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Who are you insured by that your rates are going to $5000? That seems rediculous. I think your dr. could say he supervised different weight loss trials for you. Mine certainly has done run of the mill ones with me, but then they aren't requiring that of me. I think my dr. wants this done as soon as possible because of my health. Good luck to you. I'm not sure what you are requesting, but hopefully someone will help you out. I had the misfortune when I lived somewhere else of being on phentermine (before Phen-fen cam out) but it is just as destructive. It is what caused serious heart problems that required extensive surgery. I have also been supervised on Meridia...didn't help at all. Best of luck to you.

Yesss i am like overly careful to not swallow I even pay attention to how long i am chewing to make sure I don’t accidentally swallow. Other then being over feeling like a new born drinking all day, i feel wonderful! I am back to work a week later (i work in an office) i am getting all my fluids down, 2 - 2 1/2 protein shakes a day. The glue from one of my incisions came off on its own today, they are a bit itchy from healing but they look great. I am on the meds for my gallbladder and something for gas reflux that i take in my morning.’y surgeon recommended I take my baroatric daily vitamin in the morning with my meds but that did not work out in my favor. I noticed i got somewhat dizzy and nauseous that i had to lay down and realized i could not take that all at once so I’ve began taking my multiV at lunch and switching to taking my calcium mid morning. So far everything has been great and i am shedding weight very easily!

Well I have tried valiantly and still showed a nice GAIN when I got on the scale this morning! I have tried very hard this week to UP the protein! I am having a MEGA protein shake in the morning that has 42g in it. I have eaten snacks of meat, some 20g protein bars I bought(no more than one a day) and a few nuts here and there. This does not seem to be working either! Darn. What is going to? I am not happy to go in there tomorrow and have yet again gained. I will be put in the "bad" category, what am I eating too much,etc. etc. Believe me, I do not even eat BREAD! I have exercised an HOUR yesterday and my usual 30 min walk outside today. What a glorious day it was here too. Protein and food have been good. But I can still eat too much. I ate a big salad out yesterday and I realized I was able to eat the entire thing with no problem. It had lots of protein on it which is why I ate it and tried to eat all the meat especially. But I just should NOT be able to eat that much! Well I am on my 11 month checkup, and NO restriction. Hmmmm...... I just cannot get this gaining STOPPED! man o man. I have found a new friend to talk to though. She is not far along on her LB journey and is doing well. She is trying to help and I SURE do not want to bring her down! She does not need that. I will go back to a support group with her maybe. Gotta keep trying something. Well bloggie, please help me to be calm tomorrow. Please do not let me get too upset by my gaining. I know it has happened. I am really trying hard. I am going to try to get to my ZEN place again before I go in there. These appts. are just very traumatic! I want to go in there and be HAPPY because I have LOST! Oh well.....I will see how it goes. Am dreading it....

Well I have tried valiantly and still showed a nice GAIN when I got on the scale this morning! I have tried very hard this week to UP the protein! I am having a MEGA protein shake in the morning that has 42g in it. I have eaten snacks of meat, some 20g protein bars I bought(no more than one a day) and a few nuts here and there. This does not seem to be working either! Darn. What is going to? I am not happy to go in there tomorrow and have yet again gained. I will be put in the "bad" category, what am I eating too much,etc. etc. Believe me, I do not even eat BREAD! I have exercised an HOUR yesterday and my usual 30 min walk outside today. What a glorious day it was here too. Protein and food have been good. But I can still eat too much. I ate a big salad out yesterday and I realized I was able to eat the entire thing with no problem. It had lots of protein on it which is why I ate it and tried to eat all the meat especially. But I just should NOT be able to eat that much! Well I am on my 11 month checkup, and NO restriction. Hmmmm...... I just cannot get this gaining STOPPED! man o man. I have found a new friend to talk to though. She is not far along on her LB journey and is doing well. She is trying to help and I SURE do not want to bring her down! She does not need that. I will go back to a support group with her maybe. Gotta keep trying something. Well bloggie, please help me to be calm tomorrow. Please do not let me get too upset by my gaining. I know it has happened. I am really trying hard. I am going to try to get to my ZEN place again before I go in there. These appts. are just very traumatic! I want to go in there and be HAPPY because I have LOST! Oh well.....I will see how it goes. Am dreading it.... :biggrin:

I had the same issue. I spoke to my NUT and she told me to increase my carbs. I added cooked veggies and basically stopped worrying about my carb intake. It TOTALLY worked for me. About 2 days later I felt like I was *back*. We had 85% of our stomach removed. We will lose weight. Add some carbs back and see how your energy levels change. Can't hurt to try.

If you are still on mushies, I'd just finish healing before going to a diet such as Atkins. The first 6 weeks are for healing. I lost weight the first week post op. Then weeks 2-4 nothing. Sure I was frustrated but I wasn't eating enough calories during my healing. Week 5 I finally got up above 1100 calories and I started losing again. If you want to try it try upping your calories. Some people don't lose if they eAt to little

Hey there....I am in "bandster hell" too! But you know what I'm doing to loose right now? Exercise!!!! If I were you, I would do a lot more than just 30 minutes of exercise. Bump it up to 45 mins to an hour. I do anywhere from 45 mins to an hour and a half every day. Yes it is hard...sometimes I have to talk myself through it, but I find the more I do this, the better I feel and the more I enjoy it. I am loosing inches like crazy right now...next it will be weight, and I don't get my fill until the 8th either...right now I have no restriction....well somewhat...I can't eat as much as I used to that's for sure. But I def. want more restriction and I know that is what's gonna make the pounds melt off!

I lost 20 pounds in the first couple weeks, after that it has been 1 pound per week. This week I don't think I lost any and I started walking 4 days a week on the treadmill. My calorie count is around 750-900. I asked my doctor how many calories should I be taking in and she said anywhere from where I am at to around a 1000. If I go to 1200 I would be maintaining what I have. So it all depends on where you are at and how many calories you need to be taking in to lose, plus womens bodies are strange. We can look at food and gain sometimes.lol Honestly I can't wait for my fill this week. I feel the rumbles way to often now. Good luck to ya.

Am on the soft foods since thu and while I have no problem at all eating I am so hungry on the 1000 calories….all I can think about is food Will start real food either fri or sat and wonder if it will be better I go back for my first fill on sep 23 and am worried that I won’t lose any weight by then and worried that the ten pounds I lost post surgery will be back\ It still hurts if a press on the incision sites and sometimes I get a slight pain in my rights side especial when I walk a lot or have to go to the bathroom

I am not an expert. I haven't had surgery yet, but I've been pursing and researching WLS since last November. I've been seeing the surgeon since January for my insurance required 6 month diet. My surgery is next week. I know it is hard searching through the topics trying to find answers to your specific questions and it feels like a big step to make a post, so I'll try to answer what I can. In my area (Upstate NY) I actually hear WLS advertised on the radio. A few different hospitals advertise their weight loss options and they have a free seminar you can go to. I ended up doing my seminar online. So you might want to contact your area hospital and ask if they have or know of any free seminars in the area on WLS options. Or if they can refer you to a bariatric surgeon. Many general surgeons can do the surgery, however I think it's nice to go to a practice where that is their specialty. The doctor I chose has a big practice catering just to that. It is listed in their hospital's online directory under "weight loss." I would make my first step be finding one of these centers or surgeons who specialize in WLS and then making the initial consult. They discuss SO much in that appointment and can answer so many questions. Having worked much for surgeons in the past, I don't think you'll get many options in picking the time of day of your surgery. You can request a morning surgery, but that usually doesn't mean you're guaranteed that. I think in an ideal world, being the second surgery of the day would be perfect though. They are warmed up and awake, but not exhausted. I can't speak from experience about the loose skin. I do know genetics and age have a lot to do with it. I've lost a lot of weight on diets in the past and my skin caught up each time. It was slower weight loss, so the skin shrunk along with me. I know that with WLS, it's the rapid weight loss that makes the skin appear extra saggy at times. Then it will shrink some more with time. Will it shrink totally back to tight skin? Everyone is different. If you're young, with good genetics and hydrate well, maybe it will. I think it's likely you'll have some areas you don't like though. With my weight loss in the past, my stomach always kept it's saggy pouch, even though it did get smaller and wasn't noticeable under clothes. As for diet, my surgeon is requiring a 2 week pre-op liquid "stage 2" diet and then I will do this same diet for two weeks post op. I'm on day 7 of it right now. You focus on high protein liquid. I'm supposed to be trying to get at least 80 grams of protein per day. I am not supposed to be having any sugars either. I can have skim or whole milk, black tea or coffee (but need to switch to decaf a couple days before surgery too), sugar free puddings, sugar free jellos, Protein Shakes, high protein/low fat/no or low sugar yogurts, protein soups/broths (without chunks). It kind of sucks. I am doing mainly yogurt and protein shakes through the day. 2 weeks after surgery, I'll be evaluated and switched to pureed foods. You still aim for the protein, but can eat pureed things in the mix. And then I believe it is 1 month post op, I switch to soft foods. This is a pretty typical WLS diet around surgery time, but surgeons are varying it now. Some don't require the 2 weeks pre-op. They say they do those 2 weeks to shrink the liver so that the surgeon has better access to the stomach, which makes sense. Some keep you on clear liquids for a few days after surgery. It can vary a bit, but this is my protocol. I'm not sure there is a best season. I want to be free of this weight NOW. So, NOW is the best season for me. LOL. Good luck on your journey. I think once you can get in for a consult or go to one of the free seminars that a lot of places offer, you'll get a lot of questions answered.

With bmi, and categories of obese , overweight, normal,... Does anyone know if they factor in age? Is it just height weight? I am concerned that what I see in the mirror is a distorted view of myself, something I have been influenced by, my entire life. Sorry, not trying to hijack your thread.. Just made me think about other factors... Anyone?

I actually stalled early. After day 14, my weight didn't budge even .1 lb for 5 days. I greatly increased my water intake and thankfully the stall stopped. Just do your best getting in lots of fluids, and just be reassured that it is normal.

I haven't reached 6 months yet, and luckily I haven't had severe instances of hunger, whether it be head hunger or real hunger, aside from the first 2 weeks post-op. I can tell you that for me personally, Protein drinks will fill me up, but only for a short period (most likely because they're liquid based), but if I eat salad greens or hearty Soups, I get full and stay full for quite some time. Fruit and raw veggies as well....really anything with Fiber in it. Looks like you're losing good weight so I wouldn't be afraid to try some different things to see how your sleeve reacts...but I'd stick to whole-foods and not processed junk. Best of luck!

I had my surgery on Wednesday and I've lost 15 pounds is this normal? I'm finally able to intake four ounces of the protein shake every two-three hours and drink two ounces of water every 15 mins. But I'm just concerned with losing so much weight so quickly . Please advise thanks !

We all do and have, Jack. I think that was my last thought before they put me out for surgery and probably one of my first when I woke up. 'Why can't I just do this myself?" Truth is, our bodies chemically want us to be fat. Something has gone haywire in our chemical makeup and yes, we could white-knuckle it for awhile, but you let your guard down and it comes right back. Do you know many (if any) people who have ever lost over 100lbs and kept it off for good? I don't. It's not entirely impossible, but it's pretty close. We are not failures because we've had to resort to weight loss surgery. We are winners because we have come to a place where we can admit that we haven't the power to kill this beast and we're smart enough to seek out the tools that will help in that battle. I think that is far better than wallowing in self-pity but adding pound after pound year after year for the rest of our lives (what little there would be). That's my take on it anyway.....

I am finding that if I don't do some sort of aerobic exercise every day, I am getting depressed. I already take antidepressants. Can't I have a day off?? There is a ton of stuff going on in my life under the surface and the exercise helps to keep me balanced but gee whiz...every single day???? My weight loss has been slowed alot but my clothes are fitting well. I am surprised when I look in the mirror that the reflection I see is me. Happily surprised. But this dark cloud that shows up when I don't go to the gym on Sunday...yuck! Laura

I was banded on August 23rd. I have so fave lost 36 pounds, but I've only just had a fill giving me restriction, so I'm looking forward to some serious weight loss over the next few weeks.

You were banded on Jan 3rd? Was your Jan 7th appointment supposed to be a post op follow up visit? Probably not a wise idea to skip if that was the case. That is an important appointment so your Surgeon can check on you as well as see how your incisions are healing. You are not even a month post op and this is the healing stage and the not the time to be to concerned with weight loss. Regardless of how rocky the road has been putting off appointments to save face with your doctor is a recipe for failure. Your Doctor is there for you through the good times and bad. Be honest with him or her....it will only help in the long run. As for Protein shakes I still drink one daily even at 9 months out. I have that as one of my meals. It is an excellent source of protein and my Nutritionist is happy that I have found one that I like and is good for me. as for your "plateau" and lack of weight loss I can tell you that I understand where you are coming from. I got very frustrated because I hardly lost any weight the first month and half but really this time is for healing not losing weight. As for a plateau...that is down the road. Give yourself some time and do not put so much pressure on yourself. Weight loss will come in time but until you get some restriction it is all on you. How long did your Doc want you on liquids post op? Sounds like you transitioned to solids pretty quick. I know all Surgeons have their way of doing things. Good luck and get in and see your Doc and let them help you.

You can order soups in a restaurant, but you need to understand that having the added liquid will make the band restriction less effective. This is the point where your conscious portion control and willpower need to take over. Eat what is good for you and enjoy your meals. Most of your weight loss success will be from your own efforts. The band just helps you, it isn't a silver bullet. Good luck and keep losing! Bryan

I hit the Green Zone about 4 months into my first year. The weight definitely came off a lot faster the first year than it is during this second year but that's also because I had more to lose. I lost about 175 pounds the first year and about 25 pounds 3 months into the second year.

I had to share because weight wise I've been holding steady around 225, but inches wise... I found my box of pre-pregnancy clothes (198 and a size 14/16 before I got prego 1/2010) - Just for shots and giggles I tried on what *used* to be my favorite bra... It fit! Then I pulled out a pair of pants... THEY FIT! Lastly I pulled out a shirt and IT FIT! I haven't been able to wear these clothes in 2 years and they freaking fit! I'm doing a little happy dance right now

Restriction wears off as you lose fat under the band...heartburn is controllable with meds if you really want to continue to lose weight...

Hey Shely,Your problem brings back old memories.I don't live to far from you. Longview,Texas. I am almost 4 and 1/2 years along with my band. Had it done in Houston.We are very close in the weight we need and needed to lose. I had surgery in April and had reached goal right after Christmas. It is nothing but a learning process and eating healthy.You really have to work with the band.I go ten pounds over and then back down. I know exactly what to do to get back down. I have had a fairly great banded life,after I figured out my band will not hold but 1 and 1/2 cc of fill. If I can be of any other help to you please let me know. Will be more than happy to ans. any questions you have and to help you reach your goal. Good luck. Sallyjo

Hi I'm pre-op and am again looking to be banded after going through all of the testing phases 5 years ago and deciding against it. At the time I decided not to go forward because I love Diet Mountain Dew too much and learned the carbonation would be a no-no after being banded! LOL. I've continued to struggle with my weight and have again decided to have the surgery even if it means giving up my favorite soda. My boyfriend and teenage daughter are fearful that I will no longer be fun after I have the surgery because I won't be able to eat as much as them on holidays and when we go out to eat or at the fair. They're afraid that I won't enjoy cooking as much because I won't be able to eat most of it. I've told them that I will continue to cook healthy delicious foods and it won't matter if I am done eating after a few tablespoons since I will continue to sit at the table with them during the meal. But they aren't convinced that I won't be fun any more. How have your relationships changed after being banded? Are my family members' concerns legit?