Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

So i am post op 5 days today. I have started feeling hunger today for the first time. I'm on clear liquids until Wednesday. What has everyone else experienced? I almost want to try something like soup or something.

I am a military mom of three. Very fortunate to be able to have this surgery. I introduced myself a while back, and decided now was the time to fill you in and maybe ask some questions. My house is very busy (8-9 at a time) so I didn't have alot of time to do or think about anything. I cleaned my room up to my standards, and got it prepared for when I return. I have a wonderful support system. I am hoping all goes well (ofcourse tomorrow is full moon,LOL I am superstitious!) I am not a crier but I do have anxiety, major anxiety, like maybe dumping syndrome before the fact? (TMI, sorry) I am nervous, but I am excited. Question: Did you lose a lot of weight pre-op on …

I'm kind of curious about what to expect the first week? I know everyone is different but just curious about everyones first week.

I converted from the lap band to the sleeve, and am 10 days out. Honestly, the recovery for the band was worse than the recovery for the sleeve has been. I have not had nearly any pain and very little discomfort. I didn't think I would be hungry, but can swear I have felt this way a few times. I am having trouble staying on the liquid diet, as I want more. I realize this is a big mind game, but I am ready for something of substance. Currently, I am doing tomato Soup and applesauce as my meals. I have caught myself eating more than 4 oz, I didn't think I would even have the appetite to get that much down. I feel as though I need something else to eat to be sat…

I currently walk three days a week (2.7 miles) with a friend. We almost NEVER miss our morning walk. My surgery is Thursday in TJ and it's a SECRET from everyone except my sis, husband and parents. She thinks my sis and I are having a girls weekend in San Diego. She will want to walk Wed morning at our usual brisk pace and I doubt if I'll be up to it. I adore my friend and we're pretty close. How can I tell her I'm not up to walking briskly without lying.

Hi everyone!!! I have completed everything in my process to getting the sleve....now I have the pre-op surgeon visit on 9/16/11. When the nurse called to schedule it, she said to be prepared to stay 3-4 hours. Why??? Just wondering what all they do and go over during this visit. Thanks for your help in advance my friends. Sarah

Hi I'm new to all this, looks like I may be going for surgery at the end of this month in Mexico, has anyone out there been to or heard of anyone else that has done the procedure in Tijuana mexico hoping to hear good news

Hi my name it Annette I am 42 years old. I am a new member and just wanted to introduce myself. I have been reading alot of the posts and find it very helpful so I decided to join. I had lap band surgery done in Mexicali Mexico with Dr. Alberto Aceves in Hospital Almater on 8-5-11. I just want to thank everyone all of your posts are very interesting and helpful.

Hello Im from Perth Australia, and I'm just sitting here thinking who else out there is doing the same thing! I'm 4 days post op and I'm still sore and walking like a hunch back! lol!! My surgery was at Joondalup Hospital and my Doctor is Dr Kevin Dolan. I met so many ppl in hospital getting the same thing but wouldnt talk about what they were getting I had to laugh. My sister said tri this web site it might help.. S here I am!

Hello: I am new to the blog but I have heard it is uber important to have a connection with others who have had lap-band. This first week has been rough and emotional. I was not prepared for the shoulder and back pain after the surgery and was completely caught off guard. This was the first surgery I have ever had in my life and have never been put under. The liquid diet sucks............I am eating the same things and it is such a struggle. I am trying to remember why Im doing this each day and that it is worth it. I am looking forward to the soft food diet where I get to actually chew my foods. I just want to feel 100% again. Some days my stomach is queasy and other…

Hi ! I'm brand new here and just found this site. I just returned from having my surgery with Dr. Kelly in Tijuana. I can not say enough about my experience! I was so scared and couldn't believe that I was really going to Mexico to have surgery. I almost backed out. I'm so happy I didn't! Dr. Kellly was so kind and understanding. He made me feel that I had made the right decision. My surgery went off without a hitch. Dr. Romero was so wonderful too! He came to visit me at my hotel and talked to me for about 2 hours. Then he came back the next day!. I was having a little bit of trouble taking in enough liquids so he told me to make sure I sip, sip, sip all …

Hello there, My name is Nikkita and I'm 22 years old. I live in Perth, Western Australia. I recently discovered this forum and spent a few days absorbing it, in total awe. I am fascinated that people out there feel exactly as I do, and I'm not alone. I have been obese for over 4 years now, due to chronic PCOS. It affects my life in the most awful way. I am having WLS, (vertical sleeve) in or around October. Here, I am waiting on my Health Insurance to cover me, and I still have to come up with the remaining balance of - $3000 - my fiance and I have paid almost half already! I havent ever really spoken about being overweight, to others - only my close friend and fi…

My journey began around 3 years ago. I was under the treatment of a number of specialists most recently Endocrinologists. I received a diagnosis of Hypo-Pituitary and Hypo-Thyroid. I could not pursue weight loss surgery until I had a release from my endo. I received that approval in December 2010 and began my journey with Atlanta Bariatric and Dr. Christopher Hart. My insurance is Aetna and the approval I sought required 6 months weight loss consultations. I met with a primary care and a nutritionist. I was approved in August and my surgery to place on August 31, 2011. My highest weight was 567 with my endo and my weight before surgery was 479. I am sensitive to …

This is gonna be sweet & quick. Or rather sour & quick. I went to see my surgeon today. He & the psych decided that I need to attend an emotional eating class. And follow the pre op diet in my handbook. And exercise everyday. And lose 20lbs. And come back in 2 months. And then I will get a date. As long as all of the above has been accomplished.

I am finally under 250lbs!!! I haven't been under 250 since 2005!!! Yay!!! I had my VSG on July 5! I am down from 317!!!! I can not believe this is happening!!! So so happy!!!!!!! I think about so many other things other than food!!!!

so i'm going to have my surgery next friday. and im kinda really nervous, ive never had a surgery or even been to a hospital before. so im scared of the anesthesia, ive heard stories of people who've fallen into a coma due to a bad anesthesiologist. I've been researching for a whole year, so i know what im going to be going thru. still knowing and experiencing are totally different, im more nervous about the way im gonna react to the whole not being able to eat in the first 2-3 weeks, and snapping at friends and family....but i am determined that this is the best thing for me. im planning to get married in a year, and my fiance and i want to have children. so im hoping th…

Hello all, My journey began last October, while in nursing school(LVN Nursing) I realized that if I am going to do the job I plan for, I needed to lose a lot of weight. At the end of a 10 hour clinical day my back and hips hurt! So I contacted Kaiser, and they signed me up for the Bariatric program. After 12 weeks of attending their night classes during my lunch break from school, I finally completed the program last March. I scheduled my surgery for the first available date, April 14th. I took my NCLEX test while on the liquid pre-op diet required for surgery. I'm glad to say that I was still able to pass my test, even with the tummy distraction:) Anyways, the week be…

So Sunday at church a friend and I are talking about how my weightloss Is effecting areas of my life and another acquaintance walks up and says, "wow you are looking great! What have you been doing?" So I tell him I had wls, so he says "oh, well you look good, but I don't believe in that". So I simply looked him in the eye and said, yeah, that's often how those who have not taken the time to actually be inform about it feel, kinda like not believing in sending a cancer patient to a doctor" smiled and continued my conversation. After a few minutes he says' " well u look great, and I suppose like you said I really am not informed about it, I suppose I should be if I'…

I had my lap-band surgery one week ago yesterday at Yale New Haven Hospital. The surgery itself went fine. My PAC-U stay was long since I was having severe chest pain (or possibly heart burn for a few hours). The post-op in the hospital was rough. I felt A LOT of pain and nausea - as if I was run over by a truck. No one prepared me for this. They said it would be "uncomfortable" for a few days or weeks. They kept giving me meds that either wouldn't help or that caused an adverse reaction... I was dry heaving and throwing up, even while they took me for my x-ray... (No barium test because it was friday evening by the time I got to my room and everyone was …

I've been a yoyo dieter all my life. I am now at my heaviest and miserable. To be healthy I must get the weight off and keep it off. 5 ft 5 in and 196 lb. 62 years young, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, back problems, high blood sugar, high cholesteral and high triglycerides I would appreciate some feedback on my current situation. Yesterday I had a consultation for lap band. Went in to the consult thinking I would self-pay about $10,000. Turns out if I gain 15 pounds my insurance will pay for everything. Should I try to gain the weight? I can't really afford to self-pay. Thanks for some opinions. Judy K

Hi folks! I was sleeved Monday afternoon at Regional Memorial Hospital in Hollywood, FL by Dr. Jeremy Gallegos-Eckstein. The surgery took a bit longer than normal, due to my spleen being in the way. I woke in recovery to the feeling of both my tubes being pulled (breathing and catheter). Knowing that my sleep apnea would cause probs for me if I let it, I immediately started trying to breathe deeply as I continued to awaken. Nurse came over, asked if I was in pain, told them yes. They hit me with a shot in my IV and the pain was reduced considerably. Fast forward a couple hours, and I was able to text semi coherently enough to let people know that I was ok. The surgeon…

So, last night, I finally told my best friend that I am having WLS.... She asked a lot of questions, mostly about the difference between VSG and gastric bypass... I told her the amount of weight I needed to lose and she was shocked... LOL.. I could literally see her subtracting the pounds in her mind from what she thought I actually weighed!!! I told her that I'm much larger than I actually look!!.. I feel like a huge weight has been lifted off of me, because she was very supportive and making jokes about how she'd gonna have to lock me in the house because I'm already "something else"!! Just wanted to share... Up next, telling my mother!!!

HELLO FELLOW SLEEVERS I AM 8WKS POST OP AND BEEN IN AND OUT THE HOSPITAL 3 TIMES. I WAS 240 LBS ON 6/6/11 TODAY I AM 195LBS. IM READY TO GIVE UP THE SOFTS BUT IM SCARED TO EAT. HELP ME PLEASE ON WHAT SHOULD I PROGRESS TO. HELP ME OUT WITH A STARTER MEAL.

Greetings fellow losers and those about to be blessed with this wonderful procedure, I am new to this forum and would love to share a bit... I am an ex-executive chef, still in the food industry just as a Food and Beverage Manager, for all you chefs out there who could never beat that growing waistline I cant endorse this procedure anymore then by telling you its EASY. I was 345 when I started this process, 5'7" and 56 years old. My body ached, I had no energy, I was borderline Insulin dependent, and on 5 sugar medicines which never really kept my sugar intact, I was on 4 heart meds, high blood pressure, CHF, blood thinners, I was a walking pharmacy. Needless to say I w…

I had my lap band surgery 7 months ago. So far I've only losst 11# and am unable to lose more, but I haven't gained either so that is something. I am 76 years old and have arthritis in my knees so unable to do a lot of the exercise that they recommended. I do have a trilevel home which has 10 stairs up and 6 stairs down and I go up and down them about 12 times a day. I walk my dog every day for about 20 minutes. I have also started using my rowing machine twice a day. Before the surgery I ate about 1200 calories a day and that is about what I eat now so maybe the reason I haven' t had better results. (Most of the people in my support group ate about 3000 calo…

Hi, I'm Kara. I am being sleeved in 5 days ( 9/7/11) here in Washington state. I'm super nervous, but looking forward to just getting it done. I've gotten such great info on this site, been lurking for awhile, finally decided to just introduce myself and say Hi! Someone, please tell me that the pre-op jitters go away!!! That's my biggest issue right now!

I have finally gotten a schedule date, December 12, 2011 for my required orientation class. Part of me wants to get started sooner, but I have a habit of magical thinking. I know, in my head, that the band will only assist me in taking off the weight and keeping it off, that I need to plan on at least a year of hard work, counting calories and exercising. BUT, there is still this part of me that thinks I will have the surgery and BLAMO, the weight will fall off in six weeks. I have done enough weight loss research to know that isn't going to happen, but it sure would be nice. Robbie

Hi All, My name is Elena. I had my lap band put in 1.5years ago and i love the new lease on life it has given me. I am slowly losing the weight (16kg up to date) and i have gained a kilo since i started. the lap band has helped me lose some weight and it has made me more confident and happy in life. I am now dating more and not using my weight as an excuse not to see someone. I faced a lot of negativity when i told people about getting the lap band and i still do. I think its unfortunate because they dont understand what the band does for people. Most of the time its not an easy weight loss tool, its something that helps people fight diabetes, get healthier and happ…

I am having my surgery on Tuesday August 23,2011. I have been on the Diet for almost two weeks as directed by my doctor. I am going crazy with NO Real FOOD!!! I have cheated with vegetables and fish..... Do you think that is bad??? Do you think I won't make it through the surgery??? Please let me know!!! Thanks in advance.

Love my band...and have had good success (started at 234 and got down to 167) HOWEVER...I have had some complications with a esophageal distention and needed to have all but 1cc of fluid left in. I've gained 25 lbs from my initial loss and am feeling very discouraged. Vicious cycle..loss=motivation...Complications=weight gain...Weight gain=depression and depression=eating....you get the picture. Anyone else had these sort of ups and downs?

I figured it was about time for me to stop lurking and just post already! So here it goes: I've been overweight for so long now... It just crept up on me. It started in my 20's and increased with each pregnancy. Now my babies are in high school and college and it's "my time". I've really been on the fence in regards to WLS but finally decided enough was enough. Enough CPAP, enough getting winded going up stairs (or even a slight incline), enough knee pain, enough hiding from pictures, enough having so many medicine bottles on my nightstand that it looks like a mini pharmacy, enough enough enough!! So I am on my journey to find healthy me again. I attended the seminar i…

I'm 5'5 and my starting weight was 244.5. I had high blood pressure, joint pain and cervical arthritis (in my neck). I have been between 230 and 244 for over 15yrs. I use to weigh 136 but when i got pregnant with my last child 15yrs ago i got sick and gained over 60lbs during the pregnancy and 40+ afterwards. I have never been able to get the weight off! Me being blessed as i am : ) carried the weight well! Mostly in my breast and thighs which seem to be a favriote for the lovers of the thick girls...lol (this was not helpful at all!). So, being accepted and encouraged to keep my voluptuous shapely body, i just stayed the way i was. At 40 i am not willing to live t…

Hello everyone I have read on this site and many that lots and lots of people can loose weight but keeping it off is the problem....well i think this may not work for me if its the case of helping us maintain once we have lost the weight. I have been on and off diets for over 16 years and weigh 10 stone more than i did when i started..i cant stick to a diet long enough, yes i can do a week, 2 at most and i give up as i am hungry or crave something thats not allowed on a diet plan im following. does this mean the sleeve wont work for me...i have no will power what so ever and im worried now

I went to see my surgeon thus morning and after hours of waiting, due to the high volume number of patients and the shortage o staff, he finally gave me a date! I'm utterly excited, after months i can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel, Change is coming and I'm excited to meet and greet her! Doc said it mandatory that i get down to 300lb FIRST though, before my next visit which will be in a month... any ideas on how i can lose some weight? (already seeing my nutritionist, but I'm looking for Sleeve community assistance, who better to help you than the people who are going or went through it already)... feel free to leave suggestions and comments. I'm all ear…

Had surgery yestersay at about 4pm. Feeling pretty good. Only thing is the gas pains.....yowser. The doc said I had an abnormally large stomach.....no wonder I was always hungry and never satisfied. Also had a large hernia repaired. Wow! I CAN NOT believe it is over!

Im 40,and weigh 397.I want to lose,but cant stop eating.I workout alot,but since I dont diet I dont lose.I was thinking of lap band but it seems the weight loss is so slow.MY only prob is my ins wont pay for any weight loss surgery,and I need to do cheapest which is lapband.Was wondering how much is it?Im on disability so need to see what im up against

Hi peeps! I'm Béatrice, wanted to let you know about my journey and hopefully exchange with other members who had the same surgery that I had on Feb 3rd 2011. At my highest weight I was 435 pounds (On June 3rd 2010). The day of the surgery I was 403 pounds. Today I'm 297 pounds. I go to the gym 3 times a week by doing 1 hour cardio and 30 minutes of weight lifting. I,m very tall 6'1 so the weight loss has been pretty quick but not without a lot of sacrifices, as you may know it's a tool not a miracle. You don't get a brain surgery we all know that. I struggle everyday to eat right, but sometimes it's hard cause what you can eat is so small that you feel like you can eat…

The COUNTDOWN is ON!!! I will keep you all posted. On Tuesday I begin my pre-op diet. 17 days of pre-op nutrition. I wonder if I have time to do a liver cleanse? I think I will on say, Sunday and then keep it light (diet) on Monday so that when I go in to do my paperwork on Tuesday (Sept 6) I'll feel better prepared. I seriously can't believe I got approved in less than 24 hours. Next month it's gonna actually happen! My life is gonna change, FOR THE BETTER. I'm still a bit nervous and scared but I also realize that this is all for my greater good. I really want to thank everyone here here on VST for your words of encouragement and helping to allevi…

I had told my sister (who is skinny) that I wanted to have surgery. Since I didn't get approve by the insurance co. I m going to mexico. I had made the decision not tell my family. She asked me today the status of my surgery, I told her it was on hold for right now.she did a dance of joy!!!! And said good. She said I m losing weight and should continue losing weight. I told her losing the weight is not the problem its maintaining. I m glad I didn't tell her my decision. She'll find out after the fact.

Sorry about the late reply but my computer is sicker than I was, then because of the hurricane my friend couldn’t fix it yet so I had to wait till I got back to work The surgery went well (at least that’s what the pax said never did see the surgeon after) I have five little heart shaped bandages four across my stomach and one between my breasts directly above my belly button. Was at nyu by 6:30AM in the operation room by 9am and walking the floors by 1pm didn’t get home till 8pm as I had to wait for my friend to finish work to release me The pain level was about a four after surgery (took some pain meds in the recovery room but honestly could have dealt with it. Th…

Hi, everyone my name is Rossy, I am having the surgery September 8th, I am very confused and nervous. Basically all the people I know that had this surgery done, had the 2 weeks liquid diet prior to the surgery. To me is a little different they have ask me to do a 2 days diet, don't know why. Another thing is that I am very nervous thinking about the day of the surgery, I've been thinking about me sleeping for all that time, what if something goes wrong, how long is it going to take, is it going to be quick? etc. Those are some of the questiions that I have.

I should be going home today. Does anyone have a good website or store that they are cheaper than some places. J am feeling good and cannot believe that my journey has officially began! Woot woot!

What seems to have been taking forever is finally coming to an end. I got the magical call from the scheduler today and I will be sleeved on September 28 at 11:30 am. Time to get it into gear so my home is in order. I have 4 weeks from today...wow that is going to fly by!

Well, I've done it now! I am officially scheduled for my surgery on Sept 22nd! I began with my first appointment mid-May and am already scheduled! (I could have done it a week sooner but had to push it back because my little one will be having her birthday party that weekend) I am very excited and absolutely terrified! I have been reading like crazy trying to prepare myself for what is to come but still have some concerns. I am of course most concerned about getting back from surgery and to my family healthier than I went in! Also, and I know this sounds ridiculous, I'm kind of sad about food already. I live in south Louisiana and food and football are really big deals, …

Hello All, I am a little new to this forum, and so far i am soo pleased with all of the informative posts and blogs. I am so happy to announce that I was given a date of 9/12 which is in about 2 weeks from now. I must say that my journey has not been very long at all, my first step was going to a group meeting back in late June. I am starting to prepare for my surgery by getting various products like Protein shots, Fiber bars, Vitamins etc. So if anyone has any tips or suggestions, that will be welcomed! So excited for this new phase in my life and cant wait to share photos! Bye till later!

I live 3 hours from my surgeon. Wish i could get my fills done closer to me. How do I go about getting that done. Anyone out there ever do this? How much does each fill cost? Currently my fills are "FREE" for 1 yr (I paid for them in a lump sum when i got my surgery ).

August 18 I got a fill .6cc. Ever since then when I laydown to go to bed at night I cough uncontrollably till I throw up. It is only when I lay down and now I have horrible heartburn. Do you think my band is to tight?

I have officially had my band for a year and 1 month now, and I had NO idea about this website..how is this possible? I don't think you even know how much help all of you could have been to me through some really tough times with the band!! I am a college Senior..and lovvving life! I have felt like, for the longest time, that I am like the only person to have this surgery that is younger than my mom, who also had it done (no offense, I love my mom, and I love anyone who has had this surgery, but I feel like I am the only one under 40 sometimes..) I have lost around 60lbs in the year since I have gotten the surgery, which compared to some of these other stories I read…

7 days post op and doing well. Before I give an update I wanted to say that my comupter crashed a few days before surgery and I was unable to respond to those that started friend requests with me - you know who you are, please write me and let me know how your doing. Surgery was scheduled for 9:50 am but was postponed as the surgery before mine ran longer than expected so I actually went in around non. When I woke up in recovery there was some pain but the immediately got it under control with pain meds. I was in recovery for 4 hours ( I only know this because when i first woke up there it was 3pm when I finally got to my room it was 7pm). Apparently they had to get…

Hi all!!! I am 6 months and 10 days Post-Op and after my workout today I decided to weigh-in just to check - LOLS !! And I am 1 lb. under my goal!! I just couldn't believe my eyes I had to step off the scale and get back on a second time just to make make sure!! LOLS!! I am just loving this sleeve is all I can say!! I am 57 years old and 5'7" tall and consider myself to be large boned. So for all you senior SLEEVERS out there this CAN be done. Just incase anyone is wondering. When I started this journey I was in a size 32 womens jeans. Now I can wear a size 8 or a size 10 jeans depending on the cut of the pants. I wear usually a medium top because I have …