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Thank you! I see that we have about the same numbers. I can't believe you already had plastic surgery. How did that go? If I might say (and you already know this) but be patient, you will break the stall. I finally did. I went to my bariatric surgeon today and I'm down again. He said even if I don't loose in the next year, my body will still change, muscle tone, skin, etc. He doesn't want to see me again for another year. woohoo So I think I will wait a few more months before I see a plastic surgeon. Keep up the good work, the worse is over, IMO. We are AWESOME!!!!

Congrats! I just looked at my drivers license. I now weigh 30 pounds less than my lie weight (which was almost 70 pounds less than my heaviest), but I don't need to renew for another 3 years. Oh well.

You should be candid with your doctor and ask. Different doctors and insurance companies have different preop requirements. If you need to have a certain amount of time concentrating on weight loss to qualify I'm guessing the time before your pregnancy may not count. Also, if you have to have a c section (you never know, it could happen even last minute) the bariatric surgeon may have a required amount of time for healing before he'd consider operating. Mine was very happy i was a year out from my emergency c section before starting the process. I dont know what the minimum time would be. Also, I'm 17 days post op and this is not easy. I have 2 kids (4 and 20 months) and the post op changes, diet, emotions, lack of energy, appointments are not things I would want to go through with a post partum body and a newborn. Also, if you plan to breastfeed I don't know if that would be ok. The tiny amount of nutrition I can tolerate would not be enough to nourish both me and a baby at this point. Not to be a Debbie Downer, but these are all things I would ask about and consider.

Hello, I had lap band surgery in 2005. I have lost 30 lbs. I need to lose 90 more. I had a lot of problems with reflux and had to be unfilled. I also was with a practice that kind of let me down because they have never called me or followed up with me since my unfill 9 years ago. I'm establishing now with a new group in Central Maine. I am seeing the dietitian and getting a fill on Thursday. I am very hopeful that with proper follow up and better compliance on my part, I'll be successful this time around. Can anyone tell me how to like a post on here? Thanx

Yep, you can count any liquid as part of your water consumption. You should really make the shakes with milk (skim or light soy) to make sure you are getting in more nutrients, especially during the pre-op diet. It makes the shakes taste better too. Kind of weird, but I switched to light soy milk for my pre-op diet and now, almost 7 months later, I really only like my protein shakes made with it. I can use skim milk, but the shakes taste "off" to me now. (I have a protein shake every morning for breakfast.) Also, I had my "meal" at noon at work because it was so much easier to be able to eat with my team. I'd have a shake for breakfast at 6, a frozen dinner under 300 calories for lunch at 11, a shake at 2 pm, and a shake for supper. I was able to have unlimited veggies too. I suppose it also helped that my hubby went to visit his parents for a week during that first week of the pre-op diet. It made it SO much easier for ME because I didn't have to be around his food. I never did feel deprived. The shakes I drank were Bariatric Advantage. Very filling and they kept me satisfied 3-4 hours.

I am starving my freaking tookus off. I guess that’s the point of all of this, in a way—minus the starving part. That part is actually kind of the opposite of what this is about, in the long run anyhow. But tonight I am definitely starving. Tomorrow is my surgery which means I was relegated to clear liquids all day. That means all I was allowed to consume were Italian ices, sugar free jello, broth, juice (of the white grape and apple varieties) and water. I’m here to tell you that while I love Italian ices, if I have to eat another one, I will hurl. Or more likely, I will dry heave, since real vomiting requires there to actually be something of substance in my stomach. And what’s worse is that after midnight I can’t have anything at all—not even water. This wouldn’t be so bad if I had to be at the hospital at 7am, but noooooooo. Of course since I’m young and relatively healthy, I get the last surgery of the day which means I don’t even have to be at the hospital until 2pm. On the bright side, that means less time overall in the hospital. I’ll be drowsy for the rest of the day after I wake up and then go to sleep, and before I know it, it will hopefully be morning and I can do my post surgical tests and go home. And even better is that I will likely be in the hospital for less than 24 hours which saves me $225 in copay. But that also means that I won’t stop starving anytime soon. I suppose I shouldn’t focus on that. I have to focus on the positive—remember what I’m doing this for. I’m doing it to take control of my life. And until today it hasn’t been too bad. The worst part of the liquid diet leading up to today was the lack of variety. Everything tasted sweet except the soups. I have a major sweet tooth and all, but this was a bit much, even for me. As the days went by I actually wound up eating less and less. I think day 4 was the hardest; I was still hungry, but didn’t want to eat any more of the foods I was allowed, which meant I didn’t eat as much as I needed and felt crappy. By days 5 and 6 I really didn’t feel much hunger and wasn’t even consuming a full 6 meals anymore, but I still felt good. Of course I was still consuming some meals, which is more than I can say for my broth sipping, ice-pop sucking day today. Man, I’m really starving. Where was I again? Oh yeah, it’s not so bad… Anyhow, it’s almost over. Or perhaps I should say it’s almost starting. That’s what the lap-band really is—a start. But what I meant was the nerve racking, surgery part is almost over. I’ve kept my nerves pretty well in check, actually. I mean, this is a small hospital with a big bariatric department. They do this all the time so I’m fairly confident that I’ll wake up from anesthesia plus one lap band and not minus one leg or with a bald head and my cranium held together by circlage wire or something. And the anesthesia’s not too scary to me either. I don’t know if that’s because in my job we do anesthesia and surgery every day with 1/10th the resources and the patients do just fine so I’m not that nervous, or because I just don’t let myself experience the nerves because I don’t like to deal with my feelings. I would however love to deal with the feelings of hunger I’m currently experiencing. Gah, I need to stop thinking about food. What wouldn’t I do for some of that pot roast my mother made for her and my Dad last night? Especially with a nice buttered piece of challah. God, that sounds good. But I won’t be eating that anytime soon. Hopefully one day I will once again be able to enjoy such a treat—in my new lap-band aided policy of moderation, of course. That’s about it for tonight. I’ll be back on Tuesday with the skinny from the big day. Toodles.

I am starving my freaking tookus off. I guess that’s the point of all of this, in a way—minus the starving part. That part is actually kind of the opposite of what this is about, in the long run anyhow. But tonight I am definitely starving. Tomorrow is my surgery which means I was relegated to clear liquids all day. That means all I was allowed to consume were Italian ices, sugar free jello, broth, juice (of the white grape and apple varieties) and water. I’m here to tell you that while I love Italian ices, if I have to eat another one, I will hurl. Or more likely, I will dry heave, since real vomiting requires there to actually be something of substance in my stomach. And what’s worse is that after midnight I can’t have anything at all—not even water. This wouldn’t be so bad if I had to be at the hospital at 7am, but noooooooo. Of course since I’m young and relatively healthy, I get the last surgery of the day which means I don’t even have to be at the hospital until 2pm. On the bright side, that means less time overall in the hospital. I’ll be drowsy for the rest of the day after I wake up and then go to sleep, and before I know it, it will hopefully be morning and I can do my post surgical tests and go home. And even better is that I will likely be in the hospital for less than 24 hours which saves me $225 in copay. But that also means that I won’t stop starving anytime soon. I suppose I shouldn’t focus on that. I have to focus on the positive—remember what I’m doing this for. I’m doing it to take control of my life. And until today it hasn’t been too bad. The worst part of the liquid diet leading up to today was the lack of variety. Everything tasted sweet except the soups. I have a major sweet tooth and all, but this was a bit much, even for me. As the days went by I actually wound up eating less and less. I think day 4 was the hardest; I was still hungry, but didn’t want to eat any more of the foods I was allowed, which meant I didn’t eat as much as I needed and felt crappy. By days 5 and 6 I really didn’t feel much hunger and wasn’t even consuming a full 6 meals anymore, but I still felt good. Of course I was still consuming some meals, which is more than I can say for my broth sipping, ice-pop sucking day today. Man, I’m really starving. Where was I again? Oh yeah, it’s not so bad… Anyhow, it’s almost over. Or perhaps I should say it’s almost starting. That’s what the lap-band really is—a start. But what I meant was the nerve racking, surgery part is almost over. I’ve kept my nerves pretty well in check, actually. I mean, this is a small hospital with a big bariatric department. They do this all the time so I’m fairly confident that I’ll wake up from anesthesia plus one lap band and not minus one leg or with a bald head and my cranium held together by circlage wire or something. And the anesthesia’s not too scary to me either. I don’t know if that’s because in my job we do anesthesia and surgery every day with 1/10th the resources and the patients do just fine so I’m not that nervous, or because I just don’t let myself experience the nerves because I don’t like to deal with my feelings. I would however love to deal with the feelings of hunger I’m currently experiencing. Gah, I need to stop thinking about food. What wouldn’t I do for some of that pot roast my mother made for her and my Dad last night? Especially with a nice buttered piece of challah. God, that sounds good. But I won’t be eating that anytime soon. Hopefully one day I will once again be able to enjoy such a treat—in my new lap-band aided policy of moderation, of course. That’s about it for tonight. I’ll be back on Tuesday with the skinny from the big day. Toodles.

On Friday, January 23, 2009, I took my first step of a journey into the unknown. I went to the Southwest Medical Center's Bariatric Center's website and sent a request for information and for a seat at the upcoming Seminar. For many years, I have struggled with my weight. In my adolescent years, I was "chubby", and had self esteem issues as a result. I lost all the extra weight and was actually wafer thin for a few years... TOO thin! After the birth of my first child, I looked great. I had enough weight on my body to look normal, my ideal weight. However, giving birth to my second child made it more difficult to return to my previous weight, and after giving birth to my third child, it was just impossible. I became depressed, withdrawn, and a shell of my former self. I began binge eating as a result. I never purged, but I did binge often. I packed on a lot of weight in a short period of time. My depression only deepened, and I became suicidal. I sought out help for my depression and have been much better able to cope. I lost a little bit of the weight (not nearly enough), but it made me feel better to know that I was on the right track. I went to college and began working at a restaurant until I would be able to start working my career as a Cosmetologist. 6 months into my job, I took a fall at work that would change my life for the next few years. I fell so hard that I straightened out the C-curve in my neck. Since then, I am limited as far as physical abilities. My back hurts constantly, and my neck hurts periodically. I have to be VERY careful of what I do. Adding to this strain is the extra weight on my body. I have no idea what I weigh right now, but if I had to guess, I would think it's at least 240 Ibs. Never in my earlier years did I imagine that I would be this fat. That I would be one of the many obese people that skinny people gawk at. I guess God chose me to be the example? Whatever the answer may be, I must make changes. My breasts are SO huge, it's un-bearable. I've always been big breasted, but this is ridiculous. I hurt on a daily basis. If I sit down, it takes everything in my power to stand, because of the strain on my back. So February 3, 2009 will be the first day of the rest of my life. Some people say that the day they get married is the first day of the rest of their lives, but for me, this is MUCH bigger. This is a HUGE step for me. A lifestyle change that I have wanted for many years. I had no idea how to make the change, until now. I have read and read up on this, and I'm ready for it. The change....Weight Loss Surgery. Yes, I am embarking into the unknown. I'm putting on a brave face, ready to face whatever comes my way. Ready to make whatever sacrifices I must make to live a healthier, pain free life. To be "normal" again, to have energy, to feel sexy and beautiful. My daughter kinda freaked out when I first told her because of the negative things she's heard about weight loss surgery. I reassured her that the surgery that I have chosen is the safest one out there. I just told my best friend, who is behind me 100%. My wonderful boyfriend is the next to be told. I am not sure how he will take it, but hopefully, he will understand and back me up on this decision. He of all people sees the pain that I am in all the time. He sees me struggle when I stand up, so I think he will be happy to see me pain free for a change. Besides, I want to feel good about myself, I want to feel that I am viewed by him as sexy and beautiful. I want to be pleasing to his eyes. Nobody else knows. This is my decision, although difficult, it's something that I must do. This is my private battle that I've fought for many years. I have not expressed my unhappiness because I didn't want people to feel sorry for me or for them to know how sorry I have felt for myself. I love myself enough to do this. I love my children enough to do this. I must make myself healthy again. I must do something now, before it is too late. I am VERY proud of this decision, and hopefully, others will be too. :blushing:

On Friday, January 23, 2009, I took my first step of a journey into the unknown. I went to the Southwest Medical Center's Bariatric Center's website and sent a request for information and for a seat at the upcoming Seminar. For many years, I have struggled with my weight. In my adolescent years, I was "chubby", and had self esteem issues as a result. I lost all the extra weight and was actually wafer thin for a few years... TOO thin! After the birth of my first child, I looked great. I had enough weight on my body to look normal, my ideal weight. However, giving birth to my second child made it more difficult to return to my previous weight, and after giving birth to my third child, it was just impossible. I became depressed, withdrawn, and a shell of my former self. I began binge eating as a result. I never purged, but I did binge often. I packed on a lot of weight in a short period of time. My depression only deepened, and I became suicidal. I sought out help for my depression and have been much better able to cope. I lost a little bit of the weight (not nearly enough), but it made me feel better to know that I was on the right track. I went to college and began working at a restaurant until I would be able to start working my career as a Cosmetologist. 6 months into my job, I took a fall at work that would change my life for the next few years. I fell so hard that I straightened out the C-curve in my neck. Since then, I am limited as far as physical abilities. My back hurts constantly, and my neck hurts periodically. I have to be VERY careful of what I do. Adding to this strain is the extra weight on my body. I have no idea what I weigh right now, but if I had to guess, I would think it's at least 240 Ibs. Never in my earlier years did I imagine that I would be this fat. That I would be one of the many obese people that skinny people gawk at. I guess God chose me to be the example? Whatever the answer may be, I must make changes. My breasts are SO huge, it's un-bearable. I've always been big breasted, but this is ridiculous. I hurt on a daily basis. If I sit down, it takes everything in my power to stand, because of the strain on my back. So February 3, 2009 will be the first day of the rest of my life. Some people say that the day they get married is the first day of the rest of their lives, but for me, this is MUCH bigger. This is a HUGE step for me. A lifestyle change that I have wanted for many years. I had no idea how to make the change, until now. I have read and read up on this, and I'm ready for it. The change....Weight Loss Surgery. Yes, I am embarking into the unknown. I'm putting on a brave face, ready to face whatever comes my way. Ready to make whatever sacrifices I must make to live a healthier, pain free life. To be "normal" again, to have energy, to feel sexy and beautiful. My daughter kinda freaked out when I first told her because of the negative things she's heard about weight loss surgery. I reassured her that the surgery that I have chosen is the safest one out there. I just told my best friend, who is behind me 100%. My wonderful boyfriend is the next to be told. I am not sure how he will take it, but hopefully, he will understand and back me up on this decision. He of all people sees the pain that I am in all the time. He sees me struggle when I stand up, so I think he will be happy to see me pain free for a change. Besides, I want to feel good about myself, I want to feel that I am viewed by him as sexy and beautiful. I want to be pleasing to his eyes. Nobody else knows. This is my decision, although difficult, it's something that I must do. This is my private battle that I've fought for many years. I have not expressed my unhappiness because I didn't want people to feel sorry for me or for them to know how sorry I have felt for myself. I love myself enough to do this. I love my children enough to do this. I must make myself healthy again. I must do something now, before it is too late. I am VERY proud of this decision, and hopefully, others will be too. :smile:

So I am very excited that I was approved for the vertical sleeve surgery. I am overjoyed and I have a scheduled date for May 10, 2013 with Dr. Alberto Aceves in Mexicali. Although I will say I am a bit nervous and I have been researching Dr. Aceves and haven't came across or heard any negative reviews about his work. Has anyone had any bariatric procedures with him? and if you did how was your surgery and recovery at the hospital and hotel?

I literally inhaled a 4 ounce portion in minutes. Feeling stuffed and happy! OMG Beef Crumble with Tomato Gravy, Bariatric Chewable meat Meal, 9 grams Protein per 4 ounce meal http://tinyurl.com/nmnwsce

I am a 45 y/o female. I am a conglomeration medical problems. They all culminated in a trip to the ER in an ambulance for a strained back due to coughing caused by congestive heart failure. I knew that day that I had to do something about my weight. I slept 1-2 hours a night due to sleep apnea. I heard of this surgery that could help 80 percent of the problems wrong with me. I could not be cured because nothing cures bone growth or arthritis, but it could slow the progression of my disease. I had a consultation with Dr Awad in Palm Springs, and found my BMI to be 53 and weighed 270. He thought it would be simple to get my insurance to pay for my procedure. They fought it. Finally, after running and jumping through all the fiery hoops they threw at me, I was able to set a date for my surgery 6 months after I first spoke to the surgeon. I had my surgery done 08/26/15 and I am sleeping now. I did not have any problems for my first 3 weeks, but now that I have reached the 4th week I have problems. I have difficulty getting fluids and Proteins in on the same days, and I am having difficulty eating enough times in a day to keep my hypoglycemia under control. I wake up sick, nauseous, and vomiting from not eating for more than 6-7 hours just from sleeping. Sleep was supposed to be a good thing. The bariatric team is great. I can not complain about how they have supported me through the last 40 pounds. I still have 90 more to go.

I see a lot of threads where people talk about a drain as part of their surgery. I didn't have a drain. Can someone explain what the drain does? And why some bariatric surgeons don't think it is needed?

Thanks for the suggestions, everyone! I am using the ones that the surgeon's office makes us use, called Suncoast Bariatrics. They are made of whey protein, 22 grams per shake, and 111 calories. You mix them with water pre-op. After the operation, you can mix them with skim or low fat milk. I will call them on Monday to see what they recommend.

In educating myself about Weight Loss Surgery...i just thought I would let you know of this book especially for Aussies... "The Gastric Sleeve Guide" by Trudy Williams available only through her website: http://www.foodtalk.com.au/contents/en-us/p66_The_Gastric_Sleeve_Guide_food_nutrition_lifestyle.html I also recommend these books: "The Big Book on the Gastric Sleeve" by Alex Brecher & Natalie Stein "The Emotional First + Aid Kit" (A Practical Guide to Life After Bariatric Surgery) by Cynthia L Alexander ...available at online bookshops and also www.amazon.com and as kindle books. DizzyLizzie Pre Op VSG 121.5 kg (267.86lbs) BMI 41.1 2015 My Life Change

Hi Lina: Welcome. We're here for you. Just post a question and we'll try our best to answer. You should probably start with your primary care physician who will be able to recommend a surgeon for you. Then make an appointment with the surgeon and he will tell you his process from there. It is all pretty straight forward. You usually have to attend an information session with other people interested in bariatric surgery as well. There is a lot of knowledge available on these boards. People are friendly and willing to help. So just jump in and begin talking and soon you'll know more than you ever dreamed ,

I have been completing my requirements prior to surgery since the end of August, which includes 6 monthly visits of medically supervised weight loss with my surgeon's nurse/bariatric coordinator. My last visit with her is at the beginning of March. After that, assuming all of my other requirements have been met they will put in for approval (which is expected very fast with my particular insurance). I have done a lot of research since even before August about what surgery was right for me and I was convinced it was the sleeve. Liz (the bariatric coordinator) was very honest with me yesterday and said she thought I might not have very good success with the sleeve because I have been struggling to lose weight and definitely have a fondness for sweets. She also said that when she attends the surgeon's office's monthly support group sessions she is kind of jealous that the patients who had RNY seem to have a much greater degree of "control" in their eating. I can certainly use more control in my eating! So now I am seriously questioning my decision and and starting to re-think my plan. I need to decide before 1/31, as I have my appointment with the dietician who will give me a binder full of info and the info varies a bit depending on the type of surgery I choose. I realize that RNY has been around much longer than the sleeve and that the sleeve was originally intended to just be the first step in duodenal switch surgeries for 500+ lb. patients. However, the re-routing of the intestine freaks me out quite a bit and I am afraid of nutritional deficiencies caused by the malabsorptive aspect of the RNY surgery. I'm thinking I should just go with my "gut" and get sleeved, but just wondered if anyone here regretted getting the VSG and wished they had gotten a bypass instead. Any comments would be appreciated!

Hi - I just joined Bariatric Pal as I just got a surgery date of July 14th. I'm in NC not NY but would love to be supportive from here. I was sooooo nervous about my insurance, my surgeon's admin team said I was approved but I'm waiting for the letter. I'm so paranoid, I'm still thinking that something can go wrong. After so many years of problems with insurance because of weight, I can't quite believe that this issue is going my way. Wendy

I'm so sorry you're having such a hard time.....reach out to your bariatric team so they can refer you to a good therapist and support group.....I believe marriage problems after weigh loss is pretty common so I'm sure you'll find many people who can relate and perhaps give you insights on things that worked for them.............but what you need to do now is get help and support so reach out to your team for a referral. Good luck to you and hang in there!!

I was sleeved 8 days ago. I have always had a high pain tolerance, but not this time. The pain wasn't gas either. I am doing everything I am supposed to be. I was feeling a lot better two days ago and went for a half hour walk (my surgeon had told me to start with 5-10 minutes.). Since then I have had excruciating pain on my left side, right around one of the incision sites. When I move certain ways it feels as though something is tearing inside and/or as if I have major bruising inside. I had a follow up with my PCP yesterday and also spoke with my bariatric coordinator today. They both said that I probably just overdid it on my walk. My question is this. I read about so many people saying that they had no pain at all. Is there anyone out there who has experienced something similar to me? If so, how long did it last?

Why dont' you try the local Nuffield or Bupa hospital in your area, they will usually be able to put you in touch with their bariatric surgeon.... Hope that this helps....

I assumed I did if I used water but I didn't want to mess my intake up. I am really not a milk drinker but I will definitely try it with the protein shakes. It seems like it would make them taste better. I am ordering samples of different brands to try and see what I like. I plan on having enough for pre and post op so I can see what I like after surgery before buying a large quantity. Thanks and any other suggests that you have for pre or post of are greatly appreciated!! I am going to Mexico and I am worried about not having a strict diet to go by afterwards. I do best if I am told exactly what to have and how much and when. I am thinking about trying to find a bariatric nutritionist for post op to keep me on track. My insurance does not pay for anything relating to weight loss so I don't know if that would be excluded or not. Ugh! I am just worrying about everything. I have so many lists of what I need, and do's and don'ts from posts I have read on here. I am driving myself crazy thinking about it!!

I remember liking the Bariatric Advantage Calcium chews, but I remember that I wasn't terribly fond of their regular Multivitamin chewables. That was 4 years ago, though, so they may have changed their formulation. Does anyone have any recommendations for chewable Multivitamins?

Hello Everyone, I hope that you are all doing well. I'm trying to get back into eating right. I had a couple of bad days of food choices with the holiday weekend. I work at a hospital and everyone brought in food to Celebrate the 4th and of course nothing was healthy. (Funny since we are all in the nursing field and have a bariatric center in the hospital). I am going back to the Dr. on the 15th to have some of my Fluid put back in. I had to have 2ml removed 2 1/2 weeks ago after a bad migrain. I had severe vomiting that put some serious stress on my band to the point I couldn't even drink Water. Feeling much better now. I have actually been more suscessful losing weight since they took some of the fluid out? Has anyone else lost weight after having fluid removed? Once again thanks for the replies and I look forward to talking to everyone. Ronda