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Hi, I was banded on April 18. I lost weight right away and have lost a total of 21 pounds. That was the first month. I have not lost any since. My usual diet for the day is breakfeast - Quest Protein bar or 2/3 c cottage cheese or a scramble egg with peppers. lunch I usually eat 3-4 ounces of turkery or chicken breast or 2/3 c cottage cheese. dinner is 3-4 ounces of protein ( pork chop, turkey burger, chicken or fish) and 1/2 c .I even weigh and measure my food.

How did your mental health change after surgery? My weight definitely piled on when I went to college. When I moved home and then out on my own it got even worse. I was depressed and in denial that I was suffering from said depression and anxiety. I used food to cope and developed a lot of bad habits. I have declined plans to stay home and binge eat and I have also flaked on plans because I literally did not have nice enough clothes that fit me where I would feel comfortable going out with friends for a night. I have missed countless events and milestones in loved one’s lives because I have reached a point where I am in physical pain when I walk or stand too long. I’m embarrassed and ashamed that I let myself get to this point, but I’m moving forward to getting my life back. The number one thing I am excited for after surgery is getting healthy enough that I won’t have to worry that there are only booths at a restaurant or that if I go out I might have to stand and not sit. Has anyone noticed positive changes in their social life in this regard?

Great explanation. If you're still losing a pound a week, that's not a true plateau. I know it sucks to only lose 4lbs in a month... that hasn't happened for me YET since surgery, but it's happened to me plenty of times in the past with diets. Hold on to that four lbs a months because in five months, you'll be at your goal weight! I'm at five months out, and I'm terrified about hitting a plateau soon. Just my past I guess. So i'm already preparing for what I need to do to get past it. Typically when we hit a plateau, we need to change something up. Look up different types of workouts or do two-a-days (cardio for 20-30 minutes twice: once in the morning, once in the evening), or add heavier weights to our routine or more reps or try a new routine all together. Maybe have a cheat meal. I've read about zig-zag dieting where you allow yourself more calories one day. So if you're eating 800 calories a day, maybe try getting 1,000 on Saturday then back to 800 on Sunday. I've heard it's a shock to the body and can trigger weight loss. Good luck!

I am 45 years old and live outside of st. louis, mo, actually, a small town in Illinois. My BMI is 36 and I desperately want the lap band. Certainly not as much for cosmetic reasons as I do for health reasons. My mother was a brittle diabetic, diagnosed about the same age as I am now. AFter that came her congestive heart failure, high blood pressure, obesity, and multitudes of other problems. My father, brother, and sister have high blood pressure. Although I don't have these things yet, I suffer from depression related to the inability to lose this weight. I've tried everything a million times. I am an RN and by the end of my shift, my legs, hips, and back are killing me. The older get, the harder it is to do my job and I've only been a nurse for 3 years. I am going to my primary care physician in two days and so hope that he will help me. Is anyone out there in my same situation?

My first fill is 10/4. I feel I will gain what weight I have lost. A little frustrated!!

That is a HUGE betrayal and shows such a lack of respect for you on his part. That's a shame. You need to have a very serious talk with your husband and lay down some very firm ground rules about his family, 'cause I'm telling ya...time and time again we see people who gain self-respect and confidence as they lose the weight and find the courage to end their toxic relationships. [edited] OK, time for me to shut up... but wow.

It's so funny you mention that - I didn't even know we lose weight in our feet until my shoes fell off one day in the middle of the craft store, LOL!

First congratulation on ur weight lose. Mine hasn't yet been that major hopefully soon. Looking to have gastric bypass in april.. Well l have been working at reaching my pre opp weight I lost that plus some. Well last Sunday I was sitting in church service while 5 men members were singing church songs I had my bra brake. Being that I have financal struggles. I didn't have funds to run out and buy clothes for the weightloss I made . I had to keep adjusting the bra trying to hold up my chest.(take note I went from ddd to dd ) and I quit in church service. Felt one was supported while one was free. Omg talk about wronge place and timing.

Just an update and a word of encouragement to all newbies. I'm 6 weeks post op - and since the surgery I lost about 20 lbs. First few weeks on liquids and mushies were kinda sucky - but tolerable. After that - I've been eating healthy foods, mostly lean seafood, veggies, occasional red meat - but very little. I haven't had a fill yet, so without restriction I've been watching my own portions and there have been days where I've eaten more than I should have. I've started on solids sooner than prescribed but I'm pretty well-tuned to what my body wants/needs and because of portion controls I've been able to eat most things. By choice I've eliminated most white carbs: rice, bread, Pasta. I've had a bit of rice and a nibble of bread here and there and I do have oatmeal - otherwise all Protein diet will screw up your BMs and you'll have to supplement Fiber. I really hate supplements or non-natural things, so I've been increasing fiber in my diet while keeping protein high. So far - only slight constipation - I know TMI 3-4 weeks post op I've started working out: cardio about 3-4 times a week and weights on alternating days. That has helped tremendously not so much in increased weight loss as in energy levels and overall healthy feeling. BEST PART - old pants fitting again!! And shirts and jackets too!! 20 lbs is about 1 size in clothes - so I'm back to L from being XL. Yay! Tomorrow I'm going in for the first fill - really excited about that. And a bit anxious because so far I've had nothing "stuck" as there was nothing to obstruct my pipes - now it's going to be different. I'm just hoping that post fill, I'll have just positive experience as I've head up until now. That 20 lbs of weight loss has increased my energy 10-fold - now I'm hoping that the weight loss will continue at a nice, steady pace. By Xmas I intend to look like a Greek god . So - if you just joined, just had a surgery - the first few weeks are tough but not impossible. After that - things are downhill. Stay motivated!! Ahab.

I'm with you too! Banded June 27th, 1st fill scheduled for August 18th... I too am eating pretty much anything, it all goes down, so although I've had 1 or 2 bad days (eating too much) I am back in 'weight watcher' mode. 22 lbs down... Yay us! and good luck to you and roziecakes (and me too)!!

Hello Everyone: Visited with my surgeon, shrink and dietician yesterday and now I'm scheduled for Feb. 17 for the Lap-band. Looking for local folks going through what I am. My weight got up to 358lbs when I said whoa and now its time for a lifestyle change and a new me. Hope to hear from you about what you are going though.

I am sitting here on the couch typing away and he starts playing with the skin on the underside of my upper arm. "Stop that!" I say. "But mama, it's funny! It's all wibbly-wobbly and stuff!" He replies as he continues to bat at it like a kitten batting at a ball of yarn. Yep. This is what a 100-lb loss gets ya! LOL That's okay. I'd rather have loose skin on my arms than an extra 100 pounds any day!! What's an embarrassing moment you've had since losing weight?

If you're a failure, we're all a failure! And I'm not accepting that! I'm in the same boat as you are, had success with weight loss, & eventually put it back on. In my case (and then some). I'm tired of yo-yo diets, being upset with myself for becoming overweight! That's when I decided I'm going to finally take control of my life & do something about it! I know once I have this surgery & start seeing the weight coming off - I'm going to work harder - become more active, & be the best that I can be! Failure? There's no such thing in failure, when you know what you want... You just need to go for it!! Good luck with your surgery, & keep us posted on your progress!

Obesity is a multifaceted disease. It is a disease that is metabolic, physical, mental, emotional, and hereditary. Which is why the pre process includes so many hoops (psych, PCP, nutritionist, failed weight loss attempts, surgeons, family med history, etc.) Science and the medical field and most insurances now recognize and understand this based on valid long term studies. And agree that WLS, as a TOOL, is the most effective solution for people who have had a BMI greater than 35 at any point in their lives, keep the weight off for the long term. So why do we question seeking medical help for a disease? Would you not get medical help for blood pressure, diabetes, cancer or smoking? Would we think folks who did get medical help for these ailments are "Cheaters who took the easy way out?" That would be absurd. Just as absurd as thinking you've failed for considering WLS.

@@rachelr28, welcome and congrats on your decision. Fellow Garden Stater here. This will be a very different experience in countless ways. Without getting too technical, basically, the idea is that in the past, we have attempted to lose weight by reducing caloric intake which results in two physiological effects: 1) reduction in metabolism by the body in an attempt to prevent weight loss and 2) dramatic increase in hunger caused by the stomach sending a hunger hormone to the brain to demand compensatory eating until the body is back to the weight it was before you started the diet. The sleeve prevents the latter from happening. You will have a stomach that is about 15% of the volume of your current stomach, meaning you will become full much faster, and on far less food. However, your body would need the volume of food you consumed before to maintain weight with all your activities and energy output, so the result will be dramatic weight loss. Your metabolism will slow, but it can't slow enough to keep up with the huge disparity between the calories you need and the calories you can intake. The surgery's most important effect is that the hunger hormone is produced in the part of your stomach that is removed irreversibly during surgery. So you wind up with a double protection against weight gain...you just can't fit very much in, nor do you want to because there's much less signaling going up to you brain telling you that you are hungry (but there's just enough from other places to get you to eat to keep you healthy). There is even some evidence that the sleeve changes the bacteria in your stomach that results by some unknown mechanism to automatically reset your "set point" down to a healthy weight, whereas right now, it is fixed at a high weight, and your body is programmed to defend obesity in any way it can. So the way the previous poster described it, with you instead of against you, is exactly right. Best of luck!

Hello all. New to this forum and am a bit overwhelmed by all of the topics and threads so hopefully I'm doing this correctly. My name is Rachel and my surgery date is scheduled for December 1st in central Jersey. I'm using Dr. Abkin. I've been going through all of the pre op prerequisites and it's all just a lot to wrap my head around. I've struggled with my weight my entire life, and at 31 I feel slightly defeated that this is what I've had to turn to. Besides being morbidly obese (I'm 251 with a bmi of 41), I have no health issues. I've lost weight before, but I can't keep it off. What is it about this surgery that's going to make it different, ya know? Anyway, I'm maybe looking for some buddies that are sympathetic to my journey. I haven't garnered much support from family or friends. Everyone is confused about my decision. But everyone isn't me and hasn't lived my life. I hope that this post finds everyone well.

My story so far spans 6 years and includes 4 surgeries and a lot of ups and downs. In 2008, weighing in at 288 pounds on a 5'3'' frame, detesting seeing myself in wedding photos, and now having a gorgeous stepson to live for, I sought out weight loss surgery. Not to mention, my endocrinologist diagnosed me with PCOS and told me my only hope for having a baby was to lose weight. My employer is known to have a "Cadillac" benefits plan, so I had a hunch approval wouldn't be too difficult. I was correct. Getting approval only took a few months, and a minor number of hoops jumped through. I decided on the Lap-Band and was pretty excited going in to surgery. I wasn't too nervous, believe it or not! And even though back in 2008, the pre-op diet that my surgeon required was MUCH worse than what they do now (14 days of CLEAR liquids), I got through it ok. Surgery went pretty smooth- I remember falling in love with the SF Banana popsicles they gave me to eat right out of surgery - delicious!! After 2 weeks of chilling at home and lounging in the sun, I was back at work. I started getting fills soon after and started feeling the restriction. My memories that stand out - first time I got stuck was on a piece of egg and my husband had to stop alongside the road for me to slime/gag/vomit whatever you call that, ugh. The band had its good and bad. I remember getting stuck often. I remember wanting so badly to sample all of the foods at Thanksgiving dinner that I snuck away to do some yoga poses to get the food to slide through the band so that I could eat more - and was caught by my SIL who thought it was hilarious, as she downed a pumpkin roll. But a lot of the time, I paid attention to the rules, and didn't get stuck, worked out 5 days per week, and I lost weight - a lot of weight! I was down to a size 14 when I started having gallbladder issues. Getting extreme upper right stomach pain and nausea for no apparent reason, vomiting my guts up when there wasn't even anything in my guts to vomit up. That is when the band slipped for the first time. I knew it had slipped because even though I had a slight unfill, I could not get anything through the band and I was sliming/salivating constantly. I carried a can around one weekend so that I could spit my extra saliva out. Gross. By the time the dr finally decided to remove my gallbladder, the slip was so bad that I wasn't eating anything and was very dehydrated. He removed the GB, repaired the slip, and sent me on my merry way. Since I wasn't filled directly after surgery, I immediately gained back about 25 lbs. But I felt so good compared to before the surgery that I didn't care! After a couple of months of not caring, I realized I was starting to gain a little much, so I started getting fills again, pumped back up my exercise plan, and did ok at not getting stuck, not vomiting, etc. But I did still have one problem that I had from the very start. When I had the band, I could not burp. No matter how hard my husband tried to coach me, it didn't work. The gas got stuck in my esophagus and just gurgled around in there, making me (and him) miserable. I learned that if I just *barely* gagged myself with my fingers, the gas would be able to come up, and *most* of the time, I could keep from emptying the contents of my pouch. It sounds, and felt like bad Band behavior, but I was miserable and had to do something. Anyway, I started to lose weight again slowly, and was really enjoying life again. That was a pretty good year for me. That Christmas season was filled with parties, and I was able to enjoy them without the band being an issue. And on December 22nd, we found out the greatest news - we were pregnant! We had been trying for nearly a year and given it up to just enjoy life, and surprise! It was wonderful news! So, I went to my surgeon and he did a complete unfill. I had a GREAT pregnancy. I felt better during pregnancy than I have EVER felt in my life. I felt so full of positive energy. I was literally that glowing pregnant woman walking around on cloud 9! I focused on eating a lot of healthy food, taking my vitamins, drinking tons of water, continued exercising. I was a great PG mommy! (I did crave spicy foods and the baby insisted on a bowl of Graeter's black raspberry chip ice cream every night I gained weight, quite a bit, but I was so happy, I was ok with it. I had a great big round baby belly and didn't care that my arm fat was back I got up to about 248 at the time of delivery. My delivery was great. Near perfect, in fact. I made it to 8 cm before I got an epidural and delivered within 12 hours. Post delivery, they moved me to the recovery room, and that is when the disaster started. I nodded off due to extreme tiredness, and woke up aspirating my spit. Every time I nodded off while I was in the hospital, I woke up aspirating saliva. I am convinced, CONVINCED, that my band slipped during delivery due to being completely unfilled and all of the pushing. The next year was a mix of joy and misery. I couldn't eat food most of the time - well I take that back. Some weeks I could eat soups, soft foods, other weeks, I had to stick to protein shakes and milk shakes. I nursed my baby that entire year on that diet. Every night when I lay down to sleep, if there was ANYTHING in my pouch, even a little water, it would immediately reflux the second I dropped off to sleep and I would aspirate it. I got a couple of respiratory infections due to aspirating, and had to use an inhaler sometimes. I found out that drinking a milkshake at the right time of evening would cause everything in my pouch to slide through and I wouldn't take even a sip after that before I went to bed. Still nursing the baby, I did take a 2 day break (pump and dump) to have an Upper endoscopy, where a GI doctor (not my surgeon) said the band looked fine, and used a balloon to stretch the esophagus a little. This didn't really help. Not wanting to affect my nursing relationship with my very beautiful and healthy son, I continued my suffering. I suffered like this through his 13th month, when he started to drink from a cup and lost interest in nursing. After we stopped nursing, it seemed like the band got even worse. I was down to about 170 lbs. now after a year of nursing and barely eating. And now even the tricks I used for that year weren't working anymore! So back to the surgeon I went and finally he decided to remove the band. It was removed on 11/30/2012 and I weighed in at nearly 160 lbs that morning at the hospital. My insurance would not approve me for an immediate conversion, and my surgeon didn't recommend it. He wanted me to give my body a few months to recover from the malnutrition, trauma, and to see if the reflux problem would resolve. It did, immediately. I did well the first 6 months. I became an exercise nut, doing the 30 day challenge, P90X, etc, and eating a whole foods diet. I spent all day Sunday in the kitchen preparing healthy and wholesome meals for me and my family. I only gained about 20 lbs those first 6 months. Then disaster struck. I went on vacation, forgot my thyroid meds for a few days, came home with the flu, and triggered a nasty depression. A few months later, I had totally given up and was gaining weight like crazy. Within the year, I've gained another 80 lbs. Backing up a little, I tried, just a few months after the band was removed, to get approved for the Gastric Sleeve. My insurance wouldn't approve me this time because my BMI wasn't high enough. Come back when you are on our BMI chart, they said. HAH! Please gain weight and become unhealthy again, then we will help you. SO, anyway, I gave up on that for a while, and started trying again this past January. They denied me a couple of time because they tried to say the Band didn't work, so they wouldn't approve a second surgery. Uh, YES it DID! My surgeon's PA was on the war path when she heard that! A 130 lb weight loss does not indicate failure, she said! So, needless to say, she got me approved. But I shelved the approval due to some personal issues with my mom's situation. And finally decided to go for it, was Sleeved on 5/30/2014, despite my husband's protests (worried about complications/permanence) and looking forward to adding more to my story! So far, the sleeve seems alright. I am definitely not hungry, but a little unsure as to how I'm going to get my protein in with this much restriction. Gonna time my time and follow doctor's orders!

I have a similar situation....I'm in my fifth month of the medically supervised weight program and my coordinator called me last week and informed me that I would have to pay $7,000 out of pocket...my insurace has a max of $25,000 for WLS....the cash price is only 13,000 so I'm trying to understand why are they trying to collect $33,000 from me and my insurance company? We pay over $200.00 per month for health insurance that we barely use and I feel like I shouldn't have to pay extra for this surgery....my out of pocket max is 1750.00 so I just don't understand how the hospital can charge me so much for an out patient laproscopic procedure....I didn't pay this much to have both of my children by c-section with two overnight hospital stays each...it seems like the hospitals are exploiting this whole process for overweight people its just has a ring of unfairness to it...

I should probably clarify that I believe I suffered from depression before my weight issues. The dynamics of my social, romantic, and familial relationships have always influenced my mental health the most.

I am 345-350 lbs ish and I see a lot of people have gotten the sleeve that were 300 lbs or less. I do not invalidate them or think any less of them, but I just want someone from around the same standpoint as me that would know what I am going through. I am 5'6". I just want someone that won't mind texting with me and answering questions and chatting with me and gaining friendship. I do not mind female or male. Maybe even one of each to have different perspectives. I'm not picky other than to have someone who knows what it is like from my weight stand-point. I hope this doesn't sound selfish or rude! If it's something that makes a difference to you, my phone plan is through Verizon so it is free if you have a texting plan. I think if you don't then it still costs you unless you have a texting plan/unlimited plan.

I am on a two week liquid diet... 5 protein shakes, sugar free popsicles, sugar free jello, and clear broths and of course water. I am on day two and it sucks!! However, I have been drinking a lot of water to fill myself up and going to bed a lot earlier then normal because I am having caffiene withdrawal. I do recommend that if you are coffee/tea/or soda drinker to try and cut that out while you are still eating normal food so that the liquid diet does having you feel tired and getting a headache as I am experiencing. My surgery is May 9th and I am getting nervous and excited. One thing that my surgeon mentions is that they will close you right back up if they have any concerns about the size and or fatty content of your liver because it is too much of a risk if you do not shrink the liver. I do not want to take any chances in not following the orders because I went through so many hoops to get to this point. I suggest following the orders and if you are going to cheat, cheat within the first few days and then stick to it!!! Also it is important to understand that each person is different and may follow different orders based on their health, weight, and BMI, just because one person only did a few day liquid diet does not mean that your doctor is wrong in telling you that you need 2 weeks. They are not asking anything from you that you don't need to do =)

I was losing weight prior to surgery. At one of my appointments my blood pressure was lower than normal. At the time I think I was 30 pounds down and working out 4-5xs a week. So my Dr. took me off the meds to be on the safe side, and told me to keep up the exercise/weight loss. That was 3-4 months ago and my blood pressure has stayed in the normal range without meds since then. I'm now 4 weeks post op

So many changes in one week to report......... First, my tentative scheduled sleeve date changed - instead of August 19th, I'm doing it on August 5th - two weeks earlier!! When I start to think that at the end of next month, I have to start the pre-op diet - it just sort of blows my mind! Today, I went to my regular doctor, so he could write the "Letter of Medical Necessity." He offered these words of hope, which really put my mind at ease: "Ten years ago, I would have never written this letter for you, because it was mostly for the bypass - but, the sleeve surgery has been so perfected and is the least invasive - it is truly safe." Then, he looked at me in the eyes and asked me a question that sort of shook my psyche: "Just how much longer do you think your knees and hips could hold up your weight anyways?" "Not much...." I replied meekly. So, here's the weekly progress: June 2, 2013 9 weeks post op - Current weight: 316.8 Goal weight: 172 Height: 5'10" My weekly diet modifications: Incorporoate one small, healthy meal in this week. My weekly behavioral modifications: Trying to eat dinner, minus the television - needs more work. I really need to try harder to do this... Pre surgery tasks - Today - I went to my regular doctor to get the "Letter of Medical Necessity." Tuesday - second appointment with the nutritionist Wednesday - monthly Bariatric Support Group meeting

I was told by my nut. to have no more than 1/3C at each meal until my 3rd month then 1/2C. so I measured it out in a bowl and eat slowly then I don't have to worry about overdoing. It was explained to me why it seems we can eat more when on liquids is that the stomach is like a funnel the fluid goes in and drains out quickly as you begin eating thicker food they will take longer to funnel out thats one of reasons not to drink with meals so it will not pass through quickly and we stay fuller longer! Good weight loss!

Thought i would put out my update for everyone who has considered themselves a slow loser like me! Today is my two months surgery anniversary and I have officially lost 56 pounds. 31 since surgery. Not to bad considering I have a larger than normal sleeve because of scar tissue left behind from my lapband and I feel like I have been a slow loser compared to other Sleevers. I eat around 1000 calories a day which is more than most Sleevers because I don't ever reach satiety eating less because of my larger sleeve and I take brisk walks at least 3 times a week! I have noticed a pattern developing with my weight loss, I tend to stall for two weeks at a time going up and down the same 1 or 2 pounds and then I will wake up and surprisingly weigh 5 pounds less!!! This must be how my body is going to lose this weight I guess!! Just lost 5 pounds in the last two days so I bet I will stay steady for another two weeks and wait for the next swoosh!! Good luck to us all on this journey!!