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Help! My hunger subsided for several weeks between 10 and 13 weeks or so, it was very manageable and normal and i had no gain. Now, it has returned very fiercely and I am craving all the bad stuff..Taco Bell, carbs, fries, etc. I don't know what to do, I'm already up a pound this week and don't wanna make it 2 lbs! The band has been a bit tight so maybe that's restricting my meal size a bit, but did anyone experience just major hunger at the start of 2nd trimester?

sitting here just over 2 years out from surgery and wondering when do things truly change???? ( on the Inside) Dont get me wrong i love my band im sitting at 124 pounds lost and i work out 5 days a week. my first year with the band was deffinetly a learning experiense i lost 60 pounds i could have lost more had i listend to my body, now that i understand what im doing im averaging 8-10 pounds a month. I dont look at my self and see a diffrence everybody says omg you look fantastic, and others say i dident recoginize you, but i dont feel diffrent, ive went from 320 pounds to my current 196, from a size 24 to current 14. But inside im still me struggling to figure out who i am and what i want out of life, losing weight dosent fix your problems, you dont magically wake up and your weight is gone and your happy. You need to make those changes for your self, and figure out what makes you happy, i know im not near where i need to be, but one day at a time, and hopefully along the way ill start to feel better about my self!!! well enough with debbie downer lol happy friday everybody!!

UGH! Being 7.5mths post op (banded 5/19/08), I feel that I have reached that point that so many people reach---frustration. Its as if I can't be happy with the fifty lbs I've lost, OH NO!, I feel that I should have lost all of the weight by now. WTH? I know better. I know its 1 to 1.5lbs a week, I never ONCE thought that after surgery I would magically lose every lb of excess weight and suddenly be wearing a sz 4. I'm realistic. When I went for my pre-op psych eval I even told the psychiatrist that this was my "tool". Its just hard and I'm glad I was able to find a place where other people understand what I'm saying. On to the competition. Someone I am semi-close with started her weight loss journey around the same time I did (feb 08). She had planned on getting banded but didn't for whatever reason. So she started excercising excessively (2-3hrs/day) and eating minimally (700cals/day). I just can't wrap my mind around the fact that she could even stand, let alone function and go to the gym by eating so little. She weighed more than I did when we started (she was ATLEAST 350lbs+) and she posted her new year's resolution of wearing a sz 7/8 within the next two months. GRRRRR! Am I jealous? Of course, but that wasn't the big issue. The big issue was when she emailed me and bragged about her being so close to her goal and how she was so sorry for me that I had yet to even reach half way to mine. WTF? Who says that to another person trying to lose weight? Its very frustrating and annoying and I am not sure what to say to her. I mean, on one hand I want to ask her not to say things like that to me, that it bothers me and that my weight loss is a personal thing for me. But, on the other hand I want to cyber-spit in her face and tell her to shove off. I guess I just want her to realize that this isn't a competition between the two of us. My weight loss is a private thing for me, I don't tell family/friends my weekly weight loss (not even my dear hubby) nor do I tell them my short-term/long-term goals. Its just a private struggle for me because no one can understand it. I decided to post a ticker through this board because everyone else here can understand and sympathize. I know people here won't judge me or make me feel as if I am not doing well enough. :confused: I think I will go bounce on my ball a bit and watch some tv, maybe munch some celery, def. have food cravings tonight but I know I'll make healthy choices!

Hi, I had my surgery on Wednesday and still have a lot of gas. I want to get rid of it one way or another. I do know that walking helps a lot. I also was able to go #2 yesterday. That was a relief. However, I am surprised that the scales have me heavier than pre surgery. How can that be with this liguid diet? I guess it is from all of the swelling. However, I feel like I should be 10 pounds lighter. I am not going to weigh myself again until I go to the Dr. next Friday. Although, I am excited to see a drop in weight.

I am expected to have surgery around the middle of September so I pushed my fall classes back a month so instead I'll be starting classes 10/20/2014. I will be taking online classes for the fall semester then I will begin sit in classes again during the Spring semester in January 2015. For anyone who's had surgery, is a month out from surgery too soon to start back at school? Should I completely take off for the Fall semester and start back at school, come the Spring semester?? Im just not sure what mindframe I will be in, a month out. Will I start feeling like my normal self and will I have the energy to focus on school work? I know that everyones recovery time is different but I would like to hear back from you guys to see how you felt, a month out from surgery. Thanks in advance!

Ok guys i have been not eating breakfast as i am not a typical breakfast eater so i get up at 6am and about 10 i start getting hungry which i was an early luncher at 11am so i have been doing the meal replacement bars/ shakes from 9:30 to 10 am this holds me over until i get home at 6:30pm then i am eating a regular meal. This keeps me under the calorie intake for the day or right where i need to be if i meet it. Rarely over it . But my question is if i make myself do one for breakfast and lunch then eat supper or if i eat a normal lunch and then do the meal replacement for dinner will any of these combinations make me lose weight quicker i am in my 5th month of the dr supervised weightloss diet. So Oct 10th will be my 6th visit for that so we will start with the appts for the pysh eval and the nutritionist and the surgery consult. I know they are going to require me to do the only liquid diet for the two week prior to surgery so i am trying to get used to the protein shakes. Any tips on how to optimize the effectiveness of using these?

I'd suggest getting some samples..Vitalady has samples of like 40+ Protein shakes for $2.99 each with $5 shipping. I just ordered 10 different flavors to try post-op and then figured I'd buy more of whatever I like. This is my second WLS so I already have a few favorite staples for right after surgery. My favorites are nectar chocolate, vanilla, Cookies and cream, and Cappuccino. I also like BSN lean Desserts banana pudding..it tastes just like banana pudding and is especially good with almond milk. The samples page for Vitalady is: http://www.vitalady.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?search=action&keywords=protsamp&SortKey=sku&SortOrder=ascending Also, I hate all of Isopure premades..they have this awful aftertaste...I do better with the sweeter ones.

I was sleeved 10/13 and only had a one night stay. Very little nausea and minimal gas pain. I also had a hiatal hernia repair done at the same time. Just been able to tolerate protein drink last couple days and so close to getting all my water in. I have only lost 5 lbs since surgery, but learning how to change my lifestyle

I was sleeved on 10/6. I have bad reflux and I can feel it when I eat or not. It's all the time. I can swallow meds ok though. I love really cold sugar free koolaid. It has to come from the freezer with ice in it. Room temp is gross. Shakes are ok but since I'm in soft foods, I am doing a lot of chicken. The canned kind is great. I sip a lot but I want to guzzle. I think I'm dehydrated and constipated. TMI. Other than that, I'm ok. Was down 25 lbs from my last visit on Sept 18.

Sleeved October 6, the only issue so far is hunger. Hasn't been that bad but I am really looking forward to solid (albeit soft) food at the end of the week. The gas pains have gone away but it took longer than expected--probably 10 days or so. No issues drinking. I can put away about 4 ounces in 15 minutes without issue. Down 29 pounds from surgery date and 63 total. I think about 50 of those pounds were in my neck, because I looked ridiculous when I put on my shirt and tie for work this morning. I can fit a whole fist in the collar. Another thing too: I cannot believe how well I'm sleeping. I haven't slept through the night in years until about a week ago. It may have been that my cpap needed to be readjusted and I just didn't realize it. I took a nap without it a few days ago and my wife commented that I didn't snore at all. It makes me think that I'll be waiving goodbye to my sleep apnea shortly on down the road, which I am very excited about.

Hi all. I had my revision sleeve on 10/16 from a band. I was only in the hospital 1 night, and it was very restless with the nurses pushing me to get up and move when I just wanted to sleep lol. My doc says clear liquids for the first week, then I can move on to protein shakes, milk, and cream soups. I am excited for that day! I had a hiatal hernia, which was the only complication, and made surgery take 3 hours. No reflux, but I have crazy gas pain in my shoulders. I can drink normally, it took a few days, but I am getting my 64 ozs in. I can walk easily now that I got some rest, it was hard in the hospital because I was just tired, but I can walk the kids to school and back, go around the block, even took a few trips to the grocery store. I lost about 10 lbs on the clear liquid preop diet, and about another 5 postop. I won't see my WLS until 4 weeks postop, so I'm hoping all continues to go well.

I know what you mean. I had to lose 10 to 15 pounds before they would do surgery. I was put on a low carb diet for 7 months prior to getting a date. Aroseofbeauty

It definitely is a small world. I also private messaged you too! Hopefully it went through to you. Yes that is the reason for the liquid diet. That I know. Just was checking to see if you would have to do it also. Mine says 7-10 days prior Not looking forward to that at all! But I'll do what I have to. Been picking up things I will need like 2oz cups to measure stuff and protein shakes and waters and different bars to taste ahead of time. Also some different foods I've seen people post on here. I may go purchase one of those bullet machines to process my foods and blend them up. May be a waste. But also could be much easier. I'm just trying to get somethings now and also taste some things so I know what I like and definitely don't like. I got a fruit flavored protein powder at target the other day and omg!!! It was the grossest tasted stuff ever!! No way will I ever use that stuff!!! My next apt is the same day you go back also. Kinda neat. Ya I'm thinking I'll have my surgery April/May. I'll be done with my last visit in April. I actually don't need 6 visits from my insurance. It's the doctor doing this timing

Good question I to want to know. I started at 272 went up 7 lb come down 24 lb went up 10 lb and now down to 257 lb I wonder about my food logs I keep them every day but it not always good. but I am trying maybe with out the logs I would be going up. I am 4 1/2 months in hoping for the end of July for my sleeve. Stress me out .

I'm a tough stick for IVs too and mine collapse after about 24 hours, so during my 6 days in the hospital (got readmitted for pneumonia) I had 5 IVs. I was a complete wreck about that! I asked for the house doctor once and he just happened to be a pediatrician and he was fine with tiny little veins and crying patients. I also requested and got a PICC line nurse (I think they're called) -- the ones who have to put PICC lines in if you need them. She wrapped my arm in a hot, thick wet towel and put a plastic bag on my arm and left it there for about 10 minutes before attempting a stick. That worked really well. I've also asked for the anesthesiologist before and that worked well. When I was readmitted to the hospital they sent a girl in to take blood and she had "STUDENT" on her name badge bigger than her name. I very politely told her she was probably a great student but I'm a tough stick and she wasn't going to practice on me. I feel like such a PITA when I do it but it's my body and IVs and blood draws are one of my big phobias, so they can just deal with it!

Today was a grand day. I cleaned house ( including furniture moving) all day and didn't even get tired. My kids were playing in the toy room, when my 4 year old daughter hurt her finger. While hugging and kissing her booboo better, she hugged back and practically yelled, " mom!! Look!!! I can touch my hands together when I hug you!!! I haven't seen my best friend since surgery ( about 3 months). She didnot support me in my decision for wls so I didn't want her around until I was fully healed and able to eat well enough in front of her. I finally got the nerve to ask her over for dinner. Her hubby ( also my hubby's best friend) was flabbergasted!! He just kept complimenting me. She never said a thing. Which is fine. I don't need her to say anything. It was nice to be normal around people and NOT have them ask Oh!! And yesterday I ran for 10 straight on the treadmill!!! Yay!!!

my name is Kristy and i just started my process! :cursing: i am overly excited and day-dreamy. lol. i went to meet the surgeon today and he was telling me the important stuff to do after the surgery and just said a few things about it. it was SOO quick. crazy. it took 2 hours to get into the patient room, but once he came in...psshh.. 10 or so mins and we were done. i got the info and i need to make dietitian appt. very excited. the room was crazy, one wall was window and ...they have you in a chair facing it. i was like..whoa. better not fall forward lol. my mom went with me and as you can see, she's thin. she lost 150. :cryin: she had gastric bypass. in the pic, she is pointing to Angel's Stadium. perrrddyyy craaazyy. the doctor was impressed with how much i had with me lol. i had my letter, my years of records with primary doc. and my weight loss attempts. my mom joked and said that i want it done tomorrow and the doctor said .."you got cash?..haha" ......PFFT. lol. i told him 20 cents on me. he said to add a few zeros. hahah! HA. hahah. crazy. then he said with a smile, "i see you have a list of questions for me....." haha. i was too embarrassed to ask most of them HAHA. he covered the rest, so i only had a few. lol. cool stuff. i can't wait. :sad:

Usually an employer offer EAP (employee assistance programs) this includes visit to see a therapist and consulattaions to se an atty. I'm not married so I won't weigh in on your situation but just know there are low to no cost options to seek help of any kind. Most employers EAP plans offer 3 or 5 therapist visits free per yr and after that its on a sliding scale - as little as 10 bucks a visit. If both of your work check with each employers HR department

Hi. I really need help. I had my sleeve on Aug 10 2016 and i have lost 17.6 kgs. Its great ive lost that amount i know, but i am soooo miserable! I cant tolarate anything. I havent eaten any form of food for the last 4 days. I can only drink Water and just recently tea! My stomach hurts and i am just so worried. Today i have broken down and cried during work. I cant handle it. I really feel that this is the worst mistake ever and ill never be normal again. ! Sent from my SM-G935F using the BariatricPal App

I am getting more and more excited about the end results of this journey I am embarking on. I have always been a large guy with a few moments of moderate weight loss. I keep going through the things I want to do with my new life. 1. Skydive 2. Wake up with energy 3. Buy Cloths that don't have X's in the size 4. Play at the park with my daughter 5: Bend over 6. Not have a need to customize a chair I sit in 7. Not size up the strength of the chair before I sit down in it 8. Have enough room in the small stall of a bathroom to wipe easily 9. Be able to have the toilet paper on the wall hanger in my bathroom 10. Shop for cars easier (I'm 6'5" so this still may be tough) 11. Wake up not in pain 12. Be alive for my daughters graduation, marriage, Life! 13.Ride all the rides at an amusement park, not just the fat friendly ones 14. Be comfortable in a coach seat 15, comfortably keep both arm rests down in a movie theater 16. Be able to clip something to my belt (like a phone at work) 17. cross my legs easily 18. Not have the nick name "Big Guy" 19. Hop a fence 20. Be able to comfortably wear sandals for a day. So here are 20 of my can't wait to's. What are yours?

Hi everyone! Like many others, I too have read this site for some time now. This is my first post because I've been a little apprehensive to post--but then I thought, "what the heck" and decided to introduce myself. I'm 19 (young I know) and I decided to begin my lap-band journey in June of this year. Basically, my main reason for choosing to have this surgery is because this really is a last resort. I know some of you may be thinking that I'm awfully young to have to move to a "last resort" but, hear me out. I've been overweight my whole life, seriously, my mom started watching what I ate at age two. Anway, at twelve I was diagnosed with dismetabolic syndrome with insulin resisitance. We hear about this a lot now, well type two diabetes in children now but when I was diagnosed my case was actually just surfacing. In one of the leading children's hospitals in the nation, I was the only patient with a condition like mine in the whole hospital. Anyway, sorry to go on and on. So, now at 19 I am at risk for PCOS and have normal blood pressure but it's abnormally high for my age. My mother and gradmother are also overweight--so I guess you could say it runs in the family. I am experiencing things that a fifty year old woman should be dealing with--not a nineteen year-old. I'll give a few more details about my self, just so you get the idea---I promise to make it short! :eek: I also have lower back pain and joint pain in my knees. I did tae kwon do for three years and while I was healthier, the weight never seemed to come off. Oh, I almost forgot my diet! Since about twelve I have been eating low carb but have not cut out carbs completely. And last but not least---my weight and height (for the whole world to see) I am 5'7 and about 330. OK, so now you know a little about me. Let's see, what else can I say...ah yes, surgeons. I have United Heath Care (primary) and Coventry (secondary) insurance but am having to go through conventry. My primary won't cover the surgery until I am 21 so...secondary insurance it is. As far as the surgeon...really my only option is Dr. Hohen from the Bariatric Center of Kansas City. Coventry only has Dr. Hohen in their network--at least that's anywhere close to where I live. I like in the KC metro area but go to school in Springfield, MO. While I am mentioning school--I'm an English Education major and I love literature---Go English! :biggrin1: Anway, this is getting to be a novella...so I'll end it here. I look forward to meeting all of you and have enjoyed reading the plethora of information on this site--it's amazing. Oh, and as of now, I am still in the beginning of this journey. As of Friday, my file is being referred to the person in charge of the psych. consult! Finally, after 3 months the ball begins to role!:clap2: Lauren :kiss2:

I found a good challenge for myself. Im going to train for a Duathlon. It's a event where you run, bike & run. It's on Oct 19. I will be setting myself some more specific time/mileage goals soon also. :thumbup:

I've been doing weights since the day I came home from the hospital. I got permission for 10 pounds or less. I walked for the first two weeks then went back to the gym but was told no twisty moves (like elliptical or dance classes). So it's been walking or treadmill mixed with light weights until I got clearance for full workouts (4 weeks? 6 weeks? I can't quite remember).

Hi, Im going alone for my surgery and hoped to find someone else who is to Tijuana, MX the same day.

Ok I am wondering if that was you leaving while I was in the waiting area. My appointment was at 11. I was there around 10:40am today. Gray scarf on my head? Yeah, that was me. Did she give you samples of Protein shakes/powder and Multivitamins?