Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

I am a 23 year old teacher who decided to get sleeved. At first I researched it just out of curiosity, but then I became really interested. Well after months I finally got insurance approved and had the surgery(October 6th, 2015????)!! My biggest issue right now is telling people I know that I had it done. I am young so i hear a lot of "you could've lost the weight yourself" comments. I've been overweight my WHOLE life so they wouldnt begin to understand! Im so happy i made this decision even though im in the rough stage.

I'm 2 weeks post op today and I got on the scale and I nearly fainted when I saw the number. I'm down 20.5 pounds since my pre-op appointment on 10/12. I cannot believe it! I know I won't lose at this pace for long but I can't help being so excited about what the year ahead will be like. I get weepy thinking about all the LIVING I'll be doing. No more spectator business- I'll be part of the action and in the photos rather than avoiding them. Gosh I am grateful to be able to have this surgery.

Anyone out there get denied through insurance because of where you work? I was told my insurance covered my sleeve surgery as long as I did my pre cert which included the 6 months of medical supervision. I am in my 4th month and found out today that insurance will not cover. My workplace is self insured so they get to come up with the "rules". They say they will not cover any bariatric surgery or any weight loss plan. I am so heartbroken!! ???? Anyone else have a problem like this? If so what did you do. I am ready for this awesome change in my life!!! ????

I have locs (dreadlocks) and my hair is thinning so bad. I'm taking my vitamins every day as I was told. What do I need to do WLS FAMILY

I've lost 9 kg! I haven't had this weight since 2000 Do you feel weak when doing excercise?

I already got the referral from my pcp for weight loss surgery, (sleeve) I met with my surgeon, I started my 6 month supervised diet with my pcp because that's what my insurance requires, (crazy) and I did the barium swallow test the other day. I have a couple of other things to do with no problem but I'm so upset that I have to do a 6 month supervised diet when the past 5 years I've struggled big time with my weight. Does anyone know if there is a way around it? I really want to have the surgery in February vs May or later. As the days goes by I get more anxious. I did a lot of research about this surgery and I feel ready. I'm 5'2 and carrying around this weight is tough…

Hello all, I would like to share my gastric sleeve story as it is a little bit of a bizarre one, at least for me it was. It feels like I have been riding a roller coaster for the past month and now I am finally getting off. So a little about myself, I am a graduate student living in Canada and my family lives very far from me. Like Middle East far. Anyway, a very close cousin of mine got married on the 1st of October and since I hadn't visited my extended family in over 2 years, I decided I would make the long trip out to Amman, Jordan and pay them a nice, long visit. Little did I know that I would leave a part of my stomach behind in Amman. Over the course of univers…

I have my 2 week follow up yesterday and I got the okay to start the Stage 4 diet. I left the appointment and went straight to Wholefoods and got a lovely piece of cod. I roasted some carrots and fingerling potatoes and enjoyed dinner with my husband. I didn't eat any potatoes but I did manage to eat 3 oz of fish and 1/4 c. of carrots. It took me a while to get finish but it was so nice to eat food again!

GB Surgery Had my surgery on April 22,2015 Starting weight 285lbs currently weighting 190lbs

I have been 'writing' my life's journey for a little over 47 years. Early this year (2015) I finally admitted to myself that I need help to get to a healthy me. I'm 5' 4" and 225 pounds, I just called myself thick and sexy. Truth is I have been the least healthy in the past 8 years than in my entire life. I am a married mother of 3 or 4 (31, 24 and 19 yr old children and a 22-month old Chiweenie). Retired USAF, after 24 yrs (1987-2011). I, like most on this journey, put everything and everyone before myself. Since my Mother's passing, in 2006 (she was only 57 and passed from obesity-related complications), I have totally lost the focus and drive that ke…

Hi all, my husband and i are both having the sleeve done. Same day, same surgeon! We just started the pre-op diet today. Anyone else have the blessing of not going through this alone? Or do you think going through this together might be more difficult because we will both be in pain? Any advice would be wonderful.

My official process started in December, 3 months ago. There has been constant miscommunication between my doctors/insurance (sorta the same people) and the appeals department. My first request was denied. I appealed then sent in a second request, under the advice of the Bariatric nurse. Anyway long story short, I am told that I am less then a week away from finding out if this second approval is denied or not. I'm going crazy! I literally feel like barfing all the time. I am constantly remembering my childhood and being ups eased with the doctor shows that showed liposuction. I remember drawing dotted lines all over my body at 10 years old and nearing 200 pounds. I re…

My surgery was Friday, September 25, 2015. Weighed at home 226.6. The only soreness was from the gas in my body, there was no other pain. I was nuisance the morning after surgery, but did not get sick. I did bruise a lot on left side lower incision. Research shows this could be where the camera and gas was inserted. Now I did stay to Sunday morning. I am doing my fluids, vitamins, and protein but it is hard to drink any more than a couple oz. At a time. I gained 12lbs of fluids while in hospital but as of today the 29th I am back to pre-surgery weight. Time for my journey to begin.

Hi everyone,never posted before,had my sleeve aug.15 in Mexico down 35lbs in 10 1/2 weeks.not extremely fast but average over 3lbs a week.

So I'm very confused I am six months in and of lost 108 pounds which is great. But the last six weeks weight-loss is been very slow. I know that I am certainly eating more than I was before but I am also working out and burning more calories. I don't take in more than 1000 cal in a day. And I'm eating very healthy. No fried food no bread no pasta no rice. On the average day I burn between 11 and 1500 cal and exercise. How could be that I'm not still losing weight. Am I not taking enough calories in and starting my body. Any help would be appreciated

So, let me say I am losing weight, working out and feeling more fit. No one told me however that I wouldn't enjoy food anymore! I haven't had any food I thought was just delicious since surgery. It's like my taste isn't right. I am 12 weeks out tomorrow. I've had food that taste good but not great. That's cooked, restaurant... It's a bit depressing since I can only eat small quantities. I want that to be delicious. It's becoming a chore to eat... So for something that I will admit I used to make me feel better to now be something I don't enjoy is kinda sad. Well, I'm happy with my body transformation so I guess that's the price to pay.

I had gastric bypass on 12/2012 at 301 lbs. My 6/2013 I lost 80 lbs. and was down to 220 lbs. I was 3 hours with a personal trainer every week and working out on my own the other days. My appetite was pretty fair and i was eating like i was supposed to. By the end of 2013 i found out that i had a gastro-gastric fistula (an opening in the new stomach, leading to the old stomach). This caused me to have a greater appetite and i was able to eat more. Long story short...i have gained all but 12 lbs. back and want to have the fistula repaired. I have spoken to a surgeon and the repair is covered by insurance so financially it will not be a problem. I am nervous about the proce…

Here I am...AGAIN...embarrassed, disappointed, and ashamed...but I am starting anew. By background: I was always very active for most of my life (farming, basketball, weight training, intramural sports, and high school/ college marching bands) and at 5' 11" tall, I weighed between 165-185 pounds during my "lean" years. BUT about 12 years ago that all changed. I started packing on the pounds due to various physical and emotional reasons. I tried countless diets, exercises, pills, and weight-loss fads, but to no avail. The number on the scale kept rising. I don't know what clicked...maybe it was being diagnosed with the beginning stages of Congestive Heart Failure...b…

I have been stalled for about 3 weeks at 200-201.5. Today after walking all weekend at fall festivals I finally hit 199.6!!! I graduated high school weighing about 190, so it has been about 20 years since I have seen the one on the scale!!! I had the sleeve done on June 15, 2015 and my pre surgery weight was 260. I have lost 60 lbs in 3 1/2 months. I have already gotten rid of all my clothes and am amazed that I am wearing size 13/14. Before surgery I was wearing 22. I am on cloud 9 right now and am celebrating tonight with another walk and maybe I can talk my hubby into a back rub!!! Picture is from my daughters graduation May 15 and then this weekend.

Below is an explanation of the SIPS procedure I having on Nov 14th. Here is some information regarding the SIPS procedure: Single-Anastomosis Duodenal Switch or Stomach Intestinal Pylorus Sparing Surgery (SIPS)-Introduced in 2007 Single anastomosis duodenal switch (SIPS) primarily depends on intestinal malabsorption, but also utilizes gastric reduction to achieve weight loss. Firstly, a sleeve gastrectomy is performed to reduce the size of the stomach. The lowest part of the intestines, the ileum, is left undivided, but the duodenum is separated, leaving a small segment attached to the stomach and a longer free-hanging segment to which the liver and pancreas are a…

New to this! Nice to meet yall..my name is Denise & I was banded 27aug2015. I have had 1 fill so far and have managed to lose 21 lbs so far. I started at 230 lbs & am down to 209 now. I just turned the Big 50 & have the rest of my life to figure out how to eat healthier and get this band thing figured out! Lol I am raising my 4 grandkidz-alone (ages 9,7,3 & 21 mos )-so, I really needed a change, to get healthier. I have been heavy my whole life and am trying to get use to all this counting calories, getting correct amount of protein intake etc. So far, it's been a good experience. ..besides the great deal of pain I experienced post op. I look forward t…

Why the gastric bypass and not the sleeve? Just want to know why you chose the surgery you did?

i was 155 kilograms last week after i had this surgery i was little disturbed but now i am 148 kilograms so i am thanking god wish me luck friends

I am getting hungry most the time. My surgery was on sep 14. I just lost 16 lb after surgery. Please please tell me what you guys eat. And how much. Help me

To me life is a bunch of journeys intermixed, least that's how my life has always been. Things have been great in one arena, horrid in another, and for as long as I can remember it's always been that way. SO I am starting a new journey in life when I decided that I'm going to get RNY. I've always hated my body and thought it was fat, since I could remember to be honest. I go through phases where I don't care what others think/I love myself, etc, to a phase of self-loathing and then punishment by eating. I've tried to lose weight through diet and exercise, definitely didn't work. And my back would hurt so bad from the extra weight I had put on. One day it hit me, bariatr…

I use to drink room temperature water only prior to surgery but now I find myself craving ice and ice cold water. Hoping I'm not anemic but wouldn't be surprised, my vitamin levels are still lacking. Anyone have this craving or a change in certain similar things?

Today marks three months since I had RNY. I have lost 75 pounds (pre and post op) and dropped 3 or 4 sizes (depends on if its a top or pants). I feel really good. My blood pressure is normal. My joints don't hurt. I can walk briskly and up flights of stairs without getting out of breath. And I feel like I "fit" in this world better. A few observations: * This has been a huge learning experience. While I would do it again, it has not come without its hiccups. I am still testing and trying foods that I used to be able to eat. If anything makes me feel bad, I don't eat it again. * I am losing about 3 pounds a week, consistently. I have not had a significant stall. …

I am being sleeved then 2.5 months later I'm supposed to go on a Alaskan cruise. Worried that it may be to soon. Very expensive trip. Any thoughts. Where were you after two months

1 month post op. It's been a roller coaster, I got a intestinal infection my 6th day and I had to go back to the hospital because by mistake I was not drinking a antibiotic I was supposed to. Diarrea for 5 days with out eating nor drinking anything only with serium in the hospital (didn't know where the diarrea came from). Any way, today I cried the whole day to my mom because I am regreting this surgery, I'm 20 years old I don't live in the same country my parents do because I am in college (right now im in Summer so I have until August with them) I feel I'm never going to be a normal person again, I always eat nervous thinking something wrong is going to happen while ea…

It has been a little over one year since my surgery and I have lost over 120 pounds. I'm enjoying every day of my life just to see me go from over 300 pounds to under 200 pounds is amazing. The best choice in my life health problems are disappearing or getting better.

I found out park of my anxiety..is finding the right vitiman that wont make me puke..any suggestions? Is there a pill form?

My story of lap band failure and being sleeved a year later.

Currently 260 70 lbs to go

I'm finding it very difficult to accept life at goal. I feel like I could still lose a little bit more before I stop. I've been getting a lot of comments on how thin I am, and I know there are parts of my body that are. But there are parts of my body that are not as well. I've been getting a lot of comments about how I'm so thin. I was told twice today that I'm so thin I may blow away. I don't think I look "skinny". I think I look normal. Anyway. What do you guys think? Without knowing the number- based on how I look. Am I at goal? Over it? Under it? Should I lose 5 more pounds? Be honest.

I've been seeing someone seriously for about four months. A month ago he lost his job and he's taken it really hard. I don't think our relationship is going to survive it. I'm so sad about it. He was the first person I've been with since my surgery. I told him about it and he accepted it really well. I feel like I can be real with him and I've really fallen in love. It's hard to think about being so open with anyone else. I'm really sad about how things are going. I know it's not really relevant to wls but I just had to talk about it. Sad. Sad. Don't want to have to date again and don't want to lose what we have ((( It's so hard to be open about this as is.

I'm having my surgery on the last days of January. I'm very anxious. I see all your stories as inspiration .. Non judgemental . i have found lots of answers for the questions i have... Lets be supportive. I feel i will be born again im only 25 but been obese all my life I'm 246lbs now and Im finishing with the supervised diet. This has been a journey that will change my life.. All this effort its worth it for my amazing result .. I can picture myself already feeling better having more energy to play with my kids. Dancing etc.. Its getting more real...

I had my surgery Monday. In the weeks leading up to it everyone at the weight loss program, and people who know I'm doing this, all asked if I was excited. I felt badly because I wasn't. I told everyone to ask me again in 6 months and that for know I'm trying to keep a firm grasp on the realities that come with so much change. I worry that this won't work for me, even though my surgeon is confident I'm going to do really well. Before surgery I was super worried about how hard it would be to drink and eat post-op. I had heard a gamut of reactions and worried I would be struggling. I've been dehydrated before and it's scary. Fortunately after a couple days I'm doing well…

Hi, I am on Day 4 of my Liquid Diet and am doing well, despite the headache that's lingering, which I'm sure is my caffeine withdrawal. But I'm also experiencing a little .... How do I put it without being descriptive...I can't, so I apologize, but some diarrhea. Nothing too bad but mostly experience a bit in the am and then nothing throughout the day, but then again usually a bit in the pm? I don't feel I am dehydrating and getting plenty fluids in, but wondering if it's my system adjusting or if it's the broccoli soup replacement I enjoy? Any help/advice would be appreciated. Almost through the first week and 1 week to go. I can do this????

Hi all! I've been checking in here and there since I started this process and have learned a lot from the posts. I'm 49, happily married with 2 grown daughters. My surgery is scheduled for 10/26/15 at Anne Arundel Medical Center in Annapolis Maryland with Dr. Alex Gandsas. I got my email yesterday saying my final approval came through from my insurance company. Talk about mixed emotions! I was happy that piece is done, but now the anxiety is kicking in. I'm a nurse so I'm sure some of it comes from understanding the risks from any surgery. Pre op diet is going well, it hasn't been too hard. Any pre op tips or things you wish you had known before surgery?

Just wondering ......how is it after surgery? Do u get hungry?,

I started my WLS journey in Jan'14. I had almost 5 months in of my 6 month wait time when I was diagnosed with uterine cancer. I had to have a complete hysterectomy this July, which would have been my sleeve surgery month. Thankfully, surgery was my cure and I just need to have frequent follow ups (and suffer through instant menopause -HOT flashes!!) Through it all, I keep up my WL appointments and I now have my date! Dec 14. I am a speech therapist through the schools, so I picked that time. I've lost about 40 pounds since last Jan. Still around BMI of 41. Type II diabetes and fatty liver. Can't wait to lessen all of that and have more energy. Went to the th…

This is hard for me to say, especially at only five months out, but I feel like putting this into writing might help me make changes and really think about my actions. It'll feel more "real" if it's not just in my head. I'm a bad sleever. I (and probably others) hear all the time that the sleeve works when the patient works. There are "good" patients who follow all the rules and do what they're supposed to, and then there are the "bad" patients. Let's start off on a positive note: I just hit my 50-pound mark from my surgery weight. Seventy pounds overall. My surgeon seems thrilled with this and I've thought I was doing good as well. Then I came back on here and read s…

Hey guys just back for a quick update for those who don't know my story. I started my journey on January 2014 I was weighing in at 410 pounds. I had to lose at least 50 pounds for surgery. My surgery was December 2014 I weighed 347 that night, now today I am 250 that's a total of 160 pounds. I went from not wearing jeans to fitting a size 16 which is still big but man what a difference. Personally I always give myself little goals because with such great changes I like to keep it simple at least that part. My next weight goal is 240 I've worked so hard and I feel so blessed and this was the best decision I ever made for myself I mean ever. I'm finding myself and learning …

So today was my one month follow up visit with the Nut and Surgeon. It was actually just over three weeks since surgery but this was the only appt available. The dr said that I am doing well, I have lost a total of 26 lbs since pre op and 20 of that was fat! I have lost 5 inches off my waist and my blood pressure was normal and not bordering on being high like it has been for a while now! I am amazed and very thankful tonight. Oh, and for the first time in my life I was told to increase my calories a bit to lose weight better. ????

I'm thinking about making a decaf K-cup of coffee. With creamer. I'm four days postop and on the full liquid diet. Will it take me three hours to finish the cup of coffee? Haha

Well everything is going well and I'm on schedule for surgery on Tuesday. I'm back down to my August weight when I went in for a bypass but could not proceed because of unexpected liver complications. So I should be 5-10 lbs below my prior low weight going into Tuesday. Even though my surgeon did not require me to be on the liquid diet for two weeks as before I went ahead and did it anyway, I wanted the weight I put back on since August gone before round 2. Been hitting the sugar free jello and Popsicles a bit to much but I know I'm on track because I can't wear my wedding ring now because it keeps sliding off my finger! I'll get it resized a few months post op I supp…

Ive experienced the harmone dump, anxiety, no sleep, scared to eat, hard to meet protien and water goals. .i cannot wait for this to pass so i can be a success story

So this is my first post but I have been on this site since the beginning. Reading other peoples stories gave me hope and courage. My story is kinda boring but I really wanted to put it out there as a thank you to all the unnamed who have helped me without knowing. So my story starts like most everyone else. I have been overweight for years. I had been teased and laughed at for a long time. I laughed and joked about my weight also but it was just covering up the pain I felt. I used to eat my depression away. I used to put fast food on credit cards so my wife wouldn't see the charges on our joint account. I had been thinking about surgery for a few years before I made the …

While those close to me know my struggles and the decision to have weight loss surgery I work with a bunch of gossipy, unhappy and messy women. I chose not to tell coworkers for that very reason (well two people,) and although it got out and my fellow supervisor hated on me so bad she actually made a video and posted it on social media stating I had weight loss surgery and lied and said my gallbladder was taken out. Actually my gallbladder was taken out at the same time but o chose to keep my journey a secret because of this type of behavior. I'm 37 and never worked with women as such but then again I'm a Cali girl currently living in the country where my husband got …

My story... Where do I begin... October 2014 I had enough. My blood pressure was spiraling out of control and I had to do something. I went to a seminar here in Columbia, SC and was sold that the gastric bypass was what I needed to change my life. Like many others I had so many failed attempts at losing weight. I began my journey then. My insurance required 6 months of office visits and a battery of other tests as most do. My 6 months ended up being 8 months because I was unable to get a visit several months. Once I was finished my lab work came back showing I was anemic which pushed my surgery back several more months to fix the problem. I was finally submitted to my ins…