emily_0192010

I didn't read all of the posts above so hopefully i'm repeating anything. I don't think it really matters. Every surgeon is different. Say you have two surgeons who both use the 32. One surgeon might make it a "tight" 32 where he staples as close to the bougie as he can, while the other uses it more as a guide. The size of your stomach also depends on YOU. If you are tall you're stomach is more likely to be longer... so you're sleeve will be a bit bigger.
Also, the difference between them is literally millimeters. Someone posted a picture a long time ago that showed the size, and it was the difference between a pencil, a pen, and a thin highlighter or something like that.
My surgeon used a 42. He explained though that he makes a "tight" 42 where he goes right up against the bougie and then he over-sews as well. I am 8 months out and I can eat 2-3 oz of Protein.
I don't think it makes a significant when it comes to the amount you lose. Each person is individual. I highly suggest you go with your gut. Go with the surgeon that makes you feel the most safe and comfortable.

I asked my surgeon this... he said that he tries to find a good middle ground in each patient. He said the trend is to go as small as possible but he finds that this makes patients much more sick at the beginning and that they have trouble getting down anything, which can lead to vomiting which then leads to leaks. So, he said that the stomach was about the size of his index finger.
Also, everyone on here talks about surgeons using bougies. I know that my doctor uses an endoscope instead... and that helps him look for leaks before the surgery is over.

Ugh, unfortunately Protein is expensive. Please remember though, you are not going to be buying "regular" food for yourself for quite awhile!!! I have a very tight budget and I have found the best for me is the GNC brand protein. I don't remember the numbers exactly, but it worked out well. Plus it was 100% whey protein which is VERY important!! There return policy is amazing as well. If you open it, try it, and don't like it? No problem, just bring it back.
There are also a lot of pre-made Protein drinks that include Vitamins in them. Those are really great as well. You might want to try the ones your doc suggested, even if its just at first. It IS the only thing you'll be "eating" for awhile.

Hey Johnathan
One of the reasons I was against the band was because it would need adjustments for LIFE! Some surgeons charge per adjustment. To me that seemed like a lot of money! Plus, considering these things are supposed to be for life, they have an awful lot of revision surgery's!
I know the sleeve may seem scary, since it removes so much of your stomach. But it calmed me to know that people live very healthy lives after having complete gastrectomys for other reasons (cancers, ulcers, trauma, etc). Plus, with this surgery our stomach still behaves the same way and the way the food enters and exits is the same! It is simply smaller. Yes, there is a small chance of leak, but there are less worries long term then the band.
Good luck with your decision! Also, since we are so biased over here (in the best way of course!) you should check out the "lapbandtalk" website as well to get some other opinions as well

I've heard that the best cardio "is the one you do". It sounds like you have a GREAT handle on your exercise!! I think that as long as you are getting your heart rate up and changing it up every so often there is nothing else you should do. Maybe add in some classes for some variety.
Great job!

I can confirm that the pre-op is the hardest part! And the first few weeks even harder at that. You can do this! Try chewing gum or keeping seriously busy to keep your mind off of it. This is the best time to practice the control that you'll need post-op to be successful. Keep your eye on the prize! This isn't just about losing numbers. The whole point is to shrink your liver. The numbers simply prove to your doctor that you did. The liver stores fat. When your body burns fat it pulls it from the liver first, then moves on to your stored fat. So losing weight=shrinking liver. That is why so many docs make us lose weight PRE surgery!. It makes the surgery safer.
Also, google "carb withdrawal". This is what you are going through right now since you are eating so little carbs. The first week is the hardest, seriously. I did low carb for 4 months pre-surgery and the first week I was crabby, weak, crazy emotionally seriously bratty. I don't know why, but powerade zero helped tremendously! Just make sure you are allowed, but there shouldn't be an issue.
((hugs)) You'll get through this! Stay strong!

Good luck Karen!!!
It was only a year ago I was, where you are now. It is such a whirlwind, crazy, amazing journey It simultaneously drags on and yet takes no time at all. Keep us updated please And i'll start warming up your seat on the losers bench

33 lbs is 1/3 of 100!!! That is huge I loved losing my first 33! Congrats!

No you don't. A greasy cheese burger would make you sick to your stomach and fill you with regret. Find something to take your mind off of it. You are dwelling on it and making it worse! Make your mind and hands busy!

Hey Johnathan
One of the reasons I was against the band was because it would need adjustments for LIFE! Some surgeons charge per adjustment. To me that seemed like a lot of money! Plus, considering these things are supposed to be for life, they have an awful lot of revision surgery's!
I know the sleeve may seem scary, since it removes so much of your stomach. But it calmed me to know that people live very healthy lives after having complete gastrectomys for other reasons (cancers, ulcers, trauma, etc). Plus, with this surgery our stomach still behaves the same way and the way the food enters and exits is the same! It is simply smaller. Yes, there is a small chance of leak, but there are less worries long term then the band.
Good luck with your decision! Also, since we are so biased over here (in the best way of course!) you should check out the "lapbandtalk" website as well to get some other opinions as well

I'm 9 months out, over 100 down... and I still have fat days. I still have another 25ish to go and these are going even more slowly then they did at the beginning. It really is all in our minds. Of course you are losing fast enough!! Of course you can tell you've lost weight. But there are some days where we just don't see it. It helps me on these days to think about how long it took me to put the weight on and how long I carried it around. It makes it a lot easier to realize I've taken most of it off in less than a year.
Chin up, get through the day and try to be positive about how far you've come!

I'm 9 months out, over 100 down... and I still have fat days. I still have another 25ish to go and these are going even more slowly then they did at the beginning. It really is all in our minds. Of course you are losing fast enough!! Of course you can tell you've lost weight. But there are some days where we just don't see it. It helps me on these days to think about how long it took me to put the weight on and how long I carried it around. It makes it a lot easier to realize I've taken most of it off in less than a year.
Chin up, get through the day and try to be positive about how far you've come!

I LOVE steak! I was so happy that I was able to eat it after surgery! I'm so happy for you, especially since it's been so long! If your sleeve is like mine, it will also love slow cooked ribs and pork Those are my top three favorite foods!

The very first week I got in... very, very, very little. I was struggling with my water and protein shakes were way too thick. I tried the isopure, but I nicknamed it isopuke. Everyone can handle the protein shakes differently. You might be fine, you might struggle. Please focus on your liquids first. The last thing you want is to be dehydrated. Protein is very important, but not as important as the liquids.

I'm so happy for you!!! You look amazing! Great job on just about being to goal!

I am not really a big cracker fan, but one of my favorite snacks pre-sleeve was "thin crisps" (triscuits, but thin). I would get the flavored ones and then I would dip them in cottage cheese. YUMMY! I don't like cottage cheese plain, and i don't like the flavored crackers alone... but together it was delicious!

I also had no nausea or vomiting!! You are doing great for a third day sleever! Good job on the Water too! I did something similar, I aimed for an ounce every 10 minutes. And it took a sip every few seconds to do that!
Thanks for sharing and welcome to the losers bench!!

Yup! Stalls happen!! I'm 9 months out and just hit a stall as well. Think of it this way...your body should be using this time to "readjust"... you should start to lose inches and/or your clothes will fit differently. The numbers on the scale aren't everything! It will move eventually, but keep calm knowing that your sleeve is taking care of you while your body has a mini hissy fit.

Yup! Stalls happen!! I'm 9 months out and just hit a stall as well. Think of it this way...your body should be using this time to "readjust"... you should start to lose inches and/or your clothes will fit differently. The numbers on the scale aren't everything! It will move eventually, but keep calm knowing that your sleeve is taking care of you while your body has a mini hissy fit.

That is very interesting! I'm proud of her for being so confident and doing what she loves! The only negative I could see was that her habits (the chipotle, all the time spent with video games) might one day land her with bad health. I simply hope that that does NOT happen. Also, I hope her weight doesn't make her injuries more severe
Congrats to her and I'm looking forward to watching it!

I have noticed a difference!! I feel like people take me more seriously when I speak. If I don't style my hair or wear makeup (even when I do it is always very minimal, but apparently its makes a difference) or wear my glasses... apparently I look like im still in my teens. It honestly sucks sometimes. BUT, now that i've lost the weight it doesn't happen nearly as often.
I have noticed that waiters/etc treat me slightly better now. Or its more that they are less "by the book" professional. Does that make sense? Still professional, but it doesn't feel forced.
I wonder a lot whether it is me who has changed personality wise. I am more confident and I don't feel pressured to make up for anything when I'm speaking (i didn't realize I felt this way, until it went away). So it could be that the change is because i'm happier and more confident and the people I interact with respond to that.

I'm 5'2", started 262.2. Now i'm at 142.

Hello Great job on doing your research and not just giving in to your surgeon (even if you do eventually chose the RNY).
I chose the sleeve because:
- no malabsorption
-simpler surgery=less complications
-no foreign object in my body (compared to band)
-great weight loss results
-options available to switch to RNY if for some reason the sleeve should fail
- long term health results of others who have had sleeves or their stomachs partially/completely removed due to other reasons (cancer, ulcers, trauma, etc)
My biggest problem with the RNY was the malabsorption aspect. Great for weight loss, horrible for nutrition. I was 20 when I was sleeved (21 now, 8 months out) and the last thing I wanted was to be tied to prescription and/or over the counter vitamins/supplements for the rest of my life. Plus, dumping?? Not my thing. (though some sleevers experience this as well, but it is much less frequent).
I have currently lost 120lbs. I never set a goal weight with my surgeon, so I don't know if I hit his goal or not. But I am only 5 lbs away from being in a "normal" weight range for my height... and I consider that successful! My personal goal is still about 25 away, but I am not worried about NOT hitting it. I am still losing consistently. I also have only recently added in exercise.
Feel free to PM me if you have any specific questions

I think perspective hits us all at some point. What started my journey was seeing my reflection in a mirror and not recognizing myself. I couldn't believe that I was that big girl. It shocked me. Well the other day, after getting my hair cut I was shocked then too. But it was the opposite, it was a small person! I'm sure I looked incredibly vain for awhile because I couldn't stop looking at the mirror!

That's amazing!!! The scare worked apparently! You are still here with us! YAY! Thanks for sharing