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I blogged for a while previously on Live Journal under the name AndybearNY, but it has been awhile. I have started to blog again over there and I will be cross blogging between the 2. The title is the same for both blogs Many things cross my mind as I start the process of the new me. I have less than 1 week now till the orientation meeting. I am the type of person that puts the cart before the horse. I know I have a long road ahead of me and I am not even approved. I have started working out and started to diet. But then I wonder should I be doing this? From what I understand the group I go to requires a 10% weight reduction prior to scheduling the surgery. Is that 10% based on when I was weighed at my primary's office the day he referred me to the group, or is it based on the weight that I am when I have my appointment with the bariatric doctor. I always push myself too hard and I am also the hardest on myself. An example of this would be my bike ride. My first 2 days on the bike I did 30 minute ride. I felt OK, not great, but I decided to push myself and did a 45 minute ride. Well I became over heated. I broke out into a cold sweat and started to throw up once I got home. I need to do things in moderation; this is always an issue for me. Whether it is food, drinks or exercise, I tend to binge on everything. This is a habit I need to break.

Beware the steroids. I had to use some and gained 7 pounds in 3 days. When I talked to my Bariatric PA I was told that if I continued to use them I would lose my band. Seems as if the two don't go well together and can cause swelling around the band. I understand why doc does not want to give additional fill if you were too tight before. Take time and this will come off.

I haven't but, I would think a good behavioral therapist who works with bariatric patients would be much more valuable and helpful than hypnotherapy.

Hello everyone! I have been lurking about and researching for about a month now but things just got real. I scheduled my surgery and sent the check off in the mail today!! I tried to schedule with a local surgeon but my insurance does not cover any weight loss surgery and it was going to cost $15,000 so I started researching surgery in Mexico and decided on Dr. alejandro lopez with Specialized Bariatrics. My surgery date is November 3, 2014 in Tijuana at Mi Doctor Hospital. Thankfully my husband is an English/Spanish interpreter and I've been to Guatemala before and I love Hispanic culture so I don't think I will feel uncomfortable in Tijuana. Also, my husband's parents live in Los Angeles so I'll be able to recover there for two weeks before I fly back to Florida. My husband has been very supportive and I am very grateful for that. My mom is freaking out a bit and I have yet to hear Dad's opinion but I know this is what I need to do and I made the right decision. Here's some info about me: My name is Kristen. I'm almost 29 years old (my birthday is a week after my surgery!) I am 5'7" and 260 lbs but I have a very muscular/thick frame with well-proportioned fat so I "hide" my size well (or so I've been told every time I tell someone how much I really weigh) Current BMI is 40.7 My highest weight ever was 290 My lowest weight in my adult life was 217 but I gained most of it back after a two year stall discouraged me from continuing to track calories. I have PCOS, pre-diabetes and high blood pressure without medication. I am an expert on diets! (Haha, aren't we all??) I love to exercise but I also have a lot of back/muscle issues that flare up and I get discouraged easily. I have a very "all or nothing" "perfectionist" kind of attitude so if I can't do something perfectly I don't feel like it is worth trying at all. This is why I fail with diets and exercise. I'll be 100% committed but if I don't see results from my hard work, eventually I give up. (In all fairness, a two year stall...I have the patience of a saint!) I have started a running program on 3 separate occasions and every time my back gets messed up and sets me back a few weeks I give up and never return to maybe try walking. Because I want to run! I'm still working on refining my brain. I obviously have a negative relationship with food because now that I know I'm having the surgery I feel like I should eat as much of my favorite things as possible. How horrible is that?? At least I can see that this is not normal behavior... I'm looking forward to meeting and getting to know some of you! I would appreciate if you drop me a line with some advice, words of wisdom or encouragement :-) Kristen

I once again wrote a frickin' book and can't find it now. I don't know where on this website it goes but Robert came in so I showed him what blogging was like and now I can't find the blog I was writing in the first place, it is probably a good thing because I just went on and on about how much I love him and how much we are in love and crap like that. I also told you about how I gained the 2 lbs that I had lost putting me back at 228 instead of 226 where I need to be before tomorrow's weigh in and fill. Not good but that is the way it is. I'll do my exercising today and watch what I eat. I have northern style ribs from PF Changs for lunch and will have my protein shake for breakfast. Depending on how that lasts me I'll have a protein bar for break. The shake sometimes lasts me and then other times I am so hungry I can't stand it. I should have an easy day today at work and then I'm off tomorrow. I want to go look at a Nissan Altima...that is the car of my dreams, I'm not sorry I bought a new Subaru but the Altima is what I wanted and should have gotten but I thought it was too expensive for me. I am throwing around the idea that maybe I just need to get a grip on having a slow car and putting tint on the windows and I already have the Sirius system in it and everything I could ask for like power windows and A/C. This is the first brand new car I have ever had. The ones I have had in the past are either hand me downs or given to me by a boyfriend. I guess getting a Porsche and Corvette weren't too bad of gifts. But I gave them back when we broke up so I miss the Porsche, the Corvette had too long of nose for me and I didn't like driving it too much. But it got me alot of attention and was fun. Now I have a Subaru Impreza, it was something that was practical and had what I needed and I have since put in a $700 Sirius system and want an amplifier now. So that should cost me another $500 with the new speakers and getting it installed but it will be so worth it when it is done. I want to get the windows tinted on it next so I think after we get back from vacation and I renew my plates I will have that done. My husband keeps every business card that has been handed to him and a tinting company that he used is one of them so that is who I will call. I also want to get my credit card paid off. I went on a shopping binge and spent $600 on Mac make up. An easy thing to do but since then I have expanded my collection to include Urban Decay, Sephora, and Lancome. All that I love just wish I could change make up 2-3 times a day depending on what mood I was in. I think every woman needs to have a big collection of make up to help make her feel pretty. Some women are just beautiful without the use of make up, I on the other hand am not one of these women. I have to have at least eye make up and lipstick to feel complete in the morning. That is how I end getting ready for my day is by putting on my make up before I do my hair. It really gives me the extra boost in self-esteem that I need. My husband turned our loft area into my make up station. I have a big desk, with lighted mirror, and computer chair to roll around in while doing my daily ritual. It's like being a little girl playing dress up. My husband had a hard time sleeping the night before and that keeps me awake because if I wake up and he is not in bed I can't sleep so it was good that I was off yesterday. Made for a long day getting up at 3:30 a.m. and getting him to come back to bed. I did make it to the gym and swam until someone asked if they could swim in my lane once I was done...that made me feel like I had to hurry. Well it is 8:00 a.m. and that means time to getting for my day at work. I will be back tomorrow morning to tell you about how my day was and what else is on my mind. Happy losing

I have another insurance but at the seminars you can attend they will tell you what each insurance requires. Or you can call Banner Bariatric/Bridges Weight Loss/True Results along with other doctors offices. Most of the office people are really knowledgeable. I used St Lukes out of PHX but St Likes in Tempe has a program too.

I can totally relate to you. I too will have my surgery in tijuana on oct. 13th 5 days after my 38th bday with dr. Valenzuela at hospital mi doctor through mexico bariatric. Have had 3 failed ivf's and my main reason for getting sleeved is to hopefully get rid of my pcos and get pregnant naturally. I was banded in 2007 lost 60lbs and it stopped working for me. So now im at 175'ish and 5'2 with super low self esteem. I want to feel good too. Im tired of shopping and finding nothing to wear everyday because it all doesnt look good. Im excited and scared as all of us are but my best friend will come with me to take care of me and help me through it. Im most scared of the preop, leak test and drain removal more than surgery itself. Good luck to us. We can do this!

Since I don't know and am not sure, I'd ask that you speak to your dr., nutritionist, bariatric consultant or someone in the medical field to be certain on those guidelines and when you can go beyond 4 oz.s. There are guidelines to follow to help you make a lifestyle change. And you can stretch your sleeve out. I'm not sure how leaks happen, what all causes each of them, but I had one and believe me ---- I'd rather make an extra call to pester my dr. or his office or a medical professional than wish a leak or it's effects on anyone else.

Banded about the same time as you. 2/19/13 and down 90, but have slowed to 7 pounds in 3 months. Not letting it get me down though. If you have support groups in your area, attend, attend, attend as if you life depended on it! Overeaters Anonymous and other programs have helped many surgery patients. Maybe if you have a support group through your hospital you can volunteer to be a speaker for groups of new people seeking bariatric surgery. I did that last week and feel like a new person. Will speak again next month at the Seattle hospital. Good luck and keep on going.

Here's a list of questions (with recent updates) that I posted quite some time ago. Since you're coming up on your last appointment you'll likely have answers to some of these already but hopefully you'll find others that will prove useful. What are the risks? How often do patients have complications following surgery? What side effects are the most common? What are the benefits? What should I expect after surgery? Realistically, what weight loss should I expect following surgery and over what period of time? What are "stalls" or "plateaus"? How long do they last and if I do experience them, what can I do to shorten their duration? Will any new technology be used e.g. robotics? Is the hospital and surgeons office accredited by the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP)? This is a combination of the programs formerly offered by two highly respected surgical societies - The American College of Surgeons (ACS) and the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS). Beginning in 2012, this accreditation replaced the former Bariatric Centers of Excellence. Are you board certified in bariatric surgery? How many roux-en-y gastric bypass surgeries have you performed? Have you experienced any surgery related mortalities? Do you have patients that are willing to share their weight loss surgery experiences, positive and negative? What types of support groups and counseling will be available post-op? What information can you give me to help family and friends better understand the surgery? How often do you see your patients following surgery? What is the significance of Protein following surgery? Does your practice offer support services for psychological needs? What assistance is available for helping me secure insurance approval? Who should I speak with regarding insurance related questions? What pre-op testing will be done? What post-op testing will be done? Will I need Vitamins after my surgery and if so, what types? When can I start exercising after my surgery? How likely is it that I will regain weight after surgery? Think of the meeting with your surgeon as an interview. You're looking for an answer to "Why are you and your team the most qualified for the job?" You're gonna love the new you!!

I'm at Baptist Nutrition and Bariatric Center in Jackson with Dr. Cummins - I think Dr. Cummins does some work at River Oaks, as well - who is your surgeon?

I am down 2 more lbs this week. I weighed in at 195.4lbs this morning. Surger weight 224lbs. That's 28.6lbs since surgery and 66.6lbs from my start. I am still at 2cc's in my band, 2nd fill set for May 2nd. I had a weird dream the other night and ended up rubbing my port site in my sleep. I am so aware of it all the time. I hope it's a fleeting sense of awareness. The less fat I have around the site, the more I am aware. I hope I just get used to it. Anyone else out there experience this? I posted some pictures last week of progress. I was left seeing difference but somehow they didn't encompass what I thought that 65lbs lost SHOULD look like. Expectations Jenny! Sheesh! So I have gone back into the old photo library and put together a Start to Today photo comparison. I feel much better about these ones! [/url] TOP: 262lbs - January 2010 BOTTOM: 197.4lbs - April 2011 The short of it? I'm still losing... slowly. I'm just fine with it! Content as can be! Working hard at beating my head and old habits and enjoying spring and the dog parks! And now for the delicious SUPER EASY bbq pork tenderloin recipe that's not really a recipe: 1 pork tenderloin 2Tbsp evoo 1Tsbp Pepper 1Tbsp Salt 2Tbsp minced garlic 3 large pieces of tinfoil Trim excess fat off of loin. Message 1Tbsp of evoo and half the spices on to each side. Press in half of the garlic on each side. The most difficult part: wrap loin with one sheet of foil. Roll like a sushi roll and twist closed both ends. Put the seam side of wrapped loin down on the centre of the tin foil and repeat. 2 wraps could do the job but I like to play it safe and repeat 3 times. BBQ on low for 40 minutes, turning every 10 minutes. Remove from grill. Let rest for 10 minutes. Open, cut, serve. Easy!!! This meat was so juicy and tender! No mess, no fuss! I served with boiled cabbage. 1 small head of shredded cabbage. Boil for 5-7 minutes in veggie stock. Strain, save stock in freezer for soups, throw in to hot wok and saute with onions. I also served with green salad and chickpeas with an oil and vinegar dressing. Have I mentioned how much I love produce in the spring and summer! Also, the BBQing so takes care of too many dishes to wash up. I could live off of meat, fruit and veggies over the summer months! The strawberries and pineapple are even starting to be good! The sunshine makes me feel younger. It renews my sense of dedication to my new lifestyle too! Ahh spring fever! No matter how old I get, I will still get wrapped up and carried away in your glorious rays. I will roll down my window at +4 degrees, sunglasses on, busting out a good sing along to Beastie Boys, Kings of Leon or even Salt & Peppa! YEAH SUNSHINE! Happy Spring!

Hey all! New to the forums and getting set with my process for Bariatric surgery. I feel like it's the best choice for me for many reasons, namely it's time to stop lugging an additional person around. I am seriously nervous though, a coworker who recently had the sleeve procedure done had leakage issues and was put in the ICU. What keeps you moving through the butterflies and nerves? What is something if you're post op you'd have done differently in the beginning stages? And for fun, what are you looking most forward to on the otherside of surgery? For me, one of the things I'm most excited to see is when I can shop in a different section of the store. I've worn women's sizes since grade school, it's a whole new world and I figure I'll bawl like a baby when it happens. At any rate, thanks for obliging me!

I've come across many people on here who seem lost as to what they should be drinking, eating and how much/how often. I came across this and thought it might help somebody. It's just 5 pages, but very informative! http://bariatrics.ucla.edu/workfiles/UCLA-Bariatric-postoperative-diet-instructions.pdf Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

@@lilyrose245 I had to see my primary Dr first and be referred to the bariatric surgeon.

Thanks, Betsy! Yes, the doctor said that we are playing catch up now because he had to unfill the first 2 cc's in that 3rd week. According to him, I am moving along just fine. He is a Bariatric Center of Excellence rated doctor who has personally done well over 700 lap band surgeries alone, not sure how many gastric bypass surgeries in addition to that. He is definitely experienced in this. I agree that I would prefer a more conservative approach than some of the other doctors that I have read about on here that seem to be way too aggressive. I think that would definitely have more propensity to cause complications resulting in PBing and unfills, etc. Betsy, I admire your resolve and self discipline when it comes to your diet. Unfortunately for me, I cannot be that strict with myself all the time. If I do so, then eventually I will have a complete meltdown and cram any and everything I can find into my mouth! I do much better to allow myself a little here and there so I don't feel so deprived over all. But you are right, whatever works for you! Thanks for your input! It is much appreciated! I hope to one day be working on maintenance like you too!

You might lose more than you intend - but if you do, you increase your calories until you are in maintenance. That's totally preventable and not something to worry about. You're not going to starve yourself. Some people lose hair, but some don't. The most important thing to do is follow your docs guidelines regarding protein and take your bariatric vitamins. Even if you do lose some hair, that's a small thing and isn't worth sacrificing your long-term health over.

I had to do 6 months also. I started march 22nd and my surgery date is Sept 10th!! Have you picked a bariatric surgeon yet?? If not, go ahead and schedule that. There will be a list of things he will want you to do like nutrition and exercises classes, going to a pycholigist, maybe even a sleep apnea test. It's better to start now to where when u have met tour 6months criteria, you will be ready to schedule!! Good luck!!

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Hello, Lately I've been having a lot of mid to upper back pain. I noticed it tends to happen after I eat something as it causes a lot (I'm talking sailor style) of burping. The upper to middle back pain is painful enough that I have to take 2 pain meds to even help. Sometimes it does nothing. I'm even trying to rub icy hot because I"m desperate. I went to my primary Dr a few months back because of this & had an ultra sound of my gallbladder. It came back negative. Someone told me it could be missed via an ultrasound & that I should have a HIDA scan? Does anyone have any information on this? Also, I was going to try to see my primary Dr about this but am wondering if I should try to see my bariatric surgeon instead? Appreciate any feedback you guys might have. Thanks Fran

Have any of you heard of exercise bulimia?????? I had not until a few minutes ago when I ran across it on a fitness forum. Apparently, if you are so concerned about calories that you have to exercise yourself sick and sore until you burn up every calorie you just ate, that is exercise bulimia. When I read about it, my first thought was that I am going to have to watch out for that. I think horrible thoughts about my own weakenesses, especially if I am in a stall and the pounds are not coming off in spite of my best efforts. Then, I feel like I have to drop the housework or my genealogy project or disrupt my sleep or avoid the next meal so that I can go exercise some more. See how easy it would be for us to fall into this trap because we are so eager and hopeful to make tangible and visible progress with our weight loss? Well, it was a rude and blaring alarm for me, as I am up to three exercise sessions a day and feeling guilty that it is not enough, and that 800 calories (my minmum limit from my bariatric team) are too many. So, I am good with it now, and can chill out about it, but Geeze Louis, you learn something every day. I had no idea. Here is the webpage with the information: http://www.your-bulimia-recovery.com/exercise-bulimia.html

I'm not trying to be funny, but maybe a new Dr. If they are not there to make sure you understand everything, you don't want them. My bariatric center is there to see that I succeed.

Catwoman, I sort of think sugar may be bad for my reflux; so I need to get a handle on that anyway. Problem is, I love sweets. That's probably what put on my weight in the first place. Right now, though, not even sweets appeal to me. I called my bariatric surgeon and left a message I need to make an appointment. One thing holding me back is the thought of going through what I went through with the lapband and not getting relief. That's why I appreciate hearing from bypass patients.

They're right 16 lbs. is fantastic! You can buy Optifast from Bariatric Advantage.com. They have lots of stuff - vitamins, protein shooters, etc. Check them out.

I get my (vanilla flavored) almond milk from walmart. It's really yummy in my vanilla shakes. I generally Bariatric Advantage Vanilla flavored powder for my shakes.