Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

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Hi - I am 3 wks post op for my gastric sleeve surgery and having lots of phantom hunger pangs. Any ideas for how to work through them? I just want to eat, eat, eat to satisfy them and I know that's not the solution. Thanks!

Hello All! Absolutely love this site! I feel more motivated then ever after coming here and reading everyone's posts. its good to know that a lot of people have had the same worries and questions that I have. I am 31 and a single mother of three, but I actually have four children. My father passed away in September from massive heart failure, he also had diabetes. with my dads passing it left me to care for my six year old baby sister. I knew right then that I had to make some major life changes. I need to get healthy for my babies, all four of them. I don't want them to have to go through what my sister is going through right now. I want to be able to be in their l…

Hi, I'm new here. I'm pre op and still trying to decide on sleeve or bypass. The surgeon suggested bypass but I'm nervous about that and wanted to know if anyone is familiar with this center. Im 5 ft 10 263lbs with two co morbidities. Any suggestions?

The nerves are killing me!!! I'm the type of person who gets sick to my stomach when I'm nervous, at this point my breathing is shallow, I'm having minor panic attacks every time I'm reminded of it. I'm ready to do this. This is a dream comin true. In my life I've always felt like "man I never win anything. Nothing ever goes my way". Well this is me winning. And this is things going God's way...I am truly blessed and thankful.

I just talked to my surgeons office today... Pending insurance approval, I'll be having my sleeve done on June 4th! Very excited to start my journey!

Hi I just had my Gastric Sleeve on April 7th and I was doing very well and last night my main incision started to leak and i had to go to the ER and they said i have a Wound Infection which led to Cellulitis!! I am so sick they had me taking Clindamyacin liquid form 40 ml 3x day I cant get it down! So now they switched me to capsules i have to take 2 capsules 3 x day its so hard i was doing so good. I feel they should have put me in the Hospital and run the antibiotics by IV Therapy. Its just hard when your stomach cant handle after surgery! Has anybody else experienced this??

I have had a time with my reflux since getting sleeved Dec 9, 2014. I have had test after test done. Well now they tell me I have Barretts Disease. They say I shouldn't have had the sleeve becouse it only makes reflux worse. Now they tell me. Felling so frustrated.

Ok, here's some funny things I've found myself saying.... "When I was fat..." LOL. I use that mostly to distinguish time. For instance, if someone I talking about a particular food or restaurant that I no longer eat, I'll be like, "yeah, I used to like that when I was fat." ... To an outsider this probably sounds totally ridiculous & a little rude. LOL "No thanks, I don't drink".... So at nearly 2 years out, I still follow the rule of not drinking while eating. The other day I was at a restaurant where the waitress tried pouring me a glass of Water, and I said "No thanks, I don't drink" -- meaning while I eat, but I didn't exactly finish the thought. So she stood…

Hi all just a quick intro of myself. My name is carol and I'm 42 years of age. Had my sleeve done 5 days ago and am feeling ok so far. I have 3 children 15, 13 and 9 and a loving husband. I live on 3 acres with some cattle, sheep, birds and a dog. The house is always full of kids and happiness. I'm looking forward to myself feeling more happy and energetic as the time goes on. Sorry I can go on a bit I love talking. Thanks and look forward to continuing my weightloss journey with you all. ????

I got a fill yesterday and I'm not sure if my band is too tight. I can't hardly eat and when I drink it feels like it's sitting ontop of the band Andy chest kinda hurts? I thought maybe I wasn't chewing good enough but liquid is feeling funny? I can feel it like going down but I have to drink really slow and my chest is kinda sore feeling. Dunno if it's from getting my fill yesterday or if it's too tight

I just realized this morning that i have dropped under the "obese" range on the height and weight charts and am now only "overweight"! I never thought I'd be so happy to be considered overweight. ???? What an amazing thing a sleeve and 4 months can do!

I cant wait for the surgery. Im ready to start a new life!

Hi everyone! Today I started Purée Phase. I was excited this morning, but it's so hard to eat slowing. My nurse told me to get a baby spoon that that would help me with bite size! I had stage 2 baby food with seasoning and my pouch hurts a little. A friend told me its because I ate it too fast! Don't know how much slower I am going to eat. Had cottage cheese for Breakfast and super hard to chew it to applesauce texture. How should I proceed! Thanks

Hello, My name is Jenny. I live in Phoenix AZ, I just had my Lap-Band surgery 4 weeks ago. So far it has been awesome! I woke up from surgery and literally had NO pain. The next day I just had some soreness but that was it. I had my first fill 2 days ago and was so excited to find out I have already lost 26 lbs. I have a long way to go but its a great start. The only thing I find difficult is that I have no energy in the morning time. I was previously a morning person and now I have trouble waking up. I am also a little dizzy in the morning as well. Other than that I am doing great and I am glad I found this site. If you have any advise please share! Thanks

Today I found out that I have a marginal ulcer. Had an egd done after having awful pains last night. Treating it with carafate and nexium for 40 days. Then reevaluate with another egd. Anyone have any experience with these?? I am literally 4 days away from my one year anniversary.

Ok the surgery is what it is nothing to report they repaired a hernia also. I am having a hard time with gas pains I have no pain from the surgery and the worst thing is nauseous I can hardly move even reading cause me to vomit. I just came home last night and took my first shower just now. I don't feel hungry at all I had half cup of tea today and one Popsicle 20 minutes ago. I am sipping my Water but it's not making a significant dent. The gas pain and the nausea are my problems. I only sleep 15 to 20 minutes intervals and they are filled with weird dreams don't remember anyone mentioned anything about sleeping and dreams. Went to the bathroom after I got home s…

I've been on my liquid diet two weeks about pretty much this whole month and now the drs Nurse calls says insurance price changed he said go back to Solids until further notice I'm like what!! Scheduled 22nd this month I can pay cash pay I told him which Evers cheaper I already had plans with both mine and my husbands jobs and care for me after and help with kids planned so they said they'll get back to me today has anyone experienced this ?

Hi everyone! I'm Nyxn and this is my first time here. I have been through a weight and lifestyle management for the past two years and my bariatric surgery has been scheduled for April 20th. I'm currently 320 lbs and have been overweight most of my life. I had hoped to manage my weight through diet and exercise, but it has been a huge struggle, so I've decided gastric surgery is the best option for me and have chosen to have the laparoscopic sleeve done. Has anyone gone through the surgery recently? I'm now on Day 3 of a three week liquid diet and am seriously craving everything, so any tips you can share to stop the madness would be appreciated!

Once in San Diego my Phone decided to crash and I lost David’s number in which I was to call once reaching San Diego. Fortunately I knew his email and knew that he is always online and would answer right away. Once he did he informed me that Big Robert was on his way but stuck at the border and would get there as soon as possible. Robert and I found each other and he swiftly loaded my luggage and we were on our way toward the Mexico Border. To say the least I was nervous getting in the car with a stranger but after just a few moments he had me at ease and we were talking about family and cooking and I had forgotten I had just met him moments ago. Just as I was Settling in…

Finally got my date!! April 20th!! I will start my pre-op diet next week. Very excited (and nervous) about the journey ahead! Anyone else with a date near mine??

Hello All, I started my weight loss journey first with my pcp then my possible gastric surgeon. I have followed the steps given per Cigna which include meeting with a nutricianist monthly for 3 months (I've gained 6 lbs) . My question is has anyone been approved after gaining less than 10 lbs in southeast Texas? (close to Houston) I am sooo scared I messed up after all the money and hard work I put in! Help!

I got my lap band on December 17th 2014 and thought this was my final move to lose weight. Well here I am 4 months later and have not even lost 20 pounds! This has been a very slow and very frustrating process. I initially thought I was doing everything right and now realize that the band is simply a tool to help me lose my weight, no magic here. I have limited my carbs and find that that has started me on my weight loss journey. My surgeon just smiles and says "lap band is a slow process"..... is this true for anyone else??? I need to find someone to come along side me and give me your experience so that all hope is not lost. This is a permanent way of life for me and …

So I'm scheduled for my sleeve on Monday. However, during my scope for gastro clearance, they discovered that I have a very early stage of Barrett's at the junction between my stomach and esophagus. So...he gave me a choice of whether I want to have a full bypass, which will preserve my stomach in case I need it in the future and will resolve any issues with acid. He said he can still do the sleeve, but there are no long term studies yet on what the impact is with Barrett's. I don't know what to do. Sigh. Is there anyone here who hasn't had major acid reflux issues after the sleeve? Or anyone who had issues improve with time?

I was approved for my surgery and I am meeting the surgeon in two days. How long does it take to actually set the date? Hopefully soon? I'm full of anxiety, excitement, and fear!

I'm a RN so I'm a little nervous about Mexico!!!! My mom had a lap band put in in Mexico and had a awesome experience! I'm hoping it will go smoothly. She is actually getting her band revised to the sleeve on the same date I'm having mine! They will even room us together which is awesome! Our date is June 8th and I'm counting the days! My BMI is only 31 so I barley qualify so I'm trying to maintain weight not gain or loose between now and then! But even though 5'8 and 200 lbs doesn't sound that bad I get asked if I'm pregnant several times a week and I'm over it! I carry my weight in my stomach and boobs! It's awful. I can't wait to be little again! To go shopping again …

Here is a weight-loss tip I found on the internet. I have tried it for a few days and it has really helped discourage the "sweet" monkey on my back. If I eat, and then brush right away, the food flavors don't linger in my mouth, teasing me to go eat more. Plus, because of the minty flavor of the toothpaste, I am drinking more Water. Tea is one thing that taste real bad after brushing, so this trick eliminates the artificial sweeteners I was putting in the tea. Because I am no longer consuming thirty sweetener packets a day (my main vice - I was putting that stuff in everything), my body doesn't crave sweetness anymore. It has been a very helpful chain reaction. He…

I attended a seminar on WLS 12 years ago. It was expensive, I had college aged kids, and no way was my insurance going to cover it. I was just not heavy enough and it was still in its infancy with hardly any success stories yet. So I decided to loose it on my own. Guess what... So am now doing it. Took money out of my 401K and am using this now so that I can have the golden years of my dreams. April 8th, here I come.

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Anyone getting sleeved on April 16th? Help!!! I am in danger of chickening out .. Again! ???? My doc says my vitals are perfect... I am in no danger of cholesterol or BP, or Sugar or Cancer of any sort... I am doing this for psychological reasons.... I am tired of seeing myself like this. I am very worried about any complications that may arise in a month or maybe ten years from now

I'm 40+ pounds down in 4 mos. time!!! My clothes fit My knee pain gone My foot pain gone My cholesterol is low end of normal My blood pressure is normal My meds have been adjusted so I am not spending a fortune on medications!! Can't wait until this rainy weather passes so I can get out and really get moving!! BEST DECISION I EVER MADE I can pretty much eat anything I want except soft bread, I can eat toast or crackers but not soft bread. With my meals I focus on getting my Protein in first, then my veggies. The #1 thing I have found is CHEW, CHEW, CHEW your food! The moment I feel a 'full pang' - I stop eating. I wait 30 min and then drink some Water... I …

I need snack ideas. I eat the same thing every day in between Breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and I am bored. I can eat anything at this point. I am 7 weeks post op Thanks

I had a smoothie yesterday from smoothie king called the Gladiator which has 45 grams of protein. Is this a good choice?

I am currently on my 3 day post op. The second was horrible pain oh the pain. Didn't get a lot If liquids in yesterday bug I got up early today to work In liquids. Anyone else have it done the 9th

I've had my band a little over a year. I went and got a fill yesterday cause I was clearly eating to much. It's tight now and I have to chew really really good. I hope it isn't to tight. I hope I just need to chew better. When I chew really well it goes ok. My chest is kinda sore from me throwing up cause I didn't chew good enough. But I just got it yesterday and I can fill the tightness. Anyone else feel that? Well here is my photos from a year!

Hi, I just had the BP done on March 31. I am finding it very hard to drink 64 oz of liquid. I am 5 days PostOp and today I reached 50 oz! I know I am mildly dehydrated. It has been very difficult even to eat every 3 hours as my doctor has instructed. So far I am tolerating the food. Does one start on 2 oz and progress to 4 oz? I am confused and haven't been able to speak with the nutritionist. While the Doctor is excellent I think very little of the staff. Cubans have a saying " new broom sweeps well". In other words has a client contemplating the surgery I thought I would have the support from the staff because they were selling themselves very well. I guess not ever…

Woot! Woot! Surgery date set for May 5th, 2015! I've worked rather hard and I'm super excited to finally begin this journey. Apparently I've lost 30lbs since I started. That alone is awesome! I'm shopping for the surgery... I would love suggestions on vitamins, things you wish you had, just about anything you think would be helpful??

Anyone Else getting headaches? I have had a headache every day since surgery February 12 th. I see my regular gp on friday. My surgeon is in Mexico, so i don't' have a bariartic doctor here. Just wondering if anyone else is experiencing this??

I'm having surgery on April 6th at Celebration Hospital is Kissimmee, Florida and I'm extremely terrified. Was anyone this scared before surgery? Is this a normal feeling?

In 2012 I got the lap band....did very well lost 80 lbs. In oct. Of 2014 it stopped working.....flash forward April 6 2015 lap band gone and got sleeved.....so far recovery going good......good luck everyone!

I've been great at dealing with everything so far, but I'm about four days away from starting my liquid diet and I'm finding myself starting to ride the emotional rollercoaster. I'm scared of the surgery, I'm scared of not being able to ever eat normally again, I'm scared of my relationships changing, I'm scared of having no support, and I'm scared of how I'm going to look after all of this (silly, but it's a thing that's bugging me). How do I deal with all of this? What did you guys do to cope?

Tomorrow is the start of my liver shrinking diet. Somewhere I keep hearing this voice in the back of my head saying, "Go for it today, it's your last chance!" Has anyone else experienced this and what did you do about it? In my mind I've already planned out the menus and everything. Any last suggestions?

Just diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis and sleeve surgery will be the first week in June. Does anybody with MS have any advice or want to share your sleeve journey?

I am so thankful for this site and everyone sharing their experiences and wisdom - I feel much more prepared for my surgery next week. I just decided to not "hide" my weight from my profile anymore despite my fear of being stigmaized (I already had one person comment on my BMI on this site) because I am ready for this surgery, this change and I do not have the energy to worry about judgement from others anymore. Plus, I was inspired by a few of you who are honest about your weight in your profile. I am seeking others who have 200 lbs or more to lose and are willing to share how your journey has been and anything you've learned. I am happy for anyone who is ready to ma…

Hello my name is Kelly, I recently had the gastric sleeve done on January 13th. I was diagnosed with poly cystic ovary syndrome back in 2006 and that is when my weight became such a struggle for me. I have lost 45 pounds so far and feel fantastic!!! I would recommend this surgery to anyone who is considering it.

I had to do an upper GI X-Ray and they tell me they found a polyp. I'm scheduled for surgery on April 20th and doctor wants to go in tomorrow and remove the polyp. Anyone have this problem prior to surgery? I'm a bit nervous that it will be something bad.

I've interviewed a number of people over the years whom have been successful with the various weight loss surgeries. It seems that each surgery has at times either failed the patient or has been successful, with no one surgery seeming to be THE BEST solution overall. One of my very favorite gastric sleeve success stories is Jen. Jen transformed herself inside and out, then found true love... for herself and then for Mr. Right http://www.healthcentral.com/obesity/c/276918/173276/finding-obesity-patient?ap=831 I hope that she inspires you to lifelong success! Good luck to you wherever you are in your journey!

Hello, I'm new to the group. I am just five days out from my surgery, and down 10 pounds already. I do have a mental feeling that I need to eat something, but I know it's all just mental.

Hello all I had my surgery on February 26 2015, and I feel great. I had been researching the process for quite awhile and I just finally decided I had to do take action and I'm very happy I did. It's been 6 weeks and I have lost 30 lbs with a total of 45 lbs including the weight I lost prior to my surgery. I was just wondering if that seems right, I feel like I should have lost more by now. Just wondering.