Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

Hello, I just thought I'd share a little about my journey so far. I was sleeved 9 months ago (May, 2012) by Dr. Chris Kowalski of Kansas City Bariatrics. I'm 37 years old, female, 5'9 tall, and my pre-op weight was 342 lbs. I've lost 103 lbs. so far (currently at 239 lbs.), and still have a long way to go. I've gone from a size 28 jeans to a size 20. My surgery was not covered by insurance, so I paid $12,000 out-of-pocket. That sounds like a lot of money, but it's an incredible investment in my health. My surgery went quite well. I had an afternoon surgery and was up walking and released the following morning. The only memorable thing was that I had an allergi…

I know that may not seem like very much, but I was so nervous about getting weighed today. I kept thinking that I was gaining not losing. I am 4 weeks out now and have lost a total of 31 pounds!!! I'm so happy I want to tell everyone hahahaha!! I told my co-worker, my boyfriend and my mom like I was all proud. I love the positive feedback I'm getting. I'm starting to love my decision to get the sleeve. At first I was thinking to myself "why did I do this". Now I'm thinking "why didn't I do this sooner?" I don't want to jinx anything though so for now I will focus on what I'm supposed to and the weight should continue to come off. Ahhhhhh this is a good feeling

I may have posted this in the wrong place--sorry. Had my surgery on Feb 11. I have done great--feel so good and clothes are loose. I still am having Blood Sugar issues. Prior to surgery I was on metforim, Amary and Victozia--they were working well but I had a lot of nausea. In the hospital I was taken off of those meds and put on Lantus. The Lantus is not helping. My endo doc says I can go back on Metforim and Victozia. I am concerned because they cause stomach upset and slowing of emptying of stomach contents. anyone on these meds post-op? have many appts but docs are telling me different things.

I really need some advice on vitamins. I was a huge vitamin taker before the procedure. I have at least 20 different types. and with not being able to take them regularly. I just dont feel like myself. Im sluggish and feeling more unhealthy then I ever have in my life.. so I am wondering when I can start taking them again?. if i should break the big ones in half. and when i can take the huge fish oil?.

My journey for getting this surgery has been about a year. From finally deciding to do this to getting my primary insurance turned down after a ridiculous loop hole, to getting a secondary insurance that actually covered it, too all the pre-operative surgical testings and now I am one day post-op. one thing I will say is I'm under a lot more pain then I had anticipated, maybe I was ignoring the fact it was going to be painful so that I wouldn't freak out the day of my surgery but the gas pain is a lot more sharp and intense than I could've imagined. I'm hoping the pain will die down as everyone else has explained because I have been so excited about this surgery and now I…

Ok so my husband was going through his photos in his phone today and came across these old pictures of me and I swear I never looked that way. I was sleeved on November 8th. Pre sleeve I was approved at 272 lbs.. Went into surgery 8 lbs less. Today I weigh 219. I don't know who that person was. I hope I never have to remember.

Hi Everyone, My title gives you a hint about what my journey with weight loss surgery has been like so far. It's true, initially my plan was to get the Lap Band surgery. I was not 100% comfortable with the idea of having a foreign object inside me. I also did not like the idea of adjustments having to be made with the band as well as the possible complications. Due to that and some other reasons I opted for the Gastric Sleeve Surgery. It seemed ideal to me because I knew I was obese and this would allow me to lose the most weight. It did not seem as complex as this Gastric Bypass surgery (at the time this is how I felt) and I believed I was making the best possib…

I had plans today to do some window shopping with a friend...well she buy some food for me,a huge fries,sprite and a chicken salad sandwich so i ate,but only a 1/4 of the sandwich and maybe 3 fries she was looking at me like, u are not going to eat what buy for u, then she told me u are getting very picky with food...i was like r u kidding me, why u do not understand i cant eat anymore more like i was before i explain too many times and people just dont get it!!!!my husband just said " they r just trying to trick you " that happends to you too??i dont know what to think

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I have my psych test today!! Feeling nervous!! Wish me luck!! Hopefully this a start of a new me!!

Can anyone help me out here? What ice cream is best for you if your gonna have it? I have been using the sugar free. But is frozen sorbet better, or frozen yogurt. I love my 1/4 in the evening. My only little treat:)

Gloryyyy glory hallelujah!! This has been my best day thus far. I can't imagine how great I'll feel a month out. I'm definitely excited about the future. More so now than ever. My steri strips were so loose, I took them off. Not bad, Dr. Scott I'm all scabbed up and itchy. That's a good thing. I did a much better job of getting my water in. Not all the way, but 75% there. I'll grab tomorrow by the horns!

I'm almost finished with all my requirements for my insurance company. Every story on here is so inspirational ... I have so many fears... So many questions, I don't even really know where to start.

Hi, I am having Lapband surgery 2/27/2013 1 week into my pre-op diet. I am a 45f 5'7 344lbs. Hypertension/thyroid and pre-diabetic. I have been reading forumns for the last 2 weeks and decided tonight to join in. My journey began like this: Overweight in high school but sports kept it bearable 2kids getting a lil out there... Total hysterectomy and my 40's and my weight is outta control. 1st comes high BP I look into gastric surgery but it cost too much and then current insurance doesnt cover. I search around 5 yrs and look into going to Mexico still too much money and ins wont even talk about it. Fast forward to Nov 2012 family doctor diagnoses pre-diabetis and prescri…

Hi all! I am still a newbie. My seminar isn't until 2/21. I have a question for those of you that are post-op, or even pre-op if you know the answer. Will there ever come a time when you can eat "normal" again. For example, after sleeve surgery, do we all have to avoid certain food and drink for the rest of our lives, or can we eat and drink everything we do pre-op, just much smaller quantities?? I am definitely a "foodie" (like I'm sure most of us are, that's how we got in the shape we are in LOL!), and to be honest, to have to go the rest of my life with a restricted diet is concerning and, frankly, depressing to me!! Any input from any of you is greatly apprecia…

Has anyone else had problems with UHC? I had to appeal twice but won. They are so unorganized and rigid.

All this talk of gastric sleeve is pretty new for me and I feel like my head is spinning! I've been to the introduction class and nutrition class, still waiting for psych eval. The thing is when I read others stories I feel good about the surgery but when I hear the nutritionist talk or read the materials from the surgeon I get confused. They say to wait ten minutes between bites, then how do you eat out? Any thoughts?

well I have heard you all talking about stalls, but now i believe I am also experiencing one myself. I am SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO frustrated. How can we possibly only be eating 3 oz. of food and not have the scale move in over 10 days? It just makes no sense to me. even tonight at dinner my hubby said "I can't believe the weight isn't just falling off of you with the little amt. you are eating." How long does it take to start loosing or did I do this for a darn 25 lbs total? I surely hope not. Please help!

My name is Joe and I'm scheduled for surgery here in Michigan at Henry Ford on March 4. Up till now I have gone back and forth weather to have the RNY or the Sleeve. At my last appointment I told my surgeon I wanted the RNY. I never really felt comfortable with that, I had been lurking here and at RNY Talk, well yesterday I changed my mind and decided to go with the Sleeve. My Dr. never really pushed me one way or the other except to say that you can expect to loose more weight with the RNY. With all the extra trauma to your body and the extra after care, ect... I just feel more comfortable with the Sleeve, I hope I'm making the right decision I figure this is my chance …

I'm so tried of having to deal with people and their negative reaction to my decision to have the sleeve. I'm 269...5'6...but the first thing people say is "you don't need that surgery!" I feel like I have to justify my decision to everyone. They are always saying things like "all you need to do is diet and exercise," or "you're too young to make a drastic life changing decision like that." (I'm 26.) I try to let it roll off my back and let it go, but I can't help but to let their comments get to me. How did you handle negative feedback?

My surgery is scheduled for February 25th. I have been on liquids only for the last week with one week to go. I have not cheated once. But I am thinking about it all the time. Do any of you have any suggestions to get me through this last week? I know after surgery I will still be on liquids for another 4 weeks, but I'm really struggling here.

HELLO ALL ...NEWBIE HERE !!!! DONT MIND THE CAPS , I AM NOT YELLING ..ITS JUST EASIER FOR ME AND I AM NOT A WRITER BUT SOOO WANTED TO GET IN ON ALL THIS WONDERFUL SUPPORT . I HAVE BEEN READING EVERYONE THREADS ON THE SITE AND JUST LOVE U ALL. MY SURGERY IS SCHEDULED FOR MARCH 19,2013. I AM SOO EXCITED AND FRIGHTENED AT THE SAME TIME. MY JOURNEY STARTED IN OCTOBER 2012 AND I CANT BELIEVE I HAVE LESS THAN A MONTH LEFT FOR SURGERY . I HAVE ALL THESE THINGS RACING IN MY HEAD AND ITS SO OVERWHELMING . BUT BY THE GRACE OF GOD I WILL GET THRU THIS. I AM NOT LOOKING FORWARD TO THE liquid diet FOR 2 WEEKS PRE OP ... AND AM THINKING TO CUT IT DOWN TO ONE WEEK ..HAS ANYONE DONE…

Dear friends I just had surgery 2day an here I'm writing. My day started at 5am since I'm in Colorado and I prefer to use my NYC hour. Surgery was at 9am. everything was great. My doc and his staff are the best! I recommend him. Lapband surgery was $8950. I left clinic around 2pm. Headed to hotel, took my meds and then I hit the mall. Bought lots of things for my kids, their dad,and my mom. Hours later went to hotel, had meds, chicken broth, shower and here I am, talking 2 you guys. No pain at all! Just had some nausea but the med removed it immediately. It's 10:30pm in Colorado and 12:30am in NYC. Follow up w doc 2moro and then back to NYC at 6pm Colorado time. I flew …

I was banded on Feb. 8th. I have lost 12 pounds, and I will not have a fill until March6th. I had a hiatal hernia repair when I was banded. I still feel bad. I feel like a knife is going through my chest to my back and I feel lots of upper abdominal pressure. I was wondering if anyone experienced this, and how long it lasts. I don't want to be a baby, but I think I way under estimated my recovery period. Does anyone have any advice?

just had surgery on the 14 the doctor found out I had a hiatal and umbilical hernia. I am in pain. The plan was to be ready to go back to work on restrictions. Well all I do is take pain meds and sleep. The hiatal was so bad I now have four screws and mesh material holding my abdominal muscles together. This feel crazy. I sneezed today and almost died from the pain. I'm glad they repaired them. Just wish I would've known so o could be prepared for such pain and this much time off

hey guys this is my first thread ...i had the surgry on 2/13. i feel really good except that im so hungry dont know why im on a clear liquid diet and boy am i sick of broth and apple juice any solutions ????

Hi my name is Susan and I have done my preop labs and am taking my preop classes...scheduled to graduate on April 15th surgery by April 28 th!!! This is a dream come true! I have 100 lbs to lose and I am 43 yrs old married with two children. I have a wonderful support system and great insurance...... So here I go! Doe anyone wish they'd chosen the bypass over the sleeve? I hope I am choosing the right one for myself.... Can't wait to talk to you all!

Hi all! Tomorrow is the big day! My husband and i are having the surgery the same day! Im so ready and excited!! We will be having our surgery with Dr. Castro at methodist central hospital in dallas texas. The first thing im going to ask when i wake up is how my liver looked! Lol it better look good from this aweful pre op diet. :-) crossing my finger!

Hey my name is Steve I had the surgery 10 1/2 months ago have lost total of 166 pounds feel great and just wanted to share so u know if you stick to it you can do it keep going.....

First, I want to thank everyone who posts their stories, questions, concerns, and information. It helps tremendously for a person trying to get the real story on WLS generally and VSG specifically. I started looking at WLS last fall when I realized I had tapped out all other options for losing - and keeping - weight off. Like many others I've read about here, I was pretty good at losing weight but it was impossible for me to keep it off. For years I have noticed that I don't experience hunger and fullness the way most "normal" weight people do: no matter what kind of food, or how little, or how much, I eat I am famished in about 2 hours (or less!). I generally eat …

I am so happy with life. I can't stop smiling and I look better then ever but I'm still secretly sad inside. I am very independent but I just wish I had someone. I kept reading about everyone's husbands and wife's supporting them and I feel so alone. I think I might be single for life I know that if I'm looking for it, it won't happen but I can't help it.

I just got sleeved on 02/11/2013. I am already tolerating soft foods and have not thrown up at all. Actually everything seems to be going really perfect except for some issues with gas but that is getting better. I started this whole thing at 217 lbs and I'm 5'6" and 28 years old. When I went in for surgery I was down to 205. I am a week and a day out and I am already down to 195. So I think thins are going well. I have read through some posts on here and they are kinda scary! So questions I have are is it normal to be able to eat anything and not have any side affects? I feel like I can do that already, I haven't had any problems so far? I would like to know how everyone…

I realized I never introduced myself so here goes. I am in my mid 30's. I have been overweight as long as I can remember. I always played football and other sports through high school. When I was about 10 I had to play against kids that were 4 years older than me because of my weight. Freshman football I was 257lbs. Senior year I was 312 lbs at 16 years old and 6'2" Even when I went to colleges to visit the coaches did not think I weighed that much. I guess I carried it pretty well. Anyway, enough of the Al Bundy talk. I liked being a big guy. I have done atkins and weight watchers over the years. I would lose about 60 lbs and then go off the "diet" and gain …

Well finally got done with all my prerequisite appt. Now they requesting me too do a sleep study ugh!!!! So ready to get a surgery date even tho im still a little nervous!!!!

I've lost 140 pounds pretty much thought I was done losing. I had 20 more pounds till I was at goal. I started a colon cleanse because I heard it helped your body be more regular not necessarily thinking about weight loss and since I've started using it it I've lost 6 pounds in 2 weeks!!! I'm hoping this will help me get the last 14 off. I'm using the brand bowtrol if anybody else feels stuck like me give it a try!

Today I feel great my abdominal muscles feel good, only concern is regarding my incisions the water-proof band aid tape is getting wet so the gauze is wet can I replace with my own or should I let them get wet when I shower or peel em' off? Thanks my fellow Bandsters!.

Im getting sleeved in Tijuana @ Mi Doctor Hospital feb 26th, Anyone used this hosptal? and Dr. Ismael Cabrera Garcia? getting nervous

I just would like to ask everyone what are steps that I can prepare tonight for my hospital stay. I will be in hospital Tull Saturday so besides phone and ipad . What can I bring to make my stay easy or do ? This is me on you left one year ago and I was 215 there. Weight can be trick to people's eyes. The right I me one month ago at 276! All for the better ! Wish me luck

I was curious if anyone got a tattoo to Celebrate their weight loss. What did you get? and why? I was thinking about getting a tattoo that has to be done in stages or something I could simply add to every 50lbs lost or something like that. Looking for ideas

HI, I haven't posted in a long time. Guess I am not much of a blogger so here goes: Feb 27 it will be one year. down 52 lbs and have about 34 to go to next goal. I am happy I made the decision to have VS instead of RNY. I feel great and get lots of compliments I look healthy and have a healthy glow. started at 247 now at 194 and would love to be near 160, will see after that. But that said. I paid and went to WW for 8 years and played the numbers game. Promised I would not do it this time around. These numbers I posted are just to give readers an idea where I am at, but mean nothing to me. With the exception I am under 200 for the first time in 29 years and feel great. I …

I just would like to ask everyone what are steps that I can prepare tonight for my hospital stay. I will be in hospital Tull Saturday so besides phone and ipad . What can I bring to make my stay easy or do ?

I am soo happy with my progress! I have had a lot of issues through this journey though. Im still losing a lot of hair and still have trouble keeping food down sometimes. But for people out there that are only 2,3,4 weeks out...it gets better! I didn't think it would...I would cry because I thought things would never get better but now I feel amazing! I love it! I started at 333 and im now at 226 and my goal weight is 160 to 170. Im going to Vegas in october so my goal is to get to at least 170 by then. I've attached a picture of myself. Im the one on the left with the brownish blonde hair. [ATTACH]9375[/ATTACH]

Today was my six month checkup. I'm down 64lbs and I fill great. I started at 251 and I'm now 187 and I'm not done. I had a great appointment with my PA today. We talked about a few things to get me back on track. I've been drinking with meals and she said this is why I'm getting hungry so soon after a meal. After looking at my food journal she said I should eat more solid foods and less soup. That soup will more out of stomach faster causing me to eat Moore through out the day. I knew these thing but slowly slipped back to these habits. I needed the reminder, I hope this helps other if your doing the same things. Over all I'm still happy with my weight loss at this point…

And seriously folks - THIS isn’t about vanity - I ROCK my thunder thighs and big ass and budda belly - SERIOUSLY - I’m quite positively the most confident thick girl you will ever meet - I’m in an industry where I have a laundry list of clients (clearly can’t “name") who even at the “ideal” size and are completely delusionally insecure. IDEAL - which varies all over the spectrum - has as many insecurities as the overweight - the too skinny - the fill in the blank - we all have an idea in our mind of what makes us beautiful - if we didn’t I don’t know what I’d be doing for a living - but I digress...That perfect size 2 little girl - who seriously can’t see her perfect…

Well for starters I'm a newbie to the site. My surgery is the 19th.as I lay in bed all I have is fear of the unknown after surgery. I think of all of the negative scenarios I've read on here. So what should I expect when I wake up in recovery? And also what should I expect in the first couple days after.

I had my surgery on the 6th of feb n since then my breath is not the same...i brush n floss twice a day but boy i feel a bitter awful taste all d time...is this nlrmal? Will it go away??? How about reflux...sos

Today is the last day of regular food for a while. One week from tomorrow until surgery!!!! I can't wait.

I have jumped thru all the hoops now waiting for letter from psych to send with my paperwork to insurance. It's been over a week and no word from my surgeons office that they got the letter. Should I call? I have to pick a surgery date before everything is submitted so I know they haven't gotten it yet... Feeling discouraged!!

Today I got behind the wheel again. I even put on a pair of blue jeans. My size 20s are fitting much more loosely now. Feels great. Now that I can eat/drink with little to no discomfort, I have to continually remind myself to do so slowly. Sometimes I just pick up my water bottle and take a huge gulp as if nothing's changed. Then, I'm reminded by a huge SPLAT in my stomach that things have changed a little. I was tempted to get on the elliptical today, but I didn't want to do things too quickly. I decided if I tolerated driving today, then tomorrow I would give the elliptical a go. I'm sure it will be an exhilirating 2 minutes, haha. I've tried to give an accura…

I am three weeks away from my surgery and it has been a month now that my doctor asked me to start on those vitamins. I have not seem a diference yet and was wondering who else takes them and is it a forever thing?