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I attended an information session, here in decatur, GA in 2006, my weight was 247 at 5'8". I was 100% sold on having LAP-BAND®®®®. I did extensive research (I am a Nurse Practitioner, by the way) and STILL was 100% FOR LAP-BAND®®®®. Unfortunately, I let my dad and husband talk me out of having it done. Fast forward to Jan 2008. By then I was up to 267, this is after going on yet another diet, my fasting blood sugar was 119, I was put on metformin. There was a information session on 05/14/2008, which I attended the MD was Scott Steinberg, who I love. Anyway he discussed the LAP-BAND®®®® and GBS. Again, I left thinking I am going to get the LAP-BAND®®®®, of course! So, I did more research and discovered that the cure for type II DM, is gastric bypass! What???? I then began doing more research and found that there is a 99% cure rate for type II DM with gastric bypass. That is when I started changing my mind. The things I did not like about gastric bypass, was the malabsorption issues and the potential for dumping syndrome (I will go back to that in a min.) Anyway, I told my dad, mom and hubby that I had to do this...for me! I have BCBS PPO and the office people were GREAT! They gave me a list of things I needed to submit and viola! After my psych clearance, I was given a date. 10/14/2008, the day before my 44th birthday. On the day of surgery, I weighed 275, I was sooo nervous and scared. Everything went well. My recovery was quite painless. I did have to stay overnight, not too bad. Then when I got home I began walking 3 miles per day. I checked my blood sugars, and found after week 1 I no longer needed the metformin. I am almost 1 year out and I weigh....(drumroll please) 185! I still have a way to go and a lot more to learn, but I am on my way for sure. Some caveats: Protein: use UNJURY.com. It is the best tasting protein shakes you can think of. I have a cup of chocolate soy milk (I don't like cow's milk) with a scoop of the vanilla unjury and I really feel like I am have a milk shake every morning Vitamins, calcium and vit. B: DO IT everyday, if you don't you will have NO energy. I get my vitamin B12 and bcomplex from biartricadvantage.com They have different flavors of the calcium mint, chocolate, etc. Yummy! Exercise: DO IT, I must admit, I am not the best at this. I do yoga every morning and evening. I was someone who could not imagine working out everyday, but I do, walk, it will speed up your weight loss! DUMPING: DON NOT DO THIS!! :cryin g:If you eat too many carbs, it will happen. You will feel as though you are having a heart attack. Of course, I had to challenge this by having a HUGE piece of cake. Well, i dumped. What is dumping??? Basically, your metabolism changes, so when you eat too many carbs, as you know your body produces and sends out massive amounts of insulin. Remember, if you have gastric bypass your body does not absorb all of that sugar. The small intestine is bypassed, so it goes straight to your gut. This is like taking 5000U of insulin, very scary and dangerous. My husband wanted to take me to the ER, and I refused I was too embarrassed, it did pass, but I really really will never do that again. I prayed to HIM to let me get through it! Thank God for Jesus, really.

That's great, good job!! Everyone seems to lose weight at a different pace. I think I lost about 20 pounds the first Month or so then dropped back to a pound pound and half a week or less after that. What they don't tell you (at least in my case didn't tell me) is that the pound a week or so is an average and not neccesarily linear. That means one month 2 pounds next month 10, next month 0 next month 6. I finally just stopped weighing myself because it was driving me crazy. Besides they weight me at my baratric clinic and PCP anyway. I think belt size may be a better metric. It is for me anyway. I'm at about the 6 month point and I've lost about 40 pounds and 6 inches around my waist. The weight is good, but comfortably getting into pants and shirts I haven't worn in 5 or 6 years is priceless.

Well, we are truly on our way. I have a date for the surgery. It is Nov. 10. Can't wait. Scared and Excited at the same time. On our way for a long vacation to San Fran, so I'll talk to everybody when we get back. Carolyn

It is very normal. You are not in the weightloss phase yet, you are in the healing phase. People can gain 5-10 pounds during his phase which around here, is called "Bandster Hell". The real weightloss will come with a few fills.

Kelly111 I was where you are when I first started this journey. I could eat anything I wanted. However, like you....I didn't because I wanted to lose weight. However, once I had my second fill....I knew I had it. It took me a while to get use to it. I really did have to slow down, eat smaller bites, and could only eat about 1/4 of a cup at a time. I threw up a lot for the first 2 1/2 weeks because I was not use to eating that way for the first 10 weeks after the band. However, I am learning to slow down and really listen to my body. You sound like you do not have enough of a fill just yet. There is no way that I could eat what I want now. I am thankful for that. I would call the doctor and tell him that you are still not noticing a different. As a stated to another member...be your own advocate until you get the fullness that you need to make the band work for you. Good luck on your journey!

Great job! An inspiration for all us. I have a question for you I was 353 on 1-10 when I started... Do you have extra skin? Did you work out? What did you do?

Hi I am 7 weeks post op & have been walking for exercise up to now. I got cleared to start with 10 lb weights & increase as tolerated. I am wondering when did anyone start any workout classes in their local gym classes? I really want to pick up some classes too. Thank you

As the title suggests, I am having to do a liquid pre-op diet for 3 weeks, I’m getting sleeved 6/9. My diet started on Tuesday, 5/19 and it’s now Friday, 5/22 and I am HUNGRY! I haven’t been hungry like this any other day. My stomach is rumbling and even though I can have broth and sugar free jello / popsicles, it’s not helping the hunger. My diet is as follows: 3 protein shakes, 2 protein bars as snacks + unlimited low sodium broth, SF hello, SF popsicles. Any tips or words of encouragement would be greatly appreciated. My tummy would appreciate it i’m sure!

Im in the Kaiser program now too, It's actually a great resource to learn everything you will need to know before the surgery (mind you some of the stuff they talk about is just repetitive and overkill for anyone who has ever tried to lose weight ). My program is 24 weeks as opposed to 12, but it has gone by pretty quick so far (6 weeks in). I know I have to start getting on track to lose my 10%, but I also kind figure that I can lose it in the 4 months of classes that I have after the first of the year...good luck to you!!

Awesome! You must be in San Diego area! We will be getting sleeved around the same time since we'll be finishing classes around the same time! So it's 10% of your starting weight at the orientation that they took? Do u know if you lose too much you can then not qualify?

hi everyone! I'm scheduled for 7-12-10...nervous and excited! Planning on lap-band, but pre op consult with Dr. Brown here in Denver, Co. I might have alot of scar tissue from previous auto accident so might have to have open surgery....and a chance might have to go the gastric bypass way.... as long as I can have either if okay by me.... I'm nervous about the 3 1/2 day liquid fasting and wonder just how hard will it be? How was the recovery time afterwards? Any information about your journey is appreciated...thanks!!

After various seminars, a bit of resistance on my side, and the scale going up...I committed to finally take control. I live on Long Island and found a surgeon and program that is perfect for me. It's taken three solid months of doctors, tests, and follow-ups but I am scheduled for April 14. The ONLY thing that stands in my way is that I did not yet lose the requested 30 lbs. I'm down 10 and have only a week & a half. If my surgeon who I see on 4/9 tells me to post-pone for more weight loss, then I will do so. he is a very cautious doctor and that's why I chose him. Either way I'm on my way to a better life. I've been on liquids for nearly two weeks and I'm already feeling more energetic. That's my short story and looking forward to finding support with this group. Kas-e

Going for surgery on Monday and I've been on my pre-op diet for 19 days. I can't seem to get enough liquids! My mouth is like fuzzy and dry. Any one have any experience with this??

Thank you all, had my Gallbladder out in 1983 and started having issues with IBS about 10 years later. I hope my issues get better as well as all of yours too.

Hi everybody, I've been lurking on the boards for so long that I felt it was time to come out of hiding and say how much inspiration you've all given to me without knowing it. You are a great source of information, comfort, and camaraderie -- it feels wonderful to know that I'm not alone. My real name is Michele. I'm originally from St. Louis, MO but I've been living in the Houston area (The Woodlands to be more exact) for 14 years. I'm 49 years old and I have a host of problems that I hope are going to be greatly improved by the surgery -- diabetes, high blood pressure, low thyroid, high cholesterol. Diabetes is the main one. My mom was about 100 lbs. overweight and died when she was 62 from the complications of diabetes. It's taken several of my friends too, and I just don't want to go out that way if I can help it. It's funny, I'm a conservative Republican but I tell everyone "Thank you President Obama!" If it weren't for Obamacare I don't know where I'd be. Because of the PCIP program which is part of the Affordable Care Act, I am able to get insurance and I couldn't afford it previously. I was turned down for other insurance and the Texas Risk Pool insurance was twice as expensive as what I pay for deductibles now. Anyway, my insurance covers bariatric surgery. I had to be on medically supervised weight loss for 6 months, then they approved me. Because of previous surgery I had on my ears this year, I've already met my out of pocket maximum so this surgery is free for me. I have been truly blessed. This past year has been an epic saga trying to get to this point. After doing everything I needed to do for six months and gaining approval for the surgery on the first try, I found out my surgeon was out of network because the medical group he was a part of fell apart and he joined with a new group and my insurance couldn't find him on their network anymore. Finally my insurance suggested that I find a different surgeon so I looked around and found one who has a lot of good reviews online -- and this is going to be my hero - Dr. Dexter Turnquest. My surgery is scheduled for Monday the 19th at 1:00 pm. I'm so excited that it's finally happening yet I'm feeling more nervous and I have more trepidation than I thought I would. My surgeon allows only Clear Liquids for the first week (yep the week of thanksgiving - maybe i can find some turkey broth). Then after that I go on the soft diet. He said he wants his patients eating their Protein, not drinking Liquid Protein, so I'm glad I won't have to be on the Protein Shakes -- I'm sorry, they're mostly awful. I worry what it's going to be like to be at home and not chowing down. I wonder what it's going to be like not to eat certain things, not to eat as much as I used to eat. I wonder if I'll get really depressed because that's been my coping source all these years. But I know that God is on my side and He has brought me to this and He'll help me get through it. But I can't help wondering and worrying a little if it's going to be really hard. Can anyone recommend things I should have on hand for that first week when I'm home that I would regret if I didn't get? My friend is going to spend the night with me the night I come home (which will be Tuesday afteroon) but after that I'm mostly going to be on my own sitting in my little apartment. Please let me know if there were things, medicines, food items, that you were really glad you had around. Anyone else live in The Woodlands area? I would love to go to a support group and make some new friends. I think it would help me get out of myself and help me take the focus off ME. There's so much more I could say so I'll just leave it at that for right now -- thanks again to all of you for being here!

I have a question for you...does slimfast have enough Protein in it to keep you full? When I was doing my pre-op diet I remember looking at those shakes and the protein content was pretty low compared to others on the market... My husband and I used Premier Protein with 30grams of protein about 160 calories. We choose that one because of the protein content and it had the best flavor and texture for us to work with. Also what helped me was I put a program in place, so I was eating or drinking something every hour. For example I would have a Greek Yogurt (chobani I found had the best nut values for the calories) at 9am, then at 10 I would have Water or decaf coffee/tea then at 11 a shake, 12 water, 1 Soup, etc. That kept me from being bored, and I felt pretty satisfied. When I had the urge to chew I would try a piece of gum, if I really needed the chew and crunch I would have a small salad or grilled vegies. Good luck on your journey!

Its weird how when you lose weight you evoke such emotions in people.. most are delighted for you especially if you haven't seen them for a while. I've been 'dieting' for over 20 yrs, never reached my goal (not yet anyway!!) I lost 56lbs 3 yrs ago for our wedding and regained at least 28lbs.... Anyway.... we were out socialising with a neighbour last week who commented on my weightloss and said how great i looked, don't lose too much etc..... We also saw her last night, and boy did I suffer at her tongue. We've been invited as part of a party for a paella.... I accepted the invitation from the host saying we'd love to come but at the moment I am on a liquid diet to kickstart my weight loss again ( I'm not telling them about the surgery.....). The host replied she could do me a salad..... I politely declined saying no, honestly don't worry about me, I'd love to come but I'll sort myself out before we arrive and hubby would love the paella. Word has got round to the other woman who is going (as it does!) and she laid into me last night saying I was crazy being on a liquid diet... why did I want to lose any more.... I gave her my practised speech about the fact I'd like to be at the higher end of my recommended BMI of 147lbs. Also if I get there my husband added in an incentive that he would give up smoking. ( I actually want to get to 140lbs but wasn't telling her that) She replied well you'll never get there, she was 5ft 10 and wasn't 147lbs so how did I think I was getting there. (Shes not overweight IMO). I said well I've battled with my weight for the past 20 yrs... she said well if its not worked then why will it work this time.....(in a really bitter sort of way) She then started to go onto the fact I have a lovely face (WHY is that ALWAYS the pity comment they give...???) and then luckily we were interrupted by someone else which diffused it... but I was getting SO angry with her. The good news (?!) is that she said, don't worry we can finish the conversation on Tuesday when we meet up for Paella........ OH JOY!! The long and short of it kinda sums up why I'm not telling people about my decision for having the surgery.... most people just don't get it. Unless you've struggled with your weight, been bullied etc thru the years then you cannot grasp how desperatly unhappy it makes you inside. They don't see 'fat ' people as having problems, they see them as greedy. They don't realise there are eating disorders which make you over weight... they only know about the 'slim' ones..... I can tell I'm in for an emotional time when we do meet up, andthat I will tell her to butt out if she gets to me too much, its my life and my decision to lose the weight, if I'm not happy with myself then I have the right to do whatever I want to make me happy. What else is strange is that her husband told me I look 10 yrs younger already!! Phew.... sorry for the long post but it insensed me that she was really having a go at me for what she thought was fad dieting.... blimey if only she knew the truth I'd be hung, drawn and quartered over it!! Kathy

I am just a few days short of one month post op and I thank God every day that I finally made up my mind. I felt like that only way to lose the weight was to be up happy and diet every day of the rest of my life. Well I was half right. I do have to diet for the rest of my life but being unhappy while doing it is no longer a part of that deal! I have made the choice to no longer eat bread and a guess what I?m STILL HAPPY!! I am starting to get so much more energy and smiling more. When people I don?t want to know how the WLS ask about my weight loss I just say I?m not eating bread anymore. I?m sure it is helping take the weight off but being full from 3 oz of Soup doesn?t hurt either lol. When I first started looking into WLS I was 210 but I couldn?t pay to have the surgery in the states and I was scared to go to Mexico so I tried to lose on my own. Over the next year I did every diet and every weight loss pill out there. Phentermine was the only one that helped me but the moment I stopped taking it I started gaining again. I was always hungry and still over eating. I felt hopeless and weak! I looked at my family and felt defeat since everyone in my family is overweight and most are obese. After a year of hating myself thin (I'm sure some know what I mean) I got down about 30 lbs which I was starting to gain back slowly. So once again I found myself looking into WLS and I e-mailed BeLiteWeight. At that point my life started to change. I had some money saved up and my Mom was in a place where she could loan me the rest. On 7-12-10 my life became forever changed. I went to Dr. Rodriguez in Juarez Mexico and got what is called Laparoscopic total gastric vertical plication (TGVP) aka Super Sleeve. In one month I am only a few pounds shy of I lost in one year. I wasn't super obese when I had the TGVP but I was obese but a week and half post op I became just over weight. I am losing an average of .5 lbs a day and I am starting to have so much energy. I only need 11 more lbs to be a NORMAL BMI! ?NORMAL? Isn?t that exciting?? Me Normal! Before my TGVP every day was a fight to lose weight and even if I lost the weight the moment I would let me guard down the weight would come right back. Right before I made up my mind on have the TGVP I started thinking about the two times in my life that I did lose the weight and it hit me the only reasons I thought the weight was due to being sick or surgery. I never really lost the weight myself so I finally said yes to Mexico. Let me tell you IT WAS THE BEST THING I EVER DID FOR MYSELF!! The other day I got really upset with myself since I felt like I had been eating all day. What the heck was wrong with me I just paid to get a smaller stomach and here I am stuffing my face! I have an app. on my Iphone that lets me put in what I have eaten and it tells me how many calories I have taken it. I thought I was going to up with joy once I was done entering in the food. I had even eaten 400 calories and I thought I had over eaten! Only a hand full of people know about my WLS but now that I don?t eat bread (you can eat bread if you like but it seems like a waste since I can only eat 3 oz) I get that the credit for my weight loss to those that think I am being unhealthy. So since I am keeping this to myself I THANK ALL OF YOU for being there for me to talk to! I don?t know what I would do without this site. It is nice to be with people that understand me and what I am dealing with! YOU ARE AWESOME!

I was banded on 10-13-2010. I get a really strong feeling of pressure up in my throat periodically. I am thinking that is gas but it worries me a little. Anyone else feel that pressure? Glad to see others on the same timeline as me. Good luck to all. What are you eating these days?

Hey, even in situations where you "don't have as much to lose", everyone's body handles extra weight differently and sometimes even a smaller amount over that threshold causes serious medical issues as you're experiencing. Try to give them time to come around. Let them see how much work really goes into this whole process. But stay the course. If you think this is right for you, then your family is going to have to accept that one way or another. Tell your wife you're doing this in order to have a longer and healthier life with her and your children. You're tired of suffering with this excess weight and this is the help you need to handle it. Then just don't talk about it anymore for a while. Keep on planning and doing the appointments you need to, but let it all sink in with her for a while. As for your mother who thinks she is a medical professional, point her to the studies and reviews from medical professionals. Those will clearly state the relatively low risk of gastric bypass surgery, and the mountain of evidence that points to the positive effects it has on health. The rate of death is between 1-3% overall for gastric bypass, and even less for surgeon's who have performed more precedures. The rate of complications directly related to surgery is around 10%. I bet those are a lot lower than your current risk of heart attack, stroke, and sudden death due to the health conditions you currently have. Help her with the information she needs to weigh the risks against the rewards. I wish all the best for you in your journey. You will find support here and a wealth of helpful and caring individuals. Welcome.

Congratulations! I have Aetna, already met my deductable and so far with my 10% the surgeon was $400 (paid in advance and it can change once the charges are submitted to insurance) and the hospital said I will need to pay $590...i don't think that includes the anestheologist which I think is another $100-$150...

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so at my NUT appt yesterday my weight is down another 10 pounds, so from 565 in june, now 525.

My surgeon wouldn't even schedule surgery until I had lost 10% of my excess weight. It depends on your team, but you might not get to the pre-op diet without some work first. Sent from my SM-G925V using the BariatricPal App

I've been waiting for 2011 for insurance reasons and it's FINALLY here. I see my surgeon for a follow up Tuesday morning and they are resubmitting everything that day or Wednesday. I've been through the whole process for approval and everything was put on hold back in May 2010 bc the company I work for required 5 years CONSECUTIVE coverage under the health insurance......they didn't care that I've been employed there for 10 years! I changed insurance back in 2005 for like 3 months when I married my husband but went right back to my own coverage as soon as I could...but it wasn't effective until Jan 2006......SO here I am....the 5 year requirement is met, everything else is done. I'm so ready to get my tool strapped in and start changing my life for good! :-)