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I'm about 16 months out and doing well. That said, having closely tracked my calorie intake and burn for 20 months, I have to say many of my old myths have been shattered. I consume about 1500 calories a day on average. I burn a total of 3000 calories a day (about 2000 by living and breathing and about 1000 more from about 2 hours of exercise). Yet, my weight stays exactly the same! I take a couple of things from this: 1. The myth about losing a pound for every extra 3500 calories burned is BS. 2. We're different. I know a lot of skinny people who eat far more than I do. I'm not sure if we were born this way or it's just something that we programmed into our bodies though bad behavior. 3. There is absolutely no way I could have done this on my own without the help of WLS. What about you guys?

I have BC/BS Anthem. I had to complete the six months of doctor supervised weight loss, but once I finished the six months (in August), they filed and it was approved in 2 weeks. I didn't have to submit any pictures or any other documentation beyond my narrative about my various weight loss attempts over the years. I started out at a 54 BMI, but I lost 99 pounds during my six month diet program, so I was right at a 40 BMI on the day of surgery; therefore, I can't speak to going below the 40 BMI level. I don't have any co-morbidities, so I can't speak to that, either. Good luck!

Hi. I had the one loop DS in December 2013. My suggestion is also place yourself in therapy. This definitely helped me with head hunger and realized what triggered my stuff. Now I'm completely opposite when it comes to food. I eat bc i no i need to inorder to survive otherwise I really don't like food anymore. My goal is to maintain my weight. Not loose anymore. I learned that when I stopped overeating I had to replace it with something else so I make sure I exercise a couple of times a week. Even if i can't get to the gym i make sure I walk. My eating is 95%Protein on a daily basis. I have cut out sugar, Pasta, rice, bread, sweet potatoes, potatoes, corn, peas and anything high in carbs. I rarely eat fruit not bc it's bad but my taste buds changed drastically. We use the crock pot alot. Chili with no Beans, sausage, peppers and onions, ribs, skirt steak with the cream of mushroom Soup with the lowest carb count. The ribs and peppers and onions are placed in the crock pot with a cup of veg broth on low for 8 hours. I keep everything on low for eight hours. Even though I am three years out i like my food tender. I don't like chicken and turkey anymore bc my stomach don't like it bc it is not tender enough. I am still in therapy and focused on dbtselfhelp.com. This helped me tremendously. Sent from my SM-G930P using the BariatricPal App

@@Malin if you don't mind me asking, why didnt you make their requirments? My surgeon is supposed to submit to Bc/bc of AL next week for approval and I'm very nervous.

I don't have medical records but I have pictures and my surgeon said that they should be sufficient. I also have Bc/Bs of Al. Have they approved you yet? Who is your surgeon if you dont mind me asking?

Hello all! I'm new here and I've got a few questions, but first I wanna introduce myself. My name is Kristen. I'm 25 years old. My BMI is a little over 40. I have co morbidities but I don't think my insurance will cover them. I started my journey in December of 2015 and did the 6 month physcian led weigh ins, but I had to start over, because I was at a 39 BMI until my last weigh in and my surgeon didn't think my insurance would cover the surgery with my co morbidities, so she told me to maintain my 40 BMI and we would try again. I have my last weigh in tomorrow and I will be meeting with my surgeon again on Tuesday! I'm so excited but I'm so nervous. My co morbidities include: PCOS & Insulin Resistance but not diabetic or borderline Anemia IBS Hiershsprung's Disease Acid Reflux Hypotension My Questions are 1. I don't have any proof that my weight has been obese other than pictures, my surgeon said that that should work when being submitted to insurance, have any of you been approved with pictures instead of medical records plus the documented 6 month weigh ins? 2. How long from submitting to insurance did it take to get approved and then how long after that was your surgery scheduled? 3. Did anyone get approved without having the listed co-morbidities that insurance looks at? 4. Who all used Brookwood Medical Center in Birmingham, AL and what was your experience like? Oh, I have BC/BS of Al and BC/BS Anthem, but I'm not sure what state? Thanks for the help.

please don't let me scare you. It's all worth it in the end. I just have to find my way.... and this app is awesome at helping you transition- everyone is different and I'm more complicated bc I have had the reflux surgery.I look forward to your successes, New Beginnings:) Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I will only have hubby home for the weekend ( my surgery is on Friday I'll be home Saturday) then he has to go back to work and I'll be left to care for my 5 yr old who doesn't need me much anymore and my 10 month old. I'm hoping to have him til at least Wednesday and If not I'll have to get friends over to help bc I won't be able to lift her. I'm also having an umbilical hernia repair so it's important that I don't over do it. I just had my first preop with nutritionist to discuss post op diet ( met with her for 6 months previously) next week is my second and last visit with nutritionist and preop testing (ekg blood work meet anesthesiologist) then meet with surgeon to discuss last minute questions ( I have a few). My preop diet starts 2/1 and is high protein low calorie diet similar to diet one month out. Surgery on the 17th. I'm super excited but also super anxious. Getting really real now. I'm glad I don't have a liquid diet bc this one will be hard enough. But good practice!

@@Raymia Tired bc I didn't sleep much and a little sore but no real complaints thanks! @@DebSmiles Thank you & best wishes to you! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

My doc and nutritionist both advised against the Patches bc the Vitamins are not absorbed adequately. Sent from my SM-T310 using the BariatricPal App

June 2012 I had the lap band surgery. It was outpatient and at a clinic that made you feel like you were just another number. I swear they heard you like cattle, but I was desperate to have weight loss surgery so I was ok with it I guess. I lost all my weight really quick, 69 pounds in about 13 months. I always went for my fills and x-rays to maintain, but then I started having troubles with fills, overfilling, couldn't locate my port, couldn't eat a lot of healthy foods, I would have to find a bathroom everywhere I went so I could throw up. I gained 20 pounds back and had to have my port fixed because the clinic caused it to leak because they never could find my port and would poke holes in it until it finally developed a leak (they did not pay for this procedure). I had to have my band fixed in 2014 but had all the same issues as above for the next 2 years. At my last visit for my lap band right before Christmas, I was told that my band was eroding, grrrr! I then decided that I am going to have the sleeve done. I decided to go to Tijuana to have my procedure done because the cost in the states is outrages and I don't have insurance. I was referred to A Slimmer Me, by another Surgeon I had used in Tijuana for other procedures in the past. I had my sleeve done on 1-12-17 & I had little to no pain, I was up walking (bc I wanted to, that's how good I felt) a few hours after surgery, I was up an moving the next day going to an appointment and to the Recovery House where I went for 2 days. Let me tell you this has been the best decision I have made. Dr. Luis Montano (bariatric surgeon) did my procedure and I couldn't be happier with my decision and my results. A Slimmer Me, Dr. Montano & Team are top notch all I had to do was literally show up to the San Diego Airport and the rest was taken care of by A Slimmer Me. All my pre op appts were set, (consultation with him face to face, transportation from SD-TJ-SD, Psychologist, Nutritionist, Endoscopy) and so much more. I'm glad I chose Dr. Montano & A Slimmer me because you can feel the care and concern that they give My life has totally changed and I couldn't be happier. My whole experience was great, I love the way that I was treated, felt safe and never wanted for anything. A Slimmer Me and Dr. Montano are now a part of my family.

I can eat salad but in order to do it I have to drink w it bc it's hard to digest! So kind of counter productive but once in awhile I love to have one. And believe me, I didn't get fat on salad. Maybe the dressing lol Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I vomit here and there. I experience nausea a lot too. I ate egg salad too fast once and had to throw up bc it got stuck- that was gross! I am a coffee drinker and I probably shouldn't be, I'm relating a lot of my nausea to an hour after coffee.....I'm thinking it's causing gastritis. I just love it though. Damn. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

UUGGHHH, feeling so disgusted,. not looking for a pity party, just venting.. its been over a yr. since my surgery, and I'm STUCK @ abt a 50lb loss. I just reactivated this acct and see that I am up abt 5lbs since I joined in March,. I've unfollowed people/groups on IG & FB, not that I'm a "hater", (I salute & congratulate everyone)...I just don't see anything in common w them anymore.. (also my nutritionist recommended it to focus on me) my diet is usually: eggs & sausage,avocado for bkfst, lots of protein (mainly chicken) in salads or w sautéed veggies, etc. (have just started the "keto" diet) don't like carbs believe it or not, not that I haven't "cheated" & had sweets here or there, but I'm not a bread/pasta/pastry person (thank God for @ least that I guess) don't wanna go see my Dr anymore, I feel he's not helpful @ all, just recommending a book to follow. #wtf.. and the nutritionist was so/so.. have only met w her once. my low points are not drinking enough water & I'm CONVINCED I can eat too much @ one sitting. I even got a kitchen scale, haven't used it yet though. don't expect what I haven't put in, BUT I don't get why I've stalled so bad if I'm eating pretty well balanced & "clean".. what's the point of the surgery if we still have to follow a "diet" (and by that I do NOT mean I expect to still eat any & every thing that got me fat to begin with bc I don't) thx for listening....

I stood 2 nights bc of vomiting, slight fever and irregular blood pressure. It was all over the place. But I didn't mind. It gave me time to adjust before going home and being on my own. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

So do you have any insurance? I ask bc if you have a hiatal hernia, insurance covers that and it drops the cash price for the surgery. Sent from my KFTBWI using the BariatricPal App

Hi! Im fed up from the Protein shakes aqnd I am having a hard time drinking Water...I find it boring and the taste of it is not pleasant. I have my first post op tomorrowwwww, Im very excited for that but I am having a hard time with the fluids. Muacksss, hope it all gets better! -Adri instagram.com/vsgadriana/

Sgc, you bring up a really good point. I think it's MUCH more acceptable for women to be openly vulnerable about their weight, their bodies, etc. My brother is obese and I know it bothers him, but I don't think I've ever heard him be really vulnerable about how it makes him feel. (He's also a carpenter and a rough-tough guys-guys who never cries.) When you made this point, I sat there and thought about how many times I've talked about this issue with friends, family and therapists and it's staggering. And it's because it's socially acceptable for me to do so. James, I'll never forget the conversation that my regular doctor and I had after my surgery (she and I were close). She asked me if people treated me differently now that I had lost weight. I had always thought people treated me fine when I was morbidly obese, but I was definitely treated better and kinder after I lost weight. Doors were opened for me, people looked me in the eye and said hello, small things that I hadn't noticed as an obese woman, but those subtle differences in humanity really shine through once you lose weight. That INFURIATES me. I think situations like that happen all the time. I can recall several times where bosses or superiors had told me that I'd be very attractive if I lost weight (back then the laws weren't quiet the same). Such bs. Thanks so much for these comments. I'll still be checking in today, so I'd love any more feedback before the show. And PLEASE tune in if you'd like to hear the conversation! NOON PST at www.backstagepassradio.com

I've had a few friends who were concerned, tried to talk me out of it bc it's "a big surgery," tell me I don't really need it bc I'm already beautiful, blah, blah, blah. I had a legit reason for getting sleeved (besides being fat, ha) - my thyroid doesn't work and it is almost impossible for me to lose weight on my own. My friends and family know this, yet they still insisted I might be making the wrong choice. So I asked myself with every piece of information I could find and when they pounced, I attacked back with info, data, facts. I came prepared and that showed them I was dead serious about this. Some were jealous. One friend came right out and apologized for not being supportive bc she said she wanted to get sleeved but didn't think she could actually go through with it. That's not my problem. I am the queen of quitting things and I made a vow to myself that I would do this 100%, and I am. I'm sorry if you want to take your own woes out on me. It won't phase me. Everyone came around and ended up being supportive when they realized that this really was a good thing. And when I told them I'm down 10 lbs in a week? It really hit home. Bottom line - arm yourself with info, be confident, and show them amazing results. You're doing this for YOU. Your support team is on this website. We're all here for each other! Sent from my Nexus 6P using the BariatricPal App

I had Aetna which required 90 Day Supervised Diet where 1 pound would have ruined the Surgery. At first I thought it was a BS process. You do learn more about yourself and why you over eat. I replaced a lot of bad habits and lost about 60lbs from May 16 to my surgery 1/17. Learn more about you and what you mentally need to get ready. I'm a suler emotional eater so I eat hard, bit by the surgery date I got almost over it all and was eating 6 small meals a day under 1600 to 1800 calories a day. I learned so much from the process of juggling calories. The biggest help was S Health from my Android. It helped me out a lot. Tie Hill Samsung S6+

I'm only 3 1/2 months out, so my experience with sleeve is limited. My experience with dieting is not. I started young and was *never* able to lose more than a few pounds. The weight always came back and usually brought friends. The deck was kind of stacked against me - as it is for many. Severe food allergies (almost all veggies and some fruits) meant I was chronically malnourished. Severe hay fever limited those easy outdoor walks and bike rides. Skin allergies, eczema, and asthma meant even indoor exercise was challenging. As an adult I sought medical help, traditional and alternative, but I was already broken - overweight and clinically depressed with a trashed metabolism and busted joints. And my weight kept going up. Fortunately about 20 years ago (after wrecking my personal life, too) I ended up marrying one of my best friends. School, work, and two very difficult kids on the autism spectrum later, we've both put on far too much weight. Ten years of high stress and no sleep tend to do that even without help. I'd though about the band for years, but just didn't like the complications and my hands were full with therapy and homeschool. We tried to eat clean and healthy and be active, but at best we maintained. Two years ago my father was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and it was officially too much. My kind-of-stable weight starting climbing; my blood pressure shot up; my blood sugar spiked; and my hormones went bonkers. I was 43 and my body had had all it could take. I had researched gastric sleeve off and on, but after spending time caring for him in the hospital and a year of watching him balk at all the doctors orders, I felt like Chrmow - why can't he just follow directions to care for himself? Followed by the awareness that I was doing the very same thing. I researched, prayed, and researched some more. My husband and I were both scared of complications, but math says the odds are no worse than a lot of other surgeries. And I had control over my own choices post-surgery and knew I could be compliant and follow directions, which can minimize post-op complications. Surgery is scary and I've had plenty of minor non-surgical complications, but have healed really well. And the amazing thing is, for the first time in my life, I longer feel like I'm starving to death. I still have to make good food choices and I still have a long way to go, but I've lost 40 lbs since surgery and that really does help everything. The reduced weight on my joints means I'm able to do more physical therapy for my bad ankle and hip, for instance. The reduced stomach means I'm able to eat Protein and largely be done instead of looking for filler. The therapist sounds like a great plan, for both evaluating "food addiction" and for monitoring/getting a handle on depression. I seem to be one of the few people who hadn't had "buyer's remorse" after surgery, but a) I did intense research into all aspects of the surgery; I had already dealt with a lot of food-as-comfort issues; and c) I'm 45 and was ready to really change. I've eaten enough pizza, cake, and Cookies for a lifetime and am largely fine with never being able to eat those things again. I've seen people on forums who freak out when they realize they'll never being able to eat a whole pizza again for comfort. I've seen the people who "can't" do liquid post op diet and try to eat steak a week after surgery. And I've seen people who realize they can still eat a box of crackers, do so, and can't seem to stop. Don't worry about the actual surgery itself -- worry about whether or not you're truly willing to change your life. Because the last few months have been life changing for me, but even at this point, it's a lot of work. Having said that, my husband started doing Keto concurrent with my surgery, partially to support me and partially as his last ditch effort to not have to. He's lost as much weight as I have eating eggs, cheese, and grass fed meat - which was basically my pre-op liver shrink diet. Assuming you're medically capable, you can always try that first. The first week trying to get off sugar and carbs is really hard, but improves a lot after that. If you can handle that, it might help on its own. Or it might end up preparing you for surgical pre and post op diets. I know - really mouthy for a total noob . But my big regret is not finding a way to do this ten years ago, when my kids were still little. Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

I'm gonna talk to my surgeon this week bc gummies are better than nothing. Sent from my SM-G930V using the BariatricPal App

Sleeved 12/19/16 Weighed 208 Current 191 I woke up in recovery and couldn't stay awake so I had to stay there for a while longer then everyone else. So make sure to stay awake once you wake bc they may make u stay there longer instead of going into your private room. Walk as soon as the dr says to and walk every hr up and down the hall while u r there. TRUST me. I had no issues with gas pains bc I did. They will give u small cups to drink from. Start with a tiny sip then put the cup down. U can no longer take large amounts of anything into ur system. And I noticed that putting the cup or spoon down helps in slowing me down so I didn't feel that tightness and discomfort in my chest. They might give u a disgusting liquid to drink after surgery too. And if u r like me u may need 14-28 days of blood thinner shots twice a day that hurt like hell. For the liquid phase I made Soups and just strained them and drank the broth. It helped bc I liked them rather then the store bought broths. Hoped this run down helped. Best of luck! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Who has had the muscle milk brand of Protein powder? I want to order it bc it has 50g of protein and its reasonably priced. I was going to get chocolate flavor. Any powdered protein advice? Sent from my SM-J700T using the BariatricPal App

Howdy..............14 months post op here. Also becoming a salad lover........largely in part because my program's NUT says we shouldn't eat salad. Flawed reasoning, I know......but it's how I roll. Went to a spot yessaday.....known for their salad bar. Ordered their New Orleans blackened fish and shrimp......and salad bar. Spinach, bacon, red onions, soybeans, blue cheese dressing and other non-carb stuff added. It was mighty tasty and more than half made it home in a to-go box. I laugh at some of the bs my NUT preached. I was able to get a pile of Protein and Fiber from yessaday's outing.