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@@Chuckster Yes, please show me ALL of that information, I will wait for it....You seem to have plenty of time on your hands. I was far from being nasty to you, I said congratulation didn't I? Which is more than you've said to anyone here. I said GOOD FOR YOU! As in GOOD for YOU. What's your point? You lost weight AND? You felt the need to come on here to a website focused on WLS and share this because?? Do you think we are all stupid "Gluttons" as you like to say. You don't think we know it's possible to lose weight w/o surgery?Of course it's possible, I'd say 99% of us have all done it, that's not the issue. Go ahead share your story but Including the words "absurd" and "almost criminal" is a crock of shit. The reason why I "just can't eat only 2000 calories " is because I don't effing have too! Yep that's right I'm over 3x7 and I made MY choice that I'm 100% happy about so I have NO intentions of answering to YOU or anyone else for that matter about my life choices. I don't have time to be entertained by you any longer Chuckie so bye bye now! Good Luck sweetheart Xoxoxo....Now that was condescending. Coming at me with some BS you've lost your ever loving mind. NEXT!

My husband of 23 years is also clueless but I'll give him credit as far as being supportive. He'd pass out if he knew I started this process at 257 lbs. or was 285 lbs at my highest. Of course he and my 19 year old son continue to eat unhealthy in front of me, which actually grosses me out now! Let me share with everyone something my psychologist shared with me at Mayo clinic, where I had my surgery. When you yo-yo diet, which we're all experts at and have been for years, and lose weight your body goes into fight or flight mode. Take your highest weight and no matter how much you lose your body will fight it's way to get back to it's highest. That's why so many people lose large amounts of weight (I lost 85 lbs in 2008) and gain it back. Weight loss surgery is the ONLY answer for us (certainly not because it's easy either) because it gives us a "Do-over"! The psychologist told me to think of my new stomach as that of a new baby's. When a baby is hungry it cries, is fed and is satiated. That's how we are now that we've had WLS. Pretty simple. Once I heard this explanation, I felt like I finally stood a chance at being a healthy weight. In the back of my mind I thought, "It probably won't work on me" but I'm proud to say it most definitely is working. When I stepped on the scale this morning, I was down 65 lbs. since my surgery 4/21/15

I know a lot of people go to Mexico and are very happy w their results. I went to several plastic surgeons in my area and found one I just love. Like I said, my sleeve did not go well. I became septic immediately after bc of a leak and spent 2.5 months in the hospital. The plastic surgeon I picked was extra thorough because of that. I had to get clearance from 3 other doctors and she has been even more cautious since my surgery. I go back today for my 4th post op visit in less than 3 weeks. As she put it "this is an elective surgery and not worth dying over". I'm excited for you! The morning of my surgery I took my own "before" pics that only I will see and am amazed how different I look. Next year I will do the upper part to have better breasts, arms and upper back. This is the biggest and most complicated surgery and I'm glad I chose to do it first.

Hi! I had my lower body lift (360) on July 16 so I am just under 3 weeks post op. The first few days were really painful and I opted to stay a second night in the hospital to get stronger pain medicine. Now that I'm home I'm still taking my pain meds every 4-6 hours. But I can stand up straighter now. I used a rolling walker for almost 2 weeks bc you have to stay bent over initially. I also got a shower chair and still use that bc I get tired easily. My swelling has gone down but the dr said I am still swollen several inches. I wear a garment provided for me by my dr that looks like a crotchless wetsuit. That way you don't have to take it off and on so much to use the bathroom. I'm used to it but it does get itchy. My dr was very up front that this would hurt and she didn't lie. Also I'm not allowed to use any core muscles which includes using my arms to get up and down. My family helps me every time I need to get up and/ or turn every 2 hours to prevent incision from opening up. That's around the clock. I have slept in the recliner since I got home. My girls (19&23) take turns sleeping on the couch. We set alarms to turn me every 2 hours. My appetite has been really low and I've been really nauseous. My sleeve had complications so my stomach gets unhappy easily. Plus the garment is really tight and eating just isn't comfortable. I will take some more pics tomorrow and post. I've been taking them daily but they show a lot lol. Oh, one surprise is that my "lady part" got a lift as well. Lol. Even though I'm still swollen I can see a huge difference on how I look and I absolutely love it!! I workout 6-7 days per week normally and the extra skin was making frustrated that I didn't look how I felt. My dr removed about 6+pounds of skin. Stats: Pre weight loss wt 275lbs Pre plastic wt 135lbs I weighed last week 130lbs I'll be curious where my weight settles once the swelling is gone. I don't really want to lose any more. Yesterday was my first day to venture out of the house and go to a movie and walk around a few stores. I was exhausted when we got home and more swollen today. The hardest part is getting in and out of a vehicle. My husband is really strong and can easily lift me but he's on crutches w a broken leg bc we had a motorcycle accident 2 nights before my surgery. Stupid plan to go riding so close to a non refundable surgery lol. I'm lucky I have adult kids to help me. Good luck! Holly

I don't understand why it's different for some people with the BCBS (fed) than it is for me. Wouldn't the insurance all be the same? I do know the surgeons office makes a big difference in how things move along but I figured everything else would be the same. Things that make you go Hmmmm.

I just found out that my doctors office still hasn't submitted my paperwork to BC/BS Fed yet - and it has been 11 days since my last visit and everything was ready to go then! Ugh. If the insurance company doesn't get back to me in a week or less, I'm going to have to change my whole schedule around because I was counting on a Aug 27th surgery date.

Ok, so I had my Lapband in Dec 2009. I do not regret doing it bc it got me from highest of 260 down to 200. But I had issues like you mentioned. What I could eat one day, would get stuck the next time I tried. I got to a point where my weight was bw 200 and 215 fluctuating but not losing more and I was miserable. On 4/27/15, I was revised to sleeve. I could not be happier. The surgeon warned me that the band could be eroded, emulsified, wrapped or twisted. ..and if he had to do extra work to get it out that he may need to let me heal and come back in 3 months for sleeve. That scared me! I didn't want to gain back to 260! And I had never thought of all those complications that might happen. Good news is it went fine. 3 months and down to 178. The difference? Well, I have had no issues with food....even bread which I am not eating all the time bc protein FIRST and I can only eat a small amount of food at a time. I used to get a dull ache in my tummy area intermittently and I blamed it on nerves, something I ate, constipation, my period, etc but with the foreign objects out of me the ache is gone. Just my two cents. Best wishes on whatever you decide!

I came back from the Sugar Bowl (the irony kills me) at 305, and had lights flashing in the side of my eye. I was scared it was a stroke. My doc upped my blood pressure meds, my eye doc was an old friend and she just had a great conversation...it was like a warning light on the dashboard. The weight needed to go. After six months of Weight Watchers I heard a pod cast on obesity by accident and they mentioned WW has only 8% success, but WLS 80% - and I called BS. Then I looked it up, found the research by the Cleveland Clinic and realized - dang they are right. So then I found a good place to have it done. With my goofy schedule, I only had one point in time to get it done, last November, so I set up the date and have not looked back. Did my first 5K, and climbed a mountain (http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/346873-once-a-wish-now-done-what-makes-you-proud/). What an amazing transformation.

It is a nicotine delivery method, if you choose to use nicotine. Leading up to my VSG, I have gone to zero nicotine. It is NOT smoking. No leaves are being burned, hence no tar, arsenic, benzene, etc. etc. Many think I'm splitting hairs here because of what vaping looks like, but make no mistake. It is NOT smoking. Allow me to be frank right along with you. Nicotine is NOT a carcinogen. It is a mild stimulant, much like caffeine. There is evidence that it could slow the post-surgical healing process, which is why most docs want zero nicotine tests before doing surgery, but it's many other chemicals in cigs that cause cancer, not nicotine. The thing is, unless you have a vested interest, you would never do your homework. Most people just take the information fed to them by main stream media as fact. The facts are much different, and I can support everything I say. I'm with you! Most don't do their due diligence because it's so much easier to criticize something that looks like smoking. It's not like they care or anything.

I love going to Whole Foods and buying 1/4 pound of the best quality meats and fish I can find. You know the really expensive, grass fed organic stuff. When you are eating for your sleeve you can go quality over quantity. I never travel with out my Protein powder, almonds, beef Jerky in my carry on. I really enjoy Monster Muscle energy drinks when I am on the road - too many calories for everyday, but they are great in some situations (like after blowing through 6000 calories on a mountain climb -- story here: http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/346873-once-a-wish-now-done-what-makes-you-proud/)

I had RNY on 7/15. I've lost 35 prior & 17 since. I'm doing great with vitamins & protein drinks. I'm doing okay with foods(can't eat as much as recommended bc I'm full or no appetite). But I am struggling to drink all my other fluids each day! How are you getting your fluids in? #frustrated

i have to chime in here. people keep saying bad things about artificial sweeteners. Id like everyone to know, its a persona choice for you. please do not act like there has ever been any medical evidence they are bad for you. Yes there are a few people here tha have food allergies to them. QUite understandable. But understand in no unequivocal terms, the facts do not bear out any links between artificial sweeteners and any sickness or disease. Not saccharin, not aspartame, NONE of them. Yes you can make the choice for you, thats your right, and I will fight anyone who says otherwise, but please stop with the ranting about artificial sweeteners. People here seem to be upset that a nutritionist advised , oh no! a drink or food with artificial sweeteners in it.. If you didn't take the responsibility to say, up front, that you refuse to use them, then who is to blame? Yes look in the mirror. Im sorry if this puts peoples panties in a bunch , but I am a little fed up with people taking a personal choice and espousing it like its some scientific fact. If you disagree and can find ANY real medical evidence of a study regarding artificial sweeteners, ( and please dont give me a dr oz tv show bull. the man is a quack ) Ill gladly change my mind, but there isnt, the american cancer society even has a wonderful series of pages devoted to this. http://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancercauses/othercarcinogens/athome/aspartame http://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/diet/artificial-sweeteners-fact-sheet just for some reference.

I am also FED BCBS.. Pick a surgeon. Usually you do the supervised diet with them.

Hello all my sistas.... I'm a newbie.... I have bcbs fed and I'm required to complete a 3 month supervised diet... Just completed my initial visit on July 24th so I have 3 more visits to go......Hope to have everything completed around Oct and then submit to insurance.....I'm really excited about my new life..... Right now I weigh 225lb and I'm 5 '6 tall......have HB pressure and I have sleep apnea. I will be so happy when I'm able to toss that CPAP machine off my night stand and get off these BP meds. I'm going to my PCP for my 3 month diet..... Can she talk to me about lab work on my visits? Is only exercise and good eating habits allowed in her notes? How strict was your insurance on the supervised diet?

These are some of the abbreviations used in this site: Abbreviations ACL = Anterior cruciate ligament AMRAP = As Many Rounds As Possible (crossfit) BB = belly button bc = because BCBS = Blue Cross/Blue Shield BED = Binge Eating Disorder bf = best friend BM = bowel movement BMI = Body Mass Index bp = blood pressure BPD = Borderline Personality Disorder or Biliopancreatic Diversion (Scopinaro procedure) bs = blood sugar btw = by the way CBT = cognitive-behavioral therapy CC = common channel c diff = clostridium difficile cos or cuz = because CPAP = continuous positive airway pressure CRNP = certified registered nurse practitioners cw = current weight CXR = Chest X-Ray Dr. = doctor DS = Dumping Syndrome or Duodenal Switch EGD = Esophagogastroduodenoscopy EKG = Electrocardiography ff = fat free GERD = gastroesophageal reflux disease GI = gastrointestinal GNC = General Nutrition Corporation store GP = general practitioner or family doctor HBP = high blood pressure hr = heart rate hw = highest weight ICU = Intensive Care Unit Idk = I don’t know IMHO = in my humble (honest) opinion IMO = in my opinion IUI = Intrauterine insemination LAP Band = Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Band lol = laughing out loud LSG = Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy med = medicine msg = message NASH = Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis nf = non fat NG = Nasogastric NP = nurse practitioner NSAIDS = Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug NSV = non-scale victory (“scale” means “weight scale”) NUT = nutritionist OA = Overeaters Anonymous Onederland = a magical place or destination for those trying to lose weight. It might correspond to attaining a weight in the hundreds or losing a hundred pounds. op = operation OSA = Obstructive sleep Apnea Oz = Australia PB = Productive Burps PCOS = Polycystic Ovary Syndrome PCP = Primary Care Physician PM = private message (email) PMS = premenstrual syndrome postop or post–op = post-operation or post-surgery PPI = Proton Pump Inhibitors ppl = people preop or pre-op = pre-operation or pre-surgery PTSD = Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder PVC = Premature ventricular contractions RA = Rheumatoid arthritis RTD = ready to drink RN = registered nurse RNY = Roux-en-Y s/f or sf = sugar free smh = shaking my head, scratching my head SOB = shortness of breath sw = weight at surgery tmi = too much information TPN = total parenteral nutrition TT = tummy tuck u = You UGI = Upper Gastrointestinal VSG = Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Vit = Vitamin wks = weeks WLS = Weight Loss Surgery WOD = Workout of the Day w/o = without wt = weight : ) or :-) = ☺ = smiley face : ( or :-( = ☹ = sad face

So loving the challenges we are having. It is really keeping my active and moving!! Like u hate taking it off to charge bc I want my steps to count when I am walking around the house!!! Lol lol

Although I never insulted anyone on my post directly, I can understand the frustration and passion behind it, in the original post there were way too many inconsistencies and holes in the story, and if some poor misguided 17-25 something read it and decided to take it to heart there could have been a tragedy, I have worked 17 years in psych in very acute units, and you quickly learn how powerful words can be and how easily you can persuade people in a time of weakness that what you say is the truth, my benefit is that I can easily spot "BS" and this story was just that, something just felt very wrong about the post especially after reading the parts concerning muscle loss, I didn't go into this thinking life and health would take care of itself if I had this done, I went in with knowledge, information, and a strong desire to prolong my life through better choices, exercise, and to keep learning as much as I can after the surgery, I used to teach an evening class to my patients called "the 50/50 group" and what it means is that we take for granted that much of how we live and function is 50/50, the first 50% is easy "gastric surgery"our 50% is hard, diet changes, exercise, following the program........ See where I'm getting at? Read carefully through the original post again remembering this and yeah it's gonna smell alot more like cow patties!!!!!!!

Seriously?!? You asked about Type I DM with a BS of 35 & she didn't know or get back to you?!? While a label of "nutritionist" doesn't imply any specific level of education or licensing; that is just beyond the pale. Perhaps you should mention this to your surgeon? She (your NUT) definitely should not be counselling anyone... To get back to the original question - my NUT was not the greatest, but would seem like a genius compared to PP's! She also recommended all sorts of foods with artificial sweeteners and other ingredients I consider almost harmful to one's health. When I asked how she could consider them "healthy" she changed tactics and proffered using instant brown & wild rice (just 2 examples). Sorry - what's the point of that? And I'll pass on using Aspartame & the like in the Quest for "health". Just sayin... She also told my son (who is going thru the process as well) that he should change his career because he's a shift worker and mentioned that he probably couldn't give up caffeine forever. Right - like that's gonna happen.... (He's in his mid-forties & makes a good living.) In the end, I think it's up to us, as educated consumers, to follow the advice of the professionals - but also to know the difference between a professional & someone who may not know his/her head from a hole in the ground.... Research & education are good things - especially under the guidance of a good physician. @@VSGAnn2014 I had four consults wit my dietician/nutritionist. It was good information for beginners in WLS. Protein and Water requirements. Vitamin supplements. food portions and stages. My team from our hospital is great. With this exception. All answers are cookie cut for people in the weightloss stage. Its a one size fits all. I talked to my dietician at a meeting. I asked about my blood sugars dropping to 35. I'm a type one diabetic. She did not know. Took my information and said she would call me...Never returned my call I talked with the same nutritionist at another meeting. My hair loss is ridiculous at this point. I'm over a year out and its still falling. She gave me the cookie cut answers that we all get. Biotine, protein intake.. i had to explain how far I'm out again and I have tried more that what she had mentioned. She took my contact information said she would call me back ....Still have not received a call back.

My NUT is a gem! She's been specializing in Bariatric surgery prep for over 20yrs so she really knows her stuff. She doesn't insult me with the basics of how to be on a diet. She's seen my extensive history and knows I know that crap. Usually we sit down and chat and talk about what's going on in my life and at home and then she mentions little ways to sneak in stuff. Like I used to skip breakfast because my bedroom is upstairs and I hate going up and down multiple times so I do all my upstairs work before heading down. That's getting the baby washed and dressed, cats fed, laundry collected, get the kids up and on their morning cleaning, make the beds, take a shower and THEN go down stairs and feed the kids first and then myself if there was anything left over. Sometimes it's nearly lunch time before I make it to breakfast at this rate, so she suggested a 20+gram protein bar. I keep them in my upstairs cabinet and have it for breakfast when I get up and it revs my metabolism up to start burning. We also talked about easy to do exercises that don't cost anything and we set goals on what we want to accomplish like protein first, at least 20 grams of protein per meal, only eat 25-30 mins and not more(I'm a slow picky eater and can drag a meal out over an hour eating peas in single file) and we set a goal for exercises and that was it the first appt. the second appt we did a lil more and I'm already down 12lbs so that's pretty cool! The best part for me is that I don't feel like I'm dealing with a carb nazi. I mean, we talked about donuts and the various kinds and what makes them all so great even. It's just really friendly and helps make the process a lot easier than saying "go home and lose 20lbs over the next few months somehow".

I am definitely a stocker-upper! On hand for myself (I do a lot of cooking without partaking): 100-calorie Greek yogurts (what did we do before Greek yogurt!) gluten-free cereal (I put a little in my yogurt as otherwise it's a slider food for me. I need to chew) Walnuts, sunflower seeds, almonds Cheese, Grommit! (@@LipstickLady, bet we could open a cheese shoppe!) Eggs -- a fried egg is my go-to when I'm suddenly hungry Smoked salmon. I just feel better if there is an extra packet in the freezer. Olives -- they are something I can have just a couple of and feel very satisfied. Good ones, oil-cured are my favorite. Black beans, kidney beans, garbanzo beans Hummus Celery -- I have to destring it and/or cut up into small pieces Scallions & cilantro --seem to use in everything Carrots, onions, garlic - scallions Ground beef (we only buy organic grass-fed now) Ground turkey (Costco has organic ground turkey, yippee) Things I still can't have in the house: Peanut Butter -- I can't be trusted not to find a tiny spoon and start in...have not tried almond butter for the same reason but I may give it a shot as I used to love a rice cake with almond butter. Cottage Cheese -- I have this when I go visit my parents and I can just have a little, but at home I have a tendency to go back for more, more.... Very few foods hold that old power over me. I am able to ignore the ice cream and sorbet, etc., that we often have in the freezer. Wouldn't go near the breads, pasta or rice, etc. I can even have chocolate in the house -- in fact that should have been on the list of staples above. I let myself have a little dark chocolate when I want it. No depriving myself, that is over.

Marie Car I'm in BC!! How are things going on your end? I've started my oh Fishel three-week preop diet 1200 cal or less high-protein high vegetables low-fat and extremely little carbs, I lost 15 pounds in three weeks by just kind of following it the pre op, getting used to it lol! I had the scope down my throat two weeks ago and ended up horribly ill for a week after now I'm on pills to help with the severe acid in my stomach but Dr. said surgery was ago I go in for my preop on August 7 and then hopefully I'll get the time to be at the hospital on the 20!!!!! I'm hopping for the RNY but if for some reason my liver is to big the dr will do the sleeve!! I really want the RNY, but at the end of the day it doesn't matter I just need this to help me that going! To everyone else out there how are your preop diets going any struggles??

I was banded in June 2011 (NWWLS Dr. Michaelson in Everett, WA). I never was able to lose more than 20lbs. About a year ago I had finally gotten fed up with the acid reflux, stuck food, and vomiting so I had it almost all unfilled. I've gained about 30 lbs back and am above my prebanded weight now. Recently I've become very interested in getting a revision done but my insurance doesn't cover it so I've been researching Mexico Does anyone have recommendations on a surgeon? I'm also interested in the pre-op process for having it done there. What do I need to have done in the states prior to arriving in Mexico? Any advice or personal stories is appreciated.

Oh yes insurance BC/BS NC I live in FL and surgery would be in AL,I didn't see anything when I pulled benefits but I will have to wait and see fingers crossed

I really appreciate everyone's advice bc it's what makes the forum so great. I think the Dr. probably chose the box meals bc it is controlled amounts and still feels like eating rich foods. I do agree that asking him more about it is good but I know pre-surgery years when I would try to "cook healthy" I would eliminate "bad" but then add something that I thought was "healthier " in my ignorance and then eat too much volume as well. Best wishes....we all are in this together!

I was banded in June 2011 (NWWLS Dr. Michaelson in Everett, WA). I never was able to lose more than 20lbs. About a year ago I had finally gotten fed up with the acid reflux, stuck food, and vomiting so I had it almost all unfilled. I've gained about 30 lbs back and am above my prebanded weight now. Recently I've become very interested in getting a revision done but my insurance doesn't cover it so I've been researching Mexico. Does anyone have recommendations on a surgeon? I'm also interested in the pre-op process for having it done there. What do I need to have done in the states prior to arriving in Mexico? Any advice or personal stories is appreciated.