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I saw my surgeon about a week and a half ago and he said I was a great candidate for the surgery. My initial weigh in was 227lbs and within four days of diet I was down to 223lbs. My surgeon has my goal of losing 3lbs for the surgery to be at 220 lbs but even though I've been watching what I eat I'm not losing anything! I am ovulating so would that be the hold up?

4 pounds in a week and a half is great. The other 3 pounds will come. Try to increase your Water, Protein, and exercise. You will get there.

The appointment went well. I know she answered my questions, but I'm a little stunned and can't remember. Stunned because when I sat with the admin folks to set an appointment for surgery, they asked if I wanted to so it April 15! I said yes. So, while I wanted to do this ASAP and get it over with, I'm stunned that its next week. I've been on their modified pre op diet for a couple of weeks. They said to continue that, so I'm good there. Just shocked that it came up so quickly. But pleased too.

Had to wait 8 weeks for ulcers to heal (ulcer were from naproxen use) and have endo tomorrow. Has anyone else had any experience?

It will all depend on your insurance and surgeon requirements. My insurance requires a 90 day medically supervised weight loss and I have two appointments left to go. I had a psych eval already. I have a class I have to take in a couple of weeks, followed by an endoscopy the following day. And then once my 90 days is up (early May), the surgeons office will submit to insurance and upon approval, I will have a blood test and chest x-ray prior to my surgery. I would recommend knowing your insurance coverage and from there you'll get a better idea of what the timeline will look like. Good luck!

Good Post :-) No fills yet Breakfast: Egg Beaters and Salsa Lunch: 5 crackers w/ chix salad ($1 at the dollar store) and some cottage cheese w/ fresh garden tomato slices Dinner: Canned chix breast w/ salsa and a dollup of full fat sour cream to bring it together Plus two slices of dill pickle For a snack mid day, I had three lil sweet pickles. All in all about 1000-1100 calories

I'm 2 weeks post op and am feeling hungry a lot now. I know it's not head hunger. Then when I start to eat I hardly can take more than 3 bites. Is this normal at this stage? Sent from my iPhone using VST

I use Silicone Scar sheets as recommended by my surgeon. They help significantly reduce swelling, puffiness, keloids, etc... You wear them 12 hours a day for approx. 10 to 12 weeks. I've read good reviews.. www.myscaraway.com. I have a tendency to get "hyperthropic" (sp??) scars.. that can get raised and look very similar to keloids. I've read these silicone strips prevent that from happening. Just started wearing them so keeping my fingers crossed!

And I’m down to 256lbs… I’ve lost a total of 10 pounds since my last doctor’s appointment back in August and he was very happy with my progress thus far. I went in today (9/12/11) and weighed in, chatted with him about what exactly I was doing to progress my weight loss. I told him I cut out carbs and still am cutting out carbs as best I can. Most meals only contain meat (protein) and vegetables. Everything that is processed/packaged I look at the contents and if there’s carbs I put it down. I am so proud of me, I should make this an NSV! People, or I should say non-dieters, don’t realize how hard it is to nix carbs all together. Especially since it’s been a part of your daily food intake for years! But I’m doing it. I can say I don’t eat something carby here and there, but not nearly enough to cause me any issues. I was off work for fiver days recently and I did so well not eating carbs. I did enjoy a bowl of cereal over the weekend, but that was it! No bread, no pasta, no rice, no sweets! I’m committed to sticking to this no carb diet because if I drop lbs like I’ve done these past two weeks CONTINUOUSLY then I could possibly make my mini goal come November 6th. I’m 36lbs away and I have 58 days to do so, which is roughly 8 weeks plus a few extra days… but that’s like 4.5lbs a week. I know I didn’t get RNY, and that’s asking a lot to lose that much weekly, but this is what I’m aiming for; 220lbs by November 6th! I Can Do It! J Other than dieting, I’ve been taking two hour Zumba classes (when offered), I’ve been walking, doing jogging/power walking intervals for 30 minutes at a time while on my breaks at work; I’ve also been doing the sedentary bike for 30 minutes at a time while at home… I plan to do a little more toning… my arms are slimming down, but I don’t want the flab… I hate to say this but I definitely see a TT, Brachioplasty, and Breast Lift in my future (hopefully covered by insurance)! It’s not all bad, I mean I love lifting and pulling my rolls aside and seeing my TRUE body frame and shape that’s being hidden underneath. It’s like shaking a wrapped gift before opening it. I’ve been trying to guess what’s inside for the longest! J Overall I’m SOOOOO HAPPY with my progress. Today I re-read my journal entries that I started writing when I started my PreOp diet, and I’m happy that I’ve progressed so much since then… I’m 256! In one of my entries I was saying how happy I was to be 278 because that meant I weighed less than my Dad… but now I’ve progressed so much it just blows my mind! I’m almost -50lbs down… just 1 more pound to go! I’m sure I’ll drop that in a day or two! WooHoo!!! I’ve gone from 305lbs (my highest) to 256lbs!... I’m so proud…

I'm almost 3 months out and I can eat 2 poached eggs without any problem. I've been doing it for the past 6 weeks. I can't eat anything with it but I tolerate it really well. It stays with me for quite some time though. It's odd how I can eat 3 oz of protein for lunch with veggie, drink my shake for breakfast and eat 2 healthy snacks during the day but come dinner time, I can barely eat 2 oz of protein. It's like I'm full from eating the rest of the day. I'm still trying to adjust my eyes to my stomach size. I put food on my plate and think THAT'S ALL???, yet I can't eat it all. I love it!

My surgeon has all of his patients follow an Optifast diet, using optifast products for at least two week pre-op. I have been allowed three shakes and two bars a day, plus all the Water I want. Two days before surgery, it will just be shakes and water.

I completed all of my insurance requirements and the items were submitted for insurance approval on Friday. My husband was approved by insurance within a week and already has a date. I am so anxious! So many thoughts are running through my head. We went to the pre-op appointment for him yesterday. I felt the nurse was judging us and later found out she was. She said we didn't look that big! We are 280-290 lbs with high BP and multiple meds. How could she? I never tell healthcare professionals that I too am a nurse. I felt so bad that she would try to discourage us after all we've went through to even get to that point. Now I'm second guessing our decision, again. What gives her the right? Also, I'm hoping insurance doesn't feel the same. My BMI is 42, I'd say I'm big enough; not to mention the discomforts that carrying almost 300 pounds bring!

@@leag78 Hang in there---MANY of us have crazy stories like that, here's a synopsis of mine: --Hubby's work policy has specifically excluded WLS for at least 10 years --Last fall (early Oct), I looked into purchasing a policy for just me on the Affordable Care Marketplace ("Obamacare") --I'm in AZ, and all Marketplace policies must cover WLS -- not a well-known fact. I think it's 23 states ACA policies must cover WLS. Who knew? A fluke I found out... --Found a policy thru BCBS of AZ that costs about $600/month, but we save about $200/month by not included me on hubby's work policy. Expensive, kind of, but $3500 out of pocket max, after that, all is 100% covered. --Waited for open enrollment; purchased policy --BCBS sent me bariatric guidelines -- said 8-week pre-op diet; covers band, sleeve or bypass --Surgeon's office said have to do 6-month dr-supervised diet. Went round and round w/them since BCBS told me 8-week diet, not 6 months. --Yada, yada, yada -- finally, BCBS told me that they accidentally gave me the wrong guidelines. --UGH UGH UGH --'Real' guidelines say 6-month dr-supervised diet (which I'd done elsewhere, so that was ok for me), but only cover band and bypass, exclude sleeve. I have no idea why. --I get everything set up w/surgeon's office, have them change my file from wanting sleeve to bypass. They confirmed they had done that so when submitted to BCBS, it would say bypass since they don't cover sleeve on my policy. --Surgeon submits paperwork, I get call that my sleeve is approved. Yes, sleeve. --Dead silence on my part, then I ask 'so they now cover sleeve on my policy?" --Surgeon's office: "yes, they've specifically approved sleeve." I said, BUT IT'S NOT COVERED. --Surgeon's office checks w/BCBS again and lo and behold, sleeve is not covered. they were extremely apologetic, but I could have had sleeve surgery and they could have said 'oops', you're not covered for that!!!! --Plus, my surgeon's office had confirmed they'd changed my file to say bypass, but they obviously hadn't, and submitted me for sleeve (mistake) which BCBS approved (mistake) --Bottom line: Bypass surgery scheduled this Friday, day after tomorrow --Other bottom line: YOU have to be in charge of everything and know what's covered, what's not, get it all in writing, and triple-check EVERYTHING. Not to discourage you AT ALL, just offering advice. HANG IN THERE and keep your eye on the prize! Feel so very fortunate to have bypass covered, but what a huge hassle!!! I keep a spreadsheet of "to do's" and who I spoke with, etc. Names, dates, etc.

Good job keep up the good work your surgery will be her before you know it mine is in June i should have my date by the end of this week

Friday was a big day, 4 hours worth of appointments. sleep Study set up, thankfully it's at home. I have to do it for two nights, and will finish that tonight. Yay. This was a part I was not looking forward to, maybe I am afraid of the results. Not sure. But I will find out on Friday what the verdict is. Medical Assistant did my body composition (down 3% in fat since August-woot!), EKG, blood work and metabolic test. They did the Resting Energy expenditure. Turns out my metabolism is slow, I only burn just under 1800 calories at rest. Well no wonder the diet I had been on hasn't been working. I've been eating too many calories. Which leads me to... Nutritionist, where we went over what the diet will look like and what my goals will be. It was pretty general in the sense that I didn't get much in the way of written instructions. She said the Dr. will go over that when I meet her in a few weeks. She did say to start getting in the habit of slowly eating and chewing a lot. She told me to find a Protein drink that I like and can tolerate for 6 weeks. She said she's not very "strict" on the nutrition label, besides being 20g of protein or more. She said she'd prefer that it be sweetened with Stevia. Ok, I can do that. She also said I should aim for 1500-1800 calories a day (more on heavy exercise days). I had been doing 2200, so this is going to be a bit to get used too. Then I met with the Exercise person who set me up on a strength training program to bulk up my muscle. He told me to cut back on my spin classes, only 2 now instead of 3. He wants me to lift 3-4 times a week instead, really aiming to build the muscle mass. He said the muscle mass will increase my metabolism which will burn more calories. I kind of knew that, but he was really cool; avid cyclist too! He gave me tips on wheels for my bike! Best part was telling me I will be back on my bike and spinning 4 weeks post op! That was the best news!!! Next up is psych evaluation on March 2, then I meet with Dr. Patterson on March 12! This was starting to get real, and I was very nervous last night. But I am feeling better about it. The exercise Dr. said most sleeved women lose 20-25 lb a month. Wow! So for those waiting to do the pre-op, this is what I did. Hope this is informative to you.

I was already on the following plan when I started my 3-month supervised plan: 1200 calories a day + exercise calories Low carb (10g or less per meal) Lean Proteins Exercise 4-5 days a week (3 days weights + cardio, 2 days cardio only). My cardio preference is HIIT on elliptical. My nutritionist approved my plan an I continued doing that until my pre-op. Best wish on your journey!

I usually get all my questions answered on here. I had a BAD reaction to an enchalada last week so I have been scared to eat too much. I have been depressed since my surgery 4/11/12. I am slowly working through it though. I am in Heartland about 30 miles east of Dallas

Okay, this is my 2nd day on stage 3 (pureeds/blended) and I can't see much difference between this diet and full liquids. They gave me a short list of things to try but they look gross blended. Think about drinking cottage cheese! I read other people's posts and no one seems to be on stage 3( pureed) for a month and stage 4 (very soft foods) for another month before trying regular foods. Stage 1 was clear liquids for 5 days and Stage 2 was full liquids for 2 weeks. What do you guys suggest?

It's typically best to follow your nutritionist/surgeon's plan. I had 4 weeks of full liquids and then 4 weeks of purees (although my allowed purees food list included canned chicken & tuna, soft cooked veggies, eggs, cheese, etc. so I had a lot of variety). Try the Eggface blog, I think she had a lot of suggestions for pureed food stage.

Full liquids with sugar free pudding and cream of Soups........I'm so over it! I know, I know....it's temporary and gets better! Lol Just had to vent Sent from my iPad using VST

Yes, all the doctors and published side effects of Coumadin will proclaim that it does not cause weight gain. It can cause boating, which may account for some Water weight, but not "real" weight. However, as a retired nurse, I have heard dozens upon dozens of patients complaint of weight gain after starting Coumadin. Anything from 10 to 40 pounds. And they couldn't lose the weight. Nobody (that I know of) ever did any sort of body composition studies to confirm if it was fat gain or Fluid gain, but there were too many complaints to ignore the fact that the numbers on the scale went up for a lot of Coumadin patients. Well, that's wrong, the doctors had no problems ignoring it. As a new WLS patient you could just be experiencing a normal stall, but some of it could be due to the Coumadin. In any case, all you can do is stick on plan and maybe stay off the scale for awhile. Take measurements and pay attention to NSVs and how your clothes fit. Do they know how long you will have to take the medication?

Again, I'll mention what I do whenever I stall…..I actually eat MORE! Healthy and calorie conscious of course, such as more Protein (lean meat), Protein shake, salad, etc., but I eat 5 meals instead of 3 and so far this has gotten me out of 3 stalls within just a couple of days. I can't say that it's scientific but it works for me but I actually got the idea from someone that posted it on this site so apparently there must be something to it.

I got my call today and i am scheduled for Oct 20th! So excited and scared and excited, lol. Going for my Pre-Op Class Monday morning and meeting with MD and anesthesia on Wednesday. Turned in my request for time off and my boss immediately sent it back approved for 2 weeks and sent me papers to file for STD, in case i need it. OMG, 2 weeks!

Hi I was banded december 19th but since then alot has been going on. I had a biopsy on my cervix in feb, and on monday May 11th I had to have an abdominal hysterectomy. i have only had 1 fill as they wanted me to maintain my weight for these procedures. I am currently at 173 lbs but as soon as this surgery is healed in six weeks I can finally have a fill. Im sore from this latest surgery but doing well. sure hope all other bandsters are doing well. take care and I will try to keep posting as I can. Julie

Once i started on 'real' food....week 6, I had very little bread, I had to get in Protein first and there wasn't a lot of room left. I didn't say Pasta was off limits, but I limited the amount I ate. I'd make home made spaghetti meat sauce and whole wheat pasta, I'd put just a little bit, I mean a little bit.....and then add sauce on top. I like round steak cooked in 98% FF cream of mushroom Soup (as gravy). I make brown rice or steamed potatoes and will eat about an 8th of a cup with a little 'gravy' on it. Yum!