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Here's what works for me: 1. No Cookies in the house. 2. I plan 3 meals a day and at least 2 Snacks, which contain both Protein and carbs. 3. I plan my food for the whole day every morning in My Fitness Pal. If I change my plan or eat something different during the day I record it immediately -- and usually rejigger my day's plan to accommodate the change. 4. I eat my meals / snacks about the same time every day. 5. I work really hard to get my 64 ounces of liquids in every day. Really hard. 6. Hot tea is more soothing than room temp or cold liquids. 7. Did I mention there are no cookies in the house? 8. When I get the "munchy anxiety" I stand up up and walk around the house or the porch or outside for a few minutes. It helps calm me down. 9. I use breathing exercises (slowly in and out) to get myself back in the moment. 10. If I forgot to say it, we don't keep cookies in the house.

Ready for my own Throckmorton story? I live in a smallish Ohio city, Mount Vernon, known for 3 things, Daniel Decatur Emmett, who wrote " Dixie", Paul Lynde the late actor, and population 20,000. My late Mama grew up near a small village, Centerburg, the Geographic Center of Ohio, population maybe. a thousand if you count people, dogs, cats, and the people in the cemetery. Downtown 2- 3 blocks at the most. Well I happen to. be walking along minding my own business, when up sails a highly dressed older woman. Proceeds to grill me about my relatives, Mama had 6 sinlings, my Daddy 10 or 12, depends on whether you count the uncle who committed suicide 30 years after shooting little sister with Grandpa's loaded squirrel rifle. Well back to my story, How was uncle Merlin, How was my mama and finally How. is my dear friend Grace? Aunt Grace would have choked at THAT. Finally I had enough, I said sweetly "May I ask who wishes to be remembered to these members of my extended Family?. She drew herself to her considerable bulk and snapped out "Mrs Kenneth Throckmorton" Oh Genevieve, I am so sorry, I did not recognize you, it has been a while ,you know. "Well she says, You were Always a mouthy little Brat! Well excuse me, You Started this conversation , not me! Really sad when you consider she had been an Elementary School teacher for years. She must have,been H*** on Heels in the Classroom!

You sound exactly like my wife. Are you my wife? When I met my wife I was in decent shape. I had lost about 160lbs over 2 years and kept it off for almost 10. Then one day I hurt myself and gained it all back and have been struggling the last 3 with chronic pain. My wife has been against me having wls. Says I should have been able to lose the weight normally like everyone else. Called me a coward. Said things like you must not love your family if you wont even do it for them. But that's not how it works. Would you tell someone with a drug problem to just man up and quit or would you get them professional help?

First I want to say the first 3 months were not easy. Once I got used to the change it became a new way of life. I still struggle with head hunger and know this is a life time problem I will always deal with. Sweets were and still are my downfall. Right now I have a bowl of Cheerios and milk 1/2c each for Breakfast. Snack about 10, a Protein bar or a protein smoothie, for lunch a half turkey and cheese sandwich, 1/2 piece of fruit, snack around 3 another protein smoothie with fruit, supper a salad made with chicken breast and all kinds of vegetables and fruits with raspberry balsamic dressing. Snack at night 4 Ritz crackers with a little Peanut Butter and sometimes a sugar free ice cream. Of course this varies. Calories 1000 to 1200 a day. I walk/run 30 minutes 3 times a week on my treadmill and do aerobics 2 times a week for 30 minutes. Another note I can eat anything I want and I can drink Water or tea with my meal and it hasn't bothered my weight lose or my hunger level. I didn't start this till I was a year out from surgery. So please do what your Dr. advises. My life is full of energy, and I have began to leave my house after years of shutting myself in except to go to the grocery store or out to eat. Now I am involved with a local church teaching the youth of all things! I can play basketball and volleyball with them...almost keeping up with them! I feel alive for the first time in years. If I could have only done this 20 years ago. Couldn't so I am grateful that I could do it when I did. Wouldn't go back even if I could.

I have my surgery on 10/24/2011 and I am extremely nervouse...I have read some very discouraging things about plication to where I'm almost ready to give up on the surgery that I have been waiting for so long to receive...If anyone out there has recently had this surgery please give me some good words of advice...

February 10

Feb 10 😫

Hello everyone, from what i have seen so far this is a great forum with awesome people offering great advice I had gastric by-pass at the end of April 2019 and have been through the Liquid, Pureed, and Soft food diets (Still on Softwood until i see my surgeon again), i have had an issue twice so far with food getting stuck, once was with steamed fish and another time with Risotto. I chewed my food really well but it still happened those two times and i find it really tender to swallow anything for a few days after it, I know the opening if narrow at the moment but is this because i am am healing or is this the way it is going to be for every?

I agree.. I must admit at time I drink like 10 mins later!!!! That doesnt really affect me in any way!!!!! So I dont worry too much about it... I do understand that everyone is different though!!!

I didn't know anyone made a list! I am on it too. Twice actually. I had a twisted stricture. Same sort of treatment as a leak. Happylife. I was most unable to work for months. I dont know the total cost of treatment. Would be scared to even guess. The facility that did my surgery covered the costs. God bless them. I went from Aug 10/2011 to Dec 24/2011 without eating and at times keeping down only some liquids. Long periods no liquids either. I had 8 dilations, 4 operations, 2 feeding tubes through my noes, stent placement, and than removal from migration. Than I had a unheard of fix. Called Stictureplasty. After the Sleeve healed for a long period of time they cut the twisted stricture out and put the two parts of the sleeve back together. And crossed fingers for no leak. It worked! The reason I mention this to you is they told me if the scar tissue from the twisted stricture was soft chances would be better for no leak. As it is difficult to have scared tissue mend. Another thing is they gave me a J tube. It was a feeding tube that went directly into my tummy so that I didn't have to eat or drink while the revision surgery healed. I would do it all over believe it or not. I love my sleeve so much. For you it is a personal decision that only you can make. I wish you the best and happiness!

I have not had a leak from a sleeve but I had a very serious lapband erosion (nearly killed me). Since then I am trying to get sleeved and have been keeping track of folks who have had complications in case I need their help in the future. Below is the list. You might want to contact them directly if you have any questions. Started May 1, 2011 1. Sandyd – infection from surgery (Reno) (VS Talk) 2. MeMeMEEE – leak (twice) (VS Talk) 3. Driver63 – leak 4. Tiffykins – leak (band revision) 5. Hansi – stomach ruptured 6. Dishdiva – leaks (Mexico) 7. YellowRose – infected incision (Mexico) & drain tube infection 8/5/11 8. Mommyinneed – seroma turned abscess (Mexico) 9. Sexypeaches33 – pancreatitis (Mexico) then gastritis 10. DivaDee84 – Infected incision (Mexico) leak (still @ seven months) 11. Honeyrubybee – splenic infarction 12. TKDBlackbelt15 (fiancee) – leak 13. Rblessed – leak 14. Jen Jen – leak (Mexico) 15. Ladiesassie – nicked liver (didn’t follow pre-op diet) 16. Moore37042 – leak 17. Jagator88 – leak & esophagus was destroyed and had to be rebuilt from muscle (Mexico) 18. Jsfound – leak (VS Talk) 19. Leisa815 – leak (VS Talk) 20. Jasleeve – leak 21. Joseph – leak Kuwait (VS Talk) 22. Peachqueen – leak (VS Talk) 23. Jcarelle – leak (VS Talk) 24. Jerseygirl74 – leak & spleen infarction (VS Talk) 25. Happylife – stricture (had a stent like a leak) (VS Talk) 26. Kookia – leak (VS Talk) 27. Nanaof5 – spleen infarction (VS Talk) 28. Jencomenz – spleen infarction (VS Talk) 29. Honeybunnyslp – spleen infarction (VS Talk) 30. Neese – spleen infarction (VS Talk) 31. Bedhead – erosion (ulcer) caused by an infection (VS Talk) 32. Donniej – leak (band revision) (VS Talk) 33. DogBone (wife’s cousin) – leak, tracheostomy, induces coma (Brazil) DIED 34. 4ALongerLife – leak 35. Minaleigh – twisted stomach, needed a stent 36. Mews – infected incision and blood clot 37. Laura74 – (husband, OH) stomach started to close up so had a stent (stricture?) 38. Victoria28 – leak (ThinnerTimes) 39. Happylife – twisted stricture (VS Talk) 40. P77tmy – blood clots (VS Talk) 41. CrazyCatLady – blood clot (VS Talk) 42. Karlij – leak (Obesity Help) 43. 1maryreigel – swollen 44. Gigglee – open wound? Vst 45. Twistedkitten25 – internal bleeding and abscess 46. Shane5958 – blood abscess 47. Cookies – blood clot 48. Wendyr – spleen infarction, leak, pneumonia (punctured lung when placing drain for leak) 49. Stephwb – leak 50. Irishgirlparisi – UTI (foley catheter) & MRSA from JP tube (Thinner Times) 51. Heidi P – leak (Obesity Help) 52. Moxy – leak (Obesity Help) 53. Cthompson580 – leak (Obesity Help) 54. Jsd2 – very sick also had blood clots, heart palpitations (VS Talk) 55. Abbybeep – stricture w/in first five days (VS Talk) 56. Lulugirl – bacterial infection & possible stricture (VS Talk) 57. Ready2Bthin – acid refluc & wasn’t able to get protein/vitamins in, developed problem w/balance & walking (VS Talk) 58. RawrrAshleex3 – leak (VS Talk) 59. Candice1222 – leak (VS Talk) 60. Cat_woman – leak (Obesity Help)

Nervous yes my insurance does not cover baratrics. I have a apt on april 19 with my primary we will see if she's willing to follow me.

hi, my name is melanie. i am 26 years old, about 125kg (275 pounds), 5 8" and have a bmi of about 39. i have had depression from an attempted rape 2 years ago and am on 37.5mg of exeflor xr, down from 150mg. i have polysistic ovarian syndrome, very erratic periods, 4+ miscarriages, sleep apnoea, and am pre diabetic. i have had 4+ misscarriages in the last two years and my periods can be up to 10 months late. right now i am almost 2 months late and am not pregnant. i have just kept putting on weight since i started my periods at age 14 and havent stopped. i have gone from from a size 12 to a 22/24. i have tried the gym, weight loss shakes, weight watchers, daily excercise, excercise buddies, diet meals and more and just havent been able to shift the weight. the most i have been able to loose is about 10 kilos and that is it. i want to be healthy, be around for my adopted kids and live a long and healthy life with my family. i dont want to get diabetes or any other health conditons that will shorten my life and not give me quality of life. my husband also has a brain tumor and leukemia and we want so desperatly to have a child. we can still concieve naturally in spite of the cancer - well except for the fact that my body wont. your stories have given me much comfort that even if i do not end up having a child, if i can loose all this weight, i will be able to live a long and healthy life with my family and be able to watch my kids grow up. melanie

Hello everyone: I have been searching these forums for some advice. Just quick I will rewind and give all of you my history. I am 30 i am recently remarried and we want to have kids. I was Dx with PCOS about 10 years ago from my GYNO never really treated my just told me i needed to lose weight( always around 200's). When i was 18 I had a successful pregancy and now he 12. I never thought he would have been and only child. Sorry I am rambaling. Ok now more present time over the last 2 years we tried to concieve but nothing. I did Metformin, clomid, synthroid and even tried femara but nothing. I only had 1 period naturally. So we decided that weight loss was going to be my only hope. I had LapBand 04/2010 i am almost 3 months post op and still no Aunt Flow. HELP?? I have had breast tenderness like crazy but no AF. I am not on BC because it makes me sick but we are protecting against pregancy at least for this year. So I guess I was wondering if anyone knows if there is a chance that I will resume normal cycles. Should I we an RE now or wait my year? If any one has any advice i would appericate it!!

I'm in much the same place - lost 110 lbs on WW, maintained it for 18 months, and then gained almost all of it back. My right knee is bone on bone and walking is very hard. My lapband is scheduled for 10/29 and the exercise worries me, too. Starting little with short slower walks will help build up the muscles and as the weight comes off, I know I can do more. Do you have access to a pool? Water aerobics or even just pool walking will help without pain. I've lost 35 lbs in the last 5 months on WW and I do feel better going into WLS. I have more discipline, have already eliminated a lot of "bad" food, and know that my knee already feels better having gotten rid of that much - more will be better and easier! Good luck. Let's stay in touch.

I do the following daily and love it! Champion chocolate Pure whey stack (1 scoop = 130 calories/23 g protein) 1/3 small banana (30 calories) PB2 (powdered peanut butter) 1 TBS = 27 calories/2 gr. protein) 10 ozs. Water 4 ice cubes I put it in my bullet and is it REALLY good. The total nutritionals look like this: 187 calories/4 g fat/14 g carbs/6g sugar/25 g Protein I also will sometimes use a vanilla Protein powder mixed w/ 1 TBS of sf pudding mix (flavor of your choice - I like butterscotch) and water/ice - also very good.

I have been in that boat too lately. Plateau that is! I think exercise has helped me. I really haven't done much exercise since my surgery. Have been bike riding and getting on the treadmill lately, and it has helped. I have lost 5 more lbs the last 10 days. I think I may need a fill just because I think I want more restriction. I have a little under 40 lbs to lose, and if I have to suffer a little, it will be all worth it. I have been debating..... my dr. comes back from vacation next week. I may call him. I wouldn't get rid of the Diet Coke if you love it. Maybe buy those little half size cans so you can still enjoy it. I am the type that has to have a root beer or dr. pepper several times a week. I just buy the small ones because it satisfies me and I drink less. Just a few thoughts!

glynda.... Look for wasabubblebutt, she went to him about a year ago and is doing fantastic... she met her goal weight in 10 months and goes back to him for her fills.... Good luck to you.....

Have you talked to your Primary Care Doc or whoever is helping you manage your diabetes? I know in the Info. Meeting I went to they said that Gastric Bypass is much more effective with Type 2 Diab. I think there probably is better results with GB, but that is because in addition to the restriction you get (like the band) you also don't absorb the fat and calories like you used to , which can be good and bad. What is your BMI? If you have a BMI over 35 with the diabetes you qualify with most insurers, but I know nothing about Medicare. Can you call them yourself and find out? Check out the Insurance section of this site and see what other Medicare users have experienced. Look online and see if you can find their policy. And talk directly with the person that deals with insurance at the office you are going to and see what they say. They are old hat at this and should be able to really help you with the process. With any bariatric procedure you are going to get out of it what you put into it. That 50% loss is an AVERAGE. Some lose less, and some lose more! So for those that only lose 10% there are also those that lose 100%. What are YOU willing to put into this to make it work? The lap band is just a tool to help you out. But if you aren't willing to do the work of changing your eating habits and exercising regularly then it won't work and you will be right where you are now, but with a bunch of scars and a useless medical device in your body. Keep us updated on what you find out.

Ok...here goes: My sleep study: I arrived at the center at about 7pm. After cleaning my skin in different places with alcohol and pumice, the "sleep technician" hooked me up to a lot of electrodes (a couple on each leg, a band around my stomach and chest, several electrodes stuck to my chin and around my eyes and about 6 stuck to my head). The electrodes were connected to wires that were hooked up to a monitor. At about 10:30, I went to bed. There's a video camera in the room watching your every move and you are wired for sound (they want to see if you're snooring!) I got up at 5am, they disconnected my wires, I took a shower and went home... The psych eval was easy! First I took a written test of about 120 questions. I just had to answer True False or SOmetimes...they were questions like..."do you ever think of killing yourself?", "Have you ever taken someone elses medications?" Stuff like that. Then I sat and spoke with the psychologist for about 1 1/2 hours. She asked about my weight loss efforts, my family life growing up and about my family situation now. She also asked about my support at home, etc. I hope this helps! If you have specific questions, I'd be glad to try to answer! Marsha

I have two other very normal daughters, five normal grandchildren, 4 normal great grandchildren . . . One daughter and I are the only overweights out of the whole family-- plus our husbands are all very slim. Mine, in particular, eats carbs like you would not believe, (I make him buy them and stash them himself!) but has weighed 180-190 at 6'1" for twenty years. So it is not that we cook ourselves fat or everyone else would be too! Just she and have a weight problem and I started her off with Weight Watchers with me when she was 10. We both eat no JUNK, no desserts and no fried and basically low carb it and have for years-still we are both big. She has not had any luck with two insurance companies and has been trying for two years to get approved. I feel a little guilty that mine came through so easily! She was supposed to go first and I was supposed to cheer her on!

I am 17 months post-op on RNY. I lost 20 pounds pre-op and 80 pounds post-op. This occurred during the first 7 months. Then I went into a maintenance mode where I stayed within 2 pounds of my lower weight. A couple months ago I contracted a stomach flu and lost another 10 pounds and decided to maintain my weight at this newest level. I am 150 pounds. I weigh myself each morning when I get up with an accurate scale good to 0.2 pounds. I am led to believe that at about the year and a half mark, my stomach will heal. As it heals the stomach will begin to absorb 100% of the calories instead of 70%. This is just what I have heard and since I have not reached a year and a half, I cannot say this from first hand experience. This could present a problem. In the maintenance phase, one can eat within a range (for me this is 1000-1500) calories per day and not gain weight. I generally consume on the high end of this range. I am happy. But if my body becomes more efficient, it might mean that I will have to drop my calorie intake down significantly in order to maintain my weight.

This argument has merit. As someone who knows the people who first researched and discovered the connection between Ghrelin and being fat, I also learned a lot over the years about the GI microbiome. The thing is, there are about 100 trillion bacteria in the gut, but only 10 trillion cells in your entire body. Do we really think that giant colony of bacteria aren't doing anything important? Some research suggests that specific types of Fiber (for example,) might help alter the microbiome of our colon. By doing so, it might help people become more or less thin. I think this will be an exciting area of research moving forward, and I think there will be many interesting discoveries down the road.

I am a band to sleeve revision also. Had the band out in Oct after having it for 10 years, and am scheduled for my sleeve Jan 13th. I feel the exact same way that you do. What if THIS doesn't work either? I am self pay, so have invested a lot, first in the band, and now the sleeve. I have looked at bypass and even sleeve with Duodenal switch. This last option is the "fail" safe one, but also the highest risk and long term issues with mal-absorption. I think I am going to be ok after sleeve. I know there are ways to "eat around it" but I am determined not to get in that rut, and am also hoping the surgery does away with the hunger issues as it's supposed to. Good luck with your journey.

I bought some 2.5 oz jars of the baby food meat. I haven't tried as surgery isn't until 5/21. The small jar has 8-10 protein.