Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

Hello to everyone out there. Figured I would start off with my story and go from there after all I keep hearing how important it is to have support. I have been heavy, fluffy, plump, overweight whatever you want to call it pretty much all my life. Thankfully it has always been dispersed evenly and proportionally. The past 3 years has been very emotional and chaotic for my family, my father in law, who I adore and is a very big part of our family dynamic was diagnosed with a type of cancer that will never go away, just chemo and various treatment to extend and improve quality of life. This has been very hard and trying for my family but has also brought us much closer. T…

Yesterday was my month-aversary, I am 4 months post op and down 70 lbs!!! I am beyond happy with the results so far. I not only fit into my jeans, I can put them on and off without unzipping them, LOL, so yes, it is time to do a LITTLE shopping as I am not yet at my goal weight, I still have 45 lbs to lose. I saw my surgeon yesterday and he is also very happy with my results so far. I am also working out, and to keep myself motivated, I registered for my first ever marathon, it is a 5K run, it is the COLOR ME RAD marathon, it will happen on November 9 and I am VERY excited!!! I downloaded a fabulous app that helps you train for the 5k marathon, I am feeling the benefits…

Hi guys, i have been waiting since feb to be approved. Finally got approved this week. 11 days away! So excited. I have wanted to be thin all my life. Always on a diet, never thin. I hope the sleeve will help be reach my goal. I wish all my fellow sleevers all the best! No one could ever understand how hard it is to lose weight unless you have tried like we have.

Today is 3years that I started my journey. .... and I would not change a single thing... I have a great support team... of friends and family.. and in 2month's I start they journey helping my best friend start her new life...

Well I didn't sleep any because to day is my surgery and I and scared and happy all in one.

Im going thru my pre op getting ready for surgery with dr.emil matei have anyone heard of him??? Im very nervous and wants to know what to expect.

Hello everyone, I have not had my surgery yet. I started the Kaiser Options classes on 2 /25/13 and finished 6/3/13 due to making up classes because of jury duty obligations. I had my first consultation with the bariatric clinic on 6/28/13. I was cleared for surgery on 7/10/13. I live in Lancaster, California and I have three options of where to have my surgery, Palmdale with an outside surgeon or with a Kaiser dr. Bakersfield or WLA. I chose the Palmdale surgeon and was I told could possibly have surgery in August. Unfortunately, the dr. will be on vacation the whole month of August. Now, I am told Sept or even October. I was given this information on 7/12/13 by the…

How are you able to sip water when it is really hot outside or inside. I feel like I could drink this whole bottle of water. I am trying to still sip it but I am not feeling like I had enough water. so how do you handle drinking water in the heat?

Hi Everyone, I just got verbal approval to have my sleeve surgery and am waiting for the written letter so we can set the date It will be done by Dr John Gonzalvo at Tampa General Hospital in Tampa FL, hopefully sometime in June. I would like to find others who had it done there, or plan to have it done there and compare notes and form our own little support network with someone who has been there (literally) and dealt with the same place and people, etc. Please introduce yourself. I look forward to "meeting" you. -Thank you, Brenda

Hello everyone. I am two days out from having my surgery and I can't stop crying. There are so many things going through my mind and I can't quiet them. I've been on this journey for the past three and a half years. That's when I first went to see a surgeon about the procedure. Afther that first visit I thought by having the surgery I was taking the easy way out - (boy was I wrong). So I decided not to have it and would go at it "the old fashioned way". That was a huge mistake because I ballooned up to 378lbs. Then I started to have issues with my back and it became severely problematic. My doctor said they couldn't fix my spine but he could help me with pain man…

I am 10!days away from surgery and I am so excited and cannot wait! I am trying to make sure I have everything I need by then. What all do I need to take with me when I go in for surgery?

Has anyone had issues with gas right after surgery? Please help 4 days post-op

Finally got the courage too....take a mirror and take a look at what I look like from behind. I thought, hey, I have lost 60 pounds, I am halfway to goal, how bad can it be? Apparently really bad. Good Lord, I am glad I did not have the courage to look at 265. I would have passed out, then woke up and ate chocolate I'm sure.

I always have tried dieting and exercising but always gained it back double now was the chance of a lifetime with the help of a band. I was banded on 6/26/13 felt great as soon as i started my pre-op diet i weighed 255 and now am 214 cant wait for my long term goal 130-140. Good luck to everyone.

iv been suggested this site from a friend of a friend and im so greatful as im the only person i know who has had weight loss surgery, meaning im feeling pretty alone when it comes to my emotions and wondering if im going a little crazy but also the practical side of things and having tips ftom people who have been there. My biggest issues at the moment are the pain in my shoulder, i know that im only 2 days post op but please tell me this goes away some time soon!!! Im also having problems sleeping, any suggestions please??

I'm wondering if egg drop soup from the Chinese place is ok for pre op

So it's finally here! My surgery is tomorrow! a bunch of mixed feelings but overall very excited! Are there any suggestions for what I should pack for my one night stay? also has anyone had to remove there acrylic nails? No one has said anything to me about it, the preadmission nurse even complimented them the other day! Finally starting to explore this app and know it will come in handy through out my process! please send good vibes my way! ;-*

Tomorrow, July 5 is finally my day. So nervous and excited.

I guess this would count as a scale victory but for the first time in over 8 years, I can see the backs of my knees. I no longer have to dig in the fat connecting them to my calves when lotioning up my legs! This is the start of wonderful things to come! Preop weight - 348 DOS 6/17 - 336 Current weight - 316 So happy! Yay

Many of us are overweight beacause of overeating whether its because of bordom, emotions, or just plain bad food choices. What have some of you done to change this after being sleeved? I have done so many diets and have always stopped and I'm just scared that I will start to lose once being sleeved and then gain it back. What are some tips to keeping the weight off and sticking to it! I plan on it being a lifetime change for myself and my family! Exercise and healthy eating are in my plans but there is always gonna be that fear of falling right back into my old habits. So tips please:)

I'm new to this. I decided to have this surgery to help me loose weight and prevent high risk heart disease that runs in my family. My starting weight was 232. I need some help with foods and Protein.currently I'm on liquids. But im still experiencing stomach cramps and nausea. My biggest fear is to dehydrate. Would some one please help me I need lis of support I have no clue if I'm doing the right thing. Sometimes I wondered why I had this surgery

Sad that I probably will never again eat even a few bites of a (bun-less) burger

Hello, I am 2 weeks post op VSG( today is my 2 week surgiversary ) and I am adapting to the new way of life. Everyday has been a challenge but I tell myself that this is just a small part of this amazing journey. But as my body is healing, I have begun to experience head hunger(thank goodness for this site and youtube) issues and continue to deal with trying to get all of my fluids and Protein in each day. From all I have read, it will get better with time, as long as I keep working on these goals so I continue to hold on to that. But this surgery really showcased for me, how much food has played a role in my life and the emotional relationship I have had wi…

I am almost two weeks post-opt and I was just approved to start taking my multivitamin and my bcomplex. I am still feeling very tired and sleept throughout the day. does anyone know of any other vitamin the would promote energy but something that is band friendly?

I finally figured out how to post pics! Here are a few before and now pics. I still need to take a full body pic. So soon i will do that. Thanks foe looking.

I attended my first Seminar this morning and schuduled my first appointment to start my weight loss journey. I'm very excited to get things started! With a BMI of 40.1 I'm barely able to do this but I've been overweight my entire life with it really spiraling out of control about 12 years ago! I'm ready to take control and get my life back. I attend my seminar alone because my family and friends don't think that I need to have weight loss surgery. I honestly have tired over the years to lose weight and keep it off and I have always lost some but then gained it all the weight back plus more! I have two kids that I would love to be more active with. Also the last couple …

I had gastric by pass 3 years ago. Lost 107 lbs. Now I have gained 10 lbs and would like to get it off. Any suggestions would be so wonderful. Dom IN NEED OF HELP

My surgery date is July 24th, I started my pre-op diet on Wednesday. Shakes and all the veggies I want. But oh my lord...I have been having the worst gas (very bad smelling) I have ever had. Is this common with this type of diet and do you think it will continue?

Today I am 4 months banded and I have staled at 38 pounds lost, nothing since surgery. I have small victories that I try to keep up front but my negative side comes out and tells me, "I am going to fail here too". See your weight isn't coming off just like all the other times......:-(. Sorry, for venting and letting this out.

Hi im getting surgery around August or Sept. Im very excited but nervous at the same time. I have been waiting 2 yrs for that surgery and I cant believe the day is almost here Im 28 yrs old and overweigth Im almost 330 pounds. My knees and ankles are hurt.. I get tired easily. This overweigth is terrible.. I just cant wait for surgery and a big change in my life.

Well just got done walking , took lortab elixir before. Day of Surgery I crashed, heart beat got low so the put a heart shunt in, I'm normal now I'm on the clear liquids till Sunday then go to mushy foods . First time I'm not hungry and I don't regret having surgery, I have a lot of water gain but its coming off.

So it is done. I had surgery on the 10 th and it was more difficult than I anticipated. My blood pressure skyrocketed and I was in recovery for 3.5 hours before getting moved to my room. My poor husband waiting and pacing. I had horrible nausea and dry heaves. The dry heaves were the absolute worst. You are scared that you are going to injure your staple line or you suture sites. It's miserable, and scary. I developed an agonizing headache in the night so now I had nausea and headaches. I would dry heave every time I got out of bed. I did do some walking. The next day my headache finally waned and the nausea was better controlled with phenergan (sp). The follow up test …

Hello beautiful people! I have been lurking for awhile. I love the flow of information and comraderie on this site! My sleeve surgery is this coming Tuesday, July 10. Like a few others on this site I am having a revision from a lap band. Problems with the band- yes. Problems with working the band- yes. But I am now putting that behind me and moving on. At 452 lbs I need some rapid weight loss just to function better in daily life. I am hoping for far fewer complications with this surgery, and more lasting weight loss. I wish you all the best and I look forward to hearing from those of you who like to leave a comment. Prayers and healing thoughts and energy are appreci…

I just have a question...I am in the process of prepaeing for the surgery. Are people having problems not being able to eat certain foods? I had the VBG in the past and could not eat healty foods like fruits and vegetables. The pouch couldnt process more than a bite or 2. HAs anyone run into this problem with the sleeve? Thank you!

I started my journey on May 20th 2013. My highest weight was 385lbs and I am 5'5. I've seen the phychatrist twice and the dietician once so far. I had all my blood work done and did both of my required support group meetings. I just had my endoscope yesterday. I've met with my surgeon already as well. So now I have one more appointment with the dietician next week. Hopefully then I will get a date. About six years ago, I fell out of the shower. Long story short. I ended up with 3 herniated discs and nerve damage in my left leg and foot. Growing up I was always over weight but since I got hurt this is my highest. Before I would level off between 303 - 333 lbs. I tried we…

Day 11 today and feeling quite good. Staples out, wounds closed and most dressings off. A week after my surgery, one of my incisions became quite sore, hard to touch and bruised. Today as I was sitting with the kids, I felt my top wet to touch and 'something' running down my tummy. I lifted my top and a gush of blood was pouring out of my largest incision. (It was so GROSS and scary). The blood was so thick and dark brown/red and cotty. As I'd press slightly at the area, more blood would ooze out ... Almost like it was 'boiling' out. I kept doing this because it became less tender to touch and I imagined that it was a collection of blood needing to come out. I continue…

I have now lost 105lbs and feeling great! Just wanted to share have a great day everyone :-)

Hi I'm new to the forums. I was sleeved 4-23-2013. So far I'm down 63 lbs. but down 90 since journey began. Still a long way to go!

I couldn't be more excited, nervous, scared, and so many other emotions! My gastric sleeve surgery is Monday!! I am currently 23 years old and mother of 2 , a 3 yr old girl and a 6 month old baby boy! My weight currently is 250 and I am so excited for this new journey to begin! Any advice?!?

Hi everyone, I am in Northern Minnesota, and am super excited to be starting this journey towards my surgery. Many years ago I was ready to have the Lap Band done, and because of my insurance at the time, they didn't approve it for anyone. After having my hopes and dreams dashed so many years ago, I got back 'up on the horse' and am starting the process again, with insurance that will pay for it. It feels like a blessing because I now know that I wouldn't have wanted the Lap Band (hindsight is always 20/20 right?) So, I have my initial 2 hour appointment (1st hour with nurse and 2nd hour with dietician) coming up in about a week and a half, and am really looking for…

Hi, I am Leslie Ann. I am considering the gastric sleeve. I am going through collecting my clearances now. I have had the exercise class , nutrition , blood work, physical, mammogram. Still have to do chest x-ray and get cleared by neurology, hematology and nutirtion. I am really struggling with being hungry and wanting my fast food and coke. I especially am having a hard time at night when I used to really eat a lot. It is good to know that I am not the only one going through all of this. I have a son who is 8 and husband with anorexia so family is good but complicated. Right now there is pound cake on the counter and I trying so hard not to go grab it. Time for so…

I had my Surgery on the 22 of April 2013. I have always been over weight, the only fat kid in the family! I went for the Lapband as I have failed every diet on earth & it seems like I still am! I have 30-35kilos to loose and when I was on the pre-op diet I did loose about 5kilos and since then I have gone back up to my original start weight! I am writing down all the good I eat & yes there still is some bad choices on there but I guess I'm looking for anyone whom has started off on a bad foot and got through it and went on to loose weight! I made so many bad choices with my diet over the years I hope I can see a slimmer me in the future!!! I have had my second fi…

Hey there... Lisa's back and ready to chat, chat, chat.. Where O where do I begin ?? My "last meal". I felt like Jesus at his last supper. The Friday before my surgery after eating very good for two months I had the wonderful " I will never eat like this again meal". I went with my daughter to Hurricane Grill and had 3 Conch fritters, 1/2 chicken wrap, few chips, 1/2 chicken fajita and OH YES a Sangria... TOTALLY off my diet but I was going to go out with a bang if I wasn't going to eat for the next two days. Saturday was an OK day. I got to have a "no chew" diet of Yogurt ( with no fruit in it), Protein shakes and sugar free pudding. Sunday was a little harder as …

I am a stomach sleeper. For those of you out there that are also how long after surgery till I can sleep on my stomach again??? I had a c section with my son and had to sleep on the couch for two weeks it was painful to get in my then pillowtop bed. I now have a tempurpedic. Just a random question.

What a great feeling! It has been a long time! So thankful for Dr. Alvarez!

Hello everyone. My name is Maurice and I was sleeved on 12/10/2012. pre-op weight 331 now down 41 pounds today at first doctor visit! bp is great and down one med so far. I am wondering if anyone else has experienced a hypersensitivity to food and environmental places. Most smells make me wanna puke and dry heaving is often. My main concern is hydration and I am trying hard to stay as hydrated as possible. Does anyone else feel bloating and discomfort if you drink or gulp too much water? I had a hiatalhernia removed also during sleeve procedure so my doc tells me that i will take a little longer to fully heal inside and that the discomfort when I drink should subside in …

Not obese! According to my wii anyway! I hit Onederland and under 30 BMI today 7 weeks post op- it's been at least 12 yrs since I was this weight. We just got back from Orlando and I guess all the walking and heat paid off Sleeved 5/23/13 High 253 SW 226 CW 197 Goal 160 So excited!!!!

Just wanted to share that I called the insurance company today and they have approved my surgery! I hope to hear from the doctor's office this week. This is a glowing bright spot in my otherwise bad week. ( I am officially unemployed, but am thankful for my husband's insurance! ) Nervous but excited. I really have been helped by reading everyone's posts. It calms me to know that my vast emotional waves are normal. I am so excited! Thanks to all of you! (y'all )

Hello world. My name is Yonah, and according to the email I received when joining this forum, it's recommended that I post an introduction thread. I have been overweight/obese all of my adult life. The heaviest I have been is approximately 330 pounds, the least heavy has been about 280 pounds, but my weight has been pretty stable for the past few years at ~300 pounds. I'm strongly considering leaning towards getting a VSG, but I also felt this way a year ago and lost my nerve during the pre-operative checkups, so we'll see I guess. I am 25 years old, and living with my parents and younger brother in Rockland County, a suburb of NYC. The surgeon that has been highly reco…

Does anyone else get a rapid heart beat/pulse after they eat? Idk why this happens!