WLS Veteran's Forum

The intermittent fasting seems to be the ticket for vets in a rut like myself. I gained 7-8 pounds back from my all time low over the last year. (I am 2.5 years out) Unfortunately I am not able to only consume 500 calories or less per day. I wish I had the will power to do it!!!! BUT I started a similar idea at the first of the year and I am down 3.5lbs!!! It’s called the 8 hour diet. It’s simple. You eat 8 hours of the day only, the other 16 you fast. (you drink Water or other beverages with no calories.) Basically you can eat whatever in the 8 hours with in moderation, but no need to restrict calories significantly. So far so good!!! It is surprisingly easy for m…

I had a Bypass done about 20 years ago. It worked well. I have never regretted getting it done! After some time, I started to regain some of my weight back. So I went in and got the Lap-Band over my Bypass to help support more weight loss. The Band was a HUGE mistake!!! I have had it now for 5 years. I NEVER lost ANY additional weight with the band and was later told that sometimes, that is the case. So after enduring over a year of pain and misery with no results, I had all the Fluid removed from the band, so as not to use it any more. Over time I guess the band must have slipped, because it started to become hard to get food down again and was just like it was before. I…

Most WLS post ops lose 100 # and more. This changes the body's sense of balance and posture. The way we hold our body is not the same as before and this can result in physical strain, especially in the shoulders, back, hips and knees. What are some strategies that you have re-learned in terms of sitting, standing and walking? I believe this topic is not posted about much so any ideas would be helpful to post in this thread. For example, I have lost 180 # and have a totally different muscle composition from head to toe. And I am still working on how to hold myself differently at almost 2 years post op. I am sure this is a problem for other folks too.

Okay, I am doing pretty good, but have had some issues in recent months that warranted follow up. My PCP did some basic screening tests which just came back. The only thing that is "off" is hemocratic is high which is a sign my B levels might be low. I take the sublingual drops but they told me that often people post WLS just can't absorb properly so I may need to switch to injections. Good news is that no signs of problems in thyroid, other blood work etc. Next round is the results of the Micronutrient testing via Spectracell Laboratories. This takes 3 weeks to come back as it is a different kind of test. We won't make any supplement decisions until those results…

Never will I again, I got acute gastritis because I ran out of my stomach meds. Hadn't had any in 6 days I was hurting so freaking bad. Thought it was my gall bladder but it was mostly my left side not right. Had to go to the ER because I was hurting so bad. So nauseated vomiting foam mostly. Thought it was a heart attack to. Starting to feel better now. Keep taking your pills!!

I've been banded since 07 and yesterday I asked my doctor to remove my band. I'm having a hate relationship with it. I'm the biggest I've ever been and I honestly eat well. He said starving won't keep your body from loosing. I find that hard to believe! I was puking multiple times a day and barely getting anything down. I hope when I go back in a month he will see I just don't sit around eating ice cream. It's frustrating when you really watch what you consume. I hope not having any fluid will help! I'm excited to actually be able to eat a boca patty or salad and keep it down! Bring on the scale in a month! Anyone have a rough go with their band? Have you wanted t…

I'm 10mths post op and still heavily rely on my sleeve restriction. I can only eat so much without being in extreme pain. I'm wondering if the longer I go, will the restriction still be my main goal or if the healthier habits I should have picked up by now take over? What do u think the secrets of ur success r attributed to? I know I should pick up healthy habits just in case I lose the optimal retriction I now enjoy. I guess I'm holding on to the hope Ill always be able to eat very little and that I can continue eating whatever I want. A girl can dream can't she?

I had the lab band surgery back in December 2012. After four months I was finally at the right fill, and began losing weight at a steady rate! During the following summer, and until now I've lost around 60 pounds. I do need to lose more! The problem is I became "comfortable" at the new weight! I was able to wear clothes that hadn't fit since the previous fad diet failed and the weight came back on. One good thing, the weight is not returning. Had I failed a fad diet in the past, I'd lose the weight in the summer, and by the next spring be at a new record high. The lap band works well enough that I find I can maintain weight without a lot of work, mental anguish, or …

I See that waist trainers are very popular now. I was wondering how and if it worked with lapband. My port is noticeable so I don't think it would be a good idea for me. I really want try the waist trainer but I don't want to screw up my band. Do you are anyone you know with a band use a waist trainer?

Had my surgery 11/20/12 and was 315 the day of surgery. Most people don't believe me because I am 6' tall. I carried my weight well, but at the end of the day I was morbidly obese. I did get down to my lowest of 175 but that was short lived. Insert a bad relationship, holidays and a breakup and you have an increase up to 185-190. I am over it. And it is waaaay too close to 200 for my taste. That allll being said. I need help from my fellow veterans. What are you all doing to get to target and maintain? I need some guidance and I'm not afraid to try new things. I had to stop Crossfit due to an injury that is finally appearing to have healed. I would dearly love to he…

Today is my FOUR YEAR SURGIVERSARY! It's hard to believe how fast these years have gone by! I'm very thankful and grateful that I was able to have VSG and it completely resolved my weight and health issues including High Blood Pressure, sleep apnea and knee/joint pain. I'm at my original goal 148-150 and even though I've hit a few "bumps" along the way (regain of 27 pounds in year 3), I've managed to get back up, figure out a way to succeed and continue on! I'm at a stage now where, knowing me, I've got to continue to make wise food choices. I tend to do really well for a while and then slowly allow junk to sidetrack me. I know by the way I feel now (tired) I am…

How are your portions? How is maintenance? Is anyone revising to the DS or Gastric Bypass? Anyone struggling with significant regain? I feel like I am stuck trying to lose 10 pounds that I have gained since I made goal.... I have had success with the 8 hour diet plan...But my willpower is about zero right now. I am bummed, I want to lose my 10 of regain plus 10 more. I am pretty determined just want to know where others are at this far out. Don't be shy! Any thoughts/ input are welcome.

Had anyone had there stoma go from the size of an egg to a large orange within 18 month to quick? And your doing the right things and you have no clue why? I have had 3 upper endoscopy ' s to me it makes no sense my doctor swears up and down its due to my food intake makes me feel like I'm a big olé liar I am not. All I can think if is overload my stomach with water maybe and the doctor said I can gulp water if I want after about a year. Anyone have any clue to this?

I've always been one. I feel I am worse now. I feel more judged than ever. Does anyone feel this way. I'm sliding back into eating when no one is around. I constantly get WOW you can eat more now and can you eat that and I feel like everyone is looking at what I am eating. I wish no one new about the surgery I'm struggling I still haven't gotten to goal but I still don't eat much but I'm starting to hide when I eat and I know it's bad but I don't want to eat in public or around my family and friends. Is it me or do others feel this way?

Was in a lil funk this morning, mostly due to not getting proper rest & nutrition this week. Managed to get 8 hours of sleep last night and decided to get up and clean my neglected bedroom. FOUND A PAIR OF "BEFORE" JEANS. I remember sticking them in a drawer last year or so... I thought maybe when I reached goal I'd do the before/after pics. Have sinned reached goal but never got the inclination to do the photo. Anyway, I examined the shapeless jeans with the thigh area worn paper thin... I fought back tears and just kept staring at them. Not sure why I'm feeling sad now because I'm grateful for my sleeve and resulting progress. I'm probabl…

I had surgery 18 months ago and am at my goal. Everything has been going fine but I started having a lot of trouble eating, vomitting, really bad gastric reflux and lost more weight. My surgeon gave me a gastroscopy and said my sleeve had moved up and I need more surgery. So confused right now and not looking forward to more surgery. Help!!!

Wow, its been a long time since I darkened the proverbial door of bariatric pal, for some reason I lost interest when the site changed over but I think I need to come back to you guys, because I have been feeling really comfortable, but not in a good way. I'm about a year and a half post op, down about 90 pounds and for lack of a better word, really.... stuck? I'm probably not truly as stuck as I feel, but I've lost my steam and my weight loss as really leveled off to a halt. Things have been great, never really been sick from my sleeve, down around what I think society considers "acceptable fat" meaning I'm around about a size 14 or 16 depending on the brand, ex…

Hi There, My name is Carole, i live in Manchester, UK and I had my band fitted in 2007 with a start weight of 19 stone. (I now have 8 mils in my band) After several fills and coping reasonably well with my diet I started losing weight and In 2011 I hit the 13 stone mark and fluctuated between 12 stone 7 and 13 stone up until July 2013 when i reached my goal weight of 10 stone 11lbs.. Between then and now I have had an awful lot of emotional issues going on in my life due to a break up in my marraige. I am an emotional eater and when I am upset my comfort is food!! During this time i have put on weight and I am now 11 stone 13lbs... there is no way I want to le…

Hi Vets! I have been here learning and growing on VST/BP since before my surgery Apr 2011. These forums have been such a significant piece of my WLS adventure. But I did not start doing any posting until a few weeks ago--all of the knowledge I gained from here has been just by being a "lurker arounder." There still is REAL POWER in just staying in the background. For me, I felt I needed the face-to-face support groups to get a firmer footing on this new lifestyle. I still attend 4 groups per month. It's just now at 3 years that I feel comfortable using an online forum. So many of you vets who post here regularly--I feel like I know you personally already, especia…

I am so discouraged! I have lost 102lbs, but I have not lost anything for over a month. I don't know what to do...I am 9 months out. I started at 330 and I am 228 now, I am 5'7". I have gone from 3X to XL and 24 to 16, and I want to lose another 50, is it even possible??? Help!

Well I finally saw a new "lower"number on the scale today! I have been bouncing from 156 to 159 for the past 2 months. Today I saw 155! I actually weighed myself twice to make sure I was seeing the right number.

Hi all. First time last night I woke with an intense esophageal pain from stomach to back of throat. It was especially intense behind the breast bone. I took my 20 mg of prilosec as usual yesterday, as I have every day in the last two years. Diet was pretty standard yday compared to last few months, but I did have a dessert bar when I went to bed. That is not usual, but I have eaten the exact same thing earlier in the day (not yday) without issue. Dessert bar had sugar and butter in addition to almond flour, sliced onions and a thin drip of frosting glaze. I never get heart burn, gerd or any issues like that since vsg. So the event last night kind of threw me a little. I…

I'm a little over two years out. I'm eating like crazy again. I've done this before and put on 12lbs. I'm up 8 so far and I can't get a grip!! I need a swift kick in the ass!!!

Only ask this question because I can't find the rules about posting on this area. I am 10 months out, I am at goal and have lost just over 105 lbs. I have some questions about maintenance. Historically I have never been good at this since first diet aged 7 yrs or so.

Hello, I had surgery in April 2008...I lost 130, but gained back +- 30. I got under 200 for five minutes... Last year, I did go to a bariatric doc and had some tests, including an Endoscopy to see if any problems....umm, no pouch probs! I did go to a weight loss doc and took meds and lost 25 lbs over several months. I really hoped that losing slowly would help keep it off and I would head towards goal, which I never got to or near. I have gained back 15. I was going to support group and that helped and did go to Nutrition class, which was very helpful. I learned a lot and there has been a lot of research done even since I had my surgery. I am considering therapy. …

This morning, as I was crawling on the floor, playing monster trucks with a two year old, I found myself feeling so grateful ! In 14 months post surgery, how my life has changed! The chronic back pain is now occasional, I can RUN without getting out of breath, I am a size 2-4 instead of 18, my energy level is through the roof! Could not be happier! Thanks to the lap band, I truely have a new lease on life! Wishing you all success however you define it!

OMG! 2 1/2 years out and experienced my first episode of dumping and NEVER want to experience that again! Went to my favorite frozen yogurt place. They have fat free/sugar free soft frozen yogurt that they can make in any of 48 flavors! So I ordered my usual small dish. She made it about twice the size!! Well, the fat kid in me, kept eating until it was gone about 30 minutes later, some stomach cramps. I thought maybe it was gas or I needed to poo. 20 minutes later, I KNEW I had to poo. Sitting there, things started to go gray, I was soaked in sweat AND freezing. I put my head down and must have passed out. I woke, curled up on the floor. Got up, sat back down, the…

Hello all! I am 8 years out from gastric bypass but I have gained 72lbs in the last 3 years. I'm considering a revision. Any info is greatly appreciate!

My name is Stephanie I am a 43 year old mother of 3 and wife to Matt for almost 25 years. I got my first band January 2011. I proceeded over the next year to go from a size 24 down to a 14. I was running and loving life. I did great and loved my band, it was honestly my saving grace. In August 2012 on a Monday , I went to lunch and began throwing up. I luckily had just had all my Fluid removed from my band so a little throwing up didn't make me overly concerned. I went home from work. By the next day I was throwing up constantly, I went to the ER as my lapband doctor was out of town. The ER said I was dehydrated and gave me IVs but no anti nausea meds. Went home and stil…

I have gained a shocking 6 pounds in just a few days. I ate alot this weekend (I have been working on improving appetite so that was considered good) but I think the real trick was coming off my horse, not once, but twice this weekend. I haven't fallen in 9 years and then to have it happen twice...oy boy! First fall, the horse actually fell off the the trail so it wasn't too big of a fall for me - I was basically already on the ground when I lept off. Bumped an elbow and finger but continued the ride. Next day, my horse took issue with the concept of firing a gun off her back even though it was just primer (learning to do a sport called cowboy mounted shooting) The re…

food intake in women two years or more after bariatric surgery meets adequate intake requirements - supplements and what that data is based on? I mean some of these places do market to us, do we really need it?

Attempting to lose weight or simply eat healthier is difficult when you find yourself continuously craving sugar. This desire for sugar may cause you to break your diet and reach for candy or baked goods instead of a healthy snack. To curb your sugar cravings, eat fiber-rich foods, which make you feel fuller longer and help keep cravings at bay. Additionally, Fiber helps keep your blood sugar from rising too quickly, which may lead to sugar cravings Whole grains, such as whole wheat, barley, oats and brown rice, contain fiber, which can help reduce your sugar cravings. Whole grain breads and brown rice dishes are good sources. Consuming six to 11 servings of whole grain…

Pretty good. I will be taking these to the movies.

I used to be pretty active on the forum, mostly because my lapband was the center of my universe. I still log on daily, browsing the new content to see if there is anything interesting or pertinent to my life, but I rarely find a post that tells me something new, or where someone hasn’t already said what I would have said. I used to log every meal with MFP, meticulously logging my exercise as well, but I can’t remember the last time I was there. I eat what and how much I want, I exercise when and how I want, not paying much attention to calories burned. I haven’t been in for a fill in almost a year, I will check in with my lapband surgeon in a couple of months, not be…

We talked about all the physical weirdness post weight loss on another thread. Well, I have really been suffering some pain. It all started with a gym injury in January that apparently has exposed some "issues" Anyway, sports med doc said it might be weight loss related but he sees people with my issues who were never overweight. I am going to try in addition to Phsycial therapy and chiro... a supportive vest kind of thing for my back. More info to follow... He said a couple of other notable things... "you are a young 49, but you aren't 19". I think that was a realistic expectations comment. He was very worried about my recent loss of appetite and emphasized exac…

Long time no post, just wanted to say hi. I haven't been by for a long time but I'm 6 years post banding and I still weigh 116 pounds. I forget I have my band in for the most part. I did put 4 pounds on recently and when I looked at my diet I knew exactly why. My advice is to look out for those things that become habit, your head has a way of forgetting you've eaten or drunk them because they are routine. As soon as I stopped having that morning latte and the weekly hummus and pitta, it dropped right back off. I'm sorry others don't have such good experiences though. I love my wedding photos, still can't believe that's my waist!

Can anyone tell me what the signs of a band erosion or slip? Or how you felt when this happened?

Flew back from Hawaii last night and " caught " something. I am hoping that the symptoms might trigger a response from someone. I had to go to the ER late last night (2-5am) on way home from the airport because it got really bad pretty quickly. The reason I am asking you is because the ER doctor simply said I had "something", but didn't know what it was. I will be following up with the PCP in a couple days. In the meanwhile, I am resting and on Clear liquids today, but will switch to BRAT diet tomorrow for a couple days. Symptoms: *Severe respiratory issues *Nausea- mostly dry heaved on way from airport to ER (45 min). My wife had said something came up that didn'…

I haven't had sugar in my diet for over a year and a half........ Fast forward to this past weekend...... I had TWO (not one, but TWO) CHUNKS of cake from our favorite bakery, a pitcher of RUM PUNCH (with several shots of EXTRA rum added to it).......... and I went right into a SUGAR COMA (that's an expression..... I didn't really go into a "coma") for the rest of the weekend. Woke up with a headache........ and NOT from a hangover....... I'm 100% sure it was from all the DAMN SUGAR. Thank God, I did not have the old withdrawal symptoms I used to have every time I WENT ON A DIET AND TRIED TO GET OFF THE SUGAR........ LESSON LEARNED.......... MY BODY CANNOT TOLE…

I am a 2011 bandster. Just after it was placed, my sweet son was called home at age 16. He had a heart condition, but his death came in a way I never imagined. We were walking wounded for over a year. The other kids, DH, and I existed. I never went back for any fills, I never followed a diet, although, I had enough restriction to not eat breads. I lost 40 pounds initially before losing Christopher. 3 years later, we are just starting to live again. Well, I got horrifically sick with a virus that Dh brought home from work. I tossed my Cookies for two days. And.....my side started hurting...and I couldn't hold fluids down. Concerned, I made myself go on a liquid diet, but I…

Was wondering if any of the Veteran bandsters have experienced any wheezing just start on and off out of no where?

I everyone Our cruise to lose for October 24th is due by next week. A $300 deposit will hold your cabin for this cruise. May 28th is the last day to take deposits, no exceptions. Prices are s follows BALCONY $960 per person double occupancy ( two in a room) plus tax OCEAN VIEW $670 per person double occupancy (two in a room) plus tax INTERIOR (no windows). $570 per person plus tax. This is an. 8 day cruise with the following itinerary: SAT. PT CANAVERAL SUN. FUN DAY AT SEA MON. FUN DAY AT SEA TUES. CURAÇAO WED. ARUBA THUR FUN DAY AT SEA FRI. GRAND TURK SAT. FUN DAY AT SEA SUN RETURN TO PORT CANAVERAL IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT AL…

Ok, thanks to CowgirlJane, I'm starting a thread on long term supplementation. I think I was going to go over Calcium and Vitamin D first. Then Iron supplementation and heme/non heme types. Vitamin K would be another one, as I bet people didn't know that some supplements don't have it. Any other suggestions?

My weight has been stable but my size isn't. I guess due to exercise / weight training. My size 4 pants are loose. I hesitate to say I'm a size 2. I read folks in maintenance will level off and regain 10-15 pounds. How true that is?? I don't know but if it is, when will it?? I'm investing heavily in a new wardrobe and really would hate to end up with a closet full of "One day I'll get back to that size" clothes again

I am in year three of the sleeve. I lost 85 pounds. Never reached goal but have maintained the lost with noo gain beyond the normal 5 pound up and down bounce I have been on a push to lose more. 5:2 has helped shed an additional 5 pounds. scale is moving in the right direction I eat protien and veggies very very litte carbs. And most recently I have baked the calories down to 800 - 1000. That seems to work for me. I see now my hair is thinning. Very upset! I want to lose weight not my hair I know this is a topic but I am panic'd and haven't searched for the topic yet. I am sure the answer is in vitiams which I must admit I don't take. But I will take them all A…

*** Reflux in Bariatric Patients http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21165778 Symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux following laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy are related to the final shape of the sleeve as depicted by radiology. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3505545/ Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy: Symptoms of Gastroesophageal Reflux can be Reduced by Changes in Surgical Technique http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21955743 Gastroesophageal reflux after sleeve gastrectomy in morbidly obese patients. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21130052 Effect of sleeve gastrectomy on gastroesophageal reflux disease: a systematic review. http://www.bariatri…

I got my 5th fill Thursday and now burp everytime I drink something. Surgeon always does fluoroscope after which was fine. Tried to eat tuna and egg with cheese last nite and had my first bad stuck episode. Soooo painful but passed within 15 mins, so back to liquids for now. I plan to give this a few more days to settle and will call if not better. Has anyone else experienced burping after a fill ?

Hello Everybody. I been gone almost 4 years. I just wanted to share my progress.Please follow me on youtube channel Maria-Victoria Franco. I'm gathering pics to make another video!!! Please read my update... Thanks for your support. https://plus.google.com/115997421400295293801/posts/W3eDzj2uQag