Cheri B

Dr. Callery. He did my surgery on 2/3/11 and I have lost 105 lbs. He is an incredible surgeon. Please see his website at thinnertimes.com.

Couldn't have said it better myself;-)

I have thin hair to start with but I didn't lose any (that I or anyone else noticed) and I am 9 months out.

Thank you so much for all the nice comments!

I made it! I had my surgery on 2/3/11 and actually dropped below my original goal in October. I am maintaining right around 151lbs which is perfect for me. I made the mistake of buying size 12 clothes when I hit 158 because I wanted to stay there but my body had other ideas. So as I moved into a size10, I bought some more clothes and now I'm between an 8 and a 10 so skirts work best for me right now. I'm going to wait a couple more months and see where I am at the year mark. If I've managed to stay at this weight, then at that time, I will buy some more clothes that fit better. This is the most fabulous time of my life! I feel fantastic and my nutritional stats are perfect! I recently saw my nutritionist for a check up and everything is great! I donated blood recently and my blood pressure was 100/59 and my Iron was 15! I've finally posted my before and after pics in the Before and After album so if you get a minute, check them out. I think I look pretty good for a 52 year old grandma;-) Anyway, I wanted to thank everyone who ever posted anything on this forum. I may not have posted much but I read it all and every story helped me on my journey. I'm so happy to have arrived on the other side;-) Blessings, Cheri

You should check with your doctor but mine said I could take one with meals. Cheri

So I had my surgery at 7am on 2/3, spent two days in the hospitaland got home on Saturday night. The doctor left a Blake Drain in my left abdomen. This morning the tube was trying to push itself out and was pulling on the stitches. Anyone else have this issue? Have a call in to the doctor but he's in surgery so it's likely to be awhile before I hear from him. I read one post where the person said that it didn't even feel asif she had surgery. Well, I did! OMG! I was in so much pain. I'm doing better now though I am having a little stomach acid problem. Almost makes me feel like I'm hungry without the sick feeling that hungerbrings. It, also, is better today. I weighed myself yesterday. I wasn't sure if I wanted to,I didn't want to be disappointed but when it read a 9lb loss, I was thrilled I'll continue on Clear liquids until Tuesday and then move to thefull liquids but I'm in no hurry as I don't seem to miss or crave any foods. My hubby toasted a bagel this morning and just smelling it was amazingly satisfying. Weird. Anyway, thanks for everyones support. Take care, Cheri

Thank you, everyone! It means so much to have so much support and well wishes! I'll post when I'm on the other side;-) Take care, Cheri

Well, my surgery is tomorrow. I have to be at the hospital (an hour away from where I live) at 5:30am! Ugh! I am so excited and also so nervous. Every time I think about it I get butterflies in my tummy. I woke up from a funny dream night before last. I dreamt that I had had half my stomach removed and woke up thinking "OMG! Why in the world would I do that?" Then remembered why. Hmmmm.........Aren't dreams odd things? Anyway, I would appreciate any good thoughts and prayers sent my way. Cheri

I would love a copy! My email is cbbuchan@fastmail.fm Thank you so much! Cheri

Dr. Guillermo Alvarez's book Successful Weight Loss With The Gastric Sleeve addresses this issue. He notes that this condition is often seen in Gastric Sleeve patients and if it is problematic you should notify your doctor so he can prescribe something. He also notes that you can take Kaopectate but not Immodium unless your doctor okays it. Hope this helps;-) Cheri

February 3 at Sharp Grossmont in La Mesa, CA Can't wait!

Have you tried going to a Pain Management doctor regarding your nerve pain? I suffer from chronic pain and was absolutely miserable until I found Dr. Huntley and his team. I am currently waiting for insurance approval to have a Precision Plus neuro-spinal stimulator implanted in my back. I did a trial using the device and it was the first time in 9 years that I wasn't in pain. Please don't give up. Find another doctor. There are so many people on this site that will listen and try to help. Maybe you can find someone in your area that loves there doctor and you can switch. Be strong and whatever you decide, good luck.

The name of the Book is "Successful Weight Loss With The Gastric Sleeve" by Dr. Guillermo Alvarez. I found the book very informative.

Hi All - I'm having my sleeve done on 2/3/11 at Sharp Grossmont Hospital in La Mesa, CA. Dr. Charles Callery (gotta love that name;-) is my surgeon. Cheri

I'm so excited for you! I'm thinking good thoughts and sending them your way;-) Please post as soon as you can after your surgery to let us know how you're doing. Best wishes, Cheri

Hi and Welcome - I new here also and have found this site to be a wealth of information. Just a quick question, have you tried to appeal your insurances decision not to cover wls? I had a friend whose insurance did not routinely cover the surgery but when she went through the appeal process and presented her medical records that contained numerous weight related issues (sleep apnea, high blood pressure and a family history of diabetes) the insurance company agreed that the procedure was medically necessary and covered the cost. Just a thought. Anyway, good luck! Cheri

There really isn't enough long term (over 3 years) data on how the sleeve compares to the bypass. But there is enough data out there that made the decision to go with the sleeve the right one for me. You don't have malabsorption issues with the sleeve like you do with the bypass. If you're on any medications, that can be a problem. I have read about many people who are not able to take certain medications and the ones they do take don't last as long as they did before the bypass. With the shortened intestine of the bypass you will absorb less calories initially but for many people, the body tries to mend itself and grows more cilia to enable itself to absorb the calories. The malabsorption of the Vitamins and minerals is forever. As you age, you are likely to need B12 injections. You also face a lifetime of fighting Iron deficiency. The sleeve removes 85% of the stretchy part of the stomach and with it most of the glands that produce ghrelin, the "hunger" hormone. There are less complications with the sleeve than the bypass. As with any wls surgery, you can out eat your surgery. You may want to seek counseling to help you find out why you overeat and support you while you find healthy ways to overcome those urges. Good luck.

I'll tell anyone who asks, or even before they ask;-) I'm so excited about finally taking this step that I really don't care what anyone else thinks. People are going to know anyway. Their either going to think you had weight loss surgery or have cancer. People do not lose weight this rapidly on a regular diet program. I know a couple of people who insist that they are just on a good diet plan, uh-huh. Okay, maybe they found the miracle diet plan but realistically I doubt it. Don't let anyone tell you what to do or make you feel bad about your decision. Why anyone else thinks that they have the right disparage you and your decision is beyond me. It's really is a very personal decision to tell or not to tell. Whatever your decision is, be strong and good luck!

Hi! Cheri here. My VGS will be done on 2/3 at Sharp Grossmont in La Mesa, CA. The AWESOME Dr. Charles Callery is my surgeon. I don't have to go on any type of liquid diet prior to my surgery so I'm just trying not to eat everything on the planet Excited and scared at the same time. Good luck to all of us!

Thank you! This will be soooooo helpful!

Can you post a sample of what your meals consisted of? I know a lot of us pre-sleevers are worried about what we can eat and how to get all our protein in without resorting to shakes if possible. Thanks! Cheri

I'm scheduled for February 3 with Dr. Callery (gotta love that name;-) I'm nervous and excited at the same time. Only 17 days to go!

Hi, My name is Cheri and I just got approved for my sleeve surgery! I have struggled with my weight for most of my life. I would lose 70 lbs then gain 80 over and over again. The one exercise that I found that I loved was weight lifting. I did that for a couple of years and was able to keep the weight off. I looked and felt great. I had just turned 42 when one day, my back hurt so bad, I couldn't get out of bed. Turns out I have adult onset of idiopathic roto-scoliosis, degenerative disc disease and spinal stenosis. All non curable and progressive. I've had 2 lumbar fusions, one failed and one cervical fusion with no pain relief. Needless to say, I was no longer able to lift weights and as time went by, even walking became a painful process. Over the last 9 years I have gained over 100 pounds. After A LOT of research, I decided on the sleeve. One of the primary reasons is I suffer from chronic pain due to a failed spinal fusion and numerous spinal diseases and was concerned about the absorption of pain medication. On top of that is the mal-absorption issue in general. I had heard that insurance companies (mine is Pacificare through Sharp Community) were still hesitant about approving this procedure so was all prepared for a fight when the day after my doc submitted the authorization request, it was approved. Yay! I am so looking forward to this new phase of my life. I hope that I get some pain relief, that I won't feel this gnawing hunger any longer and that I get healthy enough to enjoy going on vacation with my husband. Current stats - 5'6" - Weight 256 lbs - Surgery date 2/3/11 Hope I haven't bored you to death Here's to getting skinny - Cheers!