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So today was the day for me to return to the doctor to review my labs to make sure i was a go to see the surgeon. i have tricare prime so u had to get my doctors approval. I received a call yesterday stating that my doc wouldn't be in because of a family problem.....ugh i was so nervous! I was sure that the doctor covering for her would want me to wait until she returned to get my referral. The doc same in saying that he wouldnt give me the referral, and that i would have to wait until my doc returned. Then his nurse stated that my doc wont be in for 2 month, and so he put it in. He told me to wait 5 to 10 business days to hear if the referral was accept. but in only 1 hour i go a call with a date for 2/14 to see my surgeon! how fast was that!!!! Im so excited, nervous! Now what should i expect?

I think we will ALWAY be aware. The previous posters comments, I echo. DH took me into Ann Taylor and we bought quite a few skirts and shirts... size 8. Ann Taylor is NOT forgiving in size. But I insist that I am still a 10 because somehow admitting that an 8 would actually fit, is impossible. I still see fat in the mirror. But as others have said, I'll see a reflection walking be a mirror and go... HOLY COW. But I have not wrapped my head around it. Maybe someday, but not quite yet... It is funny, cause my family went to McDonald's for lunch a month ago and I had ordered a Filet O Fish. I had 'dissected it' at the table and was eating the fish filet, no bun, and this lady was STARING at me. DH pointed it out and I was like "I can't eat anymore cause she's staring." I thought she was looking at me, going "That girl should NOT be eating that fish." DH told me, NO that's not why she was staring. It was cause me and him were sitting there, arms around each other... a black man and white woman with 2 adorable little MIXED children and in our small town, it occasionally gets looks of interest. But, my fat girl brain thought it was cause of the fatness... I just immediately KNEW it was cause of my weight. I told my mom that and she said "Katy, you would be the LAST person someone would look at and think that about the fish" and I know in my heart it is true... but I am still the fat girl... to me.

I had surgery on Monday 8/30. Since then I have had 1 of my 6 incision site continuously been extremely painful. It's the only site that's bruised, steri-strip is bloody and it hurts soooo much. When ever I move or have to engage that part of my core (sitting up, going to the bathroom, laying in bed, even just standing up) it hurts. It's like a burning, sharp ripping feeling and it legit makes me see stars and lose my breath. I called and sent a photo to my doctor and they said it was normal. They gave me a stronger pain medication but it only makes me high and doesn't tough the pain when I move. Could they have stitched me up a little off? Anyone else experience this? I need it to be tolerable by Monday so I can go to my work office for 1 hour. I feel alone and absolutely hate doing anything right now because of this. Sent from my SM-G981U using BariatricPal mobile app

Yep - happened to me. Got mine the morning of the surgery. I did the pillow-pad thing and there were not COOL netting underoos!!!??? I got jypped! Anyway, it went all ok and it wasn't the most embarassing moment of my life but it did rank in the top 10 events. Good luck!

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

What has changed in my life since I have lost 105 pounds? I was thinking as my husband and I are planning a trip to Europe in September 2011 how much my life has changed in the last 2 ½ years. 5 years ago I would not have considered going on this type of long vacation. If you are thinking about having Weight Loss Surgery, these things don’t even hit your radar screen right now, because I had NO clue that so many things would change in my life after losing weight. 1. I always liked myself; I just hated the body I was stuck in. WOW I had no idea how different I would feel about myself after my weight loss. 2. I know I walked with much more confidence after my weight loss and I look people in the eye. 3. I have no problem standing up for others that I feel are being picked on or bullied, or judged by how they looked—their weight, their clothing, the color of their skin. I hate bullies and adult bullies are 10 times worse. LET’S STOP THEM OK!!!!!!!! 4. I wanted to give back something to my community and let others know that they could do what I hadn’t been able to do with JUST diet and exercise. I needed to have WLS so that I had the tool to achieve my goal. My tool is the restriction I have with “sleeve surgery.” 5. I am retired and went back and started teaching at an Alternative High School. So many of my students were from dysfunctional homes. I know without a doubt I have made a difference in their lives (they certainly have changed mine.) I am giving 2 of them scholarships to college. Maybe more of us can give something back, big or small. It all makes a difference. Your time helping kids really can make a difference. 6. I am willing to try to educate others about what Weight Loss Surgery really is. 7. I am here to support and encourage others on their WLS journey and I thought that would be a short term thing…now I know I will always be willing to help them in the years ahead. Pay it forward; you may change someone’s life by helping them with words and encouragement. 8. Life is very short, none of us know how long we will be here, and the time is NOW to have your weight loss surgery. This has to be ALL about you and NO one else in your life. It is nice if your family supports you but don’t count on it. And don’t let them discourage you. 9. I get up every morning feeling 20 years younger. 10. I know without a doubt that I will ALWAYS maintain my weight loss. Something I was never able to do before in my life. 11. Eating healthy is really fun. You can cook yummy healthy food that tastes great. 12. Exercise is something that I have always hated, now I want to exercise it actually feels good. 13. I have become a much better cook than I ever was before. The standard things that I am enjoying and they are all the things that you are thinking about if you are about to have WLS or have already had it: 1. Feeling and looking better. 2. Better health and I got off a lot of medications that you I taking. 3. New clothes, shoes, and shopping in places that I never could shop at before 4. Being comfortable and being able to move without my entire body hurting. 5. Wondering if you are the “one” person that WLS will not work on? I promise you it will work for you. 6. Having people notice that I have lost a ton of weight and being able to tell them how I did it. 7. Having someone call me SKINNY—what a GRAND feeling that was. 8. Going on vacations and walking every place I wanted to without having to stop and rest. 9. Giving away all my “fat people” clothes to a shelter where I know they will be need and use. 10. Getting hugs!:happy: Please consider how YOUR life can or will change if you have WLS. When I was considering this, I want the best doctor I could find who had done numerous “Sleeves” surgeries with great success and after all my research I knew it was Dr. Aceves. If you are going to do this WHY not have the best there is? Suzanne Sleeved by Dr. Aceves Oct 21, 2011 Starting Weight 225 lbs, Goal Weight 125 lbs Weight now 120 lbs

10 days

I met my husband online 10 years ago and he is awesome! Of course My previous relationships were bad boy types, choosing everything else but me and our children. This man I met now together for 10 years is my best friend. I trust him fully and I couldn't imagine my life without him. I will say it took me a while getting use to the opposite type of guy but it was the best decision I have ever made and we have children together as well. Good luck & be careful ..

I was banded on July 13th and have lost 10 pounds. Glad to hear I'am not the only one thinking I should have loss more. This is a new way of life and we are still learning.

Diva, I have had 5 fills in 10 months. It really depends on how agressive your surgeon is. Mine starts me out really slowly only added 1cc, then .2, etc. I am at 3ccs now.

Am I reading this right, you were banded last Sunday and upset about only being down 10 lbs. I was banded the 9th, and finally last night dropped to being down 4 lbs. What's wrong with me? :frown: I have no restriction and have felt since I woke up from surgery I could eat anything.

I was banded on 7-8 and have lost 20 pounds, 10 in my 4 days before and 10 since my surgery.

I was banded on the 9th. I'm 10 pounds down since surgery day. Pre surgery I lost 20 pounds. food is not even in my vocab right now. My mind wont even go there.

I just got a ton of samples too!!! Normally I mix with milk but I'm wondering if the "juicy" types would taste better in Water? Like the lemonade or cherry. What do you think? Starting weight 321- sleeve date 07/10/13 Sent from my iPhone using VST

Feb 21st banded, recovery time done, thought I was getting it but actually I wasn't.......but this week things have really started to slot into place, I had a rather bad "stick" last weekend but was fortunate enough to have a visit booked on Monday and had a really good chat with my nurse and I had my second band fill, then attended a group session, which was the first for my area. It was great to meet other people and discuss how we we're find things. I started using a smart phone app called "eat slower" which has really helped with my eating. I also bought a hot plate to help keep my food from going cold as I keep the chew chew chew going. Both things have really helped. I have just finished a session with my new personal trainer and am actually feeling rather good about myself. In 10 weeks there is a huge difference in my physical appearance and more importantly my metal wellbeing. I feel as though I am really only now starting to embrace my band and understand how I go forward....coz one thing is for sure I don't intend to go backwards.

I lost 33 pounds in two weeks and I haven't had my period for months and as soon as I lost that much it came.. I have heard hormones get stored in the fat ... I take liquid vit b12 for energy .. but yeah my body aches too yesterday was my first day back at work for 10 hours and I got home and I had to cover my legs with heat cream hehe

I FINALLY got my sleeve done!!! I was scheduled for 1pm but because the surgeon was delayed I ended up starting at 3pm. The longer I waited the more active and jumpy the little butterflies in my tummy got. I was so greatful to see the anesthesiologist lol. I was told the procedure would take 1.5 hrs then have 1 hr in the recovery room before I would be transfered into a room to see my hubby. I was brought to recovery at 5 and woke up to the most horrendous pain and nausea. Every time they asked if the pain and nausea was improved I could honestly say no. After quite a bit of dilaudid, Tylenol, and anti nausea meds I finally started to get to a level I could tolerate without thinking I'd made a terrible terrible mistake. I was under the impression it would be the same kind of pain I I had with my cesarion section. SO much more. I gotta say I was very upset with the staff. They didn't listen very well, and acted like I was stupid. My main nurse would ask details that I struggled to provide not only because I was in intense pain and the meds we're making me tired but also cause my throat was dry and on fire. One convo went like this..... Nurse: "what kind of chronic pain do you have" Me: "nerve pain, one at night like RLS in shoulders, arms, back and legs . And dif kind during day. (Should have told him that felt like when you hit your funny bone but it was too hard), and joint pains" Nurse: "what do you take for it" Me: "nothing, My dr wanted to give me something like gabapentin or cymbalta but I didn't want to add more meds till after (should have told him after we figured out my immune deficiency but that didn't come out)" Him: "what dose do you take", Me: none, I don't take it yet" Him: "I don't see it in your chart" Me: "I'm waiting on it" Him: "Do you take narcotics for it" Me: "no" Him: "what's the highest number 1-10 it gets too" Me: "gets to a 5-6" He then hands me off to another nurse so he can go to lunch and I hear him say.... "she has chronic nerve pain in her back and arms and lives at a constant 5-6. She says she takes gabapentin or cymbalta for it but I can't find it in her chart. She must get it from another provider" I wanted to scream "NO NO, It GETS to a 5-6, and I don't take ANYTHING for it".... But they walked away and I fell asleep. He kept drawing his own conclusions and it was really annoying. One thing that really hurt my feelings was he told a nurse that my son was waiting for me in my main room. Not normally bad but I'm 28 and it was my HUSBAND. I know in pain and right out of surgery I didn't look like myself but normally I'm told I look 16 and why the heck didn't he check my chart to see I was 28 not 48??? At 8 o'clock (yes that's right, 3 hrs in recovery not 1) I was finally sent to my main room where the nurses continued to try my patience. Nurse: " oh you didn't tell me you had a son!" , hellooooo I JUST met you and we haven't said more than hi to each other!!! But I didn't say that. The biggest problem with this bunch of nurses is that they didn't listen. I mean LITERALLY didn't listen to me. They sat at the comp in my room not saying a word and when I tried to ask a question I had to repeat myself 4 times and practically yell to get their attention. One nurse kept trying to take my pulse...RIGHT on the IV they put in my wrist. I told him oweee and he looked at me like a bother Me: "Why didn't the dr switch the IV site like they said they would" Nurse: "we can't take it out, you need it for the pain meds" Me: "I don't want it out, I was wondering why they didn't switch it" Nurse: "no we can't switch it somewhere else" Me: "no I asked why the anesthesiologist didn't switch it in surgery like I was told they would since the site is shallow." Nurse: "oh i don't know" Me: "it's not in my chart?" Nurse: "no, they only write why they do something, not why they don't. They must have forgotten. But we can't change it, you need it for pain meds. Grrrr What is wrong with these people. I still know I was raspy but I don't have an accent or anything and I was speaking pretty loudly. Im in so much pain I was told I need to start walking once the pain is managed. I asked if I can walk with the catheter in and they said yes. Seriously? Is this true? I'm so shocked at these nurses! I'm used to going to an IHS facility (government run) with nurses who are attentive and read your chart. I was really expecting Providence would have been the same or better since after all it's supposed to be a hospital with a high standard of care . This is throwing me off!!! How do I handle these people? So this is my experience so far. It's s been harder than expected, but Im trying to keep positive.

I had a car accident 10 days after my surgery inAugust so had more swelling than normal. I struggled for quite some time getting all my Protein, but the NUT just had me drink a shake a day in addition to foods I was able to eat. That gave me 30 g immediately. My energy was horrible. At 4 weeks I biked and barely made 4 miles. At 10 weeks I went hiking and did20 miles one day and 10 on another. What a difference! You'll get there. Give your body time to heal. Walking will help immensely! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

But do you realize the pizza isn't the problem? I eat pizza about once a month with my kids. I don't mean healthy homemade pizza, I mean the fatty calorie buster variety like you had tonight. 90% of the time, I follow my diet religiously, but 10% of the time I just eat what I want because I want it. I've lost a lot of weight in a relatively short period of time so obviously it hasn't hurt my efforts, either. You don't need an excuse to do what you did, you're human. I do think you're being way, way too hard on yourself about it. Why not embrace this as a learning experience rather than dwell on it as a failure? You realize you're prone to emotional eating so now you can be aware of it. That's a positive. Mistakes are only mistakes if you learn nothing from them, otherwise, they're learning experiences. Make this a learning experience.

Rules for 2008 Make realistic goals for yourself, write them down, pray about them and try to achieve them! Go through your cell phone, caller id, calendar, and email addresses and discard all the people and events that mean you no good or don't benefit your life! Stop making excuses about your life and make changes! If you are involved w/a person, job, or circumstance that is doing more harm than good, do yourself a favor - LET IT GO! Stop being someone’s mistress; especially if you are aware that you are!!!! If you a re between the ages of 22-35 please start listening to more than Hip-Hop! Take care of your kids and devote a weekend or two when you spend "quality" time with them. Who cares if you miss out on a "mix"! You can party anytime! Get your debt in order! Eventually you'll want a nice home and car in your name! Stop spreading senseless rumors and try to get your own life in order! Listen more! Talk Less! Give without worrying about it! Tell him no for once! Tell people you love them before you hear about some great tragedy in the world or lose a close friend! Speak clearly and not ignorantly! Anyone can be a fool. If you are married, stop cheating. If you're guilty of this, ask God to forgive you and don't do it again! Remember the Ten Commandments. Stop waiting on Tax Season and Save Now! Eat what you need and not just because you can! See how long you can go without checking your cell phone wh en it's not ringing. Be more positive and stop being a grouch! I didn't do it to you boo! STOP HATIN! If you don't like my style, kick rocks! DO YOU! Start telling your children that when you're having a "grown folks" conversation, they need to go play. Remember they are like sponges. Appreciate everyone. WHY do we put each other down for the most ridiculous things?!? If you are a person of color and you live w/or work in a white environment don't be the one showing the latest dances, singing the new Jay-Z or teaching Ebonics. Be better not bitter! Men and women! Cry more! It's therapeutic. Stop tripping about not being where you want to be! What have you been doing to get there?!? If you aren't in relationship, it's not the end of the world! Self love is more valuable! Keep your opinion to yourself! We all know what others should do, but what about you? If God delivers you from a messy relationship, friend or situation, why do you keep PULLING THEM BACK? Let it go! FORGIVE! FORGIVE! FORGIVE! All of us have been forgiven for some low life things! So open your heart! Remember - God forgave you. Men, stop trying to be so hard when it comes to relationships. Let that guard down before you lose the one that's meant for you! Speak up for yourself! Learn a new hobby! Broaden your mind. If you're single, start going on more dates with different types of people. Don't just stick to the same type of woman or man! Stop forwarding all the text messages you receive; everyone doesn't have unlimited text messaging!! Stop replying to ALL! Live like today is your last day, love like God taught us, and laugh like you've never laughed before! You'll live longer. Lastly, if it's only 5 minutes a day have a little talk with Jesus! Let Him know you want to be better today than you were yesterday and watch Him turn things around for you! Top 10 Predictions for 2008 The Bible will still have the answers. Prayer will still work. The Holy Spirit will still move. God will still inhabit the praises of His people. There will still be God-anointed preaching. There will still be singing of praise. God will still pour out blessings upon His people. There will still be room at the Cross. Jesus will still love you. Jesus will still save the lost. God whispers in your soul and speaks to your mind. Sometimes when you don't have time to listen, He has to throw a brick at you. It's your choice: Listen to the whisper, or wait for the brick. Author Unknown

Yes, my old self is back! I was up at 5am and headed to the gym. My menu has been clean, I've been eating clean and my jeans are getting loose on me again. I bought myself a present today. I bought a SIZE 8 coat. It was a little snug, but not too tight that I couldn't wear it, however, its a freaken size 8. I want to scream it out to everyone here at work, I want to show everyone the tag, its a size 8. I can't even remember the last time I bought a size 8, but I think it was like in 8th grade or maybe 7th. Anyhow, I know its made a little different, and normally I would not buy an 8, I buy 10's or 12, but I decided by next winter, I will be wearing it with no tightness. I'm just excited I can put it on, and button it! A size 8 people, did you hear me, a size 8! Okay, here is my today plan: 5am - Recumbant bike - 30 min Hip Abductor - outer thighs - 3 sets of 12 - 70 lbs Hip Abductor - inner thighs - 3 sets of 12 - 70 lbs Seated leg press - Quads - 3 sets of 15 - 70 lbs Laying leg curls - Hamstrings - 3 sets of 12 - 20 lbs (this killed my knee) Incline sit ups - Abs - 3 sets of 25 PM exercise - (3:00 pm) 15 min on Elliptical machine Menu Bfast egg white omlet made with 1 turkey sausage link and 1 canadian bacon Lunch coffee w/cream - very tired - Drank before I ate - I do not drink while eating. apple with pnut butter (2 TBSP) 3 oz of chicken breast Dinner spinach chicken wings (baked with hot sauce) Suppliments - quickslim30, multi-vitamin

Ok here I am gave all the paperwork to my PCP yesterday afternoon. The office manager is submitting my referrals to Tricare on Monday! She is going to send them urgent so I should know something in 72 hours or less. I have to have these referrals approved or I can't go to my appointment at the surgeon's office on 3/10/08. On the 10th I'm supposed to do the nut job eval, blood work, meet with the dietitian, and meet with my surgeon. I have to be there at 7:15 am and they said that I would be there all day. Now I have a question for all you experienced bandsters out there. I have to track everything that I put in my mouth for 1 week before the 3/10/08 appt. Should I eat the way I have been eating (namely like every meal is my last) or should I try to eat like a normal person? As soon as I leave the appointment I plan on starting my diet to lose 10 to 15 pounds before surgery. So what do you think? Any advice would be appreciated.

Last week was a very bad week for posting. Very sick last week. Only missed 2 workouts though. Tuesday nights leg workout and Wednesday mornings cardio. Oh well. I'll start anew from todays workout. Working the 1015-1815 shift, so I got both cardio and upper body in this morning. Week 3 of my 2nd cycle of this big cycle. Upper Body: Rev grip lat: 130 x 11 Incl bench: 145 x 11 Cable crossovers: 60 x 11 DB curls: 30 x 11 Skull crusher: 80 x 11 HS military press: 60 x 11 Back ext: 55 x 11 DB shrugs: 90 x 11 Total of 3 circuits. Cardio: 100 minutes on elliptical-8.14 miles/1715 calories. Resistance btwn 6-10

Dear Plumpy Pad, Last night I began my exercise plan! I went to the pool and swam laps, I had my husband time me to see how long I could swim for... and did laps for 20 minutes! Then I hooked onto the side of the pool and just kicked for another 10 minutes. My plan is to go swimming 5 days a week, and hopefully build up my stamina so that I am swimming for longer and longer periods of time! Now this all sounds well and good, but I have a history of making exercise plans that I then quickly abandon due to my excessive laziness... I am demanding that I actually follow through this time!! DEMANDING!! :biggrin: Only 11 days until I next jump on a scale... I am mega excited to see the progress 2 weeks can make! FOOD REPORT: March 4, 2008 I ate: ramen noodle soup (380) My total calories were: 380 Calorie Debt: 543,680- (3000-380) = 541,060 March 3, 2008 I ate: nothing (0) My total calories were: 0 Calorie Debt: 546,680- (3000-0) = 543,680 March 2, 2008 I ate: homefries w/ fruit (260) and tilapia (260) My total calories were: 520 Calorie Debt: 549,160- (3000-520) = 546,680 March 1, 2008 I ate: meaty penne (510) and strawberries (200) My total calories were: 710 Calorie Debt: 551,450 - (3000-710) = 549,160 February 29, 2008 I ate: penne pasta (565) My total calories were: 565 Calorie Debt: 553,885 - (3000-565) = 551,450 February 28, 2008 I ate: penne pasta (355) and chow mein noodles (140) My total calories were: 495 Calorie Debt: 556,390 - (3000-495) = 553,885 February 27, 2008 I ate: chicken w/ sun-dried tomato noodles (580) My total calories were: 580 Calorie Debt: 558,810 - (3000-580) = 556,390 February 26, 2008 I ate: chicken with vegetables (250) My total calories were: 250 Calorie Debt: 561,560 - (3000-250) = 558,810 February 25, 2008 I ate: nothing (0) My total calories were: 0 Calorie Debt: 564,560 - (3000-0) = 561,560 February 24, 2008 I ate: mac 'n cheese w/ spinach and onions (560) My total calories were: 560 Calorie Debt: 567,000 - (3000-560) = 564,560