Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

My name is Lexi and I was banded on may 3rd 2011. It was one of the worst experiences of my entire life. I wouldn't wish the band on my worst enemy. I couldn't eat fruits or veggies or shrimp. Ever. I would get incredibly ill. On feb 7th 2014, I started the process to get the band removed and concert it to the gastric sleeve. I had heard about it everywhere. I was totally excited. He started by removing my liquid and essentially "turning the band off" from that moment on I could eat fruits, veggies and even shrimp, and not get sick at all. The hardest thing thus far was the pre diet. Nothing but liquids for two weeks. I wanted to CRY. I did in fact cry more than …

Hi everyone! I just wanted to tell my story thus far, having experienced a "rare" complication that can occur. Sorry it's an essay! I'm a 22 year old female and have had weight issues my entire life. My aunt had the lap-band done about five years ago and my older sister had it done about two years ago and they had had some weight loss but not enough to make me want to go through the process as well. It took me an entire year to finally want to have surgery. The things that finally changed my mind were being diagnosed with sleep apnea, hypertension, and amenorhea (loss of a period) all in August of 2013. I was 21 years old at the time. So I had my first consul…

Well just went to 1 month check up and down 30lbs from 373 to 343. My blood pressure is way down too and almost normal. Really no complications to report, gotta say I wish I would have decided to do this a long time ago. I do admit I had it relatively easy. I never had any gas pains and no issues eating either. I would have to say my worst part of the surgery was drinking that horrible dye for my swallow test the day after and then getting to the room just in time to throw it all up. Aside from that pain was down to an easily tolerable level in 3 days and off meds for pain in 5 days. By far this is the best decision I have made.

I am schedule for sleeve on April 7th, Any golfers with sleeve? How long did it take after surgery before you could swing the clubs and did it improve your game?

I dunno how to express how happy I am. OmG!!!!! I'm so excited. The past 6 months had been a roller coaster for me, but wow I have been approved for surgery. I meet with my Doctor on Friday for my pre op consult. I can't believe this is actually happening. Wow smh all smiles today. It's gonna be an awesome day.

Hello all. I was sleeved 12/16/13. I am 5'9" start weight was 256lbs. I was pre diabetic, cholesterol was high and I had acid reflux. I currently weigh 195lbs. Labs are great. I feel wonderful! So grateful for this surgery. I hope everyone takes advantage of their second chance. Be blessed! [ATTACH]42728[/ATTACH]

I started my pre-op diet yesterday and I will admit today I am a little hungry but I can handle it, the thing I do not like is the after taste of the protein shake, any suggestions ???

I have been a smoker for over 16 years and now I am stopping cold turkey to change my habits and lifestyle. Anyone have any suggestions on quitting besides gum?

Its was two years ago today that I had RNY surgery. Kudos to Dr. George Ferzli who saved my life. After signing up and looking at some of the threads here, I recall what life was like before that day. As my memories of life before surgury start fading, taking time to recall and share my experiences is a worthwile thing to do. In my partuclar case, it was the best decision I ever made. Good luck in your journey, Bob

Anyone want to be My Fitness Pal friends? My user name is Brooke1697

Today is my six-month surgiversary! I haven't seen any threads for September 2013 surgeries, so I thought I'd start one to see how everyone is doing. I'm down 70 pounds and off all my meds. My weight loss has definitely slowed, but slow and steady wins the race! Hope you are all doing well!

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Got sleeved last Wednesday. Everything is going great except the amount of gases I retained. The gas don't go anywhere and it's extremely uncomfortable. Any suggestions as what to do to help release the gases?

So I weighed in today and I'm down 9 pounds since surgery day! So happy just thought I'd share:)

MY SURGERY WAS ON MARCH 17 2014 AND I THINK IM NOT NORMAL LOL CAUSE I THOUGHT THAT AFTER THE SLEEVE U COULDNT EAT SOME FOOD BUT I TEST A LITTLE OF EVERTHING N I WAS FINE IT WASNT ALOT LIKE EXAMPLE A CORNER OF CHOCLATE A TINY PIEACE OF CHICKEN WHEAT BREAD BUT EVERTHING FELL IN PLACE SO NOW I SEE THAT THE PEOPLE WHO DOT CONTROL AFTER TIME WILL GET WEIGHT BACK I HOPE IN GOD NAME IM NOT ONE I SHOULD HAVE GONE TO DS SURGERY I TAUGHT THAT IF U EAT SWEET U GET DUMPING I WANTED DUMPING CAUSE I WAS CAKE ADDICT LET SEE I HAVE APPOINTMENT WITH THE DOC IN THURSDAY WELLGOD BLESS MY FRIENDS

A week and a half into the 2 week liquid diet pre-op for my surgery on the 26th. Feeling so tired, having difficulty concentrating at work and feeling very down. From what I have read and heard, the liquid diet after surgery is not as difficult as you don't feel hungry? Hoping this is true, as I cant imagine feeling like this for a month.

I am getting sleeved Wednesday !!!!!! Getting PSYCHED! Just curious how long it took before you felt able to go back to work??

I am 6 days out today. Most of my pain is gone, just uncomfortable to sleep at night still and the dealing with what I can and can't have, etc. It doesn't seem real, though. I read these forums now and it still hasn't clicked that I had the procedure done. It's a really weird state of mind. It actually creeps me out a little bit that I had it done even though I have been researching it for 20 months. Maybe that is it? I spent so much time researching it that my mind is still stuck in that phase? Sound familiar to anyone??

I am post op almost 3 months now and till now I can't sleep on my left side it is still painful and my muscles hurt till mid stomach also the muscle area where big incision was still looks bloated is this normal ?

Okay today I am one week postop and everyday it gets a little easier. I am sooo happy I made this decision and only regret was that I didn't do it sooner! ! My stomach is still sore sometimes but its nothing I have to take pain meds for. I have noticed I have to take my low dose pepcid twice a day instead of the everyother day that I was doing preop. Yesterday I did great getting my fluids in and I made some new concoctions. I blended up Trader Joes clam chowder Soup. 1/4 of a cup and I was full! Yesterday was the first time I went back to school after a weekbof due to Spring Break. I have never felt better. I see my surgeon next Tuesday and I KNOW this surgery has a…

I have been a big girl all my life. You know, one of those tall "volutuous" types. At 6 feet my senior year I weighed 183. That weight haunted me till after my hysterectomy 5 years ago. Then the weight really started to creep on. My own GP said "236 isn't a bad weight for your heigth". That is when I knew I had to do something more. I chose the Sleeve and have done all my pre-op. Now I wait the 10 days to hear if the insurance is on board. Then I get my surgery daye and my new life starts! I am studying all the info and buying the vitamines and eating the food so when I have the surgery I will be ready! I hope to learn from you here in this forum to live well with my choi…

Well I'm almost 2 weeks out for surgery. It's been a long journey to get to this point. I've been researching and considering bariatric surgery for over 3 years and I'm almost at the door. Feeling a little nervous and scared. First major surgery I've ever had. I'm 44 and weigh almost 500 lbs. I'm looking forward to getting my life back and enjoying the simple things that so many take for granted.

Aloha all, My gastric bypass surgery is scheduled for April 21, 2014. I've done such a good job logging my food and making healthy eating choices since December when I joined my hospitals program, but since actually scheduling my surgery a week ago though I've found it so hard to avoid my old pitfalls. Perhaps now I have, "this is my last chance" mentality- but it is ruining all the work I've done so far. I have had nightmares about gaining weight and then denying me the day if my surgery because of it. This has been a logistic nightmare to plan because I'm a teacher and have to take so much time off work. I would love some encouraging words, stories or tips to get …

Surgery day has arrived and I have to be at the surgical center in 2 1/2 hours I have a mixed bag of emotions but the main one is excitement to start this new chapter in my life. On the same token, however, I think of my little boy and could only hope I am doing the right thing. I ask that if you pray please send some prayers up for me and if you don't, positive vibes would be appreciated as well. Anyone else getting surgery today best of luck to you! May your surgery be smooth and your healing be speedy!

Hi all, I have been reading up on all y'alls posts for a few weeks now and finally have gotten up the nerve to post myself. I have been overweight all my life. It runs in my family. My father had WLS when I was in high school (2000). Long story short, he has had some complications over the years, but is doing okay right now. My sister had a gastric bypass a few years later. She has been successful, and while she still has to work at it every day, she is happy and healthy. I had lap band surgery in 2005. I was successful, or so I thought, for a while. I hit my goal weight, but realize now that I was not healthy. I was frequently burdened with acid reflux and se…

Like I wrote before I had surgery last Wednesday, March 19 today is March 24 and all I've been doing all day's crying because I regret getting it done! While I was at the hospital, I felt sick. I felt nauseous and dizzy and I had a foley, a drain sticking out of an incision and 2 IV bags at the same time. I stood at the hospital an extra day cause I wasn't urinating. I went home feeling awful but I slept most of the next day. My mind plays tricks on me and makes me feel bad cause I can't eat the stuff I want. My stomach feels lousy all the time which brings on nausea. I just hate the whole thing. Thank God for my daughter and the stuff I read here. I need to get out of th…

I did the 6 months for insurance, and it's almost time. Starting the liquid diet this weekend. I've been lurking here for a long time. First it was in 2008 I was going to do the band, and my insurance denied me so I spent 5 more years trying with diet and exercise. I had some success but gained it all back each time plus some. I have currently been with a trainer for 2+ years so I'm in great shape- underneath all of my fat! I just can't keep my calories low enough on my own for more than a few days. So I'm excited and scared but I know I have to do it. I have gotten 5 doctors opinions, they all say it's a good idea, I've read everything and I am intellectually ready, but…

OK I'm gonna vent a little. I'm a person that never gets sick. And I can set up an alarm w my TOM it's always on time. As I am preparing for my surgery April 10 my TOM disappeared, (no chances of me being pregnant at all) I only spotted. Then I feel like I'm getting a cold. And now that I'm doing my preop diet I'm waking up w bad headaches and I can't take meds. Maybe I'm stressing too much. I've never had a missed TOM.

I recently find out that I have an hernia and it need to be repair during my surgery, can I get some advice if I should be worried ? my surgery is April 9, is approaching fast I am excited just concern about this hernia that I never even knew I had.

Hi guys! I am a month out from surgery as of last Thursday, and I feel great! I have lost about 19 pounds since surgery on the 20th. I am currently in the soft food stage for two more weeks. So far I haven't had any problems with food. I wasn't tolerating milk for the first two weeks, but I have gotten over that. My incisions finally stopped hurting after about 3 weeks, and now I only get an occasional spasm. I don't tolerate plain Water very well, but I love water with crystal light and haven't had any problems with fluids. Here is a collage that I made today. On the left is the morning of surgery at 280 pounds, and the right is today at 259 pounds!

Please see my blog BariatricMan for a man's perspective and journey on Gastric Bypass.

I I got sleeved march 18th and finally was able to go to the bathroom yesterday. Now today I been up for maybe three hours and I've gone 4 times already ( diarrhea) is this normal? And if so why is this happening?

I've been posting here a lot lately. I leave on Wednesday to fly to Mexico for my sleeve. Every night I have regrets on even starting this process. My husband and sister are very supportive of me having this surgery. I was booked to have a lap band done yrs ago and backed out. For the last 5 yrs all my hubby has been hearing was I wish I wish I wish I had gone through with it. Now this time is here and I'm wanting someone to tell its ok to back out. I'm so afraid. Of everything. I have two babies at home that I'm afraid I won't get back too. I know the chances are slim. But it still scary because they are what I live for. I'm afraid of life afterwards. Having your sto…

Hi there, I've just made my appointments with the psychologist, dietician and physician to get my checks done before I meet with the surgeon in April. I'm nervous about things now, more nervous they will find something wrong and I can't get the surgery. Probably worrying over nothing. Does anyone have some any advice or kind words?

Wow I can't believe how quick this last 6 months have gone. I remember first week out thinking how am I going to get through this as it really was difficult in the beginning adjusting to new foods, new portions, limitations but the fact that I have reached goal has made me feel do proud of what I have achieved and who I now. My confidence has increased 10 fold, I'm not grumpy and down in the dumps and I am so much happier that my children and husband have seen the new happy go lucky me that my husband remembers 10 years ago when we first met. So I was sleeved 23rd September last year weighing in at 90kg at 157cm. Although my height hasn't changed lol I am currently 33.4kg…

Aloha all (whoops- posted this in the lap band section before) My gastric bypass surgery is scheduled for April 21, 2014. I've done such a good job logging my food and making healthy eating choices since December when I joined my hospitals program, but since actually scheduling my surgery a week ago though I've found it so hard to avoid my old pitfalls. Perhaps now I have, "this is my last chance" mentality- but it is ruining all the work I've done so far. I have had nightmares about gaining weight and then denying me the day if my surgery because of it. This has been a logistic nightmare to plan because I'm a teacher and have to take so much time off work. I would …

Today is my one year mark from surgery and to date I have lost 103 pounds and gained so much confidence and strength!! Best decision of my life best feeling ever going on an annual winter hike with my girlfriends and not being dead last to cabin or back to the car I was actually first back from the 3 mile snowshoe hike from the cabin

Today's the day! I'm sitting here waiting for them to take me back to surgery! I'm nervous but so ready!! I'll talk to y'all later!! <3

Hello everyone! I'm completely new to all of this and was just looking to see what kind of process I should be expecting. Pre-op and post op anything will be helpful! Thanks!

I'm having the gastric sleeve done on Monday! Would any of you mind sharing how you got your protein in the first two weeks that didn't taste horrible?

Hey family my surgery was reschedule to this Monday Jan 27 I am so excited but very scared. Any words of encouragement or wisdom or the do's and don't post surgery? What to expect and the norm? Help

Hi everyone! I have this burning pain on the left side in my lower stomach and I have no idea what it is from? There isn't am incision there at all. It hurts really bad when I bend especially or lay down and get up. I don't know if this is a normal thing or not? Has anyone experienced this? I was sleeved on March 3rd so it'll be 3 weeks tomorrow! Thanks everyone!

Hw: 259 Sw: 241 Cw: 198 Surgery was January 22, 2014 Can't believe I finally weigh less than 200 pounds. My baby brother gave me the best compliment last night by telling me I wasn't his big sister anymore...... I'm now his "little" sister. Had me in tears!!! No more fat suit for this girl!

Hello everyone my name is liars I just started my process and they already gave me a surgery date agust 4th... I'm scared on how will life be after I'm a mommy and a wife will I keep up???

Hey everyone, I am one week and a day away from Gastric RNY and this jello and liquids is getting to me. I've waited and will not let it deter me. Did you all still take multi vitamins? I am but the nurse who took blood the other day day me I should stop.

I'm one week post op today! For my insurance I had to wait 9 months so I've been at this for almost a year. The whole time I've been very private about who I tell. My first clue was Christmas when I finally told my sister and It turned out she already knew and was mad I had not told her yet. I had a talk with my mom after that and told her this was very private for me and it was my business who I told and didn't. She got super mad and started going on about family and being proud of what I'm doing. So this past week I've been getting text and phone calls from family and once again she got all mad "why wouldn't you want your aunt to know, she's not going to judge you" beca…

Got sleeved Friday and so far so good. Friday was pretty hard but that was because of being nauseated. Today I am in a little bit of a heart burn/gas pain but the gas x helps. What I thought was gas turned out to be unfortunately tar like #2. (tmi) I know but its the truth. I hope everyday things get better. Now to rest, relax, and start to get back to being me. Good luck everyone...

I use to wait with bated breath for the weekend. All week long I am so good on my diet. but the weekend is a different story. Now, every Friday I start to wonder how good I will be with my diet efforts and tell myself this weekend 'I WILL BE GOOD'. Somehow by Saturday night and definately by Sunday, I'm cheating. Every Sunday I spend with my daughter and granddaughter. We usually spend the day shopping or geocaching or visiting friends but no matter what we do, it always includes lunch. My daughter is overweight too but has no issues with it and has no real desire to lose weight. When we go to lunch invariably I end up eating part of her appetizer which is always som…

A little about myself.... I am presently a 65 yr old post menopausal woman, with a lot of medical issues (heart disease (triple heart bypass 9 yrs ago), hypertension (medically controled), high cholesterol (medically controled), type 2 diabetes (medically controlled w/ oral and insilin...my FBS range from 130- 150), and hypothyroidism (also medically controled). So you can see that I do take a lot of daily prescribed medicines. I am 5' 7-1/2" tall and my present weight is 264.5 lbs. I am very inactive. I do weekly housework, but do not exercise at all. I try to eat healthy, but do occasionally slip. I amaze my husband that I haven't lost any weight with the small a…