Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums

I had surgery the 14th and was up and walking about an hour after. I am so excited to have had this done! I'm currently on the full liquid diet and quickly learning that I must learn to sip and not gulp. Lol. My best friend has been a baby spoon to keep my portions small and keep me slow at eating. This recovery has been much better than expected and other than the occasional gulp I can't yet tell I have a smaller stomach. Happy in Louisiana!

Ok, I'm posting this as fair warning. If you're not hungry...eat anyways. Eat something. Here's what happened to me. On Friday I had my usual shake for breakfast. I had a busy day filled with funtastic things to do. Well, now that my body doesnt get hungry, I totally forgot to eat. Saturday morning I woke up & felt a little off, but went on with my morning routine. As the minutes clicked by I realized that everything was going dark & I was shaking really bad. I literally could not stand on my own & felt like I was going to fall. I crawled over to the sink, made my shake then Sat down on the floor & drank it. It was only a matter of minutes before I had my …

Hi All, For the past 2 years my primary doc has being telling about going for the lapband. And I have been scared. I saw her Jan 11 and she told me I was borderline diabetic and then I really got scared. Since then I have been off the sweets and taking in very little carbs. I've lost 10lbs. in one month. Meanwhile, I have been doing alot of reseach on bariatric surgery. That's what led me to VST.com. Taking my primary's advise, I had a consult with a bariatric surgeon on Jan. 30 whom performs gastric bypass, lapband and vertical sleeve. I'm 38 years old and I have been struggling with my weight all of my adult life. I want to stop struggling and start living, f…

I just found out about this app tonight. I was excited about the surgery, but after reading a few post op threads I'm pretty darn scared. :-/ my journey to surgery was a quick one, but not hasty. I need to hear a few positive things from those post op if anyone is willing.

Hey Everyone This is my first Topic. I have been getting everything together for my sleeve which is scheduled for March 31, 2011. Now I'm excited, nervous worried all in one. But I still don't know how to tell him " babe i'm getting surgery ". He basically just walked into my life at my time of change but I'm scared that the girl he once was attracted to will be gone and this love endeavor will be over "/. I Don't want it to be but i'm really ready for a change . This weight has been a problem my whole life. I'm trying to get my life on track while I'm young. My family knows everything. But my boyfriend and friends don't have a clue. I really don't know what to do .

I try not to stress about my weight. I know what I'm supposed to do and I have it down to a science. However, over the last few weeks, I've realized that i am addicted to chocolate. It's the one thing that I can eat all day long. Reese's Peanut Butter Cups and York Peppermint Patties are my drug of choice. Actually, there were a few bad days where that's all I ate.Granted we were waiting for high school acceptance letters, and then financial aid/scholarship awards. I know that doesn't sound like a good reason to go on a chocolate binge, but if my son didn't get into high school, he would have to go to public school and I swear I will put on clear heels and glitter,…

Hey friends, how was everyone's week? I weighed in at 191.6, making me down 1.3 lbs this week. My BMI is now 30, down from 41.7, I am so excited to almost be out of the obese catagory! I really look forward to checking in with all of you each week and seeing how you are doing, I hope we can keep this thread going! I hope you all are having a wonderful weekend

I have been remiss in posting lately. It just seemed like I was reading the same 10 questions over and over and it was getting boring. But knowing that my journey from surgery to goal is going to be more like 2 years than 6 months I thought I need to build up a better support system than I have. So many people responded to this forum that I thought we really need to keep it alive. So to those of you who started out needing to lose over 200 pounds- How are you doing today?? What are your current challenges, successes or goals? I am exactly 4 months out. I should go weigh today-I don't own a scale so I go to my PCP's office to weigh. My current goal is to have lost…

I was sleeved on 4/18. Two weeks later, I am doing great. My high blood pressure seems to have just about resolved itself--haven't taken the meds in 48 hours and it is normal. Strangely, though, my blood sugar is all over the place. Sometimes fasting in the morning it's almost 120 then later in the day it might be 150 or might be in the 90s. Prior to surgery I took 2,000 mg. of long acting metformin a day and the numbers were slightly lower. I can't take the long acting (since it can't be crushed) this soon after surgery. I have been strict about the full liquids, and mostly drink high quality Protein shakes, take Vitamins, unsweetened greek yogurt, occasional crea…

I've looked around but can't find what this means. Is there a place where I can find the abbreviations used on this site?

I was at work today and was making small talk with the patient's mother when she made an offhand comment about having "80% of her stomach removed" a few months ago. I almost popped an aneurysm! I was like, "YOU GOT THE SLEEVE!? ME TOO! HIGH FIVE!!!" WLS is not as widespread in Canada as in the US, and the sleeve in particular is a bit of a dark horse - only surgeons seem to know about it. So this is a rarity and very exciting! It's the first time I've come across a sleever IRL (not counting meeting with people from this board).

My Hubby has to travel to Trinidad for awhile. His company says about a week which means at least two, and possibly three. He travels alot and this would stil be a short trip at three weeks, but I feel like I am not prepared for it. I am in a stall currently and REALLY hope to fight off the head hunger monster that creeps in every evening when I am winding down, and keep looking for a spouse that isn't around Support, suggestions and anything else you have, friends, please...I don't understand where it is coming from but this feels like it is going to be a long (yet short) trip. I would really like to counter this with positive time and activities...wish me luck!

Hello everyone. I am new here. I am 20 years old and 5'1 and 255 lbs. I am thinking about getting the sleeve. But I am TERRIFIED of the fact that the results for long term are unknown...What if in 20 years something happens with the sleeve that no one planned... Help plz. Thanks

March 27 here!

Hi Everyone, Spring is right around the corner. How is everyone doing? We are all at different stages in our Weight Loss Journey. Some have had the surgery and are just starting the journey. Some are almost at goal—yeah that is a great feeling, and some of us have already lost our weight and are trying to maintain that weight loss. It is possible to maintain the weight loss, but you need to keep doing what you have been doing for the most part. I have heard some people say they have lost the weight and now have regained some of it back. That is a hard thing to face if you have lost it and now allowed yourself to regain some of it. As we go along we have fo…

I am having my revision done Thursday. I am sooo ready be done with the arm/shoulder and port pain. Surgeon says I can have a light Breakfast tomorrow then Clear liquids until midnight. If anyone has any advice or info I would appreciate it. Please say a prayer for me. Thanks

Can't believe I have been living this new life for almost 3 months already. I have pretty much became used to the water/protein regime, I can usually get enough Protein in during the day, but I still drink one bottle of Isopure every day. I guess I am strange, but I don't mind it. I pretty much know exactly how much I can eat of different foods now. I can go out and eat at a restaurant now and be comfortable. The weirdest thing is when I get asked what I want to drink when eating out. When I say nothing., I get the strangest looks. I am down 65 pounds which is great, but 10 pants sizes which is the best. My wife keeps telling me that I look like a homeless guy wi…

Having surgery in Mexicali, Mexico with Dr Aceves... asking for prayers to have a sucessful surgery. I am so excited I no I'll do fine. Thxs

Was sleeved on Nov 14 2011 and have lost 60 pounds. I can't stop eating I am always hungry and craving carbs. My Doc wants me to eat only 3 times a day for me it's very difficult. I do not get sick from anything specialy sugar. I wish sugar made me sick. I almost feel like a failure and I am disappointed with myself. I feel that I should have lost more weight. When I was looking into doing the sleeve they said that the hormone gland that makes you hungry would be removed. I guess thats not the case with me.

Hey friends! I had a much better week this week, the scale has finally moved! I weighed 192.9 this morning, making me down 2.1 lbs this week. So glad to see those numbers going down again! I was never one that lost my hunger after surgery, unfortunately, but it was greatly reduced so I didn't mind too much. Well, for the past 2 weeks or so my hunger is coming back with a vengeance and I am scared to death! I still have amazing restriction and get full very quickly, but 2-3 hours later I am ravenous! Since surgery I have been eating every 3 hours or so, per my surgeon's instructions, but now I am actually hungry whereas before I was just kind of empty feeling after …

Hello all well this is me starting over was set to have sugary in july but a job I had been trying for came up. So guess what insurance changed was Atena now Cigna. Atena only has a 3 month wait Cigna 6. Well I am from Union County and was wandering if any of you used Dr. Goyal in Union? Well I will keep you all posted. Oh this is such a side bar how do I make a Ticker. LoL

Hey sleevers! I was sleeved 3/6 but I'm such an optimistic person that I'm starting to plan out my outfit for my sisters graduation in 3 months! I figure I've dropped at least 2 dress sizes by then, so that is what I'm working with. I'm not sure what my sense of style is anymore, except I am almost 30 with a young daughter, so I'd like to look classy, laidback, and glamourous looks that are tasteful yet sexy and age appropriate Now the problem is, years of being confined to a few stores and certain styles of clothing had turned me off from following anything fashion related. I hope that some of you can point me in the right direction as to what websites, magazine, …

Okay, I have not seen a thread about this, so if I am being repetitive I will apologize in advance. I want to start a support group that meets virtually by cam so the people meeting can feel like they are with a group. Who would be intersted in this? There is a limit to streams and i would like to start the meetings small, just as if you were to walk into a small support group somewhere. Then if the demand exceeds what we are doing I will figure something out. Let me know of you are interested, I will create a group if I get enough likeminded people, and go from there. With the group I think it woud be best to add people who are participating in the chats - so once we m…

I am pretty frustrated here . I have not lost any weight in going on 3 weeks , as a matter of fact I have gained1lb . This is some bull.... I know I keep hearing everyone say this will pass and and you will start losing again, uh hello when! I know that I do not get all the required protein or liquids in and I do minimal exercise, but come on for real how long is this really going to go on. So this week I am going to push myself to get a lil more excerise and getting more protein in :wub: . I never thought it would be such a chore to eat, it just makes me not want too. Help me pls!

Looking for locals in Killeen Ft Hood area to get tips and advice from. Surgery mid April from dwindling diva

I'm in the waiting room of GHP...just saw the dietician who gave me the go-ahead to start trying different foods. I'm a little nervous. I'm afraid of trying new foods...which she said that I don't have to do anything I don't want to do. So conflicting because I'm bored with my current food LOL Next up I meet with the exercise dude. He is SO nice. Then a quick meeting with my surgeon.

Well I am at the Seattle airport waiting to board my flight to San Diego for my surgery tomorrow with Dr. Kelly in Tijuana! I am excited and nervous... And glad its finally here! Will update when I can.

Well, I'm so ready for tomorrow to get here... I lost another 2lbs since yesterday... down a total of 11lbs in past 14 days. I'm doing a video journal that is on YouTube if anyone wants to keep track of my suffering... I mean, my PROGRESS! LOL! Just search videos under "5ohGirl". I hope to post one by tomorrow night, post-op, from the hospital. But, we'll see how it goes. I'm looking forward to being a permanent member of the Loser's Club. This site is so wonderful and it's really nice to know that none of us are going through this alone. Blessings to you and good luck in your journey as well!

I know this is a bit premature but I am so anxious and excited (and scared) to get my lap-band to VGS revision on May 11th. Are there any other sleevers scheduled for May? Where are you getting yours done? I am going to Dr. Aceves for two reasons. 1. My insurance has put an exclusion on all weight loss procedures (LAME!!) and 2. from what I have read and researched, he is a master at revisions.

So I stood up from laying on the couch about half an hour ago and I almost passed out. My legs almost gave out beneath me. I immediately thought of possible dehydration so i went and got a glass of water. I am getting fluids in fine but have realized that yesterday I must have drank more tea than water. I really think that I made a grave mitsake. I will not be drinking any more tea today. I felt better once I drank some water. I better stick to the crystal lite and water more than the tea. That scared the crap out of me.

Hello Sleevers! My name is Lez and I have been lurking around the site for quite awhile. Late last year, I had my sleeve scheduled for this month, and then my company was acquired. The new insurance totally excludes wls which left me depressed and looking at my self-pay options. Being that I am a single mom and living almost paycheck to paycheck, it will probably be at least 7 months to a year before I can have the surgery. On a daily basis lately, I have been struggling with emotional eating. I feel crazy, internally arguing with myself over what I should/shouldn't be eating and then I get into "F IT" mode and choose the wrong thing. I have put on 11lbs since th…

My surgery is scheduled for March 12th and it would be great to have someone with a close surgery date to talk to. I have about 100 pounds to loose and can't wait to get started on this journey.

Yesterday was terrible. It was exhausting. Something is wrong with my foot and no time to go get it checked out. My husband and kids are going camping for the next couple of days while I stay here to run my in-home childcare. Last night I was really feeling sorry for myself. I knew it was my last day of real food for a very long time. He took me to Hooters for some wings and fried pickles. I didn't eat that many. Now they're all in the fridge calling my name. I can't stand the thought of this stupid liquid diet. It's only 7 a.m. and I'm already complaining. Okay, I'll stop whining and ask...... How long will the misery of the liquid diet last? Will it on…

Countdown... 1 wk until preop diet and 3 weeks until surgery. So excited because I feel like I'm getting 2 do-overs. After a long road the love of my life and I are getting remarried on April 1st, what would be our 17th wedding anniversary. So, my honeymoon will be spent in the operating room! But, I'm OK with that! Maybe next April 1 we can spend our anniversary on a beach and for once I won't worry how I look in a bathing suit!!! :-)

I have my surgery date and airfare all taken care of. Will be in Mexicali May 23rd... Can't wait!... I can't wait to the point i moved my surgery date up... It is now April 12th...

Hi everyone! I wanted to touch base with you all... because I can! On Thursday I will be 18 months post op. One and one half years exactly. Yay! I'm happy. Yup, that about sums it up right there. Here's something I've learned and I think by sharing this bit of knowledge it might help some of you who might be struggling mentally with figuring out how - when - where - what - why's with the Post Op life of a VSG patient. Notice the word "patient"... because seriously, you will never find this more of a virtue than after you have your surgery. This journey IS!! NOT!! EASY!! You're going to have so many ups and downs you won't know where you're headed sometim…

17 days got authorization! ! Woohoo!!

When I started this journey and finally set a surgery date I was 265 lbs. Today I weighed myself and I'm 279. I'm so depressed. My surgery isn't till July 11. I started low carb today and I hope I make it to a low carb lunch. I tried low fat yesterday and didn't make it. I feel like my stomach is a bottomless pit. I can't wait for this surgery!!!! Any advice?

This pre op shrinking thingy works. You know how you put on a pair of jeans fresh out of the dryer and they are a little ?tight? Today the scale says I'm down 12lbs (go me) but my size 18 that are snug but well worn are loose like a goose today. Doing a happy dance. Just think that if I feel this good on pre op can't wait to be sleeved on next Wednesday. 7 days and counting. Sent from my iPhone using VST

My surgery is now moved to April 9th and I have a family camping trip on May 27th. It is a 5 day trip and we have lots of comfy camping gear, but I'm wondering if any of you other sleevers like to camp? If so, I will just be passing the soft foods stage and starting the intro to solids phase just as the trip starts. Any thoughts on how to make it easier on myself and my family? I have no choice but to take this trip, it is not just family bonding time, but time to find an apartment for graduate school. Since Grad school is at the beach, this is the cheapest way to stay in the area.

Okay...its 11:48 on the 9th and I'm doing great. Im typing using my cell phone so it'll probably be tomorrow when i am done. For someone who hasnt had so much as stitches or pregnancies, i must say that this surgery was not so bad. The day didnt start off as planned. My mother-in-law had a stroke yesterday so i told my husband that he needed to go and stay with her. I cried most the day (behind closed doors) because i was so scared and i really wanted him to be with me. I ended up coming to the conclusion that this was the way it was meant to be and went with my backup plan...my brother and his girlfriend. Madigan Army Hospital at Fort Lewis Washington gave m…

http://psychcentral.com/news/2009/03/30/hormones-link-insomnia-and-weight-gain/5037.html but there is hope! lol! http://www.livestrong.com/article/276188-how-to-raise-leptin-levels/

Hi!!! After basically just giving up I finally got approved yesterday. Now here is the problem. I have 3 meetings that I have already booked flights for 1 in April and 2 in the first two weeks of May!!!!!! The letter says that I need to have the surgery by March 26, but I go out of town on April 2. I don't know what to do. I didn't even call dr. Woodman's office back to set up labs and xrays.

18 days til revision woohooo!!!

I have been post op for 3 months and everyone is saying they can see the weight loss in my face and in my belly. Im ok with that but i tell ya i have been fluctuating in between -37 -40 lbs for weeks. i have had slip ups but im a really active person. i find myself getting tired easy but at the same time i have more energy if that makes sense. im just frustrated and i know all the rules and i know i break some of them but man alive. i eat nxt to nothing. I have noticed this past week that i dont get that stuck feeling as soon as i swallow any more. so i eat to fast and have made myself sick 3 times. lol i know i know sloww down. take your time chew your food. i have had t…

I had my surgery 2/9. Have been doing pretty well, but have been trying to switch to the pureed food stage for the past two days. Not sure just how much to eat- have been just trying a few bites. So far, have had sweet potato with cheese, chicken noodle soup all mashed up and a little bit of oatmeal. Also, started exercising just a little bit on a stair stepper. I have lost 16.6 lbs since surgery, and 27 since I started this whole journey. So, what about you?

Im thinking about documenting my journey to make me more accountable. Has one does this? If so do you think it has helped you stay more accountable?

Hello All, My maintenance is going pretty well since I achieved my goal a few months ago. I usually have a 3 pound fluctuation depending on the time of the month, but other than that is going well. My current problem is my saggy skin on my thighs. Can anyone recommend a cream that actually work s to improve the skin and helps firm it? I also read that taking a separate Vitamin E supplement will help. Does body wraps help? I am starting to change up my exercise routine to try and tone more in my thighs than my current overall cardio and body workout. Any advice from anyone that has found something that works other than surgery is appreciated. Thanks !!!

Over the past 6-7 weeks, I had been losing 2-4 pounds per week. I have been really happy with that given that I am now 3 months out, it was good steady progress. I just got back from a week long business trip and had my first gain. I felt like I did "ok" while traveling, but let's face it, at home I hardly eat at restaurants, and for a week I had 100% restaurant meals. I ate alot of salads with chicken on them, and didn't get Desserts or any junk food.... but it is definately higher calorie then my normal eating day. I did work out at the hotel, but i had business related events so couldn't do it everyday so my activity level was definately lower. I am not too d…

I am 7 months out from surgery. Had a textbook recovery.. no vomiting, just a little pain at first, able to keep most anything down. Now all of a sudden 1 1/2 hours after I eat... all h#ll breaks loose in my stomach. It hurts so bad I kind of double over. It lasts about 3 hours then I am fine. I had a small bowel series yesterday (barium thy name thick and horrid) and the good news is they didn't find anything wrong. The bad news is... they didn't find anything wrong... So on it continues... I have not really changed my diet or exercise habits. Still waiting for the Dr. to figure out what is wrong. Khy