Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums

I am scheduled for April 11th, pending cardiac clearance (never had heart problems, just a family history of). Wondering if any locals are scheduled this month? Much success to all!

Had my barium swallow this morning. With an empty band. The radiologist says it looks fine. But I had an egd Thursday and the gi doc says the band is at the base of my esophagus. Now what? I want this thing out.

My surgeon's office should be sending in my paperwork to insurance today or Monday. I'm scheduled for revision on 5/16 as long as everything goes through with Aetna. They don't see any reason for denial, but that's the funny thing about insurance - you just never know! I'm concerned because I had my original surgery with BCBS FL and trying to get my revision from Aetna (same employer, provider just changed), but they aren't concerned. Oh well, I'm crossing everything that can be crossed!

I discovered that I have been down a little lately. While I have lost 23 pounds since since surgery and 30 pound since end of March......I do NOT feel a difference, nor can I "see" a difference. I am still tired and lack energy, my feet still swell. People that see me don't appear to notice a difference either. I am in the same pant/blouse size...albeit my tops are fitting a bit looser than before. Other than that NADA! ZILCH! wah!wah! wah! I did take my measurements and they have all gone down about 1/2 inch each...but I have always been more "solid" than mushy. Do I need to lose a 100 pounds to get an NSV or for it to be noticeable? So discouraging.... however pa…

I like to walk, of course it's not easy as before because of all the excess weight. I have to walk at a fairly slower pace, my feet hurt and my ankles get swollen when I stand or walk for too long. I also plan on joining a gym after surgery, but do need to start walking know since someone here mentioned muscle loss because of rapid weight loss. Can anyone tell me how that muscle loss would affect me? I think I know, but just want to make sure. I am so looing forward to the surgery. The waiting is tough. I am focused and ready. The reason I barely get out is because I suffer from depression and anxiety. I know I will be able to make all my medical appointments. I a…

Was sleeved on 4/23. Surgery went great. Only problems were being in recovery for quite a while because my blood pressure was up very high which increased my pain a greas deal. When that stabilized I felt good. Was in the hospital Monday thru Thursday afternoon because my O2 levels were so low. They ended up sending me home with 24 hour oxegyn. Friday I had a sensation fit what I could find no reason for that something was stuck in my throat. I tried to cough it up and vomited a little. I called the surgeon and he (through his reception said I must have overeaten if I committed). Which I did not. I asked about the sensation and really didn't get an answer. Fortunately I w…

My mom is going to be sleeved hopefully this year. Tomorrow she has her psych appt. I don't know how my mom was able to support my decision to go under the knife. I am afraid for my mom, how about if there are complications and she dies? I don't want anything bad to happen to my mom What will I do without her... just very worried. She is a good candidate for this surgery. She is 54yrs young, asthma, depression, borderline diabeties, arthritis, nothing major. sigh... I just am a worry wart. She is approx 4ft 10 and weighs 220lbs, so she does need this surgery. It's hard for me not to worry.

reason i asked is i dont want anything to go wrong here..i have only 2500 in the bank and a credit card ill be using to pay the other 5500 i owe i only have 1 card ..i lost my job may 7th but have been keeping up with all of my bills ..im going through CDL truck driving training but have no income and afraid credit card will decline my transaction when i get there..i already told them im going on vacation and mexico but didnt tell them what im doing there i just dont want anything to go wrong and get there finding out the cc wont pay because they somehow found out i no longer have a job or they see it as a medical bill or something i dont know am i overthinking this?...im…

If anyone's interested, I'm posting on my profile.... 2 days before surgery, what i'm buying, how I'm preparing. Then, I'll try to keep posting everything that happens in hopes that it will help anyone who is curious!!

If anyone's interested, I'm posting on my profile.... 2 days before surgery, what i'm buying, how I'm preparing. Then, I'll try to keep posting everything that happens in hopes that it will help anyone who is curious!!

Okay people - How about checking in and telling everyone what's going on right now? I'm feeling a little stronger each day (I think ), but am tired. I'm not doing much at all except for walking. Otherwise, I am in my recliner watching TV and playing on the computer. I'll be off work for this week still. I find myself thinking about food a lot even though I am not hungry, especially pizza. Don't see my surgeon until the 15th. I basically feel good except for the spasms I get, and soreness. Is anyone back to work? How's eating? Are you getting a lot of rest? Please tell me what's happening!! Hugs to all. Joni

For those of you that got band removed and had VSG all at the same time... a) did you get your band completely emptied?? If you didnt did this effect your healing and if you did what benefit does it have?? c) if you had it emptied- did you obsess about gaining too much weight back- I see benefits to both....

:thumbup: People roll their eyes at me when I tell them I'm going to have WLS. You can see it in their faces, "you're old." Yesterday I was with a group and shared my great news, that I had received my date. Out of 15 people, not one said "yay." It was seriously quiet, and as I looked around the table, there wasn't a hint of a smile anywhere. So, moving on, I left the subject hanging. After class one woman came and told me it was imperative I reconsider my decision for WLS. :scared0: I would have thought the long months of preparation, the obvious weight loss, and all the appointments would have demonstrated my commitment. I don't understand why this is so diffic…

Hello all! I am two weeks post op and I have no appetite whatsoever. I'm sure I'm not getting enough fluids. I drink a little at a time and then the "burps" start. They're very uncomfortable! I keep trying, but on top of the burps I also have this fear that I'm going to stretch out my pouch. I'm feeling down about the whole thing. Any words of wisdom ?

I don't know why I feel like this ... maybe its me letting go of my old life ? what is it?

So excited, my surgery has been scheduled May 7th! I pray the next two weeks go smoothly and I am mentally prepared!

I'm 4 days away from a band to VSG revision, so I'm sure I'm extra nervous, but I'm just convinced that VSG will be the death of me. I'm just hoping that it'll be in 40-50 years, and not 10-15 (I'm 31 now). I don't know what to make of this. I'm just scared, I guess.

Is anyone done with it and want to sell (or loan/give) to a newbie? I'm going to go ahead and buy it if no offers, but figured I'd ask. Thanks!

28m in the process of getting divorced and just sleeved on March 1st. Now I'm moving to Memphis. I don't know anyone in the area at all. My apartment is near Overton park and I would love to have a walking/jogging partner.

I'm sure this thread as been done before. But now that I am getting close to having a date for surgery would love to meet people who have had or waiting to have the surgery. A brief intro about myself I'm 24 weigh 282 lbs and my height is 5'7.. I plan on having surgery at Columbia Presbyterian on 168 st and Broadway, NY, NY. Looking forward to hearing from other new york sleevers.

Hey friends! I have not checked in for quite awhile, took a little break from the forum. I weighed 187.1 lbs this morning, so that makes me down 4.5 lbs since I last checked in 4 weeks ago. It has definitely slowed down, but I'm ok with that as long as I'm still losing. I have 21 lbs until I hit my surgeons goal of 100 lbs lost, and 37 lbs until I hit my personal goal of weighing 150 lbs. I am playing it by ear, may change that goal as I get closer. It has been so long since I have weighed less than 200 lbs, that I don't really know where would be a good weight for me! I hope you all are having a wonderful week, and I look forward to hearing how you are doing!

Hi guys, Well I was sleeved on 10/29/2010 and it was the best thing I ever done. At my heaviest I was about 424 at my lowest after sleeve, I was 270. I heard that after 2 years, you stop losing weight...is that true? I am afraid that I will and come short of my goal of being under 200 pounds. I know under 200 is a large goal considering in 5'11". And I have a large frame, but if anyone has any info on this please let me know. Good luck everyone!

Hi Everybody, I am having my LapBand removed and Revision Vertical Sleeve surgery in September with Dr. Ortiz in Tijuana. The surgical center mentions that revision patients may be required to have additional testing preformed prior to surgery including a barium swallow and endosocopy. There is an additional fee for this. I was wondering of you all out there that have had the Revision surgery, did you have to do a barium swallow prior to surgery? Just trying to plan my finances and wondering what the chances are for this? Thanks for being there! Cheers, Dottie

Having some problems with full liquid diet. After reading a lot here sounds like it could be a Lactose issue.

MY husband and I went out for brunch, and I did good....about 1/2 an egg, and 1/3 cup of chili. We brought a homemade apple fritter home for Dad and Mom. Unfortunately, I ate about 1/4 of it. Admittedly, it tasted good, but I know it was not a wise choice at all.....

So the month of April has been a busy one. I got ALL my pre-op tests done. I was so excited to see my surgeon on Thursday because I thought we would be submitting to insurance.....WRONG. He hasnt recieved all the test results back to his office yet. Even though I passed each test (Psych eval, PT, ect) he said sometimes it takes a little longer to recieve. I was so upset. I had everything done at HIS hosptial so sending the results wouldnt take extra time.He told me to come back in two weeks. *sighs* A part of me knows I shouldnt be so upset because this is going fairly quickly. Another part of me is upset because Ive been overly stressing about the insurance part of this …

So I'm almost three weeks post-op. I'm in my hometown to visit my dad for the week. He has stage 4 cancer. We had to get him an ambulance to come to the house last night to get him to the ER. He is now in icu. Pre-sleeve me would be stuffing my face with all the food available at all of these restaurants in a 1 mile radius. I'm enjoying some KFC mashed potatoes instead. No more emotional eating for me thanks to my new sleeve. Sent from my iPhone using VST

I just had an ultrasound and the quote was " if gallstones were diamonds you would be a rich woman". I am on my third surgery, 2008 lapband placed, 2010 band slipped and hernia repaired, 2011 band out and sleeve done another hernia....now more surgery for gallstones. I give! Any of you had your gallbladder out? I here it is not uncommon with bariatric surgery and weight loss.

Less than a year ago, my Sister threw me a "Fruit and Veggie Platter Party" to Celebrate me getting under 200 pounds. I got down to about 184? Today...I went over 200 again. I have no one to blame but myself. I am between jobs, I am in love, we eat out a lot together, I HAAAAAAATE working out, I drink alcohol as often as I possibly can, and I eat carbs all day, Not sure why I am doing this to myself, but I dont know how to stop. Usually I just go back to the way I felt when I was first sleeved, how I was so busy and never hungry that sometimes 2 or more days would pass before I realized that I hadnt eaten. I usually lose at least 6 pounds by not eating at all for a …

Hi I have had the VST surgery Feb17th and today is my 10 week postop. I started off at 329lbs and as of today I am at 263lbs. But here is what I have noticed. Post op before I went back to work I was losing a pound a day average and sometimes 2. The first day I went back to work everything stopped moving for about 10 days. Why? I thought about this and here is what I came up with. Stress, Water retention, change of environment, and sleep patterns are different. At work is a more controlled environment with high levels of stress. So I started watching for patterns. My diets the same everyday 60-90g Protein, 25-60g carbs, >25g fats. This is clockwork so this isnt the …

I think the insurance is stressing me out more than the surgery! My sister is flying down to stay with me a week or two and we can't buy her ticket until insurance approves because if they don't the surgery will have to be, of course, rescheduled. Grrrrr. The paperwork was received 4/20 so they've had it about a week. I wonder if that's a normal turn-around time. I keep checking ticket prices and it's gone up $100 just in the last two days. Soooooo stressed!!!! Anyone else had this going on so close to surgery? Seems from what I've read most surgeons don't schedule surgery until after approval but I'm kinda pushy lol. But I'm ready to get rid of this band and mo…

Sorry so long. My boyfriend is a hoarder. We’ve been a couple for over 8 years. I used to live with him and my grown daughter in a 2-bedroom 2-bath apartment. The hoarding was getting out of control. It was the only thing we fought about. Then we got bedbugs in February 2012. For about a month I tried to get him to clean up. He would not throw anything away, bag it up and store it, or clean it. I threatened to move out and he still didn’t do anything. So I found another apartment for my daughter and me. I started packing, which took up a lot of time because of working full-time. We moved 3-24-12. Then I was unpacking and arranging, sometimes until 10 pm to mi…

Hello, I have been reading how some surgeons use drains and some do not. What has been your experience with this? For example, I understand that Dr Ponce de leon uses drains, while Dr Kelly does not. What is the reason for these choices? Thx, Paula

I am just starting my process... I am so hopeful as I read these threads.... Thank you for sharing yourselves and your stories....

started a vlog!!! I said I wouldnt but I figured I needed a little therapy and since I didnt want to pay anyone to get it...I figure talking to myself would be wonderful!!! Here is my link http://www.youtube.com/user/ldeannepps?ob=0 I think that should work, if it doesnt let me know!!

I am pre op was 3 pounds to go before I need my case manager. Kaisers pre op food plan only includes foods I will be allowed to eat post op, therefore giving me and my body a chance to adjust. The last 2 days my 1200 calorie diet is not adequate. It is not staving off my hunger or craving for carbohydrates. I am sticking to the plan but eating more of the prescribed foods I am allotted. The exception is sugar free chocolate bars I have only been on the pre op diet for 3 weeks and already I can't bear the thought of 3 servings of Protein in the morning. I confess I sort of miss the highs and lows created by carbohydrate overload and resulting in of a blood…

I am having pain that seems to sit below my tummy. It is central and forward (maybe on the forward). It is at a point that I feel it most when I am sitting upright at work, and the longer I go (sometimes) the more it seems to hurt...it is being accompanied by nausea but not alot of throwing up. I have been keeping a spanky on during the day to keep me from jiggling as bad when I am running around the warehouse...but it isnt exceptionally tight. I am not trying to shape, just hold in. It seems to be relieved when I can get off my feet and stretch out, or have a more substantial BM (sorry TMI I knowwww). What could this be? Anyone else with similar symptoms care to re…

EGD on Thu confirmed a partial slip. Verbal diagnosises before that was profound slip. Profound was based on the angle of the band viewable with xray, and partial on the actual prolapse that was visible internally. I'm still really swollen, but it's getting better. Thu & Fri night my reflux was back. Haven't had it since my unfill, but since swelling basically gives you a reverse fill, it makes sense that it would strike again. Aspirated it again, and dealth with chest pain for an hour afterward. Haven't done solid foods since Wed of last week, they're too uncomfortable. Frozen liquids (e.g. alcohol free margarita, slush from Sonic, etc.) go down OK after a f…

Hello, my name is Jim (408) I live in Knoxville Tn. My surgery date is May 23 and i love to lose 200lbs. My wife is having sleeve surgery the same day or we are thinking about waiting a few days later

I decided to get the sleeve for a all the reasons lets be honest and post what percentages each of these made in your decision heres mine 20% vanity 60% mental 20% health for me ive never been comfortable at all with my weight ..borderline social anxiety ..if im of a "normal" size im going to have so much more confidence wether its just conversing or getting a job or anything in life..vanity yea it would be nice to buy clothes that others can and just simply look better..and im sure down the road health will be a positive as well even though as of now i have no co morbidities (sp?)

Hi All, Officially 3 months since my op. and lost slightly over 40 pounds but I think the weight loss is already slowing down. I started eating more fish as I can eat less of it before I feel full. chicken and red meat don't work as well, strange isn't it! How are you all doing?

I was sleeved on Saturday, 2/11 so I figured I would post a range for those of us that are around 2 months out from surgery. How is everyone doing? Do you have any foods that you can't eat? Anything strange happening at 2 months out? I cannot eat any sweets without getting what I call "dumping syndrome." Also, lettuce doesnt sit well with me... it felt like it got stuck in my old pouch area and I had to bring it back up to get relief... wont be trying that for a while!

Newbie to the site, I have started my pre-op process on getting the sleeve and I am totally excited.I've completed my blood work today. I attended my seminar on 2/16, ..4/11 first nutritional seminar...4/19 met with pcp..4/23 had medical and history @ surgeons office at that Appt she gave me the list all the things I must complete and my check list is short 4items!! I still have to get my pshychological evaluation which is the only thing I must come out of pocket for thus far-:/..I scheduled my ultrasound for May 3rd and then I have my first one on one with the nutristionist on May8th...so everything is going well. I just pray I don't have alot of skin after and that …

Am now going on three days post op. I just came home today and I seem to be having trouble burping without it being kind of like a foamy burp. I am afraid to burp because I think it will bring something up. Does any one have any suggestions? I am also encountering a problem with temperature regulation, one minute I am hot and the next minute I am freezing?

I went shopping today to Wally World and while I was there I figured I'd buy a shirt and pair of pants for future use when I lost more weight. I've worn a 3XL shirt for years and I had a 50 waist when I started my journey. Well, I bought an XL shirt and some size 40 Levis, thinking I'd be in them sooner or later. When I got home I thought I'd put them on just to see how much further I had to go and, OMG, they BOTH fit! (The down side is that I've got a closet full of expensive 3XL Tori Richards aloha shirts that I have bought in the islands over the past few years and they're just too big for me. Oh, well, I'll take the trade off!) One NSV is that I don't have to…

Hi Fam!! Anyone in Dallas? ;o) I have Psoriatic Arthritis and I take an infusion every 6 weeks that runs about $12,000. Was just starting to take Diabetic meds and I had high Cholesteral. My insurance company, Aetna, via my personal nurse who calls monthly to check on me, suggested that I think about having Bariatric Surgery. I have to admit that Aetna and my employer have taken great care of me the last few years through my company benefits. I've had some serious health issues and I have received excellent care no matter what service I've needed. When I started my Bariatric journey I was 5'4" and weighed 260 lbs. The day of surgery, Sept. 7th 2011, I was down to 2…

I am just wondering if a person starts at less than 200 lbs. therefore maybe having less to lose than some others, is their rate of weight less than heavier folks? I want to appreciate my progress and know that is better than wishing for perfection. But I do get frustrated when I seem to eat so little yet lose only one pound per week. I read about so many who lose so much weight in a short time. I do feel happy that I have lost 50 lbs in less than 3 months but it isn't exactly dropping off lately, I still have huge problems with getting enough Fluid and wonder if this is affecting my lack of loss AND.. I am so constipated all the time. I have finally started exercisi…

I finally made my first youtube video.. It's not a very long one.. i was just talking off the top of my head.. now i see why people write down the points they want to talk about.. hopefully they will be better.. i'm just excited to see myself get smaller and smaller on the screen. I will make my hubby take video of me when we go to Mexico and in the hospital... .. Are you all getting excited.. may is just around the corner!!!!!!!!!!!! yipeeeeeee!!! Holly

I have been on my preop diet now for 4 days.. and at first i was soooooooooooo hungry.. and now that has really faded and i'm not starving all the time.. although i do if i don't keep schedule with eating at the same times... I even had a bacon ranch salad with the vinegrette dressing from mcd's last night and though.. wow i never realized how huge this salad is.. i always just plowed through it and though i was still hungry before!!! (i know i havn't gone to any fast food but we were in a real hurry last night to get dinner so we could build our box garden.) I've been rereading dr. alvarez's book and love it.. since we are going to Mexico and won't have alot of doctor…

I have had major pain starting 4 days after surgery. I was coughing quite a bit and when it first happened it felt like I had ripped my insides. I called dr,s office and they said was normal.3 days later I am still hurting when I try to get up from a sitting position. I have slept sitting straight up for the last 3 nights. There is a major burning sensation but a sharp pain also with numbness from my. Navel to my left Side. Anybody else have this problem?