Geri Marie

You got it Girl!! Feel free to message me anytime!!

Sounds to me like maybe there was a death in the family (close relative). Just use the time to get used to the lifestyle. Sorry it happened though. Thinking of you and sending good prayers your way!

Omgee i feel your pain! I was banded 2010, lost 80 lbs.....now i had it removed and I'm only 20 lbs from my max weight. I'm in the process of getting my 3 month insurance requirement. I too had a hard time with motivation. But we can do it!! I'm here for you if you need a band to sleeve buddy!!

Naples Florida here...mid way through my insurance approval! Did poor today but tomorrow's a new day

I had such a bad food day yesterday and today. Thank you for the post! Time for a three day all liquid diet starting tomorrow ! That's what we're here for is to support each other Sent from my SM-G935P using BariatricPal mobile app

My surgery date is November 13th. I have Aetna and according to my surgical office I have to attend 3 nutrition classes one visit with a nutritionist, and a mental health evaluation. I had my Band removed last Wednesday. He said he doesn't like to do it all at once because of the scar tissue? Anyway my weight was 254.4 initially. It was 250.2 at my first class last week. I just don't want to do all this and then get a reject letter! Not to mention all my co pays and coinsurance has been paid for the year. But now I'm concerned about this whole GERD discussion everyone has been talking about. I dont have GERD but I do have mild heartburn. It was way worse with the band. SInce its been removed it seems to be triggered when I have thing like vinegars or acidic foods. I used to be scared of the cutting of the stomach, but not anymore I am so ready to take that plunge!

My question is to previous poster...Dm739 I too am a Band going to sleeve. So curious as to how it will feel compared to the Band. Do you think that insurance companies are a little easier on Band to sleeve patients has your Surgeons office said?

So hey all...Ive been trying to follow my nutritionist guidelines of at least 70-80 grams of protein, and no more than 50 grams of carbs.....but....Ive been going over the carbs. Its because of my favorite veggie....beets. Any thoughts? I don't want to give them up, it's just a veggie...they are not even sugared or pickled

I recently had a back surgery and had to quit my job. So I am at home and not able to do much but walking. I am obsessed with what I am going to eat throughout the day. I dont bing but I am always on my phone app fat secret typing what I am going to have! I too have the exact same insurance requirements. I had my first Nutrition class Thursday and I originally weighted in at 254.4. At Thursdays appt I was 250.2!! The trick is when you eat track it and set limits! I have been told to eat within 30 minutes from waking otherwise your body goes in starvation mode. So when I get up, I got straight for the bullet and make my own protein shake. This may not be the way we are going to do it post op but its working for now. At lunch I have a rather big protein planned meal and the I have a shake later on around 5 pm. Around 7 I have a snack of either yogurt or an apple with PB. So far so good. I have been trying to watch the clock and make my meals last 20-30 minutes and not to drink before or after at least 30 minutes. I counted my days left today because I'm going stir crazy. I have excatly 79 days to surgery!! I would love to be a buddy as I am pretty much on my own here.

Yes I have protein shakes, cottage cheese and yogurt. I'm at about 80 grams of carbs right now. Its only been 2 weeks of pre op but still

My mouth is dropped! Good for you!! I mean WOW! You should be proud of yourself my dear! Way. To. Go! Sent from my SM-G935P using BariatricPal mobile app

I had the lap band in 2010 and just had it removed last week. Before the removal he took all the fluid out and I gained 40 pounds just like that. So I am going with the sleeve and November I agree if you go with the sleeve and you're still not happy then you can go to bypass but you can't go to the sleeve after you've bypassed. I had a friend that had gastric bypass and she didn't follow the rules and ended up having all sorts of health issues and dumping syndrome it just seems like too severe surgery to me. But I guess it all depends on you your health how overweight you are Etc Sent from my SM-G935P using BariatricPal mobile app

I had lap band in 2010 that failed and now I'm going through the 90-day process for my insurance to get sleeved. I use this app called fat secret! I love it so easy to use. Just thought that I would throw that out there in case some of you aren't really thrilled with the MyFitnessPal app I really didn't like it but I love the fatsecret. you can sync it up to all your devices and it's super easy to use. Happy losing to everybody Sent from my SM-G935P using BariatricPal mobile app

I too am lactose intolerant. So I buy Bariatric Advantage protein powder and I use almond milk unsweetened or unsweetened coconut milk and make my own shakes. Add a little bit of stevia and they are delicious. replace two of your meals with that and eat no later than 30 minutes after you get up in the morning. good luck Sent from my SM-G935P using BariatricPal mobile app

Hey all. My name is Geri, and this is my story. In 2010 after years of yo yo diets, ups and downs, I decided to do something. My husband was against Gastric By-pass and frankly I was to because I had a GF that had had it and was having all sort of issues. But being new to the bariatric world I didn't know why she was having issues I just thought it was Gastric By-pass in general. (Turns out she was doing all sorts of stuff to sabotage herself) So back then the latest and greatest thing was the Lap-Band. I asked my hubby if he would go to the seminar with me. He replied why would you want to go to a Lap Dance seminar Sweetie? LOL So we went, with Burgerking drinks from our meal that we had just had. We saw Dr Thomas Bass in Fort Myers Florida. He and his wife Tiffany ran the seminar and explained the two main surgeries Lap band and Gastric Bypass. He mentioned that after surgery and Burger King visits would have to stop! I went head first in with the Band. I was 290 at this point and so miserable, My mom has passed away at 63 from Diabetes and liver failure due to the disease. I dont want to have her ending. I literally watched my mom fade away in a hospital bed for a week after they took her IV away and basically starved her to death. Her liver no longer functioned and she quickly went down hill. I was in the room when she passed away. I will never get that image out of my mind. She was a wonderful woman but suffered so much due to this horrible circle of Obesity and poor life choices. If she had gotten the sleeve or the Bypass she'd probally be here still today. I swore to myself I'd NEVER go out like that. So I followed all the requirements, diets, appointments and finally the day came I got approval from my insurance the night before my surgery! I was doing so good. I got down to 212 and had lost 78 pounds. Then.......well, I stoped following the program. My husband told me I was being a pain in the butt because I had to eat small meals several times a day, and I started to eat poorly. I figured out if I drank while I ate, I could eat more. I never really got the hang of the Band. I could never tell if I was "Full". I admit I never measured my food, and I never really stopped drinking while I ate. Then I started eating more, faster, bad foods, and the weight came back on. I got back up to 250+. Then I needed to have a procedure (female related) and the surgeon wouldn't do it unless I was a certain BMI so I started eating the way I was taught with the band, and got down to the 220 I needed to be. Fast forward to last year. I maintained my 220-230 but was having a ton of back issues. I went to a neurologist who discovered I had a birth defect and my lumbar region was almost 3/4 of an inch off, pinching my sciatica on both legs with numbing, I had a spinal fusion in July of 2016. I couldn't work, I had to stay home for a year. Of course I ate all the time, because what was there to do but watch tons of cake boss, cupcake wars and food network! Mother's Day week I started to have chest pains. I was having so many issues with my band. I would drink water and lay down for bed and that water would come right back up. I knew I should go see my Dr. but I was ashamed I had gained that weight back and didnt want to let him down. So I suffered. Then I had such bad chest pains I thought I was having a heart attack. Two emergency visits later and one hospital overnight stay, I realized it was the same chest pain I had experienced right after my La NBand surgery. SO I asked the Drs, could this be band related? And the resident dr said "Oh....yeah I supposed it could be?" This is after tons of testing and a stress test. So I went to Dr. Bass and he said immediately it was the band. So he took out all the fluid and suggested the sleeve. I had been researching it by then anyway secretly wishing I had gotten that done instead. I had to under go another Spinal fusion in June(that went well). So now, I start my new journey for the Sleeve. I had my band taken out 8-16-17. I went this week to the nutrition appointment and tonight I go for my first of three classes required for my insurance in a three month pre trial. I weighed in at 254.4 for a start weight. When I had the band removed I started my own "Pre op" to retrain myself how to eat healthy. I bought some protein, almond milk, coconut milk, tons of yogurt, cottage cheese, and tons of eggs. I weighed in at 247 at the nutrition appt. I already have a surgery date of November 13th. So all thats left to do is wait. And wait. And wait..Can you tell I'm an impatient person? Well I am lol. But I know I can do it! As for my husband. I gave him a piece of my mind concerning the Band. I feel he played a role in my failure with the band. He started making fun of the Band and the whole process, like it was a gimmick and not taking it seriously. I told him about the sleeve and he was not too happy at first. I told him he will not effect me this time and that I will not stray from my goals. He's coming around but only time will tell. This journey is about ME, and MY health. I loved my mom and this world is lonely without her so I will do this in her memory and live a longer life for her and God! Thank you for listening, I will update frequently..........

Thank you for the words of encouragement! I so jealous your getting the sleeve so soon! But I'm sure for you its not soon enough. Didn't I read you had an issue and had to reschedule your surgery? Anyway glad your doing good and good luck on the 7th! Let me know how it feels different from the Band. We can say we are breaking up with the band lol.

I totally agree! Since you have done this before, it should be i dont want to say easy, but maybe expected? You can do it!! I started following the program again after 7 years and a lot of weight gain, at first I had NO ambition to start, but now Ive lost 8 lbs!! You can do it!!! 2 shakes, light meal and NO out to eat ! Remember......feeling hungry is a good thing. I notice when my belly is grumpbling all day I loose a lb or 2. But I still eat something light all day. Eat right away when you wake up. no drinking 30 minutes before or after or during meal 2 shakes light meal stay away from processed foods 48-64 oz of water!! Come on!! YOU CAN DO IT!! Its only 15 lbs!!

So I attended my first of three nutrition classes last night. I remember the instructor from my Lap Band days. The room was filled with people ready to take the plunge. Across from me was a woman who is scheduled for surgery on Monday and I think she was in panic mode. She was talking about canceling her surgery!! Two or three of us said we would take her place!! A lot of what the instructor said I have heard before. One lady was bringing up stuff she had read on support forums like this and the instructor had to make her fall in line. One woman was a bus driver and she was in full panic mode because she had found out she had to quit caffeine. IDK but what I do know, and i voiced this to everyone. If you don't make these changes, and fight the program you wont be successful. You have to change, along with the sleeve or tool of your choice, in order for it to work! So ready for this journey!! Ive lost 8lbs so far since I changed some of my habits.

I'm sure it will go great!! Prayers for you and your journey! Sent from my SM-G935P using BariatricPal mobile app

Awesome news! Are they removing the Band and giving you the sleeve all at once? I just had my band removed a week ago. My sleeve is scheduled for November 13. Good luck to you!!

I just tried this product call Teami Detox tea......I double dosed and lost 2 lbs in the toliet.....it may be TMI but just sayin.....

Well, My Dr. Requires a one week, with the last day a clear liquid. He is the doctor that teaches all the areas drs how to do these procedures. I disagree that it has to do with an inexperienced Dr. I think the reason they do this is to get you used to the idea of not being able to eat solid foods for a while, as well as to change your eating habits entirely so that you do not damage your new stomach. Now, one week before will help the liver shrinkage, but if its a multi week, maybe its to teach better behaviors........

Wow congrats on that! I'm one cup a day. My nut said that was ok Sent from my SM-G935P using BariatricPal mobile app

They say it only takes 2 weeks to break a habit!! Sent from my SM-G935P using BariatricPal mobile app

The one thing I'm changing now is drinking while eating. I need to break that habit once and for all! Sent from my SM-G935P using BariatricPal mobile app