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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!

So my hubby and I were having a debate about him not being supportive of my weight loss efforts. I know that I'm responsible for my own diet and workout routine but it would nice if he would just be more motivating. So he then proceeded to tell me that the reason he isn't supportive is because he doesn't want me to have the surgery. He told me that I didn't consider his point of view when I made this decision and then he is also concerned about the health risks and the excess skin issue. I understand him but a the same time, he doesn't have to live in my body and losing weight on my own is extremely hard....I have been trying to lose weight for the last 10 years with little success. I would rather have excess skin then develop health problems. Have any of you had this same issue with your spouse or someone close to you? How did you convince them that this is the right decision for you?

Thanks. I went to my GP to discuss my sugar problems. He's going to do another GTT. When I have my 5 hour test 19 years ago, they took me to the hospital in an ambulance. I'm really dreading the test next Fri. Ever since I started exercising, I'm having trouble again with my hypo. Doc said I need to eat more carbs. I'm not so sure about that.

I clipped out some member favorites from a previous Protein drink thread. Unfortunately, I couldn't locate the thread, but here are the clips: "Nature's Best makes a carb free, clear drink that comes pre-bottled and in fruit flavores. Its called Zero Carb and from what I've read the Frosty Grape is the best." "New Whey liquid Protein is like 4 oz of clear protein with 25 grams and it tastes like liquified Jello @ only 100 calories. www.fitnessfirstUSA.com has them!" "My brand is called New Whey Liquid Protein and I get it from: http://www.wholesalesupplementstore....idprotein.html It tastes fine to me and is easier to get down than Protein shakes." "...started with Carnation Instant Breakfast mixed with milk and unflavored unjury Protein Powder. I have tried a few since being banded (10/04) and now use GNC's whey protein in french vanilla - I mix it with oj, van yogurt & milk and it tastes like an orange julius, or I mix it with frozen strawberries/banana/milk and its kind of like a daquiri."

I started on the Tufts/NEMC program three weeks ago. There are a LOT of requirements including 5 weeks of behavior classes (group therapy basically), 2 nutritionist appointments, 2 physiology appointments, 2 psych appointments, 2 medical consults, 1 surgical consult, 1 "intro" session and now I've learned 2 group physiology classes. It takes a lot of time. They make no effort to bunch appointments together, so I'm spending a lot of time driving to Boston. Here's the reason I'm peeved today. I had my first medical consult. She asked me if I snore. Yes, so? Now she is going to make me stay overnight in their sleep center to determine if I have apnea! I do not have apnea! She made a big deal out of the fact that I wake-up during the night. I have to pee! As I've aged I've lost my ability to hold it that long. All my friends the same age say the same thing! I snore because I have a partially deviated septum, large adenoids and I'm allergic to pretty much everything! She also may make me go for a hematology consult, which takes ages and ages to get. Oh, to top it off, she tried to convince me to switch to gastric bypass. I explained to her that GB is not an option for me because I want to have a child and 42 is the cutoff for IVF, so I don't have time for surgery, healing, and still have successful IVF before I'm 42. She agreed, but thinks the higher weight loss I'll likely achieve with GB is more important. And she insists I need to lose ALL the weight I will lose with LB before I get pregnant. That it would be "very bad". PLEASE. Plenty of people get pregnant with LB, get unfilled if necessary, and then get refilled later. Slowing my weight loss is less of a big deal to me than never having a child. This is a very delicate subject for me and she just didn't seem to get it. She kept talking down to me saying things like, "I do this for a living". I was on the verge of tears driving home. I lost my job (after 10+ years at the same place) in February and they KNOW I need this surgery done before I can look for another job (because there is no way I could do all this with a new job, there are just too many appointments, which they agree with). I had contacted them about the program before I lost my job, I didn't decide to do this because I lost my job. They told me they could put me on a "fast track" since I have no co-morbidities. Except for having a BMI over 40 I'm really healthy, which they acknowledged. Now I don't know what to do. I'm about $300 into it (not including all the travel costs), which isn't that much. I don't know if I should just find an "easy" center. I chose Tufts because they are the pioneer of LB in New England and have had zero erosions. And now I'm questioning my decision to choose LB or GB! Does anyone have any advice? Should I just scrap it and start over somewhere else? The psych doctor, who shepherds you through the program, told me to call him if I have any questions. Should I call him and talk through this with him?

You are pretty much assured that you will lose some muscle mass as you go through this. While we work to minimize that loss by virtue of our Protein intake and the recommended resistance exercise, that only goes so far. Consider that our legs are being stimulated/exercised by all the excess weight that we are carrying around, and they are going to atrophy some as we lose that weight - a couple hours a week doing some resistance training at the gym isn't going to compensate for that extra 100+ lb (or whatever) that we are carrying around all day, every day. I, too, set my goal based upon body composition (mid teens BF%, to be on the lean side of "normal" for guys), making adjustments to the scale weight goal as I lost and got closer to "normal". With a moderate amount of weight training along the way, I wound up losing about 10 lb of lean mass out of the 100ish total that I lost.

*ding. ding. ding! counseling for the win!* I soooo agree with this. As Introversion said, you have get your head in the game. I used to have a coach in high school who would tell us that winning was 90% mental and 10% ability/physical. Of course, what do I know? I am not walkin in your shoes and am still a pre-op noob, so honestly I shouldn't even be giving advice other than to say, "Hang in there! You can figure this out and make corrections!!!" ((hugs))

thanks for the advice, I will definitely throw out the fast food. Surgery is 9 days away omg. The advice and stories told on here helps so much. I will be documenting every bit if my journey. I'm not looking forward to the gas pain, that's the only thing I am worried about, ugh. But this will be a new me, As Frust8 has said, it will be a rebirth in a sense. I'm ready to not get winded walking up my stairs, or walking in a grocery store. I stopped going to the mall because it entails so much walking. I used to enjoy running, but I now even dread walking. This is the tool that I need to help. What issues have you guys developed because of your weight or any connection with weight gain? -I have PCOS -insulin resistance - infertility -anxiety -depression - I've developed a lot of skin allergies - moodiness - chronic back pain - plantar facisitis, I work in a hospital so I'm always on the move and on my feet. This irritates my tendons even more plus all the weight gained. - and all i wear is sweat pants and t shirts. It's the only thing that fits me comfortably. I went dress shopping for an event and I picked 3 dresses to try on, they were 2X and 3X. My husband waited while I tried them on I tried the first one, I couldn't fit my arms through at all, second dress. I could barely pull down past my neck, the third dress I didn't attempt to try on. So I walked out that dressing room feeling defeated and disgusting because I used to be in a 8/10. As I walked out my husband asked what was wrong, they didnt fot or you dont like them? I told him and as we are walking to check out, I began crying, no stop. Defeated, I need this. I'm not myself, I want to enjoy life again.

yeah i dunno what kinda diet your doct put you on but i got mine on 10-21 and within a week and a half of post op i was eating egg salad, chicken salad, fish, chicken, turkey...i mean don't go for the overcooked t bone steak but def. softer higher protein foods are good...a trick too with the mashed potatoes get unflavored protein and put that in the potatoes...it gives you more protein b/c the more protein you have the less likely you will be hungry. also remember that just b/c your not dropping a bunch of weight means it wasn't worht it....it will take time and the fact that you can see a change in your eating patterns is a huge success! keep up the good work! your doing great!

Hey guys! what's been going on? I have good news.... 11/16 was my last dietitian appoint before my surgery Today or Tomorrow everything is suppose to be faxed to my insurance!!!!!! So that means within 10-15 days I should be getting approved and my surgeon will be setting up an appointment for me so I can set my date for surgery! WOOHOOO IM SO EXCITED. I'm always looking for friends so keep me updated with your storiessss

That’s really a funny!! I am pre-op, but having surgery in 19 days!!! 😬😬 People talk about the foamies or being uncomfortably or painfully full, but not often about knowing it’s time to stop! Even if it’s something as silly as sneezing, I’ll take any indicator that I’ve reached capacity!

10 weeks post op and have went from a 40 DD to 38 D so far. They are getting pretty deflated looking already. Not looking forward to how bad they will be in a year from now:( But I hope to have some extreme plastics afterwards anyway.

My first month post-op I lost 10.4 pounds. And I was thrilled! I hadn't lost that much weight in a month in decades! By 8.5 months post-op, I had lost all my excess weight. I've since slowly lost another 10 pounds for a total of 95 pounds lost. I'm maintaining stably now at 140 pounds. (Can you tell from all the smiley-faces how happy I am with my WLS experience?) You'll be fine -- no matter how fast or slowly you lose. The point is that you will lose. And if you do what you're supposed to do you will lose all your excess weight. And then you will keep it off.