Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

So it's 9 days out and down from 256 day of surgery to 240. I feel great but darn it if I didn't think by now I wouldn't be craving carbs so bad. They can cook anything but let me smell bread and I'm like oh how I miss you. I'm still in the liquids stage. When did you stop craving carbs so bad???

Just got my approval and surgery date! I will be having my VSG August 27th at Froedtert hospital in Wauwatosa, WI with Dr. Wallace. I am so excited and nervous(but mostly excited????). Woo-hoo!!!!!

So excited that all of a sudden this week I am tolerating more food. Still not getting in necessary calories, but I can now tolerate yogurt and cottage cheese. Protein drinks are good too and I can finally eat 1/4-1/3 cup of food per meal for at least 2 meals a day. Adding a third tomorrow. I'm even getting more and more fluids in everyday. But here's the best part: My daughter gave me a hug yesterday and backed up and said, " What's that?" I looked at her funny and she lifted my shirt and pressed on my rib. Then she said "I've never felt that before. I'm so proud of you mommy."

Let me start by saying I love my band!! I read so many horror stories and quite frankly they scare the crap out of me. My constant fear was (is) that I would fail at this too. But so far I'm doing pretty well with my new tool. Am I perfect, no. Do I let head hunger win, sometimes. Not all and that's key. As my Dr said Thursday "you're still human, the band doesn't change that." My Dr told me that I'm doing "phenomenal" and using my tool perfectly. He's very impressed with my weight loss and even said if I lost not 1 more pound he would consider me a success. ☺️. He then said "we're going to quarterly for your appointments now". His nurse looked at me and said I need t…

I detest the "chewables." I've bought several swallows but they are to big. Any suggestions?

I was sleeved 3 days ago. So far today I've had an 8oz. Protein shake, about two tablespoons of mashed potatoes and a 20 oz. Powerade Zero. My stomach just feels bloated. Could it still be gas from the surgery?about this time every day I'm just miserable.

So I just had my 2 weeks post op appt (surgery date 6/29) and here are my stats: I'm a 45 year old male SW: 324 (before starting 5 day liquid diet prior to surgery) CW: 292 GW: 205 32 lbs in 3 weeks (including pre surgery liquid diet).. I am very pleased. Starting 2 weeks of puréed diet today.

OK so my journey started last July. I went to the same doctors office my best friend went to. Come to find out that United Health care will only let you goto a center of excellence. Orlando Health was the place for that. I got depressed and didn't do anything about it until January. On January 28th I had my first visit for my weigh in. I am so excited to report that I have my last weigh in on June 29th I got my insurance approve four days later and Surgery is scheduled for August 10th 27 days from now. I am nervous and scared all at the same time. I know physically I will be fine I am most scared about the mental part of it. I would love to get a group of people togeth…

Me I will be 28 in October and I am over weight I have 3 boys and a bad back. I want to be able to play with my kids with out hurting and go for long walks.

First night at home was a challenge. So for stuck with this drain tube, and my stomach is super sore. Tried so many ways to get comfortable in my bed , fail number 1 : my bed is high off the floor and my short self needs help to get on . My husband has literally grab my ass checks and put me in the bed and gently as possible. Tried to put all these pillow and folded blankets around me to get myself comfy , woke up in pain at 130am. Fail 2 hubby said ton wake him to help me move or potty. What he do .. zzzzzzz. So I screamed at my teenager to come help and he did .. walked in the restroom and keep the door slightly opened so he can still reach me , but I wanted to close it…

I'm getting sleeved on Thursday, 7/16!! I told my best friend and confidant my news, and all I got was a "good luck..." Some background...we are both big girls, around the same size, and both nurses. So, we have the same life experiences of being obese and how it affects our life. I'm pretty downtrodden. I know it's about what I think is best for me, but it is upsetting that I don't have her approval. Thoughts?

Hello friends! I am a 61 year young, white haired ol' lady who's still got "it" even tho I am 5'0" at 202 lb and have Fibromyalgia (FM), Diabetes 2 (mild) , sleep apnea and a host of GI issues. I love life and am tired of being held back by what I cannot do due to weight or the FM or other health issues. I decided to get Bariatric Surgery when I got that diagnosis of Diabetes 2. That was the final nail in the coffin! It's in my family and I've had relatives die from complications from it. I'm too young for this!!! When my Rheumatologist -who has seen me struggle with weight loss issues for over 10 years now (I was "normal weight" till menopause when I gained over 65 lb!)…

Out of surgery & several click of morphine. . So far pretty good Just discomfort but nothing bad I did it !!

I am feeling nervous and depressed when I think about how much of my social life and activities are linked to eating and drinking. Anyone else have these feelings?

Hey everybody, I'm a newbie on this site. Looking to develop maybe a few people to talk to throughout my journey. I'm having RNY July 24 and am in the midst of my pre op liquid diet. I was doing fine with the Protein and everything and recently started getting very sick. I switched protein thinking maybe it was that! Seem to be ok in the mornings and get worse as the day goes on! Anyone else get sick on their pre op diet?! Any suggestions?! Thanks in advance!

Hi all My surgery is Monday. I am in my pre-op diet and have not been, um, pooping much. I have never had a problem with constipation before. I'm drinking my fluids and getting my Protein in. No caffeine, carbonated beverages, sugar, starches. I know my stomach and intestines are supposed to be empty by surgery. Any thoughts as to what to do?

Some of you already know my name. I first went into surgery 2 years ago for a bypass but came out of surgery with a lapband. For one year I did really well and lost from 296 to 215. but problems started and for the past year I have had no Fluid in my band. On july 31,2015 I am going in for the bypass again. I am praying that my surgeon will be able to do the surgery but scar tissue and adhesions stopped the last surgeon and that's why the lapband. I started today the pre-diet of 3 Protein shakes, 1 lean cuisine or wt. watcher and a cup of vegetables. I am truly excited to join ranks with all of you and continue my trip to wellness and health.

I went to the gym three times, so far. The first time I went one mile in an hour, second time 2.5 miles in about an hour and ten minutes, third time 2.5 miles in 46 mins. Love going to the gym hoping to get released to do more soon. I am 4 weeks out and am down 40 lbs. Hoping to get under 200 by next month, which is 20 lbs away!!! I can't wait to show myself to extended family at the end of July. They have not seen me since August of last year.

Hi I am 5 days post op today and I love to cook and find myself creating eatable liquid stuff I bought the ninja thing and I'm using it for everything. So far I have liquified avocado with cilantro, ricotta cheese olive oil and lime add Water for liquid consistency. Tomato bisque: 1 tomato can, chopped onion, garlic, drizzle olive oil , I sauté garlic and onion in olive oil, tomatoes, added chicken broth, pinch of paprika and cayenne , salt & pepper a spoon of heavy cream and to the blender tasted like heaven Tzatziki blended plain Chobani yogurt , with green house cucumber, dill, garlic water for liquid consistency and salt it was fresh and yummy Spanish…

My name is Stacy, I just had my surgery last Wed. 7/8/15, today I had my staples and drainage tube removed. I started out at 316 when I first had the talk with my PCP about surgery, I got down to 280 day of surgery and have lost 15 more pounds since my surgery. I'm at the point right now, I'm anxiously waiting for my stomach muscles to stop hating me so I can start hitting the gym...and sleep on my belly again, I miss my belly.

I am three weeks out and I have heard that some people have a stall during this time. I am experiencing this now. How long does it last? And is there anything I can do to jump start the process? I am only taking in about 400-500 calories a day. I can't do much exercise because I ripped a stitch a few days ago on my left side which is very painful and doc says I need to take it easy for the next couple weeks and heal. Any information is helpful. Thanks!

I am very excited to say that I have lost 80lbs as of today!!! This has been a journey that's for sure but I'm very pleased with the outcome. I still have 49lbs to lose and I'm determined to this by the end of the year.

Can someone tell me how I update my profile. I figured out how to change pictures but I can't get into add info and things thank you

Hello, I had lap band surgery in 2005. I have lost 30 lbs. I need to lose 90 more. I had a lot of problems with reflux and had to be unfilled. I also was with a practice that kind of let me down because they have never called me or followed up with me since my unfill 9 years ago. I'm establishing now with a new group in Central Maine. I am seeing the dietitian and getting a fill on Thursday. I am very hopeful that with proper follow up and better compliance on my part, I'll be successful this time around. Can anyone tell me how to like a post on here? Thanx

Most of you won't like this, but imho, the lapband ought to be outlawed. My surgery was done in Denver, in 2006. From surgery time, I had to sleep sitting up. I took daily antacids to keep the burning down. Eventually, I lived on tums, more than 10 a day sometimes. I had an upper G.I. in 09. Docs don't see anything unusual, except for a small antacid pill stuck in the band area. All meds then had to be crushed (yuck) or liquid (expensive or nonexistant). My lapband doc retired a few years after I had it put in. The doc office is 8 hours away from me, so it was very difficult to just go see the old or the new doc. Fills started at $15 each. The doc did the…

I got my band taken out after not quite two years. Instant relief. Wish I had gotten the sleeve from the get-go, instead of dealing with the year of pain and reflux that led me to having to remove it. I'd say it was a Waste of money if I hadn't lost any weight- but I dropped 130 lbs, so it wasn't a total waste. If I could have done it over again- even knowing all the pain, I still would have done it- Cuz it changed my life. Now it's up to me to work out consistently and not overeat so that I can keep this weight off. Anyone else have their bands removed, and if so, how well did you keep the weight off after removing it?

Hi everyone I have to have my lapband removed I had it put in 2005 I was told that it is corroded now I have to have it removed. It takes 3 months to get that booked, and if I want to have revision surgery I have to wait 18 months, I do not want to wait that and gain back the weight. This has had be so upset I am thinking of going to Mexico. IN Mecico they can remove and do the gastric all at once. Has anyone had this done if so how are you and also is this a good idea to have both done at the same time. I would love to hear anyone story. Thank you

Is anyone getting their lapband removed??? My guy had his band 5 years lost maybe 50 pounds and he was a big guy 415. But he's now had some scary side effects which we are now action upon and asking for removal. He has lots of getting stuck episodes where he has to puke up what he's eaten, he has to have a pike cup with him when he eats and on the bedsi de table, he has regurgitation issues at night with either saliva or air, he chokes on it and has even had an episode that caused enough to get in his lungs and cause pneumonia, he has passed out and had seizures twice due to stuck meds and food. Fir $t time I found him in the bathroom unresponsive, jerkinf, puking, lost c…

I went in today & was told my band slipped... AGAIN (second time in 3.5 yrs). I'm tired of messing with this... Fills,deflates & surgical repairs. They deflated it completely & want me to have surgery asap to repair. Thinking of just revising it to a gastric sleeve instead. Anyone else have a suggestion or opinion on a revision? I meet w the surgeon next week so am doing some research. I'm down 57 lbs, and am afraid of gaining back if left untreated. Thanks in advance

I've been eating a lot of grapefruit I'm a year and a half out and have lost over 110#'s but wondering is grapefruit ok? I buy the red grapefruit that's already peeled but says "no added sugar" please any advice

I don't know what is going on with me lately but I feel renewed... the decision to have this surgery feels liberating and even before I go under the knife, already I feel more confident?! Today I told all my family and friends about my decision -- and even started a YouTube vlog and a blog tracking my journey. It is SO unlike me to put myself out there so publicly, but already I can feel myself changing, being more outspoken and being the confident person I know I can be. I feel like even just making the decision to do this has made me change for the better. Did anyone else feel like this? I'm so ready for my surgery -- the date is confirmed for July 30. Bring on ev…

I'm Russ and I'm from Michigan. My story is probably similar to many here, but it's mine. I have struggled with obesity for 30ish years. I've done Body for Life (40# lost), Weight Watchers (50# lost), Atkins (40# lost), Weight Watchers again (55# lost). I commonly joke that I'm really good at losing weight and that I've probably lost 1000# in my life. The problem is that I have gained 1370... In May of 2014, I was working as a manager in a retail shop. Working in retail requires movement. I wasn't doing any intentional exercise, but I was active. I had gone out to dinner with my kids, and when I got home, I was experiencing chest pain. Long story short, a week later …

Will be having the sleeve done in August. I'm considered to be a smaller patient. Does this mean it will be harder to lose weight? Will it still help w type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure issues? Will healing be longer or shorter? So many questions!

After 6 months of all the insurance hoop jumping I finally got to meet with my surgeon today. I went in with the thought of having the Sleeve done but, after talking with him he thinks having the bypass would be Best. Do to the heartburn I suffer from. Either way I'm excited and can't wait for this new chapter in my life to begin. My surgary date is August 4th????

I'm 55 and a retired teacher. So my big question is how long does this very unladylike burping last?

Hello everyone, I don't post on spotlight, so I don't know most of you. But someone told me about this new board and I love the idea. Anyway - my name is Erika and I live in Houston. I was banded by Dr. Spivak on 9/30/02 and I've lost about 96 lbs. I say about because I saw 198.5 a few weeks ago but rebounded to 204 and have been plateau'd ever since. But I still count 198.5 as my weight! I have about 50 lbs more to lose and hope to get there in the next 6 months or so. But am trying to be calm about it. I'm really looking forward to getting to know you all.

Hi everyone I am so exited but nervous at the same time because I am in the appeal phase with my insurance. I am however within the criteria as far as my BMI I am now waiting for my sleep study results.... Has anyone been through the appeal process? Also is there a lot of pain after surgery?

Hi All, I am beginning week 5 post-op. I had my first post op visit with the surgeon last week (June 17) and I lost 33 lbs by the end of week 4. However since Thursday, 5 days ago, I've been feeling very nauseous when I eat or drink ANYTHING, including a few sips of water. I have not introduced anything new to my diet. Has anyone else experienced this?

I started my research 6 months ago and finally decided on the sleeve. I am 210 lbs and 5 foot tall. I have just finished my nutrition visit and psyc eval. Now just waiting on insurance. Only snag my be 3 month supervised diet. When I first started the process I called HR and she stated I did not need one on our plan and showed me the webpage with the prerequisites and no 3 month diet needed but bsbc rep said I did need one. So Dr is going to submit the papers and see what happens. Why is it so hard for everyone to be on the same page!! Crossed fingers!!!!!

For some reason feels like I'm 'nesting' .. I have to urge to clean clean clean I've been cleaning out my closet - clothes i know won't fit or wear after surgery Feel the same before giving birth .. like I'm bringing something new .. my new stomach of course .. Anyone else felt like this ????????????????????

So I had my RNY yesterday. I have been home for a few hours. The only problem that I am experiencing so far is how hard it is to get up and back down from nearly everything, the toilet, sitting in a chair, on a bed, etc. Once i am up, walking is not too bad. But getting up and down is really tough. Please tell me this gets easier in the next few days.

Hello everyone I'm new to this site and I'm.new to the weight loss journey. I was sleeved on June 1st 2015. My Hw was 338 my surgery weight was 322 and my current weight is 292. I'm glad that I was blessed with.this opportunity to have surgery to be able change my life totally around for the better.

Starting my pre-op diet tomorrow. Really anxious and excited that I'm only 2 weeks away from surgery. Been poking around reading blogs looking and pics reading tips. So what was one thing you wish you had at the hospital?

So I had the gastric sleeve 6/23/14 and I have lost 140 pounds. Been doing great until now I am able to eat a lot more and basically bite after bite. Ok afraid I have stretched my stomach. Am I doomed!?! Has this happened to anyone and if so what did u do to fix it. I have gained about 6 pounds and since the surgery I haven't gained anything at all until now. I can definitely see it in my belly. Please help me get back on track

Hello everyone. I got the call today that my surgery is scheduled for the 29 of July...eekkk I think I just got nervous and excited at the same time. Background on me I'm a 33 year old mom of 2. I am entering a BSN program this fall. My Pcp recommended years ago that I undergo surgery but mentally I was not ready. In November I decided it was time for a change and began losing on my own. When I weighed in, in December I was 342 pounds now I'm down to 304. I do not have a goal wait. I have 3 classes I take over the next week before I go in for surgery. The question that I have for those of you who are post surgery is what is the 1 thing you wish you would have known going …

I had my gastric sleeve surgery in October of 2013...it's gonna be 2 yrs....I can't seem to lose any weight...In fact I've gained 4lbs!! I eat 1200 calorie diet...and I'm still hungry, but I don't eat more than 1200. I started at 240lb...went down to 204lb...now I'm 208lb....someone help. ..what am I doing wrong. ..

Hi! Has anyone taken Ducolax gel caps! I am 3 month post op and very constipated. The nurse practitioner told me to take 2 gel caps everyday but not at same time. Am terrified that it will get stuck!

The first day it took me an hour to go two miles, today 2 1/2 miles in 50 mins and I am not winded or tired!!! I am so happy that I can do it!!!! 39 1/2 lbs gone forever and being winded gone forever!!! I am so excited, I can do this!!!!! I can get to my goal of 199lbs, in the next few weeks!!! Then I am going for a much needed massage to reward myself!!!!! Hope everyone else is seeing the light at the end of the tunnel!!!! I set small goals up till now, I am only three weeks out but feeling better than I have for a very long time. Time to start thinking of my next goal!!!

Hello, I have read about how we loose hair and how this is normal and we can't do anything about it along with making sure that we are taking the proper amount of Protein and Vitamins. What I haven't seen is the little details, like what shampoo do you use to improve your hair? Do you wash your hair less or more? What products do you use for your hair? A special brush? Etc... Guess I am just going crazy as I was sleeved on 3/2 and my Doc said it was too early to start loosing my hair. My blood work came out perfect. Today I was outside in the sun (sky was cloudy) and I felt my scalp hot when I got home I looked in the mirror and realized that I am getting ba…

Hi guys, I am always seeing in tweeter that one can get a card from surgeon so that we can order from the children's menu. What is this all about?! My surgeon didn't give me one...