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I guess that you can say that i have relatively normal hunger at close to eight years out - I get hungry near meal times (getting there now, about an hour away from dinner and that pot roast in the kitchen is smelling awfully good!) and if I get busy and skip a meal a will feel hungry for a while until I get distracted by something else and what do you know it's way past lunchtime. Loss rate can be quite variable, but you have a lot going for you being male and young-ish (in your 30's if I remember other posts?) which tend to help things. With the sleeve, I needed to lose about 100lb, having lost 50 or so a few years before and kept that off, and I was starting to ramp up my intake at six months to slow things down and ease off that last 10 lb. And I wasn't being all that aggressive on trying to lose fast in preference to losing sustainably; there was another guy online around that time with similar stats to mine and he was done in about four months by keeping his calories lower (similar 100lb loss with the sleeve) so it is quite possible. What I would look for as an indication of your loss rate would be your history - how easily have you lost in prior attempts - and that can be a good gauge. Good luck with it, whichever way you go....

Hey, Alexandra. After having my second fill only 3 days ago, I am now finally experiencing what good restriction is. And you have some good tips to think about/follow. IAMOMX6, I am right with you on the shrimp dinner experience....can't eat it all! But as far as physically - what is life with the band like? Fine, no problems... it's the emotional/mental part that's got me. For example: A week ago, I would have told you I was a failure; I've only lost 19 pounds since July 24 and that's with one fill in October. I beat my self up miserably. I finally talked it over with a friend who actually got me out of the depression. Then I got my second fill 3 days ago. Right now I am a little upset with the fact that I can't eat as much as I used to. For some reason this really bothers me, I guess because I am finally accepting/realizing that I am mentally/emotionally dependent on food more than I should be. I mean, for 30 years I used food as a drug, so it's a little hard to break. I do feel good about the fact that weight loss is the end result so it lifts my spirits. I must have hope that I will get to 200 pounds one day. Maybe not in 6 months, maybe not in a year, but one day I will. Don't know if that's what you were looking for, Alexandra, but that is how I feel. Thanks for caring!

Here is a copy of a message I exchanged with Diane the first of February. Well hello Dear Friend! Thanks for having me in your thoughts. No, I haven't fallen off a cliff or any other mishap. Just I've been incredibly busy tackling the day to day routines. With recovery slow and my energy level not as I would like....I spend all my useful time trying to "catch up" ...then I wipe out and start all over the next day. In general....everything is progressing as it should....but it will still take time to get to a good baseline. My legs get wobbly when I have overdone it....so I know when "not" to push the limits. My headaches are greatly reduced as is the dizzyness that I used to suffer on a daily basis. My brain fog is going away....and I am able to concentrate and stay on task! (that is my most profound post surgery gain) I am still tired out...suppose that is par for the course...but every month is better than the last...and I know I will be in a better place down the line. As for my wt loss.....well, the doc didn't want to give me any fills...during my medical crisis....so my first fill was end of November!!!...and he barely put anything in! (he is going ultra conservative on me) I had a little more in January...but still he is holding back...saying..better to go slow. I didn't lose anything at all from November's fill....but I have lost 10 lbs from January's fill till now. I will go back in March for more...and then, I think he will treat me the same as his other patients (I hope) It has been a very long road for me. My band was placed May 23,06....ten days later I was admitted for the pericarditis...then you heard about all the drama that followed! So....in normal cases...I should be bragging a 50lb wt loss..but alas, it is only 10 lbs so far. I proudly ran out of the starting gate......then seriously tripped on my shoelaces...and lost that race! I guess it is a lesson in patience....and certainly a lesson in knowing I am truly blessed....a walking miracle! I remind myself of that every day! I have not had much "me" time to enjoy going on the boards. I also was a little shy from all the bickering and banned members that happened a while back....just never got around to see how the dust settled and if it got back to being supportive and full of good humor. Now....all that was about me.......please, let me know how YOU are doing and about your personal success with the band. I'll bet you are looking real good these days! Big smiles to ya....Diane : ) ****She is active on the MoyaMoya forum. But even there she doesn't post very often.**** Myra __________________

Hi Connor I meet with my surgeon on March 3 to decide bypass or sleeve I'm hoping for sleeve but not sure. How bout you? Where are you sitting at this point? Where are you from? April is so close! Hopefully you can get it done in April. At my rate it looks like I maybe a July or August surgery. Sometime this week my coordinator is supposed to call with my appt dates. I'm getting very impatient lol. I started all this back in December. But had to wait for seminar which wasn't until late January. I have UPMC luckily with that insurance I just have to do a 6 month supervised diet, NUT/support group classes each month. (Due to a high BMI) Along with physic eval, labs, ABG pulmonary test, upper GI X-ray, and endoscope. My coordinator said she can get three of the tests scheduled and done in one day! Which is great... I also have to lose 5-10% weight in these 6 months What's the update with you?!? How are things going?

Seems like you have it all under control and are well in your way. Sad you had to wait for a seminar. Why couldn't you still start without the class? I too had to do all this. And yes a lot can be done all at once. Drink lots of water. That will help with hunger for your 5-10% loss. Time will go fast!

Hey guys, I go in and meet with my surgeon again on March 31 for my pre-op appointment. On April 4 I will begin my 10 day liquid diet, and the surgery is scheduled for April 14. I know that, with time, I will have this, and other, questions answered by my surgical team. However, at this point, a million things are going through my mind. My main question is, how much time did you guys take off of work? At one of the surgery meetings I had at the bariatric center, we were told that it would require 2 - 3 weeks off of work but for more sedentary positions (such as my job) it is possible to return to work after as little as one week but it all depends on the surgeon and his decision. I know that everyone's post op experiences are different so that also plays a role. My surgery falls on a Thursday and, when I requesting time off, I told my boss that I would plan to be back sometime during the middle of the following week but it could change, and if it did I would let them know. So, the question is, how long did you guys have to take off, especially those of you with desk jobs? Thanks for the input!

Oh gosh me too. I’m almost 9 years post-op from my RNY. Lost a total of 110 pounds. Kept it all off for several years but then gained back 60. I’ve lost 10 on my own but coming here for encouragement and support to lose at least 40 more.

In my opinion, there is no conflict at all. I really believe we should love ourselves at all sizes and ages etc. If you don't, you will never find self love even when you are "thin". Self love runs very deep... or not... and you would be amazed at the number of normal weight, attractive women who lack this. Once you ahve lost weight, you may have excess skin. I am astounded by the numbers of people who seem to despise themselves over that issue. It has been my observation that if there isn't at least some level of self love and acceptance, they are still unhappy after plastic surgery. love yourself, but make the best decisions to live a high quality life - it was increasingly difficult to live that high quality life the heavier and older I got. People tell me I look 10-15 years younger since losing weight and I feel about 20-25 years younger. Just do it - get healthy - there is no conflict.

I had band to sleeve revision May 28. I love my sleeve. It is so different than the band. I wish I had done this years ago. My band slipped MAy 2014 they removed all the saline and I gained back 87 lbs of the 100 that I had lost with the band. I am 4 weeks post op today with the sleeve and I have lost 19 lbs. I think it's going to be a slow steady losing pace but I am also learning good eating habits along the way. I also am 50.

I'm 3 days post opt and my left leg was red. I did notice it in the hospital but kept forgetting to pint it out to anyone. I don't have a fever and it looks like today it's back to normal. Did anyone else have that? Eating is a slow process but going reasonably well. I too am having a hard getting water in my body. I'm down almost 10 pounds to date.

Thanks for sharing your story, Eli. You are a true inspiration! I had my surgery 10 days after you did - it has been an amazing year. I admire your courage and strength at such a young age! Be proud of the fact you took control over your life and made changes. I wasn't as fortunate - I waited until I was 44 years old. I lost too much time. I'm making the most of it now, but my one regret is not doing this sooner. You are an amazing young man! I wish you nothing but good things. Again, thanks for sharing your story.

This was my main concern pre-op and I can say that 10 weeks out - it is not gone, but it is much less! Much, much less! I don't eat anything that has a lot of sugar. It is the one thing I avoid post-op like the plague. Carbs - I'll try. Fat - I'll try. But sugar I keep at a distance because I too was a severe sugar addict! One good thing about detoxing off sugar is eventually your body rejects it. My dad brought home a Protein shake that is different than my usual. It had 44g of sugar instead of 6g my normal one has. I drank half of it and felt like shit. That was about 1 month post-op. So eventually your body does say "Keep that shit away from me". Cravings... my cravings have really shifted have sugar to salty post-op. I do crave sweet things occasionally but I keep them out of sight, out of mind. I used to be a person who would have a brief thought of McDonalds and then be in my car at 1am getting 10pc mcnuggets, large vanilla shake, 3 choc Cookies, a mcchicken, and some cheese sticks! Now I can turn down ice cream when people offer me! So much more willpower after surgery!!! I don't know if I will ever have my trigger foods again... it is something I've discussed with my therapist/addiction specialist and she told me that one day I will learn that I can have a treat and trust myself to not go overboard. I don't have that trust yet... but each and every day it builds more. On the same note, our post-op diet is a forever diet. I don't eat perfectly... but no one does all the time. I eat well 90% of the time and 10% of the time I'll have some kind of snack. And I will also add that post-op it is easier for me to get back on track, saying no to food is not a problem anymore. I don't feel powerless to sugar anymore! And it's an amazing feeling!

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

Thanks to everyone that post about issues with fills. I have had some issues.... I am being told that I have a 10 cc band but I only NOW have .5cc in the band and at times I have the "stuck" feeling.... and I wonder all the time how that is possible with such a small amount of fluid in my band. I now know that I can not eat bread anymore...first time since I have been banded. :confused: and I still have nausea on and off every day and the meds are not helping. So I wonder if the nausea is something I will have to "Deal" with. Again Thank you for all the posts..... I know that I am not alone!