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@Beachladee3 hi newbie😊 be consistent on which scale you listen to, doesn't matter what the weight says. if you want to go by the docs scale scale or yours , just only go by same scale - on other words don't compare each other good luck kathy

I go for my first doctors visit on Jan 15th. I have done my seminar. I need to do many more important vists I am sure. I just hope I can gain the encourgement to stay away from bad foods for me. It is so hard to break a lifetime pattern. I have started drinking once in awhile the atkins drinks and some protein bars and watching my carb intake. It is very hard for me as I do not like the taste of things so far, but I thought if I start now I will grow to like it somehow or be use to drinking and eating bars when time to liquid diet for 2 weeks and than afterwards even. I wanted to start writing now before I got to far into the doctors visits so I can use my writings to keep me strong when feeling I cannot make it anymore...:tongue2:

How do we get those neat weight tracker bars that everyone has in here?

Hello, I am new to this site. I am 40 years old with a BMI of 39.6. I have been overweight for most of my life, with the exception of high school and a couple of years after I was married. Right before my wedding, I had dieted down to 130 pounds with the help of Phen Fen. I had my daughter when I was 30 and gained over 60 pounds that I was never able to lose. In fact, the weight kept creeping up after that, and I now weigh about 10 pounds more than I did when I was full-term pregnant. I have been trying for the past 10 years to lose the weight, but I can only lose a little bit at a time, then I gain it all back plus more. You all know how it goes. I have lost and gained the same six pounds for the past year or so. I can never make any long term progress. I got fed up and started considering a lap band, because I thought that was the only option besides a gastric by-pass, which I am not willing to do. When I called Bluegrass Bariatrics, they suggested that I consider the gastric plication. They said they had had a lot of success with it, and it was the cheapest option, which makes a difference for me because my health insurance won't cover a dime. I've read all the posts here, and I am both excited about the prospect of having the surgery, and terrified all at the same time. I want my life back, I want to be able to do all the things that I can't or won't due because of my weight. Part of me still thinks this is ridiculous, that I should just be able to knuckle down and diet and exercise and lose the weight without any surgical intervention. But I've read the statistics, that only about 3-5% will actually succeed with this approach. I went to a seminar this past weekend and met Dr. Oldham. I really liked him, and he's gotten good reviews on this site. I have my intake appointment on 2/15, and when all those results are back, I will have my surgeon consult. I am going through the process, with the knowledge that I can still back out if the fear gets to be too much for me to go through with it. I am terrified of severe pain and complications, although I have been through a c-section with a vertical incision. My husband is also very scared for me to do this, and people keep telling me that I'm not big enough that I should be considering surgery. Is what I'm feeling pretty normal? I would love to hear from some others who have been through this, and also folks who have had their surgeries wiht Bluegrass Bariatrics. I am looking forward to talking with you all, and I thank you in advance for sharing your experiences with me.

Oh, (((Want2BHealthy))) I so feel your pain! It's tough the first few days after surgery. Concentrate on getting your liquids in and then worry about your Protein. The Water is so important immediately post-op! I have a checkered medical history as well, although no heart attack or car wreck so far. :::crossing fingers:::: I had DVTs and two pulmonary emboli, along with pneumonia, then I had the Come to Jesus talk with the doctors. It was have surgery or die. Obviously, I had surgery! Soon you'll be feeling much better and not long after that you'll be back on solid food and you won't even remember how uncomfortable you are right now. It will happen...and when the weight starts dropping off, you'll be THRILLED. Good luck with your journey!!

I have been a nurse for over 10 years. I don't work in med surg, but in a clinic doing patient ed and teaching on diabetes, weight loss, etc. At least my patients have not ever looked at me like it was crazy I was talking to them about these things, but I felt it. I too have been asked when my baby is due and I tell them 4 years ago (when my last daughter was born!). Congrats to you on your degree and on making the decision!

So i am definitely having my surgery next friday... EEEKKK... :I went in today for my meal planning class and found out i gain a pound.. i was so upset i started crying because i believed this last week and half that i was doing pretty good with what i was eating and i even went to the gym 4x in the past 7 days... SOOO even tho i did not have to do a pre-op diet, i opted to my dietician that i wanted to do it to get these 4lbs i need to get off before the surgey... i think it will also get me ready for the two weeks of full liquids after surgery too.. Tho i think i gain 2lbs because my period finally came back, thank God, i was afraid they was gonna say, "Sorry Koren, but we can't do surgery on a pregnant woman"... that would have been a nightmare... I'm excited and scared now but i have my family members that will be there, even tho some are not that supportive they still understand why i need to have this done...

Thank you for the feedback! I appreciate hearing I'm not the only one. So strange to me because I was at the weight before, and was not cold. I have to agree with msujester, maybe it's lack of fuel, or the body burning up what it has to remove the fat? Either way, it happened way sooner than I expected! And yes, I live in North Dakota. It's getting chilly already so I'm gearing up for a lot of layers as winter approaches. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hi guys! I've been lurking around this forum and finally decided I'd join. This forum has been incredibly helpful so far in terms of helping me to reach my decision to pursue VSG surgery. I'd like to introduce myself, and tell a little of my journey. At the end of the post, I'd like to ask a few questions, if that's alright with everyone! You all seem so, so helpful and sweet. Well, I'm Jenn, I'm 27 and from Long Island, NY. I've always been heavy. I've been heavy since 5th grade, pretty much. I can't say that I haven't tried everything, because I've *literally* tried everything. I've always been a yo-yo dieter, constantly trying to find something, anything, that could work for me. I'd lose a bunch of weight each time, and feel great, but it was never long lasting. I'd always gain the weight back and then some. Losing weight was never the issue, it was always keeping it off. A few years ago, when I was 20 or 21, I actually made a consultation to have the lapband surgery. Luckily, things fell through, and at that time, I wasn't serious about committing to all the pre-surgery requirements. Now, my 20 year old sister is just waiting for her approval from Cigna. I've watched her struggle throughout the process, but her determination is inspiring. I wanted to do the surgery, but didn't have health insurance to help pay for it. To make a long story short, I now have health insurance (united healthcare community plan) and I've spoken with the surgeon and the insurance company, and I'm totally surprised they cover it! So, I'm about to embark on my journey. I have my informational seminar (required) on Thursday, and then I will make an appt. for consultation. I'm so excited, I can't even begin to tell you! I love the fact that (hopefully) my sister and I get it done and we can do it together. She's my bestfriend and having someone else close to you go through what you're going through will be a huge help. Here's the dreaded questions I'm hoping someone can help me with. - Does anyone have united healthcare community plan insurance (medicaid plan) and know what the requirements are? They were kind of vague when I called them and they only mentioned a 40BMI, which I do have. - I'm starting a very intensive masters program for my social work degree in September at a school in NYC. I will also be doing a very intensive 3 day a week internship from September till May. If I get the surgery relatively soon during school and internship, will it be possible that I can recover in time and not miss TOO much? How long did it take everyone to return to work or school, etc.? - Does every insurance require the 6 month supervised diet/weigh in? - My BMI is currently a 44. If I drop below a 40, which is doubtable, would I still be covered? Thanks so much guys and girls! You've all be so inspirational!

Hi everyone, so last year August I spoke with my primary care doctor about getting weight loss surgery. We both agree its the best choice for me.I did all my classes with my nutritionist & got approved for gastric bypass surgery. My surgery date is April 19 but for some reason I'm scared. I read a few entries about people regretting doing surgery & some horror stories. I read stories about people gaining back weight & others in n out of hospitals for various things.I'm scared. I'm terrified and honestly don't know if I should continue this journey. I'm 5'7 273lbs. I try so much different weight loss pills/diets and none work. I want to get the surgery so bad to save my life but at the same time I'm scared it's going to make it worse. I'm having mix feelings about this, anyone ever felt this was before surgery? Please help!!!! Sent from my SM-G925T using BariatricPal mobile app

That is incredible! 100 lbs gone! Woohoo! I wasn't sure where you were in your post-op, but if you're exercising, you can probably benefit from some carbs. As to the slow down, with the amount of weight you've lost, you are bound to slow down now. I see from your profile that you're less than 30 lbs from your goal weight. Now comes the hard part.......making those last pounds disappear! In the beginning, the calorie deficit between your basal metabolic rate (BMR) and your daily calorie intake was quite large. And you were losing fast. Now, the deficit is probably much smaller and the loss is slowing down dramatically. The best way to combat this is to increase your calorie deficit. Since you're already eating such a small amount, the only place left for you to make an adjustment is in your exercise. Each minute spent working out will pay off in the end and get you to goal. It may not be fast and it sure as heck won't be easy. But it will be satisfying.........and make you fabulously fit! Stick with it girl..........you're in sight of the goal line......keep up the fantastic work!

Being scared and nervous can make you question your decision. Normal pre surgery jitters. I’m sure your surgeon gave you the statistics and risk/complication facts. Your team is going to take good care of you and manage your pain with medication. The pain is temporary, your results will be amazing. As for all the horror stories, I think its human nature to gravitate toward the negative posts. It will fuel your pre surgery aniety. Try to balance things out by reading the positives. Surgery before and after’s https://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/297668-i-want-to-see-before-after-pics-contd/ Success stories https://www.bariatricpal.com/forum/1298-weight-loss-surgery-success-stories/ NSV's https://www.bariatricpal.com/search/?q=NSV I think many of usthat have bounced back from surgery quickly and had no complications don’t get represented. People that are maintaining no longer need support leave the site. Most people posting are in weight loss mode, a few with complications and people that have gained weight.

Honestly you have to make the decision which way you want to proceed. Personally losing the weight can be done. The statistics out there state that only 5% of people who lose the weight are able to maintain the weight loss over time. Losing is easier than maintaining in my books. I have had troubles with maintenence and always end up gaining the weight back and some extra. For me I want help with the losing and mostly the maintaining of the loss. Hope you can figure out what is best for you.

I was banded almost three years ago in March 2008. I initially lost about 80 lbs but have plateaued in the last year. My doctor was very impressed with my weight loss at first as I was a college student. I've recently graduated and I'm having issues with inactivity and poor diet. I really appreciate knowing I'm not alone in this! -Liz

I have been dieting since I was 11yrs old. Up and down, up and down with my weight. I was watching it go up again to it's highest @ 213lbs and I just felt like it was going to keep going up and if I didn't do something. I just knew I was going to be 300lbs if I didn't change. Problem was, I was always hungry. I could eat and eat and eat. I would wake up thinking about what I would eat for breakfast. After eating a large meal I would want desert, a snack, and then I'd start thinking about what I was going to eat at the next meal. I never felt full. I just had no desire to even try any more because I knew I was going to fail again. I'd start a diet and then cheat and then fail. Etc. Etc. I knew I could diet if I just wasn't hungry. If I could get that feeling of satisfaction or of being full. And if I could diet and not fear putting it all back on. I also was afraid of getting anything cut, altered, re-routed, etc. If I had problems or regretted it or whatever it could be removed. Good luck on your decision. I am happy with mine.

I got my Sleeve on March 18th which was also my Birthday. I thought it was completely serendipitous. I have avoided the scale after weighed myself on Day 2 after surgery and noted a 10 pound weight gain. I feel good physically most discomfort is at night. I am having a hard time getting in the recommended Water and Protein. It seems that eating and drinking takes all day. I am at a stage 2 diet and I was told to eat/drink 1 oz of Fluid every 10 minutes. I am constantly watching the clock. It seems this will not be doable when I return to work. I know it has to be for my health's sake, I just can't see it in my mind's eye yet. How long do we continue to need to sip every 10 minutes? Sent from my iPhone using VST

Reporting in that I had a great day today. Stuck with my meal plan and had a really good workout at the gym. Thanks again to everyone who provided words of encouragement. It was just what I needed! I'm still getting used to talking about weight loss and being honest when I have a bad day. I usually just suffer in silence because I'm so mad at myself and embarassed. Just about all of my friends and family members are thin and it's impossible to talk to someone who thinks having 10 pounds to lose is a big deal. I have to say I'm actually looking forward to my psych consult. Pretty sure it is going to be more helpful than I think.

Hey everyone! Been awhile since I have posted on here since they revamped the website. Here's the backstory on myself. I had Lap Band surgery on May 21st 2013. My highest recorded weight was 344lbs and after 9 months post op, I'm currently at 243.6 and down 100.6lbs!!! In the last 9 months I have been documenting my journey on YouTube! See my transformation over the last 9 months!! www.youtube.com/aminethemachine - Amine

Hello Girls, I am also in my early 20's and feeling so frustrated! I reciently just got married and I have yo-yod for years! I will force myself onto chicken and rice and nothing that tastes "good" and kick my butt at the gym to lose weight sure but then as soon as i slip up and suddenly i am eating "normally" I gain all of my weight back plus some. I had a belief that i would be able to have the will power to lose my weight if i just pushed myself for my wedding... well i did i pushed and i lost weight and then the month before the wedding i was so stressed i ate and BAM! all my hard work was back on plus some. I am in the begining stages of this lap band thing. I just signed up for the forum today because i feel like i need some support from people who are in the same boat. I am young i dont have kids but im terrified that if i couldnt keep myself healthy for my own wedding what is ever going to motivate me enough and now I am ready to accept that i need help. I have done the trainers the diets and none of it works for long. I am willing to do the work! i just feel like i need a head start just a boost to help me stay on track and keep it going. I dont want to get baby weight in a few years and feel even more trapped in my own body than i do now. I seem to be rambiling but it just feels nice to be able to talk to some people in the same situation. most everyone i have found is older. I hope someone has something that help me make this a little easier. Thanks so much ELise

Welcome! Please read and research as much as possible before making your final decision. Weight loss surgery is a life altering decision. If you have questions, don't be afraid to ask. There are people on this site in all stages of banding and many is every age group. Good luck!!

I'll go and see!! And congrats on your weight loss and determination

Way to go! I'm waiting until I lose most of my weight and then I'm going for a whole spa day. I've never done it before. The sleeve was DEFINITELY the right decision for me too. I still restrict the carbs a bit and eat a lot more healthy, but yes, I eat pretty much what I want. Thank goodness I want lots of steak I am so happy for you!

I agree wholeheartedly with Dooter!!! I have struggled my entire life with weight. I have been married to the most wonderful man for ten tears. when we got married, I was a nice size 10, but do to health issues, knee surgery, and poor eating habits, I packed on alot of weight and went to size 16/18 and my husband has never missed a beat in loving me more everyday. He has always made me feel that I was the sexiest women in the room, even when I told him I wanted to have this surgery, he said, "If this is going to help you feel better and healthier for you, then I'm in this all the way." But he also wanted me to know that if I never lost a pound, I would always be his sexy wife. This is the kind of love and support you should be looking for in a potential husband, the kind that loves you "in the now' and will continue to love you no matter what. But first, my dear, you have got to love yourself. I wish you all God's best on your journey! :D

Hi! well...you have a lot if medical issues going on, and as you already realize a very high BMI. Your first step when you get your insurance coverage is to call them and make sure there is no "exclusion" for weight loss surgery in your particular plan. The next step should be to go to an informational seminar for a surgeon in your area who accepts you insurance. There you will learn a good deal of information to help make your decision. Then you will need to have the eval with the surgeon to see if #1 you are a candidate for the surgery, and #2 if this is the best choice for you (ie band vs gastric bypass). In the mean time, continue to read these message boards...you will get a wealth of information from people who have had the proceedure and what their sucesses and challanges have been. Good luck in your journey.