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Good afternoon VST!! This Feel Good Friday is in response to the changing of our Calendar in only a few days. But, we will be looking back not only on the past year but more the past 5, which is probably where most of you started your journey's. Taking a look at where you are today, how have you changed since then? Not only the physical sense, but on the inside as well. Now look in your future. What are your goals, and where do you want to be in 5 years? Past: 5 years ago, I was struggling with my weight. I was just starting to take a hard look at WLS as an option. I had High Blood Pressure, I was over 330 Lbs - up and down 50 Lbs. I was scared for my life, as I was diagnosed with Hypertension just recently. My darling Uncle had just passed not too much sooner than that due to many complications from his hypertension. His kidneys malfunctioned and was forced on dialysis for a few years. He was finally given a transplant, but unfortunately the anti-rejection medication gave him cancerous brain tumors. He passed in weeks. This was an extremely scary thought! I knew I had to do something, or I was looking into my future. Today, I am on top of the world!!! I went through a lot in that last 5 years, including many more weight losses and weight gains. A failed attempt with the Lap Band. Losing 50 with it and gaining it all back. Never ever being able to connect with it the way I'd hoped. Anyhow, I had my revision to the VSG on 9/15/10. Since then I've been on a weight loss trend better than I could have ever imagined! I created so many goals for myself, stayed positive and kept believing there was hope for me. No matter what there would be a day I'd be at goal. My goal has always been to be happy with me, inside and out. Today, I encompass that feeling. I had the help of plastic surgeries even above my weight loss surgery, though I felt it was completely necessary and it was. My future goals and how I see myself in 5 years is pretty simple. To continue feeling happy with me inside and out. I plan to work hard to stay at goal, right here. I am also thinking my Husband and I will finally be ready to have our "cubbies" as he so lovingly puts it... haha I am also thinking of buying a new home as well. I am interested in a particular area in North Sacramento that I came across as we were house hunting 2 years ago. I do plan to make it there by then. I really don't have a lot of future worries. My life has changed so much and for the better that my desires are just to really live for each moment. To GOD be the glory, and I am always thankful for his blessings. HIS lessons good and bad have molded me into the woman I am at this moment, and that's enough. Have a wonderful and safe Holiday this weekend everyone!! Have a ball!!

My wife had the RNY 4 years ago. She was extremely successful with it. My weight was manageable and I was in decent shape. My wife progressed through her post op diet and her solids was always to much for her to eat. Well she would instinctively put her remaining food on my plate to eat. I would eat it. So I was eating nearly two meals at a time. I was raised not to waste food and a happy plate is a clean plate. So I was eating 1 1/2 steaks and 1 1/2 potatoes at dinner, or an extra 4 - 7 wings, sandwiches, chicken, the list goes on. Well needless to say, 4 years later I need WLS. I was sleeved on 12/27/11. Now of course I do not blame my entire weight gain on my wife. I could have simply said no, or stopped being lazy and been more active. However, this story has made me change the way that I approach food with my son. He is no longer made to eat all of his food. He just has to eat what we thing is enough for him. This is only needed when it is not his favorite (the healthier foods) foods. Pizza, and such is never a problem. Seconds was taken away if it is a high starchy meal, or unhealthy meal. NO ONE puts their remainders on the others plate. It goes in the leftover dish or trash. That was a huge lifestyle change for me but I am glad that I did it. I just want all the new sleevers out there to watch that with your spouses, not only do you lifestyle have to change but theirs have to also.

Majority of us falls of the track for whatever reason. Just pick yourself up and think about what you were doing to lose weight. Lapband is only a tool and you have to let the tool work for you. This is not easy and it's definitely not a magic band. Keep your head up, don't be discouraged, and have faith in yourself that you can do it. Please don't harp on the weight gain, it sets you up for a downward spiral.

I was sleeved 12-19-11. I came home 12-21-11 and found out I gained 10 lbs (331 lbs). It finally came off 12-25-11. I did not know about the weight gain. I felt cheated. But today 12-29-11 I weigh 214. I feel better.

I kept all my clothes on the way up - when my whole "weight gain" thing started, it was supposed to be temporary. I was only supposed to gain weight when I was on the huge steroid treatments. Unfortunately, they caused tumors and now that I'm getting those treated and having the sleeve, I'll be all set. But its only been 4 years, so I have lots of basics that are still relevant in every size for the trip back down

Hello everyone - I was just sleeved on 12/27 so I'm only two days out, but I'm still up 6 lbs from my surgery date weight. I know it's from all the fluids and gas they pump you with in the hospital but I thought I would have dropped those excess pounds by now? How long does it normally take? Thanks

Ok, so I'm sure this thread has been posted before, however, I am a new sleever (Dec, 2011,) and I would like to know which foods five you battle hardened vets the most trouble. I would like to know the most dangerous of my old favorites that will cause me undue pain and suffering, and I don't mean weight gain. A couple days ago, on my 7th day post-op I was feeling pretty good and decided to have a tiny cup of Cream of Wheat..............WHHHOOOOAAAA, NELLLLIIIEE. Big Mistake....I guess I flew too close to the Sun. I was sickernadawg. I would like to follow everything to the letter now, but would like input from you guys on what foods are the mist problematic with regard to dumping. Thank you and please be specific.

46 pounds in 6 weeks is very good. I would not compare my weight loss to others, we are all different. I would watch the sugar until you lose much of your weight. It might not be very many calories (you do log your food don't you to keep track?) but sugar has a tendency to make you hungry... the more you eat, the more you want.... Some foods are "sliders" and just mush up and slide right down... perhaps salad is that for you. LIke PDXman said, eat your protein first to make sure you get the restriction and your requirements, then if you want a treat later, how about surgar free pudding cup, a SF hard candy or jello.... I would stay away from cookies or cupcakes... I know they are yum, but you are here for a lifestyle change, and follow your Docs plan as close as you can so you will have not regrets or slower weight loss than you can..... the honeymoon phase does not last forever. It gets harder to lose and slower later on....At 11 months I had quiet a few sugar treats this christmas and had a weight gain... Im back on the streight and narrow for a week, to shake that sugar craving and lose those extra pounds! Jump back on girl, you are doing great with the weight loss!

I am 11 weeks out. I was only weighing myself every few days until I had a couple ounce weight gain. It freaked my out and made me fearful. I haven't experienced any stalls yet (that I know of). I really appreciate the feed back.

Don't give up on yourself. If your hungry all the time, it may be that you have alot of acid in your stomach. Check with you surgeon to see if you can take a PPI (prilosec). I was always hungry and I started taking prilosec and I'm not hungry anymore. How many calories are you consuming on your liquid diet? Are you getting enough protein? Are you exercising at all, like walking? Have you lost inches? Hang in there, it will happen..... Kaiser educated on the dangers of drinking of alcohol. Some weight loss patients have died from drinking alcohol. How manydrinks they had, I don't really know. Also, alcohol can contribute to weight gain.

I got lucky (maybe). I had a fill on the 22nd so I had to be on a liquid diet for 3 days post fill. I was able to enjoy Christmas dinner, but could only have a little. But it did help with the holiday weight gain.

Don't take off the 15 the hard way. Just go get a fill and use your band. Tell them you are ashamed about the weight gain and I'm sure they will be glad you came in for a fill.

I am 16 months out and reached my goal of 150 May 25, 2011 (9 months post op). My lowest weight has been 144 and I've peaked at 148. When I peaked at 148 I cut out a few treats for 3 days and dropped to 144 yikes. I want to stay 145-148 if at all possible, so far, so good. My last weigh in on Saturday was 145. I do not diet at this point. I do not exercise (Although I need to get my butt moving, for my hearts sake). BUT with this said, I've heard that people can and do gain weight back. Check out the weight gained after sleeve in the front post section.

This is pretty normal. Weight gain, weight loss and surgery are the ideal recipe for messing up our schedules. Throw in the onset of menopause and I never know when I am getting a period! pre-surgery I had nothing for 9 months, post-surgery it was every two weeks but now I haven't had a period for two months.

Sure, you can gain it back. As was stated above, it will depend upon your eating habits. If you do not work to overcome the causes of your weight gain to begin with, then you will gain weight. I have been sitting at the same weight for a few months now and I know it has more to do with my stress related eating habits than anything else. Pull myself out of it, get back to something healthy and exercise more, that's what will get me back on track. I met a woman a few months ago who told me she had had the bypass surgery 12 years ago. She seemed happy with where she was (good for her!) but my visual assessment of her classified her as obese, if not morbidly obese. With the sleeve, I doubt we will get back to our morbid obesity stages, but I can see it as being possible. If all you do to get your calories is drink them (mocha's, milkshakes, etc) then no weight loss regimen is going to work for you, whether it's diet or surgery.

I started my journey December of 2011. I am currently 5'5 and 242 pounds. I was feeling even more joint pain for months by then and had gained about 50 pounds. The shortness of breath and back pain were the most bothersome, besides the weight gain itself. I have always been a yo-yoer, but to be at a weight that I have NEVER been at, even when I was 9 months pregnant (which was roughly 230), was a major blow. I had a stroke of thought for WLS and began my research to see if I could be covered for the procedure by my insurance company and then proceed from there. I fit all of the criteria to be covered, so I found a great doctor and continued. I went to my psych appt and the seminar the same day, as I was and still am quite sure about having the WLS. I am scheduled now for my first consult on 12/28/11 and I am excited. The office is so helpful and they are rushing to submit the paperwork before the end of the year so I can schedule surgery sooner. I find myself already looking at food differently. Like, "I wont be eating THAT for a while" lol While I am not using that as an excuse to eat nothing but junk, I cant help but view food as I will after surgery, which I think is great that I am already in WLS mode. I think I am going to be able to handle the changes well, but that doesnt mean I know I will still have struggles and questions. I find that I am anxious and even a little impatient to get ahead in journey. I am hoping that the consult goes well and that the insurance approves the surgery and I hope that I will be able to have a surgery date set up...the sooner the better for me! It gives me hope that this new year of 2012 will be full of great things...manageable joint pain, being able to exercise again, weight loss, and a boost in my self esteem are just a few. I am also praying that all goes well, and that I havent gotten my hopes up just to be denied the surgery. I think that insurance companies should be more self aware of how others struggle instead of just the bottom line for their employers. I wish all the sleevers and would-be sleevers "Good Luck!!" and I hope to be joined the bench soon!

I was having horrible acid reflux in April 2011. It was going on for weeks and it took my awhile to realize that I must be too tight. I hadn't had a fill since 2010. So I met my surgeon at the hospital and he took out most of my fluid. He said he would rather see me gain 10-15 lbs then be suffering from acid reflux and having bouts of throwing up from being too tight. He said after my body recovered and I started feeling better, he would start with small fills. Well between April-Oct 2011, I gained 12 lbs. But also during this time, I was being treated medically for another medical problem. That medical treatment also causes weight gain, which was out of my control. So I got a fill in early Nov and I am back to my goal weight and am maintaining even with the holidays. Do not let having an unfill worry you. Your body needs to rest and recover from the constant vomiting. After a few weeks, you can start with fills and you will lose whatever you MAY gain. If you watch yourself carefully, you might not gain anything. Good luck to you!!

Hi PEvette- I actively sought therapy prior to getting sleeved for resolution with my food issues. Like you, I had been heavy since I was a child but I managed to drop 80 lbs. on three different occasions and then promptly gain it all plus 10 lbs. back. I wanted to figure out why I have done this, why food had such a hold on me and whatever I needed to know to finally be successful. The therapist I choose helped me with all aspects of my life because, really, all aspects of my like contributed to my dependency on food. She then helped me discover where my relationship with food went wrong, what my triggers were for poor choices and how to change my behaviors. The work we did before surgery was huge in prepping me mentally for life with a small stomach. I continued to see her for the first four months post-op as I found that I needed a sounding board as I worked out my new lifestyle. I stopped seeing her for about 6 months and just last week popped in for a "check up". It seems I am hung up at 205 and I am making poor choices keeping me here. I actually have anxiety about what life will be like once I get under 200 (totally weird, I know). Anyway, having that pre-established relationship allowed me to drop in and work on getting my head right. Basically, she helped me recognize that I fear that once I hit goal I will start to gain again like in the past. Long story short, I am big fan of using a therapist in this journey. I believe our head/emotions are big part of what lead to the weight gain and this tool will not be effective unless we get those right. I figured that if I was willing to permanently remove 80% of my stomach, then I better be willing to talk with someone to make sure this tool worked forever. But, this is just me and my experience. Others may feel differently. Best of luck to you on your journey! Amanda

I was browsing around the net searching for "one month before sleeve diet" and thankfully this site came up, began reading all the wonderful post op and pre -op stories and quickly signed up to share my journey. I was thinking to myself, well since i have no support at home, minus well find some support online from people who are going through the same thing i have gone.. To start off , my name is Fina i am 21 years old and i am currently 236.2 my highest weight ever was 247.. and my lowest weight EVER was 197, which was around Jan-Feb of 2011.. yes i gained all my weight back... like most i have been over weight all my life, even when i was around 2-5, everyone even doctors said " it was just a phase", that i would lose it as i got older, but that never happened. I don't want to blame my parents for my fatness, but when your growing up in a house filled with Dominican people its pretty hard to be on a diet, and what the heck! what does a 9 year old knows about counting calories, or exercising?.. Well to make things short, i never was a big fan of playing sports, i was more of the science nerd, chess playing, novelist writer and Godly reader, it was around middles school that i really came out and started playing basket ball and volley ball, we even won district undefeated and went to the finals, but we lost the second round and went home.. but it was the best time ever, i played 7Th and 8TH grade.. i was around 176, and in nine grade without sports, my weight went uuuuuup!!! bouncing every summer from 205-220... n then never really weighing myself 237-247... My family, my father is very tall 6'5 n my brother was blessed with height, as well as my sister whom i should say stuck to my dad side, she is 14 and is taller than me 21.... she is around 5'6 and i am 5'4... she is around 135-140.. she is tall and thin.. flat belly.. i cant compare to her, so here comes mommy!!!... 5'4, weighing in guess what around my same weight shes probably less, 230-237, i feel shame every time we go out people think we are twins, she even looks younger than me!!!! Point, i am tired of being fat, not wearing pretty clothes, having hugeee "fat handles", and two big roles of fat on my sides, and omg my thighs are like big o elephant legs!! with fat arms.. i have tried everything, hcg, cabbage diet, grape fruit, diet n exercise, slim fat, special k, n loads of pills, fruta planta, jillian, omg a lot of weird eBay pills, i lost weight yes, but did not kept it off.. co-workers, and friends... i would kept this a secret from them because people are so judge mental, especially at my job whom i can say either ur fat or u just had a baby lol.. and then stayed with the baby weight n gained some more.. the minute i was losing weight last summer, everyone was on top of me, oh ur Hispanic u should be proud of being fat y are u trying to be someone else.. hello are u for reallll!!! lol.. just because i want to improve my health, not have high blood pressure, no diabetes, no cholesterol, you think i am trying to be someone else, that i don't like my own skin, or self?... oh Ur losing weight too fast, Ur too skinny 197 u were fine the way u were, wow 197 too skinny? imagine when i get down to my goal weight 130 Ur going to think i have some type of disease!.. So guess what, for my future, my future children, i am going to use the aid of the gastric sleeve to lose the weight for ever, and totally change my lifestyle for the better!!! my mother still eeffy about it, just talks about it like its the most nastiest thing ever... and always adds negatives for me to change my mind, my dad thinks i am Crazy!!!... and i pray to God that he approves it!... my best friends tottally support me.. everyone else its still a secret.. what will i do and tell them when i start losing the weight... well right now i was on the lemonade diet, brought it to work shared it with everyone, did 3 weeks lost 11 pounds got some butt, lol.. loads of exercise.. so they see i am losing.. i talk about about p90x n how good it is, they know it works since i did it last time around i lost weight.. so this time around, i dont want any drama, my goal my dream.. i don't want to be obese and pregnant!! with loads of health conditions.. i want to have abs and show off my sexy thighs lol.. for the last 5 month i have been struggling to lose the weight, gaining instead of losing, last check in with the nutritionist is on Jan 19, got my scans done, hoping everything will go fine, cant wait for this summer, i got my goal jeans ready size 8 hoping to wear them before April.. i would love to be a size 6.. right now i am a size 16-- lowest being a 10.. so ugh i have been bad this year.. everyone deserves a new start!!! Well this is it for now,, Blessings to all!!!! ooh, january goal weight is 220.. i am 236.2 right now so i am hoping to lose 5 pounds a week by 1200 cal n burning between 800-1000 cal... a day!!,... got my elliptical machine and my Zumba PS3 move game!!!.. awesome!

Since I have decided to be sleeved ( I am not yet) I have gained about 15 lbs. It really is the "worst" and "hardest" 15 lbs. I regret it terrible. I had no physical ailments related to weight except for my appearence yet since my recent weight gain, my feet ache, my back hurts and now finally my wedding rings no longer fit. You would think that would halt it as this stage considering I need to prepare myself. I have asked myself why, I can not come up with an obvious answer why I continue to sabatage when I am so gong ho and excited about being sleeved. I can say there is a fear behind it for I feel it but can not quite say it is because I will no longer have food. I realize I can eat in the future, I read read read on here. Look up all types of info on being sleeved but continue to just eat. I know this surgery is not magic fix it all surgery. It is hard work and dedication. I just keep saying -this to shall pass..... focus, focus, focus. Being aware is part of growing out of it right. I am surprised but not really so many are doing this. I am so glad I seen this post. Somehow it gives me hope.

I had it from 2008-2011, and I loved it for the first while cause I had no periods. And I also had no significant weight gain. But it does take away libido have its been in a while. So I had it removed. I am getting the Paraguard copper IUD. (no hormones! yay)

With women, EVERYthing seems to have an effect on estrogen levels. Age, weight gain, weight loss, the earth revolving around the sun . So, I'm guessing surgery and weight loss you've experienced before and after and the gravity of the permanent change in your body and your life.......just....might make one emotional and any changes in estrogen are going to exacerbate this emotional reaction. (I could be wrong )Give yourself some time to adjust. If there are people you need or need attention from- tell them! I'm sure they will care enough to do that. Chin up dear. Praying for you. -Danielle

you are still on liquids aren't you? that is probably why you feel hunger! I did not worry about how many times I "drank" something at that point. It did not cause weight gain.

Ive ALWAYS carried the majority of my weight in my thighs. I think this had a lot to do with my image issues when I was younger. I always felt fat, even when I wasn't. At one point I was so super thin, I would faint and get sick... this is NOT good. My doctor wanted my Mom to send me to a psychiatrist. It was a really weird time for me. I went to a few appointments but never went back. I was able to break out of that terrible cycle but that's when the weight gain began. Then the long story begins... Anyway once I got thinned out right now, I noticed that I was still carrying a whole heckuva lot of fat in my thighs. The terrible thing was looking at my face and upper body made me not want to continue to lose because I was (still am) boney skinny up there. It made me feel really lopsided and un attractive. So that's why I chose to have the liposuction procedure performed. I knew I couldn't keep trying to lose weight anymore. I was able to put on some very small sized pants but they would always fit really weird. Really tight in the knees and thighs but loose around the waist. My lipos were the only way I was able to fix this problem. NOT to say you will have to go through this too! I'm just sharing my personal experience. Good luck!!! Everyone loses differently. It is my hope that you will lose evenly. Merry Christmas!

Hey Everyone, Please share with us what your form of exercise is. For me I knew working out in a gym was never going to work. I just hated the thought of “having” to go to a gym and working out. For many others this is just want they need. The have a personal trainer—great thing to do. I know me and that just didn’t appeal to me. For me walking was something that didn’t really require a lot of equipment and was something that most anyone can do. This is what I have learned about walking. “Walk for 45 minutes a day. The reason we’re suggesting 45 minutes instead of the typical 30 is that a Duke University study found that while 30 minutes of daily walking is enough to prevent weight gain in most relatively sedentary people, exercise beyond 30 minutes results in weight and fat loss. Burning an additional 300 calories a day with three miles of brisk walking (45 minutes should do it) could help you lose 30 pounds in a year without even changing how much you’re eating.” I found this information on the Web about walking a long time ago. So I knew I was changing my lifestyle when it came to eating, which means that I could lose a lot more weight if I just walked. It really has worked for me and also relieved stress in my life too. In the winter time, I walk inside a mall. I also swim now and then too. I would love to hear what you do for exercise. Let’s share some ideas, it might just help others. Suzanne Sleeved 10/21/2008 Lost 105 pounds.