Brian66

Hang in there! It is going to get better. I was sleeved almost exactly one year to the day before you (7/13/2010). There is no question about it...the first few weeks are very rough and there are going to be days when you say "What the he#* did I do to myself?" Just be patient and try to follow your doctor's orders exactly. Right now, just concentrate on staying hydrated -- drink little sips all day long if you have to. You'll be amazed at just how little food your body needs in the coming weeks Good luck to you. Brian

Papa Jack: Congratulations! It sounds like you are off to a great start. Make no mistake -- the next few weeks may be a bit rough, but the good news is that it going to get better and easier over time. Don't get discouraged if you have some trouble getting used to your sleeve over the next few weeks or months. It is a big adjustment, but you are going to be thrilled with the results. My surgery was one year ago on July 13th and I have lost just over 120 lbs. I have fought this battle long enough to know that this kind of weight loss would not have been possible without the sleeve. Keep up the good work and follow your doctor's instructions. All the best to you, Brian

One year ago tonight, I was in the recovery room at Lenox Hill Hospital in Manhattan after having my VSG. Even though I was a little scared that night and concerned about how things were going to play out, I think in my heart I knew I was doing the right thing for myself and my kids. Tonight, one year later, I am filled with gratitude to God for having been given the opportunity to have this surgery. I truly believe that it has been a miracle in my life and now I know with absolute certainty that it was one of the best decisions I have ever made. This is how my life has changed in the one year since my surgery: 1. I now weigh 179.4 lbs, down from 300 lbs. 2. My sleep apnea is gone. 3. My back pain has all but disappeared. 4. My blood pressure is under control with reduced medicine. 5. I am off my cholesterol medicine. 6. My pants size has gone from a 44 to a 34 7. My suit size has gone from a 54 to 42. 8. My shirt size has gone from an XXL to a L or M. Perhaps even more important than the physical changes are the emotional changes. It has been four and a half years since my wife died and while I still miss her terribly, I feel like I am finally starting to make progress in moving forward with my life. I have been dating a very nice woman since November and for the first time in a long time, I feel hopeful that there are brighter days ahead for me (and in fact, I feel like I am living in brighter days). I've been honest with the new lady in my life from the beginning about my surgery and she has been very supportive and encouraging. The best part is that that my kids have noticed a change in my personality and they tell me that "Skinny Daddy" is a lot less grumpy than "Fat Daddy." I still struggle a little bit with the feeling that I took the easy way out by having surgery. I know this is not logical because it wasn't easy and, in fact, it took a lot of courage and determination to take this step. Feelings are feelings, however, and I am working on them. From the beginning, I have been very selective about who I told about my surgery, but I am now trying to be more honest and up front about it with people. It's not that I feel that people are entitled to know every detail about my health decisions, but I have come to understand that secrets can be very powerful and destructive and by keeping it a secret, I have felt that it was, somehow, something of which I needed to be ashamed. Not so -- I'll say it again -- this was the one of the best decisions I've ever made and at this point, one year into this journey, I don't care who knows about it. I am very grateful to the folks on this site who have been so helpful and encouraging along the way. The posts here have been a great source of inspiration and a constant source of comfort and encouragement over the last year plus that I have been here. My greatest hope is that there will be someone out there tonight who will read this post and find some encouragement and hope in my experience over the last year. Thanks for being there for me over the last year. I wish each of you only success, peace and joy wherever you find yourself on this journey. My daughter helped by create this side by side comparison shot. Again, what a difference a year makes? God bless, Brian

Dear Carolina Girl, Good luck to you as your surgery date approaches in just three days. You are going to love your sleeve. I was sleeved last July 13th and I could not be happier with the results. I have a soft spot in my heart for July sleevers. To date, I've lost just about 120 pounds and I am thinner now than I have ever been in my adult life. This surgery has truly been a miracle in my lfe! Don't let anyone tell you that this is the easy way out. I struggle with this notion on a daily basis, but I know in my heart that it takes guts and determination to take this step. There is no question that it is scary and not without risks, but for me the alternative of living the way I was was no longer acceptable. Good luck to you and keep us posted on your progress! Brian

Dear H2H, Don't be too discouraged. I think what you are going through is completely normal. I remember feeling the same way during the first few months after my vsg surgery just over one year ago. In fact, I remember posting about how much I missed one of my best friends, food. I can't promise you the feeling will ever go away completely, but it will get better. There are still days when I miss eating what I used to enjoy so much, but then I remember that that is how I got into trouble in the first place. I did find some peace of mind when I came to the realization that, like a recovering alcoholic or drug addict, I cannot ever go back to my old way of eating. I also count my blessings that I was able to receive a tool that makes it very difficult for me to return to that old destructive way of eating. The good news is that as you lose more and more weight, you will become less conscious of the food you cannot indulge in and more aware of the living that you are able to enjoy without the excess weight and all its complications. Good luck to you. Brian

Linda: I was very apprehensive about telling my kids. First of all, they are younger - 15, 10 and 9 at the time of my surgery last year. Second, they lost their mom (my wife) to cancer four years ago, so I was very concerned about causing them undue anxiety. Getting myself healthy for my kids was one of my prime motivations for having this surgery I told my oldest first and she was very supportive. When I told the little ones, they were fine with it and they actually asked very few questions. Even to this day, I don't think they completely understand the mechanics of what I had done. I didn't let them come to the hospital to see me after the surgery and, for us, that was the right decision. They spent too much time in the hospital when my wife was dying -- I didn't want to bring back those memories for them. The bottom line, I think, is that kids are most concerned about how the changes you experience will effect them. For the most part, my kids' lives have not been changed by the surgery. They eat what they always ate. When I couldn't eat with them, I always made an effort to at least sit with them while they ate. They still tease me about how little I eat now compared to what I used to eat. The one really positive thing is they have noticed that I am happier since losing the weight -- they tell me that "Skinny Daddy" is a lot less grumpy than "Fat Daddy." Be honest with them and you'll do fine. All the best to you. Brian

Mouse Trap -- Good luck to you on this exciting journey! I had my sleeve surgery just over one year ago at Lenox Hill Hospital in Manhattan and I love the results I've had. I have lost just about 120 lbs and feel great! It was, without question, one of the best decisions I've ever made. Please don't hesitate to reach out to me if you have any questions. Brian

I can only speak for myself, but having the VSG one year ago was the best decision I've ever made. To date, I've lost 120 pounds and continue to lose weight (although much more slowly now). I knew from the beginning that the band was not for me and I went for my initial consultation with the surgeon thinking I was going to have the RNY procedure. It was my surgeon who suggested the VNY and I will forever be gratful to him that he did. I don't think I ever really focused on "having 85% of my stomach removed" although I was certainly aware of that fact. I just viewed this as the surgical procedure I needed to have to regain my health. I do notice that some people react strongly when I tell them exactly how much has been removed, but when they see the tremendous progress I have made. To be honest, there are still days when I long to eat some of the things and the volume that I used to, but like a drug addict or an alcoholic, I realize that I was not capable of handling food in a responsible manner. I am just grateful that I found a tool that has made it possible for me to manage my particular addiction. My advice is to do a lot of research and find out as much as you can about the procedure. You can certainly understand it without necessarily dwelling on the details. Good luck to you on your journey. Brian

Awesome. Good luck to you. I had my surgery last July 13th (I consider 13 to be my new lucky number) and I have lost just about 120 pounds. You are going to love your sleeve. My understanding is that you only have to worry about leaks in the first few weeks after surgery while the new stomach is healing. My doctor advised me that by eating something too soon, it could cause vomitting and the spasming involved in that could cause a leak. That scared the bejeeezus out of me and was enough to keep me on the straight and narrow as far as following doctor's orders. As I approach the first anniversary of my surgery this week, I am thrilled with the results and I honestly feel it was one of the best decisions I ever made. Good luck! Brian

Only you can know if it is the right decision. Perhaps you can't "know" it -- you can only do your research and make the best most informed decision for yourself. I will tell you that I had my surgery on July 13, 2010, almost exactly one year ago, and it is, without question, one of the best decisions I have ever made. I have lost 120 pounds and I feel great. People tell me I look great and I feel like I have a new lease on life. Good luck to you. Brian

SHOPPING FOR CLOTHES IS MUCH HARDER NOW. It used to be so easy -- just go into the store and look for the largest size they carried. In shirts, it was always XXL and in pants I had just moved to a 44. Now, I have to try everything on -- I don't know my sizes any more. I am a medium in some shirts and a large in others. In pants, I am either a 34 or a 36 depending on the cut, but I have to try them all on. Also, maybe it's just me, but when I was 300 pounds, I always had trouble finding my sizes. Feels like I was always looking for the big sizes. Now that I am an M or an L, all I seem to find are XXLs! Very strange indeed. Of course, I am teasing about complaining. These are problems I'll take any day and ones that I am very grateful to have! Wishing you all good luck, Brian

Don't give up. Things may change with your insurance company. My sense is that more and more companies are going to start covering the sleeve. For the time being, just concentrate on doing the best you can to keep your weight under control. If it is meant to be, it will happen. Best to you, Brian

Awesome News! Wishing you only continued health and happiness as you await the arrival of your bundle of joy!!!

I had my surgery done in Manhattan and I took the railroad in from Long Island and the subway to the hospital by myself, checked myself in and was prepped for surgery all by myself. I am a single dad to three young kids having been widowed four years ago and my kids were too young to be with me (and I wouldn't have wanted them there anyway) and my mother is elderly, so I didn't want her there earlier. I did give my surgeon my mother's number and asked her to call her after the surgery to let her know how things went, which he did. I was a tiny bit apprehensive about being by myself, but it worked out fine. I didn't have any visitiors while I was in the hospital either. The truth is, I think it made it easier to concentrate on getting rest and taking my walks without having to worry about visitors. Even when it came time to be released, I signed myself out and walked out on the street where I was met by my brother in his car. I don't think my hospital had any rules about being picked up. I would recommend having someone pick you up or taking a cab -- I know I would not have felt like driving that first day. All the best to you, Brian

Mr. Sharp, Good luck to you. Are you having your surgery done in New York. Mine was done by Dr. Mitchell Roslin at Lenox Hill. It was one of the best decisions I've ever made. I had my surgery performed on 7/13/2010 and I could not be happier with the results. I have lost 120 pounds in 11 months. Don't worry too much about the excess skin. Your age is definitely on your side and if there is a problem, you will cross that bridge when you come to it. Again, good luck and know that we are here to support you. Brian

I think the one thing I would want pre-surgery sleevers to know is that THIS WORKS! You need to do your homework - make sure you understand the surgery and what it will and will not do. Find the right doctor -- one that has lots of experience with VSGs and make sure you are comfortable with him and his staff. You don't have to love him or his bedside manner (I find that most surgeons don't have a lot of it), but you do need to trust him and have faith in him (or her!). Remember, you are looking for a skilled professional, not a friend. You also need to follow the instructions you are given by your surgeon and the nutritionist. If you do that, I think it is difficult NOT to be successful with this procedure (at least in my experience). Here I am -- 11 months out today - and my life and body has changed in the following ways: Weight: 300 pounds to 179.2 pounds (as of this morning) Suit Size: 54 to 42 Pants: 44 to 34 Sport Shirt: XXL to L or M Dress Shirt: 19 neck to 16 1/2 or 16 sleep Apnea: Gone High Cholesterol: Gone High Blood Pressure: Under control with decrease in meds. I struggled with my weight each and every day for about 25 years and this surgery has allowed me to lose weight in a way that was never before possible. It has, without question, been one of the best decisions I have ever made for myself and my three children. I would do it again in a heartbeat. Good luck to each of you. Brian

Welcome Dave! I had my VSG surgery 11 months ago today and I could not be happier with the whole experience. It was, without a doubt, one of the very best decisions I have ever made. Good luck to you on your journey. You will find this to be a great place for questions and support. Keep us posted. Best to you. Brian

Thank goodness, no. In fact it was my PCP who initially recommended weight loss surgery to me. He was recommending the bypass as he has a few patients who had not done well with the lap band. At first I was highly insulted - I did not see myself as being "that big" or needing the surgery. It took me several months of thinking about it before I faced reality and reached out to a surgeon. I am very grateful that I took some time to consider the whole idea because it was during that time that Aetna started covering the VSG. If I had acted too quickly, I might have ended up with the bypass which I was never crazy about. Despite my initial misgivings, I now realize that the decision to have this surgery was the greatest gift I have ever given myself and my three children. I will forever be grateful to my pcp for having the courage to recommend the surgery to me. Don't let a skeptical doctor keep you from making this decision. Do your research and find a surgeon with whom you feel comfortable and who knows what he or she is doing. Best to you, Brian

Congratulations! Keep up the good work! Brian

Hi Bert -- How are you feeling? I've been wondering how you are doing. When you start on solid food, you'll need to be very careful and take it very slowly. The feeling of fullness will come quickly (obviously -- you'll be amazed at the miniscule size of the portions you'll be able to eat) and much higher -- feel more like in your chest than in your stomach. Unfortunately, I learned a lot by trial and error. If I ate too much, the food would feel stuck and the only way to get relief was to vomit. It wasn't the typical vomitting you get if you are nauseated and sick to your stomach, it always felt more mechanical to me, like I just need to eject the extra food as soon as possible. Usually, I would feel much better as soon as the food came up. It still happens occasionally to me now, but usually when I allow myself to get too hungry (by not eating in a long time) and then I overeat unconciously too quickly. My advise is to chew, chew, chew and take things very, very slowly in the beginning. Hope things are going well for you. Remember, if you are having any difficulties right now -- they will pass. Brian

Tiff, Congratulations on your two year surgiversary and thanks for another super honest post. You have been such an inspiration to me and so many others on this board as well as a tremendous source of encouragement and information. I'll be praying that your pregnancy continues to go well. No deserves the happiness more than you do. Keep the faith and it will be no time at all before you are able to look back on these challenging days as a distant memory. Best to you, Brian

If I recall correctly, Aetna approved me in about one week or ten days last year. Overall, I have no complaints about Aetna. I went for my first consultation with my surgeon in mid-April and I was sleeved on July 13th. I am happy to say that the process was pretty painless. My biggest issue was staying on top of my doctor's office to keep my file moving. Be patient and keep your eye on the prize. Here I am 11 months later and I have lost 120 pounds! Good luck to you! Brian

Bert: I don't remember any pain when sipping Water, but I do remember having pain when I tried to swallow an ice chip. Take it easy and follow the doctor's orders. This is just about the worst time, but this will pass and you will be well on your way to the new thinner you. Good luck. Brian

Welcome Courtney, I had my surgery just about 11 months ago (7/13/2010) and have lost 120 pounds to date. I'd like to lose another 5 pounds or so, but I am not sweating it. Without a doubt, the decision to have this surgery was one of the best decisions I have ever made. I was 300 pounds at my heaviest and when I got on the scale this morning I weighed 178.4 I've gone from a size 54 suit to a size 42. From size 44 pants to size 34 From XXL shirt to a Large or Medium From a 19 inch neck to size 16 or 16 1/2 I hear what you say about shopping, but I have to say, it is a real challenge now. I used to know that I should just basically buy the biggest size that they had -- didn't have to try anything on. Now I have to try everyhting on because I have no idea what size I am for a particular manufacturer. Not a bad problem to have and a really great feeling. I also can't believe how much more comfortable I am when flying or taking any public transportation. At 300 pounds, I was finding planes and trains to be a real challenge. WIshing you the best of luck on your journey. You will not regret doing this. Brian

Hey Bert - I was thinking about you yesterday and hoping that the surgery went well for you. I think hiccuping after the surgery is very normal. Even today, I think I hiccup a little more often after I eat than I used to. It really is no big deal, but it can be a little scary when you are still so sore from the surgery. Make sure you let your doctor know, just in case. My big fear in the days right after surgery was doing or allowing anything to happen that would cause a leak. You'll probably be going for a leak test today, but the way. Not very pleasant, but it will give you great peace of mind when you find out there are no leaks. The next few days and perhaps weeks are going to be the worst of it for you. Just know that it will get better and that the results are going to make it all worth while. Keep us posted on how you are doing. You've got a lot of people here rooting for you! Brian