Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums

Good morning everyone! Well a hacker got into my profile on the site and messed up everything for me so now I have to start fresh. I lost all my posts so if there was conversations please write to me as I lost it all. Thank you Alex for getting me going again. I would sure be lost without all your support. Ugg Have a great day!

My secret goal is to be able to go into Victoria's secret and buy a pretty bra/pantie set. In a pretty color with lots of lace. How about you?

I got on the scale this morning...thinking...please god let me be in the 300's finally...and low and behold...the scale read 399.6! I haven't been below 400 in 6 years! I am soooooooooooo excited I want to cry! Next goal...get to 350...whil is just 49.6 pounds away...That will be the smallest I have been in 10+ years...This tool actually is working! I was sooo afraid I would be the one that it wouldn't work for. I know that I could be down more if I would excercise more and be stricter on myself...but losing slow is a good thing too! Less skin to deal with hopefully!!

His is my first post. I am scheduled for surgery on July 30, and am presently on the pre-op fasting diet. I have already felt some results! I can't wait for my visit to the nutritionist to see how much I've already lost. I am happy to see this forum because in surfing the internet, I was only seeing results of 120-150 pounds. My initial goal is to lose 200 lbs., but more than that would be great too!

Finally feeling that extra energy everyone talks about! I went back to work today. No one really noticed the weight loss, but I feel great

Hello my name is Emily I had lapband done in August 2010 I'm a young patient I was in a study for this lapband. I lost a total of 80lbs by April 2011 I felt great when I needed fills I would get so sick after the surgeon filled me each time this would happen one day I had to go to ER I was totally closed up and very dehydrated they had to empty my band ! I gained all my weight back ! My surgeon and doctors think the band isn't for me! I have been thinking about the sleeve ?? Some doctors say you can't get pregnant some say you can ? Any insight would be very appreciated thank you !! * emme

Is it worth it? I currently have measuring cups but I can figure out portions sizes just by guesstimating. Anyone have one and use theres? Which brand and is it worth buying?

I'm really nervous. I thought I read enough to prepare myself mentally..

Hello August Sleevers! My name is Julie & I'll be sleeved on the 9th! Anyone care to join me?? ) Just started my 10-day liquid Protein pre-op diet yesterday, so the countdown has officially begun! I can't believe it's coming up so quickly! Yesterday was pretty easy, little hunger today. Will get through it, though! Thought I'd introduce myself! ...I'm a married mother of 2 awesome teenage boys (17 & 14) from Credit River, Minnesota. I'm an interior designer by trade, but have been a full-time glass bead artist & jewelry designer for the last 5 years. I love what I do! (who wouldn't? I get to play with fire!!) If you want to check out my work, feel free …

I called insurance company today and found out I am approved to have lapband removed and gastric sleeve. I am so elated. I wanted my surgery ASAP but I have a vacation scheduled so I had to wait until after the vacation. I am disappointed but happy at same time. Waiting gives me an opportunity to get my mind right. I know this will be my last vacation looking like this. I will do a video of my transformation. I have hated being in front of the camera but I know this is purposeful. I need to see this change. I have decided to share this surgery with a select few as I had what I felt to be a public failure with my lapband. I don't anticipate failing but how about …

So my time has finally come! I am having VSG next Thursday! (8/16) I am beyond nervous. I've heard the first 2 days after surgery are the worst! Does anyone care to offer advice or suggestions? I need some words of encouragement and to help me relax!

I am really new to this. But I have been out there battling for over a decade to have weight loss surgery. I am taking the self pay route and I am going for my first appointment on the 9th of August. I made a commitment to do follow through and make this happen for myself since I fought so hard for so long. But as the day of my appointment gets nearer I feel a little jittery, and afraid.

Medicare approved the sleeve for people over 65 for people on Medicare who fit the criteria on June 27,2012. What is the CMS Decision? On June 27, 2012, The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released their decision on coverage for the laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG). The final decision will allow laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy to be covered by intermediary Medicare administrators as a stand-alone procedure at their discretion. Final text below. CMS Conclusions & Rationale for Decision: The available evidence does not clearly and broadly distinguish the patients who will experience an improved outcome from those who will derive harm such as postop…

Looking for buddies in the area

I am 28 and tired of squeezing into size 18 jeans. Tired of layering my spanx to squeeze my fat rolls. I am having a sleeve gastrectomy May 10th. I have not told anyone (except you all). My family has no clue. I am a nurse and I did all the required research. I just am not ready for the judgment. Any ideas? 231 pounds 5'6" with a BMI of 37. A goal weight of 155

I am making this post because I need to come clean. Prior to surgery I would drink nearly every evening, a glass or two of wine or a couple of beers a night. Did I feel I had a problem??? - Maybe, but I would rationalize it by telling myself I could go days at a time without drinking, so it could not be a problem. During my pre-op stage I did not touch alcohol, nor did I even want a drink. Post surgery, I did fine for a month... Then, I thought, I want to try a glass of wine. I did and one glass was all I needed. But the next day there was still that wine left, so I rationalized drinking again by saying I did fine the night before might as well have another glass. A …

I won't miss the fact that when I go to the Day Spa with my girlfriends and they give me one of those skimpy white robes that never closes b/c they are all made for skinny folks. I usually end up just staying in my comfy clothes and sure as the sun will rise one of my friend's says "why are you not wearing the robe they gave you?" I want to say "for Christ's sake, have you spent the last 10 years buried in a hole in the yard? I am obese and can't fit into one." I look forward to the day I can walk out of the dressing room at the Spa sporting my very own white robe for skinny b**ches! What is it you won't miss????

I have my first appointment with my PCP for my 3 month medically supervised diet on Thursday August 9th. Do I make the appointment at his office with the nutritionist or does the surgeon help me with that? I don't have my first appointment with the surgeon until September 7th but the lady at the surgeon's office told me to start with the PCP before I see the surgeon. And what do I tell my PCP when I get there? He made my referral to the surgeon but I just want to do everything right to make the process easier with the insurance company (Cigna).

Just had to share my excitement. I was sleeved 3.5 weeks ago after having a crap band for 6 years. I love having a drink at night, anytime, laying down, and not waking up choking on vomit. This was my fear with a sleeve. It doesn't happen to me. Sooo happy. It's the little things!

I am so scared that I am making the wrong decision to have this surgery. Please help.

Surely, you are aware of the support groups provided by your surgeon or even possibly by your hospital or surgery center. What support groups (if any) exist for the pre-op period? I am currently in my liquid diet phase (day 4 of 14). I have found tremendous support here on Vertical Sleeve Talk. I'd love to get to know some local people who may be going through the same challenges as me, or are preparing to go through them. I know no matter what I am not going to be able to do this successfully without support. Before I can ask for it, though I feel I need to offer it as well. If you are in the Dallas Fort Worth metroplex, I am here for you! Let's kick some obesi…

Am three weeks post op. dealing with what I think is hunger but I am fighting it off!! Any good ideas for foods now. I am still on puréed and go to soft next Wednesday!!

(Reuters) - One night when Lynn McAfee was 5 years old, her psychologically troubled mother left her at the side of a road as punishment for a now forgotten infraction.In the minutes before her mother's car returned, the terrified girl looked toward the nearby houses on the suburban Philadelphia street and wondered if she should walk over and ask for help."But I didn't," said McAfee, 62, who is now the director of medical advocacy for the Council on Size and Weight Discrimination. "I didn't think anyone would want a fat child."The stigmatization of obesity begins in preschool: Children as young as 3 tell scientists studying the phenomenon that overweight people are mean, …

As someone who plans to be revised to the sleeve (from the band) in a few months, I'm really interested in hearing about your experiences with hunger with the sleeve vs. the band. I never really had much relief from hunger with the band. I couldn't eat much when I was too tight, and that led to me not eating much, just because it wasn't worth the effort or the pain afterwards. But it certainly wasn't because I wasn't hungry. The band really didn't do much for my hunger at all. Hunger has been my demon for so long; I am so hopeful that the sleeve really will help control it. But I have read stories here and elsewhere that it doesn't always happen for sleevers. What …

I'm set to have my sleeve next Weds, July 25th. My big push to have the sleeve is not only to become healthy but hope that my PCOS goes away and then finally be able to get pregnant. Are there any sleevers out there who have had the surgery that had pcos and were able to get pregnant after the sleeve?

Vertically challenged for sure. Sleeved on the 16th. So far so good, just not loosing since I have been home. But really pushed the protein today and water too.

I love the info about the group and the line about pulling up the step stools. I personally have 3 in random areas of my house. I'm somewhere between 5'1" and 5'3" (depends on who you ask) I actually shrunk an inch when I lost my weight, I also lost 2 shoe sizes. I'm glad to have joined this group and look forward to sharing with all of you

Crossposted on the big list and the FB list: okay, I am an organizer of sorts. So, the August 13thers (and the slightly before and slightly after) who are in Tijuana......I believe at least two/three of the docs use the Marriott. I am traveling alone so by Wednesday, I will be stir crazy for someone to talk to. Who else is gonna be at the Marriott? Let's pm each other and get something going!!! I think a conga line dance around the yummy buffet that we can't enjoy will be a good start. :P

I was sleeved on July 10th and am on a rediculous post-op diet (IMO). I'm on 3 weeks of clear fluids, 3 weeks of full fluids, then 2 weeks of each pureed and the soft foods and then finally can eat regular foods but that isn't for 10 weeks post-op!! I don't get to eat regular foods until September 20th. It sucks but I will follow it because I'm gonna do what I'm told in this process to get the best possible outcome. My question is ... what does your post-op diet look like? Just for curiosity sake and to see all the differences between the different surgeons.

My question maybe stupid but I was wondering if they do this band over bypass surgey will they leave your band on and do the sleeve or bypass just been wondering because I want this so bad and I am affarid my insurance is going to not approve me for both band removal and sleeve

I saw a thread of all the things that we think we won't miss pre-surgery or early on the surgery. Thought I would put together a list of things that I dont miss and which keep me motivated to keep working harder. 1. Not being able to cross my legs comfortably 2. Waking up in the night with my arms numb 3. Legs rubbing together 4. Going into a store and not being able to find anything to buy 5. Not being able to run, jump, skip and feel fit enough to keep up with others around me 6. Feeling lost in my own body and life 7. Sucking my body into airline seats, and asking for the extension belt 8. Having no one want to sit near me on public transport (ok I do kinda mi…

Mine is still falling out. No regrowth. 1 year and two months out. Still losing too.

Looking for a buddy...my surgery is the 21st of August... start my liquid diet on the 7th.... Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using VST

I started my 10 day pr-op diet on 06/18/12 & surgery on 06/28/12. I am THRILLED that I have lost 40 lbs (even) since then but all of that weight was lost as of 07/15/12 & I've even gained 2 lbs back since then. I'm still on pureed (until tomorrow....YAY) & haven't cheated a bit! I eat three 3oz meals per day, an ounce of 100% fruit juice, and about 3 sugar free Popsicles (PER WEEK). My husband is a saint and has done most of this with me (including 10 day liquid pr-op diet). He has also lost 25 lbs but stalled around the same time. We are both SUPER frustrated &the he's ready to give-up! No exercise has been started bc I'm only4 weeks out from surger…

If so, when does it happen?

I know I went to Mexico because I am self-pay....I am hearing great things about the hospital/clinic. What do you think? more or less the same? What is the worse thing about either? I know with the local hospital when I had ankle surgery, my heart rate/oxygen level had dropped (I was on a monitor due to low heart/oxygen/blood pressure). The blood pressure monitor went OFF at 2:30 a.m. and machine was indicating that it was like 70/40.....I waited....no one came. I could hear folks down the hall at the nursing station telling jokes....finally, I called on the phone, which was picked up by the switchboard and transferred to make the phone call. I said I think I ca…

My husband and I own a 35 foot cabin cruiser on lake Michigan, and I am first mate. I work the ropes jump in and out when docking etc. i am 7 days post op and was wondering if there are any boaters out there, and when you were able to resume your duties after surgery. The open water is my husbands life and I won't allow him to go out by himself.

I was feeling great after surgery, even walking and getting fluids in easily. Two Weeks later and I take all day getting 1 8Oz protein shake in and constantly have nausea and headaches its been almost 2 Weeks since this started and doc says its the acid yet the nexium 2x seems to help it. Has anyone had this experience will it go away? I thought time was supposed to,make it better not worse I have no energy and only able to get 25-50 grams of protein daily. Im scared this is gonna be my new life im scared to even try mushies and im a month out this Thursday.

I'm post-op day 5. Since yesterday I've been mad at myself for doing this and praying that I could go back in time and not do it. I'm miserable. If I don't take tiny tiny sips then I get an excruciating pain in my throat, chest, and stomach. I can only stomach 40g of protein a day and I can't drink more than 32oz without getting a painful lump in my throat. I feel like I'm never going to be able to eat my favorite foods again or be normal. I'm absolutely miserable. Anyone else feel like this?

So I am getting excited to start this new chapter I will be going in to start my 4 month program on August 14th. But as I am very excited I am also very nervouse. I think I feel the same way I did when I had my 2 children which was excited, nervous terrified and a whole bunch of emotions all put into one. I am scared about the excess skin that I could have, I am scared about the hair loss that I hear about, I am also kind of sad about not being able to drink a big glass of water, i'm sure that there are more things that I am scared and nervous about but I will write them down later. Also I am nervous about people finding out that I had to have WLS to lose the weight. I re…

SD 2/28/12 SW 370 CW 291 ......I'm scared I'm getting off track..Its getting harder to follow eating guidelines especially potein intake. I feel like I should weight less than I do.

Two months out from surgery tomorrow. Started out today with a 6.5 mile bike ride. Down 36 lbs. Clothes are getting way to big. Put on my panties yesterday and was sure I must have them on backwards, so I took them off and turned them around and then knew I had them on right the first time, lol. Look in the mirror and don't look smaller to me, but know I must be. Blood pressure is down to normal without medication, and blood sugar is down to normal.

The widespread use of support groups has provided weight loss surgery patients an excellent opportunity to discuss their various personal and professional issues. Most learn, for example, that weight loss surgery will not immediately resolve existing emotional issues or heal the years of damage that morbid obesity might have inflicted on their emotional well-being. Las Vegas has many support groups in place to assist you with short-term and long-term questions and needs, including the most effective exercise and diets after bariatric surgery. Most bariatric surgeons who frequently perform weight loss surgery will tell you that ongoing post-surgical support helps produce t…

Give you a sour after taste about 1 hour after taking it. I like them, but I have noticed this. I have tried the petite calcium citrate tablets but 6 tablets a day was a lot to me and I reflux the tabs badly. Just wondering if anyone else is experiencing this...or is it just weirdo me??!! Oh and I am currently taking Baritric Advantage Calcium Chews ..anybody else have a different recommendation? Brand? Ect? Thanks in advance!

What's the scoop on Nioxin? I saw some Nioxin cleanser and conditioner at my local TJ Maxx. Should I scoop it up? I am pre-op & scheduled for 9/25. Thanks for your help.

It's finally here, surgery day. I have to be at the hospital @ 4:30 am & they say they will start @ 6:30. I'm so nervous. But ready to get this over with...

I know it's in our profile but I thought it would be easier to put our dates together My procedure is taking place on July 19, 2012. I am anxious and nervous all at the same time. I feel and imagine myself to be much smaller than what is projected back in the mirror. One of the things I'm most excited to do post-op is complete an entire Zumba class without simplfying the moves because of my knees or even difficulty breathing. What is the one thing you are looking forward to most after the surgery??

Hello All! So now we are all about 8 months out and I was wondering how everyone was doing and any challenges or learnings you would like to share at this stage in the game. Also, Summer is on the horizon and I want to know how you are all feeling about your bodies as this season has already been wonderful, but particularly challenging in the past when I was so overweight. Instead, I am so excited about Summertime and how different it can potentially be for me as I am feeling so positive about my health, upcoming activities, feeling comfortable in more revealing clothes, and weight for it....a BATHING SUIT! What?!! Did I just say that? So what's the word with you? …

Southern Cali?

I am a food addict. Or should I say I have an addictive personality. If I enjoy something I have an intense drive to over do it. I don't know why this is, but I am working really hard to fix it. I. AM. NOT. PERFECT. But, I will admit I have problems in my head and I need to fix them. I am posting the 12 Steps of Addiction Recovery. Know them, learn them, live them. The 12 Steps Step 1 - We admitted we were powerless over our addiction - that our lives had become unmanageable Step 2 - Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity Step 3 - Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we un…