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Up your Water intake and lower your calorie intake and you will loose that plus more in the 5 weeks. The first 10 lbs is all water weight.. and it is pretty easy to loose, its after you get to the 10% when it gets very very hard.. Good Luck i am sure you can do it!

So I'm 4 months out. Upped my Protein do everything regarding protein and Water but yet I'm going bald. I had thick beautiful Mexican hair! Now it's super thin. Still loosing so here's the point. Did you cut your hair to help the peoblem? Did it help? also I know everyone's different but how long did the hair loss happen. I'm going on almost two month! I'm shedding worse then the dog!

Hello Forum Members! This is my first time in the Forum, I'm currently waiting for insurance approval. I have Blue Cross/Blue Shield from Illinois. I'm 40 years old and have Sleep Apnea/High Cholesterol and Acid Reflux. I have attempted for years to loose wait and like many I end up doing the 'Yo-Yo Dieting" My Primary Doctor recommended for me to have the "sleeve Gastrectomy". However I was told the that the Insurance would not cover the sleeve gastrectomy because is considered an investigational Procedure. So if in fact is not covered, my doctor suggested the Lap Band. Can someone tell me their experience with the Band?

Actually the lap band has been in play here in the USA since 2001, the realize band started clinical trials in 2003, if the web site I use is correct. Logically, since it is really just "sitting' there (no strain like artificial joints, or a pacemaker, etc)...I can see how it would hold up a good long time as long as we don't vomit too much and get erosion or slippage; and even then it isn't really the "band" that fails, it just comes loose and irritates our stomachs. I plan on having mine for life. I'm still glad that if for some reason down the road I MUST have it removed, I can; but it's not my plan!

Exercise does not change your skin. You can change the muscle that the skin hangs over, but you can't make the skin shrink. That's mostly genetic. I've heard skim milk helps with elasticity and staying well hydrated as well. I have heard that the skin will continue to shrink up to one year after weight loss stops. I'm still keeping my fingers crossed for mine, but not expecting a miracle. Wish I had better news.

Welcome! Nana hit a topic that I think is spot on and it explains how I can wear the sizes I do at my weight. I really think she's right that when you lose weight you look smaller but weigh more because of the excess skin. I'm only 5'4" (maybe even a little less) and I currently am around 192-194 pounds. I am wearing size 14 jeans and I wear either a M or L shirt depending on the maker. Logically, I keep thinking it's not possible to be in these sizes at my weight, but what Nana said about the loose skin totally makes sense and explains it. (I have a lot of excess skin) Btw, I started off weighing 421 pounds and wore a 46W or 7X. Yikes!

I think that is MUCH more smarter than anything else I've seen. I have edema (swollen legs) which is going to show on the scales (and by the indentation of the compression stockings). You can see the collar bones and the top part of the rib/breast bones just beneath that. Notwithstanding the 8 pounds of excess skin I carry. I am "normal" weight and BMI. You don't get low alkaline phosphatase like I have unless you are malnourished. I had everything normal (prealbumin was bottom normal) and then lost 4 pounds in 5 days and my prealbumin dropped 5 points in 2. No other signs that I went cachetic from malnutrition 6 months after my surgery. Everyone is unique. I wish that all docs would keep that in mind.

Do people realize how stupid they sound when they say " I'm not going to lose weight because I don't want loose skin" or "I'm afraid to lose weight because of loose skin"? I know, I know, we may have all thought it at some point and time, however, chances are that mindset probably played some type of role in the weight gain and weight loss. But saying you don't want to lose weight because of loose skin is like digging your own grave. Saying your tired of being fat and continuing to make poor meal choices is like digging your own grave. Knowing you have a problem losing weight and not doing anything is like digging your own grave. You can live with loose skin a lot longer than living with all that excess fat, so shut up and do what you need to do to loose the damn weight. Ugh! Wake up people! You should have been thinking about that loose skin all that time you were eating cakes, cookies and pies with a diet coke. You can't deal with loose skin but you can deal with feeling tired all of the time, shortness of breath, low self esteem, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, fatty liver disease and all of the other possible health risks associated with being overweight? Really? Yes, I am clearly feeling some type of way about this topic and If you don't like it ....

And that sure is not a Good trade-off for me, I want to continue to lose down towards my goal. And then, and only then, will I worry more about my Sharpei loose skin when was born not to be "AVERAGE" I was created and recreated AWESOME, and all of you are witnesses to The Grand Shrinking of Frust8, and I feel it is going to be extremely good.

I dont agree with your lose slowly advice. If people want to lose weight slowly they would just do weight watchers till they get to the weight they want. With having the sleeve done is the time to lose as much weight as you possibly can as fast as you possibly can. I would think more than 85% if not more over weight people who lose the weight have to get skin removed somewhere on there body. so why not lose as much as quickly as possible and have a new start to look the way u want and feel good and be healthy and get fit and into healthier foods. I have had 2 C-sections my stomach fat hangs over my scar so much no matter how much weight if i lost it slowly or fast i will still have hanging, sagging skin like a pancake when i reached my goal weight.

Afraid to say there are so many variables that are out of our control. And so many anecdotal wisdoms that we don't know which is true and which isn't. They say if you lose too fast it will be worse....they don't know but they say it. Yes building muscle will help fill out the void created by lost fat, but if you have 100 plus pounds to lose and alot of it is in your abdomen, you can't build enough muscle there to make up for it. The best you can do is keep yourself healthy, keep hydrated and take care of your skin as much as possible. And keep in mind that while loose skin isn't terribly attractive....it's better and healthier than fat. Best of luck.

It's very hard to tell with clothes on to be honest - Before I had plastics I could lean forwards and it looked like wax was dripping off my stomach etc - That is what made me know I had to do something - I could not live with feeling like a freak all over again... Some people want to do plastics earlier than others so I guess it is how you feel about you, ya know My goal was 145 and I think I was 143 when I started plastics - I am 126 now. I am glad I waited as it was really just skin removal and not fat as I had lost it all and that gave me fab results

I chuckle a bit at this rant. I personally have always been really uncomfortable at the gym whether it was the gym we had at work or the gym I paid for monthly. In many cases I just avoided it period mostly because all the young hot people were there picking up members of the opposite sex. At least that is what it felt like to me. Now, I found a really great gym at my local Pro Health center which has a full blown gym, warm Water therapy pool, lap pool and it also has PT there. So, because I have severe arthritis I knew the pools, whirlpools and saunas would be great for me but I would also get benefit in the gym. I went to the pool the first day and all was good. I should note that I am the youngest most fit person there which is funny because I am 53 and I have lost 152lbs and currently only weigh 158. So you can imagine the lose skin. LOL The second day I went to the pool I got hit on by every elderly person in the pool. I was literally backed into a corner of the pool by 2 guys and I was so uncomfortable. The other ladies in the pool were older than me and about as obese as I was before surgery. They were shooting daggers at me and here I was feeling very out of place and uncomfortable by these women and the guys hitting on me. How everything has changed. LOL. It also did not help that my boobies like to float up and out of my size 8 swimsuit. I do need a new one in which they cannot escape at least until I get them lifted and augmented. They are simply lighter than anything else but I found myself laughing with my husband about this whole scene. if you didn't know it, all this loose skin floats up in the water and I clearly haven't learned how to keep it from doing that.

Last weekend I was bummed because the word had gotten out that I was having WLS and I wasnt ready to tell people. But things are working out-- EVERYONE is being soooo supportive. One girlfriend, who works out all the time is taking on the role of my personal trainer. Another girlfriend who loves to shop at consignment stores and yard sales has labelled herself as my clothes designer as I loose weight. They all want a role in helping me to be successful! Since i was whining last weekend just thought I would share the good news. I am fortunate to be surrounded by lots of support--- support that I wouldn't have had if I kept my WLS to myself.:thumbup1:

I was back to work 4 days after my gallbladder was taken out 2 weeks ago. I feel much better now that it is gone. Now I am dealing with the chronic loose stools.

Will hubby came home for lunch with wings I ate to small wings no skin with alittle blue cheese dressing "The Devil made me do it" Only one week postoperative but it got the best Of me What's your opinion?? Thanks

I have not put it on hold, but I have struggled with whether and when to tell them. The man I am seeing now is a physician and I told him while we were still chatting online, before we met in person. We've gone out a half dozen times and he has been very supportive of the weight loss, and knows I will need skin surgery eventually. I have told others at the first meeting. Sometimes they vanish soon after. I would rather it happen early on, before I get attached.

Hi again Lisa! Well I am not as good as I want, in the past 2 1/2 years I have several surgeries that don't let me exercise I ended with a knee replacement due to a fall also in the snow and recently I had a neck fusion but getting better thanks God and now trying to go back to where I started with my band I gained 30 pounds back but now I am loosing again that I got back with my healthy food choices, it is not easy when you have health issues, it been long time that I did not used the app and I really miss my old pals it look like no many of them are around anymore , I really hope you can get your filling soon I am with you I am not ready to replaced my band with another surgery still believe and love my band be safe in that snow hopefully the spring is around the corner![emoji3][emoji3]

I am also a Kaiser patient but for up here in Northern. The facilities up here LUCKILY do not require the 6 month class. BUT, it would be a good requirement. It took me 4 months to get my surgery completed, and yeah i lost a ton of weight before hand, because they have you diet before hand the 1200 cal diet. And you have to loose 10% to even meet with the Case Manager. So in a way they do have a diet. I have however heard that even if you dont loose on the 6 month diet you keep progressing for surgery. However have you talked to other southern patients? A year and half is a LONG time estimate. They always quote us 3-6 months. Plus during ur 6 month diet you should be doing the preop stuff... appts and what not. At your orientation as just how long it is going to take. And honestly it does all fly. I am 2 m onths post op and it feels like i went to orientation yesterday. Another option is self pay....

No more worrying what others think about my having surgery to lose weight! I made the contact today to set up my consultations with a nutritionist and surgeon! I'm tired of being uncomfortable in my own skin. It's ridiculous! It's time to take charge of my own life! I hope I stay this excited! I know it's normal to have some apprehension, but I'd do it right now if it was possible! LOL!

ok so i am getting ready to start soft foods on Tuesday (YAY! FINALLY) but i actually have a few questions about future foods. at what point did you eat pickles? i would assume with them having the skin i would wait until right about the last stage to add them in but just curious. also, when checking packaging and such for carb count do you just go by regular carbs or net carbs?? when i get to that stage, i would occasionally like to add in a Protein tortilla for a meal with meat and cheese. i was looking at tortillas today and found two options and one has a little less total carbs but the other only has a few net carbs. just want to choose the right option! and yes i understand this phase is not what i am on or fixing to start but i just wanted to ask while i was thinking about it!!! thanks in advance!

Unforgettable...I didn't follow my doc's diet; at least not the 1st time. I did my "own" diet because, Hey, I'm a professional dieter! (yes I am making fun of me) This is what I think....that happened and it's a good thing because I re-evaluated my "knowledge" and realized I needed to listen to my surgeon...question him of course if in doubt but otherwise LISTEN to him. I'm not really a know-it-all (I may sound like it sometimes but I know I'm not) but I am mature, smart, and used to figuring things out for myself. So I thought I could do a diet that I would enjoy more but I would lose weight. And I DID lose 15 pounds. BUT I didn't know about the liver shrink part. Why? I didn't ask my doc "WHY THIS DIET" I just assumed it was for general weight loss. NOT. SO mostly I learned (once again although by now you'd think I'd have known it) NEVER ASSUME. THAT Is how I learned that for the post op diet it is VITAL to follow it because it is for healing and even one BITE of food can cause the stomach to churn and THAT can rip the old stitches and band loose. Most of us grow up occasionally cheating on diets...it's a way of life for many obese. I had to learn (and will always share) that the preop one is important to follow but the post op one is almost IMPERTIVE to follow. They shouldn't call it a "diet" They should call it "your post op healing prescription" or something. :crying: If I hadn't done my own diet I probably would have lost more, lost it from my liver, and gotten the band the first time. BUT I did what he told me post op and am glad of that; it was a hard lesson I learned but I think (hope) I learned it.

Thank goodness your experience isn't the "Norm!" But my doc has people stay overnight (he let me go but I agitated for it, and because DH is an RN, he let me), and people from out of town have to sign an agreement to be IN TOWN for 1 week post op. Even at that, I had to have an Upper GI done and pass it, and report no nausea for a while, before he cut me loose. And my husband had to sign my discharge papers etc since I was still under effects of anesthesia...I was told no major decisions until at least 24 hours had passed. No driving etc for 2 days. My gas pain, pain, and nausea was not at all as intense as yours. I actually woke up hungry (really hungry, not "emotional") and thirsty. I felt great, was alert, etc. Even with all that (I was lucid, vitals were stable and great, etc etc) they kept me for a few hours, made me walk, made sure I urinated, did the barium swallow, and kept a good close eye on me until they wheeled me out and handed me to my husband.! I'm sorry you had such cruddy medical care. Seems like the doctor and the nurses really let you fall through the cracks.

I'm not either though. I'm close to 300 though. But after having 3 c-sections I'm afraid I might end up with a lot of loose skin on my stomach. I'm doing a wrap on myself today so hopefully I will see some results.

I went to a party and had it done on my arms and inner thighs and I lost an 1inch on each arm and 1/2 inch on each thigh. But it's all pretty temporary it's like a detox you have to drink lots of Water and eat very light and do a brisk walk or exercise before you come. Bought a few to support my girlfriend and that was it. Here's the paper that they gave me with tips for before you come to the party. Not endorsing but keeping you informed. Ultimate Body Wrap Tips: 1) Before you wrap: Try to get some exercise. (It doesn’t have to be much, just a walk will do. This helps to get your blood moving and it stimulates your lymphatic system. ) AND HYDRATE!!! HYDRATE!!! HYDRATE!!! (Your body cannot move those toxins on out if you don’t pee!) Make sure to drink extra water prior to wrapping and after wrapping to ensure you are not dehydrated and just replenishing those fluids needed in your system. 2) When you wrap: Your skin needs to be clean and lotion free (shower or clean with alcohol). MEASURE in 3 places. 2” above your belly button, your belly button and 2” below your belly button. Use a sharpie to mark the exact location you are measuring so you know you measure the same place each time (try to measure on your side so the marks don’t come off while you wrap). Take a picture so you can compare later. Apply your wrap with the lotion side on your skin and smooth it out. Cover with cling wrap to hold it in place and protect your clothing. If you are doing curvy areas (i.e. waist or butt) rotate the cling wrap roll 180 degrees as you go around the “bends” to allow you to pull it tighter. Then smooth all the air out so you have maximum contact with your skin. Although the cling wrap does fine by itself, try to wear clothes that help hold it in place (Yoga type works great). 3) While you are wrapped: HYDRATE! HYDRATE! HYDRATE! Do not work out. Don’t sweat. Sweat will inhibit the absorption of the good stuff. Wait at least 45 minutes before you unwrap. You can wear it up to 8 hours. 4) After you unwrap: Rub all the extra lotion in. MEASURE on the same spots as above. Continue to hydrate. Measure again in 24 hours. Hydrate. Measure again in another 24 hours. It takes up to 72 hours before you see the full results. Email total results to Dianna at WrapQueen@ymail.com. If you are happy with your results please write on my page at https://www.facebook.com/Wrap2Shrink, if you are not PLEASE CALL ME! Every single BODY is different. Many people that follow these directions lose 1-3 inches in 72 hours. Sometimes people don’t see immediate results. Some people see an increase during their wrap period. DO NOT BE ALARMED OR DISAPPOINTED! This effect is called “toxic bloat” and is caused by your body’s reaction to the increase in “floating” toxins. Often it is these people that end up with the best results at the end of their 72 hours. Some people require more than 1 wrap before they see visible results. If you happen to fall into this category be sure to check with me so we can talk about the reasons people don’t lose inches sometimes. Keep in mind that if you eat junk you will replace all the stuff you just took out and your results won’t last as long. If you make good food choices (try to eat fresh organic food without preservatives) and you exercise your results will last much, much longer. If you are dehydrated, you will not be flushing out your system. The water you will be consuming will in fact store in your system to rehydrate itself. You must drink extra water to flush the toxins out. If you are not using the restroom at least once every 2-3 hours, you are not drinking enough water. Your urine should be very clear. The more color, the more dehydrated your body is. This is not a substitute for making healthy choices. If you have health issues PLEASE take the ingredient list to your Dr. for review BEFORE you use this or ANY product.