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So I'm not off the rails by any means, but struggling to get even a few lbs off. I'm 2 yrs & 8 months post VSG. And 4 months post LBL. Up until my LBL I'd consistently maintained a 130 lbs weight loss. Maintaining that loss was not without effort. My diet in check, track everything I eat, exercise 6 days a week. Immediately after LBL I feel like a switch got flipped. My weight bounced around a bit with the expected weight loss with my skin removal (which was minor as it truly was just skin being removed) and then the expected gain with swelling and of course lack of activity while I recovered. Nothing that concerned me. But now I'm up 7 lbs and I can't seem to shake it. I've locked down my eating, increased my water intake, I've been back to previous amount of cardio for over two months, I'm keeping a tight control on sugar and carbs which is much harder these days, getting in all my protein and still the scale isn't moving. It's like my body is intent on holding onto the extra weight. What gives!!!! I feel like if my calorie intake goes above 1,000 a day, I gain weight which is crazy. I was able to maintain eating 1200-1400 a day before. I know it's just 7 lbs, but 7 becomes 10. And fear of returning to old habits and regaining weight is always top of mind with me. I'm sure I'm not alone. Hoping this is just part of the recovery.

Date Printed: January 5, 2007: 10:48 PM Supplemental Letter for January 9, 2007 January 3, 2007 Dear Review Panel: Presented to you for review is my case for a gastric procedure known as a laproscopic banding procedure or "Lap-Band". In a lower review, BCBSFL did not dispute that I meet the criteria for the Lap-Band procedure. There is no dispute that I would benefit from weight loss surgery and there is no dispute that losing weight would be beneficial to my health. At issue is the coverage of this surgery and the exception I am requesting for this exclusion. Ironically, I received a phone call a few weeks ago from BCBSFL's new Diagnostics Program that offers support to wellness. Through this program, I gained beneficial information in the form of a booklet, catalog and DVD on the very weight loss surgery I am requesting. There is evidence in my medical records that I have tried for years multiple weight loss regimens and used pharmacotherapy for obesity under the supervision of my physician, Dr. Alan Sichelman. For my mental state, it is documented by my therapist, Jane Fenby, that I have a full understanding of what this procedure entails and that it will be a lifetime commitment on my part. There is no indication that I am unstable, misinformed with perceptions of unrealistic expectations; Rather so, that I have pursued this avenue under the direction of my primary care physician and other medical personnel, with cooperation, information and education; That I am laying the course for my surgical event and post surgical life by the compass of these individuals and their combined medical expertise demonstrates I am an individual who very much wishes to be healed. Unquestionably, I am ill and feel I am fighting for my life. As a result of my severe morbid obesity, I suffer from sleep apnea, diabetes, depression, back problems, joint pain, hypertension, migraines, Pictures will show my condition and the severity of my obesity. It is true that my life is endangered. This procedure will prevent the worsening of my condition, alleviate present harmful medical conditions and perhaps cure them. It is the conclusion of my physican(s) and myself that I am in need of this operation. Please authorize my surgery. Additional: As providers of health care coverage, Blue Cross and Blue Shield has historically authorized weight loss surgery. Currently, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina cut in half hospital re-admissions "by the twelve surgeons in North Carolina that are designated as centers of excellence for bariatric (obesity) surgery." Additionally, BCBSNC was one of the first insurers in the nation to officially recognize centers of excellence for bariatric surgery. Illinois also follows this model as well as South Dakota, Iowa, Michigan and several other states. In recent publications in the Tampa Bay area, BCBSFL appears to be using bariatric surgery denials as a financial decision rather than one in the best interest of patient care. I must express my concern that with sufficient evidence from their medical providers and informed decisions with which they move forward, it is very troubling that patient/physician decisions of health necessity are disrupted, ignored and denied, superceded by a focus on cost. It is hoped that Florida will soon follow the successful excellence practice as established by Blue Cross and Blue Shield in other states. Patricia Reeves

I still can't eat very much food. A kid's meals can make two meals for me. Sometimes I have a chicken leg and a small serving of mashed potatoes and I can't finish it. It has been 14 months since my Band and I have lost 116 pounds. Have about 50 more to go. Sometimes I think my Band is too full, since I do PB at least 2-3 times a week. I try to eat soft foods for lunch since it is very difficult for me to eat anything in 30 min. At dinner it sometimes takes me 2-3 hours to complete my very small portion of food. However, I am usually never hungry. I do not know how much Fluid is in my Band since my Dr. does not disclose that information. He says everyone is different, so he does not want his patients comparing that info in the waiting room. With that being said I would not change a thing. I would have the surgery again in a heartbeat. I read 5 books on the subject before my surgery and followed every rule there was. I did not want to take a chance of being one of the statistics that do not succeed. I am so glad I did. As some else said, it is a very short time. I can not believe it is over 14 months for me. Life just keeps happening and one day turns into a week then a month then a year. Before you know it, you will wonder what the fuss was all about. For me I need a Knee Replacement, however my Dr. thinks I can wait 10 years. My pain was at a Level 10 before my Lap-Band and now it is a 2 on most days with the worse being a 5. I am so thankful for the surgery, I have gotten my life back.

I was sleeved 10/27 and I only had a one night stay in the hospital. I had not complications and no nausea. I did have gas bubbles really bad the first time I tried chicken broth. I got really car sick on the way home but I didn't throw up. When I go home I felt really overwhelmed and had second thoughts about going home so early. I was able to sleep off my doubts but it wasn't until today that I started to feel less weak and more normal. I have been able to get in my yogurt, milk, and Water. I haven't had any nausea with any of the food I've tried on my full liquid diet. My pain level has definitely diminished but I still have JP drain in which tugs sometimes uncomfortable. I get that taken out tomorrow which I'm excited about. All and all, I'm feeling less helpless and more like this was the right decision. Plus 5 lbs lost in 4 days isn't bad! How is everyone else doing?

I had my surgery on 10/8 3 1/2 weeks out. My highest weight 238, surgery weight 230. Current weight 220. I seem to be loosing about 2.5 lbs per week so far. It seems like I would loose more with as little as I'm eating but I have always been a very slow looser. Although I never could loose like this in one week. It would take me twice as long, & starving at the same time. I have just a slight feeling of hunger when I haven't ate in 5 hrs. I have no trouble eating anything, but keep the amounts only at 1/2 cup at a time 2x a day. I have a Protein shake with fat free milk in the morning. I'm walking everyday but for only 30min. I feel great, getting energy back & no pain. I still have a little bloating & have to add miralax every other day to my Water to keep things moving. I get at least 60g of protein a day & 64oz of water. Hopefully I'm doing everything right!!

It could be that your husband sees you every day so it's a little harder to notice. That's one thing about diets/losing weight in the past, it was too hard for people i was around all the time to notice unless I didn't see them for a few days. Just know the scale is moving and you are losing. I would also recommend taking measurements with a measuring tape because that will clarify your loss there too. My surgery was 10/23 and I'm still having a little left over pain in my abdomen, I only need pain meds at the end of the day when I've done a lot of walking, which i have been doing the last 4 days. I haven't had any dumping but my Protein drink made me really sick the one time I had it, so i know im not getting my protein in. I start lunch meats tomorrow so I'm hoping to start making up a little of the protein. I even had a sweet tea (with very light sugar) 2 days in a row to help with my fluids and i was okay. What did you dump on? Congrats on the weight loss, that's pretty awesome. I was 353 on surgery day so we aren't too far from each other.

My Story. Well, if that isn't a loaded title I don't know what is. I have so many stories. I guess since this is a weight loss forum, I should start with the story of my weight. That tale shakes out more like a timeline, really. Childhood: Chubby kid. Recall dieting with my mom as early as the third grade. High School: Got down to about a size 8-10. Used Jenny Craig or Nutri Systems. . . Can't even remember which one. Most of College: Gained it all back and then some. Darn those Provolone grilled bagels at the Coates Center and Queso and Tortillas from TC's. Senior Year: Jenny Craig again. Modest weight loss, but this time it seemed to stick. And then there was Law School (i.e. the best diet ever for a Type A student who suddenly found herself in over her head academically for the first time): Nothing will send a metabolism into overdrive like pure fear of failure. Combine that with living in a remote town with only 1 fast food restaurant and no more student dining and waaalaa (really not sure how you spell that) the weight just sort of started falling off. I was a solid size 8, sometimes even a 6, by the time I graduated. The Wedding: You'll no doubt have noticed that I never really mentioned exercise up to this point. I never really did any, either, until the year of my judicial clerkship, which actually coincided with my engagement. That year I spent in an even more remote town where the only local that I had anything at all in common with happened to be a former CPA who decided to open a gym after her own weight loss journey. So I started working out. . . a lot. I had a 9-5 job and a long distance relationship. What else was there to do? I used a food and exercise journal (maybe a little too religiously) and by the wedding, I was 124 pound, hiking up my size 4 Vera Wang, which I really should have had altered one more time, and loving it. Its a good typing I got pictures, but my kids barely recognize me in them. My 30s: Big city private law practice with its 12 hour days spent mostly behind my desk and its ready access to a constant stream of icy cold diet dr. peppers, we not kind to me on a number of fronts, one of which was my figure. After 10 years of relatively steady weightless or maintenance, 30 found me up a few pounds and pregnant with my first child. Every pound made me want to cry, and believe me there were many to cry over. Its like my body craves weight during pregnancy. I can gain 10 pound before that second line will even think about appearing on that stick. My boy was born, and I went back to Jenny Craig. Third times the charm? Well, not so much in my case. I think I got back down to 180 or so, but then there was the next pregnancy, and the next. I miscarried those babies at about 13 weeks, but I still found, and kept, a few pounds with each. Then there was the adoption weight. . . . who knew the stress of adopting would pack on the pounds like that. Then, when my beautiful daughter was only 6 weeks old, I discovered I was carrying her baby brother. At that point I was 208 which, miraculously, I managed to get back down to by the time I left the hospital with him. They call my OB the Weight Nazi for good reason. Then, just as I had hired a trainer and was headed for a healthier lifestyle, my mom was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, my dad with MS. As an only chid and a mother of a then 5 year old, one year old and a 6 month old baby, I switched into crisis mode, quit my job and became the worlds most over-educated chauffeur. My babies spent their first couple of years strapped into car seats as we drove NaNa and Pops from one doctors appointment to another. Her chemo therapy sessions were long 12 hour days and she was hospitalized more than once. He spent 6 weeks in a rehab hospital and ultimately lost the use of his legs. You can't believe how many prescriptions they had between them. And I managed it all. I also gained about 40 more pounds in the process. Please do not get me wrong. It was worth it. My mom is enjoying full remission from a disease that everyone said would kill her, and my dad is stable in an assisted living facility if not enjoying the retirement we had hoped for him. My kids are smart and beautiful at 3, 4 and 8, and it is time that I turn this weight issue around once and for all. So, I have decided to get the gastric sleeve procedure. A colleague of my husband had it a few years back and has enjoyed amazing results. I know it is not a quick fix, merely a tool, but I have decided that I owe myself that jump start after all I have been through over the past 3 years. I know that I can stick to a program once I get good and into it. I just need to make sure that, this time, I am not derailed by life's unexpected tragedies. I have enlisted the help and support of my dear friend who has found her second career as a dance fitness instructor, and I am looking towards a brighter future where I can keep up with my kids, at least a little better, and shop for clothes in regular stores. My surgery date is August 7.

Hi! I am new to the band this website too. I was banded April 7th and was becoming really doubtful right before my surgery. In my opinion, there are many more GOOD stories than bad ones. I've only had my band for 10 days but personally-it has really helped me lose weight. I have not been "filled yet" but for some reason (whether it is mental or not) I have had restriction. I am on a 2 week liquid diet post-op and so far I have lost 19 pounds and 45 pounds total! A lot of it is willpower but I think that knowing you have a "tool" really helps.

I am going to get banded on April 21st (supposed to be on April 7th) :glare:; however, the ENT put me on Prednisone for 10 days due to chronic sinus infection. Will I gain weight using the steroids for 10 days? Thanks,

Hi Everyone, Not sure if I am just over reacting, but it seems like my weight loss has stalled and tomorrow will be my three weeks post op. I have no idea why. I am getting ready to start my soft foods and I have been doing the puree this last week. I found some recipes and have not gone over or eaten anything that isn't recommended. I am working on my activity and am walking 20 min. a day. I don't know if I am just over reacting or not, but I don't like this stall. I saw my surgeon at 10 days post op, and my weight has not really changed much since then. Any ideas? Thanks!!

Hi! New to the site! I have been overweight my entire life. I started losing my weight journey in 2001 when my gyn doc put me on Adipex. I took those for about a month or two. Then my primary doc told me to stop taking them because of blood pressure. So I joined this program, LA Weight. Loss about 80lbs. with them spent years spending money with them and said I'll never have WLS! Tried over programs as I moved to and from different states( Quick Weight Loss, WW 3 times, Atkins and South Beach). In 2005, started taking Phentermine again through online Pharmacies along with doing LAWL again. Did that for about a year. Finally stopped and gained all the weight back. So in '06, I decided I need to have GB surgery but how was I going to pay for it. So, in '07 I started going to seminars. Started hearing about LAP BAND and all it's stories and cost. Met people who had it done and heard all there wl stories. So, in '08 had a REALIZE BAND placed at a start weight of 310 lbs. loss only 40lbs. I exercised and did my proteins, everything just couldn't pass 40lbs. Never really controlled hunger. Just made it to where food would get stuck and then I would start having problems. Had several fills and unfills. Over the course of 4 years I started thinking well maybe I could start taking pills again. My doc even put me on a low dose Phentermine for 3 weeks, a tease! I thought we were on to something! His rationale was to jump start my metabolism! Ha! In May of '11 found a job with WLS coverage. I new that my precert would have to start one year from the time of my initial coverage (July) with 6 month (Jan '12-July '12)wl supervision. I had it down to a science. Started seeing my PCP in Jan and joined WW again for the 3rd time. July rolled around I scheduled appt with surgeon. Had a scope done didn't find anything wrong with band, just some gastric irritation below due to H. Pylori bacteria. Put me on a 2 week PrevPac. The bariatric coordinator sent paper work to BCBSof AL. They wanted to see proof of where I paid for band. Took about 2- 3 weeks for approval. Schedule for band removal and RNY on 10/22! Wt now 312lbs!

I ended up staying in the hospital for 2 nights...but I had a band to sleeve revision. The nausea was my worst part, but thanks to a great nurse/docs, it was kept under control. I then had to ride him 4 1/2 hours, so I was a bit sore from the ride. I spent the next two days sleeping off and on, but on the 3rd day I made myself get up and out and had no problems. I would give yourself a good 7 days from the time you leave the hospital to get used to your new stomach. Don't rush it!!! Debra Band to Sleeve Revision 9/27/10 Dr. David Kim

Just had surgery on 1/7/15. Everything is fine except I've been experiencing some wicked muscle cramping in my right upper obliques. It started the day after surgery. I assume it was dehydration but I'm now wondering if my muscles got pulled from being inflated during surgery. Anyone else with this possible complication? I can't sit for over an hour and walking for more than 10 minutes aggravates it as well. Only thing that settles it is lying flat on my back on my memory foam mattress.

When was your surgery? It could be spasms. Did you have your gallbladder out during the surgery? Could be gallbladder pain. How severe is the pain? It would probably be a good idea to call your surgical team, if you are concerned. Try a warm heating pad for 10 minutes (not hot) to see if that helps. Let us know how it goes...Good luck to you.

Same surgery date as you! I'm on day 10 of the pre op. Ready for next week.

I was sleeve on june 4th is it normal for me to drink more then 3oz in lessw of 10 mins

Hello. I am counting down the remaining days until I am sleeved by Dr Pompa at Limarp on 4/5/10. Anyone else going to be there at that same time?? I am going alone and could really use a buddy.:001_unsure:

I have never measured. Wish I had. I just use sizes to measure. I have gone from and 18/20 pants to 10 or 11 pants now. XXL shirts to L. My boobs are rather large so I'm not sure I will ever get below a Med. But will shall see! Congratulation on all of your successes!!! Proud to be on such a wonderful site with a great group of amazing people!

Please help me! Idk what to do! I had my sleeve on Feb 8 and with in a week from Feb 8-12 I lost 10 pounds but this week I haven't lost any weight ???? Idk if it's me or my sleeve, I'm doing everything I can possibly do, I know it's only my second week but I'm already having doubts that it's going to work for me etc ???? I'm starting to get depressed thinking it's not going to help anymore and I don't want to think that but it's hard mostly since my family are also doubting me

I haven't posted for awhile. My VSG was performed about 5 months ago. It has been a great 5 months. The surgery is continuing to change my life. For the first 3 months of that time the weight came off pretty fast. Things have slowed significantly the past two months. I'm still losing but it's taking more effort now. I think a big reason for the slow down is I have been busy at work and haven't been able to find the time to exercise regularly like I was before. That seems to be a big factor with or without surgery - becoming more active. This week I recommitted and exercised 5 times and the weight came off. I lost 3 more pounds and am now at my lowest yet - 70 lbs down. Last week I had to punch another hole in my belt. That's the third hole since I in-grew (the opposite of out-grew) this belt :tongue_smilie:. I have gone from a 48 to a 36 waist. 12 inches. Wow! I'm about ready to go back to Am-Vets and get some smaller clothes. We have a good one by our house that seems to have decent clothes and I have been trying to spend less on clothes until I get down to my ideal weight. My goal is to reach that by the end of the year. Then I will go for the good stuff. I guess that's what some of our tax refund is going for this year:biggrin0:. It's not just about the clothes, though. It's about the quality of life. I'm sleeping better. I'm still using a C-Pap machine, but I wake up in the morning and feel well rested. I've even been waking up earlier, without effort. I've been happier and more pleasant to be around. Just ask my wife. I am out there with my kids and have more energy to spend with them. I can do a whole day of yard work now (as opposed to 1 or 2 hours before I would die) without being exhausted or my back going out. Working out in the yard is now one of my favorite things to do. According to my doctor, getting healthy could increase my life expectency by 15 years! If those 15 years will be anything like the last couple of months have been, the VSG could very well be the best decision I have ever made (except for marrying my wife. She's a peach.) If you are considering having a VSG, do it!:thumbup: If you want to change your life and realize your full potential, do it!:thumbup: If you want to be there for your loved ones now and in the future, do it!:thumbup: I can only say good things about my experience. Reading all the successes and advice from this web site has been a real boost. Thank you all for your stories. Dan S VSG - 3/15/10 Highest Weight - 284 Current Weight - 214 Goal - 180 34 Pounds to go! Who knows, maybe I'll have to adjust my goal to 170.

It took me getting to goal to really feel thin. I still reached for larger sizes for months because I couldn't believe I was a size 8,6, 4 etc. It just takes time. One thing that helped put things into perspective was to take a pre-op shirt, and lay it on the bed, then take a current shirt and lay it on top of my pre-op shirt. OR, an even bigger eye opener was doing this with pre-op panties. . . Holy crap, there is a huge difference between a size 10 panty and size 7 and it might not seem that way when you're wearing them, but lay them next to each other, and you'll be shocked. It'll happen, but you'll have to get a to a mental place of acceptance, and that takes work and time.

The RDA of Protein for an average weight women ages 19-50 is ~50 g. Since most of us are on high protein and low carb diet, you may need more than 50 grams of protein. So this means, you would need 2 cups of greek yogurt daily just to reach the amount set by RDA. Moreover, I doubt it that you would be able to finish 4 oz of Greek yogurt in the first 6 months after surgery. It takes me half an hour to finish 6 oz of GY and I'm almost 5 months out of surgery. Therefore, you need to get used to drinking Protein drinks in the first few months after surgery. I don't recommend pre-made drinks for two reasons (1) Big in size (11 - 17 oz) to me that's torture; pre-made drinks are not the most amazing thing to drink. (2) They tend to be thick in texture: so a few sips and you feel full for hours and therefore you don't get your daily protein. What I recommend is a whey Protein Isolate powder and a chocolate syrup (I personally use unsweetened cocoa powder). You put 8 oz of cold Water, a scoop of protein and 1/2tbsp of cocoa powder and shake everything in a Protein Shaker. The final result is in liquid form and very close to water in viscosity. I can finish it in about 15 minutes. GL

I'm having surgery on Monday too. My surgery is a 10:45 am I'm just as nervous as you i think, hoping for the best. Good luck!!!