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FYI For those of us that are still fortunate enough to eat wheat bread, try Nature's Own Double Fiber - it has a purple heading. 40 calories per slice 4 grams of Protein 5 grams of FIBER 10 grams of carbs so if you eat a Peanut Butter sandwich - the bread alone will give you 10 grams of fiber and 8 grams of protein. Thats good news!!

Hey, Sleeve Plication Talk Members! Now that Memorial Day has passed and we’re well into June, it’s summer time! Why not use the warm weather and casual dress code for motivation to stick to your diet? Of course, the newsletter’s a great way to remind you to be good, too! We keep you updated on what’s going on at SleevePlicationTalk.com, and we’ll jump right into this newsletter with: Sleeve Plication Support Groups: Are you taking full advantage of special forum groups on SleevePlicationTalk.com? To Tell or Not to Tell – Do you tell others about your sleeve plication? Member Spotlight – None other than Alex Brecher, founder of SleevePlicationTalk.com! Sleever Challenge – This is a great one to kick off the summer. We encourage you to stay involved with SleevePlicationTalk.com. Ask your questions, answer your peers and keep your profile current. All of your participation keeps you on track and helps everyone else! Always let us know when you have suggestions, comments and questions. Enjoy the newsletter. Sincerely, Alex Brecher Founder SleevePlicationTalk.com Sleeve Plication Support Groups: What are They, and How Do They Help You? SleevePlicationTalk.com can be a huge part of your life. Many of us check the boards every day or more, and depend on the site for support, information and encouragement. Joining one or more SleevePlicationTalk.com support groups is a great way to get even more out of SleevePlicationTalk.com. These support groups are like exclusive clubs, but all you have to do to join is to participate! Just look at the different types groups we have. Monthly groups based on when you got your surgery Groups based on your hometown, age and weight goals. The sleeve plication buddies and mentors forum in case you need a little extra help or want to help someone in their weight loss journey. And more…for religious sleevers, gay, lesbian and bi sleevers, crossover addicts, biker sleevers…and way more. These groups are smaller discussion forums for sleevers who have a lot of things in common with you even beyond your weight loss surgery. They may have great solutions to problems that you’re having, and they can be super sympathetic to your situation. You can make close friends on these boards because you already have so much in common, and because you can spend a lot more “one-on-one” time with them. Come on over to the SleevePlicationTalk.com support group page and see which groups you want to join! Hot on the Boards: Coming out of the WLS Closet. To tell or not to tell? That’s a pretty sensitive question for a lot of weight loss surgery patients. It’s normal to feel embarrassed about your surgery, especially when you’re dealing with people who look down on you. Always remember that you don’t have to let others make you feel bad. As long as you’re healthy and happy, you should feel proud of your accomplishments. Anyone who truly loves you will also be proud. It’s a personal decision whether to tell people about weight loss surgery. You might tell your closest friends and family first, and let others in on the secret when they start to ask you how you lost so much weight. You don’t ever have to tell anyone if you’re shy or just don’t want to. Or, if you prefer, you can tell everyone as soon as you set the date for your surgery. Maybe that’ll make you feel more accountable and inspire you to success. What are your thoughts? Do you tell people that you’ve gotten weight loss surgery? Do you explain to them what a sleeve plication is, since they probably don’t know? How do you choose when to tell, how much to say and whom to tell? Do you have any tips for other sleevers? Tell us about it! First Member Spotlight – It’s Alex! We promised, and now we’ve delivered! It’s time for the first true Member Spotlight, and who better to be honored than…Alex! He’s the founder of RNYTalk.com and the other communities belonging to WLSBoards.com. He manages and promotes the boards to make sure that they’re here for everyone. He is truly passionate about helping others reach the same weight loss success that he did. Here’s his story. He’s the handsome, friendly face you see hanging out on the forums, but he took the same journey as many of you to achieve those looks. Alex struggled with obesity and diets for years without finding permanent weight loss success. He finally realized that he needed to lose the weight if he wanted to be around for his children for years to come. Alex got the lap-band, lost more than 100 pounds and never looked back. Thrilled with his new energy and health, Alex had the motivation and confidence to stop smoking. Today he is an active, lean family man who loves to run, bike and spend time with his children. In 2003, Alex founded LapBandTalk.com, which quickly became the largest weight loss surgery community in the world. He started VerticalSleeveTalk.com in February of 2009, and the other WLSBoards, RNYTalk.com and SleevePlicationTalk.com, followed in 2011. That’s right – we’re only starting our second year, and we’ve already got thousands of great members! Alex works hard to make sure that all members to have positive experiences and benefit from being part of the communities. Do you have someone you’d like to see featured in the Member Spotlight? Would you like to be our spotlighted member? Come tell us in the Member Spotlight forum! It’s a regular feature of the newsletters to let you learn a little more about someone in our community with an inspirational story or who helps out our members. Thanks for your nominations so far! Sleever Challenge! Challenge Yourself and Achieve Something New! We give you a challenge in each SleevePlicationTalk Newsletter. It’s not a challenge for you to compete against anyone else. It’s just a way to set a new goal for yourself to try something new or push yourself a little harder. Nobody’s keeping score, so try it! You can always find the old challenges in the Challenge Forum. So far, the two challenges have been: Try a new food or recipe. It’s pretty simple. Come up with a new recipe or try a new food that fits on your diet. Tell us about it! Recognize your non-scale victory (NSV): An NSV is something that is an accomplishment during your weight loss journey, but it isn’t based on the number on the scale. It might be something like fitting into a dress you like or being able to keep up with your grandchildren without getting tired.. It’s never too late to try the old challenges and write about them. Share what you come up with to brag a little and help out others. The New Challenge: Be an Exercise Buddy! This challenge is great for your health and the health of a lucky new or old friend. Why? Over the next two weeks, your challenge is to do a workout with a new person. Some ideas for the challenge are to: Ask your neighbor to take a walk with you Ask someone at your gym to be your partner while you both lift weights Go for a bike ride with your kids or spouse Take a new exercise class Be creative! The goal is to do something fun and healthy, and maybe make a new friend or two along the way. Don’t forget to post your challenge results in the Challenge Forum. The forum’s also great place to go if you need ideas or have advice for other Sleevers so they can complete the challenge. Good luck! And Finally: Please Support Us! Just as a reminder, we’d like to ask you to support us when you can. We know you value SleevePlicationTalk.com and all of its free services. We’d like to remind you to please ask your surgeon and other healthcare providers to post SleevePlicationTalk.com fliers in their offices. We’re always growing, and you can help. Thank you. That does it for this newsletter. Thanks for reading and for your continued participation on the boards. Take care! Sincerely, Alex ==============================================================If you no longer wish to receive this newsletter, you may unsubscribe by going to your Control Panel and clicking on the Newsletters tab, or clicking on the following link: http://www.sleevepli...&tab=newsletter

I'm three weeks post op (surgery 4/29) and have done the same thing. Just because I'm able to eat cheese sticks and ground beef with spaghetti sauce doesn't mean I should. I have been the same weight for 10 days. Realistically my head knows there is no way I could be gaining weight eating 500-800 calories, the stall has been getting the best of me. I have pulled out my one month post op diet information and will going back to my full liquids. I feel great, feel no restriction and everything I've eaten has been no problem. Hoping to reel my diet back in now.

Rachel, I am close your age so I thought I would give my opinion on telling people. I am not scheduled for surgery yet, but I am a self pay and have my seminar Nov 10 (hope to have it before Christmas!). I have told my closest friends, my parents, and my husband, and my mother-in-law & father-in-law. I have had one negative response. And it was from someone I didn't expect it from. She seemed to be very disgusted by the fact I was resorting to WLS. Oh well, she is skinny and doesn't understand. Otherwise, everybody else is so happy for me! To be honest, I can tell a difference in myself because I know that soon I will be starting a brand new life. You will know in your heart who you really want to tell. Trust me, I want to shout it out, but I know not everybody understands. lol That's why I stuck to certain people. I'm sure you and I both will have huge success!!! Good luck!!!!!

Thats some great info !! Im on a 1200 calorie diet til surgery to lose my remaining 10 lbs before the 7th. Do they take the drain out before you leave the hospital? Also im having an issue with finding a good tasting protein shake, any advise or suggestions?

I have been seeing a cognitive therapist for about 1-1/2 years now to help with my Anxiety/Stress Disorder which manifests itself in all destructive manners of putting myself last, perfectionism, inability to say no, panic attacks, and yes -- at times -- binge eating and bad food choices. In order to help with the manifestations, we've had to do a lot of work as to why I'm so anxious and easy to stress. It's taken a lot of work, including learning self-hypnosis, breathing techniques, positive self-talk and finally EMDR therapy. I'd say the last two were the most helpful to me. While I don't come from your "classic" abusive childhood, I did grow up at the hand of some verbal trauma and some traumatic accidents/events. As a result, I was my worst critic and judge -- far more harsh on myself than anyone else. I had friends and some aquantances tell me they observed this about me right away within meeting me. That was a shock. Food became my crutch in that when I was disappointed in myself, I'd actually punish myself with food. It was a temporary satiation of my favorite flavors, only to feel worthless as soon as I finished eating. Then I'd punish myself more for sabotaging my weight loss. It was a vicious cycle. Food also became the main method of soothing my nerves after a long, punishing day at work. It was my reward for making it through. But through a lot of counseling, I see now that was not the best option. Now, I prefer to exercise or just enjoy a TV show. And those foods that I loved are still there, I smell them when my husband makes them. But somehow the connection is no longer there, if anything I feel a connection that those foods will not be good to my body like they used to. It doesn't mean I don't still fight the urges. Those are buried deep in the subconscious. Yesterday, I left a clothing store in a panic after seeing my (smaller) flabby body in those horrible mirrors. Across the street was a Burger King. I thought, "what would be the harm in some chicken nuggets?" Then I used My Fitness Pal to see their nutritional content. Thought, well I have to have them with BBQ sauce, and that's just empty sugar and carbs. And I rationalized that I was just having one of my triggers to anxiety, like in the past. The thought of taking my progress off course for a temporary happiness -- that would've only last 10 minutes before the guilt set in -- just wasn't worth it. I highly recommend therapy, ideally with someone who has helped other WLS patients.

Highest weight: 294 Surgery weight: 252 (10/19/15) Current weight: 206.8 Progress: October-November: -20 (232) November-December: -10 (222) December-January: -8 (214) January-February:

Well, a lot depends on where you start, how tall you are etc. I am 5'5", was 247, and lost 19 and 11 pounds in month one and two, and almost 10 preop

I wasn't required to lose weight, but interestingly, I lost 10 pounds during the 3 week process from seminar to approval. Now I'm on a low carb diet just because I want to feel better going into surgery. .

Since my opinion of the Realize Band's RealizeMySuccess web site is not very good, I have decided to use this web site instead. Seems a lot more active and user-friendly. I was banded and had a hiatal hernia, plus an umbilical hernia repaired on November 11, 2009. My first fill on Dec 15, 2009, Second on January 19, and third on Feb 16. I think I am a bit too tight from this one and will let them remove a CC next week. That will bring my total fill to 9 CC's, which I think will be just about right. I have been very impressed with Dr. Smith and my husband also chose Dr. Smith to do his band on January 4. Now, we hope to get much healthier and live longer to see our Grandchildren grow up. I started at 362 in my primary care physician's office in late October and today I am at 316.

Day 5 of pre op diet! Today was good; I also took an apatite suppressant; because I work in a bakery! And yesturday day I almost couldn't take it; on top of being tired and off some of my medicine; I was a basket case; but making sure I could take them today I feel 10 times better; 6 more days till the big day! I know I can; I know I can; I know I can; DO THIS!

I am 10 days post OP and my stomach still does this, more noticeable to me at nighttime.

There seems to be no rhyme nor reason to most sizing. I like buying American clothes now because they size smaller! Here a 14, which I generally fit now, is an American 10. I would rather pull a 10 off the rack than a 14! But this isn't consistent. I have found it in Not Your Daughters Jeans and in LuluLemon yoga gear but not in everything. Ultimately, I think you just have to try different brands to find the size that fits you, and don't worry too much about what number is on the label.

As this week I am 11 weeks .. Last week when I was cleared I was 10 weeks ???????? how far along are you?

Hahahaaha! OMG. This still annoys me! All the FB recipes that are the little movies, are like gooey cheese bombs. And I "get" that Americans tend to think cheesy/gooey=comforty delicious lol...but gawd! Stop it! LOL. Cheese makes post-surg pooping just a nightmare for me, despite gobs of fiber from plants/berries/nuts and a couple of stray beans, plus Miralax, plus colace. LOL. And post RNY, if I eat too much cheese, I get very nauseated. For the most part to this day at 1st Goal and almost 10 months out, I eat cleanly--very simple. No recipes necessary. LOL. Cuz recipes add not only time in the kitchen, but also add calories, You can pack in a butt load of food for 600-800 cals/day that is deeply nutritious: 1. lean proteins: fish, seafood, chicken, turkey, egg whites, eggs, lean cuts of pork/beef. and of course you also have plant proteins--which I don't really use as protein sources--more as condiments, but that's up to you. 2. low glycemic veggies 3. healthy oils (avocado, avo oil, evoo, coconut oil, sesame oil, grassfed butter, nuts/seeds) 4. some low glycemic berries Meals take about 10-20 minutes max and that's only if I have to grill that night. But we grill to have quick leftover protein sources, or quick saute in a pan, or use the GF grill so it's easy peasy...

lizrbit I am also a patient of dr.st.laurent..How is your experince been. so far mine has been good. I just had my surgery on 6-19. I have my check up tomorrow. did you have your surgery at journey-lite? I thought everyone there was so nice a helpful..take care

My Dad doesnt know yet and my Mom is totally unsupportive. She says you lost 80 lbs on Nutrisystem last year and put it all back on. What about this?? 10 years from now you say the band will probably fail by then per stats, are you going to have to get these fills for the rest of your life? My mom has to force herself to eat and weighs less than 100 lbs. My Dad got down to 136 lbs, he couldnt force himself to eat and we had to put him on a feeding tube. Both have prided themselves on being so thin and make really awful comments about fat people. If I say anything she says "cant I have an opinion?" I have a slow sister I told her tonight was discussing someone at the Center and making comments about their weight (who weighed less than I do). I told my mom and instead of recognizing that this is wrong, she launched into how upset she is my sister put on 15 lbs. My 5 7 sister is all of 130 lbs or so. My support system is nil. I have no one to lean on who understands. My mom says why not just do nutrisystem again? Last time my Dad almost died twice and I had to feed my sister and was dropping in at fast food places and at the rehab where I couldnt eat right and then I broke my shoulder. She says today, well you just admitted you put on the weight when things got stressfull, Im just not convinced this is needed. Someone who doesnt care about food or like it cant understand someone like me who loves to eat and long term facing tempations. Iv yo yo'ed so many times my skin is all stretched out and I already know I will never look good again, even if I lose the weight and keep it off. But I still need to lose the weight or its going to kill me. I wouldnt know what to do with a supportive family.

Delo, thank you for not being "one of them"!!! And HUGE congrats on your success!!! I was just at a tea the other day where all the women were saying how big they were and moaning and groaning and saying how tight their jeans were. It makes me so angry when I'M sitting across from all of them. I feel like screaming at them "How can you say that when you can see how much bigger I am than you?" They didn't even have 20-30 to lose - I'm talking like 5-10, if that. I think it's incredibly rude and maybe even a little bitchy - like unconsciously one-upping me. You know how bitchy women can be ...

I had my band put in Oct 10ccband. First fill blind poke three tries 3cc in. Second two pokes dig dig 3cc in, third three pokes dig dig 1ccin RESTRICTION!!! Ya good weight loss happy. Fourth wanted to tweak a little only had restriction in the morning fill 1cc five pokes dig dig. Next day no restriction I think I have a leak. Drive another 200 miles for fluoro and she is able to get 5cc out I should have 8cc plus doc put in 2cc at time of surgery (that is 10 in a 10cc band) she adds 1cc more Fill # Five now I should have 11cc no restriction at all I have a leak. She said sometimes the tube collapses and you can’t get a true read. She said you don’t have a leak because I got something out. They don’t want to take any responsibility for f-ing it up. The obvious problem with having bands in Mexico is the after care. I knew this and yet chose to go for it. If I go back to my doc it is $2500 to replace port and tube. Then what who do I have do the fills? I should have had a sleeve that is what my doc is famous for and there would have been no fills, no leak and it was $2000 more than a band so in the long run cheaper after you factor in the cost of fills and heart ache!! ANYONE OUT THERE DO NOT HAVE NORTH WEST FILL CENTER IN ARLINGTON WASHINGTON DO YOUR FILLS. QUACKS!!! So where do I go from here?? Right now after I beat myself up I am doing nothing can’t afford it so I am trying on denial to convince myself that I have restriction. Any suggestions???

It is still pending review. I swear I check at least 10 times a day. I am freak'n out..... I better get approved or I will hurt someone..LOL I am 110 lbs overweight. I have 1 co-morbity HB So they should have no reason to deny me. I am stressing way to much:scared2: Jennifer

I was banded in December 10, 2010. I lost a total of 90lbs but now I have gained 30 to 40 of it back. I am going in for a fill next week, I believe I'm at 4.5cc now. I lost my way and started eating very unhealthy again...does anyone have any suggestions? I even started drinking while eating which defeats the entire purpose. I'm looking for a support group. Can anyone help?

My surgery day is feb 19 self paid. I'm traveling from NYC to Colorado, but can't find someone to come w me (everyone has refused). Clinic said I must have someone. I'm trying to hire a nurse/clinic in Colorado that could care for me post surgery. Has anyone faced this problem? Any suggestion?

bigTom, Tthank you so much for your honesty. I was sleeved on 3/10 and had similar feelings for the first 4 weeks or so. However, now that I am fully recovered from the surgery itself, I can honestly say that I no longer wake up with a multitude of aches and pains. I have a lot more energy than before surgery and have started walking for exercise. I sincerely hope you too pass through the "mourning phase." It has been hard giving up my good friends, processed carbohydrates, but I feel I am over the hump and looking forward to a better life. Don't get me wrong, I still slip up ocassionally, and have a long way to go. I just don't think about the way I used to eat in the same light anymore. Best of luck to you on your journey!

Starting weight 243 Current weight 137 Surgery date 01/23/12 LOVE MY SLEEVE!!!

About a month ago I got a fill that brought me too 6.7 cc's. For 3-4 days afterwards I was fine. I felt no difference at all. Then I had 11 days where I was so super tight so I went back to my doctor. He said I had reached my max fill level and wouldn't need anymore for a while. He told me to eat slower and chew more. Okay then BAM for the past 10 days I've been able to eat ANYTHING! I'm hungry all the time and I can even eat bread again. I haven't been able to eat bread since November. I would like another fill but then again if I wait and do nothing then it may tighten up again on its own right? What should I do?