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I understand that everyone has different reasons for needing weight loss surgery. We also all have very different problems and triggers. In my case, I am a very A Type personality who lives in a world of black and white. This surgery (and some therapy) is helping me find the grey areas. I am not saying it is easy. I struggle with lack of "perfection" in the things I do every day. However, I think I am doing this in the most healthy way possible. Some of the people that I have seen and spoken to scare me. I asked my NUT yesterday how our bodies respond any different than that of an anorexic. I have asked her this question 3 times and she doesn't like it because she cannot answer it. Yes, we do not have the same mental issues to deal with, but our bodies have been anatomically altered, not physiologically. Due to this, I find that it concerns me when people who can only get in 700-800 calories a day workout so hard that they are running in the negative. Again, I ask my NUT how this can be healthy. Our bodies need both nutrients and calories to function properly. While I understand that our bodies will force us to function at a deficit, how do you sit there and tell people that it is okay to have a daily net that is negative? Calories are how we get energy. I don't mean empty chocolatey calories, I am talking about making healthy choices. I do not understand how people can look me in the face and tell me that it won't have any effects. If someone was eating exactly how we are forced to without the surgery, people would tell them about hair loss, amenorrhea, lower cognitive functioning etc. Yet, people can look me straight in the face and tell me it is ok for me because I am anatomically different now. Can someone please explain this to me? No one else has been able to, and I just am trying to wrap my head around this. Don't get me wrong. I understand the definite need for exercise. Unfortunately, so many people take on this surgery and don't realize they are treating it as though it is yet another one of their DIET attempts to lose weight. I hear about perfection, perfection. I won't ever touch a candy bar, ice cream, cookie, white carb etc. etc again. I completely understand that everyone has a trigger that they may need to avoid permanently, for me it is soda (which I can never have again), but I am talking about every single thing that may not be perfect for your health, but you enjoy. Also, I have seen a lot of people that seem to start off telling themselves "I will work out for an hour a day 6 days a week for the rest of my life" and take no consideration for life happening around them. Not only does this sound like a recipe for disaster, but to me, it just sounds like another diet. I chose this surgery because it is not a diet. As previously mentioned, I struggle for moderation not an all or nothing attitude. I may not have lost 50 lbs in my first month, but I feel as though I am making permanent changes that will serve me (and eventually get me to weight) in the long run. If I did great all week and I want a cookie, I might eat half a cookie (truth be told, I used to be a cookie monster but I don't really like them anymore, but you get the point). If I decide to take my son out for frozen yogurt one Friday, I don't feel guilty as I have made a huge lifestyle change. The choice of frozen yogurt over Baskin Robins is a huge step and I don't feel jilted. I won't sit and eat 16 oz anymore. I might have 4 and I feel satisfied. I have made a lot of friends that have also had this surgery. It really worries me that they treat it like another diet, they never give themselves a break and begin to disturbingly obsess about every single calorie they ingest (again, not saying you don't need to pay attention, but if you accidentally go 10 calories over, so what??). I feel that little changes add up quickly. Walking your child to and from school instead of driving, using your bike to make a run to the corner store, playing outside with the kids, swimming a couple laps while you are out sunbathing on the beach. I feel like I am running a lifelong marathon, not running a sprint to goal weight. It can be frustrating sometimes, watching those around me that had the surgery about the same time lose weight faster. However, I have no extra skin to contend with and I am certain that I am losing a lot of body fat, not just body weight. My struggle is to keep telling myself this. My struggle is to find a lifelong change that isn't necessarily as quick as I may like, but teaches me the moderation that in 32 years I never learned.

My surgery was 9/10 and as of this morning I am down 25 lbs. My weight on day of surgery was 184. I am hoping to be 150 by Thanksgiving. I have not had any hunger since I was sleeved so I really have to remember to eat. I have a hard time getting my Protein in.

I am 9/3/2012. I feel great too! Weight loss is a little slow but I hope the slower it goes the better chance for no side effects from the surgery. I just want to be thinner by summer and I think that will happen. Thanks for checking in on us!

What a great feeling!

I have a feeling that the doctors figure in that most of their weight loss patients will cheat a bit. So, if one actually needs a week, they will require two weeks of pre-op dieting. I think they figure in that they are dealing with people who have weight and food issues, and compensate for that. But that is only a guess. At any rate, ASK your surgeon first, and then follow what he/she says. Also figure in that they have heard it all before, and you will not be the first one to ask.

I am at the end of the spectrum (29) but I have 3 consults scheduled for abdominoplasty, lipo in my chest, neck lift and maybe the arms. I feel if you are more than 100lbs over your goal weight you will need PS. Good luck.

Do you have Humana for your insurance? I am in the going to another seminar next week. I have been told that my insurance has you wait 6 months while being monitored by a doctor on weight loss and seeing a dietician. Is this true? I also have severe sleep apnea. I have used a machine for years but I am not happy with the situation. I always take it off through the night. The next day I can't get my breath very easy and I fall asleep all day no matter where I am. It is so frustrating. I just want to be normal and to be able to go to bed like everyone else and not be afraid to go to sleep. I am scared about the lapband but I am at my wits end. I can't lose weight. Thanks, Cheryl

Hi Cara, Normally I wouldn't suggest this since you are just recently banded but have you considered counting calories and food journaling? I ask because it sounds like you are exercising already and with a gain, I just wonder what range of calories you might be taking in. I was on 1/4 cup of food for six weeks after surgery then told to increase to 1/3 cup for two weeks then 1/2 cup after that. I don't have any fill in my band yet but I'm not sure I need it. My next appointment is in early May so I might consider it then depending on how I'm doing. Sure, I get hungry but no matter what I stick to my surgeon's guidelines. I am waiting for the other shoe to fall and to experience the intense hunger that I read about. Bottom line here though - the first six weeks or so are for healing. That being said, most of us want to lose weight during that time and usually do. I found that food journaling helped me a lot - for example, when I saw that I had only taken in 500 calories but gained .2 on the scale then I realized it wasn't my fault for overeating (as it had been in the past). It helped me realize that sometimes other factors that are uncontrollable get in the way. Don't worry if it doesn't happen right away. It will happen. Also, Cara, since you identify as a food addict - have you considering attending Food Addicts Anonymous meetings? They have online meetings and local meetings (depending on where you live). Check out: http://www.foodaddictsanonymous.org/ Do you best to stick to your surgeon's plan. You'll do great.

sugar keeps running low 65-73 why? anyone else having trouble after losing a bit of weight (38) AM sugasr is 135 but the rest of the day it runs low and feels awafl and nurses out there?

Lisa, congratulations! Your improvements are absolutely wonderful and it sounds as though your quality of life has greatly improved! I have scoliosis and am starting to enjoy the benefits of having less weight on my spine. It is definitely great to be in less pain.

Hi everyone, I wanted to know if anyone else is not telling anyone about their surgery? My surgery is Sept 7 and I have only told need to know people. 3 years ago my husband committed suicide leaving me pregnant and caring for a one year old. I was so busy I forgot to eat and ate once at night. I gained 150 pounds in 2 years. I don't have any help or support but my mother in law. Soon after I started having major health issues. Doctors have given me multiple disease diagnosis' and then would take them off the table. (Including Lupus, Hughes Sybdrome, etc.) Basically not knowing what's wrong with me. All of my doctors have signed off and feel comfortable with me going forth with the surgery. Last night I made the mistake of telling one friend and was immediately bashed. I purposely didn't want anyone else's thoughts or opinions because this is MY decision and I've never been more certain. I plan to continue improving my health but right now this is part of it. I don't like feeling bad about something I feel so good about. Sent from my SM-N920P using the BariatricPal App

Hi! I just found this site today and it has already made me feel better. I had my VBG done on 10/27/05 by Dr. Noel Williams in Philadelphia. When I went into surgery it was for an RNY but they found that my small intestine was too short to do the procedure safely so they did a VBG. Needless to say when I found that out I was really upset because I had counted on the RNY keeping me on the straight and narrow. I was scared because I had no real info on the VBG. I belong to a website connected to my surgical group but 99.9% of the members are bypass pts. and I found it very discouraging to hear of these rapid weight losses and I was losing 1-2 lbs/week. When I had my initial consult I weighed 330 lbs. at the time of surgery I was 296lbs. I am currently 245.5 headed to a goal of 130-150. I am 5'3". I have had alot of PBing but that is settling down. I can't tell you how good it was to find this site. Thanks for being there. Barbaraa:)

here is an idea.... put on some clothes you wore at surgery...and if they are getting kinda on the big side well, you know that you are losing weight....its hard but do try not to live/die by the scale. if you are losing inches aka actual weight, the clothes won't lie. i am sure you are doing great if you follow the dr's advice and instructions, you are doing well

Seems the more I workout- the hungrier I am? And the more I eat I've only lost -34# in 5.5 months. Not much to anyone's standards on this site;( I'm still having issues with acu reflux, which sucks as everything I eat causes pain and I'm tilt addicted to having gasx after every meal;( I don't sleep much as my hunger pains usually hit at and during the night. Now... With that said; I of course feel better having lost weight and I do believe I will eventually lose more. Will I lose my goal of -80#? I seriously doubt that. My dr says if I lose -50# total he'd be happy and surprised if I lost more than that? Uhhhh not at all what I expected going into this. But I guess after that point it'll be Jenny Craig or weight watchers again, not that they worked out for me before but this time I may stick with them since I Wont be so hungry all the time like I was before? Idk... I'm trying to stay positive and just try to keep telling myself if I stick with a meal program then maybe in a few years I'll be where I want to be? Just seems I went about it wrong, but in the end I feel I'd do it again as it gave me more power over eating and less capability to eat too much. I do miss my capt and diet tho;(

So I went to my first "consultaion" today. It was more of a classroom experience. There were probably about 20 people in the room. We were educated on both the Bypass and the Lap Band and given a binder of information. after the "class" we were given paperwork to fill out and a psych test to bring to the evaluation when we get our appointment. I saw a PA she took my medical information and checked my heart and lungs. They took my weight and height and a "before" picture for my file. I then got to speak to an Insurance "specialist" who had all of the information on the prequalifiers for approval. For me with Blue shield of California.... I have to have a psych eval and a nutrition class...THATS IT.... Wait WHAT?!?!?! Yeah THATS IT!!!! Of course there are all of the pre op tests and what not but that comes with every surgery. OMG I AM SOOOOO EXCITED. I am hoping to get a srgery date for the last week of Decmber ... BUT... the PA said they are really backed up ... 3 months??? Ugh But I can wait if I have to, it will give me more time to plan and cook and freeze etc etc etc. I finally feel like I am on the road FINALLY... Why didn't I do this sooner? Hugs and Kisses and can't wait to see you on the other side!!!:thumbup::biggrin::biggrin: Erin

I feel like a giddy school girl! I was sleeved 11/2012 in Mexico as my husbands insurance didn't cover any form of bariatric care and he's watched as I've lost the weight and been successful. He's finally decided that he's ready to make his own sleeve journey! I'm so excited for him!! Luckily, his current insurance carrier now does cover bariatric surgery, so I've contacted their 'Bariatric resource center', they've set up a referral in their system, and they're supposed to be calling within 3-5 business days to get him enrolled in the program, and tell us what to expect. Does anyone already know? Does anyone have United through Raytheon? What services do they cover? Do they cover the sleeve?! Of course my husband and I both are partial to the sleeve as that's what I've had and been highly successful, of course we've done all of the research and feel the sleeve is best anyway. We are so excited for this journey for him, and know we'll get the info in about a week anyway, but does anyone else out there already know?! Having been a Mexico sleever, my process was pretty quick and seamless, choose your Dr., the surgery, pay, do a 2 week liquid diet, fly to Mexico and have surgery! I know it won't be nearly as quick and easy, but just wondering if United requires a 6 month supervised diet, does it depend on co-morbidities? My husband has a BMI of 49 and also has a heart murmer. Any info will be great! I'm just as excited now as I was when I had first decided to be sleeved and started my journey! YAY!

I've had two so far. Not sure of the dosage. One was pre-op and the second was this Monday. I think I noticed more of a difference this time (post some weight loss).

At 8 weeks post op I've lost 44 pounds and am thrilled. Even if I never lose another pound, I feel and look better than I have in 15 years! I weigh myself every day , but I don't let the scale discourage me if I gain a pound or I'm in a stall. My first stall at three weeks post-op lasted 16 days. I began to get very frustrated, but then I read about the 3 week stall and realized that if I eat according to the meal plan (which includes eating OFTEN and ENOUGH food and fluids) the weight has no choice but to fall off from a physiological standpoint. It may even be necessary to INCREASE caloric intake at some point to get things going again. Also, if you are a woman who is not menopausal, you need to factor in the monthly weight fluctuations due to Water retention and other such things you would deal with even if you were at goal weight.

Everything I read makes my stomach turn. This person experienced the dumping syndrome with the sleeve?!? http://www.cracked.com/article_21828_6-bizarre-things-nobody-tells-you-about-weight-loss-surgery.html

I am at my June goal weight...200 lbs. I can't believe it. I feel so good. I am down a clothing size from 18W to 16 regular. I saw a co-worker today I haven't seen in a couple of months. She looked me up and down and said that I am getting so skinny. That felt so good! It is worth not eating the bread (not sure if I can or not---just gave it up) and lettuce. Thanks!

I decided to do the lapband because it has less complications. I also love the idea of not having my major organs cut. I need to lose about 110lbs and Ive read lots of stories on here of people who have lost that and more, so I am confident that if I put in the effort I can do it too. You will do very well, just follow the rules and the weight will come off. If you ever need to chat or support, Im here!

I do all those, but I have that little bit of left over skin from my weight loss that I just can't fill up. I've upped my protein, I take pre and post workout supplements. They're growing...very slowly, but I think nutrition is going to be key. And perhaps continual exertion in upping the weight--less reps, high weight, lifting until failure after 8-10 reps.

I did not have to do the sleep studies, however it did take me a longer than 2 months to get this all done. I had to see my family doc for 6 months straight, loose weight to get to a bmi of btwn 45 and 50, get a psychiatric consult, see the dietician 2 times and have a nurse teaching session. In all it took me 7 months. I am scheduled to be banded on 9-8-08. Good luck to you!

Well.. you have to do what you think is best for you... but lets ask a couple of questions: Anesthesia - sure there are rare cases where things go wrong and no amount of prep could change that.. so I understand your concerns about that one. Incision pain/ gas pain - they are short terms pains whose long term benefits more then about way a few days (maybe a week at best) of pain. So at the end it seems like a decision - do nothing and wait for the effects of being Overweight to take over - heart attack, HPB, and other health issues. OR take the risk with anesthesia. The fact is for those of us that were/are fat - every day has its risks given our weight. Good luck with what ever you choose.