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In the end, after the surgically reduced stomach has healed, is this not entirely true? Have you read of all the post-surgical VSG patients on these forums who, months and years after the surgery, gain back a good part of their weight because they started eating more and exercising less? Do we not lose weight after the surgery because we had no choice but to eat less? No matter how you slice it, it's still a number's game. It's not as if we had this surgery to correct some rare metabolic or absorption abnormality. Your cochlear implant example is not an appropriate analogy. VSG patients are not receiving a medical apparatus to replace a defective organ. We are electing to have 75 to 80 percent of a perfectly healthy organ cut out of us so that we are forced—despite our worst intentions—to eat less. Most people, with or without a history of weight problems, are not going to understand or agree with this decision. It is a radical move. This is not the same thing at all as a deaf person receiving a cochlear implant so that he can function with greater ease in the hearing world. For years my brother and sister-in-law could not have children. Finally they decided to get help from the doctors. Turned out that my brother had some sort of blockage in his seminal duct and two varicoceles. The varicoceles were removed and the seminal duct was re-sectioned. Nineteen months later, my nephew was born. At work and throughout other areas of his life, every colleague and casual acquaintance later asked him why he and his wife decided to have kids so much later in life. Do you think he should have told relative strangers about his seminal duct re-sectioning or was it none of their business? Typically, they just smiled and avoided the question altogether. Sorry, you have really lost me here. I am most definitely not a spokesman or representative of the “former semi-pro athlete who became injured and then became fat and then became thin again after VSG surgery” community. And if I was secretly nominated and elected to that position without anyone having informed me, I am respectfully declining that dubious honor. I represent only myself. I've been reading these "should we or should we not tell" threads for over two years. Bottom-line is that if you were morbidly or super obese (BMI > 40) before the surgery, most people will accept and respond to your decision as a forced choice. On the other hand, based on the reactions I have received from the handful of family and non-bariatric healthcare professionals I have told, if your starting BMI was less than 40, most will think (whether or not they actually say so to your face) that you’ve taken the “easy way out”. I’m not so sure I don’t agree with them. If you are a particularly sensitive person or if you're expecting people to pat you on the back for finally doing something about your weight problem, I personally wouldn't tell a soul. If you don't care what other people think and you find it easier, simpler, or more morally correct to tell everyone who inquires about your weight loss the truth, then go ahead and tell the world but be prepared for the fact that not everyone is going to applaud your decision. My orthopedic surgeon, the same man who had been hocking me for a whole year to lose weight to relieve the pressure on my bum knee, replied with "What, are you crazy?" when I first told him about my decision to have surgery. That's a true story. Besides my wife, only three other people know about my surgery and, two years after the fact, I wish they didn't. On the other hand, there are many here who did make a point of generally announcing it to anyone who might care to know and mostly do not regret that decision. Either way, please don't think that anyone of us has a moral responsibility to announce our healthcare history to the world for the sake of fat people everywhere.

I have found myself telling a few people. First it was a couple people at work. (Because I will be off 2 weeks minimum). Then I started telling a couple friends. Then I started telling a couple general acquaintances. I really don't mind it too much as I'm so big at 375lbs that I could not see anyone "not" seeing this as a benefit. Now I can't speak of the female side of things. I doubt if I would get offended that someone complimented me about loosing weight and my looks. (I was grilled in some other forum here about this subject so please cut me a break on this, its not meant as offensive, judgmental, or insensitive.) I had a neighbor loose so much weight that in 5 months I didn't recognize her. Finally one day, I asked her "what are you doing to loose so much weight, you look great" and she then told me she had a "new" procedure weight loss called "VSG". After feeling like I had to beg her, she finally gave me her experiance (this was 3 yrs ago)....... Unfortunately she left her husband and went all guy crazy, but still....she did great with her weight. I'm glad she told "me".

Have you tried cortisone shot for the knee? I had to have that last week as I couldn't get the swelling under control and it worked like magic! In my regular vitamin rotation I take Turmeric supplements by New Chapter to control inflammation (I have Rheumatoid arthritis) and for the most part this a enough to keep joints under control. Also If your knee started acting up did you up what you take for pain or did you start taking something for pain because pain meds can stall weight loss. Make sure you're getting more than 60g protein, and up your water- that helped me. Good luck and try to keep your chin up, your weight will move

I have really long thick hair and I've noticed the past few days just a few hours after a shower its really greasy at the roots. Is this like a hormone thing related to surgery? Has anyone else experienced this?

I am really nervous about that too. I have long wavy blonde hair that falls out enough as it is, let alone more of it. Nerve wracking. I have seen the thinning possibility and I cant have that

Weird that this subject came up as I was just diagnosed with this Plantar Facitis ( ?) just 2 weeks ago ! I thought I had just bruised my heel running ! You're right about this being painful, its not for sissys !!!! I cant tell you if it would change after your weight loss as ive lost most of my weight, and since I can't run at all for awhile and only walk short distances I ve put on about 4 lbs. Not alot but very frustrating. Also have had huge sweet attacks! Beside the stretching, ice and Dr. Scholls gel heel pads, the only thing that has helped is swimming. Good exercise, easy on the joints, and you can use one foot only if thats all you can put weight on. Hope you feel better soon !!!

Tonight, I am packing for the hospital. My surgery is on Thursday. Since I am self-pay, mine will be done as outpatient, so I will leave the hospital the same day. I will stay in a hotel the night after my surgery and then return to the surgeon's office the next day to have drain removed before traveling 4 hrs. home. I am at a loss as to what to pack to be prepared for that night in the hotel afterwards and the long journey home. I would so appreciate any advice or tips. I appreciate each of you as I have poured through all of your posts over the past few months.

Getting ready to shop before my surgery in a few weeks. Which brands/types of Vitamins do you take? I know I need a Multivitamin and Iron pill but which brand should I buy? Also what can I take to prevent hair loss? Should I start taking everything now before surgery? Any other advice? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I am only 6 weeks out but my understanding of the "honeymoon period" is that it is the initial period of time, post surgery, when one has little (to no) tummy hunger. With no tummy hunger driving us to eat we are (easily?) able to keep our intake less than our output, resulting in good weight loss. The end of the honeymoon was explained to me as the return of tummy hunger. Post-honeymoon requires maintaining good habits of plenty of protein and liquids, modest amounts of carbohydrate and not slipping into dangerous "freedom of choice". It is not that one can no longer lose weight nor that the process is different than before, just that true hunger is now our companion on the journey to smaller selves. Don't be scared or discouraged. I am a slow loser as well. Everytime I dispair, the scale drops again, each time to my amazement. This NEVER happened to me pre-surgery!

I am a slow loser. Always have been pre surgery due to hyperthyroidism, PCOS, Mirena coil etc. I lost over 100lbs 10 yrs ago by exercising like a crazy mad woman and dieting, needless to say I gained it all back hence sleeve surgery in May this year. I now have arthritic knees and one of them requires surgery so exercise now is truly difficult for me. I am starting to panic that if there really is only this window of opportunity or honeymoon phase to lose weight then I am going to lose too slowly and will miss my chance. I'm really worrying about this. I read your amazing success stories about losing 100lbs in 6 months etc and I am in awe and know this will not be me. Since surgery 4 months ago I have lost 40lbs. I had an entire stall for 5 weeks running and stall regularly. I have good restriction and eat very little but I averaging less than 2lbs a week loss. At this rate it's going to take me a very long time to lose the 70lbs I have left to lose. Without the honeymoon period I will be in trouble the further out this gets. I'm worried!!

So I have been living with the band for a week now and last night I was in tears. I feel so frustrated and discouraged! My surgeon was good at performing surgery but I don't feel like he prepared me at all for this. Almost anything I've learned about life with lap band has been through this website. Yes he shared the facts with me but that's about it. I keep hearing people say this is a tool to weight loss.. Well what's the point in having a tool that you don't know how to use properly. Everyone here says they were on clear liquids for a week post op, my doctor discharged me and said start stage 4. What's stage 4 you ask? Well I had go go search his website when I got home to find out. Maybe it's my fault maybe I should be asking more questions but sometimes it's so overwhelming idk what questions to ask. I just feel like he should know what questions need to be answered seeings this is what he does for a living. Maybe I'm over reacting but I feel so upset and how do I explain my feelings to him?

Banded sept 30th. approx 12 lb weight loss in 3 weeks. My incision where my port is burns and still having slight amount of drainage anyone else have this?

To me it means your golden year is your best time frame for weight loss. Weight loss surgery restriction is fantastic in your first months. Your surgery restriction will become less over time and weight loss slows down. “Taking advantage” means don’t waste this time frame. Follow your surgeons’ plan/instructions. Log your food, hit your calories and macro goals for the day, hydrate, exercise/activity and make behavior changes for the long term. We cannot control the “luck factor” Sex, age, medical issues, medications, complications, hormones and body physiology. What you can control is “working your plan” Decide how lax or strict you want to work this. Decide what you want out of your first year.

My heart breaks for you loss. Take the time you need to be able to concentrate on yourself in a couple of months or so.. You are going through a lot. My prayers and deepest thoughts are with you.

Hi Amy, congratulations on your weight loss so far. I too have just looked at your blog and it is inspiring so I have added it to favourites. I would love to start a blog but have no idea how so will content myself to reading others. All the best,

I guess Im not that far out to have "binge" eating.. My tummy cant hold much at the moment..and there is nothing that I like anyways other than sugar free popsicles. those are the only thing that make me happy.. everyting I eat is good on the first bite..then after that.. its not so good.. I dont crave anything.. nor do I feel hunger.. I do drink a lot of fluids.. that worries me that I might get that urge to eat the bad stuff.. Im doing good so far even when the people at work are all going lets oder pizza and fried chicken.. so far Ive been really good and said no sorry.. I cant eat that stuff.. and you know.. I dont miss that either..hard to hear myself say that.. But that is a good thing I believe.. just keep on track you have done a fabulous job.. wow what a weight loss.. please dont resort back to bad habits.. get yourself a good support group.. I have my hubby who went thru the same surgery.. so we keep each other in check.. and I cant wait to be where you are at that weight loss.. best of luck.. just keep coming here.. we will help you

My doctor didn't say anything to me about it and on the guidelines on the Aetna website, it doesn't say a word about it - BUT - did anyone HAVE or HAVING to lose weight before surgery (that HAS Aetna.....?)

I was starting to notice my weight loss stalling, so I took a good hard look at everything I was doing. I was in denial, thinking that the band "wasn't working" and that I shouldn't have to work so hard to lose weight. In reality, I was eating too fast, too much, and too long. I was also drinking much more than I should and not exercising at all. I started a workout routine, tracked my calories on myfitnesspal.com, cut down on alcohol, and ate more mindfully, and the pounds started coming off again. Remember that the Lap Band is a tool, not a magic wand. I tend to forget that sometimes, even all these months later. You can do this, but it does require work and effort on your part. The Band can only do so much.

So...my dr appt went good. He says that I actually might be a candidate that theinsurer may waive the 6 month weight supervised weight loss plan for. He us going to go ahead and do an endoscopy for my reflux. I am going to also call ny insurer and discuss with them

Congrats on your weight loss. Tissues amazing! Did you ever think you'd get to the 130s before surgery? That seems impossible for me to even think about. I haven't been 130 since I was like 11 years old.

Yep, you are doing fine. You will have starts and stops, but the inches continue to drop away even when the pounds are not. Your body needs adjustment times in between chunks of weight loss. Relax, and weigh once a week when you are in a stall, so you don't get stressed.

Bikrchk, we are almost weight loss twins! Just goes to show there's more than one way to make this work. Congratulations on your success!

Wonderful!!! You look great with that loss and beautiful smile.

Hi! I'm one week post surgery and down 9 lbs! I'm pretty excited and was curious about others weight loss? Did you continue to drop as the weeks went by? Did you find it harder to lose weight as you began incorporating more food? Any suggestions on how to maximize losing the weight? Pointers? I'm not trying to break any records but definitely want to continue losing from week to week! So far so good though!!

I am dying to find some Protein shakes I like! I have not even come CLOSE to getting enough protein. Before the surgery I was doing Advocare and I really like them, now though I cannot even get down one ounce. Tried the Lean Muscle Milk today in the vanilla flavor and could only get down about 5 sips- yuck! My dr didn't seem too concerned about the lack of protein (yet), he just wanted me to get enough liquids in period, but I am not on mushies for another two weeks. I do not want to lose a lot of hair!