Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

Hi everyone. I am behind on getting myself involved with the forums but I figure doing it now is better than after my surgery. I guess I'll just go into my story. I have been big most of my life. I'm 6'3" tall, have been since I was 15. Back then I weighed around 200 lbs and was one of the bigger people in my hometown. I joined the Army after high school, actually put on 25 pounds of muscle, but I was in great shape. Got out of the Army, got lazy and the weight ballooned. I am currently at 415lbs, when I first starting meeting with my surgeon and nutritionist I was at 458, he made me lose 40 lbs before giving me a surgery date. I'm getting sleeved on Feb. 18 and …

well i am one day away from surgery and i am still anxious i know crazy right? My dilema is because i have lost 62 pounds on my own in the last two years. and i kind of feel bad because i do not have any medical problems right now I have researched lapband and wanted it before i got pregnant with my son but put it off i have been heavy for a very long time but since seeing a nutritionist i think i can do it without it but i am scared that i will be giving up my one chance to have this tool. plus with four kids i am afraid of anything going wrong and hindering me from taking care of them i am a single parent. Its crazy to me that I am so indesicive i have never been this …

So I start my two week liquid diet I meet with the surgeon today and I start my WLS YouTube channel! This is gunna be a long two weeks! Turned my protein shakes into Popsicles lol I couldn't bare the taste of them being swallowed!

Hi everyone! Im soo excited to find this forum. Im 30 yrs old, navy wife and mom to two beautiful boys ages 2 1/2 and 4. Im doing this for myself but for my boys too...they deserve to have a healthy mom thats going to be able to keep up with them. I have Tricare prime and this Thursday will be the end of my 6 month supervised dietary program. Im hoping there are no complications with the authorization since 4/1/13 will be the new transition to UHC for military. I'd hate to do this all again. I will be submitting to tricare at the beginning of the year so please keep your fingers crossed. Currently I am 285lbs and 5'8".

Hi everyone...I was sleeved on 01/21/13 and was wondering if there are any others out there from St Paul or Minneapolis MN?? I went to U of M Fairview for my surgery with Dr Ikraamudin!!

WOW stepped on the scale this morning to see the numbers 164 if i take that with my height shows my bmi at 24.2 in the normal range no longer overweight i may be a guy but i'm about to cry never in a million yrs did i ever think i would be normal weight wise. In one week i will be 6 mos out had rny on 8/22/12 one thing i notice is a lot of bmi calculators are slightly off from each other but they all put me under 25

Ok now I'm getting nervous 16 days till surgery!!!!!!! If you have any advice please feel free to comment.

I am ready to begin. A few days left of binging. Spent the weekend in Shreveport now I'm ready to go!

Hi! I am 4 weeks post-op. I had the lap band with plication done and I am wondering if everything is ok. At first I could barely finish my small liquid portions and had this large full feeling. I also was so happy not to feel the awful hunger feeling I had. Now a month after I am feeling hungry and finishing portions and not feeling full. I think I might be going into slight crazy panic that somethings wrong or plication isnt working. I am probably being hard on myself but I guess I just don't know what to expect. Should I be feeling hungry???? I have lost 25 pounds so far. I have slipped a few times with food that wasn't on my mushy list and wondering if that messed ever…

Seriously - worried- I have black stool and cannot get a car from my surgeon not sure if I should go to the ER -- doc office ticks me off -- it's all out of the blue- and my family doc is on vacation- hope it isn't serious! Uggghh

Hey all, My Doc says he only works with the Realize band. Is this a deal breaker and should I go find a lap band Doctor? Mamoo

Hi my name is stacey and i just got the lapband in on the 11th and went back to work the next day. Still getting adjusted to it and not taking big drinks.

Right now I am almost 5 months post op and have lost 111 pounds and need to lose 62 pounds more until I am to my goal weight. My husband and I were talking and we thought we would start trying to get pregnant at the end of this year in december. So I would be 15 months post op. My weight management program told me to wait 1 year and my surgeon told me to wait 2 years. So I figured around 18 months would be fine and if I start trying at 15 months post it may even take me 6 months to get pregnant. The only way I will do it this soon is if im at my goal weight, consistently getting enough protein everyday, drinking enough water, and taking all the viatmins I need everyday. W…

Couldn't sleep last night, wondering is I've made the right choice, deep down I know I have, just 6/7 day out nerves. I'm on a pre surgery low fat, 1500 calorie diet, that part is not bad at all. The hardest for me is giving up the caffine and carbonation, I'm down to 1 a day. Working on it. I've really studied the clear diet for the next 3 weeks, that one's going to be hard for me. I can't stand the smell of beef or chix broth. Bought vegetable broth today, hopfully that will be better. Tried two different types of Protein supplements, both are very good and really not too expensiive. Stocked up on vegetable broth, sugar free Jello, both ready made and ready to…

Dr. Ortiz performed my sugery yesterday. Right after surgery was tough from being dizzy a nauseas, but today is going great! I was able to eat a popsicle and sip on some broth without any problems. I do have a little pain in my left shoulder, but im taking gasX srtrips and walking it off. I will upsdate more soon since my tablet battery is low and i have to find my charger....

Hi my name is Dennisse . I got my sleeve in nov13 2012. I got it done in Mexico I lost so far 25 pounds . It could me more but I don't Weight my self every week .only once a month.

Well Feb 20 is the big day. It's such a relief to know that insurance has approved & this WILL take place. It's been a very long road. 2 years ago i was supposed to have this surgery on Sept 21, 2011 but my crap insurance, United Healthcare denied me 2 days before surgery. They determined that since I'd only been morbidly obese for the past 2 years not the past 5 years, I was not eligible. Basically, they told me I wasn't fat enough for long enough. I appealed four times, to no avail. I've since started a different job with new, better insurance, and they approved me right away. As long as I've waited for this, and as much as I want it, I'm still nervous, the …

I have seen the bariatric surgeon. He recommends the bypass surgery because of amt of wt i need to lose and my diabetes My hair is really thin. He told me i would probably need a wig. Only part that bothers me is losing my hair. Anyone had to get a wig?

hi guys ..... its been i while , im sorry cuz im not surfing the website unless i have a new progress photos , any way some of u guys have seen my 6 months post op 110 lbs weight loss , after that i maintained a slow and a steady weight loss and lost 27 pounds in 5 months but my body stalled 2 months ago prolly cuz i stopped working out , but im not worried actually im very pleased now , i do have some saggy skin around my belly area but im pretty sure it will go away and i promise to get back to workout in the next week , any way here are my new pics with the old ones in case some of u missed it

I started the process for wls over 3 years ago. Did 6 months nutritional counseling, 5 year weight history, preop tests, etc. After working my butt off to loose some weight and meet the requirements I was denied. My OB's office had erroneously made me 100 lbs lighter 3 years earlier. I had my OB write a letter, no luck in changing the denial. I lost 45 lbs in that 6 month period with the help of weight loss meds and exercise. I went in to a bit of a depression after the denial and of course gained the weight back plus some. I have always been overweight, though after having 3 children my weight was out of control. For the last 9 years I have weighed in the upper 200's…

I am not a foodie but have gained 100 pounds after being started on some meds known to cause weight gain. My Doctor recommended WLS after mutilple failed attempts at weight loss. Unlike others here who have lost and gained, I have never lost an ounce. I am scared I will do a drastic surgery and not lose the weight. Is there anyone out there who had surgery for the same reason, and did you succeed?

I have officially reached and passed the goal weight that was set by me and my surgeon. My goal weight was 160 and today I weighed in at 156. I have accomplished this in 6 months. I am so blessed! All of my hard work at the gym and dedication to my nutrition plan has paid off. My new goal weight is 140.

Give it to me straight. We have all heard the good things the weight loss strories, the before and after pics, the fun trips shopping...but if you could say 1 bad thing anything that came of this what would it be? I am a realist and would like to be prepared for the whole story.

I have had such horrible stomach acid, they r doing a variety of tests most recently an ultersound. I am on a couple of different acid pills. I have such horrible pains that start right by my breast bone and it stings, I can't breath and I get horrible cold sweats. Has anyone else has these symptoms?

I'm just laying here going to have a nap. Feel about80%. Surgery went well just some pain from the gas and the drains are so so I can't believe my first is here.

Hello 24yr female newly banded 2/13.. Did great in the hospital, but my first full day at home was very challenging. I felt no restriction but had a hard time drinking liquids. Had no pains with the lower incisions but the top and side one i had mild pain. but the pain im in now is all due to the gas, been taking my meds, walking, drinking more fluids. Oh i also have really bad dry mouth and i know TMI- diarrhea. Trying a heating pad now. Oh never have i wanted to burp/fart so much in my life lol!!! Attached is my stomach very bloated and swollen a few days ago but the bloating and swelling looks better today

2 months post op and I hit a week with no weight loss. Is that normal?

Wow, where do I start? My name is Collene, I am 48 years old 5'4" and prior to my Optifast I weighed 304lbs. I waited 2 and a half years for this surgery!!! My original req got lost so needless to say i kinda thought this would never happen. i did the optifast for 3 weeks and I lost 16lbs. The first day of the optifast was a breeze but it got tougher, I was very hungry to say the least. I did it though with little cheating. I'm not gonna lie and say I didn't. They didn't even weigh me before my surgery, I was like are you kidding!!?? So I got a nurse to weigh me so at least I would know. Surgery went well, the only issue was my blood pressure. They got it down thoug…

Hi, I'm Casey and I underwent the Gastric Sleeve on 12/28/12. I was so excited for this new chapter in my life. But honestly, I feel lost now - because although my surgery was what my surgeon called " a wonderful text book surgery" I have experienced nothing but problems since. I have not been able to hold anything down in my stomach that is not soup. And it takes forever for me to eat 1/2 a cup. Since my surgery, I have thrown up everything I have eaten. I was in the hospital for most of January. NOTHING is wrong with my sleeve. I have undergone endoscopy and my surgeon is the Director of a well known Metabolic Center in Boston. He says that my stomach and esopha…

Hi Everybody, You have no idea how glad I am to have found this site. I am pre-op scheduled to be sleeved on April 16th or earlier. I am almost done with all the stuff needed to submit to insurance and if all goes well, I may be sleeved in March, but at the latest April 16th. I am so excited and nervous at the same time. This will be something great for me. I have been overweight for over 20 years. It's horrifying to me and I need this to eliminate a lot of problems in my life. It is so great to read these posts about like people and if I could I would put a great big hug around everyone here. I will be posting as things are prepping and also my successes after …

I have no idea whether I'm following proper protocol....but I'm posting an intro of myself! I live in Arizona and I stumbled upon verticalsleevetalk.com on the internet! I had VSG on December 18, 2012 in Scottsdale, AZ. Doing really well. I'm down just under 40 lbs. No problems at all and good healing. Just looking for others who are taking this path!!

is it typical to be charged a program fee ? dr 1 charges one $400 plus $100 for food. Dr 2 does not charge one.

My "fat" journey started when I was about 4 years old. My sister was born and was sick. I spent a lot of time wtih my grandparents. My grandpa loved to spoil me with Cookies, icecream and candies. It didn't help that my grandma made the best homemade cookies. My mom is an awesome cook. I grew up with a traditional farm family: full feed for lunch and supper. My love for food began and has never ended. There is never a day that I don't struggle with the choices I make on what foods to put in my mouth. I have never been "thin". I weighed 102# in second grade. I graduated high school at 158#. I did lose wight in high school but I still considered myself to be fa…

I am 2 weeks post-op and so far I have lost 24lbs (yay) but I noticed that when I go to eat my purees I feel like the food gets stuck and then slowly makes it's way down and that usually make me feel like I'm choking and then I get very gassy. Is this happening to anyone else and if so how do you eleviate these symptoms?

Okay, so my husband and I took a road trip yesterday. Left pretty early, so I took all my vitamins, and grabbed 1/2 banana. We got to our location about 5 1/2 hours later and my husband was starving as I was too. We were in the middle of nowhere so we picked a litte cafe. There was nothing on the menu I could eat! I ended up ordering a cup of clam chowder, had 3 or 4 bites and ate the 4 saltine crackers. I am only 5 weeks out, but I'm sure this homemade chowder was pretty fattening. I had no protein this day. How you handle eating away from home? Maybe just pack my own food? Will I never be able to eat at a restaurant again?

I am super, super new. I just sceduled a consultation on getting the sleeve done. I'm curious on what I should expect. I'm nervous, and I'm not even sure why I'm nervous since it's just a consulataion. I read several of the other boards and it feels like my story is over half of everyone elses story which gives me more confidence that I'm doing the right thing. Since I'm new I'll share a little about myself as well. Stats 30 year old female. Wife and mother of 2 kids (and 1 angel baby) I've always been heavy. Born heavy, and have progressively gotten heavier. I used to be so active and sporty, but even with playing volley ball and softball, and a variety of sports…

Today went to my doctors app. he said i have done a good job 88 pounds gone!!! im happy but i need work harder to loose 37 more,here some pics before and after. before 255 after 167

Truthfully does the lapband REALLY make you feel less hungry?

March 6th is coming soon I have dropped up to 117lbs during this first year. No problems saved my life all the other stuff too. I've been stuck around this weight about 4 months now holidays winter etc etc got to get with it again I must start walking religiously it really melts off with activity I've found. Can't let anything and I mean anything get in my way again I must drop another 50 to hit my goal. Sent from my iPad using VS

Hi once again I am turning to ya'll for advise. I began the journey for lapband in July 2012. I met with a doctor who has a very nice staff, but although the doc was nice and has a good track record his bedside personality was not the best and he overloaded me with information and I left totally overwhelmed. During the consult I was "sold" lapband and plication. They told me upfront that plication was non insurance covered and I would pay an additional fee of $750, I agreed. All my life ive been a chunky monkey. The office submitted my paperwork and I was denied. I wasn't "fat enough" they appealed it once and once again I was denied. They informed me that they had done …

5:13 Mexico time. Laying in bed. Cant believe this is over and my journey is into the next step. Day 2 post op Day after surgery was VERY nauseas all day. Determined it was from pain med. went for leak tests- no leaks!! Dr said everything went well. Was given lime sherbet - was nice to feel something cordon my lips. Being discharged today and back to the condo to rest until we fly home Wednesday. Praying for a speedy recovery. Thanks for all the prayers and well wishes everyone!! xx

Hello, I'm VQ, I had the sleeve surgery just before Thanksgiving in November 2012. The first month was hell! It's still he'll now but I have gotten used to it. When I first realized I was fat. I started looking for ways to lose weight. I tried everything. I was a bit successful but the truth is I love to eat. I didn't care if it was killing me. Being a big guy for most of my adult life had some benefits. I didn't realize I would lose so much weight. Now I'm skinny. I really don't like it much. When people see me for the first time, I immediately look at their reaction and it's wierd. I realized that I have lost the weight but my self confidence as well. I really want to …

Hi, Everyone I am 12 days post-op. I have had an unremarkable recovery. My HW was 257, my SW was 241 and CW is 225. I have been getting in my minimums on liquids and Protein since the day after I came home from the hospital (day 3). My only little bump was yesterday. I had purchased unjury chocolate and Unjury chicken Soup in a quantity I thought would get me through my liquid phase, which ends Monday. I am an hour away from my surgeon. So it is not convenient for me get more if I run short. I did not anticipate that I would find the chicken soup totally repulsive post surgery. So I figured I would run out of the chocolate too soon. I ordered morenfrom Unjury but I fell …

I've been overweight since preschool and grew up being easily described as "the big one" in almost any setting. After high school my body changed enough that I was more big than fat but after getting married I stopped almost all of the physical activities which had kept me more beefy than flabby. Now I'm older I've developed type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure and after losing as much weight as I could through better eating I'm still morbidly obese according to the BMI and even though my blood sugar is well managed my blood pressure keeps going up every year. On paper I guess I was a perfect candidate for lap band since it took less than a week for the insurance co…

Hello, I'm 5 days post op and every since late last night I've been having this burning sensation down my throat. Does this sound familiar? Am I drinking to fast? Any advice and tips please and thanks:)

I am having my surgery in 3 weeks. What do I need to stock up on for pre-surgery and post-surgery? I want to go ahead and get everything ready. Any advice would be great. What protein shakes are good? I have tried the muscle milk peach mango and it is great.

Good morning all! I am new to this site I have really enjoyed reading everyone's questions and stories! So I had my surgery yesterday. My first weigh in at consultation was 220 I started my pre op diet a little early yesterday before surgery I weighed 190! I am so excited about this new healthy life ahead! I felt great yesterday I was really worried how I would feel today so far great no gas pains yet so hopefully it stays that away! Looking forward to meeting new ppl on here for all the wonderful support!! Thank you all for so much information on here!! Is it normal at first to not have a problem drinking I have seen some ppl had a hard time with liquids afte…

If you dont take your vitamins can it cause you to eat more cause your not getting in enough nutrients? Willl that cause you to gain weight back?

Hi there, im 8 weeks post op, just wondering how much you guys can eat?

I had surgery on Monday after a 2 year fight to have it. I'm excited and scared at the same time. Having a hard time getting that protein and water in.