Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

Well, after much soul searching, I decided that I wanted to have gastric sleeve to help me prevent diabetes and all those other lovely health complications that come with obesity. So sept 21, 2012 I had my surgery. All good next day, went home. Over the next few days had pain swallowing, which I assumed was due to the surgery. Well after a week, it was getting bad. It felt like I was swallowing razor blades. So i called the surgeon who sent me to go do an upper gi. At the hospital, it was discovered that I had a leak that was realllly bad. He did an emergency repair surgery same October 4, 2012. Spent the next 12 days in the hospital on tpn. During the first 2 days i b…

Surgery Monday If by iron level is good

I never realized or read how hard the first few days were going to be. The gas hurts, it hurts to walk. I can't stand straight up. I'm running a low grade fever, they said to increase my fluids which I have been. I'm not having any trouble getting my protein or clear fluids down. It's just the constant pain in my abdomen! How long does it last?

Well had to have emergency surgery Friday I had a hernia and a twisted intestine I'm in a lot of pain still I got to come home last night :/ has anyone else even thru this? Any advice? Jordyn

I am 19 years old and I had the Lap band surgery in north London 2 days ago on Tuesday night. Recovery has been going well so far although I am feeling quite swollen under my ribcage. I'm nervous about the next month with no solid food! I don't understand how I won't be hungry from only eating soup!

I went to a support group tonight. Problem is I am having my sleeve on Feb 5 on the east coast of Florida and I live on the west coast (about 2 hours away). My insurance only paid for Cleveland Clinic Florida which I am thrilled with but its a long way to go for the support groups. I decided to check out a support group here in my hometown and although they had good intentions and everyone was so nice, I freaked out and started crying. I was the only one in the group of about 25 that was pre op. Although everyone had good results (except one who started drinking soda and beer post op and stretched her sleeve), it brought it all to reality to me. I'm scared to death.…

Hi all! I'm new to this site. I just had my consultation on the 8th and today I had my psych eval today what else is there for me to do? How long does this process take? I know the expectations of the surgery. My concern is will I be denied at the end of this from my insurance? I have a BMI of 37 and have co morbid as far as hypertension... Has anybody else been denied with the same conditions?! I'm so confused and I don't want to Waste time but at the same time I'm desperate because I've tried everything and failed.

HI My name is Rebecca MItchell I am a 35 year old mother of 4 kids (2mine, 2his) and 1 GORGEOUS grandson. I am currently on perritoneal dialysis, I am looking for other dialysis patients/bariatric patients to talk to. My nephrologist is afraid for me to have the surgery because of leaks, but the kidney transplant centers will not touch me because my BMI is over 40. I need to lose at least 40 pounds to safely have a kidney transplantt, which I have lost 6 pounds on my own by drinking 2 protein shakes and eating 1 healthy meal a day, but I dont forsee me continuing to lose weight on my own because on perritoneal dialysis I am getting around 1300 calories a night from my sol…

If there was an opportunity to tell me one helpful hint for either before or after surgery , what would it be ? I will be waiting with pen and paper

I had my band placed about 7 years ago at a university hospital. A couple of years after it was placed my physician's nurse practitioner shared with me (off the record of course) that the physician had submitted my records as some interesting show of a failed lap band. My band was filled up capacity yet he could not understand how I was able to eat untoasted bread, large amounts of food, and everything else I shouldn't have been able to do. While I did not gain weight, I didn't lose any either since I was doing the exact same things I was doing prior to the surgery. What a disappointed which was compounded by the fact that I'd paid for the surgery myself after my insuranc…

Long story short... My surgery was march 27th 2012 (about 9 months ago) in Mexico! Dr. Almanza was the doctor he was great staff was wonderful. I've had my ups an downs mostly ups! Downs meaning bad food days just nothing sets right. I have lost 112 pounds, 55 inches brought my BMI down 19 points, went from an size 26 to a size 16. Weight loss has slowed down much it take forever to loss 1 pound but it's all good. Keeping a smile on my face because I have got my life back finally . Having a MMO in June in Mexico I'm excited an nervous!!!! I weighed 328 an now down to 216... My goal is to get down to 170 by time June gets here but my ultimate goal is to get to 150! I'…

I guess I need to talk about this to get it straight in my head so writing this is helping me find closure and also maybe it won’t happen to someone else if they recognize the same symptoms. My lap band story condensed: I had my initial consult in early 2008 at “loose weight seminar” that was a seminar held by a local surgeon selling the idea of getting a lap band procedure to help people like me loose weight. Back in 2008 the procedure cost me 25K (Out of my pocket) I went thru the whole get ready process and had my lap band surgery 6/2/08. The surgery went longer than anticipated and the surgeon said he had some problems with the size etc. (details we…

copied from here: http://www.realself.com/review/baltimore-md-sleeve-gastrectomy-vsgabout-time#comment-474464 I haven't been fat my whole life. I went through 3 pregnancies and managed to look great in a bikini weeks later.... And then I became pregnant again...High risk pregnancy..In the hospital more than 6 months on constant steroids and bedrest ( and encouraged to eat ANYTHING & EVERYTHING as I was having trouble keeping food down). I didnt gain a considerable amount of weight but I became lazy. Within a month of delivery I was in a size 14, the biggest I had ever been but still far from obese. While I was home on maternity leave, the lazy & bad eating ha…

It has been exactly a year since I've gone to my doctor and began looking into weight loss options. I was supposed to be sleeved in October but insurance foul-ups and delays made it to where I didnt even think my insurance was gonna approve it. I had given up on the surgery. A week ago surprisingly I got a call from the bariatric center that I was approved! It was surreal, and took me by surprise. Had my surgery consultation and the date is set for Feb. 4th! Ive never been thin my entire life. My anxiety is through the roof. Im nervous and scared, its a completley new life awaiting me. 6 Weeks after surgery Im moving to Lafayette, Louisiana from Nebraska. Ive never been …

Hi everyone! My name is Steph. I had my sleeve on jan 7th, 2013. Denver,co @ Rose by Dr. Snyder. Start weight 254, today I'm 237. 7 days post op. I didn't diet before surgery. I actually went nuts before surgery and had the time of my life eating. I'm kinda paying for that one right now because the sight of food makes me sad. Even tv Commercials are hard for me to watch It's been a ok journey so far, I was sent home with oxygen and got thrush ( SUCKS ) but all that is nothing compared to the fear I am having about this drain being pulled from my tummy. I've heard nothing but bad stories and how painful it is. I'm super good with pain, I have 12 tattoos and this was …

Just introducing myself. I'm new to this forum, absolutely in love with the support here! I'm in Tampa, getting my surgery Jan 16. Would love to find some buddies!

It's been a while since I have posted, my complications have been getting me down, but I am happy to report that my hole from my abscesses is shrinking and although I am still on the wound vacuum it looks like there is a light at the end of the tunnel. I had my surgery October 25th and was wondering about red wine. Now I haven't tried it yet and would be more than happy to wait, but has anyone tried it? Did it agree with u? It was one vice I d really like to indulge in every now and again.

This Zumba **** is real im happy I got it ???????? .. 2013 summer Im going hard !! ????... Today is my 1st night working out and Im feeling great ..

Starting Thursday I'm going to start doing the Zumba at home ... I am extremely excited !

On Tuesday I saw my doc for my 1 month follow up and went to all foods except raw veggies and soft beads and I can only do super moist meats- I have focused on proteins - I gained weight . I am walking every day and no one has given meany work out instruction. So b- I am super discouraged :/ ugh!

I had a little too much excitement on operation day(Jan 7th). I was so worried about a leak but didn't know this could happen. I'm posting this only because you never know what could happen and if this can save anyone the trouble I went through it will be a good thing! After my surgery my blood pressure would not rise. I was a bit foggy on how they knew what was wrong, but they wheeled me back down to the OR for a second surgery. There was a blood clot and it was easily flushed out and all done laproscopically through the same openings in the initial procedure. Once back upstairs again, my blood pressure was still not …

Ok so I had my sleeve on 12/31/12 and the first week I lost 9 pounds but the 2nd week I've put a pound back on and stayed there. I'm starting to freak myself out thinking I'm not gonna loose anymore weight and I'm gonna have done all this for nothing. Is this normal? I do have a hard time getting water in cause I can't stand straight water so I'm hoping maybe I'm retaining water and that's the problem. I would love some feedback!

Yes, I am new. Over the last 6 months I was working with my insurance company to get sleeved. They wouldn't approve it. So, after talking to my surgeon, we decided to go for RNY. Low and behold, it took 3 days to get approved. Here I go- Valentines Day!!!

I am 4 months post-op and I was doing awesome up to the 3 month point....I lost 62 lbs...but have not lost another pound in the last month. I know stalls happen but I am very annoyed right now and needed to vent. Not to mention I am really losing alot of hair. I also heard this was normal but I am really starting to get concerned about the amount I lose each morning. I guess it's a good thing I had alot to begin with because if I didn't I think I would be bald by now! I am really not complaining because I really do love my new 'life style' and I feel great but I have another 85 more pounds to go and I don't want to waste any time getting there and a stall for 4 weeks…

I really need hellp

I DONT KNOW WHETHER TO BE SCARED EXCITED..IM 2 MONTHS FROM FINISHING MY 6 MONTHS..DONT SEE A DATE..FOR SURGERY.....BUT LOVE TO TELL EVERYONE IM GETTING SLEEVED..THEY THINK IM CRAZY LOOK AT ME WEIRD ..WITH WHY ARE U DOING THIS..IM 5"7 225.......

Hello all I am new to this site. My surgery is set for Tuesday January 22nd. Can anyone give me some helpful tips or advice to help me out afterwards? I am getting very nervous about the whole surgery itself because this is pretty much the first major surgery I have had. :/ but it will all be worth it in the end!

Hello all! I am a newbie here but I've been researching the sleeve for a year or more. The sleeve seems to me the safest route to take. I haven't set a surgery date yet as I am still going through the pre program. I am SCARED AS HELL!!!! Please pardon the language but that's the only way to accurately describe how I feel!! I know I need it and from people I've spoken to personally and those whose stories I've read I know I can expect good results. It's just the irreversibility of the whole thing that has me on edge.

Hello! My name is Taylor and I am scheduled to have the gastric sleeve surgery Friday, March 15th. Im young , but weighing in at 255 lbs at 5'3" is challenging. my friends consider me very confident and often label me as a diva, but my healthy will not continue to be as glamorous if I strive to be as long as I keep this weight. I am extremely excited , but I joined for some insight! My goal weight is 150-160. I'm just ready to start my new life! Hurry hurry March 15th so I can say goodbye to this tummy!

Hi! My name is Becky and I am new to this site. I honestly didn't even know that it existed until today, but I am so glad that I found it. I had sleeve surgery on October 24, 2012. At first I was so excited abou the surgery and lost 50 lbs in about 2 months! I am almost at my fill 3 months and I don't know what is going on. I feel like I a reverting to my old habits. This may be because I don't really have anyone to discuss this whole new lifestyle to, or maybe I am just destin to be the way I was. I don't know. Everything that they say will make me sick (sugar, bread, high fat foods) does not make me sick! The only thing that makes me sick is the vitamins I have…

I found out why I can eat more than most after sleeve surgery. I had a # 56 bougie used due to lower esophageal stricture. It's about one and a half times the size of what most of you had. Holds around 6 ounces. Lost ;7 lbs total including preop. Was sleeved 10/10/12.

Hey guys I got my sleeve done on 1/3/13 and today is 1/15/13 12 days ago I'm super happy ... Still a lil ugh cuz I can't eat what I want ... But so far I'm doing good ...

It's been six months since my sleeve surgery (6-12-12). It's been up and down, but mostly up. I'm incredibly pleased with my 75 lb. weight loss. Yes, 75 lbs! I feel like a completely different person. I have 25 more pounds to my goal of 100 lbs. lost. I not only used the surgery as a tool to eat a considerably less amount of food, but I hired a personal trainer to help me tone and ward off the potential weight gain from old habits that don't seem to go away. Yes, it is almost impossible for me to consume amounts of food like I used to, but its the wrong kinds of foods you must be aware of! If there is anyone on the fence about this surgery, you have every rig to be scared…

I'm almost done with the gastric sleeve requirements . On jan 10th my surgeon will submit my paperwork to oxford , so my biggest fear is that oxford does not approve me ..????. Has anyone been approved through oxford insurance ????

What can I say other than being sleeved changed my whole life for the better! I would do it again in a heart beat! Being border line diabetic and having sleep apnea was not helping! Those both are a thing of the past as I am no longer hooked to a machine as my apnea was weight related. I still have weight to loose and I have plateaued for a couple of months at my current weight but I feel and look awesome!!!

Tomorrow will be my 1 month since i was sleeved , It might only be a short time but Im getting more and more excited about the weight loss even if i dont notice but small changes , I was 293 i am now 258 as of today I think its since im still on the liquid phase since its hard tolerating the pureed foods , I go see my doc Jan 30th and im excited to see what he says My goal is to not be overly skinny but Be healthy the right size for my body where i feel comfortable reason i chose the sleeve . Hopefully soon ill be in the gym to tone and walk the treadmills , Im excited for summer as well since we are possibly moving to fla... and to be more active with my kids Sleeve is …

Yay jan 30 is my one year sugervisary and I've lost 137 pounds so far. After months of being stalled at 170 I weighed in at 168 today which is in the normal category for my 5'9 height!! Can't remember the last time I was a normal bmi today is a victory!!! 8 more pounds till goal gonna work hard to try and get that off before my 1 year!!

Hello all I'm a newbie here and I wanted to introduce myself. I was banded in 4/10 and did well for a while lost 68 pounds. My highest recorded weight was 286 and my lowest recorded weight it 209. Trouble started with my band and I was either to full and vomiting on a daily basis and terrified to eat or I wasn't full enough and had larger portions. That brings is to 2013 I decided to see if revision was and option and found out it was so I'm currently on my 5th visit of the 6 month supervised diet and due to have my psychiatric eval 2/8. Looking to be sleeved 4/13 so keep me in your thoughts!

I seen a lot of people on this forum not receiving family Support and getting called weak well i have a confession to make i didnt get any support i was laughed at and made fun of called weak called will less was told its all in my mind and was told several time I will fail most of the people were so called friends and family who themselves are not in perfect shape but have a lot to say . I feel it is your strength that you are taking this step also all you are getting is a tool to help you win this battle. I went to hospital with one of of my friends cause family wouldn't support me and thought i am wasting time.Guess what Surgery weight height 6 ft wt 287.5 in 5 days (…

Feel so good about my after picture! I still need to loose 35 more. (hopefully, but at least 25) I am 3 months and almost 3 weeks post op. Not looking forward to summer clothes though. My arms are so baggy. First picture was taken in March 2012 at at least 255, second pic taken 1/12/13 at 185

Hello I'm Spicey from New Jersey sleeved June 25 2012 in Livingston, Nj Dr. Paragi. I went in Monday morning, after 8 months of pre-op appts. and clearances only losing a few lbs, but after no surgery complications I went home Tuesday evening once Dr. Paragi cleared me with.instructions. 6 1/2 months later 79 lbs down I guess its good 3 clothes sizes down but not.getting enough support, energy, excersize, and I feel tired all the time!... I hear so many different things from people but it has still has been a good experience, lifelong changes I'm still adjusting to. I had a few issues going.into surgery with my asthma, bronchitis, hypothyriodism, and extreme obesit…

I just got off the phone with blue choice and I am approved!!!! Finally after going through all the nonsense with MVP, I am all set!! January 28th sleeve here I come!!! I am beyond thrilled and excited!!! )

I just had my one year anniversary. I had my surgery oct 18, 2011. I was 230 pounds. I am now 145. Still have 20 pounds to go. Slowly but surely I will get there

5 days post op and Went the the YMCA Walked on treadmill for 50 mins!!! It was slow pace but i was moving and can not wait to go back tomorrow!!!! I am very sore but walking feels good.

Hi My name is ardith, I work as a night shift nurse supervisor at a local nursing home. Im married and have 2 children. I have been overweight most of my life. When i hit 291 i had had ENOUGH and sought help with the lap band system. I love food , had a big appetite and ate even when not hungry. I had the lap band done on dec. 4th 2012 and so far have lost 37 lbs. altogether. Thankfull for this supportive site. Just wanted to say hi and introduce myself. Looking forward to sharing and supporting.

Okay, I am 6 days out. Surgery on Jan. 10. My belly is as round and hard as a snowman. I gained 10 pounds in the hospital. Was there for 2 nights. No complications. Followed directions. Walked the halls every 3 hours. Even in the middle of the night. Have had horrible left shoulder pain! Have gas, had one bowel movement since surgery after using Miralax. Scale hasn't even gone down!!!! Seriously, this hasn't been so exciting! It's been a PAIN! Can't sleep through the night cause my body is toooo sore! Ugh! How's this for encouragement? Ugh!

I've tried just eating what's good for u and healthy but I cannot do it. I think it's all in my head. Such as protein drinks and plain meats, I wish I could eat for fuel and forget taste any suggestions?

Hey I need ya help what ya think I should do go to the GYM or ZUMBE at home

I have been battleing obesity my entire life, at age 14 I had almost reached 600lbs. I then decided to go to a culinery arts based weight loss school in California for 2-1/2 years and while there I lost 346lbs. It was a major accomplishment for me having doing it all with diet and exercise, but about 5 years ago I was involved in a major car accident. After the accident I contracted a DVT in my themeral artery from my groin to my ankle, I was then put on blood thinners and bed rest for about 8 months. During this time I gained almost all the weight I had lost back and was around 570lbs. About a year or so ago I began speaking to a couple of my very close friends who hav…

I have gone past a stall into plateau territory. I have been bouncing between 180-185 for about 2 months. I have increased exercise and have been steadily tracking food. I think I am losing inches. It isn't that I am unhappy, I am only 25-30 lbs away from my weight loss goal, so I feel pretty good. I don't know if this is a plateau or if this is where I stop. I am about 7 months out. I have started running and feel good about that. I have a goal to complete a 5K in a few months. Anyone have any thoughts on distingusing a plaeau from just being done?