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I dropped 10lbs in a week on Atkins and it's not as hard as the liquid only diet. Good luck!

ok i have a horrible problem. thought i had food poisening last week but last night symptoms returned: shakes , fever, vomiting , horrible gas, and constant nausea. i tried a syntrax matrix shake made with milk(didnt have any lactaid or even 2% in the house so used whole milk) tasted great went down fine. 2 hours later shaking, vomiting etc all night felt horrible everytime i got up to pee vomting dry heaving for 2 min awful! every moring at work i am nauseated, vomited this am(and by vomit i mean the motion there is nothing in there so its saliva and what little water i get in) i try to eat my cream of wheat or banana but its hard due to the nausea. I have to force myself to eat. I am so miserable i really need to figure out what is causing this. any ideas?

Boost high protein is what I had to use. I had soupy mash potatoes at one week post op.

I started at 377 in May of 2013. I had a 6 month monitored weight loss requirement that I took very seriously. I had surgery on November 21st at 303 lbs. My weight this morning (after a 15 day stall) was 270. Im looking forward to continuing losses! So far, loving my sleeve!

Wondering if there is a group of those who were above 300-350 when they had their sleeve done. It seems that the majority of the people I have encountered so far, were under 300 when they had their surgery, and while I'm sure their experience is helpful, I am really interested in the experiences of those closer to my own weight as it seems like they (the few that I have found here) have lost a bit faster than those under 300. Which totally makes since, as the larger you are, the more energy it takes to move that mass which in turn means calories burned, which means a greater loss... or something like that. And, I do realize everyone looses at a different rate; it seems that there are a lot of similarities to losses. Man, that last sentence is so 'stalkerish'.... why yes, I'm stalking your stats. No judgment, please understand, I'm just trying to make an informed decision. The quicker I am able to lose weight during the first part of the loss, I guess the, HoneyMoon Phase, the more encouraged I will be to take the plunge in the first place. Does that make sense? Knowing that I have my first appointment with my surgeon this week, which also means that I will be given my diet plan, and scheduled for all the other post-op appointments, the head-hunger is out of control. And, the only person who knows I'm considering this is a couple of friends that have hand wls and my mom. Everyone is so busy that I don't have anyone to talk to about this and so I have all these thoughts rolling around in my head. And the only way I know to make that stop is to systematically start looking for answers... making my head busy with other stuff... Thanks for your help. I really appreciate it. Please feel free to send me a private message if you don't want to post publicly; I know how sensitive these subjects are.

Im lucki i have a one day liquid diet.... .AND ITS ONLY 840am...@nd hungry.....MY HAT GOES OUT TO U ALL THAT HAD TO DO THIS FOR A WEEK OR MORE

I had the lap band in 2010 and just had it removed last week. Before the removal he took all the fluid out and I gained 40 pounds just like that. So I am going with the sleeve and November I agree if you go with the sleeve and you're still not happy then you can go to bypass but you can't go to the sleeve after you've bypassed. I had a friend that had gastric bypass and she didn't follow the rules and ended up having all sorts of health issues and dumping syndrome it just seems like too severe surgery to me. But I guess it all depends on you your health how overweight you are Etc Sent from my SM-G935P using BariatricPal mobile app

I'm nearly 19 months out and I eat like a normal person. I consume around 1200 calories a day of whatever I feel like eating. I aim for 90+ grams of Protein and an equal amount of carbohydrates. Now, I did have my metabolism tested and for me, this range of calories is suitable as I could expect to gain on anything over 1300 calories without stepping up my exercise. I didn't get to the point where I could even dream of consuming more than 1000 calories a day until one year post op, though. For much of the first year I was hardly able to consume 800 calories a day, and it was a real chore to do that much. I don't exactly graze but I do think I eat more like six tiny meals than three regular ones. I'm happy with that. Since hitting goal I haven't needed to record my food yet as I never see more than a pound and a half +/- on the scale. I'm happy where I'm at and I feel normal. I do eat half a sandwich and feel satisfied. If I push myself, I can eat a half cup of Soup with the sandwich, too, provided the sandwich is grilled cheese or something else without meat. Cake bores me post op, so I don't even need the whole slice - just a bite or two and I'm good. There is only one food that I want to eat by the bucket and it's popcorn. And honestly, after about 2-3 cups of it I'm done eating it, anyway. It's the only food I want to eat 2-3 cups of, though! My feeling is that if you do the head work as your body is losing the weight you'll get to goal and find you have a healthy relationship with food. I started out post op really restricting carbs and calories and found that just like prior to surgery food was ruling my life. I was thinking about it all the time and making myself crazy. Once I got to the realization that the diet mentality had to end and accepted that I'd lose weight more slowly than I had imagined prior to surgery, I was able to slowly but happily drop the rest of the weight over the course of 17 months. I feel that part of the reason to choose such a drastic surgery is to drop the diet mentality forever. I wanted a diet I could live with, and I sacrificed getting to goal in nine months to have that. I still got to goal and trust me, it's just as fabulous as it would have been had I done it in half the time. For those of us that don't feel hunger and have huge restriction it's more of a challenge to eat than you think. I still rely heavily on Protein shakes or I'd never reach my protein goals. I still have a hard time eating more than 2-3 ounces of protein in one sitting, or anything more than one scrambled egg with some cheese. ~Cheri

Three words.....yum, yum, yum!

Lot to cover here, from my view. I'm year out but almost at maintenance so I think I can qualify for answering from my perspective. I'm about 1200-1500 calories per day and I exercise regularly, although somewhat competitively. I could have pretty much anything I want but I've changed my lifestyle and I'm pretty religious in choosing a healthly lifestyle so I don't want anything to do with my old lifestyle. I still can only eat small amounts and I'm really used to asking for 'to-go' boxes or 'doggie bags'. I can eat socially with friends but I just don't focus on the food so much. All of my friends are very supportive and question what and how I'm doing it so it's not much of a problem. I also snack occassionally but again, because I cna only eat a small amount, it never really gets out of hand. I'm changing from a protein diet to a slightly higher carbohydrate diet because I'm running half marathons and doing triathlons on nearly a monthly/six week basis so I can achieve better results but at age 55, that will change at some point and I'll go back to a higher protein diet for weight maintenance. Does that help?

Well I had rny surgery and I read that it is norm to loose 5 to 15 lbs per week the first few months following surgery , so that is where my expectations came from . I am glad about losing 20 lbs but in the big scale of things was feeling discouraged since the 20 lbs was really only lost the first 2 and a half weeks then I have been stalled since not loosing anything in the last week and a half , basically since I started eating instead of drinking liquid only. Pre op diet start was 9/1 weight was 305 surgery date was 9/15 weight 294 and today 275. But again the 275 has been the same for 2 weeks now. I'm getting less then 1000 calories a day and walking a bit but not much as I have plantar fasciitis and am in pain . I fear that I won't loose the weight unless I go back to starving myself like I did the first 2 weeks after surgery. Sent from my SM-G991B using BariatricPal mobile app

sleep apnea (i.e., patient meets the criteria for treatment of obstructive sleep apnea set forth in Aetna CPB 004 - Obstructive Sleep Apnea); or 4. Medically refractory hypertension (blood pressure greater than 140 mmHg systolic and/or 90 mmHg diastolic despite optimal medical management); and 2. Member has completed growth (18 years of age or documentation of completion of bone growth); and 3. Member has attempted weight loss in the past without successful long-term weight reduction; and 4. Member must meet either criterion 1 (physician-supervised nutrition and exercise program) or criterion 2 (multidisciplinary surgical preparatory regimen): 1. Physician-supervised nutrition and exercise program: Member has participated in physician-supervised nutrition and exercise program (including dietician consultation, low calorie diet, increased physical activity, and behavioral modification), documented in the medical record at each visit. This physician-supervised nutrition and exercise program must meet all of the following criteria: 1. Nutrition and exercise program must be supervised and monitored by a physician working in cooperation with dieticians and/or nutritionists; and 2. Nutrition and exercise program(s) must be for a cumulative total of 6 months or longer in duration and occur within 2 years prior to surgery, with participation in one program of at least three consecutive months. (Precertification may be made prior to completion of nutrition and exercise program as long as a cumulative of six months participation in nutrition and exercise program(s) will be completed prior to the date of surgery.); and 3. Member's participation in a physician-supervised nutrition and exercise program must be documented in the medical record by an attending physician who supervised the member's participation. The nutrition and exercise program may be administered as part of the surgical preparative regimen, and participation in the nutrition and exercise program may be supervised by the surgeon who will perform the surgery or by some other physician. Note: A physician's summary letter is not sufficient documentation. Documentation should include medical records of physician's contemporaneous assessment of patient's progress throughout the course of the nutrition and exercise program. For members who participate in a physician-administered nutrition and exercise program (e.g., MediFast, OptiFast), program records documenting the member's participation and progress may substitute for physician medical records; or 2. Multidisciplinary surgical preparatory regimen: Proximate to the time of surgery, member must participate in organized multidisciplinary surgical preparatory regimen of at least three months duration meeting all of the following criteria, in order to improve surgical outcomes, reduce the potential for surgical complications, and establish the member's ability to comply with post-operative medical care and dietary restrictions: 1. Consultation with a dietician or nutritionist; and 2. Reduced-calorie diet program supervised by dietician or nutritionist; and 3. Exercise regimen (unless contraindicated) to improve pulmonary reserve prior to surgery, supervised by exercise therapist or other qualified professional; and 4. Behavior modification program supervised by qualified professional; and 5. Documentation in the medical record of the member's participation in the multidisciplinary surgical preparatory regimen at each visit. (A physician's summary letter, without evidence of contemporaneous oversight, is not sufficient documentation. Documentation should include medical records of the physician's initial assessment of the member, and the physician's assessment of the member's progress at the completion of the multidisciplinary surgical preparatory regimen.) and 5. For members who have a history of severe psychiatric disturbance (schizophrenia, borderline personality disorder, suicidal ideation, severe depression) or who are currently under the care of a psychologist/psychiatrist or who are on psychotropic medications, pre-operative psychological clearance is necessary in order to exclude members who are unable to provide informed consent or who are unable to comply with the pre- and postoperative regimen. Note: The presence of depression due to obesity is not normally considered a contraindication to obesity surgery. 2. Vertical Banded Gastroplasty (VBG): Aetna considers open or laparoscopic vertical banded gastroplasty (VBG) medically necessary for members who meet the selection criteria for obesity surgery and who are at increased risk of adverse consequences of a RYGB due to the presence of any of the following comorbid medical conditions: 1. Hepatic cirrhosis with elevated liver function tests; or 2. Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis); or 3. Radiation enteritis; or 4. Demonstrated complications from extensive adhesions involving the intestines from prior major abdominal surgery, multiple minor surgeries, or major trauma; or 5. Poorly controlled systemic disease (American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) Class IV) (see Appendix). Aetna considers VBG experimental and investigational when medical necessity criteria are not met. 3. Repeat Bariatric Surgery: Aetna considers medically necessary surgery to correct complications from bariatric surgery, such as obstruction or stricture. Aetna considers repeat bariatric surgery medically necessary for members whose initial bariatric surgery was medically necessary (i.e., who met medical necessity criteria for their initial bariatric surgery), and who meet either of the following medical necessity criteria: 1. Conversion to a RYGB or BPD/DS may be considered medically necessary for members who have not had adequate success (defined as loss of more than 50 percent of excess body weight) two years following the primary bariatric surgery procedure and the member has been compliant with a prescribed nutrition and exercise program following the procedure; or 2. Revision of a primary bariatric surgery procedure that has failed due to dilation of the gastric pouch is considered medically necessary if the primary procedure was successful in inducing weight loss prior to the pouch dilation, and the member has been compliant with a prescribed nutrition and exercise program following the procedure. 4. Experimental and Investigational Bariatric Surgical Procedures: Aetna considers each of the following procedures experimental and investigational because the peer reviewed medical literature shows them to be either unsafe or inadequately studied: * Loop gastric bypass * Gastroplasty, more commonly known as ?stomach stapling? (see below for clarification from vertical band gastroplasty) * Sleeve gastrectomy * Mini gastric bypass * Silastic ring vertical gastric bypass (Fobi pouch) * Intragastric balloon * VBG, except in limited circumstances noted above. * LASGB, RYGB, and BPD/DS procedures not meeting the medical necessity criteria above. Cholecystectomy: As a high incidence of gallbladder disease (28%) has been documented after surgery for morbid obesity, Aetna considers routine cholecystectomy medically necessary when performed in concert with elective bariatric procedures. Notes: Calculation of BMI: *BMI is calculated by dividing the patient's weight (in kilograms) by height (in meters) squared: BMI = weight (kg) * [height (m)]2 Note: To convert pounds to kilograms, multiply pounds by 0.45. To convert inches to meters, multiply inches by 0.0254. or For a simple and rapid calculation of BMI, please click below and it will take you to the Obesity Education Initiative. *BMI = weight (kg) * [height (m)]2 See also CPB 039 - Weight Reduction Medications and Programs.

I am 6 weeks post op and NOTHING tastes good. Water, crystal light, g2, apple juice, protein and Mushie food all repulse me. Is this normal? Any suggestions?

Hey Mrs D, will not be able to make it to Bristol for the meeting after all. Bummer! I have something planned in August also (pool outing that day!) so will probably not be able to meet them all until September meeting! 5 days since my last fill. He only put 0.5 in (I wanted 1 but he is such a t**t would not listen to me again!). I feel the difference already though. Not able to stuff myself as I have been doing the last few weeks! (although nowhere near as bad as I used to do pre-band!) Lost 2.5 pounds whilst I was in France, my mum don't feed me! haha! Hope to speak to you soon, let me know how you get on at your next appointment and if they will let you have another wls!

I feel your pain soooo bad!! I quit about 8 months ago after smoking for 16 yrs, and just had my surgery last week, but I think everyone is just waiting for me to start smoking again. My husband has even told me that he thinks I'll start again!! I still think about having a cigarrette, but it's not nearly as bad as it was. Someone gave me a good piece of advice when I quit-how can you let a little white stick run your life? How is it possible that that stupid stick is stronger than you? That has stuck with me, that and the fact when someone thinks I'm going to fail I get ticked off and prove them wrong lol I gained 48 lbs when I quit smoking, and getting back down to that weight is my first goal weight. I really think not smoking is going to be a struggle for me for the rest of my life, it was too big of a part of my life not to be. I had a little realization the other day though, I noticed that I can taste food better now! And I haven't had sinus cold yet. I really hope and pray that you can quit again,and prove to yourself that you are stronger than that little stupid white stinky stick!!

Was sleeved on 10/24.. Lost 20 lbs in 3 weeks and nothing since.., I'm very discouraged and depressed about this.. Is it normal? Getting my protein in almost everyday.. Any help or ideas?

Three months out and yogurt isn't allowed until six months out on my instructions. Wish I could have it but am willing to wait.

Yeah I think in the beginning I had greek yogurt and then cut it out too. I do keep a little to mix with my tuna though instead of mayo. This is just my experience but I have tried lower carbs and tried upping carbs trying to break a stall and I will say that lowering the carbs did work. Not sure if it's coincidence or it really does work. I am just starting my 8th week So it really is trial and error and learning from those that are farther out.

My surgeon requires a high protein, low carb diet for two weeks in order to shrink my liver. It consists of meal replacement shakes and protein rich foods (no carbs aloud). I only have to do clear liquids the day before surgery.

<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p>I was banded March 13 2008 </o:p> Ok so when I was last at the doctors I told them that I had been feeling extremely tire and have also been bruising easily and craving ice.<o:p></o:p> So they did some blood work which they got back yesterday.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Turns out that my Iron count is very low. <o:p></o:p> Before anyone asks<o:p></o:p> I take Centrum Chewable which has Iron every day.<o:p></o:p> I also take b12 daily and biotin.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> I also eat protein at each meal and eat spinach and Broccoli every day. All which are iron rich.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> So now they want me to start taking an iron supplement. I also need to go back in a few weeks for more blood work to see if the iron supplement has helped. They said they will test to see if it is Vitamin deficiency Anemia or Iron deficiency anemia.. Apparently these is a difference between the 2.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Has anyone else had this problem? <o:p>I was banded March 13 2008</o:p><o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Thank you so much<o:p></o:p>

It has been almost 7 months post-op for me and I must say that it has been a rough go. When I first got banded I lost 20Lbs in the first 2 weeks and maybe 15 since then...I've always struggled with my weight, my heaviest was 349 back in 2005 when I was only 19 yrs old. With a bad report from the doctor I immediately changed my lifestyle as far as eating and exercising. and within that year I lost 60lbs. These last 5 years I've really been struggling with my will power and determination. I've always been an emotional eater and it seems like the last few years has given me a lot of emotion. After having the LB surgery i felt confident and when I finally decided to go with the surgery no way was I gonna mess this up or fail. And it just seems like that's what I'm doing is failing EVERY single day. My plans were to start this new year off with a drive that I once had but once again LIFE happens and this time LIFE was taken away from me. I lost my only sibling, my older brother 29 yrs old only 4 years older than me, we were close than ever to a very TRAGIC HORRIFIC BRUTAL accident on December 30, 2010. Two months later I still can't grab a hold of myself. I can't focus on this Lap-Band, I'm working against it...I'm full and I still eat...the same stuff I struggled with pre-op...Counseling really isn't working for me because my emotions are worry-free in there but when I'm home they come back. I REALLY want to do this and be successful with this surgery....I don't want to be a failure anymore...I have ALL the tools I need and I know how to use them, I just don't know how to keep my willpower/motivation for a WHOLE 24 hours. If you guys have any kind of suggestions PLEASE feel free to respond. My 26th birthday is coming up April 12th and I really want to be 10 to 20lbs smaller, if there are any Michigan Bandsters please contact me...I know I have family support to try to deal with the loss of my brother but I don't have anyone who knows personally what I'm going through with this Lap-band...

This is my first post. I have been reading a lot about this. I have no idea when I will be able to get the surgery because last week I went to the seminar offered through a big Scott & White hospital, only to find that my insurance, which is Scott & White, doesn't cover the surgery there. I live in the Austin, TX area, and would have to go to Dallas to have the surgery covered. 1. I am tempted to go to Mexico, but the reason I probably won't is because I may need post-op care. How do you get that if you had the surgery in Mexico? 2. My family doctor told me "Don't go to Mexico!" The only benefit to going to Mexico is that I could have the surgery a lot sooner. No hoops to jump through. 3. It will be cheaper with insurance than actually going to Mexico -- my insurance estimator online suggested roughly $4000 to have the surgery through insurance. If I were to go to Mexico I'd still have to pay for plane ticket to San Diego for my husband and myself so we're looking at around $7000 to have the surgery in Mexico. 4. Anyone else have to travel to a different city? I can't believe I have to go all the way to Dallas, when I live in the greater Austin, TX area. 5. I need to have the RNY bypass because I have GERD pretty bad and sleep apnea. BMI around 41. OK so, sort of a question post, and sort of a rant. Hey, I'm new here!

Sounds great. I'm 9 months out and definitely consume more. I also am pretty active and workout 5 days a week. Breakfast - 1/2 cup 1% cottage cheese, fruit or fat free greek yogurt with fruit lunch - 1 cup Progresso Soup or tuna or egg salad with light mayo dinner -3 ozs of chicken, fish or beef with 1/4 cup of whatever side i've made the family Snacks - mini baby bel light cheese, EAS Protein drink, 2tblspoons Peanut Butter, or cottage doubles It usually adds up to about 1100 calories per day.

I had surg 6/11/12, I have been doing so good. I am down 20lbs thus far. I went for my first adjustment last week, but the Rn said I was doing so good she wanted to watch me for another 2 weeks. Well the last 2 days I have been really struggling. I feel like I am constantly hungry and tonight when I ate dinner, I didn't stop when I felt satisfied, I stopped when I felt full. Now I am hurting and beating myself up over it. Is it normal to have days where you just don't feel satisfied? I feel like I have now failed and have ruined everything and let everyone down.

Hello all, I am about to go to the hospital to get my band removed and be sleeved..I am so nervous of how this sleeve is going to be compared to the band..I've had my band since November of 2008 and it's been a rough road with complications.. band sucked no doubt! I lost 25 lbs on my optifast diet in tell weeks...I've learnt a lot while on my liquid diet about myself and how society views and uses food over the past 2 weeks while on my diet...well wish me luck! -Ryan