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I dunno - barefoot running sounds to me like eating with my hands, nothing that I want to go back to. Especially in my weight group, I believe that cushioning and posture adjustment done by shoes is very beneficial to me. I think barefoot running is probably a nice experience if you have a beach available and you weight 120 pounds :-) Plus, have you ever seen the soles of a person who runs around barefoot in the streets...YIKES! There isn't enough pumice in the world to take care of those calluses

I am 38 years old and have been overweight my entire life. I have been on numerous diets loosing up to 35lbs but gaining it back within a few years. I hit my all time low last year when I couldnt stand to be in this body any longer. I began researching weighloss surgery as I have done so many times but this time I found a new one, VSG. The more I read the more I liked. The problem was, my BMI was only 38 (5 foot - 206lbs) which meant no insurance, I assumed. Luckily, I have a wonderful husband (of 20 yrs) that knew how badly I have wanted this for so long so we agreed to finance and get it done! I began looking into local Docs and found that most either didnt do it or have not done very many. I contacted a friend in Fla who has also truggled with her weight for a while and she said she had just had the sleeve done in her area by a very experienced surgeon and it was in my price range! I called, began phone interviews in July 2011 and set my surgical date for Sept. That may seem super fast and you are right. I had taken 2 weeks off work and found childcare for my 3 kids so that I could make the trip down. The docs office was very accomidating for out of towners. There was also the fact that I was self pay, no insurance hoops to jump through. I began my pre-op diet and had already read everything there was to know about the surgery not to mention my friend had it done by the same doc in May so she filled me in on all the goods. I was scared, but ready! With my kids and husband in NC, I drove down to JAcksonville, Fl and had my sleeve done on Sept 9, 2011 and it was a huge success! My doc was awsome, I actually drove back home to NC 3 days post-op. That was pushing it, but I had to get back to my kids, hubby and work. I went back to work 4 days post-op. :smile1: I was on high alert listening to my body to make sure nothing was going wrong. I began walking right away which was painful. The diet was the worst part. Absolutly no more cheating (or I'd regret it due to pain) and that was hard watching my family eat things I couldnt eat (1-2 weeks post-op). Now that I am 4 months post-op, I can eat most anything (which I understand is not true for bypass patients) and really the only thing I miss is diet soda. Everything in moderation (about 4 bites and Im done) and make sure each bite counts! My biggest problem to date in I did not keep up with my protein intake and my hair is falling out. My hair was thin to begin with so needless to say, Im being very diligent to take in as much protein as I can stand during the day. My secret is Rx Big100 bar peanut butter pretzel, and EAS shakes. That totals 50g protein and then add in my regular foods and I take in about 80g now. Cant say that I see my hair coming back just yet, but I think the shedding has slowed.

Good afternoon all, I am entering into day 3 post-op, and I'm feeling really good. The soreness is still there, but it is really tolerable. I'm just so excited to begin this new weight loss journey! It feels good to know that I will finally be able to see the benefits of my workouts and eating right! My best friend and I entered into this journey together, and I have echoed to him how this was the best investment we could have ever made for our life and we'll-being! Just thinking that this time next year, I could be 100 lbs lighter is invigorating. Good-bye expensive Big and Tall section, and hello to affordable widespread shopping! Let the journey begin!!

I was telling my 3 year old granddaughter, that she was going to be staying with Nana--her great grandma--for awhile so I could have surgery. She ask what that was, so I told her that since I lost weight, I have lots of skin and yucky stuff left on my belly, and they are going to take it off and try to make it look more smooth like her tummy. She is sitting on my lap, so I can show her my fat rolls, and then I rubbed her little tummy. Very seriously she asks "they are gonna cut your tummy?" I said yes, but they will fix it closed again, and I will feel sore, but pretty soon I will feel much better, and it will also look better. "Can I have your tummy?" she asks me in all seriousness!!! I said "why would you want this?" She tells me it is soft, and she loves me!!! I got this mental picture, kind of like those commercials that were on for awhile....of my fat belly on her pretty little pink nightstand!!!! Gotta love kids!! Kat

I loss 20lbs in two weeks. Does that weight loss stay continually while I'm doing only liquids? For instance I'm on protein for 6wks. Will I lose 60 lbs? If I continue liquid for 8wks will I lose 80 and so on?

This would require an additional surgery. From the looks of your weight loss, you are doing wonderful. Is there a reason you would want to add an addional WLS?

WEEK FROM HELL Hubby started new job Monday (YAY), he came home early from work Tuesday cuz he was barfing. I start barfing Tuesday night. HOLY HELL it HURT. My old stomache came up thru my new stomache and damn, did it hurt. The last thing I ate was Tueday around 7pm... yacking around 11pm. I was up all night sitting on the toilet, barfing in to a bucket (sorry for the visual). I didnt go to work Wed (neither did hubby). Back to work (for me) on thursday only to find out late in the afternoon that the hot water heater let go and we need a new one. Hubby HAD to go back to work on Friday, so I stayed home to wait for someone to come replace it. What really brings me here is the fact that I'm NOT losing weight. My last fill was good... til wednesday of that week. I got it on a sat and could eat without restriction on wed??? Thats not right is it? I had an appointment with the doctor on wed but was still way too sick to go and I havent called to reschedule yet (been a bit busy). Hubby saw his sister and came home and told me that something was wrong with me (duh). I dont know how much she has lost but she is in a size 12. I'd KILL for that. I'm not really jealous, just more concerned about whats going on with me. Granted, my fat ass hasnt exactly gotten on a treadmill but I am eating very well and 1/4 of what I used to consume. I went to my pcp for a physical and all my blood work was good. IDK. I just want something to work out for me here. I am soooo tired of constant disappointments in my life. SIGH

2 more weigh-ins left and sleep study tomorrow! Ahh getting close.. Random FYI: this month i actually lost some weight vs gaining. So scared ins will deny me. Maybe if i can lose a few lbs and be less than the initial weight it wont matter if i gained in between? I had gained weight (3lbs total over 3 months) due to a depo shot, but lost some weight since i stopped getting the injections.

I’m a previous lap-band patient gone haywire, thus causing it to be removed several years ago so I’m larger now than when I had it placed. I’m going to have surgery. Researching options and costs right now. How many of you would recommend the mini bypass? If so, why and is there a difference in percentage of weight lost and cost? I know that it has less chance of surgical complications. Thanks in advance.

I'm bummed that after a Year out I can now eat anything. Although it's smaller portions, I am losing control of the healthy life style. Argg. I was down from 220 pre sleeve to 147 today. But I was 143 and now I'm gaining. I try to stay under 1200 calories. Should I go back to my books and do the post sleeve surgery diet?

Neither did I until this morning. I was tired of reading the same old thing in the Lapband forum and decided to see what was happening in the general weight loss forum and to my surprise, we have VIP up in here up in here. LOL

Ok...I'm so worried I won't lose no more weight but I guess its just me feeling guilty for eating too much. My father n law is on life support and we drove to see him and everyone was so upset and I just been hungry every since. I think its all in my mind:(

Yes, entirely normal when you're afraid of what might happen if you eat! I've only dim memories of the post surgical phase, it was over five years ago now, but I've recently had a bowel obstruction and that was pretty darn painful. I was 3 days of nil by mouth in the hosptial, then onto post procedural fluids. It took me 2 weeks to get up the courage to move off mushies, and only at the urging of my surgeon and oncologist who were threatening sustagen (urgh) because I'd dropped to 58 kgs which is well and truly in the underweight territory for me. I was really scared of a recurrence and felt quite sure I could live on mushies indefinitely, lol. But naturally everything was absolutely fine. Post lapband - you might find your weight does strange things as you move through phases. I mean you've done pre op - and probably had significant weight loss - then pre surgical fasting, then a while with no food and then liquids, move onto mushies or solids and your weightloss will most probably stop, that's if you dont actually gain a couple of pounds. Be logical - you CANT gain 3 lb of fat overnight, its physiologically impossible, you know its got to be Water weight. Dont let it get you down, try not to weigh yourself daily, stick with the progam and you will succeed at this, but know that weight doesnt drop steadily, logically or predictably week by week and prepare for that fact

I underestimated what we can do with this 'tool'. You've had approx. 85% of your tummy removed, permanently. It's not sectioned off, it's not a 'pouch'. It's GONE. The sky is the limit if you work it. At the seminar we were told, this is not a diet, it's a way of life. That's fine and dandy, but until I reached goal, I treated it as the most important, serious diet of my life!!! I wasn't hungry, so it was easy really. I am 31 months out and I still, most of the time when I'm home, will weigh or measure my food. Until I reached goal, I rarely ate any bread, none at home and only a nibble if we were out. I ordered dinner out, without added butter (they brush butter on almost everything) I never had a bite of anything fried, NOTHING sweet at all. I started getting all my Protein in within 2 months and I kept up the protein. I was fanatical about sleeve surgery and being successful. I had two goals, one, to lose weight, two, NOT to lose my hair. Mission accomplished. If you approach this like I did, or similar, then you can lose to a healthy BMI, I'm sure of it!!! Good luck!!!!

I have lost 105 lbs in 4 1/2 months. Which is an awesome feeling ! my question is starting off at 400 lbs. how much can I expect to lose. Is it likes certain amount that the sleeve allow you to lose or percentage ?? Just wondering ?? my mom said she thought the doctor said I Would only lose 150 then I would have to have another surgery if I wanted to lose more. I mean what else can I do but cut the other stomach out.

I have hypothyroidism and was diagnosed when I was 8 years old -- I've had it for 32 years now. I'm currently taking 200mcg of Synthroid. I am 3 weeks, 2 days post op and have had a good loss (30 lbs.) so far. I'm worried that the weight might end up coming off at a really slow rate, but we will see.

HW 360 SW 345 LW 195 GW 200 CW 225. I started gaining weight due to family issues and forgot to take care of myself. Trying to get back to that weight of 195 or so.

I've been watching vlogs on youtube for those who had the sleeve (or other surgeries). I wondered if there is some kind of official group etc. for this or is it just individuals. A few years ago I was part of a group called Gut2cut which was just a weight loss community on youtube. People would join the group and upload their videos to the group. That way people could find each other. Is there something similar or does everyone just upload and tag their videos with vsg and eventually people find each other? Thanks!

First of all, I am a Family Nurse Practitioner. I have worked in the medical field since I turned 18 years old. I have struggled with obesity since my early 20's. When I found out my SIHO insurance would not pay for Gastric Sleeve or any other type of obesity surgery, I was very upset. My friend who is an RN started looking at surgery in other countries. I was not sure about trying surgery anywhere except in the US. We both did a lot of research and I finally settled on somewhere I had already visited before. Puerto Vallarta is where I visited on a Cruise. We arrived at the airport on June 8th, 2015, my best friend Sarah the RN and I were met by the cab service that Dr. Hidalgo and Jerald the p.t care coordinator set up. The very nice man took us to our hotel and told us when our driver would meet us the next day to take us to the Hospital. The hotel was beautiful, our room was very nice. The next day when we got to the CMQ Premier hospital I could not believe my eyes. It was so new and modern I was in shock. In the back of my mind I was scared that it would be some type of a sham. Dr. Hidalgo met us down in the lobby and welcomed us. English was never a problem anytime during my visit there. My surgery was excellent. The hospital was so clean and the staff so friendly I would go back there anytime. For you medical professionals. They even did a "time out" in surgery to make sure who I was, the surgery I was there for, reviewed all my medical HX, allergy's, and asked everyone in the surgery suite if they thought there was any reason the surgery should be canceled. After my surgery if I needed anything, my call light was answered in a minute or less and not by someone though and intercom, but my nurse in person. Never seen that in the US hospital. I was up an walking by late afternoon and did so well I was able to be discharged home the next day after I passed my leak test and ate my first liquids. I was back to work in 3 1/2 weeks. I am doing great and have lost weight at a safe pace. 37 lbs. so far. I eat a very small amount and I am full. Not like before when I tried to diet and always felt hungry. I am taking Vitamins as required after surgery and doing better now 2 mts. after surgery getting enough Protein down. My energy level is so much better. I had terrible GERD before surgery and coughed all the time. I blamed most of it on my Asthma. I am coughing about 75% less now and do now wake up in middle of night with acid in my throat. I believe if I had not had this surgery with a BMI of 49 I would of not been able to live a long life, my BMI is now 43 and I feel great. I have not had any problems at all. If you decide to do this, just make sure you read all their before and after surgery information pages. Try to find someone who also has had this surgery so they can be your surgery buddy you can talk to after. This always helps. I can just not say enough about the TEAM of Professionals, that took care of me. Thank you so much and God Bless You All.

I ate a whole grilled cheese yesterday. It was terrific. Had some tomato soup, too. Whole wheat bread with reduced fat cheese, and reduced sodium soup. For like a total of 300 calories. Big whoop. We're not birds. We do eventually eat again. Sensible, nutritious food. Oh, and I'm less than four months out...and my doctor and nutritionist are 100% in approval of my lunch. That said...my doctor and nutritionist wanted me eating 1000-1200 calories a day at 3 weeks...so schools of thought vary. I will say I've always felt like my doc has based his recommendations on empirical evidence supporting long term weight loss...rather than the fastest weight loss possible (though I admit, walking advertisements are a hell of a way to advertise your clinic). I'm losing weight and doing well. Horrors... LOL:)

I have struggled for many years with the Gastric Bypass Surgery. Should I get it? Should I not get it? Should I just try another diet and fail? Being over weight has been a constant companion my entire life. As I grew up I would weigh myself thinking ok I weigh 160 lbs., I won't ever reach 165, if I reach 165, then I will work out more and watch what I eat. Next thing I knew I was 170, so I would play the compromise game once again. OK 180, I promise myself I will never reach 180, I just won't allow it... Well after several deals that I could not even keep with myself I am now 260 pounds. I am miserable, my back and knees hurt constantly! My entire family is obese and I just figured that was the cards that I had drawn in life and so that is what I will have to deal with. I have done a lot of research regarding the many types of surgery out there and have decded for myself that the Gastric Sleeve is the best match for me. I am excited to get things started and will be going to a Seminar tonight. My first appointment is on January 29th where I will meet with my doctor. I know that this is not a fast process and have read several other posts stating just that, so I am not in a real big hurry to get the surgery, but I am in a hurry to feel better physically and emotionally about myself. I don't blame anyone for the size I am or the reason how I got this way.

What type of surgery did you have? Food volume is a personal thing. How long did it take you to eat it? Did it take two separate time periods to get in? or all at the same time? Do you log and track your food for the whole day? Did the grilled cheese sandwich fit into your nutrition instructions/plan? Did you stay with in your total calories? Did you hit your protein goal? Did you go over your carbs? If it fits into your macros and you are still in weight loss mode/ maintaining then congrats!

I was wondering if anyone on the forum has had the Gastric Bypass and lost to much weight? Any feedback would be appreciated. Thank you!

I have to ask, how tall are you? 200 is not a bad weight for many

Thats what I asked my dr... How does your body regulate and say this is a normal weight?? He said he only saw 1 person who lost a little too much (he thinks she intentionally made herself vomit thinking she was too fat)..