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Well, I just got news this morning my wonderful mother inlaw is sending me some money for Christmas since I have lost enough weight to change pants and shirt sizes. So, While doing laundry today, I decided to go through my pants draw so see what all I needed. Little did I know, I was going to be making a trip to goodwill today. I had about 10 pairs of pants in my draw. They ranged from sizes 22 to 28. I knew right off the 28s would be to big but wasn't sure about the 24s. So, I try them on and they were too big, but they were my comfy pants last winter. Then I saw some 22s in the VERY bottom. I went ahead and tried them on, thought, well they wont fit but I will be able to fit into them (hopefully) by the end of this winter. Over the thighs, no problem, over the hips, easy, around the stomach, just like I had butter on my belly, buttoning them, didn't have to suck my belly in one little bit. OH YEAH, THEY FIT. I am so excited and proud of myself. So, anyone out there that is having problems not losing (what they consider enough). Don't worry, I started off slowly and now I am steady with my weight loss and have dropped a total of 2 pant sizes. It WILL come off, you just gotta give it time. MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL!!!

They clip your nose shut and you breath through a tube connected to a machine. It takes around 10 or so minutes. You must be fasting. No caffeine either because it will create a false higher RMR. I was told that they put patients on about 500 fewer calories per day than their reading. I am still going through all of my pre op spots and meet the doctor next week.

Hello Was sleeved on 8/19/13. In the hospital my time was normal no pain no trouble, went home and then all hell broke lose. Left hospital on Wednesday, on Sunday in the ER because of dehydration, was released went to see my doctor and he places me Back in the hospital, my blood Levels was all over the place, stayed in the Hospital for Three days on IV fluids only, was told I will Need to stay home and rest till mid October. At home I was unable to hold any food down or in. Today Sunday 9-28-13 is my first time that I had a meal and It stayed down. I did not Run to the bathroom after eating. I am down 4 dress sizes. I am not a friend to the scale, so I don't know my total went lose. But to all the sleeves , there is a light at the end of the tunnel. This is so worth it for all the people who is thinking that this was a mistake. At the end of the day this was all about getting healthy off meds and betting the odds against the troubles we went through before we had surgery. This is a life long change and not something that will be fixed overnight. It was not created overnight Till next time Keep your head held high

Was banded last Thursday (9/10/09). Had some pain for the first 48 hours or so. Haven't used any more pain medication since Saturday. Have had a little breathing difficulties that I think is related to the gas they put into the abdominal cavity to make more room for surgery. Been doing a lot of walking since I got home on Friday. Haven't had any problems with the diet and am on full liquids and returning to work tomorrow.

I went from a 9-10 W depending on brand and type, to a 8m, and in heels sometimes 7.5 - no kidding. I was told by an orthopedic therapist that is is due to the weight loss off the soles of the feet, but also we apparently store a bit of fat in the structure of the foot itself.

I finally got the nerve to tell my mother in law...against my husband's advice. Well the first thing she said was "Why can't you take Dexatrim"...."I have to watch my weight all the time, if I can do you, you should be able to do it." I was nice but I told her "Giving yourself an enima or taking laxatives everyday is NOT a HEALTHY DIET". I told her you told me you could NEVER SEE ME SKINNY because I have a pretty face...do you know how much that hurt me? She said, well I can't see you skinny and you do have a pretty face. She said, it's funny "MOST FAT GIRLS DO HAVE A PRETTY FACE". Then she went on to tell me about the people that she knows that have failed at WLS. I finally started to cry and told her you have NO IDEA! I told her I just wanted to let her know what I was doing but I am going through with it for my HEALTH...my LIFE! She said ok and changed the subject. My HUSBAND was SO RIGHT about her! I told him I told her and he said that was the WRONG person to tell it was NONE of her business. I didn't tell him her reaction and I'm not going to. He was be MAD! About 10 minutes later she asked if my Husband was going to take off of work for my surgery. I WANTED TO YELL by now but said OF COURSE HE IS!! Never in a MILLION years would I let her know he wasn't OK with this surgery at first! My oldest daughter told me today on the way to Church to just ignore her she doesn't have a clue. Everyone deals with this issue in a different way BUT if she CARES ANYTHING about me she will call the night before I go in but if she doesn't not to worry about it. She also said, MOM in FIVE years what will it matter...do you really have to worry about something that won't matter in five years. Do what is BEST for YOU and your HEALTH and don't worry about what OTHERS THINK! I LOVE when my daughter shows me a different way to view things. THANKS all for listening and I hope I can help someone that is going through the same thing with family or friends!! BE STRONG and BE TRUE TO YOURSELF!!!

Hey sleevers, Idk if anyone remembers me, but I was scheduled for my sleeve 10/14/13 and backed out 12 days before surgery. I told myself I had to give it one good shot, since I hadn't really tried on my own since having my baby in May. Well, I lost 30 lbs but I'm stuck at 260 and I'm back in this vicious mental cycle that I have been in for years. I called my surgeon today, and most of the paperwork is still valid. My insurance changed from bcbs to healthplus of Michigan which is an HMO so I have to get prior auth and stuff, so that part sucks, but I'm hoping to be rescheduled for surgery within the next couple of months. I'm kicking myself in the ass every time I get an email notification from the October sleevers group. I could be looking and feeling fantastic like all of them by now. It's all part of the process, I suppose. Anyway I just wanted to say I'm here for good. One of the reasons I backed out is because the Preop diet made me feel like death and there was no way I could take proper care of my patients feeling that way. I know now I will have to take that period of time off from work. If anyone has experience with health plus hmo I would love to hear about it. I'm glad to be back! Thanks for reading.

I have found that my sleeve will NOT tolerate anything sweet. I made stir fry last night and had it over spaghetti squash. It promptly made a reappearance approx 10 min after I ate it. Tried dipping my pork chop in ketchup tonight just to give it a little extra moisture and it made my stomach hurt. The only vegetable I've been able to eat is english peas, but I tolerate most meats just fine as long as they are plain. I'm never hungry so if I'm going to eat I prefer Protein over anything else. I feel like I need to be adding more veggies and fruit but I just don't want it. Anyone else feeling this way?

Though I live north of KC about 75 miles, I had my surgery done in Lenexa, KS 1/10/17. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using the BariatricPal App

My thoughts are it is temporary. It is doable and necessary. I am scheduled Wednesday, April 19, and am surviving the preop diet. I chew sugar free gum to help. I also make sure to take deep breaths and breath when I find myself wanting to eat out of boredom. Temporary!!! Best of luck!

I asked my surgeon at my first post-op visit and she told me that it can happen up until 9 months. The symptoms are high fever, nausea, vomiting, and a constant pain in your left shoulder and left side of your torso. I was worried because I had pain in my back on the left side whenever I moved about 10 days after surgery. But, my surgeon assured me that the pain wouldn't go away with movement and that it would be almost excruciating.

Protein is IMPERATIVE to bariatric patients. And the great thing is we have so many options! Once upon a time it was nearly impossible for a bariatric patient to keep their protein counts up. We were taught to only eat certain foods and to avoid others. Chicken breast, lean beef, and fish was the rule of thumb. The problem with these foods was that several people had problems eating, swallowing, and digesting them. And we were told that once we hit a certain point, to avoid protein drinks as we needed to be eating our protein rather than drinking it. Isn't it nice to know that times have changed? New research and information has given the bariatric patient so many more options on foods we can eat now to keep our protein levels where they should be. We are no longer restricted to the leanest cuts of meat, but are encouraged to try other cuts such as dark meat chicken, 80/20 or 90/10 ground beef, and (a personal favorite) BACON. Additionally, we are encouraged to eat eggs and shrimp, salmon and pork. And protein drinks (when done RIGHT) are no longer a no-no! How Much Protein Do We REALLY Need and Why Is It So Important? According to most surgeons and nutritionists, we need about 65-70 grams of protein daily. That goes up a little bit if you're recovering from surgery or are sick or pregnant (to about 85-90 grams). Protein is an essential building block of our bodies. When we're losing weight, especially, protein is one of the hardest working macronutrients on the planet. Beyond muscle building, it also helps strengthen our immune system, rebuilds tissue, and can even improve brain function. Additionally, when we lose weight, our bodies burn protein. When we're not getting enough protein, our body takes it from wherever it can get it - typically our body muscle. What's more, it can actually take muscle from our cardiac system! How Can I Get My Protein? Focusing on protein is the #1 concern of many bariatric patients. Of course, eating your protein is the very best bet. Focusing on protein foods with a high protein to fat ratio is the very best bet. Some of the best protein foods are egg whites, chicken breast, and shrimp. Although other meats, poultry, and seafood are also good options. Cheese is another great choice as are nuts and seeds. Beans do give some protein, but many bariatric patients have issues with digesting them. Another good option is the protein drink. Once only encouraged in the early phases after surgery, now many nutritionists and dietitians are encouraging the bariatric patient to include protein supplements in their daily diets. Most contain high (35+ g) amounts of protein, and leave you free to consume other healthy (and needed) foods later on such as vital fruits and vegetables. The #1 suggested protein drink that nutritionists suggest is whey protein. It is, by far, the most digestible and assimilated protein on the market (that means your body can use it a lot easier than other kinds). Sadly, many people can't tolerate whey or stomach it. If this is the case, there are other options available that are almost as easily digested such as egg white protein or vegan (brown rice, pea, and hemp) proteins. If I'm Focusing On Protein, I Don't Have Room For Other Foods, HELP! VITAMINS! You remember those vitamins and fiber supplements the doctor sent you home with? TAKE THEM. It's true that we often have to forgo fruits, vegetables, and whole grains when we're focusing on protein. That's why these supplements are so important to our lifestyle. Remember The Basics! The basics of our lifestyle don't change with time. We still need to remain focused on protein, water, and our vitamin supplements. Keeping these three things at the forefront of your mind will help ensure you successful weight loss, successful maintenance, and a successful lifestyle overall!

It is so frustrating waiting around and having strangers tell you if you are fit to get healthy. It seems so crazy. Many times I thought about getting a loan to pay for the procedure just to avoid all the waiting and wondering. I think I gained 10 more pounds being stressed out over the wondering. Good luck and I hope it is speedy for you.

Had my band out in December and getting sleeved on sept 12. I had already gained most of my weight back prior to band being taken out have gained 10-15 lbs since its removal. So, basically starting from scratch! I've wondered about wl with so much time in between. I've heard revisioners often don't lose as quickly as first time wls peeps, but with so much time in between I wonder if that will still be the case?? Good luck!!

No it doesn't, when i orginially got setup with this doctor, I had to sign a 10 year contract. I dont know what that is all about, but i know my rights... and i know i'm entitled to a second opinion. I have called other doctors in the area, and they refuse to see me. I think I might have to go elsewhere to get seen.

I don't use a lot of recipes....I'm more of a "throw it together" type cook. It does a great job with pork roast, and beef pot roast.........I made a really good pineapple chicken breast with bourbon sauce the other day too....I just made up the recipe myself but I did type it up for some folks who wanted it so here you go. Pineapple Chicken Breasts....Easy quick and AMAZING!! Salt and pepper, pineapple rings, pineapple bourbon sauce (see pic)....I browned chicken on sauté setting for 10 minutes on each side...added one cup of chicken broth, brushed chicken with pineapple bourbon sauce and put pineapple on top....placed both breasts on trivet, manual high pressure 10 minutes.....quick release. I thickened the juices on sauté setting.....I did put the breasts under the broiler for a couple minutes because I like them browned.....it tastes wonderful!!! Yum!!! PS if you can't find that Pineapple bourbon sauce teriyaki would be good too.

Sizes run so differently than they used to.. They got smart and yesterday's 12 is now an 8. Good news for us! It's motivating. I am 162 currently and have a 16 year old skirt in size 12, new shorts in 10's, size 8 capris and a stretchy jean skirt in a 6. I am a pear and carry my weight in my extremities, that makes a difference too.

I have been big all my life, the smallest I ever was in high school after starving for months was 170 and I think I wore a 10/11 but that was almost 20 years ago, the transformation you will go thru along the way will be life changing but it also takes time for your mental picture of yourself to catch up with your body, even though I know I wear a 12 in dresses and pants and a large in most shirts, I still find myself going to the larger sizes first I pick up the size I wear and it just looks so small and I think there is no way I can fit in that so take a bigger size to the dressing room and its too big, it just takes a while to get the fat girl image out if your mind.

Hi! I have been researching the weightloss surgeries for quite some time. I found myself to believe the sleeve would be the best option for me. I've completed my 6 month diet requirement and my doctor submitted to my insurance. I'm starting to have doubts and worries though. Background: 23 years old Struggled with weight since 1st grade Married (happily) 2 beautiful children (one of each) Husband has vasectomy (We are happy with 2) I tell you this because I'm childbearing age... no more kids for me though! Mother had lapband with a lot of success but than gained the weight back and had it removed I have struggled with weight my whole life. I don't want that for me kids. I want to be able to encourage them to exercise by example. My husband is 100% on board with whatever I decide is best for me. He says he will love me at any weight... bigger or smaller.. He is very supportive and is trying to be healthier too (he is technically considered obese, but he is muscle and not much fat. He was very into sports during his high school days and now he runs several mornings a week) I chose to look into weightloss surgery so young because I don't want to wait until I have a bunch of health issues. I want to be healthy and live as long as I can for my children. I want to be confident in myself, feel comfortable in my skin, and be able to do sooo many things that I could never do now. My concerns: I am very young... do I want to make such an alteration at this age?! I feel I do, but is it what's best for me? What if it makes more problems down the road? What don't they know about this procedure?! What are your thoughts on a youngster having this done?? Do you wish you would have or glad you didn't (or did) Eating: I obviously am still going to have to cook for my family. How is it going to affect my children? They are 19 months and 3.5 years old. They are still in the picky eaters stage of their lives. Will it be too hard for me to either make them a seperate meal or get them to eat better too? Moms with the sleeve: HELP! I don't want criticism from people. I hate bringing attention to myself and I'm afraid people will talk. I know they will. I'm not sure how I would handle this situation. People will ask me what I'm doing to lose weight. Do I tell them exercising and eating less (which is no lie) or do I tell them about the sleeve?? Extra skin: I'm not sure what to think about this subject... I've had 2 children so I already have a poochy lower tummy. I don't want to have issues with skin rubbing and flopping out. I also don't have the kind of money to spend on cosmetic surgery. Not sure about this one... Can I do this at such a young age???? Do you recommend it? This is a scary decision to make. I'm 5'8'' and weighed 288 pounds pre-diet. I've lost a little and now weigh 278. I would really like to lose 100+ pounds. I've found I'm a stress eater... which I didn't know about myself until recently. If I wait too long and get too hungry then I overeat. Otherwise, I don't really have trouble with drinking a shake or eating small portions.

I am not a low carber and to me, I've never gotten over the idea that Breakfast is carb time, lol. I like to fuel up at breakfast, and not eat so many carbs later in the day. I tend to eat oatmeal or muesli a lot - I dont waste my calories on very processed cereals. To me, oatmeal comes as rolled oats and you cook it up in a saucepan, it takes 10 minutes or so. I dont like bread anymore, i can eat toast but for some reason, bread doesnt "taste right" to me anymore and tends to nauseate me. I occasionally have a crumpet with butter and honey for a treat or quite often I'll eat wholegrain crackers with toast spreads - being an aussie, I love my vegemite. I am also quite partial to a bit of smoked salmon rolled around cream cheese in the mornings, and when I have time, poached eggs. But apart from the smoked salmon, I like flavourless cardboard as you can probably tell. I am not a fan of bacon and strongly tasting foods like that in the morning. I'd happily eat bacon and eggs for dinner but cant come at it early in the day and I really dont care for shakes and such. Cant eat cold yogurt either.

Who is up for a Spring Renewal??? I know I am!!!! The weather on the East Coast this Winter has been pretty brutal, and even though Elsa is my all-time favorite Disney Princess….I’m ready for some Sunflowers, and Daffodils! The next NYC/LI chapter is meeting is going to be on April 11th from 2PM till 4 PM We will be meeting at The Atrium at 805 Third Avenue. The building is on Third Ave between 49th and 50th Streets. The Atrium is at the back of the space on the lower level past the shops. We are looking forward to seeing many of our forum friends there for a fun filled afternoon. We hope to share a bit of information, education, and ultimately support with our friends!!! So mark your calendars today forum friends and make plans to spend a beautiful Spring afternoon in NYC. If any Jersey friends want to attend, please feel free to cross the Hudson and join us. 10 Tips for Spring Cleansing and Renewal Feel the power of Nature all around you and within you. Know that this awesome force is available to you, and allow it to influence the course of your life and health. Identify the areas of your life that need some work and plan specific improvements that incorporate the changing seasons. Allow yourself to visualize your Perfect Life, and nourish that vision through your cleansing and renewal process. Spring is the time for renewing your life - letting go of what you don't need (physical, mental, and emotional habits that undermine your health) and bringing in what you need anew (accepting positive health habits that will satisfy your soul). Take a break from the TV to be more creative, or read by candlelight without the electrical vibrations at night, or just sit quiet to meditate and listen. Get more outside exercise and spend more time in Nature. Take hikes, plant a garden, or work in a community garden. Create a balanced fitness program or modify the one you are already following that will support your healthy, body/mind happiness. Working up a sweat helps you dump toxins; this will improve your health and lead to fewer doctor's visits. Also add some reflective practices such as stretching, yoga, or chi gong; these help support renewal by giving your body time to gently de-stress and deepen the changes you are making in your life. Consider a special and specific detoxification program. This could include substance avoidance (off sugar and caffeine, for example), Renew all aspects of your Life. Go through your piles of papers, your clothes, and the corners of rooms in areas that haven't seen light for years. Don't be afraid to let go and let things flow. Give things away, have a garage sale, and recycle or re-circulate what you can. "Being simple, simply being." Begin to gently, yet seriously, re-evaluate the key areas of your life - work (career), relationships, and health. Again, look at what undermines your potential in these worlds and allow clear guidance, suggestions, and actions to arise in your being. Try to be more aware of the subtle areas of life and the effects of foods. How does the food you eat make you feel. Increased vitality and improved health will change how you view your life and how much energy you have to create positive change for yourself. It is your healthy body that lets your Spirit fly more freely. Nutritional supplements (as the raw materials--vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and fatty acids) nourish and support your body and mind. The cleansing process de-stresses your body and lets your energy rise and awaken your psyche. Freshly squeezed juices and herbal teas are vitalizing, high-vibration nourishment. Sprouts from seeds and grains are live, vital food. Aromatherapy and smelling the beautiful sweetness of the spring flowers will soother your soul as well. Be Earth-aware and Earth-friendly. Be conscious of where things come from and where they go - and the real cost of products you use - such as plastics and chemical products. Re-use and Re-cycle. Support more earth-conscious businesses and products. How do you vote with your dollar? Cleansing habits to incorporate include deep and relaxed breathing, yoga-type stretching, dry skin brushing, and wonderful walks in Nature. When was the last time you de-stressed, downloaded and digested your life experiences to catch up to the present? Do something that uplifts your Spirit, such as caring for a loved one or an elderly neighbor. Trust your heart and feed it joyful experiences. Put your Spirit on the line for what you believe. Doing for another is key to completing the circle of life, called Love. Building community is a positive change for Earth as well as for our Spirit.

Things are really gearing up for my surgery on 10/21. I have my pre admission testing on Thursday and Monday is my EGD. My problem is two part..The main thing is my sitter. I have a daughter who is almost 5. During the day she goes to a sitter while I am at work. She has been with this lady since she was 6 weeks old and, honestly, my sitter is like family. That is why my daughter is supposed to stay with her while I am in the hospital having surgery, and a day or two after. Well here is my problem...My sitter has a sister who is in end stage of her battle with cancer. She is in Hospice care now and it is just a matter of time. My sitter needs to be with her family when the end comes, so she may have to go at a moments notice. Normally that would not be a huge issue, but with these major appointments coming up it really is. I do not have a large extended family. I do not have a back up sitter available and will have to scramble big time should the sister pass during the daytime. My only option is MY 94 year old grandma who has dementia, and let's face it- that is no option! I have already missed nearly two months work earlier this year due to health issues, and have been lucky they are ok'ing another week for surgery. I cannot take additional time because of no sitter! Plus, the way my PATs are scheduled Thursday it will take most of the day. ( Have to check in one hospital at 8:45 for gallbladder ultrasound, upper GI series, EKG, and blood work. Then have to go to a DIFFERENT hospital by 12:45 to attend a mandatory class until 3pm) Now the second part of my issue is my EGD next Monday. You are NOT allowed to drive yourself home as they administer propofol during the test. I have someone to give me a ride to the hospital, but my sitter's daughter was going to be my ride home. (this wasn't even a certainty) Well now, if her aunt passes away, I cannot be certain she will be available to give me the ride. I am so close to the finish line and rescheduling is NOT an option. I am just a bit panicked about what is going to happen. I do feel great empathy for my sitter and the loss she is about to experience. I wish more than anything her sister wasn't ill and she didn't have to go through all of this. ( Her mother died earlier this year. That too caused a lot of disruption and scrambling to find someone to watch my child.) My sitter was actually one of the first people to discuss the possibility of me having bariatric surgery years ago, so she is supportive. It is just the fact my support network is extremely limited and when one person is unavailable, it creates a huge domino effect. Right now my mind is reeling trying to think of alternate possibilities, and not having much success. I could sure use some positive energy and thoughts right now. I am not doubting my path at all, just worried about how it will all come together.

Caroben, Isn't It A Wonderful Feeling To Know You Only Have 25-30 More Pounds To Lose! I Have About 70 But Would Be Happy With 45. I Think That Having A Fill For So Long And Not Being Able To Eat We Would Natually Want To Try And Eat Again. We Just Need To Step Back And Think About It. After Losing So Much, I Think That We Will Pull Back And Watch What We Eat So We Will Not Ever, Ever Go Back. I Think The Eating Is Normal. We Are Smart And Will Remember That We Can't Eat Like We Use To. If I Do, I Know I Will Get A Fill Before Anything Happens Like Gain Back 10-15 Lbs. I Think It Is All A Learning Experience For All Of Us. We Will Do It!!! Have A Great Weekend! Diane

Has anyone lost weight and had problems with the extra skin and your facing aging faster. That may sound stupid but I had a friend that lost 65-75 pounds and she looks 10 years older now more wrinkles - he body looks great but her face took a hit... (Not to sound mean). So what can I do before and after surgery to help with my skin to hopefully make it more "forgiving" Thanks for you help guys!