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Hey ya'll, I was upset that I did not reach my September goal of 10 pounds but was pleased with the 5 that I did lose! It has already been a stressful month for me but I have not gone back to my ways before the band. Before the band food was my comfort. Now I cry when I feel like it, I get mad if I feel like it and most important I just let out instead of hold in! Thanks to all of you because besides my DH and kids, you all are such a great support system. :clap2: I am going in for another fill on 10/18 and hope that will help me a little more. I can just "feel" the 100's coming

HI, I don't believe I have made my Sept goal but I did lose 7 lbs. I will have my first fill on the 11th. I also started to work out at Curves and between the two I hope to lose at least 10. Aim high! Ladydi

You guys are all doing great! I'm jealous of some of your losses. :car: I didn't make my 10 lb goal for September, I think I lost 8. I haven't lost anythiing for 2 weeks so I'm going to try and get a fill scheduled for this week. I feel like I can eat whatever. I am not eating as much as I used to but I'm sure eating more than I should. I want to try and lose 10 lbs in October. My longer term goal is to be 250 by our Disney vacation in December. That's 20 lbs in the next 2 months. We'll see if it's possible. Keep up the good work ABC!

I made my 10 pound goal for September in the nick of time. (September 30th to be exact...phew!!!) So I guess I'll go for another 10 pounds in October. I'm pretty sure my September goal was 10 pounds...I can't remember. (Most of my weight loss has been in brain cells, LOL!!!) The ABC Rocks!!!!:rockon:

Mine's working too!!! Filled 10/2 at 267 and today I was 264.8!!! Yeah!!! Great job everyone!!!

My October goal is at least 10 pounds. Given that almost everything I eat gets stuck, so I don't eat much anymore, I don't think it will be a big problem I actually think if it doesn't start working itself out in the next week or two, I'm going to need to get a little unfilled. I lost 15 in September. My short term goal is to lose 50 by Christmas!

if you use a lot of sugar free products, like aspartame (which is nutrasweet, crystal light, sugar free jello/pudding, etc), sucralose (splenda, mio, etc), sucrose, etc.. then one of the side effects is that it can raise your blood sugar and/or blood glucose. lol THE IRONY! but it does happen! here's a great article on how artificiall sweeteners can be worse for diabetics than sugar: http://articles.merc...than-sugar.aspx Aspartame Aspartame is one of the artificial sweeteners approved by the U.S. food and Drug Administration. It’s found in a variety of foods, including some baked goods, canned foods, candy and dairy products. Aspartame is a synthetic sugar that’s significantly sweeter than real sugar, but contains no calories. Possible benefits of aspartame include weight control and preventing dental cavities, according to MayoClinic.com. Blood Glucose Levels Scientists at Maastricht University in the Netherlands investigated the effects of aspartame on blood glucose levels in healthy males. Subjects drank a beverage containing aspartame on three separate visits. Blood glucose levels were measured before and after aspartame consumption. At the end of the study, which was published in the December 1999 issue of the “British Journal of Nutrition,” researchers observed that 40 percent of participants had decreases in blood glucose levels, whereas 20 percent experienced an increase. In addition, 40 percent had stable blood glucose levels. Insulin Levels Researchers at the Pennington Biomedical Research Center studied the impact of aspartame on blood glucose and insulin levels. Subjects were assigned aspartame, stevia or sucrose with their lunch and dinner meals. Scientists observed that those in the aspartame group had higher blood glucose and insulin levels after their meals compared with those in the stevia group. The findings were reported in the August 2010 issue of “Appetite.” Side Effects Aspartame consumption has several side effects, including nausea, bloating, diarrhea, stomach upset and headache, according to MayoClinic.com. If you experience any of these side effects, reduce or eliminate aspartame from your diet. Source: http://www.livestron...in-in-the-body/ Splenda The web site www.truthaboutsplenda.com lists a variety of consumer complaints from Splenda consumption, such as: Gastrointestinal problems Migraines Seizures Dizziness Blurred vision Allergic reactions Blood sugar increases Weight gain My site also contains a long list of personal testimonials from readers who have suffered side effects from Splenda. In fact, we have more people on our site that have reported adverse reactions to Splenda than were formally studied in the research submitted for FDA approval! The symptoms are so numerous I can’t include them all here, but the following are common symptoms, usually noticed within a 24-hour period following consumption of Splenda products: Skin -- Redness, itching, swelling, blistering, weeping, crusting, rash, eruptions, or hives (itchy bumps or welts). These are the most common allergic symptoms that people have. Lungs -- Wheezing, tightness, cough, or shortness of breath. Head -- Swelling of the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, or throat; headaches and migraines (severe headaches). Nose -- Stuffy nose, runny nose (clear, thin discharge), sneezing. Eyes -- Red (bloodshot), itchy, swollen, or watery. Stomach -- Bloating, gas, pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or bloody diarrhea. Heart -- Palpitations or fluttering. Joints -- Joint pains or aches. Neurological -- Anxiety, dizziness, spaced-out sensation, depression. Beware – You Could be Consuming Splenda Without Your Knowledge You also need to be aware of the fact that although the bulk of Splenda is sold to processed food manufacturers and soft drink bottlers, it could turn up in your medicine as well, as nearly 10 percent of all sucralose is sold to drug companies. Many times sucralose (Splenda) will not be listed in the drug information, so there simply is no way you would know you are consuming a potentially dangerous artificial sweetener. However, if you experience any of the symptoms above even though you’re avoiding Splenda and other artificial sweeteners, then it may be worth investigating the ingredients of any medications you’re taking as well. source: http://articles.merc...ul-effects.aspx natural/better alternatives to sugar: Swerve Sweetener (http://www.swervesweetener.com/) stevia lo han xylitol Sweet N Low doesn't affect your blood glucose levels, but figured you'd wanna hear about it anyway... so i posted it at the bottom. Saccharin/Sweet N Low This sweet mess is saccharin (think Sweet and Low). It was first produced in 1878 by a chemist working on coal tar derivatives at Johns Hopkins University. After working with his compounds all day, he discovered that his hand tasted “sweet.”1 Not really sure how it came about that he tasted his hand, but there it is. Today, saccharin is commonly manufactured by combining anthranilic acid (used among other things as a corrosive agent for metal) with nitrous acid, sulfur dioxide, chlorine, and ammonia. Yes, that’s right. Chlorine and ammonia. In fact, that particular group of chemicals sounds more like a recipe for a household cleaner than a sweetener. And yet, millions upon millions of people consume saccharin every year. source: http://naturalhealthsherpa.com/saccharin-danger-side-effects/52849

I was sleeved on 10/23, I had no complications (knock on wood), getting my water and protein in, gas was decreasing, somewhat regular BM,, pain was steadily decreasing. However, yesterday the pain became worse and steadily increased. Today was no better and it got worse. I went in to my PCP, (who btw had bypass be same surgeon), from there I was sent to the ER (at surgeon's request). They gave me pain meds which only took the edge off the pain and conducted CT scan. They said no leak, no hernia. The CT scan was all clear. So they are thinking it is muscular pain (only hurts when I move), and sent me home with more pains meds. I am very relieved it was nothing serious; however, I am curious if anyone else has experienced anything like this?

I had a proximal RNY at the age of 62. I am now 10 years post op and have lost and kept off 150 lbs. We grew up in a time when you were considered fat if you were 20 pounds heavy. I was always the fat kid or fatty fatty 2by4.We were discriminated against illegally for jobs we were qualified for. Our weight histories littered with lost opportunities and careers because I did not present the slender appearance that was required by personnel managers. Those tears were long and bitter Althoh I am 10yrs out on post op personally but during the 10 years, my mouth started to revolt I started to develop very serious dental problems than were caused by dry mouth in which all my saliva stopped and my mouth go completely dry and speaking clearly was difficult. The condition can be caused by side to some prescription meds that I had to take. My Dentist could not keep up with the constant root canal s and uhh broken teeth. Suggested I have full dental implants done.The pulled all the upper teeth on Apyt?ril 1,2012. Once the swelling went down I was started we wearing full lower flash teeth that had to be gliding with copious amounts of Fixodent.During the long the recovery from the surgery which was marked with a large grape size access wedged betweenb my maxilary sinus bone on the top and smaller abcesses by the top on the upper false test. The top of the false would squeeze the access every time the teeth moved. The pain was so bad it was very hard to work to plan, book ,and ticket large group of peopletravelling to World Bank . Meetings anywhere in the world. After about 9months we decided it was time to pull the lower teeth. This was a repeat of the upper teeth. They put in the false upper teeth about 5 weeks ago and after 2 weeks the teeth fell out. They glued them back in and after 3 bites. The teeth fell out again. My Dentist is starting over on the top teeth. Why all of this...I am going to have to relearn how and what to eat. My sense of taste was basically changed. I can taker several bite of something I have really liked and after several . bits and . I stop eating it and toss it out. .For liquids I find there isl. No such thing as too much sweetener. I would put 15 sweetenurveillance packets in a coffee. I am not sure if I am a good mentor. I think we might have and interesting time. I AM VERY WORRIED THAT I WILL GAIN Weight Sorry for the typos.Is hard to hunt and peck on a Kindle

You may want to talk to your doctor about a realistic goal for your overall weight loss. I sort of guessed on the high side of what I know my body will carry. As I get closer to that number I am realizing that I may shoot past it because that is what my body is comfortable with. Each of us is very different. You will have to take into account your height, bone structure, and waist circumference as well. I am 5'6" and I am still in a size 10 pants at 142 pounds. I imagine I would be a size 8 at my goal weight. That still leaves a lot of fat and excess weight around my stomach that I should probably work on. I was comfortable in my 20's at 125, but that seems really extreme to me right now. By contrast, our friend LilMissDiva is the same height as me, weighs a little more than me, and fits into size 4 jeans. At some point, the weight is less important and the size is important. You are so early out - talk to your doctor about a realistic goal and stick with it. Don't worry about the numbers right now - stick to the doctors food plan and stay healthy. The weight will come off - it just takes time for the body to come to terms with what you did to it with the surgery.

Hi, congratulations on making the decision to have WLS. I'm Kaiser Southern CA and the first thing you should know is that the insurance requirements vary greatly, not only from company to company, but area to area with the same insurance. Kaiser is a very good example. So what I'm describing here could be very different for you. I started my journey back in August 2014, which was when I first talked to my PCP about the possibility. He was very supportive and told me that all I needed to do to start the ball rolling was to call the Wellness Center in San Diego. When I placed the call I was told that I would be sent an info packet and after reading, if I decided to proceed, to call back to schedule a date to attend two mandatory seminars. One for weight management and one an intro to the Options program. I attended both seminars on 09/11. There they gave us a 10 page questionnaire to fill out that had to do with medical history, past weight loss attempts (you only have to describe them not provide actual proof), etc. After about a week I received an email telling me to get a few pre program labs, blood draw, EKG, stool sample, fasting glucose, and I think that was it. The faster you comply with their requirements, the faster you move along. A week or so after this I was contacted again to make an appointment for a one on one meeting with the head of the Bariatric Options program. Mine was for 10/06, and it only lasted about 20 minutes. The weight for this appointment is considered your Options starting weight. There I was told that I had been approved to enter the program and I would be contacted with the information on when my Options classes would begin. For my area Kaiser requires 24 weeks of classes (or 6 months), one class a week. But most other areas of Kaiser in CA only require 12 weeks (or 3 months of classes). I was also told that I will be required to lose 10 percent of my weight, which in my case was 24 pounds. My classes started in November and meets each Thursday night. This week will be class #11 and I've been surprised by how fast the time goes by (mine end in mid May). For the most part they're interesting and last 90 minutes. Last week we had a speaker, which was a former student who had the sleeve about 1 1/2 years ago. You can only miss four classes, and have to make up each one you miss. If you miss five you're out, and this has actually happened to a couple of people in mine. You're weighed each time and will be required to keep food and exercise logs. In my area Kaiser contracts out to Pacific Bariatric in San Diego, and the surgery is done at Scripps Mercy, also in SD. We are required to attend one of their seminars. I go next month. From the workbook material I've read that after graduation, if you've lost the 10 percent you then wait to be contacted to take a stress test. If you pass, then your file is forwarded to Pacific Bariatric. You will be asked to get a series of pre surgical labs/tests, not sure which. Then PB will contact you to schedule an all in one appointment for psych eval, surgical consult, and I think a medical internist. And at some point in all this you will get your surgery date. They do the sleeve or bypass. They no longer offer the band. If you don't lose the 10 percent there's an extra step before the stress test where you have to go back and have a consult with the head of the program. We were told in the intro seminar that the process averages about 9 months and it's been on line for that. Good luck with your journey!

My 4 year old was at the hospital with us and he just knew that mommy was seeing the doctor and that she would have Owies on her belly. He didn't like me in the bed but after I was out of recovery and he got to hug me he was ready to go off with grandpa. The step son's 7, 10, 12....... think I had the same surgery as their mother did (gallbladder)......... we didn't tell them because I didn't want them blabbing it to their entire town....... I have pb'd infront of them and they just think it was something that didn't set well.. since my stomach is now finicky..... really they don't think anything about it because thats the way kids are.. self absorbed...... when we go to buffets they don't notice that I'm not eating some of the things i used to eat... not a big deal at all.

My wife and I got approved through Aetna PPO. The surgery center that I went through did a 3 Month Multi disciplinary diet. 2 weeks after I finished the diet and it was submitted we were approved. 5 days after approval we were in surgery. That was 10 months ago. I have lost 84 lbs and my wife has lost 67 lbs. John

Everyone is different; but I had my operation on a Friday morning (3/18/2011) and was back to work Monday morning; I work in an office (have to climb stairs) and worked 10 hours that day with no problems-and have not missed a day since. For me I think the key was walking. The hospital where I had my operation makes you stay over night- and they have you walk as soon as possible after surgery. I had heard that walking helps break-up the gas from surgery-so every time I woke up that night I walked and the next morning before coming home I walked all over the halls. I had no gas pain and felt great-only ever took a tylenol for pain. Just listen to your body. Hope this helps. :-)

I have a 6 yrs old daughter and a 10 year old son! They actually went to the seminar w/ me. They had seen me struggle w/ my weight and doing different diets. I told them I wanted to be healthy so I could do stuff with them. I didnt want to be fat momma! Well they were both very scared the day of my surgery....just nervous because hospitals are scary. After surgery they were both so helpfull...my tummy was real sore so I had a hard time getting out of bed or off the couch so my son would give me a boost. They have been awsome. Like I have gotten food stuck and ended up throwing up because I forget and dont chew good. Well they remind me....they both will say..."Mom small bites and chew alot or else". When we go out to eat...they say Mom can you eat that???? or if they see me get up real fast...they say oooohhh no is it stuck?? So they keep me on track....I told them the rules of lap band.....and they will not let me forget them or break them. When I hit onederland last Satarday 199 pounds I was sooooo excited that when I came out of the bathroom they said are you in onederland yet mom??? I said yes...I finally made it....and they both hugged me and started jumping up in down saying Mommy is in onederland...Yea Mommy!!!!! Then my husband got home and as soon as he opened the door they ran over and told him. I felt so accomplished and there support means the world to me! My kids watch BIg Medicne and Doctor 90210...so they know a little about it.....so the other day they ask me "Mom are you gonna have to have a tummy tuck ?" I said well you guys look at my tummy and tell me....they did and diagnosed me as YES...too much loose skin. LOL!!! So they know thats next!!! LOL Sandra 255h/242s/199c/165g

I love my strong legs that walk me painlessly 4 to 10 miles every day!

Hi! 

It’s been YEARS since I was on this forum! I was very active from 2014-2016. Loved the support, hated the drama. 

I had VSG in 2014 and although I was a bit on the slower side losing because I was considered a “lightweight” (ha) at my surgery weight of 235, I was very successful. My low weight was 142 for about 15 minutes, but after a little bounce weight of 10-12 pounds or so, I maintained there for several years and was even running! Me—running at almost 50 years old! I was a WLS success! 

**Record screeching noise** not so fast.....

2018: On my Quest to stay active by finding new and fun activities, I decided to get on roller skates again at 51 years old. Let’s just say that didn’t turn out so well, and an almost debilitating neck injury happened. + 15 pounds. 

2019: Strange, I’ve got blood in my pee? Lab work shows no UTI. Bladder cancer?? WTF? That’s an old man’s disease! 
+ 10 pounds 

2020: Do I even have to say it?? Oh, but I *did* manage to break my ankle in October walking my dog and was in a boot for 2 months. Also, I got Covid in December. + 10 pounds 

I’m not using life happening as excuses at all. I was fully unprepared to deal with my weight maintenance *when* life happened. It just goes to show how woefully unprepared I was with my emotional eating when the chips (along with my poor broken body) were down. I can only hope my experience can be a lesson to all either thinking about WLS, or are happily in the honeymoon phase of WLS and maintenance. 

With a little pharmaceutical help from my Primary, I’m working on going back to basics and concentrate on healthier Protein and Fiber rich options to try to lose at least 25 pounds. It can be done. I’ve seen it. 

Wish me luck! ❤️

For the first time, about 100 days post-op, I got stuck. I felt like my head was going to explode. What a horrible feeling! I went on a Monday for my monthly check up. Not much weight loss, but I haven't been able to get much exercise in, due to working more hours, lack of sleep, all the culprits. So my surgeon gave me another cc. At my count, that would make me at 6 cc's total, in a 10 cc band. He told me if it felt too tight to call him asap. I had no issues the rest of the day, overnight at work, or the next morning. Then we stopped for pizza. The breadsticks got me! Darn the bread! I've not had any issues with ANY food, post-op. None at all. Let me tell you..... For those who have never been stuck, you don't want to have to go thru it! It's very scary when you can't even swallow your own saliva. And to force myself to vomit? OMG. Lesson learned! I'm swearing off breadsticks, and any other bread if it's just that. If there's sauce for dipping, I may (hesitantly) give it another go, but I'm not sure. I'm gonna give it another week and see how I do. If it happens again, I'm gonna call my surgeon to see if maybe he can take half a cc out. I *never EVER* want to feel that again..... It. Was. Awful. Sorry, I'm not trying to scare anyone, but reality is reality. Small bites, limit very dry/sticky foods, and chew chew chew!!!!!!!!!

Hey there! I was just banded on 10/22/09 and my 1st fill is scheduled for 12/01. I am in Federal Way, WA. I am 39 years old and starting weight at time of surgery was 390 lbs. My goal is to reach 200. I am really concerned that I feel almost no restriction in what I can eat right now. My first fill was scheduled on 11/24 but they rescheduled it because of Thanksgiving. Something about having to be available for 48 hours after a fill. So now it is set for 12/01. Seems soooo far away. I am working out 4 days a week for 45 mins. Doing Water aerobics at Bally in Kent M, T, Th, F at 5:00AM by myself. Then I treat myself to 10 minutes in the steam room! I lost 5 lbs since surgery. That's IT!!! I am eatting 3 small meals a day and 1 snack. Somedays I have 2 Snacks. My meals are no more than 1 cup of food. 4oz of meat and lots of steamed cauliflower. For lunches I am eatting tuna salad (4oz of tuna with 2 teaspoons of lite mayo) and a piece of whole weat toast. For Breakfast I have 1/2 c. of 2% cottage cheese. For snacks I am having 16 lite wheat thins with 2 oz of turkey ham and 1 oz of provolone cheese. That's it! And 5 lbs??? I don't really know what I am doing wrong. And I am starving!!! I used to only eat once or twice a day. But once I eat breakfast I am hungry throughout the entire day. Any advice?

I am 2 weeks out today! I was 281 at my preop testing which was about 2.5 weeks before surgery, I'm 261 today. I lost around 13 lbs the first week after surgery, however the scale has not moved, well it went up a couple pounds, since Monday! Is it really possible to start as stall at 10 days post op? Am I doomed, it's not like anything else I've ever done has worked, maybe this just won't either!? I'm only 5 feet tall so for my weight I really would have thought I'd get a little more out of this than 13 lbs.

I was sleeved on 9/20 and I still feel it when the Water enters my stomach, and I normally burp too. But the best thing for the gas is to walk through it. I've been walking every hour for 10 minutes and I go back to lay down and the pain is gone. Also if drinking is that un comfortable try room temperature water and taking smaller sips. It might help. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

@@Mac the Knife How was that the bands fault? Wouldn't that be your DR's fault? I had my band placed 11/10/09. Sure i had episodes with vomiting.... but they were my fault.. ate the wrong thing or ate too fast.. or didn't chew well, or didn't pay attention..... none of which is the bands fault. I LOVE my band... she and i have an understanding and i know if i do what im suppose to, she does also. Now i did have an episode recently that my band tightened up for no reason... so i went to my dr./friend and he removed the fill to give my stomach a rest. All is good now and im steady at 130... which is a 100 lbs lost... 90ish lb maintained over the past 5ish years. over the years i have seen many people lose with all the WLS..... i have also seen many people gain it all back with ALL the WLS..... Now of course there are some situations where the band fought back. But those are not the norm.... Ive seen people that had GB have issues and gained it all back, the sleeve and gained it all back.... We must listen to our bodies.... i knew something wasn't right when i was still following all the rules and wasn't able to keep food down... so i carried my a$$ to my dr and took care of the situation..... Diff between me and people that had GB or Sleeve.... I CAN DO THAT.... they can't. I control my band... they can't...once your stomach is cut off.... it's gone. Once you are re-routed... it's done. @@dvons Again, you see... dvons is correct you have to be committed to the band for it to be committed to you... and again, your issues aren't really with the band, just your life and not being able to go to the dr.... I would say, stick with it dvons... Good luck..... @@newgirlwhodis and remember what you put in is what you get out. Chris

Thank you everyone sooo much for the support and encouragement!! Today the pain was so much more bearable, I have even cut back on the meds:smile2:. I have been walking several times today, just 10 minutes at a time, but I think that is helping with the gas, and making me feel back to normal! I am excited for this new journey and so glad that there are so many people ready to encourage and share their experiences!

It took me 10 years and many, many, many failed attempts of dieting on my own before I was finally willing to have the surgery, but I am glad I did. Could I do this on my own? Maybe. Would it last? No. My deciding factors were simple for me (when I finally go there!) - two people lose the same amount of weight - one with surgery, one on their own - both are seemingly healthy. However, the person who DIDN'T have the surgery is still at a much higher risk of weight related diseases than the one who had the surgery. That was pointed out to me by a physician and the decision was made for me. I am just a week post-op, but no regret whatsoever!!!

Probably. I just got off the phone with my HR benefits manager who explained to me I have HMO Choice which bariatric surgery is covered 90%/10%. So I will wait.