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hey guys! i finally got some photos in clothes that fit a little better. i still havent lost anymore weight banded 8-18-03 2nd fill 10-2 still not at my sweet spot or even close but i can really tell a difference from my 'all time high'. glad i wont EVER be there again!!! my bmi is down from 51.7 at 350 to drumroll please...45.5 at 308 HOLY COW!! i was in a 28/30 now i can wear a 24 pretty comfortably and EVEN sqeezed into a 22 skirt!!!!!!!!!(I couldnt have worn it out but by god the buttons all closed LOL!!) i went to the movies this weekend and when i saw the seats my heart was pounding...no fun squeezing in the seats and pretending to be comfy...but no squeeze i fit!! this is a big one... not eating the most. when i used to eat around other people i always noticed i ate the most...saturday night i made veggie pizza for some friends i only ate 2 pieces...to there 6, 4,and 3 pieces... i do feel so much better! i am so close to being under 300!!! i will be so happy because then i will only be 100 away from under 200!!!!

Alex.... PLEASE post some snow pictures. Down south we very seldom have snow; maybe every 10-12 years and it does NOT stick to anything. Certainly never seen 24"!!!

I'm 265 lbs, 6 feet tall I wear anywhere from a 16 16W-20Tall, depending on the cut. I usually get into a 16 or 18W, but if its just a tall size I need a 20. Shirts I wear anywhere from an XL-XXL (normal) to 1X (womens) dress shirts 18-20 tall. When I weighed about 190-220 I was a size 14 When I weighed about 175-190 I was a size 12 When I weighed about 165 I was a size 9/10. I've got clothes from a size 20 to a size 12. Can't wait to get into those 12's

Since our bodies are so different.... It's probably hard to tell. My butt is 14 inches bigger than my waist, but here is a pretty good chart of what I remember: 110 -118 - Size 4 120-128 - Size 6 129-134 - Size 8 140-155 - Size 10 160-170 - Size 12 171-185 - Size 14 186-198 - Size 16 200-228 - Size 18 230-245 - Size 20 246-265 - Size 22 266-285 - Size 24 Current - 294'ish and between a 24 and 26 And now I'm like 294 and can still wear 24 in some things, like the jeans I have on right now are 24's, but sometimes I have to get a 26. I still have all my clothes from size 10 and I kept a few things from when I was a 6/8 that were my favorites.

@@tomi71, hi there... My name is Stacey and I also suffer from depression.. I think it might be natral for the most of us.. My surgery is not until January 17 I have been a liquid diet for 10 days and with that I've found I'm also a food addict, many emotions have flooded my mind and heart... Just as soon as I think it's to much for me to handle, it's a success! I've overcome another hurdle. I thank HeavenlyFather's grace ❤️ I've been on 40 mg of Celexa for the last six years and the last couple of months I've 1/2'd my dosage in hopes A month or so after surgery I won't need them anymore.. They say to physical exercise is the best anti-depressant ever, I'm going to walk my butt off..! My nephew also has Asperger's and I think that makes u even more special???? I'm here for u! -Stacey

My program materials say that 18 months is within the normal range of losing 60+% of what you are going to lose. However, at my nutrition visit yesterday it was mentioned that 10% a month is a reasonable goal to reach for. I was to to not be disappointed if it takes a year to lose 100 pounds Everybody is different. Compliance, circumstance, emotions, illness, plateaus, exercise results....lots of things factor in.

It is so freakin' awesome to not "feel fat"!!! I was put on my first diet at age 7. How'd that work out? Last June, my BMI was 42.8, which is solidly in the "Very Severely Obese" range, and I had diabetes, apnea, asthma, high cholesterol, and borderline blood pressure. Less than 10 months later, my BMI is 23.6, which is solidly in the "Normal" range and all of my "fat guy" diseases are gone! I was wearing XXL-XXXL shirts then, and hated having to buy clothes. Now I buy Mediums off the rack (or online) and don't bother trying them on because I know they'll fit. I'm telling you, it's like night and day! So for those of us that have "felt fat" all of our lives, here are the best tips I can give you: 1) Follow all the rules of your program as closely as you can! The less you deviate, the quicker you'll lose weight. Yes, I know it's not a race. But I would suggest that those who stick to the rules and lose their excess weight more quickly are far more likely to get to their goal and stay there. Yes, I know we have to learn how to eat "normally", but again, I would suggest that learning to eat normally can happen at any time. So why not do it once you've lost the weight and have already developed eating and exercise habits that work? That way if you put some pounds back on while experimenting with new foods, you don't have to lose the new weight, plus all the old weight that hadn't come off yet. 2) Plan, plan, plan! Never allow yourself to be caught unprepared without something appropriate to eat and drink. If you don't know what's going to be available at your next eating situation, bring something with you. Don't allow yourself to get hungry at a social event. Drink a Protein shake in the car on the way. Try to learn to like beef and turkey Jerky. It's high protein, low fat, okay calories, you can buy a bag almost anywhere, and a 3-ounce bag is a meal. I can't count how many times my program has been saved by a bag of jerky from a convenience store! So keep a bag of jerky in the car for food emergencies. And bring your own pitcher of Crystal Light, or a squirt-bottle of Mio to the party. 3) Try not to fall off the horse, but if you do, get right back on track at your very next meal. Not tomorrow, and not next Monday morning. That's the pattern that got us here, right? We need to break those patterns, because they won't work this time either! 4) When you look in the mirror and see a slimmer person, believe it! If you're doing the right things and making the right choices, the "new you" is who you are now. Don't waste time and emotional energy looking back over your shoulder waiting for your former, heavier self to drag you back. Keep looking forward and enjoy your successes by setting and achieving lots of little milestones. Along the way... be sure to bask in the compliments, have fun trying on and wearing smaller clothes, take pride in your accomplishments, appreciate your new health and energy, and try to enjoy this amazing journey! Most of all, just keep making the next good choice! Good luck!!!

Thanks for the well wishes!! I am on my second day of my pre op fast, and I am down 5 pounds!! (ummmm do you think water weight??? oh yeah!) A little over a week and a half and it is op day!! I am very excited!! I decided that i hate muscle milk...it has a really gross after taste..yuck!! I will start my breathing exercises today (spirometer) which the doctor has asked me to do. I am also taking all my vitamins...b12, multi, and calcium citrate....plus they said if i am hungry to take one pill each at 10 am and 3 pm of metamucil, and for burning fat 1 chromium picolanate a day!! So that is my plan....and I'm sticking to it!! hahaha. Anyway, I will post later on.

10 hours (give or take an hour) I was outpatient.

I am so done with the way it/I used to be. I play the tape in my head of what it has been like emotionally, spiritually &physically for the last 10 years of being morbidly obese. I felt like I was missing out then, trapped,tired and miserable. I feel like I have a new lease on life now. So glad I did it. Gonna fill my time with travel,exercise,hang out with friends and family, go dancing with my husband and do fun things with my 10 year old.

Hello TheSpoonieLife! I'm going through OSUWMC too, but I'm in about the same stage as you in the process, so I can't help with all of your questions. I had the psychological evaluation on 10/20 and haven't scheduled my nutritionist/medical evaluations yet. As far as the requirement for monitored dieting before surgery, I think that depends on your insurance. I have OSU insurance and I am required a 6 month supervised diet program before surgery. However, it is required by the insurance, not the Bariatric Program itself. Sorry I don't have many answers, but I wanted to at least say Hi!

My insurance specifically excludes bariatric surgery, so I looked into Mexico and self-pay in the States. Mexico was about 1/2 the price, and their aftercare is more comprehensive than what I'm seeing stateside -- 2 nights in hospital there vs. an outpatient surgery here (less than 24 hours in the hospital after surgery) and 2 more days of access to the doc, etc. in Mexico. Here, the cost covers only the initial surgery and 1 follow up with the doc to remove the drain tube 10 days after surgery. Meds outside of the hospital are not covered, etc. I agree about all the dancing through the insurance hoops, but without going through insurance, you're on your own in both cases if there are any complications. All that being said -- I'm still uncomfortable with the idea of being gone from home for at least 5 or 6 days and flying so soon after a surgery because of complications from blood clots. Just reading this over makes me wonder what I'm thinking, but . . . I've opted to stay stateside. I was going to get my passport when I just decided I didn't feel good about going to Mexico. I'm not wealthy -- I've been saving and have my contingency plan in place to make up the difference. All I'm saying is this a decision you'll live with the rest of your life, so make sure it's the right one for you. Trust your gut. You've already made a huge decision to have the surgery. Good luck to you!!!

I also have a hiatal hernia. But my biggest complaint was the acid reflux, I have been on meds for 10 years for GERD. had the upper endoscopy last week found the large hernia which will be repaired during my surgery next week. Please mention to your Dr about your concern, you may need an endoscopy to determine if that is what it is so it can be repaired during your surgery. This way the Dr will know what is there and will have your consent. Good luck.

My doctor sets a goal at the three month check up. I am sure it is a weight that puts you right at a healthy BMI. I wanted a five pound pad. I weigh less than I did at 19 when I got married. I weighed 160 then and my wedding dress was a size 9. Now my dresses are 6's, my jeans are 4's and 6's. I never in my wildest dreams thought this was possible. Let me say, an in person support group is totally different than sitting here on line. I do both, and in addition to having special speakers, some times a cooking class....personal trainers, plastic surgeon.....the list of special meetings is endless. Anyway, being there in person is different and you can make a difference for newbies and then folks that are further out than you, can help you. They say the most successful wls patients, attend a support group. I hang out here for fun, but it does not in any way take the place of my monthly support group.

Same here. HW: 311 CW: 257 SW: We’ll see on May 10! First goal weight: 191 lbs Second goal weight: 159 lbs Goal weight: 142 lbs 5’6” 34 yo female in NC

I’m doing well. I’ve been pleasantly surprised by how great this recovery has been. I had an appendectomy last year and it was more painful than this sleeve recovery. @ReneKiser yes I’m on full liquid right now. I have my follow-up appt on the 18th and I have to eat an egg before my appt to see if I’m ready to transition to soft foods. I don’t have a drain for my incisions. HW: 321 SW: 271 GW: 180 Sleeved: 5/10/18

Diva, First let me say good luck with your surgery and congrads on your decision to take control of your Eating. Here is MY band story. I have always been heavy and was scared to death of getting diabetes. My parents and brother all have it and are on medication. Working in the health field, I see the results of the disease and what it can do to a person. I was Banded on Jan 3rd of 08, and it was the best thing I have ever done for myself. No more yoyo diets.. I am done. I was self pay and was determined to make this work, no matter what. The positive attitude helps sooooo much.Since the beginning, I have had a consistant weight loss of between 8-10 lbs every 4 week appointment with the Dr. The first two months were very difficult, I did not have restriction yet. I was very hungry and COULD have eaten the same amount of food as before being banded. BUT...... I did NOT allow myself to overeat. This was going to work.. BY GOD..... I also followed all the banding rules of eating. Eating my Protein first, then my veggies and then fruit. Not drinking while eating or 45min after. No slider foods, or pasta, rice, potatos. The band is my friend, and I do my best to help it work. I am STILL accountable for what goes in. I finally got restriction on probably the 4th or 5th fill. Since then the hunger has been curbed. I can not believe I am not starving considering the amount of food I am eating. But My friend the band is doing his job. Getting restriction is a learning experiance, you really have to listen to your body for the signs of being full and eating to fast. Weither it be good or bad, I have not been good at all on the exercising. I have gotten on the treadmill a few times. that is it. I will say my arms are starting to be batwings and my legs are not as toned as I would like. Would exercise have helped.... Probably. Exercise is my next big step, I do want to get a program started. In closing, Yesterday was the first time I have actually went cloths shopping. "for parents 50th wedding anniversary". I can not tell you how it felt to have to keep going back to the rack to get a different size. I had no clue what size I was. I wear scrubs to work and have gone from a tight 3x to now a XL. I was wearing a 24/26 and 3x cloths. I BOUGHT A 18W DRESS!!!!!!!. My point is.... After almost crying in the JCPENNY's fitting room, When my family went out last night for a birthday supper. I did not care if I ate one Chip with salsa. We went to a family favorite mexican place. Before, I would have gorged on the chips and salsa, then ate a full "huge order" plate. Last night I sat and watched the rest of the family eat the chips, and I REALLY

Well, I have lost a total of 19 pounds since I started my preop diet (6 lbs on preop) some would say that is good, some would say that it is slow, some average.......I say that is more than I lost on 7 months of weight watchers and I am not getting any bigger (I was going up up up) I do think I have some restriction from the surgery itself (he doesn't fill at surgery) and are not due for my first fill till the 29th of this month but just knowing that I no longer can binge eat priceless.....my attitude towards food has changed....I am eating to live not living to eat.... I am eating what I want just way smaller portions and trying to stay around 1000 cal. a day..... I have to keep a food track just to make sure that I get enough cal. a day. I was told the first 6 weeks are for healing.....so I have been real careful not to over do it when eating. The only thing I haven't started up yet is working out to the extent I did prior to surgery..... I have always liked to work out and lift weights...... I am so glad that I got the band and want to do everything to keep it, I like eating what I want only a very small portion of it..... food also tastes better for some reason....maybe the chewing. Good luck!!!!

I had lapband surgery on Monday. Today's Thursday, so I thought I would type up a few notes about how I've been feeling and how recovery has gone so far. The reason for these entries are two-fold; one, in a year from now I'm looking forward to going back and reading some of these older entries, and two, for anyone considering the surgery or about to have it, I thought I would share what I've gone through you you'll know what to expect. Day 1, Post-Op (Tuesday) It's been 25 years since I've had surgery (and I'm only 34) so I really don't remember what the last one was like. Right now, my torso is sore. I'm sore on the inside and the outside. I can feel that my stomach inside is sore, but I can also feel all my stitches. They don't hurt that much, but they feel tight. When I move around, I'm aware of them. I ended up taking a couple of naps throughout the day simply to rest. I've taken two doses of Loritab to get me through the day. On a scale of 1 to 10 I would say the most I've felt is a 5 or 6. After the Loritab, things go down to a 1 or maybe even a 0. Today I wore a t-shirt, pajama bottoms, and slip on shoes. I didn't wear socks because I couldn't put them on (too sore to bend over). Most of the day was spent hanging around the house, either sitting in my rocker, sitting at the computer, or lying in bed. The stitches "pull" every time I stand up and I'm afraid to do too much. They also felt tight during the ride home from the hospital; a coat held over my tummy helped the bouncing feel better. Day 2, Post-Op (Wednesday) Feeling much better. In fact, went shopping with my dad after taking a dose of Loritab. Walked around Toys R Us for 20-30 minutes, doing some Christmas shopping. Was able to get in to and out of his truck easily. Came home, rested a bit on the computer. Later, went for a ride with the wife to pick up the son at school, followed by a quick trip by work to say "hi" to everyone. After that tour, I felt like I had overdone it. I was tired and my shoulder was really aching. I've heard various stories about shoulder pain related to this surgery (everything from nerves to anesthesia), but hopefully that will get better soon. To be honest, my shoulder is the only thing that really hurts constantly at this point. I can feel my stitches if I twist, turn or bend the wrong way, but I'm already starting to forget about them. Day 3, Post-Op (Thursday) The wife went back to work today, so it's just been me around the house. Watched a couple of movies, made myself some soup, and just having a good time in general. I'm going back to picking up the boy from school today and I don't see any problems with driving. I took my first full shower since coming home from the hospital and it felt great. I could have taken one earlier but I didn't feel comfortable touching the stitches -- not pain, just worry. Everything went fine and I scrubbed from head to toe. I was even able to bend over and get the shampoo from the floor. After the shower, I was even able to put socks on, so there! I wouldn't want to run a marathon at this point, but if I had to return to my desk job tomorrow I'd be okay. I'm still a little sore around the edges and my shoulder still hurts, but for the most part I'd say I'm ... oh, 75% back to normal. Maybe 80%. I feel pretty good.

So my surgery was changed to the 19th which was Thursday so that way I would be the only person on the schedule that day and the only one in recovery. Everything went great I was in at 6:30 and on the table by 7- surgery was over by 8. I woke up quickly and was just a little dizzy from the anesthesia but that's normal, they said I woke up very fast and they were surprised at how well I did. Drank some water and then was home by 10. I felt great! Went for a couple of walks and even went shopping, I was in no pain at all. Fast forward to the next day, I was sore like I had worked out probably because of the way I was laying on the table, my neck was sore and I had gas pains. The soreness was nothing, it was just achy feeling but the gas pains have by far been the worst out of all of this and the pain medicine doesn't touch it. So I have just been dealing with that, all I can say is walk, walk, walk, I am now on day 4 and my left shoulder is still hurting tremendously, but other than that I feel great. I never expected to feel so awesome. I have lost 16 pounds already counting pre-op and I feel super. I have been getting my fluids in and walking and couldn't be happier that I made this choice. My scars are teeny tiny and I'm sure will fade in no time. I haven't felt hungry even though there is no fluid in my band and that is one of the most unexpected feelings. I know that once the swelling goes down I will probably be in bandster hell but for now I am smooth sailing. I will probably be getting a fill at my 4 week appt. So for anyone out there reading this that has doubts just know that you can do it! I will say that having a support system is crucial. Without friends and family I would be lost. They support me and cheer me on and encourage me, and help me remember that this is just the beginning. Keep on Keeping on!

Hi I am Bob at yobobby100@yahoo.ca I went to the Surgical Weight Loss Centre on June 19 th. I weighed 353 pounds I am 5 foot 10 inches. I am 42 years old. I, like most of us have tried different things to lose weight. I twice lost all my weight. Once by starving myself on and off for months and then at 35 I had accupucture and it worked but, I put all the weight back on and a lot more. My family was fearful of me dying. I was worried as well, although I thought diebeties plus I am 42 not married no girlfriend no children and I don't go to dances due to my weight. I knew for sure I had to lose the weight and keep it off. I had my surgury on Aug 7 2007. I am so happy ! ! ! Best decision I made in along time. My band reminds me not to buy things like a whole pizza (which I used to eat in one sitting) or family size bags of chips or cookies (that would be gone totaly in one hour) I also gave up my daily 5 litre pop habit. I now walk each day. My pre band weight was 353 at surgury it was 330 lbs. two week check up it was 308 lbs. and now on Sept 18 it is 284 lbs. and I know I can't over eat like before. I am an emotional eater and an extreme over eater. I love my band ! ! ! It is a great tool for anyone who needs help.

60mgs of Adderral is INSANE!!! And it's ridiculous that any boss could require you to take meds!! Regardless... Congrats to you for saying enough is enough and getting back to basics. My son gained weight when he stopped Adderral and he was 10. Your body just needs to figure out it's new normal and doing the 5 day plan may be exactly what your body needs and as mentioned above... what you need to get yourself back on track. Stress and change is no doubt hurting you as well. BTW... my son was upped to 60mg of Adderall once and he was a fricking psycho and never slept til he fell over in exhaustion!! I fired the psych pretty quickly. There are definitely other meds in the class that MIGHT work and some are not even as restrictive with refills and scripts. When Adderall was no longer working we switched to Vyvanse and it was a good fit b/c it is similar.

I am 10 months post op TODAY and getting sleeved was one of the best decisions I have EVER made. I am at my goal and I feel pretty good. HOWEVER, I am always cold. I was cold before I had the surgery and lost weight, but now it is at least 10 times worse. I am wondering if anyone that has experienced this misery has tried using Cuddle Duds or Nikibiki garments? I think thermal underwear would be overkill and bulky and I would probably burn up, but if anyone has tried these garments could you please share your experience? It is 66 degrees today and overcast (in the deep south) and I have been cold, while running errands, I had the heat going full blast in the car....drinking coffee. Going out to see Tim McGraw concert tonight and plan on wearing my Nikibiki leggings under my jeans. We'll see how it goes. Any feedback is greatly appreciated.

Well said!! Thank you!! 5'4" Starting weight 297 VSG on 7/31/19 Surgery wt: 266 CW 206 GW 135 Sent from my [samsung Galaxy] using BariatricPal mobile app

Im 10 days out and I was told by my nutritionist that I could star puree 8 day out. Which I thought it was weird. Only eat a bit at a time. I drink 1 oz of Water every 20 minutes and eat 1 oz every 2 hours. Just take your time eating. "Good luck.