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Hey, Sleeve Plication Talk Members! Now that Memorial Day has passed and we’re well into June, it’s summer time! Why not use the warm weather and casual dress code for motivation to stick to your diet? Of course, the newsletter’s a great way to remind you to be good, too! We keep you updated on what’s going on at SleevePlicationTalk.com, and we’ll jump right into this newsletter with: Sleeve Plication Support Groups: Are you taking full advantage of special forum groups on SleevePlicationTalk.com? To Tell or Not to Tell – Do you tell others about your sleeve plication? Member Spotlight – None other than Alex Brecher, founder of SleevePlicationTalk.com! Sleever Challenge – This is a great one to kick off the summer. We encourage you to stay involved with SleevePlicationTalk.com. Ask your questions, answer your peers and keep your profile current. All of your participation keeps you on track and helps everyone else! Always let us know when you have suggestions, comments and questions. Enjoy the newsletter. Sincerely, Alex Brecher Founder SleevePlicationTalk.com Sleeve Plication Support Groups: What are They, and How Do They Help You? SleevePlicationTalk.com can be a huge part of your life. Many of us check the boards every day or more, and depend on the site for support, information and encouragement. Joining one or more SleevePlicationTalk.com support groups is a great way to get even more out of SleevePlicationTalk.com. These support groups are like exclusive clubs, but all you have to do to join is to participate! Just look at the different types groups we have. Monthly groups based on when you got your surgery Groups based on your hometown, age and weight goals. The sleeve plication buddies and mentors forum in case you need a little extra help or want to help someone in their weight loss journey. And more…for religious sleevers, gay, lesbian and bi sleevers, crossover addicts, biker sleevers…and way more. These groups are smaller discussion forums for sleevers who have a lot of things in common with you even beyond your weight loss surgery. They may have great solutions to problems that you’re having, and they can be super sympathetic to your situation. You can make close friends on these boards because you already have so much in common, and because you can spend a lot more “one-on-one” time with them. Come on over to the SleevePlicationTalk.com support group page and see which groups you want to join! Hot on the Boards: Coming out of the WLS Closet. To tell or not to tell? That’s a pretty sensitive question for a lot of weight loss surgery patients. It’s normal to feel embarrassed about your surgery, especially when you’re dealing with people who look down on you. Always remember that you don’t have to let others make you feel bad. As long as you’re healthy and happy, you should feel proud of your accomplishments. Anyone who truly loves you will also be proud. It’s a personal decision whether to tell people about weight loss surgery. You might tell your closest friends and family first, and let others in on the secret when they start to ask you how you lost so much weight. You don’t ever have to tell anyone if you’re shy or just don’t want to. Or, if you prefer, you can tell everyone as soon as you set the date for your surgery. Maybe that’ll make you feel more accountable and inspire you to success. What are your thoughts? Do you tell people that you’ve gotten weight loss surgery? Do you explain to them what a sleeve plication is, since they probably don’t know? How do you choose when to tell, how much to say and whom to tell? Do you have any tips for other sleevers? Tell us about it! First Member Spotlight – It’s Alex! We promised, and now we’ve delivered! It’s time for the first true Member Spotlight, and who better to be honored than…Alex! He’s the founder of RNYTalk.com and the other communities belonging to WLSBoards.com. He manages and promotes the boards to make sure that they’re here for everyone. He is truly passionate about helping others reach the same weight loss success that he did. Here’s his story. He’s the handsome, friendly face you see hanging out on the forums, but he took the same journey as many of you to achieve those looks. Alex struggled with obesity and diets for years without finding permanent weight loss success. He finally realized that he needed to lose the weight if he wanted to be around for his children for years to come. Alex got the lap-band, lost more than 100 pounds and never looked back. Thrilled with his new energy and health, Alex had the motivation and confidence to stop smoking. Today he is an active, lean family man who loves to run, bike and spend time with his children. In 2003, Alex founded LapBandTalk.com, which quickly became the largest weight loss surgery community in the world. He started VerticalSleeveTalk.com in February of 2009, and the other WLSBoards, RNYTalk.com and SleevePlicationTalk.com, followed in 2011. That’s right – we’re only starting our second year, and we’ve already got thousands of great members! Alex works hard to make sure that all members to have positive experiences and benefit from being part of the communities. Do you have someone you’d like to see featured in the Member Spotlight? Would you like to be our spotlighted member? Come tell us in the Member Spotlight forum! It’s a regular feature of the newsletters to let you learn a little more about someone in our community with an inspirational story or who helps out our members. Thanks for your nominations so far! Sleever Challenge! Challenge Yourself and Achieve Something New! We give you a challenge in each SleevePlicationTalk Newsletter. It’s not a challenge for you to compete against anyone else. It’s just a way to set a new goal for yourself to try something new or push yourself a little harder. Nobody’s keeping score, so try it! You can always find the old challenges in the Challenge Forum. So far, the two challenges have been: Try a new food or recipe. It’s pretty simple. Come up with a new recipe or try a new food that fits on your diet. Tell us about it! Recognize your non-scale victory (NSV): An NSV is something that is an accomplishment during your weight loss journey, but it isn’t based on the number on the scale. It might be something like fitting into a dress you like or being able to keep up with your grandchildren without getting tired.. It’s never too late to try the old challenges and write about them. Share what you come up with to brag a little and help out others. The New Challenge: Be an Exercise Buddy! This challenge is great for your health and the health of a lucky new or old friend. Why? Over the next two weeks, your challenge is to do a workout with a new person. Some ideas for the challenge are to: Ask your neighbor to take a walk with you Ask someone at your gym to be your partner while you both lift weights Go for a bike ride with your kids or spouse Take a new exercise class Be creative! The goal is to do something fun and healthy, and maybe make a new friend or two along the way. Don’t forget to post your challenge results in the Challenge Forum. The forum’s also great place to go if you need ideas or have advice for other Sleevers so they can complete the challenge. Good luck! And Finally: Please Support Us! Just as a reminder, we’d like to ask you to support us when you can. We know you value SleevePlicationTalk.com and all of its free services. We’d like to remind you to please ask your surgeon and other healthcare providers to post SleevePlicationTalk.com fliers in their offices. We’re always growing, and you can help. Thank you. That does it for this newsletter. Thanks for reading and for your continued participation on the boards. Take care! Sincerely, Alex ==============================================================If you no longer wish to receive this newsletter, you may unsubscribe by going to your Control Panel and clicking on the Newsletters tab, or clicking on the following link: http://www.sleevepli...&tab=newsletter

Hi, I am almost 6 months post op. My weight loss was gradually until recently I find it weird. I meet weight loss stall and I increase my walking distance to counter it . Hi we’re recently I had this issue. If I had to take some rest off the exercise and I notice the 1st day I gained 1lb!! Is this normal as I may think it’s my body regaining the water due to me not exercising. I am trying to rest few more days and see how my weight goes.

Ive only been a patient of kaiser for 3 yrs. I got my last one when i was 16 so i shouldnt be due? But they say i am, but they dont have any of my younger records. No im scared of the shot.. lol

Good luck to you! I still have 3 months of my 6 mth insur requirement left but maybe he'll schedule a date for 3 months out, I don't know. Hope I can sleep tonight!

I am a vegan, and have been for 2+ years, and haven't had dairy for even longer than that. Going into surgery my nutritionist advised that I'd probably have to use whey sources for Protein because there's no other way I'd be able to get the adequate amount of without exceeding my liquid goal but my body still isn't used to it. Although it's been a little over 3 weeks (pre & post-op), my body is fighting the whey. ???? And post-op I'll definitely have to go veggie for protein.

I'm 3 days post-op and finally feeling better! Anyone else had surgery that day? I need some sleeve buddies Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I don't know about anyone else, but my sleep cycles are completely messed up. I've tried melatonin, you name it. However, I either can't fall asleep until 2-3 in the morning, or if I do manage to get to la-la land at a decent hour, I'm up wide eyed and ready to go at 2 am. No matter what time I'm up to or wake up at, by 6 am, my day has completely begun and it's off to the races. Had this issue before- when I was really suffering from the rheumatoid arthritis, but since surgery, I've been symptom-free. Yet sleep still eludes me.... Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Stalls happens to nearly everyone. Personally I suspect that the people who do not hit stalls also find valuable antiques at garage sales, win free cruises and never get traffic tickets. I stalled from week 3-7 (but did not know because I did not weigh myself except at the doctor), then I suspect I stalled multiple times after that too. I still made it to where I needed to be. Bariatric teams usually stress the importance of hydration over food at this point post surgery. There is usually more concern from the complications of dehydration vs low calorie intake - we are trying to use the excess stored fat after all. Ask your team if it is okay to only eat the amount you are comfortable with and at the frequency that works for you. The extended eating time frame is usually for when we start solids. Most of the time If we hold up our end of the bargain (mentally), our bodies will do the same. It will all come together eventually and life after WLS will not always feel like a chore. Good Luck!

I have to share my excitment! I was banded in July at True Results in Houston. I've had 4 fills now. The first 3 fills I was only given .5 cc. I was under the impression that that's all they would do at True Results, so imagine my surpise yesterday... The nurse asked me how my hunger level was in between meals... I told her a 6 (out of 10).. so she gave me a 1 full cc! I'm now at 7.2 cc. Feeling the restriction now .. hoping it stays like this!! Much love and happiness to all

:guess i was banded march 22 and didn't get filled until 3 weeks ago. that was my first fill. for maybe the 1st day i was full. then after that 1st day i could eat wutever. i gained a half a pound. but the 11th of july i had gotten filled agien. the band was pretty tight. i could only eat about 3 baby spoons of pudding. but now the 13th i can eat like 15 spoons of pudding. why does tht happen?:faint:

I had my lap band done about 3 years ago, i lost some weight but i have gained it back, even morethan my original weight from when i first got banded. In the past few months i have developed excess hanging fat on both sides of my front private area and on top, it bothers me so much, it feeks as if i have a footbal between my legs. What can i do about this, it hurts and i am desperate, would this be cosmetic surgery or a seroius medical procedure, please give me advise. I do have insurance and it paid my lapband 100%, i had already met my yearly deductible when i got it done. I am hoping my insurance will cover it since i dont have the money to oay fir cosmetic surgery.

Well I am down 135lb and dropping slowly now. Looking into possible skin surgery. About 30-50lb from goal. I eat WAAAY less but I always have tons of leftovers after going out. If I want to avoid food shopping for a few days I can now just go to Claim Jumper's and order off the menu. Leftovers there last me 3 days, lol!

You still only eating 1/3 cup or 3 oz per meal? Or is that your protien portien per meal?

Just letting everyone know there is a new forum for stall talk and support! It is called, "Don't sweat the Stall stuff." You can find it here: http://www.bariatricpal.com/forum/1102-dont-sweat-the-stall-stuff-new/

You can try applesauce. I can't remember if I was cleared at four or six weeks for fruit (not blended), but once I was I NEVER looked back! I LOVE fruits and veggies now (still struggle with cooked and raw carrots). Definitely fruits and veggies are my go to. Only difference is now I take the skin off apples. So much easier to digest. Once you are given the ok you will love it! Good luck with it journey.

I did not dare try cantaloupe 2 weeks post-op, but I did eat watermelon. I would chew it up, drink the juice, and spit out the little bit of tissue. Loved it cold and fresh.

Its normal. Your stomach is still healing. By the time you get to about 6-8 weeks out you'll think you're eating a ton and by a ton I mean 1/2 cup at a time. Good luck!

I am in the same boat. My hair fell out after I had my daughter who is now 8 yrs old. Now my hair is very thin. I am scared to death about hair loss, as I might become bald if I lose more after the surgery. This is the only thing holding me back from having the surgery. I started taking b complex and biotin 2 weeks ago to try to counter act the hair loss from surgery. I am most likely going to be sleeved in September.

Honestly? Looking at your stats, you're losing well. I was told the average is 1-2 pounds a week and you've got that beat. OF course you'll get hungry between meals...that's what "normal" people do! :smile2: Then when it's time they eat again. If the .2 cc's made you so tight you couldn't keep Water down, then I'd guess you're good. Are you following the rules about not drinking before, during, and after meals? Are you eating enough Protein? I'd be ecstatic to post the losses you have so maybe that's clouding my judgment but from where I sit you are doing wonderfully. How soon after you eat do you get hungry? Are you sure it's really hunger and not "head" hunger? Just some things to consider. Don't let your fear cloud today. You're really doing very well. If you still think you need a fill, then IMHO you're the customer. You are paying for it; they shouldn't tell you no.

Hello everyone..i just got my lap band yesterday..im not feeling to bad..i got up and walked around my hospital floor last night..taking a few laps every 2 to 3 hrs...i really didnt feel like laying down...im home now and starting to get tired of the chicken broth...its really not filling me up....going over my paper work it says to drink a protein shake,,,but i dont know if its to soon to drink one or not..can someone let me know what they had to drink and eat the day after? thank you, Big Jake

Just an update, I am almost six months post sleeve now. Just came back from a long motorcycle tour from San Francisco to Phoenix, AZ and back. Long trip!~ My observations are that all my riding overpants/ riding jeans (made with kevlar, with the armor in the knees) are WAAAYYY too big! Time to buy new gear! Fortunately, it was pretty cold and rainy, so I was able to layer all my oversized clothing, and wore two to three pairs of pants to keep me warm. I was only able to because they were so big! Also, yes, not so much padding on the old butt these days, so there was some soreness, not unusal after 2000 miles! I probably was only cold in the first place because I've lost lots of my "natural insulation!" Had a great time, look great in all the pictures, even with 3 pairs of pants on, and heavy jackets. Here is a pic of me at the Grand Canyon. Life is good.... Also, there was some discrepancy with the way meals were handled. The people I was with would eat a big meal in the morning, ride all day, perhaps stop for a big lunch, and get a big dinner. I would eat what I could fit in the morning, then have to snack at gas stops- cheese sticks, beef Jerky, nuts, whatever. It all worked out, though, and no problems with indigestion or anything... It was a learning experience! How are you guys all doing??

That is weird I thought people get losing weight week after week. I get my surgery(bypass) on 01/19. What is this 3 week stall you’re talking about?

So excited. Put my stats into a BMI calculator and realised I'm no longer overweight. Yay. Still got a bit more to lose as my middle is still too thick to be healthy but being in the healthy weight range again feels amazing!

Hello all....I am new here. My name is Amanda. I am 32, married with 3 small children (5,4 and 2) and currently weight 241:frown:. My highest weight was 287:eek:. I have done tons of research and have decided to go to Tijuana, Mexico and have my surgery with Dr. Ortiz. So, I look forward to getting to know all of you. Anyone going at the same time as me? Amanda Amanda

Ugh! So frustrating! So sorry that happened! Your doctor was just looking out for you but I cant even imagine the disappointment. Glad you have a hepatologist. Definitely a good place to start. I think 2nd opinion from another surgeon might be a good idea. And I don't want to derail you but I just wanted to pass on what little I know on the subject... My aunt had fatty liver / Cirrhosis and she proceeded with bypass (back in 2010). Her doctors advised her liver was pretty far gone at this point, so they did the bypass as a last ditch effort to get the weight off. (This is really before sleeve was widely practiced.) She was a diabetic and while she did lose weight, she didn't really follow any of the food instructions and she stayed sick. Knowing what I know now, I think she was dumping constantly. I am very sorry to say that she passed away 3 1/2 years after surgery, but I really don't think the bypass had that much to do with it. It was more that she didn't change her lifestyle so her diabetes got worse which upped her insulin and therefore made her liver worse, etc. Fast forward to this year and my mom has been very worried she would have liver issues (also diabetic) and she has asked several drs but they never did anything. Finally got a new dr and they did an ultrasound and sent her to a hepatologist who told her she had Cirrhosis. She was telling dr about her sister (my aunt) and the dr said that they used to think bypass would have a positive result on cirrhosis but now they have found that it can actually make it worse and strongly advising her not to pursue weight loss surgery. Seriously not trying to discourage you at all. Just wanted to advise what I knew since it was recent. I think seeing someone at Johns Hopkins who seems to be at the top of their game for research is a great idea. Plus if your hepatologist didn't seem that concerned about it, then maybe my mom's dr was just more conservative. Hopefully you can do some more research and others from here with similar will give some advice. Keep us updated!