Search the Community

Hummus, eggs, beans without any skin covering, fish, deli turkey chewed well if in a pinch, chicken salad, refried beans, protein drinks.. I have had icecream too but not often.

Sounds like you are making amazing progress! Good job!!! I just had a tummy tuck and panniculectomy 6 weeks ago tomorrow. It was the best decision I've ever made outside of my sleeve surgery. After losing 155 pounds, there were no number of sit ups taht would tighten up that lose skin. And after having 4 9+ pound babies, and carrying around 155 pounds in excess weight, my ab muscles needed MUCH repair. My surgery ended up lasting 7 hours. But my surgeon was a freaking miracle worker and he did the MOST amazing job!!! I feel sexy. Like honest to god sexy for the first time in my adult life. If you do go through with it, don't just get the panni, you will still have a belly overhang. Also take your time and find the right surgeon. I did my research and am SO pleased with the results. Now I'm just waiting to hear back on my insurance approval for him to do my arms too. I've attached my before/after pics. Keep in mind these pics were take 4 weeks post op, so there's a little swelling still. The scar is covered with "scar away" scar sheets, so it's safe viewing for the weak of stomach. And don't mind the stretch marks. They were proudly earned bringing 4 amazing kiddos into the world.

So, Ive been lurking on these boards forever reading all of your stories and hoping that one day I would get to share my story as well. I looked into the bypass more than a year ago when my doctor suggested it, I was fed up with my wieght, I dont seem to lose weight anymore I go on diet after diet to no avail and come out heavier than i started. I got diagnosed with pre diabetes, high cholesterol, hypertension and knew I had to make a change.. Unfortuanately when I started the journey then, I lost insurance and wasnt able to carry through, but I kept believing that one day, maybe, I to, would be a success story. I spent a year researching and making sure this was absolutely the option I wanted to take. Im really excited I have met with a nutritionist, I have a doctors appointment tomorrow, I have my psych eval set up in May and I have called my Cigna insurance spoke with them a couple of times and I have a 3 month waiting period with the dietician. I have always been overwieght since around the age of 10. I remember my doctor talking to my mother about getting me on a diet, and she declined saying it was stress of the loss of grandparents. That stress eating got me to the pleasently plump woman I am today.. The woman who feels like she has gotten to a point of no return. I actually lost a significant amount of weight about 4 years ago, I had gotten tired of it and completely revamped my life I lost 90 lbs! I looked amazing, I loved being alive, I had a whole new love for fittness that I had never thought was possible! I really miss that girl, and Im sure my kids do to. I got pregnant with my twins and the weight came on like no other.. I gained 80 lbs with my twins but actually once i delivered and healed from my vertical c-section them I was only about 30 lbs more than when i started. I of course had a lot of excess skin, something only cosmetic surgery will fix, but I felt good. Unfortunately, the next year and a half of sleepless nights caused my weight to spiral out of control, throw in every stress imaginable with being a mother of 4, working full time, finishing a degree, and LIFE and what do you get, ME! I know that my weight has put a strain on my relationship, I'm to the point that I dont want to leave the house because I feel so ashamed. My kids use to love when I took them on hikes and bike riding, and now it doesnt even seem obtainable. I feel horrible that I have allowed myself to become like this. I always put my children first and did everything for them and their health and making sure they had a good life and everything they could ever want, I just never thought my weight was taking away from them.. but now I know it is. As far as support goes, little to none, but that doesnt stop me I have always been my biggest cheerleader when it comes to getting what I want anyway. My fiance "supports" it but he got angry at me the other day and told me I was being selfish to him and he didnt have anything to look forward to and now i do. I know that when it comes down to it, this decision and my new lifestyle will cause some issues with us, however at this point I feel that I'm doing the right thing for me and my future. I hope that once he sees the changes in me, and starts to see me for the girl I was when he met me, maybe his attitude will change.

get off the SCALE!! get it out of your sight.... I have been banded for 17 months and have lost 50lbs... most of it int he first 11 months. I have had 7 fills and just know i am feeling restriction. It comes and goes so i have to be carefull. i KNOW i still eat to much.... not when i sit down at a meal but during the day when my kids are constantly askinf for snacks..i have them too. I do not blame the Band for the lack of weight loss since Oct 2010. I have not worked out as much as i should and i have chosen food that will pass easily. I weigh myslef once a week (tues) and then i put it away...I also guide myself more with how my clothes fit me. My goal is to be a comfortable size 14... I am now a tight size 18. I am realistic about my body. it did take me 10 years to gain 100 lbs, why should i expect to loose it in less that 2-3 years! Good luck and just take it easy..we will all get there!!

I actually just got it Monday. I was able to get a appointment the following week, but I had to change back to this Monday because I had to go out of town twice--I did not want to be out of town if I had problems. He was able to access without flouro Monday after a lot pressing and feeling. He says the more weight I loose it will shift. He was proud because I had loss enough that he could feel it just fine, but it is awkwardly pointed and hard to see on the ultrasound (he uses ultrasound to locate and then marks it with a pen). Still was kind of sore from all the pressure applied, but nothing like last time and I got my fill!:tt1: Thanks for asking

I am on soft foods now and have been since week 4. I am week 10 and will be here until 12 weeks!! I can not wait till then and can have salad!! Here is what I eat mostly: Foster Farms Turkey Meatballs Tuna chicken Salmon Tir-Tip Steak Roast-slow cooked Hamburger/turkey burgers cheese Eggs-boiled/scrambled Sausage Chicken salad/tuna salad/egg salad Lunchmeats Cottage cheese Peanut Butter Pure Protein bars Well-cooked veggies Fuit with out skin That is my menu for the most part. Good luck to you! Kelly

My arms have always been huge, so I'm not holding out any hopes in that area, so I'll be saving my pennies for a skin removal there. I told my hubby that if my boobs deflate I'm getting implants... he said I can't because I still won't let him touch them, anyway. TS to him.

Although every surgeon's post op is different one thing I think is consistent is being on those liquids the first 2 weeks. You've eaten part of a sandwich, oatmeal, etc really too much for your new stomach. As I've stated in a previous thread, compare your new stomach to a baby's stomach. At one week old you wouldn't give a baby a piece of sandwich or Cereal...you give him liquids. Your surgery will help you loose the weight but it's a tool you will have to do your part. Get your Protein shakes in and sip your Water throughout the day. You can do this! You just need to get a regime going

I'm loosing in my feet as well. I've had to tighten my sandals.

thanks you two! I am very encouraged by everything else. I am so pleased to be loosing the weight. that has to help with the other, I'd think.

I managed to get some decent sleep last night. I can't say the same for Jess who just moved to the bed to get an extra hour before work. Me with 3 pillows under my upper half, one behind me supporting my lower back and one between my knees doesn't leave much room for him. Normally sleeping on the couch wouldn't bother me, but not in this condition. I got about 5 hours of sleep before waking up. I got up and I was in a lot of pain. So I took my pain meds while pacing the apartment, then went back to sleep for another 3, this time with a cold compress on my head, and now I'm up. They gave me this anti heart burn pill to take. Idk if I should take it yet or not since I'm still on liquids and not eating meals yet. It is a small pill but the thought of taking it scares me a little. What if it hurts. Ok, I took it. Here's hoping for the best. Now I wait half a hour, then I'm going to have some Jello. I need to shower. I can smell myself. I haven't showered since monday morning. Ok. So I just brushed my teeth. And my face is clean now. I'm a little worried about the body, but now that I have those two knocked out, I feel a little more confident about washing myself without getting too much water on my front. It's been about an hour since I started this entry, for reference. I'm having a Jello cup for "breakfast." Jello cups are never ending. Yesterday I had one and it felt like I was eating it forever and it was still there. I'm going to attempt to shower now. I've got my outfit picked out. Wish me luck. It's almost 2 hours from the start of this entry and I am now clean. 3.25 hrs later I am dressed, medicated, and wondering when I should take the carafate. Maybe I should start posting times. I started this entry around 8:30 this morning. It's 10:58 now. I called kaiser about the carafate. And I asked a question about it on the board for my support group. It says to take it a hour before eating or 2 - 3 hours after eating. But since I'm not technically eating, I'm not sure how to take it. I finally finished a jello cup. At noon I'll take carafate. And then at 12:45ish it will be time to medicate again. It's 2:10. I took the carafate. Took a nap. Got up, medicated. I'm having Swanson's beef broth, which is nommin, and I paid most of the bills. The guys for the flies came even though Jess called the front office and told them not to. And they're supposed to warn me if they're going to paint again. I can't remember if I wrote about it yesterday or not, I woke up from a nap around 4pm and my apartment smelled really bad like chemicals. Like paint thinner or something. It freaked me out. I was crying. I called Jess 3/4 times, no answer. I texted his mom She called me and and asked if I wanted them to come get me, I said yes. So I sat out on my patio till they came and got me. Turns out they were painting the apartment behind ours and the paint fumes were coming in from the ac. I was freaking out because I didn't know what the smell was and I didn't know if it was going to hurt me or not in my fragile just got home from surgery condition. And there was stupid in the pool, just like there is today. So that added to my freaking out. I'm going to try taking a B-12. While in the hospital I couldn't imagine taking my vitamins when I got home. I told my surgeon and he said that I could wait a week or two if I wanted. That I wouldn't get any vitamin deficiencies. I started my period at the hospital. My face is all broken out. I wish I had something to put on it. You'd think I would with all the beauty junk I have, but no. My skin is usually the least of my worries. I'm almost out of my face wash, so idk if we're gonna go to the mall tonight and get more or order it online or what. The benefit of going at getting it is that I can get a sample of stuff for my breakouts. I just texted Jess' mom and she happens to be going on base soon so she's going to check the price of Purity for me. My coworker buys hers on base, so I wonder how much cheaper it is. 3:37p It feels like this gas will be the death of me. It's like I have to encourage it to come out. Coax it. I've been trying bending down on all fours on the bed trying to get it out that way. Leaning over the couch a little seems to help too. Burping really hurts, so I'm trying to fart. When I feel like I've swallowed air I pat my chest to see if it'll come up. Usually doesn't, but it helps with the pain. 4p Now we has purity. It was 6 bucks cheaper on base. I kinda want to turn the ac on but I'm scared because the office smells a little to me. Could be my washcloth from earlier. but I don't want to chance it. My itchiness is getting closer and closer to my incisions. I wish one more of them had a bandage over it because it's so freaky looking. I want to take pictures of them. 4:23 I just took macro pictures of my stomach. The one incision that freaks me out is so gross looking! I couldn't get any good shots of the bruising on my arms from the blood thinner injections. I don't have the sensation to pee like I did in the hospital. So I've been gong every so often. I probably just have less liquids in me. 8:06p I took carafate one more time. I've been standing and pacing the apartment most of the day. I'm sitting now (but probably won't be for long) and the gas bubbles are back. Well, it's 8:30p and I going to go to bed. I'll probably wake up a few times in the night. Here's hoping it's progressively better.

Hi everyone! Wondering if any of you have had these surgeries, if so, after what amount of weight loss...what type? Are you happy with it? Pics (if that's not to personal)? I've lost a lot, (over 200) and am concerned about it... also what (if any) did insurance cover?? Thanks in advance..I know it's super personal. .

@@treciag My heart goes out to you! I am glad you came back here, to BP. In the General Weight-Loss Forum, there is a new "Regain and-back-on-track" Forum. Link below: http://www.bariatricpal.com/forum/1261-regain-and-back-on-track-new/ I haven't regained, I am still working towards my goal. What I have noticed, is that if I indulge in sweets, my weight stays the same, or even goes up slightly. So, for me, I have to watch this! I am currently doing mainly very high Protein diet, lot more Water and stepping up my exercise. I log my food, like you in the MFP. And I check in daily here, at BP. I am going through the longest stall so far, however with my high protein diet, I am noticing few NSVs, like my wrist watch is getting looser and looser, today my rings are finally loose, and it shows in my face and my clothes are looser too, despite the scales staying the same. So, currently losing inches/centimetres. Best of Luck and Best Wishes in your journey!

I'm on soft foods as well and was told that if I can mush it with a fork I can have it except for bread, raw veggies and fruit with skin. My current favs are grilled shrimp, tuna salad and saltines.

I am right there with you about building muscle!!! I have noticed that I seem super weak, like when I try to open things or tear things. I love Michelle and her arms and would be happy looking half as good as she does. But ya, not into the idea of saggy skin and want to do as much as I can to combat it. Haven't been to the gym since about a month before surgery and I felt super uncomfortable, plus it was crowded and I had no idea how to work all of that stuff, so I think i m going to wait about 40 more pounds and work on my excersise and confidence before I give it another try. Hey is the circuit thingy kind of like curves?

Great topic! I have been trying to do as much strength training as I can. I really enjoy the Planet Fitness 30 minute express circuit. It keeps my heart rate up the whole time, and I love seeing myself do more reps & add more weights as my strength improves. In between each of the 10 lifting stations are stepping stations, and I do six different step routines, including arms, which I vary after each lifting station. Then I add some ab stuff when I'm done, then I do some stretching. My goal is to try to create muscles so the saggy skin on my upper arms, belly and upper thighs won't look so goofy! Plus, in this early phase we are losing some muscle mass since the weight is coming off so quickly. I want to maintain my muscle, baby. Who wouldn't want Michelle Obama's arms!? (not a Michelle fan, just an arm fan!) Oh, and welcome to your first of many plateaus! I don't let myself get on the scale every day for that very reason. We know we're doing all the right things, and our body will reward us in time!

I have my second sleep study tonight. Yes, I said my second. I did one last year and did one at home about 4 or 5 months ago. Yet, I have to do it again. I'm not looking forward to it. I don't like sleeping somewhere besides my own bed and the fact that my two teen age children will be alone for the night doesn't really do anything to help matters. Oh, well. It's just another step in the process I guess. I realized something today. Its been about 2 weeks of the high protein, low fat, low carb diet and while eating dinner i ate the protein, then some vegetable and took maybe two bites of the scalloped potatoes ( which i would normally pig out on) and said "I'm full yet again!). Proud of myself for not eating everything that was in front of me. It's taking time but the way I eat is changing. My daughter, who will be 16 in August said it looks like I am already loosing weight. I have no idea as I haven't been weighed in a week. I hate the scale. It is NOT my friend but one day will be! I am eating my small meals as told. I now eat breakfast, something I haven't done in years and snack on string cheese, yogurt,or peanut butter. Baby steps... and I will succeed!

I am very happy i did this..I really wish i would of done it sooner! I had surgery 08/10/05 Pre-op i lost 20.5 Post-op so far is 36.5 I am down 57 lbs..before i would loose 50 and gain 100+, I am happy that i have this tool Its well worth it! Kristen

yes, it is more thick skin then flabby, so i am just going to definately work on that area the most

25 pounds is a lot of weight, the slower you loose the better the chances you keeping it off! Lap band is a great tool to help you loose, the real challenge is changing your eating habits. Focus on the habits that need to be changed rather than how quickly you will loose. It's real important to change the food attitude. I want to have the attitude "Eat to live not live to eat! Keep up the great work and let the band work for you:)

Ok, so I hope that I don't babble on here and make no sense but oh well here is a little update! So a couple of weeks ago I started having problems again with not being able to keep much down without it coming back up!!! It started to get pretty miserable!!! and I mean Miserable!! I was like, why in the world would anyone want to do this to them self's, this is so stupid!! I was reading a lot on lap-band talk and looking at what most people eat.. well I would eat a few bits, and I mean a FEW bits of something and be totally satisfied!! I had come to find out that most people were able to eat a lot more than I could... but I though oh well, Im loosing weight!!! but loosing weight by being bulimic is not the way to go!... Then on Thursday I started to have pain in the kidneys.. So I thought I had a kidney infection... Friday I went to the hospital and after a 3 hour wait in the waiting room, I find out that I am dehydrated, and have a kidney infection as well as a possible hernia.. the doctor did a CT scan and said that It looks like I had a hernia.. (Dr. Malley said that if they don't know what they are looking at then the pouch from my lap band looks like a hernia) but I won't believe the hernia part.... Anywho.. I went and saw Dr. Malley today for my scheduled visit and I said "take it out" meaning all the fluid!! I want to eat!!! I have lost 67lbs and think that I am doing pretty good!!! But I still want to eat!! so I need to weigh the options!! I went into the office thinking I had 0.75cc in my band because I thought I had been keeping track... well I was not aware that Dr. malley put 5cc in my band during surgery (he normally does not do that) he said that my band was loose enough in surgery that he could fill it up then to keep it restricted.. hmmmmm no wonder I have been sick!!!! So we talked about it and he took 1/2 of what I had in, out.. so that should leave me with 3cc... It was funny because he chuckled when he said well you have almost 6cc in your band.. I screamed, "take some out"!!!!! well I feel much better to know that i had a lot in there and that I did not have just 0.75cc.. because I was thinking how am I this restricted with just 0.75cc this is horrible!! will I ever be able to eat? SO GUESS WHAT???? my stomach growled for the first time a few minutes ago... it scared me!!! I was like, what in the world? I am not sure if I like that or not.... I am getting ready to eat lunch so we will see how that goes!!!

I have been sick since Saturday and so I haven't worked out since Friday. I am feeling better today so I will go to the gym tonight! My menu Bfast - coffee w/cream, handful of nuts Lunch low carb tortilla, 3 oz of chicken, no skin, 2 tbs salsa, 1 oz cheese. 1/2 cup cilantro - (chicken taco - yum) (320 cal) snack - sugar free low cal chocolate pudding (60 cal) Dinner 1/2 pork chop, salsa, low carb tortilla (330 cal) Workout Upper body - biceps, triceps, shoulders, back, chest 45 min on elliptical machine

Sorry the reply is so late. Thins HS in life got a little crazy and I've been away. I haven't tried the psi bands. My doctor gave me scopolamine patches to use along with the Zofran, but they burned the skin behind my ear. It's too bad, because they worked pretty well. The good news is that now, 3 months out, I'm easing back into ginger, as it's starting to taste normal again. The weird thing is that in times when I would have reached for the ginger, now I prefer a handful of leaves from my herb garden (mostly various basils and mints).

I would not worry about it to much your body is in a state of shok and yes your weight will fluctuate up and day every day all day long so maybe you should be one of the people who only weigh once a week. as for the three week stall that is perfectally normal and I promise you as long as you are following your dr's guidelines you will begin to loose again.

Was sleeved Sep 7th I lost 20 pounds in the first week post op which I don t know if thats normal , I started at 225 and am down to 205 ive gotten down to 203 the lowest and have been between that range since then . Ive also been having trouble getting all my protein in but now that i can eat ive done much better , water intake is alot better too . In my mind im telling myself it ok 20 pounds in a month is really good , it just sucks I at least want to get under 200 that would be the best. It really helped to see how much weight I would loose while i was on liquids that just made it alot easier. I hope now that i will start exersise it gets alot better