Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

I am considering the sleeve because of its pros..but what are the cons?? What are some things you can NEVER have again?..I heard soda was one of them.

When I was younger, I could eat anything and never gain weight. I haven't always been big. I tried all ways to lose weight. 5 years ago, I watched what I ate and exercised. I got down to 310. I was on what some people would call the " broke" diet. I lost a lot of weight because I wasn't eating right. As soon as I got a better job, I started eating more, not better. I gained 90 pounds. Then the pandemic happened and I was sent home to work. I gained 60 pounds in a year and couldn't lose it. Every doctor I ever had told me I couldn't get the surgery, due to health reasons. Finally I get a PCP this year that suggested it to me. That was in April 2021. I got a referral in a …

I am in the midst of a cross-country move so missed posting about my two year anniversary a couple days ago. I had a VSG in Seattle on 8/12/2019. My starting weight was 286, today I’m 140. Although I lost my excess weight, I gained so much in the process. I am happy, healthy, and active. My only regret is not doing this sooner. I’m off all medication and no longer have sleep apnea. My blood pressure and resting heart rate are that of an athlete. I’ve never felt better in my adult life. I had plastic surgery in January to remove the excess skin and I’m so glad that I did that as part of this process. I still weigh myself daily and track all of my intake. I have a little mo…

I had gastric bypass on 5/7/2021. I began my weight loss journey in August 2020 when I attended my hospital’s bariatric seminar. My insurance required 6 months of diet before surgery approval. My fist dietitian appoint was mid-October 2020. Prior to this appointment I had very little motivation to lose weight. I was 280+ pounds (5’ 7.5”) and depressed. My ankles swelled every day, I had trouble moving, none of my clothes fit well and my wedding rings didn’t fit at all. I had gone off the rails. Between October and March 21’ I managed to lose 45 pounds. I attribute my success to my husband also taking charge of his health and being a great partner. …

I’m officially 1 year 8 months out I’m still about 15lbs from goal probably would have made it by now if I hadn’t got pregnant immediately after surgery ??‍♀️. My starting weight was 299lbs and I’m currently 174lbs I feel amazing but I definitely still feel like I look fat. Even though I’m not to goal I definitely feel great that I did this and have zero regrets my family constantly tell me I look great and not to lose more. The only regret I have is not doing it sooner! I go to the gym 3x a week alone then 2x with my trainer. I love the gym I try to get everyone I know to go with me lol. I can’t wait to get to my goal to celebrate with a tummy tuck ?.

Hi y’all! I’m Brittany. I’m a stay at home wife and mom of two littles. I suffer from hypothyroidism, Hashimoto’s, PCOS and a benign pituitary tumor, all of which affect my weight and overall quality of life. I have wanted to have gastric surgery for upwards of 11 years, but the timing was never right. After several failed attempts at losing weight, I finally decided it was time to get serious about surgery. I joined a couple of bariatric pages on Facebook, and just sat back and watched for several months. I initially reached out to a surgeon here in San Antonio, but after learning that my insurance wouldn’t cover the surgery and realizing the cost of the procedure ou…

Hi everyone, after strolling and reading several posts I decided to join this forum. Everyone seems genuinely interested in and concerned for others. I am excited to have finally officially started my weight loss journey. I had gastric sleeve surgery on March 30th 2021. My starting weight was 362 and my current weight is 330. My surgeon is Dr. Tananchai A. Lucktong. I would recommend him to anyone. I am retired, I have two adult children and two grandchildren, hence the name Nannee2-2. Thanks for allowing me to join.

I'm trying to start my journey but I'm scared I won't be approved because I have a pacemaker/defibrillator. My 1st appointment visit is Thursday but I'm worried as heck that I won't be eligible. Has anyone had this problem?

Hello, I was banded by Dr Franco Favretti on the 10th of January in Italy. I am so glad I choose him. The service in the hospital in Italy was excellent. NO problem at all with languages barries, as nurses are so kind and they really try hard to their best to speak English. He knows his job very well.

My story started in 2018 after becoming my father's legal Guardian due to him having a stroke followed by a heart attack. That woke me up, and I began to take my morbid obesity and skeletal issue more seriously. But in reality, I should have said yes the first time. My VA doctor suggested Gastric Bypass Surgery in 2013 while discussing my morbid obesity, skeletal issue, and being borderline diabetic. Now let's jump to September 2020 While visiting my PC VA doctor, I decided to get enrolled in the Bariatric program. 26Apr2021, I finished my last phase 1 checklist step, and on 29Apr2021, I received My Bariatric Bypass Surgery Date of 14 June 2021. During …

My story started in 2012 my moms doctor told me if I lost weight we could work on me being her living donor. So I went to my doctor said I need this to save her life help me. We got me set up for the sleeve. At almost 300 pounds I would have done anything to help her. I had the sleeve done March 2014 and after getting to 190 her doctor told me I couldn't be her donor she wouldn't survive the surgery. So fast forward to 2019 I have major heart burn so bad even water gives me heart burn. By 2020 i was over the heart burn and the miserable life I met with my new doctor he informed me due to my sleeve it will be constant and just get worse so we did a revision and basically w…

Hello all! I just signed up after reading some of your stories and I wanted to become part of this community. I will try not to make my story too lengthy. I am a 38 year old female, originally from the Midwest, although I have lived quite a few places in my life. Midwest will always be home, though. For almost ten years, I was trapped in an emotionally abusive, sometimes physically abusive marriage with a narcissist wife. I didn't really care about myself or my well-being. During this time, my father - who never had any major ailments in his life - came down with congestive heart failure, fighting for his life with an LVAD for three years... dying in the middle …

My original surgery was 8/22/2006 and I had the RNY. Starting weight was 287 and I got down to 139 in about 14 months. I turned into a counting calorie and workout machine. I kept my weight off for the last 11 years and then BOOM my thyroid died. After a trip to the Mayo clinic in FL and seeing the top endo in the field I am now on an encapsulated pill but it just barely sustains the actual thyroid function. I started regaining weight about 4 years ago - mostly due to the thyroid issues but have to take personal responsibility for bad choices as well. I gained 87 pounds over the last 4 years even with counting calories and working out. When I say working out I was riding …

I finally showed my before and after photos on facebook. I was very, very scared. I had told a lot of people - but some didn't know. I had never EVER showed a full body picture like that. From the side at that! Anyways, on the left: I was a miserable 369lbs. SUPER unhealthy, probably headed to death. I doubt very seriously I could make it past 400. My body would probably just give out. I was already struggling to breathe doing simple tasks/walking up stairs. ANYWHO, the right was a shot taken by my beautiful momsicle on Mother's Day just last weekend. Ignore my "suns in the eyes" face. I am over 120lbs lost from February 27th, 2020 to now. I finally am under 250lbs and I …

I started my journey Nov. 15 2020 : Preop-diet was for 2-weeks : My surgery date was Dec. 15, 2020. So basically six months ago I started my journey- And it's been 5 Months from the actual surgery date . As of May 15 2021, I've lost 105lbs !! YES... I only dreamed of losing this much weight... I'm not done by far, but what a first six months........

Hi Everyone. Hope your all safe and well? Ok so here's my gastric story. I first had a gastric sleeve in late 2013. It was so successful my start weight was 128kg and I went done to 74kg. Amazing I know. I took my time with food ok I cheated a lot but back then I thought it was ok. I gradually started to put on weight again in 2015 I think because I wasn't happy and lonely I turned to food as comfort. I thought I was invisible and that the weight will drop off again, I was wrong! With what started last year the terrible pandemic I stayed in and ate! and I went back up to 114kg!!!!! I felt so sick and angry with myself knowing that I did that to m…

My story actually started 5 yrs ago... Attending my 3 appt, routine blood work... 6 months later we welcomed boy #4! 5 yrs later, back in January I was hospitalized for over a week with what started out as TSS, it then progressed into a bacterial blood infection. I was mortified when over the intercom they requested lifting help... for me! I couldnt believe I let myself get up to 278. In the following days my blood sugars jumped into the 500's. I was put on an insulin drip (I had been diet controlled for 7yrs). I went home on 70 units of lantus and a 1 to 5 carb ratio! I started the process a week later and on May 16th I changed my life forever!! This time I left the ho…

I am two days post op. Why am I hungry?

Hi everyone [emoji5], I'm about to change my life for the better. After years of weight-loss struggles due to hysterectomy and hormones I finally got up the nerve to walk into a weight-loss clinic and forever change my life. Scary as it seemed the team at the center were and are beyond helpful and kind. Not only that but my Dr. Had bypass surgery himself so he knows all the struggles we will face. My greatest shock is I've suffered for 24 years with GERD and the Dr said you have a hienal hernia let's knock that out and get you a gastric sleeve and put this behind you. So here I am headed for scope and ultrasound next week then to the next step. Today I weight 236 at 5…

I thought I'd log in with a few updates today. I started this process back on July 31st with a high weight of 284. I lost 34 lbs before surgery on Sept. 21st and weighed in at 233.2 this morning. The two big milestones are that I passed 50 lbs lost and I am now a BMI of 34, which means I'm only "obese" instead of "morbidly obese". I have a long way to go to my 180 target, but I am happy about the progress so far.

Hello, I am new here and don't know where or how to post things to ask the Dietician - but here is my story and I need help please. I had Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy August 6th, 2019. My surgeon and nutritionist said being almost 2 years out of surgery, my stomach should be able to hold 8 ounces in volume or 1 cup of food at a time (but obviously if I get full, don’t eat the whole thing) When I first started this journey, I had the Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy on August 6th, 2019, they said only eat 4 ounces of food for a meal three times a day. I did that and weighed my food at 4 ounces on my kitchen scale. Then a year and a half out they tell me no, I need t…

Hello everyone...I'm back. Most of you don't know me because I haven't been on the forum for about 5 years, but I was on it almost every day from the time I had the sleeve in October 2011 at 57 years old. First, having the surgery was a dream come true because I had been heavy all my life. I lost 88 lbs in the first year (I wrote a weekly blog which I turned into a book and interestingly, I reached my goal at EXACTLY one year). At 135 I FELT SO FREE!!!! Yes, I looked a lot better, and Yes, I was healthier and Yes, I was happier. But the freedom of it was the best part. I felt like a normal person and not the fattest person in the room (or worse, in Amsterdam where I had m…

Hello everyone. I’m Marissa and I had gastric bypass in October of 2020. I’m roughly 5.5 months post op from having the surgery at Baptist Bariatrics. With my surgeon being Dr H. I’m writing to introduce myself. HW 292 SW 273 CW 207 GW 150. I’m doing my best to reach Onederland so any advise is welcome.

I had not considered getting a breast reduction or lift until today my PA mentioned that "sometimes insurance will cover it, if there's enough sag in the skin" I highly doubt I qualify, but wondered what info y'all had on this. Anyone had an insurance-supported lift or reduction? Is one considered "medically necessary" and the other "cosmetic?" I laughed as I told my provider. "Hey, if they'll pay for it, I'll have anything done!"

I have been overweight since 5 years old.. by the time i did my sleeves surgery 3 weeks ago at 42 yrs old... I could say that being fat needs talent.lol. Tried all the colours n fashion to look slim, tried to be brave going clubbing always as the fattest babe.Tried diet, obesity club, gym n trainers, youtube workouts, home workouts, tomato soup diet, dance 8 hours a day.. but its just so hard to stay a good weight for me without suffering. So in Dec 2020 I had slip disc followed by surgery and main cause was weight and ageing.It almost hit my spinal cord and thank God i was not paralysed. I weighed 98kg at that time. And my weight for the past 30 over years has lead to th…

Hello All- New Guy here. Confession: I am the spouse of the soon-to-be patient and recipient of a sleeve procedure. But we will be going through the upcoming changes together in 8 weeks time as she starts her process. I’ve been researching all the diet standards and recipes as chief house cook and trying to come to grasp with some of the upcoming permanent changes that will impact my wife/ best friend/ love of my life. Primary reason for undergoing the procedure is medical, due to both a sports injury in college and severe diabetes that got worse after each of our four children. She JUST qualified in the 36 BMI range with medical conditions and after tons o…

My name is Steph and I’m a 32yo junior doctor working in Australia. 5 years ago I was a highly successful intern at a major public hospital. I loved my job despite the insane hours, and I had just won the “Intern of the Year” prize as voted by my peers. I had just married my amazing partner of 10 years and we were saving to buy a house. The future looked bright- I was about to start my specialty training in General Practice (family medicine) which was the career I had always been so passionate about. Two years more training and a few scary exams to sit and then I would finally be fully qualified! But slowly, insidiously, I began to disintegrate. Bit by bit I slid …

So, let me first say happy Mother's Day to all of the moms on here. Secondly, I want to let you all know that I'm currently 161 lbs... which is 11 lbs away from my goal weight of 150 lbs. ?????????????? round of applause for that being that this is month 5 for me. Tjirdky, let's discuss the topic at hand. Anyone who has followed me know that my journey with my husband has been bad . Well , it's reached an all time low. We were asleep 3 nights ago and the phone kept vibrating. I told him to answer and he wouldn't. Well we have 2 kids that are outside of the home right now so I said let me make sure it's not the kids texting him. But my gut told me this is gonn…

My name is William Godfrey and I am a 21 year Army retiree. I currently work as a Culinary instructor and also part time at the Home Depot. My journey has been up and down with weight struggles since retiring. I quit HD back in 2017 to get my culinary degree and during that time I hit an all time high of 303 being 5'6". I've tried all the diets and the last was keto. Before retirement I got a disc fusion from my bulging discs and with this extra weight it just made the pain worse. Going through the VA, we tried just about everything until they told me that VA was authorizing gastric surgeries and doing that would help me release weight and pressure from my back. So here I…

My story has been a journey and has a lot of ups and downs. Hopefully I can convey all that I can remember. When I was young I was always large. The youngest that I remember my weight was when I was in 8th grade and was 4'8" and 180lbs. In 10th grade I was 5'6" and 220 lbs and that was might high weight then. I went on medication for ADHD shortly after this time and I dropped down to 175lb and graduated high school smaller than when I went in. Throughout the years following I fluctuated considerably and went between 220 and 175 until I met my wife. Shortly after marriage I had a construction job and dropped to 145lbs. That is the lowest that I have been in my adul…

I hit a couple of major NSVs today. I’ve lost 100 lbs (or near enough to count), and finally dipped down into the 100’s. I am pretty pleased with myself, and I am so glad that I had the surgery. HW = 299 CW = 199.4 SW = 280.0 Surgery Date = 07/23/2020 I follow my program of eating healthy extremely well. Cravings are at a minimum, but the weight loss isn’t a complete breeze. I feel like I need to make a conscious effort to stick to the plan. I’m a slow and steady loser, and weirdly each pound lost always feels like it’s going to be the last. Not sure why, because I am not a pessimist by nature. The body dysmorphia is strong, and I have absolutely no sense of …

... but not for the reasons you might think. I questioned whether I should make this post in the preop section or here, but since it's my first post on the forum, it might as well serve as an introduction as well. My apologies in advance for the verbosity, as I have a tendency to ramble. At age 54, I've been morbidly obese since I was a teen. I have no personal frame of reference as to what it means to be fit or eat healthily. Sure, there's the cognitive recognition of what those concepts are and what they should mean, but nothing in my own life experiences that are relatable. I'm 6'1" and at my heaviest weighed 410. Five years ago I was diagnosed with high bloo…

I had my sleeve surgery December 5th of 2017, and its been ages since I've checked in here. I'll be honest....after a while, this became an unhelpful environment for me and I needed to leave. Too many experts. Too many people who had "found the answer" and judged others who were following a different path. Sometimes ya'll were really helpful and sometimes you just made things worse. I'm not saying that to be critical of this place (there were times it was sincerely helpful and I think it's a great site, particularly for those starting out)....but I wanted to share my experience that there are times when it's better to walk away, take breaks, or escape relation…

So, I just had my blood tests and MRSA swabs in advance of surgery next week (1st March) and decided that I would detail my journey here. Partly because I want to remember to come back on here when things get tough and I need a reminder of why I am doing this, and partly because I want to have a record of what I’m doing anyway, and I figure that having one that others can read, contribute to and, maybe, learn from (if I ever get to the point of having any lessons to teach) is as good a way as any. So, my background… I’m 29, living in London. I’ve always been overweight, ever since I was a kid, but my weight has fluctuated a lot. Generally, when I move to a new pla…

Everyone is different, and many nutritionist have different plans...My post weight guide from the Dr and nutritionist is : Calories below 1000, Low fat, low carb. So I keep a food journal , And I just did this : I averaged my Protein, Fat, Carb, Calorie intake over the last 40 days : These are my results : Protein 81.6 Fat 23.6 Carbs 38 Calories 731 So what do yall think ? Any suggestions ? Hints ? Advice ?

I am 36 and going through the pre-operation approval phase. Everything has been delayed due to covid. But I am almost at the point of scheduling surgery. I have been diagnosed with moderate sleep apnea and just received my cpap machine. My husband doesn't support my decision because he feels I should have taken my weight issues more serious when I was younger or started dating him and just lose weight naturally. He is from a different culture and very rude about this. It hurts because he will say mean things, like he doesn't know why he married a fat woman and that doesn't help when this is a very emotional process. I am doing this for me and so that I can live a better …

So I first had VBG (banded gastroplasty) in 2001. I lost 100 pounds and then plateaued and stayed at the new weight until 2012. All of the sudden I couldn’t eat anything. I threw up everything I ate. I had an endoscopy which showed scar tissue blockage. I had a revision into a gastric bypass. After that the weight flew off, eventually I had lost a total (including the 100 from the first surgery) 197 pounds. Three pounds away from my goal of losing 200 pounds. Then all of the sudden weight loss stopped. One day I had a few sips of Mtn Dew and I didn’t get sick. So the next day I had a whole glass. Then a whole can. Wow, I had all that sugar and no dumping. Maybe I can hav…

Tomorrow is finally surgery day. I’m having my surgery at the Cleveland Clinic. I started this whole process back in January, had to endure 6 months of nutritional visits (due to my insurance BCBS of Michigan and a BMI of 37 at the time) and then some delays in testing due to COVID. In January when I first started the process, I weighed 256lbs. at 5’8 and now I’m down to 226lbs. (I lost 14 pounds during the 2 week pre-op liquid diet). I’ve suffered with Hashimoto’s for years and weight loss has always been very difficult. Last year I was diagnosed with sleep apnea and fatty liver disease. At that point I knew I needed to make a change and like so many of y…

Hi everyone, I had the lapband done 10 years ago and had it taken out in October 2019 in an emergency surgery. Have surgery for the sleeve February 19th. I’m uneasy about it with the permanent aspect of it. I did very well with the band losing 170 pounds. I’ve regained this past year waiting for my surgery date for sleeve. Any former band people who got the sleeve who have encouragement? Though doing well with the band I had a lot of bad habits that I know won’t work with the sleeve. I can’t convince myself I can do this. With the band I feel betrayed because I thought I would always have it. It worked well for me. I’m scared! Thanks!

Today is the start of my two well pre op liquid diet. I have done shake diets before very successfully.... until I find good again!! I know what I'm up for and the headache started around 11am this morning. I've had loads of water and my two shakes and one optifast pudding. I've got a chalky mouth and my head is pounding. I once this would be the day one feelings and side effects... it will last about one week then I'll feel fine. I'm excited I've started; the first day is always the hardest. Need time now, just after 8pm after two hours relaxing in the pool. [emoji178] I love summer in Australia!! Sent from my SM-G950F using BariatricPal mobile app

Hi, Just signed up today as I feel I need some support and guidance. Not had my surgery yet I was given the 18th jan but due to work I could take it but now wishing I had. So I’m reading the Bariatric Bible which is very helpful but to hear from any of you guys would be great. I’m not knowing what type of food processing machine I’d need the 2 wks diet prior is concerning me a little.

13 days out from my surgery, have had ups and downs with the biggest challenge be 1) energy and 2) hunger at the end of the day. I've fixed the hunger by making sure I'm sticking to high protein liquids. Here are some tips and tricks I've learned to help me keep moving forward: Food tips: Perfect treat: Pre-mixed Premier Protein, Vanilla. Warm in microwave then sprinkle with cinnamon and nutmeg. Such a treat, and fulfilling! Making sure to get my protein drinks in late in the day so I don't have that late night hunger. I've been using Gatorade Zero to fill in between meals, since plain water is hard on my stomach. I tried a recipe from a cook…

Hello, new to the forum. I am 54 years old and on day 4 of my 2 week pre op Clear luquid diet. Not too bad so far. I was wondering if there are others who have autoimmune diseases and what was your experiences with weightloss surgery? Sent from my SM-G935V using BariatricPal mobile app

If anyone else is having surgery on December 15, 2020, I thought it would be neat to post periodically about our journeys!

I started my pre op liquid diet almost 2 weeks ago. I did pretty good, I cheated twice, having a subway sandwich one day for lunch. And another night I had a oriental chicken salad for dinner. Other than that. I tried my best to stick with it, and on surgery day I was down a total of 16 lbs in a week. I had my surgery Oct 29th 202p. I'm currently on day 4 of post op. The 2nd and 3rd day of was feeling very overwhelmed. Emotional. Was wondering if I made the worst decision of my life. The pain I felt was mainly from the air and gas, omg that was horrible. But here on day 4, I don't really have too much pain, except where my drain currently is, and only sometimes. I get it…

I am in the getting close to my bariatric surgery! I am feeling excited, nervous! I just have so many feelings I can’t describe. So here is my story… my surgery will be in December and although some might think it is the worse time to get it done because of all the Food and Festivities that are happening around that time, I see it as the perfect time because during the holiday seasons it is when I see everything so nice, warm and I am truly happy, with all the festivities. I start being thankful starting with Thanksgiving, on Christmas the same I count my blessings and on New Year’s I take inventory of all of my family and my successes always hopeful for the New Year th…

so i finally made the decision to get the gastric sleeve, today is my first day on pre-op and so far i have had 1 shake at 8am and 1 bottle of water, soooo nervous hopefully i can get thru this 2 weeks ??. any advice? starting weight 223

After 1 failed surgery and 1 cancelled surgery, I believe that the 3rd attempt is going to happen. I am excitedly nervous after the first attempted surgery my blood pressure dropped to 40/20 and my O2 went into the 60's after the anesthesia was given to me and they had to stop the surgery. That was exactly one year ago on 9/5/2019. Then I was scheduled again 3/26/2020 but we all know what happened in March (Covid), when our lives were all halted, so no surgery then. Over the last year, I have been diagnosed with a rare form of asthma and the treatment for that has been successful, my blood tests and pressures are all very stable, and I feel that my body and mind are final…

I asked am I'm I suppose to be here is because I haven't had any surgery. My starting weight was 376 last year. Enough was enough for me. I made up my mind and did it. I now weigh 282 pounds! I'm losing more. My skin in certain areas is now drooping. I'm kinda now lost. I feel alone. If I'm doing anything wrong, let me know. Thanks in advance!

I read a few of these when I was considering surgery and I promised myself that I would do the same thing once I was post-op so that maybe I could help anyone who may need to know the details (like me), or anyone sitting on the fence at the time (like me), or just looking for signs that this was the right thing to do (me again). I discussed the sleeve surgery with my doctor over 2 years ago after countless weight losses and re-gains. That's basically been the story of my life forever. I was a chubby kid, I've never been thin. I probably starting yo-yo dieting when I was 15 and I had my 1st boyfriend. I've done all the diets. Starvation, jenny craig, weight watchers,…