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I think you need to remember that she, for the most part, is normal sized so there is no real understanding of what life is like at high weights like ours. Having said that, she is a friend who is showing concern for you and yes, that is what friends are for. No matter what she says you are going to do what you want so take her concerns for what they are and continue on. Good luck on your journey!

Looking for a weight loss buddy in these areas to share our trials, tribulations and wonderful successes with as well as to do some exercising with.

today is my 17th day and I have gained 1.5 lbs!! I am walking drinking my liquids so why this gain.. I am depressed.my body has always resisted to weight loss.now if it resists to sleeve also..oh no.

Hello: I had my band removed last summer after finding out it had fully eroded into my stomach. I am gaining and gaining and gaining weight. I have no control over my appetite. Never did without a working tool. I'm considering (very seriously - have appt with surgeon in December) getting sleeved early next year. Can you tell me what amazed you most about the sleeve compared to the band? Looking for honest feedback to help me in making my decision. Thanks for your responses. Sue

I just cant seem to make it all work. I must remember my vitamins!! I finally got something to put them in so I can carry them with me for the days I'm gone the entire day. Haven't taken the Citricals, even the petites turn me off due to the size. I try to get in my Protein but I may only get 30-40, could this be what's causing my dizzy spells and nausea? For my Water, I can barely get in 30oz. Water is hard to go down and seems to only go down with a huge air bubble accompanying it. Juices go down fine and shakes too but at 3 weeks out, should I already be expecting to meet the daily requirements or just keep trying? I have a friend who calls her sleeve "Rockstar" because she never has any sickness or complications and she forgets to eat for days(she claims 4 at the most), she eats whatever she wants, whenever she wants, she drinks alcohol like a fish but no water at all, even smokes, never ever took Vitamins and finally got pregnant 2 times after trying for 14 years and at 6 years out, I want to admire her since she still loses weight but now she can do it on demand and looks great but I want to do mine the healthy way, I just cant seem to meet these numbers... I already had a hard time eating which is why I thought this surgery would be perfect because I can eat less but it's like I have to eat so much during a day just to lose weight.....and I just cant force feed myself that way. 1 or 2 small meals a day works just fine for me....or a pill that allows me not to eat at all...I always feel so fat and heavy after I eat anything. So if I can only force one...which is more important, vitamins, water or protein??

Hi. I was sleeved June 8. I was down (pre-and post-op) from 310 to 282. Then the last 3 days I've gained weight. Now I'm 286. I have my one week follow up appointment today, but should I be concerned about weight gain? I'm following their instructions and diet... Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Now I realize why you are asking this question, because it is the same question I asked myself 1-2 months out where I was starving. (It was also the same question I asked myself dozen's of times over the years before banding when I kept deciding to give it one more shot the old fashioned way) You are in bandster hell of course and becoming depressed is natural. We have all been there, or will get there in the future. A lot of us have read something about it before we got there, but you don't realllyyy understand it until you have lived it. It is a miserable time where you doubt yourself, doubt your band, doubt everything. It is true, your band is not really helping you at this phase. I stalled out on weight loss for several weeks at this point. The only way I could get it going again was to cut out processed carbs. I ate only lean meats and vegetables with limited fruit and was able to start moving downwards on the scale again. I did not lose much from a few weeks out from surgery through my first fill. My first fill brought me down a few pounds quickly. However, what little restriction I felt was gone within a week. I started stalling again and had to really start exercising regularly to keep a downward movement on the scale. I could keep losing, but I was losing super slooowwww. However, as long as I kept losing even a little, I wasn't so depressed. Then came fill #2. This was a real kick in the pants for me. I was pb'ing everyday for the first week and a half and had decided on an unfill. Then I realized that the problem was me eating too fast & not chewing enough. I also was not going on liquids for a day after a pb to let my stomach rest. I started eating more like a bandster and found this fill gave me great restriction, and I cancelled my appointment for a slight unfill. I have not had to get another fill since as of yet and I am still losing steadily around 1.5 pounds a week on average. When I was in bandster hell, every day was a supreme struggle. Now, it has become more easy because my tool is working with me. Once you are at the right fill level, you can find success as well as long as you follow bandster rules and eat healthy foods the majority of the time. You can also lose weight at this stage as well. Low carb worked well for me. I didn't restrict volume so much, only certain types of foods. Exercise also worked for me. What kinds of foods are you eating? Are you tracking them by calories and Protein? What are you doing for exercise?

I just started a weight loss specific Instagram for accountability as well. I'm 28 and my husband and I are having surgery the same day, November 15th! Two people from instagram that made me want to make one and who are great to follow are @vsgdeb and @timetodeflate Both are about our age and great examples!! My handle is below. Instagram: @awaketolose

I am bipolar -- have been since i was 14. The surgery hasn't effected my symptoms or the way i feel in a negative way. My medication will need to be adjusted soon because of the 40 pound weight loss.

My DH had his sleeve done about a year ago; it took me a lot longer to make the decision to have the surgery--long story, but here we both are now, sleeved. And I have to say it's GREAT having a spouse who's been through it and understands. It is NOT cool that his recovery and weight loss and "dealing with the changes" was so much easier than mine is being! LOL It's hard for me not to compare my meager weight loss with his melting--I'm evidently one of those who is going to have to look really long-term, because the short-term view is sort of depressing. At any rate, I would say the positives definitely "outweigh" the negatives, and I'm glad to have someone here who is excited for me when I'm not excited, if that makes sense. And he's an excellent sounding board for all the emotional stuff, too, which is really nice. Meg

Thanks Losebig. You know, I compare myself to you because we share this date .. There is you and a few others and man, yall are blowing me out of the water. I am happy for you, I am so happy. I just don't want to be behind. You know this is all or ours fear (if we're honest) . "What if all I lose is 50 pounds and this is it. My losing weight never continues on" Okay, maybe it's just MY fear lol. Can I ask your name. I've forgotten. Thanks for yoru encouragement. I'm glad we're friends. Wait, we are, right? We're in this journey, putting away all the taco's - together Hugs Joanna

Thanks for the welcome, allwet!!! Yea, I have a couple family members that have had this, and 2 men from work that have also done this......they are all success stories. I have 4 brains to pick, advice givers, etc. I played college football, and was mostly healthy through the years, but let my weight get away from me the past 15 or so years. I'm definitely dedicated to the lifestyle changes to be made, and will happily share my journey, to hopefully help others.

I revised to the sleeve. Before I had the band in 2008, I had horrible reflux!! During band surgery , the surgeon told me I had a hiatal hernia which he repaired and reflux was gone. In my 5th year with the band I started getting a throbbing in my chest - after X-rays etc. I had reflux again so he removed some of my saline and I felt fine again but was already gaining my weight back. I was sleeved 2/4 - he repaired another hiatal hernia during surgery but this time I was getting reflux after the surgery. I bought an over the counter antacid, took it every night before bedtime and I was fine. Only did it for the first month. Now I only need it occasionally.

I wish I had been told to clear my schedule as much as possible and focus on myself and the beginning of this amazing journey. The first few days were hard for me as well but I'm almost done with the preop diet and have found it to be quite empowering. I've somehow stuck with it and have been exercising and have lost a lot more weight then I thought I could. It's really instilled in me a sense of accomplishment and I've believed for the first time that i have what it takes to make it to goal. This feeling comes with compliance to the diet and facing and overcoming the anguish/suffering it entails.

My insurance didn't require a weight loss necessarily, just that you participate in a 6-month diet and exercise plan facilitated/monitored by your doctor. I didn't lose any weight. In fact, because my BMI was borderline for insurance to cover it, I had to maintain my weight to remain eligible.

I really wish insurance companies would do away with the 6-12 diets. It makes no sense, many if us are able to lose the weight. Keeping it off is a whole different story. They make you wait so much.

Hi. I'm new to this site. It took me six months of diligence, but I finally got approval from my insurance company for my sleeve surgery. I had it on April 17th. I'm feeling remarkably well on Day 3 post surgery, much better than I had mentally prepared myself for (from past experience with C-section, tubal ligation, hysterectomy and two knee surgeries). At 7 am today (65 hours after surgery) I walked my dog around the block and had no set-backs from it. Later, I took a car ride (first real outing) to shop and came home very weary, but still ok!and, 3 days post surgery, I've already lost 10 lbs. That's what really impressed me! My motivation to have this procedure stems from my decimal history. Like most obese people, I am becoming diabetic, my joints hurt, and the GERDS is only getting worse. But, unlike most other obese people, my thyroid tanked about 27 years ago, which has made weight loss an even greater challenge. Add to that, I found out 5years ago that I have - not one, but TWO rare auto-immune diseases. Primary Biliary Cirrhosis ("PBC") and Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH). Another name for NASH is Fatty Liver Disease. My weight continued a gradual climb over the years, despite my efforts to change my eating patterns and selections. I felt cornered. This surgery was my only hope to delay - and maybe even eliminate the need for a liver transplant someday. And, if a by-product of this decision is that my sweet husband gains 'arm-candy,' then great! I selected the sleeve over the other procedures because the full bypass surgery makes it impossible to receive a transplanted liver in the future (nix that one), and the Lap-Band is too easy to reverse. I wanted this decision to be permanent and never look back. I work with three people who had the Lap-Band, and only one of them has been successful at it. The other two have gained back all their weight and more. I know several others who have been successful at Lap-Band, but I wanted a permanent life-change. I'm so glad I did it. Pain and nausea? You bet! Unbearable? Maybe once or twice for five minutes, but I kept telling myself, 'this is normal. This, too, shall pass. The outcome of all of this is that YOU get to live to see your 3 year old granddaughter grow up.' There is so much stigma with gastric weight loss surgery, that I've chosen to not share it with more than my husband and two very close friends. It's no ones business why I chose to do this. I see people who have been skinny all their lives say, "Oh, I see.... No wonder you've lost weight," implying the fat person failed and had to "cheat." My coworkers, siblings, and others were told I'm having a procedure done to 'prop-up' my liver, give it some relief, and hopefully delay a transplant - all of which is 100% true. Maybe someday, I'll feel better about sharing the whole story with everyone. I am into Day 4 post-surgery. I've lost 10 lbs. I'm on the right track.

Losing weight while not hungry will come with your restriction. Until then, chances are (unfortunately) that you're going to be hungry. And you should eat as you're still healing and not really to the point of "weightloss" with the band. I totally lucked out and never regained my appetite, which now almost 9 months after the fact isn't as great as it may sound. When you do eat focus on solid Proteins (when you can), and foods with Fiber or mass (e.g. mashed potatoes vs. Jello, cottage cheese vs. soup). They help you feel full longer.

It's a medically-supervised "crash" diet... It is NOT a sustainable weight-loss option. having said that, I lost 40 lbs in my first 30 days (pre-surgery diet and 2+ weeks post-surgery). Then I halted for a week as I reintroduced food

I use fitday.com it's a great website. You can track cal/carbs/fat/protein. It lists it out for you, and it also give you a pie chart that is great to look at. You can track your weight, and journal and everything. It's free.

Good luck with your decision. When I made my decision, I mentally prepared myself for people that might try to talk me out of it. I was surprised at the support I got from friends and family. And you can use my standard line when people ask about the weight loss. I just tell them that I've drastically cut back on how much I eat and I get out and walk more. (they don't have to know every detail) :-P And here's a list of excuses to explain the surgery scars: http://www.bariatricpal.com/blog/9018/entry-31422-girl-you-aint-gonna-believe-this-or-how-to-explain-your-vsg-scars/ My personal favorite: "Oh, these?" *embarrassed face* "I know they look horrible, but the sex was INCREDIBLE!"

Mine is February 15th. I have gained since my last appointment, my will power was horrible at Christmas,which I am a stress eater anyways and Christmas stresses me out lol.. I start my pre-op diet on Feb 1st Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using BariatricPal mobile app

Well Songbird it appears that there isn't much difference in side effects between the sleeve and the band, because I have had severe nausea since about 2 weeks post op. I am now just under 2 months post op. The nausea is constant and I too get the waves of "ut oh, I am gonna lose it this time" feeling. Eating, not eating, doesn't make it any better for me either. I too had a period of plateau in weight, but I think that is because your body might be going into starvation mode? And that will make it hold onto whatever calories it gets and store it. Are you on any nausea meds?

@catwoman7 thanks for explaining some of the things you did pre-surgery and how they helped; and well done on your weight loss .... it's really helping reading a little of others experiences @GradyCat congratulations on the weight you've lost since surgery; and that's so encouraging to read that the surgery has helped you with the emotional eating as well; and to know i'm not alone in wondering regarding the hunger compared to emotional eating issue. Thanks for what you've shared @Orchids&Dragons thanks very much for your reply here. Definitely not something to do as a first option. i've done the loss, maintain, regain thing ........ a number of times. I've read some of the stories of sabotage after wls, and this is definitely something i want avoid, and to try and sort through before the surgery and find ways to reduce that happening. So working on my head, and finding new coping tools; that will then help with the surgery (as another tool) seems to be the direction I need to be taking

Hi, For years now i've been sure that weight loss surgery wasn't my answer ... and yet, here I am, starting to seriously consider it and wanting to learn more to help with making the decision. I've met with a surgeon and he has suggested both the gastric sleeve and bypass are options; and explained that I would lose a bit more with the bypass which he would usually recommend at my weight (although not necessarily) ... so now this is another decision to make as far as which way to go before i see him again. For me, I know that while the food and exercise aspect of weight gain and loss have been a very unhealthy relationship for the last 40 years (mid-40's now) it's my thinking that has been the main impact on this journey and subsequent weight loss sabotage. I've always struggled with using food as a coping tool for most things; from dealing with emotions, to distractions, to trying to cope with the impacts of various traumatic experiences. Now after a life time of morbid obesity, my body clings to the weight when I do start losing and I regain so fast it seems like I just blink (although i know it's more than this really). Increasing health issues, and a desire to live a healthier more active and fulfilling life have led me to where i am now .... as well as an increasing number of medical professionals saying that while i might lose the weight without surgery they think it's unlikely I would keep it off. Some of the things that are impacting my decision are I guess the usual questions of what it would be like to not have food to turn to in the same way; wondering how to replace food with other alternatives for coping and wondering how it will impact my life when until now eating has been such a big part of it. Right now, i'm taking some time to focus on working on finding other coping tools aspect of things so that if i go forward I give myself the best chance of success possible. As part of that I'm working with a therapist, reading what i can find that might be helpful and open to other suggestions. I know that for this to work, I need to work on the mental side of things ..... and that in turn will help with being able to do the rest. I'm also in the position of not really having much support to make this journey; so another reason finding online support and people to talk this through with is really important because I keep seeing how it is so much better to do this with the support of others. Currently i'm leaning towards the sleeve, and as well as working on the mental side of things trying to work out whether it would be good to spend some time losing weight prior to surgery or not; the dietician seemed to think that if i did that i might get discouraged and not have the incentive following surgery that i'd need ....... and that if i was going to lose it, i would have already. I'd be interested hearing how others have gone forward with this as far as losing weight prior to surgery (apart from the two weeks prior) or not .... As well as any other suggestions or information; and I think just knowing that there are others going through similar things will help Very glad to have found this site and look forward to taking part I think my current head space is a mixture of being terrified and hopeful all wrapped in one!