Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums

Hi everyone. I am just now posting because it is the first coherent moment to do so. So I am going to give my experience and it is not pretty and I didn't want Paigers to read it before she came. 1. Dr.Ponce, his team of doctors, Trish, and all of the nurses are AMAZING. 2. This has been the worst hell I have ever been through. I came out of surgery with the most pain I have ever felt in my life. The gas was so bad I couldn't move. I dry heaved all night long over and over until most of the next day. My drain tube leaked throughout my bandages and everywhere with blood about ten times and had to get changed while in such pain and they had to tell me to not walk or get u…

I was sleeved on November 27, 2012 and hit my 150lbs lost milestone yesterday. So excited! I lost 130lbs during the 6 months prior to surgery and 20lbs since my surgery less than a month ago. Can't say enough good things re: my surgeon. No pain or nausea. AT ALL!! Best Christmas present ever HW: 476 SW: 345 CW: 324 GW: 160 (almost half way there!)

Hello I am 6 weeks out. Live in Maui. No real support group here. Would really like some buddies or menotors to help me through this. How much support to you get from your Doctor/ dietcian? Taking it step by step but want to reach my goals. Have a long way to go.

I'm elated to be going on this safari in March and pray that I lose 40-50 pounds before the trip, mostly because I have to sit on a plane for 16 hours straight. Ugh!!!!! For the past few years, I travel with a prayer that the seat belt will actually connect and then do everything I can to squeeze into the window to give as much space as possible to my neighbor. I fully understand that everyone loses at a different speed and I'm afraid I'm a slow loser, having only lost 12 pounds in 13 days post surgery. I'm really not unhappy being a slow loser, but the thinner I am for this trip the easier it will be while on that flight. Wish me luck sleeve fam!

I am so thrilled and just had to share this because a few days back, I was feeling bummed about being stuck. I started adding up my numbers and getting panicked that my surgery was a waste of money. I know I am not alone in this as I had read similiar trains of thought on here as well. I was doing everything right, I was adjusting from pureed to solids a bit and stalled in week 4. Also, I have lost ten pounds now since I came home from surgery-lost 18 pounds in the first week. Some things I did change was incorporating simple exercize now, and also increased my Protein a bit. And VOILA! off went three pounds in two days. Also, I tried on my wedding dress as I got married …

I'll be 4 months out when I have my first knee replacement surgery. Looking for any hints or suggestions for anyone whom has experienced this. I had my labs drawn this past friday- all nutrition levels look good, trying to get at least 60 g of protein a day.

I had surg 12/7! Psw 205 came home 215! Now im 196! Starting to wonder is I'm gunna fail at this? Especially since I'm stalling! Any stories similar to this! I would like to know from people from 6 mos plus!

Started Pre-op 2 days ago and stoked for this Surgery...Sister and Bro n law were sleeved 6 wks ago and are well on their way to recovery...Please shoot me an email jrw2scw2012@gmail.com as we will be heading to Hospital from the Airport in San Diego ...

Looking for good dr. In the OC

I had my surgery done the day after Christmas. I am 20 years old..as of this morning I am down ten pounds post op already..one thing I'm worried about is extra skin... Anyone have any comment on this? I do except a little but I hope it's not too much.

Well, I think just about everyone in here should have hit the 6 month surgiversary by now... so anyone care to share an update? I was sleeved 6/25 so Christmas was a big day for me... I could drink! lol I've had a few drinks before now but it's nice to know I'm finally "allowed." My sister turned 21 on 6/26 so we promised to do a shot together on Christmas, the first time we could drink together. That's the picture below. And we discovered I've lost exactly the weight of her... 142 lbs! I'll share more once others start to!

I am nervous and excited!

Hi all!!! This has been a long 3 month haul of jumping through hoops for the insurance people as well as the physican but it finally paid off!! The insurance has approved the surgery & it's set for Dec 17th. Right now I'm in the middle of my 2 week liquid diet & my pre-op appt is sch'd for this Friday. Any advice or encouraging words?

Anyone interested? Maybe meet monthly?

going under for VGS surgery complications with VGS and/or hiatal hernia breaking up with food (we've had a life long relationship that has not been all bad) post op eating (I love to cook and try new things, I dont want that to change) having surgery to get off meds-high blood pressure, high cholesteral, angina-what if that doesn't happen not being successful at losing the weight and dissappointing myself and my family As you can see I am scared ( but also very excited ) about my 12/26/2012 VSG surgery date. Any support would be appreciated. I know just reading some of the other forums have been helpful but also a bit scary too.

How many weeks post op did you get the leak, and did it happen because you were not following your diet properly? I know you have to be brave and honest to respond this because some people here tend to bash those who have made mistakes, but I hope no one does it because there is really no need to put salt on an open wound. What I expect from this post is that you guys educate us and maybe help others not to make the same mistake again. Thank you.

2012 OctoSleevers (We're up to 187 members!!)

I was banded in 2008 and lost 70+ pounds. After I had skin removed in 2009 they opened the band for me to get nutrients and its never been the same. I gained it back. Looking back I realized I lost because I couldn't eat and would throw up or get stuck. I moved to slider foods and gained and also because I never got a sweet spot. I've been prepping for a revision to the sleeve since spring with therapy, classes, and all my clearance tests. I have my final dr visit 11/1 and am hoping for surgery on 11/28. I'm curious to find out how the two types of WLS are different feeling and how you eat etc. My thinking is that the VGS stomach will make you feel full like a normal stom…

Hey all my early bird friendlies! Just wanted to check in and see how everyone is doing! Hope all is well and everyone had a great christmas and a happy new year!

Hi am new to the group. I had my surgery Dec. 3. Have any of you experienced nausea after eating something and then spitting up this frothy white stuff? The food stays in my stomach but this white frothy stuff comes up and my stomach kind of hurts.. (sorry so gross but I need to know if anyone knows what it is)

I'm Dec 6 I'm going through all kind of emotions scared straight, afraid, excited and happy all at the same time this is crazy I can't wait till this is behind me and I'll be on the losers bench

I am 15. I have been over weight most of my life. My mom had the surgery done last year. She is going to have her yearly checkup and talk to the surgeon to see if he would do it. If he does say he would, should I do it? I think I am almost 100 lbs. over weight, I've tried yoga, dieting and exercising. To be honest it works for a while then things just get in the way. I need a new tool that will work 100%.

Hey there! I am currently on the road to being sleeved, I have four weeks to go. I am looking to hear from people who have been down this road already. What should I expect after surgery? How long did it take for you to recover? What rate are you losing weight/sizes? Do you have any helpful tips? I am shaking in my boots, guys! I. Am praying to lose about 225bs and its all together intimidating! Help!

3 weeks 2 days post op band to sleeve revision. Down 31pounds and feel great! I'm on my "thin purée stage". I am eating a scrambled egg or some cream of wheat for Breakfast, blended Healthy Choice Soup for lunch ( 5 ounces), blended chili or mash potatoes or puréed cauliflower and a ice pop or two for Snacks. Getting around 450 cals a day. Also get a test tube of whey Protein with 40 grams of protein in addition to my daily food intake. I take mega mens liquid Vitamins and citri-cal daily. What are you eating or did you eat when you were at my stage? Thanks for sharing. Happy and Healthy New Year to all.

I was sleeved on December 17, and so far now 2 nights I have had dreams where I am eating gobs of food. And it's always pizza. Whenever I was on a diet in the past (wow, too many times to count), I would also have these pigging out dreams and wake up in a sweat becase I thought I had ruined my diet. Is this pretty common among WLS patients? I am stll on the full liquid diet, btw, until at least Monday, which is my 1st post-op. I am doing fine on it- no slip-ups. -Kendra

Went out tonight for the first time since surgery, 11/26. Had a small vodka cranberry and now Feeling like it was too soon. I barely got a buzz. Lol. I know some docs ok a small glass at like 4 weeks out. Nothing has really bothered my sleeve, not spicy, nothing. Ugh, anyone else have a drink this soon out?

Have any of you guys been approached for paid research studies after or before your surgery. I've already been contacted for two one which I did today that paid 80 dollars. The other is post op which will pay me 300. I guess it's because of the hospital I go to New York hospital @ Columbia it's also where they do a lot of research. What do you guys think of this?

Hi Everyone I have been unwell over the last 3 weeks and just not feeling normal self. I have been to the GP a few times and had a full blood count that was normal but my question is that if my haemoglobin is normal then would that rule out a B12 deficiency. I feel like a ghost, very lethargic, fuzzy brain and really vague and feeling like I'm going to pass out when I walk around. I've got a right sided 4.5cm ovarian cyst that my doc said could be leaking but unlikely since it is not that big. I have a blood test form from my surgeon who I am due to see in January for my follow up(I had my sleeve end of May 2012). I don't know what to do. My surgeon is away until …

I know there are a lot of new and soon-to-be sleevers out there and many are wondering if they are ever going to be able to enjoy a Christmas dinner like days gone by. I know it was a concern of mine. So, I though I would post about it. I am nearly 19 months post sleeve. Yesterday, I made a turkey with stuffing ... gravy, mashed potatoes, green Beans ... you know the drill. I had about 4 bites of turky (first) then about 4 green beans, 2 bites of stuffing and 2 bites of potatoes. Gravy slathered across everything. I put it on a salad plate and it was about half full. I was one of the last ones to finish eating (guy across from me had 3 platefulls) and I was stuffed. …

Well I am minutes away from walking into Baylor Trophy Club Medical to have my revision. I feel very calm and good about this decision to have my band removed. I am looking forward to this journey. If you woukd like to follow my journey I am on youtube as lay218. So excited to begin a healthy me.. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using VST

Hi, i am 6 wks out. Really having trouble getting prot and water in. I am supposed to get min 60g prot, most days i only manage 50 and that's a struggle. Same with fluids, i usually run 8 to 10 oz short. At this point the goal is to get prot from foods, and wean down to one or no prot drinks. Seems here aren't enough hours n the day!! My dr's rule is stop drinking 30 min before a meal, no drinking with a meal, and wait 30 mins after! I've yet to eat more than 1/4c at a time. Can't do eggs, or most dairys, having trouble with denser meats like HB. I get STUFFED after a couple bites or drinks. My paperwork says, " sfop eating or drinking when you feel full!" so i'm totally …

Hi All, I had surgery in October and feel like I'm loosing the plot, I have totally fallen off the rails and don't know how to get back. Does anyone know when and where the wls support groups are in Charlotte or Huntersville. Thanks, Charlie

Is there anyone close? I did find someone in Janesville,Wi which I hope to stay in contact with. Just wondering if there was anyone else would like to have a group that could meet

Hi am new to the group. I had my surgery Dec. 3. Have any of you experienced nausea after eating something and then spitting up this frothy white stuff? The food stays in my stomach but this white frothy stuff comes up and my stomach kind of hurts.. (sorry so gross but I need to know if anyone knows what it is)

Well today 3 weeks ago I had my surgery. For the past 2 days my son and his family plus 2 dogs are staying with us for four day while they are having their kitchen remodeled. I love having them here but I must sit with them over a big meal every night and I can not eat it. I guess after 5 weeks of so little food and not eating is really getting to me. Well they brought hugh chocolate chip Cookies for their dessert. As we were playing a game last night they started to eat them. Later when everyone was in bed I was on the computer and went out and got a cookie and ate the whole thing. My God it is starting already. My love for crap carbs is coming out already. S…

I am scheduled for surgery on Dec. 13, 2012. I was wondering if I could get some input from past sleevers that have had the VSG with a bmi under 35. I wonder if this is such a drastic measure just to loose about 60lbs. I don't have any diabetes, high blood pressure, etc. Im just tired of being overweight. Of course, I don't want to get too thin either. I like having my curves. I am also getting pretty nervous about this surgery. I ask myself, should I really do this? I also can't find any sleevers past 5 yrs postop. How will I be at 70yrs old. (im 40 right now).

Who ever got instagram Add me Callmemarilynmonroe See my success in my photos

Tired of being the size that was genetically giving ready to be the size that I feel i should be because I know that It better suits me. Lets make a stand to a healthier you, I'm in your corner and willing to be buddies with anyone who's ready to take a stand we all can do it!!! :wub:

Why do I feel like the surgery is not working? I'm 9 weeks out and I lost 60lbs but when I stepped back on the scale a few weeks ago I had gained some. I was so discouraged. Then my father passed away and I know I haven't been taking care of myself like I should. But could I really be already not losing anymore? I am so scared this is going to be something else I fail.

Hi there I was sleeved on 11/15 in CT. What about you?

***I LOVE this article. Almost every single person that I have heard complain about re-gaining their weight has done it to themselves because THEY EAT THE WRONG THINGS JUST BECAUSE THEY CAN!! It's totally ABSURD! Why would you put yourself through the discomfort of having the majority of your stomach cut out if you are just going to sabotage yourself?!?!?!? This is a fantastic article...It's about time we started getting real with ourselves and others! Let me know what you think.***-Liz My Two Favorite Words In Bariatric Surgery: Personal ResponsibilityDecember 26, 2012 by tammy My Two Favorite Words In Bariatric Surgery: Personal Responsibility Bariatric surgery will not…

Advantages and Disadvantages of Vertical Sleeve GastrectomyVertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Advantages•Reduces stomach capacity but tends to allow the stomach to function normally so most food items can be consumed, albeit in small amounts.•Eliminates the portion of the stomach that produces the hormones that stimulates hunger (Ghrelin).•Dumping syndrome is avoided or minimized because the pylorus is preserved.•Minimizes the chance of an ulcer occurring.•By avoiding the intestinal bypass, almost eliminates the chance of intestinal obstruction (blockage), marginal ulcers, anemia, osteoporosis, protein deficiency and vitamin deficiency.•Very effective as a first stage procedure …

Well I will give you some info about me. I weigh 360lb and I would like to lose 120lb. I have a bad back I have been living with for years (over 15). I have a herniated disc, degenerative disc disease and the cartilage is very thin to gone between a couple disc. My doctor suggested to go until I can't stand the pain any longer then look into surgery. I know even with weight loss im going to have pain but my nsaids really help me. My weight loss doctor is wanting me to get RNY to lose more weight faster. He suggested for the back pain take tylenol and water therapy. I know tylenol and water therapy won't help me so im considering the sleeve. Has anyone else been in a simil…

Hello! My timeline went from 0 to 100 yesterday. I was approved 12/10- scheduled for surgery 12/21 & started my liquids today. My head is still spinning! I am really loopy & hungry. Does the mental fog get better? Any tips on what people did to ease the hunger? (besides eating what I shouldn't!) AND- do you add any flavors, vanilla, peppermint extract etc? I'm new to the site, but have learned a great deal from everyone! This is my first post- hope I am in the right spot! Thanks.

My husband and I are both getting sleeved..... Mine is in July and his is in August.... Are there any couples out there that have been sleeved together?....... Was is a struggle????

I am 9 days post-op (sleeved 12/17) and feel like I am doing fine, however, I am having a hard time wrapping my head around the fact that I will not feel full like I did before the surgery. No one at my surgeon's office said anything about this to me pre-op. I just still don't know when I'm full, at least I don't think so. I am still in the full liquid phase, so that might have something to do with it, since liquids obviously "slide through" faster than will solid food. Is the full feeling more of an issue when you start solids? I just don't know what to expect...LOL -Kendra starting weight: 302 surgery weight: 272 today's weight: 260

Hill I'm thrilled with the numbers on the scale and how my size 18 jeans are now fitting (down from a size 22/24)! But meals are hard for me still! Proteins like chicken and fish don't sit well still. Tiny bites. Chew, chew,chew abd still after about 2 oz. I'm uncomfortable. I still drink a shake every day and I try to eat slowly-painfully slow! Still, I ferl like it's stuck. I know I'm not supposed to drink anything for an hour but Ifeel like a sip of water helps the food go down. I told my nut and she said just to take it slow and make sure I get my protein in. Just wondering how everyone else is faring.

Ok my November Sleevers!! I know there are a few challenges out there already, but I thought it would be nice to have one rocking for those of us that had our sleeves done in November. This way we track with people on a closer timeline with our own. Feel free to use it or not. Totally up to you. Hugs to you my November Sleeve family. Happy holidays and happy losing!! December Challenge: ends on 12/25/12. ~ Surgery Date (SD): 11/20/12 ~ Starting Weight (SW): 320 ~ Current Weight (CW): 297 ~ Goal Weight (GW): 275, with an ultimate goal of 270 cuz it would be a nice belated birthday present for myself (birthday is 12/21). * Bonus: Inches Lost. Haven't measured my…

Well today is the end of another Christmas. I count my blessings everyday. My whole immediate family showed up Cristmas Eve. We ate a fun meal, well at least they did, I am only 3 weeks out. Then proceded to open all the presents and then played games. A very enjoyable evening. I was given some smaller clothes and some of them fit. That was fun. Mainly I wanted to tell everyone Merry Christmas. I hope your day was as great as mine was. I also hope our New Year holds many good surprises for us all.

Hi, If anyone would like to keep in touch with me for moral support. I am basically on my own here. I am a single mother of a teenager and also living and caring for my elderly father. I don't have many people to help me. I have good friends that are supportive but few can really relate to what this surgery means to me. I will have my surgery on October 29th. I am on my third day of my liquid diet. So far so good. I am using Fitness Pal to keep track of calories, Protein, and fat each day. I have been a bit hungry, especially when I smell food or see something on tv or in a magazine. The shakes help fill me up at least for a while. I don't like the bitter aft…