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I know you're concerned because this is all new but not to worry..you really don't feel much of anything. Just remember to sip right now as your insides likely are swollen. Don't get on the scale...you may have gained weight because of the swelling and you don't want to focus on that now anyway. If you feel hungry, you likely are. It's better to be hungry than to feel sick so I think you're ahead of the game. Remember to follow the doctor's instructions, don't try to test the band..not now, and not ever...and you will do fine. Congrats on your surgery!

@@gowalking, thanks for the post. Happy new year to us all. The bypass was in April, and I have had wonderful results. No, it did not take away all external problems, there is still a foot of snow outside right now, my relatives still think I am too liberal, and I still have overeating impulses! But, slowly nailing those really bad habits -- behavioral types say that after 4 months without feeding the habit, it is likely gone -- I am about to declare "too rapid eating" a thing of the past; drinking with meals is long gone; beer and soda pop are gone; too big of portions gone (thanks pouch). Am working on stronger daily exercise habits but almost 120# gone sure makes me more mobile. Looking ahead to a year from now. I would like to be close to goal weight, my eventual is goal weight at two years out. I want to enjoy healthy wonderfully tasting food, and see my BMI under 30!

I was also banded Nov 06 and I have lost 41 lbs as well. It is slow but it is the lifestyle change that is most important to me. It is a struggle every day and some days the meal planning gets to be a real nusiance but I look at it from the perspective that I am learning a new "skill". The band does make it easier in that I don't have that ravenous feeling I always got as soon as I even thought the word "diet". But it is hard work!Sure, like everyone else on this board who wanted to lose the weight overnight, I just try to eat the right things and take it one meal at a time. it takes time to undo all the wrong eating habits I developed over my lifetime. Keep looking forward and not down at the scale.

Hi please never use the word "only lost " instead say I lost 7 lbs . I think 7 lbs is a lot in 2 weeks . Try to not compare yourself with others . We are all different . Is funny how much we want this weight to come off so fast but it took us years to put the extra weight on . The weight will come off , do not stress yourself . Stick with the sleeve rules and you will success. One day at a time . You are doing fantastic , good luck .

Thanks for your post, Petra. I have been on puree food for 4 days and gained a pound. My doc told me ahead of time not to be surprised if I gain weight when I introduce food back into my system after 4 weeks of liquid, but it's still frustrating. It's good to know that it will come off eventually! Like you, I am not hungry either. I eat my half a cup of food (ok sometimes 6 oz) three times a day and that's it. I guess I just thought because I was eating so little that I would lose weight. But I guess after 4 weeks of liquid my body is holding on to all the calories it can.

My weight has been really slow. However, today my pants were really lose so I put on a belt I bought in June. My husband had to make an extra hole about 2-3 inches from the last hole. It was an amazing feeling!

I am a 34 years old and am a teacher in the Philadelphia School District. I am a mother of two beautiful and healthy girls and I am married to their wonderful father. As a teenager, I always struggled with my weight, but never going over 20-25lbs. of what I should have been. When I started teaching I weighed about 155-160 lbs. which was thinner for me. Within the first few months of my new career, I noticed a big change in my physical and mental health. I was always tired, achy, feeling depressed and just didn't feel right. I went to the Dr. with my concerns and after several different tests, I was diagnosed with Epstein Barr Virus (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) and Fibromyalgia. I was put on several different medications and gained 65 lbs from January until September. That October I got pregnant and could never get off the weight I put on from the medicine. Over the years I have added to that weight. Diabetes runs in my family and my grandmother passed away from it in May of 2010. I want to be here for my girls and be healthy. I want to have the energy to be a fun mom and enjoy all of the things that they enjoy doing. I do as much as I can with my girls but I know I could be doing even more if I had the energy. I decided to change my life for my children. I am scheduled to get the sleeve on August 9, 2011. I am going to Jefferson Hospital in Philadelphia Pa. Dr. Beekley who is partners with Dr. Tichansky will be performing the sleeve. Somehow I have found the strength to get me through the first 3 days of the pre-op diet. If I can make it through the next 11 days, then I believe I will be ok. I am really excited about it coming up and just keep trying to think positive about everything. I keep telling my husband to think positive too but he is very worried about the surgery itself. I have decided to put it in God's hands. I am so glad I have a group of people that I can talk to, that understand what I am and will be going through. I hope that I am as successful as many of you have been. I wish all of you continued success and the best of luck.

My advice? BE PATIENT. I'm up to 9cc in a 14cc band now, and it took 5 months and 5 fills to get there. Even though I was miserable with the earlier fills, frustrated that I could still eat anything and actually GAINED weight during months 2 and 3...I'm glad now that it was a progressive journey. I NOW have restriction and have been on a roller coaster of adjustments in the last week. But, going from "not" and "barely" to being "slightly" and "almost" restricted as the process went on helped my brain and my body adjust to eating lower calories. The bottom line is that your brain has to change too - making it a slower process that progressively eases you into the lifestyle change is worth it and, to me, the REASON I've been successful.

Hi Shauna! Welcome! I'm 8 months out and could not be happier, feel better or be more certain that this was the best choice for me. I don't presume this is the optimal route for everyone. I have been incredibly fortunate that I had a very smooth recovery and steady loss since my surgery. In my mind, I am a slow loser, but that really is just in my mind. I've been averaging about 10lbs a month since surgery. I no longer turn to food every time I'm having a bad day or weak moment. Not to say I haven't thought about it, I just don't want to derail myself. I want to suck every ouce out of this honeymoon phase for as long as I can. It is not the easiest thing I've ever done (gaining the weight was) It took some restructuring, some patience and a lot of support from my family/friends and the good folks here at VST. They have been my greatest advocates, cheerleaders and butt kickers when called upon. I read everything I could get my hands on to prepare myself and feel I went into this fully prepared. I agree that making the decision was probably the hardest for me. Only in the sense that I had to be honest about my needing help to finally be successful. And committing to the life-long changes I needed to make. It's never fun thinking you can't do something on your own. But I keep reminding myself that the sleeve is only a tool. I AM doing the work. I'm making the choices, I alone am accountable for my success. Boy to I feel like a motivational speaker rep. . I decided to take this year for me.. Focus on me, my health and my commitment to this process. the first few months I purposfully avoided situations where it would be harder to stay the course. We all have those in our life that say "just one pices of cheesecake won't hurt"... Those tend to be those that can stop at one piece, in my experience. 8 months into it, I'm stronger than I thought and enjoy events /dinners out as much as I ever did. With my choices in place, and my home stocked with those good choices, I am finding this to be the "easiest" way I have lost weight. I am lucky that I do not feel hunger, though I expect it may return and I am ready for it. I know that if I am struggling I have this forum full of those that came before me that know exactly how I am feeling and can be of tremendous help. The restriction for me is key, I still portion my food, mostly just not to waste. I now have a blast running around with and after my young neice. Something that was much harder for me a year ago. No regrets at all, unless you cound wishing I had done it sooner a regret. I wish you as smooth a journey as I have been fortunate to have. Good luck!!

Congrats on lovin' your scale! I hate mine today, it is lying to me and telling me I gained back 4 pounds last week. GRRRRRRRRRRRRR

Hello again all. I have been extremely frustrated with my weight loss. I had my surgery on Feb 5 2014 so I am a little over 2 months po. The first month from the time the Dr recorded my weight until he seen me 1 month po I dropped 34 lbs. I was ecstatic. When I went in for my 2 month check I only lost 7 lbs taking me down to 226. That was on April 7. Since then I have dropped 8 lbs in the last 2 weeks. I work out at least 5 days a week doing 45 mins on my elliptical and then lifting 10 lb weights on top of it to get my arms in shape hoping some of the skin will stretch back. I eat healthy getting 60 grams of protein daily and plenty of water though sometimes I may be a few grams short on my protein and a little short on fluids. Why am I not losing more weight then I am? It just doesn't make sense to me. My Dr was upset with my at my last visit for not dropping enough weight. I see so many people hitting the 100lb mark before a year and I can't figure out what I'm doing wrong. I plan to start tomorrow walking 4 miles a day like I was before I got the elliptical a couple weeks ago on top of everything else I'm doing. Can someone please help me or guide me so I can increase my weight loss?

I started out at 283 and now I am 171lbs. I'm normally around 175, which is still below my goal weight. Keep up the good work!

Try going to Obesity Help - Weight Loss Surgery, Obesity Support Groups, Obesity Forums, Surgical Procedures - It's a fairly well balanced site that shows all kinds of WLS options.

Before and Afters have been what has fueled my weightloss and kept me on task (mostly). However, I cant seem to take one of my own. I had gotten so used to taking pictures for various reasons that now when I seem my image I hardly recognize myself. I am so not complaining! What I have learned is that the last 20lbs made ALL of the difference. I look like a different person to myself! The only problem is that I feel that I look sick (not weight-wise). I am hating this winter complexion I have going on right now, I am not to pleased with my pallor. (Yes, Black people can look pale :cursing: ) Hopefully I will be able to take some decent pics soon to post on the B&A boards!

Hi Jayla - We all want to be free! And the band is a great tool. I just caution you to be aware that in spite of how it may feel, your weight is NOT the source of all your problems - it's just the scape goat. So even when you get to be "skinny," you will still have to deal with whatever life dishes out to you. Think of all those celebrities who have good looks, great bodies, and lots of money, but that does not keep them from getting divorced, going bankrupt, being thrown in jail, or OD'ing on drugs. Okay - now that reality check is out of the way... :cool: The band is a wonderful tool. It takes work, and PATIENCE. Patience is probably the #1 thing most lacking with people who have been banded. Most feel as though they are losing weight too slowly. Be aware that if you get banded, this is a lifelong journey, and it will PROBABLY take you a good 2 years to reach your goal. Maybe longer, maybe shorter, depending on how you work it. But it will not do everything for you. There are a number of possible complications - most of them are more irritating than anything else. The things I see most commonly from what I read: 1. Most people experience the "stuck" feeling occasionally throughout their banded life - where they ate too fast, or didn't chew well enough. This is very uncomfortable, and can be somewhat painful, but is temporary (usually) and is controlable by you for the most part. 2. Many develop reflux a couple of years out. 3. Chances that you'll have to have a port repair/reposition at some point is pretty high. 4. Quite a few have problems with food not staying down because they are either filled too tight, or are not chewing enough or eating slowly enough (PB = productive burp). 5. PBing is also the number 1 cause of esophagitis, which is generally treated by removing the fill until you are healed. During this time of little to no restriction, many struggle not to regain weight. The above are the most common negative side effects, but are more annoying than anything else. Other possibilities that happen, but are less common: 6. Frequent PBing is the number 1 cause of band slippage, which requires surgery to repair, and sometimes results in the loss of the band for at least a period of time, sometimes permanently. 7. Erosion (where the band is absorbed into the stomach cavity) is also a possibility, and requires surgery to fix. Again, the fix may result in the loss of the band for at least a period of time, sometimes permanently. MOST people only experience the annoying problems 1-4, and some experience NO adverse affects. The benefits of being banded, for me, far outweigh the negatives. I am one who will have to have my port repositioned. I am 9 months out, and I have only PB'd 3 times. I have gotten temporarily "stuck" maybe 20 times. I do not (yet) experience any reflux, and have had no problems with esophagitis. I have lost 61 pounds virtually effortlessly, as I do not diet, and my exercise is very hit and miss. Many people have much better result than I, because they work harder at it. I, however, am comfortable knowing that whatever I have lost is gone forever as long as I keep my band and my restriction, because I am not doing anything special that I may stop doing later. I am just living my life in what is a normal way for me, the way I expect to live it forever. AND I AM LOSING WEIGHT!!!! How miraculous is that? It is true that I mostly eat high quality, nutritious foods. I have the occasional pizza and sweets, but they are by no means staples in my everyday food choices. Would I get banded again? In a heartbeat!! Do I have any regrets? Only that I didn't do this years ago. Do I feel better than I can ever remember? Absolutely. Would I recommend this to anyone else? Without reservation. However, you do need to be aware of the possible downside, so I have tried to give you a balanced viewpoint. Hope this helps.

I am probably going about this the wrong way, but I am watching a show on TLC called "The Real Skinny." It so far is about two people who have had surgery and are now experiencing a lot of loose skin. What is everyone's take on this? Is it common with VSG, even though the weight doesn't come off as fast as other surgeries, i.e. Gastric Bypass?

That Leigha is a girl after my own heart. Been a believer in non-starvation since I started this process. Throwing a body into the starvations mode only hinders weight loss and causes those nasty plateaus. Good healthy food choices at 2-3 hour intervals makes for a healthy bod!

I was sleeved Sept. 17 and my total weight loss is 42, I am pleased with that, BUT looking at my MFP I have only lost 7 pound this entire month. I feel that is a little low for only my second month out- I will lose one pound and stay there a week and then lose another. Blood work looks good, I am eating 800 - 1200 calories a day. I am not getting in all of my water. Could this be it? I am going to be diligent today and this week and get my water in and see if this will help. Any thoughts? Thank you!

So this is my first entry....i'm pretty excited and hope everything will run as smooth as I can invision. I've been waiting for something like this all my life. I think the most fitting would be where I am at now so I can look back at this and see how far I have come. So here are the current stats: Height: 5'8" Age: 19 Weight: 315 BMI: 49 My mother called call me together and next week thursday @ 9:30am is my first appointment with my home doctor to get him to approve this and hopefully send the approval letters to everyone who will need them.. I'm pretty unsure about who he has to send them to, but I believe we will get a copy to send in to insurance. I read a lot of people who have the same insurance I have (Medical Mutual) and they had to jump a lot of fences (you have to show 6 months of weight loss attempt, which i only have 3 months of documented weight loss so i don't know if i should start WW again and waste more money or not...but i know it will really get to me if they tell me i have to wait another 6 months for approval when i've been basically waiting my entire life for this opportunity). However we shall see. I am just hoping and praying for the best. I will update this again after my appointment next week. Wish me luck! Allysia

Hi Karen I had my surgery on July 7 2012 I am self pay so I went Mexico to have it done. I went into surgery about 315 pm and was in my room at about 5 pm I was up walking around shortly after I got to my room the pain hit me about 11 pm that night I kept thinking it was gas pain but I finally ask for and was given pain meds I only needed some pain med the next day after that the pain was very minimal I did not have real bad pain at all and the meds keep it under control if you just ask for it before the pain gets out of control. If I had to do it all over again I would I had a start weight of 280 I am now almost 210 I used to have to take Motrin for knee ankle pain daily but I don't have to anymore my blood pressure has come back to the normal but higher side so far but I am not on meds anymore I feel so much better now James

I often get much sarcastic remark from skinny women I consider to be my friends and co-workers. I honestly believe I get those remark because at the end of the day they are jealous. They are also aware of the fact that, the only flaw they can judge me on is my weight, I think they realize once I am skinny they no longer will have that something wrong to look at and I think that worries them. So it may be the same for you, you may be such a great person and your friend make those catty remark because she realizes once you lose weight you will no longer be “ her fat friend”

so here i am, 3 weeks in- 19.7lbs down..feeling good, proud of myself, ready to DO this... my two very best friends are skinny bitches. well let me rephrase, one can be a bitch lol and the other is so supportive i feel like i can talk like a big girl in front of her (you know what i mean..waking up in the am planning my dinner..thinking about snacks right after i ate...the stuff i've hide my entire life). i'm going out to eat tonight for the very first time. i'm going somewhere healthy, bonefish grill, and plan to get grilled fish. i was talking to my girlfriends and mentioned that i might bring a small weight watcher scale with me just in case if they cannot tell me how much my fish weights (because i can EAT if i don't weight it--no fills yet). the one laughed a little and said- whatever it takes my love to help you. perfect answer. the other laughs, but in the bitch way, and acts as if i'd be making a scene. she says "you cannnn't bring a scale..common..this is a restaurant." ok thank you, like i didn't know. i just simply said "if it's a problem don't come." :thumbdown: NEVER stood up for my "cause" like that before. Why is it that some people act like they are supportive...but when it comes right down to it- no one gets "it" like another who is in your shoes. I suppose it's easier to be friends with "THE BIG GIRL" well too bad skinny bitch...i'm going to be coming to your category one day.

I am starting a blog for myself to have a way to look back and keep a log of my feelings, attitudes, struggles and triumphs. I am Canadian living in Manitoba. Our system in Manitoba anyway is very different than many stories I see on this site. I started out putting myself on the surgery wait list it takes approx. 2 to 2 1/2 years to get past that. Then you go to a large group meeting where they go over a in broad terms what the next levels/steps will look like and give you a info package and a in depth questionnaire regarding your current health. It was then 3 months after that I had my first one on one meetings. I do mean meetings you do 1 hour each with a kinesologist, dietician, psychologist, and surgical nurse - they go over your current status and set goals for your next meeting if you are accepted. It was again 3 months since the first set of meetings this past Aug 18th that I had my next set of meetings. I am still waiting to move to the next step - my iron levels are not at the right level for me to move on and this is not negotiable. Your Iron levels must be a minimum of 50 before you will get to move to meeting the anesthetist, surgeon, and start the classes for pre-op and post op diets. My iron levels were 45 close but not close enough. My next blood work is around the 21st or 22nd whenever I wish to go to the lab. I will hear the following week if my blood work passes. I will admit though up till I went to my individual meetings I was extremely naïve about this whole process and what to expect and how intense/involved this all is. I have done a lot of self education in the last 6 to 8 months. I suppose its a good thing I do not frighten easy and really do not shy away from hard work, but I will say I thought it was simple surgery and recovery would be a breeze. I also thought we would be given more of a choice into the type of surgery. Not in Manitoba 99% of have bypass that is what has the best overall long term weight loss results and if in the future medically things need to be undone you are able to. The sleeve may be done depending on your health. There has only been one patient once inside that they just closed back up without doing anything- that was because of health related issues and an exceptional case and that is all they can tell us understandably. I am excited and nervously awaiting moving to the next step. I don't think any of this will be truly real until I meet with the surgeon and anesthetist. Heres hoping for good news when they call at the end of September.

congrats on your weight loss.. my exercise routine is walking on the treadmill/exercising with the wii game i have borrowed from my nephew & generally keep my butt moving throughout the day

Did anybody else's cycle go way out of whack post op? I had surgery 8/13/03 spotted off and on till period 8/22 then fine for a week then spotting until yesterday and now I am having one of the heaviest periods I have ever had. I hate to be one of those people who think everything is related to the band but I am wondering if this might have to do with the stress of surgery or losing weight fast. I am debating calling the gyno but to be honest I will avoid doing that for as long as I can.