esskay77

I didn't want the band because I didn't want to keep going back for "fills". You have to do this on occasion, especially at the beginning. The band starts at a certain tightness and as you lose weight, it needs to be tightened. Or if may be too tight and you have to go back and have some of the fill removed to loosen it up, etc. Plus, it can slip. I think if it slips, you have to have it removed or redone or something (though don't take my word for it on that, just use that as a question to ask your doctor!!). And, you will notice that many people here have started with the band and then end up having a different surgery later for a variety of reasons. Often times, between the 2 surgeries, they put back on a lot of weight. I just didn't want to take that chance. I chose the gastric bypass over the sleeve though the sleeve interested me. Partially, because my doctor recommended that choice since I was quite a bit overweight and you can lose more weight on the gastric bypass. You don't have as much to lose so the sleeve may be a viable choice for you. I am very happy with my choice. You might want to ask about the percentage of people who have had one surgery and the had to have another. But basically, it's up to you and each person has their own experience.

I agree with the above comments. People ARE going to ask and many more people won't ask out loud but they will be wondering and possibly asking other people if they noticed, too. The first thing they might wonder is if you are sick. You don't have to give details. I don't give details to too many people. I did talk to my immediate group of people that I work with and sit near. Unfortunately, one of them told other people who then told other people. Sigh. But, if someone were to ask if this were a good thing, I would just say, yes, it was the right thing for me to do. Most people ask what it is that I'm doing (if they don't know about the surgery, and sometimes if they do know about the surgery because they really don't know how it works). I just tell them that there isn't just one thing that I"m doing. It's a combination of quite a few things, including exercising a lot and focusing on more Protein and less carbs. I don't feel the need to tell them that I had surgery necessarily. It really depends on who they are and why I think they are asking. One person had asked some vague questions and he is the only one I have felt bad about not telling because he is trying to lose weight and it may have helped him. I may still talk with him but not sure yet. The worst part for me is when I haven't lost weight in a while and they all wondering if I'm still on track. I just say that I am, though I have had a few stalls. And that's it. Luckily, most people aren't asking to be rude, they really care and want to know. Anyway, I would suggest that you have some vague comments prepared so that you can smile and answer the barrage of questions without telling them details. If they ask how much weight you have lost, just say that you are "on track" (with a smile). If they press, then say that you don't feel comfortable talking about that. Unless you do, then go for it! But, if you have some nice comments prepared, it takes the pressure off. Best of luck. I think one of the hardest things about losing weight is becoming more the center of attention. It's really only because when we are at our heaviest, we try really hard to be invisible and that becomes our comfort zone. Being uncomfortable is growth in a good way. You are really just rejoining the community and it is weird to do that. Enjoy your journey, enjoy people wanting to talk to you and taking an interest in you. It really is a good thing!

That's fantastic! Congratulations! I have no doubt that you are going to do great. Enjoy your journey and your new life!

myfitnesspal is an app for your mobile phone. I know that with an iPhone, you can download it from the AppStore and it is free. You can probably also use it on your regular computer if you go here: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/ Best of luck!

I am so happy that you finally know the cause of all this. But I feel for you that you had to endure so much. But, today is a new day. Enjoy the journey as you discover what is actually possible for you.

Were you shocked by how it all ends? Or was it so new to you that it didn't? I do love Miss Marple, too! I will check out Acorn TV, thanks!

Thanks!!!@Mommabird. Good to know tomatoes count as a veggie. Phew! Too bad about the avocado.

Does ANYBODY watch the PBS Hercule Poirot series? If so, did you see the final episode of the series? I never read all the books so I was SHOCKED at the final episode but haven't found anybody to commiserate with!!!! ANyone? Anyone? Bueller? lol

Lot's of theories abound. Many say that the carbonation gases can stretch the pouch. Others say that it can't. I did find this statement when I googled it: "Somebody on here once said that their doctor said, not all his patients who gained weight back after surgery went back to drinking pop or diet pop, but all his patients who went back to drinking pop or even diet pop gained back weight. To me it is not worth the risk." I have also heard something similar. Is it true? I don't know. But I'm not going to risk it. Besides I know somebody who works for the FDA and they said that if you knew what was really in a Diet Coke, you would never touch it again. Of course, that doesn't say anything about carbonated Water (which I do really miss!). Basically, my doctor and NUT say to stay away from it so I"m going to for as much as possible. Will I freak out if I try a little at some point--I hope not but... lol. Ask your doctor and your NUT and then use your best judgement for you.

I totally hear you!!! But, you have to buckle down and follow the plan!! You know that, I know that, we all know that. And yes, we all struggle periodically. You sound like me--if I"m not going to be perfect, then why do it? Perfection doesn't exist (I still have to keep telling myself). Take this one day at a time. Do what you can today. Don't worry about tomorrow, focus on today. You are actually doing great, so give yourself a break! Accept the fact that you are awesome. And flawed. We all are! If you slip, make sure you write it in your food journal so you keep accurate records! But then, dust yourself off and get going again.

They said they were going to give me pain meds but frankly, by the time I got to the ER, the pain had subsided. The pain is only when the stones are sneaking out! Or sometimes they get stuck. Mine must have made it out. Apparently, if you eat any fried or fatty food, the gall bladder compresses to release more bile to handle the fried or fatty food. WHen it compresses, any stones in there try to escape. That is the pain, the stones moving out. Once they are all the way out, the pain goes away, until next time!! So, even though they admitted me to the hospital for a day and a half, they didn't remove it then. I am still trying to schedule surgery date to have it removed. My pain was a bit different and it felt like what I imagine a heart attack to feel like. Not really in my heart but pain/ache/not sure how to describe it in my upper abdomen but also reaching around to my back and just takes my breath away. I can ever quite pinpoint where the pain is when it is happening other than what I just said. So, no, they haven't yet removed it but you should be happy to have it removed sooner rather than later. THe pain of that is worse than the pain of recovering from surgery!!! lol

I'm sure that we have all had our slips! I'm a year post-op and our company just had a party and they brought in Chinese food. I didn't take a lot like I normally would have but I took a crab rangoon, an egg roll, a spring roll, some barbequed pork--I left the entrees alone. Luckily I only took some bites of each and then threw it away but I shouldn't have had any of it. I knew it but couldn't stop myself! Sigh. But, all you can do is get back on that wagon and start over. It's going to be hard some days. The thing that is helping me is going to a support group where they talk about food addiction. Because that is the thing that makes us eat that stuff! I'm a work in progress and I assume you are, too. Well, we all are. Don't beat yourself up but use it to be stronger the next time. Because there will be a next time.

I was told, and believe, that the sooner you make the changes and follow the plan and get on board, the more lilkely you are to be successful long term. Some people who start following the plan right away and start losing right away, eventually decide to not have the surgery because they now know how to lose weight. Of course, it is not a temporary diet, it is a lifestyle change. If you go back to the way you have been now, you will gain the weight back, either with any of these diets or even with the surgery. The surgery is just a tool that can give you a jump start--it is not a cure and you CAN put all your weight back on and then some if you don't follow the plan. Luckily, the surgery can make it easier to follow the plan. But, you need to decide what you want. Do you want to lose weight? Do you want a better quality of life? if you do, then start following the plan now. Who cares if you lose the weight from surgery or from following this plan or both? If the weight comes off, then awesome!! Of course, having said that, I also completely understand how difficult it is to follow the plan. The one awesome thing about the surgery is that it can take away that hunger hormone which is a little devil!! lol Whatever you decide, do it because you want to do it and then go full steam ahead!

I also suggest taking Biotin. Especially for your hair as it will start to thin a bit (or it possibly could).

I think Athena3127 was just asking some questions to get more information, not judging. It sounds like you are following the plan and doing really well. And now that you know it's gall bladder issues, case solved! I also need to have my gall bladder out but need to get it scheduled soon. I don't ever want to deal with that pain again!!!!

@Marathongirl: Thanks for the ideas!! I do need to add some variety and this will help.

So glad you went to the doctor! And really glad they figured that out. Best of luck going forward.

It's probably best to go to the doctor but I did just remember that this happened to me, too! It's been a while now. I felt like I had gotten kicked in the stomach. It was AWFUL! and It was nothing. lol. It was either gas or just the food getting stuck in there. But, better to be safe than sorry. At around the 6 month mark, expect a new set of pain--it felt like there was broken glass in my stomach but apparently that is just the last of the staples dissolving! lol Weird.

Try to see if verbally reporting that you did these diets is enough. If you can talk the talk, they will probably allow it. If you did weight watchers, did you do the points system? Or the other way of doing it? Can you talk about how you did it? They don't give you proof so I don't know what you would be expected to bring in for proof.

It sounds like it might be the stew meat. That's tough to eat that soon. I don't even know if I can eat it yet. Stick with chicken and fish. Boredom is an issue but you need to try to embrace it. Try doing a day of the pureed foods again--yogurt, cottage cheese, Soups, broth, etc. just to see if that helps your stomach. The potatoes wouldn't cause the problem but I really think it is the meat. Best of luck.

For me, the fact that I had tried Weight Watchers and Jenny Craig (among others!) in the past was enough for them. That satisfied their requirements. I didn't have to prove that I did these, either. Probably because almost everyone has tried at least one of these programs! So, hopefully when you tell them that you have done these with varying degrees of success (lost weight, put it all back on and then some if you are like the rest of us), they won't make you do these for 6 months going forward. But it's hard to say. Every doctor is different and every insurance is different.

All of the above is great advice!! It may seem horrible at first thinking of yourself, but that's actually how everyone else is. It's really the right way to be. Doesn't mean you don't help people out or aren't kind, but you come first. Saying no should be something you are able to do.

Carbs are deliciously evil! I have stalled for several months now and finally gave in to the fact that I have increased my carb intake. I "think" I am back on track now--we'll see. I am back to keeping my food journal and trying to be honest!! Take a real close look at what you are eating. I didn't realize fruit was a carb! Yikes.

Yes, they always start with my right arm, figure they can't find anything, so they go to my left arm, can't find anything, then go back to my right arm and are eventually successful. One person actually used the top of my hand with no problem. If they are experienced, they can usually get a vein.

One thing I have discovered is that you have to outright ask people. They won't volunteer. It's not just you! People don't know what your needs are unless you tell them. But also know that some people are just not capable of helping out. But please ask them directly. Don't hint around, dont beat around the bush. Ask them for either a ride or for someone to help out in some way. We are all wishing you the best.