Heather_8.1.14

Oy. I am 6 years post op from my first surgery, and almost 2 years out post op from my band to bypass revision and I was successfully maintaining my weight for over a year and recently the scale has gone UP 10lbs!!! My husband asked me if that was bad (uh hello!) I was maintaining at 147lbs and now the scale said 158lbs. It scares the life out of me seeing it go back up. I know what my issues are and I need to remind myself carbs are NOT my friend and I have to keep myself more active. I used to spend 4-5 days a week working on a farm I volunteer but I've had to scale back recently due to home issues. And sadly because I've been so stressed out I've been looking at eating as my coping skill again. I know what I need to do to get back on track and I am damn determined to do it, I just need a little nudge and support from those who know where I am right now. Thanks!!

YES! I've worn shorts (bermuda since my legs are in bad shape from the weight loss) for the first time in 13 years! And I LOVE maxi skirts! I dont get the chub rub anymore!

I'm 5'6", 145lbs and wear a size 4 (although I could probably squeeze into a 2 at times)

I saw my plastic surgeon a few weeks ago and we went over everything that I want to get done, and he always starts with the stomach first, then move on to other problem areas. He told me that I am an excellent candidate for the abdominoplasty (as well as the others I'd like to have done) and he told me that I can actually have it done outpatient which will save me almost $3,000.00 This plastics is also my WL surgeons husband so I trust him whole heartedly and his work is AMAZING. So, my question is have any of you had an outpatient procedure? What was the first 24-48 hours like? I'm going to be self pay for this since my insurance wont cover it (also why I'm only doing one procedure at a time for now) and if possible I'm going to have it done in June or July.

Not in a million years!!! I had the lapband done in 2010 and in early 2014 it had slipped. I was sick for months after my 4th child was born and I didnt find out until the beginning of July my band actually slipped. I had 3 wks to decide whether I was going to have RNY when they removed my band (sleeve wasnt an option and insurance wouldnt pay for another band). The recovery was much harder then I anticipated but once I learned to re-read my body and got into the groove it got a lot easier. I can now slip into a sexy size 6 and I am LOVING it! I am so proud of myself and the journey I have taken to ge here. It might be lame but like they say, no pain, no gain (or, in our case, no loss). Good luck to you and if you have any questions please feel free to reach out to me! How did it go?? How are you feeling?

Oh my gosh I'm 7 months post op and sometimes I get so bloated I look like I'm 4 months pregnant LOL. My husband looked at me the one day and went, "Is there something you're not telling me?" I'm like "Babe I hope not!!" (He's "fixed" so no more babies hahaha)

Good luck to you both! The first few weeks are rough, I wont lie, but you are going to be SO happy you did this, I promise!! Follow your doc's orders and rest as much as you can after surgery. Make sure you get your liquids in and dont rush getting back to solid foods too quickly. Please keep us posted!!

Are you getting enough fluid in? I think a call to your dr would be a good idea, and remember, you're very early post op, so you do need to take it easy. Good luck and please let us know how you're doing!

What flavor are you using? I use the mixed berry and surprisingly I really like them. MUCH easier to take 1 chewable 4 times a day then try to swallow 7-8 pills a day (plus all the other meds I take, I hate pills LOL)

Trust me, that thought will go away! Next thing you know you'll be looking at yourself going " I am SO glad I did this!"

The best advice is everything you used to do eating habit wise, never do again lol. Pushing your fluids and keeping up with your Protein intake are two very important things (along with taking your vitamins). And thank you, its been a long journey for me but it was worth it. If you have any other questions feel free to send me a message (Love that your a Steeler fan too! Representing Pittsburgh as well!!)

PS, how is it going for you? You're coming up on one month.

Never, EVER let anyone make you feel like you've taken the "easy way out". To this day I still dont understand how WLS (followed correctly) is considered EASY. Its easy for those around us who still choose not to take a stand for their own health to "nit pick" or try to bring us down. As they say, misery loves company, in which you do NOT want to be a part of. Many of those who have bad things to say are enablers and will make this epic journey for you painful. You've taken a stand and chose to better yourself. Does your hospital offer support groups? I highly recommend attending if they do. Sadly I also have many friends and family members who are constantly saying "When are you going to stop losing weight?" "Dont you think you've lost enough? You're going to disappear." Or "Do you eat?" The last one hurts more then anything, but I shrug it off and I smile. I stand proud for what I've done, the journey I've taken, and the fact that I chose to really live and enjoy life. You're going to do GREAT! Change isnt always easy, but when the change is good, I can promise you it is SO good and SO worth it.

I had the lap band surgery 2.22.10. I lost about 68lbs with it and stopped. After two pregnancies (lost all the baby weight each time) I noticed I still wasnt able to get much more off. After my 4th child was born (my 2nd band baby) I was having many issues with my band and come to find, it had slipped. I had the band removed and revision to gastric bypass this past August. I lost almost 60lbs since then and met and exceeded my goal weight, however it was a MUCH bigger change and a very stricter life style change then with the band. I would really consider talking over the options with your surgeon. Good luck!

Your body just went through a huuuuuge surgery and change. You'll find that some weeks/months you'll lose more then others, but right now, dont focus too much on the numbers but letting your body heal and adjust. The first 8 weeks are crucial to heal, not so much losing weight. I've noticed that also between months 4-6 you may find yourself stalling or slowing down with the loss, thats also very normal. You'll do great! Baby steps. I always told myself that this process is a marathon, not a sprint

What stage of diet are you on now? Gulping is a hard habit to break, I'm 5 years out of WLS (6 months post op from my revision) and I still sometimes do it and pay the price lol. If you're on a more solid food diet I'd make sure to chew a little more, you might be getting some stuck. Good luck!!!

Since I normally post in the "band to bypass" thread I'll try to make a long story short lol. I had the lapband put in on 2.22.10 Band was removed and bypass revision was done on 8.1.14 due to band slipping and not being able to eat solid foods for months. Starting weight for band was 277, starting weight for bypass was 213. I had my 6 month appointment on the 3rd with my surgeon in which I weighed in at 145. I told my surgeon that my personal goal was 155 and that I wanted to learn how to maintain/stop losing. She agreed that I was in a good spot and gave me some suggestions. I've been monitoring my weight for the past week and the scale always reads (no matter the time of day) 140lbs. (My scale is spot on with my surgeons). I've lost another 5lbs and its starting to concern me a little. I know that your body will eventually level out but I dont want my body to think that being under 140lbs is acceptable. I'm starting to look "sickly looking" and the "when are you going to stop losing weight" comments are getting a little much. Has anyone else gone through this, going much further under your goal, did it bounce back or finally stop before you disappeared? Trust me, I'm not trying to complain, I love slipping into a size 6 jeans (from a size 24/26) but I'd like to keep a little meat on my bones! lol.

Agreed, with every surgery there is risk for complication, but these cases are rare.

I didnt read any of the other replies but you're more likely to get hit by a car then dying of this surgery complication, HOWEVER if you dont follow your surgeons instructions then honestly, it is more of a concern. My stepdad used to try to scare me saying one of his cousins had died from complications with her RNY surgery, my first question was "What was she eating/drinking that she wasnt." He told me she was drinking 2 2 liters of pop a day and not following the diet....well, there's your answer. Dont let that scare you, those who die from WLS are the ones who were looking for a quick way out but didnt truly want to change their lifestyles, they signed their own death certificates long before the surgery

You've got this you're already doing FANTASTICALLY!! Good luck!!

At first I was the same way Steve, I'm usually pretty good with my answers but at times I want to say "Well when are YOU going to LOSE a few pounds?" (I dont LOL) Most days Im like the happy little duck but some days it hurts. I'm happy and healthy so thats all that matters

"When are you going to stop losing weight?" I don't know, when are you going to stop asking? "You're getting too skinny!" If you're implying I have an eating disorder, I don't. I'm SO happy with my progress, being healthy and smaller feels amazing, but I'm getting frustrated with the constant questions and comments about how I look now. I understand that I've never been skinny therefore its almost foreign to others how I look now, but sometimes I cant handle it. Why is it easier to make these comments now that I'm thinner but NO ONE ever asked me if I planned to lose a few pounds when I was morbidly obese. I can see now why a lot of thin people can have so many body image issues. I'm happy slipping on my size 8 jeans. I'll take these over a cheeseburger from McDonalds ANY DAY!

Hey! Nice to see ya on the boards. My weight loss was actually pretty fast. I lost 45lbs in about 2 months. I'm about a week from being 6 months out and I've lost a total of 67lbs. I haven't lost any weight in about a month now so I think my body has finally hit its "sweet spot". When do you see your surgeon again next? I see mine next week to discuss what happens now and other things on my to do list

I cant even imagine the stress you've gone through with 2 failed bands. At first I was truly afraid it was something I had done but after re-assurance from my surgeon I knew I wasnt alone and it wasnt anything I had done. Are you still on a liquid diet? Push your fluids as much as you can! I know its easier said then done, thats still one of my flaws, but dehydration is the worst. For me, sometimes its easier if I grab one of my kids smaller cups, fill it up and just drink a cup every hour. Looking at a giant 64oz bottle of Water is tough, but when you're almost doing "shots" of water its easier to get all of it in for the day. Good luck and please keep in touch!!!