DebSmiles

I second Dr. Illan via BariatricPal Mx! It was the best decision I could have made. Had surgery 3 weeks ago and the experience was wonderful. I experienced very little pain, the nurses and doctors were awesome and made sure I was comfortable. The hospital is nice, clean and quiet. The service they provide is top notch! I think Dr. Illan is a great surgeon that is kind and professional. Everything was great and the cost was less than I could pay here with insurance!

I'm only a few weeks ahead of you, but I too lost weight slowly in the first few weeks. Just keep doing what you are doing. I was told the first 4-6 weeks should be focused on healing. Looks like you are getting plenty of Water and Protein, so just give it some time. The last couple of weeks, I've had nice losses and I'm in week 6.

I'm only a few weeks ahead of you, but I too lost weight slowly in the first few weeks. Just keep doing what you are doing. I was told the first 4-6 weeks should be focused on healing. Looks like you are getting plenty of Water and Protein, so just give it some time. The last couple of weeks, I've had nice losses and I'm in week 6.

My advice is to be patient with yourself. Everyone is different. I had my revision on 1/13/17 and it took several months to keep the scale moving. I even had a week when I gained a pound During the liquid stage, just focus on healing and taking care of yourself.
As you can see from my stats, I'm losing but not as fast as others. If you compare your journey to others, you will always feel like a failure. I did the same thing at first, then I stopped. I now take pictures often and compare where I've come from. Stalls are common, even early in the journey. I had 2 stalls in the first 2 months. Again, this is just my experience, so good luck on your journey

My advice is to be patient with yourself. Everyone is different. I had my revision on 1/13/17 and it took several months to keep the scale moving. I even had a week when I gained a pound During the liquid stage, just focus on healing and taking care of yourself.
As you can see from my stats, I'm losing but not as fast as others. If you compare your journey to others, you will always feel like a failure. I did the same thing at first, then I stopped. I now take pictures often and compare where I've come from. Stalls are common, even early in the journey. I had 2 stalls in the first 2 months. Again, this is just my experience, so good luck on your journey

I second Dr. Illan via BariatricPal Mx! It was the best decision I could have made. Had surgery 3 weeks ago and the experience was wonderful. I experienced very little pain, the nurses and doctors were awesome and made sure I was comfortable. The hospital is nice, clean and quiet. The service they provide is top notch! I think Dr. Illan is a great surgeon that is kind and professional. Everything was great and the cost was less than I could pay here with insurance!

I recently realized that I was not chewing my food as well as I did when I had band. I also realized that I was eating my meals too fast. Once I started chewing and slowing down and putting my fork down in between bites, I discovered what satiety was again. I'm starting to lose again, slowly, but it's happening. If your cravings for sweets is back, I would go on the Adkins induction stage for a week or so and get off the carb/sugar addiction. Hope this helps. jake

Just wanted to say I should've trusted my surgeon first time around! I had my band done 2014. At first I was very successful. I was working out, eating really well, letting this tool assist me. Then my back went bad...horribly bad. Three blown discs put me on the ground...litterally. (I'd blown two discs previously but had learned to adapt). Now with five blown there was no way for me to recover the level of exercise needed for my band to be all it needed to be.
My tool could not save me from myself at that point. Not working, extreme pain, heartache and frustration. I started reaching for carbs, soda, and sugar. Even 3-4 ounces of these 2-3 times a day will put any weight loss far behind you. I even went back to phentermine for three months. Nothing was going to work. I was not going to have the health, life changing results I needed. Fortunately my gall bladder decided it was time to go and my band left my body at the same time.
Now the real mind bending changes started! Health insurance cares about criteria not about the toll taken on your body. Regaining weight to meet criteria is not only incredibly hard on your body. It's even harder on your mental health. Having switched up my thinking, my eating, my mental image of myself...gaining weight back nearly broke me.
I had my revision surgery August 2016. I started with my health as my greatest concern. My blood pressure had gone back up. My cholesterol was dangerously high again. My heart, well my heart had some of its own issues prior to the sleeve surgery. Within the six weeks I took off from work I was able to drop about 25 lbs. My blood pressure was back to 110/70 without medication. In the next two months my cholesterol was back in normal range so I dropped the medication. My heart issues had completly resolved as well.
I'm finally continuing to lose fat while building muscle. I'm still losing weight though it has slowed down. I'm 50 lbs down at 6 1/2 months and I could not be happier. Life below 200 is healthier than I thought was possible at age 53. Revision was truly the best option for me...unless of course I would've trusted my surgeon in the first place.

Here is to more Water!
http://www.bodyandsoul.com.au/fitness/training-tips/how-to-lose-206-calories-a-day-without-even-trying/news-story/e654ca0bf3ef037f8cb6849884d1f668#itm=newscomau%7Chome%7Cnca-homepage-topstories%7C5%7Clink%7Chomepage%7Chomepage&itmt=1480119936580
How to lose 206 calories a day without even trying Eliza Cracknell bodyandsoul.com.au Such a simple game changer.


We're often told it's the small tweaks that can help us reach our weight loss goals faster, and for the naysayers this new study might sway your opinion.
The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has discovered a way for you to consume 206 fewer calories a day. It mightn't sound like a lot but according to the Pennington Biomedical Research Center weight loss predictor, that's just over half a kilo a month.
All you have to do? Drink three extra glasses of Water a day.
Researchers surveyed 18,000 people about what they ate over two days and they found those who drank more Water consumed fewer calories. Easy, hey?
Besides from the obvious perk of being a much healthier choice than sugary drinks, researchers say water can make you feel less hungry, causing you to eat less.
In the study, participants drank on average 4.2 cups of water per day with a lower total calorie intake was calculated for those who had more than this.
The study suggests one extra cup could see you cut 69 calories from your day, 137 calories with two extra cups, while three extra cups will help you trim 206 calories.
Conclusion? Drink up.

You might check with your local bariatric center and see about a clothes swap. There are some groups on Facebook too that do that. Luckily, I had several sizes in my closet so I won't have to worry about that for a while. If you have a Kohls nearby, they have awesome clearance sales. I have purchased blouses, pants and even dresses for $6-$10 each. JC Penney has good clearance prices too. I just purchased a blouse for $6.79 and pants for $8.00 in plus size for work. Good luck

I second Dr. Illan via BariatricPal Mx! It was the best decision I could have made. Had surgery 3 weeks ago and the experience was wonderful. I experienced very little pain, the nurses and doctors were awesome and made sure I was comfortable. The hospital is nice, clean and quiet. The service they provide is top notch! I think Dr. Illan is a great surgeon that is kind and professional. Everything was great and the cost was less than I could pay here with insurance!

Congratulations on your success and your re-birthday! I try to enjoy my journey as it is really just beginning, but I look up to people like you that continue to show it can be done! Thanks for sharing

You might check with your local bariatric center and see about a clothes swap. There are some groups on Facebook too that do that. Luckily, I had several sizes in my closet so I won't have to worry about that for a while. If you have a Kohls nearby, they have awesome clearance sales. I have purchased blouses, pants and even dresses for $6-$10 each. JC Penney has good clearance prices too. I just purchased a blouse for $6.79 and pants for $8.00 in plus size for work. Good luck

You might check with your local bariatric center and see about a clothes swap. There are some groups on Facebook too that do that. Luckily, I had several sizes in my closet so I won't have to worry about that for a while. If you have a Kohls nearby, they have awesome clearance sales. I have purchased blouses, pants and even dresses for $6-$10 each. JC Penney has good clearance prices too. I just purchased a blouse for $6.79 and pants for $8.00 in plus size for work. Good luck

Last Spring/Summer I mainly wore Walmart workout clothes around the house. They are great and once you get to regular sizes super cheap.
One caution though, if you keep wearing the same sizes, you feel like you aren't losing. especially in those times when you are not dropping weight but are dropping inches. I suggest even if you can't afford new clothes, to at least go try them on each month so you can see your progress.

I'm finding very little information on him unfortunately. I went to Mexico for mine but my surgeon was Dr. Jalil Illan and his services were great.
I just suggest being extra cautious if you're unable to find much information on the surgeon.

I didn't realize how emotional I would be today, on my one year anniversary. I'm not a sentimental but I feel like I got a second chance at life, a new birthday to celebrate! This was by far the best decision I have ever made in my life. I am healthier, happier, and feel like I can accomplish anything. I am in full control at this point and it's liberating. Just needed to share, I'm celebrating and I know all of you understand what an emotional journey this is!
Starting weight -261lbs
SW-March 14, 2016- 239lbs
Goal weight February 2017-136lbs
Current weight-134lbs
Height-5'2
Age-35

You look great! Thanks for sharing! I'm early in my journey, but I've already found that we all must find what works best for our own bodies. I'm glad you found something that works.

I was sleeved in January and feel great too! My weight loss is slow but steady and I'm happy with the progress so far. i try to plan meals each week. I make egg quiche in muffin cups for Breakfast. Make them on Sundays and eat all week with fruit. I also like chicken fajitas (without the tortilla) but with all the veggies, Ricotta bake with ground turkey, cottage cheese with berries and a little stevia or your choice of sweetener. Favorite snack is turkey Jerky and cheese sticks.
There are lots of site on Facebook too that post recipes for bariatric patients.

Congratulations! You look amazing

Don't do Protein shakes if you can't stomach them. I didn't. The two week pre surgery diet was hell to me because I hated them.
After surgery, I didn't have even one. I hid Protein powder in other ingredients, like Soup, early on, and did a lot of dairy to get my Protein up. Fairlife milk is just as good as Protein Shakes, honestly, and Greek yogurt is also an excellent source.
I was determined to do it in a healthy way without fake foods, and I did. And still am at 9 months out! You can too.
Sent from my Nexus 6P using the BariatricPal App

Have you tried Isopure? It's expensive but it's very different than a shake. It's watery and fruity, super low calorie, zero carb, super high Protein. I love it! You can get it at GNC.
Sent from my XT1585 using the BariatricPal App

I had surgery on 1/13/17 with Dr. Illan, so almost 6 weeks out. It was an amazing experience and no complications. I've lost 24 pounds so far and enjoying food in a different way. I was lucky because I experienced very little pain or gas. It was a breeze. I was at the beach 2 days after being released from the hospital. I followed all the instructions and took the medicine given afterward. Best thing I ever did for myself

I didn't allow myself rice or much Pasta until I was 6 months out. Even then, I don't eat much of it now. When I have anything with rice, I usually only use about a tablespoon of cooked rice to mix in with the dish or so. Otherwise, it fills me up way too fast. I've had pasta twice in the last few weeks, but again, very small amounts. I'm now almost 9 months out. I don't eat or drink very many other carbs, so I allow myself pasta or rice every now and then. But it's usually alongside lots of veggies and meat (which I eat first).

I had surgery on 1/13/17 with Dr. Illan, so almost 6 weeks out. It was an amazing experience and no complications. I've lost 24 pounds so far and enjoying food in a different way. I was lucky because I experienced very little pain or gas. It was a breeze. I was at the beach 2 days after being released from the hospital. I followed all the instructions and took the medicine given afterward. Best thing I ever did for myself