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I went to my doctor's support group on Monday and met a sleeve patient of his who is 10 weeks out. She recounted a couple of incidences where she was tempted by the smell of food (i.e. teacher who had a pizza party) and knew she physically wasn't hungry for the food...and chose not to eat it! I'm amazed at her stories (and those I've read on here) of simply not being hungry; I think that's the biggest hurdle for me! If I'm hungry, I know I overeat. Damn near every time. Having this forced behavior modification of a sleeve will force me to examine whether or not I'm actually hungry, because the effects of eating when you're not, or forcing too much food down a banana-shaped stomach, will end badly. I'm good with that . Surgery tomorrow!!

Hi all. I have not been on here for some months. Personal issues that I will not go into here, but I had my sleeve on 11/29/10. So far I am very happy with the way I feel. I was taking Lasix to get rid of excess fluid pre-surgery, but my dr. did not want me to continue it post surgery. I was alarmed at first, because, of course I started retaining fluid and actually put on 5 lbs, from surgery day through 5 days post op. He was right in his decision, because I would have been dehydrated had I taken it. With that said, after I lost that 5 lbs of fluid plus an additonal 10 lbs during week 2, there has been no further change in weight. On monday I will be 3 weeks post op. I have been getting in 64+ ounces of fluids, getting in all my required 60 grams of protein, walking 1+mile on the treadmill for a week now with no further change. Am I doing something wrong, or is this normal?

Gosh this topic is so interesting to me. I'm still 17 lbs over my ultimate goal weight, which would put me at the top end of a "normal" BMI. Anyway, it still throws me when people tell me I'm "tiny" or "skinny" (at a tight size 10P I am hardly either of those things). I know people are comparing me to where I was before surgery, and indeed I am quite tiny compared to then, but still, I don't feel great about my weight and keep pushing to get down at least 10 lbs more. My mid-40s body definitely tells the tale of 15+ years of morbid obesity. My breasts sag horrendously, I have the dreaded loose belly skin (with a map of stretch marks all over my abdomen, to boot) and my thighs are like granny thighs, with loads of cottage cheese thrown in for good measure. Still ... no matter what ... I am thrilled I got the sleeve and am truly grateful for the years of additional life I have given myself. I am sure I would have died relatively young, had I not had the surgery. BTW Cowgirl Jane, I have to second the compliment -- you do look FAB and lovely and healthy!

Congrats A.J.!!!!!!!! That is such great news.... your weight loss is inspiring. I'm 10 days post op and have lost 15 lbs... I don't get my first fill until Jan. 18 so for now I'm sticking to eating no more than a half a cup while taking my Vitamins and getting the Fluid in. I don't know about you but I can't wait to countdown to the New Year because this New Year it will finally happen that I'll lose weight.....yay!!!!! I too am trying to figure out how to paste that ticker as well. There is a previous blog about it but I still didn't get it. If someone can give a step by step on how you post it for those of us who aren't that tech savy(lol) would be greatly appreciated. Continued success to you A.J.

Hi, I am a newbie so to speak. New to the lapband - surgery 12-11-08 and also new to this...first time (is what I'm doing called chatting)! A little about me .... 55 years old, married 35 years to a wonderful retired man, 1 son, 1 daughter in law, 1 13 year old grandson, currently kindergarten reading teacher for 3 years, first grade 17 years, and first year was in 6th grade in a rural K-8 district. I've always been overweight, many diet attempts, always active. Never let my weight keep me from doing things and achieving - Child to young adult bowler when I met my husband who worked at the bowling lanes carried a 225 average. Was a chubby Jr. High Cheerleader, Played softball - pitcher & 2nd base - Last few years played - team was champs, Played high school volleyball. As a teacher, for 10 years I was the girls volleyball and basketball coach and both boy's and girl's track coach for 10 years. My moto stayed intact.That is until about five years ago ...it caught up to me...sleep apnea, knees and hips going, and blood pressure creeping up. My mind said go...yes I can but my body said enough is enough.:thumbup: At my highest lifetime weight 386, :clap: I was miserable and almost immobile. I was in therapy for my knee for 16 weeks. I was in such bad shape it was almost like I had a stroke. I worked through that and became a little bit more mobile. During the summer I looked into the lapband... and went to the informational seminar...After that day their was no turning back. August 25, 2008 first visit with doctor weighed 376. Found out insurance would not pay, and that I would have to loss another 26 pounds before he would do the surgery. December 8, 2008 (my husbands birthday) started pre-op liquid diet on December 11, 2008 had my surgery. My only fear was getting on the hospital scale that morning and finding out I was not 350 or under...I was prepare to strip down if I had to....(which would not have been a pretty sight) but my weight was 345 with clothes at home and 343 with clothes at the hospital. From then on I was all smiles.:clap: I have not had any trouble ... I've went through all the diet stages ( I have followed all the rules/ with my husband's coaching) without anything bad happening. I'm on trial and error eating now...to see what I tolerate...so far nothing is on my Don't eat List except the doctor said no beef, pork, bread(sticky), celery for 6 mos. I was told to eat 1/2 cup 3x a day leaning heavily toward the Protein. I find my 1/2 cup tends to be a little rounded at the top whereas my husband's tends to be level....and he can tell what 1/2 cup is on a plate...so he has taken on the job of measuring! :thumbup: It's amazing though I'm never hungry between meals.... My eyes still think I need more...but as long as I know it's 1/2 cup I eat it and never feel hungry! I record and journal everything everyday. At my last doctor's appointment 1-12-09 he tried to fill me at the office but could not find the port - set up appointment at the hospital to do the adjustment - added 2.5 cc. back on liquid for a day, then puree, then regular 1/2 cup. Still no problems. My attitude is positive, my activity level is up, my energy level is up and my weight is down. I even walked a mile came in and biked (stationary) 10 minutes. For someone that could hardly walk from the parking lot to her classroom last year this to me is amazing! :w00t: My weight today is 321. I know I have a lot to go ... the rest of my life which because of this lifestyle change will be healthier, lighter, and happier. As you can tell, I'm a talker. I'm wanting to learn more from those that have traveled on this journey and rode this ride. I want to learn from your successes and mistakes.. I want to make new friends that have chosen this lifestyle change. I forgot to share my new motto : "Eating to Live" which changed from "Living to Eat". By just switching the words ... I'm healthier!

Hi I am new from southern illinois. I am day 4 post op and miserable. the gas is not fun, but I think I either have an obstruction or my band is too tight. pain in the center if my chest and it feels like i am full up to my throat and I haven't had anything to drink since last evening. do i need to see doctor before next visit on wed 7/14/10 or should i just wait?

My surgeon wants me to lose 10-12 lbs. during my 2 wk liquid diet. I'm following it very strictly. My work colleague was around 300 lbs starting weight and lost 18 lbs on the liquid diet. I'm sure there are many factors that affect it. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hello Gastric Bypassers: I am scheduled for surgery tomorrow 2/10 and I'm beyond nervous! I was wondering if any of you had to do Clear liquids the day prior to surgery! If so, what'd you eat? What about a pre op diet? How long was yours? What'd you eat? And did you cheat? Thanks so much!

I was just banded 1-19-09. I'm hungry all the time. If I didn't have the cuts or pain to show I had surgery I would never know. I see the surgeon next Thurs.Does anyone feel this way or felt this way right after surgery? Another question is I have gas and burp all the time.Is this normal? I Know the gas is but the burps and gas are all the time. I thought the gas would of passed by now since it's been over a week now.Thanks....

Any desire/need for a very relaxed and easy motivational challenge? Low key soft workouts and tons of fun!

I started out with that type, but it kept leaking and I spent most of my nights trying to adjust it instead of sleeping. The one I have now (Wisp), leaks a lot less, especially when I keep it clean. When I've had my mask for 10 months, my insurance will pay for another mask, and I might try a different full face mask. I've come to realize just how important a good sleep makes me feel.

I have to do 7 appts pre-op with the surgeon. So far I've seen Cardio 3 times, Pulmonology twice, had 2 sleep studies (with and without cpap), and will see my endocrinologist once, will have my endoscopy along with nut and psych on 01/27. I'll also see my primary once more before we submit to insurance in February. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

@@Kari1985 Yes! I'm so thankful she found me...haha! I posted in my local support group, and she reached out to me in a private message. It may sound odd, but while I'm having surgery, I always ask either the anesthesiologist, scrub nurse, or tech to touch my face as I'm being put under. Lol. It's just really comforting to me. When I had my children (3 c-sections,) my ex husband was in the room, and I wasn't put under and I was comforted by him holding my hand and the doctor talking to me. I am terrified of embarrassing myself. In 2007, I had sinus surgery and they didn't give me any anti-anxiety meds before they gave me anesthesia. I went from an 8 on the anxiety scale to a 10+ within 30 seconds. I sat up on the OR table, and told them "My legs feel so heavy, I must be having an allergic reaction!" They told me it was the medicine, but I didn't believe it or course. The next thing I remember is just waking up from surgery. I was so embarrassed when I remembered what I had said and did. I hate, Hate, HATE anxiety !! I hope our surgeries go well, and our anxiety is as minimal as possible. How's your pre-op diet going? You can message me anytime! Sent from my SM-N910P using the BariatricPal App

I'm 15 days out today. I am feeling pretty good. So things that helped me are the fact that I can get my fluids in really well. I credit that to the fact I bought 2 oz red solo cups and it reminded me to sip consistently. The other thing I did was walk. On 4 days out I began walking for 10 minutes every waking hour. Then on day 6 increased the time to 15 minutes every 2 hours. Day 10 - 20 minutes every 2 hours. I also rested in between because that promotes healing also.

You blow into a bag that the machine measures then you do in again about 10 minutes later and the machine measures the air and tells yu if you have H Pylori.

Reading your story just now has brought tears to my eyes. I have had severe obstructive sleep apnea for around 10 years now, plus fibromyalgia. My number one reason I am having this surgery is to hopefully be rid of this horrendous disease. My quality of life has deteriorated each year due to exhaustion and not taking it as serious as I should have. Wearing the awful mask while being an insomniac is a feat in itself. Please take this seriously, I know you will. I had a gastric band done in 1986 and was unsuccessful. Had it removed in 2005 by the doctor who is going to now do my sleeve. Thinking I could never have bariatric surgery again, I went to him in January 2013 with a painful large hernia. It was just like we picked up from 8 years ago. I had never even heard of a gastric sleeve until he told me before he could address the hernia I had to lose 50 plus pounds. So here I am finishing my 2nd of the 3 month insurance requirements and can't wait. By the way, when I went to him in 2005 I weighed 203 (1986 was 250), now 8 years later I weigh 208. Can't seem to jump over this barrier. We can and will overcome this weight and sleep apnea thing we deserve it. My thoughts and prayers are with you, sweetie!

Hi all!!! I was sleeved on 6/10 and recently began ursodiol 300mg twice a day. Although I shouldn't since I'm still in the early stages and fluctuating, I weigh myself usually everyday...my first weigh in after the medication I fluctuated 3lbs up..did anyone else notice if their gallbladder meds changed their weight or slowed the progress of their weight loss? A few people have expressed bloating and weight gain while others have said it helps to aid in weight loss as your gallbladder can breakdown cholesterol etc. perhaps my weight is attributed to the fact that I had about 680 cals compared to my average of 400-500. Thanks all!!! -Mike

I actually switched surgeons because of that exact situation. They wanted me to go 10 weeks before an appointment with him. Id met with the shrink,and nutritionist twice, and still no surgeon. Wasn't going to work for me. Had an appointment with another surgeon in a few days, and 10 weeks later, I had surgery.

Hi, I am 17 months post op, San Diego Kaiser. I am also the founder and admin of the San Diego Kaiser support group page, and often speak in the options classes. Yes Kaiser does require the 6 months of options classes, during the classes they ask that you try and loose %10 of your body weight. The paperwork said they needed documentation of supervised weight loss program, but I was never asked to show prof. Please feel free to ask me any questions and join the FB group. my email is, pinkpolkadot619_rny_kendra@yahoo.com

I relate to everything said in this thread. I never thought I was THAT big until I started looking at side by side pics. Even when people said "wow you have lost a lot" I would always shrug it off like no I haven't. The saggy skin for my is mostly my gut and a little on my inner thigh. I wear a compression shirt everyday and that helps me and my image issues I have now. I might look into plastics at some point, but I want to wait a couple years until I have settled into my goal weight. I'm down a little over 160lb in 10 months going from a size 48 to 32/34 waist pants and 4XL to a L/XL shirt. When I started this mentally I battle if I COULD do it. Now mentally I worry about keeping the weight from coming back. I track everything I eat, but will beat myself up over little overages some days.

Your profile says you are 10 months post op and you've lost 89 lbs. already. At that far out, what are your expectations about how much weight you should be losing? Your weight loss should have slowed considerably by this time. Why do you think you're doing something wrong?

I can't believe my surgery that I fought so hard for is on Tuesday! I'm more excited than nervous!! What things should I bring w me to the hospital on Tuesday? I'm so ready to change my life! Pray for me, please! Thanks!

Hey there... I think I have been on this site atleast once a day, I am putting my deposit down on my new life next week.. I have decided to have my surgery at OCC with Dr. Ortiz the week of Thanksgiving. I am soo excited yet sooo nervous. I have ALWAYS struggled with my weight... I would loose 10... 20.. 50 pounds to ALWAYS gain it back.. IT SUCKS.... Then I get the joy of adding Menapause to the mix at 41 ( whew no one tells you how fun that is going to be) I had originally thought about doing the Lap Band , but A good friend of mine had hers fail( she eventually did gastric bypass) Sooo gastric sleeve here I come. My best friend is going to meet me there, she is in California and I am in Georgia and my husband will be in Afghanistan( he is behind me 100%) . This site has been soo helpful, I have found answers to things I did not even know to ask, so thank you everyone for being so honest. Now if the next few months would fly by I would be a happy camper. I look forward to getting to know ya'll . :thumbup:

Well Aetna denied me not enough details, even though I had been going to my PCP monthly since July 8, Nutritionist every 2 weeks, walk the treadmill, and go to curves 2 days a week. I have lost 19 pounds so far!!! Really frustrated don't know what to do? What I was missing it my 3 month detailed report from the Doctor, I guess they sent July 8 but than only sent nutritionist report. I called Aetna and got a their fax appeal number and my dr is going to submit all the paperwork that was forgotten. Has anyone gone through this process and how long does appeal take?

YOU GO GIRL!!! I totally know the feeling! I FINALLY weigh 10 lbs. less than my hubby