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I just went today and got a couple boxes of Quest bars. Also they sent me a $10 off coupon for my birthday if I spend more than $10. I have saved a lot since having my card.

When someone says "You look great" I say "thank you". Before becoming a Vet I would have given a list of at least 10 reasons why they were wrong.

I stayed with my calories between 600 to 800 but closer to 600 per day and my carbs under 20 until I hit my goal weight. I also exercised for an hour daily starting in month 7 (walking 5 miles a day before I started with the gym). I hit goal at by month 10. Starvation mode is a myth, when you have a lot of fat on your body you will convert that fat to energy. Starvation mode will happen when there is no more excess fat to use.

So far it seems mine is any where from 10 to 12 pounds. I was wondering the same thing how much weight lost between needing fills?

I was banded 1/19 and have lost 33 lbs. ... I haven't noticed any differences yet. But I think a lot of "normal" people don't like to see us loose weight because they don't have you to feel superior to anymore. And people who are as heavy or heavier as we are have issues with it because we're breaking the so-called "rules" by leaving the fat thing behind and "abandoning" them.

yeah mine was about 10 days.

hi Diva2B, I felt hungrey 2 days after surgery and havent felt full except for the first day i have felt more pain then i thought would be but im 10 days post opp and im starting to feel like myself again and im looking forward to the future for the first time in along time. I hope all goes well with you and hope to keep in touch take care.

Went to see my PCP this morning and I gained 10 pounds do you think when I see the surgeon at my preop appointment he will say anything? I don’t start my liquids until Nov 3rd. My preop is Nov 11th. I seem to be eating like I will never be allowed to eat again. I have decided to start to protein shakes a day and a small healthy dinner in the evening and see if I can make the extra ten pounds go away J I was hoping not to have to do that as I don’t want to get burnt out on the shakes before I even get the band.

In summary from reading these and other articles (my conclusion—please draw your own, I am not an expert and still awaiting to be sleeved!). I am having a bit of pre-surgery jitters, so re-researching to be clear I am making the right choice for me, for the right reasons and my expectations of self and surgery are realistic. The long term percentage rate of dieters regaining most or all weight back does seem to be much higher (up to 95%) than those that actually have bariatric surgery . HOWEVER, WITH THAT SAID, SOME STUDIES SAY UP TO 5% OF BARIATRIC PATIENTS GAIN IT ALL BACK. 2-3 years after surgery 80% of patients regain 5-10 pounds and approximately another 20% keep creeping up (unclear how much and if you look at other stats it appears most of them most get a handle on it). I am having pre-surgery (April 10, 2012) jitters and was having moments of wanting to back out but the stats seem to favor using the tool of surgery, but it is obvious bariatric surgery is no magic wand and one still has to ; PORTION CONTROL (YOU WILL EVENTUALLY BE ABLE TO EAT ENOUGH TO REGAIN WEIGHT—IF NOT CAREFUL!) EATING THE RIGHT FOODS EXERCISE SUPPORT SYSTEMS (FOR BOTH EATING & WORKING OUT HABITS AND OVERALL MENTAL HEALTH support for dealing with the daily stressors in life!) Dieters-Weight Gain Stats http://magazine.ucla.edu/exclusives/dieting_no-go/ http://www.livestrong.com/article/438395-the-percentage-of-people-who-regain-weight-after-rapid-weight-loss-risks/ http://www.lvrj.com/health/weight-loss-hard-to-maintain-121986554.html Weight Gain Stats for Gastric Surgery Patients; http://www.livestrong.com/article/407343-a-regain-after-weight-loss-surgery/ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1856611/ (very medical stat type of doc) http://livingafterwls.blogspot.com/2011/05/understanding-weight-gain-after-weight.html (a blog discussing stats but not referencing…so okay article) http://abcnews.go.com/Health/Fitness/story?id=4444057&page=1#.T3syJ_mUUq4 (a good and concise article) http://www.bariatric-surgery-source.com/weight-gain-after-gastric-bypass.html (Excellent article on regain stats, how not to regain, what other tools needed for success)

Hello Everyone, I am a newbie on here! I have my post-op testing tomorrow (6/7/12) and then my surgery is scheduled for 6/19/12!! I am getting a little nervous now but I am so excited for this change. I am currently at 280 lbs and shooting for 160!! Wish me luck and you all are my heros! Sincerly, Kimmy

I am getting banded by Dr.Quilici ( Cedar Sinai ) on Feb. 19. did you ever get banded yet?

Has anyone else suffered any emotional problems while on the pre-op diet? I did it for 7 days before learning that my surgery was moved back 2 weeks. By day 3, I was a wreck. I cried at the drop of a hat. Really...I started bawling after hearing a song on the radio...it wasn't even a sad song. I had to leave work one day because I couldn't stop crying. I was also very irritable...to put it mildly. Normally, I'm a relatively laid back person...but I was clenching teeth and slamming doors at the littlest things. Last, but certainly not least, I got stupid. Really stupid. I would lose my train of thought mid-sentance and frequently walk into a room without any idea why I'd entered. In general, the word I'd use to describe my emotional state during this pre-op diet is rollercoaster...without the ups. Oh, there were physical effects. I lost 6 pounds in four days. I was shaky, nauseus, and cold all the time. But I expected most of that. The emotional symptoms caught me completely off guard. I kept track of what I was eating and realized that I wasn't eating nearly enough. I know the idea is to lose weight, but 500 calories a day is simply not enough. Although I was really bummed that my appointment was moved, I am seeing it now as a chance to capture the lessons learned and do it right the next time...which starts Thursday, 10/23. Lessons Learned: Buy Protein powder! I picked up Ultimate Nutrition Protein Isolate in chocolate creme at GNC. It was $19.99 for 57 servings. It tastes great and mixes up pretty well. I'm going to pick up vanilla before the 23rd so I can mix it with juice (I'm allowed a few cups a day). Start the day with a Protein shake. Do not attempt to survive on a cup of sugar free fat free yogurt. Eat every 3-4 hours. I ended up going 5-7 hours between "meals" because nothing sounded good to me. I will force myself to consume SOMETHING every few hours to keep myself from getting shaky. Take a Multivitamin. Every day. I bought chewable ones since I won't be able to swallow the traditional, massive Multivitamins. Don't cook for the family. During these two weeks, they're on their own. Not that I cook a lot for them...but making eggs and toast every morning for my son was torture. Coming home to the smell of garlic bread had me ready to gnaw off a limb and eat it. Along those same lines...avoid family meals if at all possible. I will be spending a lot of evenings at the library. Have a plan for how you'll spend your time, when you'll eat, and what you eat. Here's my plan (yes, this is more for me than for you): My son has karate or cub scouts on Tuesday and Thursday evening. Even if I don't take him...we don't eat a "normal" dinner on those nights. It's just sammiches or Soup and we don't usually eat it together. I have therapy on Wednesday nights...which means I'm not home til after 7. That gives the boys plenty of time to clean up dinner. This Friday will be a challenge...but we usually go grocery shopping on Friday nights. On the way home, we pick up fast food (I know, I know). I am planning on picking up a bowl of soup from Panera. That way I can feel like I'm eating out without messing up the diet. We play D&D on Saturdays with a group of guys. We don't snack at the table (everyone has a weight issue) and dinner is pretty solo. This coming Sunday, we're spending most of the weekend at the local zoo "Spooktacular." Costumes and animals...and $8 hot dogs. We never eat at the zoo and you can bring your own food. So I plan on eating beforehand, bringing protein Water, and a cup of Soup at Hand. Next Monday, I've got another appointment in the evening. Which means I won't have to watch the boys eat whatever delicious, carby-goodness they plan on preparing. I am taking off Halloween to go to my son's fall festival at school. I know that sounds like torture, but the parents really don't get to eat much at these things. I plan on eating right before hand, bringing protein water, and eating right after. We're having family portraits taken on the 2nd. That will be a challenge because we're going to a friend's house where there will be food and schmoozing. Thankfully, my husband hates this woman and the visit will be brief. I've never been so happy about his feelings toward her. The following Monday will be the hardest night for me since we have absolutely no plans. I'll have to book a client call or something for that evening. If not, I may go to the library to work instead of doing it at home while the boys eat. Whew...I feel like I wrote a book here. :biggrin: If you made it this far, I'd love to know if you had/are having emotional issues during the pre-op diet and if you have lessons learned to share with us.

My group wants me to eat 60–70mg of Protein per day for Life. Now having said that at 10 days out you are probable on mushies or some solid foods. Once I get to 35mg of food I am to stop one protein drink and at 70gm of protein stop the last protein drink. My drinks are only to be between meals when I start food. No more than 30mg of Protein at one time.

I think I am eating about 1/2-3/4 cup of food at a meal. Is that to much?

I am 10 days post OP and my stomach still does this, more noticeable to me at nighttime.

I can't answer your question, but wanted to address your comment regarding the stigma of Bipolar disorder. I have been with my husband for 24 years, 10 years ago he was diagnosed as bipolar. I was terrified because of everything I had seen on TV and movies regarding it. We were together 14 years prior to diagnosis and the doctor tells us and all of a sudden I'm scared? I hate how they only portray SEVERE disturbing cases and not the everyday Joe. Truth is that on meds, his behavior is more even keeled and he enjoys his life more. When he is happier, everyone is happier. Thank you for telling your story. We don't keep his illness a secret because we want to be part of destroying the stigma. I hope everything goes well for you and you have a support here, whenever you need it.

I sure hope this works out okay. I find it.... annoying.. that you have this kind of requirement. I had to do a 2 week liver shrinking diet - for my own safety. I had no weight loss requirement, although i did lose 8#. I found it very very difficult but I was very motivated to get that liver shrunk. It makes me kind of mad that some programs want you to prove that you are surgery worthy by losing certain amounts of weight. I don't think there is ANY evidence to show that it improves your long term success. Most of us are professional dieters, so what the heck does losing 10 pounds prove? Rant over. Good luck on your surgery - looking forward to welcoming you as a new sleever!

-loriemoms, I hear you on the rotator cuff surgery. Had my left one done 3 years ago before VSG. My right one I had done end of Feb, I am still recovering!!! Yes here it is 5 months down and I'm still in pain, not bad pain as it was first month or more. I went to PT 30 days out from surgery, twice a week for little over 2 months. Before surgery I had to do PT for 6 weeks, so my time was all used up for any more after than the 10 weeks I did. I still can't use a vacuum cleaner! Hurts pushing my mop, raising my arms way above my head, still not enough energy in it at all. I'm no longer taking the pain pills but I do have muscle relaxers I can take. They cut my deltoid muscle, reason for the muscle relaxers. It the muscle goes straight up the arm to the neck and at the base of the skull. Didn't know it effected there. So returning to work in 2 weeks you say? Let me know how it goes, I don't work because of disabilities I have. Pick up a veggie tray all ready cut up! Crunch on those they are great when you don't know what to eat. Keep apples peaches grapes or other fruit in fridge, you can do most with 1 hand. My right was my dominate had, we'll still is lol, I have to tell you my husband was right there for me. Heck I couldn't wash hair or shower without him! Cooking dinner was next to impossible. So I feel for you, the pain is horrible and not doing what you could before, well you will be able to do more later on. My surgeon said recovery is usually 6 months to a year! Good luck.

Yesterday was day 1 of my post op surgery and it was a doozy. I am exited for this change as its mostly mental before you see any physical change. In a sense the next few weeks with the post op diet I feel as I am breaking up with food. I can only intake two ounces every hour and I'm in a lot of discomfort it's worse than labor pain and I did that all natural. I also should mention I'm fully sleeved in one arm with tattoos. I thought my pain tolerance was high but after this surgery I surely have questioned that. None the less I look forward to my life style change and I'm fully committed to losing the fat suit. Tomorrow I go in for my first post op appt but no fill until about the fourth week post op.

I am feeling very frustrated and scared that I will not loose the weight...I have been taking in around 1100 cal a day, excercising. I have not been totally compliant (like eating a homemade chocolate chip cookie) However, I need to LIVE and find quality of life. I am working on keeping my Water up, and in intense boot camps...so please tell me this is going to break soon? Down about 25 lbs in a month, but all of that was lost in 2.5 weeks from surg. I have not lost anything since 11/6 and had my sleeve on 10/22. So maybe I am just being crazy, but I feel like I am mindful of my food, Protein first...limited intake and still no change on the scale. Looking for advice from those who have been in my shoes...

Gotcha! I'm kinda new to these boards but I have learned alot already and am very grateful for everyone sharing GSV surgery date 9/19/26

@@Christy5913 thank you so much for the great advice. I'm actually having a really difficult time finding any sort of support group near me. I've gotten most of my information from others on these boards and I don't personally know anyone that has had WLS. but I am really appreciating you GSV surgery date 9/19/26

will this be your very first appt or have you completed all the pre op requirements? GSV surgery date 9/19/26

you looking amazing!! what an incredible job you have done with the weight loss I'm having the sleeve at Cedar Sinai in LA. Dr Cuneen is my surgeon. I would love to hear your words of wisdom on this journey ! GSV surgery date 9/19/26 @ shelluv - I had my surgery at Cedars with Dr. Burch in May, 2014. I'm down 130 lbs. I'd be more than happy to answer any questions you have about that program since I've been living with it for 2+ years! You'll do great!! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hey everyone I had surgery March 7, and I'm down 19 pds....i was 237...now 219...can't wait to see 198