JRT Mom

I did a lot of searching to find a calcium citrate supplement and couldn't find one at a better price than Bariatric Advantage. If you order it on a auto delivery plan it's a bit less. There are a lot of supplements out there that are cheaper, but they are usually calcium carbonate which is not absorbed as well as the citrate.

elcee, I could have written that post myself, because it mirrors my lap band story perfectly! Are you sure you're not my Aussie evil twin separated at birth? Or wait, maybe I'M the evil one.....😁

Get the band if you want to have to do all this over again in about 10 years....and fight with it those ten years....I know that there are some real success stories with the band, but they are the exception rather than the rule. I wish I hadn't wasted 11 years with mine before it slipped, gave me a hiatal hernia and I had to have it removed and a revision to RNY. Whatever you decide to do, it IS your decision, but do your homework. And whatever you decide, good luck! We are rooting for you.

It's totally normal for you to question yourself whether or not WLS is for you. But it is YOUR decision alone--not your bosses, friends or family members. Did you have to have a psych consult? Maybe sharing your fears with a counselor will help you realize that you ARE doing the right thing. Or share them with us, your weight loss buddies. Every one of us has had doubts about surgery, but just read all the success stories here, and it will cheer you up and reinforce your decision! Like the BariatricPal ticker says--"Together we have lost 5,223,735 pounds, and by the time you read this, it will probably be higher!!

Dang, girl! Not only thin and beautiful, but a dog lover, too!

I had a major stall at three weeks. Don't deviate from your plan and the scale WILL start moving again!

Getting the fluids in was the hardest part. Be patient with yourself--it WILL get easier.

Take unflavored yogurt and mix in some flavored protein powder such as syntrax. Tastes great and will give you a double dose of protein!

Mine also didn't give me one. I picked one that sounded healthy, but I'll take whatever I can get!

Good luck-we'll be thinking of you!

I don't know which one is best, but I like the Nature's Bounty Hair, Skin & Nails gummies. They taste good, and in addition to biotin they have vitamins E and C. CVS often has them as BOGO, also.

I just had an eleven year old band removed three months ago and a conversion to the bypass. I went with the bypass because I have a history of GERD and the surgeon said that a sleeve would likely cause the GERD to reappear. I have lost 41 pounds since my surgery. Also I am now at the same lowest weight that I achieved after my band. And it's too soon to tell what my weight will bottom out at, but even if I don't lose another pound I think the bypass was a success! Good luck with whatever you decide!

With my band, the list of what I COULD eat was waaaay shorter than what I couldn't! Any at any given moment things I could tolerate before suddenly plugged me. I always said it was a matter of how that first bite landed against the band, and you could never predict that.

Imaginegirl, like people have already said, you might have trouble finding a surgeon who still do bands. Also, long term about 50% of people who got the band 10 years ago are having difficulty and getting them removed. There are LOTS of us here who have had to get revisions done. I went with the band those 11 years ago with the same reason you did, I just wish I knew then what I know now, and I'd have gone straight to the bypass and not wasted 10 years fighting with my band. Of course it's your body, but do your homework and be sure the band is really what you want. Either way, good luck!

Hi! Are you just over 30? (I'm 65 but technically over 30 also😁) If you are just over thirty than you are still young! You'll do well with this, get good results and your skin should snap back more easily than us -ahem- more mature folks...It's good that you are doing this at a younger age! It's TOTALLY normal that your emotions are all over the map right now. You are going into the unknown with a life changing decision. You'd have to be a rock NOT to be a bundle of emotions right now. Visit here often--you'll get lots of helpful info and emotional support. Keep us posted--YOU GOT THIS!!!!

True story. I visited a friend of mine who invited me to visit her Catholic church, so I went. Catholics believe in something called Transubstantiation, which means the wine and unleavened bread are the literal blood and body of Christ. Well, when the congregation went up to receive Communion, I just sat there. My friend asked me, "Aren't you going to join us?" I leaned over and whispered, "No, I am not into cannibalism..." She was laughing so hard she sat out herself, since it would be rude to laugh in the priest's face...

My surgeon just asked me if I smoked (which I don't) and when I said no I guess that was enough, because he never tested me. I guess the reason is good, but I just feel bad for smokers. I don't really like being around it much, but they ARE doing something totally legal, are most likely truly addicted to it, are spending TONS of money to indulge, and are often discriminated against. Add on top of that obesity and then a surgeon won't help them because they smoke? So they have to give up smoking AND eating--must be one of the toughest things to do mentally and physically!

How many surgeons require a nicotine test? What happens if it's positive?

If you have a surgeon that insists on one type of surgery over the other without involving you in the discussion then you have the wrong surgeon! Yes, they are the doctor, but they need to listen to you and you should have a say in the decision. But I agree with Briswife 15 that you need to have this discussion as soon as possible. If your doctor is well practiced at both procedures then he/she shouldn't have a problem with you switching procedures. And of course be sure to jump through the insurance hoops--don't want any unpleasant surprises when the bill comes!. Keep us posted, OK?

This makes no sense. If the band was a failure and was causing you problems, why would they deny a revision? Is that a Canadian healthcare thing? I had a slipped lap band removed and a revision to a gastric bypass, and Medicare paid for it without batting an eye! Good luck to you with your endeavors!

DAAAANG!! You look GREAT! And with that sparkle in your eye and great smile, it won't be long until you get your mojo back in a major way!

Years ago I went on a commercial weight loss plan, and got down to 113 pounds. I'd look in the mirror and still see a fat girl. I guess I'll never see myself as thin, no matter what I weigh.

I was allowed that the fourth week after surgery.

Hey, it may be a pain to live with, but it is a GOOD thing--it shows that you are metabolizing your fat stores!

Sounds good! I'm always looking for a good fluids source since I HATE to drink water.