Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

Hello Everyone! I am new to this forum and figured I should introduce myself. Been looking around here for about a week now and have found so many valuable resources and inspiring stories and people! I am a single father to an amazing 5 year old boy. I am 6'5" and 396 pounds. I have been overweight as long as I can remember. I do not have an exact weight goal (maybe 240) in mind but rather I just to get to a healthy weight that will enable me to feel confident in myself and be a more active father to my son. WLS is something that I have known about for a few years but only in the last few months have I given it serious consideration. I have 100% come to the reali…

I have been doing really well. Down 30lbs!! At my post-op appointment I asked the doctor if he really did the sleeve because I felt great! He did a swallow picture and sure enough he did what he said. I have been battling weight issues for a decade now since having to endure fertility treatments to conceive. Earlier this year I had a hysterectomy and my weight spiraled to an all time high of 294 lbs. As a former athlete, this level of discomfort when putting on shoes, and not having clothes to wear made me isolate myself and reject invites out to functions. I hit rock bottom! Being overweight took over my life. I wept like a baby when I met with my surgeon, and he…

Hello! Not certain where to start...but this is my effort to understand/learn what the sleeve now means...on a permanent level. I feel like I had a surgery and then was left with a multitude of questions. April 16, 2011 surgery date with Dr. Wade Barker in Dallas, Texas. The office was supportive when they had time for my questions or could squeeze me in but I am left with many. I here they have great support groups but here amazing reviews about this site! Fingers crossed.. I started at 225.2 lbs - size 20 - 5'4 : Not healthy...Currently, I'm 180 and size 12 (45.2 lbs!). Slow..but steady. Goal is Healthy first then in 145ish range. 35 lbs to go...But: 1) Protein - …

I just had my surgery on 12/21/12. The holidays have been really hard. My family cooks big dinners for both Christmas and New Years Day. Of course I get to smell it only. That is no Fun

Sleeve on July 215 pounds 4'11 now 138.. 77 pounds less.. New goal is 115.. 2013 here i come... But i think i have a problem .. I dont like to take picture of my self.. I look my self and im thinking that im still overweight.. Everybody tell me that i look awsome, but i still dont believe.. I went from size 20 to 8 .. I cant see it yet.. Somebody in my shoes out there????

I just got my surgery on the 3rd of december. I am glad i did it but have been feeling weird. I feel like im heavier than before i got the surgery.. I know weird. I have lost weight but feeling even bigger is discouraging im also having a hardtime getting everything i need in throughout the day. Its so hard im constintly full. Also they say not to have sugar but all the vitamins im getting to takeand the protien shakes have 2-3g sugar in them?? Its so confusing. I just dont wanna get sick. Or when something likeapplesauce says no sugar added is that ok to eat?? Even if it has sugar? Is it just the sugar from the apples. Just so many questions!!

Why did I over eat today only at 4 weeks I feel ashamed I ate the worse thing ever bread

So i had surgery yesterday and i still feel like i got hit by a bus :-/

So every now and then i get this pain in my stomach (not abdomen) and when i eat it feels better. So i figured it was hunger pain. Well now i feel like i am getting hungry more often. But then, i started thinking, what if it isnt hunger? When will i get to know my new stomach?

I just found this website, and it's pretty amazing! Well, I have some worries. I'm on my two-week liquid diet, and I am concerned that I'm not getting in enough liquids and Protein. I was told by my nutritionist to drink twice an hour, and I'm assuming those are one-ounce drinks, since that's what they gave me in the hospital. However, I've done the math. If I drink two one-ounce cups every half hour, that's only 24 ounces in a day. I was told by my nutritionist to aim for 30-48 ounces of Fluid a day. I just don't know what to do...should I drink two ounces at a time? If I do, will that negate my surgery? Will my stomach pop open? Will I not lose weight? I'm f…

My surgery is scheduled February 5th. I am both nervous and excited! I have certainly done my research as I am a Bariatric Coordinator for a new program which is starting at my hospital. It has been helpful to read about the varying experiences of everyone.

This will be the year I get to my goal. 33 lbs to go! Starting a reboot tomorrow and excited about it. I'm 26 months out and need to get back to the basics! Happy New Year to all!! Sent from my iPhone using VST

I was banded on Dec 28 and sent home soon after,only to end up ayt the ER that night in extreme agony. I'm extremely tolerant of pain but the gas was horrible from the laparoscopy. It's day 5 and I'm just starting to feel a little better. Is this normal? My teeth we're chattering and I was shaking uncontrollably

I was sleeved on Dec 18th and have been incredibly lucky to not have any complications. I threw up my pain meds once in the hospital- not fun! But other than that no issues eating or drinking, other than I'm full really quick. For the most part I am getting 48-64 oz of water/G2 a day and about 60g of Protein a day. It does seem that I am ALWAYS thinking of eating and drinking and I hope that this becomes second nature eventually. Last week, a friend and I booked a trip to Botswana, which is country directly north of South Africa. (I wasn't quite sure where it was located prior to booking.) I'm very excited for this trip, except for the 16 hour direct flight. …

Trying to figure out how to post lol

Hi everyone! Need some help. I am suffering from bone spur pain. I can hardly walk, my surgeon is not available now. A doc told me that since I've had sleeve surgery, I can only take Tylenol....which is as helpful as my Crystal Light! lol Which pain meds are approved post op? Thanks!

I can now wear a pair of jeans that I haven't worn in over 10 years!!! Is the amazing part that I've lost the weight? OR that I actually kept the jeans in the closet for that long?? lol

Hi, I had my lap band surgery on the 17th, I've had a lot of pain but the most is in between my chest it feels like it's burning..like heartburn I guess...and I'm not hungry so I really haven't eaten anything except a ton of liquids...anyone else have that burning sensation?

Hi All, I'm thrilled to have found this site. I've never blogged before but thought this would be a great way to track this journey. I had my band placed on Thursday, 12/27/12. Starting the New Year with a New Journey! The first day was the hardest. I was extremely uncomfortable. Since then, every day has gotten better and better. I'm moving around much easier, taking short 5 minute walks several times a day and even fixed my family dinner tonight. The thing that has been the biggest challenge is the bloating. It's been the biggest struggle and I'm still not quite sure how to combat it. I've tried a number of things including walking, hot tea and the heating pad…

Hi, I had my lap band surgery on the 17th, I've had a lot of pain but the most is in between my chest it feels like it's burning..like heartburn I guess...and I'm not hungry so I really haven't eaten anything except a ton of liquids...anyone else have that burning sensation?

We have lived life the way we lived it. Mistakes were made and there was a lot of hurt and pain. If there was a way to go back and make some changes, we would. Unfortunately that’s not feasible. What we can do is change the present and the future. We have to cherish each day that we have on the planet earth. Love our family intensely, love our friends unconditionally. Be a person of integrity and always be available to serve. We must always have an open mind, to listen to every point of view without judgment. Listen to our elders. They have lived their lives a little longer than us. They just might know more about life than we do. We must constantly remain humble, never p…

Hello, I had lap band with pilcation last month. My surgery was scheduled as out-patient, but the doctor nicked my spleen and was unable to get the bleeding stopped. I ended up losing my spleen and spending two days in ICU. I have lost 30 pounds in less than 2 months without any fills yet. I'm concerned about my health right now though. I've had several shots for prevention. Anyone else have any complications during their surgery?

So I'm having my first fill on the tenth and was wondering what to expect...

Went to the doctor and I will be starting with all of my testing in jan.

Many people wonder why they feel so unfulfilled during this time of the year! The reason is that we finally sit still and begin to take inventory of our lives. Initially we blame others for our circumstances and then we blame ourselves. But true growth and fulfillment can only come when you stop blaming...period! There’s a word for the mistakes we make with our finances, our children, and our relationships... it’s called life! Get use to it, because there will be plenty of mistakes and disappointments to come. The challenge is whether or not we learn from those mistakes and apply them to our future decisions. When we use our pain to improve our way of thinking is wh…

This wasn’t an easy decision to make and has been in the works for several years. I first considered it over 5 years ago and had the support of my husband. It didn’t feel like the right time then. With health issues becoming a concern, recognizing the limits that my choices have created, and experiencing the rudeness of people who don’t know me, I decided that now was the right time. In July, I attended a meeting at MedCenter One in Bismarck to begin the process of getting a gastric bypass. I chose MedCenter One because I felt that it would be too difficult to be hospitalized in the same place that my husband had been while he was fighting cancer. I attended the m…

Hi All ~ Some of you know that I've been having a lot of trouble with my Water intake - including protien and all liquids. Been back to the hospital twice to get IVs to get rehydrated. I'm now 17 days post op. Any rate - wanted to share with all that are experiencing something similar. My surgeon (after asking him) says they can set up a nurse to visit me at home a few weeks to give me an IV to keep me hydrated and include some nutrients - this will help keep my body going until I'm able to start fully drinking on my own. Wish I had know about this option a week ago :-(

Well I had my surgery 12-26-12 day 4 of recovery i started out as being 390 lbs got down to 340 prior to surgery weight in this morning at 326 , I need some suggestions on different kinds of things to eat mixing broths or something I'm getting tired and burned out eating the same thing any suggestion? Thanks

First Christmas without sweets!!!!

my pre op diet, had a protien shake at noon, since I didnt get up till 1130, for dinner I had a 2 oz steak broiled, with steamed broccolli and cawliflower, was good, about 10 i will have another protein shake. had 2 SF jello. but couldnt resist 4 pieces of minature york peppermints from hubs stocking, I am going to do this. come on 31st

So im just wondering what everyones daily intake looks like could u please post along with how far out u are.

How is everyone feeling? I am 4 days post op and I have been swallowing my pills whole since day 3 just so I take them. I am feeling great today and was wondering how others are feeling?

Hi guys and gals, I was sleeved on the 14th and for some reason my bathroom habits have obviously changed but be for I make a bathroom trip my stomach starts to hurt really really really bad!! Idk what to do!!! Is this normal?!?! I hope it subsides soon!!! Yikeeees!!!!

Anyone else scared that the weight loss will just stop when they hit a pause? This week I didn't lose any but didn't gain any and it always makes me nervous. I know its completely ridiculous to think it will just quit, but I don't want to have suffered so much for it to stop now. Had the surgery 10-25 and down 59 lbs.

I wanna see male and female before and after pics so start posting... Fred Montana JR

I had my sleeve done May 28, 2012 in Mexico. The best thing I have ever done!!!! My starting weight was 255lbs ( my heaviest in Jan 2012) I was down to 238 by surgery and now am at 180lbs!!!! So happy to be only 40lbs to my goal weight!!! I started wearing xxl shirts and size 40 jeans. Today I put on size 31 jeans and can wear Lg and some Med shirts!!! I am stoked still. Lol. I do worry about losing too much weight thou. I had originally hoped to be at 120lbs, but since my cloths are already smaller than I anticipated, I kind of think I would be too small at that weight. I had watched one utube video and the lady had met her goal and then kept losing. That freaked me o…

I Have to move VSG surgery because I recently had to have EMERGENCY surgery to remove a cyst . Actually this was Thursday . The gyn thought it was on my ovary but actually it was by the rectum . However , my Fallopian tube was wrapped around it . Soo they had to take that out . Out of all of this I am grateful because I don't want to deal with this my first year in college and to save all my other organs . I love kids so I am so happy we are born with two tubes . As of right now I can not have another surgery for 3 months so VSGmight have to wait . BUT AS I SAID ALL IN ALL I AM GREATFUL.

Hi. I am pre op. No date yet, self pay. I am wondering if there are any 'sticky' posts where you all have written down all of your pre op and post op suggestions? Like, you must do X, or dont' do Y. Or Z worked better than A etc. Know what I mean? Thanks in advance for your help. And if there isn't one...is it possible to make a "sticky" post? Do you know what I mean? It stays at the top and people add to it when they think of something. Thanks. KPA

Hi! I'm new to posting, though I've been reading the boards for the past couple months as I went through the pre-surgury process. I'm finally on my way, and on my third day of my 14-day pre-op diet, with surgury scheduled for January 9. I'm really excited; though this process is going to be really hard, I know I do it. Here's my question, for anyone who has gone through the surgury: is it like having a c-section? I've had three, and since they surguries are in the same general area I wonder if they're comprable. I asked my doctor, but, being a man and never having gone through one, all he could do was say, "Probably not." I'm worried about the pain because I have…

So, I found out this week that I got approved on the first try. Now the nerves have kicked in and I hate to admit, I'm a little scared. Mostly scared of all the bad stuff that I read. I know I shouldn't concentrate on the cons, but I just can't help being nervous. Anybody else out there with these feelings

Hi I have had my banded since 05...lost 220 pounds...had a issue wit my band.got it fix now I am on the track of losing again 350...down to330...think its comin off slower...but its comin off got 2nd filled..i feel the fullness quick...and I like it

Hey there I am finding now that I have the surgery booked all I want to do is eat. Is anyone else like this?

I am down 82 pounds from July 2nd. Jan. 2nd will be my 6 months out - and I have an appointment with my Dr. on Jan. 17th! I can't wait to see my awesome bloodwork! I have been doing really well and eating pretty much on target. I feel like I should be a poster girl for this surgery. I have never thrown up, been in pain, and things are going well. In fact, my 18 year old step daughter is coming to stay with us and see if she qualifies - what a life changer to have this tool so young. What a difference it could make in her life. I am a huge advocate of this procedure. I would never TELL anyone to do it, but if people ask me - I am honest and open about it. I feel …

Hello all - my name is Michele. I had my sleeve surgery December 19. Ate ( a few bites), stomach/throat making it's usual urgle, burgle, gassy sounds and wanted to make sure it was normal. Googled "gastric sleeve air trapped" and I landed on this website. Anyway, what a roller coaster this has been. So I knew I needed my gallbladder out and that I needed to take my health more seriously. I decided to research weight loss surgery options in early December after many failed diets. Figured if they had to go in to take out the gallbladder, maybe I'd just have both done at the same time. Attended an informational meeting on December 8. I already knew my insurance wou…

I posted before about the status of my marriage and every since i was sleeved he has done everything to show me he doesnt love me. This couldnt have come at a worse time.

Hi... This is the first time I have posted at all so here it goes... I have been on this forum almost every day and I must say it seems you can get alot of strength and support from here... I so want to have the sleeve surgery but just really really scared something will go wrong or whatever...Like all of you I am just plain fat... I hate myself at this particular time... I am the biggest I have ever been... I am 45 and also in menopause and taking bio identical hormone therapy.. They certainly have helped my mental state of mind and I now have somewhat of a sex drive again (sorry if that is tmi).. lol...But my goodness I have gained the weight in the last year... I am 5…

Hi, I am new today to this forum. I have been on my journey since May 2012. That's when I went to the Seminar. I had to get 6 months in with the dietician before my health insuance would cover it. I had my 1st Appt with Dr. Eagon, out of St Louis and have change my mind from a Lap Band to the Sleeve. My 6 months ended in December has been submitted to my doctor who just told me it is with the Insurance biller in their office. So the 4-6 week wait for that begins. In the meantime, I started at 376lbs and am now at 331 lbs, which if very encourgaging in itself. The doctor's office now wants me on a 1400 calorie diet and to start exercising. This I am having some s…

Hi everyone! I finished my 6 month program on the 16th, now just waiting to hear If insurance approves. Getting very antsy! Keep your fingers crossed for me!

I have not found a good support group in 6 months, my family is very supportive but those who know what it is like. I am very young to have had the gastric sleeve surgery, and it has been nearly 7 months since surgery. I feel alone at my college, I blend in, but that I know of, no one at my school knows what it is like. My friends try to be there, but my body can only intake some food and I find it difficult that I have to go to the bathroom constantly after eating the wrong food. I just want to know that there are people who know and can help. I do not want to pity myself, but it is a struggle feeling alone and not getting support or having a support group. Thank y…

Well, I've been looking into weight loss surgery now for a while. I had a close friend a few Yrs back get gastric bypass & he hated it. There was a local lady I knew who also had the same procedure done and she died of complications so I know that I never wanted to try that especially with having a 13mo old son and a husband. I am 22yrs old and have been heavy my entire life. Losing 15-80lbs and then gaining it back plus some. Recently I was at my highest of 447lbs and a size 34 jean. 5xl shirt I'm currently 385lbs and size 30/32( much gut hangs already ) and a 4xl shirt. I am 6"1 and a larger boned person. My lowest was 260ish and a size 16/17 & L shirts …