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I'm also not in NJ but my PCP prescribed it. There is some new online service that prescribes weight loss medications, I keep seeing ads on FB for it, but I don't know if it's legit, it's called "found". Good luck. I also took phentermine, but since I was eating when I wasn't hungry, it didn't work at all. I tried it a few times as I am preparing for surgery and it works a lot better for me now... too bad my insurance won't pay for it now because I failed it the first time.

Honestly it does sound like you are. There is also a difference between having cancer and losing weight. Huge difference. There’s a strong stigma around bariatric surgery so yeah, of course people will lie. I only told a few close people. To everyone else I started eating healthy and **** because I don’t want to deal with the negative attitude. If I meet someone who tells me they are considering the surgery. I will talk to them about it. But otherwise it’s really no one’s business

Ok so are you maintaining or gaining right now? I’ve surpassed my personal goal weight (well my original one. I’d altered it once I passed it lol). I do tend to graze at work (it’s a fairly rigorous job so I burn a lot of calories and end up needing snacks to help keep my energy up), but I make sure it’s healthy stuff. I actually just discovered Wilde Chicken Chips and use those to munch on throughout the day. Low carb, low calorie and it tends to last my shift (just 20 chips), because it’s made with chicken instead of potato so the protein helps. I think what you need to do is before you start snacking stop and think “do I need this? Or do I want this?” If it’s a want, work on the will power to put the snack away. Find something to distract you or drink (I hear that helps sometimes when we want food).

Hey , I just joined recently , had my sleeve done on Tuesday , still feel absolutely crappy . I’m from Melbourne. My usual weight was always a 57-63 max , started going through depression, taking medications , anxiety , and I was stress eating , depression eating , annoyed at the husband eating , everything made me eat , until I got to my highest of 89kg

if you're not tracking your food intake, I'd start there. Go back to the basics - not all the way back to protein shakes and crazy low calories, but back to the way you were eating after the first few months post-op - protein first, then non-starchy vegetables - and then, if you still have room, a small serving of fruit or whole grain carb. if you're a calorie counter (I am - but I know not all of us are), tracking will also help you figure out what your average calorie intake is. Figure out what your average is over a week or two. Then cut back by 100 calories. If you're not seeing any progress after a couple of weeks, cut back by another 100 calories. Rinse and repeat until you find your sweet spot (but keep in mind that since you're at a normal BMI, that weight is going to come off very slowly - a half pound a week is actually a really good rate of loss for someone at or very near a normal BMI) you still look great, BTW

I start my pre-op diet on 7/26. I've had a couple of "food funerals" recently - though I've been able to keep my weight stable. Definitely getting nervous. Having a lot of What If thoughts. What if I don't lose weight? What if I have complications? Then there's the melancholy that comes though...am I never going to be able to enjoy food again? Hanging in there....

You are doing great and are right on track. As long as the scale is not moving upward and staying upward as you will have fluctuations and it's mostly staying or moving downward then you are on track and things are as they should be. I had numerous surgeries after my bariatric surgeries ( I had sleeve October 2018) that limited me from exercising and still managed to lose the weight. My biggest one was a foot surgery that kept me from walking as I always tried to at least walk 30 minutes minimum and I still lost or manage to not gain. The mental game is the hardest in this and this forum is the best place when you are feeling down and feeling beat as we are all here for you and you are not alone!

I agree a lot with what @Creekimp13 says, but I also would say this: cut out the alcohol. Completely. It is empty calories AND it lowers your inhibitions so you are more likely to make poor food choices. I think you look AMAZE-BALLS! But, you want to keep looking amaze-balls and not get to where your weight keeps creeping up and you're back where you started. But maybe you shouldn't listen to me since I haven't even had surgery yet and I don't drink at all. I'm just speaking from watching the food choices I see my friends and family make when they are drinking vs when they are sober, plus a number of things I have read including nutrition textbooks.

Dave in Houston, you will regain your love for cooking and food again once you have lost the appropriate weight through each and all important phases needed for your long term success and well being. You will go through grief over some foods and portions you may have once loved, but may find no longer satisfying, digestible or best for your new health adventure. You might find great adventure and rewards in seeing food in a new light - experimenting and trying new recipes. I encourage you to continue on this thread going back to early on posts gaining invaluable information, encouragement and insight on others who have gone before you. I always loved salads before and after surgery but there were a few months salad was not the best choice at that time. 2 ½ years out salads are a staple and enjoyable as they once were but portions resized and evolving ingredients to keep things healthy and exciting! I do cook simpler now - but definitely not bland or unappealing. Some food types and drinks I simply did not re-introduce feeling them not to be the best choices for my nutritional needs and long term value. Congratulations on your journey and new adventure with food. Here is a sampling of new delectables I'm enjoying...

Congratulations! You look great! I’m only a few weeks post op but I hear ya when you say you’ve gained 25 lbs, it could creep up if you don’t make changes. I hear there are reset your pouch diets. Check out Pinterest. Also Dr Weiner on YouTube has some great lifestyle tips and some great advice too.

About a year after surgery my hunger returned with a vengeance. I gained 8lbs and started back on Metformin 2xa day 500mg and my weight stabilized and I lost my appetite. I’ve maintained about 199-204 for a year now. I highly recommend recommend it.

You may need to be fitted for a new CPAP mask as your face will be smaller & a different shape. In time as you lose more, you may not even need to use a CPAP machine - wouldn’t that be wonderful! Congrats on your weight loss.

I am still within 10lbs of my goal, but I've gained 25 lbs during this COVID fiasco. I'm convinced it's all wine calories from the lock downs! I maintained under my goal weight for 3 years and now here I am... creeping. So - getting back at it. I'm paranoid, no correction... terrified of regain. You can see the first pic shows where I am today and the second shows where I was two years ago. People around me are "fish toshing" me, but this is where it starts. This is where you have to get a grip and get on track. It only gets worse from here if you don't. So - I'm gonna get back to it... NOW. Any suggestions for "getting back to basics?" I do well with plans.

Today was a bit easier for the pre-op diet. I'm taking a course online and that has kept me busy and my mind off the fact that I can't eat anything. There was a very brief moment when I thought about the fact that if I can stay on this diet, why get the surgery. Yes. That passed quickly because I know I wouldn't be able to maintain this forever. No diet has ever helped me keep any weight off. My husband is being supportive. He's making soup and eating his dinner (I'm sure it's Popeyes) before he gets home. I'm trying to stay focused on the fact that I'll be able to tie my shoes and breathe at the same time. That at some point everything in my closet might fit me. That I might actually experience a time when I'm not embarrassed of my weight. Today I got my "SouperCubes" in the mail.

UPDATE: I'm almost afraid to post this because I don't want to jinx myself. LOL But, last week I had mentioned in several threads about how I thought my lack of the proper amount of protein may be stalling me more than I should be. I had mentioned how I was getting in like HALF of what I should be a day. So all last week I made a conscience effort to make sure I got 60-70 grams in a day, at least. Well, on July 5th I weighed 275. Today I weight in at 270.3!! So I'm HOPING that WAS my issue and that I continue to lose. I was pretty shocked and happy about the results. Fingers crossed!! LOL

How are you feeling now? I also had my surgery on June 14th 21. And boy oh boy I couldn't agree with you more! I'm just now feeling like a normal human being again. With that said though, I actually have had a a few days here n there where I was so super weak and shakey. But as in pain I'm much much better than I was those first 2 or even 3 weeks. I just cried n cried alot. I also didn't have a good support system whatsoever either though so I was going through alot besides having major surgery. I think I'm weak and shakey bc I'm not getting in my fluids and protein like I should be. How much have you lost? I actually have only lost 14 lbs! And I'm very concerned about that! [emoji53] I don't mind being a slow loser but I'm terrified like I'd be the one in a million who just DOESN'T lose the weight lol I am also not very active like I was trying to be before. I thi k I'm just being down n depressed and giving up already:( but hopefully it's a just a stage I'm in and will snap outta it soon. I hope your feeling better!! Let me know:) take care!! Sent from my SM-G981U using BariatricPal mobile app

Mostly my age. I'm almost 40 and weight loss doesn't get any easier the older you get. After 20 years of yo-yo dieting and doing literally every single diet, workout, fad, supplement under the sun, my metabolism is completely shot. I've lost and regained the same 10-20 pounds for over a decade now. It's time to make a serious change. All my older family members are overweight/obese and sickly, and if I don't get it together now, I will be in the same boat 10-20 years from now (if I live that long).

I do not have BPD or an ED, but I do have severe depression and GAD which have played a HUGE role in my weight issues. Personally, I did 18 months of therapy (and meds) before I considered WLS. I have been 10)% honest with my PCP, therapist, the surgeon, and my husband so that I have the support and accountability I need. I knew I needed to get my head right and deal with some of the things that caused me to have such a disordered view of food and my body, before I could do anything else. I think there are a couple of things at play here: 1) the Dr. wants to make sure you are stable and responding well to your new treatment because WLS is a major life changing event. If your mental health is not at its best, you risk some serious issues. Its so, so important that your heart and mind be ready for surgery or it could very negatively impact your mental health long term. 2) I would guess that he's wondering if having your BPD treated might change the outcome of your weight loss efforts. You've never tried to lose weight with controlled BPD before now; it was undiagnosed and therefore no telling how it impacted your weight loss. As you said, you've had success before regain, but it sounds like some of the patterns you experienced may have resulted from the untreated BPD. You might find that with your new treatment regimen, its easier to lose weight at a healthy, manageable pace and that WLS is no longer needed. Or conversely, you may find that it makes no difference and confirms that WLS is the right next step. And 3) I'm sure he wants to make sure that there is no unaddressed underlying ED at play. Many folks who seek WLS do have EDs or have had them in the past; you're absolutely right that its not uncommon, although not always the case. That being said, someone in the throws of an ACTIVE ED who is not receiving treatment and in recovery, should not be considered for WLS. This goes back to #1 - your head has to be in the right place before going through with such a major event. I know it may feel like he was targeting or stereotyping based on your BPD, but I think he just wants to make sure you are set up for success. WLS is a big deal and it wouldn't be healthy for your body or mind to do it without informed consent and the pre-work needed to get you truly ready. If you feel like this is what you want and is the right step, then stay the course. Do the diet stuff, keep taking your meds, go to therapy, and it will happen in due time. You've got this!

Yeah, that makes sense. I suppose I was just taken back as I feel like I've made good progress with my mental health and have internalized getting better. I am already working with a psychiatrist and counselor too. I totally agree that the eating disorder needs to be controlled before surgery too. I'm going to keep working at it, even before my dietician visits in August. I have already lost 5 lbs (not much, albeit a change from gaining) since really trying to get a grip on my mental health. Thanks for sharing your experience and wishing you the best! Sent from my SM-G975U using BariatricPal mobile app

I have bipolar disorder and the surgery center's psychologist is requiring that my psychiatrist speak to her to ensure that my bipolar disorder is "stable" before I have surgery. Obviously, I will still have bipolar disorder and still be on meds. I also have done some restrictive eating and a small amount of over exercising/vomiting in the past, but it was more than two decades ago, so they didn't think it was an issue. I think the best thing for you would be to work with a therapist trained in eating disorders during this time while you are preparing to have surgery. You won't be "cured" of your disordered eating patterns but you could get them in better control - this means being aware of when your emotions are getting out of control and having better ideas than running to food to soothe yourself. I can't see your weight, but I will say that when I saw a therapist for weight issues, I didn't lose any weight at all in several months, so I don't think you have to worry about not qualifying for surgery because you lost weight from treating your eating disorders. I also think that if you don't treat your disordered eating, you will not be successful after surgery long term, based on what I've seen people here say.

I have had both Gastric sleeve 10/25/2018 and then later converted to a Roux-en-Y-Gastric Bypass with a hiatal hernia repair on 10/07/2020 per acid reflux issues so bad that it was damaging my throat My highest weight was 270 and with the sleeve I only managed to get down to 170. With the bypass I am currently at 150lbs. I feel so much better! The bypass took care of all the reflux issues and I have no issues with eating anything. I have less issues with food now then I did with the sleeve and I feel so much healthier. I have no dumping issues and can drink with no problems. I felt more restrictions honestly with the sleeve as everything hurt more. The extra weight loss is just a bonus!

Hey there. I wanted to just see what other people's experiences were with their consultation, especially those with either eating disorders or other mental health diagnoses. I was recently diagnosed with bipolar disorder and have been on meds for about 2.5 months. My mental state has improved a lot and I have more cognitive ability to make good choices for myself. When I went in for my consultation for gastric bypass, I was incredibly candid with my doctor. I told him about how I've lost 70 lbs in the past by fasting and extreme workouts but sadly I gained it all back plus some because of the binge restricr cycle. I went on to talk about my rocky relationship with food and he stopped me short and asked me "has anyone ever told you that you have an eating disorder?" He then said that people with eating disorders can't have weight loss surgery and that I'd need to work out my problems before getting surgery. He's giving me 14 weeks to get my sh*t together so to speak but ultimately said it's up to me to get to a place where I've mended this relationship with food. I'll be on their diet plan during this period (have already started making conscious efforts and studying BED recovery on my own). So my question is this: when I told him about my struggles with my mental health and eating patterns he seemed to make it a point that if you have those issues, you don't qualify. While I understand that having untreated symptoms means you can't get surgery, I can't understand what being in control means if you have to still meet the BMI requirements? Besides wanting him to truly understand my history with food, don't most people going for weight loss surgery have moderate to severe disordered eating or mental health problems? Is he just testing me to see if I can show him I've worked on my problems? Or is it really that weird and rare that someone with mental health problems and a history with binge and restrict is going for a weight loss consultation? I thought thats what it's about? I know you stay on their diet plan and get used to that as kind of your new life but I can't understand what's "in control" enough to show the doctor I'm ready but still obese? If anyone wants to give me some advice and share their experiences telling their doc about their eating behavior and mental health struggles , I'm all ears. I can't stop thinking about it. I'm really working on self compassion and not trying to beat myself up. He made me feel that I'm not mentally healthy enough to even get help when I have been feeling stronger than ever with my new medication. Any insight and experience appreciated! Sent from my SM-G975U using BariatricPal mobile app

Dr. Cardenas is an excellent plastic surgeon and is quite well known in the bariatric community. Lots of bariatric patients have had her do their plastic surgery. That price for the two body surgeries is much lower than what I paid in Chicago. The facelift piece isn't any cheaper than what you'd pay stateside, though (although maybe less than California prices - I'm not sure). I actually went to a someone who specializes in facial plastic surgery for my face, though (for the body ones I went to someone who specializes in body contouring for massive weight loss patients) Dr. Francisco Sauceda in Monterrey also specializes in massive weight loss patients and a lot of us have used him. I don't know how his pricing is now - when I got an email quote from him, it was very reasonable (I think $16K for all the body stuff (I didn't ask about a facelift)) - but that was four or five years ago)

I’m 8 days post op and healing well. Had liquid stitches and most of them are almost completely peeled away. Not much pain at all unless I bend too far over but now it’s much easier to do. My husband told me he can tell I have lost weight. He can see it in my face. 😊 Since surgery I am down 12lbs in 8 days. Total lost since I started my approval for VGS is 34lbs. I’m a happy camper! Just wish I can move on to soft foods already. Getting tired of Protein Shakes and broth lol

Most doctors won't do lap band anymore because the results aren't very good - most people don't lose too much weight and many people have a lot of complications. A lot of people end up having to have them removed and getting it revised to sleeve or bypass. Is there a reason you really want lap band rather than sleeve or bypass?