Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

I'm Nneko & I'm starting to get very depressed. food & I just don't get along at all anymore. I'm 5 weeks out & I'm just having the worst time. The only thing I love are sugar free Popsicles & I may eat a couple of teaspoons of Wendy's chilli. Lost 40 pounds from the very beginning. I was sleeved on May 24th but from the beginning of may that's how much I've lost can someone weigh in or offer a few suggestions please?? neek41

Hi I'm a 12 yr breast cancer survivor at age 42. After I had my ovaries out, really started packing on the lbs. Fast, like a roller coaster ride that I can't get off of. 240 lbs is unhealthy and making me unhappy. I'm scared to undergo yet another surgery...(done at least 10 so far) I think to myself "Why can't I just lose the weight on my own?" But, the thing is.... Days/weeks/months go by and Injust don't lose the weight! Scared to do lap;Scared to not do it! And, maybe I should just get gastric bypass? But, isn't lap safer? I could really use some motivation and great stories out there.......

Hi, my name is Vicki and my sx is scheduled for 7/10. It's thw waiting and pre-op diet that is scaring me. I'm having a hard time with the liquid diet due to low blood sugars. I'm getting shakey between protein shakes. Im following the plan, but seem to need more. I've only been on liquids since Friday and have lost 10 lbs. Is this good?

Today is the my first day back to work in the office since being sleeved two weeks ago and everyone says I look great and everything, but what one of the senior managers (the CTO actually) that I work with on a daily basis just said made the day perfect. He told me that he walked by earlier while I was talking to another co-worker and then walked by again, thinking to himself, "Who is this guy? New hire?" and after a third pass he stopped and walked up and finally recognized me! Not too bad of a Monday for me.

Was sleeves on 6.18.12 and only 18 lbs lost! Is that normal? Shouldn't I be loosing more! Can someone tell me how their diets are going? What do they consist of? I am not sure I'm doing things right!

Was sleeved on 3/6. Including my preop weight loss, I am down 75 lbs. I feel so good. My back doesn't hurt any more. I can walk without having to sit and rest very coup,e of minutes. I can fit in a booth and an airplpane seatbelt. I'm going to the beach the end of the month and I can't wait. This year I will be able to walk in the sand and get down and build sandcastles with my grand kids. But. I still have a long way to go andim still FAT! When I read on this board about people who started this journey, wher I am today, it depresses me and all my good feelings go down the drain. They talk about how bad they felt when they were the weight I am now, I think wow I t…

Hi All, Greetings from the Sooner State! I'm one of the apparently large group who had VSG surgery on 27 June. My hospital experience wasn't stellar; I was more or less unable to comply with the requests to drink the little shot glasses of water or to get out of bed on the day of surgery except to go to the restroom. I felt like crap but never nauseated - just listless. I got to come home the evening of the 28th after passing my leak test and things have been consistently getting better since I walked in the door that night. I took one pain pill because I was sore but not overly so so I've avoided those since. I would definitely take them if necessary but since…

G'day y'all! Ok, that's out of the way! I loved to Australia 8 years ago when I was 28. Born and bred in Houston Texas! I have a 17 yr old girl and twin 2 ur old boys. I have gone up and down in weight since I was preteen. I want to live my life. I know what a diet is and I LoVE exercising-- gains me freedom from toddlers for one thing!-- what I needed was a permanent tool to teach me to fuel my body-- not feed it to bursting capacity in response to everything except what it needed-- food for fuel! I have lost and gained 40 kilos (90~ish lbs?) at least three times in my life, as well as losing 10-20 kilos at different points (can't possibly count the times!) but my e…

Before I was 253 ... Will update results

I am 2 mos out now (surgery4/24) and had my first fill last week (because I was on vacation for a month after surgery). starting weight was 262 now I am 250 so 6 # in 2 mos. eating is someitmes problematic but usual reasons: not small enough bites, eating too fast, not chewing enough. I can basically eat anything but meat of any kind is probematic, I just can't seem to chew enough. hiccups is my soft sign, as is a full feeling in my throat. after surgey on clear and full liquids I actually gained weight and I was terribly hungry. now that I can choose that is not so much of a problem. just curious if this is anyone else'sexperience or what am I doing wrong?

A big piece of me feels somewhat ashamed to be here, but another side knows it is time and realizes I need to be here. I was banded more than 4 years ago, but never completed the regimen of adjustments and did not keep up with my doctor. I paid for my surgery entirely out of pocket as my insurance company was unwilling to pay for it. You would think the large cash outlay would have motivated me to see this through. Well the recession coupled with a poor insurance policy meant that I had to continue to foot all the bills out of pocket, something I could not do for the last three years. I basically let several thousands of dollars just go to waste, while all the weight…

My name is Kendra, hi all! (: I literally just decided to have the sleeve done. This is pretty exciting moment for me. I have thought/fantasized about having wls, but never really did anything about it. I guess it just always so risky. After doing some research about the different kinds of wls, it seems to be old hat for a lot of people. So, I figured if they can do it, so can I!! But...I have no idea where to go from here. I am 29 and I recently moved out of state for work and am living in Philadelphia. No family or friends in the state, so this should be interesting to say the least! First thing I did, last night at about 10pm (told you I literally just decided) was…

OK....I'm in shock! Finally after a slow start I hit a total weight loss (since surgery) of 50 pounds in three months! For a grand total of 75 pounds including pre-op diet! Its a miracle! I wish I had done this years ago! God, I just want to cry when I think of all the years I tried so hard to just get off 30 lbs!! Today was special because I found out I no longer have to shop in the plus size!!!! I think I was in grade school the last time I bought a shirt in a "normal" woman's department! Wow! What an amazing surgery!!!! ( in shock)

Did you know our minds can play nasty tricks on us? For a few weeks now every time I saw myself in the mirror I kept seeing myself like I was when I was almost 400 pounds. Even though I have lost over 100 pounds I couldn't see the weight loss. And that is an awful feeling, in my head I was thinking no matter what I do I can't get rid of this fat. I had not voiced my concerns because everyone at my house, and my extended family are always complimenting me on the weight loss, and I guess I didn't want them to think I was crazy, or fishing for more compliments. However, this morning I just blurted it out to my sister, what did she do? She showed me this picture of me when …

Could some of you help me with a meal plan for Phase 2 . I need to put myself on a schedule but have no where to begin ! What r y'all doing?

This is my first time to this site. I have had my first appointment with the doctor, the paperwork has been submitted to the insurance company and I'm awaiting approval. Because of my insurance, I just completed a 6 month supervised weight loss program with my primary care doctor. I've been loosely following Medifast and lost about 18 lbs. Now that I've finished that, I'm eating all my favorites that I don't think I will be able to enjoy after the surgery. I've regained about 5 lbs. I'm very excited to enter this new phase of my life; I've been overweight throughout adulthood. I've tried Weight Watchers and other programs. I am usually fairly successful, but it do…

My name is Erin and I am a 29 yr old divorced mother of five. I was not an overweight child as a matter of fact it was hard to gain. I was a phisically fit and active teenager who did everything from gymnastics to lifeguarding, rollerblading and much more. I met my ex husband when we were fifteen. A year later surprise! We have a little girl on the way. Not gaining much with her, I naturally fell back into my active life. By age eighteen we were married and after being on bc and taking antibiotics for a lung infection, baby number two is on her way. That's when the fun began. I wanted something I only had to remember once in a while so doc recommends depo. It was hell in …

Hi everyone, I began my journey toward Gastric Sleeve Surgery back in February of this year. I really thought the process would take much longer to get approval from my insurance but fortunately I received my date, July 16th two weeks ago. Up until today, I have been very excited about the process and have been dedicated to the doctor prescribed diet, exercise and making sure I attend support groups, doctor and nutritionist visits, etc. However, tomorrow I begin my two week liquid diet and it really just hit me how profound the change I will be making in my life. I have worked very hard on letting go and even grieving my relationship to food but it is scary and a…

I was sleeved 9/12/2011, a day that changed my life forever. I had my surgery at UCLA and had the best care and after care. I have bloodwork done every three months and my dietician is the best. So for I have lost 60 lbs. don't get me wrong I feel great but in the last month or so I have lost my motivation. I have kept my food intake under control but the Excerise is just not happening. I work 40 hours at a very stressful job where I am at a computer all day. So I haven't lost anything. I'm stuck anyone have advice, a pep talk.....

My name is Debbie and I had a gastric sleeve procedure done on June 11, 2012 by Dr. Collin Brathwaite at Winthrop Hospital in Mineola, New York. I am 44 years old and had considered this surgery for about a year. At first, I was convinced that I was going to have a lap-band. After researching and attending support groups, I learned of the gastric sleeve procedure. Quickly, my mind was changed. I was a slender person until I had my children. I had 3 children in 5 years and just got heavier and heavier. I also suffered from depression after the loss of my Parent's while I was still in my 20's. Life had never been the same for me once I started to pack on the pounds. Th…

I was also sleeved the 27th of June. I haven't had many problems but if I could ask one question it would be, what's okay to eat? Where I had my surgery done there weren't many before me SO when they brought me food for lunch and dinner it was a tray full of juice,coffee,Popsicles,sprite,and broths..it's Sunday and I'm now 5 days out I'm assuming it's still fluids but how much should I be shooting for?

Hi all! I am new to LapBandTalk. I am 34 years old, I have been married to my wonderful husband for 12 years, and we have a beautiful 10 year old son. I have been an elementary music specialist for 12 years. My first LapBand appointment is scheduled for Monday, July 2nd. I am meeting with the main doctor, a psychologist, and a nutritionist. I am nervous, but I am hopeful as well. I have been having a lot of issues with my CSF pressure since March, and am hoping that if I can lose the excess weight, those problems will be resolved. I am grateful that there is a forum where we can all support one another. I am sure I will be needing support in the future if my LapB…

I am Nyt. I'm getting banded on the 12th of July. I'm nervous and excited. I've tried to lose weight the "right" way and all that happened was that I wound up tired, sore, hungry, and heavier than when I started. I worked at eating right and exercising, I hit the gym every week and didn't lose a single pound. I would lose inches though. I look at my body and under all the fat is muscle tone. It was quite frustrating. I've gone through the pre-op stuff twice before and changed my mind both times thinking, I've got this. I can do this. I don't need that. Well, I'm not changing my mind this time. I know that I have tried to do what is recommended and what we all are supp…

Hi I am the newest member of this site, I have been struggling with obesity all of my life (51 years) and now I am thinking seriously to try the surgical solution. I preferred the lap band as it is reversible and also the size of the stomach can be adjusted as needed but noticed that a lot of people who did lap band go back and do sleeve surgery, this is why I am considering sleeve surgery. I am worried about the post operative complications (vomiting and continuous nausea).

Hi to all. My name is Jan and I had my surgery on Wed. 6/27. I was home on the 29th. I am doing my walking and never hungry so I have a hard time getting my shakes down. Yesterday I got down 12 oz of shake made with milk. I am retaining so much water -my feet and hands are swollen and I have not lost weight really. I feel weak. I am 61 so I guess I am not expected to bounce back as quickly as I did when I was younger. Please let me know if someone has had similar experiences. Thanks and hoping to hear from you.

My surgery is scheduled for July 27th. I'm very excited, not nervous yet. I want this to work for me. I'm committed to following the program diligently. So looking forward to losing some weight and not having aching knees and sore hips every day. I've been practicing taking very small bites and chewing, chewing, chewing...... Sometimes the food slips down my throat before I'm done chewing. I hope I get this chewing part, down pat. How hard is it to learn to eat with the band in place?

I'm 38 years old from Chesterfield, Michigan. About a year ago I woke up just tired of hating my life. Ok... I've never told anyone my starting weight but here i go. I'm almost six feet tall and weighed close to 500 pounds. Crazy right! I have no idea how it got that bad. I immediately turned my life around and lost over a hundred pounds on my own. My marriage ended half way through my journey .... his loss. (He cheated on me with a homewrecker from his work) The awesome thing is it gave me time to find the real me. And in doing so my fitness trainer and I fell in love. (Never thought the muscle / model type would fall for me.) So our relationship is a few mon…

I am 4 days out of surgery and feeling a bit depressed. I am not really hungry but I feel like I am missing out on something. I drink my water, protein shakes and juices but will I ever be able to eat again? Did anyone else feel like this?

Hey everyone! Just joined the boards like 2 days ago and I have been enjoying myself so much reading everything. If anything it is making me even more giddy and impatient for my surgery on July 24th. I'm so excited to begin my new life already. Every single day I think about my upcoming surgery and the future. Time needs to move faster already!! I think the thing I am looking most forward to is buying a whole new wardrobe. I trully hate shopping and have always just bought anything that fits me rather than something fashionable. Oh yes and I am a 31-year old mom to a 19-month. Only a few months ago I saw my highest weight to date at 283lbs. Scary stuff. I've been able …

Hi. I am 48 hours post surgery, did anyone else feel great lying down but when you get up you feel like you need to burp really bad and cant? Almost to the point I want to throw up. Not really eating a whole lot either and I do feel hungry. Any help would be great.

Hi everyone been checking this app it for awhile and decided to share my story... I'm 21 years old I weigh 244 started my journey about 3 months ago this is the highest weight I have ever reach even when I was pregnant I didn't weigh this much I have been struggling with my weight all my life I was never skinny always the chubby one out of 3 sisters never slowed me down until recently tho I had my son when I was 18 I gained a 100lbs with him and didn't loose any and have slowly gained more and More over the last three years I have tried to loose and it's just been yo yo dieting never a lifestyle change so I decided to take the plunge and I'm so excited and have been waiti…

Just had my 3 week appointment thursday found that I lost 62 pounds all together thats 25 pre op in 37 post op looks like the surgery is really working

Good morning. I am new to this group and looking for all the information I can regarding the iband. I still have 3 months to go before I can have my surgery. (Due to insurance) I am so excited about the iband and would love any information if you have had this procedure!!! Thanks!!

Just had my 3 week appointment thursday found that I lost 62 pounds all together thats 25 pre op in 37 post op looks like the surgery is really working

Hi everyone! My name is Rosie and I'm planning to have VSG surgery at some point this year. How soon will depend on my out of pocket cost, which is still up in the air at the moment. I have already learned a lot reading this site - I can tell it's gonna be very helpful! I'm going to post my first question in the pre-op forum so I hope to chat with some of you soon.

K

So I am new here, but know after much research I am doing lap band with plication. Tonight I went to my seminar even though I already made my choice, and she said that the death rates were 1 in 2000. I know that sometimes these surgeries are performed on very sick, end of the line patients who need help and that skews the numbers, but this really freaks me out. I am still going to go through with surgery after my 6 month diet is over, but 1/2000 feels like a huge risk to take . I really don't want to leave my family behind, I mean, isn't that the reason we are doing this to begin with? It doesn't help that I had a dream a couple nights ago that I the grimm reaper came …

Well, I finally did it. i have wanted this for many years and worked hard for it. Then I cried in the room waiting to go into surgery and then in the operating room wondering what in the *^$(# I was about to do to myself. yesterday i definitely thought that through and through. Today, I don't know. I'm sure this is all normal but will my life ever be normal again?

I have been lurking on these boards for months, and finally decided to create an account a couple weeks ago. I am a 31-year-old middle school teacher who has battled weight problems since 3rd grade. Five years ago, I lost over 60 pounds on Weight Watchers, which I loved!!!! The point thing was so easy, I was working out like a madwoman, life was great.... until my father, who I loved more than anything, died unexpectedly (heart attack, diabetes, sleep apnea-- I have no idea... my mom did not want to do an autopsy). Over the next 11 months, I also lost my dog (who I adored), my great uncle, my uncle, and my grandfather (my last living grandparent). Needless to say, the…

I went for my initial appointment today and I am scared and excited. I have battled my weight my whole life it seems, though I wish that my high school self had realized that I was beautiful and not fat. I was never skinny like a lot of girls are in high school, but looking back at pictures I was active and healthy. I have done Weight Watchers and Jenny Craig and lost weight, but I have trouble with sticking with it and have always gained at least part of it back. I am hoping that lap band will be the tool to help me follow through. The scary part for me is that I am doing this alone. My family is down in FL, and while they will be supportive, no one will be able t…

I was sleeved April 3, 2012 and happy to say I've lost 62lbs!!! Loving my results! Although lately I feel I can eat a lot more especially some moments over other moments. I'm sure it's all in my head, but I get freaked out. Does anyone else have this issue? I eat healthy and workout a lot!! Just need peace of mind!

I'm dieting on protein shakes and getting anxious for my pre-op visit with surgeon. All my medical tests are in and all I need to fulfill is a nutritional seminar. My doctor visit is on Jul 10. Hopefully I'll be able to get a surgery date quickly. I am ready..

Hi, my name is Deborah. My surgery is scheduled for 6/28 and I am nervous. I live in the North Texas area and my surgery will be done by Dr. Adam Smith.

Hello all. I have been feeling a certain way lately, and I thought I'd post it here to see if anyone else feels like this or understands... I feel trapped by food. It's a feeling I've just started feeling in the past few weeks or months. I am seriously just tired of eating. But if I don't eat, I of course would get sick. I start to feel like crap, headache, shakes, all that good stuff. So I have to eat. But if I try to eat healthy, a salad or something light, I don't get full. So when I'm cutting back, I still feel sick. Headache, etc. So I just try to stave off the sick feeling by eating a generous meal. No, typically it's not healthy, nor is it light. And what happens…

Dear All, My name is Robin Uppal from North India. I am marketing & sales professional. After struggling with weight loss, I finally took the plunge on 15th June 2012 to get my Gastric Sleeve Surgery done from Apollo Hospital, Ludhiana, Punjab, India through my Surgeon Dr. Arindham Ghosh. His counselling sessions helped me a lot to mentally prepare for the surgery. I weighed 136 Kg before surgery with a BMI of 52!!! I had constant pain in my left knee and blood sugar was going off charts! The idea of surgery scared me but as my sister had undergone the procedure from the same surgeon 7 months ago, her pep talk helped a lot too. I came to hospital on 14th June and …

Hello VSG family, today is the first time I have been on here since my surgery back in February. The first six weeks was horrid for me. I was in so much pain I literally broke down crying at least twice wishing I had never done this to myself. I was so frustrated with the amount of pain that I was in that I did not even feel like posting any updates on the forum or going out. I did all my walking in the house or backyard. I had not been to church either and I was not happy about that at all. So, on this particular Sunday pain and all I made myself get up and go to church. After church was over my Pastor prayed for me and when I woke up the next morning all my pain was gon…

Hi everyone - My name is Tracy. I am 48 and the mother of 10 children, 8 living. I have been overweight since about child #3 but before that I was thin and feel that I was at my most beautiful. I have suffered with terribly low self esteem as a large person and I am SO anxious to start my life anew as a healthy, lean person! Our insurance doesn't cover any type of weight loss surgeries. I did lots of research and attended a local seminar about weight loss surgery at a local hospital before deciding on VSG. Currently, I am at an all time high of 333 pounds, and at only 5'7" I am uncomfortably and unhealthily large. I am paying out of pocket for my surgery and therefore …

Hi! I had my gastric sleeve surgery on Tuesday. It is now Friday and I am done with the nausea (thank goodness). I had a typical stay in the hospital (surgery on Tuesday, home on Thursday). My only compliant is that the right side of my abdomen is very sore. Is that common? I've heard all the scary stories of hernias and such. Any opinions?

So went out tonight. I thought its been a month and half lets get out of the house and party. Went picked up my friends they drank all night and i had Water but we had a blast. We danced and laughed all night. Plus no one had to worry how we were going to get home. I think this not drinking thing is going to work out just fine. ( also thinking maybe i will tell some of my friends what kind of surgery i had done.) Sent from my DROID RAZR using RNYTalk

I'm coming up on my 4th week post op from RNY Gastric Bypass and I'm heading back to work. My question is does anyone work a really physical job? I work in a warehouse and do a lot of lifting sometimes 75 pounds plus! I was told I could go back with no restrictions.