Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums

Hi All! I have asked loads of food questions but is it just me or did anyone else kinda obsess over all the food and big meals you are going to miss out on? I keep thinking I will be miserable watching everyone around me eat whatever they like and I will be living on Protein shakes and Soup the rest of my life. I worry about complications and leaving my husband and 2 very young kids alone. I worry about having the surgery and waking up and thinking what the hell have I just done. I have asked it before but, does anyone regret having the sleeve surgery? I have searched all over the forums and I cannot find anyone so far who regrets their choice. Nor have …

I posted this somewhere else, so bear with me :001_smile:. All set up with Dr. Aceves in Mexicalli for April 10th! My tickets are purchased and my hotel reserved! Work is great, they are letting me fly down and back to San Diego on their dime! (I have a building I oversee in the SD area). I'm so excited! I have lost 8 lbs this week on Adkins, so I am hoping to lose a full 30 lbs before surgury to be safe. Anyone else traveling to Mexico in April? Tracy

I have been cleared for the sleeve on 3/23/10, I'm so excited! I have bought the chewable vitamins, sublingual B12, and will get the liquid protein for the post-op period. I'm blessed to have friends that have gone through the same procedure or bypass, such great support system!

Hi everybody. I'm new here. I've been reading and absorbing as much information as possible. What do they differently during surgery if you have sleep apnea vs. if you don't? I'm pretty sure I have sleep apnea...I think I've probably had it for a couple of years now although I've never had a sleep study done..at least not yet. I'm sure my surgeon will require me to have one. I was just wondering what difference it makes to have the definitive proof.

So, I've been reading and was just reading the thread about the lady who thought her stomach was made too large because she could eat a whole sandwich. (I'm so sorry I've blanked on your name or I would have given you a proper shout out Anyway, in there someone made mention of the lady (another name I can't remember, I'm so sorry) who wound up having a pouch off to the side where food was just sitting there. So, that got me thinking about what the surgeon said yesterday about how he does the surgery and doesn't remove the stomach right up at the end/side of the esophagus. Instead he angles it out from the bottom of the stomach up so that the top of the staple lin…

:crying: I am very worried because last week I was able to eat a whole sandwich made at home. I didnt even realize it till I had eaten the whole thing, I didnt have any problems eating it like pain or discomfort. I have only been out of surgey for 2 months. I talked to Shirley and she said she is only able to eat about half of a sandwich along with her husband. Im getting more and more depressed about this. I do not want to have another surgey to correct this if there is a problem, which I think there is a problem. I have been feeling like something hasnt been right since shortly after I had surgey. I still have that "hunger" pains not really pain but I do get hungry, I …

This was in the New York Times the other day... nothing we don't already know, but it's good to hear someone with an international readership discussing the issue. Interesting, and wanted to share. (Please be warned, some of the "comments" are kind of rude... to be expected, I guess.) Best to all! :thumbup: Essay - For Obese People, Prejudice in Plain Sight - NYTimes.com The Stigma of Being ‘Fat’ - Well Blog - NYTimes.com

I am wondering if there is a good lotion I should be using to help with loose skin...Do you use one you recommend? I have a recollection that someone said they used something that worked well, but now I can't remember the details. I lost so much muscle mass with two weeks in the hospital. And I am already really sagging. I figure lotion might not work, but it doesn't hurt to try!!

Literature is a major part of the !2 Step Program. These are good basic books for OA by OA! The Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions #990 The Twelve-Step Workbook #992 For Today #984 Overeaters Anonymous, 2nd Edition #988 Voices of Recovery #986 Overeaters Anonymous Bookstore

It looks like my leak is healed!! I had surgery on 12/24, but since I haven't eaten in 3 months, I assume I will start back up like I am a new post-op surgery. I will have to wait to hear from my surgeon and dietitian for more details. I am just still in shock right now. In all honesty, I have no desire to eat at all...that is pretty scary and kinda worries me. I will just take it slow and hope for the best!! Many thanks to all the people who having been praying for me. I really appreciate your concern. =) Stacie

Heard this on CNN this morning. Clarity - Think about what it is you want to do, or change, in your life. Plan - Decide what you need to do to accomplish your goals. Resolution - Continue, against all challenges, to do those things which will make your dreams come true. What's your CPR?

I have people that are telling me not to have weight loss surgery that has had it themselves and were successful. I can't understand why some individuals would discourage ME IN that way. They had it and did fine, so my question is why would they tell me YOU CAN LOOSE IT THE NATURAL WAY!!! I'M SO SICK OF HEARING THAT! WHY DIDN'T YOU LOOSE IT THE NATURAL WAY. SOME PEOPLE ARE SO FULL OF IT!!! I'M JUST SAYIN THAT'S ALL!!!

Well the old band comes out tomorrow and I will be an official sleever. Looking forward to the journey. Wish the band worked but we just didn't get along. Hoping this is the answer. See ya on the other side. :thumbup:

the chat room is starting to become popular finally! I am leaving the chat window open while I fool around on my lap top, so if anyone wants to talk, click on the chat button at the top!

Wants to get thin enough to bump into my ex and his new wife? Like how horrible of a person am I? lol

My wife feels that the goal weight I'm shooting for is too low. I was basing it on a BMI of 24.8%. You all have been a wealth of knowledge and wondering what you all think/have experienced. Thanks!

I am freaking out a bit because there is a staple in my drain. This happened in the hospital too. Everyone dismissed it. But it freaked my DH out a lot. Friday my surgeon pulled my drain back quite a bit (6 inches). He thinks that the drain was close and keeping the leak open. Now we are concerned about an abscess forming, but that is just a risk I guess. I am back on antibiotics now (took off for a while due to the c diff) Could me entire staple line be coming undone? Still? I am well over 2 months out of surgery. Could it just be a staple that was sitting there and just happened to get sucked out now? I just found it and am so nervous. I am off to church and for a…

I was sleeved on Jan 4th. For a while my cravings went away. I lost 29 pounds. But now I seem stuck. And all I can think about is sugar cookies....seriously. What happened to the ghrelin and the no more cravings! I'm so sad I even feel this way. I don't want to have wasted my surgery... Help! Stacey:huh0:

I have lost 61 lbs in a little under 2 months (almost halfway to my goal weight). I am losing very slow (if at all) now. How do you know when you have hit a plateau? How often do you weigh? What have any of you done? This has been an extremely helpful group (a big part of my success to date).Thanks in advance for your insight! :confused1:

I had surgery Dec 4, 2010, down 34 lbs but struggling. I have not seen the scale move in 5 days. I am getting very discouraged and I am hoping to find someone for support and encouragement. I am 36 with with two daughters 19 and 8. If there is anyone out there willing to by my buddy, please respond. thanks a bunch

I will be approved and have this surgery that I created a "Before" picture album!! LOL How 'bout them apples! Getting excited!! I talked to the surgeons office again today and she said that if everything goes like some of the other patients with UHC's approvals did, I should have surgery before summer!! WOOOHOOO!! I'm believing for May 1st!!

Hey! I got into this cool study on the metabolic changes of weightloss surgery. They are in desperate need of sleevers so if you are going to have the surgery (you need to start pre-op) So if you are getting the sleeve and live near enough to Johns Hopkins to go 22 times in 2 years, you get paid per visit, for a total of $2500. Here is the ad from their website: A study is being performed to evaluate changes in blood glucose and heart function before and after weight loss following bariatric surgery. Men and women, ages 21 to 65, are needed to participate.The study involves 22 outpatient visits over the course of two years. Participants will be eligible for compensat…

I was so excited to finally feel like I was officially beginning the process by going for my yearly check ups tomorrow with my pcp and ob/gyn. I know my pcp would have been on board and done some tests for some things I was a little worried about before wanting to go under the knife plus he would have been able to have time to write me a letter for a pre-determination for my insurance before I meet with the surgeon on the 24th for my first consult. Same thing for my ob/gyn, wanted a letter about my pcos, infertility and weight issues from him to be submitted with it too. Well, I get a call this morning from my pcp's office and they have to cancel my appt. for tomorrow …

My doctor says that the typical wt loss is 70%. Does that sound right to everyone?

Now I have to wait 2 more stinking weeks!! LOL March 24th I'll go in to see Dr. Merriman in Shreveport. He's the first that will see me without going to a seminar. Hopefully, in between now and then I'll find a few more that will do the same. Finally got the insurance junk figured out, I THINK!! We'll see, if I get a bill for the consults then we'll know that it wasn't figured out, LOL. Anyway, kind of excited but scared. Wow, am I really going to go through with getting 85% of my stomach cut out???? Any other Louisiana docs that ppl think rock, please post their names ASAP so I can try and meet as many as possible. Thanks!!

I had abdominioplasty surgery 2 years ago. I keep thinking my stomach is going to hurt worse in the healing process because of this. Has anyone experienced this or have any advice? my surgery is 10 days away..

Sorry if this is a duplicate but, my computer locked up when I tried to send the earlier one. Please put my Dad in your prayers tonite. He is on life support in critical condition at Baylor Dallas. My surgery will be postponed for a while.

So, as some of you know, I'm in the research phase. I feel, as of now, that VSG is an awesome option for me. I have 80 lbs to lose but a BMI of around 36 so I don't even know if my insurance would approve me. BUT, just pretending they did, I still have the husband hurdle to cross. He is the most amazing man and I am so thankful God brought us together but bless his heart, he totally does not get why I need to do this. He says that he just doesn't understand why I would need to get 85% of my stomach cut out to lose weight when if we would just knuckle down and eat right and exercise we could lose our weight. What he is forgetting is that I have been overweight my …

Hi everyone! I'm 2 weeks post-op today and wanted to know around when can I start swallowing a capsule instead of mixing it in food. My doctor put me on Actigall in order to prevent gall stones when I go through my "rapid weight loss" time. I haven't been taking my medicine everyday because the taste is extremely bitter and makes me want to gag...

I know I shared with a few of you about the low blood pressure issues I've been having for the last few weeks. I finally broke down and went to my PCP yesterday because honestly I having up to 6 episodes per day. My PCP believe I have developed orthostatic hypotension, but it's source/reason is unknown at this point. He order a huge panel of labs, and the results came back today. Everything is normal there is not one bodily function that is not within normal limits, or even low normal. He said my bloodwork looked really great. He also did a urinalysis, and pregnancy test. Both were negative. I have a follow up next Thursday, and for the next 6 days I have…

When did everyone feel they were ready to go back to work? Did you have a waiting period or did you just go right back into it?

I just wanted to post a topic to open it up for discussion. We'll be traveling to Texas on March 29th through April 4th. I've talked with several of the ladies in the D/FW area and we decided to get together on April 3rd for lunch, socializing, and maybe shopping. None of the specific details have been hammered out yet. I would like to find a place that will accommodate all of our pre/post-op diet needs regardless of which stage in the pre/post-op diet all of us may be at during this time. I am extremely open, and can pretty much eat anything. I would prefer it not be a strict seafood place, but if they have chicken I can handle that. Also, I wondered a…

I did my research, talked with my hubby and decided that I would do the VSG. I leave on Sunday and last night I discussed with my oldest (12) that I would be going away next week. Needless to say he was quite concerned about the surgery and very worried. I went over everything with him and said it is very safe. I talked alot about the health benefits. He also says that I am perfect and he doesn't want his mom to change. Its breaking my heart because I want this so bad to be skinny again. But it is difficult to discuss with my son the internal struggle I deal with every day that I have never let him or my family see. Does anyone have any suggestions in discussing wi…

can someone please tell me how to put one of those cute bars to keep track of my goals on my page?

Just wanted to share with fellow revisioners. I got my unfil Monday. Ate some turkey for lunch OMG That band is so stupid! No wonder I was always hungry!! I have had two days of normal eating. I don't feel the need to pig out. I am very surprised. The first thing I am going to do after surgery is feel my belly and know that this tumor port is gone!!!.:w00t: D.

With a broken rib, I went for my stress test and did fine. Dr. called this morning to tell me there were 2 problems and need a cardiac cath before I can get clearance. I am over the edge totally. So so close. i am sure April 5 will NOt happen and don't know now if it will ever happen for me. I felt FINE during the test and had no symptoms. I am so upset and can't stop crying. Seeing the cardiologist Monday and will be havig a big ole pity party from now till then. Anyone else out here had this happen? Rib is still hurting badly but this........ Carol:sad0:

With all the success that the vsg operation promised and delivered to you and I...I was contemplating the idea of helping others. Here's what happens 3 or 4 days every week in my life: Every time I'm having a break from work, me and a couple of guys go downstairs from the office building to hang out for a while. And there, you see all sorts of people (it's a very busy building). And like you'd expect, some faces become familiar..in fact very familiar that you start noticing a routine (kind of like the movie Disturbia ) Now, in this story...there are two guys I do not know but always see and they both are very heavy and need help. One of them doesnt seem to b…

OMG i am soo frustrated with my insurance. Priority Health. I have had my doctor submit my claims to them two times and they denied both. My last resort was to find out if I have sleep apnea then they would cover my surgery. I went today to sleep doctor and did find out i have sleep apnea, right away called my doctor who then called my insurance,,, and they still will not cover it unless I am actually hooked up to a pap machine.. Out of ideas.. I cant believe how strict Priority Health is on this issue. Anyone else have any advice on what route to try next..?? I am not afraid of the mexico idea , i am afraid to tell my family, i know they would be scared for me. UGGGG

SO! for those who knew that i THOUGHT i was gaining weight out of the blue............story. so as of this early i step on the scale the thing said 232 well i about well ready to kill over i mean i was 220 yesterdayi was readyto jump off a bridge somewhere! (you would of heard about me on the 5:00 news) so i'm historcal(sp?) right and my bf trying everything to calm me down after about 20 mintues in the fetus postion (i know so sad lol) my BF get up walks to th scale and says i wonder so he steps on the scale it it say he weight 100 pounds my (bf weighs 140) he steps off and does it again this time 110. and all he say is opps oh boy i think i ruin your scale. My dear swe…

I've been obsessed with this site and OH for the last week or so. And, I know that leaks are uncommon but I've also read about a few who have had them and one or two who are dealing with MAJOR stuff because of them not healing. My question is, how many of you who had leaks after surgery know the leaks were caused from being revised from another surgery? Ok, so there's more than one question, LOL. Second one is, those of you who had leaks that were not caused by damage done from the band or from whatever it was that you were revised from, were they the surgeons fault or was it something that just happened without a known cause? I am a smoker, and if I get app…

When I stand, the weight of my belly fat pulls down on the incision sites and drain site and it hurts. I was thinking about getting one of those support bands they make for pregnancy to help hold the weight while I walk. Has anyone else experienced this? If so, did you find a solution?

How close where you to goal when you got your revision? :confused1:How many months did it take you to get to goal? :confused1:Any issues with maintaining? :scared0: I am so close to my revision! Complete unfill on Monday. Got my $ set aside. My passport card is in my wallet. Thank you all for the information and support thus far.:biggrin0: D.

I am sure we all have our personal reasons for wanting to lose weight and get the sleeve. And, I am sure there are certain things we all want to do once we reach goal that we have held back from doing because of our weight. I personally find those goals/dreams to be very motivating, and like to see some of the things that motivate others to lose weight, besides the obvious one of better health. For me, I want to be able to go to the beach without feeling ashamed and embarrassed. I want to lose the huge cover-up that I always where when we go. Another thing I have wanted to do my whole adult life is to shop at Victoria's Secret. I have never been able to due to my…

Well I just find out that I was approved to have my surgery on March 1. As you know I am already having an anxiety attack because I am suppose to be doing the pre-op diet, but I really dont know to much what I can eat...can someone shed some light this way... And of course anyone else wants to join me!!

so for the past two weeks i have been struggling to stay above 220 i was 216 two weeks ago and then all of sudden i dash back to 218 then 217 then 220! ive triend cutting carbs no luck scale still went up or down i went to eating 600 calories to 900 nothing still in the same boat. i have cried my eyes out for days because i'm so angry at just every thing nothing has change i still can't eat alot the only way i stay above 220 is when i drink just one shake aday and that what i been doing for three days i'm 219 right now i done lost 107 pounds and i can't go back but at the same time i sooooooo exhausted. AS a heavy weight i'm thinking maybe i should have chose the RNY or s…

I have had the same ache in my back since surgery. I want to go to chiropractor but honestly I don't feel ready for that. So I was thinking to get a massage tomorrow on parts of me other than stomach. Anyones doctor advise against that for any reason? Did you get a massage? Anyone else have a back ache following surgery? My back ache started right after surgery. It is in the middle of my back mostly on the right side. It feels like a very tired ache.

Hi everyone I had a Lapband placed in 2003. It prolasped 2009 or maybe earlier but my husband noticed that I wasn't eating right - A little piece of steak than a bowl of ice cream and Cookies or something like that. That got me watching and thinking and I saw I wasn't doing things correctly or the bandster way. I saw my doc - hence the prolapse. We tried the unfill then fill and still found my stomach going up into my band. So December 30th I had my band removed and then February 9th had the sleeve done. I am on phase 2 of the docs diet - soft and liquid foods now and for the next 3 weeks (till my next appt). I am handling the foods okay, not eating much which is pretty …

has anyone been sleeved in turkey?

I think an important thing to be said is how life changing a VSG can be. I read on here and on OH about people wanting to eat more than their stomachs will allow and how long it takes to get to eat alittle more. The surgery I have chosen is meant to reduce the amount I am able to eat. I have to be accepting and even grateful for that. I have come to accept that I will never ever be able to eat 3 to 4 cups of anything at one time ever again. Should I want to? Yes its a grieving thing, a missing of that almighty drug of choice in the amounts that we have grown acustome to. You know the amount that made us huge and made everyone else comment behind our backs. But I d…

Since so many people need this information, I thought I would make a thread of all the link from Mac's OH profile. These are my go-to links when I need information. These are all individual experiences from OH, and are chalked full of information. As for the research links, if you get super-geeky (like me), you can find some other articles and links to review for your own research . I will post this in my blog as well so it's always accessible on the forum. Long-term Sleeve Experiences - 2 Years on January 15, 2010 9:11 pm Diligence-is-always-required Stalls-Happen Update-from-a-2-Year-Post-Op-VSGer 2-year-surgiversary-and-feeling Two-an…