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Tootarts I feel bad for you that you've had such a hard time with fills - but you have to realize that the entire surgery process is just not enough for most poeple to lose weight - you need to get fills to get to the spot that's right for your body. I'd suggest scheduling that appointment, whenever it ends up being, and talking to the doctor before he does anything about your concerns. Remind him what happened the last time, find out if he should maybe do your fill under floro, so he can actually see the port, and hit it correctly the first time. Also, sometimes they'll give you a bit of numbing medication before hand - ask if this is an option, again reminding him how much pain you had last time. The band won't work unless we use it as it's supposed to be used, and that includes fills. Hope this is helpful!!

I would not "diet" right now. Although, most insurances take the initial weight not the last one. I am trying eat healthy and like I would have to for the rest of my life after the "band". That's all I'm doing. Only in larger portions. Hope this helps.

Over five months of supervised visits I gained 11 pounds. My physician told me I had to lose the weight I gained before my appointment with my surgeon. I lost 15 pounds, had my surgeon appointment, and was approved from BCBSM. My surgery is scheduled for November 20th! Best of luck to you. You will do great!!!

I am almost 6 weeks out and I started doing 30 mins cardio a day, but have any of you used wii for weight training? I have the wii fit plus and the biggest loser games, but I wasnt sure If they were mostly for cardio

For me (I have an older 4cc band) it wasnt that way, it was more a matter of each fill caused me to fill up a bit more quickly which was just right for me at the time. I didnt have to find a 'sweet spot', I lost weight at 1cc for a while, and then that dwindled so I want to 1.5cc and that started off weight loss again and then a bit longer and that had dwindled. So as my body needed less and less calories to lose weight, I had a bit more fill, but I lost steadily throughout. I have been at 2.7cc for the longest time, but truth be told, when I eat carefully and follow the rules, as I have been doing lately (have to have an ufill for a surgery and have been being ah, careful), I've lost an almost alarming amount of weight taking my BMI down to 20. So truth be told, what I call my "sweet spot" or long term maintenance restriction is really only a level of restriction that allows me to eat small enough meals that I can afford to eat a lot of treats - wine, Cookies, chocolate *guilty shrug*. when I eat as I should, this is too much restriction for maintenance although I never have "tight" symptoms such as vomiting, getting stuck, being unable to eat foods like bread etc. So you really need to be honest about what you're eating and focus on eating the right things, not on eating only half a cup of food at a time. Its a fine and shifting balance and all about what you can manage, not about a number or a particular level.

Thanks do much for your replies . I'm having to private too, I did qualify for nhs but I know I'd I don't just do it now then I'll bottle it I'm having it done at Claremont hospital in Sheffield. Both your weight losses sound great! I've yo to dieted for the last 10 years and enough his enough now for me it needs to be gone! How did you both manage afterwards with tw restriction. I worry because I'm very much a comfort eater and am scared I won't be able to get out of this habit x

Being two years and about three months post op now, and totally at my three times adjusted personal goal, I have lost, and am maintaining at 210 pounds from a starting weight of 430. Having a wide network of friends and business contacts, not to mention the drastic change in appearance over the past two years, everyone notices and comments. The most common comment, and one that bugs the crap out of me is the old, "Did you have surgery, or do it the healthy way?" My response was usually the healthy way followed by an explanation, stating that the surgery was the healthy way, having been under a Doctor, and Dietician's care and supervision. I'm not embarassed or ashamed of having the surgery, however its just getting a little old explaning, and have just started avoiding the question, or answering. How has everyone else dealt with this?:paranoid Life is good! No regrets.

It's a combination of things 1) are you losing weight (no, fill might be the key) 2) do you feel satiated between meals for at least 3 hr (if not, fill make be necessary) 3) are you eating large volumes (ideally no more than 1 cup) (if yes, there may be inadequate restriction - fill time) 4) are you having symptoms (frequent regurgitation, acid reflux etc) if so fill is not warranted Your doc takes all this into account and will advise you on what is appropriate. Also, even if a fill is warranted how much volume is also up for debate.

I was sleeved on May 6, 2014. To date, I am -96 pounds. I have four more pounds to go to hit my original goal, 14 more to be at my final goal ( to give myself some wiggle room). This has been such an amazing journey, but I can't compare my weight loss or my journey to anyone else's. We all have different body types and differences in our lives that influence our rate of weight loss. You should be very proud of how far you have come and your own journey. I am. I feel like I have my life back (even better than before because I realize what I have been missing out on all these years). Enjoy your journey and savor it. I think we can appreciate it even more knowing where we started. Good job & best of luck to you!!

Tracking/Journaling your food intake is always a good idea IMO. I use the one at The Daily Plate on LIVESTRONG.COM - Calorie Counter, Weight Loss, Food Calorie Counter, Nutrition Facts | LIVESTRONG.COM. It also has a fitness/exercise logging function. I have found though, that calorie burn calculators are by and large extremely optimistic. If you have the funds available, I would advise investing in a HR monitor or some other device that helps determine YOUR individual workout calorie burn. Some good options are a fitbit, bodybugg (and it's clone GoWear), hr monitor watches (several models out there.. Garmin, Omron, Polar. I have a Polar). Before I got my HR monitor, I would chart my workout time at 1/2 of what I actually did. 60 minute workout I would claim 30 minutes.. this was to offset any over estimation that exercise calculators are notorious for making. I was very surprised to find after getting my watch that even cutting the time in half, sometimes the calorie burn that the site estimated was still too high. Perhaps this is just a problem with the dailyplate site. I haven't had the time or inclination to check with other sites. Just a heads up and giving my experience. One other thing that has helped me as the loss via scale has slowed down is to start keeping track of my measurements monthly. I also have clothes that I check ever so often to see if they fit again..

Sometimes when you are losing weight rapidly, you don't have a period regularly, or if your body fat gets very very low. Call. The consult line and ask - you'll rest easier!

I had not had a period for 6 years and then this past Sept. I had one. The doctor feels it is due to the changes in my body..Going into shock feeling so good about the weight loss..lol The issue with me is I am going through the change so it should not have happened. So they have been trying to find other reasons... Your body goes through a whole whack of changes when this happens. But best to check it out like I have...

Peer to peer is the step right before you would appeal. I have my back surgeon and pcp going to bat for me. The only reason I was denied in the first place was because of lack of weight documented by the hospital/clinic. They took my vitals and temperature but hardly ever took my weight. I have pictures to prove I've been over weight for years but the insurance company won't allow them for proof.

I also have Horizon BCBSNJ, do you know if they took your initial weight in and Bmi? When I weighed in my BMI was at 40. But since then I've lost 12 pounds getting a little nervous they might not approve me. As I don't have any weight related issues other than being overweight

My mom pushed out three of us and had rny in her lAter 40's. She lost over 150lbs and did have loose skin as the weight loss was fast but it all tightened up! She was lifting weights and using the elliptical and that helped a lot with the skin. She ended up looking too much weight and had to put on a couple pounds

I'm 54 and had twins girls my first pregnancy followed by my son who was 10 1/2 pounds. My stomach is shot. I've been overweight for 28 years. I knew I would have loose skin but my goal was to be healthy and I am. I lost 120 lbs - over half my body weight. I don't care about the loose skin on my arms and belly. If I can fix it w/help from my insurance I will. If not, I won't. I'm okay with that. Clothes fit okay and more importantly, I feel good. Best of luck to you! :-)

Same here. 3 wks post op as of today and the scale hasn't moved in a week. I've lost 30lbs (including the weight on liquid diet prior to surgery). I need to drink more and get my protein shakes in. I have no appetite and have to remember to eat just to eat. IT's ery disouraging but I hear it's normal and just keep at it and the scale will move again. Hang in there

I am so depressed because I have not lost weight in 1 1/2 weeks and still can not get food down, I know they say up you calories but I can barely get calories in less water, sometime I feel this was a waste of time.

I am 7 months out, down 91lbs since last Jan...but lately the scale has only moved up!! Not eating anything different...since 6mos dr visit have actually increased protein, doing more resistance and weights, and taking my vitamins...i have gained 4lbs...this freaks me out!!! I am self pay and feel like If I'm not losing I may have wasted a lot of money!! I'm scared that this is it and I have a lot more to lose!!! Really tempted to go back to my crash diet thinking to shake things up...help!!!

help !! monday i will be 3 weeks out ! i lost 15 lbs and was so happy. this week was bad i think i had a bug i was in the bathroom every time i ate or drank anything i am finally feeling better and gained 5 lbs back ?? whats wrong. please help super depressed

I reeaaallyyyy miss that strong restriction too. anyhoo, when I was about 5 out, I noticed I suddenly could eat more and my appetite was much stronger (boy, now I wish it was how it was at 5 months post op! Ha) but I stopped losing for a month. I didn't gain but I didn't lose. As hard as it was, and gosh was it hard, I went back to protein shakes for 2 weeks. Nothing but shakes. I don't know if I could do that now at over a year out, but at 5 months out the surgery was still new enough for me that I was able to hang in there and do it. From there I went on to achieve well below my goal weight. It was really a turning point for me. Maybe that's where you are. Give the shakes a shot! Good luck!

THIS IS MY FIRST TIME ON CHAT. I HAD SLEEVE SURGERY ON 8.15.14. I HAVE ONLY LOST 50lbs. I HAVE BEEN MEASURING & WEIGHING ALL MY FOOD. I AVERAGE A WEIGHT LOSS OF 2-3 LBS A WEEK. I THINK I SHOULD HAVE LOST MORE THAN 50lLBS BY NOW. DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS???

Overweight Shortens US Citizen's Lifespan and Costs Society Billions What many Americans eat and how little they exercise could wind up costing them – and American taxpayers – some serious money. Moreover, the overweight and obese may lose months from their lifespans.26-10-2007 Health care analysts predict an epidemic of weight-related diseases, as more baby boomers become senior citizens. A new study warns that the cost of treating such diseases through publicly funded programs such as Medicare and Medicaid could increase significantly. “The changes in expenditures will be substantial,” said lead study author Zhou Yang, Ph.D. “Based on my current research, an elderly person who is overweight at 65 may spend $16,000 more and the obese person may spend $26,000 more than those who are a normal weight at age 65.” Given that 35 percent of the adults in the United States are overweight and another 30 percent are obese, the total extra cost of treating them could jump to hundreds of billions of dollars as they age, according to the study in the online issue of the journal Health Services Research. The study shows a direct relationship between body weight and cardiovascular disease, respiratory system disease, most forms of cancer and diabetes. Treatment costs were 6 percent higher in overweight men and 12.5 percent higher in obese men, while overweight women spent 10.7 percent more and obese women spent 16.8 percent more than normal-weight peers. Life expectancy for a man of normal weight is 76.1 years; for an overweight man it’s 75.9 and for an obese man, it’s 74.2. For a woman of normal weight, life expectancy is 74 years; for an overweight woman it’s 72.7 and for an obese woman it’s 71.6. To minimize additional financial burdens, prevention is critical, said Yang, an assistant professor at the College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida. “We must do a better job of informing the general public about the health risks associated with obesity and promote a healthy lifestyle.” According to Nancy Wellman, Ph.D., a registered dietitian and director of the National Resource Center on Nutrition, Physical Activity and Aging at Florida International University, the key to lowering these health risks is universal access to quality nutrition information. “Everyone should be able to check with a registered dietitian about diet and health lifestyle choices in order to prevent the worsening epidemic of obesity,” Wellman said. “We give a lot of lip service to prevention, but are not willing to pay much [even] when such a payoff can be huge.” Health Services Research is the official journal of AcademyHealth and is published by Blackwell Publishing on behalf of the Health Research and Educational Trust. HSR is available online at http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/loi/hesr. Yang Z, Hall AG. The financial burdens of overweight and obesity among elderly Americans: the dynamics of weight, longevity, and health care cost. Health Services Research online, 2007. Source: Newswise Source: Health Behavior News Service It seems like you have similar issues as the UKLinks Buddy of the Week the kitten Website produced & maintained by USP Networks - All materials are Copyright 2006 © their respective owners - Terms & Conditions |

I weigh every day. It keeps me focused. and acts as a gentle daily reminder to file in the back of my head for the rest of the day. I found in past dieting that when I weighed daily, I did better....no kidding myself that having that piece of cake won't make that much difference....and most of the time, it is a positive reinforcer. The thing is, occasional weight gain is inevitable-- Water retention, body chemistry changes, whatever. I have had times when I am eating and taking in liquids perfectly (I keep daily track of all that), and I stay the same weight for days--then all of a sudden, I lose 2 lbs overnight! So please don't get discouraged about occasional weight gain...it's just that if it's on-going, that may take some re-evaluating. Please don't worry about the weight gain right after surgery. My doc said almost everyone does. Your body went through so much, including lots of gas, water retention, etc. You'll feel so much better about everything in a week or two. AND, if you are taking any pain meds, that means constipation! Best of luck to you! I think you will do great!

Hi, Cliff, I just noticed your sub-notes of all your dates and weights, and most importantly, your comment at the end, "this is going to be so hard!" So how has it been in retrospect? You might want to update your notes! Again, super congrats!