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I have dieted 2/3rds of my life away! I have tried every diet out there and would lose about 10-20 lbs with a horrendous struggle. The only time weight ever came of nicely was with a very low calorie diet (600 per day). When I started to eat "normally" again the weight came back on VERY fast and then some. So depressing!

Goooood morning all. I was so scared prior to starting the pre-op diet (which I've started 2 weeks early) that there was no way I was going to be able to survive that phase without massive cheating from the start. I'm an all or nothing girl - I either don't cheat at all or I cheat big time. The last 10 years or so I have not been able to survive more than about half a day of any diet without cheating and I was terrified this would be true with this pre-op thing. This time I, with Lisa's help, applied the "Yes, I can" attitude and guess what - Despite my seriously jonesin' for some seriously bad food (especially the first three days), I'm on the fifth day of the pre-op diet and I'm I have not had one single bit of food that one would not classify as a healthy choice!! Not only am I surviving but I am feeling great. It is so much easier when you think this is the last time you're going to have to do this and you can see the finish line is just a few weeks away. I can't wait for the next official weigh in (never thought I'd say those words!!). I've decided my Thursday morning weight is going to be my official weight. I tend to weigh myself constantly (which I know is really not a good thing to do). The first two days were hell on earth - I was so hungry that I could eat a horse and then chase after the jockey! Also, I had shocking sugar withdrawal headaches that didn't go away despite me drinking litres of water and taking Panadol (Tylendol for US readers). Then, there's the crankiness - no one else was gonna have any fun if I wasn't having any!! I think having both Lise and I going through the same thing made it easier for both of us - one could help the other through their humps and provide encouragement to keep going. Also, as we're both fiercely competitive, one couldn't let herself lapse if the other one wasn't lapsing too. There were moments where each of us tried to cajole the other into giving into temptation but, fortunately for both of us, the two of us didn't feel the same way at the same time and one could always help steer the other toward the healthier choice. The only exception was last night where we both thought we should swap a shake for a very small serving of lamb (from a spit) and salads. Neither of us see this as a cheat. The calories are no worse than the shake and its a swap of protein for protein. Are we kidding ourselves?? If you've got an opinion, please let us know. To distract ourselves, we're going out a lot - we went to the movies on Thursday night, we took our gorgeous two-year old nephew to the park on Sat arvo and then we played poker at the fabulous poker room at Melbourne's Crown Casino on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights (which ended up a profitable exercise to boot)!! For anyone out there that was in my boat about wondering if they could survive the few days of the pre-op diet, I'm living proof that "YES, YOU CAN". Just do it. The first few days are horrid but they can be survived and it is true that it gets easier after those initial few days. The other thing that has been on my mind over the last few days have been thoughts about how I ever got to my current weight. I feel my biggest mistake was thinking I was fat when I was about 14 and then going on my first diet (I weighed 62kg [about 135#] and was 5'6" tall - not fat but not rake thin). Wish I had someone say to me back then what our surgeon said to us when we first saw him - fierce dieting is a sure fire way of putting on weight in the longer term. It is a fact of life that some of us have a genetic propensity for storing calories as fat. We would have been the survivors in the stone age when sources of food were scarce (our fat stores would provide energy to go looking for food when food was in short supply while the skinny runts would all die as they would have no energy stores to rely on if they missed out on eating for too long etc) - its just too bad we live in a time of relative feast and not famine!! Maybe I would have felt a lot more comfortable with myself and would never have started the yo-yo dieting thing. Last night I was talking to one of the rake-thin women at poker. Lisa and I were discussing what to do for dinner. I explained to the woman that Lisa and I were dieting and both starving. She said she never feels really hungry and fills up as soon as she eats anything. I soooo hope the lap band is going to do this for us - help us not feel so hungry almost all the time. I hope it's the tool to help me avoid slipping back to bad habits. However, I know that weight is still only lost by exercising more and eating less (more calories out and less in). I'm prepared to do this - I just wanting eating less to be easier than it has been!

It's now been 10 months since my RNY gastric bypass surgery. Zero complications, zero struggles and a lot of weight gone! I started out at 306 and as of this morning I am 176! WOW!! I am 5'9 so that puts me just 11 pound short of goal. If anyone has any questions regarding RNY surgery just ask. Its not as scary as you've been led to believe.

I hear Amy. I am 10 months post op and I say almost eeryday that this is still a struggle. I have a huge weakness for ice cream so I have to take it one day at a time. If I stick the the low carbs I do great! I have lost almost 130 lbs. I try to ride my bike about 20 miles each day. You are so right about the life style change. This band is only a tool but can really be abused if the person isn't ready for the change. I know a few people that have started to gain weight back. I can't say that I will never be right back where I was but I sure am going to try to stay strong. I wish you well.

12/30/10 the day my life changed...would do it again in a heartbeat!

Hello! I really don't know how this works as this is a first for me. I don't expect anyone to care about reading this so I'm gonna think of this as a diary. I have been very lax about journaling my weight loss journey so far. I'm a little ashamed of that! Today marks me at 8 weeks post-op VSG. I'm not one to weigh myself (hardly EVER) but upon scheduling my surgery date, I weighed in at 215. I then did a 10 day Pre-Op Diet and lost 7 lbs! My surgery day weight was officially 208 lbs. I now weigh 183!! That's 25 lbs in 8 weeks! Sometimes upon reading other people's posts of HUGE amounts of weightloss in only a month's time, I feel depressed. BUT, I've averaged 3 lbs. a week and if I continue at that rate, that's 150 lbs in a year! I do want to share about my decision on having weight loss surgery. My BFF and I have struggled with our weight for years, trying every kind of diet out there. A woman we work for mentioned that her neighbor(an RN) had went to Mexico & had the LapBand done because it was soooo much cheaper than in the States. This started my intensive research. I quickly found out through the internet & an awesome book that the States are WAY behind in medical procedures. I have no insurance and would have to Self-pay so Mexico was the ONLY option for me if I truly wanted to change my life. I have no doubt that every step of this journey has been a God-thing. I found a Patient Coordinator who took care of everything and had my BFF & I booked for surgery quickly. Before we knew it, our 10 day liquid diet was over (BEWARE: day 2 was a KILLER!) and we were flying to San Diego.

I am going in for my evaluation for Lap band on 1/14/10, I have BCBSof IL, they (University of Iowa Hospital) have informed me that I will be required to go on a 3 month diet per insurance and the Dr. will want to see weight loss as well. Has anyone recently had experience w/BCBS of IL, most what I have found is negative feedbanck about how difficult but, that was also posts from 2007 and 2008. Any one with any words or views for me is greatly appreciated! I know the hospital has already contacted my insurance company and it is covered but reading the policy is so confusing to figure out exactly what they are looking for.

So as I'm sure we all know, the Holidays can be a little rough for those of us with the band...especially for those of us who just STARTED with the band. I just began regular food on Tuesday. I understand the phrase "bandster hell" because although I've been staying below 800 calories, I'm so super conscious of everything I put in my mouth!! I have yet to feel restriction but most of the time (depending on the portion size) I force myself to only eat half the meal. It can be mighty frustrating. I've been doing what I'm told and eating really slowly, chewing well, and I've noticed that I only get half way through my meal by time my friends are done (I've been out to eat twice now). This works because when they are done, I just stop and get the rest boxed up. So now I have leftovers that are also in a good portion size. Last night was my work Christmas dinner and I just kept praying the waitress would hurry up and bring me my box so I could stop looking at the delicious food on my plate. I just knew I could finish eating it, but I was holding myself back. This part stinks because I feel like I'm on a diet. I also had to stop myself from eating the bread and the salad that came with the meal...as well as dessert afterwards!! Although I am proud of myself for holding back, I have not lost anything all week. Nor have I lost any inches (I measure myself once a week). Yes, I do realize this can be normal, but I still feel like I'm torturing myself to get little or no results. I have lost 10 pounds since surgery on November 21st, so I shouldn't be complaining, but I also believe all my good decisions and restraint should show for something!! I'm just trying not to get discouraged. Also, to be honest, I have yet to start exercising. I was told to wait 4 to 6 weeks, yet I see a bunch of people on here exercising sooner than that. I haven't even walked for fear that I would damage something. Well, even though now I realize I probably didn't have to wait this long, I'm going to start walking next week, and then join a gym 2 weeks after that. I'm hoping this helps with the weight loss! I really just want to lose at least 3 more pounds before January 3rd (my next doctors appointment and possibly my first fill). I am glad that I have not GAINED weight since I started back on regular food. That's probably due to my miraculous restraint lol. Anyways, that's my rant for this week. Tune back next week for all new ones! Haha!!

I too started slow. Slow pace on the tread mil I think my first time was maybe 10 minutes. then I increased speed and time just by a little. I am doing the same thing now on the elliptical. But if I miss a day I feel bad about it. But If you like video games play Dance Dance Revolution Dancing...take a dance class Go to the mall and windo shop Fly a kite. ride a bike so swimming Just go do something. Heck some of my friends are going to go roller skating.

Mine goes from 3 weeks to 6 weeks I scramble eggs with cottage cheese to make it soft and it's either that or you have to have soft boiled eggs I can have refried Beans Soups with low carbohydrates and no more than 10 grams of sugar I can have pureed cauliflower carrots stuff like that. I also could have thin deli meat. But it has to be real deli meat not the processed stuff. I can have applesauce with no sugar. And skinless fruit. No grapes. He doesn't want us to mashed potatoes or hot Cereal because there's a lot of carbs after 6 weeks we can add that what you have to to fill yourself up on Protein first. I can also have soy. I bought some soy chorizo and used it as a meat in a homade chili I made for the whole family they loved it. And of course Greek yogurt under 10 grams of sugar. Same with yogurt. And a half of a banana and only string cheese. Hope I helped my doctor gave me a menu. But remember every doctor is different. Good luck on your journey ♡ Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using the BariatricPal App

I was sleeved on 10/10 and am still in the soft food stage. I think you are skipping ahead. Go back to puréed or soft foods. My surgeon said I can stay in phases for as long as I feel comfortable and then keep trying slowly to move on to the next. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I appreciate all of the replies. I know that I will eat food again, my post was more of a day 10 pre op diet mental temper tantrum. It feels so close yet so far away!

My surgeon said to expect 15 pounds the first month and then 10 pounds each month after that. I know all surgeons are different. Bit Renee this is a tool not magic. It's a process that we have Togo through. Don't be so hard on your self. 20 pounds is amazing. Really think about that and it's 20 you will never see again. Take it one day at a time. Chin up.

I am day 9 of 10 on the clears plus 3 shakes a day. This weekend was hard, hubby was home and I was off from work. Saturday we did the shopping for the house- I also have 2 daughters. I ended up having shrimp bisque that I strained so it was just the broth. On day 3 or so I felt terrible- headache from lack of caffiene, muscle aches and weakness. My nutritionist recommended powerade zero or gatorade no cal and it worked like a charm- 2 glasses and I felt remarkablly better. My doctor avised against slim fast unless I bought the low calorie so I am using Nectar by Syntrax and a whey/soy protien I picked up at the grocery store which has 115 calories and 25 grams of protein in a serving. I find the shakes taste better in skim milk and since this is allowed, I am filling up on them. I actually had trouble getting 3 down yesterday since I had the soup. I guess it does eventually reduce your stomach size.

Ok, I read a very interesting website that talked about how we absorb B-12. Essentially, our recommended daily intake is 3.5mcg. Most foods that are good sources of B-12 have this amount in one or two servings. There are two methods the body utilizes to digest/absorb B-12. One is the normal way, where "intrinsic factor" (a chemical created in the stomach) attaches to B-12, and ushers the B-12 out of the small intestine, into the blood stream. The second way is a "passive system", which doesn't require intrinsic factor. B-12 just slips out into the bloodstream by itself. BUT, this passive system is VERY inefficient, and so only 1/100th of the B-12 makes it into the blood. We sleevers, we had the portion of the stomach removed that makes intrinsic factor. So the first method doesn't work anymore. The second method works, but look at the numbers. If a serving of B-12 food has 3.5mcg, but you only absorb 100th of it, then you'd have to eat 100 servings of that food to meet your daily goal. Excess B-12 is stored in the liver, and if your liver is full, it can provide your B-12 needs for 5 or 10 years. Since your blood work is showing dropping levels, it may mean your liver isn't full anymore, so the supplements become more important. There is no proof the patch works, so don't count that in your figuring out how much B-12 your body is getting. Your pill has 1000mcg, so you are absorbing about 10mcg a day. But, that's statistically, and we don't know if the particular supplement you take is as easily absorbed as the ones used in the studies. So it's possible, you aren't even getting 10mcg. The shot, however, is the surefire way that you are getting this supplement, since it bypasses the digestive system completely. If your liver is running low, it could take a while before the shot fills it back up enough to reflect in a much higher number in your blood. Since your blood value did go up, the shot is definitely doing its job. http://www.b12-vitamin.com/intrinsic-factor/ Here's the website:

I'm very sensitive to smells especially mouth odors... and now I'm on the offending end 🤢 I've worked in oral surgery for 28 some years and I can smell rotting enamel and perio.. Since surgery I have yuck mouth and I cannot make it go away. Granted, water intake isn't up to what I used to consume and my diet has been almost keto like... this morning my breath was so bad it made me nauseous..🤢 10 days post op sleeping 1/2 way seated upright.. I don't want to have that breath.. smells like I'm pooping out of my mouth...🤢🤢🤢🤢 Any suggestions? Will it go away soon? Lapband placed: 8/2011 Lapband removed: 3/2017 VSG: 8/2/2017

So, I know people will have different answers to this. i am curious what different people did, or experienced with relation to diet and activity and work. I am pre-op, sleeve to be done late Oct or early Nov. I'm looking for your post-op experience, in weeks, like maybe.... week 1 liquids--felt tired but ok, not hungry Week 2 went back to work on day 9 after surgery Week 2-4 purees and liquid --craving real food but not truly hungry week 4-5---still working, but more tired than I thought I'd be.... week 5 ---started solids, 5-6 tablespoons So, if you would, please give me your simplified first 6-8-10 weeks, and what was going on for you in terms of post-op foods, work activity, hunger, feelings, whatever you'd like to share. I just get overwhelmed by the massive amount of info online, I am readin and watching videos (Dr Weiner on You tube!!!) But, I'd love to see some real-live-post-op VSG people break it down in a really basic form. Thanks!!

Hi Nursejen, I too am "starting over" but much closer to goal! I started at 284, got down to 212 in 10 months, then completely fell "off the wagon," eating slider foods and eating too much even though it made me feel terrible (physically and mentally). I gained back 24 lbs. That was a bummer to see- of course, I had stopped weighing myself too. As of August 1, I started over, and my first wid I had lost 5.5 lbs! I know a lot of it is Water weight, but it was still nice to see, LOL. I log everything into MyFitnessPal, it totally keeps me on track. And I portion control and eat by the rules, with Protein first and small bites, no drinking while eating and no soda at all (that is one rule I did keep, well two, I didnt' and don't drink with my meals and I gave up a 2+ liter a day soda habit before I was banded). The band is always here to help, but we definitely have to do our part! As CarolinaGirl says, every day we have is a new start! Good luck! Nicki

Here is what I used to shop from, it was a lifesaver. lab-band shopping list heating pad flexible ice pack liquid tylenol (they make adult strength) chewable or liquid gas-x a few books or movies comfy clothes (loose waisted shorts or sweat pants) squishy pillow for car ride (guard against seatbelt) a sports bra (doc said no underwire for a few days) protien shakes flavored Water (propel, poweraid, gatorade, crystal light, fruit2O) make sure you have a good blender I bought a drink mixer for the protien mix (cost $10 at walmart) broth or stuff to make broth sugarfree popsicles and Jello sugar free breathmints (ask your doctor) *Ask at your pre-op for the pain med prescription so you can have it all ready to go when you get home, our walgreens has to order liquid pain meds and it takes 3 days to get them.

If you dont mind... What insurance do you have? What issues did you have that made it medically nessisary? I am sure there are many of us who just deal with the issues that come with being obese, but if we knew that they could possibly be considered pre reqs for surgery, we would go to the dr about them. HW 385 SW 359 CW 335 (50lbs down!) Sleeved 10/5/16 I have highmark blue cross blue shield. Honestly I didn't have a ton of issues. Just a little chafing, etc when I ran. My PCP did a really good job of advocating for me in my visits.

I don't know, I shouldn't have. It was mainly because I thought they wanted me to be very low and I was also nervous about needing to drop the 10 pounds, but since I felt like crap I bumped them back up and now I'm eating the correct amt. of calories and am back to feeling good. I also lost the 10 pounds I needed to lose!

I'm in Sayreville NJ Dr Sadek was my dr last June. I'm having difficulty losing my last 10 pounds. Need to get back on track. Any suggestions on how to stay focused? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I have wrote on this topic before, but it doesn't seem to go away. It is my very mixed feelings about a good friend who also had gastric sleeve surgery. Let me start with a little back story...I met my friend our senior year in high school. We clicked right away and soon were thick as thieves. He is a gay male that went through the very painful "coming out" after high school, in our late teens / early twenties. I supported him 100% in everything. When his mother was unable to accept who he was,( he was raised by a single mom as an only child) I stood by his side. As he went through the first years after coming out, learning how to navigate the gay world, I was there too. We were the best of friends. We took vacations together. We worked at the same hotel together for a couple of years. And he was there for me too, as my friend. As our lives took twists and turns our friendship remained. Over the years we had falling outs, but always made up. One year we had a gift of the Magi moment at Christmas when we gave each other the exact same gift! ( A framed picture of the two of us- we both had the exact same picture made into a 5x7 and framed ) About 13 years ago ( early 2000s) my friend was diagnosed with Hodgekins Lymphoma. By this time he had a partner for several years as well as his mother did come around to accept them. I was there for him any time he needed me, but I was more in the background by this point. I am happy to say he beat his cancer and has been free and clear for 10+ years. The point is, we have been close friends for over 20 years. Also during this time we have been diet buddies. There are countless sets of "before" pictures of the two of us as we were determined to work together to lose weight. We joined a gym together when my marriage ended and I needed to get back my life. We tried to influence each other in good ways, but we also sabotaged each other at times too. Over the last few years both of us gained a LOT of weight. Granted during this time our lives have taken us in different directions, but we have kept in touch. I have been over for birthdays and holidays. He has come to see me during my various stays in the hospital for blood clots. We have stayed friends...Until recently. Now I feel our friendship has been slipping away and it has me feeling all kinds of emotions. I had my surgery on October 21, 2013. I made the decision to do it the previous July and started on the path in earnest in August. When I told my friend of my decision he surprised me by saying he was thinking about it too. He had once before set out to have the Roux-n-Y done, but "chickened out" after the informational seminar. He said he had been thinking about surgery again and had happened upon gastric sleeve. We talked at length about the surgery and I told him I had made my decision, and would support him whatever he chose to do. Several weeks later I hear from him to say he too has made the choice to have the sleeve, but his mother is not happy about it and his partner is against it. I go back into supportive friend mode, the same friend who was there for his coming out. We talk and share ideas and plans and information over the next couple of months. As my surgery grows closer and I am going through the pre op steps I share it all with him, to let him know what to expect. I have my surgery and he comes to visit me, once bringing his mother along. This helps her to accept his decision and from that point out she begins supporting him. (although his partner was against the idea up until he had his surgery) Shortly after my surgery I notice the first shift in things with my friend. He isn't as chatty. He doesn't seem to want to hear about what I am going through during my recovery and first weeks after surgery. I know he is now in his final weeks prepping for his own surgery and maybe that has a lot to do with it. All I know is I need MY friend and he was pulling away. He did no kind of dieting before his surgeon ordered pre op diet. While it was entirely his choice, I was trying to suggest maybe he change some of his eating habits on his own to help him be successful. Maybe my advice hit him the wrong way, I don't know. He had his surgery on 12/17/2013. He used a different surgeon and hospital so his experience was quite a bit different than mine had been. While I was wanting to talk and compare and support one another, he was just not interested. The last time I have physically been in his company was shortly before Christmas, about 5 days after his surgery. He stopped by my house to drop of CANDY!!! ( at this point he still wasn't "with the program") He has decided to blog his experience. This has been how I have kept up with him, through blogs. He no longer calls me. I have to call him several times to finally hear from him. He has done amazing in his weight loss. Being the over achiever he is once he sets his mind on a goal he was in the gym exercising by 3wks post surgery. He goes to the gym 5-6 days a week. (gets up at 3:30am and goes before work) He has a personal trainer he works with. And all of this makes me jealous- I admit it. I am a single mom. I can't get up and go to a gym at 3:30am. I can't go during lunch for various reasons. I could go after work, but feel guilty taking my daughter from a sitter where she has spent the past 9 hours only to drop her in a daycare at the Y. ( only place I could find that has child care service available for it's clients) I know they are excuses, but they are valid. I do not have the finances my friend has to hire a trainer either. This is where our different lifestyles play a huge role. His ability to focus more on himself has helped him achieve greater results than I have been able to. Ok, there is the whole genetic thing that he is a guy and men lose faster than women blah blah blah. I get it, on an intellectual basis. But to see his blog saying how he has lost 96lbs since his pre op diet started 12/7 and how great he has done. He has never stalled. ( I did at about 3wks out) He has only started to have to deal with thinning hair.( mine has almost all fallen out and I wear a wig) The jealousy is a stupid feeling, but I think it is because he has turned away from me. Had we been there as friends to support each other, I think I would just be happy for him. But I have learned about his life through Youtube! He changed jobs, I found out on a blog. He got a new cat, I found out on a blog. He gives shout outs to those who have supported him ( his mom, his partner) yet I was the one who has always supported him and he has forgotten me. It hurts me deeply. I have wrote this before and it was suggested I tell him. I just haven't had the courage. I know I need to, but I am afraid. I am afraid that the reality that our friendship may be gone will come true. It does happen, I get that. I even posted about it on another forum yesterday. I just feel this is different. We have gone through so much and have been friends for so long. I truly thought both of us having this surgery would just be another way our friendship could evolve. But it has not. I am so proud of him and happy he has had such success. At the same time I miss the friend he was....