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Thank you Cindi_Augustine your words are very encouraging! I didn't know that stress can cause weight gain also, so I'm definitely going to try to relax.

most approvals are based on the STRUGGLE of losing and keeping the weight off...so if you've gained weight BEFORE you've started the approval process is should not be a problem. again i would be more concerned with not gaining during the approval process because i have heard of surgeries being postponed due to weight gain = liver not shrinking. yes WW should have your weigh ins and payment history. if i read correctly you have not been enrolled in a couple of months....RE-ENROLL IMMEDIATELY! i had stopped my WW membership in December 2011 and decided to have wls in March 2012...as soon as my coordinator found out she told me to re-enroll before my first visit with their office. I re-enrolled the that very day...i'm due to have my surgery this month!

Sorry I just need to rant.. My husband is probably SO sick of hearing me obsess over everything..Who is with me?! Surely I'm not the only one! Oh man! 2 more weeks until my last weigh in. phew. Now that's off my chest... Lets see............... >> Psych Eval done & passed >> Nutritionist visit(s) done >> sleep study (no sleep apnea!) >> 5 other monthly weigh ins & supervised diet completed >> food journaling done >> Met with surgeon Now, I go back and obsess over every single thing. What did I miss? I feel like something wasnt done! My weight jumped up and down (very few lbs in either direction). I again obsess over that! Hmm..Lets start a list of what I have obsessed over, and researched until I was blue in the face! >> Making sure every appointment was made and I actually went as scheduled. >> Insurance requirements... What does the internet say (other patients) vs my doctors office? >> Will I be denied due to weight gain (even though I've lost it...weight gain due to depo shot & other surgery preventing as much exercise)? >> Will the insurance go by other factors (as comorbidities besides the typical high blood pressure, diabeties, sleep apnea, etc)?? >> DR's office & website both say theres about 30 comorbidities that insurance will look at besides the above. If thats the case, I'm good on that aspect. I figure the DRs office knows what they are talking about...but still nerve racking. FYI: insurance website says up to 2 weeks for decision. DRs office says once approval is received then surgery will be 1 week after. Okay now that rant is done (for now- HA HA)............ What did you obsess over and over and over about?

1) Absolutely. I had so well prepared myself that it was relatively easy to adopt to different foods, different ways of doing thing. I wasn't even scared going under that I had made a mistake. Never once have I wished I hadn't done it. It is just such a relief to be freed of weight gain worries. Course I am only 4 months out, but it has become such a lifestyle it is like it never happened - I just eat a lot less than I used to and keep getting healthier. 2) Wish I had been prepared for additional hormonal changes. Although I had be menopausal for years, it appears I have had a reversal of all that.

I also said “ I will never gain it back” and had a 16 pound gain my third year. (I worked it off) Weight gain can mess with your head. You caught it before it became a major regain. You can get this back down. Some of us can have a piece of cholate and stop. I know myself, I keep temptation out of the house. Maintaining I indulge within reason. Some of us do the pouch reset (liquid progression to real food) It’s a good way to restart healthy habits again. Some of us go back to bariatric basics.( Real food stage, Log food and stay within your weight loss calorie/macros, hydrate and exercise) Others change diet plans. (keto, intermittent fasting, vegan etc) Its finding what works for you. Whatever diet you choose; Logging has been the tool that helped me get the weight off. Here are a few threads that may help: Weight loss group challenge to keep you motivated. https://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/425758-june-2019-challenge/?tab=comments#comment-4781757 If you choose intermittent fasting here is a group of people that can help https://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/419144-intermittent-fasting-daily-menuresultsaccountability/?page=173&tab=comments#comment-4780742 Mental Weight loss battles thread. https://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/425354-the-importance-of-doing-the-head-work/?tab=comments#comment-4776743 Wish you the best. Glad to see you back on the forum.

Hi Valerie, I did not have community support either the first time around. Finding this group on Facebook first really helped. The forum is really helpful because sometimes I just need to get the words out. I read other posts and share my experiences now, because it looks easy from the outside. I started physical therapy and water aerobics because I am de-conditioned from the weight gain. I had spinal surgery a year after my first surgery and the weight gain left me in a lot of pain. I am getting better slowly.

I would say that given what u describe the weight gain is probably hormonal more than anything else. The female body is notorious for putting on weight at this time and u will have to be even more careful what u eat till it selttles down, You may find also that due to a decrease in hormone levels that u will need to exercise a little more maybe just do some dumbells while sitting watching tv it still burns calories .. not to do exercise only works if u can still lose wieght without it, but if u are stuck or gaining a bit u have to change something. I remember putting on a ton of weight during the change and u sore it all around your tummy and thighs ... just work a little harder u may find thats all u need to do .. good ;luck

Good afternoon everyone! I'm brand new to this forum and I'm happy to be part of this community. I know I may ramble on for a bit, so I apologize. I had my surgery Wednesday 9/28/2016, so I'm 4 days out; and I have a few things on my mind. If anyone has any input or advice on anything, I greatly appreciate it!! A little history about myself..I'm a 27 year old female, starting weight at 340 pounds before surgery (I haven't weighed myself since 9/28). I have Obsessive Compulsive Disorder which is controlled by generic Lexapro 20mg once daily. Some people have attributed by massive weight gain in the past year or so to my medication, but it has helped me so much, that I wouldn't dare stop it. I've had PolyCystic Ovarian Syndrome since 12 years old, and I've been extremely overweight since I was a child. I weighed in at 232 pounds when I was 11, and I've been a yo-yo dieter since I was 15. I hit 300 pounds at 14, dropped to 180 by 17. Shot back up to 290 around age 21, dropped to 210 by 23/24. And since 2013 I steadily gained to be at my highest at 348 pounds. I've been seeing a psychologist for my OCD since 2013, but I have not seen him for a coupe of months. I plan on going back to discuss my weight loss journey. With being a new sleever and a natural worrier, (with anxiety) there are, of course, many things I'm concerned and curious about. Again, I apologize for the long post, and I'll list some things that are on my mind: 1. I'm tired and lazy. I've been sitting on my aunt's recliner since I left the hospital Friday (today is Sunday). I get up and walk around a few times a day. My urine is fine and I had my first bowel movement today (sorry, TMI). But I mostly want to lay around and close my eyes. I'm not hungry, but the smell of the delicious fried chicken that my aunt is making for her kids is bringing back memories lol. I'm getting off topic! Bottom line is, is this tiredness and laziness normal? I feel bad and almost obligated to be more active, but I just wanna rest! 2. I was never told that I had a food addiction, and my therapist told me he doesn't believe I compulsively eat. However, I do know that I am an emotional eater. And usually that emotion is happiness. I used food to reward myself all the time. I hated when people were around me when I was eating something delicious and watching TV. I wanted to be alone and enjoy my private time..which always included a good TV show and delicious food. Food always made me happy. I never really used food to self medicate when I was sad, but always ate when I was happy. And bored. I'm such a boredom eater. I don't have any hobbies, I live by myself, I'm an only child. So I'm always alone...and often times bored. And the eating would begin. I planned meals like they were major rewards. For the finale of Breaking Bad, I ordered pizza to have it delivered to my home right on time...I loaded up on Snacks and Desserts. I shut my phone off and didn't want to see or talk to anyone while I enjoyed my show and my food. I foresee that this will be a problem. Has anyone felt the same way? And if so, were you able to control it? 3. I worry about addiction transfer. I've heard of people resorting to alcoholism, drug addiction and/or gambling after weight loss surgery, and with my anxiety issues this scares me. My friend told me to become addicted to exercise and health, but who's to say that will happen? 4. Feeling like your old self? Just a general inquiry...how long did it take you guys to feel back to "normal" in terms of recovering from the surgery? Thanks so much for reading this! I hope to interact with you guys! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I have Cushing's disease, which is caused by a tumor in my pituiatry gland. IMHO, the most obvious symptom is uncontrolable weight gain, but the "central obesity" and the hump are hard to miss. it has taken me litterally decades to get a proper diganosis, and treatment. I had at one time a large brain tumor, which died taking my of my pit with it. So, I cannot help but wonder what my life would be like if I'd gotten proper treatment. Treatment with respect, instead I was dismissed as fat and lazy, as a lier and cheater, since I couldn't possibly telling the truth about my food. It was only after getting banded and still not losing weight that I was able to get people to treat me seriously. And it's still been a battle. Cushing's isn't as rare as they want you to believe, it is only rarely diagnosed because most people are fat, hormonal, lazy women. They also insist that if you don't have every single symptom, you couldn't have it, if you come back with several high test results, then it must be a fluke. grrr

I am just about 8 months out. During a weigh in I have never had a perceived weight gain but I also have never weighed myself other than at the doctors office. I know I was freak myself out weighing all of the time. Some of us just need so show resistant in weighing ourselves all of the time. Sent from my SM-G935P using the BariatricPal App

I have lost a lot of weight several times in my life too, the problem is keeping it off. I think I remember hearing the stat that like 80 or 90% (someone please correct me if I am wrong) of MO people who loose weight - gain it back. So the statistics show that this guy is very likely to gain his weight back. That is where I hope my band comes into play. I hope and expectation is that it will assist me in maintaining after I loose. And so what if it is the easy way out (though its not easy as we know). Everything else we do in life we always look for someway to make it easier - why do you think remote controls were invented ( to make it easier to change the channels). I can never remember my boss telling me not to find a more efficient way to do things. In fact, the goal of any business is to make things easier and more efficient. Just my 2 cents.

So I found a plan: Dr. Johnson's Alternate Day Diet (based on a lot of the research from Walter Longo, Krista Varady, et al and it was one of the original alternate day fasting diets with caloric restriction that came to the public. He's a doc out of LSU. And they found it helped their asthma patients, and helped with wl too. So I added it to my low carb principle. I'd lost from 325 to 160lb doing Atkins '72. But I'd been stuck for years at 260lbs. Nothing I did could budge it. I'd go up or down within a few pounds. My bloodwork was amazing, but I was stuck. I added it into the mix and started losing. (I had a hysterectomy and so was very hormone deficient and imbalanced hormonally.) I'd lost 30lbs when they discovered my breast cancer. Well I immediately said, "Fu*k It All!" And I went on my "Make-a-wish Diet" where I ate ALL. THE. CRAP. and I waited for all of my test results and to get into an amazing oncologist. It took a little over 2mons. In that time, I had a 25lb regain eating my MAW diet. And the oncologist was horrified. Cuz that can make cancer grow quickly (gaining after dx). So he said to get back on it. And I fasted all through chemo and radiation. I essentially went from 260lbs down through chemo, 1st surgery, radiation and lost to 218lbs. Incidentally, the chemo + fasting did something my onc had never witnessed. I had a high grade aggressive tumor that is historically a "lazy eater" of neo-adjuvant chemotherapy. Meaning chemo will shrink the tumors a little bit, and stop/alter the cells...but you don't usually see complete remission or regression. They saw that my tumors shrank 60% with neoadjuvant chemo. And the path report showed that although there were some remaining living cells within my 12 lymph nodes (1 had pierced the node)--all the cancer cells showed genetic modification by the chemo which is unusual. So the research shows this to be true...fasting during chemo can be protective of healthy cells and helps boost the effectiveness of chemo and radiation. When I got down to 218lbs they worried about my radiation levels and I was getting huge burns/open wounds. So they told me to stop losing. I went back to a "more normal" Zone style diet 30-30-40. And maintained for a few months. Then after all my reconstructions and healings slowly began to regain up to my most recent 287lbs. The onc was freaking out and tried for 2 years to talk me into WLS. I resisted and pretended I didn't notice the weight gain, even though by that time, I was essentially bed-ridden. (I'm still on a cancer drug and will be on it for 10 years total. It puts me in "super-menopause" and shuts down my hormones as much as possible. So I'm extremely hormone deficient/imbalanced.) I haven't been doing alternate day fasting anymore. But yeah, you might be able to say I've been doing IF, cuz you know, at 650-850, I'm already in de facto keto from calorie reduction--a form of fasting, and I'm living in a full-time calorie restricted state. So I find no reason to add even more alternate day IF into the mix at this point, until I'm at a more normal maintenance level caloric load. Although, I do naturally fast for 12-14 hours (with breaking the fast with 3oz of Premier Protein in my coffee each day). So you could theoretically claim using your definition, that I've been IF since May 2017 when I weighed 287lbs. LOL. I get up, have protein in my coffee as creamer. Then I eat breakfast between 10-11am. I stop eating around 8-9pm. Today I weigh 164.6lbs. Sorry for the book!!

I am so sorry you are going through this. I was very close to my mother and younger sister - they died within a few years of each other. Mom was 72 and my sis was 40. It was devastating beyond description. It is one of the reasons I got up over 300# - I could cope not just with the loss but some of the trauma around my sisters illness and passing. I think you are doin the right thing by facing it up front, realizing it is a stressor/trigger, asking for help. I don't really have any tips or tidbits, for me exercise is the main destressor like you already mentioned. Whatever you do, don't let youself be fooled into trusting that food or booze will help any. The boost in feeling last such a short period of time and the consequences of over use lasts so terribly long. I like to use the analogy of the bad boyfriend, sure he is fun for a little bit but then he starts treating you bad and you make excuses and are in denial about how bad it is and before you know it... you are on the weight gain cycle. Prayers for you.

Hi Lee! Glad to hear you are back and safely at that! I hear you about the weight gain!!!!! But I suppose who on this site doesn't. I'm excited that your appointment is coming so soon. I have been doing well on my diet during the day but I get caught up at night!!!! I really want to go into my appointment with a 5lb. weight loss...I can do that right? Hehehe!! I think that I am sold on the sleeve too. I just can't see getting the band and expecting problems within 5 years or less you know? And I can't have RYN so that leaves the sleeve huh! Well we can do this! Lets keep each other posted and accountable for our pre-op weight loss ok! Talk to you soon

Hello Beautiful Ladies, This is my first time on any site and admit the same thoughts and deep enter personal true core soul the center of who we are feelings. Majority of us have never truly have ever had truly mixed emotions all at one time. The true core soul questions. We where most miserable,lonely woman when we where to the peak Of our weight gain when we truly hit rock bottom to the soul emotion. That moment we all made the choice that was enough. We might have said to ourselves that's the last time I have the core soul raw heart to heart with our soul and said, 1. if I have weight loss surgery I will be healthier and can stop my meds 2. I would regain the eye of that special person we all love, wish we could love the one my eye would love to love. 3. I would once again feel sexy and not care who was looking at us. We had confidence smile and keep going. 4. Buy any cloths again something cute and of course sexy to be in but would catch the eye of that special someone. 5. We could once again fill our dreams with an activity that we have only dreamed of or was once a passion once before Now that we have had the surgery and have either reached that goal or lower and think once again hard on ourselves we thought or we imagine and or dreamed of what we would look like or should I say society influence on how woman should look. We are at the best part of the journey we started on and thought that all I needed to do was loose the weight. Well I have just mentioned thought, feelings and emotional roller coaster since I was 9 years old. Now being almost 55years old!!!! Yes let me just say to ALL woman from my heart and core soul no matter where we are on this journey called Life remember these words. I am Beautiful to me I am worth the moon I am blessed for the chance to be alive again and be true to Me I am so Thankful to myself to allow me to finally just be me. Dont know if it's my age or just tired of feeling like I'm always being judge or criticized by other people for obese when I was my worst critic. Now that I have chosen this path stay true to yourself. We have all made this choice for ourselves. Remember be happy to in control of our own body. We have been given a tool to use if we so want it. If we choose to not use it is our own choice. Dont blame others if we slid. Get up,move it and keep that control. So yes being in our head at our worst and now wiser stage of our lives to finally say this is my Life and who I am. Yes I am and you all are Beautiful woman, why because we are ALL special in our own ways. When you really LOVE ourselves we can have that confidence we once had years ago or never had that feeling and are first walk in front of those she only dreamed we could catch that special persons eye and now we do. Say yes," Girl you got this ****!!!!!" That's right the confidence not b***h type but deep core soul feelings this is what we have all worked for....you have worked for ???? LIVE IT, LOVE IT, LAUGH You have talked the talk now take the walk as you are the Beatiful Woman in the room as you see each and every woman in the room as your deep core soul sister and we share an true woman with confidence. Reach out to woman you meet, stand next too, in line at the store, come face to face with as you pass by, the woman having a miserable moment...you share the feeling with them with empathy, none judgemental, smile, simple hello, how are you today? A compliment. So as that woman that is just starting this journey or one can share this journey with those who had those questions and worry of the outcome, pain , suffering this new journey may bring on this so called being a woman we all can help one another with verbal and emotional support. I wish we as woman the beautiful humans God has created with such strong shoulders we bare, loving arms we hug those we love so tightly, the legs in which we use to carry our young to the heart and core soul of each and everyone of us deserve to be at peace and find that inner beauty we all have. Girl this is just truly the beginning I have found I'm finally finding peace within myself at my rip age off almost 55. Now matter what age on this journey you are on find that inner core soul peace. The Confidence!!!! I can feel each of you a part of me at some point and thinking wow we all feel it but never express to each other and share. Share with one another life is too short not to. Remember GO LIVE IT GO LOVE IT JUST LAUGH!!! GIRL YOU GOT THIS ****!!!!! Sent from my SM-G955U using BariatricPal mobile app

I love beer myself but have not had one since my birthday (08.12.06). I knew going in that I couldn't drink beer and it was almost a deal breaker for me. I'd be lying if I said I didn't miss it but have actually started drinking wine or frozen drinks instead. It wasn't easy giving it up but I was drinking way too much (hense the weight gain) so it probably isn't all bad. I guess you have to ask yourself which is more important . . . beer or getting healthy! I am happy to say I can even watch friends having beers without crying or craving a cold one. As long as I have something in my hand, I'm good. : ) PatU

So, after months and months of misery and dollars spent, I have FINALLY found a doctor who was honest and thorough. He performed a flouroscope diagnostic and it turns out my band has been drastically overfilled which has caused all of my problems. Reflux, GERD, vomiting, and now pouch dilatation and weight gain. He removed .5cc and still the barium was back washing up my esophagus and not even trickling through the band. He wound up removing 1 full cc and now the fluid trickles through like it is supposed to but now my pouch is stretched and I have probably gotten all the weight loss I am going to get from it. Which totally SUCKS! Thousands of dollars, pain, discomfort, frustration, etc. etc. for a 60lb weight loss. I can warn those considering Lab Band enough, that just because you can eat doesn't mean you need a fill. Fill centers and "certified" doctors will take your $$ and just keep filling and filling. If your having reflux and gurgling etc, it's TOO TIGHT. Also, I don't know how many doctors are telling the truth about the expected weight loss, but 60% of your starting weight is on the high end of what the expect and as little as 10% is considered success. I have posted elsewhere on here about my health issues and weight gain and frustrations, only to have most of those on here blamed me for overeating and not "taking care" of my band. Why doesn't anyone ever look at the doctors who are supposed to know what they are doing?!?!?!? I wonder if I can repair the damage done to the pouch and get anymore benefit form having this thing in my body.

Hey guys! I'm new to this site and been having a hard time finding info on PCOS and the sleeve... I have severe PCOS and my symptoms are out of control... between the hot flashes/sweating, hair loss, no energy, of course the weight gain..all the fun stuff. Just wondering if any ladies who have had the sleeve w/ PCOS notice any changes since surgery!? I'm anxious and so excited about my upcoming sleeve!! thanks!!

I am happy I decided to get the surgery. I have lost 25-30 easily in the past many times and regained it again. I started at 282 and am now today 259 on my second day of clear liquid diet and completed 10 of only protein shakes. I have lost a total of 22lbs. I am very excited and I am getting my Hiatial Hernia fixed as well. During my journey they discovered my Hiatial Hernia and Sleep apnea. I found out that sleep apnea can contribute to weight gain because your body is tired and you snack to compensate for that. Maybe that is why I have not been able to stay on the diet long enough to reach my goal along with stress and lives other events. I have been so excited about my journey that I have purchased some things to help me along the way after the surgery and these things I have been using now to keep me on my pre diet. I found an intelligent water bottle that keeps track of your intake and it has a straw that does not let air in your stomach "Hydracoach.com" also 2 different plates with covers that help with measuring your food consumption. They are Baribowl at "bariware.com" and EZ Weigh Plate at "store.ezweightplatestore.com". The baribowl is a tubberware type which is good for taking your lunch because it has 2 side that separate for hot and cold food so you can heat your food separately. On each side there are demarcations marks where you can slide these little plastic thin sleeves in to separate and measure 1oz sections and the whole bowl is 8 oz. A baratric surgeon invented it. It makes you feel/look like you are eating a lot, but is not deep at all. The other is a plate with cup like compartments that you can measure your food because the plate is semi-transparent and is also microwave safe. This I would use at home and especially when my husband cooks it will make it easier for him as well, he likes to cook and likes to make me a plate. Hope to connect and share ideas and accomplishments. Mybella

I got a tattoo on my foot about two years ago. The tatt artist told me that weight won't effect the foot tatt, much. Actually, weight loss can make a tatt look better. Unlike weight gain where it is stretched. Why did I choose my foot? I figured it was the one place on the female body gaurenteed not to sag

The beauty of the band is, you can always start over. Weight gain after quitting smoking is VERY normal. I quit 18 months ago and gained about 40. But think of it like this- you're a non smoker! That is AMAZING and something to be proud of!! Plus, you can lose the weight again and when it's gone, you'll still be healthier because you quit smoking! Have you tried the 5 day pouch test? Not to shrink your pouch, but to "start over" mentally as well as physically. It takes you through the post op phases over 5 days and many find it's a great way to reset their minds and get back into the bandster mindset. http://5daypouchtest.com/plan/theplan.html I would also recommend seeing a Nutritionist to help get you back on track, too. Your surgeon as well. It's only 30 pounds, you can totally lose it again! Best wishes

Well, my wife has been dieting and trying to eat about the same thing as me. Understand she is NOT banded. She has done terriffic, but the reason I got banded is because I believe everyone can lose weight until biologically we are driven to start eating too much again. I just believe, for most people it is inevitable to regain on a diet because we have in our basic genetic code too many things that work against us. I watch how hard she is working and I remember how difficult it used to be, and it really makes me feel bad. In fact it is down right upsetting. I wanted her to get either banded or get a gastric sleeve at the same time as me, but she just doesn't want to do it. She wants to lose it on her own. Well she is a strong women who has proven she can do it, but it is a terrible thing to watch how hard it is for her. I also feel that she has lost the weight in the past and can do it again, but has also always gained it back. Why can't she see how futile it is without some help? I'm just really frustated for her, and I feel guilty, about how well and how much easier this is with help. And then I dred what I think is inevitable, the biological need to eat will force her back into weight gain and make her feel like a failure.

I'm a stay at home mom of 3 kids. My 7 yo will be starting 2nd grade, my 5 yo will be starting Kindergarten (half days though) and I have a soon to be 3 yo. My weight gain really increased after having babies but it went really bad being at home all the time. My second baby was very difficult and that's when I started going nowhere and just staying at home eating my way through her colic and acid reflux. Apparently some habits are hard to break Anyways, I was sleeved in April. I thought it would be harder than what it is being at home but I don't find it too terribly bad. The only times I really seem to struggle is around PMS days when sugar suddenly looks good. I'm always trying to come up with creative ways to cook food that we can all eat. The kids are really enjoying some of the meals off emilybites.com and our new meat in the house, turkey, seems to be an even bigger hit... who knew?! The husband is actually the super picky one. He ended up loving the lasagna bites and the ricotta bake. The house is staying cleaner, laundry getting done more frequently, playing more outside and getting out more. This has been quite a positive change so far! How's everyone else handling the staying at home with the kiddos?

I had my VGS on May 8th. I am almost 1 month post-op and am feeling much better. The decision for surgery took over a year of research, seminars, classes, tests...and a long discussion with my husband. Together we decided this life change would be best for me and my health. Let's go back to the beginning.... At age 6 I was diagnosed with Legg-Calve-Perthe's Disease in my left hip. As described below: Legg-Calve-Perthes disease occurs when blood supply is temporarily interrupted to the ball part (femoral head) of the hip joint. Without sufficient blood flow, the bone begins to die — so it breaks more easily and heals poorly. My form of the disease never healed. the femoral head died and fused with the rest of my hip. There are many who go through puberty and the hip heals itself. My childhood was spent in braces keeping my hips aligned to help with the healing process. I was never allowed to play like the other kids, participate in sports or pretty much anything else. It was a long childhood...that turned into long teenage years. From that and poor food choices by my parents and myself I became the fat kid. I was the one everyone made fun of. I had to ride the handicapped bus for 2 years and that's what started it all. The constant bullying made for a very angry girl/teenager. Fast forward to age 20, we went to the orthopedist's office to try and have my hip replaced but he refused stating there could still be some growth in the hip. Most of my 20's were spent on pain meds and weight gain and depression. In 1994 I decided to go on a diet. I went from 288 to 222 pounds in 6 months. I managed to keep it off for a year. It slowly crept back on...again, poor food choices and no exercise. When I was 28 I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis & Fibromyalgia. Medication was added as well as gaining weight. I was in such extreme pain and found comfort in food. In 2001 I found a surgeon in Seattle to discuss the possibility of hip replacement. At my appointment he was shocked it hadn't been replaced years ago and was disgusted at my previous provider's decision to not help me. During the surgery it took 5 people to dislocate my fused hip so they could replace it. Recovery was a long process and a lot of bad food choices since I couldn't cook. Even after having my hip replaced I struggled with my weight. When I married my 2nd husband in 2005 I weighed 304 pounds. Later that year I was diagnosed with Diabetes, peripheral neuropathy and a slew of other conditions. I was put on Metformin and over 2 years lost 40 pounds. I decided again to lose weight before I turned 40. I managed to get down to 221 pounds for about 6 months. My father passed away in December of 2012. I lost it...didn't care about anything. I was so depressed and had so much anxiety that I turned to binge eating for about a year. The physical pain was way better than the mental pain. I finally admitted to my provider at an appointment what I had been doing and we started working towards being healthy. Yet I still had a hard time controlling my diabetes, my RA was bad, the neuropathy was horrible and I felt so defeated. Like so many others I just gave up at that point. I ate what I wanted. My husband works nights so getting takeout was the easiest choice. I rarely cooked but when I did it certainly wasn't healthy food. In January of 2017 after many years of only having one insurance, I was able to be double covered!! I work for a Hospital and the insurance covered the bariatric surgery. I checked the benefits on my husbands insurance and sure enough...COVERED!!! I went to the seminar and from that point I decided this is what I needed to have done to save my life. (I've struggled with anxiety of thinking I am going to die at 60 like my dad did). Had my nutritionist visit, nutrition class, labs, EGD, EKG, Pre-op and surgery was May 8th. I like many others questioned my sanity after waking up from the surgery. I was so uncomfortable and in pain and depressed. That first day anyways...when I got home I felt much better. I am fully committed to this lifestyle change. I've struggled the past month with spasms, feeling too full, trying to get in my water requirement and the protein but this is what I signed up for. I want to live past 60. I want to be healthy. I want to get off my medications. I want to be happy with myself. Today my weight is 215. On admit I was 246 and on 5/10/17 I was 256. I am not in a hurry to lose the weight. I feel blessed where I am right now. I am still learning to listen to my stomach and not my head. I am focusing on the future and trying to live a healthy life. It's interesting to see what your stomach can and can't handle. Sometimes it's painful but heck at least I know for right now what I can eat. If you are reading this, thank you for taking the time. I know it's really long, I just wanted to share parts of my life and struggles with you. This surgery is a blessing. I am taking that blessing and holding it tight and am going to do what I need to in order to live a long life. Angie

Had pre-op bootcamp today. Xrays, bloodwork, education, etc. But when I came in I had a 5 lb weight gain and my left leg is swollen (normal for me) but my Water pills are not pulling Fluid like normal and I am not sure if it is due to lack of sleep. Since they gave me my surgery date, I cannot sleep but 10-20 minutes at a time. Going to see my pcp at 3...just frustrated. Sent from my SM-S920L using the BariatricPal App