Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums

I am sure everyone has some simple things that they are looking forward to after reaching their weight loss goals. I personally can't wait to not have to request a seat belt extension when flying. Anybody else that had that goal or anything similar? How great did it feel?

I am going with Fuzz Fernandez. Anyone else use him?

I'm self pay for a revision that is needed...how needed I can't get the surgeon to say other than things will get worse. The office said I could come in Feb 7th for pre surgery testing and a class then surgery feb 14th. One day I'm ready the next day I think I'll just wait. I don't KNOW WHY I cant committ. Maybe it's all the money that I really can't afford..maybe I don't want to go through the fear of another surgery and relearning to eat again. I've read stories about others that are fearful about the surgery...that's not my primary problem. Just typing this out is helping me understand that it has more to do with being off of work and losing money there and the loan I…

Since my surgery 10/8 I'm starting to feel like I'm an anomaly. Post surgery I haven't had any pain, I haven't had any emotional breakdowns and haven't had any difficulty with my adjusted diet. (I know 3 months is early, so I can't say what the future holds......hopefully my life redesign will continue along the same path.). I think for me the fact that I didn't have any distractions (financial/personal/family/work issues) has helped tremendously. So with that said, I was wondering if any others have had similar experiences thus far, and if so what do you credit with your success so far? I would love to hear from others, please share your experience.

I was sleeved April 19,2012 and have come so far since then (100+ lbs). My weight has literally just dropped off to a point my surgeon and I are trying to figure out how to stop it so I can maintain my weight for a few months. Anyhoo...has anyone this far out of surgery had trouble eating? Just recently I have had trouble eat where it just hurts to eat sometimes. I have talked to my dr about it, I was just wondering if anyone else has had this happen to them? Thanks guys!

Hello, My Name is Don and I was sleeved by Dr. Jay on Nov. 6th. So far everything has gone as planned except a couple stalls. I have lost 53 lbs. so far but I have been stalled for half the time since I have had the sleeve. I am also a Lap Band Revision. I was Banded in 2003 and lost the band in 2005. It took me 5 years to figure out a way to get the sleeve but I got here. Better late than never I say Lets hear your experiences.

I did it. I did it. Feb 25th is the day my life will change forever. My surgeon said I was a perfect candidate and my proportions are such that I should lose wait easily. So excited.

I'm having the most frustrating time trying to find local support groups as required as part of my pre-op process (and I desperately WANT a long-term support group in place before I go ahead)... my surgeon's office, located in Bethesda, has a list of 3 or 4 support groups in that area, but that's a bit of a commute for me (not a long one, mind you, but in DC area traffic, I want to stroke out every time I have to drive there. LOL)... I'm having to go back and forth for these appointments, so it'd be nice to have a nice, relaxing support group locally. I found info for one online, but I e-mailed the lady and she said they stopped having it when they lost their location, a…

Just curious how your signifigant other has responded to your surgery?? My hubby doesnt say much at all. He knows i want this but will remind me he loves me no matter what size i am. I think he thinks im doing it for him??? Im doing this to make my self happy! What kind of feedback are yall getting?

If its not one problem it's the other. I take a stool softener daily now after learning a " hard" lesson. I can't find a specific pattern, I guess it makes sense. Anyone find any relief with this issue?

I'm 5 weeks post op, and for the first three weeks I dropped 20-30 pounds. Now for the last 2 weeks or so, it's not moving at all. I'm watching what I'm eating, journaling, but I have been traveling more for work, and am finding it hard to consume the 64 oz of water. Do you think this may be the culprit? I'm getting frustrated, and I feel like cheating since the scale isn't moving anyway. I need support.

When I had lapband I was 18, young and dumb. Since then I have been through nursing school and have a heathy fear of surgery. With every hour that passes I get more and more anxious to the point of tears tonight in the shower. To make matters worse the preop bowel prep has me shitting my brains out to the point that I can't sleep. I started it about 15 hours ago but it still wont stop. I'm worried I'm still going to be having this issue when I get put under and be shitten up a storm on the OR table. Good thing I dont work for these people - I wouldn't be able to come back. In short, my ass hurts, my stomach hurts and I feel like I could cry at the drop of a hat. …

When I started this journey I thought I knew everything that I needed to know and kinda knew what to expect when it comes to my progress. I started my journey on 9/19/12 at 262lb wearing a size 24pant and tops. I knew I was big and hated it but i still ate enough food to feed 4 people. Buffets were my best friends bc it was never ending. Since my surgery I am down to 182lbs and amazed on how little I eat. I know I am supposed to eat a small amount but to look at what I am eating and know that a few bites of this or that will make me full so I make sure I eat what is best for my body. I am literally eating a 10th of what I used to eating and honestly it feels good. I am s…

Hey everyone! Does anyone want to introduce themselves and give us your story? My name is Lauren. I am 31 years old and live in the northeast are of Bergen County. I was just sleeved 1/14, was supposed to be sleeved 10/15, but ran into problems once I was under anesthesia. I am doing well

HOW MUCH HAVE YOU LOSE? WHAT ARE U EATING? ARE YOU EXERCISING? ATTACH PICTURES! I was sleeved on August13, start weight 316 and now 274! I eat chicken and fish baked, salad, Veggies, eggs, Water and no Protein shakes, they make me sick. Next week I'm starting back on my shakes and try to knock this weight stall out. I work out 3-4 times a week and I love my sleeve! How about you? [ATTACH]5286[/ATTACH]

Today NSV, the fact that my boobs once again stick out further than my stomach. Woohoo!

Longtime lurker-Newbie member.....many many months of reading almost everything on here...I wasn't going to join until I had something to say. I know it sounds silly but after months of reading, thinking and making things happen it just hit me that all of this.....all of everyones fears, trials, tears and struggles will be my own in 2.5 weeks. In 2.5 weeks my whole life changes forever. wow. so after a mini panic attack and 1/2 a bottle of wine, I realized that all of the amazing things the everyone goes through will be mine as well. I wont be carrying around a 2nd person on my body. I will be able to walk up the stairs...around the mall...pretty much everywhere with…

All of my "package" is in except that the diet history is not detailed enough. What do these insurance companies want? My doctor sent in my weights from 2000 to now. Do they really think that I journaled my weight ups and downs all these years?

3 mos to go...headed to Dr. Ramos Kelly in TJ. As fast as 2012 has gone, I sure hope Jan-Mar 2013 go faster. Good luck in the New Year all.

90 pounds gone since first picture on 10/4/12.

Hello everyone, first of all I would like to thank you all for what your doing. So , i was sleeved on the 13th of Jan . My School started last week, and last day to catch up is the 28th, So I need to fly back to the states (FL) on the 27th which is two weeks post op. Also its a 18 hours flight from Kuwait To FL. So what do you guys think should i drop this course and catch up in May when I get my strength back? Or should I go? regards,

My surgery is this morning. I'm asking for prayers for everything to go well during surgery with no complications. Thank you <3 Praise God for this new beginning

Hello everything has been going well except.... I am starving like many still, I know it will go away soon, but I don't get to really eat anything for about 2 weeks more. I absolutely cannot swallow another bit of Jello. I would go as far to say jello can go F*** itself ;)I drink broth about once a day, thats all I can handle anymore. I drink Crystal light and have SF popsicles alot as well as hot tea. My main issue is protien. I bought many many many kinds there is not one named on this site I feel I have not tried $$$$. I fell in love with isoflex. The issue is today I took 3 drinks of it and all of it came up. i waited a while and tried again and the taste and smell …

Meet my surgeon, Dr Brams this Friday .... Hope he has my surgery date

Revision and self pay people that have used Dr. Castro can you tell me about the way he does his band to sleeve revisions? Does he remove the band and do the sleeve at the same time? Is the surgery done lapproscopic? What kind and how long of a preOp diet? I'm self pay...anyone self pay that can tell me how fast the process took since we don't have to just through insurance hoops? Also..which pre testing does he require. I am looking into make an appt. with him but I want to ask before I waste my time and money if some of his qualifying isn't quite what I can afford. Thanks to all and good luck in your journey.

I had some stretchy pull on jeans that were tight a year ago, and became less so after I lost some weight pre-op- they were a size 4x. Since surgery they had become un-wearable, finally had to toss them because I noticed a hole in the butt. So I ordered some new ones in a size 2x (18-20), thinking I am probably closer to a 3x, but they are stretchy. If they are a little tight I could just deal and will shrink into them. I got them in the mail today, tried them on and they fit perfectly- NOT TIGHT! It's a lift I needed since I have been in a stall for over a week. Yay for NSVs!!!!! -Kendra

Getting nervous! I'm afraid of getting sick before my bug day, they told me that if I have broncitious or if I am sick I wont have the surgery. I work in daycare, so you can imagine how terrified I am. Any suggestions on staying healthy ive been oding vitamin c! Lol. My pre surgery liquid diet is for seven dsys and us coming up. How did the liquid diet go for you? I getting nervous ive never been put under- what was the pain like? I have a zillion thoughts going through my head

Looking for a buddy/friend around central louisiana

I received results from a blood test and it shows that the "rheumatoid" test says it should be < 14. My result was 18. That along with swollen wrist, I'm pretty sure I have it. I see the rheumatologist tomorrow. My question is, has anyone here with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have the sleeve done. Are there any specific consideration for the sleeve when a person has RA?

Hi i am from wilkes-barre pa i would like to chat with some people that have been through this journey already. Also people going through this right now as i am . I found out yesterday my surgery is Feb 28th i am happy but my head is raceing . Hopeing to get to know a few people to go through this journey with. thanks

Hi all! Long story as short as I can make it: I got sleeved 16 months ago, my good friend got sleeved a year ago. After a camping trip in August, (both of us over 6 months out), that included heavy drinking, we both noticed that days later we incurred a feeling of vertigo that would come in waves. The feeling is almost like you are on a boat- not full on room spinning, but oddly off balance in a similar manner to when you are flying or on a boat. We now both notice that 1-2 days after drinking alcohol, this happens again! Still! I have ruled out B-12 deficiencies, Iron deficiencies, inner ear issues, and all my physical results test GREAT. It's mysterious, but we…

when are you available ? your on new orleans, not northshore correct?

anybody looking for bike riding partner- Biking is fun and lower impact on knees- just looking to ride together- push one another- weather is getting nice available most days text me 281-813-4036

Looking for friends in GA.....anybody....

I was recently diagnosed with high blood pressure and have been put on meds once a day. Does anyone else have the same situation and did they have to wait to get it down before surgery. I tend to also have "white coat syndrome" which my pressure goes sky high in the doctors office so I'm afraid that if it's controlled and I go to hospital for surgery, they will cancel it. I just got approved and waited so long for it and now this????

I am from Buffalo NY...looking for any close by...maybe going to Dr. Caruana????

That was so rude. You never put anything derogatory on a customer's ticket. http://www.cafemom.c..._customers_fat.

I had my last nutritionist appointment Jan 3rd. Then, with Kaiser, the nutritionist submits my information to the committee for final approval/referral to the WLS surgeon. Yesterday, I checked with Kaiser and saw I had an appointment "pending" with the surgeon and when I checked today, it said authorized! Yayyy, I've put a reminder on my phone to call tomorrow morning to make my appointment with the surgeon! I see the light at the end of the tunnel !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and I'm going towards it....can't wait til I come out of the tunnel and onto the loser's bench!

Starting my 8 week post band to sleeve. I have lost 41 pounds, feel great but the scale seems stuck. I have been following the docs and nutritionist recommendations but it seems I can eat a little more then 4 ounces of food and sometimes I feel like I over ate. I'm a bit apprehensive about starting to eat other foods. How is everyone doing after week 8? What are you eating and how are you ffeeling??

Just got home from 3 month post-op and I'm thrilled! Down 48.5 pounds since 10/11/12 plus 22.5 lost on Pre-op diet for a total loss if 71 pounds since last Aug. 11th. I'm no spring chicken but it goes to show even over 50's rock the sleeve! My surgeon was blown away and asked me to give a quick testimonial to a new patient having a consult! I'm so proud! One bad thing, he wants me to have my other hernia repaired ASAP - oh no! More surgery-I'll wait til summer.

Hello All! So glad I'm coming across these boards, I love reading your stories, triumphs and pitfalls! Here's my story. I was banded in March of 2007 and just had the band removed on Dec. 24 2012, due to years of vomiting issues, complete obstruction, and slipped band. Starting weight then 272, I'm 5'9 and 1/2 and lost about 40lbs initially. I was stalled and what broke me out of my stall was going back to protein shakes etc. I was able to get down to 190 at my lowest- was happy with the weight loss but miserable. I was scared to eat anything for fear of having to throw it up! Not sure if I lost the additional weight from throwing up so much or from not hardly eat…

I was talking to a friend about clothes sizes since I've managed to go down 1.5 sizes in the last 6 months (still waiting for final approval for WLS from Kaiser). I thought the "W" in sizing stood for "wide". My friend thinks it stands for "womens". Whose right?

Hello all! I have had my lapband for 4.5 years. The usual story here. Had success, lost 70 lbs in the first year. Then the band just changed. To much restriction, couldn't eat chicken, steak or eggs. Started rely on slidder foods. Had all the fluid removed b/c i was tired of having food stuck l the time. Have slowly gained 40 lbs back over the last 2.5 years. Was considering the sleeve back August but decided to give me band one more try. Since i have already paid for it and did have success. Have had several fills since September but here I am with minimal fluid i think somewhere between 2 and 3 cc's and having to much restriction agian while losing no weight. I…

Well I just about done all my pre testing and I have been told I can get a December surgery date! The problem is my job! We are currently under staffed and with the holidays December and even January will be difficult for me to take off! So now I am offering to wait until February!!!! I don't know if I can take the wait for 4 months!!!

Hello- I am writing a research paper for my Social Psychology class. I am toying with the notion of writing about how society reacts to obese and non-obese people. I had my VSG surgery on August 1st of this year. While I am technically still obese- I have lost nearly 70 pounds since the start of the year. I am now an average weight for my local area. I have noticed a drastic difference in the way people in general treat me. I am looking for volunteers that would be willing to complete a brief questionnaire about your experiences after VSG surgery. No names will be used only facts gathered from the questionnaire. If you are interested in participating please le…

Over and over, scientific studies consistently tell us that weight loss surgery helps reduce diabetes. Most recently, a study funded by the National Institutes of Health found the same thing. Researchers divided patients into different groups. All individuals in the study were obese and had uncontrolled type 2 diabetes. One group received no weight loss surgery, while the other groups had weight loss surgery. The study lasted for a year. During this time, all of the study groups had medical counseling and treatment for diabetes. After one year, individuals who had weight loss surgery had better insulin control than the individuals without weight loss surgery. Also, th…

Hi everyone. I am 32 years old and hoping to have surgery by March or April. I was told i had to quit smoking which I did on January 8th and have not had a cigarette since. I also have to lose 20 lbs before surgery. But, I am having a hard time mostly emotionally giving all this up. It's so hard to not smoke because I used to use that to control my anxiety. I also have a hard time losing weigtht cuz I'm hungry all the time. I'm mulling through all of this and trying to find other ways to deal because I know it will be worth it in the end when I have surgery, but has anyone else gone through this or is going through this that can give me a little encouragement/advice/suppo…

I'm just starting the process, anyone near Santa Cruz or Santa Clara? I will be going through Kaiser Santa Clara and would appreciate some local support. Kate

Trying to better understand the risks and complications associated with band/sleeve conversions. I understand from one doctor I spoke to that there's a greater risk with revisions. If you've had any complications, no matter how minor - or no complications, I'm looking to learn: how long did you have your band? did you have a lot of complications with your band previously - e.g. that's what would have led to lots of scaring, etc If you didn't have any excessive band complications, did your sleeve surgeon say you had a lot of scaring from the band? I think I"m just trying to get to whether or not there's a great chance of scaring if you've had your band longer (I…

Well it's only 6 days after my surgery and I'm getting ready to move to full liquid diet. It's been pretty rough on clears, especially the last couple days. I feel like I finally hit the wall on my new starvation diet, and I'm feeling tired and run down. Anybody have any issues with certain foods on the full liquid diet? Anything I should avoid, or try? The discharge info. they gave me about the diet was for Gastric Bypass, and I hear us sleevers can tolerate the foods better, and have less of the dumping syndrome. Anybody else notice this?