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Oh wow that is very close!! I have a lot of questions to ask my surgeon and I'm very glad I found this app bc a lot came from here lol Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

My name is Ashley. I am 19 years old and going to nursing school. Before middle school, I was tiny, but when I got to middle school all this weight piled on. So, when I was 16 I went to a weight loss doctor for kids to join a program to eat healthy and exercise. Dr. Jefferies wanted to do some blood work thinking I had Cushings. The lab work came back negative for Cushings but positive for PCOS. She told me they usually don't catch PCOS young but since we did we needed to start me on medication early. I was started on Metformin and BC. I was told with metformin I had 6 months to lose as much weight as I could, I lost 40 pounds, but I gained it all back. A few days ago, I went back to the WLC and talked to a Dr. Who does weight loss surgeries. I wanted to explore my options and use surgery as a last resort. When he came in we talked about it but he told me my only option would be surgery since other meds would mess w my heart dz and family history. I start my RN in August for Saturday school and an LPN school full time in October. He said if I have it soon I would lose over 100 lb by the end of the yr. I've been talking to my mom and if I get everything done and have the surgery in August, I should be ready for my full time LPN class. Has anybody had the surgery with PCOS? What should I expect and can I get some advice? Thank you Sent from my HTC One_M8 using the BariatricPal App

I actually had the sleeve done because of the weight I gained due to breaking my L5 vertebra in half (and all the surgeries that followed). I've suffered from excruciating back pain for over ten years now and have noticed that I'm getting many more muscle spasms since the surgery. I log roll out of bed as usual, but still the pain has increased. I'm not sure why it has happened. I've mentioned it to my ortho and she states that my spine is stable (even though she didn't order any new images and is going off a year and a half old MRI). I'm fed up with her as it is, so I'm switching back to a neuro. I was told that the weight loss would help my back, but it's done the opposite. It sucks because I'm already disabled, due to my spine injury, and can't do much. My life changed drastically after my injury. I used to be so active. Now all I do is sit around the house all day. Boring! Good luck with your back pain. I've been taking my anti-spasm medications; maybe a muscle relaxer will work for you. Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

Does your BMI meet requirements? Your insurance coordinator may have been given wrong info - that seems common with BC. I would ask for a printout of coverage and give to coordinator . Sent from my KFFOWI using the BariatricPal App

I definitely would use a second form of Bc because your hormones will fluctuate and could be completely out of whack for a while. If there is a chance you could be pregnant by all means make sure that isn't it. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I have a boring desk job and I went back the same day I got discharged from the hospital. My husband drove me for a few days. Dresses only bc of incisions. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Honestly, the more closely you follow your guidelines, the less hungry you will feel, at least in terms of the type of food you choose to eat and the macros you reach. The more carbs/sugar you put in your body, the hungrier you will feel. So, aim for lots of lean protein and green veggies, with judicious amounts of healthy fats (olive oil, grass fed butter). I find chicken breast and turkey breast the most filling, Fibrous green veggies like broccoli, brussels sprouts, and artichoke hearts (frozen or canned in water/brine, not oil, or fresh) are also very filling and will help you meet your goals. Fish is excellent but IMO not quite as filling. Beef is very filling but tends to have more calories. If you can get your hands on game meats such as bison, elk, or venison, they would serve you well. Drink A LOT! Not just cold drinks -- hot drinks tend to be more satisfying and filling. Broth is also an excellent choice for maximum filling with minimum calories. Good luck!

Hi All - My gastric surgery is July 28th and I slowly started eating low carb with a replacement shakes to ease into my actual 2 week pre-op plan. I'm supposed to drink 2 shakes for b/l, eat 2 bars as Snacks and/or a shake or lean protein/non-starch veggie for dinner. Having hashimotos (thyroid) I worked with a non-bariatric focused nutritionist the last several years eliminate foods that are not right for my body. I don't normally eat a lot of soy, whey or milk based products and typically only stevia as alternate sugar. It was interesting talking to several bariatric nutritionists about options and levels of Protein and different perspectives on what I should or should not drink. To whey or not to whey! It seemed like Premier Protein Shakes (liquid or powder) and their bars were highly recommended by doctors and also on here and other outlets. Can't beat 30g of protein in a serving so I figured I would try them out. For convenience, I bought chocolate ready to drink Orgain Grass fed and mixed in some Premier Protein ready made shakes and bars. After one week, my tummy feels a little inflamed - like a gastric ulcer. Today I have switched to a vegan non-dairy shake and going back to my hydrobeef based Protein powder until my surgery next week. Sadly, not many options for Protein Bars (maybe Quest?). I suppose what I'm getting at is no matter the expert, I am still the best advocate on how my body feels and sensitivities. Although whey is a leading protein source for pre-op and bariatric patients, I'm finding it's not quite right for me. Yep. I was really bummed because it did taste good, was filling and economically priced. Moving on and ignoring that my tummy hurts a little and is hungry tonight!! Big Picture!

I have been struggling as well with taking my Vitamins, especially at lunch bc I'm not used to having to take medications, especially several times a day! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I am a month out from surgery and I am already needing pants. Seems like all my weight loss is in my legs and butt which neither needs to lose too much of lol. I will need some slacks for work (teacher and starting back in two weeks). I have a few skirts that might work too. I have no issues at all with shirts bc the weight loss isn't doing too much to my upper body--I.e. where I really need to lose it. Hopefully it will balance out! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Wow! I'm also 3 weeks yesterday and I haven't worn many pants bc the band hurts my incisions. The ones I did wear I'm in the same size Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

@4MRB4PHOTO - this title was mean. I think someone should be salacious and hijack this post. I'll start Dear Penthouse, I never thought this would happen to me... I'll finish this when I get close to post 2000 Now to make good on my threat... Dear Penthouse, I never thought this would happen to me. Less than two years ago, I was over 300 pounds. I had a girl friend, and while I enjoyed our moments of passion together, it was embarrassing being sweaty and out of breath. Then I did something radical. After hearing a pod cast about being fat in America I heard about the success rates with WLS. I remember saying BS when I heard the stats, but dang if they were not true. So I signed up. Went to Mexico and had a big hunk of my stomach permanently removed. Now this is where it gets salacious. After two months I lost a tremendous amount of weight. I was actually getting close to the size I was in college. As you might imagine, this did wonders for my confidence. But what I didn't know is my body was dumpling hormones at the rate of incredible out of my fat cells. So I am now experiencing Adolescences part II. But this time I know what I am doing. I don't know if I was releasing a pheromone cloud, but every first date I would end up in bed with someone. It was absolutely wild. Do I recommend it? NO. Was it fun at the time? Well yeah, because it was new, novel and your self estimime takes such a hit being fat, that suddenly being attractive is a rush. After a while I found myself with an odd little "harem." I had 5 women who didn't want a relationship, but enjoyed other things. Where was this when I was 17? It got complicated. One day I was literally with three different women. But thanks to the hormone dump aided adolescences, that really wasn't a problem even in my 50's. The stupidity of this situation finally dawned on me, and I broke up the band. I met "the ONE." The most emotionally healthy woman I know. Beautiful, intelligent, and makes me feel more at peace than anyone...ever. So moral of the story...quality trumps quantity anytime and I think I can prove it. Enjoy the journey.

Getting sleeved 7/22. I told my closest friends whom I spend a lot of time with and my parents about 3 weeks prior to surgery. I figured I'd be accused of anorexia or bulimia from - what I expect to be - huge changes in both my eating habits and appearance. I didn't want to deal with lying constantly (that would give me an ulcer). After I had already paid and really committed to the surgery (self pay in Mexico), I had a small get together at my house, let everyone get a few drinks in, and then told everyone (8 people). This method is NOT for the shy or the easily dissuaded. It went like this: "I have some news that no one is going to like, but I'm telling you all because you mean a lot to me and your support will really make or break my longterm success with this (that was me being a bit euphemistic bc I will cut off friendships with people that do not support me). I'm getting a VSG (explained what it was, why I was doing it). I will no longer be able to join in binge eating or binge drinking, but I know our friendship is based on much more than that. I really appreciate everyone's support." I felt like a politician letting the US know we were going to war! But the good part about telling a bigger group is that they all held back their gut reactions at first and listened. After they - I'm sure - talked about it with each other, half of the group reached out to me personally offering to help me lose weight by cooking for me, taking me to the gym, etc, ANYTHING besides the surgery. I really did appreciate their concern, but told them nicely that I was a binge eater and drinker and this surgery was the only way I could break my habitual issues with lack of impulse control. It's hard to admit this stuff publicly, but it felt really freeing once it was out there. A couple friends were super supportive from day one. I feel like if people really are your friends, they will end up being supportive because you're doing something positive for your longterm health. And, if they can't, then screw 'em - they weren't really your friends. I'm also making my friends feel like they're part of my journey. I created a whatsapp group with all of them to give them updates on my surgery from Mexico and will keep the updates coming throughout the first couple months. First, I won't get attacked with questions when I first see them, and, second, I feel like if people feel like they're on the journey with you, all they'll want to do is contribute in positive ways. Aside from close people, I've told people that needed to know where I would be for the 10 days of surgery/recoup (like work, my personal trainer, acquaintances) that I was getting my gallbladder removed. I had to come up with something! Hope this is helpful to someone! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

My BMI was 35 day of surgery on April 4th, 2016. Immediately after surgery gas pain was intense (felt like a heart attack) they drugged me up good to knock me out for awhile because I was frantic over it & dropping the F-bomb quite frequently & loudly. Next four weeks were hard with pulling pain from incision & the liquid diet but nausea was minimal & I never threw up. Weight loss was sloooooww.. My body was in survival mode till I gave it real food & basically refused to give up any lbs until I fed it real meat. At 4 week check up I had only lost 12lbs. Once I started eating meals (mini meals) & exercising a steady 2.5 lbs per week came off. I'm 3 1/2 months out now & feeling great! I can eat pretty much anything in small doses but white meat chicken makes me feel stuffed to the rim - so I avoid it. First 6 weeks is "just rough" like after any surgery. I've always liked having a cold glass of Water next me at all times so hydration has not been difficult but at my 2 month check-up my Iron was low so now I take extra iron pills. The only thing I have thrown back up to date has been an iron pill - just yuck. I have stalls frequently - and then bam! 4 lbs off in one day. But if you track your weight with an app you will see over time it's actually a consistent amount. I had buyers remorse for the first few weeks & then again when my iron was low (felt dreadfully tired) but at 3.5 months I felt pretty great. I've gone from a size 16 to a size 12 and down 33lbs I eat delicious foods but now only in small bites - even enjoyed a glass of wine every evening on vacation last week with no issues. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

My surgeon told me I could forgo the pre-op diet but left it up to me if I wanted to do it. They said it was because I only gained one puns since I started my journey. I decided to do the diet BC I want to be on the safe side and shrink my liver i figure it couldn't hurt. Sent from my Z970 using the BariatricPal App *Pound Sent from my Z970 using the BariatricPal App

Hey all! Today I went to my gastroenterologist for a follow up. He was going to do an upper GI series (which is drinking the barium drink) but he decided to do an EGD instead so if he does need to he can do stretching that may need to be done and also do biopsies for food allergies I may have developed. I have this feeling of things being stuck in my esophagus. I typically have an EGD every year anyways bc of my reflux. Side note was that he said I looked great and he was super proud of the progress I've made. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I was sleeved 6/17 and was also losing about a pound a day! I've lost 26lbs but on my one week check up I had lost 25 so only 1lb and fluctuating up and down! Haven't measured myself at all! I'm pissed bc I didn't measure before the surgery but really need to measure bc I'm easily discouraged! My nutrionist told me to expect stalls so I'm just going with the flow!! Good luck everyone! Sent from my LG-D851 using the BariatricPal App

Hello Ann, Sorry for the late reply. I have been traveling quite a lot these last weeks. Yes, stress is hard on us. I am doing some kind of meditation and relaxation exercises and it works. I am coping better with it. I am still going to the gym, and that is still the best stress relief I know. it is a process to control your emotions (in my case it is stress and mostly anger. Not that I am a violent person, but I have very little patience for BS lately ). take care, Mico

Keep to the doctors guidelines and don't go back to old habits! My granny is against the surgery bc one of her friends have passed away but why did she pass away bc she drank alcohol a lot!! It all depends how you take care of yourself Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

My first day back to work I was in the break room for lunch, and I am on puréed foods. Well one co worker asks if anyone wanted some cucumber, To which I replied I couldn't have that yet. She knew I was off from work bc I had surgery but didn't know what I was doing. So she asks and I told her gastric bypass.. She immediately says, " omg I hope you have good luck with that, I know people that have almost died bc their electrolytes were too low". So I had only had my surgery about 2 weeks before that. I really didn't know what to say back to that. I just said well I'll try my best to do all the right things. It was so awkward and there was 2 others sitting there looking appalled that she said that. Ugh, people! Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

I think it's awkward when I tell ppl I'm getting gastric bypass and they say I'm not that big!!! Ummm I can't fit rides IM BIG!! But the awkward person I'd run into after I lose weight would have to be my aunt for sure!!!! I'll see her next spring bc she is not on my good side now Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Yes got rid of a friend who was also going to have gastric bypass. She was very negative all the time and I think bc I got my date first she became jealous. And tried to start stuff like I'm jealous bc I don't have a man, or tell her other friends what I said but deleted her comments back to me. But my days without her are sooooo much better by far!! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

It's been a process... First I was pre-diabetic and given the "you need to test your BS, lose weight," etc. - and I went into denial for several years. Then I was rejected for an operation because "your BS is not controlled." - and I grudgingly started meds... which made me gain even more weight (diabetic medications are evil that way). After years of taking metformin, I get sent to an endocrinologist for additional meds, and eventually have to start self-injections (first Byetta, and eventually insulin). My A1C gets better for a while, and then worse. Then I break my foot, spend 6 months in a boot, have surgery, and spend 3 more months in a boot. I get released from the boot (hurrah!) and realize I have to learn to walk all over again. During 3 months of physical therapy I end up spending a lot of money, both on the PT and having to buy my meds... so much that I end up meeting my healthcare deductible in the first three months of the year. But the final straws: 1. While heading to our last exotic cruise, asking for a seat extender for the first time in my life, in First Class of all places. 2. While on the cruise with my spouse (who is also large), on a bus tour through a hot, sweaty climate, I finally snapped and said out loud, "You know I love you more than anything in the world... but dammit, I'm tired of being physically pressed up against you anytime we travel anywhere." And so I decided to pursue WLS once we returned to the states. On month 3 of my (wasteful, pointless) 6 month insurance requirement. We have one trip planned later this year (right before my probable surgery), and dammit that will be the last time I'll have to deal with being pressed up against someone (anyone) because I'm just too damn fat to fit completely in the seat.

Hi everyone .... This post has given me a lot of insight . I was sleeved on July 5 th . I felt/ feel great with much more energy then pre-op I weighed in at 259 June 17th then July 15 th at 235 I feel very blessed ! I've been able to literally drink Water much more then sips with lil to no problems at all. I've shamefully went outside my full liquid diet . I've eaten scrambled eggs mushed up very very well with shredded cheese & Soups with little pieces in them . I'm def not getting my Protein in but I'm going to make it priority. I didn't get much education on this for my fam Dr & Surgeon just kinda noted my visits just for insurance reasons. So I fed like reading everyone's post to get some insight & educational info on what to do & limitations of course !! Best of luck to you all !! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Bc with normal tummies it's a small bar and Water is to help feel full. They recommend that with most bars. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App