WLS Veteran's Forum

If I'm 5"1 when I get to 132 lbs, what size jeans do ya'll think I'd be wearing? Anyone out there about that height and weight now?

Okay, so I've overshot my final goal, and my wife is upset that I'm getting "too skinny". Now what? I'm still losing, slowly, but I really need to stop, and maybe even put 2-3 pounds back on. I guess I need to get out of ketosis. My doc suggested adding back carbs that you'd eat cooked with a meal (brown rice, sweet potatoes, whole wheat Pasta, etc. And I'm guessing quinoa, barley and oatmeal would probably be okay, too. Can any of you vets who have successfully transitioned to maintenance advise about how you did it? What can we do to stop the weight loss – and what shouldn't we do – in order to prevent weight gain? Thanks in advance!!!

I was told recently that surgeons in the US tend to be a little more conservative while surgeons in Mexico tend to sleeve very tight to allow for stretching over time. Anyone have thoughts on this ? Does it seem those sleeved in Mexico have more restriction at one year or more post op ? Could this be why some feel surgery "expired" at one year ?

I had my surgery April 2006, I have kept all my weight off, but am about 15 lbs shy of my goal. Over the past 3 months I have had cravings for nothing but sweets. I have tried various Protein bars and drinks to off set the cravings, but can't get rid of it. Anyone have suggestions for my sweet tooth that won't go away?

This February I will have been banded for 7 years. It's has been a journey... Ups, downs and inbetweens! I have lost weight (over 100lbs) and managed to keep it off. I have also experienced many stalls in weight loss. For over a year, I was too tight. I realized it, but was too scared to loosen it as I didn't want to risk gaining any weight. (I was also on almost complete exercise restriction due to a herniated disk which is now fixed and I am almost back to a normal exercise regime). I would throw up almost every day, almost every meal (morning were especially bad and sometimes struggled to get medications down). Finally, the acid reflux got so unbearable, t…

I am 6 months out and down 80 pounds. I am now realizing I can consume a lot more food even chocolate, bread, rice and pasta with no side affects. Does anyone think I have malabsorption problems or have stretched my pouch? If so... What do I do? I still have 53 pounds to go to reach my goal weight. Please help, I have downloaded my fitness pal app to start tracking my calories and nutrition.

i seen a lot of people recommending Vitamins for hair loss, but can't remember the name, it was something like benetin. is this correct, or is it called something else? thanks.

16 months post-op, sitting around 156 most days. The part that bothers me the most is my fat apron. Though I do know its shrunk from when I was at my heaviest, it is still very prominent. I know its not all skin, the majority of it is still pure fat (confirmed by a plastic surgeon). I feel like I've failed because its still there. I can't fit into a lot of clothes correctly, I always have to wear long shirts to cover it or people stare and make nasty faces at me when my shirt rides up. Does it ever go away?? Have I been doing something wrong to make it stick around?

Stephanie, meet your lap band. Lap band, meet Stephanie. Now that I've re-introduced myself to my lap band I'm starting over and I mean from the beginning. I was banded December 2013 and I've lost 65 lbs with about that much to go. I'm a night shift nurse and work 3-5 12 hour shifts a week with almost no time to exercise. And everyone knows when you're up all night working all you do is eat! I try to make healthy choices but when it's busy and it usually is there's no way to sit down and take my time for a satisfying meal. So I snack a little and then of course I'm hungry 2 hours later and drinking a gallon of water when there's no time to pee is out of the question. So I…

Hi everyone! My name is Melissa. I was banded by Dr. Zapata in Monterrey, Mexico back in the spring of 2010. This is a bit long, but I gotta get it out... Maybe it'll help people who end up in my situation. Who knows? Unfortunately, I went into the surgery with a HORRIBLE attitude. I just sat back and expected my band to do ALL of the work for me without me actually making any changes. If I ate too much or too fast, I just threw it up. No big deal, right? Of course... I wouldn't even admit that to myself. I for the LIFE of me couldn't figure out why I was sick EVERY SINGLE TIME I ATE! In spite of all of that, I DID manage to lose about 60 pounds, but... Because of the…

My Gastric Roux En Y was in October of 2010. I lost 115 pounds. Then i moved from california to utah to get married. I was 153 pounds when i married. then slowly creeped on 23 pounds. I will be 54 years this december. I have had so much stress. my husband is wonderful. I have even went on depression medicine for a while and then gained some from that.. so i took myself off. i am battleing carbs going through menopause,and am naughty on my exercise. I guess i was spoiled how easy it was at first. my nightmare is to gain it back. please are there any motivational hypnosis tapes or something out there to blast me with motivation???? Please help me with what vitamins to take…

I lost 150 pounds to get to goal. The first 100-120 or so came off following a fairly normal protocol. you know, sleever rules. Getting the last 30-40# off to get to goal was like doing hand to hand combat with each pound...haha. So, after I got to goal, I stabilized for awhile and then lost more. I LIKED being trimmer than where I sit now - right at goal. In addition, I was working out so I looked fit. I feel a bit lumpy looking right now. What i find interesting is that I seem to get more attention from the opposite gender a little plumper than when I was thinner...but I don't care about that. I like fitting into slightly smaller clothes and just being less squis…

Hi Everyone, I have been working with a surgeon and am considering bypass. I read an article today and it said that most complications show up once you are further out and that there are a lot of regrets once you have gotten through the "honeymoon period". It also stated that no one goes without complications or regrets . Can anyone comment on this for me?

I saw the new surgeon with my UGI results today. The lapband must be removed due to esophagus and pouch dilation. Yes, pouch dilation is a real complication. I am getting sleeve revision during the same removal surgery in 3 weeks. I have an enormous amount of mixed feelings, but, I know one thing and that is, I will be forever grateful to the band because it saved my life and I made a promise if I were to lose the band, I would never bash the band or become a band hater or make anyone feel like the band was a bad decision! Facts are facts, when I signed on the dotted line, I knew that this type of surgery, like all others, had potential complications and it was my de…

I havent logged on in a long time. I was sleeved 9-23-13. my heighest weight was 270. I am currently 195. I feel like I have failed. I never went back after my 6 month follow up because I was too ashamed of going back to my old habits and being a slow loser. I was down as low as 185 but that was it. I graze, I drink pop, I eat crappy foods. I rarely excersice. I am currently stuggling with depression issues and I really believe thats part of it. What do I do now? A year and a half out and I am so ashamed. I feel like everyone is judging me and thinks I am a failure. Where do I even start?

http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/337174-Appointment-tomorrow%21

Hi I have lost 110 lbs from my highest weight. Almost 9 months post op. I am 33 yrs old. I have been seeing my skin getting worse every month. Worried that surgery won't even help. I have saggy skin with wrinkles and stretch marks now. Wonder if anyone can tell me about their experience with plastic surgery.

I was banded March 2012. I have been extremely happy with my band and the results. I still have 20 pounds to go, but I feel I have done well. I have been in the green zone for over a year and a half. Have had the typical issues of food getting stuck once in a while but that's it. Last week I started getting abdominal pain on and off but just thought it was indigestion? Wasn't sure. I haven't had a fill/ adjustment in over a year or been to a doctor. Monday night I started getting the pain again. Lasted all day yesterday and I can feel the gas just moving around in there. Tried gas x and drinking hot tea and broth. Feeling better today just some pain on and off. I made an …

Does anyone use this app to track food intake? I'm trying to figure out what % of our diet is made up of Protein, carbs and fat. Any wisdom would be appreciated! Terry

I'm sick and tired of driving a half hour away to go to the specialty nutrition store for Calcium and it's too expensive online. Is there anyone that buys from the pharmacy, Target, etc? What do you get? My nutritionist told me only buy the specialty stuff, but that was 2 years ago. I'm sure over-the-counter calcium has evolved since.

As I go into my 4th year of the sleeve I have recognized an evolution of my sleeve. Year One is weird, surreal, tiring, I didn't like food much, wondered if I would ever be able to drink coffee and wine again, as well as rice, Pasta, bread, etc. But it was also SO exciting....like WOOHOO!!!!!! Look at me!!!!! I'm losing so much weight. And the compliments were fast and furious. So it was these two ends of a continuum; one not so great the other thrilling! Shopping and sex was so much fun again! It was a true honeymoon! Year 2 was also great and although I was at the top end of my goal, I thought for sure I would drop 5-10 more lbs that year because I was moving so much…

I would do this journey all over again... At a younger age. I would consider VSG as I have seen and heard great things. Please post your opinion. I believe Lots of people are interested Thanks

Top 10 Bariatric Mistakes! I needed reminding!!! http://www.bariatriceating.com/2015/03/02/top-10-bariatric-post-op-mistakes/

I am 8 months out, started out at 222, presently at 118. I feel like a skeleton. I am 5'7". Have diabetes which has not improved since surgery. Any tips for gaining weight ( God did I really say that?) I was told to get in 85 grams of protein, how? Advice please

I'm 3 years post op and have been successful in maintaining the weight loss. I am now having trouble keeping my sugar levels up. I usually stay around 70-75 (fasting-80 to 85 after eating). is this a coming thing after bypass surgery?

Hi Sleevers, It's been forever since I've posted. I have been at the same weight for a long time. I'm super close to my goal. I was sleeved 2/13/12. I'm very happy that I had it done. Wish I would have done it sooner. I wanted to get back on track and start losing again. I did the 5 day pouch test. I wasn't sure if was going to work...but it did. I'm super happy with the results. Not only did I lose 6 pounds in 5 days I've gain the feeling of more restriction. I'm getting in 90 grams of Protein now, drinking 64 ounces of Water and really trying to focus on what works best for my sleeve. I know I can maintain my weight. I've done that for months now. But now It fin…

This is my first post in the Veterans' Forum. My surgiversary isn't until next week, but I have something on my mind and would like feedback. I have been below goal since December. It's time to learn how to do maintenance and "moderation." I have to admit that I am afraid that if I change my habits even a little, that I will spiral out of control and end up morbidly obese again a year from now. I know that this "all or nothing" mentality is part of the reason my weight got so out of control. I would use my failure to resist treats as an excuse to forget about my diet, and just keep on eating whatever I wanted. Now that I am thin enough to be healthy, I don't want t…

I posted earlier that I am working on remembering how far I've come to help motivate me to where I want to be... I've lost a total of 76lbs (gained some back). So I had a coworker take my picture with two 35lb Water jugs. How much have you lost? Is there an item that weighs that amount that you can pick up to show yourself how much you're NOT carrying around any more?

So I was lucky enough to have my insurance approve my panniculectmy & abdominoplasty and it is scheduled for this week. I'm thinking I'll need some nightgowns since I probably won't want to be wearing even yoga pants at first. For those who have had this surgery, or have planned for it, do you have any tips? Anything else I should get, what to expect, etc. Any feedback is appreciated !!

Ok Veteran Sleevers, for those of you that are still rocking that sleeve with no backsliding, kudos to you, you are Rock ⭐️Stars! BUT, for those like myself that have left the "rock ????band" to pursue another career and want to get back onstage, I'm challenging you to join me in a 10 Day Rock Tour! (Please forgive my witty puns here, gotta keep my sense of humor in tack) Here's my plan to get those unwelcome 20 ????groupies (pounds) off my stage (body). 1. Take my "act" on the road. ????????Walk/run at least 3 miles EVERY day. No excuses. If it's raining ☔️I will walk on the treadmill or go to a mall and walk. The 3 miles is in addition to any normal walking I alread…

I have never admitted that to anyone. I was banded on Aug 2013 and lost 50 lbs and have lost no more!

Anyone having any issues with leg/foot numbness after surgery? I am 7 months out. Would love to hear about it if you are.

I am sitting at the hospital waiting for the band removal. It has been in for two years and I have lost all the weight. It has been a fantastic experience to be really slim and I am just wondering if there are any people out there who had the band removed and stayed slim.

Hi Everyone I had my Gastric Bypass done March 3rd 2011 and have had everything happen that they said could happen. I am now dealing with a small bowel obstruction almost everyday. Sometimes I am having to to the hospital for pain management and have had 10 obstructions and 2 hernias operated on. I would like to know if anyone else has had these kinds of complications and how your doctor fixed it. I am at my end with all the suffering and getting depressed fast. Thanks in advance. Evelyne

I had my first RNY surgery in July 2010. My HW was 375, SW was 350 and I was maintaining my weight around 210. I was very happy how things were going. Then this past December I started getting sick after eating so I just started eating less. Well after a couple months of this I finally went to my family doctor. He got me an appointment with a doctor to get an scope down my throat to see if there was any issues. Well there was an issue the area where my small intestine connected to my small pouch had collapsed. He was able to get it open enough that I was put on a liquid diet until my Bariatric doctor could put in a stint. So on April is was to have the stint put i…

I have gained a bit of weight back, and I have to admit that it's hard not to freak out completely. I was reading up on post wls weight gain and came across this procedure. Have any of you used it? I am thinking it would be very extreme for the amount of weight I've gained. But I am curious.... http://gastro.ucla.edu/site.cfm?id=321

I've had my band for over two years now. I had two fills early this year, first ones I've had since having the band put in. I have a total of 1cc of Fluid in my band. Lately I've been having trouble in the morning with my greek yogurt. I can eat my oatmeal and not have any problem, but if I try to eat my yogurt first I get that stuck feeling. It feels like my stomach shrinks over night. I've not been able to eat certain kinds of beef. Steak and roast are off my menu now. I had to switch to dark meat chicken, because chicken breast gets stuck. I've got to the point where I'm terrified to eat anymore. I never know whats gonna go down or get stuck. Do you think that my band…

6 years post-op and have gained everything back. Poor choices coupled with a band that is almost full that essentially has no restriction. Really looking to get back on track! Of course I have just moved and changed insurances that do not cover bariatric procedures so any fills will be on me. Looking for advice, your yo-yo success story or inspiration .......thanks

Has anyone heard from Rev's ? Just wondering how she is going. I remember reading she had some major changes in her personal life then nothing. When times were tough you could rely on Rev's to have something to say that put things back into perspective. Hope she is doing well

Hello everyone!! I am back on and in need of some input. I will have my band now for 6 yrs in July. When I first got the band it worked great! For the past couple years I have been at a stall then all of a sudden I began gaining weight.. Knowing that muscle weighs more then fat I am just hoping my weight gain is muscle.. My tummy is big with fat and then with all the muscle back there which I can totally feel my mid section is bigger and my jeans don't fit ;-( this makes me sad and adds to the discouragement. A couple years ago I had issues with high cholesterol and my fibromyagla got really bad. So I began hitting the gym a min of 3 days a week I really got …

My sleeve is pretty tough and can handle every food I eat regularly. The things that used to bother me don't anymore, which is great. But every once in awhile I dump on a food I've eaten many times before, and it lasts for DAYS. I'm currently on day 3 of everything just shooting through my system. Every time I take a bite of food, I need to poop right after, and its not solid. It does hurt, but not in my "sleeve" stomach area, more like my lower intestinal area near my belly button. Anyone else have this? This time it was a small bowl of Life Cereal. Also wondering if the fact that I increased my Fiber by a lot recently is adding to it? Is it something I just need t…

So here is the short version of my story. Banded 2007 did great lost weight kept it off, decided to revise to sleeve in 2013 because of how "great" everyone said it was and also honestly I was tired of feeling stuck for 6 years and just wanted to feel full for once. Since my revision Iv gained 10lbs, Iv felt hungrier (physically) than I ever did with the band (my stomach actually growls now !) and I can eat very large portions. Iv checked my X-rays and I know my sleeve is much larger than it should be and that my doc used a 42 Bougie and went very liberal at that. Iv obsessively researched options for revising the sleeve and Iv found a surgeon who is very experienced …

These things scare the crap out of me when they happen. I know that when they happen it is my fault, and that I should not eat or drink so close to going to sleep, but has anyone else experienced this? I also wanted to know if anyone else has trouble eating hamburgers? Bunless of course. We use the 90/10 ground beef but I had it around 8:00 pm and went to bed after 10:00 tonight and it just did not digest. The result was night coughs feeling like I asperated a piece of ground meat. After a lot of coughing, I feel better now but I do not foresee homemade burgers in my future for a long time!!

I'm currently 19 months post op. So I heard back yesterday from the surgeon that my panniculectomy AND abdominoplasty was approved by my insurance as medically necessary and covered. The surgeon said usually they just approve the panni, but that not many approve the abdominoplasty, which is your typical tummy tuck. He will remove the excess skin, but also tighten everything up, fix the sides up a bit, and basically build me a new belly button. It is horizontal, so hip-to-hip, and the recovery is said to be pretty rough. So the reason I'm only 1/2 approved and 1/2 excited is that my brachioplasty or arm lift was not approved, even though I have the medical docum…

I'm ten months out, and have basically been expanding my diet with so many new discoveries. Salmon fish remains an impossibility. No matter how many ways I prepare it, and how much I drown it in salsa, it still needs to be brought back up. In trying to describe it to a friend, she kept asking, 'What-- is it an allergy? A sensitivity? " And I didn't know how to respond. In essence, my bloodstream is fine with the addition of salmon to my diet, but my POUCH is the one who is rejecting it. So then, what category does that fall under? Grouchiness? Pouch the Grouch? How do you explain that to the world?

I'm set to have my first IV Iron infusion on Monday. Wheee! I waited to see the hematologist for four months while my iron was in the gutter, and I feel so awful that I haven't been able to work full time for months. I've been mentally foggy, walking into walls, my hands and feet buzzing, the whole bit. Since October I've been taking 300mg of Feramax a day and have got my iron up from 11 to 15, so I'm feeling slightly better than I was and not passing out randomly, but still not feeling well at all and falling asleep at my desk. For those of you who have done the IV iron, how long did it take you to bounce back and feel sort of normal again? I have to do three conse…

I have been a member on this site since before I was "sleeved"... almost 4 years! I have not checked in for months! It feels good to come back and see how everyone is doing and read how excited all the newbies are! So basically 95% of the time I forget I had WLS. I have been hovering with in 10 pounds of my low weight. I go back and forth, like a normal person does. No complications except low Iron occasionally. My portions are more "normal" But my metabolism has picked back up and I am fairly active. STILL THE BEST THING I HAVE EVER DONE FOR MYSELF :-) How about you? How are you doing 3-5 years out?

Hi i had my surgery 09/09. I went from 298 to 138. After my brother getting killed in Afghanistan and my husband being deployed i started drinking and did realize how much i was drinking. I gained back to 215 lbs. i have not drank in almost 4 months. But need to get back into my protein and vitamins to get the weight back off. Any advice on how to kick start the journey again.

October 2010 I was banded with a 10cc band. I did fantastic. Before I started the journey I was 324. Lowest I got was 209 and that was truly too low for me. I did not look myself and I was obsessed with what I ate and exercised a lot. Well since I exercised so much and intensely, I caused a stress fracture in my foot. Well 2 surgeries later and facing another one probably this summer, I am 304. I am such an emotional eater. I keep saying I am ready to start again and I think I am. I need encouragement. . I have a desk job and tend to munch on candy and such. Anyone have any good nibble snacks to have at my desk for stress eating. Send some tips of how you got back on trac…

...I don't feel like I can share it with many of my other sleever pals. Most of them are still considered obese, even though we were sleeved around the same time. I feel guilty posting about my success in our groups, because I don't want to make others feel bad. At the same time, they are the only people I know who understand what this process is like. At first we were all united and very supportive of each other. Now I just feel like every time I share a success, they get upset about it. Anyone else have this experience?