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I turned 49 on Sept 17 and my sleeve procedure was conducted on Sept. 18. I started out at 293 in April, 2012 when I started my surgeon's program. By the date of my sleeve, Sept. 18, I had lost down to 268. This morning when I weighed, Feb. 25, 2013, I am now at 208. Total lost is 85 lbs. Feeling great now and looking forward to future weight loss. My procedure went well and I have not had any problems (sickness) since the procedure. The day of surgery and the next couple of days were difficult. Nothing anyone can't handle with the future reward you'll have. I thank my surgeon everyday for giving me my life back! Feel great, energy has returned. Best of luck to you. You'll do and feel GREAT afterward.

Go to 140. I don't know how tall you are, but keep going! I was 5'11" and got to 163. After I have this baby I want to get to 150 or a size 6 pants! WHAT! WHAT! I mean I should probably just have a goal of losing the baby weight, but I want want want to get to a size 6.

I am so glad you posted this! This is something I've been wondering about. I've been losing weight really quickly, and I feel a good amount of restriction and I stay full for a good 4 or 5 hours after I have my mushies; plus I started with 2ccs in the band... so I'm wondering if I will have to get a fill or not. It's good to know that you don't absolutely have to. I'll definitely have my doctor look at it, and decide; but maybe I won't have to get a fill this time. Of course, I still have another 3 and a half weeks to determine this, but this post gives me something to consider. Thanks! Also, congrats on your progress, it looks like you're doing really well, that rocks!

I need the vsg done on april 5th, saving money, getting scared about having surgery, but I can not live at the weight I am now, I am unhappy with it, just venting

I know I can lose the weight or at least a good chunk of it. I've done it more times than I can count and I'm only 40. That's not my problem. My problem is keeping it off for longer than 6-9 months. I completely understand your feelings though because I'm having those conversations in my head and I'm 5-1/2 weeks away from my surgery. I try to tell myself that I've had to see a weight management doctor and dietician for the past 6 months (prior to surgery due to my insurance requirements). I've lost 35 pounds through my diet, quitting pop (soda) and walking 4-7 miles/6 days per week, but I can't say without that accountability and the support I've experienced from my support group that I would have been successful on my own. And long term with a diagnosis of borderline diabetes I know I need more help than I can give myself. This surgery will allow me to live the life that I want for myself, the life that my kids deserve from their mom and the life I want as a wife for my husband. I have found peace knowing and asking for help. I hope you find the answers you are looking for.

Congratulations on the weight loss and the perseverance! You mention calories several times, but nowhere do I see you mention protein. What is your protein target? Are you reaching it every day? I don't see a problem reducing your calories as long as you aren't also reducing your protein (which I think is a big mistake). Have you talked to your NUT about your goals and strategies for reaching those goals, especially now that you are exercising more?

Here are some thoughts.... First, glad you are safe. Be glad the Dr was more concerned about your life than the procedure. Yes your life is worth more than 50, and its worth more than 150, or even 550. The reason I risked my life for the procedure is because my life was worth more than the extra 150 pounds I was carrying. I got to the point of, I will die sooner if I don't control my weight, including diabetes and all the other comorbidities I was developing than having the surgery. If this procedure is just so you can "look" better, not sure if it is worth it. When this procedure is saving your life, it is a much easier decision. I also exhausted all my other alternative solutions other than surgery. So that too helped me realize, I either continue down the unhealthy path I am on, or I have surgery. If you are not at that point, I may hold off having surgery as well.

I'm so excited that my journey has finally begun. I feel like if i won the lottery. I have a new lease on life and I can't wait! Im looking forward to doing all the things I can't do now, like play with my kids on the floor, tie my shoes, go up a flight of stairs without losing my breath, etc... I know this journey will be challenging but its better than not doing anything at all, and allowing my weight to continue controlling me. :wub:

I am so excited I woke up this morning hopped on the scale and boom I was 139..... This just keeps getting better!!!!!! I do have a question what happens when I reach goal, I have 19lbs to go how do you maintain that without continuing to lose more weight?

Hi Summer Essence. I am in a similar boat as you- my highest weight was 236 (but that was the day I gave birth to my daughter 2 yrs ago). In the last year or so I have been between 200-215 lbs (before pregnancy I was 180lbs). I am at 210 now, I started my preop diet yesterday & am scheduled for VSG on Monday. My BMI is just under 35, but bc I am not a BMI of 40+ and I do not have any comorbidities, my insurance is not covering it. I am getting a hernia repair (covered by insurance) and they are doing the VSG same time, so I am only paying the difference, which is approx. $3,000 which is 100% worth it. I do find it strange that so many people on this site say they paid 20-30K on these surgeries. I asked for the break down itemization and even if my insurance did cover it, it would only be between $12-15K. I see that we are both from NY, where would you be having your surgery that they gave you a quote of $28K? I also was considering the balloon back in December and decided not to do it once my doctor stated that there is minimal long term success and they only usually assist with a small amount of weight loss.

I am almost 8 weeks post op, started walking immediately. It took a while to walk a mild but now I walk a mile ever other day. I was cleared for all exercise at 6 weeks but so far other that some toning using bands not taking to it. We have a gym membership ( I actually walk by the gym on some of my walks!) but I just don't like it... I just got a gold gym home gym. Lots of exercise putting it together. Paid $75.00 for it on Facebook, still in the box! Going to start alternating a toning day with a walking day. Hop my weight loss will sky rocket!

Easy. Don't tell. If they ask you how you're losing weight, tell them you are working with your doctor and suggest they work with theirs if they are interested in learning more. If they continue to ask questions, tell them you're tired of talking about your weight but you'd be more than happy to talk about theirs. Done.

Hey everyone, just wanted to know if anyone knew of any great skin firming lotions or creams to prevent excess skin after or during weight loss?

So a little over a year ago (1 yr and 12 days to be exact) I had my lap band procedure. Before the surgery I weighed in at 237, lost 20 as suggested by my surgeon and on surgery day weighed in at 217. The first few months were great! I went down to 203 lbs and then I stopped. I stopped getting my fills and eating very unhealthy! I gained it all back and three months ago found myself at 225! I couldn't believe it! So I decided to once again get on the wagon and close to three months now I am down to 191! The trick? I gave up Rice and Pasta, low on the oat grain bread and eating my small doses five times a day! Lots of fruits and veggies to keep me going. I also have learned thar Activitia low fat is my new best friend. I am getting my fills again- going for another next week - and I am exercising ! Walking, riding my bike, light toning up of my muscles and yoga. I now see myself getting closer to my goal weight and perhaps even surpassing it! I have gone from obese to overweight on my BMI - that to me already is a big deal!

One of my oldest and dearest friends had VSG surgery on 12/17/13. He has been doing absolutely fabulous. In fact, I am a little jealous at his success because he has trounced me in weight loss. ( He started his pre op diet 12/3 and since that date he has lost 85lbs. I started dieting on my own 8/1 and total, including post op weight loss since 10/21 surgery date, I have lost 75lbs) Ok, granted he is male. And he had a lot more weight to lose. But I have to admit I am jealous as all can be too. I know I should not be. And when we speak I do not mention my stupid, irrational feelings. Yet there is one issue that has me absolutely baffled and even more upset. I am two months ahead of him. I was a guide (of sorts) to him early on. I would share my experiences and thoughts with him as he prepared to journey through things I recently had. But since his surgery we have very little contact. I keep track of him through his weekly Youtube blogs. I can't understand what happened. We had planned to be there and support each other as we did this. We had discussed sharing food as neither of us could eat much, didn't want weeks worth of leftovers, yet wanted to create new recipes for our new lifestyles. I bought him a Yonana machine for his birthday last August, preparing for his coming surgery. In the two months between my surgery and his something happened, but what it was I don't know. Shortly after I had my surgery he sort of disappeared. I was not hearing from him and would have to reach out to him several times before we would actually connect. When he was struggling through the early stages of his pre op diet I tried to be as supportive as I could. I encouraged him and did all I could to be the friend he needed. Then he had his surgery. After that he shut down, at least towards me. During his recovery he was too tired or not feeling well and didn't want to chat. As he healed he continued the distance. He speaks about reconnecting with all his old friends on his video blogs, yet I am being left behind. I am not sure what the reason is. Maybe it is because I am his former fat friend, from his former fat life. Maybe he feels our friendship is toxic for his newfound healthier lifestyle. Yet I have changed too, I am not the fat friend I once was. I am the friend who has been there through many major life events with him. I held his had at his dad's funeral. I held his hand as he went through a fight with cancer. ( and came out of completely in remission) I accepted and supported him when he came out, even as he struggled with his family to accept. We have been through thick and thin together, literally. Yet now, when we were both at a place where support is critical and we are both on the same page....He has gone. Maybe I was expecting too much from him, I don't know. All I know is it really hurts me deeply that he is wanting to move on with his life so entirely while our friendship is being pushed aside. I truly thought both of us having the sleeve surgery would only ingrain our long time friendship that much deeper, but it appears I was wrong. Watching him from the sidelines is becoming hard to do. How do I celebrate my friend's success when it has meant our friendship is suffering?

So, I am 7 months out and have lost 60 pounds.... I am totally thrilled about that. But, then a few days ago, I had a tough day. Seemed everything was getting stuck. That night I had horrible reflux, which continued the next day. My chest hurt, my throat hurt, and I couldn't eat anything. Yesterday, my chest and throat were a bit better, but I still couldn't eat anything (even a shake was too much) without feeling it in my chest. So, I went to the dr today and felt I needed a complete unfill and he put me on previcid (I think - haven't picked up the scrip yet). He wants me to stay unfilled for TWO MONTHS!! On the one hand, I almost immediatly felt better and after I ate some good protien, I felt so much better. On the other hand, I am scared to be unfilled for two months. What if I go back to my old ways. I know it took 7 months to lose that 60lbs, feeling terrified I could gain it back in 2!!

Has anyone else noticed any relationships being lost? People that you never thought would back away? Your success makes them feel more insecure about themselves and you might lose pounds/ inches but the you find that the people closest to you become an emotional weight dragging you down? Sent from my SM-G930P using BariatricPal mobile app

:thumbup: I am sorry to hear you got so sick after your surgery, hopefully that is all past now. You have lost weight I am happy for you. I do not seem to be loosing any weight. Sounds like you just had a bad start but are now on the road to weight loss. I just had surgery June 27th. I told the doctor I get sick to my stomach after surgery so they gave me one of the pads you stick behind your ear, the kind you get before you go on a cruise so you don't get sea sick. I did not get sick! My granddaughters had come to visit so i did not get to relax too much the first couple days. The 4th day i was miserable. Too much, too soon I am sure. Just took it easy the next day. My concern is that I am not loosing any weight. I have lost almost 2 pounds in 6 days. I feel hungry most of the time.

Your rate of weight loss will slow at times, and even reach "plateaus" occasionally, where you can remain compliant with your diet and not see the scale move for a week or more. As long as you remain compliant with your surgeon's instructions, and continue with your exercise, the weight will come off. As I've often mentioned, this journey has taught me a life skill which eluded me for years, patience. Try to remember that you did not gain your weight in a short span of time, so it is not realistic to expect that you will loose it rapidly. Best wishes...

I use this forum as my support group, as I don't have any hospital-affiliated support group. I come on here every day and I always find it renews my dedication to my mission towards weight loss and better health. It's like a continually-inspiring support team on demand! I stick with the successful bandsters and learn from their choices...what led them to success, what are their challenges, tips and strategies. I do not read weight loss blogs of dieters whose methods are futile or whose mindsets are not like my own. This would put my own motivation at risk, as it might possibly allow me to justify some non-band compliant behaviors.

Wow. I see that some surgeons do fast track the diet. Sounds like you are doing great with it. Congrats on your weight loss. I live in Eagan. Wow. Small world.

Hi, Carrie! Good to hear from you! I'm in a similar boat to you, and deciding that it really is necessary has been a big weight off my chest. People here are great and supportive, aren't they? The surgery is going to help us improve our health, and it's so important. It's disappointing that your mom's not being supportive, but you need to do it for you, not anyone else. *hugs*

I lost 10. That is just so your liver can shrink. It's easier for him to move around and get to the stomach. Just make sure you don't gain Sent from my SM-G550T1 using the BariatricPal App

Hi everyone, I had my By Pass done on December 16th 2019 and for the first two weeks after the operation I lost 12 lbs in weight. Since then I have only lost 4 lbs in 3 weeks and I even make sure that I have (75g) 3 times a day 25g of protein shake that I make with half water and half milk in the glass totalling 200ml and I also drink plenty of water each day, and eat 1 or 2 low fat yogurts and a bowl of soup each day. I am in a wheelchair and I can’t exercise much due to a Stroke, but I try. So.... please if anyone might have an idea as to what it is I am doing wrong, I would be very grateful to hear from them as it is really starting to get me down now. I am now beginning to think it is maybe because I’m British 😜 as everyone else in the world seems to be having much better luck than me 😁. Thank you so much for your help and take care.