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I promised myself I would take pictures of my progress mainly because it is so hard to see changes day to day....below is high weight (about 230), the day of surgery(220) and today (207.5)....almost 3 weeks out. Please ignore my filthy house and scowl (oh, and the horrible house shoes in the first phot!) Little by little I am getting there

When my weight stalled, my NP suggested one day of higher calorie/good fats (avocado, olive oil) - no processed or forbidden foods. Then back to a regular WLS diet. It seemed to work - my weight dropped a couple of days later after a 4 week stall. I had RNY and while agree with Ladybandito on nearly every point, I have been advised not to go longer than 3 hours between meals/snacks (I'm on a 6 times a day routine - 3 small meals and 2-3 healthy snacks). Maybe a difference between lap band and gastric bypass? I also hear a lot of talk on this website about the 5:2 diet (5 days of normal eating followed by 2 days of "fasting") but I haven't needed to get that extreme yet.

It's early....I was gaining weight 6 weeks after surgery, and I had my first fill 4 weeks after surgery....( I had Lap band surgery) But then 1 year after surgery and I was 80% successful....shortly thereafter 100% But again, you did not mention what surgery you had....

Exactly what I was thinking. If you look at my ticker below, when I get to my goal weight of 240, my BMI will still be 30. 30 is still considered obese. I'm 6'3", an athlete all my life, and have lifted all my life. My weight really got out of hand, but c'mon, I graduated h.s. at 250 as a starting tackle on the football team. That is just ridiculous. As for that bill, there is no way it will ever get passed. I would imagine it is just some little hick legislator trying to get his/her name out there.

Hey guys...Got a bit of an issue. I was banded in Nov2010, lost a little weight intially and then started to have problems within 3 months with my doctor telling me it was probably nothing. Well my bad had slipped and I got it fixed in Sept2011 since then I've gotten up to 4cc's and have had to have an unfill because I've been throwing up or sliming thru my nose in my sleep. This happens occasionally but not all the time. I'm at 3cc's now and this is still happening. I can eat just fine, it's only I eat or drink something within hours of going to sleep that it becomes an issue. What should I do? I don't have heartburn...but I'm told it could be acid reflux so I'm taking Prilosec but it doesn't seem to be helping. I'm also nauseaous most of the day. Help!

non evasive surgery and if need be can be reversed ie removed was my main reason. Also in Uk and as self pay it was cheaper and the long term results seem to be very similar with regards to weight loss.

Wow Loseweightin08, you have lost that much weight just this year WOWOWOWOWOWOW!!! I want to know what you did if you don't mind. I was banded on Sept.8th and I'm down 28 lbs and I have 86 lbs to go to meet my goal of 150 that I've set for myself. I was told that us Lapbanders can lose as much as the Gastric patients but at a much slower pace like a pound a week, but you have proven that it can be faster. Are you working out? How many calories are you eating everyday? Okay, I am so excited for you and I because you give me hope for myself and I thank you. Please pm me if you like. WOWOWOWOWOWOW!!! Congrats! You are doing an awesome job cool.

Hello all. My name is Tiffany. I am 27 years old from NE Ohio. I am a wife and mother to 2 children, and a step daughter. I am in the research stage right now, considering if lap band is the right option for me. I would like some input from those who have been there as to what to expect in the beginning. What are the requirements to qualify, what testing is generally done (i know that it does vary) What is required leading up to surgery as far as diet, restrictions, etc.. I have read all about the surgery it self, but they don't tell you the down falls of what to expect before. And the restrictions, etc. I want to be well informed making this decision, as it will be a life changing decision. I have had problems with my weight for many years, unsuccessfully losing weight, despite diet and exercise. Now is the time to make a change. And i feel this may be my best option. I would Love to hear from others who have been there Thanks in advance Tiff:smile2:

Weight loss surgery will not fix any psychological eating, binging, self sabatoging issues. Additionally it can be very emotionally taxing. The insurance and surgeon want to ensure you are capable of being successful. Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

Hi! I just wanted to introduce myself (and my husband). I am a 30 year old registered nurse who has struggled with my weight for my entire life. My husband is a 33 year old "computer dork" who has also struggled with his weight for longer than he can remember. We both were extrememly active in high school, and even into college, but of course that changed when we hit "real life". We have both lost weight and gained it back. But thankfully we are both getting banded next week - me on Monday 7/28 and him on 7/29!! One of the things that attracted us to each other and has kept us together is our experience with weight loss and gain. We can relate to one another and can be each other support (and unfortunately, each others worst enemy!!). But we are tired of the struggle of losing weight and not being able to keep it off. We have both FINALLY admitted to ourselves that we need help! As I said we are getting banded next week at the Institute for Advanced Bariatric Surgery, in Lenexa, Kansas, by Dr Wanda Kaniewski. We are SO excited! We are struggling through the dreaded 10 day liver-shrinking/liquid diet but are determined to get through it! I have been "lurking" around the site for several months now and decided I had better introduce myself. Thank you to everyone who has provided support to me (even though you don't even know it!). It's great to have some place to go and share triumphs and tribulations with people who understand! Wish us luck!!! :eek: ~~Allison

Thank you for your imput. It was encouraging to hear from you. Looks like you had your lap ban around same time I did and you are close to my age. I was so pleased to find this web site and last night as I was able to read about the problems and victories that others are having. The support group I attend has almost all gastric by pass people and I find that their challenges are nothing like what I will be facing. I noticed that some people have a weight loss graft at the bottom of their posts. Do you know how to acccess and make one of these? As of today I am back on track and lost the 3 lbs that I gained over Christmas. I really was pleased at how you prepared so you would not experience guilt. Guilt is something I am hoping to avoid because it is so self defeating. I knew I would face set backs but did not expect it so soon after surgery. However after reading some of the posts that talk about fillings and feeling full I think I am doing pretty well. How have you planned for your weight loss goals?

u can always get both done.. u can get the GB once u shead ur pounds u can get the lapband if ur afraid of gaining it back..!

I'm trying to figure out if I've met my sweet spot. I have lost 58 lbs since I had my surgery on April 03, 09. 20 lbs came from the pre-diet. I think I have about 5cc in a 10 cc band. Most of my appetite is in the p.m. hours. I drink 2 cups of coffee in the morning and can go without breakfast. If I have breakfast I have to really take it slow and do not eat very much. I have lunch at 1:00 and It doesn't take much for me to fill full but by dinner time I seem to be starving and can tolerate almost any type of food. My last fill was Oct 22 and my next one is Nov 30. I've probaly lost 5 lbs this month. I have cheated by snacking later in the day. I've had 4 episodes of pb and its from not chewing my food well and eating to fast. I'm afraid if I don't get a fill then I want lose any weight. I want to be able to lose some weight in December. I've always gained in December due to the holidays. The month that I went without a fill I only lost 1 lb so when I went in Oct he put in 1cc. I think I need a small fill. Just curious as to what others think.

Good morning, my name is Debbie, I found this web throught the book "The Expert's Guide To Weight-Loss Surgery" I started my process on August 31st 2011! I am scheduled for my LapBand surgery on May 1st 2012!! May Day It sure has been a journey so far, some what I call set backs alone the way, I was denied in December due to not having the 6 mth supervised diet, sine then I have on my own lost 10 lbs. I have been doing a lot of pre op preperation as I am sure some of you know about! Rite now it is count down time. "16" Days to go & as I like to call it "HAPPY NEW BIRTHDAY TO ME!" :wub: I have a lot of thought's and feeling rite now I do hear this in normal. I am very exercise active but also have a wonderfully good/bad relationship with food. I think one of my biggest obstacles is going to be the whole social aspect of food & drink. But I also know I need to do this! I am excited to be a part of this online support group & meeting new people with simular experiances. I welcome any & all feed back! Hope to see you soon! Debbie~

Hey great job on the weight loss but try to go for healthier Snacks if your still hungry between meals nuts, yogurt and jerky

This Friday will make 7 weeks post-surgery, and this morning I finally entered Onederland! 199.3, to be exact. (Hence, the "just barely" in the title). I'm down 34 pounds; almost halfway to my goal weight. Still having a bit of trouble with the Protein (I either hate the taste, or can't get it down), but I'm not giving up. i ate about 5 bites of steak the other night, and it stayed down just fine, but I was so FULL!! A few papaya enzyme chewable tablets helped it go down a lot easier. Despite the eating difficulties... BEST DECISION I'VE EVER MADE!!

I can definately relate, only I went through all of the pre-op tests BEFORE I was Informed that my BCBS also had an obesity clause!!! That was 6 years ago. Last year I decided to bite the bullet and just pay for it. UGH!!!! I'm also getting ready for a TT and breast Reduction that I'll also be paying! My only advise to you is figure it out, whatever it takes. I gained another 30 pounds and aged Nother six years into my fifties by waiting. So wish I had figured out a way to pay six years ago. Best wishes to you. Hope you can figure something out.

I posted a picture on fb of myself the other day and it was next to someone who plays college football, 6'5" 338 pounds, HUGE guy. Of course I felt so tiny next to him but the reality is that at 4'11" and 185 I looked like I was fixin' to do some linebacking myself! lol I did not want to post the picture because I don't want to believe that is ME but the truth is - THAT IS ME. I don't want it to be but it is. This is me. I don't know if i have disassociated with myself or not. It will be interesting to think about what you have said and see how I feel after surgery. Oddly, when I am with my husband I don't feel like it is not me. I feel like this is me and he is okay with me. But what if I just think I think like that? LOL! Don't make me think too deeply. Congrats on your surgery and your weight lost so far! This is you and you are becoming healthier every day.

Hi Nicci, You are still quite young (30) so compared to me, your "impending time" for health stressors may be less than mine (I'm 43). And, of course, I don't know if your family has a history of serious health problems such as cardiac issues, hypertension, diabetes, cancer, etc. Any one of those is life threatening and many of them seem to come as a "package" to those of us who are morbidly obese. Our weight really does "drag us down', if not sooner, than later. My starting weight was nearly identical to your current weight, and I'm very close to your same height. I WISH I had had the option to have the VSG done at age 30! I could have had a much different last 13 years indeed! We have a family history of cancer (breast, bladder and brain), hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes, strokes, etc. I am healthy now, but if I don't get "hold" of things NOW, I am in for a world of hurt in the next decade. And it only gets worse from there.... So I had the VSG done in May, 2012. And I am now close to 80 lbs down (in less than 5 months) with another 100 or so to go! I feel great! I'm off my asthma meds (4 of them!) since surgery. I can exercise without shortness of breath. I'm down from a size 26/28 (or 4X/5X) to a 18/20 (or XL) now, and really looking forward to maybe being a size 10 or 8 (and maybe smaller!) when I hit goal. Yes, there are risks. But the % of people who develop surgical complications or post-op complications with the VSG is VERY VERY small. The % of morbidly obese people who develop serious, significant and often life-threatening health complications is VERY HIGH. So you're not "playing it safe". You're just putting off the time when the health problems will come. Now, you have a small risk. Later, you have a HUGE chance for life-long debilitating illness(es). I made sure I was very well informed about the possible complications. I prepared my Will, put my affairs in order and made sure that things were going to be taken care of (as best as possible) should anything go wrong. Then I got on a plane (by myself), flew to Mexico and completed the best decision of my life. Give yourself the chance to spend the next 50 years of your life having an active, full and healthy lifestyle with your children and future grandchildren. Don't let your body hold your spirit and your heart back. And while you definitely need to be completely informed and knowledgeable before you make this decision......don't let a few bad outcomes scare you away from the opportunity to change you life for the better. You will see that the number of AMAZING outcomes far far outweighs the poor ones. Do you research, get comfortable with your surgeon's experience, training, background and work environment. Get yourself tested "six ways to Sunday" to make sure you are a good healthy candidate for surgery and if there are any issues, starting working on the ones you have control over NOW, so you can come through the procedure as one of the success stories (like me!). I know you can do this, and you will be so grateful the opportunity exists. But above all, inform yourself and give everything you read a fair assessment. Then make your decision based on ALL the information. Not just the good and not just the bad. Good luck!

Hello! It's very well! Thanks! I am sitting here just having some broth for Breakfast. I know that today is our first day at full liquids but for right now broth is most accessible. And as it turns out, I just caught a cold. So, I am stuffed up in the nose and taking meds for the nose/head and the broth is nice for the cold. Aside from that, all is going very well. I have had a weight loss of 6.5lbs so far. It comes out to a pound a day. I love that! Now, we are moving on to full liquids this week. I am a little nervous wondering how my stomach is going to react. So, we shall see! And my incisions are doing well. The last two are coming along slowly. They have been stubborn to healing but finally, it looks like after today, they are on their way to healing up nicely. How is your progress coming along? Let me know. ReadytoMaintain

I need some advice, I have Blue Cross Blue shield of michigan and went to a consultation for the lapband, the lady verifying the coverage did not think that I would have a problem getting the surgery but once she called they told her there was an exclusion against bariatric surgery from husbands employer. I am looking through my policy as this is new insurance to me and I see nothing under exclusions for bariatric surgery however there is a clause under exclusions that says therapy or hospital admission for weight control, but that doesnt not seem like it would apply to my lapband procedure, and I was planning to have it done as an out patient procedure. What can I do if this is a medical necessity? I have several pre existing conditions due to obesity, is there a way around this? The lady at the WL surgery center suggested my husband talk to his HR dept at work to see if they can change his policy, but what would be the odds that they would do that? Any suggestions on how to fight this would be really appreciated.:smile:

Hello, I had the lap band in 2008 and lost 63 pounds. I began to have problems (I.e. vomiting, erosion of the band) and had it removed. Gained back all that I lost and more. In 2020 I had the sleeve and 7.5 months later I have lost 80 pounds and still going. When having a revision my Dr explained that you will lose slower. Let me know if you have any other questions.

I agree wholeheartedly with Dooter!!! I have struggled my entire life with weight. I have been married to the most wonderful man for ten tears. when we got married, I was a nice size 10, but do to health issues, knee surgery, and poor eating habits, I packed on alot of weight and went to size 16/18 and my husband has never missed a beat in loving me more everyday. He has always made me feel that I was the sexiest women in the room, even when I told him I wanted to have this surgery, he said, "If this is going to help you feel better and healthier for you, then I'm in this all the way." But he also wanted me to know that if I never lost a pound, I would always be his sexy wife. This is the kind of love and support you should be looking for in a potential husband, the kind that loves you "in the now' and will continue to love you no matter what. But first, my dear, you have got to love yourself. I wish you all God's best on your journey! :D

Has anyone who has been banded through Tricare (Triwest) been approved for the surgery without hypertension or diabetes as comorbidities? I am 100lbs overweight with a BMI just over 40%. But I do not have high blood pressure, diabetes, or high cholesterol (as far as I know...waiting on lab results). My TSH/T-4 levels are also WNL. The only health issues I can really relate to being a fatty are depression, shortness of breath with moderate exertion (stairs kill me), and some acid reflux. But only the depression is documented. The other stuff I just deal with and/or treat with over the counter medications. I recieved the referral to see a bariatric surgeon and I am attending the required seminar next weekend. I am just so worried about being denied because I don't have HTN, DMI or II, hypthyroid, or hyperlipidemia. I've tried weight watchers, thedailyplate.com, increased exercise with portion control, and phentermine. The only one I've had any success with is phentermine but it caused my blood pressure to increase and chest pain, which was no longer a healthy way to lose weight. There's also been lipovoxx, avakar, and alli that have also failed. I can only seem to lose 10 pounds before hitting a plateau I can't get around and then gaining it back. So....just wondering if anyone else had been approved without the "traditional" comorbidities.

I am starting to get depressed..I was banded on 10-22 and Ive only lost 25 Lbs..does anyone ha e any tips for quicker weight loss? Everyone that Ive seen banded close to the same date as me have lost alot more. HELP !