Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

Hello my name is Sam. I started my journey back in November of 14. Found out that I was diabetic. My whole life I've been on the heavy side. Some years growing up I would get a thinner year in here or there but the majority I've been heavy. Both parents passed at the young age of 65. Both had diabetes and the many many complications of diabetes and other diseases took their lives early. I've struggled for years to try to loose weight but it always creeps back up. Once I found out that I was diabetic I thought ok is time to do something more, a tool to help me loose more weight and hopefully keep it off. I know it's not the easy way out. I know it takes a lot of…

Today I had my first appointment since re-enrolling in the program for roux-en-y surgery. I met with the nurse practitioner, surgeon and coordinator. I'm happy to report I have been approved for surgery which will most likely take place this coming June or July. I had previously completed some of the requirements so a few I don't have to do. But. I'll be getting a call with my appointments soon. Weight loss goal 30 lbs. Since making my commitment I've lost 4. I can do this!

45 year old male 5'10/270 with a failed lap-band from 2010. Surgery date is this Friday . I am a little nervous!

I'm currently having a cup of sleepy time tea, I can feel everything in my new belly! Warm liquids give me the strangest sensation!

Posted Today, 7:23 AM So I went to my visit yesterday with my wife to get my band scheduled. At 5 ft 7 and 240lbs my main reason for WLS is ridding myself of diabetes. After a long conversation with my surgeon I have decided on a new procedure . The sleeve gastrectomy with single Anastomosis duodenoileal bypass. By bypassing the pancreas it results in diabetes resolution. It's been done in Spain for several years and recently in the US but data is limited. Any info from others is appreciated. BC/BS doesn't consider it experimental. It's approved . I'm actually going to be in a study my surgeon and six others in the US. mostly to gather long term data as the isn't any. A…

Hi all - I had RNY on 2/23 and would love to connect with some of you. I have told a few friends and family members about my decision to have WLS but am not sure anyone can really understand this path without walking it. Would love to connect! Also, how do I post a "profile picture?" ????

For our infamous transformation tuesday...10 months out. Feeling very happy! Lost 60 pounds - from size 18 to 10. My goal for 10 months out was to loose at least 80-85 pounds. But considering I don't exercise at all (as i should), eat without restrictions and my only limitation is the amount of food that fits my sleeve, I think I'm doing pretty good. I'm very surprised that even though I did not reached my goal in pounds, I did, whatsoever, reached my goal in size. That's the exactly size (10) I had as my goal for my 10th month. Very intrigued. One thing I m sure had helped me: I don't care about junky food, chips, candies or chocolate at all. I have it once in a while b…

So, small rant here... Why do we care what others think of our decision to take control of our health by having WLS? I see post after post here with folks who are afraid to let anyone know, (OMG, what if my <fill in relationship here> with NO medical training doesn't approve)? Someone told me I "cheated" and now my feelings are hurt. You KNOW better than that or you wouldn't have chosen WLS in the first place! For cheating to have occurred, there has to be a winner and a loser and you are in competition with NO ONE in this battle for your health! I get that our health decisions are no one's business, but that's not what I'm talking about here. Tell who you w…

I go in to the doc Monday to do preop and get my preop liquid diet food. Surgery is March 30th. I am scared, ashamed, excited and worried all at the same time. For 6 months I have known without doubt this is what I want and need. Now I am questioning myself for the first time. I am going to read through the board for support but this is the single most monumental change ever in my life and I have had some big changes in my life.

Hello all. I'm a newbie. Sleeved on 3/4 and I have to say I've had to deal with so many sarcastic comments, I'm about to lose my patience and let everyone have a piece of my mind. So one of my neighbors sees me yesterday and says hey are you okay, I saw you were in the hospital. I said yes I'm fine. I had WLS. He then responds you don't need surgery to lose weight, you should just operate on your refrigerator. Stop eating. If he wasn't a long time friend of the family, I would've lost it. There's been a lot of smart comments thrown at me here and there and I'm losing my patience. What do you all respond? I need some help!!!

. This is INSANEEEE guys! Can u tell???

A work in progress everyday its hard but seeing this weight come off makes it all worth it

I am very frustrated by my lack of weight loss since surgery. My surgery was on 12/15 and I have only lost 45lbs since that date. I have been following the diet plan from my doc and exercising, but I keep hitting plateaus. My surgeon is happy with my progress, but I just feel like it should be more.

Hello everyone, Names Michael and I am about three months into my VSG journey. I am 23 years old and currently reside in NYC, I decided to get WL surgery in October and had my first consultation with DR. Eric Edwards at MT Sinai hospital. I have created a YouTube channel to document my journey my VSG Chanel is Mikey-VSG and my first video can be found at https://youtu.be/gP4hqtFVLCM. Take a look and don't be shy.

Hello all, I am new here and just starting the process. I am interested if anyone has some recommendations for surgeons in the Phoenix area. I am looking for good surgeons and why you like them, and the bad surgeons and why you would never go back. Any help would be appreciated! Thank you! Dave

I'm 9 months out and I feel like I'm failing. I'm hungry all the time I'm stuck at about 185 I started at 250. I'm needing some advice on where to start over or how to get back on track any advice is appreciated! No bashing please!

I had bypass in Sep 2010 . I started out at 367 at my heaviest as far as I know. I have been down to 209 my lowest . Today at 240. For all of us that become so heavy it is for many different personal reasons . There is no one answer that will fix us all. And many that go through this process will fail. The surgery is a tool not a cure all. And for many including myself it is an emotional problem with physical results. For me it is a moment by moment struggle. I Am 47 years old . I pray for strength for us all to succeed .

Obituaries always list the year you were born and the year you died , separated by a dash , 1919 - 1999 . When you were born or when you died is not nearly as important as what you did in between the dash , its what you put in that dash that matters. ( Enjoy your life while there's still no date at the end of your dash .)

Wow. Can't believe it's been a year since I've had gastric bypass. I feel good. I made one of the best life changing decisions in my life. I'm grateful, happy, and most of all Blessed

Hi all. I was sleeved on 3/4 and I am so tired of soups and broths and water and protein shakes. When was everyone able to eat mashed potatoes or puréed foods? I'm craving mashed potatoes. Any information will help me.

So I am finally home. I am trying to figure out whether I am hungry or not. Every time I sip on some broth or have a sip of my water I feel like I feel everything going down and am worried it's gonna all come up. Also I was wondering how long my belly & stomach will have that hollow feeling. It's very uncomfortable to lay down. Please help.

I was sleeved on 2/10 so tomorrow makes a month, I have lost 31lbs which I am thrilled about however that was all in the first 2 weeks.... I have been in a major stall since. I am getting all my Water in, eating correctly (however nowhere near getting my Protein in, I haven't been able to get the shakes down since preop) my daily calories are around 450-500 and that's with 3 meals a day, some days including a snack. Any advice on how to get the scale moving again? Is this normal?? It's hard to not get discouraged after going through all this and the scale has just stopped on me! Thanks in advance!

(sorry about the atrocious typo in the title >.<. "SURGIVERSARY"!) I'm sitting her reminiscing about my surgery day. I remember so clearly the emotions that I was feeling. I was not scared in the least. I was so READY. I did have a bit of anxiety, as anyone who is about to go under the knife would have, but was never scared. Waking up from the surgery was one of the biggest sighs of relief that I have ever taken. It's over with! I'm alive! Yeah I feel like crap, but I "feel" AMAZING! I only had to stay one night in the hospital. Recovery after surgery was typical. I took 3 weeks off of work which I felt every day was needed. Pain was manageable and I didn't take…

Hey there! I'm Drew, from Oklahoma. I was sleeved on 6/25/14. So I'm 7 1/2 months post-op. I'm 27, 6'2" and weighed 334 lbs at my pre-op appointment on 6/9/14. Today I weigh 184 lbs, so I'm down 150 lbs! My journey thus far has been a blur...a struggle...but most of all...a blessing. I am a work in progress...simply a guy on his journey to be healthy, strong, and nutritionally correct. Now focusing on building muscle and endurance! Recently picked up running and am up to about 4.5 miles per run...so considering half marathon training! WLS is no doubt a life changing experience...but end of day...the results ARE dependent on the effort YOU put into it.

I'm about to start eating soft foods, does it get easier to workout once you start eating? Right now I have barley any energy and get very fatigued after walking for about 30 mins

I read some of post and it have help me. The same way I was feeling most of you have gone though and was able to answer some of my queston. Now I just need to do the work because its not easy.

I had my surgery a month ago and wish I'd done it sooner! I've had no restriction since my op and am sooo looking forward to getting my first fill this coming Wednesday. I've lost 18.5 pounds so far and have a long way to go still, but am so pleased I've (almost) made it to my first fill without gaining any weight. Now, I just need to start moving my (slightly smaller) ass.. There's absolutely no good reason why I haven't been working out, but I plan to start walking this evening.

Hi everyone! My name is Pilar and I'll have my bypass surgery on Monday March 9th. I have read your forum for months and I have to say thank you to everyone here. All the information you share is very useful and we can't feel alone seeing all that people sharing their experiences. So thank you very much to you all!! I'm so scared and I can't sleep very well these days, but I hope this is the right decision and it will improve my life quality in a long term. I'm 33 and I have a BMI of 45, that's morbid obesity. I don't have many additional problems but I'm suffering a thyroid illness that doesn't help me to maintain my weight. Even though I have good habits, I'm not …

So this morning as I am buzzing around the house trying to make it out the door to church on time, (Curse you, Daylight Savings) the thought struck me that after this surgery, grabbing a quick bite to hold me over isn't going to work anymore. I've been telling myself that I am willing to do whatever is necessary to get healthier, and that surgically removing out 2/3 of my stomach would be the one tool I needed to finally sustain my efforts to stay at a healthy weight. This morning as I hustled around the house it became clear to me that I need a lifestyle change more than anything...otherwise I would come home from this surgery with a third less of a stomach and the sa…

They dryness of my skin. I just don't know if it's the weather. I live in Indiana and it's very cold right now. But my skins never been this bad. Anyone going through this right now?

Ok. So, i just made my 2yr anniversary and it is so easy to eat everything. I gained 10lbs in 3 monyhs ovevthe holidays. Ive lost control and cant stop eating. I need to gain control before i put on more weight. Ive noticed i no longer eat bcus i have to. I am eating bcus i want to. I am thinking about taste. My portions and the type of food has increased. I dont feel the restriction like i use too. Can anyone relate?

If you are starting this journey next week (or thereabouts), like me, I would love to keep in touch as we go through this! Never thought I would be "looking forward" to a surgery...but this will be worth it! I just turned 40, have two kiddos, blessedly, a great and supportive husband and family, and a heckuva lotta weight to lose--at 313 pounds and 5'7"--but I am ready to use this tool to turn my disastrous relationship with food around for good. Anyone else planning to get a trainer? My plan is to swap food obsession for a healthier exercise one. I hope I can still get those ol' muscles to remember what they are for.... Best wishes to everyone out there!!

I started out on this forum thinking I would write everyday, but that fell through. So here's where I'm at now. I've completed the insurance mandated pre op classes and then went on to complete the post class psych class. (Yes, I needed to have a psych eval before I even started the classes) Kaiser is very into making sure each person that they accept into the program is prepared and motivated before they operate. During this time I've done the whole fitnesspal thing and logged almost everything I've eaten. I've even been eating with a baby spoon. Pretty much I've been doing everything they've asked. I'm still having a hard time with not drinking while eating but expe…

I am doing well, 25 pounds gone!! I feel better and I have not had a full yet but I'm losing 1 to 2 pounds a week! I am so glad I got the lapband!

Ahhhh!!! I'm 5 days away from being able to eat! Well soft foods anyway, I am so hungry!! What are some MUST HAVES that I need on my grocery list! recipes are nice too! ????????????

Hi everyone, my name is Lisa. I had my Lap-Band surgery on Feb 27th, 2015. My doctor is Dr. John Bagnato of Macon, GA. I am finding this post-op period to just plain suck eggs. My body didn't do well with just Clear liquids with no version of Protein in them. I would find myself feeling very crappy or just "not right" as I liked to call it. So on Day 3 I had to call the nurse and ask what to do. Luckily the nurse suggested 50% strength Protein shakes and to check back in with her the next day. Lucky for me it helped greatly. Of course just today I can have full strength protein shakes, which is nice. But I find myself daydreaming about chewing something other th…

It's been a little rough, gas in shoulder and chest. I was not able to sip much water. My esophagus or throat was having spasms and hick ups every time I took a sip. Called the dr today and they gave me a prescription for spasms. Finally able to sip water and a shake. I had not heard of this so I was worried. Anyone else heard of this?

I had my surgery on Feb 26th, I am hungry. It is not in my head, it is truly a feeling. It seems that I am not satisfied even after drinking the Protein shakes that are suppose to fill you up. When is something going to kick in and I not feel the emptiness. This is not what I thought it would be. Another friend had the same surgery and she said, she wasn't hungry and could not eat. Well that isn't the case for me. What do I do now? Did I waste money. Whether it is insurance paying for this, I'm second guesting my decision. I never felt like this prior to the surgery. Is there anyone out there that feels my pain.

I will be 18 wks post op tomorrow and on Friday nite I was shopping with my daughter and we took a selfie to send to my mom. I have a before pic on here of the both of us and when I looked at it compared to the new one I was amazed at the difference. Just thought I would share it on here to help encourage anyone who might be struggling or help inspire those just starting out. I know stuff like this really helped motivate me in the beginning!! I am sorry that the second pic is sideways, I have tried everything I know (which isn't a lot when it comes to computers) to correct it.

I haven't been here in a good while. I see some familiar names and lots of names that are new. Right before surgery and for several months after this forum was very helpful to me. I freely admit that I did not follow the recommended path after my gastric sleeve. I got some stern commentary from a few members here and I probably deserved it. Overall the members here have good intentions and the advice they give is sound. There will be a few here that remember me - to you I say Hola! Nice to see you all are still around. For the ones that I haven't had the pleasure of seeing before - Hey there. I'm Sharon, I'm in Mesquite TX, and I went to Tijuana in March of 20…

Hello everyone, my name is Lynda and I am 46 years old and decided during the summer 2014 to have bariatric surgery. It was a breakthrough for me and a big decision because I was always opposed to the decision to have the surgery. My breaking point was April 2014, weighing in at 400 lbs and have liver cirrhosis. During my routine liver specialist visit with 3 month cat scans they found something on my liver. They called to say the cat scan showed a mass and I needed an MRI right away. Didn't go through the MRI because I was catastrophic so they did the cat scan. Went to see the liver surgeon and they said it was 99% chance liver cancer. Went two months before getti…

Hi Everyone, I hope you are all having a wonderful day and in very good health. About me: Sex: Male Height: 5'5" Weight: 121 kg Medical History: Type 2 Diabetic (controlled), high cholesterol, high uric Acid, high blood pressure, and common obesity symptoms. My Surgery is scheduled on March 11 and I cannot help but obsessing over my recently discovered H. Pylori in my gut which caused minor erosion as per the Gastroscopy Doctor. I have been treated since last Saturday with the Nexium and two antibiotics (triple treatment) twice daily... For 6 days. My Gastric Sleeve sergeant does not seem worried about this infection and scheduled surgery on that date anyway.…

Has anyone had gastric bypass in Tijuana? All I can find are ppl who have had the sleeve. My surgery is scheduled and I would love to hear from others who have already been there and had this surgery.

My name is Candice and I live in west Texas. I've been BIG all my life. I had surgery March of last year and I've lost around 100 lbs and then just stopped. I have another 100 lbs I want to loose and skin that needs to be taken off.. I have recently become lost and unbearably depressed. I know I should be happy, I should be working as hard as I can to get out of this stall, but instead I wallow... I cry.. I've gotten so bad that I now know it's true, you can be so depressed that it actually hurts. I live in an area that doesn't have therapists or places for help with things like this. I don't have friends, they've all turned their backs on me... I'm lost and don't know …

Anybody else sharing the same date as me? Getting sleeved on 12th March... Excited, nervous, scared, ???????????????? everything. Anybody else sharing the same feeling as me?

I was sleeved March 17, 2014. I have lost 100 pounds since my journey started in November 2013. That's 45 pounds pre op and 55 pounds since surgery. I am at a stall. How much have you lost in all? Please share. Am I behind????? I feel like I should have lost more. I still need to lose 55 more pounds. Should I be worried that I haven't met my goal in one year?

I am having surgery on April 2nd at the Florence/Oasis of Hope, with Dr. Fernando Garcia. I am 44 and have battled with my weight all my adult life, I swear I can hear my moms voice saying you better not eat chocolate cake and chocolate milk for Breakfast it will catch up with you... all the while being a size 6.... fast forward 10 years and it caught up with me and then started multiplying. I now am battling degenerative arthritis and a torn meniscus, 7 years I have been told nothing is wrong with me all the while it getting worse and my ability to keep active dimensioning. I am now so out of shape and in so much pain that I have been taking anti depressants just because…

Hello! I had the gastric bypass on 2/24/15. I just advanced from clear liquids to full liquids. Started my vitamins again. I was wondering when I should start protein shakes? I would also appreciate any advice you guys have for me ????... Thank you in advance

I've been stuck in this rut for 2 months guys I don't eat bad @all but what is the 5:2? Any suggestions???

Hi Everyone, I had gastric bypass surgery on 11/4/2012. I weighed 242 pounds at my heaviest (I'm 5 foot 2). I managed to lose quite a bit of weight and got down to 156 pounds. My goal weight was (and still is) 145lbs. Then I started gaining. First it was 5lbs. Then 10lbs. Finally I'd gained 30 pounds and topped out at 184 pounds. I felt like I had wasted my one shot at this. For me it was a combination of things. First was disappointment. I'd lost a lot of weight but not enough from my midsection. I had people asking if I was pregnant. I was smaller all over with this round belly. I couldn't get rid of it and started to think: "Why try?". Then the depression started. I …