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Love this chart. I'm 5'4", and I am calling it good at 165. I really wanted to be 145, but I can't seem to get there, and at 52 years old, size 8/10 pants and sm/med tops, I think I'm good where I am. This chart made me feel good about that, lol.

I had 7 & was told it was bc of adhesions. They couldn't get a good angle on the camera. Three C-sections will do that I suppose. They are very small & at 10 day post-op they're all healed & 2 I can't find anymore. My biggest one is the only noticeable one & it's right in line with my belly button which is a little bit of a bummer. I can live with it though! IMHO, it's the 2 week liquid diet that has been the challenge. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Not sure on this totally..but my Doctor offered me the option of doing a single incision through my belly button for $1500 cash.. My insurance is covering my sleeve on 5/10 however he explained to me that he would need to do between 6-7 incisions .. He said the one incision in the belly button is quick and less painful with no scaring. Maybe you can ask if your Doctor overs this Yes, that is the surgery I asked him about. Apparently it's called SPIDER procedure, but he said sleeve is not possible with a single incision so I guess I'll just have to take his word for it since I really have no proof otherwise. He says it's a gimmick. I do worry though, that if it's NOT a gimmick then that would mean he is either a bit behind on the times OR he is lying to me. Most likely the former but that would worry me just as much as the latter since I would expect someone operating on people to keep up to date on things that could make surgery more comfortable and have a much shorter recovery time as well as less scarring in the end.

Hi Oceanblue. What a pretty name. You bring back a lot of memories. It has ALSO been a long time since I have been on this site, and, quite frankly, I have been avoiding it. I started this topic of "looking for October friends" way back in October, 2011 before my Sleeve Operation (one day before your operation) and well, "petered out" in my posts to this site after I had lost close to 100 pounds in just about 6 months! It was really wonderful way back then -- losing all that weight. But, like you, that wonderful fast downhill journey didn't last for all that long. I have a lot of your same problems with craving carbs (especially sweets) and being hungry. Weight started creeping up slowly. I started at 309 pounds and went down to 209 pounds with a goal of 160. I, also, remember those first 10 pounds gained. But I was not so lucky to stop at that. You are doing much better than me. I managed to add another 16 pounds to that and am now at around 235. So I am pretty concerned as well. I started to see a psychologist and continued going to the Weight Loss Center at Mass General Hospital to see the people there for support, but have been in constant struggle for this past year. I remember feeling SO THIN after I lost the 100 pounds, and NOW I feel fat! It is so funny how we see ourselves. So I was actually happy to see your entry on this website even though I hardly even recognize this website anymore. I think I will need to start using it again and, like you, start reaching out for support. I don't know what this "5 day pouch test" is, but it doesn't sound good to me. It sounds too much like a diet and for me, diets ALWAYS means weight gain afterwards. The only cure, I think, is learning how to cut down on the carbs and sweets. Sugar is the real culprit. I have made a couple of efforts at curbing my sugar cravings by substituting fruit, which actually worked for awhile, but I somehow fell into my emotional eating pattern again, and the sweets came back. I wish I could offer you some help or advice now, but I am in your same position, only with more weight gained since my operation. I will have to look for help for the "old-timers" who have maintained their sleeved weight for a long time. But for now, I just want to tell you that I totally understand and perhaps we can support each other in overcoming this road-block to our weight loss and health goals! All the best wishes for a happy Thanksgiving and a little turkey and veggies and tiny dessert! I like to remember that Thanksgiving is only a one-day event! Let me know how you are doing. Hopefulspirit

It takes time. Don't be disappointed. I am down 120 pounds in 7 months...10 pounds till my goal weight. Your doing really well.

May I have a copy too, please..... jessica.mcnabb@yahoo.com Thanks soooooo much, you are always so helpful! Jess...Surgiversary 9/19/12

I love Quest bars. Choc chip cookie dough is my Fav. Try microwaving it for about 10 seconds :-) yummy HW:358 DOS:338 CW:278 SD:1/28/13

My day is February 19, and if I'm in he hospital 2 days, that gives me 11 days at home, before I go back to school (I'm a student), and I'm hoping that's enough. Everyone I've talked to ( and more importantly my doctor) have said that I should be perfectly fine, but will probably just be tired for the first week or two. I'm okay with that. I just need to make sure to get my Protein in, so I'm not too tired to miss class. I can't wait!

Hello everyone! I have been around for a short time and have even responded here and there but I wanted to formally introduce myself. My name is Tanya. I am 38 and weigh (gulp) 280 pounds. I live in California, about 1 1/2 hour drive from San Diego. I am married to a great guy (just celebrated 8 yrs) and I have a 14 year old son. I have always been heavy but in the past year there have been some rather difficult times in my life and I gained about 30 more. I have prayed that God would help me somehow and I do believe my prayers have been answered. I had my first doctor appointment to discuss with my dr the Lap Band surgery. It was awesome. After being on this site and learning so much and seeing videos on You tube I was able to walk in there and tell her what I wanted and know what I was getting into. So they are contacting my insurance to double check if it is covered (I mentioned that I called already and asked and they said yes, if deemed medically necessary). So the nurse told me to wait 10 days and call them back. That will be next friday. I am excited to get the process going.....hopefully all the documents are good and there are no problems with the insurance. I am so glad to have found this site and am so grateful for you all. Tanya

I watched my mother struggle with diabetes from 1990 until her death in 2009. THAT was my wake up call. I was healthy but obese. I gave dieting a try all of 2010 and on Nov 17, 2010 I went to a WLS seminar. I had been in denial about how large I had gotten. My sister has diabetes and I knew it was coming for me next. I talked it over with my husband and decided to go for it. I got sleeved 6/10/11 and it was the best decision I have ever made!. I am currently 145 and I am hoping to lose a few more pounds but I feel amazing! I have no regrets.

The past 6 months have been hard and I've completely gotten off track. I hit maintenance at about 15 months post op and was maintaining at 180-182 pounds. I was happy with that and my doctor was to since I was within 5 pounds of my goal. Well I got complacent and allowed old habits back in and I've gained 10 pounds in the last 6 months. I decided part of getting back on track is getting my support system back so I'm logging back in here and going to meetings again locally. I've started tracking food again and I'm back exercising. The hardest part has been snacking. I tracked my daily log a few weeks ago and I was eating so much because I was just snacking way to much. I'm back down to 1,000-1200 calories a day per my NUT suggestion. Its so hard but I know I can do it. I'm hoping to get plastic surgery in the near future so that is my goal.

So, I'm trying to decide what my ultimate goal should be- I can't seem to come to any conclusion. On my ticker it says 130, but honestly I think I'd be ok with 150, maybe even 170. I've never even been as small as I am right now. I'm 5'3 and 19 years old- any ideas for a goal? I had surgery april 6th, and have recently had a slowing weight loss- averaging 1.5 lbs a week, opposed to the 2.5 it was.. What I've just been doing is setting small goals and figuring out how I feel when I get to them. For example, my next small goal is 180- 14 lbs away. But I don't see myself being satisfied there. Hmmm. What did your surgeon give you for your goal weight?

I make butternut squash soup One squash cubed 3 apples peeled and cubed 1 small onion 1 can of low sodium vegetable stock Cook on low until soft Then with a hand mixer to purée right in the pot. If you don't have one of the high speed hand mixers, transfer to a food processor or blender. Then back in the soup pot add 2 Tbsp of reduced fat peanut butter 1/4 cup of lime juice 1/2 cup of fresh cilantro (chopped) I just use scissors Cook for 10 more minutes and your all set.. Easy and so good Hardest part is cutting the squash so I buy the precut if my hubby's not around ... Enjoy!

Yeah, when I started to really notice that I was losing muscle mass, I figured I would rather have too much protein intake than not enough. If my body was in the mood to make muscle, I wanted it to have the components it needed readily available. Yes, the excess would most likely be converted to glycogen/fat, but I was OK with that. I just didn't want to lose any more muscle. I tell you what, I am most likely the person NOT to follow, unless you want to work out a ton. When I was running 30 miles a week, doing a race every month, doing HIIT and weight lifting twice a week, I was consuming at least 160 g protein and at least 200 g carbs, daily. My calorie intake got as high as 1,700, on my best days. Not something you would typically see in a sleever. But, I was losing inches. I think in this phase, I went from a 35 waist to a 32, but lost less than 10 pounds. BTW, my excess skin is better, but it is still there. I am going to wait for my 2 year surgiversary for a plastics consult. I figure everything will have settled into place by that point. At a year out, I can still see things firming up in that dept.

I started doing 10 reps of arm exercises with 2 pound weights a few days after surgery. I firmly believe in low weight, high reps to reshape my body. My arms, back and thighs look great and I'm getting good waist definition and my butt has definitely reshaped itself. Now I do half the weight machines at my gym every day, plus 30 minutes of cardio. I keep changing it up, but the core muscles ALWAYS get worked at least 3 days a week. I also walk stairs and do circuit training a few days a week. So far, so good... and I'm not at my personal goal yet, although my WLS surgeon says that I've come as far as possible without surgery. I'm keeping my plastics consult later this month, but I'm also still working hard on sculpting and reshaping.

I thought this would be a good idea! I already keep a journal, just for myself. But maybe this would be informative for someone else. I am 41 yrs old, housewife, mother, massage therapist. I have been on the weight roller coaster for many years now, ever since I got married at age 21, which will be 19 years this July! I gain, I lose, I gain back...usually more than I lost, but not always. Over the years my "top weight" had gradually increased. Eventually I went up to 260. I was miserable. I wanted to go to massage school. I worked hard again, and dropped 65 lbs by the time school started(thanks to Quick Weight Loss Center). I maintained well through school, being busy helps! But during my internship, which was spotty as far as time, I started gaining again. By the time I had my license and was out working, I had gained 30 lbs! I was barely hanging on until I got very sick. I got walking pnuemonia, which set me back. I also gained a lot of weight. Then I was in a car accident, hurt my leg real bad. More set backs, more weight. Got sick again with the pneumonia and several bouts of bronchitis. More weight, less motivation, less physical strenth. It went up from there, finally topping out at my most recent highest ever-- 293.5!! . So then I had the mentality of "Why fight the battle when I am going to lose the war? What incintive do I have?" Just get used to being fat, and eat what you want. Why bother? Ok, fine... but.. being at that weight was ruining my life. I was only operating at 50%. I did not have the energy or motivation to go out and find work (self-employed). This hurt my relationship with my DH. He wants me to work and bring in $$, especially after all the $$ I spent in school and CEU courses afterwards (I had 52 CEU hours in my first year of license, I was a real go getter at first, before I gained the weight). I also had several other things be affected... my sex life (almost non-existant), I could not run and play with kids, I was too embarassed to go swimming with the family and would sit out. I used to ride horses all the time, my life passion! Nothing occupied my mind more over the many many years more than horses! Now I was too fat to ride. I would have to ride a draft horse! Even when I did ride a horse that could handle my weight, I felt too unbalanced, unsafe. If the horse was to take a quick turn, being spooked or something, I would come off, hit the ground HARD! I ride on streets. Asphalt is NOT forgiving! I stopped riding when I was about 260. I wound up driving miniature horses. They can pull me in a cart just fine down the street! So I have been doing that for a couple years now. However, if there was to ever be an emergency, and I needed to hop out of the cart... good luck with that! My weight prohibits me to act fast and quickly, safely. So I got scared about that, and eventually quit driving as well. And of course, there is the usual depression. I started hating myself, hating any skinny woman I saw, hating that even at Walmart I was having trouble finding the size I needed.. XXX. I had to go to specialty stores. Myfeet gave me major problems, which lamed me up more. At one time I was borderline diabetic, according to my doc. I started to explore differnt ways to get rid of this weight more permanetly. I came across the LAP-BAND®®®®. I ray of hope entered my life! Could this be the magic bullet? I have used tools in the past to lose weight, like the Metabolife, Weight Watchers, QWLC, etc. The support and help I got from these really helped! I needed soemthing like that again, but something stronger, something that would stay with me always. A constant motivator. The Band seems to be it. I had to give it a try. The big things that were holding me back to get it was money, and pursuading DH to let me get surgery. He is very protective of me and highly values me. Dosn't want to lose me to some complication and be left raising my now 2 kids alone. My insurance would not pay for it. I dropped that insurance and got another that the sales guy told me they would do it. I let almost a year go by, and then I tried to do it. They would not, he lied to me! Luckily I had gotten some inheritance from my grandmother this past year. Now was my chance! I decided I could pay cash for half, and Care Credit the other half. Now DH had to be convinced. By this point, he realized I am so affected by the weight, something has to be done, so he finally agreed after I educated myself and him about the whole thing, and the risks. I met once again with True Results (I I talked with them a year ago when I was first intersted). On the scale I was 293.5. I commited to doing it. I came in for the pre-op talk with the surgeon. I had already dropped about 10 lbs, because I was now determined I was going to do this one last time, and was eating better. He told me about the pre-op diet. I had 3 weeks before surgery. I was very faithful to the diet and had no regrets or strayed from it. Once I set my mind on something I want, I go get it! I just had to mentally prepare myself for this battle and war, once again, hopefully for the final time. Itwas working! Ilost a total of 30 lbs by surgry day.. April 14th 2010. I was already feeling better and stronger. I started working out again at Curves (I had a membership that I had carried for a year without going!!) Then the big day arrived! I did not think I was nervous. but apparently I was. That morning I felt shaky, and a bit light headed, some nauseousness. I thought I was sick, and would not be able to go! But then I figured out it was nerves! I settled down a few hours later. I took the kids to school, came back, and showered with the special soap they required. I was there by 9:30am. The hardest part was not drinking! My mouth was very dry. I would take baby sips of water, just enough to wet my mouth. I filled out papers, gave a pee sample (to prove I was not pregnant), got the IV in, the Heprin shot, the wonderful gown on, all that. Then I said goodbye to DH. I woke up in the recovery room. Very woozy, and sore. They had me get up and get my clothes on, quite a chore! Then they got me inot the xray room and swallow barium. The xray showed that the band was too tight, nothing going through! So I had to lie on a table while they pushed around on me (OUCH!) to find the port. Then I guess they took some out. Did the barium again, now it was fine. They finally got me into the car on to the house, DH driving. I was quite sick at my tummy by then, and dry heaved a few times (ouch!). I could not drink anything. DH called the nurse and they called in a prescription for a supository. He also got the liquid Vicodin. The Vicodin would not stay down. I just had to deal with the pain until the next day. I eventually felt better by nightfall. I just went to sleep. It wasn't the best night sleep, but it worked. Next morning I felt Ok for drinking something. I had a protiend shake, and some broth. Then I took some pain meds. They stayed down, but did not do any good. Call the nurse! She said to take liquid Motrin in between doses of Vicodin. Eventually that worked, by nightfall, the pain was getting less. I forced myself to walk around the house off and on. I took the Gas X. Next day I was walking around outside in the yard. Next day down the street to the stop sign and back, a couple of times! I was still quite sore. Rolling over at night in bed was painful too. I could only sleep on my right side for a while. Then I could tolerate my back. Now I am about to be able to sleep on my left, but it still pinches and hurts sometimes. Getting up from achair or bed was very painful too for a while. Now it is no big deal, just some minor pain (I am 8 days post-op today). My shouldr has started to hurt again. So that bugs me. Today though, has been my most painfree day! But 2 days ago, it was a bad day! I was hurrying out the door to take kids to school, now that I could drive again. I must have drunk my smoothie too fast, something. I got on the road and felt nauseous, weak, yucky. I started thinking about the surgery. Thinking about the pain i was experincing, and how I was stuck with this thing inside me, unless I got another operation. I do not know if I somehow psyched myself into feling like this, or what. I tried to think of other things. After dropping the kids off, I hurried home (2o minute drive). the feelings of sickness got worse! I really thought I would have to pull over and either puke or call for help. I was really scared. I did not know what was going on!:sad: It was a real mental battle for me to get home OK. Then I ran to the bathroom. I never threw up, but I did have loose bowels. I took a supository and went to bed. Two hours later I was OK. I was weak, but not sick at my stomach. I took it easy the rest of that day and the next. I was worried the next day if I would start feeling like that again. I did not drink a smoothie before leaving. I just took water with me. I was OK, just drained. Now today I feel great!:wink2: Better than ever! I also got to start soft foods, like soup, and yogurt smoothies! That has also helped the stomach rumblings I sometimes have, hunger pains! I was not really hungry, but my stomach said it was ! That feeling of your stomach turning in on itself, growling, squiching around! Not fun! Anyway, I am glad I have done this, so far. It has been a bit more of a recovery than I was thinking it would be, unexpected pain, soreness, etc. But I have been assured by many that this too... will pass... and be a memory. So I hold onto that and continue to follow instructions closely and try to not over do anything. This is a good excuse to pamper myself and take the time I need to heal properly. Until next time my friend!!:smile2: ps.. my goal is 170!:wink2:

This is directly from Allergan/INAMED: The following are general guidelines for BioEnterics LAP-BAND System adjustments: 1. The initial adjustment postoperatively should occur at six weeks or more after operation and usually 1-2 cc of normal saline would be added for the 9.75 and 10 cm LAP-BANDs. The initial adjustment for the 11cm and Vanguard Bands is usually 4cc 2. The patient should be reviewed regularly (4-6 weekly) and weight and clinical status measured. If the weight loss has averaged less than 1lb per week over the period and the patient indicates there is not excessive restriction to eating, a further increment of Fluid should be added (usually 0.3 – 0.5 ml). 3. Where the average weight loss between visits has been greater than 2 lbs per week, normally no additional fluid would be added. 4. If the weight loss averaged between 1 and 2 lbs per week, additional fluid would be indicated if the patient felt he/she could eat too freely or found difficulty in complying with the dietary rules. 5. Fluid would be removed from the system if there were symptoms of excessive restriction or obstruction, including excessive sense of fullness, heartburn, regurgitation and vomiting. If symptoms are not relieved by removal of the fluid, barium meal should be used to evaluate the anatomy. Prior to doing an adjustment to decrease the stoma, review the patient’s chart for total band volume and recent adjustments. If recent adjustments have not been effective in increasing restriction and the patient has been compliant with nutritional guidelines, the patient may have a leaking band system, or may have pouch enlargement or esophageal dilatation due to stomal obstruction, band slippage or over-restriction. http://www.allerganandinamed.com/pdf/health/94163_04_LB_Product_Data_Sheet.pdf It's on page 12.

Yes, I am sure they cover it. My surgeons bariatric coordinator said that my insurance basically approved it but they need a few things first such as the letter for a final say so. She said as soon as I get the letter I should have a surgery date a few days after. I dont care for my PCP anyways. Last time I seen him I called and told them my ear hurt and I had a few other things to discuss with him. Just a small list of concerns, nothing major and he refused to talk to me about my knees cause they only fit me in for a 10 minute time slot. He told me to make another appt...didnt even say he was sorry...just rushed out of the room. I cried all the way home just becasue I felt like he didnt care. I had no idea they put their patients in a time slot.

I have no clue if this is just a local thing but there is a groupon going on right now for GNC..get $40 for $19. I can post the link when I get home from my computer but I'm not sure if its a CT thing or for all GNCs. Just google groupon and your city

I'm down a few sizes in tops, but I still have my flabby belly so i need the larger size to cover it which makes my shoulders too big.....My shorts are about falling off now...but waiting for about 10 more pounds before i go try on new pants. Hoping to go from a tight 22 should be 24 to at least an 18 or 20. And that's after losing 65 pounds.

A protein shake that I recently tried and really liked has a lot of good stuff in it. I was wondering if I could use this as a multivitamin during the first & second stage after surgery? Here are the supplement facts: Serving Size: 3 Scoops Servings Per Container: 14 Amount per Serving Calories Total 134 from Fat 11 Amount per Serving % Daily Value+Total Fat 1 g 2 Sodium 140 mg 6 Total Carbohydrate 17 g 6 Dietary fiber 6 g 24 Sugars 6 g Protein 15 g 30 % Daily Value Vitamin A 100% Beta Carotene 5000 IU 100 Vitamin C Ascorbic Acid 60 mg 100 Vitamin D Ergocalciferol 400 IU 100 Vitamin E D-Alpha Tocopherol Succinate 30 IU 100 Thiamin (B1) Thiamine Mononitrate 1.5 mg 100 Riboflavin (B2) 1.7 mg 100 Niacin (B3) 20 mg 100 Vitamin B6 Pyridoxine HCL 2 mg 100 Folate,Folic Acid,Folacin 400 mcg 100 Vitamin B12 Cyanocobalamin 12 mcg 200 Biotin D-Biotin 300 mcg 100 Pantothenic acid Calcium Pantothenate 10 mg 100 Calcium Calcium Carbonate 30 mg 3 Iodine Potassium Iodide 45 mcg 30 Magnesium Magnesium Oxide 120 mg 30 Zinc Zinc Oxide 4.5 mg 30 Selenium Sodium Selenite 21 mcg 30 Manganese Manganese Sulfate .600 mg 30 Chromium Chromium Chelate 36 mcg 30 Molybdenum Amino Acid Chelate 22.5 mcg 30 Nickel Nickel Amino Acid Chelate 5 mcg Silicon Silicon Dioxide 2 mg Vanadium Vanadium Sulfate 10 mcg Boron Boron Amino Acid Chelate 50 mcg Brown Rice Solids 20000 mg*Vegan Protein Blend 18677 mg*Pea Protein Isolate Rice Protein Isolate Organic Hemp Spirulina Chlorella Barley Grass Juice Organic Inulin from Agave 5682 mg*Greens Blend 500 mg*DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid from Algal Oil) Life's DHA 1000 mg*Proteolytic Enzyme 84 mg*Protease (4.5) 29000 HUT*Bromelain 540000 FCCPU*Protease (3.0) 27 SAPU*Peptidase 2000 HUT*Protease (6.0) 4000 HUT*Dairy Free Probiotic Blend 19 mg*Lactobacillus Plantarum Bifidobacterium Bifidum (Providing 8 Billion Active Cells

YES! Same situation with me. My right thigh hurts daily and my surgery was 10 months ago. I just bare with it tho because I also have chronic fibromyalgia and pain meds make me ill.

We'll hold you to that promise, you know. Early 2019 is👶time for TexasMommy80, her Texas Daddy and l the Little Texan in her house. Just promise me they won't be Austin, Houston, Crawford or even Greg Perry, that would be too much, sorta like Lukenback with Waylon, Willie and the boys.

I am currently living out of a hotel and I am bored to death. I miss my baby girl and boyfriend, and I am ready to be home with them. Anyhow, the puréed stage is going really well. I’ve had applesauce, oatmeal and puréed chicken tortilla Soup. My surgeon said that he has never heard or seen of a leak after four weeks, so I hit my four weeks next Monday. I have so much anxiety about that, and I know that there are people on here that had later leaks, but I feel like 4 weeks is a good time to stop worrying so much. Outside of that, I did have my first instance of eating too fast. I came up to my hotel room and ordered chicken tortilla soup. It was so good and I ate too fast. Luckily I didn’t eat too much, but I was miserable for a good half hour. Another thing is that I am surprised at how little of an appetite I actually have. I have not been hungry since having the soup (at 2:30), and it is 10:30 now. I just forced myself to have a little applesauce because I am getting so few calories. I can’t do Protein Shakes anymore so I have been depending on GENEPRO this week. I am going to buy some syntrex nectar next week and give that a try. Age: 37 Height: 5’6 Starting BMI: 37 VSG: 4/16/18 Starting Weight: 241 Surgery Weight: 229 Current Weight: 213 (17 days post op) GW: 160 MFP: Fit4LifeAR

It sounds to me like you need more Calories. My NUT said at this point, almost 10 months post op, I should be averaging right around1200 calories a day.