Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

Hi! I joined this online community this evening, and I got this welcome message. it asked me to come here to introduce myself... So, here I am! I am pre-op, and I only began my journey toward surgery in December. I was not over weight growing up, but I gained 70 pounds when I was pregnant with my daughter. Surprisingly, I did NOT deliver a 70 pound baby. I struggled through diet and exercise programs that never seemed to work for long, and I added a little extra each go around. Atkins? Yep. Weight Watchers? You know it! Curves? Have all the gear. Gym Membership? Paid every month Jenny Craig? Her friendship is too expensive Phentermine? Cray Cray pills a…

Philadelphia suburban area

I was told the anything you can eat with out teeth qualifies as soft food, I know a man that can eat a Big Mac and fries and has no teeth, yay me!! So kidding, I am not eating a Big Mac just thought it was a funny observation. I do want texture, just a few more weeks Revision 1/31/13 by Dr Cabrera and Venezuela in MX

I was notified by Alex Brecher that I have been registered with VST for two years now - doesn't seem like it has been that long and I was encouraged to share my story again so I thought that I would re-post my story. I hope you can relate and it brings some encouragement to others that in life you can make changes. I'm a Californian for life! - Wife of 7 yrs to a wonderful husband who I love very much, mother of a 11 yr son, 21 yr old daughter and 19 yr old son , god mother to my 20 yr old god daughter , older sister to 5 brothers and daughter and granddaughter to my mom and father grandmother whom I love and respect and thankful for them loving and teaching me . …

I'm so excited! I received a call today saying I was approved for January 29!

I'm going to Dartmouth Medical Center this afternoon to enroll in their Bariatric Program. I currently have a lap band and I'm planning on having revision surgery to the gastric sleeve. Initially, I was so embarrassed by my lack of weight loss with the band. I finally got enough courage to see another surgeon who suggested revision surgery. I have read a few informative gastric sleeve books and the posts on this site are so helpful. I am encouraged that the sleeve will be an excellent tool that will help me lose and keep off my excess pounds. One of my biggest problems is that I am hungry all of the time. What I've learned is that it's really reflux that is making m…

I just had my gasrtic sleeve surgery on Tuesday, February 26. I slept away most of Tuesday. When I was finally alert on Wednesday, I really couldn't see anything close up. Everything was very very blurry. I do have reading glasses, but I rarely wear them. This was really alot different. If I want to see or read anything, I have to hold it at arms length. My eyes have never been this bad. The Dr thought it might be from the anestesia & my nurse thought it was from pain meds. Has anyone else had this problem, and if you did, how long will it last? It seems like my pupils wont dialate??? I have had previous surgeries and never had this side effect. I haven't had any p…

I'm Almost 50. I've been Heavy since 2003. Obese since 2003. The years between 2003 and 2013 were Mixed with periods of overweight, weight loss with Atkins diet, then weight gain to morbidly obese, at 253 pounds. Then, weight loss again to achieve overweight status with b-12 shots and appetite suppressants to now---once again--- obese. Battle-battle-battle Obesity is in my family as well as diabetes & heart disease. I lost my father this past April to heart disease. I have high blood pressure & I am borderline diabetic, now I have new severe back pain and ailments coming out of seemingly nowhere. But, the "nowhere" is bad health and it finall…

I was sitting in a hospital lobby this morning while my wife was resting in her room. (She had major back surgery Tuesday.) Anyways, knowing this hospital does WLS I was looking for patients that was about to go through their surgery. I just wanted to encourage them. I found a lady, a morbidly obese lady, whose daughter that was having difficulty swallowing after gastric by-pass. I told her I had a lap band. Now here is the sad part. That's when she told me that she had a lap band BUT IT DIDN'T WORK. I wanted to scream at her, WHAT DO YOU MEAN IT DIDN'T WORK!!!! So, I start questioning her. Why it didn't work?? I asked her, did you exercise?? NO, m…

It's hard to believe that I have had my wonderful, little sleeve for a full 3 months already! I now just affectionately refer to my sleeve as my "tiny tummy". My tiny tummy & I embarked on our adventure together on November 27th. So, we've already had our first Christmas together. 90 days ago I was scared, tired & miserable. I had managed to lose & regain the same 30 lbs. (& 30 lbs. only) over & over again. My clothes were all bought over the internet. I limited my social interaction, because I was embarrassed about how I looked. It didn't matter what I wore, or how I did my hair, or how perfect my make up was. I always felt like I was disgusting…

Starting weight was 258... Today it is 208!!! Whoo hoo!! First 50 gone forever. Feels great. This was my first big goal. Next goal should be close behind... To get below 200. Surgery date: 12/20/12

I am 1 week post op and I have a bruise the size of a fist above my belly button. It looks aweful. Did anyone else have this issue? My doc says its normal it just worries me..

I want to like cry...Thank you lord..OMG i have to start this diet...how does everyone do in the last days before surgery..protein/liquid DIET....OMG i need advice...IM all over the place excited.

Good morning everyone, I hope this thread is reaching you all in good health. I am 3 weeks post op and my starting weight was 275 on 2/5 (my surgery date) and as of today 2/24 I weigh 230. As I stated I'm only 3 weeks post op and I've been to 2 family events with lots and lots of delicious food! Initially I felt some type of way that they would eat this in front of me but then I realized it's not their fault I am not able to eat but it still bothered me to watch it.

Surgery scheduled Mar 19, 2013. Monday starts my 2 week pre-op diet (Slimfast and one small dinner)

Every time i stand, sneeze, strech i feel as if internal tissue was riping inside of me...is this normal?

1 week post op I am still having severe port pain. It feels like its getting worse not better. Anyone else have this issue?

For the past few years I've wanted to get banded. I go to Church with a woman who was very successful and she inspired me. My insurance doesn't cover any procedures so after I was done having kiddos my husband added me to his insurance policy. I officially became covered January 1st, so on Jan 3rd I had a consultation with two surgeons, Dr. Nicholson at the Nicholson clinic and then I had an appointment at True Results, Dallas. During my first appt Dr. Nicholson suggested I consider the sleeve procedure and for a few seconds I considered it...until I walked in to True Results and they told me how dangerous it was, how it hadn't been on the market long enough, etc. etc. I…

I have noticed that a lot of people are having to do a pre-op diet for a couple weeks prior to surgery. My surgeon only requires a soft/liquid diet the day before surgery and that's all. Did anyone else no have to do the 2 week diet?

6 days till surgery 4 days to final weigh in two week diet I'm still going strong! But getting tired of the same protein shake

I'm New To This App, And My Wls Is Tomorrow. Im Very Nervous I Have A One Year Old Son Who Is My Life. He Is The Reason I Want To Go Through With The VSG, But My Paranoia Is Getting The Best Of Me. I Am Only 21 Years Old And I Knew Something Needed To Be Done When I Was Unable To Fit On A Ride At Great America, Im 256 Now And Im Afraid Of Skin Sag, And My Health. If There Is Anyone Who Has Had The VSG WLS Already Words Of Encouragement Would Be GREAT! ✌And ❤

Does anyone know how long it takes UHC to approve the sleeve ?

Hi everyone. Im new to this forum. I am 5 foot 6 and 238 pounds. I live in the uk and have nhs funding for my op. I got referred jan 2012 so its been just over a year so far. I have a psychologists app on wed and if that goes well should have my surgery within 4 months. Are there many uk people who use this forum? Lousarah xxx

AT FIRST WE CLICKED..2 1-2 YEARS LATER I GOT BIGGER AND SHE SORTA SPEAKS ON WEIGHT ISSUES AND BLAH BLAH BLAH...IT SURE BOTHERS ME BECAUSE I FEEL LIKE SHE HINTS ME ABOUT MY WEIGHT...MIND YOU IM BIG BUT NOT OVERLY BIG...IM 5'2 AT 217 POUNDS..I GOT MORE CURVES THEN ANYTHING..ANYWHOO THIS SUNDAYS DINNER SHE MADE A COMMENT THAT IT WAS MY FAULT THAT HER SON DOESN'T VISIT OR CALLS HER..WHEN HE TOTALLY DOES WHAT HE AS A MAN WANT. WE GO SEE HER.EVERY SUNDAY WITHOUT MISSING ANY. WHEN HER SON TOLD HER THAT IT ISN'T MY FAULT ..SHE THEN BACK TRACK HER WORDS AND SAID..OH IM JUST KIDDING. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME SHE'S SAID THIS TO ME. ...SHOULD I BE WORRY THAT SHE DOESNT LIKE ME? ME…

Looking for friends at the same stage to keep in touch with along the way. I'm attending my seminar Feb 2. :-)

I was banded yesterday everything went alot better than I thought. I feel great about the decision I made and so relieved that part is over I have a lot of work to do on this side of it but I am ready to work with my tool. No gas pain minimal pain but I have had 4 major abdominal surgeries so this was a little easier for me. I got to the hospital at 12pm checked in and surgery at 2 I was on my was home by 3:30. down 20 pounds from pre op diet (I need to figure out how to have one of those weighloss tickers But just wanted to come back here and let you all know it went great and I am very excited about the future! I started going to a therapist and go to an AA group for …

I am desperate and sad. Seeking advice, help or words of wisdom… Like many of you my weight journey started a very long time ago – almost thirty years ago. I grew up with three older sisters and a single mother. My father died when I was seven years old. That was the end of family dinners. My sisters were 14, 17 and 18 – and my mother was 41 (my age right now). You can imagine the dieting / body image / food dysfunction that a household of five single women was a breeding ground for. Of course my mom made sure I was fed- there were frozen dinners (Lean Cuisine), but otherwise, there was not a lot of food in the house as my sisters/mom were always dieting. Having strugg…

Ok I just got this app, what does it mean when you see numbers on the app and what do you do to see them?

Just been one week since Surgery, and I'm Going crazy locked up in house, I want to do my walks, but just going around the block gets me winded!! I'm so excited tho I lost 7 pounds yeyyy Me!!!

Hello everyone I was banded on 2/25/13.. Was just wondering if it is normal not to be hungry or have to remind yourself to drink the first couple days?? Im much more mobile today but still have this overwhelming feeling of chest tightness is this all normal the first week??

I had my FIRST pre-surgery doctor appointment yesterday. I met with the nutrition specialist and talked with her for about two hours about the things that I will have to start including in my diet and some advice on what I need to cut out of my diet now. I am very excited to start this journey. Altho, I am a little nervous I think it is normal. I set a goal to work on over the next month. I will not "graze" during the day and while putting away dinner leftovers. The only Snacks that I will have during the day are PRE PLANNED snacks, they have already been accounted for in my total calories and Protein totals for the day If i have a craving for something that is NOT pla…

Hello had surgery on feb 6 n i have not gotten my period as expected....is this normal?

Hi, I just found this today! I had my surgery dec 6 2012. I am so happy with my choice! I am down 66 pounds. Still have 100 to go.

Hi , i was banded in 2006 and managed to lose 7 stone but by 2009 i was having lots of problems with acid and reflux. I was advised to have my band emptied to try and relax my stomach back into shape but although it worked for awhile, my problems gradually got worse and worse. i started to have 'drowning' incidents at night, dreaming i was drowning and waking up with all this fluid in my lungs. I had infection after infection and several incidents of aspiration pneumonia. Although i had my band done privately i managed to be seen by a NHS surgeon who operated and repositioned my band. In the interim period i had regained 3 stone of weight. I am now trying to reach th…

It all began when I graduated high school, moved out with my sweet heart and married him two years later. food became some sort of a comfort for me, through all my ups and downs. they say that the first year of marriage is the hardest, well try two years. It was hell most of the time. Food became the only thing that I felt I could turn to. When I cried, ice cream was my friend. When I was mad and felt like giving up with this whole weight loss thing Mcdonalds was my choice of meal. I thought about food all the time. I celebrated with it, and lived for it. It controlled me. I remember walking through the mall and passing that cinnabon place and every time it got me. I woul…

Here for my EGD

how long is husky going to take? any husky sleevers on here? Help...so.nervous !!!!

Oh my gosh, oh my gosh!! My insurance already sent their approval after less than 2 full days and my surgery has been scheduled! For March 18th! I'm still in complete shock. I mentioned in my intro post that this whole journey has been very fast once I made the decision to actually call my insurance company to get info on the surgery and I'm still stunned. Going to be forced to just sit quietly for a moment. lol I want to shout and dance around but that'd be frowned upon in an office that doesn't know I'm even looking into this! Just....woah. A healthier me is so much closer on the horizon.

I had my surgery on July 24. I weight 317lbs. Highest weight 350. Loss 90 lbs almost 7 months. Here are some pics - 350 lbs 227 lbs

HI my name is Brittani i am 23 soon to be 24 i have been struggling with PCOS for 4 years now and I have not had a period for 3 of those years. In the course of these years I have gained almost 100lbs I am Infertile and hoping to have a child someday. I go into to surgery on March 5th 2013. I will have to update my progress and recovery.

My name is Sharon and my surgery is in two weeks. I had a very easy insurance approval process and extensive pre-op testing. I was never over weight until the past five years and in that time I was diagnosed with metabolic syndrome, hypertension, liver disease, gout, etc. My weight increased over 100 pounds in five years. I am excited to continue this journey and get back to being able to recognize my self when I look in the mirror. I want to do the things I did before the illnesses and weight gain, like walking, playing basketball, playing with my little ones, walking my dogs.......I am going to need encouragement and support from people that understand what I am go…

So, back in June, I had my seminar. I had my first consultation, my pre op testing, my psych exam. I failed the psych exam was banished to 6 months of therapy which was finished in January, and now, after fighting with my insurance and psych, I'm now getting my second psych evaluation on the 5th, two months late. But it's happening, I'm so excited and sure I'll pass this time. I'm so excited, and frustrated , and ready! We were held up by the insurance didn't want to pay/ mix up and all that. But we are back in action. Woohoo!

So im a 1 1/2 pre op and im not nervous but Im feeling a little depressed. Has anyone else experienced this?

My Surgury is in the morning!!!!! Im nervious scared and excited all at the same time.

Just wanted to throw this out there. Don't wait too long to start your pre-op testing once your approved and you doc gives you the list of tests to do. My list was broken down in items to do within 120 days and some for within 30 days from surgery date. I waited until 2 1/2 weeks before surgery to start the 30 day list. I didn't realize how long it can take for some stuff. For example a gallbladder ultrasound. I go for that Monday...and it's my last thing to do. My surgery is next Friday! I may get my date pushed out if those results don't make it to my surgeon before my pre surgery appt on Wednesday. I've been running around like crazy the last week to different appoin…

Have you ever felt like someone has been watching you? Well, it has been me! I have been lurking in these forums now for over 9 months and I figured it was finally time I said hello. I have found these forums so helpfull as I move through this "journey" so Thank you. Well here is a little bit about myself. I am 29 years old, i stand 6'5" and my heighest weight was 490. Ugh just writing that makes me feel disguisted lol. I began my month long pre op diet on 1/1/13 at 480. Yes, you read that right 4 week pre op diet. It was pure hell but I stuck to it and lost 25 lbs! Then just when i thought the pre op torture was over, my surgery gets postponed a week! So I actually we…

Hi, I had my sleeve done 1 week ago. I had several good days and then was nauseated all day yesterday. I am drinking, on avg, 40-60 oz a day and getting 40-60g protein with Promasil shakes. I am CONSTANTLY sipping. I really was worried yesterday and no one to ask questions to. This site is an answered prayer.

My surgery is Jan 16th. Very excited but nervous. I need buddies!

Hello everyone! I am so thankful to have found this forum! So few people in my life understand what I am going through and it is great to find a place where people understand. Now I guess I should share my story. I have been heavy all my life and after many failed diet attempts, I decided to pursue weight loss surgery. After a nine month program at a very good hospital in my area and weighing my options, I decided on a VSG. My surgery was January 9, 2013 so I will be seven weeks post op tomorrow. The last few weeks have been a struggle because I seem to be in a stall, which is why I went looking for a support group. I am trying to stay positive but it is very diffic…

A tad apprehensive. But mostly want to get it done and recovering. Have 7 year old so need to be back up and at it quickly!!! How long has it taken folks to recover? I'm hoping no longer than 2 weeks. Know everyone is different but setting myself a goal of getting up and walking evening of my surgery - hopefully can stick to my goal. Good luck everyone!