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I was wondering: How many of you have heartburn? Was it only short-term or is it a case of being on a PPI for life? Rarely get heartburn and I take no PPI. Dr prescribed right after surgery, but have not taken any for 6-7 months. Do any of you have dumping syndrome with the sleeve? (some research says it's possible) No dumping issues. Sometimes when I eat certain things, it doesn't agree with my new stomach, but doesn't happen very often. Have any of you had any complications out of the norm/ not easily resolved? No complications and I have lost 93 of my 100 lb goal. IS anyone aware of any studies with Long-term efficacy of the sleeve (5+ years out?) No info on long term, but at 9 months out, I still can't eat a half a sandwich for lunch. I eat a lettuce, tomato, and meat sand and throw the bread away. Wouldn't trade this for anything. Hope this helps.

It probably is the fluids that they pumped into you at the hospital. Also flying will make you retain water. If you pee all night, you'll see a few lbs. drop. I gained 10 lbs from the hospital. Lost it all within a few days.

Whoops, I meant my insurance paid approx $5000 contracted price.

With CA Anthem Blue Cross, I paid $5600 to the Dr. (That is his set fee with insurance) and about $1000 to the hospital. My hospital paid approx $5000 contracted price on a $117,000 bill. I will never pay another dime to my Dr. for the next 5 years of followup.

Thanks for sharing.

I have never regretted it. Check out my gallery. I'm the same height as you and I am 7 lbs to my goal in less than 10 months. Wish I would have done it a year sooner to be skinny for my daughter's wedding.

I didn't feel the need to be awake for my surgery, but I did watch a VSG surgery by my Dr. posted on youtube. Very interesting and helped me to see my Dr's. skill and technique.

I was sleeved 10/4/11. Glad you had a great time on the coast. I don't miss the heat. I see by your stats, you're pretty close to mine. I never reach 5'7". I stopped growing at 5'6 3/4" so I'm about 5'6ish now. I can't believe that I'm almost to goal. I had convinced myself that 160 would be fine because I didn't lose any weight for 3 weeks and the loss has definitely slowed, but all of a sudden, I have lost 4 lbs in the last week, so I'm pretty excited to make it to goal. My doctor told me to lose all I want before my 1 year anniversary, because it will really slow down after that.

I eat a protein bar almost every day for breakfast. Working full time, it's an easy way to get my protein in. Also easiest thing for me to have on the run. I eat several different brands, but only buy ones that have at least 18 gr protein. I also put a half scoop of choc. protein powder in my coffee and blend with a beverage frother. Gets me about 30-40 grams of protein for the morning. Has worked for me.

Close. I live in Morro Bay, CA and was sleeved in San Jose. Any other coastal CA people out there? By the way, I am originally from Visalia. When were you sleeved?

These look like good recipes. Can't wait to try them.

I admit I did this once with pizza and I don't have an eating disorder (or at least this type of disorder) I like the post above that we all have an eating disorder, that's how we got here. At no other time in our lives, will we revisit the point where we are on a liquid diet for weeks. I understand the need to chew something and I believe it shows great willpower to spit it out and not swallow. I know that it is a great relief to me that I can ask a question and get an honest answer about what others are going through with me. It has been 9 months since my sleeve and I chewed and spit once. No biggie. Do what you need to do and move on. Congratulations on the new you.

My insurance company required my surgery to be at a Center of Excellence which was 3 1/2 hours away. They paid for the hotel for my parents and for the gas to get to the hospital. Thankfully my Dr. has an office 20 min from me that he sees patients at every 2 months. I have only had to see my Dr. 3 times so far since my surgery 9 months ago. Check with your insurance about reimbursement of travel expense. Hope this helps and I wish you the best.

So glad your dad is doing better. In the long run, his life will be so much better. With regards to knowing the risk, my doctor sent me a 16 page document outlining EVERY risk. After 13 of the risks, I had to summarize in my own words the risk listed. After the next 49 risks, I had to write "I understand and agree", sign and date. Lastly, all my signatures had to be witnessed by someone. I felt like a 10 year old writing on the chalkboard writing that sentence 49 times, but it sure made me read and understand all the things that could go wrong. I know why the whole thing was called the "Informed Consent Document". I was definitely informed.

Actually they had a nice variety. I can actually get all the jeans on, but do I want to be seen in all of them? No. The new style not only has such a lower waist, but they also have lower back pockets so you look like you have a droopy butt. I was able to find some Nine West jeans for $24.99 that rode a little higher on the hip. They also had Lee brand , CK, Express, Lucky brand. I don't have a WalMart of Kmart in my town so my choices are limited. I bought 1 pair of 10's from Sears but they do bother me after wearing awhile. I feel like I'm pulling them up all the time. That's what happens when you're almost 50 years old.

Thankfully I had saved all my clothes from losing weight 7 years ago. So, I have slowly whittled away my huge stack of 20-12 size pants. Well, the stack is all gone. I can still wear the 12's but I went to TJ Maxx (love this store) to look for new jeans and every pair of pants I tried on were size 10. I have NEVER worn size 10 my whole life. Those are size 10's I have on in my profile pic. What a victory.

I understand about the liquid diet phase pre surgery. I had to change the channel when Burger King commercials came on. Now, if I actually Want a burger, all it takes is 3 bites without the bun and I am stuffed.

The full feeling is like thanksgiving where you ate way too much. You definitely learn to eat slowww and 1 less bite. When I eat too much, I also get a runny nose and sometimes have a sneezing fit. Our bodies are a mysterious adventure.

I went to Red Lobster and had crab and those cheddar cheese biscuits.

Yes, it will get better. It takes a good 6 months for your stomach to heal. I am 9 months out and life is so much better. I am almost to goal but surprised how the loss has slowed down. Enjoy the quick loss now. Food will taste better but you will learn that a lot less tastes good too.

Congratulations! So excited for you. Looking forward to hearing of your journey.

I had sushi for the first time about 2 months out. I love sushi but can't do the rice. It get's stuck. So, my sushi place will let you build a roll. My favorite is avo, crab, salmon and tuna wrapped with seaweed. Still can only eat 2 pieces, but yummy. You just ask for what you can get on the menu without rice, they can usually accommodate you.