Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

Hi Everyone, My name is Michelle. I'm a mother of 2 wonderful young men (at the time I'm writing this, they're 20 & 13). I'm a remarried widow, to a man that makes my soul sing, my heart soar and my dreams come true each day that I wake up and see him next to me. I'm of Italian / Greek decent, and my entire life was based around food. I'm not an emotional eater, but there was always food around based on emotions, for example, lots of food for weddings, funerals, graduations, celebrations, birthdays, good days, bad days, etc. A few years ago I looked into getting banded but my insurance wouldn't cover it. I felt completely defeated, between being …

Since friday ,because i have a chest pain and after all ,my doctor let me admitted on the hospital because they said that I have an infection in my god-bladder and they have to remove my god-bladder im so tired because its being painful and I want to go home and be success with my band any help here ,did someone experienced the same as me ??

Is flavored sparkling water a no-no.. I've heard some some Yes and some say no. Advise please

Hi I'm confused because I was supposed to have gastric bypass and I got to sleeved on Tuesday during surgery due to scar tissue. All the information I have is for vitamins I'm supposed to take for the gastric bypass but I'm not sure if they're the same or if the sleeve requires you to take less does anyone have a list of vitamins that they take daily and how much? How often? Appreciate any feedback.

Hi, my name is Ana I just had the gastric sleeve on March 23 I started at 230 and today I weighted 218.. Hopping to get some good tips from great people that are in my journey

Hello, I had my surgery 11/17/14. HW: 294, CW: 241. My surgeon Atlanta Surgical Associates. Dr. Qammar Rashid. Decatur, Georgia. So far I'm still getting adjusted. I get frustrated because I've only lost 52 lbs then I think Wow!! You've lost 52 lbs. The key is not comparing your weight loss to someone else. I still have questions, good days and bad. I had a carb craving so bad a week ago that I thought I would surely pay the price in weight gain. No weight gain though only the dreaded plateau!! Also I have eaten at times 1600+ calories in a day!! That comes with snacking!! No more room for snacking!! Protein, Protein, Protein!! I focus my efforts now on 12 months post op …

Hi my name is Marnie I am 46 years old and just recently had my surgery. I was told I was getting the gastric bypass and have prepared extensively for that but during the surgery the surgeon due to scar tissue from previous abdominal surgeries decided to do the gastric sleeve. I was a bit surprised and taken back because I was preparing for the other operation but now I'm hearing I'm quite lucky and that the sleeve is a great option. I was concerned the weight-loss would be less however after everything I've read I'm more encouraged. I've lost a total of 20 pounds since starting the OPTi fast before the surgery so I'm feeling optimistic this will continue. Was wondering i…

24 years old, soon to be 25 in August. I have blonde hair and brown eyes. I have a super amazing boyfriend named Carl and two fur babies (Fred (beagle) 3 years old and Jason (beagle husky) 1 1/2 years old). I have lived in Omaha Nebraska almost my whole life, before that I was stuck in North Dakota I want to say Fargo but I'm not 100% sure. I have an older sister Sarah (25 soon to be 26 in August too), younger brother Matthew (19), and Nolan (14). My parents are still together, not happy but together. My first job was at a hole in the wall laundry mat, then I left there to go to Dairy Queen (where I was stuck for 5 long years), then got a job at a call center, then a d…

I am 58 years old. I had my Gastric Bypass surgery March 2, 2015. My surgery was at Baylor, Scott & White in Temple, Texas. I started running a High fever the day after my surgery. My lung started to collapse. I had to stay another day. I went home the third day but had to return to the hospital for IV fluids twice that week. The nausea was awful. Not fun! I am now 4 weeks out of surgery. I am still having vomiting issues. I have to wear the nausea patch that people use for motion sickness. That helps! The Zofran doesn't help at all. Things should be getting better but not. I am depressed and I keep asking myself "What did I do to my body!" I am going back to see t…

It's been awhile since I've posted. Been busy with work and the like. I'm doing well. My weight loss has slowed down quite a bit but it's not bothering me. I'm more focused on gaining muscle and being "fit". As part of being fit I ran in Chicago's Shamrock Shuffle this morning. It was a crowded field of over 40,000 people. I finished in exactly 1 hour to run the 8K (5 mile) race. I was pleasantly surprised because when I did this race last time over 10 years ago in much better shape it took me only 55 minutes. It's something I could not imagine doing this a year ago before surgery. It's been tough keeping on track but it has been quite worth it. Keep on shuffling folks.

My name is Tori and I am 22 years old. Recently I have been seriously considering WLS, most likely the gastric sleeve procedure. I go to a meeting tomorrow with my doctor to discuss my options but I'm just worried about some things. Firstly, I am 5' 4ish and weigh about 215, so I barely qualify for the surgery anyway. But I have struggled my entire life with my weight using multiple highly popular methods: ViSalus, weight watchers, and ideal Protein. I have lost some weight with these diets but then I've gained all of the weight back and then some. I don't have any comorbidities but I am very close to getting diabetes. I am terrified of getting this disease. Does anyo…

I am well on my way with the process of having WLS I've done everything needed and I'm now doing my three weight management that's all that's left. My husband and everyone is behind me 100% but my husband works out of state and we only see each other maybe once a month. I'm basically doing the single mom thing working full time and dealing with a child with a disability. I'm trying so hard to make the right choses and write down everything I eat (good or bad) and they have asked me to write how I feel at the when I ate whatever. Well I know that I'm a stress eater but now it's in my face on paper and I'm having a hard time stopping it before it like I'm not conscious of i…

I had the gastric sleeve done on 3-19-15 so far so good. Since having the surgery I've been having trouble with vomiting and nausea I actually just got out of the hospital yesterday because of it. Has anyone else experienced this? It just come randomly. I would love any advice or thoughts. Thank you so much!

Hi everyone, My name is Wayne. I will be getting my sleeve procedure done next month. I am extremely excited to get it done but also a little nervous. I figured I would join a forum and see how it went for others and to get any tips that would help along the way. I look forward to reading everyones stories and start a new chapter of my own story and life.

I can't wait to be over all of this pre surgery stuff!

Hello everyone. I just wanted to relate my surgery success. I'll start off by stating that I am not the norm when it comes to surgery. Results vary with everyone. I have many relationship es and friends that range from 2yrs to 5yrs post op. They're all amazed at my transformation. I'd like to think it's due to the extreme motivation I've had. My sister passed away at the age of 42. I was turning 42 in February of 2014. I weighed in at 397lbs. I consulted with a surgeon that month and was instructed to lose 20lbs prior to surgery. I lost 51lbs prior to my surgery date on 4-25-14. To say I was motivated is understating it. I was scared I was going to die like my sister did.…

On the 4th April it will be 1 year since i had surgery so i have deceied to update if any one wants to read I am now a size 14 ( US 12) my biggest i was a size 26 ( US 24) so i am super stoked with that, i can pretty much go into most stores now and buy something with out having to go to plus size only... though i still have all my extra weight around my stomach/hips so sometimes i find tops a bit tight and i have massive boobs lol they have decreased in size of course but they are still big lol .. If I could go back in time to my early 20's i would make major changes and just do it with eating right and exersize i would not recommend this path for anyone who is youn…

My lap band story in shot version ~ I had my surgery in February 2010. I was doing very well I went from 322 to about 150 (my goal) until, I got stomachsmy band up so that I would not continuously heave up the mucus and irritate all the vocal cords barrels esophagus ecetra. Needless to say, it slowed that problem down considerably, however I put 20 pounds back on. Struggling to loose it, E dr is I g with my bad legs back and fibrmialgia. I joined bullies for pool exercises. The pool was not necessarily keep up as clean as it should and I keep getting earReducing Exercise greatly. Tried MAny other things. My legs would ed hold up. I was a letter to get to a out 1…

I am a 34 year old mother of 2 busy boys ages 4 and 6. I was a normal size throughout childhood and adolescence, but have been overweight/obese since the age of 18. It seems with each passing year another 5-10 or more pounds get added. I know I can lose weight, but I can't lose the 90 lbs that I need to without help. I feel like I have been gaining and losing the same 10-30 lbs for the last 4 years and with each loss, it seems to come back with an additional 5 lbs. I am worried for the future if I keep in this pattern. Both my parents have diabetes and hypertension and I do not want to end up with the same conditions. It sounds wimpy but I have chronic pain in my left foo…

I'm traveling for work and I want to bring a ziplock bag with protein powder, quest bars, etc. Has anyone had experience bringing this on a plane in a carry on? That stuff is expensive and I don't want it thrown away!

Monday I can start introducing solids into my meals. I was told to try one new thing then wait a day before trying another. I thought eggs would be a good protein source and a good place to start but a friend of mine said to be careful with eggs. Any tips or suggestions out there? I do know that we are all different and can react differently but I'd sure appreciate your advice.

I'm 10 months out and I'm stuck I've been the same weight for the last 3 months but have not been eating the wrong things please HELP!!

Hello, I'm in the pre-op stages of having gastric bypass surgery. At this time I'm awaiting my appt for an EGD. I was wondering if there is anyone in this forum that has had their surgery done by Dr. Younan Nowzaradan. He seems very nice, straight forward and to the point...how has your experience been with him?

When r u able to drink instead of taking sips from a sippy cup

So, I had three glorious weeks off from my mobile/desk job. (I'm a crisis counselor and sometimes we make house calls, a lot of times it's taking phone calls.) Today is my first day back. I'm getting ready for work now. I've got two lean shakes from GNC, a scrambled egg in a baby tupperware container, a sugar free Jello and 4 bottles of Water. I know I've over packed. But I'll just leave whatever I don't get through at work for the week and bring more Protein shakes as needed. I didn't tell anyone I was having weight loss surgery--just a hernia repair and ulcer correction. I'm down about 20 pounds but I don't see it anywhere. If anyone notices I'm just gonna chalk it…

Soooo I'm drinking, exercising, eating 800 calories, drinking protein shakes and my weight loss has come to a halt. Im down 85 lbs since surgery 9/9/2014. Happy no regrets, loving the compliments. Started out weighting 298 now I'm 215. Just want to get to that 100lb loss. Help, advice PLEASE!!!

Tomorrow March 24 starts my liquid diet, and my surgery is March 31. It's going to take much will power to get through this liquid diet and I know it won't be easy but it can be done!

Hello all!! Just wanted to share my victory with everyone! Never in a million years would I have thought that after only 8 months I would be down 100 lbs!!! That's crazy! I went shopping this weekend cause of course nothing fits me anymore and I bought cloths in large!! I used to wear a 2 or 3xl!! Here's a progress pic!! Hope I can inspire any of you that are struggling to make a decision!! Happy Monday!!

I am still in the regret stage. Or is it only me that regrets this decision?

Hi all, I am 5 weeks post op, and have been eating soft to normal foods for the past week. Just wanting to know what types of foods you are having for dinner?, that seems to be my biggest struggle area, dinner time!! Thanks

Hi... I just want to share a good resource to help anyone who has had bariatric surgery or anyone considering it. You may already be aware of The book authored by Alex Brecher and Natalie Stein, "The BIG Book on Bariatric Surgery: Living Your Best Life After Weight Loss Surgery." It is now available as an Audiobook. As the narrator, I have a handful of promotional codes I can share with you, entitling you to a free copy of the Audiobook from www.audible.com. If you'd like one, please email me directly at dseawel@seawel.com. When they are gone... they are gone. You can see the Audiobook at: http://goo.gl/ZbQ6hl If you purchase the book and find it helpful, I would r…

My day is April 3 I'm exited yet worried but glad I took this decision going for the gastric sleeve

Hello, my name is Sparke.. My date is set for April 8th and I'm loaded with every emotion imaginable. I start my liquid diet on the 25th of March n I'm excited. I'm afraid of failing so I need this support group to help me get through this process. Thanks for all you guys posts. It has helped tremendously.

Hi... I just want to share a good resource to help anyone who has had bariatric surgery or anyone considering it. You may already be aware of The book authored by Alex Brecher and Natalie Stein, "The BIG Book on Bariatric Surgery: Living Your Best Life After Weight Loss Surgery." It is now available as an Audiobook. As the narrator, I have a handful of promotional codes I can share with you, entitling you to a free copy of the Audiobook from www.audible.com. If you'd like one, please email me directly at dseawel@seawel.com. When they are gone... they are gone. You can see the Audiobook at: http://goo.gl/ZbQ6hl If you purchase the book and find it helpful, I would re…

So I just got home from my lap band surgery with True results in Houston! I had a nerve block done so I'm actually okay today but I fear tomorrow lol. I have my heating pad and gas x strips. Anything else that I should have for the next few days? I can send my fiancé out lol. I am so excited! I am starting at 210.6 and I'm 5ft tall also I'm 19 years old and have PCOS. Can't wait until that weight starts dropping off:)!

So I just got home from my lap band surgery with True results in Houston! I had a nerve block done so I'm actually okay today but I fear tomorrow lol. I have my heating pad and gas x strips. Anything else that I should have for the next few days? I can send my fiancé out lol. I am so excited! I am starting at 210.6 and I'm 5ft tall also I'm 19 years old and have PCOS. Can't wait until that weight starts dropping off:)!

Hi... I just want to share a good resource to help anyone who has had bariatric surgery or anyone considering it. You may already be aware of The book authored by Alex Brecher and Natalie Stein, "The BIG Book on Bariatric Surgery: Living Your Best Life After Weight Loss Surgery." It is now available as an Audiobook. As the narrator, I have a handful of promotional codes I can share with you, entitling you to a free copy of the Audiobook from www.audible.com. If you'd like one, please email me directly at dseawel@seawel.com. When they are gone... they are gone. You can see the Audiobook at: http://goo.gl/ZbQ6hl If you purchase the book and find it helpful, I would reall…

Hi everyone! I've been a "lurker" for a couple months reading everything I can about the sleeve journey. This is my first "real" post. My surgery is scheduled for April 2nd and I'm both excited and terrified, all at the same time. I've been over weight my entire adult life, and most of my family is overweight and suffer from a variety of weight related health issues. I have sleep apnea, high blood pressure and have been doing what I refer to as the "pre-diabetes dance" for the last year or so with my rising and falling A1C. I am so excited for what lies ahead of me, and so encouraged by all the positive stories others have shared.

Any band to sleeve revisions? Was it all in one surgery? Did you have to wait between surgeries? What are your stats? Are you a slow loser?

I'm Cheryl and I'm thrilled to have found this online community and have been reading your posts! This is my first, so to start I'll tell you a little about me and my journey. I'm a retired public high school counselor who lives in central New Jersey in a beautiful little town on the Delaware River. I love it here and I love my home, my family (teenage daughter, husband and grown steps, and their children) and I love being retired. Being a school counselor was great, but now on with another show! I've basically always been overweight or obese since early childhood except for short periods when I was in a growth spurt. My weight increased throughout my life: in my…

I am 16 days post-op from VSG and it has recently dawned on me.....I have no idea what I look like. My bone structure has always had extra fluff on it. I have never been slim, and early on in life I realized that husky wasn't just a breed of dog. I don't posses chia-pet like facial hair, so I'm hoping the structure isn't too terrible. Below is a brief synopsis of who I am. P.S- dealing with some major bloating. I think my doc made my sleeve really tight (had to stay an extra night because I couldn't get the barium cocktail to pass through my esophageal sphincter. My surgeon follows a (2 weeks full liquid, 2 weeks puree, 2 weeks mechanical soft and then regular). Puree …

So today marks one year since my journey started. My HW was 303 and my CW is 201. I went from a size 24 to 14-16. This journey has been very bumpy and emotional for me. I've had some good days, and bad days! I haven't lose any weight in months and it cause me to get stressed out. I started slacking in my exercising, and eating stuff I had no business eating because I'm a emotional eater. I feel hunger all the time now, and I find myself eating way more than I could before. I even gained 9lbs back... Which sucks!!!! I don't have any energy anymore. I've sat down with my nutritionist and she recommended I go back to the basic to get back on track. On a positive note I thank…

So I just got home from my lap band surgery with True results in Houston! I had a nerve block done so I'm actually okay today but I fear tomorrow lol. I have my heating pad and gas x strips. Anything else that I should have for the next few days? I can send my fiancé out lol. I am so excited! I am starting at 210.6 and I'm 5ft tall also I'm 19 years old and have PCOS. Can't wait until that weight starts dropping off:)!

Good day! I haven't been here for awhile. Today marks six months since I had Gastric Sleeve Surgery. I've lost close to 80pounds and still loosing! From 237 to 159! The loosing has slowed down though. I go to the gym at least 4-5 times a week. Always hungry, but a little bite here and there gets me satisfied. This is the best thing I've ever decided to do...I feel great, all my lab test are great, and look good too! I'm not afraid to go out of my house anymore...I enjoy being with people...more outgoing! Good luck to those that are about to have surgery and to those in the coming months. Congrats to those had surgery...you should feel as great as I!

Any post-op sleevers that have a confirmed diagnosis of vasovagal syncope? Mine was confirmed via several test, but the final was the tilt table test. I'm wondering if anyone with this condition had experienced any change since being sleeved. I'm in week three of post-op, and this thought just occurred to me after reading a few posts of people passing out.

Hey there, Question, does anyone have any testimonials regarding PCOS improving or being cured after WLS?

Where to begin. Well much like most of you we are all chasing that dream. I was always the fat girl in my crew cute for a fat girl and never really felt like I was confident or cute enough to hang with my mom and skinny sisters. In 2009 I decided at 327 pounds that enough was enough. I researched the band and at the time it was relatively new. I save up and went down to Mexico so very I'll prepared but no one could talk me out of it. So there I was on a plane like no turning back now. So I had the surgery returned home and actually from 2009 to 2013 I never had a fill... bad I know my band helped me lose 127 ponds but I was miserable couldn't eat lived off of snacks that …

... 150 more to go, with momentum on my side! Also, I will reach my first cycling milage goal of >100 miles per week by the end of this week. Thank you all who have provided insight into this process so far!

Hi everyone! I've been a "lurker" for a couple months reading everything I can about the sleeve journey. This is my first "real" post. My surgery is scheduled for April 2nd and I'm both excited and terrified, all at the same time. I've been over weight my entire adult life, and most of my family is overweight and suffer from a variety of weight related health issues. I have sleep apnea, high blood pressure and have been doing what I refer to as the "pre-diabetes dance" for the last year or so with my rising and falling A1C. I am so excited for what lies ahead of me, and so encouraged by all the positive stories others have shared.

Hello everyone! I want to be completely honest and say it's now quite yet two months, March 13th 2015 will be the two month anniversary! For those who are thinking or about to get the surgery, I'll answer questions. For those who have had the surgery, I hope my post inspires you to work smarter not harder! After all, eating right and exercising is a lot easier than waiting for the weight to drop! Let me start off by saying, there will be days that it absolutely sucks. You'll wake up in the morning and not feel hungry. You'll end up going the whole day without eating or drinking without a constant reminder. This isn't healthy! So make sure you add post-its, or somethin…