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They're not bad if you have a sweet tooth. Personally, I'd rather have one real candy bar a week than one of those a day. YMMV. One other thing I found that works for me if my head gets into "must have dessert" mode while watching TV or whatever. I scoop out a spoonful of regular Peanut Butter and I'll take literally 10 minutes just slowly licking it directly off the spoon. Something about peanut butter seems to fill me up and quench that craving, even just the 1 tablespoon amount as long as I go as slow as I can.

I think the AP lapband (which comes in 2 sizes) holds either 10 cc or 14 cc? I have the AP Large and have 6 ccs in a 14 cc band and got restriction at 5.5....pretty good restriction now. (My doc said they all have "primer" in them and it doesn't count so unless your doc purposely put MORE in, that 1st 2 cc may not do much? he'd know, of course!)

Hi. I too wanted the band at first then I like you leaned of the "sleeve". I like the fact that there was good weight loss, no nutrition problems to speak of and little if any side effects. I was sold. However I had been told that my health insurance may not pay for the surgery. I was bummed out to say the least. But my wonderful doctor (Neff) submitted all my paper work from the V.A. (I am X Navy) and low and behold they approved me for the VSG on the first try. One month later I had my surgery. My surgaversity date is 10-27-09. I am considered a "light weight" as my weight and BMI were borderline for qualification. However I had so many co-morbidities that I qualified! That was seven moths ago. I am very glad I did this. the time will go bay quickly. Just keep researching and putting into practice all you can learn so that when the BIG day arrives you will be an expert on it.

Climb a flight of stairs and not have to hide being winded at the top. Paint my toenails/tie my shoes. Try on clothes/shoes without breaking into a sweat 10 minutes in. Go to a mall and buy clothes from a store with no plus size section. Hike the Grand Canyon. Go out to a fancy restaurant and actually feel like I deserve to be there just as much as the skinny people. Fit into an airplane seat again. Comfortably. That's the beginning of my list!! ????

The same thing happened to me. I lost 85 pounds with the band and has managed to keep it off. I had my sleeve 10 months ago and have lost no weight. I have gained no pounds so that is good. I think I have some restriction now so I am trying to get all my protein and water in now. I have lost 4 pounds in the last 2 weeks. I have only felt the restriction about 4 weeks, I am trying to work harder at my workout now so we will see

There aren't too many of us. When I was active on the board, 3 to 5 years ago, there were only a handful of guys who were also active on the board. Less than 10, I'd say. Most of them, as have many of the ladies, have moved on with their lives. I see a few of them, like @gmanbat and @@joatsaint, but @@Butterthebean, @Fiddler and a few others have moved on. I had too, but came back to get some inspiration to lose a few pounds. Earlier, you mentioned dumping would help you to fight regain. I'm not a bypass person, but I wouldn't depend on dumping to keep you compliant. Understanding why we get the f**k-It's and finding methods other than eating is the key. Otherwise, you could just attach wires and batteries to your nut sack which shock you every time a cupboard or refrigerator opens in your house. That would be more effective.

My programs is a minimum 3 month programs that includes a set number of support groups, visits with a NUT and a Bariatric psychiatric nurse, an exercise component and an Upper GI. I was entered the program 7/19/16 and had surgery 12/30/16 but I pushed my surgery back a month from approval because I wanted to do it after the holidays when my time off at work resets.

If you dont mind telling us what the diagnosis is I would be interested in knowing if it is what I had? I was diagnosised with Bile Reflux at the 1 year mark after not eating for 5 weeks, throwing everything up daily and being nauseous 24/7 . My surgeon, Dr Minkin told me I was just fine. I looked like death warmed over at that point. I told him I wanted to be referred for a second opinion to Barnes Hosp. He refused stating he was far too busy to send an email or call the surgeon. The Barnes surg would not see me unless he talked with Minkin. He would only refer me to his partner. After Dr Scott did an upper endoscopy I was told I had Bile Reflux. I was put on medications (4) and very slowly began getting better. After living in bed for almost a year my muscled atrophied. I was in physical therapy for 3 months before I started gaining my strength back. I lost a total of 170 but have gained 10 pounds back. Went fron 330 to 170. My surg was 3-19-2014. Now that I have been reálitively healthly for awhile it really feels good. Here is an idea of what my first year was like . I had metastatic cancer at 16 with 3 years of aggressive radiation treatments. In 1999 had a recurrance

Thank God I found this post! I am in the exact same boat as you. I am also with Kaiser Colorado with a 50% benefit for bariatric. It is refreshing to hear you were quoted the same amount as me for Saint Joseph's, including the deposit amount. This issue also came up with another girl in Colorado but her plan pays less and they told her she has to pay almost $7k before the surgery which is absolutely ridiculous. Part of my issue is that I am starting the six week classes on October 27th and I have been on this journey for almost a year because I had to lower my bmi by 10%. Therefore I am completely invested with Kaiser and do like my services with them. My open enrollment is coming up in Nov and I may have to switch to Aetna which has an out of pocket max of $3k because they consider the surgery medically necessary when approved. The issue with Kaiser is bariatric pays completely different than other inpatient stays. I would normally have a 10% copayment up to $1500 OOP max. Bariatric coverage states the OOP max does not apply. I read somewhere on here that if you have to have another procedure such as a hernia repair that this benefit would kick in first for facility and anesthesia so you would only have to the additional cost for the surgery only which is only around $1500 for kaisers contracted price at 50%. I am tempted to see if I need a hernia repair just to test this theory. I asked both Kaiser and st Joe about financing and was told they consider the procedure elective so they likely would not offer this benefit for the surgery but I Still plan to try. I too was mislead by the online estimator and was told 1500 max OOP. I called into the regular benefits center before i even started and they confirmed this amount so imagine my surprise when I recently received this new figure from the counselor. I am looking into every option I can before open enrollment ends on Nov 15. I plan to call today to see is self pay would be cheaper and to ask if Kaiser if I can switch to the Colorado Springs area which is probably cheaper. Anyhow I will let you know if anything changes.

I have three friends who are each 10 yrs or more out from RNY. They have all had incredible success long-term. Two of them did get WAY TOO skinny for a while, and had to re-adjust to get good nutrition in. They all have to take bariatric Vitamins for life. But they eat "normally" just small amounts, chewed really well, and they have to focus on Protein and nutrition when they choose their foods. That is not to say serious malabsorption issues don't happen. Just that it's not a given. And of course, if you choose the sleeve, malabsorption isn't an issue. If you don't take multis and eat healthy food, you run some risks of minor malnutrition, but stuff that's easily fixable and avoidable.

I'm right there with you - I was sleeved a few days before you...11/14. I have been losing ssssooo slowly - it's frustrating! I think I'm in another stall right now - I had one for 10 days between weeks 3 and 4. I'm trying to be positive and keep working to the plan. It's hard to not compare what you're results are to others, I do and I know I shouldn't. I want the weight to come off faster!!!! Hang in there - we're in this together!

This is so frustrating. I had surgery on nov 18 so Im almost 2 months out from surgery. I'm eating way better than I ever have. I average about 70 grams of Protein a day and between 700-900 calories a day. I can't seem to lose any weight though. I lost 20 pounds in the 2 months before surgery. I lost 10 pounds the 1st week of surgery then nothing for weeks. I'm not sure how long my stall lasted because I didn't weigh for a long time but it was at least 3 weeks long. I finally weighed because my clothes fit better and I lost an inch. I lost 10 pounds. So now 2 weeks later I decided to stand on the scale and I lost nothing! I guess this is how this is going to go. Lose a little bit then stall for 2 weeks then repeat over and over again. I don't eat junk. I focus on protein. I track everything I eat on myfitnesspal.com my screen name is "ucjes" if you would like to go check out my food diary and see what I'm eating. Any pointers would be appreciated. I've also been walking about 3 days a week. The only thing I can think of that I'm doing right is I"m not getting enough Water in. Would that just completely stall me out though? I'm not even eating 1000 calories a day! This is ridiculous! I'm not weighing for another 2 weeks. By the way inches aren't moving either. This is why I threw the scale up in the closet. It causes me too much anxiety.

I read this forum daily and nothing scares me more than being sick from eating something that is wrong for me!! I have not thrown up from overeating or eating too fast because I am aware this could happen, so I take every measure to make sure that doesn't happen!! I also don't eat things that I think will make me sick! I will be 10 weeks out on Monday and I have not had any sweets for fear of them making me sick. I have read horror stories of people being sick from them. I have not had Pasta, rice, bread or any "bad carb" since before my surgery. I also have not tried any fried foods as some get very sick from it!! Now, I could very easily be one of the lucky ones that don't get sick, but I really don't want to take that chance. So, this is what keeps me real! I only put Protein and a few fruits and veggies in my new tummy at this time! Kelly

How would you rate your post-op pain on a scale of 1 -10, with ten being the worst pain ever and one being less?

I too was just diagnosed with a leak. I am just over 10 months out. I lost about 50 lbs between Sept and Jan. Then, I just stopped. I thought I'd reached a plateau and my body was just trying to catch up. I've struggled for over 6 months trying to work through the plateau. I had about 4-5 fills during this time and I couldn't figure out why they weren't working. I had restriction for a week or two, then I could eat the equivalent of a horse! At the end of May, that fill was done under fluro and the CNP saw that my opening was entirely too large. She just gave me a bigger fill. At my next appt, just this week, my surgeon listened to my struggles (I have been very depressed and disappointed with my recent results or lack thereof.) He decided to do an unfill to determine how much Fluid I actually had. I should have had 5.1 cc's. I had not even 1!!! He determined I have a leak and that it is most likely in the port, since the fills seemed to work for a week or two after fills. So, now I am having surgery next week for port replacement. (Oh, and I have already had an additional surgery in December for a flipped port!) My insurance will pay for it, but I have a $1000 deductible! I would love to hear from someone who has already gone through this fiasco. I am curious to hear what to expect next.

Angela - at 1 WEEK OUT, I was on clear liquids (for 10 days), then full liquids for 10 days, then mushies for 10 days, then food as tolerated. If your doctor gave you yogurt in the hospital and you've eaten all the things you have eaten and haven't had any pain or nauseau, I seriously doubt you've caused any damage to your stomach. I would say continue on your program the way you are being careful to eat soft/blended/non-spicy foods for at least another 3-4 weeks. it sounds from all that you've said that your body is adjusting fine to your new diet. I am sure you have not sabotaged your weight loss now or in the future, IMO.

I am struggling today as well. I need a NAP! I am so tired that i'm having trouble focusing and I really, really do want to go back to bed--and it's only 10:34 am. I''m on day 4 of this and it's veg Soup and Protein shake, and Protein Shake and veg soup and for some variety, some more protein shake. Like you, I refuse to mess it up, but by golly, August 2nd can NOT come fast enough.

Surgery date was October 8. Had been using a CPAP for 10 years. Had another sleep study mid January and was told that I no longer have sleep apnea and could stop using it. Was down about 70 lbs. at that point. Haven't used the CPAP since. But, I would suggest that you see a Sleep Doctor if you have questions. I went in hoping to just get me pressure adjusted because it had become too high. My goal was to be off it by this summer. Was pleasantly surprised after the sleep study results. Although losing weight can certainly help get rid of OSA it doesn't guarantee it. I know plenty of slender people with it as well. Good luck.

I am two months post op (to the day) from my sleeve gastrectomy, down 54 pounds. Been using a CPAP for about 10 years. Changed my life, and maybe saved my marriage, but I also can't wait to get rid of it! How long after surgery were YOU able to stop using your CPAP? What did you notice about sleeping without it?

I fit into a tight 12 and most 14s now from most shops (smaller sizes in some places like kmart, their sizing is HUGE!) I started at 115kg in Nov 2006 and am hovering around 67-68kg at the moment. I'm 163cm (5 foot 4). I want to get down to a size 10....or 60kg, which ever is smallest.

I was just wondering how everyone has been doing myself. Got banded 3/23. Lost a bit over 50 pounds so far, had two fills. Third is scheduled for Sept. 11. Hit a giant plateau for the past month (seriously, the scale didn't budge, no matter how much or how little I ate or exercised or anything). FINALLY started moving again 2 days ago, thank goodness. Hoping to be down 10 by my fill appt (8 left). Hoping I can really drive it home right now since I'm apparently done plateauing for now. Can't eat at all before about noon. Just do a Protein shake or yogurt for Breakfast. I'm trying to get more fluids. I've always been a big drinker but for the past two weeks I have noticed that I've not been drinking much at all (mayyybe 60 oz a day, nowhere near enough for me). So I'm making a conscious effort this week to up my Fluid intake. Other than that, things are going well. I was getting really aggravated about not losing any weight, but at least I didn't gain. Have gotten stuck a few times via user error. I will decide that 11:30am is close enough to 12 to eat, and then get stuck. My body is on some weird time clock. Anyway, hope everyone else is doing well!

I bought a tub of it, and got 2 packs in the sample kit. I haven't tried it yet, but I was surprised last night when I just had some chicken bullion. I didn't need the extra protein and it kept my calories to 10 and it tasted great. I was tired of the sweet drinks, and it really hit the spot. I think I'll try the Unjury chicken soup tonight.

Any tips on the liquid diet Thursday afternoon will be my last meal. The time for surgery will be here before I know it getting myself prepared

Wow! What a difference a year makes! I have been thinking about this day all week. One year... What a ride! Here are some stats: I am 1.1 pound away from being "normal" BMI; I am down 147.8 pounds total (121 pounds of that since surgery); I have lost 83.5 inches (18 inches off my hips ALONE / 12 inches off EACH thigh!); pants size down from loose 28 to 12 or 14; dress size down from 24 or 26 to a size 12. Some of the best NSV's: Buckling airplane seatbelt and not having bruises on my thighs from the plane seat arms; ability to get up and down off the floor so easily; my clothes have stopped falling off hangers; ability to fit in a "normal" robe when I go to a spa or even the doctor; crossing my legs; not sweating all the time; diabetes in remission and no diabetes meds; off cholesterol meds; ability to mow my own lawn without being so exhausted I had to lay down for hours afterwards. I know there are more.... How did I do it? Perseverance. Seriously one bite at a time. I ate poorly or too much, I got right back up and did better next meal - not tomorrow, not next Monday. My keys to success: Therapy and logging my food daily and having occasional checkups with my NUT. (It is good to have someone look over my food logs and say "careful on that, or try more of this"). I really think therapy though is my number one tool. I had some breakthroughs just this week in how I saw food and will continue to see this therapist for AT least another year if not longer. Oh and I cannot forget the support I received from friends and family. Were it not for those cheering me on and yet still staying out of my business (i.e. not constantly saying "should you be eating that"), I do not think I would have been so successful. And of course this incredible website. Without the advice and the ability to rant and read others experiences here, I would never have been able to do this! What do I eat: deli turkey, cheese, blackberries, blueberries, apples, tuna, pork tenderloin, lean ground beef (less than once per week), turkey sausage, turkey pepperoni, LOTS AND LOTS of chicken (grilled, boiled, fajita style, rotisserie, baked, roasted, etc etc), cucumbers, avocado, green olives, mushrooms, onions, occasional slice of bread (a few times a week), triscuit crackers (limiting myself to 2 or 3 at a time), did I say cheese LOTS and LOTS of cheese. I still have 1 Protein shake per day (30g protein) to make sure I get to my protein goals. I eat around 100 - 120g protein per day / 60-80g carbs / 45-55g fat - total calories 1100-1300. (I have been averaging closer to 1000 this last 2 weeks and I need to be sure t get those calories UP because I am ready to stop losing weight.) I cook for myself, so it is much easier to manage I am sure than others who cook for families. What didn't change: I am not one of those people that have SO much energy they cannot stand it. Nope. I am still a fairly lazy person. I hate that I am but it is true. I watch too much tv still and I still don't enjoy exercising really (and don't do it as often as I should). (I mostly walk and it is nice to know that I can go on a 2 mile walk without a lot of effort but I don't get that HIGH from exercising some talk about.) I want to be healthier and I will keep working on that part but I will never be a marathon runner or CrossFitter, etc. I still struggle with making food choices. The struggle is much easier than it used to be (most things don't even cross my mind to eat anymore) but I still crave salty Snacks. I give in sometimes but I am working on the addiction part of that. Not because you cannot have salty snacks but because it is an ADDICTION for me. And yes - I have loose skin. LOTS of it. My butt and boobs took the worst hit. You cannot see it when I am dressed and it isn't as bad as I thought it might be, but I am going to have it fixed. I am planning my first of plastics for this fall. I took money out of my 401K to pay for it. I do not need to be perfect, but I want to be able to wear sleeveless shirts and some shorts without being uncomfortable and I need my butt and thighs to be reshaped so I can fit in pants (which are tough to buy right now). I had some struggles in the beginning - I had a stricture which we didn't figure out until 3 months post-op so I was constantly vomiting. I stayed nauseas until 6 months post-op. The constipation is probably the very worst part and it has only really resolved in the last couple of months as I have started to incorporate more Fiber in my diet. (It is tough to get fiber in the beginning.) I thought I was a SLOW loser (average 10-12 pounds per month). I know now that isn't slow. It is just right. My best advice to people starting this journey - DO IT! Seriously - just do it. Just work the program. Use the tools - all of them - therapy, logging, NUT, restriction, Vitamins, exercise. STOP comparing yourself to others!! It will derail you! (PLUS I just don't buy into the "I lost 40 pounds my first month") This is your journey. No one else's. Everyone's journey is different and comparing yourself to others is defeating mentally. GO SEE A THERAPIST! Please... accept that you have a food "issue". I will buy that some of you don't but let's be honest, the overwhelming majority of us have food "issues" and until you face that fact, you cannot learn how to start to move past it. HANG IN THERE - just keep moving forward. You are going to be stunned when you look back a year from now... My journey is not over. The hardest part is just beginning - Maintenance. I have lost weight before but never kept it off, so this is the real test. Can I do this for the rest of my life? I truly hope so. I have a great head start by having developed some great new habits and faced some of my food addiction issues that I allowed to derail me in the past. I have some big changes in my life coming up job-wise and it is going to take discipline to make it work. I will keep seeing my therapist and keep my eye on the prize!

I had lapband in 2005. Had it removed in 2009. Sleeved 4/10/18. My immediate post-op experience after being sleeved was rough. Surgeon said I had a lot of scar tissue from the lapband, which took him almost twice as long as a normal sleeve to take care of. That means I was under anesthesia longer than usual, so I was REALLY groggy for about 12 hours after surgery. I had no energy to get up and walk like the others on my hospital unit. I had no desire to sip-sip-sip and I think I looked a bit like I'd been hit by a truck. I certainly felt that way. Once I got through the immediate post op part, I returned to normal pretty quickly. Other than some fatigue, I was feeling back to normal after about 6 days. I went through the normal progression from clear liquids to full liquids to mushies to soft, etc. When comparing the two, I'd say that the sleeve has a lot more restriction. After a certain amount, I simply cannot eat. If I do, I suffer with discomfort and a lot of foam/saliva/slime. I was never able to tolerate fills in my band, so this was something relatively new to me. If you have any sort of GERD, I caution. The sleeve tends to make GERD worse. I'd say it's a little hit or miss in that department, but it's certainly something to discuss with your surgeon. I started getting heartburn about 3 weeks out and I've had some times where I was really worried about nighttime reflux, but I seem to have it under control right now. As a revision surgery, it is likely you will lose slower this time around. I read it on here and I read other information on the internet, but was still disappointed at the slow weight loss. I'm certainly happy it's coming off, but it is much slower than first timers.