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Oh so much to talk about with this..... Sorry, but I'm going to ramble a bit. First off, there are risks and benefits to each of the three surgeries (as background I had a lap-band, miserable with it, prolapsed, lead to emergency removal, and now have a gastric bypass. I'm also a family practice physician assistant. I'm not a bariatric expert, but I've been around this a bit). On average, lap-band patients do not lose as much as the other 2 surgeries. That is why surgeons typically don't recommend lap-band above a certain weight. That said, I know people that have lost 200+ pounds with the lap-band. Average weight loss is just that, an average. For everyone that loses 10%, there's someone that loses 80% of their excess weight. It's impossible to predict where you'll fall in that spectrum. Some of it is how good your surgeon is, some of it is how dedicated you are to lifestyle change, some of it is sheer luck. As far as the band, I won't say don't do it. I will say research your butt off. Again, weight loss tends to not be as much as compared to the other 2 surgeries. I would like to add that, while the band is known for it's reversibility, that is not entirely an accurate statement. My personal story was that my band prolapsed, stomach herniated (and before i get jumped for being a bad band patient, I wasn't a bad band patient....sometime crap just happens). I had an emergency removal and was supposed to revise to gastric bypass, however, once the surgeon got in to remove the band I had so much swelling and inflammation that he was not able to do the revision. They removed my band, sewed me up, sent me home to heal for 6 months, then I had my revision. I know of at least 2 individuals in my area that had band removal and had so much damage that they could not revise to another surgery....while the band is removable, I don't really feel the term reversible is 100% accurate. Another point I'd like to share is 'invasive' truth be told, you're having major surgery. All 3 surgeries are invasive. The sleeve does not have the malabsorption issues or dumping associated with the RNY. However, they are essentially cutting off a large section of your stomach. The RNY does have malabsorption and possibly dumping (most people don't dump, I happen to be in the minority that dump easily, it's really not a huge deal if I watch what I eat). Yes they are making a small pouch in your stomach and bypassing and small portion of your intestine, you are getting some replumbing done with the RNY. That said, RNY is reversible (again, subject to scar tissue and such associated with previous surgeries) IF you need reversal. The vast majority of us will never consider reversal because we need this surgery to maintain a healthy weight.....(reversibility was not a factor in my choosing RNY). I know people that have been hugely successful with all 3 surgeries. I know people that have lost almost nothing with all 3 surgeries. I know people that have had bad complications, hospitalizations, ICU admissions with all 3 surgeries. None of them are magic. None of them work without a commitment from the patient. It is not something to step into lightly..... My advice, research, research, research. Find a surgeon that you trust and listen to what they say and what they suggest. Ultimately you have to make a decision that you are comfortable with and that you can commit to. But know that every day you spend morbidly obese is taking a toll on your body and your health. Most of us just cannot lose an maintain a healthy weight without surgery. Most of us have lost and gained a thousand times. There are some that regret the surgery but the vast majority of us wish we'd done it sooner. The RNY is right for me, I wish i'd done it in the first place. But I'm not you. I wish you the best of luck with the decision and applaud your choice to start considering surgery. If you ever have questions I'm happy to try to help. Best of luck with this decision and congrats on trying I take control of your health. It's a tough choice but at least you're considering it. That's a step in the right direction.

I was honestly in tears while doing this search and found this blog. Im so sick of this band! The pain and the embarrassment from the vomiting and burping is just ruining my life. The pain is just so much and Im just at my wits end. We just relocated for a new job and the health benefits havent kicked in but even then doctors are already saying the insurance wont cover the removal. I honestly feel like Im dying. This just cant be a normal way to live! These terrible chest pains cannot be good for my heart. Ive gone to the ER several times and it seems like the docs there cant get over their weight loss bias. Its the same prior to loosing any weight! They just see an obese person that they think they are to good to help. I really want my life back. I dont want my husband and kids to keep looking at me with sorrow in their eyes! I cant stop crying because I just do not know what to do.

Hello everyone, just a quick compliment to this website and its community. You all seem to be very kind and caring to each other, supporting one another during the time of sleevery. My admiration for that. I am 20 days post op and struggle a lot with my diet. During the first week post op I lost 22lbs. Since last week I've lost another 6lbs. Last night I weighed myself and I was a 134kg and today (it's evening) I've weighed myself again and I gained 2lbs (1kg) and I'm back on 135kg. This just scared the living heck out of me. I barely eat, because I don't really know what to eat. I struggle so much with protein-intake. I bought this whey protein for so much money (we don't have much money..) and I can't even get it down! My belly can't go with the heavy thickness of protein shakes, it makes me ill. I saw they have this awesome 30g protein per bottle protein water in England. They don't have it in Germany (where I'm from), it's frustrating. Dieting is hell for me right now, my body feels weak, I can barely focus on tasks. I drink quite normally, just water and tea. I can take in liquids max 800ml a day, if it goes well 1l a day. Are there any pureed foods with lots of protein? I google all day but it drives me mad. Sometimes there are foods listed that I can't even afford (like avocados, they're very expensive here where I live). I have no one that I can talk to about this so I feel absolutely left alone, I'm on the verge of crying. I don't know how I'm going to manage this. Liquid stage went fine but pureed stage seems to be going to be tough on me. I could eat pureed potatoes but then people say they have lots of carbs. If anybody has some heartfelt advice, I'd be more than glad and happy to receive it. Thank you.

Well, the weekend was a big bust for me. Not sure how many points I went over, but I know that I blew the WW plan on Saturday night. I was doing good until then. I was released from the doctor on Friday and I decided that Monday (today) I would start the BFL program again. I am going to modify it a little, but for the most part, I will stick to the plan. I set my alarm for 4:45 am to hit the gym, well, I almost didn't go, but finally I forced myself up and headed to the gym. I'm so glad I did! My menu today: Bfast - weight wise oatmeal, WW yogurt = 3 pts Snack a few pistachios - 2 pt Lunch Green salad with all kinds of vegies, and 3 oz of baked chicken breast - 3 pts Homemade salad dressing with EVO and lemon and vininger - 2 pts FF pudding - 2 pts Dinner 1 baked potatoe with lean ground beef and side salad - 5 pts WW dessert - 4 pts Exercise - :cursing: 35 min on elliptical 5:00 am 45 min with strength training UBWO - 11:30 am Wt - didn't weigh this morning, but will be weighed tonight at the WW meeting. Hopefully I'm down at least 1 lb!

Fainting, tremors and weakness can be signs of low blood sugar. Several individuals that underwent RNY gastric bypass surgery experience a type of hypoglycemia called "Reactive Hypoglycemia". Here is one link about this condition but you can search for other links on the internet. https://www.ridgeviewmedical.org/services/bariatric-weight-loss/enewsletter-articles/reactive-hypoglycemia-postgastric-bypass/

Hello, sorry this is going to be long. I hope someone will have advice. I had Rny in July of 2014. Since surgery I have been extremely exhausted. I have had my blood work done. Many times. My hands and feet go numb. I have a vibration in my left foot that feels like I am stepping on a cell phone on vibrate. Sometimes I get dizzy even when sitting. And my feet will sometimes just not work. It's all mostly in my left foot. Sometimes I have a hard time lifting it and it feels like it's not there. I also get body tremors. Mostly my hands. Sometimes my whole body. They have tested my bloodwork, did a CT scan looking for ms or brain cancer. They have done an emg. I have seen a neurologist whom looks at me like I'm insane. I am about 10 pounds under my goal weight. And I either keep losing or stay where I am at. My bariatric program has high turnover for all their staff from Dr's to secretaries so I have been doing all my follow up with my primary Dr. I take a multi Vitamin, Calcium with Vitamin D, Biotin, fish oil, b12, and Iron ( iron every other day so I don't get constipated) potassium and magnesium. I was doing them all twice a day but my neurologist took me off of them all to see if I was having a reaction. I added them back in once a day myself because i started getting horrible migranes. I juse added b complex and a vitimin d pill to see of that would help. So far it helped with body tremors but my hands still shake and I still have all other symptoms. I'm tired of seeing Dr's. I just want to feel half way normal. Any advice would be appreciated. Sorry it's so long.

Hey bandsister!! I'm with you about wanting to be able to eat a little during the holidays. Normally I'd think I don't have quite enough restriction, but I really was able to enjoy Thanksgiving and have already lost the extra couple of pounds four days of (mini)pigging out put on me. After Christmas, though, I'll be calling the doctor to tweak me a little. This losing weight thing is FUN! :cool:

that sounds about right. The minute you fall below 40 you have to have comorbs to qualify. I have heard of some people buying ankle weights and other inconspicuous weights for the monthly weigh ins. Some people wear the ankle weights with boot flare jeans and have a large lunch before being weighed in. I know that might sound like cheating but consider the alternative. Just food for thought. ;)Good luck! Cheri

I have my surgery booked with Dr. Kelly in January, but told my husband I'd give our insurance one more try... I have a BMI of 37-38 with no co-morbidities. With my insurance I have to be on a 6 month supervised diet. I get that I would need to be at 40 to qualifiy, but I wouldn't want to stay at 40 for the entire 6 months. When I called BCBS I asked and the rep said that my ending weight needed to be at 40, or 35 with 2 co-morbidities. Does that sound right? Thanks for any input or experiences that you can share to help me out!

no I dont believe it was that by any means. I have my good and bad days and think of quality of life. Was it even worth it to have this surgery to see nothing but loose skin just so society would accept me as well as friends and family and possibility of improving my health. the improvement in health was a major bust tbh. i have social anxiety now and go out very rarely due to the weight loss. Right now with the bills mind ya medical bills i cant just go buy something to fit me now. no thrift stores arent an option either my life doesnt work that way. Sent from my SM-G935V using the BariatricPal App

Ok heres my question. Is it possible to loose without getting fills. The reason i ask is ive lost a fair amount of weight since my post up diet. I have never had a problem loosing, just keeping it off. Im pretty motivated to start exexrcising and getting in shape. The band so far has gave me a great start. I just dont see the point in getting fills if you are loosing and can keep loosing comfortably. I know its there if i need it and i know i will need it to keep the weight off, but not so much to take it off __________________

I am super excited!!! I had my psych eval on Wednesday this week and was cleared to see the surgeon. So it was scheduled for October 16th that was the first available. I was kinda down because not being able to loose any weight what's stressed me out. Then about 10 minutes ago I got a call from the office. There was a cancellation so they want me to come in next Wednesday. I'm thrilled beyond words. The nurse let me know that they will submit my paperwork to insurance after this visit and that my surgery should be in October. I don't have anyone here to get excited with so I had to share my news on here. I hope the appointment goes well and everything gets submitted quickly. I'm also thrilled that I will be able to start walking daily and build up some strength prior to surgery!

I spent the entire last week in another state with my Mom watching my niece and nephew. I was bored, stressed, did I mention all week with my Mom and tired. I decided to carb it up, not really carbs but sugar. I decided to have dessert, basically every night almost. My sleeve held me in check with portions but sugar was not an issue. I gained 3 pounds.....3 3 is the magic number to slapping me back into my place. I am also now having to fight the sugar cravings I created again, annoying so annoying. Some of you might think why go through all of this just to fall so far off the wagon. Well I still fight the mentality every day that one cupcake or package of M&Ms won't hurt. I have always ate when I'm happy, ate when I'm sad and ate for energy. I have not been allowed caffeine in many many many years so I used sugar as a boost. As for the why, I thought I wanted a week of freedom, but really it was a week back in the prison of sugar. I played and I paid. So it's back to basics and back to feeling better, back to coloring in the lines. I refuse to beat myself up though, I am a success and will be a long term success!!!

I would have to say that if my PCP didn't support me I'd go find another one. It might be fun to flaunt in front of her in a few months once you've dropped some weight!

Thanks everyone for your replies. Hmmm i really like the idea of flaunting in front of her once I drop some real weight! LOL! I dont really have many health challenges, so I basically only see her once a year for my annual PAP. So I guess I really dont care what she says and dont have the time or energy to find a new PCP. Now if she starts pissing me off that's a whole nother story!! Wait is nother a real word? LMAO! Thanks for the replies guys! I love this site!!!!!

Hi all. I'm Lisa and I had my sleeve surgery 4 weeks ago today. I have type 2 diabetes, hypothyroid and PCOS so my goal is to eliminate my health issues with weight loss. I'm still adjusting to my new life style. It's like a grieving process with food. Does anything else agree? I've gotten nauseous a few times from eating too much. It's creating new habits I guess. Anyway I'm down 18 pounds from day of surgery. Does anyone else have health issues? Also any advice to break old habits would be appreciated. Thanks all! ????

Hello! I have recently gained weight and I'm only 3 weeks out of surgery, I have been at the gym for the past week and I've been eating all the correct foods so I'm confused as to what is going on and getting quite worried. Any help would be amazing Thanks Xx

my cycle was all over the place before and after my weight loss... my female hormones are now 'abnormal' and it looks like I am heading into the menopause early.. I am 39! I too was hoping that with weight loss my cycle would regulate itself... but alas! In saying that we are all different!!??

Almost all chain restaurants have their menus online, which is extremely helpful. Yea if I can I try to plan... I eat out a LOT I can't always make the decision, but my friends and family are considerate of my eating habits. I've had good luck at: Red Lobster: Almost everything on the menu is pretty good for you. http://www.redlobste...nus/lighthouse/ I mean broiled Tilapia with Broccoli is 210 calories, 3 grams of fat. Pretty much anything grilled is pretty good for you there. Cheesecake Factory: Weight Management Grilled chicken, comes with rice, and some kinda of tomato salsa. It's 580 calories, but it's like 3 chicken breasts.. you can easily go with 1/3 or a 1/2 of the entree. They also have weight management salads. They are about 570 calories.. Again their portions are so big. Mimi's Cafe: http://www.mimiscafe...reshandFit.aspx Their regular menu is terrible!! (salad dressing has 600 calories haha) Mostly because of huge portions, but they have a light and fit menu, with lots of good options. I had the Turkey Breast and it comes w/ brown rice, veggies and cranberries 505 calories. Also quite a large portion, I think I ate about 3/4 of it. El Pollo Loco: I get the Chicken Tortilla Roll, it's 387 calories, and it's actually quite big. It's a good portion, and it's hella cheap. They also have a Lindora meal which is a skinless chicken breast with veggies and a salad for 275 (I'm just not a big veggie or salad person) The worst place I've found so far is California pizza Kitchen... they have no healthy Entrees really. I had to get a soup. Chinese food is pretty bad too, like PF Changs.... Unless they have a specific low cal entree. (haven't been there yet). Those sauces are loaded with calories. If in doubt, just get something grilled or broiled. Most places have grilled or broiled salmon or chicken and veggies. Just no skin, no sauces, no Pasta all that ads up! Also just keep in mind, almost all regular entrees at a restaurant are about 1000 calories, before salad, bread, dessert, drinks.....

This year has been great so far........ I had my lap band on the 10th and things have been going well. I have also quit dipping... that is a little harder, but getting throught it... And oh yeah last Friday I had three root canals and Dang! This has been a tough year so far! My mini goal for weight is 300 by the end of March. My goal for dipping is to stay stopped! And my goal for my root canals.... is never have another one EVER!!

It can be really hard to turn things round when you're iin a rut. I find it easier to focus first on exercise, doing extra, upping intensity, even starting a new program/focus (i cycle around between slow steady running, interval training, curcuit training to prevent boredom and plateaus) and then the eating follows. It really only takes one or two good days to get you back on track and srrong enough to keep going. I'm not a big one for "diets" but it can also really help just to follow a program - like a week of eating that you get in the Weight Watchers magazine or similar. Personally, I always called up for a week or two of Lite n Easy which is a home delivered calorie controlled plan we have here. Just take away the guesswork and temptation and get with it, and you know you'll get results. After that I was always fine to carry on on my own. These slumps hit all of us from time to time.

You have osteoporosis, you aren't dying!! Turn that frown upside down! Think about how much better this will be for you when you've lost your extra weight, think about where you will be in a year. Take your Fosamax like you are supposed to - on an empty stomach, 30 minutes before you eat or drink anything, and while staying in an upright position (maybe use that time to get some cardio exercise in) and think positive. You are doing this to improve your health and this is evidence #1 that you are making a step in the right direction. You are right, tomorrow is not certain, we are not promised tomorrow. SO... make the very best of what you have today. Keep your chin up, it isn't the end of the world, it is the beginning of a new one!!

When this has happened with me, I commit to just one day of eating very strictly to plan. If I don't see a weight drop, I commit to another day of very strict eating practice. Usually I see a drop in weight which re-sets my motivation and commitment to lose all this weight once and for all. It may not be what works for everyone, but it works for me. I eat a lot of chicken and Im learning to mix up a nice dish using curry paste, fish sauce, and lite coconut milk. I cook small, bite-size pieces of chicken in the mix and pour it over a tiny bit of mashed potatoes. It is tasty, filling, and has that "comfort food" aura. Hope this helps you or someone else reading these posts! You'll get back on track --- and don't harp on the holiday stuff. It's not helpful to keep mulling over bad choices made in the past (if that is what you're doing); it's done and over with. Thank goodness, huh? Focus on today's choices. ~hiddn

Thanks for the encouragement. My Dr. usually likes to fill every 4 weeks. My husband and I got banded a week apart, so when he goes in I get him to tell the Dr. I haven't noticed any change. This time he told him he would probably want to fill me under fluro. In my opinion I don't think anything is wrong with the band. I just don't have enough of a fill yet, but if he wants to be cautious, then I can go along with being proactive. He charges $500 a fill. Thank God my insurance covers 100% each time. I know it will happen but the mental game is definitely a challenge. Maybe ifI had known going in that it could possibly take this long I would have been better prepared. I don't mind the weight coming off slowly, I just think I would have a better success rate if I had proper restriction. I would probably lose the recommended 10lbs per month instead of 0-3lbs a month. Please keep in touch because I definitely need the support.

Thank you everyone so much for your replies! Last night was rough on me, I panicked! @Sosewsue61 I'm glad that's normal. I got worried that I might've done something wrong! I will try those foods and see if I can have them. I have googled lots of recipes and stand-alone foods but some I can not afford, so I gotta keep it "cheap". I will go to the store today and try to get all the things you named in your post! I usually manage a max. of 33oz, I'm trying real hard though but I've never been a big drinker, this is my biggest challenge I think. I was thinking of putting tiny water bottles in every single room in the house and take a single sip each time I pass those rooms, does that sound like too much? @GlowingGal It's comforting to know I'm not alone with the struggle and to know that you got an alternative already. I would love to try chicken, fish and salads. To be honest I've had a teaspoon of feta and tuna before and both went down well, the tuna felt a bit heavy though. But since the surgery I have never vomited or felt sick so I feel open enough for those foods already, it's just I'm really afraid that if I don' stick a 100% to the plan I will not lose any weight. Perhaps I'm just stressing myself out too much, I'm just really petrified of failing. @Tina Meinkowsky I've bought Whey Protein Powder online the other day, 2kg (4lbs) pack! It is recommended to take 3 spoons of it (which have 30g of protein in total) with water or milk and I've tried that, but he consistency is so thick and heavy that my stomach can't bear it, after a single sip I feel "sick" and stuffed, it's very uncomfortable. I'd mix the poweder with smoothies but it makes the smoothies thick in consistency so I struggle again. The best way for me would be protein water but for some reason that doesn't exist in Germany? Aren't there any tablet supplements with proteins? Thank you all again tons for your replies!!!