Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums

Hi All, I know there are other threads here about this but I want to tell my story. Before I had VSG in Feb I was at my highest weight of 350. The first several months afterwards the weight came off quickly and I lost 90 lbs. However, this past month my addiction to comfort foods has returned with a vengeance. I have been eating a lot of junky and slider foods and throwing up at least twice a day. I know this really awful and it is taking a lot of courage for me to share with you. I have regained 4 pounds. I don't understand why the cravings are so intense when I have so much to look forward to as I continue to get fitter and lose. I feel so much despa…

Today is the 6 month anniversary of my revision/sleeve surgery. I think I weigh today what I weighed then. Someone told me it would be harder to lose the weight but I was hoping they were wrong. Two weeks ago I really started exercising, counting calories and journaling everything I eat and do. Has anyone else had this problem? I'm getting very discouraged. I KNOW it's just a tool and not a magic bullet, but still, does it have to be this hard?

Okay... I apologize in advance for not being able to cite my source.... I read a study on weight loss with the sleeve the other day and the results were that people lost and average of 55% of their excess weight in 2 years and had kept off 45% at 5 years. :scared: ARE YOU FREAKIN KIDDING :thumbup1: I HAD 85% OF MY STOMACH REMOVED !!! Now... admittedly, I do not know the year... the bougie size.... the sample number.... the author. I just know I better freakin keep off more than 45% of my excess body weight. :scared0:

How many of you all have become friends on this site and in real life?? Gone from chatting to meeting? I still have a yr or more be 4 I do my surgery and wanted to see how many are friends.

I did ask this question to a member of my surgical team and they said that it didn't really apply to Sleeve patients as much as it does to Bypass patients. How do you guys have your fluids?...Do you make sure you don't drink anything 20 minutes before and after your meals?...Or do you just drink whenever you want? Snow xx

I am three days out of surgery and I am feeling pretty good except I have horrible bloating in my abdomen. I did not have a drain put in and I wonder if I should have... it is hard and pushed out... At what point do I get worried and/or email my Dr? Am I worrying for nothing, is it normal? Did anyone else have this issue? how long until it resolved?

WHY? WHY? WHY?!!! i stay so cold . sometimes the house can be a comfortable temp and my bf will be like your feet are like ice blocks and my hands. i don't get it my blood is fine so does anyone else go though this? im think if we have a winter like we had this past winter i going to die from the cold.:drool5:.............no really

In December, I had reached my goal weight so I treated myself to a bra fitting & 4 new Victoria Secrets bras. I needed them as I was wearing a 42DD...new size was 36D. I thought I was good to go and wouldn't get any smaller in that area. WRONG! The past few weeks I noticed my bras were getting too big. A bit disappointing to say the least. But nonetheless, I need good fitting bras so I go back to VS today for another fitting. OMG! I am now a 34B!!! What? I was a 36C in high school...I simply can't believe this! I wanted to keep my girls & I thought since I had made it to goal and only went down one cup size that I would be okay. I'm a bit shocked & …

How did your weight come off? I've heard that you lose it the in reverse of the way you gained it. So for me I gained the weight in my tummy most recently and I would love for that to be the first to go. Or did you totally lose it randomly?

bruising. I bruise so easily now and I never did before. I seem to have bruises all the time and I do not know how I got them. Am I low on something or is this something that just happens. Will it get better?

I have lost 11 lbs since surgery and I'm 3 weeks post op. I don't see the 11 lbs as a great victory. Anyone would lose weight after being on liquids for 4 weeks. It doesn't have anything to do with the surgery. I'm miserable. I still can't sleep in my bed. I measured myself and my waist is 1 1/2 inches bigger and my hips are 1 inch bigger than before surgery. My pants now fit tighter than ever. I can't eat, and I have to force myself to drink. My whole abdomen is still so sore. I know we are all different and heal at different rates but this has just gone past ridiculous. Everyday I come here and read about how great everyone is doing. From great weight loss to…

Here is my ins update - spoke with the surgeon on 6/4 gave him to OK to approve for the band to vsg revision. He said call back in 2-3 weeks if you don't hear from us. Called the insurance co twice last week (last time on Friday) - they state they haven't gotten any requests from the doctors office. Call the office today - they sent it in last week and just got a request for additional information today (but there is not case number assigned) Patients is not one of my virtues and I'm starting to loose my mind:cursing:

Hi, this is my first post here, but I've been reading, reading, reading. I got my band in March 2008, and spent lots of time on lapbandtalk.com before and after that surgery. I used to read and post, especially in the group who was banded in the same month as I was. But eventually I dropped out because I just couldn't relate to everyone's relatively easy journey and success, while I struggled endlessly with the dreaded fill/unfill/fill/slip/unfill/fill... cycle that went on ever since the first time I had a slip about 9 months into the process. I finally stopped getting any adjustments late last year and just left it alone. I hate my band for all the struggles and reasons…

When I went for my 1-week post-op appointment with my surgeon, he had said that at about the 2-3 week mark I would feel fabulous .. 'conquer the world' sort of thing. I am 6 weeks post-op and I am dealing with chronic tiredness. Is anyone else experiencing this? I realize my food intake is down dramatically but I am careful with what I eat - I stick to the Proteins, veggies and good carbs, lots of fluids, etc. I cannot seem to get enough sleep and still want a nap in the daytime. I don't consume any caffeine or sugar either. Thoughts or ideas?

Well guys I have a few things going on that I need your help with. 1. For the last 3 days I noticed that under my eyes is dark. I have never had that problem before. 2. I left work early today because of pain on my right side under my ribs and it hasn't gone away. I scheduled an appointment with my surgeon for tomorrow morning but I wanted everyone's opinion.

i know that straws are a bariatric "no no". however, when i had the band, drinking with straws were ususally the only way i could get all my Fluid in during the day. does anyone drink with straws now that they have the sleeve? does it cause you any problems? i had revision surgery on the 15th, and i'm still not getting all my fluids in during the day. i was thinking of trying with a straw since it made it easier with the band. what are your thoughts?

Can we get a group for the 400+ group? We have some very unique needs / concerns both pre and post-op!

Talked with my surgeon today, he is going to submit my paperwork fro a band to sleeve revision. He stated it normally takes 2-3 weeks to hear back from the insurance company but once I get approval we can schedule a date. Due to vacation coverage at work I wont be able to get two/three weeks off until September but that isn't as far away as it seems. Now to not gain any more weight with my unfilled band for the next 12 weeks. Oh boy.

I'm an avid coupon clipper, and today I ran across a $4.00 off Prevacid coupon. I will never use it, but thought a fellow sleevester who buys their PPI otc could use it. If you want it, shoot me a message with your address, and I'll mail it out to you. I get my Prilosec for free on base so there is no need for me to hang onto this coupon.

I have developed a hiatal hernia, thought I had some food stuck was pretty scared. Went to the Ed after the most awful tests was Dx w/a hiatal hernia. I did not have this prior to my revision. Has this happened to anyone else? I am going to send an e-mail to Dr. Aceves. Going to see my PCP when I can get an apppointment. Just what I need another surgery!:thumbup1: Dee

Hey everybody! I pray all of you are doing great!! Looks like y'all are from the threads I'm reading. I'm sure 99.9% of you don't even know who I am, LOL. I was here in Feb and March praying to be approved by insurance for the sleeve but it did not happen because I'm not a footstep away from dying on paper and my BMI wasn't high enough. Fooled around for awhile and finally got myself on Atkins at the end of May. Lost 9 lbs in 2 weeks with 8.5 of those in the first week. Went on vacation last week to Panama City Beach, went off plan and came back with 4.5 lbs of those 9 back on me so I'm back on plan as of today. Anyway, while on vacation my hubby saw me alm…

i was sleeved tuesday. after having the band for 2 years and have my "full" feeling higher up, i now have to learn how to feel full all over again. my doctor told me the feeling would be lower down (like before the band), but i'm still nervous about it. how did you relearn about feeling full?

What some suggest to take on a vaction? I am think of going to vegas? Maybe 7-8 trip. What need for airport, plane, hotel and eating out?

Weight Loss Buddies My friend Kimberly announced that she had started a diet to lose some pounds she had put on recently. "Good!" I exclaimed. "I'm ready to start a diet too. We can be dieting buddies and help each other out. When I feel the urge to drive out and get a burger and fries, I'll call you first." "Great!" she replied. "I'll ride with you." -- Katina Fisher :blushing:

had my band to sleeve revision yesterday. came home this morning. have a few quesions: 1. is being sick to your stomach normal? i have had one episode of dry heaves today....nothing came up, so i guess thats good. 2. i have to FORCE myself to drink. i haven't eaten at all today. so far i've drank about 16 ozs of Water and an 11 oz protien shake. and it's taken me all day. will that get easier? i'm worried i'm not going to get my fluids / protien in. 3. all i want to do is sleep. i dont remember being this tired or having the above issues when i had the band put in.

I feel like I am eating too much at times and I am wondering what ideas you guys have out there for shrinking your Sleeve. Should I just go back on Liquids for a week ??? I've lost 42 and I'm half way to goal to get to my 140 mark I'd like to see. My weight loss has slowed down alot... which I know is Normal especially for someone my size I have been told I will not lose as fast anymore. any insight would be great ! =) :crying:

I'm just curious as to whether any statistics are available in the US regarding band successes versus failures. It just seems that there are so many people having the same kinds of problems over and over and yet the operation is still being performed. I know it's not that many but I know of 4 people including myself who have had serious slippage problems through no fault of their own. The other 3 are stuck at the moment as they cannot get the funding on the NHS for revision surgery. I think it would be very interesting to know the ratio of success to failure.

I am in Mesa taking care of some stuff at my dad's house. I would love to get together with someone who is sleeved or thinking of getting sleeved. Anyone want to meet up?

As I'm searching for a surgeon I day dream about I will do once I have my sleeve and have lost a good amount of weight. I am 270 now so I have about 120ish to loose. What are you looking forward to or if you are already there what did the sleeve make possible for you? Mine are: Shopping at any store and buying cheap and cute clothes. Taking a bath in a regular sized bathtub with room Flirting, even though I've always been fat I haven't had any confidence recently People saying, "Is that all you are eating?" Getting any hairstyle I want without worring about making my face fatter Wearing shorts and dresses again My husband picking me up

Hi everyone. I just found this forum today and have been reading avidly everything I could get my mouse on. I was just introduced to the concept of converting my band to the sleeve last week and am really excited about the possibility! My band was stellar the first year and a disaster the second. Can't keep random food down, no fill for a year, every time they try it, they have to take it out. I lost 70lbs the first year and gained back 30 the second year. So, as you can imagine, frustration has set in. :lol0: I have just put in the paperwork to get the sleeve covered by insurance, which shouldn't be a problem, it will just take a few months for it to come throug…

I'm planning on having my surgery in July, I'm hoping it's early in July because the fall semester of college starts on August 25th and then I start my work study on September 1st... So I know this is all based on the specific person, but my question is: How long will it be I will feel "okay" enough to go to class/work comfortably? How long did it take you???

Thanks so much for you guys taking pictures of your before and afters. I has really help keep me motivated!

I had my surgery 6 months ago and have lost 78lbs. That alone I know is great. I should feel more excited and motivated. I should be feeling very happy...but I do not feel that way. I seem to have to be having more bad days than good. I am afraid that I stretched my sleeve..cause I seem to be able to take in more food. I am terrible at counting Protein..calories..I dont. When it comes to keeping myself organized its impossible. I dont really have a support system I can turn too on a daily basis. My husband who struggles with his weight and is not willing to make changes to his lifestyle ...this does not help me ....difficult when he brings all the goodies that I use to…

I have to have my band removed today, it is causing nausea and epigastric pain. I found out friday that today it would come out and have to decide by today if I want the sleeve. I did not lose weight with the band until this year when I realized that I had to diet too. Doh! I have lost 39 lbs this year with the band but for the last 3 weeks I've been nauseous and in pain so out it comes. I don't want to gain anything back but I'm so afraid I will have trouble like I did with the band. I don't want to be rushed into this but I am already having surgery so this would be the time. I have until 9:30 to decide. Wish me luck! Beth

It's been about 24 hours now that I've been sleeved. I took pictures of the facility and my whole trip down here. I feel so blessed to have gotten through everything without complications thusfar. They have me walking around a lot to relieve the colic, gassy feeling. They haven't given me anything to drink yet. I'm not in any kind of pain...just the discomfort from the gas. I can't wait to start losing this weight already. Oh yeah the only other pain I had was in my throat from the tube..but thats almost gone now.

Please give me some advice, hope,....courage I am 55 years old male and my BMI= 48,5 ( 194 cm + 180 Kgr) Dimitrios from Athens Greece

Hi!! Is it only me, i notice most of the posts and discussions are happening in between the fairer sex.. I hardly can see any posts by men in this forum.. Or is this surgery not preferred by men?

I'll be getting my sleve on Thursday January 28, 2010! I'm so excited! I'm amazed by the Blessing the Lord has given me on a second chance...this pre-diet is horrable...I'm so hungry :scared0:

I'm 13 weeks out today. I feel great. I've lost 46 lbs, but I'm beginning to worry as I have absolutely no appetite at all. I know it's a blessing in disquise, but I find lately that I have to force myself to eat. Nothing taste good at all. I don't know if this is a phase that will pass, but I am a bit worried. Anyone else have this problem? Should it be something I worry about or not? Appreciate any imput.

I am here in TJ awaiting my surgery that's now scheduled for MONDAY!!! I have the luxury of having a mother and stepfather who live here so I will be well taken care of for sure. I will most definitely keep you all posted once I have my surgery. I can't wait to be on the losers side:biggrin2:

Hi, I'm new on this forum. My story: I went into surgery day before yesterday to get a lap-band placed. However, when my doctor got inside, he found a huge hiatal hernia that has misshapen my stomach. After consultation with another doc, he put me together again. He says lap-band is not an option at this point, and that I should consider gastric bypass. I really don't want the full surgery. The more I read about the different types, the more VSG seems like the most reasonable option. I would very much appreciate any feedback you could give me on what works and what doesn't with VSG. Thanks!

Hi, I have been mostly a lurker but have posted a couple of times. I am going to be sleeved in early July by either Dr. Ortega or Alcavez (haven't made up my mind yet). I have a couple of questions I hope I can find a answer to. I take a couple of necessary medication that must be taken with food. Will I be able to do this the after surgery during my liquid phase? I also take numerous Vitamins including a Multivitamin that make me feel barfy unless I have food in my stomach. Will this improve any? Also, I keep hearing about this gas problem. I will have a 14 hour flight after the surgery. Is there anything I should bring with me so I don't gas out the people o…

Before I had my procedure, I spoke with a gentleman that had the Sleeve Plication and he began eating real food after his first week. Can ya'll tell me what ya'll did as far as food is concerned. Yesterday at 5 days, I was feeling really weak so took some Progresso Lentil Soup and blended and diluted it and ate a shallow bowl of it with no trouble afterwards. When did ya'll go on real food and did you try it for say, one meal a day when you did introduce it? Tell me about it please, how and when you started with solids. Also, My scale is saying 200 when I was 213 a week ago, this can't be right, but I've shifted it around and let it rest, and it still reads 200 whe…

I seem to have some pain on my left side. I am 7 weeks out. I am wondering if i maybe lifted something too heavy and maybe its a pulled muscle. Has anyone else had pain on left side?

Hi everyone, I'm 7 days out and doing good except for 1 thing, I'm still on clear liquids until Thursday. . . i'm doing really well with this clear liquid thing even though i would LOVE to inhale some REAL FOOD but i always imagine how much pain that would bring on! :scared0: Did anyone else start feeling stupid or dizzy or something after a week of clear liquids? Things are actually starting to move that shouldn't be moving. . . like my grandfather clock, the base looks like it's moving, or my 125 gallon aquarium looks like it's moving. . . call it hallucinations or food deprivation. . . don't know. . . anyone else? I'm not on any meds at all so i know it's not that. .…

Hey, has anyone any suggestions for me? I am bleeding at the site of the drain tube, is this normal or should I seek medical attention? Worried Slightly

Hi all, Well the new Dr office called and they are submitting my paperwork for the band to sleeve revision for June 28th. I am a total basket case now. I don't know why, I loved my band when it was working. My major problem is that I can eat everything now, and I do, and I LOVE it. I love having bagels for Breakfast again, and bread with my Pasta, and my hot dogs on buns! Oh and that nice COLD beer when it was 95 degrees out on Saturday! What is wrong with me? I feel like a kid in a candy store, going crazy because I think that when the sleeve is done, it will be like the band again. Please tell me I am CRAZY!!! I know i have to watch my carbs and follow the rule…

I have my 200lbs goal set by one year surgerversary what about u

For those of you who have been praying for my sister Linda and our families, I would like to thank you ever so much! Your prayers have been answered as Linda sent me a brief email yesterday and I will enclose it below! For those who don't know, my sister suffered horrible complications at the new Jerusalem facility (Almanza/Betancourt) in TJ Mexico back in January, and has been hospitalized ever since (still there). She was the 6th sleeve Almanza did that day, her surgery started after 10 pm! She had a leak that went undetected while there and the resulting infection sent her into septic shock, with a collapsed lung, severe dehydration and renal failure, she had about…

Hello all, I've noticed a weird feeling come about my calves since surgery. Actually it started sometime yesterday I think, after sitting in a rocker for a bit and then when I stood up to walk away I felt what I would describe a mild charlie horse "knot" inside my calf that went away as soon as I started walking. It did it again early this morning after sleeping most the night. I just thought its probably because I am deficient in a Vitamin or something due to such limited diet right now. Anyone experience this? I will call my doctor if it continues, as I know he had mentioned the reason for being up and walking all the time was to eliminate blood clots. I have been …