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Has anyone else used the kitchenaid spiralizer? I saw the posts about the zoodles, which prompted the search for a spiralizer. I tried one of the plastic cheapy ones with little success. I have a kitchenaid, but not sure about the $100 price tag. HW 385 SW 359 Sleeved 10/5/16

I had to go to an urgent care center about 1 week before my surgery on 10/3/16 and found out I had gout. The doctor there actually tried to talk me out of the surgery. He congratulated me on my current loss of 30 pounds but told me because I am in a commuter relationship and happy and very healthy looking I should not have it. When I told him it my choice to,have the surgery as a tool for healthy weight maintenance he backed off and was happy for my resolve. Sometimes I think,they try to test how willing you are to stick to the change and use your tool. Sent from my VS980 4G using the BariatricPal App

Thank you all so much! This has been some great info! I'm sure I'll have many more questions but this has answered alot. Great to hear this seems to be successful with most people. I'm going for a re-evaluation now for the the sleep apnea because my previous results were from a study done over 10 years ago so they need more up to date info, but assuming that all goes well my doc says we can start looking at dates. Anyone have any suggestions for the best times of year/days of weeks to get the surgery? My husband is active duty military and we live about 1500 miles away from family so I'm trying to arrange my care taker needs, etc.

Everyone is different but for the most part no, you will not always sip. I started taking in around 2oz every 15min within a week to 10 days (mind you it seems maybe my swelling went down faster than average, because there were a lot of things I could do earlier than most) within 2-3 weeks I was taking 8-16oz an hour as needed. I am better with straws, and if your surgeon is against straws I am not encouraging you to go against their wishes but it did work better for me. The first time you take a drink that is too big YOU WILL regret it. It hurts and if you are anything like me you have the second swallow down before the pain hits and there is no going back. I have no fluid restriction, I can take a swallow that is too big but they are few and far between. I am 7 maybe 8 weeks post op.

Hi there, My name is Susan. I live in CA and was banded in Mexicali, Mexico 10/08. I am within 7-8 pounds of goal. I am making Aliyah in October and wondered about band maintenance in Israel. Is it easy to get fills and do they do them with fluoroscopy? Any advice you can give me would be appreciated.

I've noticed that 'slow losers' are still losing at a rate next to impossible before surgery. Slowly, steadily, over time the weight is coming off. Isn't that the most important thing? I was impatient at first, even though I had read all the posts and was aware of the different rates of weight loss and the variables involved. I was hoping I would be that one that melted off 100lbs in three months. I have never had a long stall and the weight is going steadily downward. I'm in a place I've never been before - size 12 slacks and medium tops. I can squeeze into 10's and expect to be there comfortably in a few weeks. I'm six months out next week and I've lost 87 pounds! I am VERY pleased and happy with my results, to say the least! Pre-op weight 233 (5' tall - I looked like a weeble!) Size 22-24 - very tight Size 2x tops Surgery date 5/30 Current weight 146 :-) Something to consider - perhaps a slower loss will result in better skin tone and less loose skin because you're not losing so fast?

I stalled for 12 days starting in week 2, and then stalled again for a week at 6 weeks out. Im 10 weeks post op and as of this morning Im down 45lbs! Keep the faith no matter how hard. It WILL come off. We are all so beaten up emotionally about the scale moving down due to our issues with weight it's hard to have faith in losing when we have all gained so much before. Just keep looking up success stories and think positive!

Ok I will be 3 weeks out on Wednesday. I went through something similar and I believe that's what caused my stall at a week and a half out. I wasn't eating crackers but I was making really cheesy dips that included chicken,velveeta cheese,etc. And I was eating snacks with my husband like a couple bites of cheesecake off his plate,a couple pieces of chex mix muddy buddy,etc. I had no room for the healthy stuff! At my one week post op appt my dr told me I was free to eat whatever(healthy) as long as I chewed it thoroughly and went slow. I started eating a bit of ice cream,a lil while later a couple bites of pudding,a while after that some of the velveeta dip stuff and so on...While I don't believe there is enough calories and or fat in the little bitty amounts I was sticking in my sleeve to make you gain a bunch of weight,I do believe all of this and the scale showed it with a 1 lb gain and then stall at a week and a half out: 1-Not eating planned out meals and just grazing throughout the day was getting in the way of my fluid intake. I had it in my mind that I could not tolerate protein shakes so that was being sabotoged as well,and none of these things are healthy. I was not coming to terms with the fact that my sleeve is still too small and new for me to be eating these things and still getting in the nutrition that I need. If I'm not getting in enough liquids or protein,my body is in starvation mode and will hang onto any little bit of fat it can to store for energy,I will feel weak and fatigued like I was,my hair will start falling out(one of my biggest fears). I gave my scale to my mom and made SURE to put lean protein foods first,and that's about all I can fit in my sleeve. My rule of thumb now is NO food goes into my mouth when I wake up until I have had at least 20 ozs of liquids,I follow that with a muscle milk light which has 20 grams of protein and my sleeve loves it compared to a protein shake. Then I have to have 10 more ounces of liquids b4 lunch. I can only stomach 1.5 ounces of chicken with hot sauce and a dab of blue cheese on it then I'm full. Wait about an hour and make myself finish off 10 more ounces of fluids before dinner. I then eat tuna,salmon,cheese,or chicken,something with protein for dinner. By then I have had more than 40 grams of protein and 40 ounces of liquids. I am free for the rest of the evening to drink liquids,eat a couple bites of SF pudding (I usually sprinkle some unflavored protein in it) or even eat a SF fruit bar-only 25 calories and soooo good! The reason I am saying all this is bc this: Since I put my foot down and started doing what I know I should be,my stall ended quickly and I have lost 3 more lbs in 3 days! I had to realize that I will eventually get to enjoy these things in moderation,but the whole reason I got the sleeve is so I can fill it with healthy,protein rich foods,vitamins and liquids consistently until my excess weight is gone. I will from now on save the junk food till I am farther out. That 1 lb gain and stall was enough to snap me out of it and remember what I was blessed with. Now,that being said it's just my opinion and I do believe everyone's body is different and everyone can handle things differently. I just kinda wanted to let u in on my experience thus far out and hope I can help in someway. ((HUGS)) and stay strong,we will get through this! Source: Is This Self-Sabotage?

Before Surgery Height: 5'10" Weight: 329 pounds Pants size: 26/28 Shirt size: 26/28 or 3X Bra size: 44DD Shoe size: 11 Ring size: 11 After Surgery (4 months) Height: 5'10" Weight: 276 pounds Pants size: 20 in jeans/ 18/20 in knit pants Shirt size: XL/1X Bra size: 42D Shoe size: 10 Ring size: ?? Wedding ring is TOO big??

no surgery Height: 5'4.5 Weight: 168 pounds (going for 157 - 160) Pants size: 10 - 12, & sometimes 8 (at target weight would be 8 - 10, & sometimes 12) Shirt size: M - L (would stay same) Bra size: 36D (would stay same) Shoe size: 8.5 - 9 Ring size: 6.5

Hi Philip, Congratulations on your surgery and 19 pounds down! I'm excited for all the positive things coming your way. I bet you can't wait for your next food progression. take care of yourself. I hope you bounce back from surgery quickly. Jenn

Hey guys... I have been out of surgery 5 days and I notice I've been sweating CONSTANTLY. Even if I'm cold I'm still sweating. If I stand for more than 10 minutes, sweat. Wake up in the middle of the night, drenched. Thoughts? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I am in my 4th month of my 6 month diet. I have had 0 luck. I have lost and gained the SAME 4 POUNDS over and over its so frustrating I have given up sweets, I have begun to drink even more water, (I don't drink sodas, so I gave up fruit juices and tea) I have increased my veggie intake and also my protein and STILL no luck. I am at my whits end. I even bought a treadmill for my house and I use it twice a week for 45 minutes each time (No, I'm not speed walking, but doing the slower longer pace) My killer vice is we eat out A LOT. So I have been trying to at least cook more, so I have more control of what goes in the foods.. but again.. SAME 4 POUNDS.. Sorry I am just so disappointed. Have you started eating smaller bites and going without water/liquid 30 minutes before and after a meal? I'm having trouble with that one but the time is getting better... I'm up to 10 minutes now where before I had to have something while I was eating. Good Luck!!

I was hungry on day 8 too and my NUT started me on soft foods at that point. My surgeon's plan moves to lean Protein and either zucchini, summer squash and green Beans on day 10-14 depending on how you are feeling. I'd ask your NUT.

That’s awesome! I’m in Concord now. HW: 311 CW: 262 SW: We’ll see on May 10!

Me too. Nov 4th, less than 10 hours. Bet Wishes to all on the 4th????

Hi I am to be banded on Sept 10 here in Waco, TX and no I don't have any lung problems never did have , maybe this is just something he does out of purcaution or something I was just wondering what the tet might be like. My DH has lung problems like copd and he had to breath real hard into a device that began with the letter S. Thanks fot getting abck with me.

Thanks for all the information. It is very helpful as I am trying to decide what to do. I think I am most rattled by the fact that (1) the proposed change in venue is so last minute and (2) one of the reasons I selected the doctor I did was because he does his surgeries at a hospital. I wanted an experienced, reputable doctor who performed surgeries in a hospital and I found one and I was very happy about that. Then it was all changing less than 24 hours before the surgery. My preference for a hospital is probably based on two things (1) no prior experience with surgeries, etc. and (2) when I researched doctors and locations, etc. I found quite a few who sounded like they just opened up shop in a strip mall and started doing surgeries. So that made me decide I wanted to be in a hospital. If anything goes wrong, or if anything unexpected occurs, I want to be in a place that is the best equipped (with machines, instruments and staff, physicians), etc. to handle whatever the emergent situation is. Also, having -0- medical background and -0- experience with any type of surgeries or hospital stays, I don't really understand (1) what it means that a doctor has a dispute with a hospital over patient care or (2) why that dispute means I can't have my surgery on 10/15, but can have it on 11/03. What type of dispute has a planned resolution set to occur two weeks out? Again, thank you for all the info. I haven't made a final decision on how to proceed, but I appreciate all comments and info!!

Total Scale Victory and Random Observations: I now have lost more than I weigh. I have lost 190 lbs. from my highest weight of 374. The first 50 was using Victoza for Type 2 diabetes. My bariatric program has my starting weight as 343. SW=325. CW=185. My program doesn’t give goal weights. For my own satisfaction, 174 would give me a normal BMI. I’d like to end about 170 knowing that some gain/loss is possible as things settle. I’m 5’10”. I have gone from a size 30/32 to a 14. I haven’t been this size since early high school. I look forward to doing things rather than dreading them. I’ve been off all diabetes meds since surgery. I am still using my CPAP although I’ve had the pressure lowered twice. I see the sleep program in December and we will re-evaluate then. I suspect I will still have a need for it. My cholesterol medication will be re-evaluated in December as well. My doctor thinks it likely I will remain on that med due to family history. That is the only medication I take other than my vitamins and supplements. I track in LoseIt. I track every bite, every day. It keeps me accountable to myself and I foresee it as something I will need to do forever. Today is the first time I ever exported my progress to a spreadsheet. On other groups, I see so many questions that ask how much someone has lost at a given point. I honestly never knew what I did. These are my totals lost from first to current month: 16, 19, 17, 15, 15, 18, 4, 9, 17, 10. I exceed my liquid goals every day and never tracked that after the first week. I’ve never had any trouble with liquids and I know roughly what I drink each day as I know what my mug holds. I also ran my macros for the first time. Since surgery, I’ve kept protein to 40-50% of my diet with fat and carbs 25-30%. I’m still at 800-1000 calories per day. My program has said that is relatively low at this point but as long as I am losing and not feeling hungry, it was fine. My hunger has not returned. I am grateful for that. I’ve tried to build successful habits that will serve me for the long haul. I’ve been walking since coming home from the hospital. I started at 5-10 minutes per day. Now, I try to walk 45-60 per day at a moderate pace. I use 5 lb. weights and do toning exercises for 10-15 min. most days. I’ve started seeing virtually a therapist recommended by my program. I don’t have a history of trauma or eating disorders but I didn’t get to my weight by having a healthy relationship with food. Plus, I was very moody and short-tempered following surgery. I feel great and have more energy than I have in years. But This. Is. Work. I’m ok with that and try to keep my focus on progress and health. I follow what my program suggests and make my own decisions within that framework. There is no short cut to this. There’s no pouch reset, fasting, diet pills and how soon can I eat at McDonalds. I ranted on here one time about hating the word “pouch.” I still do. I hate pouch reset even more. 🙄😫 I don’t believe in it. We don’t need to reset. We need to make the best decisions and choices we can without needing to be perfect. Sure, you lose weight with it, but it’s simply because you are going back to not taking in many calories….and most of us have been down that road before. I continue to absorb the wisdom I get here from those who have gone down this road before me or are on it now. I still hate shopping even though it is not as difficult as it once was. I’m still not sure who I see in the mirror and am uncomfortable with focus on my weight loss. I could eventually benefit from plastic surgery, but I don’t know if that will be in the cards. Enough for now……thanks for reading.

My stomach didn't like pills of any kind for the first 3 months, so I did liquid, gummy, or crunched up tablets. I was a bit more sensitive than the norm in most ways until I was fully recovered at the 6 month mark. Now I can take my supplements in pill or capsule form, no problem. Although, when taking a handful of my herbal supplements, even 3 years later, I have to do it over the course of 30 minutes to an hour, just because of the large amount of Water it takes to get 10-20 caps down.

I kept losing during year 2, but it slowed *way* down (and I had a lot of stalls) after I was 10 months out or so. I was worried that my body was "done" in the 180s or 190s, but no, it kept going - just V-E-R-Y slowly....

I have been using it daily. I feel good and I am losing weight pretty steadily. I will be 10 weeks out tomorrow. I use it every morning in my 32oz of decaf tea. I get my Protein and my liquids. I don't feel hungry either. I think (and it is just MY opinion) that if it wasn't giving my body what it needed I would not feel as good as I do. I have energy and I sleep really well and wake up pretty good too. Once I'm awake I get up no more lying around for hours dozing. I use the GENEPRO every morning and I drink a RTD premiere Protein shake for lunch every day. I then usually do protein filled meal for dinner with my family. My doc said I can start adding veggies but once I eat my protein I am pretty full. And I listen to my bent been sick yet and I hope that continues!

I too gained almost nothing 5 months out and pregnant. This last pregnancy I gained 50 pounds and wanted to cry. WLS 6/12 Baby born 9/13 Baby born 10/15 She is 11 weeks. I have 30 pounds to go.

I had surgery on 9/19. I've lost about 30 lbs... But the last 3 weeks I have went up and down 2-3 lbs, not really losing any. I tried drinking more Water, adding more Protein and nothing seems to be working. I am so discouraged! I hate to have done this for nothing. Could something be messed up? Sent from my 5054N using the BariatricPal App