Weight Loss Surgery Success Stories

Today at my post op appointment I asked my surgeon: "Everyone has different size stomachs, how do you know how much to cut?" He said: that he inserts a tube in the stomach and he staples around it, this way all his patients have the same size stomach. He said your sleeve is the size of a hot dog.

Hi just wandering whether coffee is ok during the liquid stage post op? Hubby was having one today and I wanted one so bad but he is wrapping me up in Cotten wool and doesn't think I'm allowed one? I had my surgery 5 days ago, eating fruit smoothies, homemade soup & V8 juice ATM I can have yoghurt, milk, custard whatever you can suck through a straw (hypothetically) so I know the liquid part of coffee is fine just didn't know about the caffeine? Thanks

Aug 30...day of surgery...busting out of size 20 because I was too prideful to go to the size 22 I needed to be in Today, Jan 15... Size 14 SKINNY JEANS!!! not as great as others, but for less than 5 months...I'll take it.... this is the weight & size I was 13 years ago POST-Parturm with kid #4 really breaks my heart to see how I let myself go....but Im on the upswing now babyyyyyyyy!! SV =Down 71 pounds!!!

Hi everybody, just wanted everyone to know, I have lost way over 100 lbs, I have went from a size 24 to a size 6, it's been an amazing journey. I don't have to take any high BP meds anymore, I can run, swim, be active with my kids. It's been great, I would do it all over again...

No photoshopping either!!! Ha!!

*lost 100 lbs!

Well I'm down 118lbs since starting my pre op diet on August 6th and am thrilled to say the least but I never relised how much that was until yesterday. I'm a chef, have been for 34 years(yes this does make life a little interestring post op). Anyway, I got a delievery yesterday of good American beef( top blade, the cut I use to make roast beef)total delivery weight, 51 kilos or roughly 112lbs. I stood there and stared at this pile of meat a relised that on Aug 6th I had this amount and a bit more hanging on me. I was amazed and appaled at the same time, I wish I had taken a picture but was really to disturbed to think of it at the time.To see all this weight in one pi…

I've done diets my whole life and yet I feel so hungry on Pre op. Why does this feel so much harder? Is it because in my mind I'm dealing with food separation issues? Please tell me I'm won't be starving forever

i currently have a lapband it was put in 08 port flipped revised about 8 months after the intial surgery slipped in 2010 put back in place my biggest was 298 and smallest was 212 now i am 247 i am slowly ganing and that scares me i am new to kaiser sought out help had an upper gi series done show a very smal dilation to my esophogas with all my compications it is no wonder i wanted it out my primary doc at kaiser referered me to dr nanda in orange county i think he is amazing told me that it was not an option to have lapband out and the get the sleeve all in one surgery and im not gonna lie that is what i wanted and was heartbroken to hear that i would have to wait a y…

Hello sleeves! I am 21 days post op- 25 pound loss but I have not lost in about 4 days - a bit discouraged. I did something REALLy STUPID - I was snowed in and no one to help - so I shoveled - yep- not the best decision and found myself hurting in the main incision area. So, that was a few days ago and it is a bit better- but still far from healed. I find myself not being able to plain bottled water and I am frustrated! I do not know if I drink to fast or what but it often burns... I need a few eating tips though I think Tuesday I get to onto the next stage of eating. This is definitely and I hope in a few months I will feel better about my decision! You all R…

I am three weeks postop....cannot eat hardly anything without terrible pain in left side area....cannot drink enough water....and am so depressed!!!

I have lost 105 lbs in 4 1/2 months. Which is an awesome feeling ! my question is starting off at 400 lbs. how much can I expect to lose. Is it likes certain amount that the sleeve allow you to lose or percentage ?? Just wondering ?? my mom said she thought the doctor said I Would only lose 150 then I would have to have another surgery if I wanted to lose more. I mean what else can I do but cut the other stomach out.

Do you ever feel hungry? I feel empty at times and I must be getting it confused with actual hunger pangs that are caused by hormones.

Why did you have surgery if you are under 200 pounds.? I don't understand. And instead of being ignorant can you fits help me understand...I getting down to 180-190 is all I think about...but that is my perspective because I am morbidly obese ..but why risk this for 50 pounds or so?..no judgement just curious. I just don't get it.

I have a wonderful NSV. I work for my Surgeon. Well, they are here every other week and today's the first day I have seen any of the team ( Doc, Nutritionist and Psych) since before Christmas. I love our Nut, she is wonderful. She told me I am so tiny and that I don't look like I need to lose anymore weight. I have been told by a couple of people at work, but you never know if they are just being nice. I still can't see a huge difference myself. Anyone else have this problem? Sent from my iPhone using VST

I'm so proud of how far i have come. And the gastric sleeve is the best thing to ever happen to me!

I don't under stand I had surgery 12/4 and lost 23lb but haven't lost any in two weeks even gain 2lb what Mi doing WRONG?

I am so scared yet very excited about my surgery date finally arriving! But... I'm scared that I won't wake up . I've been signing all these forms and on each of those forms are reminders that there is a chance of death. I already knew that why would you keep reminding me? I have two little ones (both under 5) and I am scared/worried that that just may be the last time I ever see them. Has anyone felt like that?

[ATTACH]2144[/ATTACH] Today I have officially Lost 70 lbs, and I feel fabulous !!!!!!!!!

I'm 38. I've yo-yo'd my whole life. I'm currently 328 lbs. my last big weight loss was 5 years ago. I went from 317 lbs. down to 205 lbs. I even did 6 marathons & a FULL IRONMAN Triathlon. I know how to lose weight, but I keep gaining it back. My biggest problem is overeating. I don't snack much. I LOVE to eat out at restaurants. I don't eat tons of sweets...I eat lots of meat. I want to lose weight to reduce chances of premature death and diabetes. My surgery is scheduled---in 6 weeks. I'm planning on doing it, but am a little scared. Help? Ideas?

Hi Everyone, I just wanted to staff off by saying how excited I am to have found this forum. I have been reading it for days and I'm a little addicted:) I am about 1/2 way through the process and hoping to have my surgery in March...I'm a little nervous and last night actually questioned if I really want to do this, but the bottom line is that I need to. I'm 38 and weigh 270 and have type 2 diabetes. Is there anyone who has had diabetes and the surgery has helped with it??? Thank you- Kate

As we hit a new year and are getting close to our 1 year surgiversary, I thought it would be nice to check in and set some goals to hit by our 1 year mark. I hope we still have some March Sleevers on here as I know the tendency is to fall off after you get the hang of this sleeve life. This thread will hopefully help motivate us and it might help newbies too. I would like to hit on: Current struggles: staying consistent with watching my Protein intake. I've gotten lazy. I still eat healthy, but find myself not meeting protein. If I only knew then what I know now: work your booty off the first 6 months to lose as much as you can. If you don't, you may spend the ne…

I am almost 3weeks out and I can already see a huge difference. I wonder why I waited so long to agree to this. For two years my doc recommended surgery but I was stubborn and wanted to do it on my own. I lost 63 lbs. But then was diagnosed with fibromyalgia. Since my surgery dec27 I have not had one flare up! And I see friends who had bypass having all these issues with food and dumping. I have not experienced one problem with keeping anything down. This has been the best decision of my life. I just shake my head sometimes as to why I didn't do this sooner.

[ATTACH]8117[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]8118[/ATTACH] Sent from my EVO using VST

Well, I am six months out and I've loss 2/3 of my hair. I have a bob style hair cut but I clip it back, because my hair is so thin that it sticks out to the sides because there is absolutely no wweight to it. You can see my scalp from all angels. My doc says that as long as I keep the 80 gr of protein it should come back. I didn't have much hair to begin with, so its pretty bad. I expected the hairloss, but its still hard because it feels I can't do anything about it. Too thin for a pixie cut (then you would see my scalp ALL the time said my dresser) and too thin for hair extentions. Seems so unbelievable that it will come back. I don't see any signs of it. If this contin…

My wife got the Roux N Y surgery about a month before I got sleeved. We are in a race to our goal. She is at 160, I am at 260, so she spots me a 100 pound handicap for being a 6'2" man. We seem to be dropping at about the same rate, her advantage is the malabsorbtion provided by the Roux N Y, my advantage is my man muscles and higher testosterone. The finish line is the 20's; 120 for her, 220 for me. She does more aerobics, I do push-ups, knee bends, and work out on a Bow-flex type machine. Who would you bet on? We haven't decided what the winning prize will be yet we just know it won't be food related.

Just completed Week 1, Day 1 of the app. Not has horrible as I imagined, and think I burned all my breakfast calories though. Time for a protein shake!

Surgery five months today. 60 pounds gone, 40 still to go. At the gym 5 days a week. Training for a 5K. Looking forward to my summer adventures- zip lining, soaring, and tandam parachuting. Amazing to think where I was a year ago! Just plain happy today!

Im down 22 pounds...I did go through the 3week lull. Ive worn a 20-22 for a long time now. Last night I put on a pair of 18 jeans and they fit like a DREAM!!!! SUPER EXCITED!!! (Eating right & a week at the gym is working)

doea anyone know if sleevers are at lifelong risk of getting a leak?

Hello all! I am 6 months post up and down 126! Here are some before and after pics!

I realized the other day that this is maybe the first time in my life I weigh LESS than it says on my driver's license. Who's with me?

It has been 7 1/2 months since I was banded and as of this morning, I have lost 80.8 lbs! I am over the moon excited. I set a goal for myself to lose 80 lbs before we go on our cruise on February 10th. I am now moving the goal to 90 lbs. I would have never dreamed that this would be possible. Praise God! Praise God! Praise God! Yes, it is hard work but so worth it. I'm going to be a size 16 when we cruise. A size 16!!!!!!! Happy, happy, happy. Thanks for letting me share with you my friends.

Had my third fill Monday and I'm officially down 65 pounds. I'm over half way there! Thank u Jesus! Never turning back

Before pic 8/5/12- Day before surgery After pic 1/7/13 77 lbs down

Sooo... I love exercising now that im sleeved and im a hairstylist so january is our slow month. Anyone have any ideas for exercises I can do while at work without looking like a complete idiot?

ok, here goes another silly story that came to realization just today., picture you sitting in the drivers seat...your belly so large that you have to have the seat go all the way back..(try being short and not reaching pedals too).. and you have to have the steering wheel turned up to drive....and even turning the wheel, you are doing some belly rubbing. so today, as i am driving to work, i looked down and saw about 6-7 inch space between my belly and the steering wheel itself......i even put my hand there and measured with my fingers and was like what the heck?? my tummy is no where close to the steering wheel...def made me smile and turn up van halen even louder …

I was banded in February 6th 2012. On surgery day I weighed 314lbs. The heaviest I had ever been. My goal was to loose 100lbs by my 1 year band anniversary. Today I weighed in at 218!!! So close I can taste it. I still have a month and only 4lbs to my goal. Along with this victory I bought a pair of size 16 jeans today. When I started all I wanted was to get into a 16 and be able to shop in any store. Not just the big girl departments and stores. Now I am dreaming of a 10!! I never dreamed that I would feel this good about myself. I was always running from cameras and mirrors now my husband can't get me away from them. He has been my rock and support through this journey.…

Hello. I have gone through the process yer? But i need inspiration. When were u banded? How much hve u lost ? Whats your current weight?

Just an interesting observation...I am friends with a group of about a dozen ladies, most of which are plus size. Only one or two is supportive of me considering the WLS, but it's interesting how everyone has gone on a diet since I've started my pre op diet. Afraid to be left behind or inspired? I'm not sure.

So it has been a year. To the day. Wow! Just…wow. Progress has been steady. Had a slip up but I am back on track. I think there for a little while I felt bullet proof, you know? Nine months out and I was doing well. I have an additional metabolism issue (genetic) that I knew I would not be the high end loser, so I was comfortable with my loss. I had a foot injury, couldn’t run for a long time, couldn’t do as much of what I normally do as often…and let some bad habits creep in as I dealt with inactivity (inactivity = boredom for me). Holidays were approaching and I was really feeling the loss of my Mom (My Mom passed away a week after my surgery, unexpectedly). So I slip…

i did all of my pre op testing and now just waiting on the approval.. I am scheduled for jan 24 so I really hope I hear something soon!!

I bought two pairs of size 14 jeans today!!! I'm so excited. I cannot remember the last time I could wear a 14!! :-) yay!!

6 months out and easily managed a 400g tin of soup.. That seems like a lot to me and I'm worried my tummy has stretched?? Anyone else able to have that much?

I know I need to be asking my doctor and nut these questions but I don't go back until 29th so I thought u start here first... U am 3 1/2 months out and just don't know what I should but more concerned about, fat or carb intake. I'm not really keeping track of either and I know I should but sometimes it just gets a little frustrated and overwhelming. So what are my fellow sleeves just starting this journey are going by FATS VS CARBS!!

Hey guys, I'm having such a hard time getting over this hump. I started at 282 and was sleeved on 9/12/2011 a day that changed my life forever. Until now. I was stuck at 212 for the longest time, now with a back injury I'm at 220. I can only do water aerobics and nothing strenuous. I'm happy with the weight loss, but I have 40 lbs to get to my personal goal. I have done everything except fast to get over this hump. Any ideas?

well, being a bigun this time last year and being in the winter you learned to do (without) such as panty hose... heck, i didnt even fit into the largest ones at walmart (no matter how hard i stretched those bad boys).......nothing like seeing your old man run down hall with them on his head being octopus man......but that is another story... even ordered them online (some fit, some did not) so just gave up.... so flash forward to now.. went to walmart and bought some....yeah they are queen size but heck...i got them on. i am wearing them today underneath my black pencil skirt they fit they fit but my diamond engagement ring just nicked them and i am frett…

I stalled for a while at 285 for like Weeks. But I had fallen down the stairs and hurt my tail bone so I didn't exercise for three Weeks as it was painful. This week I finally got back on track and glad to say I've lost a total of 52lbs!! Finally brought me a pair of Jeans today.. I'm a size 16!!!! Haven't seen that since high school..

I had my four month check up today. I'm down 56lbs. I have had a few stalls but over all its been slow and steady. I made it through the holidays with no gain. It's hard to remember when that happen last. I'm feel great, this is the best thing I have ever done for myself:)))

Thrilled with my VSG progress! I need to start working a little harder (maximizing protein intake, vitamins and exercise) but I am getting there faster than I ever thought I would. Prior to surgery October 2, 2012, I was wearing size 30/32 shirts, 28 pants now 18/20 shirts and 22 pants. Still a long way to go but I am feeling better than ever! VSG Progress for VSTalk.jpg.bmp