Caliblonde

I was told by my surgeon that you can continue to lose weight from the surgery for up to two years. I agree with other posters...step up the exercise and go back to basics.

I think the reason you hear more about the good and not so much about the bad is because the majority of people don't have complications. That's not to say that complications don't happen...it's a surgery and there are always risks and things that can happen. If you're feeling horrible after your surgery and most of the other people around you are having a great experience there is probably something wrong and it needs to be taken care of.

100 pounds by September is totally doable if you have surgery soon. I lost 40 pounds before surgery and have lost 105 since surgery. Your starting weight is almost exactly the same as mine. My recommendation would be to get started on the protein shakes now, 1 - 2 meals per day and eat a healthy 3rd meal. Also, start exercising! Do whatever you can do, I would walk for 10 minutes or do an easy exercise video. I think I would be down more if I had started exercising sooner. Good luck and let me know if you need someone to talk to!

I stepped on the scale this morning and it said 299.6!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I haven't seen the two hundreds in years.

I've been very happy with my sleeve. The first 10 weeks were awful, but even when I was feeling horrible and shaky and dizzy and nauseous I was still extremely happy with my decision and would do it again in a heartbeat. I continue to have success with the sleeve, it's absolutely hands down the best thing I have ever done for myself.

I had the exact same thing happen to me. They sent me to the urologist and they did an ultrasound of my kidneys. All of the tests and hoops are there to make sure that your body can handle the stress of surgery. Even though I had blood in my urine they still cleared me for surgery and all has been fine. Don't stress too much about it and ask the surgeon's office if this is something that you should be concerned about - I would even ask if anyone has ever had surgery cancelled or postponed due to kidney issues. That might put your mind at ease. Good luck!

I blew past my Valentine's Day goal and it's not even February yet. I completely underestimated myself this time around. I'm just going to keep on going and then I'll post where I'm at on Valentine's Day.

I have Kaiser as well. The process was soooo slow and frustrating. It took me 17 months from the time I went to the Orientation until the time I had surgery. I finished the Options classes in October 2010 and had my surgery in May 2011. I hated waiting so long but it was well worth it in the end. Hang in there!

Aww, thanks! I have been elated all day, grinning from ear to ear. This surgery has literally changed my life for the better and I am so glad I did this for myself.

I just found it and posted, hopefully it's helpful to hear from people who started at a really high weight!

My highest weight was 444 and I opted for the sleeve because I knew there was always an option to go to the RNY or the DS at a later time if I wasn't very successful. However, now that I'm 144 pounds down in 8 months of being sleeved, I don't think that will be necessary. I've lost almost half of my excess body weight! I feel so much better! My surgeon highly recommended the sleeve for me. He said that he thought I would be very successful and that it was a much safer procedure. If I were you I would continue talking to the surgeon and make your decision based upon what he tells you. Good luck!

My surgeon said that they expect between 15 and 30 pounds of weight loss in the first month. I think I lost 29 pounds my first month, so 36 pounds is awesome! Try not to compare yourself to others because everyone loses at different rates.

Diva - I completely agree! I thought I would be sad that my friend basically dropped me but looking back at her behavior over the past few years she wasn't a friend to begin with. It's all about her all the time and I simply don't have the time, energy, or desire to deal with that bs! I need to focus on me and making me healthy! I have really learned who my true friends are through this process. Very eye opening!

Lots of people have to have them. They are looking for sleep apnea. My surgeon required a sleep study and if you were diagnosed with sleep apnea they required you to consistently use a c-pap for 60 or 90 days prior to surgery (it has built in data so the doctor can check to make sure you've been using it consistently).

Here are some before and "after" pics. I put after in quotes since I'm still losing. I was shocked to look at these two pics side by side today and thought it could be motivating. The first picture was taken in April 2011, one month prior to surgery. I weighed 414 pounds in the first photo and was wearing size 32 pants. The second picture was taken today, I weigh 301 pounds and am wearing size 24 jeans.

Thanks! I haven't taken measurements...I probably should start, good idea!

I had a friend who said she was so excited for me and talked a really good game, promised to be there for me after surgery, blah blah blah. Since I've had surgery she hasn't once asked me how I'm doing, hasn't asked about my weight loss, hasn't commented on my pictures, nothing, not even to see if I made it out of surgery ok. Has only called me one time and that wasn't to ask about my surgery it was to see if her husband could come over to hang out with my husband while she went to class.

That's fantastic! Congrats

I know that confidentiality applies to members of the clergy, but I'm not sure if it applies in all settings/circumstances. If you're looking to get a reduced rate on something you may be waiving your right to confidentiality in that instance because the people who do the billing/financials will need to know why you are paying the child's rate. They don't need to know that you had weight loss surgery specifically though.

I'm game. I'm 301 right now. I'll shoot for 30 pounds by April 13th. 10 pounds a month is totally realistic and I'm starting my exercise routine as well. I can't wait to be in the 200s!!

I had gall bladder surgery before I had the sleeve, but I do know that the surgeon typically gives a prescription for actigall which is a medication that is supposed to help prevent problems with the gall bladder after surgery. I've heard that gaining and losing weight rapidly or numerous times can cause problems with the gall bladder.

Thanks! Bigdaddy you are totally rockin your sleeve too! Congrats!!!

AMAZING! Congratulations

Thanks!! I always love seeing pics that others post. I actually made a scrapbook of myself from pre-surgery through now. I add a little blurb about what's happening through each month since my surgery. I think it will be great to keep and look back especially as it gets harder and harder to lose.

I would really hope that a surgeon would be professional enough to say no to performing a sleeve on someone with only 18 pounds to lose. That's just insane!