Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

I got pregnant 5 months after sleeve surgery. I didn't think it would be that big of a deal even though I was told to wait at least a year to 18 months. But, now I get it! I've had stomach discomfort throughout my pregnancy. I'm 19 weeks and still suffering from morning sickness. My OB/GYN thinks it's from my stomach being smaller. When I eat until I am full, not stuffed but just full, I then get nauseous and have to fight real hard not to throw it all back up. Sometimes it works but too often it doesn't. It also seems like I am not eating much but I feel full really fast. It's extremely uncomfortable and so is the acid reflex I seem to get after drinking liquids. Has any…

I started my WLS journey on 5/31/2014. I saw my PCP to talk about options with losing weight. She suggested having weight loss surgery. She knows i struggled with my weight for a few years. SHe advised me to see Dr. Patrick Chiasson here in Tucson, AZ. I called the surgeons office to see if i can attend one of their weight loss seminars. I was scheduled in the first week of June 2014. I learned alot at the seminar and spoke with their coordinators about having the Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy. I filled out the paperwork and then handed it to them, they called the insurance and verified what i needed to get approved. They then called me and advised me I needed to b…

Hello Bariatric Pals, I have been lurking the message boards for quite some time now, but finally I want to share my experience so far with my weight loss journey. I have always been overweight (5'5 290), and tried many methods to lose weight, and have been very unsuccessful. I looked into weight-loss surgery a couple of years ago, but wasn't too sure about it until now. I have United Healthcare Choice Plus insurance through my employer and the only requirements, is to provide proof that you have a BMI 40 or greater for 5 years. No dietitian or psychological evaluation required. I interviewed two surgeons in mid January, and I decided to choose Dr. Michael Willi…

Does anyone have anthem blue cross blue shield? How long does it take to get approved for surgery? Im stressed because i herd after my preop appointment that it could take 6 weeks to get approved.

Excited to share that my insurance approved me today and my gastric bypass surgery is scheduled for April 6! Feeling a range of emotions but mostly I'm feeling really motivated. Both my surgeon and my PCP think I'm going to do really well with the surgery and I've been doing really well with the liver shrinking diet. I'm excited about this new chapter of my life and using my new tool to lead a long and healthy life!

Excited to share that my insurance approved me today and my gastric bypass surgery is scheduled for April 6! Feeling a range of emotions but mostly I'm feeling really motivated. Both my surgeon and my PCP think I'm going to do really well with the surgery and I've been doing really well with the liver shrinking diet. I'm excited about this new chapter of my life and using my new tool to lead a long and healthy life!

I'm so happy I took this journey it's been great starting at 301, and now I'm 184 with about 20 more pounds to go. My bmi is now a 29.9 and I've lost 81% of my excess weight. This is journey that I'm glad that I took, but I know it's far from over!

I had my surgery on December 3rd and it went perfectly. I've adjusted well and took a little time to get into the flow of things but I like the system I have now with my vitamins, water, and food. I'm so grateful I had no complications. I've lost 64lbs and I feel amazing. I love that I can walk easier, breathe easier, and sleep better. What a blessing!

I have been struggling with my weight for years and only recently decided to explore surgery. The Dr's office I was referred to kept telling me my insurance required 5 years of weight history. I felt defeated because I don't have that. But something told me to keep pushing and doing my research. Come to find out, I don't even need weight history! So hopefully I'll be able to have my surgery at beginning of May. I'm very nervous, excited and anxious. Here we go!!!

So I had surgery last tues, and went yesterday for my one week appointment. They took the drainage tube out & said everything looked good! I've also lost 19 lbs!!!! I'm still struggling to get all fluids & Proteins in, but I'm doing better than I was a few days ago with that. I feel very exhausted and tired all the time though. I've told myself all day that I was gonna work out, but it hasn't happened yet. I just don't seem to have the energy. It still hurts a little when I bend over but nothing major. I'm looking forward to cottage cheese next week!!!!!

I have a getaway trip coming up to Galveston. Is it OK to go to the beach and swim in pool 7 weeks post op? Also, is there any uncomfortability at 7 weeks out???

Yesterday went by in a blur. Today is better. I've been walking and should go home on Friday.

I am a (now) 51 year old male. I have a great life ....married 26 years two college educated kids...great Job... the only thing I have never beaten was my weight Last year I turned 50. While not a tall guy only 5'4.5"... I carried 260lbs... I Have high blood pressure, and thyroid disorders.... at that weight I had problems walking, shortness of breath, was on 4 blood pressure meds, a thyroid med, and an ED med (due to the blood pressure meds), couldnt even exercise due to this weight. Always a lover of food....especially pizza and burgers...but a very occasional drinker and occasional cigar smoker, food was my vice for much of my life. Overweight in different weights …

Hello all, I am new to the forum, but I am about 1 year and 2 months post surgery. It's been a rough road from the start was hospitalized a week after surgery for dehydration and C. Diff. Since then I have had multiple visits to the the office and ER for adjustments and pain. We can't seem to find a happy medium to keep my band filled to, it's either too tight or not enough restriction. In the last month I have had to have fluid removed and of course so goes the weight gain. Just frustrated, i do not regret the surgery because the weight loss has been awesome but I feel like I am stuck in a rut. I pretty religiously cook food from skinnytaste.com and the skinnytaste cook…

Hi. I'm new here to the forum and wanted to jump in and introduce myself! Im a 52 year old fluffy gal from Just south of Pittsburgh. My surgery was Feb. 5, 2015--lap RNY. This past week has certainly been a learning curve for me. I'm not sure exactly what I expected ( which, incidentally, I think would be a great thing for those awaiting surgery--to actually WRITE what they expect week 1), but it wasn't this! The surgery itself wasn't awful. I think the worst pain is from a hernia my surgeon fixed while he was in there. The part that I wasn't anticipating was AFTER the surgery. See, my drs. office has been amazing. The girls in the office have cheered me through…

As of 2/6/14 I will be at one year.. yahooo!!! Gastric Bypass Starting weight: 243lbs Current weight: 133 lbs This year has been a roller coaster with many ups and downs along the way. To say this journey was the "easy way out" would be so wrong. I've cried,vomited,stressed that I wasn't losing weight as quickly as others (which was way to harsh on myself). I have forced myself to eat then turn around a few days later and remind myself not to eat too much food. I have obsessed over drinking fluids or having bowel movements. ( sorry if that's too graphic for some of you). I have driven my dear sweet supportive husband crazy with my emotions. I'm not perfect with …

Hey everyone. I have been reading these posts for a while. Honestly since I decided to get sleeved. A friend turned me on to it. I am going to approach this like an open theraputic and info forum. What I had done is not unheard of but it is also not done all the time. So here I go. I was and am overweight. SW289, CW (not sure because I threw out my scale), GW 205. At between 5'11" and 6'0" I have battled all my life with weight. I chose to get the sleeve and my journey began. Did all the clearances which were easy. And the pre op diet which was an eye opener. That brings me to the surgery on January 28th 2015. I went in like everyone else a bit nervous. Saw the nurses…

Had sleeve surg on Monday as well as hiatial hernia repair. Really, really sore. Is this normal? I know it was major surgery but whoa this is as bad a csections. Is it just me?

Hello Everyone. I started tbe gastric sleeve journey in Dec. March will be month 3 for me. My insurance requires a 3 month doctor supervised weight management program. I am extremely nervous regarding complications with surgery and long term complications. In Dec., my weight was 249, today it is 244. I am 5'3" and in good health. My mother is over weight and a diabetic which is why I began this journey. My husband is supportive. I have not told anyone outside of my husband and my sister. Not only am I afraid of the surgery but I feel as if I don't need the surgery because I don't have health problems right now. Has anyone else experienced these feelings and if yes ho…

Hey all- hope everyone is doing well on their journeys! Feeling good, found gas pain is the only thing that gets me at times- but working with it:) how is everyone feeling? X Kristy

Can anyone tell me why after our sleeve caffeine is bad for us?

Tomorrow is the big day. Of course I picked a surgery date that involves winter weather, which in the South is disastrous. But luckily it will not start until after I am in the hospital and thru with Surgery. Its been almost a year process to get here due to what my insurance required and some work issues that had to be handled before I felt ready and could concentrate me. My physicians office "plan" has over prepared me for almost everything. Its so comprehensive and I feel sorry for some bariatric patients that I come into contact with. I'l like "they didn't tell you about that". I work in health care and are notoriously bad patients, but the nerves have passed and I'm …

My husband and I began the VSG journey together back in April of 2014. His surgery was done in November 2014, I just had mine on 1/15/15. I'm just three weeks out, but because I truly believed I'd be having my surgery sometime in November as well, I begain the liquid diet prep on 10/24/14 with my husband and just stayed on it until my surgery in January. As a result, I was down 35 pounds before I had the surgery, which was a great way to begin this very new way of life. I was already used to small portions and dealing with head hunger vs. real hunger, etc. That said, I got such a jump start with the liquid diet, and my body lost quite a bit of weight, pretty fast, n…

I went to hospital and was supposed to get the gastric bypass on 2/12/15. For some reason my surgeon changed his mind and refused to give me the bypass insisting on giving me the sleeve. I in time agreed to it. My problem is I was studying and looking up info on the gastric bypass for months. I don't know much at all about the sleeve. I am happy with it though. Found out yesterday on 2/17 I had lost 20lbs!! That's 20lbs in 5 days. I didn't think that was even possible. Anyways....if anyone has any info or anything about the sleeve please do tell. I wish everyone luck on their choice,recovery and new life.

Just found this site. Hoping to go home from hospital today. Excited to start my journey and hoping to figure out navigating this app. Yeah for the before and after pictures

Hello all!! Today is finally a week before my surgery and I'm so nervous. This has been a long over due process but this pre op diet has been killin me! I had a very small helping of chicken and i felt horrible but I'm going strong now it's hard because you never realize the relationship you have with food until you can't have any I think it's more of a mind thing and thinking about it. It's a process now I understand why one of the requirements was to see a psychologist. Your psyche has to be right this isn't my first time going through with weight loss I had s consultation when I was 23 but never went through now finally at 25 I'm mentally mature enough to handle what's…

About to start my journey, I am so ready for this. March 3, I will cross over to Banded Living. Using Dr Snow in Hurst. Anyone else in my area used him ? If so any feedback?

Day 2 of pre op diet. Don't know how this forum really works. Or if anyone will read this, so here goes..... Surgery is 3/3 I just signed consent today. And I'm day 2 of pre op diet. Definitly hungry, right now college inn chicken broth is my savior. Any advice????? ????

So 14 days of liquid pre-op done, now surgery tomorrow. I actually found the liquid diet pretty easy, which was a surprise to me. I am both anxious and nervous but ready to begin the next leg of this journey.

Hi all, The day has finally arrived. One more sleep and it's sleeve day! I'm so nervous, so excited, so overwhelmed, scared, confused, impatient. Practically any emotion you can experience!! Any tips or words of wisdom for a comfortable hospital stay, and the next two to four weeks post op? I have some support from family, but it's always nice to hear some kind words from people who have been through it all Thanks, Kellie

Hi guys! 9 days til RNY surgery! I'm so excited! Pre op diet right now. Struggling with the protein shakes. But I get them down!

I am getting ready to hopefully be approved for a gastric sleeve. Initially the doctor told me since I have a stricture I would be better off doing the bypass. I did not want to go through what it entails and feel like I would be better with the sleeve. As long as I take the ompressezol I am fine. Has anyone gone into have surgery having a stricture already and did fine??? Waiting in Alabama

60 pounds to go and 80 pounds to be at my fantasy weight goal!! Super stoked!

Hey guys! Here is some of my progress shots and I'm 6 days post op- I know silly- but baby steps and feeling great- be proud of the changes you are making and post some- mine is 3 pics: 1.(left) First day of 2 week pre op diet 2.(middle) last day of 2 week pre op diet 3.(right) 6 day post op- feeling great! Lost a total of 14 kg -Australian weight measurement (30.13lb?) Think positive and keep up the great work and support! Xxx Kristy

Well I think I am finally at my goal. It's been 5 1/2 months since my surgery. It's been wonderful! With the exception of the first two weeks post op when I thought I was going to die. Today just for the fun of it I went and tried on clothes at the store. I used to hate to shop. Now when I look at something on the hanger I think that will never fit me. I try it on and it does. I love my sleeve. One of the best decisions of my life.

Hello, all! I'm 68 years old and originally from South Dakota. I finally found a surgeon in the Tampa Area that I can get to. Also up front money was a concern. I've finally completed my 6 months of physician supervised diet. I'm having quite the time learning to eat properly, and it's quit an adventure coming up with techniques to break a life time of bad habits. I'm in the middle of getting my medical clearances and just getting a taste of the medical records nightmare, but my doc has a wonderful nurse, and I hope we will be able to get all the paperwork in place to set a date! I'm looking forward to getting to know you. Thank you all who are on this journey wit…

Today I start my new life and i must tell you. I am excited about this start of a new me..

Is anyone else having surgery on 3/2? Would love to do this day by day with someone else.

My dr. Prescribed. Cordran tape to help minimize scaring..anyone have any experience with this product? Results?

So I am still in the beginning stages of getting the process done. Today I go to Options orientation through Kaiser SoCal. Not really sure what to expect. Does anyone know how the order goes of getting everything done in order to get the surgery? At first I had my mind set on getting the band but now that I've done more research I feel like there is better longterm results with the sleeve. Any info on the Kaiser SoCal process would be amazing. Also I am in Orange County if that makes a difference.

7 days till surgery! Anxious, nervous, excited! Just hoping for the best!

Tomorrow is the big day. Of course I picked a surgery date that involves winter weather, which in the South is disastrous. But luckily it will not start until after I am in the hospital and thru with Surgery. Its been almost a year process to get here due to what my insurance required and some work issues that had to be handled before I felt ready and could concentrate me. My physicians office "plan" has over prepared me for almost everything. Its so comprehensive and I feel sorry for some bariatric patients that I come into contact with. I'l like "they didn't tell you about that". I work in health care and are notoriously bad patients, but the nerves have passed and I'm …

So I submitted all paperwork last Monday, I was so excited for following through. : ) However 6 business days passed and no response. I called the institute and was told I had been assigned an advocate. Spoke to the advocate who said " I was planning to call you today, will call you back around 4, with appointments". : ) The first48 have passed and still no call. : ( Should I be concerned?

I had been obese since I had my first son at the age of 18. I would lose weight and then gain it. When I was 24 years old I wanted to get RNY but then I got really scared and didn't go through with it. 2001 I lost my mother to Breast CANCER. she was only 40 years old. She left 5 kids behind 2 were under age. I was able to get custody of one of my brothers but the youngest one his father sent him to Dominican Republic. We lost contact with him. I was depressed I was 22 years old with 2 kids of my own and my brother. Living at my in laws house. I just started to eat so much.. My weight just started to go up.. 2005 I decided to try to lose weight. I was eating right and exer…

In my pre op diet phase and having a hard time, thought it was time to make an account and start gaining more intel on what is to become of my life after this transformation through people who have already been through it! Surgery is next week on the 25th! If there is anyone out there with some words of encouragement it would be greatly appreciated!! So excited to begin a healthy lifestyle! -Khali ????

I am getting ready to hopefully be approved for a gastric sleeve. Initially the doctor told me since I have a stricture I would be better off doing the bypass. I did not want to go through what it entails and feel like I would be better with the sleeve. As long as I take the ompressezol I am fine. Has anyone gone into have surgery having a stricture already and did fine??? Waiting in Alabama

I went in today for my first fill! I have lost a fair amount of weight. The doctor said if I am having good results with no fluid in the band then it's working!! I was shocked that just having the band with no fluid would help me lose weight. So I go back in four weeks to weigh and see if I need a fill at that time.

I'm JJ 34 years old and i am having surgery the on the 23rd. during my first appointment with the surgeon I weighed in at 415 lbs. During my most recent pre-op checkup I am down to 380 lbs.

Hi all. I am new to this page. My Sleeve Surgery is scheduled for Monday, Feb 16. I am a 34 year old stay at home mom of 2 boys age 10 and 4. I have put myself in the back burner for far to long. I weight 250 lbs, have high blood pressure and tired all the time. I am excited to get healthy but I am nervous to say good bye to what has been my best friend for 14 years, food!!! I am currently on day 6 of my 7 day liquid diet.

I'm hoping that becoming a member of Bariatric pal I will perhaps get advice on where if possible I can obtain bypass surgery either by the NHS or if reasonably priced private. All enquires I've made I've been refused because of my age it seems no surgery ia available to persons over the age of sixty five?