Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums

hello sleevers i was told that i couldnt eat jello by a cordinator but i keep reading here that you can , im assuming you can and that the coordinator had just made a mistake, can anyone confirm this?

Hi everyone! I'm new to this site and I'm looking for some advice... I had my Realize band placed in Sept 2008, over the first year and a half, I lost aprox. 85 pounds but over the last year I have gained back at least 30 pounds. To make a long story short, my problems started when I began getting my fills and I had a really hard time trying to find my sweet spot. I would think I was there but then it would be end up being too tight or too loose. Over the course of 2 years I had to go in for a couple of emergency unfills, had several barium swallows, and had an endoscopy. My doctor was horrible and acted like everything was my fault. He would always say that everything…

Hi Everyone - I'll take the plunge! I'm 5'6", and started at 333. Charts list my ideal weight as between 130-145, so I figure I can claim the 200 lb group. I was banded 1/23/03, lost my band to erosion 7/04, and was sleeved by Dr. Aceves in Mexicali 8/14/09. As of Monday I am down 100.4 pounds - woot! Of course, my situation was a little accelerated, as I had complications and was on liquids basically from my surgery date until Christmas, so those of you who had normal recoveries shouldn't be bummed if your journey hasn't gone quite so quickly. Donali

I'll be 25 next month, and to be completely honest I've never been on a date or anything. If someone were to come on to me I don't even think I would realize it. I've been overweight my whole life and being ignored by the opposite sex is the norm for me. What is really bad is that one of the nurses at the hospital were my mom has been for a while was hitting on me I did not even know it, my mom called me after I left to go home to tell me that he kept asking where I went. I feel like maybe this is just the way that my life is gonna go and that I'll be alone my whole life. I've lost like 50 lbs since my surgery in august and really don't know how how to start acting o…

Hello all.. Well, I have been banded since 2004 I started my band journey at 367 pounds in 2004! Now I weight 230-235! and I am stuck:S .. Its really getting hard! and overwhelming knowing that I have been so slow! I hate to say the forbidden word but sometimes I feel like I am a "failure" I had 6 fillings so far and my doctor is about to run the 7th but he is not optimistic! he told me sometimes Lapband surgery doesnt help with some ppl that much.. I exercise 4-5 times a week! I feel horrible for being stuck! so Today he suggested the sleeve again, and he is saying that I am a good candidate for it but hearing from the web the terrible disadvantages the sleeve have…

hello all! I am just waiting from my insurance to approve my sleeve and wondering yalls opinions.... My surgeon uses a 34 bougie; I currently have GERD due to H.Pylori which I am being treated for (should be gone in about 2 weeks). I am wondering what the general consensus is on acid reflux with a size 34 stomach. My doc said the small the stomach the greater the likelihood of acid reflux so he thinks 34 is a good mid point... Any thoughts?

I am 14 months past my sleeve surgery and have lost 75 lbs and am still losing. My overall weight loss has been slow and steady so I haven't really worried about any negative health effects from losing too fast. Recently, however, I have had a few fainting episodes when I wake up in the morning. My doctor has diagnosed me with syncope and found my blood pressure is dropping significantly from a lying to standing position. She isn't sure if this might have something to do with my weight loss and I am now going to a cardiologist. Has anyone else ever had anything like this? Could it possibly be related to the amount of weight I have lost? I'm trying not to be concern…

I Finally made it to onderland!!!! Six month stall broken. I finally gave myself a boot in the ass and told myself to get back on board or I wasted all this time and money for nothing. I was loosing fine then started drinking diet soda again, that triggered sweet cravings!! so I then discovered I could eat chocolates and drink coffee all day without any problems. Plus, 12 Pepsi Max's a day. I realize now that I am EXTREMELY carb sensitive so I have gone back to extreme low carb eating. Probably less than 20 carbs a day and it's working. I broke the stall!!! No net-carb crap. No sugar free, no splenda, or aspartame. I found the original Atkins book that he…

15 years ago, I was thin. 15 years ago, I was going through a lot of crap. 15 years ago, my son's donor thought I was was his personal punching bag. 15 years ago, I was strangled, hit, beaten into a stupor, held out a window, raped, terrorized, stalked...you name it; he did it. 15 years ago, I played the role of a victim that had been a reoccuring theme in my life since I was 5 years old and that first predator found me on a baseball team. When I was 18, in college, I guess I had hidden the victim in me, until predator #2 found me, through a mutal friend, and one hellatious night in Philly made me leave college - it took me almost 16 years to finally get my degree af…

April 19th will be 1 year since I had surgery! I have lost 120 lbs so far. I still have not met my first goal of 180 lbs, I currently weigh 217. I have only lost 3 lbs in the past 2 1/2 months! UGH. I have noticed my snacking picking back up and choosing more fried foods. This is so discouraging to me. I know BETTER! I just feel like a failure right now I even have not been working out. I have had alot of personal changes in my life during the same time frame this maybe impacting me more than I thought but I have to get it together. I want to be at my goal weight by July which I know can be down very easy, it's more about getting my motivation back. I'm thinking…

Today has been a terrible day. I had my surgery on 3/9 and this weekend I went to a cat show where my husband and were showing one of our cats. It was local but it involves a lot of walking, though my husband did most of the work and I mostly stayed sitting down at our cage and just walked to rings when my cat was being judged. It was two days and it really took a lot out of me, it is the most activity I have done since surgery. The problem is my allergies decided to flare up this weekend too so yesterday and today I have had a horrible scratchy throat and it is making the thought of eating sound even more gross then it normally is. The throat is making everything t…

I was wondering how many had to lose a great deal of weight before the surgeon would do the surgery? I called the office the other day and the gal said that if I have not lost the full 30 lbs before the surgery the surgeon would cancel my surgery. I find that hard to believe. Has anyone else had any experience in this area?

I was just curious at how people reached their decision to switch. I am feeling a little bummed (and judged) because of the failure of my lapband. I am freaking out about another surgery, but I can't live with the pain of my band anymore. I always feel lifted when I hear others journeys.

Ok older sleevers, I'm not sure what this is but maybe you can help. . . I'm 15 months out and was ticking along just fine! About 2 weeks ago I've noticed that when I eat something (anything including vitamins) I'll have about 1 tblspn of food, or 2 or so of my vitamins, or even 1/2 c of liquids, I get this horrible throbbing ( heartbeat ) in my stomach (like when you bang yourself really hard and have that throbbing sensation) It's really really bad and I HAVE to stop eating, drinking whatever I'm doing and walk about for about 20 minutes and then it's gone, but it leaves me very scared to try again. . . anyone else experience this feeling? Good thing about it, i'm b…

Surgery on Aug 13 (yes, Friday the 13th) went well. I was released from the hospital on Sunday morning and return to work on Mon. 8/30. Incisions are all healing super quickly. Feeling tired and sometimes bothered by acid reflux. Have to eat so often it wears me out. Try to make what I eat nutritious since can eat so little at once--about 2 Tbsp. Am bothered by back pain but Aleve works. Here are some things I learned within the last 2 weeks that you may find helpful: 1. Don't go out and buy clothes for the hospital. You will live in a hospital gown and you won't care. Bring some bedroom shoes. 2. Never, ever let them put the iv into your right arm. You'll ne…

OK I have to say this outload, I'm taking the bull by the horns, I started tracking my calories again today, (I put in for yesterday what I was eating on any given day lately) and just as I suspected I was having way too many carbs (around 130 a day) no wonder I've been stalled for more than a month!!! Thank God for exercise because I think that was what saved me from actually putting on weight, as I have been on around 1300 cal a day plus the high carbs! Anyway, at 7 months out and just a bit more to go I need to get rid of the rest of my weight. I realise as many of you said in other threads, I will never get rid of the food demon 100%, but I have this wonderful tool a…

I am 4 months post op and have not had any problems at all, until this morning about 4 am. To begin with, I had 2 teeth pulled yesterday so I had only liquids to eat afterwards, when I became hungry. Took a pain pill before going to bed at 10. Then, at 4 am, I woke up choking......burning behind my breast bone......and bubbling in my throat (like I had swallowed an alka selzer tablet).....then thick clear liquid started pouring out of my mouth ( I couldn't swallow)......I was so scared. I got myself to sit up in the bed and it took about 10 minutes for it all to stop. I went back to sleep and woke up at my regular time and was ok, felt a little strange but ok. I…

I've not been here long but have read through a lot of the sub-boards and noticed a big occurrence, secret sleevers. I am wondering why people are so secretive about having the surgery? I for one and proud I decided to take the bull by the horns and do something to save my life. I'm not bashing or judging these people, just trying to figure out the secrecy.

I was running a scan over on pubmed and found this abstract of a study comparing bariatric surgery outcomes in people over 65 compared to younger people. Turns out some of the variables were even better. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20870182

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21298508

This is another study on pubmed from JAMA, comparing bariatric surgery procedures and their complication rates to get a handle on what made things go wrong, if they did. Total complication rate for all surgeries was 1.6 percent. Sleeve surgeries alone had a serious complication rate of 2.2 %; mortality rate for sleeve surgeries was exactly zero. The study said that complications were inversely proportional to how many surgeries the hospital handled, and how many surgeries the surgeon had performed. COE status was irrelevant. http://www.ncbi.nlm....pubmed/20664044

Hello all, I had the lap band done in august 2009. I was given 8 hours to recover and discharged..this from a "center of excellence"...well i was given liquis roxicet...and no other instuctions as to my other meds i should take. I went through withdrawl from my pain meds since i have polymyositis...i couldnt beleive it! Less than 2 weeks later i was at a camping site having my family wait on me hand and foot...just enjoying it...then outta no where...POP...N PAIN LIKE U WOULDNT BELEIVE!!! my beely looked like i was carrying sextuplets...it was shiney and purple from the distention...911 was called...2 ambulance rides..and enough pain meds to bring down a horse (as t…

A few days ago, I posted a rather serious post about not fitting into my body. Well, I think my temporary crisis of discomfort and spending time in Shannyland (that's what I call being inside my head too long) is over. I'm having a good day. Just want to tell you all that I'm proud of you for chosing life and for all of the accomplishments that you've made. Everytime I think I'll never figure this sleeve out, I log on and you guys inspire me. You may not know it, but you're rock stars! Even with the setbacks and stalls you guys keep pressing on. That's so aweome! Keep up the good work.

Hello this is my 1st time posting on this discussion board. I need advice from the best experts: EXPERIENCE!!! I had my vertical sleeve 2/10/11. My start off weight on the day of surgery was 239. I am now down to 210. HOWEVER, I have not gone done or up on my weight over the last two weeks. I know that this surgery is not a quick fix, and my weight loss is going to take time, but I am so paranoid that I did something wrong, like over stretching my stomach. I seriously dont think I eat 800 calories a day. Did this happen to anyone? I just thought that this is too soon to stall. Any advice would be appreciated.

Recently I went to a new sleeve support group. I do enjoy following this sleeve talk, but there is something to say about getting face to face with people that are having issues and getting them resolved with a dietician right there. I think I have learned soo much from the group. I am soo looking forward to going again. I wanted to thank all the Nashville sleevers that went.. It was a pleasure to meet all of you..

So, just 2 weeks ago, I posed in the New Year's Challenge that I hit 126.0 with a goal of 125 by New Year's Day. I was so excited to think that I could really hit my "ultimate" goal of 125. It was so close ... I could (pardeon the expression) "taste" it. scale showed 130.2!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WHAT?!?!??!?!?!?! I am doing nothing different. How can I be up 4.2 pounds in 2 weeks? (I can't bear to change my ticker, so just know that I am lying today.) I'm sure it's Water weight, planets aligning, the phase of the moon or some such nonsense. But, today I am feeling very discouraged and fat - Like the "old me". I hate this obessing about my weight. I'm ready …

I see alot of u talking about very low calories during the losing stage.my Nut did not giver a number to go by.all she said was 60grs of protein a day and lee sugar under 4grs.I am 4 1/2months out and lost 36pounds.Have been stalled for way too long! 4 weeks!!! I'm pretty sure still losing inches but what is wrong with the scales???HELP!! Im probably getting 1200 calories a day and 30min of card a day...what do I need to change???

I posted yesterday to another board and someone told me to post here, so I am hoping to get responses on this board. I am new and was wondering if anyone is using Richmond, Ca. Kaiser for thier surgery? I have Dr. Fisher and wondered if any of you have him or have had him and what your experience was with him. Good or bad. I would like to hear it all. Thanks so much! Kelly

I tried looking- but couldn't find anything - Has anyone had their gallbladder taken out and the sleeve done at the same time? Mine they think is acting up and I am getting ready to have the sleeve surgery but - don't want two surgeries- I just want to get it over with in one big scoop- ---

just got sleeved and oh how I wish I knew someone who got sleeved!!!! It's tough doing this alone, don't get me wrong my family supports me, but I need a buddy

I'm reading through lots of threads where individual issues are addressed, and just wondering if there's a super thread anywhere dedicated to the day-to-day differences between the two procedures...? Haven't seen one yet, but imma keep looking... Just recently started considering a revision to VSG. Have had my band a little over 5 years and I haven't had any significant complications, but I'm going through the reflux vs. restriction game so the band isn't really doing much for me (for about 2 years now).

Tomorrow the school I work for is taking some kids on a camping trip. It is overnight tomorrow and will run into Wednesday afternoon! I just found out I'm going Whoohoo! Before surgery I don't think I'd have any interest going. There's a LOT of activity involved. And, I would be too nervous I couldn't participate in all the things... You better bet I'm going to be running around participating this time ahhhhhh the benefits of losing 70 some pounds!

Is anyone going to TAM this year? Just curious. My bf and I are going to try to go this year. I doubt I'll attend the lectures, that's more his thing. I'll probably check out Vegas. If you're not, anyone been to Vegas before? Can you recommend me some things to see/do?

I've been reading through this forum for quite some time...longingly anticipating my turn...I had started this process back in July of 2010 and I finally have a surgery date!!! March 29th is the big day!! whew hooo!!! I'm having it done at mayo clinic..they are so darn conservative, it seems like it's taken FOREVER and a day. but now i'm 2.5 weeks pre- surgery...almost there, i guess it's time to take some before pictures this weekend so i have a starting point...i'm a photographer, so i'm used to making things look pretty...hmmm no way i'm going to be able to make my body pretty...there isn't enough photoshop in the world..ha ha ha...But i will do it anyway because i …

its been 53 days and not one pound..is this it... It's been alittle over 9 months since my surgery and I've lost about 110 pounds and I know thats a huge gift but I still hvae about 60-70 pounds I need to loose and since the beggining of Jan I haven't lost anything and I'm upset that this could be it. anyone going through the same thing here

Well, My name is Dominic M. I'm 34 yrs old father to two wonderful kids. I work full time in law enforcement. My starting weight was 351.4 my current weight is 330.5. Everything is done and Monday at 815am EST. I'll be having my Sleeve Surgery.. Cross your fingers people..

I was wondering if anyone discovered they had a hiatal hernia during the process of your pre-surgery work up? I was told I had one, and that it would be corrected during my surgery. I was just wondering if it added time to the surgery and recovery period? Sheila

I hid the scales away about a month ago. I was so depressed when i got on them so i just thought i would put them away for a while. Bad idea. I have put on almost 12 lbs and am now at my heaviest ever. I know since i booked surgery etc, i have been a bit out of control, pigging out but im sure hiding the scales away has not helped. Anyone have any thoughts? I am so glad it is only 3 weeks til i get sleeved, i am so unhappy being the way i am.

Topic moved. posted in the wrong spot and dunno how to delete it.

I am SO excited!!! I just scheduled my sleeve in Mexico with Dr Aceves! ! ! And I also bought my plane ticket! I'm flying out the 29th, scheduled for the 29th, I have *never* done anything this radical before in my whole life. About spending the money, here was my reasoning: I have probably spent a hundred thousand dollars already on failed diets, new clothes, spanx, miracle suits, Jenny Craig, Nutrisystem, lowcarb supplements, miracle cures and pills such as carulluma, that white bean extract thing that's supposed to block carbs, alternative health practitioners, exercise programs I buy and don't use, depression medication, acupunture, hypnosis, and tha…

I know everyone is different, but- Ballpark- how long post op did everyone see a drop/normalization of their cholesterol levels? Also anyone have any suggestions for the leg cramps caused by statin drugs, for the cholesterol? Rx'd muscle relaxers make me sooooo sleepy.

Ok so I was sleeved 1/25. I haven't lost any weight in about 2.5 almost 3 weeks now!! It's driving me nuts because I know I'm doing exactly what I'm supposed to be doing. I'm tracking everything. I'm getting plenty of protein.. my carbs (except for like 1 day?) have been under 50...I'm getting as many calories as I can stomach (I'm averaging 600-700... my fat is WAY low. I'm exercising too. I don't know what else to do. It's frustrating as all hell and I feel like "ok is this IT?? Did I just amputate part of my body for nothing??" I mean it's always been hard for me to continue on the right path w/o some sort of... positive anything. That's why I was never able to stick w…

My friend had VSG 24 days ago, and she's in a terrible state. She has yet to hold down the smallest amount of liquid. All is vomited. food is out of the question. Dr says sleeve is not too tight. He cannot figure out why she can't hold down any liquid since he sees that all with her sleeve surgery is okay. Suspecting an infection, he will do a biopsy on the stomach tissue. Meanwhile, my once very strong, assertive, lively friend is wasting away barely able speak. She's lost 50lbs within 24 days and is always thirsty and is very, very weak. Sent home after 2 weeks in the hospital, she goes to the ER to get IV liquid and nutrients since she's had no success in d…

Ok all. I'm down 50# now. Woooooo! At any rate still weigh in at 249#. Looking to go mattress shopping. Anyone have any suggestions for a good firm mattress that won't get 'sink holes'? Mattresses cost some serious cash and I would appreciate any recommendations. Want something firm for the ol back, and a product that will last. Thanks

Hello. I am considering VSG and of course I'm doing the wrong thing in reading all the posts in here. LOL. I love reading the success story posts, but the ones in this section scare me. Are there any updates from those who were suffering, or not losing, to tell us how you are doing today? Do you still regret getting the sleeve? Thanks everyone! Melissa

I was sleeved on Jan 4th and lost 19lbs in two weeks then only 5lbs in the last 3 weeks! Is that it? Can i expect to only lose 1-2lbs a weeks now? Hardly seems fair, i could do that without the surgery. I'm hoping that after the initial big loss my body is adjusting before i start losing big again. Even 3lbs a week would be good. So how are the rest of you doing? Anyone else out there go through the same thing and then have their loss increase? I don't look much different and feel disappointed when i hear other people doing so much better. 'm been on solid food since week 2 and don't have much restriction so i have to watch what i eat, mostly protein with some salad …

I'm wanting my sleeve so bad, but it didn't look like I would have enough money until early summer and by then it would be impossible for me to take off work for the surgery. So, I've been looking at late September at best and feeling so discouraged that I was going to have to wait that long. My new husband (since October) just offered up the balance of what I need so I can have it done (hopefully) in late March! We keep our money separate for a variety of reasons and I didn't know he could help me out that much. I'm calling my chosen docs office tomorrow morning and getting the ball rolling. I have been in contact with them previously, so I'm hoping we can get this …

I've been at my job for 6 years. It's a small place with about 60 employees and we're all pretty close. I fit in and I have a ton of friends here. Only 4 of them knew that I was out for surgery. I've always hid behind my weight. It was my shell, my protection. It helped make me invisible and play the background. Well, now that it's rapidly melting away, I don't know if I like all the attention. Everyone keeps telling me how good I look and I'm so embarrassed. People are stopping me in the hall and complimenting me. I should be living it up, right? WRONG! I feel...exposed. I didn't want to be invisible anymore, I just dont' know if I want to be visible yet - o…

I have some pajama pants from Big Dogs I don't want to throw away. My husband suggested for my flannel BD pants we cut them up and turn them into burp cloths for baby. So we're going to do that. I don't know what to do with the plain cotton knit pants though? Any ideas? This is the last time I'll be able to wear this particular pair I'm wearing because I've got Coppertone Baby thing going on lol. Have yall done anything to repurpose any of your favorite old clothes? I'd love suggestions!

In the morning when I weigh myself, I'm 202 lbs. At night, I'm 206. I am only eating 2 meals a day, and a protein drink, and 1 snack which is usually yogurt - all protein. I'm only averaging about 500-600 calories, so why the dramatic weight difference. Am I doing something wrong?