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Weight gains can mess with your head, Right. This is a bump in the road. Just one more thing to overcome. Did you talk with your surgeon’s office about your iron levels and weight gain?

Hello, I'm currently 5 years out, I had gastric bypass roux en y, and it started out wonderful as far as weight loss goes. I've always been anemic but, over the last few months, I've started regaining weight like crazy and I can't figure out why! Also, a recent blood test is showing that my iron levels are through the roof! I so desperately want to figure this out, and somehow jumpstart my weight loss again, but nothing seems to be working. Someone, please help. I've never felt so hopeless in my life. Sent from my SM-G960U using BariatricPal mobile app

Hi Caroline, I too have gotten mixed reviews (and opinions) from family and friends... what I am seeing is that I get a lot of cheers and support from those who have struggled with their weight over the years and wished they were able to select WLS as an option. Also, I get some of those frowned looks from others who are relatively healthy, health and wellness junkies, or thin already etc. ....they seem to think that I should be able to "focus" and manage my weight without a surgical procedure. Who cared what others think/say....you have to be comfortable with your decision. I've learned how to manage taking in the opinions of others and rather choose to just be happy and positive with my own decision. Finally, I've still got to inform my supervisor that I will be out do to "abdominal" surgery ....that's all I will be dislosing to my employer. I am waiting to speak to my nurse/scheduler on Monday to select my December surgery date. Wishing you the best!!

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I'm almost six years out and there's nothing I cant eat. Some people are just like that. I can eat bread, rice, Pasta. But I will say, some things are harder and I've naturally gone off them over time - bread for example. I cant even really put it into words, i can eat it, it doesnt get stuck but it doesnt feel good to eat. So I rarely eat bread - just the occasional piece of toast. Yet when I was unfilled last year for 9 months, I suddenly loved bread again, and ate it regularly - though in moderation. The minute my fill went back in, I stopped enjoying it, almost instantly. I've lost weight easily and kept it off for years simply by eating all foods, just less.

I am new on here, sleeve on Oct 1 after band removal ..... Lost 20 by Oct 12 and nothing since, I am sad.. Feeling like I am failing at this. I actually think I have gain a couple of pounds. I guess in reading this I need to learn to eat more often.....I have no issues with food, except I feel hungry and want to keep eating. I never craved sugar before and now I am craving sugar

just keep doing what you are doing and if you are still finding your clothes looser than they were, that is better than what the scale says as it goes up and down all day long....i happen to agree 10000% with B52.. if you take in more cals than you burn off, you will gain (or not lose).....you have done well so far....just keep going....getting frustrated and weighing all day long will only hinder you...you are better than that..you are a walking/talking success....hang in there

Everyone is different, no matter what size band or how many fills they have. You may be lucky in that you don't need many (or any) fills. It sounds like you have some good restriction. As you lose weight, you may find you need fills. I was told that as you have less fat, there is less pressure on your stomach from it, hence you need a fill as you get thinner.

The first few weeks aren't easy, but they are worth it. Getting all your liquids in, especially newly sleeved is quite a challenge. You might feel like you are just drinking all day long and even with doing that there is a good chance that you still won't make your liquid requirement for the day (early on). I'm not saying that to discourage you, I'm saying that to prepare you. That being said, isn't a couple of tough weeks worth it for the new-found freedom you will have once you've lost the weight? You are going to be healthier, stronger, lighter, more flexible, and won't be held back by your weight anymore. You and your husband's concerns are legitimate, but think about what another five, ten, twenty years of being overweight will cost you in terms of quality of life, health, doctor bills etc... Personally I think a few tough weeks at the beginning were well worth it! I think most of us on here would agree. Think about why you wanted to do this in the first place. Then decide for yourself. Be comfortable with your own choice (either way) and don't let anyone change your mind.

Looking for reassurance that my 3 pound gain this week is normal. I don’t seem to be getting full on the broth and protein shakes. I drink them and not long after I’m hungry. Worried I have had too many.

Hi Options -- you've received some great answers. Bear in mind, of course, that our web site is frequented by a lot of people who reached their own conclusions and chose the band, so you won't hear many pro-RNY opinions here. True or False? --- banding is better for large eaters, by-pass for those who eat normal amounts of junk food or sweet tooths. I don't know. Both surgeries affect how much you can eat, and I know bypass patients often have trouble with sugar in any amount. True or False? --- banding has a higher long-term success due to the ability to re-fill versus a weight loss window. True, from what I've read and heard. True or False? ---- you do not lose your hair with banding. I haven't lost any hair, but to judge from the other responses here, other women have. I think fewer of us lose hair than with the RNY. True or false? --- banding requires much more will power and ability to avoid fattening high calory foods like chips, sweets, carbs. which could prevent any weight loss. Willpower? Good question. The band can't make food choices for us, so people who are looking for a quick fix for food issues may be disappointed in the band. But one of the reasons I chose the band was so that I could get out of "diet mind." Yes, high-calorie foods can slow or prevent weight loss. They're also one of life's pleasures! With the band, you can enjoy most foods; you don't have to feel like you're sentenced to a restricted diet for your whole life. True or False? --- many people with banding only lose a small amout of weight in the first two years and often require up to four years to lose 100 or more pounds? I don't know. That 1-2 lbs. a week answer sounds right to me. I hope to lose 80-100 lbs. in 16 months. People who were heavier to begin with tend to lose more weight early on -- but that's true of any weight-loss surgery or diet program. From checking everyone's statistics in our signatures you can get a pretty good idea of how we are doing. Good luck in your search for information. Check out the "sticky" posts in our many forums, where you'll find answers to many FAQ.

True or False? --- banding is better for large eaters, by-pass for those who eat normal amounts of junk food or sweet tooths. True or False? --- banding has a higher long-term success due to the ability to re-fill versus a weight loss window. True in my opinion and al lthat I have read on the subject True or False? ---- you do not lose your hair with banding. False I lost hair True or false? --- banding requires much more will power and ability to avoid fattening high calory foods like chips, sweets, carbs. which could prevent any weight loss. I eat pretty much what I want, It's all about quantity now with the band True or False? ---- if you don't lose the weight within your 13-15 month period with by-pass, you are stuck since your body will have become efficient at working on less caloriesand make it near impossible to lose more. True or False? --- many people with banding only lose a small amout of weight in the first two years and often require up to four years to lose 100 or more pounds? False, I have lot 91 lbs in a year and 3 weeks. These answers are from my experience only

That is truly wonderful! I remember when I reached my goal weight...I just couldn't believe it!

Search "Help! 9 Months Out And Problem Need Info Not Encouragement?". Scroll into the first reply to the OP and you will find the directions to the boot camp. I'm just finished with day 4 out of 5 - weight has gone from 150.4-146.6 in the first three days, looking forward to weighing tomorrow and Friday.

That is awesome. Congratulations on your weight. I have been saving my clothes for years since I was a size 16. I can't even imagine begin that small again, but I couldn't let them go.

Brilliant! 150 pounds is an amazing weight loss already! I love success stories like yours! You will get to your goal, no matter how long it takes!

Weight Lost Surgery For Dummies

Hello everyone so today is exactly 15wks post op, my surgery was 04/02/2012, my highest weight was 270lbs, current wt is 192lbs, had lost 78lbs. Had no complaints so far (knock on wood) other than I just started to noticed some hair lost, bu thankfully I have thick hair so I hope not to get too bald, and if so I am mentally prepare for the challenge. This surgery so far has been a blessing, a feel great, more energize and mega inspire to continue doing the right thing which is getting a healthier life! Finally I learned how to post before and after pics so there you have it!

I'm in 3 months into my medically supervised diet. I see my doctor (visits paid by insurance) monthly, and she has me see a nutritionist weekly (these visits paid by me!). I've lost over 30 lbs. so far. My BMI was 41.7 prior to the diet; worried that if I lose too much the BMI will drop enough to cause the insurance company to say 'no' to covering the surgery. Feels silly to pay money each week to the nutritionist and then sabotage the potential for weight loss. But, I know I need the lap band. I will not be able to sustain this weight loss without this tool. By the way, the nutritionist, who has never had a weight problem herself, is completely against the lap band. No surprise there! But, my doctor is supportive. Starting weight: 287 :grouphug: Current weight: 254 Goal w/surgery: 152

Hi, I have Cigna Insurance and they require me to be involved in a six month physician supervised weight loss program prior to approval for surgery. How have others handled this? This is so foolish but mandatory. Thanks. Jan

I actually posted this in another forum, but realized it would have been a better fit here, so thought I'd introduce myself. Hi there! I'm new here to the site. My name is Kari and I'm 30 years old from Michigan. I've been researching WLS for the last year and officially started this process this past January 2013. Initially, I started out thinking I was going to have the Roux en Y Gastric Bypass, however after meeting my surgeon for the first time and going over my labs, it was discovered that I am very anemic and he felt that the RNY would not be a good option for me as in the long-term it will cause me more health problems than what it's worth. I completely trust his judgment, therefore I will be going with the Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy! (And in all honesty, I feel better about this choice for some reason). Thankfully we have been blessed with great health insurance through my husband's employer, and they cover the surgery, no questions asked, no pre-approval. I just have to do everything my bariatric program requires, and I'm good to go. Next week I do my psych evaluation, and the following week I will do my exercise consultation. Sometime after that I will meet with a cardiac doctor to get surgery clearance, and have another visit with my surgeon. On that day I will also get to schedule my surgery. I'm excited and nervous, and I'm sure I'll have a ton of questions along the way! My highest weight ever was 320 lbs. My starting weight for this process was 311 and my current weight is 294. I look forward to getting to know many of you here! Thanks for allowing me to introduce myself! - Kari

I like the term "losers" bench also! That is really wonderful beckryn10 so glad to hear about your weight loss. I'll be glad when i can rejoice like you. My surgery is March 4th.

Hi 10/11/12ers! I am down 8-1/2 pounds since surgery and a total loss of 32 lbs. since started Pre-op diet on 8/15/12: Start weight: 279 8/15/12 Surgery: 255.5 10/11/12 Today: 247 10/18/12 (Halloween mini-goal - 240)

Lets see, this week I lost 1 more pound. I really didn't think I'd have lost any due to the fact that it was Mardi Gras and I kinda got off track a bit (darn those adult beverages!) So 46#'s total so far. I did have a Dr.'s appointment (my yearly) He drew some blood (still waiting for results) but after I told him how crummy I have been about taking Vitamins (I know, no lectures please, I know) He gave me that lecture as well. He put me on B-12 injections once a month (have to do them myself...yikes!!) I'm feeling better physically. One thing I noticed in the past week is that I'm able to eat a little more (maybe a bite or 2 more off of 1/2-3/4 c) I am still not really getting hungry, but when its time for me to eat my stomach feels sort of 'weak' don't know if that makes sense, its not a sick feeling, (thanks to switching from Prilosec to Prevacid) My major think I want to work on this month is getting more exercise. I know my weight loss will speed up if I do. Here's my weight loss stats so far. Month 1: lost 26 pounds. Month 2: lost 14 pounds. Month 3: 6 pounds. I'm really ok with losing 5-10 pounds a month. I'd rather lose slowly. But I know I need to begin excersizing. I have been continuing to lose inches though my weight loss has slowed...my hips started at 47" now I'm at 42.5" I need to work out with some weights cause the 'saggies' are settin in! Well, that's about all for now..feeling hopeful and ready to shed the rest of these pounds! Oh, I'm already past my halfway goal! I have about 30 pounds to go!! I know I can do this!! :w00t: All labs are normal!! Yay!!

I started this journey by contacting my insurance company in December of 2014 and getting the covered doctors info and call and doing research on the different options. I made an appointment with a dr for January 8, 2015. I did my weight in(265) and started the nutrition classes. I finished in May and was on vacation when the dr's office called to set up my surgery. I had no problems getting all requirements done and paperwork turned in and things went smooth throughout this process. I scheduled surgery for over the summer as I run a home daycare and have three teenaged daughters who help out and could take over for a few days. My surgery went great(June 15, 2015) , but after I got really sick and found out I was allergic to morphine. That caused my to have a three day stay in the hospital. After I got morphine out of my system I was great. Followed my dr's plan and started losing weight. Then life happened, my oldest daughter(18 with a 1 y/o) moved out in August, then October came and my middle daughter(16)tried to overdose and was in the hospital for a few days not knowing what would happen, she was then put in a behavioral hospital for about a week, she started doing better and then all the sudden in December told us she needed to go back to the hospital which she said the week of Christmas. As this was going on I started having some pains and found out I needed my gall bladder removed and had surgery on Dec 29 to get it removed. In January my middle daughter finally told us she was raped and we started the process of a restraining order and sexually assault charges. My oldest at this time moved in an apartment with a roommate. She was there for one week in March and had to move because her roommate kicked her and my 1 1/2 yo grandson out, so we had to go load up all her things and put them in storage, and she moved back in. April I thought would be better, but no. My husband decided that I was doing so well that he wanted to look into the surgery. Our insurance had changed on January 1st so we found another doctor and went to the seminar. He waited for them to call and schedule an appointment. They called and scheduled for a few days later. He went in and did the evaluation and with his family history they did an EKG and found out that he had a heart attack last week!!! With all this going on I have done my best with my diet and Exercise that I have been able to do. I fit in working out for the most part(between hospital visits and surgery, it was not easy!!! I started this journey at 265 and A size 24 pants/3XL shirt, surgery weight 240 and today I weight 170. I am 5 pounds away from my goal and last night while waiting for my daughter to get off work, I was walking around Target and decided I would look at the Clarence racks as I have not bought very many clothes for me (since losing all the weight). I don't work out side of the home and didn't want to waste my money so I just wear the same thing all the time. I found a size 10 pair of pants and though why not??? I tried them on and they fit!!!! I was so excited, that was my goal size!!! So with all this being said........... No matter what life brings you have your eye on your goal and you will eventually make it. I have 5 more pounds I want to lose by my one year(June 15) and I know I can do it!!! I hope that with me saying all this and pouring my heart out to everyone shows you no matter what if you want to do this you will be able to!!!! Here is a before picture and a picture of me in the size 10 jeans.