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Hi every one. Today I am 199.6 From 235. I lost 36 lb from September second.I did it ????????????Thanks for all your help.

Hi there and welcome! I have learned so much here -- there are a lot of knowledgable and compassionate people willing to answer questions or chime in about their own experiences. I have been banded six weeks so am new as well. It's the best thing I've done in I don't know how long and I only wish I had gotten it sooner as the last two decades have been one long struggle with weight issues. I am 52, live in NH where we have a lot of snow right now. This time last year I had never even heard of LapBand! I'm learning what it means to have a band -- have had two fills so far and go back Monday to assess for another. I think my surgeon is fairly aggressive. Right now I'm not hungry in the mornings so my first meal is "brunch" and I am enjoying good food in small quantities. We had a dinner party last night (my band is a secret) and I did fine -- delicious chicken curry and I just skipped the rice. Was not looking for more food or snacking later while we were cleaning up -- loving that release from food jail and having that appetite monster off my back. Best wishes to you -- look forward to seeing you on-line!

I had my VSG on July 7 - weighing in at 244. Tomorrow is the three week mark and I weight 221!. No complications so far. I also had my gall bladder removed with this surgery. Though pleased with the weight loss, the recovery has been a little slower than I expected. I am 61 and have had 4 C-sections; bounced back so quickly from those that I thought this would be the same experience. (Of course, that was 30 years ago). I still want to nap everyday!. I have to go back to school on August 7 and need my energy. As far as how things are going today, I feel hungry much of the time. Some of this I think is "head-hunger". I see a commercial and want to eat like I used to. I crave a hamburger and fries. I am on soft foods and when I take a bite or two, the hunger is abated. Shortly after however, I am hungry again. I have eaten one bite too many on a couple of occasions and have had that gripping pain in my chest. Still learning to read my body signals better. I long to take a giant gulp of Water or tea to quench my thirst. I look forward to the day I can do this. I am anxious to learn more about the successes you have had.

Hi, my name is MoJo and I have been seeking out information about the gastric sleeve for the past year. Since December, I decided I want to go through with the surgery. I've been reading and researching like crazy about this procedure. I have all my appointments set up for February; sleep study, EGD, Pych eval, NUT, etc. I'm starting feel a little nervous. I am currently 5'5" and my weight is 246. I just found out I have high blood pressure, which I didn't have before. I am feeling anxious and a little nervous about the surgery, and whether I will lose all the weight I need to lose, and also whether I will be able to maintain the healthy eating. I'm 48, and I am premenapausal and I have hypothyroidism. These are some of the reasons I've had a hard time losing weight, so I'm praying that after surgery, I will not have any problems dropping the weight. Anyway, I would love to hear from anyone who may be dealing with these issues or just any advice or suggestions.

Hello, my name is Tiffenii and I am from East Texas. I am in the final stages of the approval process, just waiting to hear. I have my fingers crossed as I am waiting to hear from UHC. Hopefully, it will be worth the wait!! I think that the lapband would be a God send for me. After having three children and eating a poor diet I have gained about 70 pounds in seven years! I am 30 years old BMI is 37 Hope to be banded June 08

I never got emotional with my NUT but almost did with the Psych. Whenever I get talking about my weight issues and what got me to where I am, I get emotional so don't feel bad. We all have those days! I'm not a Breakfast person either. Breakfast for me is coffee. On a good day I might eat a yogurt or piece of fruit but I'm just never hungry in the morning. This is why I tend to overeat later in the day. Since I know I have to have breakfast, the Protein shakes are perfect for getting something in my stomach without being that hungry. Coffee really isn't that hard for me to switch to decaf but I always have to have flavored creamer in it. I can't do fat free creamers, yuck! So for me, I will most likely just give up coffee altogether. It will be hard at first but if I can't have regular creamer in it, it's going to suck so I'd rather do without! LOL

I'm the exact same way. It does get a little better when you are eating solids because they will fill you up faster. I didn't ever feel "full" or "stuck" though until one day like 5-6 weeks out when I was eating too fast. Then I quickly realized I really did have restriction! I agree with the protein first because it really does help. I just keep telling myself that this is better than the alternative of getting sick with everything I eat... and I am losing weight just fine.

My surgery date is set for 2/13/13. I start my protein drinkis 1/30/13. My current weight is 370. I can't wait to begin my new life.

Hi, Ryan!!! My name is Patty, and I live outside of Boston. I, too have been overweight since I was a kid, and have lost hundreds of pounds over the years. I got banded on July 1, and have lost about 70 lbs (about 50 pre op since may). It is by far the best decision I have made for myself in years. I wish I did it 10 years ago when I was thinking about it! So listen, you've got a great advantage!! Your youth!!!! seriously, the pounds come off easier, and with the band, they'll stay off.....plus your doing it early before doing too much damage to your heart and body. I applaud you on a great decision to take control of your life at such a young age!!!! The other thing about you being so young, is that you likely wont have many issues with excess skin, etc, as your body will rebound well, and work with your weight loss...if you were 40, yeah, not so much.....just remember when you're feeling up to it to put some exercise in your life...you will need strength training, along with cardio, and I bet your skin will look fantastic!!! Dont sweat the surgery...I didnt have any serious pain except some gas pain in my shoulder, and I was up walking that afternoon.....some pain in my port, but thats mostly due to my kids. I have 3 yr old triplets and my youngest has cerebral palsy, so I have no choice but to do some lifting.... so listen to your doctor and follow your pre op and post of diet. I use the EAS shakes (you can find them at Wal mart pretty cheap) and I use Protein powder as well (look for about 25 grams per scoop and as low carb as you can get...I get that from wal mart too) The eas shakes are really high in protein compared to the instant Breakfast and slim fast, and you dont need the carbs anyway... would love to keep in touch....give me a shout if you have any questions!! take care!!!

hi there, we're close to the same start weight and we both have lots of kids and a supportive hubby!! I have 4 kids, 3 girls and a boy. My surgery is Dec 1st, need to stock up on liquid diet stuff as my pre op diet begins soon. I too am looking so forward to another chance at a happier me. Can't wait to start living a new life in a smaller shell. Teresa

Welcome Emma. Congrats on your weight loss and the Baby! Youv'e done an awesome job.

Hi Lisa. Congrats on your upcoming surgery! Only 4 days away!! I'm sure you are nervous and excited all at the same time. I was definitely one of the people who, like you, was completely unconvinced that I would be successful with gastric band (I have Realize C band, not lapband). I had never been successful with any other type of weight loss (I wasn't even really a yo yo dieter. A few times - maybe twice - I lost and then gained more than I lost, but primarily I just kept steadily gaining over the years until I found myself at 286 pounds, my highest weight ever). Although I'm really far from my goal, I feel that I have been successful so far! If I can do it, I really think anyone can do it. Before I got banded, I felt sort of the same as you as far as giving up my best friend, food. And before my pre-op diet I went out for "one last foray with my bff". Looking back now, it seems so silly because, in actuality, I haven't given up anything that I really like to eat! I do give myself a treat now and again (I'm one of the bandsters with a sweet tooth) - usually ice cream. The other day, at my work, someone had brought in a halloween cake. I got there after it was cut, but when I got there someone had cut it into relatively small pieces on a plate. I chose the smallest piece (it was probably 1x2 inches....not too big, I ate it in 2 bites) and I was satisfied!! Before I would have probably eaten 3 big pieces with ice cream on top. You can eat what you like (although you can't eat ice cream all day everyday because it will just pass right through your band), but you will be able to eat small portions! Counting calories (I use fitday.com) is really helpful and you can start now, before youre banded to see what you are actually eating. Im sorry that your surgeon was negative - thats the last thing you need before you are about to have a surgery. Perhaps, it was just his way of being realistic or trying to motivate you to do great with the band! I think if you have the mindset that you won't fail and you WILL succeed (and there is no other option) then you will do great! Good luck and keep us posted on how your surgery goes!

I was banded August 13th 2013 I got pregnant three weeks later I just had my baby three months ago while I was pregnant I had the fluid out.I now have the fluid in and I'm lost I'm not as excited with the band as I was the first three weeks I don't know how to eat I keep being stuck I'm not losing weight I'm under a lot of stress with three small kids. I don't know what to do and how to start losing weight. I feel lost.

My situation might be more detailed and spinal related as I have already had two major back surgeries in Feb. 2016 due to sciatica and nerve compression at the L5-S1 level. I under went the second surgery about 48 hours after the first due to my spinal cord collapsing onto the right side causing further damage to the nerves and needing a lamenectomy in the vertebra above and below the original location. All that being said I now have permanent numbness in my right foot and calf. Still experience shooting pains from time to time in the buttocks with no relief. I again have been referred to a new neurologist to see if there are other options. After dealing with my symptoms and pain for nearly 6 years, going to chiropractors, orthopedics, having steroid injections and intradermal injections I still am not 100%. I am hoping with weight loss after being sleeved I may find relief. If you have to seek further treatment make sure you have a neurologist operate, not ortho!

Question, has anyone not lost any weight for their monthly check in? I haven’t and I’m stressed as I see them later tomorrow.

I've been lurking, then posting a bit, for a few weeks now, so I figured it was time for an official introduction. I'm MLK, female, 51 years old, 5'2", scheduled to be sleeved on March 17. My mom put me on my first diet when I was not quite 9 years old, and I've been fighting my weight ever since. Thought I was fat all through high school and college (although the photos certainly prove me wrong), then after my son was born 23 years ago I gained a ton of weight and spent most of my 30s hovering around 190, which on me was HUGE. Dieted down to 125 after I got divorced in my mid-30s, kept it off pretty well for almost 10 years doing 10-15 hours of martial arts per week. Remarried, quit smoking, gained back up to 150 or so, have been yo-yo-ing between 145-175 for the past five years. Oh -- had abdominal liposuction in 1998 which took away my "apple" shape, but I gained back the 10 pounds they sucked out, mostly in my chest and back. Didn't know WLS was even an option for me until I saw somebody talking about having the lap band at a low BMI on the 3 Fat Chicks message board. Did a little research, talked to my PCP, found out about the sleeve and decided that was definitely the surgery for me. Came very close to going to Dr. Aceves since I'm a self-pay, but decided on a surgeon very close to home. Went for my pre-op blood tests, EKG, and chest x-ray last week, so if all goes well I'll be sleeving it up in just over three weeks! This is like a dream come true for me -- I don't think there's been a day in the past 40 years when I haven't obsessed about food and weight. I'm very accomplished in my career, but have always felt "less than" everyone else because of my weight struggles. Really really looking forward to having them in the rearview mirror! Thanks to all for the great info and support on this forum!

right before I started to gain I was10 up till then I played lots of sports and gymnastics..I'm hoping that little girl who enjoyed being active is somewhere still in me lol I have become incredibly lazy and introverted...I'm sick of being shy and having zero friends and self confidence...I want to see what my adult body looks like! It sucks I have to give up the food I love most but It's going to be worth it..I hope

My health insurance does not cover any wls. I had to finance it through care credit. I went through true results. I had to do something. My weight was getting out of control. If you can, look into financing it yourself. I sold my truck bought a older Nissan and the rest is history. I'm worth it! And don't listen to your family who says you can do it on your own....Best wishes.

Hi everyone. I'm new to this website, but not to the idea of WLS. I have seen the same surgeon twice before and both times was timid to have surgery. This time is different as is my outlook on my life. I want to have children and can't do that unless I lose the weight. I have tried diets with not much success. I'm looking forward to taking my journey to weight loss for the ultimate goal of being healthy enough to have children. I have a blog that I'm going to use to record my progress. I will post it at another time. I look forward to reading the threads and learning about everyone's stories. Spaz

you two already have a great gift in life..children. i am still unable to conceive. hoping weight loss will help although i have bad endometriosis so may be infertile. i plan to adopt now and want to be thinner so i can be active with the children i adopt and set them a good example

I am 18 months post-op from RNY surgery. I lost my weight in the first 7 months and then entered the maintenance phase. I was diabetic prior to surgery and it has gone into remission right after surgery. Because of the diabetes, I exclude sugar from my diet. I get my sweet tooth satisfied with natural sugars found in fruits and milk, and with Splenda and Stevia. Generally weight gain in the maintenance stage is associated with grazing which causes the pouch to get bigger. Weight gain follows. Grazing on carbohydrates does not satisfy hunger. It is good to graze on Protein. In my case, I have included fats back into my diet because they satisfy hunger. If you must graze on sweets, I would recommend using Adkin's treats. They contain some fats that will satisfy and should not elevate your blood sugar levels.

Never heard of it myself, not in all the reading I've done. Also, I'm flying out five weeks post op and my surgeon hasn't mentioned restrictions. He and I are friends and see each other several times a week, and we've discussed traveling several times. The only thing he's said is that it's good I'm going that week as the weight lifting restrictions would be lifted.

my insurance will cover it, if.... your bmi is 40+... Babineau said they will not submit an appeal and she acted as if she didn't want to help me. I just needed guidance. They also said if you gain the weight they will not resubmit your papers. Looks as if I need to find a new surgeon. Just don't know who to use around the Longview area.

Thanks Keith. I finally finished it off (and reposted the final version) today. It's now on it's way to the local BCBS. I actually expect that they will offer to remove the lap band but deny the revsion because I'm not >35BMI. Seriously, I think a lot of the insurance issues are related to weight discrimination. Pretty much any other diagnosis and and if the first treatment failed you'd have no problem getting a different treatment. Heck, if I had the symptoms I had without a lap band they would have been all over getting me in and covering whatever it takes to fix it. For the Fed BCBS stuff I posted on a few boards asking for others who were covered and got several public and private responses. I also did lots of googling on the variants of VSG and Fed Blue to find people who had been covered and the name of their doc. Then googled or looked up on Obesity Help a lot of the docs that were mentioned. Then called around to see what the various doctor and BCBS offices said. There were three states where the local BCBS administering for Fed Blue plan seems to have issues including Washington and California. In my state there are two BCBS offices that share administration of the plan and they disagree. The phone people are in the BCBS company that says it's covered but the pre-auth people are in the other company and say that it isn't. What's really frustrating is that there seems to be no Federal oversight of the plans that I could write or call to get this sorted out. I didn't include the doctor's names in the post because I didn't want to cause them any trouble in case they were using one of the old CPT codes for VSG (before it had an official code). And generally didn't want issues to come up in the states where VSG has no problem. If money wasn't a concern I'd probably already have gone to Dr. Aceves. But my hangup is what happens if I have a leak and need very costly emergency care. Who would pay for that. So if I can get some sort of coverage then I'll go with Dr. Cirangle in CA. There are a few local doctors here who do VSG but they just don't have the experience with revisions that Aceves, Cirangle and Hargroder have. I didn't really know as much about VSG and revisions when the pre-auth was submitted by the local doctor. It would be great if he could do it but they've only done about 100 VSGs and they want to do it in two surgeries six weeks apart. I just don't want that if it can all be done at once. And, heck, it's less than a used car if it comes down to self-pay for me. Well worth it. I loved my lap band while it worked. I think you should continue to fight on appeal. How good were your surgeon's notes? Will their office write a letter saying they had no choice? Much of the VSG info I used I got from Teresa who has a blog where she put her letter. I just added to it and wrote my own version. Also macmadame had posted a great list of studies and details that I referred to. Congratulations on your weight loss and improved health! It's amazing to feel like you're in control isn't it? I wish things could have stayed that way for me. I want to kick myself for not trying to get control before I regained so much weight. Britt