Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

Now that I've completed the 6-month requirement for my insurance company and saw the surgeon for going over details 4 weeks ago, only NOW I find out the Dr. and the Center of Excellence he runs have been in on-going negotiations with my insurance company. They signed a contract which won't go into effect until early JULY, which means I don't stand a chance of getting approved until mid- to late- July, at which point I start a 5-week pre-surgery diet....putting surgery off until late August? September?!?? AAAARRRRRRRRRRGHHHHHHH! And my insurance company REFERRED me to this surgeon last November KNOWING they didn't have a contract!!!!! Frustration, thy name is spelle…

Hi everyone! I am new to the site and just took the first few steps last Friday in what I know will be a long journey. I met my surgeon Dr. Radecke who I absolutely adore and we are aiming for an early September surgery (VSG). I know I still have some bumps to overcome (meeting my insurance deductible in 3 months would be one of them? can I pull it off?? LOL!! I will be going to every freaking Dr. I can think of between now and then). I told my son on Saturday, he's 10 and I am so incredibly proud of how he responded and is being very supportive. I did also want to say thank you in advance for all the posts I have read so far. Everyone has something to offer and I have l…

Well I am on my journey I have met with the nurse 2 times I have to met with her one more time. I have had a ekg,egd, chest xray, blood work. Tomorrow I met with the psychologist and the exercise person. Everything sends to be going good so far. The hardest thing is that I travel 4 1/2 hrs one way to come to Santa Rosa do I try to get my appointments on the same day or one on one day and the other the next day. I so want this to go well I really want to kiss this weight. I am 5ft5" I wss 250 and I am down to 241 so I am doing go fire pie surgery. The nurse said hopefully it would be July or Aug. I hour for July.

Well my surgery being Monday, my doctor called today about my pre-op testing. It seems I may have Gastroparasis and will have to go for more tests on Monday instead of surgery and I took a week off of work. ????

Hello, I am a sleeve patient of Dr. Hixon in Atlanta GA!! My surgery day was May 26, 2015 at 7:30 am at Atlanta Medical Center, but of course I had to be there 2 hours earlier!! My weight pre-op was 275 and now I am 4 days post-op and now I weigh 260!!! I am super excited about my journey!!

Anyone having hard time with liquid diet? Did anyone cheat? I want this so bad but im getting very hungry. Anyone have any advice? ??

Hi! I'm Debi, scheduled for surgery June 2nd. Excited and nervous. Well...alot nervous..I.V 's terrify me..not just the needle but the whole process! I have vasel vagal syncope. .the surgeon said I can't have anything to relax me before the IV Cause it can make BP drop. Any suggestions? I've been thinking about WLS for 13 years..HW 220..5'1".SW 197. I finally got serious this January after a friend had Gbp. I didn't want everything moved around and less side effects. Good to meet you all????

Hello, my name is Coletha and I'm new to the VSG family. Today I got my first appointment for my consultation with my doctor and nutritionist and I'm so excited. I know it's early in the journey but it's a start. I hope to meet a lot of new friends on here. Coletha

Well got the call today letting me know what time to check in tomorrow and 11am it is!! It's a little later than I would've wanted but I'm not going to complain. I also found out I have no out of pocket cost to be paid before my procedure...it will be covered 100%!! I guess with all my pre op stuff I met my max, which I know I have to pay but I've made arrangements on all those balances and have a nice low monthly payment so I couldn't ask for a better outcome ???? This experience has been so smooth and positive and I have to give all thanks to God. I'm ready for my new beginning and can't wait to see what's in store for me in the future!!

Hello Ya'll, I just got home from the hospital yesterday, after being there for two days. My surgery was on the April 29th, 2015. My left lower intesitnal area hurts thal region is sore worst, especially when i walk. ALthough my whole frontale region is sore as well. The staples are a little itchy at times. The biggest problem I think is gas. Make sure you get up and walk around often or it will build up on you. I'm drinking Water, grape Isopure and chicken broth. I did have a orange sugar free popsicle today just to add a little flavor to my day. I'm taking pain meds every 4 to 6 hours, gas x strips (very important), B-12 nasal spray, daily Vitamin (twice), blood th…

My surgery is one week away... June 3rd. I'm at a loss for words. I'm excited but scared. Happy but anxious. Confident but worried. It took so long, but it's come so quick. I think I might be going nuts :-) . Don't get me wrong, I know this is a good thing, and exactly what I need, but it's kinda surreal... know what i mean?

Hai friends I am Sajit from Calicut, Kerala, India My weight before surgery was 105 km, HbA1c was 9.2 Feeling fine

Just got my date! Excited but pensive. I am a low BMI and thus a self pay, but my comorbidities make me feel like I just have to do it. I've spent most of my life rather slender until my thyroid threatened my life and it was removed. Add 75 pounds quickly and you get HBP, high cholesterol, high triglycerides, sleep apnea and an emergency gall bladder removal--all in four years! My stats are: Age 53 Height 5'6" BMI 34 SW 200 CW 200 Goal 145 Fantasy Weight 125 Good news is I don't have to pre-op weight loss and I only have to do special Meal Replacement shakes for three days prior!

My first post ever, anywhere, and its here! Telling my story, hoping to find new friends! I have been overweight my whole life, as was my immediate family. It was a consequence of being raised in a lower-middle class home, where food was purchased based on volume and not nutrition. We all know now as adults quantity is not quality, but it is extremely hard to change those habits. I have anxiety issues with food, fears of not having enough, fear of wasting, fear of spending too much money on food. I have had periods in my life where I was not sure of I would have enough money at the end of the week to feed my daughter when she was little, let alone myself. Now he…

I'm a little over 3 months post op and I'm just starting to really see noticeable hair loss. I've heard and read all about this happening prior to my surgery. And I've also read that your hair will eventually go back to normal. But what I haven't heard or read (or maybe I wasn't paying attention) is HOW LONG does it take till it starts to grow back or go back to the way it was?

Hi my name is Leana. I am from Missouri and currently 267# and 5ft3in. I have been over weight my entire life but this is the heaviest I have ever been. My kids are 12, 11, and 10 so I can't even use that as an excuse for my weight anymore. I love food especially sweets and other carbs like breads. I've been an RN for 7 years so I know what I'm doing wrong I just don't have much will power. It's embarrassing to say I'm a nurse and yet I'm morbidly obese. I've just started my journey. I've met with my surgeon, dietitian, and councilor. I had a sleep study and attempting to cut out soda, alcohol, and drink more water. And of coarse exercise 30 min a day. Most of my family i…

Scheduled for June 25th if insurance approve it. Have uhc choice plus, anyone have issues with them. How long was your wait for approval.

Hi, I am new here and was looking for someone to talk with. I had my surgery on Nov. 20, 2014. The first month i had real problems, I couldn't eat or drink with out bring it back up. I went for 36 days with out eating or drinking alot, finally drs did a EGD and opened up the bottom of my pouch, sorry for got to tell you I had the Rou - Y bypass surgery. After that I seem to do better I have lost 40 pounds before surgery on my own and have lost the rest after everything got fixed. My weight now is 195 pounds and i started out at 279. But as of now I have been on a two week stall no weight gained or losted and I am really upset about it because I don't have anyone to h…

Hello everyone!!! I was sleeved on 3/2. My pre op weight was 249, post op 237 and currently at 211. I tend to get stuck for a week or two in the same weight but I don't get discouraged. I am happy with what I have lost this far and remain excited For the pounds that will continue to drop. I have been reading along and several items that you all have shared have helped me. I also read that several of you don't crave the bad foods and taste buds change. Well my cravings are still present and my taste buds are the same. I was wondering if you could help me on how to manage these cravings. I love drinking coke or a beer in a hot summer day and obviously now I can't a…

I'm only four days in to two weeks of full liquids prior to June 8 sleeve date and met with surgeon Thursday for prevealuation, approvals, anesthesiologist etc., and I already lost five pounds! Everything's a go and for those of you who are struggling with 'time' waiting, uncertainty, self doubt...hang in there. I've been second guessing myself for months and now it's ten days away. Sure it's hard giving up food emotionally but to gain my health, comfort, confidence and energy will be worth it! I'm so used to not losing weight in the past (or gaining) I was elated to see a few pounds gone in a couple days. Commit, dedicate and be confident. It IS possible ????

So after my 2 week pre-op diet I have my surgery tomorrow. It will be laparoscopic and I'm only expected to spend two nights in hospital. Feeling excited and trepidatious.

I was very scared to use a straw since my surgeon post op book says not to use it, I tried it today 5 days post op and it works incredibly well for me! So just curious about others sleeved buddies experiences with the use of a straw! On liquid diet, and kind of starting to crave for something to chew! But will stick to liquid or at least very mushy diet for now!

Finally got my surgery date of June 16. Nervous!

Hi all I was thinking of making a group with a group of ladies and gents who are all around the same time frame. I don't know about you but I tend to feel a bit list in being able to contact anyone and hopefully we can find a Buddy/s to bounce things off. This site is awesome and love reading it. My stats Female 37 years Starting weight :217 pounds or 98.5kg Surgery is 18th September 2014.. Good luck Kellie!

Hello Everyone, Today is my first day back after surgery (my surgery was April 23rd, 2015). My stay was longer than expected due to a leak during surgery, I fell in that 2% chance of the leakage happening during surgery. I needed a blood transfusion and was not able to have Water for the first two days after surgery. On my 3rd day after surgery i was allowed to have sip of water about 3cc every hour I had never wanted water more in my life... On the 4th day i was able to take a few steps and my water intake was a bit more, i felt very weak... not sure why i was able to start my shakes just two days before leaving the hospital but while at the hospital i drank two shake…

Mine is like 32. What did you guys do for your preop diet!What did you guys do for a pre op diet? Obviously we can't do liquids for 2 weeks we would loose to much! We need to shrink our livers before surgery I know. My Dr said just do liquid and laxative 2 days prior to surgery. I'm scared this isn't enough though???? What did you guys do???

My name is Paula I tried for 2. Years to get approved by a private hospital but whenever I got done with my 6 months of preop stuff they always came up with something. Like my paperwork wasn't good enough or I wasn't compliant. The best one was when the insurance lady called to say I was approved and then I found out she lied to me and was fired. I gave up after the 3 rd time. That doc did remove my gallbladder tho. Then about 6 months later I was told I needed surgery for Gerd or acid reflux but they couldn't do it till I had lost weight because the surgery for that doesn't last if u r obese. So I was sent to a teaching university hosp.ital. I started my 6 months over an…

Hi all, I was sleeved on May 18th and so far, am doing pretty well. I need sleeve buddies who were sleeved on 17,18,19 and 20th May to share our journey. We can have our forum here and also share our progress and challenges on my fitness pal. Please feel free to add me @trudyvera. Stay blessed y'all.

5'2 239 lbs

So I am now only 5 days away! I am super excited and starting to get really nervous. I feel like I am doing well with my preop diet. I only started it 9 days ago and I am down 3 lbs. I know other people lose more, but for some reason my doctors plan is not as strict as a lot of other surgeons preop diets. I must admit I feel a bit lonely, as if I am going through this alone. It's crazy talk, I know, I have a really supportive family, but at the same time no one I know has ever had WLS. Anyway, I am keeping my head up and trying not to give in to my anxiety. If anyone has any advice, words of wisdom, or things I should expect/ look out for after surgery, please let me know…

Checked in and waiting to be called back to the o.r.

Insurance, possibly the most rigorous part (to-date) of the whole gastric sleeve journey, has approved my procedure. It took 3 days to approve after my surgeon's office finally submitted all of the paper-work. I'm scheduled for surgery in the middle of June, first patient of the day -- my hope is that the surgeon is well rested and on his "A" game. My program is through Washington University in St. Louis. http://www.weightlosssurgery.wustl.edu/ The program has a ton of requirements, similar to many others. I started exploring Bariatric programs and options in December 2015 and joined this site in January 2015. Bariatric Pal has been tremendously helpful in answe…

I am less than 48 hours until my pre-op class, and I have to be down 25 lbs by then. Well, according to my scale, I met and exceeded that goal by 1.5 lbs late last week. Yesterday and today, my scale has given me all sorts of different readings, so now I'm wondering if I really made goal last week. I don't want my surgery to be postponed because of my unreliable scale or this constant fluctuation. I tried a laxative, and I will be doing a body wrap and all liquid diet tomorrow. Is there anything else I can do to make sure they measure my true weight?

I just got my date not even 5 minutes ago and I'm so so so excited! On June 17th I'm getting sleeved and I can't wait. They even told me if they get an opening earlier than that they'll fit me in. I can't wait for my new chance at life to start! My name is Cara and I'm 22, living in NY and I'd love to make surgery buddies or mentors or anything! Do any of you post op people have any suggestions on anything I should be starting now or that you wished you would have practiced more/done before surgery I'd love to hear it, thank you!!

I'd like to take this chance to write my BariatricPal testimonial for Dr. Jamie Ponce de leon. I travelled to Mexico from Newfoundland, Canada, on February 2nd 2015 (I took my mother along for support). Lets start from the beginning: 1. David Lopez was amazing (even after a slight mix up that was quickly and efficiently fixed up with the help of David and Alex Brecher) 2. We arrived in San Diego around noon on February 2nd (myself, my mother, my friend Chandelle - who also was there for gastric sleeve- and Chandelle's husband). Big Robert was there to pick us up and bring us into Mexico. 3. We arrived at the INT Hospital and were so pleased. The place was clean, mo…

Ok. So my current weight loss is steady but VERY slow. I'm almost 6 months out and down just over 60 lbs. I have lost 13.5 inches from my waist and more all over but I'm definitely not losing it like some folks who say the weight "just falls off". I am spinning and elipticaling for literally every ounce. I know they say you have a year to year and a half to lose the weight. At this pace I won't be at my goal weight in that time frame. And I say mine bc my doctor never really set a goal weight. Just that I should lose between 1-2 lbs a week. So between my 3 month and 6 month visit I am on track. But I'm starting to panic bc while its slow but consistent now I feel like…

Hi my name is Rose I live in Vermont I have been struggling with weight my whole life I didn't get really big until I had my kids and could never lose the weight after. I did find out I am allergic to a lot of foods so over coming not eating these food sucks and I am still struggling with that. I have tried just about every kind of diet. So I am currently in the process of going to get the sleeve done the only thing I have left to do is lose 17lbs which I am struggling to even that all support is welcome. I even encourage people to keep bugging me asking if I have worked out and logged my food. Also and great snacks to eat basically the only thing I can eat is fresh frui…

I have been sticking to the same routine since week one! I've even started getting b12 shots well this week I missed my shot and I am extremely tired today all of a sudden! I guess that b12 is really helping me with energy after all! I am drinking 80-100 ounces of Water and I also get 80-90 grams of Protein in a day as well as a daily walk so it's not my fluids! ????

I am almost 1 month post op and I am starting to get depressed with feelings of regret. I was working out daily then my energy got low. I still make an effort to walk at least 5 days a week to keep some type of physical activity. I feel bloated all the time and it frustrates me how I can't drink Water as freely as I used to. I almost vomited from drinking too fast, which really wasn't fast but rather normal pace. I love water and having to sip on it and still struggle to get in the recommended daily amount has been mentally hard to adjust to. I'm starting to get dehydrated and constipated due to not getting enough water in. I feel sad not being able to enjoy a nice pro…

I'm waiting on the insurance company to say yes for my surgery. I'm Staying positive. I have Meritain insurance and they have you jumping through hoops so I'm just praying that everything is going to be OK. I'm going through the bridges center in Tempe Az. and they told me you're probably be about 10 days before I would hear anything. Then I talked to my insurance company and they said that it had been turned into the 28th so it could be anywhere from 15 to 30 days to hear something. I just hope I hear something soon because I'll have to pay another deductible in July. Wish me luck.

I started my journey 3 months ago weighing 170. Three months have passed and I weigh 157. I am doing everything to then tee. Even exercising 3x a week . Drink my fluids .. I went back to 3 protein drinks and water intake. Scale not moving. Total BS !

I was sleeved by Dr. Sergio Quinones!! He has the best team ever! I've maintained a great relationship with Stacy and Bill and they check on me often to see how I am doing! I actually speak 2 Stacy almost daily! I was sleeved 9 weeks ago and so far everything has been great! I had blood work done last week with my pcp and my labs are also great! I am 44 pounds down and I couldn't be happier! I am walking 4-5 miles a day everyday and I am consuming 80-90 grams of Protein daily. I thought I was losing slow but I really can't complain at all! I've never been happier! Dr. Q has a new facility and I hear it's really nice! (A few of my coworkers had surgery at the new fac…

Today after two years of researching and doing my homework, then several setbacks including no one ever bothered to tell me that even though my insurance would cover most of it, there were certain things that are completely out of pocket, I got my EGD last Monday And my final dietician visit Friday, because yesterday was a holiday I got a call after office hours to tell me my surgery is set for June 10th, I thought that at that point I would begin to worry but it was mostly worry over approval of my FMLA and leave monies, etc. tomorrow I start my diet, my wife who is a great supporter of Amy effort I make to prolong my Heath is taking this pretty hard, I did not expect t…

It has been one of those days to say the least. I called my insurance to check the status of my recently submitted papers for approval for bariatric surgery. To my dismay I was told I was denied because it wasn't medically neccessary. How can that be? My BMI is currently 66 and my weight is 422. I have sleep apnea and yes I sleep with a machine. I am borderline diabetic. I have high blood pressure. I have high cholesterol. I've got arthritis in my lower back, right hip, and my pelvis, making it very painful to do anything. I have Sciatic Nerve damage. I have Carpel Tunnel in both arms, and hands. I am ALWAYS out of breath. EVERYDAY I live in misery from the pain, and yet …

Hello Everyone! My name is Angie and I was sleeved on May 11th, 2015. I was released within four hours of surgery and everything went according to plan. I haven't seen it mentioned in reading through the posts thus far so I thought I would appeal to those whom have had their gallbladders removed. Mine was removed about three years ago and I experienced a bile leak, which is the most rare but most serious complication affiliated with the sleeve surgery. PLEASE follow your doctor's instructions, the pain of a bile leak is inexplicable and I hope to never experience it again. With that said, a stent was placed in my liver and I healed up nicely from the gallbladder su…

I am so excited because I get my date for my surgery today! I can't believe this is really happening. It will be the week of June 15 which is only a few weeks away and will go by fast. I keep having dreams about my surgery...will it hurt? will I cry? will I regret it? I am trying not to give into my anxieties, but my OCD is driving me crazy. How did you all cope with anxiety? What was your experience like? I could use some encouraging words!

I am a bit nervous and scared. Should start liver shrink diet soon.

So upset. Got a denial phone call today. My bmi is 41. Said since I was on a diet plan in the last 2 years and lost weight that I should be able to do it on my own!!?! I have been morbidly obese for 15 years. Makes me sick :/

How do I edit my profile???

Hello, My name is Madeleine and I am happy I found this site. In 2014 I finally got good health insurance. One thing I wanted to do was have bariatric surgery since my best friend had it a few years before and it was working very well for her. I went to orientation in March and I found I weighted 437. I knew I weighted a lot, but that was higher than I have ever weighted so I went in the Pre-op diet with some passion. I had a great surgeon, Dr. Im at Kaiser, and he said I needed to get below 400 before he would do the surgery. I went to the classes and worked hard and I got down to 410, but those last 10 pounds were real hard. I think as I got down close the surgery b…