Sept. 6 was three months out from my surgery date. I lost 6.6 lbs in August, which was disappointing to a degree from the two previous months. Going back to work presented me with problems with eating well consistently and maintaining a consistent exercise schedule. Now that school's underway, I think I can get back on track with both, but they both require a lot of planning ahead.

Even though the weight loss was lower, I can definitely feel the results in how my cloths fit. I've officially retired my "biggest" pants and shirts. I'm down three waists sizes in pants and a size in shirts. I could probably squeeze myself down another size in both, but I don't like feeling like I'm stuffed into a sausage casing.

Almost everyone has been overwhelmingly positive if I've told them what I've done. I typically say I've changed what I eat, exercise more, and had WLS over the summer if they ask. I did have person imply that I was cheating by having it done, but whatever gets her through the day is fine by me. Oddly, she could stand to lose a few pounds herself.

Overall, I'm still pleased with the results and my decision to have the plication. I just have to push myself a bit harder. I'd like to still be closer to 10 lbs a month lost, but this is better than anything I've manged before.

Hope you're all well.

Good for you.keep up the good work ,and don't you hate those people that judge you? that is why I didn't tell no one.

They hate and judge because they are jealous-kudos to you!

Thanks Lena and ChowChows. I think I've spent the last hour trying to read (and reread, and reread again) the posts from ChowChows about her recent difficulties. I've just not been able to digest everything so that it makes sense to me yet as far as ChowChows situation goes. Whatever the case is, I hope you're well (and soon).

Lena (and I may have missed this), what do you foresee? I read the posts on here, but if I don't respond soon after, it's hit or miss for me. Are you willing to try again? If you do, would you choose a surgeon outside of the US? Or was that doctor specific to the first attempt at a weight loss procedure? It's so discouraging that you've have to have the procedure reversed and then be left again at a starting point. I think I might just reach a breaking point with that doctor.

I was a self-pay patient with a four year loan against my car for this procedure (with a low APR. thanks for something credit rating). I can't imagine the prospect of this turning out to be a disappointment as far as results go. Actually, I can. I think I'd be reluctant to try again.

(Sorry if I'm asking things you've already answered in other threads. Some of this feels familiar. Point me in the right direction if so.)

Hoping for the best for you both.

Wow! You are doing a great job!! Congrats to you!

KUP

Good job, keep up the good work!

Good job, Mednar. How much did you lose during the first two months following the surgery if you don't mind me asking please? I haven't read all your posts, so was wondering if you did the plication alone or the band + plication...

It's very easy to get discouraged... The way I see this whole thing, it's a total lifestyle change, and requires big commitment. My doc is HUGE on keeping the carb consumption down to 30 grams per day and adding 20 minutes of physical activity (any activity) to your daily routine. If I eat my Protein, there's normally little to no room for anything else, and with the added 20-minute per day activity (going for a walk around the block, etc.), I can definitely see the pounds coming off. I have good days and not so good days. When I deviate from the new lifestyle's routines, i can be sure the scale will remind me of it.

Anyhow, keep up the good work & keep us posted please.

Bandedplicateddue - I didn't have the band/plication procedure, only the plication. I don't think Dr. Ponce offers it, and he's the only physician in town that has a lot of experience with weight loss surgery. He is looking for a group of 50 patients to undergo the plication locally in a clinical trial to collect "long term" data to submit toward hopefully collecting enough data toward helping make this a more acceptable procedure for insurance coverage here in the US (if it works long-term). My procedure was about 6K cheaper than than the VSG locally, which is why it was affordable for me. I'd researched the band and the VSG procedures a few years back. Stories about issues with the band were just starting to appear, and I couldn't afford the VSG procedure then or now.

My monthly totals are:

Gastric Plication June 6, 2011 with Dr. Jaime Ponce at Gastric Band Institute (link)

Pre-op loss: 9.5 lbs

Month 1 - 17 lbs

Month 2 - 16.5

Month 3 - 6.6

Lena - I can't imagine the frustration you've been trough as a single person. Having a partner who also has to endure what you've experienced must be even harder. Take care.