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I am just starting my 3rd week post op and have only lost 6lbs since date of surgery? I am following the diet and only eating what my surgeon told me to eat. I am not sure why I am not losing more weight? I calculate I am consuming between 600-800 calories a day and am eating mushies. My first appointment for a potential fill is on 3/25. Any advice?

Hello Everyone, It has been awhile since I posted. I am now 6 weeks post op and have lost a total of 41 pounds. I have been given the ok by my surgeon to start eating regular foods 4 weeks post op. As of recently, my weight loss has slowed. Since that time, some of my food choices have not been the best, or I have no desire to eat (or the things I want to eat such as bread, I cannot have). One of the bad food choices consisted of me eating 8 piece nuggets at chick-fil-a a couple of times, I have also had the insides of a taco or taco salad w/o the shell from taco bell(just meat, lettuce and cheese), and pepper steak w/o rice. I know all of these choices are not the best, and to be honest besides the nuggets I have only been able to consume a few bites. The reason for these bad choices, is because I am sick of tuna, chicken salad, chicken tenders (peeled fried skin off) and deli meat (haven't really had much, but can't stomach eating it w/o bread), yogurt (anything sweet) and the other foods a lot of us eat after having this surgery. It also does not help matters, that I am away at college and I am always on the go. With that said, I need help. Does anyone have any food suggestions that are quick and easy to make and taste good? Are there any breads that are low carb and tolerable to eat at 6 weeks post op? I really don't want to mess up my weight loss by regaining weight and at one point I was starting to feel as if this surgery was a waste of time, but I know now that is so far from the truth. Sorry to be so long winded and any suggestions anyone has would be most helpful. Thanks Lady E.

They got back to me and told me that to be safe I should continue taking it until the rate of my weight loss slows down by 30-50%. **SIGH** I was really looking forward to not having to take them any more. I hate pills!

I can totally relate to your frustration with the situation. When I was going through the pre-op process I hit a road block that was to this day one I am not sure I did the right thing about. I had seen my PCP to get the referral to a contracted surgeon (the usual step one). I called the surgeons office and was told I had to go to a seminar before they would set the intake appointment. The seminars were held once a month so I scheduled for the next open date (which was 2 months from the phone call). After the seminar I made the intake appointment (another month wait). The labs, consults and testing took another 3 months to complete. When I had my surgery date, 9 months had gone by and I figured, not too bad of a wait to get the surgery. Then I went to the surgeons office for the pre-op "physical" and was told my insurance wasn't covering the procedure at 80 % but only 65% and they required my portion be paid before they would confirm the surgery date. I made several calls to my insurance and the long & short of the phone tag was that the surgeons office did not complete some paperwork on their end and lost the preferred provider status. I was told I could "restart the process" with a new surgeon or continue with the current provider but have to pay the non-contracted provider rate. I wanted the surgery to be done and over with so I paid the non-contracted provider rate. Just before the surgery, the surgeon requested to be allowed to perform a new procedure called the spider technique and he would take out my gallbladder while he was doing the sleeve (I had gallstones and knew the weight loss would most likely cause a flair up) After hearing about the spider technique (one incision) and that he would remove the gallbladder through the same incision I agreed to let him do the procedure (I was to be his first "live" patient for this technique and the first he did 2 surgeries in one per the doc). Now the one thing I didn't think about was the fact that he was now a non-contracted provider. Also I did not get a prior auth for the gallbladder surgery. SOOOO...... After the surgery I got the bill for his services (and his assistant) My insurance didn't cover the gallbladder procedure and I was stuck with an extra 7000.00 expense. I am still fighting with his office about the non-contacted status and that I should not have to pay this bill since they didn't fill out a form and they didn't get the prior auth with the insurance before the surgery (how was I supposed to know all the medical billing stuff) I thought he made a deal to take out the gall bladder if I let him perform the surgery with this new technique. Guess I was wrong.

Just wondering is there anyone on here that lives in Nashville, TN and had weight loss surgery here ? And if so how did it go ? Sent from my iPod touch using the BariatricPal App

What's to regret. I'm over 18 months out from surgery and reached goal weight at about a year. I can eat anything I was able to eat before surgery......just a whole lot less at a sitting. And I've developed a new desire for much more healthy foods and have learned (with focused determination) to resist cravings and junk. I can now do all the activities I used to do in my teens and have plenty of energy with no real physical limitations. I start each day with a smile of how great life is now and how good I feel........Regret has never entered my mind once.

Yep. It happened to me when a friend was asking me how it felt after losing so much weight. She commented that no matter what she did, she couldn't get below 160. And I thought to myself, "Wait... I weigh less than 160...how can that be?" I look at her, and she looks to be a perfectly normal weight (we're the same height) but when I look at myself most times, I still see the overweight person I was. Personally, I think it's all the extra skin that's clouding my view in the mirror. <shrugs>

Lately i've been getting down on myself because I finally hit the 50 lb mark (2 weeks ago) so I was so excited and I thought I would be down another 3-4 lbs by the time I went to the doctor again. I went to the doctor on 4/25 and again this morning 5/30. Well I've been down on myself because I didn't lose anymore weight after that and was getting frustrated. I went to the doctor this morning and between my last visit and this visit I've lost 9 lbs. 9 lbs is alot of weight. Basically we should remember while we get down on ourselves week to week because we feel we should be losing more, we should look at the whole picture!!! Hope everyone has a good weekend!!!

There was an interesting article in the New York Times about a young woman who had a Lap-Band weight loss surgery after years of suffering the emotional journey of an overweight kid. The story was very honest about what to expect with this type of surgery, and it also tracked the journey of the young woman. The story is of interest to many as more and more teens and adults are turning toward the option of weight loss surgery. The latest number of weight loss surgeries performed in the United States is 220,000 per year. That is a seven-fold increase over the past 10 years according to the New York Times article. Weight loss surgeries do save lives and also improve quality of lives for sure, but they aren’t for everyone. The surgeons do the surgery and are skilled at centers of excellence, but unless the patients come back, join support groups and stay in contact with dieticians, falling off track is way too easy and, unfortunately, many of them do, including the young woman in the NYT story. I run several food addiction groups in Houston, and was featured as the psychotherapist for TLC’s show “Big Medicine.” On the show, I worked closely with Drs. Robert and Garth Davis. We tried to give the viewer an honest look at what happened with the weight loss surgery and the journey after. My work now is primarily with revisions. Revisions are the surgery done when the first weight loss surgery failed. My office is full, as are my support groups. What happened to the patients that so eagerly came into our offices feeling empowered and ready to give up their morbid obesity forever? They are replaced with patients who hang their head feeling like they failed. Even though they feel defeated, the ones I see are the fortunate ones who were able to step out of their shame cycle, call their insurance company and ask for a second chance. They need a second chance because neither they nor we (the health team) had a full picture of what was underneath their weight. They couldn’t see it prior to surgery, and since they are their own historians telling us their story, we are blinded also. I believe in weight loss surgery, but I believe more in the knowledge we impart to the patient prior to and after the surgery. Performing an alteration, such as a weight loss surgery, is a huge decision, but in the case of a minor I think the whole bariatric medicine team must be on board. There has to be a built-in safety net to handle the transformation of the child as well as their family. Everyone who loves the patient must change when someone they love has weight loss surgery. The counselor, dietician, and surgeon must know all of the family members. We must know who is sabotaging and enabling that patient on an emotional level. Enablers are the people still giving the patient food as a source of love. Our bariatric treatment teams must also understand if simply making better food and lifestyle choices worked, it would have worked 20 diets ago. It did not. Obesity has an addictive component, and addictions are kept in place by denial. Most patients will tell you they are not addicted to food exactly the same as an alcoholic will tell you they aren’t addicted to alcohol. The question is: “Do you use food to comfort yourself?” If the patient says “YES,” then treat them for a food addiction. Do this because they are telling you they have a relationship with food that is emotionally based and most likely they are choosing food with high fat or high carbohydrates (not one of my patients has ever had an addiction/emotional relationship to steamed or raw vegetables). Whenever a patient feels like a failure after going through the process of weight loss surgery and everything it entails, it is heart wrenching not only to them, but to me and anyone working in this field. If insurance companies won’t cover patient care for years to come after the surgery, then we in the field are going to have to put these measures in place and make them affordable to the patients. We cannot tell a patient they need to continue in groups and follow-ups if they can no longer afford the cost. Whoever said, “Weight loss surgery is a quick fix” truly never had weight loss surgery or worked with my patients. There is nothing quick about it. Obesity is a disease and once you have it, losing the weight is the easy part, managing that loss is a life long journey.

Would like to hear from anyone who had an "open" surgery. My first procedure was aborted due to an enlarged liver. I have emailed the program coordinator to ask about an open surgery. I still have 30 lbs to lose to get to the weight they want me at for the second attempt!!

I agree with getting a second opinion - but keep in mind that your surgeon is the one with medical expertise and the vast majority of surgeons really do just want the best results for their patients, they don't have ulterior motives. Maybe see if you can attend some support groups and talk to people who have had the gastric bypass. It wasn't my choice for wls surgery and I love my sleeve, but lots of people do well with the bypass. My niece had one and is doing fabulous, has kept off all of her weight, leads a normal life with no complications - it can be a good option. But I would definitely get a second opinion!

Did you ever slow down on your weight loss?

I'm 42 haven't gotten my friend since surgery on March 11th. Been put on hormone pills, I think I'm going through menopause but not sure. Haven't gotten any night sweats or heat flashes but, why not getting my period? My weight was 234 and now I'm 187.7. Maybe it's the weight loss or just old age? Who knows at least we r losing.

Holy cow, I have Cigna and will have to look at my PCP Letter. You should be able to do the last month of supv WL. I am into my 2nd week of the 2nd month. I have one question. Did you have to submit a food diary?? I am keeping a hard copy as well as one o line, in case they need it. Did you do 60 days of Supv weight loss?? If you log into mycigna.com and type in weight loss surgery, you will get pages and pages of the requirements for cigna to approve. Good luck.

I am going to my first appointment with the surgeon, nurse, and nutritionist tomorrow. I have been to the Seminar but that is all so far. I am very nervous and trying to make a list of questions for when I go. I know that I will forget everything I have thought about when I step in her office. Any suggestions? I am so nervous. What if I don't weigh enough? I haven't been at BMI of 40 so I have been gaining weight to get there because I don't have comorbidities. What if I go through these 6 months and get denied? advice for this newbie please.

It begins with YOU, and only You. What you put in your mouth must be quality food items and Not junk or high carbed items. More Protein items, less carbs and YOU will lost weight. Give it some time. Not everybody here loses weight instantly. Your weight gain took years to develop and now you must have patience in obtaining your ideal weight goal. Best wishes and Keep the Faith.

what if nothing goes wrong or happens....what if you lose weight and get healthyand what if it works??.......those what ifs are what you should think about..... all the best

I had my surgery 5 months ago And I haven't drank a month before it and my friends are going out tonight .... Am going too but I want to drink ... 3 glasses maybe of vodka and cranberry juice its my low carb day and I am afraid of gaining weight as I had a High carb day yesterday! i will be drinking today! Will i gain weight ? will it effect my weight loss! thanks

New affordable WLS (weight loss surgery) Approved! New WLS (weight loss surgery) Approved! Oct 14, 2015 Share on LinkedIn Share on Facebook Share on Twitter How exciting to hear about the new WLS approved for those suffering from Obesity! The appeal of the Orbera Intragastric Balloon is that its temporary, unlike the other weight loss surgery options currently available, is less invasive and costs less. Although the balloon is not covered by insurance, the fee is more affordable at between $5000 to $7000. This new weight loss surgery tool, coupled with education and counseling, could lead to a decrease in Obesity worldwide. Very sincerely, Marcy Palmeri WL Solutions #viralwls #viral

@@Ryan TN Let me tell you a story. My husband has almost the EXACT same stats as you. He had RNY (bypass) almost 10 years ago, but he started at 300 pounds. Fast forward to a year or so after surgery, he was down to 170. He started getting the "you're too skinny!" comments, too. When he mentioned this at his year appointment, this is what his surgeon said: "There are so many overweight/obese people these days, nobody even knows what a "normal" weight looks like anymore".

Yes, I am glad you are going for an unfill...what size band do you have? 4cc or 10cc? If you have the regular 4cc band, that's one big fill you had for your first fill....but it's hard to tell without knowing the size of your band. Get your unfill, let the irritation and swelling heal completely, get a small fill, and live with that for a while...then get another small fill, and live with that. IMHO it is a good idea to sneak up on your "sweet spot" and let your head and lifestyle adjust to it, than to have these problems, that can potentially threaten your band and your health. That said, congrats on the weight loss you have experienced so far...you are doing very well! If you can't wait until wednesday, call and go in sooner!

Hey! I lived in Indianapolis for 8 years :-) I am there every weekend... Bariatric Weight Loss Center of Excellence St.Vincent Carmel Hospital 13430 North Meridian, Suite 168 Carmel, IN 46032 Phone numbers: (317) 582-7088 Toll-free 1-877-831-1582 This might be a good place to start. If they won't do fills for patients that had the surgery else-where... then they certainly would know who to send you to. :-) Good luck to ya up in my Indy home!

SADES: First day of spring is March 20. (Your Autumn I would guess). so we have five weeks for this challenge! You set an aggressive weight loss. Routing for you to make it! With the right fill, we'll both have a chance!

Ann, don't get discouraged. Our bodies will go through stalls from time to time. 80's chick is right, sometimes we are losing fat but gaining muscle too. It does make it appear the scale is not moving, so it really is a great idea to measure our bodies too. There is more than one way to gauge our FAT loss. As long as you are staying on plan, the scale will get with the program. Also, everyone has different metabolisms. Some lose more than the average 1-2 lbs. per week, some are more along the lines of 1lb. per week. Some lose fast at certain times of the month and then nothing for a couple weeks, which is where I fall in. This might be you too. Nothing wrong with that at all. I surely won't let that discourage me, and I wish the same for you. I've gone through too much to lose this weight, and it will take a whole lot more than that to make me give up! If you're not battling hunger, then a fill is not a good choice. Just work through it, and it will happen. It sounds like you have the right mindset with the exercising! Best wishes!! 80's chick, don't be worrisome of the fills. Just tell your doc that you prefer the numbing, and I'm sure your doc will do it. It's pretty simple and usually only takes about five minutes, if that. Everyone has horror stories, but mine went smooth and pain free. Make sure you take it slow though, you want to stay away from being too tight. That you should worry about.

I've always put my bra on like that, lol. I've got two sports bras that have a little clip on the strap to convert them to racer back and I alwasy were them that way because they give much firmer support when I'm running. But they make me flat as an ironing board :-(. Dont worry, as you lose, bras fit. I always thought I was round shouldered too and bras used to drive me nuts creepin up my back. I was wearing too small a cup, too big a back size, and I fixed that probably after I'd lost only a small amount of weight. But now straps never all off my shoulders, the back stays nice and low and I dont need four hooks!