Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

Today I'm starting my full liquid Diet!!!! My surgery is scheduled for March 10th. I am 29 years old and My highest weight was 288 today I'm 286.2.. I'm excited but yet very nervous. I know this is going to be a life changing event for not only me but my family. I have been married on February 22 for 11 years.... We have battled many years with infertility etc. which has led me to depression. I feel at times I turn to food to help me with my emotions. But not any more! I declare that today is a new day! And I will no longer be a slave to food nor my emotions.... Any advice for me to help this go a little easier? Perhaps tips for the liquid diet.... I'm also having my ga…

Had my surgery Feb 18th. Everytime I drink water or protein shake, or even any activity, all I do is burp. I still have excessive gas in my stomach area although much better in the shoulders. I am scheduled to go tomorrow to have my drain tube removed and I am hoping it will take some of that gas with it. The doctor said the fluid would go from red to a light yellow color but it is still pretty red. Is this normal?

Hello all, doing great my energy levels are finally back up. Been lifting for a week, down 30 lbs but have not seen the scale move in 13 days. Hopefully tom.

Stay Away From Dr.HUACUZ!!!!!! I had 2 gastric sleeves. Four years after my first sleeve I gained all my weight back. May have been having my baby.. However I could eat a lot.. So I'm thinking a bit of both. After my second son was born in Oct 2013.. I decided I would get a gastric sleeve once again.. My first one worked wonders.. Now the second sleeve almost killed me.. I would never do this again. I believe it was my surgeon. He did not insert a drainage tube. & I almost bled to death. When I returned to Canada from Mexico.. I was rushed to the hospital by ambulance. I needed blood transfusion., not once but four times. The Mexican "surgeon" seen all of the blood le…

Hello! I'm new here. I was recently banded on February 20th and just joined the community here. It looks as though I am in good company! I had one quick question, how do you get that tracker thing on your profile? Also, I'm only a few days out so any advice on what to look out for is greatly appreciated!

So when I started my journey towards WLS, the actual procedure seemed so far away... Now as I pack my hospital bag for my surgery tomorrow, I find myself getting very nervous. I am excited, yes, but very nervous about the actual surgery. I know this is the right tool to finally get my crazy body under control and I welcome the changes with open arms. I am just so nervous about the surgery, I hope all goes well! "/

My 5 year old granddaughter and I were watching TV last night, With her head in my schoulder she whispered in my ear "mommy says your belly is broken and you have to get fixed" That's right, I responded, the doctor is going to fix my belly.. Is it going to hurt? "I don't think so" Will it look different? "Hopefully a little smaller" I said.... You could hear the the concern in her voice when she asked "but papa! where will I sit?"" Got to love the perception of a 5 year old....

Hello all... I had my surgery Feb. 13. I've been researching the lap band for about a year. I have several friends who are enjoying lap band success and they are certainly an inspiration. I've lost some weight already. Looking forward to starting my mushy food phase (I cannot take another day of Optifast). I'm also looking forward to beginning a workout routine.

Good day all. I had my procedure done Wednesday. I'm feeling pretty good. Haven't used any pain med since yesterday. However I'm still using my pillow as my crutch on the left side. It's getting better each day. I've been sleeping on the couch. But tonight I'm gonna try to sleep in my bed. I'm still tolerating my liquids fine but I must say if I sip another can of broth I'm a vomit. Lol

Im wondering if i should eat before exercise in the morning. I mean I tried exercising without eating and have felt no ill effects doing that. wouldnt i be burning more calories if the body has no choice but to use what the body stored first.?

Day 6 on my liquid diet. My surgery is scheduled 2/27. I thought it was suppose to get easier??? I woke up today really wanting a sandwich but then remembered I couldn't have it. I know this is part of a lot of changes to come. But it kinda me sad. ;(

To hurt at the end of your stomach when u drink to much water or broth? Remember it's only day 4 for me .

Had my VSG @ 9:15 am yesterday an I feeling fine except waves of nausea..an I hiccuped 3 time that hurt bad . But I think I have almost made it to the losers side. I am stil in the hospital

Seriously folks, does this site have FAQs or a HELP menu anywhere???????

Having band removed in March with and my new sleeve on same day. Tried working with the band for 8 years. Lost in the beginning but so many complications. Gained almost all of my weight back. Looking forward to new beginnings.

Sorry about art in background of pics. How can I retrieve a post????????????

Anybody from Chicago

Anybody had a surgery done in Chicago @ UIC

So..... my brother, some of my friends and coworkers....(all of them who have never been overweight or fat) are reallllly annoying me!! Its like they cant live a normal life knowing I am preparing for WLS, When really its none of their business! I have struggled all my life... I have dieted joined every kind of weight loss program there is, and for 2 years straight I worked out daily with my brother (who lives at the gym) to lose weight and nothing has every gotten me results! And nothing has been permanent! They don't understand what its like to feel miserable in your own body! Or to workout day to day and only lose a few pounds in a few months. I finally have something …

So I am approaching my last 6 month follow up with my insurance. We have to complete a 6 month follow up with a nutritionist and than we have the surgery. Now I have to lose about 10 lbs before March 11th. I'm nervous because I am really struggling with these last pounds, it seems like no matter what I do it can't come off. I'm telling u, I work out drink water watch what I eat, but i am at a steady weight this is so frustrating, honestly I'm contemplating on starving myself or doing the lemonade challenge, I'm running out of time and if i don't lose this weight it's a strong possibility that i can't get it, until i lose the weight. Ughhh since October i have been follow…

What is with the dang hiccups? Ugghhhh.

Hi I'm Coll I had my Lap band surgery on January 30th I did it after 2 years or research on surgeries and after the sudden death of my Mother I realized I needed to lose weight and get healthy I lost 16 pounds before my surgery and have lost another 5 in last 3 weeks but thought id lose more the first few weeks after surgery and also started weight watchers to help with size of portions and weekly weigh ins

I am finally scheduled for my lap band surgery which is gonna be 2/27. Im exited but nervous!!! I hope me body reacts well to it. I need some help. I have two questions how did you guys react to negative opinions from friends and family about getting the lap band? And also this is my fourth day on the liquid diet it's been tough but doable, however the strange thing is every time I go #2 it's super greasy and liquidy is this normal??? I know GROSS but figured ill ask. Thanks in advance!!!

Hey guys. Feeling ok. But still very sore. I took a shower fine and been moving around the house much as I can. Been using my pillow. I'm still on liquids but I'm cool with that cuz I get full so quickly.

Well Hello... My friends call me Yathie.. And this is my story... About 4 years ago I wanted to do the operation,{GASTRIC SLEEVE} then came to almost doing it and change mind,{ SCARED OUT OF} Now my Surgery is scheduled to February 24 2014 and it's been a hell of an up and down mad roller coaster ride, In August of 2013 was my first visit with my surgeon on deciding which surgery is best for me. As I was hoping she would say the sleeve, which she did, but then 1 month before my scheduled surgery date, she changes mind in saying that maybe the gastric bypass would be best since I suffer from heartburn and even though I lost some weight for surgery my hearburn is still ba…

Hey I'm on the optifast diet my surgery is March 1st I was just wondering if it was normal to suffer really bad headaches/ migranes on this diet? It is killing me!!!

Hi. I went to my first weigh-in and "Educational Class" today. I loved it. So much support and it was great to see the people who had surgery just yesterday and people who are in all phases of the process (months to surgery to 6 mos post surgery). This class is "taught" by the surgeon who will do my surgery. So informative. I am starting my 1200 calorie/day diet for this week. I have to lose 1 pound by next Tuesday, February 24. Then on the 24th I have to start my 2-weeks of Optifast 800 calorie/day diet for two weeks before surgery. Never thought I'd be so worried about losing 1 pound. But have to do it because if not my surgery will be delayed into April. …

Can the people who cook their meats and veggies using a pressurecooker chime in. I was wondering how tender and moist the meat comes out. I think it would be good for the sleeve.

Hey y'all my surgery went well I am still n the hospital I have bad nausea an my Bp is high w I don't know if this is normal or not so I need som answers plz.

So nervous I did lapband few years ago and lost about 50 kgs but it made me stomach sour problem so I removed out and gain 45 kgs again. I decided have bypass and waiting in hospital now. Please wish me evrything gonna be ok.

I was banded 12/30/13 and have not had a great experience so far. I throw up everyday. I get nauseated a lot and have frequent stomach pain. Is this normal???

Got the call today. All approved for surgery april 2

Hi everyone. My name is kathy and I am two weeks and two days post op. I was sleeved on 02/03/2014. I am 56 yrs old and my beginning stats were 242 lbs on October 1,2013 with a BMI of 47.3, I am only 5 feet tall. I have diabetes, osteoarthritis and COPD. I quit smoking 14 months ago and the next step was the WLS. My goal is to get back to a healthy place so I can finish raising my grandchild.. I was not given a preop diet to follow. I live in Lancaster Ohio and my surgeon is Dr Thomas Sonnanstein at Riverside Methodist Hospital/ Fresh Start Bariatrics. I was completely elated with my weight loss for two weeks which was a bit over 18 bls. I am now in the blended diet and s…

I had my surgery Tuesday February 18, 2014 and I'm very curious to know how long does it usually take to heal? Also, when should I start working out?

Hello, I am new here and I just had my gastric sleeve on Feb 13th 2014. I had no complications and am healing well. But one thing that caught me off guard was the mind hunger. There was a ton of focus and emphasis on preparing for surgery and changing my eating habits but nothing on the mental and emotional struggles that came right after surgery. First off, surgery was tough, not as easy as a lot of people said it was, and I'm sure this is determined by the type of person you are. But for me, when I got home that was the toughest. Physically I can't eat food right now, but I wanted the ham and cheese sub my husband brought home. My stomach WAS NOT hungry but my brain…

I have my last nutrition class on Tuesday. I called and asked my status is about scheduling surgery for me. I was told that it wont be until May sometime. I have to wait because he is booked up until then. I don't know what to do. I feel very frustrated with me having to wait so long!!

Hi everyone, my name is Tonya and I was just sleeved on Feburary 6th, 2014 in Memphis, Tennessee by Dr. Virginia Weaver. She is top notch in her field and I couldn't have asked for a better surgeon. I had my GSV at St. Francis Hospital. I am going for my 2-week follow-up appointment tomorrow. Wish me luck. HW: 277 SW: 266 CW: 254

2 weeks until I get banded! Getting excited but also very nervous! Some encouragement would be nice just to keep me on the right path during this very low calorie diet!! Whoever said weight loss surgery was the easy way out???!!!!!!! Amy xx

Just got through talking with surgeon and he thinks I will level off at 180lbs. I want to be 165lbs. He said that 165 would be 100% of my excess weight and would be very impressed if I reached 165. That kind of burst my bubble. Oh well. I'm still going to try to get to 165.

I am so happy I decided to have the sleeve. I just got so tired of being fat. I say fat, because I was. I'm still on my journey to a better and brighter future. I'm the type of person who believes, if something can go wrong with me, it will go wrong. I was so nervous going in to surgery. What if I die? What if I get a serious infection? What if I quit breathing? I decided to start praying and quit worrying! Thankfully, I have been the model patient so far for the sleeve. I have not had one complication! I have strictly followed my Drs orders. I'm experiencing a lot of different reactions from family and friends. My mom and sister are trying to force feed me. They think I'…

My journey began in 2008. Through Kaiser Permanente I attended weekly classes for about 6 months after I got approved for weight loss surgery. Classes ended September 2008 and the entire time I thought I was going to get the Lap Band done. I met with my surgeon, Dr Zane in Harbor City, California in October and he told me that he would not do the Lap Band on me because he was beginning to reverse them. He gave me really bad reviews so since I was not morbidly obese (needed to lose 100 lbs), he recommended the Gastric Sleeve so that’s what I went with (I don’t regret it BTW). We set the date, February 6, 2009. Surgery day I weighed 242 lbs. I was in the hospital for 2 da…

I'm heading in for appointment number 1 today. I've got my binder all ready to go. They are going to think I'm a nut. It has the notes I took during my information session via webinar; a calendar for the several date options I would like to consider based on my teaching schedule (April, May, July); my documentation proof of 6 months of supervised diets as required by my insurance; copies of recent blood work and EKGs from my recent gallbladder surgery; pages of stuff I've found on this site and most importantly my list of questions for today. I've been thinking about WLS since 2004 when my then 60 year old mother had her bypass. I was heavy, but not heavy enough…

Make room on the Losers Bench, I'm just a few short weeks away. My RNY is scheduled for 2/20/14, I start my 2 week liquid diet on the 6th. I Nearly started to cry while signing my consents. Pre-op testing completed. I usually feel guilty when I do something for myself. But this year I decided to put myself first, always tending to my 4 children & husband needs instead of my own. No guilty feeling today. So ready for the new & improve my lighter Me!!!!

Just found out on yesterday I was approved for my sleeve. I must admit I was a little bit worried being that on my last appt with the patient advocate @ True Results she informed me I may or may not be approved due to #1 my BMI was not over 40 in 2012 and due toy blood pressure being under control with meds and my sleep apnea is too mild to be a factor to automatically qualify for the surgery, #2 in the course of the 6 month required visits instead of losing weight I gained 17 lbs...I received the call from the surgeon's office saying they needed me to schedule my consultation. My information was submitted less than 3 weeks ago. What a good turn around time! BTW I have B…

5 months and 80 pounds lost I am so loving my sleeve

Hi! My name is Debi and I was sleeved May of 2012. I have only lost 40 lbs and after researching what I can do I have come to the realization everyone had months of classes except me. I'm starting to think it was because I paid cash, therefore, they wanted me in quickly. I went to one class the day I visited the doctor and the next day had surgery. After talking to several people I found they were required to attend several nutritional classes. When I realized what happened I contacted the doctor's office, Dr. James Atkinson & Dr. Soong, and was told I would have to pay an additional $75. I was too mad at this point to go and probably bit my own nose off to sp…

Surgery went well. Still In A Lot Of pain. But I'm able to walk around every so often. Don't have much of an appetite. But I'm taking it one day at a time. It's only been 24hrs. Thank you guys for all the prayer and best wishes.

I am up an walking . There is a lot of gas trapped in my body . I really like the delotdid med that they have givin me it helps with the pain . I am swollen from fluid . But I am sure I will pee in a couple days . Just givin y'all an update . I think for the most part Jesus seen me through this and my wonderful support group(y'all) so thanks everyone I will keep in touch.

I haven't been on my journey as long as some of the other people on here, but it still feels like I've been waiting for this day for forever! As of right now I'm scheduled to be to the hospital by 11:30am tomorrow, but my surgeon said that time might change and they will call if it does. I had to drink a bottle of magnesium citrate as per his instructions as well and that has been awful! I've heard not everyone has to do this and I'm kind of really jealous of those people lol I've had to stay close to the bathroom all day. To top it off, it's that TOM and it decided to show up this morning, as if I needed the extra hassle right now! I'm just hoping the rest of today flies…

Hi all, wish me luck. Really nervous right now and being a nurse does not help. All kinds of things are running through my head. Will update later.