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Bread and rice are a big no no. It sits so heavy on your stomach. At 7 weeks I was just starting soft foods. You need to baby your new pouch and give it time to heal. Enjoy your pouch now and eat right. Now you are not as hungry as you will be 10 months down the road and if you start eating that type of food now, I fear for you at 10 months. Know someone who lost 70 lbs, started eating like pre surgery and gained 11 lbs. She has a long, hard road ahead of her. Change your mind set now while you are in the early stages, follow Drs orders, eat protein, take vitamins, and drink fluids.

My doctor only makes his patients to a liquid pre op diet the day before. Can you believe we only have 10 days left?? I am getting very anxious!!!!

Hi everyone, I was cleared by the nutritionist last week and waiting for a date. I am getting really worried and confused right now - we have 5 children ages 10-19. Two of them have a mood disorder and are troubled. My husband and I both work full time stressful jobs. I know HOW I got to be obese - I am worried that even after surgery- with all the drama that I cant handle that will still be in my life, am I going to be able to focus on ME, planning meals etc.. thoughts? Just extra overwhelmed these last few weeks.

I developed extensive blood clots from my hips to my calves 10 days after surgery and spent 1 week in the hospital. I gained 20# in water from the swelling. I weighed more than I weighed before the pre-op diet!! All I could do is wait for the IV diuretics to bring down the swelling, then I went into dehydration..it was not a good experience. I was off work 2 months and could barely walk until 1 week before I went back to work. The hospital where I work had to give me handicapped parking and rest periods every hour so I could elevate my legs!!! Now, 3 months later, I've lost 72#, I'm walking to employee lot again , I'm biking, taking yoga, swimming laps, and so much more!! If you would have asked me how I felt about WLS 3 months ago, I would have poo-poo'ed it!! Today I am happy I did it. My left leg still swells by the end of the day and I am taking Coumadin for the rest of my life, they found out I have a clotting disorder...But like I said, life is grand!!

@@LisaMergs I am right there with you and let me tell you, when that weight comes off and you realize that all that loose skin is pulling on your body, plastics is a must. At least for me it is. I started with a 5950.00 Brachioplasty and I just took a 19 week project to cover the cost of my Abdominalplasty and breast lift with augmentation. That surgery is going to cost around 18K total..... I started my new project yesterday and I swear as every hour goes by I have a secret smile on my face knowing that I just paid for part of my surgery. I think it stinks that insurance does not cover any of it. For Peres sake, obesity is a metabolic disease. And guess what, it is a disease that can and will end your life early. Why then is reconstruction not covered? I just simply don't agree with that. As I sit here all trussed up in my spanx that hold my tummy in....... It is BS and it needs to change. Just my two cents......

Good morning folks, This is my first time posting and right now, I only have some minor questions (I believe). I am in month 3 of my physician monitored 6-month ordeal (waiting period). I'm getting all my tests and procedures wrapped up WAY ahead of time so that there is nothing pending and everything can get sent to the insurance after my 6-month appointment. I am a little nervous about whether I will be approved or not but my surgeon says I am a prime candidate for the Gastric Bypass because I have Diabetes Type 2, Gastroparesis, Macular Degeneration, severe neuropathy throughout my body, and I'm overweight. I am having trouble wrapping my head around the fluid ounces required per day. So, as an example, post-surgery I can have protein shakes and if I had a protein shake today, I would drink around 8-9 ounces and be done. My dietician said I can sip my protein shake over a course of two hours and be ok. Butttttt, my question is, how many ounces am I drinking over that course of two hours? The full 8-9 ounces as usual or less? I know this is probably confusing the way I am presenting it. I understand the whole "sipping an ounce every 10 minutes" thing but does that go for protein shakes as well? My other question is, when I'm in the gym working out now, if I'm hot or need a drink, I can easily chug some water. Post-surgery, how will I do that? I mean, obviously I can't chug a full bottle of water. Just wondering what is safe..... I am sure I will have more questions along this journey of mine, but these are the ones that are nagging me constantly. I appreciate all of you folks here who have been through this ordeal, and are preparing to go through it. I don't know anyone in my personal life that has had the procedure so I am hoping to make some friends here who I can nag all the time...lol! Just kidding.... Thanks y'all!

Great job!!! I remember my first shopping trip after I could no longer fit in any of my clothes. It is such a wonderful feeling. At the beginning of the summer I bought a couple nice pairs of capris, size 14 and tops size large. I work part time in retail so I had to have a couple decent outfits and I figured they would get me through the summer. Within a couple weeks, my new clothes were falling off of me. I tried on some clothes at work and was thrilled to fit in a size 10 bottom and medium top. I now fit in a size 9 bottom and medium top in juniors. I even bought a skirt yesterday that was a 7 Keep up the great work and thank you for the motivating post!!!

I have been exploring vsg since march 2012. I only had 10 pounds to lose to qualify for surgery. The process of losing weight dragged on and on and on. When I finally met my goal weight last week, I canceled my weigh in appointment. Since then I have been out in the land of cards. Please don't diagnose me as I do feel crazy and afraid. What surprised me was when canceled my my weigh in, I feel a huge let down and depressed. I m in the uncomfortable feeling of wanting to lose weight but being unsure I am willing to sacrifice and discipline myself. Have I turned my back on a solution to my obesity? Now I feel like there is no way out of this dilemma. I am embarrassed to appear confused on this forum. At first I did not want to eat so much protein everyday. Then I became afraid of being a failure and only losing 50 percent of my e w l, and some of the studies report. I will struggle with not being able to drink liquids at mealtime. And yet when I visualize the scale dropping to 215, 205, 195, 185, 175, 165 I feel happy and giddy. But from what I have read on the maintenance boards, maintaining a low weight is just as difficult as trying to lose weight without w l s. Now you can see how I have talked myself into a corner at least for the time being.

About 7 months out and down about 95lbs. I’ve had 3 fills and 1 unfill and currently at my sweet spot. I lost weight pretty steadily at about 1-3 lbs per week right from the beginning. I didn’t exercise at all the first five months. Didn’t really feel the urge because the weight was coming off fine on it’s own. I went in for a hydrostatic dunk test about 2 months ago and was pleasantly surprised to find out that my Body Fat (this is not BMI) was about 22%, which is Average for a guy of my age. I was inspired though to get my Body Fat down to 15%, which is considered Ideal. However, to get down to 15% I would not only need to lose another 10-20 lbs, I would have to do it while gaining muscle. Well, I like a good challenge – especially one I feel I can make. I have been hitting the gym since and it is working. I went back for another dunk test a few weeks ago and I dropped down to 21%. At this point, I think I am about 10 lbs away from attaining that 15%.

started at 350 17 months into it Im 112lbs down 8 from goal but Im thinking I might go 10 or so lower then my goal. Its been a great trip, hate to say it seeing how many have to work hard for it but its been a peice of cake for me lol would of been at goal months ago but drink to much beer. Good luck and good job to all of ya.

Down 56lbs since July 27. Lost 29lbs on two week preop diet. Had Surgery Aug 10 and lost the rest since then. Go for 1st fill on sept 21. I am walking and I am up to 35min a day.

I was banded 7/10. I didn't have to do a pre-op diet. Just liquids the day before surgery. I've lost 27 lbs and just had my second fill. I don't feel any restriction yet and can pretty much tolerate anything. I do notice I don't get that hungry like I used to.

CONGRATS!!! If you have questions just ask and there are a lot of wonderful and helpful people here. Start measuring your food with a 1/2 so you have smaller portions. Don't have anything to drink when you eat so you get use to that. Also carry around something to drink all the time and take sips every 10-15 minutes. Don't eat junkfood. Start taking Vitamins so that way your use to having them daily. Hope this helps

Forget eating - If you do not have co-morbidity factors then put fishing weights in your pockets next time that you go the Doctor. They are small and you can gain 10 pounds overnight

10 months post op down 100lbs.. I have had zero issues! I can eat just about anything just in very small amounts of course, good luck! Shelly and Serra I'm from state college PA ????

@"wyominggirl" my surgery was on 12/22. It was suppo a ed to be 12/19 and my surgeon quit! I got a new Dr within 2 days after finding out about the info 2 WEEKS before my surgery!! Sent from my SM-G930V using the BariatricPal App

My old insurance covered their removal through a dermatologist, had to do a couple visits because there was a limit on how many they could do at once. HW 493lbs 3/2/16 SW 416lbs 1/10/17 CW 411lbs

Hi, thanks for asking. My surgery got postponed 10 days because my wife got banded on the 10th and her recovery was a little slower than we anticipated (very sore and very nauseous. The nausea passed after two days). She's doing great now, 2 weeks post op and the two weeks of the liquid diet and she's down almost 30 pounds and feels better than she has in years. She's on this board but never gets a chance to come on. I am going this wednesday and I'm a little nervous. But nothing is stopping me at this point. Will definitely give an update after.

Hi, I had my surgery in august so I am about 7 months in and have only lost about 35 lbs. I lost 10 of those on the pre-op diet. I am filled at 5.2 I believe. I get sick a lot no matter what I eat. I can eat something and be fine and the next day eat the exact same thing and it gets stuck. Also, when I do get sick because i feel my food is stuck most of what comes up isn't even food its flem. Does that happen to anyone else? I haven't lost much weight in a while no matter how good I eat. I don't know what to do. Hoping everything is ok with band and that it hasn't stopped working. I know Im eating bigger portions then I should. I don't get that same full feeling I did when I first came out of surgery. Does anyone have any advice or have experienced some of the same things?

Hello All, Im new to the forum but Ive been reading and more and more im getting anxious and inspired by all the stories. I have BCBS TX and I started my journey 06/23/14 only req'mts were BMI 40 + (mine is 42.6) Psyc eval, Nutrition counseling, and EGD. All have been done my file was rcv'd by ins on 08/01/14, and as of today its in review, im a little nervous and scared of being denied. I wondering how much longer will I have to wait!?!?! My tentative surgery date is 09/26/14 but could be sooner if approval process picks up the pace. Please enlighten me with hope lol

Yes, it happens, especially if you are on a very strict plan. Some are more strenuous than others. I only lost 10 lbs on my preop, but I literally have an almost zero metabolism as my adrenal glands were burned out from years of medications. However, post op, I'm now down 50 lbs at 9 weeks. Hello!!! Best. Decision. Ever. Good luck!!!

Hahahaaha! OMG. This still annoys me! All the FB recipes that are the little movies, are like gooey cheese bombs. And I "get" that Americans tend to think cheesy/gooey=comforty delicious lol...but gawd! Stop it! LOL. Cheese makes post-surg pooping just a nightmare for me, despite gobs of fiber from plants/berries/nuts and a couple of stray beans, plus Miralax, plus colace. LOL. And post RNY, if I eat too much cheese, I get very nauseated. For the most part to this day at 1st Goal and almost 10 months out, I eat cleanly--very simple. No recipes necessary. LOL. Cuz recipes add not only time in the kitchen, but also add calories, You can pack in a butt load of food for 600-800 cals/day that is deeply nutritious: 1. lean proteins: fish, seafood, chicken, turkey, egg whites, eggs, lean cuts of pork/beef. and of course you also have plant proteins--which I don't really use as protein sources--more as condiments, but that's up to you. 2. low glycemic veggies 3. healthy oils (avocado, avo oil, evoo, coconut oil, sesame oil, grassfed butter, nuts/seeds) 4. some low glycemic berries Meals take about 10-20 minutes max and that's only if I have to grill that night. But we grill to have quick leftover protein sources, or quick saute in a pan, or use the GF grill so it's easy peasy...

Hey hon! I also have PCOS. I had my son naturally but then had 10 losses before I was diagnosed with PCOS (even though I have all the classic signs and symptoms, not a lot of doctors knew about it). This was back in 2005. I went on birth control for a few months, then had to take Metformin and Clomid to get pregnant with my daughter. I had her in 2006 (my kids are 8 1/2 years apart because of the PCOS) and after I had her, I was never able to get pregnant again. My hormones are all over the place and I CANNOT lose weight and keep it off no matter what I do (I always have initial success but it never lasts). I was told that bariatric surgery is huge in helping PCOS patients get pregnant because weight loss is the #1 thing that helps. It *can* help with hormones, but not always. The weight loss is really the biggest factor for PCOS patients. But that can also make birth control pills (which regulate periods, add estrogen to low estrogen hormones) more effective, as well as fertility meds (Metformin and Clomid, Femara, etc) more effective. Also makes your body healthier for pregnancy (almost no diabetes or high blood pressure issues). So the surgery is definitely huge for helping PCOS patients have a baby. Good luck!!!

Hello, I just want to give you all an update on how surgery went for me! Monday August 19th I was given a 6:30 arrival time, the checked me in and weighed me. Next the took me to a short stay room where they had me change, use the restroom if I needed to, wash my hands up to my elbow and get into the bed. By this time it was probably around 7:20. Just so you know I hate needles and well they poked me twice! Ones to get my morning lab done and another to put the IV in. Next they took my Vidal’s asked me questions, had me sign my last consent form that was to confirm the surgery and put my compression cuffs on my calves to keep blood circulation going and to prevent blood clots. Then here was the waiting game, by this time it was probably 7:50am. At about 8:25/30 another nurse came in and gave me a chance to use the restroom before being rolled down to the surgery prep room/recovery room, there I met my anesthesiologists, my in surgery nurse, got prepped for surgery, signed consent form for anesthesia. And then I was just waiting for my surgeon to arrive, he was late 17 minutes which I heard was normal for him by one of the nurses waiting with about 4 of us to go in to surgery. When he arrived he asked me how I was doing and I had any last questions and then was told he will see me in the operating room. The last thing i remember was my anesthesiologists giving me something to “calm” me down in my IV as i was being rolled away going into the operating room. Next thing I wake up in recovery, being asked about pain which was high for me but I remember also being really nauseous so they didn’t want to give me much pain medicine because they didn’t want me to to get more nauseous. While still in the recovery room all I remember is them changing me to a different and more comfortable gown from being in this itchy paper one I was given in the beginning. They took off all the stickers off me and rolled me to my room where my mother had already been waiting for me. I probably slept most of the day Monday. By the time I was in my room it was already 11:45am/12pm. My mom stayed with all day till about 5:30 and my sister visited me for about 2 1/2 hours and left at the same time as my mom. Which I appreciate them keeping me company even when I was knocked out (but I did feel bad) _______ Now I was told everything went well with surgery BUT once I started to wake up more during the night I did have quite a bit emotions going through my head. Like what did I just do? I want to cry. All because all I wanted to do was drink water/my liquids in normal speed (they brought me Water at around 4pm but my tray of liquids at 6 for dinner with medicine cups) but i knew I couldn’t and that i had to take sips because i didn’t want to hurt myself. I had a hard time with that! Tuesday came and I was brought my breakfast and it took me a long time to drink even one thing because I had no appetite and my mother had to remind me to drink one medicine cup every 15 minutes like I was told to by my nurse. I had a little pain but was able to get it under control. My surgeon came and checked on me at 11:45 and I asked him if having pressure in my chest when I drink normal and he said yes it is but it will go away after today or a day more. He told me surgery went well and that I even look good being as awake and aware as i was the day after surgery. He saw I was keeping my liquids down and didn’t vomit once so he requested the discharge nurse to start my discharge paperwork. Meanwhile that was happening I was seen by my dietician, even though I had the papers at home she gave me another copy but gave it to my mom since she will be taking care of my groceries, she also gave me my medical card to keep in my wallet just Incase of anything which is also a card that gives me permission to pay for half a meal half price later on if I was to go to a restaurant. I got discharged at 1:30pm and let me tell you from all the bumps and turns (the little that we did have) got me REALLY car sick that I had to close my eyes in the car and even when I got home at 2 I still had a little nausea for about an hour so I napped because I couldn’t find my little mint thing they gave me to smell when nauseous (I told my mom to put it with my stuff but I couldn’t find it unless she put it in her purse and forgot). Dinner came around and I had brought home my Protein drink from the hospital I didn’t finish at lunch and I had a hard time drinking it, i just didn’t have no appetite. Anyways that’s how surgery went! How are my AUGUST 19th 2019 surgery siblings doing? It is 3:27am Wednesday morning (wide awake as I type this in bed, was woken up by my mother checking up on me at 2:40 asking me if I have to use the restroom so she can help me out of bed since my bed is high, we checked my incisions and one of my incisions started to leak a little which I was told if it did to just put gauze or a bandaids on where it’s leaking. Got back to bed but started to have pain so I had some medicine and then decided to type this out and now here I am lol. _____ Pictures bellow are from when I was in the hospital. The two in the dark was Monday night after dinner time (they left my tray because they wanted me to work on it throughout the night when I was awake because I kept falling asleep) and the one I’m in with my tray was taken by my mother to send to family who wanted an update on me and on how I was doing on Tuesday at breakfast. 

I asked my doc about it and he said only about 10% of people experience it. I hope that's true. Right now, my hair is the ONLY part of me I like! Also, I take Biotin now for my nails, which were thin and weak due to years of acrylics. It really helps!