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Marivan, I feel that way too. I have to fight for every pound. Twenty years ago when I was fairly slim, if I wanted to lose 10 pounds I did it in 2 weeks. I used to cut back to 800-1000 cal a day and lose almost a pound a day! Fast forward to 2 kids and 100 pounds later and I struggle to lose 1 pound a week. So frustrating!! However, before the band, I couldn't lose at all. I try to look at the big picture. If I continue at this rate, I will be at goal by next summer. And the slower we lose, the easier it will be to keep the weight off. No one knows this here yet but in my mid 20's I was a manager and Area Manager for Nutri/System Weight Loss Centers. I'm embarrassed that I used to counsel people who needed to lose weight and now I can't do this myself. The nurse practioner at my doc's gets annoyed with me because I know what to do to speed this up and I always have an excuse. I used to have clients who lost more than 100 pounds on that program. Unfortunately, those who lost it the fastest would gain it right back if they didn't stick to the maintenance program. I had a number of clients who lost it all and wound up back in my office crying because 6 months later, they gained it all back. This won't happen with us. Not only because we are losing it slowly, but because the band will keep us in control.

hi firedust! i'm 27 too and i have my first appointment is on 3/10. i'm really excited and kinda nervous too.

Hello Hopetbthinrn: I had surgery the same day and I am finding I am happily on the road to recovery. I have 2 children ages 14 and 11. I try to join my family at the table (when there is room) for the connection and sip what I am having. Soon I will be eating with them and want them not to notice too much change. I wanted to cook my favourite food 2 days after surgery, spaghetti meat sauce, just to smell it. I had 10 peeps around for dinner that night, and they loved it. My sister had gastric by pass 5 years ago and she came by the next day and had a small bowl of the sauce. That provided me with great hope. So I won't have the Pasta and garlic bread, but I have the best part, the sauce and people to share laughs and conversation with. Today is day 4 and I look forward to feeling even better tomorrow, and having a Protein shake. You will find your groove. Congratulations on having a great husband, they make all the difference. Kim

36 pounds in 12 weeks is awesome! Ugh you guys are scaring me to step it up. I have hypothyroidism so weight loss is very slow for me. I still didn't think I would loose as steadily as I have been so that is encouraging. I have 30 pounds to lose and only have lost it looks like 10 (if my scale is correct) with only 7 more weigh ins to go. I don't know if I'll make it. I ordered Vitamin D pills and Iron pills because I know I have a slight tendency toward anemia.

OMG-- I thought I was the only one having this problem.. I have been beating myself up over this .. As for the doctors scale .. My appointment is ALWAYS late afternoon. ( we drive 7 hours each way ). His nurse (about the size of a 10 year old) takes nothing off for clothing.. I have thought about wearing the same clothes every time , but don't want to look like that is the only cothes I own. The good thing is, all of my "old" clothes fit so poorly I could smuggle watermelons in the butt of my pants and my blouses would be good forsmuggling a couple of loaves of italian bread.. I am soooooo proud of all of us !!!

Today is gonna be easy peasy! Ok so I am so sorry for all of you out there who have to do several weeks of liquids prior to surgery! My nut wants me doing high protein, low cal, low carb, no fat... I need at least 10 ounces of meat per day and up to 4 veg, 1 fruit, 3 starch, 0 fat. Yesterday I cooked all my chicken for the next 10 days. I cut bnls sknls chicken breast into 2 ounce strips (approx) Cooked them in the oven with some cooking spray. Next I put 5 strips in each ziplock bag. 7 in the freezer and 3 in the fridge. Went to the store last night and got Sargento low mozzarella string cheese. I also have V8 splash for my 1 serv of fruit and 1 of my veg servings. Vitamin Water Zero is my new fav drink since I quit Pepsi Max. I am also taking a women's multi-vitamin every morning. I will switch to a diff vitamin source the last couple days before surgery so that I will be used to it. I don't have a date yet but have submitted to fep blue for approval. After approval I want to be scheduled asap so I decided to go ahead and start the pre-op diet since it's not taking away any of my protein shakes I have stocked up for after surgery. I LOVE chicken and cheese so I think this is gonna be quite easy for me. I am not going to be eating much else. Going to a cook out Sunday but I will be taking my chicken, cheese stick, and vitamin water and avoiding the chips and soda!! I am super excited about the prospect of surgery in my near future!!! I am praying for an approval and a speedy one!! My children, friends, and most family know about my decision. My husband is SO supportive!! Alot more than I thought he would be. But he sees all the work I am putting into getting prepared mentally and physically. I have lost 30 pounds this year and I should include that in my ticker... Thinking I may change it. My mom was very skeptical at first but I sent her to vertical sleeve talk on FB and she started reading there and now she is so excited for me!! I am going to be BLOWING UP fed bcbs phone lines checking my status LOL I love reading this board!!!! I feel like I know so many of you and I have met a couple. You all are fantastic!!!

I cannot even presume I know anything about you or your situation, I can only speak on my own experiences.... To me, the band's intentions are to change the way I eat, the amounts, and to a certain extent the types of foods I eat....including the time of day..... It is a fine line...a true balancing act, walking a tight rope, for me to find that "magical" place between being too tight and eating differently...changing my habits....and it took a few months after my final fill to learn it....it was a very hard thing for me to learn, with many stuck episodes..sometime 2-3 times a day.....because I am stubborn, and a hard learner...not wanting to give up my old habits I picked up over the years.... The way I eat today...without giving it a second thought, 2nd nature, new habits,...I could never have imagined possible before being banded.....but change I did....I eat like a bird as the saying goes....many peoiple comment I do not eat enough, and worry I am ill or something....yet I run 5 miles a day and work 8-10 hrs with energy to spare....I put those who are concerned to shame..... if I were to attempt to eat the way I used to, it would be a stuck episode for sure...but I learned....so I no longer attempt....it has become a lifestyle... I am no in that lifetime phase, where everything new is now ingrained in me...I do not have to think about what I can and cannot do..there are certain foods I now simply ignore....I can walk right by them.... I do not need to count calories, worry about portion sizes....DIET is a 4 letter word! It is truly a lifestyle! But it took some hard knocks and hard lessons to get here....BANDSTER HELL....at any time I could have backed away and given up...the band is adjustable...fortunately my Dr. kept pushing me to go onwards...he understood that my life depended on it and I may not get a 2nd chance at this.... But again, only YOU know what is happening to you...and only YOU have control over your life....

How old is your little one and are they fairly independent? My almost 3 year old I had no problems with post op (sleeved 12/10/12). But she's in a toddler bed, potty trained and can climb up into her booster at the kitchen table. So honestly I didn't really have to pick her up much at all. I also only had one incision so I didn't have too much pain. If yours still needs to be picked up a lot then you might want to get someone to help. Just my opinion.

Hi ladies! I started to gain like crazy after my second pregnancy I've tried so many different diet plans and lost the same 10-20 # over and over. I've been thinking about WLS for almost 3 years, but had lots of reasons why it was not a good idea. Finally this winter my two girls went skiing with their Dad while I got to sit like a lump in the lodge for 5 hours.....big, sad sigh. At 47....the time has come to end this! I want to feel good, be healthy and do things with my girls before its too late. I am blessed to have my husband's insurance so it was easy to meet their criteria. So far, my surgery is scheduled for May 20th. I still have to meet with psych and the Nut. I can't wait!!!! :-)

Oh here is a subject that I love. New York and Company could make me go broke along with H & M. I now own 3 pair of Miss Me jeans. I truly think I am addicted. Never walked into a buckle store before WLS. I own at least 10 winter coats. Lol. Don't get me started on cute boots and shoes. Inhave clothes I haven't taken the tags off from and I just keep shopping and my husband.....he is worse than me. He thińks he is dressing up a Barbie doll. It's sooooo much fun' not to mention expensive. There are so many other stores out there too that I didn't mention. They are all fun. And to accessorize charming Charlie's is fun too.

I am 10 years out. I lost 145 pounds - was 54 years old at surgery. I eat. I even have a half of a cocktail every once in a while. But half of a margarita fills me up and makes me drunk now ! I eat well, healthfully. I watch carbs. I use rice or pasta as a sprinkle added to a dish, rather than as the main event. Chinese dinner out (pre Covid) I will order chicken with vegetables and sprinkle some rice on top ! If I grill a small steak - it might make three or more meals for me with salad or vegetables. I love something sweet - and will have a small serving of ice cream or a chocolate - but that is like three little squares off a cadbury bar !!! But I indulge in very small amounts. My sleeve still helps with that. No issues. Post op was hard - my body does not like surgery. I needed two nights inpatient to stabilize - but I did well afterwards. No issues no problems.

I am beginning my journey on Monday, September 15 for the initial seminar. My insurance covers the surgery so I'm not too worried about that aspect...but I am concerned about denial. What are some of the reasons dr's deny patients?? Also, how long does the process usually take from seminar to surgery day? I'm going to be using a doctor that is 1 1/2 - 2 hours away from where I live and with a 10 month old, my husband and I both in school...and no reliable sitter...and then the cost of gas (ugh!)...how many visits and what kind of visits will I need to attend pre-op. I just need some reassurance...getting kind of worried now:scared2: And I haven't even started yet! :smile:

I hit my sweet spot on my second fill at 8.3 cc's. It held until I had to have an emergency unfill last Thursday after getting sick. Once you get there, you stay there for some time, at least in my case. My Realize band has gotten me 10 pounds from goal in less than 8 months. I love my band.

Prayers for you today! We are sleeve sisters- mine is today as well at around 10:40 am pst. As you can see, I'm still up at 1am...hard to sleep!

Now let me see if I can even put this tastefully.....hmmmmm I dont give a flying .....well you know what I mean. I made this decision by myself.... I paid for this decision by myself (well Kaiser did the most of it).....I have never been a person that needed another being to appreciate what I have worked so hard for......If someone notices I grin like a chesire cat.....and my sashay takes on it a new life of its own. If someone ask me if I had surgery (which has not happen as of yet) but I will say yes with a grin....I am not going to hide anything.....I dont feel the need to.....this is the best decision I have ever made in my life....and Im going to revel in it and hopefully in my joy, in my shining light.....someone who may need that one thing to make the decision for themselves.....will do it or at least ask about it ....I will answer all question honestly both the good and bad....and hopefully my smile and my glow will let them know that both the negative and the positive was sooooooooooooooo worth it....I am only at the begginning of this wonderfully marverlous journey....and I fully understand there will be some twist and turn.....but for every step I may take backwards....trust me when I tell you Im going run 10 steps forward.....So I will feel no shame.....I will not accept their judgement....and I will sashay proudly with every pound lost.....

Never thought it was going to be so hard to eat slow. Was cleared for puréed/mushy as tolerated and on my list was Cheerios made soggy in milk... First couple bites were slow and I chewed, and they were small bites, but then habit set in and I shoveled THREE bites into my mouth at one!!!!! I caught myself before I swallowed and I swallowed in 3 smaller portions but man I felt like I was in 6th grade and about to miss the bus!!!!! SW: 324 DOSW: 322 CW: 309 surgery date-7/10/13 Sent from my iPhone using VST

And I had supper at my parents tonight (fish, mashed potatoes and green beans) and I never realized how FAST PEOPLE EAT! My brother, his girlfriend, my mom and my dad were DONE with platefuls of food within 15 min. Done cleared and dishes done. I had eaten 3 bites by that time and looked up to see I was alone!!!! I pointed it out and my mom was like "wow you never realize that when your the one doing it!!" SW: 324 DOSW: 322 CW: 309 surgery date-7/10/13 Sent from my iPhone using VST

I had a dream last night/this morning that I took a pregnancy test and it was positive. So this morning, out of curiosity I took one. It's positive! Wtf?! I took 2 more and the same outcome! I've been trying for over 10 years to have another baby. Idk what to think or how to feel. I feel like one of those clueless teenagers "I didn't know it could happen to me!" Even if you've been trying unsuccessfully for a long time, be careful!! SD:1/28/13 HW:358 SW:338 CW:297

Chanelle, my heart is going out to you. On doing a cursory search of the academic medical journals on pregnancy after bariatric surgery (because as of yet, I have not found one which encompasses 'surgery whilst pregnant' and I concede the procedures documented do not encompass VSG), I found the following. Go straight to the abstracts/conclusions to get the gist of the research and findings. Sorry to everyone else for the information splat taking up your screens. This is clearly not merely an issue of the fetus being exposed to radiation through an x-ray or the impact of the anesthesia on the fetus during the VSG procedure (which is not to be overlooked and if you'd like me to send you a complete article privately, I can - 'cause it's very long to post here and you'd need to read all of it to get the baseline). It is also about the severe nutritional, Vitamin and mineral deficiencies present in the first weeks after the operation which appear to have a significant impact on the progress of the fetuses growth and development in utero. A point that would need significant evaluation, monitoring and intensive hands-on care. If you would like to ask any questions on the below, please do not hesitate to contact me. Much love x Analgesia, Anaesthesia and Pregnancy A Practical Guide 3rd Edition By Steve Yentis Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London By Surbhi Malhotra St Mary’s Hospital, London Publisher: Cambridge University Press Print Publication Year:2012 Online Publication Date:December 2012 Online ISBN:9781139012966 Paperback ISBN:9781107601598 Book DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139012966 Subjects: Anesthesia, Intensive Care, Pain Management ,Obstetrics and Gynecology, Reproductive Medicine Chapter 3 Anaesthesia before conception or confirmation of pregnancy Many women will require anaesthesia when they are pregnant and many will be unaware that they are pregnant at the time of the anaesthetic, especially in the first 2–3 months of their pregnancy. The thalidomide catastrophe initiated the licensing arrangements for new drugs and their use in pregnancy; the current cautious stance of the pharmaceutical industry is reflected in the British National Formulary’s statement that no drug is safe beyond all doubt in early pregnancy. The anaesthetist should have a clear knowledge of the time scale of the developing fetus in order to balance the risks and benefits of any drug given to the mother. A teratogen is a substance that causes structural or functional abnormality in a fetus exposed to that substance. Problems/special considerations The possible effect of a drug can be considered against the stage of the developing fetus: Pre-embryonic phase (0–14 days post-conception): The fertilised egg is transported down the Fallopian tube and implantation occurs at around 7 days post-conception. The conceptus is a ball of undifferentiated dividing cells during this time and the effect of Downloaded from Cambridge books Online by IP 129.215.17.188 on Wed Jan 29 01:41:58 GMT 2014. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139012966.004 Cambridge Books Online © Cambridge University Press, 2014 drugs on it appears to be an all-or-none phenomenon. Cell division may be slowed with no lasting effects or the conceptus will die, depending on the severity of the cell damage. Embryonic phase (3–8 weeks post-conception): Differentiation of cells into the organs and tissues occurs during this phase and drugs administered to the mother may cause considerable harm. The type of abnormality that is produced depends on the exact stage of organ and tissue development when the drug is given. Fetal phase (9 weeks to birth): At this stage, most organs are fully formed, although the cerebral cortex, cerebellum and urogenital tract are still developing. Drugs administered during this time may affect the growth of the fetus or the functional development within specific organs. Management options The anaesthetist should always consider the possibility of pregnancy in any woman of child- bearing age who presents for surgery, whether elective or emergency, and should specifically enquire in such cases. If there is doubt, a pregnancy test should be offered. If pregnancy is suspected, the use of nitrous oxide is now generally considered acceptable, despite its effects on methionine synthase and DNA metabolism, as there is little evidence that it is harmful clinically. Similarly, although the volatile agents have been implicated in impairing embryonic development, clinical evidence is lacking. Some drugs cross the placenta and exert their effect on the fetus, e.g. warfarin, which may cause bleeding in the fetus. Key points The possibility of pregnancy should be considered in any woman of childbearing age. No drug is safe beyond all doubt in pregnancy. Further reading Allaert SE, Carlier SP, Weyne LP, et al. First trimester anesthesia exposure and fetal outcome. A review. Acta Anaesthesiol Belg 2007; 58: 119–23. 6 Section 1: Preconception and conception Pregnancy shortly after bariatric surgery. Transliterated Title: Svangerskap like etter fedmeoperasjon. Authors: Skogøy K; kristin.skogoy@nordlandssykehuset.no Laurini R Aasheim ET Source: Tidsskrift For Den Norske Lægeforening: Tidsskrift For Praktisk Medicin, Ny Række [Tidsskr Nor Laegeforen] 2009 Mar 12; Vol. 129 (6), pp. 534-6. Publication Type: Case Reports; English Abstract; Journal Article Language: Norwegian Journal Info: Publisher: Norske Laegeforening Country of Publication: Norway NLM ID: 0413423 Publication Model: Print Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 0807-7096 (Electronic)Linking ISSN: 00292001 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Tidsskr. Nor. Laegeforen. Subsets: MEDLINE Imprint Name(s): Publication: Oslo : Norske Laegeforening Original Publication: Chistiania : Alb. Cammermeyer, 1880- MeSH Terms: Bariatric Surgery/*adverse effects Pregnancy Complications/*etiology Adult ; Bariatric Surgery/methods ; Duodenum/surgery ; Female ; Fetal Development ; HELLP Syndrome/etiology ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Small for Gestational Age ; Obesity, Morbid/metabolism ; Obesity, Morbid/surgery ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Complications/metabolism ; Pregnancy Outcome ; Risk Factors; Time Factors ; Ultrasonography, Prenatal ; Weight Loss Abstract: Bariatric surgery is increasingly used to treat morbidly obese patients. Fertility in women may be enhanced after these procedures, owing to substantial weight loss and possibly a decreased absorption of oral contraceptives. We report a pregnancy that occurred two months after biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch in a 32-year-old woman. She subsequently developed haemolysis, elevated liver enzymes and low platelets count (HELLP) syndrome and had a weight loss of 43 kg (from the bariatric procedure) until the infant was delivered preterm by caesarean section (due to low activity). The infant was small in relation to the gestational age, with a weight of less than 50 % of the expected (780 g at 29.6 weeks). Histological examination demonstrated a small placenta with insufficient spiral artery trophoblast infiltration, possibly caused either by severe preeclampsia or by maternal nutritional deficiencies. Severe metabolic aberrations may complicate pregnancies after malabsorptive bariatric surgery. Patient preparations before weight-loss operations should include information on fertility and birth control in the postoperative period. Protocols for monitoring of patients that become pregnant after bariatric surgery are needed. Comments: Comment in: Tidsskr Nor Laegeforen. 2009 Mar 12;129(6):536-7. (PMID: 19291887) Entry Date(s): Date Created: 20090317 Date Completed: 20090319 Latest Revision: 20110330 Update Code: 20131125 DOI: 10.4045/tidsskr.09.34019 PMID: 19291886 Database: MEDLINE with Full Text The risk of adverse pregnancy outcome after bariatric surgery: a nationwide register-based matched cohort study Mette Mandrup Kjær, MD; Jeannet Lauenborg, MD, PhD; Birger Michael Breum, MD; Lisbeth Nilas, DMSc OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to describe the risk of adverse obstetric and neonatal outcome after bariatric surgery. STUDY DESIGN: Nationwide register-based matched cohort study of singleton deliveries after bariatric surgery during 2004-2010. Data were extracted from The Danish National Patient Registry and The Med- ical Birth Register. Each woman with bariatric surgery (exposed) was in- dividually matched with 4 women without bariatric surgery (unexposed) on body mass index, age, parity, and date of delivery. Continuous vari- ables were analyzed with the paired t test and binary outcomes were analyzed by logistic regression. RESULTS: We identied 339 women with a singleton delivery after bari- atric surgery (84.4% gastric bypass). They were matched to 1277 un- exposed women. Infants in the exposed group had shorter mean gesta- tional age (274 vs 278 days; P .001), lower mean birthweight (3312 vs 3585 g; P .001), lower risk of being large for gestational age (ad- justed odds ratio, 0.31; 95% condence interval, 0.15– 0.65), and higher risk of being small for gestational age (SGA) (adjusted odds ratio, 2.29; 95% condence interval, 1.32–3.96) compared with infants in the unexposed group. No statistically signicant difference was found between the groups regarding the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus, preeclampsia, labor induction, cesarean section, postpartum hemor- rhage, Apgar score less than 7, admission to neonatal intensive care unit or perinatal death. CONCLUSION: Infants born after maternal bariatric surgery have lower birthweight, lower gestational age, 3.3-times lower risk of large for ges- tational age, and 2.3-times higher risk of SGA than infants born by a matched group of women without bariatric surgery. The impact on SGA was even higher in the subgroup with gastric bypass. Key words: adverse pregnancy outcome, bariatric surgery, gastric bypass, pregnancy Pregnancy after bariatric surgery: a current view of maternal, obstetrical and perinatal challenges Ronis Magdaleno Jr • Belmiro Gonc¸ alves Pereira • Elinton Adami Chaim • Egberto Ribeiro Turato Received: 6 May 2011 / Accepted: 14 December 2011 / Published online: 29 December 2011 Ó Springer-Verlag 2011 Abstract With the increase in the number of bariatric surgeries being performed in women of childbearing age, physicians must have concerns regarding the safety of pregnancy after bariatric surgery. The aim of this review is to summarize the literature reporting on maternal, obstet- rical and perinatal implications of pregnancy following BS. Methods English, Spanish and Portuguese-language arti- cles were identied in a PUBMED search from 2005 to February 2011 using the keywords for pregnancy and bariatric surgery or gastric bypass or gastric banding. Results The studies show improved fertility and a reduced risk of gestational diabetes, pregnancy-induced hypertension and pre-eclampsia, macrosomia in pregnant women after bariatric surgery. The incidence of intrauter- ine growth restriction and small for gestational age are increased. No conclusions can be drawn concerning the risk for cesarean delivery and the best surgery- to-conception interval. Deciencies in Iron, Vitamin A, vitamin B12, vitamin K, folate and Calcium can result in maternal and fetal complications. Conclusions Pregnancy outcome of women who deliv- ered after BS, as compared to obese populations, is better and safer and comparable to the general population. Close supervision before, during and after pregnancy following bariatric surgery and nutrient supplementation adapted to the patient’s individual requirements can prevent nutrition- related complications and improve maternal and fetal health. Keywords Bariatric surgery Pregnancy Pregnancy complications Morbid obesity Weight loss Vitamin A Deficiency in Pregnancy: Perspectives after Bariatric Surgery Cristiane Barbosa Chagas1, 2, Cláudia Saunders3, 4, 5, Silvia Pereira1, 6, 2, Jacqueline Silva7, 2,Carlos Saboya8, 9, 6, 2 and Andréa Ramalho3, 10, 11 (1)Clinical Medicine, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (2)Center for Research on Micronutrients, Josué de Castro Institute of Nutrition, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (3)FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (4)Nutrition and Dietetics, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (5)Research Group in Maternal and Child Health (GPSMI), Josué de Castro Institute of Nutrition, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (6)Clínica Cirúrgica Carlos Saboya, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (7)Human Nutrition, Center for Research on Micronutrients, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (8)Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil (9)Brazilian Society for Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery, São Paulo, Brazil (10)Social Applied Nutrition Department, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (11)Instituto de Nutrição Josué de Castro, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Av. Carlos Chagas Filho, 373. Edifício dos Institutos Bloco J, 2° andar, sala 26, Ilha do Fundão, 21941-590 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Andréa Ramalho Email: aramalho.rj@gmail.com Published online: 12 December 2012 Abstract This study aims to describe the clinical consequences of vitamin A deficiency (VAD) in pregnant women after bariatric surgery. Included are studies on VAD during pregnancy and after bariatric surgery conducted in humans from 1993 to 2011. There are few investigations on the relationship between pregnancy and bariatric surgery and on the damage to the binomial mother–child resulting from VAD in this relationship. The high percentage of VAD in the postoperative period is a cause for concern, especially considering the function of this vitamin in certain biological moments and in moments of intense nutritional demand. This vitamin serum evaluation is recommended during the prenatal period. Keywords Pregnancy Vitamin A Vitamin A deficiency Obesity Bariatric surgery Retinol Beta carotene Night blindness

i think the majority of people think the surgery is primarily successful because of restriction, which isn't the case. it is the hormonal balance and therefore the metabolic shift...this changes over time and appetite increases. This is why virtually ever surgeon has a recommended food plan/diet. Clearly surgeons don't explain that people will be able to eat more over time and that it has nothing to do with pouch size because food doesn't stay in the stomach for very long it. Generally the pouch or sleeve empties in 30 seconds to a few minutes. That is what they see in xrays. It is stretch receptors in the stomach and intestines that send the "full" message. Dr Matthew Weiner has a great video that indicates normal is a few bites at 1 month, 3 oz at 6 months, 1/2 plate at a year, 3/4 in 3 years and 1 plate at 5-10. This is true for me. 18 months post op i can eat a salad bowl with 3 oz of protein (soup size) or 3-4oz of protein and a side of veggies 1/2 to a cup depending on the day. Guess what though, if I'm sitting with friends at a restaurant, over the 90 minutes we are there i could quite easily eat a french fry every couple of minutes and end up having eaten a half a plate of fries after eating my dinner (I don't, but I know i could). that would be eating around my tool, it hasn't stretched I just let my stomach empty and then refilled it over and over again. Dr Weiner says weight regain usually has almost nothing to do with anatomy. Yes there are cases where people will force feed themselves over an over again and stretch out their stomachs or in the case of RNY, the stoma, research says it is not usually the case. Like most other people I have had some regain, most recently I went away on a vacation for 10 days with my closest friends. it was a week in a ski chalet with wine and lots of cheese, fondue one night, cheese and pate in the afternoons, eating out. I put on 7 pounds. then lost the 7 lbs over the 3 weeks following the trip when i was back home and back to my normal healthy eating. I know I have to be very careful and vigilant with my food choices if I don't want to become a regain statistic.

Four Ideas on advice for crazy Pooch: #1 NEVER EVER give human medicine to an animal without checking with your vet. They may be "like" the human equivalent BUT probably a very very different dose. Please be careful. #2 Exercise your pooch more- typically when you gain FULL control in a walk with a leash the "chain of command" switches to the owner & the dog will naturally fall into a more submisive roll. A well exercised dog is always a calmer dog. A min. of 30 mins a day- everyday!!! #3 The more calm & assertive you are with commands the better the pooch will be in her aggression. Try to AVOID the situations that make her lash out. EXAMPLE: If she bites you when you are walking up the stairs- teach her to come away from the stairs & stay first. Than always tell her good girl(once command is mastered) try not to reward with food & than proceed up the stairs. Once up the stairs give the dog a "release command" like OK(say dogs name) & than if done well "good Girl". You than have removed her from the situation. #4 Work on training even more than before. Only work with her alone - not w/both dogs- give her "special time" with you only. Only train for 10 - 15 mins per day. Never train in the same spot all the time- mix up the locations. If all else fails try & contact a professional trainer in your area that deals with problem pooches-- I wish you tons of LUCK Teresa- You can do this & can create a great relationship- It will just take a HUGE HUGE HUGE amount of patience & time. Good Luck

I was banded 9/8 and had my 1st fill 10/24..it was a weird experience i wont lie..the only thing that hurt was the lidocaine which is a pinch and a burning sensation to the numb the area..after it was numb i stood with my back against the wall and he located my port and stick the needle in..while he was injecting saline i was drinking water to see how it goes down...i have 2cc in a 11cc band i go for my next fill 12/5...good luck and dont be nervous it wasnt as bad as i thought it would

I have been heavy since my teens. Struggled for 24 years while in the Coast Guard to stay within required standard.. Which lead to my voluntold retirement. Since then my weight has been climbing even though I try to watch what i eat and try to stay active. I've had both knees operated on and the pain keeps me from doing too much in the form of exercise. I started researching gastric sleeve surgery in December. Talked to my wife and neighbors (neighbors both had bypass) and on Saturday I filled out and submitted the 10 page questionnaire to start the process with the local university hospital. I originally submitted and was approved for the sleeve with evolve weight loss but they are out of network and would be over 7k. In network would be 2k so trying again. Hopefully I attend the seminar on Thursday and get the show on the road!! Thanks to everyone here, reading your stories have really put my mind at ease regarding the process.

I had a similar situation when my son was two. I tried to play out side with him more, playing ball, go to the park, walking around to smell flowers, finding bugs, take him for a ride in the stroller, rode him on the bike. Sometimes it was hard and i only got a 10-20 minute walk because he was not in the mood after a long day. We would play head sholder knees and toes. I tired to think of thing that he would be interested in and that I could get some exercise as well. It is not the same as the gym but it felt better than nothing to me. Try jumping rope, great cardio even if for only a few minutes at first. Put some music on and dance around while you are doing laundry. I just try to get more movement in when i am at home doing chores. Best of luck to you!

Well lookey here Sam, it takes time. And your body does stall a few weeks after surgery. And then you'll suddenly have this week in which every day you lose a lb and it is really fun. I did that and now I'm up a lb. But most people seem to lose 10-12 lbs a month so I think you've done great. Weight loss didn't stop, your body just needs a minute to hold onto your fat. But with the calorie restriction it can't hold onto it forever. Be patient, stop weighing. Weigh only one day a week and record it and you will see progress. If you weigh the other days that is just for fun.