Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums

I had my surgery in March of 2011 and I was over 390 pounds. I'm now holding pretty steady at 225 pounds but went through a major depressive episode a year ago, was actually hospitalized for a Rx drug overdose. I couldn't believe this happened to me...I actually tried to commit suicide and was unconscious on my bathroom floor for nearly ten hours. The docs couldn't believe I survived and said I must have had an angel with me. My wife and daughter found me and my son has been so confused by what happened. They thinking had a brain aneurysm not a psychiatric episode. The depression has remained. I'm on meds and go to counseling but I struggle every day. I have stopp…

I have been basically eating whatever I can get my hands on without tracking. I downloaded and started using myfitnesspal today. I didn't track everything I ate today because I just got tired of it. I really like to just eat without writing it down. I want to lose 30lbs before surgery this Fall. Any suggestions you guys? I know I have to do something.

Hello everyone. So I met with the surgeon today and after receiving so much info about both I'm confused about what to get? Does the sleeve make you feel the same way the band does as its going down. Does it get stuck? What happens if you get pregnant? Does your stomach expand again and the surgery becomes a waste of time and money? I just want to hear what ppl think about the band and sleeve.

Got a bb sitter today, anything but last two weeks are good to go!

http://money.aol.co.uk/2013/01/22/fat-crash-victims-80-more-likely-to-die/ This is just another fact that being obese is such a risk!

Today I had my post surgery follow up and my doctor and NUT said something to me that nobody has said in years. He looked at me and said, your weight loss is great but I need you to eat more calories, stop for a milk shake or get a Frappacino if that's what you fancy. You have my blessing to do what it takes. After I picked my jaw up I just laughed. Good news is I've lost 37 pounds!

Hey guys just found out you started a group for all of us, nice. Well I just got back from the Dr's office today and I'm 37 lbs down and I have been going to the gym everyday and havent had any food consumption problems yet. Then today I tried Peanut Butter and for a while I was really regretting it, so thats out for now. I hope all is good with everyone else, keep us updated.

Hey everyone. There's been a few trolls lately. Dropping in to share the love. Obviously the whole point of the exercise for them is to get a rise out of people with name calling, off topic remarks yadda yadda. I'd like to propose we have a go at not giving them what they want. IE if someone is obviously posting something to stir things up either ignore them, or give them some love. My guess is they're going without at the moment. Something like - Troll "blah blah blah you losers" Us "Hey, welcome" or emotion labelling Us "Hi friend, you seem angry. Sit and chat" The main thing for me is when / if we "fire up" (as I call it) we're giving them EXACTLY WHAT …

Hi everybody. I start my pre op diet on Jan 1. I was online looking for reviews of different protein powders to find out which was the best tasting and I realized something (you might already know this). Buy unflavored protein powder (I have some left over from a previously failed diet this year). And buy different flavors of crystal light, propel, etc. flavored drink mix. Mix those things together as a cheap way to experiment with what you like instead of purchasing expensive flavored protein powder you may not even like. I'll be posting on what I like and don't like when I start my pre op diet on the 1st.

Hello! so i was just accepted into my dream university and i will be starting in the fall. i was wondering what life is like with the sleeve when a student in college. I'm getting sleeved in mid february so i will be about about 6 months in when i start school.

I'm having my surgery on March 25th with Dr. Nadler in Washington DC. Is anyone else getting their surgery around that time? Looking for support!

Hi Everyone. I'm scheduled to have my wls performed on Valentine's Day! I'm super excited. No second guessing here at all. I start my liquid diet next week. Not looking forward to it but I'm trying to stay positive and keep my eye on the prize. I'm hoping to connect with others having surgery at the same place or that live in the vicinity.

Hi my name is Elizabeth and I have been on this site for a while now and have just found the UK forum. Thank goodness as the forum I had been looking at was very interesting with very interesting people but was based in America so was slightly different pre op & post op diets etc. I had the gastric band privately done in October 2008 and it was the worst £7000 spent in my whole life. I had problems from the beginning when I had my first fill and the only weight lost was due to my own perseverance. I continually told them there was something wrong but to cut a long story short my new surgeon discovered it had only been stitched at one side giving me an extra pouc…

I'm feeling particularly good about my progress so I thought I'd post an updated progression pic.

Does anyone know the effects of the patch (ortho evra) on a woman's body after surgery? Would you suggest use after getting sleeved?

I had my sleeve August 26,2011. I have only been able to lose 70 pounds. I'm stuck and have been for a long time. I want to lose at least 50 more. Help, suggestions,insights, experiences would all be great!!!! Thanks!

Hello to my fellow June/July 2012 sleevers! How is everyone doing? How are you staying successful? What support have you created for yourself? I'd love to hear how others are doing. I am down 120 pounds. I have 77 more pounds to go to hit my goal. My weight loss has slowed down quite a bit in the last two months, but I feel great! I just joined a fitness center for the first time in my life. I also invested in some amazing work out shoes and I feel like I'm walking on clouds! (smile) I did a 5K in October. I lost my job in December which has been hard... but I didn't blow it over the holidays like I have so many years prior. I have hope and anticipate good thi…

Like the topic says, I am five weeks out from surgery tomorrow and in a bit of a funk. I have heard that this is normal, but ugh! It sucks! I am on a regular diet with a few exceptions, and I am starting to realize a few things. I really feel like it is part of the process, but it sucks! Obviously, before surgery I really enjoyed food- too much. I don't or can't enjoy it anymore, because 1) I can't really eat but a few bites 2) it just doesn't taste like it did before 3) I just not hungry like ever 4) instead of an enjoyable activity, it has become a chore. In other words, my sleeve is working perfectly, but it's not happy-happy-joy-joy. Most of the time I think I…

This is for all the people who thought being overweight was their fault. And for you parents: Your kids likely have the same problem you do, and it's not your fault. Unfortunately, until the food industry takes out harmful chemicals from the food supply and stops making slider foods, and the healthcare industry starts focusing on the PHYSIOLOGICAL causes of obesity rather than diet & exercise, people will be big and our children will be big and likely have to go through VSG like we did. There's no shame in it. Unfortunately our world today is not a healthy one. I actually had a food science professor tell our class that the food industry came out with HFCS, art…

I had my surgery 11-27-2012 and every since I get cold flashes especially at night. Before Surgery I was hot all the time. Has anyone else experiance this or know what is from?

Hello All! I was recently sleeved sleeved on the 9th of January and I don't fell like I'm loosing enough or a lot of weight. I went to the doctor one week after and I only lost five pounds! What am I doing wrong?

Does anyone recommend a dietician in the New Orleans area that takes insurance??

Anyone getting the surgery on or around November 12?? Lets talk! Lets be sleeve buddies! Lets get each other prepared for one of the scariest things I think I have ever done in my life!

Hi all- I'm thrilled to see an LGBT presence on the forums here. I know there are aspects of WLS that are unique to LGBT & it's great to have a place to support one another. I had a rough week. I was scheduled to have gastric sleeve surgery on Wed, Jan. 9th. But with less than a week before surgery, I found out that my insurance would not approve me until I submitted 3 months of nutritionist's evaluations. I was shell-shocked because I had already put myself in the head space of having the surgery, only to have a setback in the eleventh hour. I've had time to gain some perspective & connected with a good nutritionist who I'm confident will get me to the fini…

The story: Last August, on a camping trip that consisted of many days of drinking, myself and my fellow VSGed friend both had weeks of vertigo/equilibrium issues that were accompanied by confusion. The vertigo seemed to subside, so I stopped concerning myself, then whenever I'd drink aout 24 hours later the weird sensation of vertigo showed up again! Same for her! It's resurged this month, alcohol or no alcohol, and after finally doing some reading I suspect it's likely we are both anemic. Alcohol can deplete B-12, so i made sense to me that drinking was making the issue far worse. I started taking B-12 under the tongue 4 days ago, with minimal results. I started wi…

Hello all, Just thought I would introduce myself and let everyone know my good news. My name is John Turner and I live in Campton, Ky. I am 27 years old and I am married to the love of my life Cathy. I have struggled with being over weight since I was 10 years old when I was 200lbs. I have been blessed with a surgery date of Valentine's Day! After a year and a half long battle to have my weight loss surgery finally the end is in sight. It is a pleasure to meet all of you and to read about your journey's. If I can be of any help to anyone don't hesitate to send me a message or look me up on facebook. Regards, John

I can't wait I'm so excited!! Woot woot

I am 6 1/2 months post-op and found out Friday that I need to have my gallbladder removed. I am wondering what kind of effects, good or bad, this will have on me, my diet and my weight loss post-sleeve. Has this surgery had any effect on your average weight loss? How do the pre- and post-op diets for surgery fit with the sleeve's diet plan? Will this help with the constant gas and belching I have? What is recovery like compared to the sleeve? Anything you have found that helps with symptoms and attacks before surgery? The good thing is my bariatric surgeon is doing the gallbladder removal as well. I don't have to worry about someone in there who isn't familiar…

So I'm getting my surgery on 10/10 and I'm kind of worried because the man I'm with doesn't think in going to be as skinny as I think. I knows he's a chaser and thinks he'll love me skinny, but I don't think he will. What should I do?

Has anyone had surgery with Dr. Bessler out of Columbia and can tell me their experience? Also did you have it at Columbia in NYC or Valley in Ridgewood? I am trying to decide where to have it and what your experience with him was? So scared and I need reassurance. Thanks!

I was sleeved 1/15/13 and today was the first day I was supposed to be adding soft foods. I tried a soft egg.....ate 1/2 in 30 minutes and then vomited it all up. this is the first time I have vomited since the sleeve and have been feeling great, until now. Now I can barely drink at water, let alone protein shakes. Do you recommend another soft food to try tomorrow? I guess this must be nomral, but I feel horrible, like there is no way I could ever put anything into my stomach again!! thanks for any input!!

I am a teacher outside of Philadelphia. I teach 3rd grade in a public elementary school. I had my surgery on June 20th. I did not tell anyone at school that I was having the surgery, and I will go back a changed person. Who else is in this position? Who else is a teacher? What and where do you teach?

I found awesome iPhone app called Thin Me. You download your fat pic and manipulate it to make your body skinny. I love it.

THIS GUY!!! Finally just overweight and couldn't be happier.

I am hoping to see a different me when I take that picture.

... there's a private facebook group brewing and it would be nice to have.some.lovely faces there also. If Ur like me its easier sometimes to sneak on fb rather than here... if you would like to join please add me ... search for cutiebootay_513@yahoo.com... Thanks!!

I must say I'm a little taken aback by the number of posts I've read on this forum recently by people who seem genuinely surprised that you can gain weight after having surgery. Whether it be Water retention during that first month (3 week stall) or simply 9 months down the line and someone is eating crappy foods and not following their plan anymore....it is most certainly possible. In fact, no matter what type of WLS you have, a person who is determined can eat around it. This is why most of us are forced to have a psych eval and see a NUT several times before surgery...so we understand this is not fool proof. This is not meant to be a criticism of anyone here. …

I am going absolutely nuts here as I have never, ever missed a period EVER-unless I was pregnant. I have only one fallopian tube, and it was tied ten years ago. My hormone levels are normal, Iron normal-bloodwork PERFECT-just saw my doc yesterday as I had this done post-op just to make sure I was ok. So LMP was December 14th...It is now January 19th and I am typically on a 30-32 day cycle at most. I had a normal period the month of my surgery and also afterwards. I FEEL like I am going to get it...all the bells and whistles...hormones raging, nausea, sore back, headache, some cramping...for the last two weeks. But nothing. So, a: is it normal to not get a period af…

I'm a firm believer that all things happen in God's time even when you don't understand. Last May I decided to look into Bariatric surgery. For various reasons I couldn't do anything until the end of last year. I thought o.k! But a trip to my cardiologist put it on hold. I thought no problem we'll see what happens about Christmas. On the 21st I sent in my paper work and sat back to wait. On New Year's day I started hemoraging, ended in the hospital for five days. Got out but was still having some problems. I had checked with my coordinator and was told my benefit papers were suppose to be here by next week. There is no way I can have the surgery until we find what wa…

I had my surgery July 11, 2012 so I am just a few days from being 6mts post op. I have lost weight, not a lot it has been 41 lbs so far. I was just wondering when I will start to notice the belly fat going away.

Ok so while I was being prepped for my operation I had two nurses prepping me. One was a tall brunet and the other was a blonde ( I say this as a reference point). So they were floating about doing their thing and a male employee popped into the room and said something to the brunet. It was clearly in a teasing manner and I heard him say something about "it being legal." Cut to two minutes later and the brunet is back at my bed and she starts talking to me about what the guy said to her. She said " I probably shouldn't say this but... He teases me and tells me that I will never get a guy because I'm too picky, or to talkative or whatever. So early this week he suggested…

Hi all! I was hoping that anyone scheduled for surgery this coming Monday, November 19th could check in here so we could form a support system during our last few days pre-op. I can't believe our "new lives" will be starting in just 4 days! I have been so busy with last minute doctor appointments and work this week that I haven't even had time to be nervous- I just feel overwhelmingly excited! Today at 12:30 I have my last surgery related appointment- medical clearance from my PCP. I don't anticipate any issues here! Im a nurse so I've been completely paranoid this week that I am going to get sick, but so far I'm feeling healthy. Just two more 12-hour shifts before my…

Hey ladies (and gents are welcome too)-- Any interest in a monthly pedicure and clothes exchange meetup? I live in Federal Way but we can rotate locations. SInce we in various stages of shrinking (or did our shrinking) maybe it would be great to meet up, swap clothes ( am currently a size 20/22 and hoping to be smaller soon--surgery date on 6/4), and use those extra dollars on a pedicure! There is a great place off of 1-5 in Federal Way for the first meet up. In addition to the clothes, I am hoping to meet some folks with similar challenges and joys so we can provide support and encouragement. Let me know if you are interested and I will email you offline with dat…

I had my drivers license renewed today and when the lady handed me back the old license with the new one, I was amazed at the difference, you be the judge.

Hi guys I have just had surgery 4 days ago. Im struggling to get anything down. I was really sick the night of my surgery and the following day. I thought i would be better when i got home. Im managing very small amounts im just not sure if its enough. The Dr has given me disolving paracetamol which i cant get down. I would be very greatful of any advice x Jo

I had my gastic sleeve done in feb 23 2012. I have been very sensitive lately. I went to work today and started crying for no reason.... I am wondering if this has happened to anybody else.

Woof! Okay my bear brothers, the surgery is scheduled for Nov 20, 2012. After jumping through the hoops for a year to have this surgery, I was given the surgery date on Monday and Tuesday evening..... BAM... My partner of 4 years decides to leave. I lost an astonishing 360 pound in just one day of pre opt dieting. Is the surgery going to decease my girth and my growl? Did you have to deal with your buds being envious? Did you lose strenght, and do the cubs like you leaner and meaner? (This is a little different kind of weight loss story as my sexuality has always been about my beefy size, I want to live longer and be heather but I loved being a bear!)

Ok... I'm scheduled to be sleeved in march. During my pre op testing... I found out I have a small sliding hiatal hernia. I'm not going to lie... I've started having stomach pains and issues about 1-2 months ago every time I ate... But over the past week it's 100 worse. I just got my upper gi done last Monday. I see my surgeon on tue. Anyone have this that could not be sleeved? Out come... Any advise you could share about what to do, helps, hurts, ect...

Evidently I have a haital hernia - I didn't even know I had this (or acid reflux) before I had my pre-surgery endoscope. My surgery is Jan 15th and the surgeons will be stitching that up in addition to my VSG. Has anyone else gone through this procedure at the same time as their VSG? I am just wondering if there are any additional complications, things to watch out for, etc?

Excited! Final tests and diet start 1-3