weight (135) which was pre covid. I gained 10 pounds when the lockdown started. I don't regret the surgery as much now as most if not all the issues I had were avoidable and just really my fault for not following the post op way of life.

Babbs you're probably right I was the same weight for almost two weeks

Shoot....not shot :/ HW 312, pre-op (lap-band) 294, pre-op (RNY) 251, surgery date 2/11/13, goal weight 154, current weight 251

I'm suffering from several symptoms of PCOs: weight gain, hirsutism (increased hair growth on the face, arms and belly), irregular and often nonexistent menses, "spotting" and Patches of darker, velvety skin on the legs. I read that the surgery might solve it. Mine is due in less than 2 weeks (yay!). However I am still worried that my eating habits caused some permanent, irreversible damage to my body. For instance, ovarian cysts, which tend to evolve into tumors sometimes. If I lose weight and kiss the other PCOs symptoms goodbye, do the cysts disappear or do they stay for good? If you could tell from your own experiences, I'd love to hear.

I was away for a month on vacation, so didn't join the July 4th weight loss challenge. Back home again now (plus 5lb) and came looking here for the next one but don't see any posted. Did I miss it somewhere? Even though I haven't done well with these, I feel that they keep me somewhat accountable and really look forward to them. Thanks, all.

Insomnia rears its ugly head. I was wondering when my old friend would show up. I can't believe how quickly the surgery is approaching. Four more days and I will be in the operating room. I have these moments of pure terror and other moments where I feel nothing but calm. Yesterday morning I went to St. Mary's Hospital to get all my pre-admission testing done. I haven't been to that hospital since 1992, when my Grandmother passed away. When Mom & I walked through the corridors it struck me how absolutely nothing had changed since that day. Even the plants in the waiting rooms were the same. I broke down crying, it brought that horrible day back so vividly. While we were sitting waiting for my tests to be done I realized something HAD changed. ME. And certainly not for the better. Suddenly, I wasn't as scared or embarrassed. I actually felt something close to relief. Maybe even pride. I was relieved to finally be doing something about my weight and my health. I was finally putting ME first. And I was kind of proud that I was taking this very brave step! What a strange sensation! By the time I was done with all the tests and paperwork, and we were walking out of the hospital, I felt so good. It was as if my Grandmother was all around me and letting me know everything would be ok. Or maybe it was just me taking the first step to finally loving myself. Either way it felt good. But of course, I still have the pre-op jitters. Hence my 4 am blog. :blushing:

I think I saw this originally posted on the forum here somewhere, but for anyone who missed it.. it just came back around to me in e-mail and it made me laugh all over again :smile: >>A WOMAN'S WEEK AT THE GYM This is dedicated to everyone who ever >>attempted to >>get into a regular workout routine. >> >>Dear Diary, For my birthday this year, my daughter (the dear) >>purchased a week of personal training at the local >>health club for me. Although I am still in great >>shape since being a high school football cheerleader >>43 years ago, I decided it would be a good idea to >>go ahead and give it a try. I called the club and >>made my reservations with a personal trainer named >>Belinda, who identified herself as a 26-year-old >>aerobics instructor and model for athletic clothing >>and swim wear. >> >>My daughter seemed pleased with my enthusiasm to get >>started! The club encouraged me to keep a diary to >>chart my progress. >> >>MONDAY: Started my day at 6:00 a.m. Tough to get out of bed, >>but found it was well worth it when I arrived at the >>health club to find Belinda waiting for me. She is >>something of a Greek goddess - with blond >>hair,dancing eyes and a dazzling white smile. Woo >>Hoo!! Belinda gave me a tour and showed me the >>machines. I enjoyed watching the skillful way in >>which she conducted her aerobics class after my >>workout today. Very inspiring! Belinda was >>encouraging as I did my sit-ups, although my gut was >>already aching from holding it in the whole time she >>was around. This is going to be a FANTASTIC week-!! >> >>TUESDAY: I drank a whole pot of coffee, but I finally made it >>out the door. Belinda made me lie on my back and >>push a heavy iron bar into the air then she put >>weights on it! My legs were a little wobbly on the >>treadmill, but I made the full mile. Belinda's >>rewarding smile made it all worthwhile. I feel >>GREAT-!! It's a whole new life for me. >> >>WEDNESDAY: The only way I can brush my teeth is by laying the >>toothbrush on the counter and moving my mouth back and forth over >>it. >>I believe I have a hernia in both pectorals. Driving >>was OK as long as I didn't try to steer or stop. I >>parked on top of a GEO in the club parking lot. >>Belinda was impatient with me, insisting that my >>screams bothered other club members. Her voice is a >>little too perky for early in the morning and when >>she scolds, she gets this nasally whine that is VERY >>annoying. My chest hurt when I got on the treadmill, >>so Belinda put me on the stair monster. Why the heck >>would anyone invent a machine to simulate an >>activity rendered obsolete by elevators? Belinda >>told me it would help me get in shape and enjoy >>life. She said some other crap too. >> >>THURSDAY : Belinda was waiting for me with her vampire-like >>teeth exposed as her thin, cruel lips were pulled >>back in a full snarl. I couldn't help being a half >>an hour late, it took me that long to tie my shoes. Belinda took >>me to work out with dumbbells. When >>she was not looking, I ran and hid in the restroom. >>She sent another skinny witch to find me. Then, as >>punishment, she put me on the rowing machine -- >>which I sank. >> >>FRIDAY : I hate that witch Belinda more than any human being >>has ever hated any other human being in the history >>of the world. Stupid, skinny, anemic, anorexic >>little cheerleader. If there was a part of my body I >>could move without unbearable pain, I would beat her >>with it. Belinda wanted me to work on my triceps. >>I don't have any triceps! And if you don't want >>dents in the floor, don't hand me the barbells or >>anything that weighs more than a sandwich. The >>treadmill flung me off and I landed on a health and >>nutrition teacher. Why couldn't it have been >>someone softer, like the drama coach or the choir >>director? >> >>SATURDAY : Belinda left a message on my answering machine in >>her grating, shrilly voice wondering why I did not >>show up today. Just hearing her made me want to >>smash the machine with my planner. However, I lacked >>the strength to even use the TV remote and ended up >>catching eleven straight hours of the Weather >>Channel. >> >>SUNDAY : I'm having the Church van pick me up for services >>today so I can go and thank GOD that this week is >>over. I will also pray that next year my daughter >>will choose a gift for me that is fun -- like a root >>canal or a hysterectomy. I still say if God had >>wanted me to bend over, he would have sprinkled the >>floor with diamonds!!!

Sandiburn - I use the MFP application on my phone, and love it for tracking my calories, Protein intake, etc. One day I went on the site & checked out the forums. Like you, I couldn't relate to much of it. Of the millions of people in those forums, not all have a serious weight issue. Some struggle with only 10,15, 20 pounds. In the WLS forums, you don't find any of those people, and who participates here are those who share the lifelong struggle with obesity. I found this forum last week, and now check in every day. LOVE the support, and it's so helpful to read of others struggles AND success. Welcome aboard!

Hello All, I just wanted to say thank you for being here. I was banded on 8-4-11 and have struggled this yr. But I am back on track and truley ready to loose the weight I promised myself I would. When I first got started, I used MFP consistantly. I still use the cal counter, but the discussion forum stinks. It feels like a HS page sometimes. Anyway. I am glad that I am here with REAL discussions that help REAL people. Thank you again for being here for me!!!!

Mine have me a number. 135. I'm 5'5 or 6. I feel I should weight from 125-130 however and that's what I'm going for. I'm just basing it on how my body looks and feels. Plus I want to give myself some wiggle room in case I gain any back.

I did... I started with fitday,its really simple but they don't have a lot of namebrand food choices so you have to do a lot work to get correct calories ect....then I did daily plate..it has a steep learning curve but you can really break things down and has almost every food or you can add your own. But I like my fitness pal the best ,great food selections and you can add your own,track weight,fitness,calories,fat carbs...its really easy to use.

I usually try to avoid replying to these posts about weightloss just a couple days post op being too slow, but I think it's important people get a realistic picture and not just see posts from people with massive weight loss the first week or two. Yes, some people lose a lot the first two weeks, others, like me, don't lose anything the first two weeks. You are only 12 days out!!! You just had MAJOR surgery and your body is trying to heal - that is the only thing you should be focused on right now - healing. You were also pumped full of IV fluids in the hospital and likely weighed more at discharge than when you went in - it takes a while to clear that excess Fluid. Please try to avoid comparing weightloss to anyone - it is a recipe for dissappointment. There are a ton of factors that go into the rate at which we lose - gender (typically men lose faster than women), genetics, how much excess weight you have, how long you have been obese, how much you lost leading up to surgery etc etc etc. So forget about the scale for now, just focus on following your plan - getting your fluids and Protein in, walking etc - the weightloss will come - it will not be linear nor consistent, you will have many stalls along the way (and yes they ARE frustrating, but they end).