Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

As I am having my last mandated diet appointment of six this week, it sounds like I will probably meet with surgeon the first of January and set a surgery date! Very excited! I am enjoying the posts on everyone's experiences, your triumphs and struggles as it is very helpful in my expectations and preparations. Thanks for sharing and allowing me to be a part of this group!

Feeling great just trying to adjust to liquid diet and getting full feeling. With preop diet and postop diet have lost 21lbs.

Hi, all. I haven't been on here in awhile. My weight loss is so slow, but fairly steady. I've got about 14 weeks until my birthday and my goal (set at 17 weeks out) is to lose 10lbs before then. I've lost 2lbs. But, I know how mine fluctuates. It'll go down a little then it balances out at the same weight for a couple of days or more and then I might lose some more and then usually gain a small bit around 'that time of the month' and the cycle repeats. The good news is that more people (including guys) are noticing this more recent loss from this Summer. I've been told I 'look tiny', 'skinny' and 'thin'. All words that I am not used to hearing. I am more comforta…

Surgery at 3pm tomorrow! I survived the one week liquid diet and looking forward to the next steps... any last minute advice or guidance??

My surgery is December 15. I'm worried that I am going to be a pathetic mess at Christmas for my kids. Every year I host our large family Christmas on Christmas Eve. I've said I can't do it this year, but will I even be able to go?? Just across town....

Good morning My name is Robin and im soon to get my surgery date . I have completed all the things I needed to do before getting my date . This Wednesday I will meet with my surgeon to discuss my date . Im super excited to get my surgery. My starting weight is 347lbs my goal weight is 165 lbs .

Hi all, Just wondered about others' experiences -- I'm still pre-op, new insurance kicks in Jan. 1st and covers WLS. I've asked many times (both insurance company and surgeon's office) about coverage details and was repeatedly assured that sleeve was covered. I met w/surgeon, psych, dietitian, etc (did self-pay on those to get a head-start on pre-op requirements before new insurance kicks in...). So surgeon and I decide on sleeve. THEN -- long story short, just found out yesterday that sleeve only covered on grandfathered policies, not new policies -- for new policy-holders, it covers band and bypass. I'm okay w/bypass, but feel like I didn't HAVE to have that drastic o…

What do you do when your craving your favorite soda?? It's been bad lately. I've even considered buying diet and letting it get flat. Ugh HELP!!!

Should I be expecting more weight loss? ? Does the muscle make it look like you have not lost on the scale? Any advice to shed more pounds? ??

In 2010 I had the lap band placed which resulted in a 29 pound weight loss over the course of the first year. I maintained this weight loss for two years despite being unable to eat more than a soft diet. My band was emptied and refilled multiple times. After multiple discussions with my surgeon we decided the best option was to convert to gastric bypass. On November 10, 2014, the surgery was completed and I learned that in addition to the slip of the band there were multiple adhesions causing all of the issues I had over the past two years. I am wondering if there are other members who have recently converted their bands and have you had any issues? Have you found …

I have a 6month duet monitor plan. I am 3months into my plan. This is so hard!! I decide to have the sleeve surgery. I am so nervous can someone help pl?

Hello everyone! I am a 28 year old female posting from Johnson City Tennessee. I am 5'9 and 240 pounds. I am scheduled to have the sleeve done on December 22! I honestly have some mixed feelings. I was so stoked up until the nutrition class today. I am terrible with numbers and any type of math (I have dyscalculia), so learning to read labels and convert to my body's changing needs was VERY overwhelming! Does anyone have any good suggestions for apps that can help make this easier? What about an idea of down time and what to expect the first couple of weeks after surgery? Are you able to sleep ok? Is pain bearable? I have 2 dogs and live alone so I'm wondering if I s…

I made my first call to the surgeon in March and had to wait until April for my appointment. My BMI was a tiny smidge under 40. I did the nutrition classes, seminars, psych evaluation, and a 6-month supervised diet. I also had a sleep study done and found out that I have mild sleep apnea. My BMI got down to the high 38's during my supervised diet. My surgeon's office turned in all of the paperwork.. And I was denied. A little over a month later, my BMI is just above 40. Now they are submitting the paperwork again... I have my hopes up high after reading all of the posts on this amazing site.. And having my hopes up high scares me. I pray that I am approved. I cannot …

My sleeve date was 11-4. I went to my first post op apt on 11-19 and was down 17lbs. I was happy. However I seem to have stalled but remain on track while trying to enjoy the baby food stage lol one step at a time. I don't feel my friendly scale has moved much HOWEVER. I did manage to pull a pair of jeans from the closet that are 4yeArs and many sizes smaller than I've been wearing. I looked at them last week and said I'll Hang on to them because I want to get back in those one day. So tonight before bed I thought I would give them a try. Zipped and fastened! OM gollywompers! I can not express the joy that came to me with that final zip. I had been in 26 or 28 jeans these…

My name is Karen and I'm schedule for a gastric sleeve tomorrow..... I'm feeling very nervous but I guess is normal thanks

I just joined the forum but have been following for months. My surgery is tomorrow and I want to thank everyone for sharing and for their candor. I am the middle of writing a book about the experience and have written three long articles for Huffington Post about. Thank you. I feel like I am in this battle with other people who completely understand where I am at. Don P.S. Here is a link to the column that is running this weekend http://www.huffingtonpost.com/don-mcnay/picking-experts-and-the-q_b_6237640.html

Well today it finally happened. I was given my date for my lap band surgery. Finally after all the years of shopping for whatever fit me then shopping for what I wanted. Finally after all the years of standing behind in a photo to hide instead of up front. Finally after all the years of food being in control of me, I will be in control of my food. In a little over a month everything that has always been in front of me will be behind me....way behind. Wish me luck!

Hi! My name is Joanne, this is my story: I decided back in March of this year(2014) to have the roux-en-y gastric bypass surgery after struggling all my life with weight issues. I am 66 years of age and am finally going to try and be healthy. Life has not treated me so kind child abuse and a strict upbringing. As soon as I could I got married and got out of the house but of course that marriage ended in disaster and divorce after 2 1/2 years. Then the 2nd marriage and 2 kids and another divorce. Then yep, the 3rd marriage by this time life has taken it's toll and I am now in my 50's this marriage was a total disaster! It ended leaving me a widow. I was born and raised in…

Hey everyone, I just wanted to tell you all that I can finally cross my legs!! It is a victory since my surgery and about a 23 pound weight loss. I use it to keep me motivated. I am dealing with hunger issues, real hunger versus mind hunger, but am dealing with it. Crossing my legs feels so good. My face looks thinner too. I am looking for all the little motivators I can find.

Hey guys, I thought I would post a small update. I am now 12 days post op and have lost an awesome 22lbs it has been years since I have weighed this little. The two days after surgery were a bit unpleasant, I could not keep anything down, no Water, no juice. This was due to a small complication that left me with a lot of swelling around the band. As of day 3 (my final day in hospital) I was able to keep down liquids and could feel it pass through my band(very strange feeling but not uncomfortable). The first week was liquids only and that was fine, a few days ago I moved on to puree foods, loving the broccoli Soup. I am still on "purees" but of a thicker variety, so I am …

I just got my surgery time, and I have to be at the hospital at 5:30 tomorrow morning. They said if it goes perfectly I might get out Wednesday, but I'm hoping to get out Thursday because it's supposed to snow on Wednesday and my niece is already uncomfortable driving around Baltimore. Nervous, but a lot less nervous than I was last week. My youngest brother had a heart attack and got diagnosed with CHF over the weekend. He's 17 years older, but still not old, and I always looked at him like he was Superman. Seeing him in the condition he was in really made me think hard about making some lifestyle changes before it's too late. He's probably never going to be 100…

I am a little over one month post op and I never had issues with getting nausea or throwing up. But the last 4 days, seems I can only keep about one meal a day down. As soon as I start eating, I feel sick. Usually breakfast is the only meal I can keep down. This morning was a different story. I don't eat fast. I eat my 1/4 a cup of food. And the stuff I been eating is stuff I've eaten since I could eat regular foods with zero issues. Anyone experience this before?

Hi everyone I'm due to go in for the gastric sleeve on the 20th of December at the Alexandra in Manchester uk very nervous and also very confused with pre op diets etc So any help welcome CW 239lb GW 140 as I sai any help welcome

Im new to everything. I just was introduced to the sleeve by a friend and realized that I can finally stop yo yo dieting, losing ten lbs then gainin 15. This is something that I can really count on. Not saying that I won't have to stay on track but I will have something that will keep me in line. I'm an emotional eater so I've been overweight all my life. I've just recently became obese in the past year and can no longer jump up n go like I use to. Please tell me about the ups and dwns of your story, the ins and outs please share wit me.....the good, the bad, and the ugly

As of this morning! One month post op! Down 40 pounds! These black jeans I'm wearing... Haven't been able to wear for 2 years. And when I did wear them, they wouldn't button or zip. This morning, they button and zip and are comfy! I could have cried. Amazing what one month and 40 pounds can do! The before pic was 2 weeks before surgery and the after was this morning. ☺️???? I'm proud!

Hi, I'm Stephanie and I was sleeved May 7, 2014.. I started at 255 and today I am 188. I feel good that I have lost 67 lbs. in off my meds, I have gone from a size 18 to a size 12 (12s are getting baggy) and I have a lot more energy. However. For the last 3 months I have been loosing like 3-5 lbs a month. And it fluctuates. I don't exercise (I know your gonna tell me I have to) I cheat with chocolate a few times a month. But for the most part I have changed everything! No fast food, sodas, fried food, grease.. What gives?

Gave this a shot today! It was good! It's a keeper! And the nutritional facts are very impressive!!!

I've decided to not go through with the gastric sleeve surgery in Tijuana Mexico because of all the bad things that have been going on there. I value my life and I love my children too much to put them in a necessary situation. Instead I will save up to have the surgery done in the United States. That means I won't be getting it done around February 2015 because I'll have to save up a few more thousands to cover for the surgery but I believe it is worth it.

What calcium can I buy from the regular drugstore? My Nutritionist said the Viactiv is not the "right kind" of calcium. What are you all taking? The cost and tastes? Thanks

Hi my name is Jason. My journey has been a long one. I have struggled with my weight most of my life. I am tall, 6'5", so the weight seemed to slowly distribute itself all over. I have had high blood pressure since I was 15 and in the past 2 years was diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea. I guess I was also a bit depressed at times, that I had let my life get this far out of control. Difficulty finding clothes, breaking chairs. Before I knew it, I had hit an all time high (or low, depending on how you look at it). My weight reached 412 lbs this past February. That was when I had decided I had had enough. Things needed to change. My father had passed a year before of hea…

I had my surgery on Nov. 21 and I am so glad I did this! The first three days are uncomfortable but not awful and def so worth it! Def was in pain when I woke up until the nurse finally gave me Dilaudid rather than morphine. I don't know what the difference is as they are in the same class. But it made a big difference. I was able to get up several times and walk during that first night in the hospital.I dry heaved several times while in the hospital basically any time I tried to take in any fluids.. but for very short periods, it resolved itself quickly. I never throught I would get through the contrast swallow test which I needed to pass in order to get sprung from th…

Seven months post op & I'm down about 80 pounds. I've noticed that I'm not dropping as much weight but my sizes are down, which is expected. Walking & portion control is my main focus. About a month ago I noticed problems processing potatoes... Mashed, in soups, baked, etc. When I was on puree mashed potatoes were a major item for me then. A few days ago for thanksgiving I tried again & it was fine. What's the deal? And we're talking same format & very little seasoning so I can't say it's a difference between when I can & can't. Anyone else experience these issues or is my sleeve so picky? Also even as clear liquid diet I never could keep drinking the …

I was banded in March of 13, and now, over a year and a half later, my band is filled to capacity, and I can eat whatever I want. I've been through all the tests, upper g.i., floro. I figured my pouch had stretched out, it hasn't. I thought maybe the band slipped. It hasn't. Maybe I've had an erosion. I haven't. Maybe there was a problem with the band, like burst pillows, or ruptured tubing. They're ok. Everything appears to be as it should be. My doctor is scratching his head, and I am very frustrated. I lost 55 lbs. at my lowest, and now I've gained back 20. I'm hungry just like I was before the surgery. I had stopped drinking sodas years before my surgery,…

This is my first thanksgiving since being sleeved last December and for the first time in the longest, I was not dreaming about all the food I was going to consume. First, I can't physically eat more than a few ounces...so I have to choose carefully. Second I have worked so hard this past year, I really think twice before I eat. Food is no longer my main mission. It is no longer my scapegoat when I feel depressed and it is not my safety blanket or my reward. Just want to wish everyone the best holiday and give you motivation to hang in there. I am still on my weightloss journey, but it feels so good to be healthier. My goals are more about fitness and not so much about …

i am in process of getting approved for vcg through united healthcare. i have researched the docs in orlando and so far am a bit dissapointed. i am in final steps of choosing dr robert marema in st augustine. any feedback would be great! i am excited and scared!

My surgery was on Monday November 24 at exactly 8 am. In toronto ontario. I got my sleeve rough smart shape by dr.neil orzech at a private hospital in don mills, toronto. My surgeon has zero percent track record for vsg leaks or any serious complications, that was a big thing for me. I woke up at 4:30 am to shower and get my shit together, I was so nervous but I just kept pushing on. My fiancé and I left at 530 and was at the hospital at 630 am. I had to wait an additional 30 min to be registers because the registration office didn't open till 7, the nerves were horrible!!! Finally at 7 I was checked in and sent upstairs to the nurses unit where cross the hall …

My surgery date is December 9th, anyone else in December yet? Let's keep in touch through this post. Who has to I a pre-op diet? Who is getting ready to get all their vitamins...etc. that you will need after surgery? I went to the nutritionist today and an eager to buy everything I née bit am waiting until I hear everything ha been approve from my surgeons office.

So finally after completing my options classes at kaiser my date is set for dec 17. Originally I had the lapband my dr is going to remove my band and do a revision to an rny the same time if everything looks ok inside. I'm super nervous. I keep reading horror stories and bad experiences online and it's freaking me out. Any support is appreciated

Hi, my name is Kristina and I just had the sleeve done here in Boise ID by Dr. Korn 3 weeks ago. I am doing great! I am only 28 years old but I have severe back prolems and have been on many pain meds for awhile now. I am proud to say I am off all my meds and down 20lbs already! The worat part of it all is the head hunger and smelling the food I cook for my family and then having to drink protien shakes and pureed food BUT...I know this too shall pass and it will be well worth it for my future!

Hello! My name is Debbie and im 51 years old. I have always had a weight problem. In December 2013, I had enough when I couldnt fit thru the gate at ball game. It was so embarrasing, I had to be escorted to another entrance. I cryed. I decide this was never going to happen again. I made an appt with the surgeon. January 2014 I saw Dr. Ali in Erie Pa . Hes absolutely wonderful, so compassionate. After 6 months of diet docs and many appts, with weight gains and losses and excitment and disappointment , I finally arrived at my surgery date. On September 17, 2014 I had sleeve surgery. This is by far the best thing I have ever done for me. Yes! I said for me. I have 4 grown ch…

Tomorrow makes 1 week and I have up and down with emotions I don't know what to do ????????

Ok so my nutritionist moved me up to mushy foods and the other day I had a plain baked sweet potato and had less than half of it. Today is obviously Thanksgiving and I had some home cooked sweet potatoes...some may even call it yams. Right after I finished eating my heart started beating faster than normal for about 15 minutes. This happened only one time before when I ate some scrambled eggs. Is this dumping? Should I be worried about a leak? Helppppppp!!

Hi everyone. I have been reading the boards for about a week and thought it was time to jump in. My name is Eileen and I will be having the VSG on November 12. My surgeon is Dr. Harish Kakkilaya from Woodstown/Salem in South Jersey. He comes highly recommended and I have had good interactions with him and his office staff from the beginning. I have had most of my pre-op requirements completed. I go tomorrow for an echocardiogram and next week for a stress test (pre-existing heart condition). They discovered a hiatal hernia during the upper GI, so Dr. K will fix that when he does the VSG. I still have to schedule a psych eval but the dr I want to see has been on vacation.…

Would love to see some pictures(:

So since the start of my process I've lost 62 lbs... I started at 277 and I'm 215 now... it's starting to go a little slow right now for me and it's a little discouraging. I'm never hungry but I know starvation won't help me loose so I force myself eat. When I do eat I can only have 2 bites and most of the time it sits like a rock and I usually vomit or am in pain the rest of the night. I don't eat bad so idk what's wrong. I don't weigh myself because I don't want to be disappointed if I haven't lost what I wanted to. But the last 3 weeks I've only lost 2-5 lbs. It's a little depressing since I work 2 jobs and I'm on my feet all day everyday. I'll take any advice.

Today is my first Thanksgiving since being "sleeved" on April 30th. My journey in pre-op began November 1st, 2013 and since then I have lost 140 lbs!!!! I am 22 pounds to goal, and I feel fantastic!! This journey has come with some sacrifices. It is not a quick fix, however, it is a wonderful tool, if you use it correctly! I exercise 5 days a week or more, I eat clean, avoid all carbs and sugars, and live on Protein, veggies, and a tiny bite of fruit now and then. I weigh and log everything that I possibly can on My Fitness Pal and I am sticking to an 800 calorie diet until I reach goal. I am bummed at times that I can't eat some of the yummy foods my family and o…

I didn't think my surgery date would ever get here. Now I'm a week post op. I realize the 3 months it took me to get to this point is just the tip of the iceberg. I have a long journey ahead of me but at least I've started! I started at 337 pounds. I lost to 282 prior to surgery. After 2 days in the hospital, I came home to find I had gained up to 295; that's 13 lbs. I was so disappointed. I'm taking in about 300 calories a day, have gone through a major trauma to my body only to gain weight! Really? That's when it hit me. This is just the beginning and I will probably have many ups and downs. I think being part of a community going through the same struggles I am will b…

2 years ago something bad happened in my marriage it was very depressing for me and started to gain MORE weight than the 25 lbs I had already gained since the birth of my 4th child , to make a long and depressing story short here I'm 79 lbs overweight ,divorced and single mom of 4. I have tried every single diet or trick you can imagine to loose weight and couple of times I have lost up to 25 lbs only to gain it back and then some... I have 3 friends that had the lapband surgery done and for the first couple of years were doing wonderful later 2 of the had the lapband removed and had the gastric sleeve done...so I'm considering very strongly to skip all that and just hav…

I had my surgery on Monday at 8am through smartshape by dr.orzech. First 24 hours was rough due to constantly vomiting blood and mucous. I started Clear liquids yesterday and tolerated them well! The best part???????......... My afib didn't even show a hint during surgery!!!!!!! I'm home now, taking Prevacid, the acid us killing me! But I can't believe how fast I felt better, day by day. Thank you to all the supporters here who answered my crazy questions..... I have been keeping up with my liquids and also to add, my surgeon has never had a single fatality or leak in his entire career..... I was reborn on Monday, iam ever so great full.

On this day last year I was at the hospital for my lap-band procedure. I knew it was a big decision, but at the time I really had no idea what the impact would be on my life as a whole. There have been so many positive outcomes. The weight loss is great, of course, and that was my main goal in getting the surgery, but it turns out that even more important than that is a powerful sense of returning to myself. Choosing weight loss surgery enabled me to show up for myself and my life in ways I didn't anticipate. I would have said that I was happy enough before, fulfilled, etc., but the contrast to how I feel now tells me that I had no idea what I was missing. Having my…