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Hello everyone this is my first thread as I am a brand new member. I started reading the threads about 6 months ago as I have been contemplating lapband surgery for about two years. At first I was only looking for a way to help me lose weight but then I found this website where there were all of you with PCOS that has had the lapband or is thinking about getting the band. I am really happy I found this site as everyone has inspired me to at least try this. Reading so many success stories I once again had hope that maybe I would get what I want finally. The struggles people have posted have made it easier for me to understand the changes I need to make and prepare me for the same struggles.. I think I developed PCOS when I was around 15. My periods stopped completely I could go 8 months if not longer without a period and when it did finally come it would last a day or two. When I turned 18 I started having periods that would last months on end. I didn’t think anything of it except my cycle is changing or I haven’t had one in quite a while it is okay. When I turned 20 I had a period that was going on 4 months I was dizzy and light headed all the time and I felt very weak. I finally went to an OBGYN and we had to do an emergency D&C because I was anemic and losing too much blood. I have had a 2 D&C’s because of the PCOS. I was started on a full birth control treatment so I can control how many periods I will have. I was doing very well with this treatment until recently. Due to all the antibiotics and meds they gave me for surgery it broke the birth control treatment and now I am in need of another D&C as the bleeding will not stop. I have not missed a pill. It took forever to get my surgery scheduled and all the pre appointments done. I had my surgery on 12/8/08 and since the surgery I have lost 27lbs. prior to the surgery my heaviest point was 264lbs. right before surgery I weighed in at 228lbs I am scheduled for my first fill on 1/20/09. My target weight goal that the surgeon set for me is 150lbs. I have 52 lbs to go until I reach their target weight . The ultimate goal in this surgery is to stop the D&C’s from happening every year and the main reason I want a baby. I have tried fertility treatments and was somewhat responsive but not enough to continue trying. After reading some of the posts where people have done IVF and were told to try and lose some more weight I figured I would try the weight loss approach first and then try clomid again. If it doesn’t work then I will try the IVF.

The band won't do much to cause you to lose weight; to be honest, my weight loss about the same post-op as it was pre-. It will, however, train you in portion control, which will help you to lose weight on your own, and to avoid gaining it back later which is where many of us have the biggest problems, and why surgery is a good option for us. If you're diabetic, I'd suggest bypass over band.

Accept your genetic body type. Your weight, height, and bone structure are strongly determined by your genes. Healthy bodies come in all shapes and sizes. Stop comparing yourself to others. Be media conscious. We are bombarded with media messages telling us our bodies are not perfect… Most fashion and women’s magazines focus on an ideal of beauty that is just not something thatanyone in real life can be. Remind yourself that the body images you see are manufactured by make up artists, hair dressers, airbrushing specialists, fashion designers, lighting specialists, and cosmetic surgeons. Also know that many fashion models have eating disorders and are not able to maintain their low body weight in a healthy manner. Create a Why I like myself List. Think about all the things about you that you like… are you funny? Creative? Honest? Intelligent? Think of all the reasons you deserve to love yourself and write them down. Remind yourself of all the things you are besides a body. Read this list daily and add to it every time you think of something else you like about you. Create a Body Appreciation List.Think about how your body has been loyally functioning on your behalf no matter how much you fed or starved it. Write these things down (remember that your heart has continued to beat, your lungs continue to breathe, your liver continues to detoxify your body, also perhaps your body has learned a new skill, gotten stronger, taken you to the top of a hill, rejuvenated during sleep, or allowed you to comfort a child, share love with a spouse, or go shopping with friends!). Celebrate your body and the marvelous things it can do. If you’ve had WLS note all the things that your body can do now that it could not do before. How has your life changed because of the changes your body has gone through? Read this list daily and add to it every time you are grateful for something your body has done. Stop thinking that thinner thighs are the answer to all of life's problems. When you find yourself hyper focused on your body stop for a moment and ask yourself what you would be doing, thinking, or feeling if you were not obsessing about your body. What is this preoccupation stopping you from being present to in your life? Am I in anyway benefiting from focusing on what I believe are my physical flaws? Deal with and set goals about the real issues in your life - relationships, job, etc.. “Act as if you” were comfortable in your body even If you are not quite “feeling it” yet. How would you walk, what would you wear, how would you speak to people, what kind of self talk would you be speaking, what kind of eye contact would you make with others? If you change a behavior the feelings will eventually catch up. Give up judgments about your body right now!! If you find yourself being critical of your body, stopand acknowledge that this will not support you feeling good about yourself, then respond to yourself as you would to a best friend. For every negative thing you catch yourself saying about your body, apologize to your body and say 2 loving/ appreciative things about your body. Make a decision to truly “nourish" yourself. Read a good book, take a bubble bath, schedule a massage, get a haircut, dance to your favorite song, make plans with a friend, take a nap, ask for a hug, give yourself permission to say “no”, meditate, pray. Make it your intention to move and enjoy your body; go walking, swimming, biking, dancing, do yoga, tai chi, etc… not because you have to but because it makes you feel so good. Your body deserves to be treated well. Surround yourself with people who celebrate and appreciate who you are. Say “thank you” to compliments without discounting them. Know that you can control your experience of your life by the thoughts you choose to think. How you experience your life is a direct consequence of your predominant thoughts. By making a decision about the thoughts you choose to think you take responsibility for creating your reality. So if you decide to think about what is not good about your body you will experience not only your body not being good enough but you will also experience your life as never being good enough, always being in a state of waiting till things change before you can really be happy. If you choose to think about what is good about you, what you like and appreciate about you, you will feel gratitude for this life that you experience as abundant and joy-filled! You choose! SELF LOVE AND COMPASSION is the foundation upon which a healthy body image must be built. The next time you find yourself being critical of a particular body part, sit down and write a letter to that body part telling it exactly what you don’t like about it and how it makes you feel. Then have that body part write back to you telling you how it felt to read that letter. Then write back to that body part…….. and just notice what happens………. If you have any questions or comments about this article I would love to hear from you! You can email me at louisa@louisalatela.com or call me at 856.429.9799. To learn more about my telephone support groups visit www.louisalatela.com www.ysayit.com

A couple years prior to wls I had lost 90 pounds on my own with tracking my food and exercise and I did it in 9 months. I did put it back on the following year after falling into a depression over the death of a parent, the 90 plus 10. The month before surgery I started talking to family/friends about getting serious about weight loss again. If they asked how I was doing it I would say the same way I did last time, tracking my food and exercise, which is true I am doing those things. While I was recovering from surgery I told family/friends that I had the flu and it was kicking my butt. This became the reason I couldn't be social for a while or wasn't up to doing much... still getting over that flu, man it was a tough one. It worked for me.

Although my surgeon isn't requiring weight loss as a condition of surgery; he would like to see me lose 10-15 pounds before. The two week liquid diet prior to surgery will likely achieve that goal without any additional effort on my part.

Life has gotten in the way the last 2 months. I was unable to take care of me the way I was supposed. Not exercising, not enough Protein all sorts of things. I gained 8lbs. Now 3 weeks ago I was sitting here crying feeling like a failure. I'm back on track in the last 3 weeks. walking 3 miles a day, getting my protein and Water. I have lost those 8lbs. I haven't had a fill in two months.I go for one tomorrow. There will be no great loss, but no gain and I realized I'm good with that. I can't beat myself up for no being able to take care of myself (I was the primary care giver for my MIL the last 3 months and she passed a month ago). I've lost 60lbs since surgery in November. One hundred total since last May. When I think of it that way I'm pretty proud of how far I have come in the last year. So now onto the NSV. I can ride my bike without the seat hurting my rearend. Pretty happy about that. I haven't been able to do that in about 3 years. So all in all a good week for me. Thanks for listening.

I finally made it under 200!! It's been 10 years since I've seen a 1 in the front of my weight. Never thought I would be there again. So thankful I decided to go through the surgery. My HW was 247.4 I lost 10 before surgery which was on 1/31/17. So I am currently down a total of 48lbs!!

On December 31st at 10 am I underwent weight loss surgery. This is something that had been weighing on my mind for about 3 years and I finally took a leap of faith and jumped. My first day was very pain filled but luckily I had some great nurses. Day two was a little better and I walked at least every two hours so the soreness and gas pains really started easing up. That evening my doctor visited me and said he didn't see why I couldn't go home. It was so nice to be able to sleep in a bed that wasn't in a hospital. Day three my soreness was a lot better and now here we are on day 4. I actually have eased up on my pain meds and took a small walk outside down the sidewalk. The fresh air was amazing. I'm still stirring up gas when I drink but I'm hoping that will pass with time.. I also weighed my self on the scale and it said I've already lost 10 pounds!!

Thank you both! I also have a thyroid issue. So that's good to know. I am waiting for my dr to approve papers and send in for approval. I am hoping I am approved. I just made the 35% bmi cut off. You would think my medical issues would be more important than the weight. Anyway...hoping to get approved soon!

Hah, loved Insanity workout and actually taught it at a gym for a bit before my injury which led to depression and weight gain. I haven't been cleared for workout yet (10 days post op) but I can't wait. When I get cleared I'll let ya know Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hello all! I had my sleeve on 4/3...and I have lost weight since surgery. But...I have a question for you all. Do you ever doubt yourself? Wonder if it will actually work for you? I know this sounds completely mentally, but I find myself afraid that it won't "work"..just like everything else I have tried worked then failed. And the worse part is it is working! Did anyone feel like this...or is it just me?..Thanks for you input!

On the day after surgery and for 2 days after i went into momentary depression thinking what have i done and will it actually help. I got over all that a week later and i'm now heading into my 5 th week post op and i couldnt be happier. Im down 9 kilos and loving the change. I've been lazy with walking ad i've been moving house so i guess i havent lost as much weight as some and also i was on pre op protein diet for less than a week but if you follow the food guidelines and save treats for occassions ypu'll definitely see results. Let us know how you get on.

Pipula, I just wanted you to know that this is the only way, and I mean only way, that I have ever lost anything over 7lbs. I hoped to lose weight; I wanted to... but I too had doubts as it really was the last option for me. I am happy to say, that I lost over that initial 7lbs...lol... and am now up to 74lbs lost - and staying off - in total. Although I am not at my weight goal, I hit my original size goal a couple of months ago... and that is feeling that is just amazing. Make sure you have positive thoughts, even if you hit a stall, focus on the good stuff not the pesky scale and its numbers... honestly, the sleeve is a great tool to get you where you want to be. Good luck =]

Thanks for the encouragement. I'm not known for my patience! I was hoping for even a pound or two down just to give me that extra bit of hope. I feel tired all the time and I know my body is lacking in something to keep me alert, but I don't know what to do. I'm taking vitamins, B supplements, calcium and I'm very hydrated. I would think that my body would be content and was to get rid of some more fat, but alas it does not. I guess it's hard to evict a long time resident. I suppose I need to focus on my mid range goal of another 25 pounds by Christmas Day when we leave for a week of skiing and I have to fit into a new pair of ski pants that I bought a size too small. That is my main focus. My old ski pants aren't flattering, the new ones make my ass look good! Now if they'd just fit around my waist. Perspective- keep everything in perspective. I think I'll go out and get a manicure and go shopping today. I'm treating myself for the past two weeks that I have done well. I did lose 11 pounds after all. Better than gaining.

Thank you for taking the time to look see. I am getting ready to schedule my surgery as a self pay. I am looking for someone that has traveled as similar a path as me as possible. I know everyone's story is different but I think it would be helpful to me personally to have another woman to correspond with who is similar in age and is on the other side of losing a substantial amount of weight. I am 45 and at 5' 7" I am looking to lose 180 pounds. To anyone who reads this, whether you reply or not, I hope you are having a spectacular day!!!

I was banded on 6-7-10 and have been experimenting with the food on the food list. I am finding I can eat any of it with no problem. I am not eating that much and am getting full. The problem is I am not losing at all, even gained 2 pounds. I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong. I must admit I have not completely started an exercise program. I am frustrated, I am eating way less than I used to and way less than anyone else around me and not losing. Hoping I will see a difference soon. I did lose 22 pounds from the two week pre-op and one week post-op liquid diet. I'm still happy I did it!

I've been looking at all these before and after pictures....and I think what scares me the most is taking that before picture and looking at it. I know my view is distorted - I know what I looked like before all this happened - and it wasn't all that long ago. I know I don't look like that any longer and I know I carry my weight different from everyone else....and I know what I looked like 50 lbs ago - kinda... I SO do not want to look at that before picture. I'm afraid I'll literally get sick to my stomach. I've avoided mirrors as much as possible - I don't do pictures since I'm always the one with the camera. Its going to be a difficult thing. Probably the hardest thing of all - seeing the reality for what it really is.

I'm watching this show on hbo called the weight of the nation...its really interesting!

I'm so very sorry you are you're are dealing with these nasty problems. They are no fun. Many people have. hurt as much as you do. It unfortunatily goes with the territory. but that doesn't help you right now. My right side where i had all those incisionsj were killing me, of course i sleep on the right side.. Slowly one night at a time, i felt alittle better. I lived with a heating pad for about three weeks. It was so comfy, cozy. I really had trouble sittling down anywhere - i didn't know what to do. I sooo hope you feel better, very soon. Bite your teeth sometimes., its ok. Hold a pillow to yourself, hug yourself. I hope have anyone, family friend that you can talk to? That could help a little just talking. if you don't have anyone around, just vent here - we've all been there done that. feel better I know this doesn't help much now, your pain will gradually subside, you will be so happy that you had this procedure - and the misery you've gone through with will this pain - it really will be worth it end. I promise You will be so happy you had the sleeve This tool of the sleeve will help you lose this nasty weight that you and all of have been fighting all of our lives. take care, we're all routing for yoou good luck we're all here for you best kathy

September weight loss challenge support for motivation. https://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/427650-💜-sep-2019-challenge-💜/?page=3&tab=comments#comment-4809589

I had surgery on October 15th I was 19st 9 lb as of today I'm 14stone 10lb when will I start to slow down?? I'm 5 ft 10 so only want to loose another 2stone 10 lb

Congrats. I'm right behind you as tomorrow is my 3 month Anniversery, and I'm at about the same weight loss.

I have not had my surgery yet, I am still currently getting things situated with my insurance and going through all the post tests and everything, if anyone can give me some insight on the pre and post of this, and the foods you used for the liquid and soft part of your beginning foods. Thank you

Still trying to figure this out myself. Sleeved September 13th. Breakfast-hard boiled egg. Lunch -1.5 oz. Chicken, lettuce, 2 teaspoon salsa, snack- hard boiled egg. Dinner - chili 1/2 cup. Snack 8 oz protein drink. I just figured out through my Fitness Pal that this is only about 600 calories therefore I think I should be eating more I have lost a lot of weight but find myself scared to increase my food intake therefore I would consider myself struggling with trying to figure it out

You're probably drinking like 1/3 what you used to. Mine was dry all the time for maybe 3 months post op, at 5 months I still have occasional issues with it. All you can do is drink drink drink. HW 312, pre-op (RNY) 255, current weight 204.2