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It's all in the mind sweety, once you start really losing the weight -- in about another 2 weeks, you'll be sooo motivated that these food cravings won't be the center of your mind anymore, you'll see.... For now remember to keep hydrated, keep walking and occupy yourself with other things... Good Luck, it does get better!!!

Hi guys, So I had my first email consultation with a surgeon regarding gastric sleeve surgery, filled out a few forms regarding my health, previous weight loss attempts etc . My sister is a doctor and she's really against me having the surgery because a) she's says I'm too young (27) and be she's concerned about the risk of developing esophageal cancer later on. Have any of you read up on this or had similar concerns? It's making me reconsider my options.

Book Review - Alex Brecher's The BIG Book on Bariatric Surgery by joatsaint I just recently bought Alex Brecher's book - The BIG Book on Bariatric Surgery. You maybe asking, "Randy (by the way, my real name is Randy), you're almost 3 years post-op, why are you still reading weight loss surgery success books?" Go ahead, ask me... I'll wait. :-) (insert the theme song from Jeopardy)...... Okay, here's the answer. Years ago, I was listening to and still listen to a great motivational speaker - Zig Zigglar. He said champions never stop training and learning. Even after Micheal Jordan was at the pinnacle of his success, he still trained like he was a rookie. Even though the workouts were grueling and he didn't like it, he still met with a trainer that pushed him to his limits on every workout. Champions in any area, read and reread articles, books, listen to audio books, and watch video on being a success in their field. I know I don't know everything there is to know about successful WLS. And by continually reading, I remind myself (I have the attention span of a gnat!) of the things I need to do to maintain my WLS success. Sometimes it's just a reminder and sometimes I learn something new that I can apply to my life. So, on to Alex Brecher's book - The BIG Book on Bariatric Surgery: Living Your Best Life After Weight Loss Surgery My favorite quote from the book: "From recovering from surgery to losing the extra pounds to keeping them off, weight loss surgery is a part of your life forever. The path to losing weight and keeping it off can be challenging at times, but the rewards can be worth the investment many times over." You need to know up front, this book is not about choosing the right weight loss surgery for you. It’s great resource if you want to know what to expect life will be like after weight loss surgery. I found the book well written and very informative. The book's style is such that it doesn't assume that you know everything already, and is easy to understand. The most important part to me was the emphasis on the importance of lifestyle changes. Weight loss surgery is not a set and forget procedure. WLS success is a continuing process that requires active participation from the patient. Alex doesn't pull any punches in describing how hard WLS can be. I know! Been there, done that! Had 80% of my stomach removed and I didnt' even get a T-shirt! You don’t just wake up after surgery and are magically thin! For months after my sleeve surgery, I had trouble steadily losing the weight. I'd have stalls and get discouraged, or worse, I'd gain a pound or two and freak out. So I especially like emphasis on taking a long-term view of the surgery and life. Alex reminds the reader that successful WLS is not all about the scale. The book is a great resource for information about: discussing diet exercise mental toughness success factors that contribute to the long term weight loss surgery success setting goals dealing with friends and family members who may or may not be supportive eating right setting realistic expectations for your weight loss goal I walked away with new ideas on everyday things, like scheduling my meals and supplements, getting in enough protein without getting too bored with eating the same old things again and again, and making meals that both my friends will like and that I can eat – so I don’t have to worry about social events! Overall, I found it full of useful/practical information and even some funny parts. Well-written and easy to read, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend The BIG Book on Bariatric Surgery to anyone considering weight loss surgery, as well as to anyone who has had any type of bariatric surgery. http://www.bariatricpal.com/page/books/recommended.html

Personally I think you're better off eating the most calories a day you can whilst still losing weight from a nutritional point of view. I'd try 1000 first - well I'd try way more actually, I've lost all of my weight on 1500 or more a day. How can any doctor or nutritionist truly KNOW what you personally need in a day without extensive testing? They cant. That's trial and error on your part. Its hard to be adequately nourished on 800 a day unless you eat perfectly and I'd see no reason to go that low if you can lose on more. You wont necessarily lose weight faster. I didnt get ANY of those guidelines, all I got was an outline of how to eat for the healing phase, after that I was on my own. Given I'd probably argue with anyone who tried to tell me what I should eat, lol, that's probably just as well.

I am new here and hoping I am doing this right! I am on the fourth of six months pre-op. At my last appointment, the surgeon said he was shooting for the end of April for my surgery date! I am still undecided on which surgery to go for, by gastric bypass is in the lead so far. If anyone can share their thoughts, it would be great. My reason for WLS Is my back. I will most likely need surgery in the very near future per my back specialist and need to lose a significant amount of weight first. I was 340 when I started this journey and am now at 304. Any thoughts?

My best friend has the same problem. She was banded eight months ahead of me. Several of our joint friends only talk to her about weight loss. She likes to visit with me because we don't talk bands at all unless we are going to our support group together. She says she's got more going on in her life than her band! Some of our friends are truly in awe of her weight loss and mean well, but they are the ones having the problem relating to her weight change. In the meantime, she has gotten really good at re-directing the conversations.

Thanks. I would get a gym membership, but that's all I could do is the weights. I've never used them before!!

Hi everyone, my name is Sharon and I am from Virginia but live in North Carolina. I am happily married and have one step-daughter, she is more like my "daughter", than a "step-daughter" I am employed full time. I have not had the lap-band surgery done, but I am very interested in doing so. I am here to find out what the pros and cons are of getting this done from people that have had it done. I can't seem to lose weight, I have high blood pressure and I am on medication. If I can lose my weight I may be able to get off my meds. I may even be able to get pregnant.......I can hope. :thumbup: If there is anything else that you would like to know.....just ask.

It will probably take your head a long time to catch up with your body, but hopefully it will cease to be a topic of interest for other people once they've adjusted to the new you. As to whether you've finished losing weight, that's up to you. There's nothing wrong with any of the options, losing it, not losing it or simply taking a breather. But that 21lb will make more difference on you now than probably the first 50 or 60 did so there's probably still a lot more changing to do if you keep going. I can kind of understand how you feel because I dont see the change in myself all the time. But then again, I never saw myself as "fat" either. I just closed my eyes to it. Practically I knew I was but in the mirror I looked no different to what I looked at 21. So I can kind of bear to look now but I really cant see the change. It sure messes with your head.

Possibly dehydration--there has only been one day post-op when I didn't get in enough fluid (I was sleeping due to being up late to meet a work deadline) and I paid for it with horrible foot cramps all evening and night. This was about 1.5 weeks after my surgery. I got back to an equilibrium by really focusing on drinking diluted G2 and water (this was the first time I had G2 since the hospital and I liked it better than I thought). Also, sometimes it is a magnesium deficiency. Remember that your body needs more fluid than normal when you are losing weight.

Amazing! You look great. How do you lost so much weight that fast?

Good job on the weight loss you look great. I love muscle milk it reminds me of the chocolate milk i used to drink during my school days lol

:thumbs_up:I'm from Lino Lakes and had my band put on April 10, 2008. I've lost a total of 93 pounds! Well....that was 55 pre surgery and 38 since surgery. I started last November to lose weight and change my bad eating habits and lack of exercise. You are making a GREAT decision! Good luck to you! Just have a positive attitude and you will succeed!! Keep me posted! I'm excited for you! -Dawn :biggrin2:

You think you got it bad?!! Listen to my story. Here I am 2 years out from WLS and finally work up the nerve to talk to a pretty girl I see in a bar. So I sit down next to her and try to talk a little. Next thing I know, she starts crying, jumps up and runs away??? WTH...... But seriously Ky89, I know where you're coming from. I'm finally at a weight that I feel thin enough to start dating. This dream of finding my life partner has been in my head for over 20 years. And now that I feel like I look good enough that a woman will find me attractive, I'm afaid to start a conversation because I don't know what to do after I finally find a lady that wants to go out with me. I've spent so many years just trying to get replies on the online dating sites that when I do get a reply, I'm scared cause I don't know what to do next!!!!!!!!

My surgeon refuses to do surgery on people whose BMI is above 50 as there is a significantly increased risk of complications. If you can't lose the weight she wants, she apparently turns into the soup nazi. No surgery for you!

even before your preop diet.... was you trying to lose weight..did your doctor require you to lose wieght or did you not care. will it affect the decions of your insurance if you lost weight before the pre op diet?

Hey just wanted to say I'm 28 I'm 5'2 and my highest weight was 334. I was scared for my life when my husband said I stopped breathing at night and lips were turning blue. I did a sleep study and had severe sleep apnea. It was really hard and emotional to realize how my health was starting to fall. I discussed with my husband about sleeve surgery and he supported me 100%. I told him I wanted to live longer and not be scared anymore. Day of surgery he and I were all over the place lol nerves. Emotions. Everything. We did have the talk about what I wanted if anything bad were to happen during surgery. It's very hard to talk about that stuff and also dealing with major surgery. But, in the end it's your life. Your choice. No one knows I had it done except for my mom, dad, sister, his cousin, and hubby. I'm now 1 week after surgery and I'm down to 296. You can do this if you want it! Just talk it over with your husband:)

Funny because my bra seems tight too! I was thinking I can't wait to lose weight in my boobs! I wore stretchy pants today-much better! Belly is still tender though and all my bandages are still on. I look like a battered woman with the bruises from the IVs!! I bruise really easily! *Gordana - I use to have a classroom and I can't imagine going back 4 days post op! That's so sweet that the kids are concerned!

I just happened to find this site accidentally and I find it very informative and encouraging so I decided to tell my story on it too. I am currently 27, married for 2 years and have no children. I am a pediatric intensive care nurse at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. My weight problem started in high school my junior year. I just slowly started gaining weight, not really realizing what was happening until it was too late. It just got worse in college with all the stress. I graduated college in 2006 weighing 285 and planned to wed in december. I went on a very restrictive diet and lost 50 lbs before my wedding and shortly after gained it all back plus some. I have tried everything, weigh watchers, slim fast, various pills, ect. Nothing really worked. So I decided I needed more help and looked into bariatric surgery. After many months of waiting I now have 11 days before the "turning point" in my life. I am very excited and scared at the same time. I know I have to do something now if I want to have a fun and healthy life. Although I love food, nothing taste as good as being thin feels.

I just happened to find this site accidentally and I find it very informative and encouraging so I decided to tell my story on it too. I am currently 27, married for 2 years and have no children. I am a pediatric intensive care nurse at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. My weight problem started in high school my junior year. I just slowly started gaining weight, not really realizing what was happening until it was too late. It just got worse in college with all the stress. I graduated college in 2006 weighing 285 and planned to wed in december. I went on a very restrictive diet and lost 50 lbs before my wedding and shortly after gained it all back plus some. I have tried everything, weigh watchers, slim fast, various pills, ect. Nothing really worked. So I decided I needed more help and looked into bariatric surgery. After many months of waiting I now have 11 days before the "turning point" in my life. I am very excited and scared at the same time. I know I have to do something now if I want to have a fun and healthy life. Although I love food, nothing taste as good as being thin feels.

Hi All, I definitely feel this restriction since my fill yesterday and I am very excited hoping it will really start some serious weight loss, a bit apprehensive that I may be filled too tight, challenged at learning to eat all over again, and grateful to all of you. I have my upper GI scheduled for Tuesday of next week. Hey, I just invented this GREAT milkshake--especially for those who may not be able to "eat" Breakfast. Atkins has come out with low carb yogurt (12 grams of Protein and 80 calories). I spooned one in a glass, added milk and one packet of Sweet and Low, and it sure is yummy and not too many calories. It's not as much protein as the Protein drinks, but a lot cheaper! It's going down nicely too, so I am not too restricted I guess. I do feel like burping all the time I drink?? Thanks Donali, Alex, and others.

I had my sleeve surgery on June 2nd and am on my way to becoming the person I've always dreamed of being finally after sixty years of being over weight. I'm not experiencing anything negative so far. Just a little discomfort while drinking water. It is so hard to learn not to gulp water. I am looking forward to being able to get out and enjoy my grandchildren ages 1 and 4 of which I'm not able to keep up with right now. Since signing up for sleeve surgery I've lost 47 lbs .

I don't think it's going to make much, if any, difference. The sagginess is due to overly stretched out, damaged skin that isn't likely to bounce back. But it depends somewhat on how long you've been overweight, too - I knew there was no hope for mine bouncing back regardless of how fast or slow I lost weight. I just wanted to lose as much weight as I possibly could during the "honeymoon" period, since I knew it would get harder after that (and it does...)

i have a few... i have a six month diet and i was wondering does the weight that i started with count for my insurance. It was a first thing in the morning and was really low, my bp was higher. And the second one is for medicare what kind of pre op testing is there and how far out do they start it

My experience with my band was that it needed to be REALLY tight or it didn't work at all. The way the band works it that you are forced to eat tiny amounts, otherwise you will overeat and gain weight. A band won't work if it's comfortable! Also, ask if you can get your band adjustment without a fluoroscopy. A fluoroscopy is the equivalent to dozens (hundreds?) of chest X-Rays, so be careful of the radiation you are getting exposed to.