Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums

At last! It's my turn to get sleeved.:thumbup: I feel like I've waited forever! All the support & information I've gotten from this forum over the last month & a half or so has been invaluable and I want to thank you all so much! Hopefully I'll be back soon posting info about my post-op experiences, too! I need to be at the hospital at 5:15a.m., surgery at 7:15. I stayed up all night because I wasn't tired (and more than a little nervous!) and now I'm sleepy. :biggrin2: Probably wasn't the best idea but I figure the next two days I'll get plenty of sleep! So I hope everyone had a good holiday season & hope to see ya'll again soon...on the other side!…

Hello. I am really new to this site and by the way it is fantastic. I am in the "one million & one questions" phase of research before having gastric sleeve surgery. I wanted to ask: When around strangers or friends of friends at a function how do you expain (if asked) about your eating habits. My husband and I were invited to a BBQ this past weekend and I have been asking myself how would situations be different after the sleeve. So if I went with my husband to a function how do you serve yourself and then explain why you are eating 5 bites?? I don't want to come off to others as if I don't like their food or it seem rude. I know this should be the least …

:huh0:This is driving me nuts! yes i'm down a couple pants sizes yes ive lost inches and yes every one around is telling me how much smaller i got but i'm the only one still trying to find or looking at a 3D Stereogram waiting for the picture to jump out. im fairly sane you know so i'm not crazy (you can't prove it:closedeyes:) If anything i just look more saggy or something. i don't know at 83 pounds down should i feel something or is it because i stil have 90 more pounds to go? maybe 50 more. i can't understand this for the life of me. IF and i said "if" was a mind thing to bad there not a diet for the mind:sad0:. xoxo, nikki

Hi all... Some weird things I would like to report (5-days post-op): 1) Keep dreaming about eating stuff I am not supposed to eat. Waking up in a panic thinking I screwed up. 2) Head hunger is rough. I am in an all inclusive resort right now, all alone, and I could order anything I want from room service... ARGH.... 3) I have a constant headache. Not bad, but constant. I think it is due to lack of food. 4) I haven't seen the scale move too much. I have lost a total of 5 lbs, but haven't lost anything the last few days. I am using a different scale, so not sure how accurate it is. 5) My teeth and tongue feel weird. I am starting to notice a bit of a tastebud…

I have posted some new pictures (finally) - we got back from Lethbridge last evening having spent almost a week with Alison and family! Hopefully you will see a difference already as it has been three months now since my sleeve surgery. Almost 40 lbs! Yeah!!!

Please help!!! I need a mentor ASAP! I am getting te surgery but i have no one to discuss it with. I'm easy going; Texas girl; Educational Diagnostician;I live in Beaumont Texas near Houston.

Hello! My surgery will be in January! I am so happy and excited. . I will finally be able to achieve what I always thought was only a dream. . .yahoo!!!! I'll keep everyone posted when it occurs! Good luck to you all!!:svengo:

Has anyone started thinking about the resolutions they might make this year? I've just been reading through one of my favorite threads here "What do you want to do that you couldn't do before the sleeve?" trying to figure out some goals for this new year...and coming up blank. I'd love to get some ideas from others.

Hey All, Just wondering what the consensus is on boughie size? Is 36 too big? That is what my doc wants to use but it seems the standard is 32 to 34... thoughts? What size were you measured with? Thanks! Carol

Hi, I had an endoscopy done yesterday, and it showed a 'significant' slip of the band. Not sure exactly what 'significant' is meaning at this point. The Dr that did the scope said I would need a revision, so I'm guessing that it is pretty bad. I think I know what happened to it, at the end of August, my son was diagnosed with cancer, and between the stress and sleeplessness, I could not eat anything. Every bit of food got stuck, so I got loosened, and it was still pretty bad, just not everyday. I pretty much lived on coffee for about 2 weeks while he was in the hospital, so that probably didn't help much. He is better now, 100% of the cancer was removed, and jus…

Ok!! I am a little afraid about going to mexico. The fact of thinking that another doctor won't touch me if i have complications is scary. I can't afford the price here in the us. I know that dr. Aceeves is wonderful but i'm still afraid. Please!! People help me out, I need encouragement.

✮✮✮MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR✮✮✮ To all my VST friends wherever you are xxxxxx

SO i'm at a stand still of 245 and sadly i'm not one of those people who loses inches even if the scale is still. pass few weeks i have been thinking about it. yes it only been 4 months down 76 but i still have 97 more to go. on top of that i feel like i'm on a diet. i eat about 600 calories a day i exercise three days a week. my biggest fear is when i get to 150 i'll struggle to stay there. i also wonder will it get me to goal i'm not going to settle for 200 and be happy with that no i refuse to. it exhausting. Maybe it pressure from other people too. you know they are watching and waiting for the results and if a year from not i'm no where near goal i'll feel like a los…

Hi sleevers! Are any of you from the Houston area? I am still pre-op and would love to talk to someone from my area who has had the VSG. I was considering the band, but I am now wanting to get the sleeve. I am 46, BMI 33, type 1 diabetes, HBP, hypothyroid, high cholesterol. OK, I am more than just those things! I am also artsy-fartsy, love beads, cooking, and dogs. I would appreciate hearing some first-hand experiences! Ren?

i'm missing my coffee drinks. I love the high sugar fatty ones too. my weightloss had came to a halt and i had to cut them. yes the scale is moving fast now but i still miss it! help me out please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i try to make something today and it turn in to crap:001_rolleyes: so what do you guys who love coffee do? xoxo, nikki

Hey everyone! How are you all? I know I haven't been on much. Still dealing with the pre-deployment blues. He leaves in 19 days. But I will be fine. (I hope, lol) Anyway, just wanted to pop in and share the good news.... all paperwork has been submitted and approved. I'm just waiting for my date!!!!! The gal at the surgery clinic said it will most likely be the end of Jan, beginning of Feb sometime. So excited! I should know more as the week goes on. Just thought you'd like to know so you could do a happy dance with me!:party4:

I am one week post op and starving to death, okay not really but I sure feel like it. I can't take anymore broths and getting very tired of SF pudding. What else is there? __________________ Originally posted at www.lapbandtalk.com

I can't believe there are no posts in this section. I am struggling so badly and sure could use a mentor or something. please reply if you can help me get back on track.

I wish more people would ck out the chat room! You can always open the window and leave it open. The door bell rings and lets you know someone has come in, so you can do other things and then start chatting when someone finally makes it in. Everyone should try it out!

Alright, all of us crazy Texans have discussed getting together when we come to Texas for Christmas vacation. We'll arrive in Texas on the 28th of December, and will be there until Sunday. We won't be in until late evening on the 28th, and will be leaving mid-morning on Sunday. I am pretty open to dates to get together with the exception of New Year's eve. I was hoping to get together during the day maybe for lunch or an early dinner. How does the mid-cities area sound to everyone, like Bedford, Colleyville, or Grapevine? Of course, anyone from Texas is welcome to join us if you are able to. The more the merrier in my opinion. I know this is a…

Before I begin, I want to say that in no way do I want to offend anyone here or create a negative energy, I just want to tell our family's story up to this point, and I have some information here that you may not hear anywhere else. As a Christian I speak only the truth, and have not made anything up to offend anyone who has positive things to say about this surgery, Here we go...... My mother in law had the Vertical Sleeve Surgery October 13, 2009 in Mexico with Dr Alvarez. I have to admit that when we found out the surgery was scheduled, our family was not supportive of it at all. We were very scared for her well being, safety, etc, because she is a very naive woman w…

Hi everyone... I had my surgery on Nov. 10 and weighed myself a week after, and found I had lost 11 pounds. This week I weighed myself and the scale hasn't budged. I know that stalls are normal later on after surgery, but did anyone have this problem so early on? I am getting 60 grams of Protein a day and eating around 900 calories, walking as much as I can, and drinking TONS of Water. I guess I'm just worried that since every other attempt at weight loss I've tried has failed, this one will fail too. :001_rolleyes:

:crying: I was hoping to get some honest feedback about sleeve surgery. I am 99.9% sure this option is for me. I am scheduled for my complete consultation in January. I wanted to know if anyone regrets (even a little) making this decision. I do not have medical issues...YET and am in my early 30's. I fear a food addiction will turn into other addictions if food is not an option. Thanks for your help :crying:

Im 1 week post op now and overall feel pretty good. The only problem im having and maybe its normal is my stool in very watery (brown):thumbup: and lots of noise from my stomach, steady and loud. I read where a couple of you had the opposite problem being constapated. Is this normal what I have? Im still on the clear liquids maybe thats it?

I have been in a wonderful relationship for the last 4 years. My weight doesn't bother him at all, I am the one with the problem! We are both a little concerned with how my attitude might change, or if the transition from bigger to smaller might damage our relationship. Has anyone experienced any problems? Maybe positive or negative changes?

Hello Everyone, I'm eight weeks out on Thursday and thought I'd share my story. I felt great, other than the usual post-op pain, for the first two weeks. Then on September 2 it started: diarrhea, dehydration, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, low electrolytes. I received IV and potassium. I felt horrible: tired, weak, lifeless. Doctors said it was normal after surgery. One week later, my arm started to pain where they had put the PICC line. I had an ultrasound and they found blood clots in my arm. So onto Coumodin and more shots in the abdomen. One week later, they find a bladder infection. Onto Macrobid again. I was on it for three weeks before my surgery on Au…

Hello all, My name's Randi, I'm new here. I'll be having my VSG op on January 4th! I'm excited & nervous, but reading some of the posts you all have made gives me encouragement. :thumbup1: I would love to find someone who's been through it all an could help guide me on my WLS journey! I use Skype, I check my email constantly, and have unlimited text messaging. If any of you out there would be willing to help, it would be much appreciated! I look forward to getting to know everyone on here and I hope by doing so I can be even more successful. :thumbup: Thanks! Randi

I've been having gall bladder problems for a couple of months. I was trying to hold out until January since I have $1,000 deductible. Last night I was in so much pain, I had to go to the ER. It turns out the gall stones blocked a duct and now I have pancreatitis. The only thing that fixes that is nothing by mouth until further notice. I guess I will be losing that last 5 lbs that is so hard to lose. I would imagine I will be having surgery sometime this week.:thumbup1:

Lap Band Talk is excellent for Lap Bands. Can't find a better site. But for Gastric Sleeve, I have to say that OH has it going on. I had GS done on July 2nd... and I have lost 33 lbs. (in just 2 1/2 weeks). I learned so much from the people that were sleeved before me on that site. Hope this helps someone...:confused: __________________ Originally posted at www.lapbandtalk.com

I'm consideriing surgery with Dr. Aceeves and I'm trying to figure out if I should have the surgery when I'm off for Spring Break or should I wait until I'm off for Summer. Spring Break I'm off for a week. Summer I'm off for 2 months. My job is an office job so I won't be lifting anything. Spring Break is Monday -Friday in March. Would it be bad to go to Mexico during Spring Break time? It's not the same spring break as the college students. I think it's later. I'm very active soI'm not sure about the pain level after the surgery. I'm sure it's different for everyone. I'm thinking I would be more relaxed if I wait until summer. My job involves a lot of paperwork which is…

Before my surgery, I always wondered what if would feel like to lose 100 lbs or more. It was such a surreal thought, one I couldnt fathom even in my wildest dreams. It seemed like a dream that would just stay that way - a dream - my very own fantasy. I struggled to get to my 100 lb loss. My weight loss was going great when I reached my 75 lbs mark, then it all went backward. This was my 5 months post surgery. This is when my appetite really kicked back in and I always knew I could eat more than your average Sleevester. I had a goal to reach 100 lbs by Thanksgiving - well that didnt work, even tho I had plenty of time to do it in...so then I moved the goal to Chri…

Hi Guys, this is long but important. I can't be bothered with spelling, sorry. I have not been around much because I had a complication. I was also struggling with whether I should post it or not. I am not shy so the topic does not bother me but I don't want to scare people away from this wonderful life changing surgery. I decided it could be a good cautionary tale to keep people on program with fluids. Don't screw around. Sip, sip! It is THAT important. I, like many others, have been struggling a little with constipation. When you don't eat much there is not much there to make a BM. No big deal right? Well not for me....... I started to feel constipated for the sec…

I decided to use the trusty BMI calculator and found that I am out of the Obese category. I honestly never thought (before surgery) I would see a BMI under 30, but today it's there in black and white. My starting BMI was 48.1 (pre-sleeve revision, and 49.4 before Lapband), and here it is 6 months post-op revision, and 14 months after LapBand, I've dropped a total of 19 points off my BMI. The sleeve is absolutely amazing. I can't even begin to describe just how fabulous this entire journey has been for me. Even with the complications, long recovery, and frustrations, it's all so worth it.

I was curious how much did everyone start off with when eating solids? How often did you eat? :huh0:

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh I never thought being home could feel so good. We got in about 1:00 a.m. We had a good time. I had a lot of trouble eating because #1 they eat absolutely nothing healthy so I lived on Protein bars, and meat. I was able to eat some stuff on Thanksgiving, and it all tasted so good. All in all it was good trip, but we won't be going back for quite some time. John made me step on the scale when got home this morning, and I dropped 6 pounds while we were there. I guess it's a positive to an extent. I tried to eat, and make good choices. But, when everything they cook is fried in bacon fat or Crisco, it makes it a little difficult. Luckily, I was sm…

This might sound unusual but it's a concern for me. Not a huge one mind you. So, I have looked through a lot of before and after pictures. Not here really but in general over the years. Amazing transformations. The one thing i've noticed a lot. The people that have lost a lot of weight sometimes look 10-20 years older. Now dont get me wrong, I realize losing the weight is mostly for health reasons but I worry that when I do lose the weight, will I look older? Has this happened to anyone here and how do you deal with it? Do you regret it?

My husband's Christmas party..the party of the year...is coming up next week. The party is formal with a beautiful meal and entertainment to follow. Well being that I am only on day 17 and cannot eat any solids until day 31. I will be on day 24 on his party date. What should I do? How much was everyone able to eat once they started solids? Did that amount ever increase? Staying home from the party is not an option, I don't want to disappoint my husband. Any ideas? Nobody knows that I have had this surgery outside of my immediate family. I don't know if I can handle sitting through a dinner with all the trim. Has anyone cheated on their pre-op diet?:001_rolleyes…

I'm considering getting VSG. :001_unsure:I would defintely perfer this versus the lapband. I am really afraid of being put to sleep and the complications. I have a praying friend who will come with me for support. I know my family will be worried about me going to Mexico but I have faith in Dr. Aceeves and his experience. Please provide any advice you can. I'm a single mom and I really need to do this for myself. I recently lost 30 pounds by my weight tends to move up and down constantly. I try to work out at ;east 45 minutes 3 times a week. I'm so nervous about surgery!! Please Help!!!

Happy Thanksgiving to you all. I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank everyone for all their contributions and support given on this site. You are ALL wonderful!! I am so thankful that there are people like you all who are so supportive and encouraging to those who have had surgery, are thinking about getting it, and who are having problems/issues that they are needing help/advice for. Each and every one of you are a "treasure" that I am thankful for every day. Millie

The more weight I lose, the more massages are helping to rid my body of those icky toxins I have built up. I am blessed that I found a very good deep tissue massage therapist to push those icky knots out of me. Anyone else have things they do to physically feel better as the weight comes off? Yes, exercise, but maybe non-traditional avenues?

I am surprised I am in much more pain today than yesterday and the day before which was surgery day. How long did you take to recover? This is way more painful than band surgery or sleeve surgery. Also, the stupid hospital did not tell me if I am supposed to watch what I eat over the next few days or even down the road. I've just been eating a soft diet and I am getting alarmed since I haven't had a bowl movement since Sunday. I have taken stool softners and Miralax since I got home from the hospital and bought some milk of mag today.

OK as of today i'm down 65 pounds. ive been sleeve for eleven weeks. so not bad. i down from size 24 to size 20. Hunger is not an issue in fact food never crosses my mind. i had to take tiffykins idea and set an alarm to eat. But when i woke up this morn I looked in the mirror and was like ok where is this damatic change going to pop. i'm losing faith that i will ever be skinny again. when i think of 65 pounds i'm like wow that alot but to me it doesnt really show. maybe i'm feeling sorry for myself i don't know. i have a 109 more pounds to go and i feel like i've been climbing moutains to get over each pound and i'm like omg another 109 pounds!! i'm never going to get to…

Hello all, my surgery is scheduled for November 26th at Star Medicia Hospital in Jaurez . I'm alittle bit nervous but also excited at the same time. I have been doing will on my pre-op diet. My beginning weight was 274, but as of this morning my weight was 259. Can you one tell me what to expect after my surgery and their experience in the hospital in Juarez? Please keep me in your prayers as I embark on this life changing event.

I'm almost 3 months out. No problem, eating small amounts slowly etc. Minor indigestion problems... Until today I ate a sausage too fast, and I vomited. It came up red. (now I had had some ketchup on the sausage, so I'm hoping it was that).. It was, however, a very bright red and blood-like color. Is it possible to tear something this far out? What symptoms will I get if I've really damaged something here?

I'm about 5.5 months post op, and have still not felt true hunger. I knew it was time to eat because I would get grouchy, or just kind of feel blah. Anyways, I always take my Prilosec in the morning, wait an hour, and have Breakfast. This morning was no different except I got distracted renting a car online, and mapping our trip to West Virginia next week that I forgot to eat at the 1 hour mark. 2 hours passed, and my tummy growled so loudly it actually scared me. It was an amazing feeling, and it sounded pretty cool. I ate some cream cheese, a slice of ham, and 3 sociable crackers. Yummy ! ! ! I still didn't feel "hungry", but knew that I needed to eat. Jus…

HI All: I am new to this forum and thinking of making the switch from lap band to the gastric sleeve. I just got the call from my insurance company that I have been approved, which is great, but I dont want to jump into anything, the way I did with the lapband. I believe that if I knew about all the "issues" that came along with the band, I dont think I would have ever done it! At that point in my life, I was excited that my insurance approved it and wanted to get the surgery done before the insurance company changed their minds! LOL I got my lapband a little over two years ago and have been unsuccessful at it. I did pretty good in the beginning, just like I am s…

Since most of the stomach is removed are there anymore hunger pains? Do you have to remind yourself when to eat? How about burping, is that different too? I have acid reflux and tend to burp a lot no matter what so was wondering what everyone else is feeling. Thank you.

Hi all, I am looking for a mentor. Someone who can help me prepare wisely, recover safely and succeed in this endeavor. I am available via yahoo or MSN Messenger or AOL all day long (through Blackberry) so I would be willing to buddy up with someone that is a few days ahead of me... I welcome the opportunity to partner with someone and have great successes! SOOOOO excited! Aimee

I was wondering how everyone has done with their scars after surgery? I am very fair skinned and am somewhat concerned with the scars from the incisions. What is your experience? Has yours disappeared or is it minimal? My boyfriend had Lap Band and his scars are pretty dark and noticeable.

Yeah, I know it's crazy to be so excited over oatmeal. It actually wasn't that good either. But it's not a "thin liquid" so I'm VERY excited! :smile: __________________ Originally posted at www.lapbandtalk.com