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Well, I had my first doctor's appointment yesterday! I am excited, anxious and nervous about the future, but I know it's the right choice. Apparently my insurance, UMP (Regence), is pretty good about approvals, but I have to do the 6 months pre-surgical plan first. The clock started yesterday. I am going to Northwest Weight Loss Surgery in Everett, WA, and my doctor is Dr. Michaelson. He was great in our consult, and explained everything very thoroughly. I had already done a ton of research and decided that the sleeve was for me, but he concurred and stated that it would be best for me, considering my age, lack of diabetes, and no tobacco use. I will have to lose 5% if my weight over the first six months (11 lbs), and my BMI is 43.4 right now, but they will be looking over the last 2 years of my medical charts. The insurance coordinator stated that if my BMI was below 40, they may be looking for co-morbidity and will send me for a sleep study. I do think over the last two years my BMI did drop below 40, so not sure how they will deal with that. Pre-Op is a 10 day/10 lbs lost diet, I will find out more at my next appointment with the RD in 3 weeks. I cannot gain weight now over the next 6 months, but obviously can lose prior to surgery. My out of pocket won't be more than $2500 as that is the max, and I'm saving my FSA amount to pay that out of pocket. I don't know how those that pay the full amount do it! I also have to schedule a psych appointment as part of the 6 month criteria, and will have the endoscopy closer to the end of the pre-surgical period. My final appointment will be 7/31 and they will submit for insurance approval on 8/1. Excited but a little impatient too!

I am in the early phases of my journey. Had my first nutrition class last month. Next week is my 2nd. I have lost 14 pounds so far. Have to do 6 months of nutrition classes then send off for insurance approval. Psych eval done. Fingers crossed surgery will be July!! Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

Yeeeesss, 30lbs in 2 weeks is freaking awesome!!! ???????? Good luck with the surgery and keep us update. ???? Sent from my SM-N920T using the BariatricPal App

Hi, am new to this site. I am scheduled for Gastric bypass surgery July 25 at TWH in Toronto. I am excited about my surgery but also apprehensive about the unknown and so have found this site very helpful. I have been on Optifast for 14 days, 7 more to go. I am a little disappointed that I am Only 30lbs down after 2weeks of no food. I have stuck only to optifast shakes & sugar free Jello. Is this comparable to others? I feel very light headed and feel unable to go out to do too much because I need to be close to the washroom! Would appreciate any helpful tips or advice. Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

It's a process, but nothing worth having comes easy. I would consider the pretesting and pre qualifying appts the easier part. Once you have surgery be sure to follow doctors instructions, stay focused, listen to your body and know that we are all here for you in this group! IT WILL NOT BE EASY... But the reward will be great. I'm 5 weeks post op and I've lost 42 pounds as of the 18th. I don't weigh myself regularly (personal choice) so I'm sure I've lost more. Good luck on your journey!!! You'll do great. "In the end we only regret the chances that we didn't take."

Hey Andrea Appetite changes - the size of the tissue inside the band changes. Be sure it's really belly hunger - and not just head hunger. If you continue to be ravenous for more than a week - schedule a fill. Good Luck!!

It will slow down naturally. My first 3-4 weeks were big numbers. Then I averaged 2 lbs a week which is totally normal rate. And it doesn't draw unwanted attention if you're keeping your procedure private.

why is recommended so much on each stage it's usually only 2 weeks of each before food. But if he says so i would follow the protocol maybe since you said your stomach was a mess when he went in its probably going to take a little more time.

I have been struggling with my weight since I gave birth to my first kid. I will never forget; I was 185 lbs when I left the hospital (19 yrs. old) and it’s been a roller coaster since. When I left the hospital they put me on the Depo Provera birth control shot and I blew up. I figured that was the best option since taking my BC pills daily was a concern. I was too busy enjoying life lol. My weight at that time increased to 260 so I went on a serious diet and was able to lose 48 lbs. I went down to 212 lbs. and that was my lowest weight in my adult years. My weight gradually increased again but I never went over 260 lbs. I was always lucky enough to maintain that weight. I would occasionally go on diets to lose weight when I had something big coming up or going on vacation, but of course nothing last. I tried Weight watchers, Curves, Phentermine 37.5 mg, Zantrex 3, and the Lemonade diet. I was able to lose the most with Phentermine but I think my body got too used to it in the end. Up until my I had my 2nd child I didn’t really worry much about my weight. I figured as long as I don’t go over 260 I’m good. Well that quickly changed when I had my son. I was 240 lbs. when I got pregnant and only gained 20 lbs. during my entire pregnancy. I was active and tried my best to limit my calorie intake. However, after I gave birth it was a wrap, my weight increased to a whopping 270, and when I got laid it increased to 313. My highest ever! I started thinking about Bariatric back in 2012 but it was going to be the lap band. After speaking to a few ppl I realized it wasn’t for me. My son is now 5 and weight is something I think about constantly. It’s hard for me to keep up w/ him and I find myself missing out because I pretty much hide in my house. He spends a lot of time w/ his father or his sister because it’s hard for me to move around. I get tired quickly, my body starts to ache, and I just don’t want to be seen. I told myself this is not a way to live life and I’m missing my son grow up so I finally make the decision to do something about it. First it was the Sleeve, but after further research and speaking with ppl that had both surgeries done I decided to change my mind to the Gastric Bypass. My surgeon’s office submitted for approval last week and I’m been impatiently waiting. I’m scared to death, but I know in the long run this is the best option for me. When I started the weight loss journey I was 306 and now I’m at 280. Once we get the approval I will start the pre-op diet and hopefully will be able to lose another 10 lbs. before surgery. My goal weight is 175 but my doctor wants me to get down to 150. Personally I think that’s a bit small but he knows best.

I was sleeved on 1/4/16. all went well, and at 6 weeks I was doing great, started wearing jeans again and felt really good. I had to pick up my dog, was fine for 2 days and then the pain at my left side returned. I cant wear jeans and that entire area is so tender again. It hurts to bend over. Anyone had this problem? The Dr. said its normal and I just disturbed the area, the pain should go away.

Just two week, first few days I barely ate as my stomach was really sensitive and I just had no apetite, today I got in at least 300 calories which is insanely low

@@tallow2102 I'm May 10th !! I'm on the dreadful 2 week liquid diet , as of Sunday.. I'm hanging in, lost 7lbs .. All the best to you !

Hi. I'll be your May 10th buddy. Our journeys seem to have started around the same time. I started my preop diet on 4/26 at 210 and am down to 202. I must admit, I'm concerned bcs I've not been able to get my 64 oz of Water on top of the shakes and Protein bars. I'm not generally a snacker so it's been difficult. I'm surprised however that I have not been hungry or anxious about food at all during this preop diet phase. I've had to get creative to dodge some bullets at some social functions this week but it wasn't too tough. I do find myself lying a lot as to why I can't eat. Lol (I already ate, I'm full, I can't drink bcs I'm on antibiotics, etc). I even held strong against my son's birthday cake. Mother's Day will be a big test. So as I'm trying to stay focused, I wish the same for you. Let's stay in touch. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I'm on day 5 of pre-op all liquid diet. I have surprised myself at how well I've handled it. However, I'm struggling right now! It's Friday night and we would normally eat out. Instead, I am cooking a yummy meal for my family at home (which they will love). When I stopped for groceries on the way home I realized that I had forgotten to drink my 2:00 shake and I was hungry (maybe the 5th true hungry I have felt this week)! So, grocery shopping that hungry was hard! I got home and began prepping the meal (cooking has been strangely helpful this week as it keeps me busy and after I cook and clean up I don't feel like eating). I fixed a cup of coffee with unflavored protein- I had to force it probably because I let myself get over-hungry. I popped a big popper full of popcorn for my kids (who am I kidding- I wanted to smell it and savor the scent)....it's never smelled so delicious! I ate 6 kernels and I'm so mad at myself. I've been the pre-op diet saint! I just needed to come here and confess and apologize

I was sleeved 10/6/14. As of this morning I have lost 113 lbs. started at 322 the week before surgery to 209 this morning. It is work. Get up 6 of 7 days of the week at 4am to get cardio in. To celebrate family went Las Vegas for Spring Break. Actually lost a lbs over the week. I was not especially good on the diet either. Just had to have red bull and vodka while playing at craps table. Wow, first time drinking after surgery. Hits quick but I think red bull had more effect then vodka it seemed like. Anyway, just had to post the 6 month success.

I have BCBS in Fl thru my husbands employer and its been two weeks since my paperwork was submitted. Others on here said they waited three weeks for approval from BCBS. There was one person who said she waited 8 months. I pray to God I don't have to wait that long. I'm ready to change my life for the better. Can't wait to feel better emotionally, physically and mentally. Good luck and I pray you don't have to wait long either.

I felt weak and lightheaded until about week 12 post op. Take it easy and listen to your body. Everyone heals at different rates.

Miss Pearlie is a hot mess I tell you. My personal goal was 150, but nooooooo that wasn't HER goal and as we all know, what Miss Pearlie wants, Miss Pearlie gets. So I've quit freaking out about it and I'm just letting her do her. I'm eating just fine, drinking just fine and maintaining my normal activity level and the weight keeps coming off. Fortunately enough, it has slowed to about a pound a week which is allowing my skin to catch up with it a bit more quickly. My mother and some of my friends were freaking out because after a substantial loss, my skin sags, I look tired and aged. That has tapered off and I am now looking younger than I did before the band...which was already really remarkable. There was a time that I wanted to get a slight unfill to bring the loss to a complete stop, but after getting advice from experienced bandsters that I trust I just allowed my body to do what it would, trusting that it would stop losing when it wanted to. I am a lot less stressed out as a result and accepting each day and each new surprise as it comes. It is so weird to look at a pair of pants and say "there is no way I'm getting in those"... hold them up to me and still say "nuh, un...not gonna work", then try them on and they are a perfect fit. I have to just sit back and say "no way, I'm really THAT small?" It is shocking and I thought I was over the body dysmorphia, but I'm not quite there yet. I still see myself as chunky...everyone else sees me as skinny. At 138, I'm still way more solid than my body appears and most people think I'm around 120 / 125 at the most. I love being "little". I don't realize how little I am until someone who I thought was an average weight hugs me and they are wrapped around me. Woooooow! Anyway, I'm thrilled that this first year has been so good for me and Miss Pearlie, I'm glad I chose to get the band rather than the sleeve. It turns out it was the right procedure for me and it hasn't given me any complications, even through a horrible stomach virus which caused me to vomit from below the band several times...she's still sitting pretty and perfect. I thank God for my surgeon, I know a lot of my success can be attributed to his level of skill, expertise and his genuine care for his patients. I wish everyone had him, I honestly don't think you would see any complaints about this surgery if they were all like him.

Hi everyone I'm almost 5 weeks out I got my sleeve on 2/1 and everything's been running smooth but for the past week I throw up with any protein shake and I've been having a hard time meeting my protein and fluids goals because I'm always so nauseous. Has anyone gone through this? Also this started one day when I had puréed chicken and I'm guessing I ate too fast so I threw up, but now I throw up everyday regardless of how slow I eat I've been regressing back to even thinner puréed foods I'm supposed start incorporating regular soft foods next week but I don't feel quite ready.

I haven't hit this stage yet, I just had my surgery 2 weeks ago. but from what Ive read on here, even though its different for everyone, around 3-4 weeks. I think when you start introducing food into your diet. maintain high water and protein, and that helps maintain a continuous loss, even if it isn't as extreme as you are use to now.

That's my surgery date too!! I started my 2 week pre-op diet today. I am allowed one meal a day and 4 shakes. I am trying to chug water to keep full.

I am working this week to schedule my sleeve surgery with Dr. Garcia for January 30th. Back in 2006 I went to Mexico for a lapband with Dr. Joya. Mexico was great and I enjoyed the experience until my band eroded into my stomach. I've since had it removed and I am healed and cleared for the sleeve. Has anyone ever had this experience and are going to or had the sleeve? I'm totally excited to go back to Mexico. I've never been to a hospital where you ring the call bell and hear people run down the hall.

I have begun my journey and started thru my "requirements"-attending la minimum of 2 support group mtngs, visits with nutritionist, psy eval next week, blood work in Jan. However, upon reading the requirements of Mass Health, it says they decide on it case by case. My question... my fear-is Ill fulfill my 6 mos requirements only to be denied. Ill be devestated. Should that occur-I will consider traveling to Mexico. Anyone else out there dealing with Mass Health able to offer any input? My bmi is 40 plus and I have been diagnosed with sleep apnea, high blood pressure and have osteoarthritus in my knees. Help! Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using the BariatricPal App

I am scheduled for surgery on Monday. I was told to lose 15lbs before my surgery. I am only down 6. I have been on the liquid and leafy green diet for over a week and have only lost 2 lbs (included in the 6). I am concerned they wont do the surgery. Has this happened to anyone.

I cannot get enough watermelon. Like three ounces at one time. Is this good or bad for me. I am still eating my three ounces of Protein enough, but I crave watermelon. Any suggestions as to why?