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I had my VSG on Friday 8/17...currently on 7-10 day liquid diet. I can tolerate all that I am intaking I.e slim fast, Water, crystal lights, pudding, Jello. Has anyone else experienced this? I haven't thrown up..no nausea I feel great. Lord I hope my tool is working. I don't want to have to get anything readjusted (if that's even possible with the sleeve) talk to me. Yes I know we are all different. I need this weight to drop. Oh & I am not complaining at all!! I'm glad I'm not sick, but just would like to hear if this is common. xo

BMI of 35 with 2 comorbitities makes you a solid candidate. I'm a 37 BMI, with no comorbitities and I hold my weight super well. I'm 5'4" and 214, but I don't look more than 175. I went for my EGD and had to explain my situation to every concerned nurse there (they were being super sweet, just worried about me). I'm self pay. I have insurance, but they wanted to comorbitities with a BMI under 40. Like I said, have none. I'm super healthy except for the fact I can't keep this dang weight off and I'm only getting bigger with every effort. You don't have to explain yourself if you know in your heart you've done everything you can up to this point. I felt what you feel, but its the same voice that tells us were not good enough for stuff because we don't look like everyone else that is now telling you your not worth this either. It boils done to insecurity and fear...fear we'll never be anything other than what we are. But fear is only....False Evidence Appearing Real do what's right for you. I'm all set for 12/26 and feel so good about this decision.

Is why I am so nervous. They told me to lose weight ... My bmi will go down ???? Is that ok ?!

Then I would say you are ready. The sleeve can be a wonderful thing. I was like you in that I would lose weight and fast but would always just gain it back. For me the sleeve has allowed me to lose more than I ever did on my own as well as maintain the lose. It is a bumpy road non the less. Good luck to you and welcome to the forum!

Hi, I was told reasons for denial from my insurance company (health net): 1. BMI must be over 40 (if I didn't have any co-morbidities) 2. Under 40 BMI you must have at least two co-morbidities (diabetes, sleep apnea,etc.) 3. I had to go through 6 months of monitored weight loss and lose 10% of my weight (I lost 15lbs) 4. I didn't have to prove any previous weight issues which h was great to hear. Waiting to be approved was the most stressful time for me. I worried everyday that I wouldn't qualify. There are so many different requirements for the insurance companies. I made sure I called my insurance company to confirm the requirements. My doctors office is great...they did all the work, I just needed to show up and follow the rules. I still couldn't help but worry.

My appetite returned between the 8th and 9th post-op month. Activities that decrease my cravings and hunger include aerobic exercise (e.g. running, jogging, bicycling, hiking, stair climbing) and drinking caffeinated coffee. Caffeine cuts my appetite dramatically, even though some people may be opposed to it. Activities that cause me to feel hungrier include weightlifting and watching television. While I'll continue to lift weights, I've greatly curtailed my TV-watching because it promotes a sedentary life.

There are two phases to weight loss surgery. I had RNY gastric bypass surgery and I transitioned from the Weight Loss phase to the Maintenance phase at around 7 months. But it also depends on the type of surgery. Some individuals with the sleeve generally get there in up to 2 years. And it depends on who much weight you have to lose and your own body chemistry. For those with gastric bypass, you body changes physically. After surgery, the part of your stomach that process fats and sugars has been cut away and these substances will quickly pass out of your stomach and into your intestines which does not know what to do with them. That is why your surgeon restricts your diet to eliminate or minimize these. But after several months, you intestines change and learn how to process these substances. Around this time hunger returns. It is not as strong as before surgery, but the honeymoon period is over. Anyways if you had gastric bypass, you may be transitioning into the Maintenance phase. The strategies are different between these two phases, so you must adjust accordingly. Anyways this is my impression of the Maintenance phase. http://www.breadandbutterscience.com/Surgery2.pdf

Inertia – The Real Weight Loss Killer We do what we do because that’s what we do. That may seem like one of the most ridiculous sentences ever committed to paper, but read it again. We do what we do because that’s what we do. This means that we don’t necessarily do what we do because we made conscious choices to do it that way. It means that much of our behavior is on autopilot. Think of this phrase with regards to eating. We spend so much time talking about emotional eating that we’ve forgotten that most of the time that we’re eating unhealthy or eating “comfort foods” it is not because we are depressed or anxious, it’s because we’re just not thinking about what we are doing, and eating has become a seemingly automatic behavior. Our minds are somewhere else. I’m not saying that emotional eating isn’t a problem, but rather that the behavior of eating without thinking is as big if not the bigger problem much of the time. Think about it. How often do you go into the kitchen to have some cookies because you are depressed? Now, think about how many times you go into the kitchen to get some cookies and you have no idea why you went into the kitchen. I bet the latter situation happens much more often. Ever find yourself in the middle of eating some cookies and you don’t even remember going into the kitchen or opening up the box of cookies? See what I mean!!! It may be true that we learned to eat as a means of comforting ourselves from negative emotions such as anxiety and depression. However, the behavior of eating often persists long after the anxiety and depression is gone. Why? Habits are really hard to break and your brain isn’t in the business of breaking them without a whole lot of effort. A great deal of any individual’s behavior occurs outside of his or her awareness and with very little conscious thought. What this means is that many of our bad habits persist because we are not aware enough to do anything about it. We don’t necessarily reach for the cookies because we CHOOSE to have cookies. Our brains just automatically crave cookies when we are in circumstances that we have commonly eaten cookies in the past. We don’t even need to think about it anymore. Because you’ve engaged in the behavior of eating cookies under specific circumstances so many times (let’s say at night, feeling tired, watching television, a bit bored with the show) your brain now cues you to go for cookies without any conscious thought from you. No thinking required! And if you’re not actively thinking about your choices, you’re not making a choice. You’re operating on inertia. What is inertia? You remember that phrase from high school physics… “an object in motion is likely to stay in motion….” What this means in terms of behavior is that a behavior that is repeated over and over (also called a habit) will persist unless something comes along to interfere with that behavior. Inertia is when behavior just keeps going because it’s been going. John Lennon had this wonderful lyric that said “life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.” This means that as long as you are alive, even when you’re not trying to make decisions or to make change, life goes on. Therefore, if you don’t do something to make changes in your behavior, you’ll likely keep performing the same behaviors you’ve always performed under similar circumstances. This is exactly what happens with eating most of the time. Diets are an exception. Consider just how different your eating behavior is from its normal state when you’re on a diet. When you’re on a diet, you are contemplating every decision. You are in the moment and you are making choices. You are reading labels. You are measuring servings. You are counting calories, points, carbohydrates, etc. You are “on.” When you go off the diet, if you’re like most people, ALL of this stops. No more thinking, no more measuring, no more counting, no more making choices…just running on inertia. Eating with very little thought and your brain seems to eagerly resort back to its old ways. That’s inertia. The keys to change are therefore rather obvious. Be in the moment. Contemplate as many food decisions as you can. Plan your meals and snacks ahead of time rather than trusting that your brain will help you make the right decision in the moment. It won’t. Anticipate high-risk eating situations like parties, weddings, and barbeques. Maybe you’ve heard all of this before. You probably have. There are many different terms used for this approach and they are likely speaking to the same concept. A hot term these days is “mindfulness.” It’s not really a new concept…the Buddhists have been talking about it for several thousand years. It’s really very simple in theory…be aware and observe your thoughts and feelings, and be present in the here-and-now. Then make your decision. Why is mindfulness so important? Because habits and the power of inertia are incredibly powerful and the weight you have lost or are trying to lose wants to come back. Your body isn’t the least bit interested in helping you lose weight. So if your mind isn’t very conscious of what it’s trying to achieve, it’s just not going to happen. In fact, your body is fighting tooth-and-nail against you. Inertia is what happens when you’re not fighting back. Remember…we do what we do because that’s what we do. If you want to lose weight and keep it off, your new phrase needs to become “I do what I do because that’s what I’ve decided to do,” or better stated, “I eat what I eat because that is what I choose to eat.”

Hey, I'm gonna jump in here -- I'm 8 months out in a couple of days -- I'm about 20 lbs from the top end of my goal -- and I'm low carbing till I reach the top end of my goal and then I'm gonna start adding in some carbs -- I gain weight in an instant with carbs, so I have to take it slowly and carefully -- but that said, everyone is different -- Hope that helps!

thinkingskinny remember, we all heal differently, just like we all lose weight at different time periods. The one constant is that we're all different. i totally understand your frustration concerning your aches and pains. Having to take pain meds all the time, no fun. But, if the meds do help, which it sounds like they do - take the meds and be happy they do the trick. Don't worry about being doped up alittle. You are entitled to get a lot of rest. yes i see on the board all the time that people were doing well in a quick amount of time, never had any pain - went back to work in a few days, i know i've heard it all too. so it must be hard for you to hear when you are in your condition, besides this pain will go away - sounds like you are recupperating nicely. otherwise. Some people have complications and stuff so be happy you are not in that boat. i know that doesn't help your present situation though. I think i'm just going in circles saying what you probably know: take your pain meds, and you will feel better, sooner than later. as far as your liquid intake - most people have trouble getting Protein shakes in those first few days after surgery. it is more important to drink liquids (Water, broth, popsicles) don't let yourself get dehydrated.. get better soon best wishes take care kathy

Hi Kathy 1991 - I'll be so glad when I have my surgery date! Sorry, I'm not familiar with the pre-band diet? What is that? I'm still eating normal - been trying to cut back a lot, and I'm trying really hard to not drink liquids while I'm eating - that part I don't really like too much. I have one Dr. that isn't cooperating with me, an old Dr. that I need to transfer my weight records to my surgeon, and they will not return my call. Guess I'm going to have to give them a little visit. :mad2: Thanks so much for your kind welcome and I'll keep everyone posted on my progress!

I don't have any advice because my surgery isn't until next month. But I'm curious to know too so I'm following your post. Height 5'0" Weight for consultation: 216 lbs. Pre-op Weight: Unknown until January 20th. My profile picture is not me. It's my "FitSpiration" body.

More importantly, I hope you gain that confidence back!!!!! ????????

They can go slightly mental as you loose weight so if it's possible, looks at BC that may help alleviate periods or stop them all together. NHS Glasgow who I'm doing it with requires all woman to be on BC before surgery due to the risk of pregnancy and wacked out menstrual issues. Fridge Pickers Wear Bigger Knickers ????

I started working out regularly at 4 weeks. But I’m a beginner so it’s nothing too strenuous. Treadmill, light weight lifting.

Hi I am new here and love all the support I see on this site. However I am very nervous. I have been reading the forums and online articles preparing for my surgery. Ordered shakes, Protein and Vitamins. My friend who had her surgery 8 months ago said I am too prepared. LOL I am not thinking so. I am so nervous today and my gastric bypass is tuesday morning. I am doing this for medical reasons and for the weight. I have severe reflux, hiatel hernia, gallstones sleep apnea and IBS. I am looking forward to feeling better after the recovery from these issues. Any support or suggestions are very much appreciated. Thanks Cynthia

I feel the same way as you. I'm 23 and want to start a family soon with my fiancée but my unhealthy weight is preventing that. It took a lot for me to get the nerve and I had my surgeons number in my wallet for a month telling myself "Ill call tomorrow". I went shopping with my sister and mom right before Easter and was so depressed when my 28 year old sister was buying size medium tops and no stores had my size. I had a mental breakdown, told them my plans and they instantly became supportive. I called then and there but the office was closed. Vowed to call back but didn't. Finally about a week later I said "screw this", picked up the phone and made an appointment. I'm currently only in my first month of 6 month supervised diet but this forum has been nothing but support. I feel I have taken good steps to a NEW me! Welcome and I hope you decide what is right for you and if it is WLS, you've come to the right place! Best of luck!

My starting weight was actually 229. I actually was feeling better about myself and weighed about 15lbs more when I was working out. I've promised myself that I'm going to start back at the gym within this week. Hopefully I will gain my weight back.

I just joined last night. I have my first consult on November 3. I am very nervous. The appointment is 4 hours long! I am meeting with a Nurse Practionier, Psychologist, Dietician and the Surgeon. They said they would be able to tell me after my appointment if they felt comfortable banding me. My questions are...then what? Do I have to go through a bunch of other appointments? Do I just schedule the surgery? I am very lucky that my insurance is covering 100% of all pre and post op appointments plus the surgery. How long do you stay in the hospital? How fast do you loose weight? I am so glad that I found this website, and I hope soon that I have a date to add to the forums, and I am excited to have support along the way! I looking forward to talking with you! Amanda

You look incredible! I think one thing that is most fascinating to me when I look at before and after pics is how much YOUNGER people tend to look when the weight is gone! You are no exception! Congrats on the phenomenal loss and I wish you all the best in losing those last few pounds!

Thanks. It is funny you should ask. I was in work the other day and said hello to someone I have worked with for years but hadn't seen in awhile. She apologized to me because she said she sat next to me in a meeting and didn't realize it was me. She was very happy for me. I feel the weight loss in the things I can do physically but I still don't see the weight loss the way others do.

So I'm admitted to the hospital due to pneumonia and was informed by the attending doctor that he recommends (and is referring) me to have weight loss surgery. Ironically, the night before I was informed, I had look up bariatric surgeons in Brooklyn who accepted Medicaid/Amerigroup. I have asthma, prehypertension, chronic back pain, and the list goes on. I found a doctor, Dr Piotr Gorecki, he has an office in Park Slope and accepts my insurance. I wanted to know I anyone else has had their surgery approved with Medicaid and how long was the wait?

Hi Nat! Good luck to you! My paperwork was submitted 09/15 and I am still waiting .....but I called the insurance company today and they said generally they take the whole 30 days to review it :girl_hug: I had never heard that an appeal takes that long....yikes! I wish I would have done better on my 6-month supervised diet, all in all I lost 2 pounds total...but fluctuated from gaining and losing all six months - I didn't do the best I could have unfortunately. Hopefully we will here something soon! I am really looking into all the great recipes for protein shakes while I am waiting! This site is wonderful!!!!

I swing a bit on this issue. We had a huge argument on here about a plus sized girl who was in one of those model competions on the TV in England. She *was* a beautiful girl, way beyond the norm. She was comfortable in her own skin. I dont see anythign wrong at all with her being a model, being photographed or winning the competition over the other models. She is representative of a large portion of young women the world over. However, she was being held up as some sort of icon, a poster girl for healthy living and body acceptance. Body acceptance maybe, but if you're obese, you're OBESE. You dont get that way by living a healthy lifestyle and encouraging acceptance of obesity is not going to do a lot for the health of western nations is it? Body acceptance is one thing and there's plenty of ugly skinny people around just as there is beautiful obese ones. Beauty is beauty in any form. So if someone wants photos of themselves and wants to show them, I applaud her confidence and acceptance of herself. However, failing to acknowledge that fat is unhealthy is simply living in denial. The crazy thing is though that many "plus sized models" are actually perfectly healthy weights, its the "regular sized models" who are dangerously underweight. There's plus sized as defined by the media and fashion industry, which definitely can be very healthy and then there's plus sized. I'm afraid that overall I'm just too brainwashed though. I see a photo of a heavier naked woman and think YUCK. It jsut doesnt look "right" to me after 40 years of opening magazines to see perfect airbrushed images.

Hi Daisydog ~ I'm in Salisbury, NC ~ where are you? Dr. Roc Bauman from Carolina Weight Loss Surgery Center in Concord is doing mine. I started looking into it around September, talked to my MD about it, got his approval, and in November, I went online to sign up (you can't call there to make the appt. , you have to sign up online first, then they'll send you an email letting you know it's time to set up the appt.) So anyway, I just found out that if my insurance (United Healthcare) approves me for the surgery based on my medical problems & history, then they will cover me 100% (minus office visit copays). You can actually call your insurace company and they should be able to tell you upfront what they cover on obesity surgery. Just ask for the benefits dept. Goodluck to you!