JRT Mom

Wow--you've done well!! Congrats!

I'm VERY pleased. I'm a revision from a slipped lap band to RNY and was told by many (but not my surgeon) it would be hard to get any real success. But I'm 6 months out and have lost 59 pounds. I'm only 5 pounds from my goal, and weigh almost 20 pounds less than the lowest weight I got to after my band! I chose the weight of 140 because it's the highest weight that puts me in the "normal" BMI range. You might want to base your goal by your BMI rather than your scale weight. Good Luck!

Superman, if those pictures are you just standing there and you AREN'T sucking your stomach in, then it looks like you are getting a tad thin. In the very first picture you don't look too thin--you look PERFECT!!

Hi Joan--add me to the list that is wondering if you aren't have any trouble with your band, why does your doctor want it removed? We have a saying here in the South: "If it ain't broke, don't fix it!" If I hadn't had so much trouble with mine in the last two years I'd still have it.

1. Do you need to take a lot of vitamins It's not lots of vitamins, but you will daily supplement with a multi vitamin, extra B12 and calcium 2. Does your hair fall out Many people experience hair loss around three months out, but it will grow back. 3. what is dumping Dumping is your body's reaction to food that is too high in sugar or fat. Since the food goes fairly quickly into your small intestine your body will try to "dilute" it out by moving water from your body into your intestines. It results in dizziness, fatigue, faintness and sometimes nausea and diarrhea. Not everyone dumps. I like it because I'm not tempted to eat sugary stuff because I'm afraid to experience dumping. 4. do you have to chew your food a certain number of times in order for you to eat it Not a certain number of times, but you want it well chewed before you swallow it. This slows down your eating so your brain gets the message you are full before you overeat. 5. can you drink Water with your food? No, it will wash the food through your pouch so you lose the feeling of fullness and satiety too quickly. This is true of every WLS. It's not hard to learn, it's just a matter of getting used to it. 6. how long is recovery time from the surgery That varies from person to person but around two weeks you'll feel pretty normal. 7. how much weight can you lose in the first month? That also varies depending on how much to you need to lose, but it's pretty dramatic the first month. 8. what foods are you NOT allowed to eat There will be a post op diet that introduces food slowly to allow your new stomach to fully heal. That varies drastically from surgeon to surgeon, but once you've been cleared by your surgeon there's nothing you won't be allowed to have, just avoid sugar and fats. Aim for high protein and low carbs for the best results. GOOD LUCK!!

I think almost every one of us went through that "What the hell am I about to do to myself" phase, followed by the "What the hell did I DO to myself" phase. You are about to have major life changing surgery so you would have to be a rock not to have some emotions about it. Excitement and fear aren't very far apart on the spectrum, so you'll feel both at the same time! Good luck--YOU GOT THIS!!!

I hit 3 months and my hair started falling out also. I'm currently at six months and the loss has finally slowed down. Now that our stay at home orders are easing I have a hair appointment Friday where I'm going to get it cut really short. Think Carol of The Walking Dead short. That way the new hairs won't have much catching up to do!

Our state has the same rules. It's not a true quarantine because we can still go out. Our restrictions have lifted a bit and instead of "stay at home" they are saying "safer at home". It must be working because my county has had no new cases for almost a week.? They've just opened hair salons, but good luck getting an appointment! I would like to get my hair cut really short since it's falling out anyway!

Sixty three days? That sounds like a long time. One of my coworkers tested positive and she only had to quarantine herself for 14 days. If you live in a house with a yard try to go outside into your yard as much as you can. Start a garden or plant some flowers. Get some good books. Binge watch something new (but fast-forward over the food commercials!?) Maybe do some sort of needlework to keep your hands busy. I know it's tough being stuck at home, so hopefully this virus is just a speed bump...good luck!

I've heard that the band can develop leaks in port, tubing or the band itself. The only way to tell would be for you to go to your doctor and have them pull your fill to see if there's anything in there. Or you may just need a fill to attain that "sweet spot" where you are satisfied again.

Vegan Heart, you are beautiful--inside and out!

Hey, if you make it to the AT let me know--I can be a Trail Angel for you while you are in Virginia!

Hi Dave, I also am a singer, and I've lost 56 pounds so far. It's amazing how much easier it is to sing and how much better your breath control is with less fat pressing on your diaphragm. After your surgery it might take a while to drink what you are used to, but eventually you will be able to drink easily. And the amount of food you get in a meal sounds shockingly low, but if you eat it slowly it WILL fill you up so you won't feel like you are starving yourself. Good luck to you!

40 years ago my husband and I were backpackers--we hiked almost the whole Appalachian Trail in Virginia (about 500 miles). We did it in manageable chunks and it was fun. As soon as they open the AT back up I think I'd like to start doing some of the nice day hikes we have here in SW Virginia. I'm not ready for 14 miles but I think I could handle 8 or less.

Dayum, Girl!! Way to go! I walked two miles around a flat path today and was proud of that....?

The psych guy wanted $250 without insurance and could see me right away. The one that DID take insurance didn't have any appointments available until AFTER my planned surgery date. So I talked the doc that could see me right away down to $200 cash. Money well spent to get all the boxes checked more quickly. All I had to do to get the doctor's clearance letter was see my GP and that was covered by my insurance. Because of my age my surgeon also made me see a cardiologist to get a cardiac clearance, but again that was covered. Good luck!

? !! I can remember that magic moment and then had to laugh at myself--"HEY, I'm overweight!! Yay me!"

Congrats to you all! I'm glad y'all can have this soon and start getting back on track with your life. Good luck!

It's not terribly terrible...it's just an odd uncomfortable feeling. It may make your eyes water and you might feel like you have to sneeze afterwards, but there shouldn't be any real pain if they collect it right. Good luck!

I had a lap band for 11 years also and starting having major issues with it the last two years. I lost 80 pounds and regained half of it. When I got it removed they discovered it had slipped up around my esophagus and caused a hiatal hernia. My surgeon removed the band, fixed the hernia and revised it to a gastric bypass all in one surgery. That was only a bit more than five months ago and I already weigh less than the lowest weight I got after my band. So far I have been pleased with the decision and haven't regretted it--other than wishing I had gone with the bypass in the first place! Good luck to you!

You definitely need a new doctor. Your BMI calculates to 57.4 and you shouldn't need ANY comorbidities with that BMI. Good luck!

Mine started falling out at 4 months post op. It's pretty dramatic every time I wash my hair, but so far no visible bald spots. I've been taking biotin since the start and I'm not sure it's helping, but I like the taste of the gummies so I still take them! Right at three months I cut my hair--I figured if it was going to fall out anyway I ought to go ahead and donate it to Pantene Great Lengths so someone could enjoy it...?

Lookin' good, Jake! Great job!

I just discovered baby bananas and I only eat one a day, with peanut butter on it. YUM!

WLS is a lot like having children...if your relationship is strong both can enhance it, but if there are cracks in it, it might make it worse. If the WLS improves the way he sees itself it could help with his depression, but since he's given up drinking and gained 100 pounds it's likely that he has used food as a coping mechanism, so if he can't use food anymore, it might be tough for him. I agree with everyone that counseling might help him (and you) in a big way. Good luck to both of you.