Search the Community

I'd just pack on the weight, you will have the pre-op diet and the rest of your life to lose the weight, 10-20 lbs is nothing. But that's just me

Hello VST gang!! Yay! I've been lurking between 2 and 5 pounds off goal for the last couple of months, and I'm thrilled to report that I'm finally there--and I'm sure about it, since I've been at this number for a few days now with no "bounce" back up! The last coupe of weeks, I've been trying hard to eat more fresh fruits and vegetables, and I think that has made a difference. As you may know from my numerous posts on the subject, I have a really picky sleeve--to this day, I feel like it's pretty tyrannical about what it will and will not allow me to eat, but most of the time, it works out well for my weight loss goals. I do wish I could tolerate certain healthy Proteins (fish and chicken, for instance!), but I now appreciate its inability to tolerate fried foods and sweets, so it all balances out. It was a huge challenge in the beginning to discover what would work--and I still find new foods that my sleeve will or won't tolerate, so I'm still learning. Next steps for me include getting my exercise on--I haven't really gotten into a habit of regular exercise yet, and I fully intend to do that. I am also still experimenting with getting my nutrition optimized and being sure I'm eating as wide a variety of foods as possible, including vegetarian sources of Protein. Now that I'm "at goal," I can see that I want to lose a bit more, although I'm not sure exactly how much; I still have a bit of flab around my middle and on the upper thighs that's not just loose skin--not sure how much of that will go away with exercise! Thanks to all posters on this board who continuously provide support, encouragement, and answers!! I seriously would never have done this if I hadn't been able to read all of your experiences beforehand, and I would have missed out. For me, the sleeve was 100% the right choice. I'm updating my ticker right this second!! Short story: Weight surgery morning 306. Weight today 190. (I'm 6'2", so while 190 looks really high, that's really normal weight.) Size surgery morning 3X-4X, tight 26/28. Size today L, comfortable 12 heading to 10--I pulled off my size 12 Eddie Bauers yesterday without unbuttoning--yay!! Biggest NSV: Being able to work as a conductor without getting all hot and sweaty!! I like that I can now wear elegant concert clothing, work like a fiend, and not end up drenched with sweat. I can hug people after concerts without feeling self-conscious and icky and unfeminine. Oh, and the shoes!!! I can wear cute shoes without my feet hurting!! Worst comment: From a lady at work: Oh, I see you've lost a lot of weight; me, too, but I did it the hard way (followed by me, startled, saying, "Well, congratulations on your success!" and moving quickly away). Best comment: From a female friend/colleague: I was sitting in the audience for your concert, and I was thinking, "Damn, her butt looks great!" (followed by me giving her a big ol' hug).

I try to give blood as often as the allow and just got an e-mail for the next blood drive at work. I will be about 10 weeks post-op and am wondering if I can do it by that point. Has anyone else done this?

Thank you all so much! This has been some great info! I'm sure I'll have many more questions but this has answered alot. Great to hear this seems to be successful with most people. I'm going for a re-evaluation now for the the sleep apnea because my previous results were from a study done over 10 years ago so they need more up to date info, but assuming that all goes well my doc says we can start looking at dates. Anyone have any suggestions for the best times of year/days of weeks to get the surgery? My husband is active duty military and we live about 1500 miles away from family so I'm trying to arrange my care taker needs, etc.

In about 10 minutes I would have drunk 32oz and I don't feel full at all!!! I can eat 4oz of applesauce and still don't feel full....call me crazy but if it wasn't for the incisions and little pain I would've thought they never did anything lol

I had VSG on 8/27/20. My sister is a PACU nurse and warned me not to get the bypass or similar surgery because she has seen too many bariatric patients lose the weight but develop severe medical related to malabsorption that the bypass produces. She even told me that having the bypass shortens ones lifespan by 7-10 years! I have NO clue where she got this information but she scared me into having the sleeve rather than the bypass. So far I am doing great with the sleeve but again, I’m only 6 months out.

From what I have heard the Med Grp decides if you are approved for the referral letter and once BCBS has that you get the surgery. The nurse told me not to lose much weight during the diet or I would not get the referral. What med grp are you with? My med grp used to have a 12 month diet for HMO and 10% wt loss but recently changed that because so many people were complaining. Im sure some day these 6 month diets will be a thing of the past. I have a 25 year diet that I could tell them all about.:thumbup: Please keep us posted on your progress.

Hello my name is De Anna... this is my first post... my surgery date was 01-06-09 I have lost roughly 42lbs... I haven't seen my srugeon since April... Last time I saw him he just seemed so disappointed I wasn't loosing more. I've been scared 2 go back, but I'm not loosing anymore... I'm stuck I'm going up and down between 7lbs. I go to school 5 days a week as well as work, I just feel like I dont have it in me 2 exercise. As fasr as eatting... being a college student, I dont have the finacial means 2 eat healthy all the time.. I try my best when I can but it isn't always easy. Point is, does anyone have any advice how 2 get back on track and stay on it??? I'd like 2 see my Dr. to get a fill but I just want to loose a little more before I go back...

I am scheduled for surgery in Austin, TX on 01/14/2014. I only have to do a pre op diet for 2 weeks which is 900 calories a day which contain no more than 30 g of carbs, 10g of fat, and a minimum of 70g of Protein a day. I do a Protein shake for Breakfast and lunch. I ate egg whites yesterday because I hit a starving moment and it did the job. Then for dinner I am eating salads, green Beans, broccoli, or some other green vegtable and about 10 ounces of grilled chicken breast. So far I am on my 3rd day and its not as bad as I thought it was going to be. But I can see what people mean when they refer to head hunger and after surgery when I am on complete liquids only, I hope that I feel just as satisfied now. This is definitely a lifestyle change and I have learned so much already in my journey. I wish you luck on your journey and your upcoming surgery.

@ Hi Jake, We are all here to help each other. The thing I had to learn is that everyone is different. The speed of recovery from surgery and what we can eat and when. And right after surgery is very different from where I am today at 8 weeks post-op and I'm guessing it will change again and again. The band seemed different. I was eating most things pretty soon as long as I chewed like crazy. Like the band surgery, I had no real hunger for weeks. Someone told me, the sleeve (and all WLS) allows us to hit the pause button while we figure out how to make serious life style changes. Eventually that honeymoon is over, just like the band. I say this for me, cuz this is my last chance to get it together. With the sleeve I was on mushies longer than most cuz I kept vomiting. When I could eat mushies I did measure out a small amount but it turned out to be too much. Realized too late. Also if I went too fast I'd vomit and believe me it didn't feel like I was eating fast. So to answer your question, no I didn't seem to have any clues that I had eaten too much or fast. ((but some sleevers do) I kept having a band mentality, thinking I would know immediately. So I had to learn, to eat a very small amount slowly, just a few tiny spoonfuls and then wait. It was a while before i could eat 4 oz and even now I can't eat 4 oz of chicken at one sitting. I have to be careful about introducing new foods. There are some in my January group that are eating salads and all foods. The only vegetable I can eat is steamed broccoli and steamed squash. Still no raw fruit. I also can't eat Protein and vegetables at one sitting. I have to eat the protein, then wait 30-40 minutes and eat cooked vegetables. I expect at some point that will change when the swelling from surgery is gone. Also I have been told that it can take 2, even 3 months for the sleeve to heal completely. The band healing is much faster. Today I feel real hunger. With the band I could get satiated when hungry with a small amount but it always hurt so bad. The sleeve at 8 weeks does not hurt at all. If I feel real hunger I eat 2 oz of chicken (I weighed it initially but now I know what 2oz is) and slowly eat it. Within 10 minutes I am no longer hungry for hours. At first I could only eat 1/2 cooked egg taking 30 minutes to eat the egg and then I wouldn't be hungry for hours. Now I can eat one egg. My Doc and NUT told me that eventually I will be able to eat more and then to plan on 3 meals with Snacks. But for now, they told me to eat when I have real hunger. Keep track of protein etc. And get the fluids in. Doc said I probably had more swelling than some (the vomiting didn't help) which is why my tiny little tummy couldn't hold more than a few tablespoons. Having said all this, the sleeve is much easier than the band and it doesn't hurt. What they don't tell you with the band is that after surgery, when all is healed, the band has far more complications than bypass, sleeve and RYN. Because a foreign object is in your body can erode, slip, break, etc. The sleeve once it is healed has very few complication risks. Now no one told me that when I got the band. I am SO glad my band is gone. No more tightness and pain in my stomach, no more port moving around tugging at me. Do you feel that freedom from the band too? Probably TMI, but there you have it. Best to you!

Have you talked to your Primary Care Doc or whoever is helping you manage your diabetes? I know in the Info. Meeting I went to they said that Gastric Bypass is much more effective with Type 2 Diab. I think there probably is better results with GB, but that is because in addition to the restriction you get (like the band) you also don't absorb the fat and calories like you used to , which can be good and bad. What is your BMI? If you have a BMI over 35 with the diabetes you qualify with most insurers, but I know nothing about Medicare. Can you call them yourself and find out? Check out the Insurance section of this site and see what other Medicare users have experienced. Look online and see if you can find their policy. And talk directly with the person that deals with insurance at the office you are going to and see what they say. They are old hat at this and should be able to really help you with the process. With any bariatric procedure you are going to get out of it what you put into it. That 50% loss is an AVERAGE. Some lose less, and some lose more! So for those that only lose 10% there are also those that lose 100%. What are YOU willing to put into this to make it work? The lap band is just a tool to help you out. But if you aren't willing to do the work of changing your eating habits and exercising regularly then it won't work and you will be right where you are now, but with a bunch of scars and a useless medical device in your body. Keep us updated on what you find out.

Hi all! I was banded in Knoxville,Tennessee on 12-18-2006. I weighed 255 and now weight 231. I will get my first fill on 2-2-06. I was astonished by all the burpies and flatulence after surgery. I also didn't expect to come out of surgery so BLOATED. Seems this is a side affect of laproscopic surgery. I was a terrible pre-surgery patient. My physician wanted me to lose 10% prior to surgery and I couldn't! I also wouldn't! I'm an emotional eater and I knew that if I did not get insurance approval that it was probably going to be a no go since I have 2 girls starting college. My biggest wisdom is...even being banded takes WILLPOWER. You don't get to eat alot of the things you could but the reality is...one can still eat. I have still had hunger pains but not as severe as pre band. If you think that all of a sudden you don't want food...that is simply untrue. If you ever want to ask a question...feel free to e-mail me! Take care!

Hello, I was hyperthyroid but had all symptoms of hypo. My blood level is normal and has been for 10 years but my hypo symptoms have not gone away. I am getting sleeved on March 28, 2013 so I hope this doesnt prevent my weight loss. I dont think it will. I am on the preop diet and have lost 15 pounds since March 14 which is 10 days.

Also, changing my relationship with food has helped me not be consumed by thoughts of it. It's easy to think food is running your life early out because it is. The surgery is driving and you're basically in the backseat. At 10 months out, Im pretty much at the maintenance stage where I am super mindful of what I eat. But I dont beat myself up if I go over 100 calories. These days, I get about 800-1000 calories a day.

i had surgery on dec 8 and that was my biggest fear !!!! i have temp custody of my 18 mo old granddaughter and she weighs 23 lbs ! i was told i think 10-15 lbs was my limit , but i didnt have a choice! i was so greatful my fiance took his vacation time the week after surgery to help. he did alot of the lifting stuff.....getting her out of the crib,putting her in the tub....etc...so i really tried not to physically hold her . poor thing ...she didnt understand why her mimi wasnt holding her anymore and after about 4 days she really would not come to me anymore !!at night , i would sit in the recliner and pull her onto my lap and hold her that way ....i would show her my " boo boo's and owies " so she would understand. as far as the second week .i was on my own !!!! and believe me ,it wasnt bad at all !!!i had 5 incisions with the biggest ...an inch...on my rt upper side ....so i would carry her on my left hip to tryto keep pressure off my side. EVERY SINGLE DAY gets easier .........trust me ...as far as the pain goes .......i was seriously able to be back at work after 2 weeks but am takin advantage of my sick time and go back next moday......6 weeks !!! lol!!! of all things ......that was my biggest worry ......the weight restriction thing........then i constantly worried if i would do any damage .....but i came out just fine . i know some ppl have a drain .....i did not , so it was easier on me. good luck and ask away if u have any more questions !! getting the sleeve was the best thingever !

Thank you! I've spent the last 10 years of my life fighting them, FINALLY just decided to embrace it and go with it

Hey everyone, I have been on a liquid diet for since Oct-15, was recently banded on 10-29:thumbup:, and have the worst breath... OMG!:thumbup: I understand the ketosis process and all that... but still it's horrible to walk around with your mouthwash everywhere, and not even wanting to speak. My problem now is I got a white tongue, forget about dead taste buds. I am freaking out a little, is it dangerous, should I contact my Dr. Anyone out there who's been through this situation? Thanks, Christina

Holla bandmates! I hope this finds you nice and cool in the perspective areas in which you reside, cause it is HOT in the midwest for sure. They are canceling the fireworks around here and nearby cities, please be careful it is indeed dry, I expect to see tumbleweeds roll across the prairie anytime now. I've had a little excitement today. First I had my first BM today, I know I can hear the applause coming from you through cyber world! Next, had a little "tiff" with someone because he thinks the United States started going downhill when they gave women the right to vote, no wonder I have a headache. I believe the headaches are being brought on by my cold turkey dismissal of Diet Mountain Dew, not to fret as I have found a not only suitable replacement but a Fabulous one: Crystal Light Wild Strawberry (energy) it has some caffeine it in and my headache subsided quickly and it does taste like strawberry, I don't know how Wild it is, but it works for me. Today I had about 25 oz of Chocolate protein drink, I prefer vanilla, but the Chocolate Malt wasn't bad and change is good. I also had a cup of Kroger brand "Carb smart" tropical yogurt. The Carb smart brand is more the consistency of pudding and you don't have to stir it up and of course there are less carbs, and as an added bonus you can get 10 for $4! I also had about 16 oz of water and who knows how much CL lemonade. I also walked 1.3 miles and I took my time. I'm an early riser so that's when I walk, this may change however to when it's dinner time. Although I'm not too tempted with food at this time, I'm sure it's right around the corner. I've decided when I fix dinner, I will either walk, go to Zumba, the gym, bird watch, underwater basket weave, anything not to be around when the table is set. The boys can then put the food away, etc. so it's done and over with upon my return. The thing I'm missing is a glass of wine, I put my CL in a wine glass but I would like to have a glass in the evening, or a bottle of tequila, same thing. I hope whomever's reading understands and "gets" my humor, laughing burns more calories than not laughing, it's a fact! My pain level is at a 1, still a little sore but feels like I just did like maybe 20 crunches after not doing any ever. I have an appointment for my first fill Thursday, however, after posting my concerns and reading the forum regarding your first fill, 9 days after surgery seems very fast and I can't locate another that has had a fill that early in the game. My conclusion is when they called to schedule it they said "fill" when what they probably meant was "Post-Op" visit. Either way I am not afraid, I am excited and welcome each and every step of my yellow brick road. I reference that because like the "Good Witch" says: "You've had the power all along" and what a true statement. We have had the power, we just needed the perfect tools-and by gosh we finally have the tools that we may tap into that power, not only for now, but forever. Thank you bandmates for being candid, honest, and sharing your stuff to inform, enlighten, and sometimes make us laugh or cry with each other. Until tomorrow, Onward and Upward, and as always Lo & Behold! .....Velvet

I have an appointment on December 10, to get my second fill. The first fill worked pretty well. For the first time in many years I actually lost weight over the thanksgiving weekend

I started walking on the treadmill one week after surgery. I am now in my 3rd week of spinning and had a spin class on Sunday that used weight so I used two 5lbs. I am waiting to get clearance for all other when I see my surgeon on the 19th. Surgery date 4/29/19

I had my first fill on 7/19 and have been on liquids since. Tomorrow I get to start soft food and was wondering if low carb tortilla wraps are considered soft? I'm not sure and don't want to mess anything up. I know people have trouble with it, but figure I won't know till I try. Any advice would be helpful. Thanks!

I'm 19 and 85lbs down and my stomach is a bit droopy, but honestly I'm ok with it, I'll see how it goes another 50 lbs from now when I'm at goal. And it's taken me a year to drop 85lbs so not too drastic. I was really scared too at first but once you start losing the weight, that skin don't mean shit :blushing: lol

OMG your story is terrifying, Marci!! I don't think Sombra needs to know about a massive band slip right now, since she's already so afraid. For me, the HUGE moral of your story is try not to throw up! And certainly don't make yourself... Sombra, really, don't worry. I was also terrified of getting stuck. I imagined the worst horror story, with lack of breathing, huge bowling balls in my chest, having to go to the hospital, etc... BUT IT'S NOT SO BAD!!! It's just uncomfortable. The first time I got stuck I was eating mango and it accidently slipped down my throat before I got to chew it up enough. It was so slippery!!! And I knew the second I swallowed that it was too big, so I stopped eating and I just sat there, white knuckling it until I felt it stick... That particular food felt like having some extra suction applied above the band. Like a little flap that covered the opening. It was super annoying, but that's it. And after about two hours I felt a little SLURP and the pressure was instantly gone. Have you ever eaten popcorn and have one of the little flakes stick in your throat? You know it's in there, it's annoying the hell out of you, you want to get it out, but you know it's just popcorn and it won't stay like that forever... That's sort of what stuck feels like. JUST UNCOMFORTABLE. And whatever it is wants to go down, and it will eventually, but it's going to take it's sweet time to wiggle its way through. The best thing is to stay calm. And you can also try the following: Drink super-hot tea. It stretches the band and 9 times out of 10 whatever's stuck will go down. In fact 10 times out of 10 whatever was stuck went down. This has worked 100% of the time for me. If one cup doesn't work, try two. Touch your toes, try to burp, and raise your arms above your head and then back down to your toes again. Move around. The motion of your arms going up and down and your belly folding over can sometimes move whatever's stuck along. If it's meat, try papaya enzymes and/or pineapple juice. I've never tried this, but I hear it works. If all else fails, go to your doc and have them unfill you, let the food through, and then put the liquid back in. But don't worry!!! You'll be ok. The anticipation is WAY worse than the actuality!!

I totally agree, i think what you’re saying goes both ways... no one can say how prevalent it is or it isn’t... all we can do is state our experience like everyone else. I was just merely addressing the comment that if it’s common they’d here about it, not necessarily. I’m finding evidence all over the internet in scrientific studies in medical journals like JAMA that correspond to a more broader issue with these surgeries (including less than 10 years post op) and there is a lot of complications still present even with ‘modern’ advancements. im not saying it equates common, but it’s equating enough stir in medical communities like neurological journals that warrant studies that have been done. If it’s very uncommon and rare... these journals would not have enough data to publish in the medical journals I’m reading. I think it’s fair to say that if there’s enough complications to warrant different medical specialities (for ex. The neurology paper) to see enough repeated visits by post bariatric surgery patients to warrant investigations and studies than maybe it’s ok to breach the scary topic and ask more questions, seek more clarity and transparency for everyone’s sake. Medicine is a business. Even in a free healthcare state like Canada. And business is business. Like cobalt in hips and then that poisoning those eith these hip replacements, so the companies then coat the cobalt, yet it hasn’t solved all the issues even knowing there’s still issues. im not ok with not knowing everything I can previous to any surgery and because I fall within whatever numbers are declared as a minority percentage, not getting full disclosures, just because my life doesn’t matter as long as the majority is somewhat ok.... still not saying bariatric surgery is bad at all... I’m saying full disclosure is paramount, and it should not have to be sought after by the patient post surgery, it should be a streamlined process of knowledge snd medical care continuity. I find it interesting how people are really riled up at just the questions I put out there. Why does it cause so much intense feelings. Why are quite a few respondents so quickly defending a surgery when I’m not attacking individual choice but just stating my experience and seeking my own health solutions. are people scared? I’m not judging at all... I’m being curious yet people seem very defensive and fearful of my struggles.... instead of being curious, most people who have responded are defending something I’m not accusing but I am definately curious as I said about a possible relationship between my complex medical issues that did not exist prior to bariatric surgery and are now mounting. just a mom, a post bariatric surgery patient, seeking with curiosity any possible connections here, as I’ve sought in other areas, reasons that could explain this... it’s interesting that this forum seems to be the only one very upset with my curiosity about others who possibly might have had or are having similar complex medical issues. im just a mom seeking solutions to a complex medical mess to I can live my life well and live a long healthy life with my kids. I am not attacking bariatric surgery as it seems others having feelings that I am... I’m simply seeking others who may be able to shed some light on my own individual personal experience with complex health issues post surgery, that’s all.... just seeking answers so I can get better in every place I can think of, there’s no one else to help me do it... so here I am... but seems as though everyone doesn’t even want me to ask such questions... it creates too much fear... I get that... I’m afraid too... I’m in the middle of this.... alone and trying to put a complex puzzle together. I’m not attacking or saying it’s wrong yet people are responding as if that’s what I’m saying or insinuating. I’m here because all of my issues are post bariatric surgery snd I’m just asking a simple question; are there others on this forum experiencing complications like me, do they think or have they found out that it’s from their surgery or it’s complications or that is caused by something else, and how was it resolved, how did they become healthy again... maybe no one knows, maybe the question then becomes to others; why is my curiosity so threatening to even ask these questions here? Why is my curiosity not met with curiosity but with obvious fear in the act of defending a medical practice that I haven’t accused as the cause... just being curious if it might be.

Do you get indigestion? If sleep apnea fails, and since you're a snorer better than average chance you will have it, GERD is another comorbility. I knew I probably would have it and i do. My daddy had it, I had a score of 25, anything above 10 is positive and my pulse OX went down to 71% normal reading about 98% so I have and sleep with a CPAP machine. Took a little time getting used to it but I don't have the vivid nightmares and waking up startled I used to have. Will it be better after I have surgery and lose more weight? Jury out on that one, I've seen a lot of people say they don't need it anymore. Since mine has a heredity component I might not be so lucky. My family says i look like a jet pilot with it on, if it works I'll take it as a compliment. Sent from my VS880PP using BariatricPal mobile app