Search the Community

I had 2 kids, then did a tummy tuck after losing the pregnancy weight gain and I had a great looking stomach, with stretch marks gone and even a four pack. I then had two more pregnancies over the next few years and my stomach went flat again and it was a great result to see the tummy tuck held up so great. No added stretch marks for me and no pouch. The four pack went away but the rebound was awesome. Hope that help, Good luck. M.

Abbie I started my process in May. But I had a weight gain on my supervised diet... So I was denied at first. It's not the normal amount of time. Mindi in Waterloo Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Restless, I had a similar thing with heel spurs on the backs of my heels (they're more common underneath) - I had them both removed when I was 18. Tight achilles were part of the problem, but i ahve some sort of congenital defect there and unfortunatly I think my kids have it too as they are developing some bad food problems and heel pain - DH also had surgery for compartment syndrome in his anterior lower legs, a highly unusual problem in a non athlete, so I guess they could be lucky enough to inherit that too. the surgery fixed mine, however it wasnt till I was in my mid 30's I started having heel pain again - I thought it was another spur, but it wasnt, they never got to the bottom of what it was but in the end it was an acupuncturist who cleared it up and the way the pain gradually moved from the outer hollow at the back of my heel to the medial border of my foot makes me suspect it was plantar fasciitis. However, I never ever ever wear closed shoes if I can help it! I can wear sneakers fine and boots, but any sort of court shoe, dress shoe, ugh, I loathe them and I dont wear them - my shoes are always sling backs or mules. My heels have been sensitive and just dont feel good with pressure on them ever since the surgery more than 20 years ago - and now I also have a compulsive habit of collecting funky birkenstocks, lol. As to the asthma, I agree, if it came on with increasing weight it will probably go away. But if you are born asthmatic like my son, losing weight can help you manage it but it wont cure it. Plenty of normal weight otherwise healthy people have life threatening asthma. Same as how weight loss wont fix high blood pressure or cholesterol if they're not caused by weight gain. Some people just have a body chemistry that makes the susceptible to these conditions and they need medication to cure it. DH has lost 70lb and is no longer overweight but he's still on blood pressure medication - his blood pressure did not change at all with weight loss.

April 11th with Dr Almanza. I'll start my preop diet on March 30th just because I want to give my body the BEST possible chance for a great surgery and recovery. I am also looking forward to the "clean' feeling you get from high Protein liquid diets. I've been on the lose weight gain weight diets pills fads extremes roller coaster for 16 years and I'm ready to cross the bridge to FREEDOM!!! I wish you the very best and look forward to hearing your results!! Christal

I am so glad all of you had such a WONDERFUL experience w/ FEP BCBS. Here's my story: I had a lap band in 2005 that I paid cash for here in the US. I LOST a 132 pounds I kept my wait off even after my port broke. I had some weight gain and had my port repaired in 2012. It has not been right since that time and last April I suffered my first slip....So in April of last year my doc scoped me and unfilled my band. In a month my band returned to position and a way I went. I haven't felt well since April and in November I went and saw my surgeon and decided to go for a sleeve as I am now having on going issues w/my band. When I feel I slip I go back on Clear liquids and my band calms down(I am 3 hours from surgeon and am a nurse), So they submitted everything to my primary Insurance the end of November and I was approved on 12/5....However here is the catch My doctor was approved but not the hospital. So now here I sit 2 doctors later and a surgery date coming up on March 1st about 5.5 hours away from home. So now please realize I have 2 insurance and BCBS is not my primary. So I literally saw the doctor on the 2/2/15 and was approved on 2/3/15 by my primary. So when they went to submit it to FEPBCBS. Which most offices and Insurance companies here is the 21st century accept electronic records or faxes. FEP BCBS said...OH NO HUH-UH, you have to go to the post office and mail those records to us.(Ya know????SNAIL MAIL). People, the government if fining hospitals who are not getting on board with ELECTRONIC MEDICAL RECORDS and FEP BCBS won't accept a PRE-DETERMINATION electronically or fax??????????? Wouldn't you think this would be important as I AM having a serious complication from my device???????? REALIZE the codes for bariatric surgery are all ELECTIVE procedures no matter WTH is going on with a person. So the representative asked when my surgery date was and she assured my coordinator that they would NOT get to my approval that soon since it is a PREDETERMINATION and they don't have to give a time frame since it is a PRE DETERMINATION! Plus, she wanted to make sure the coordinator is familiar with the FEP BCBS guidelines and that they more than likely would want to meet all of FEPBCBS criteria again. THERE GUIDELINES ARE BS. They have no clause in there GUIDELINES for complications of a bariatric surgery....SO I have to meet the same criteria of someone who is either a failed Bariatric surgery(even though I lost 132 pounds) or a new Bariatric surgery....My BMI is 35 - 39 this year. They don't consider my comps complications(plantar fasciitis) or I would have to have a BMI over 40!(FORGET THAT!) In my H&P due to my intermittent lap band slippage I am at risk for necrosis and other life threatening issues. I feel like CRAP! My primary insurance recognizes this and approved me, ( I walked out of the office at 3:30 and got an email the next morning at 7:00 that I was approved) within 14 hours! I am really glad you all feel really supported by the FEP BCBS because the gals answering the phones won't do anything but quote the damn manual and I don't fall into any of there categories and they won't put a RUSH on anything or for anyone. So my primary insurance is covering it but I have a 5000/copay. So hopefully I will be feeling better in a couple of weeks....if you are curious or care Medicare, VA and multiple other insurances have a provision in there GUIDES for complications arising from a prior surgery. God forbid any of you experience a complication and need a revision of your bariatric surgery! Because when the office calls to get pre-auth they are going to be quoted the manual and you will be expected to meet all of that criteria again(Seems ludicrous to me) then they will have to MAIL your records for your pre determination!......Good LUCK everyone and GOD BLESS! Sorry for the NOVEL but I am angry! I know I know at least I have insurance!

Hello everyone, here's where my story begins.... 1994 is when my weight started becoming a problem for me. I already had both of my children, one in 1990 and the other in 1991. I was about 189lbs after I had my second son and things were pretty much stable at that weight for me. I wanted to lose weight but it didn't become a serious problem until about three years later. I put on about 30lbs from 1991-1994, and it just continued to increase from there. Of course I decided to begin taking weight lost pills (phentramine/and the other phen). I both pills for about two months and quickly lost 50lbs. I thought the battle was over at that point until I gained the weight back about 6 months later (as I stopped taking the pills). I tried some of my own remedies like exercise and all types of diets. I walked and did lots of activities with my children but the weight just wouldn't go anywhere. Looking back at my weight lost journey there were a total of 11 years that I have been trying to lose weight with all types of attempts. I've taken so many diet pills and shakes that I can't even count. My husband and I attended a seminar for day one surgery in Chicago Illinois in March of 2008. In April of 2008 @ 232lbs, I decided to start working on a supervised diet plan with my doctor, I told her that I wanted to attempt a lap band procedure and she let me know that most insurance companies require that you have at least a 6 month history of a medically supervised diet. In addition to that my doctor had just started seeing a patient of hers that had the procedure done, she called her and let me speak to her to see how she felt about the surgery. I decided to go with the same doctor (Dr. Klem out of Central Dupage Hospital, in Winfield IL.) that she has since here experience was so positive. So the 6 month program began. That included Phentramine, water pill and a 1200 calorie diet plan. I lost about 10-15lbs over the 6 month time frame, which wasn't very sugnificant to me. Once I stopped taking the pills I was right back at square one.... back to 230. In September of 08' I began seeing Dr. Klem, he has been performing this type of surgery for the last 17 years, he gave me all of the pro's and con's of the procedure and told me I was a candidate for either surgery, the bypass or the lap band. My husband and I decided that the lapband was the best choice for me since I didn't have any pre-morbid conditions. The process began the next week after being catagorized as morbidly obese. By the way when I started seeing Dr. Klem I was up to 242lbs, this was barely enough to be considered for insurance (why I'm not sure...). By the time my scheduled appointment for nutritionist came I was a all time high of 247.6lbs. That was a depressing time for me, I cried when I left the office and spoke with my husband about the weight gain that I was experiencing. We decided the I should try Weight Watchers to try and work on the problem immididately, as I had developed high blood pressure by this time and my doctor decided to put me on blood preasure medicine. I began Weight Watchers which I started doing very well with and dropped about 15lbs. Unfortunately I put the procedure off because I thought maybe this would be the fix that I was truly looking for. That did not last for more than a couple of months because of the high amount of sodium that was in so many of the meals. By now it's December and I'm right back in the same visocus circle that I've been in and now my weight has really gotten out of hand. by January I was a whopping 252lbs and had a very low self esteme. I didn't want to go to any social settings and couldn't fit any of my clothes. I was up to a size 18/20...I'd never wore this size clothes even when I was 9mo pregnant with either of my children. Life seemed very glomy for me. In January I decided to get back to business with Dr. Klems office and get the show on the road. As most of you know this can be a very long process because of all of the steps you have to take to be qualified for surgery. By March of this year I was finally finished with all of the steps that I needed (so I thought). My Information was submitted to my insurance company and I thought it was complete but of course my insurance company Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois denied my case. They claimed that I didn't have enough previous documented diet attempts for at least 5 years. When I submitted 7 years straight of failed diet attempts with one diet (Dr. Greenspon) doctor. My case was taken on by the Attorney that handles lap band denied cases, which took almost two months to get resolved. Finally got approved (this was a very stressful time needless to say).:tongue_smilie:As I was waiting for the approval I decided to try another dietary option, Weight Watchers (This was so costly, but my husband wanted to make sure I tried absolutly everything.....) by June of 09, I was finally approved... Now to set the date...July was full for my doctor so I opted to take August 12th. I'm now scheduled....:thumbup:... Kept doing Weight Watchers for a minute until I ran out of thier food and I'm now at 239.5. My liquid diet starts July 29th, which does consist of some food. I am to have a protein shake for breakfast, a morning snack (which will be a fat free yogart without fruit), Protein shake for lunch, mid lunch snack (which will be sugar free jello), and then a dinner (I've opted to use a Smart One's meal which is approved by my nutrutionist as long as it has meat in it.) and I can have up to two sugar free popcicles or fudgecicles. This doesn't seem like a liquid diet but the doctor knows best and it's ment to be 1000 calories. My nutritionist said it was good that I've been on the Weight Watchers diet because it's comparable to what I will be doing except it's 200 calories less. I will continue to post after my procedure but I can say that I'm happy that it's all most time for me to get this part over with....It's been a long time coming. Start Weight: 252lbs Pre Op Weight: 239lbs Pre Surgery Weight: ??? Goal Weight: 145

I have my surgery date set for tomorrow (March 11th). I am getting very nervous that I will not be able to enjoy certain foods eventually again. I am wanting to enjoy all foods just in smaller portions. I no this is a tool to help control food intake but am nervous to give up (pizza, bread, steak, roast) ect. I know some of these foods have also been the cause of my weight gain, but would still like to enjoy a slice of pizza once in a while, or a small steak, ect. Just wondering if other people have went through this or are going through this same phase. I sometimes feel I am to young (28) to have to give up some of the good foods for life. Any comments appreciated.

I did the same thing...I only told 1 family member and thats because 1. My family is messy, they spent many years talking about my weight gain, so I felt they needed no part in my weight loss..I live in a different state from them, so next time they see me, I will be a new me and they can kiss my new booty lol..and @. I told the one family member because I felt if something did happen, I really wanted someone back home to know the facts. So far, no fill yet, had surgery on July 5th and I am still amazed I have lost weight without being filled, looking foward to the fill, no date yet but I am figuring probably be mid aug when I get it. So dont feel bad your family doesnt know just watch the amazment in their faces when they see the new you. I am going home in October, I wont be at my goal but I know there will be enough weight loss for them to drop their jaws lol. Ann

Yep, it is true. WE are the ones who have to learn to CONTROL our cravings. The purpose of the sleever or any other WLS has never been to make cravings go away. It's really sad if some medical professionals are telling patients that they won't have to worry about cravings any more and can eat whatever they want and not worry about weight gain anymore because nothing could be further from the truth. The truth is that the sleeve works really well, but WE are the ones that have to make the sleeve work. It is also very true that the more processed, starchy carbs we consume (bread, Pasta, tortillas, chips, fries, Cookies, cake,candy, etc, etc etc), the more our bodies crave them and want more and more. If we eliminate those foods from our diets and replace them with lean Proteins and fresh fruits and veggies, our bodies quit craving carbs with that obsessive force. Sorry this isn't what you want to hear, but it really is science, and not "filthy liars" (LOL) saying this. Experiment with it. I didn't believe it either at first. I was the queen of junk food. I eat sooo clean now compared to how I used to be. And what is so cool is that I don't miss the junk. It feels good to put healthy food in my body that nourishes me. If you are interested in trying to learn how to get some control over cravings a good place to start is to google "mindful eating." Good luck. You can change this. We always have choices. Even if it seem like we don't--WE DO!

When I gained a ton of weight I was convinced I had pcos but nope, the weight gain made my cycles irregular & I was having hard time to conceive. I was warned that I needed to be on bc for 12 months after vsg so I am excited to start trying after my one year post op I'm 25 yo also.

I think I would have to 'take out' anyway who criticized the band. Jerks!!! Mandi, your journey threw weight gain did'nt start at 25, but you ended it at 25. My son is 15 and already struggles. I would'nt advise it now, but when he's an adult and if he decided to get banded, I would support him 100%,

The hardest part is getting your head in the game and keeping it there for the long haul. It isn't a situation of getting an "easy ride" with the surgery then being able to resume a fun/frivolous life. Just like with diets, that will lead back to weight gain--by doing the same things that got us a lifetime ticket to the Obesity Ball in the first place. So, even though I want to go out and party like it's 1999 in my new skinny body, I don't. I stay down on the farm and do my daily work. I eat the right things. I do the daily exercise. I work on my head/relationships/spirituality/relaxation, etc.

I just got my first fill and had no restriction in my band prior to my fill! Ask yourself these questions. Are you just getting satisfied instead of full? You have to train your body and especially your brain to feel comfortable instead of full (that is the toughest part with this band for most to understand). My dietician and psychologist at Temple did a great job of explaining it to me prior to surgery! Aim for a NEW feeling of stopping with satisfied! Are you following the 1/2 hr. Water before and wait 45 min. after you eat for water!!!!! At first I didn't do this and THIS makes all the difference in the world!!! EAT Protein first!!!! and stay away from complex carbs!!! If you choose to eat them know eat them in moderation! I am also working on my stress level (stress produces cortisol which has been linked to weight gain), and it burns out your Thyroid!!! There are a lot more tips, a fill can take up to 3 weeks to work, and you might need several fills before feeling satisfied! I wouldn't give up on the band just be really aware of what you are eating and use this website, I also use myfitnesspal.com and track all that goes in my mouth! Good luck, Joleen

My surgery is scheduled for next Tues (4-6) and my surgeon does not require a pre-op diet; only that there is no weight gain between initial consult and surgery day. I didn't think too much about it until I realized the purpose of the diet is to shrink the liver. My doctor has been very thorough about everything. During pre-op testing I had to have an ultrasound in which they did check my gallbladder, liver, pancreas, and kidney. I've read that they can check for a fatty liver by ultrasound. I'm thinking that if my liver looked large during the ultrasound then they would have recommended a change in diet pre-op. I have modified my diet and am doing my own high protein/low fat and low carb diet for this last week. I'm somewhat of a worrier by nature, and after reading about all the pre-op diets, I'm so paranoid! I've lost about 3-4lbs in the last two weeks by just watching what I'm eating and I'm sure this last week I can lose a couple more. I was so thankful I didn't have a pre-op diet before and now I wish I would have (to put my mind at ease)! Anybody else not have a pre-op diet?

hmm that is very interesting TBM, we might have to pay the outrageous small group plans premiums that we are just to have coverage. Is there any way to find that link? a certain search word or thread name? For a group of 2 healthy people no pre-existing conditions (except weight gain and loss) we pay $700 per month. Through Humana one (individual policy) my husband was paying $98 a month with our daughter on his plan! I won't even go into what I think of the insurance industry lol they certainly aren't out for our benefit. BCBSFL had us go through tons of testing for our son, get different opinions by "the best medical teams in FL" then diagnosed him with Autism at age 2. They sent us a "dear john" letter cancelling his coverage because of the long term care and benefits. We Appealed, talked to Ins Commissioner, appealed again - bottom line: get on the state's care for him. So I can believe they would find a way to deny coverage if you have the band

See you said you will taste things. So the band is not completely restraining you. So for those of us that aren't at goal yet and therefore still carefully managing our calories those little tastes do add up. Now will there be enough tastes to cause weight gain? Probably not if the band is properly adjusted but there might not be a loss on the scale. And then remember how many on this site are newbies. Their bands probably are not properly adjusted. So the band is not fully working. And they know that a taste can turn into a full fledge bite that can turn into a high calorie meal. These are some reasons why people are struggling. Just think back to your early struggles and you'll find some understanding.

Hi Sue40, My Dr required a loss of 9% of the weight to be lost (for example, if you are 200 pounds and they want you to be 135 that would be 9% of 65 pounds). Sorry if I'm not coming across clearly I might be half asleep here. She even indicated that if we didn't lose the weight that the surgery might be canceled. I didn't lose the weight (in fact, i gained 7 pounds!) and I'm still on for this tuesday the 19th. My weight gain wasn't even mentioned at the PreOp meeting!

I have a bizarre story and frankly I feel alot of shame. I was a thin kid, but as an adult have gained and lost 70 lbs several times. The last time, I was very healthy...had dieted well and exercised every single day. I was proud of myself so I had a tummy tuck and got rid of bludder from weight gains and losses as well as three pregnancies. Soo...I felt great. Then the next year I had brachioplasty (arm lift) and breast reduction. I never was happy with the arms, nor the breasts. But then in the last 12 months, I have gained 50 lbs. Breasts of cource look trerrible, and arms do too. I feel shame that I did these surgeries to my body and then basically threw away the benefits by getting fat again. My Dr here in the New Orleans area says I am a perfect candidate, even though my BMI is only 34. (I am self pay.) My main reason for wanting this surgery is not just "losing weight"...I can do that and have done that. My motivation is to get this MONKEY off my back, of constantly obsessing about food, of where my weight is, etc...I want to take this issue out of the realm of my mindset. I am sick of thinking of it. Is this a good reason to have lap band surgery, to get a bad situation "in check" so that it doesnt consume all my thoughts for the rest of my life? Or will this be just another surgery I regret and feel shame about? Thanks so much. :Banane35:

@@Proud2BMe It is wrong that you assume I am sitting around eating crap. The only carbs I have eaten in the last week have been a Tablespoon of banana apple puree and 1 melon ball of honeydew, besides the carbohydrates that are in veggie broth, spinach, tofu, and other veggies (which are very minimal). I have been religiously logging my food and measuring for every meal. Fruit based carbs are the only high carb food in my home (and raw seed crackers that I can't eat at this point). That is the reason I am worried about the weight gain. When I came on this forum expected for people to be helpful and uplifting, but reading your comments is disheartening and very negative. Side note: After consulting with my doctor he said the culprit is constipation and water retention.

@@Proud2BMe It is wrong that you assume I am sitting around eating crap. The only carbs I have eaten in the last week have been a Tablespoon of banana apple puree and 1 melon ball of honeydew, besides the carbohydrates that are in veggie broth, spinach, tofu, and other veggies (which are very minimal). I have been religiously logging my food and measuring for every meal. Fruit based carbs are the only high carb food in my home (and raw seed crackers that I can't eat at this point). That is the reason I am worried about the weight gain. When I came on this forum expected for people to be helpful and uplifting, but reading your comments is disheartening and very negative. Side note: After consulting with my doctor he said the culprit is constipation and Water retention. **************************************** I never said you ate crap and I do not appreciate your implying such. I have not once been negative to you. It's only naturally to bring up the subject of ingesting too many carbs on posts where people are complaining of weight gain. FYI: Fruit based carbs are no different from other carbs. Just so you know. The sugar in some fruits can be on the same level as candy and fruit juices are worse, about the same as drinking a regular soda. I'm not saying you can't eat fruit or anything like that, just keep that in mind.

In the soft foods phase, it is so easy to want to eat canned fruit, mashed potatoes, chicken noodle Soup with the noodles, Peanut Butter, pancakes, and chili with cheese, Beans, and sour cream. The calories and carbs can add up quickly. So long as you have a blender or food processor, you can take moist meats like chicken and roast beef and add some broth to make them even wetter. Your veggies need to be non-starchy, and fruit is a treat. I was allowed one serving of fruit a day. Watch out for processed foods because of the added sugar and salt. If you are doing your own food prep, learn to eat with minimal salt. I have found post-op that any time I have salt with my dinner, I will be up at least two pounds overnight. Some people can handle it; I cannot. It will take me a week to lose those two pounds. One other thing that causes me weight gain is medications. I had to go back on Lyrica in September and gained ten pounds in twelve days! That was enough for me, so I went back to the pain clinic to request different treatment. I gained twelve pounds during the two days I was in the hospital because of IV fluids. So, I had to lose that before even thinking about my post-op weight loss. One thing you will learn is how to listen to your body, and how to be a good detective. You will learn way more than you expect about health, anatomy, nutrition, and the psychology of person relationships. Just be mindful of following your program, and don't lose your momentum Hang in there.

You are trying to argue against opinions when the article itself is an opinion. You are not the be-all of Bariatric advice. As we are all (former) fat people we should all know the ability we have to deceive ourselves as to what we are consuming and the quantity thereof. I'm not laying into this poster at all nor am I throwing blame on her. I am just stating that if the problem is weight gain then too many carbs may be to blame. It may not be. So what? You are not an expert anymore than I am. Opinions are opinions and nobody here should be claiming there's is fact while someone's else is mere opinion. They are ALL opinions. So back up and take some time to think before going on the attack.

I think it's a personal preference. I am 35 years old, 5"4' and was up to 222, but perfectly healthy. I am "big-boned" and hid my weight pretty well. My family has battled these issues and the yo-yo dieting all my life. I have watched it control their lives, and now the diseases have started for them. Like someone else said, diets only mean more weight gain in the long run. Every time I tried to lose, I would gain it back and then some. It was a battle every single day for me.......and I was just tired of fighting. I went through my closet yesterday and got rid of all of my size 14's. I was literally saying "buh-bye, I never have to see you again"!! And it's true, I no longer have to worry about getting back up anywhere near 200lbs. I will win the battle now.....$17,000 later, but worth every penny. And just think, in 6 years I will be done paying for it and still enjoying the rewards of it for years to come. I am so happy I made the decision to do this. It has changed my life tremendously. Now when I go to Dunkin Donuts FOR coffee, I don't even drool over the donuts, cuz they kill going down. That's a great thing, because my eating habits were becoming so unhealthy that I knew it would just snowball. Before having this surgery, had I walked into Dunkin Donuts hungry? I would have bought a dozen and ate most of them in my car and threw the box in a dumpster somewhere so no one would know. So really every circumstance is different. I think most people know whether the road they are on will eventually lead to destruction, and whether this is a solution to a very "LARGE" problem for them. So, to each their own. Whatever works!!!!!

It's personal choice. How strict or sack you want your diet to look. We all have different body physiology. Carbs and sugars may work for one person and not for others. No judgment for either routes if it get us to the same goal. Does not matter what type of surgery or what food plan you have, Any of us can have weight gain. Surgery is not magic. This will be a lifetime of healthy choices.

Well. I know you are not talking about me there, because as a rule, I don't give advice on band related matters. People who see the advice as harsh, tend to do so because of something lacking in their lives. Be it exercise, eating right, or following the band rules. It hits too close to home. It hurts them because they know that it could be true, that they are NOT doing whatever it is that is being talked about, and that is the cause of their weight gain / failure to lose / whatever. People then go one of two ways. They do something about it, or they do nothing but whine about why it is so tough. Why they can't. Why they are special. So yeah. Maybe the second sorts are better ignored by those who give fantastic advice. But how would one know what group they "asker" ends up in if they do hit the ignore button?