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I have struggled with my weight since I was five years old. Late in 2016- at 28 years old at my heaviest weight- I had my first appointment with a bariatric surgeon in Akron, Ohio where I live and began the steps towards gastric bypass. I was so scared. But I knew that I would rather risk my life than live like this forever. I feared that my parents would bury me in 20 years and that my sister would become an only child. I knew I had to do something. I had tried everything. Between the ages of 8-28 I had tried everything under the sun. I could not lose/maintain the weight loss. On June 26, 2017- I had gastric bypass surgery. I have lost/maintained 180 pound weight loss. I have a whole new life. It is quite beautiful. I look forward to living everyday. I share my journey on Instagram - (my name on there is Maddie5088) and I also have a public Facebook Page called Mornings with Maddie. I created a blog almost a year ago that focuses on sharing my journey, creating/sharing healthy recipes. You can find it here - foodfitnessandbeauty.com I share body positivity, kindness, self love, inclusivity, healthy recipes, grocery hauls, I do monthly giveaways, how to meal prep, affordable/easy meals for bariatric patients and I do Q and As for Bariatric patients. I have felt very called to share my journey with the bariatric community! I hope you come follow along my story! It’s been a heck of a ride! Xoxo Maddie

I turned 43 today. I'm three days into my pre-op diet--I'm on the road to a thinner, healthier me. This is the best gift I can give myself. It will last the rest of my life. I'm sticking pretty much to Isopure protein shakes, chicken, tuna, cheese, cottage cheese, and almonds. I'm getting in about 100 grams of protein a day; my minimum is supposed to be 70. I'm doing great. My carbs are supposed to stay under 30 a day; this is soooo not a problem. Hubby took me out for dinner to celebrate. We went to Outback Steakhouse and I got the center-cut filet (medium rare) with a Caesar salad. I enjoyed every single bite, because I know it will be quite awhile before I can eat another steak or salad. It was delicious! We're looking to buy some riverfront property on the San Marcos river here in Texas. I went out and stomped around on the piece we're most interested in--most likely it's in the flood plain. I wish it wasn't. It's gorgeous. We so want to live on the San Marcos river after I graduate from dental hygiene school in May 2008. George retires from the phone company after 30+ years in December 2009. Life just keeps getting better for both of us. We celebrated our 3rd wedding anniversary on July 4. We've been together for almost seven years. After several failed marriages between us, we took our time getting to know each other. We are perfect for each other. Anyway, back to the lap-band. My sister had a band placed five years ago and has done very well, despite having stretched her pouch. She's lost all of her weight and has been training daily and running marathons for about three years now. I started investigating different weight-loss surgeries for me about a year ago. At first I thought I'd do the vertical sleeve gastrectomy with duodenal switch, but since I have Crohn's disease, my gastroenterologist wouldn't approve it for me. Then I thought the Rouen-Y--same response from my doctor. Well, then I figured that the lap-band would be okay, because it could be reversed, if I had a life-threatening flare-up of my Crohn's disease. My doctor said he thought that was a great idea. In April, I went to a bariatrics seminar held at Seton hospital here in Austin, Texas, and Dr. Mark Sherrod presented all of the information, pre-qualification factors, etc. and he was so personable. I enjoyed the presentation and spoke with him for sometime afterward. My husband came with me and enjoyed it as much as I did. He really liked Dr. Sherrod too. I made an appointment and saw Dr. Sherrod for the first time on a doctor/patient basis in May. With a BMI of 43, I was definitely a candidate for the surgery. There was a ton of paperwork to fill out, questions to answer, future appointments to schedule, etc. that kept me very busy. I went back on June 25th for a meeting with anesthesiology (for an EKG), the psychologist (to make sure I had realistic expectations), an exercise therapist (to give me ideas on what kinds of exercise was reasonable for me), a nurse with the bariatrics team (to discuss the actual surgery, possible complications, etc.), and a dietician (to discuss my eating habits, the pre-op diet, and post-op diet, and lifetime eating habit modification). My gallbladder decided to go bad, and after a couple of gallbladder tests, that came back strongly indicating a malfunctioning organ, Dr. Sherrod was kind enough to take it out for me on June 29. Whew! I feel so much better. I had my gallbladder removed at the Central Park Surgical Suites on 38th St. here in Austin. And I had such a terrific experience that I've canceled my lap-band surgery at Seton hospital, and have scheduled to have it done at the Central Park Surgical Suites. Dr. Sherrod raves about the staff there, and I can certainly understand why. I had my very own nurse who made sure that I never felt any pain. She was priceless! I don't really have any misgivings about the upcoming surgery. I know that I will mourn the loss of my best friend (food), but honestly, my best friend has let me down for 20 years. It's a sick, sick, sick relationship. Food doesn't make me feel better about myself, it hasn't made me healthy, it turned my mom into a type II diabetic, and I know I'm next. If I had a human friend who treated me the way food has, I sure wouldn't have kept that friend around for 20 years! So, the lap-band goes on July 19. It's a tool to help me control how much I eat. And since I will have such a tiny stomach, I will have to be super smart about what I put into my body. It's no different than when George stopped smoking four years ago. He used the patch, the lozenges, and the gum. They were tools to help him curb is addiction. The band will help me curb my addiction. I'm very excited about starting my new life. I'm only 43, if I treat myself well, I could live another 40 years and enjoy my grandkids and their children, and maybe even their childrens' children. How cool would that be? I'm going to commit to posting here once a week. I sure I can do it once school starts up again. We shall see.:kiss

Thanks so much for the encouragement. I am almost 7 days down on the liquids and 7 to go. I want a meal so bad and keep trying to quit and reschedule for September (also because of travel plans). I keep thinking I have 2 weeks on liquid after surgery too and it makes me really nervous. Hearing you say it is easier after really helps. I had a slip up and ate popcorn last night at a movie, so I have to call my doctors office tomorrow and see what they say. I'm sure it will be fine, hearing how a lot of people just have a few days on liquid. How long before you were eating normal food and protein? Anyway, yes we have horses. Both my daughters barrel race and I used too, but refuse to now because of my weight. My daughters are way excited for me to start competing with them (if my back allows) as soon as I lose some lbs. I am in Utah.

I keep hearing baby first then weight loss...for some woman the weight loss is the only option to having the baby. I for example need lap band to lose the weight to eventually have a baby.

Hi there! There is no one good answer for this question. It very much depends on the person's weight. If you'r overweight or obese its not advisable to gain too much weight. between 11-18lbs. I will take me as an example, i currently weigh 185lbs. I'm 5"2" and am 9 weeks preggers. My ob which practices 30 years+ said it's ok for me to loose weight, since I am obese. He wants to keep an eye on the baby to make sure "it" gains enough weight. Which shouldnt be a problem. He has a lot of bandsters patients. So he's very experienced. I dont need to gain the average 40lbs, its not good for my health, I would be at risk for Diabetes, Pre eclamsia, etc. which are all harmful for the baby. Of course it has to be done in a healthy way, and not starving yourself. You have to eat nutritious food. People always make the mistake, "YOU HAVE TO EAT FOR 2" , which is wrong. you eat for you and a tiny person, that doesnt need more than an extra 300 calories. Most moms to be gain more than they have to, coz pregnancy is a time they let loose, which I completely understand. Hope I was able to clarify a little bit. best of Luck to all of you!!

Wow guys.... Thanks for all the replies! It's nice to know that I'm not alone in these feelings. After a long holiday weekend, I am feeling a lot better about getting the surgery. It seems that I might be actually boring myself with these thoughts, as I am feeling more relaxed the closer I get to it. Fact of the matter is that I am in dire need of getting rid of this weight. I have to take this opportunity to better my life, and the life of those that love me and want my presence on this earth. After doing a bit more research, I realized that a lot of these complications that happen and result in death, is the patient themselves not following Doctor's orders post-op. This will not be a problem for me. Thanks again.

How much weight does the average person lose during the liver reduction diet?

So today was my one month follow up visit with the Nut and Surgeon. It was actually just over three weeks since surgery but this was the only appt available. The dr said that I am doing well, I have lost a total of 26 lbs since pre op and 20 of that was fat! I have lost 5 inches off my waist and my blood pressure was normal and not bordering on being high like it has been for a while now! I am amazed and very thankful tonight. Oh, and for the first time in my life I was told to increase my calories a bit to lose weight better. ????

Congrats, we are in similar situations. I went in at 4 weeks and had lost close to 30 and he scheduled my first fill for the 8 week after my surgery date. My weight loss has slowed down a little, so I'm looking forward to the fill. At this point I'm within 2 pounds of shedding the obese label for the first time in 12 years.

Congratulations on your weight loss. I didn't have my fill until my 2 month checkup and I was glad of that. Since then I have had two fills and am doing well now. Keep up the good work and good luck with finding a protein replacement you can tolerate.

Wow, what a day bootcamp was today. We did intervals of cardio and weight training. Didn't do too bad with the weight training BUT the cardio OMG, I about passed out. The goal of today was to run for 5 minutes, do weight training for 10 minutes, run 5 minutes, etc.. I don't know what in the world I was thinking. Here I am 190 lbs, carry my weight in the middle and have small legs and she expected me to RUN......... C'MON. I could not wait for her to blow that darn whistle so we could move onto something else. Apparently I was not breathing correctly because my side and back started to cramp up. Bright side of today is that it's proof that I need to drop weight and do more cardio aside from bootcamp. I CAN NOT WAIT FOR MONDAY. FILL DAY! Go back for yet more exercise tomorrow. Oh joy! :smile2:

Thank you for the encouragement. I truly hope to complete this weight battle once and for all. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. I repeat this as I'm gasping for air while running. Only thing that keeps me pressing forward. :scared2:

Hi. What an achievement 90 lbs.! Great job. I can't speak as someone with long-term experience as my sleeve surgery was 12/28/17; however, I do have sugar cravings at times. I notice the cravings tend to strike when I haven't eaten yet (when I should have already eaten) and when I'm not getting my protein in bc I'm not eating on a regular basis. So focusing on reaching 80-90 grams of protein daily may help you if you are not already doing that and eating meals every 3-4 hours. I also find if I busy my mind with an activity like a jigsaw puzzle, my cravings subside. Brushing my teeth after meals and following that an hour later with drinking water helps me too. About exercise being a challenge bc of pain and fatigue issues: I really relate to that. I often think I'd be losing significantly more if I didn't have these "issues." It's tough too bc these are invisible disabilities and are often misunderstood. The pain and fatigue issues I have existed before I was overweight and I'm sure the excess weight hasn't helped. If you'd ever like to message about it, I'm here. You know what you need to do. You've got this! [emoji259]

It is quite common to have stalls during the weight loss process. I encountered one at the half way mark.

I have decided that icecream is evil! lol I was never really that fussed with it before I had my band-but now I crave it daily! I know when I have had a bad day,and feel good when I have managed to stick to one a day. My weight loss is fine at the mo,but I wish I could stop thinking about the stuff. Im sure I will get over it in time,but its just so yummy! Anyone else had any cravings after being banded?

I'd say it depends on how you lose weight. I had my reduction a long time ago and my dr didn't require me to lose weight, but I also had enough weight loss history to know that I lose weight in my boobs LAST. My roommate after college on the other hand had 4 different bra sizes in her drawer because she lost and gained weight there first. If you aren't sure I'd wait a little longer and let things stabilize. Totally worth it though!! No regrets about having my reduction in my 20's and if the girls start dragging I would totally get a lift again.

I am only in month two of my six month supervised weight loss but I wanted to do a trial run and see how long I could do the liquid diet for. I have been going 7 hrs. Had coffee water poweraid zero vitamin water zero a protein shake and yogart. I'm a lil hungry but not enough to eat a foot off yet

I was sleeved on Nov 26th I have Gone from my highest weight pre-op at 423 to my current weight 7 weeks pre-0p at 348 with the majority of that being post-op loss. Thats a total of 76lbs since this time last year when our Journey began. Yes I have had support from friends ,my Husband, my children but most of all from My sister "Kapoorvilla". She encouraged me and walked every step of this journey right beside of me.She was sleeved on Dec 5th. My sleeve went great home the next day walking a few hrs after, took almost no pain meds, have had no nausea or vomiting and can eat and drink about anything just have to watch the amounts, be sure to get in my proteins first and stay away from bad carbs and sweets, not that these things bother me but i just know my sleeve is only a tool. My sister drove us back and forth to doctor appts, in heavy big city traffic, pushed me in a wheelchair because i couldnt walk far, encouraged me, kept my spirits up, was proud of every lb I lost or NSV I achieved like being able to go from wheelchair to walker and now just my own power in short distances. I just wanted to publicly thank her and tell how much that it all meant to me. It is sucha blessing to have some one to share it all with step by step and compare notes and complain about the different diet stages with. We share recipes and any new finds such as products with a lot of protein etc.. She has been such a inspiration to me and I so admire her determination and ability to bless others even when things are going the best for her. During her operation her bowel was pierced, it turned into an emergency situation she was cut from breast bone to vagina practically lost blood had to be transfused 4 units of blood. Had to have asecond surgery 3 days later to put her bowels back in place, was finally released after 5 days and took 4 weeks to recover enough to resume her many responsibilities. She is doing good now, does well with the sleeve eating and drinking pretty much what she wants too but very little of it. not sure of her exact loss but its pretty good. I'm so sorry this all happen to you and I don't know the hows and whys you definiteley didnt deserve it and yes If it had to be I wish it had been me instead but I think the Lord knew you where stronger and im not sure I would have survived it and then recovered as well as you have, my health is so much worse. You are a real trooper and a great example to me, you have more will power than anyone ive ever known and I thank you from the bottom of my heart! I'm so proud you are my sister and hopoe someday I can do for you all the things you have done for me. Thanks again I love You! Ascooke.

I have tried every weight loss method, diet, plan, doctor....anything to lose weight. I am a 32 year old female and I have been over 200 lbs since middle school. I have been banded for 2 weeks and am patiently waiting on my first fill (my doctor won't fill for the first 4 weeks for healing). I am hungry, but I can already see the tremendous difference in my ability to discern the right portion sizes. I am calorie counting so that I don't over eat with an unfilled band. I welcome any suggestions for the future, any success stories, any information at all!

I was banded in 08 and was losing.. i had Fluid removed but not all of it july 09 because of losing my insurance due to a divorce and moving cross country. I didnt want to get stuck in an ER someplace while traveling with my dog with an issue and ending up in a bad situation. I had alot of stuff going on.. new relationship.. things are good but I was eating too much and I also worried I had ruined myself. I finally got a fill again a month ago.. I had gained weight back.. i was worried, freaked, and beating myself up.. I got a referral.. i had to get an upper GI done because it was a new doctor.. now I have restriction again and I have lost 15 lbs in the month since my fill. Get in and get that fill, get it checked out.. you will be happy you did! Life happens.. forgive yourself

Having read everything I could get my hands on to about RNY I have come across a books called Weight Loss Surgery for dummy's & Weight Loss Surgery Cookbook for Dummy's . Out of all I have read I find these two most helpfull. And as close to what my doctor prescribes . May be others starting their Journy may want to read the first one and the cookbook well can't wait to try some of the recipes in it. Just my Opinion.

Yesterday was the 2 month anniversary of my GSV surgery. I felt like sharing that I was at 58 pounds of weight loss yesterday, 59 pounds as of today! I had set a goal of reaching the 60 pound mark by 2 months, and for all intents and purposes, met my goal. Close enough, anyway! It is easy to stay focused and motivated when I see this kind of result. I have had my plateaus, which everyone knows how aggravating they are, but have managed great weight loss, with a lot of gym time and power walking! Here's to the next 60!

There is also that same chance that you will NOT gain the weight back and for me that was hope and reason enough. I can't speak for long time success, I will leave that to the veterans. I was just reading a post today from some 3 year veterans. ???? I can speak to the fact that living with a restriction tool has already changed my life in the best of ways. I am experiencing great results not only in weight loss but the way I feel about myself. Feeling proud of my choices instead of guilty is so empowering. Not being hungry all of the time has allowed my to think about the reasons I was eating so much in the past. Do what you feel is best for you. You really don't have to convince him, just believe it for yourself. Good luck on your journey.

As far as Bypass goes my surgeon and I spoke at length about how much bowel he would bypass. He did a short or 100cm bypass on me when most do 150-200cm I'm told. I preferred this as I'd come in for a sleeve with 65 pounds to lose and he convinced me with my history of GERD the Bypass would be better. I was concerned about malabsorption and dumping and he said he found the shorter bypasses had far less dumping and said the bloodwork of his patients was usually better with the shorter bypass as well. He did say the weight loss was sometimes slower with the shorter bypass. And mine definitely is with a 37 pound loss at 4.5 months post op. But I'm ok with it. So... not stomach size but bowel bypass... yes!