aznurse4u

33%! wow all the info I have read and what my surgeon told me is that sleevers will lose 75% of their excess in the first year
I almost had the band done, but after founding out the difference in loss and the time frame,I chose the sleeve

thanks everyone for thier input.it helps.I havent had any nausea,i had a patch placed behind my ear that was good for 3 days ,plus i got a shot of something just before surgery.havent had any problems with drinking any thing cold.My Protein Drinks have to be cold.I am drinkning Isopure

my doctor told us at a support group to throw away the scales not to use them.because your weight flucuates.aslong as you are following the diet.I wouldnt worry about it
by the way I just got sleeved on the 20th of march

Iwasnt scared at all.I trust in my surgeon,the hospital. It was funny cuz everyone at work was asking me "are you nervous" or "are you scared"And I can honestly say I wasnt.I was definitely ready to have this surgery. YOU will do fine.

i am 9 days out and have not been hungry one iota,i too was told that the surgery removed the Guerlin,that caused hunger.

i went in at 8 am,surgery at 10 am,spent the nite,had swallow test at 8am, was home by 930

i was told to expect shoulder pain also,but i haven't had any

I went to my surgeon today for my first post op.Ive lost 19 lbs since the 20th,date of my surgery
Im excited!

I saw my surgeon yesterday for my 2 month postop(surgery march 20) and I have lost 40 lbs, a total of 55 since october,pre-op. And now I can eat cooked veggies along with meat and still can have soft mushy foods,so I am content with how much ive lost and look forward to losing more.

I was going to have the lap band,but the dr i was seeing,closedup shop and moved upto phx,and im not about making all those trips back andforth,so they sent my file to dr.Monash and Welle office here in tucson, the best thing that has ever happened to me! The 1st dr all he did was lap band,nothing else. I had gone to a support group help by Dr Monash and talked to him after the meeting,telling him I was going to his office and why(the other dr leaving) and he told to "keep my mind open" so when I saw my surgeon,and he explained all three peocedures,the down time was all the same(which was important to me) I chose the sleeve.and I am very happy that I did,and would do it again in a heartbeat.I guess its normal to be scared before an operation,I personally was never afraid,i knew the procedure ,backwards and forwards, what to expect and I fully trusted my surgeon,and I guess the rest is history

I'm in Tucson and I am driving to Calexico/Mexicali for my surgery. My surgeon's office is picking me up in the US on Sunday for pre-op testing and blood work and then they are paying for me and my husband to stay at a hotel in Mexico overnight (I think it is a Crown Plaza). Monday morning I am picked up for surgery. When discharged from the hospital they bring me back to my car. All is included in his fee. I have received as much information as any doctor in the US and my husband is able to stay in the hospital with me during my entire stay. The rooms are equiped with pull-outs for travel companions.
My doctor is Dr. Aceves at Mexicali Bariatric. He has done sleeves on two of my friends and they have had great success. Both are just over a year post-op and below their goal weight.

You judt made everything I have been working for so much easier. Seeing what you wrote and seeing how much your life has changed gives me more strength over the next 30 days to keep going. Its so easy to quit....your proof that hard work continues to pay off!

This post really just made my night. I'm so happy for you!

How different can a vacation look year to year? My pre-op and recent op friends, you have no idea.
Last year and this year in July we took my nephews (9 and 10 this year) to Myrtle Beach. Here are a few differences.

Last year I was about 400 and this year 245.

My swim trunks were 6x last year and 1x this year.

Last year I went in the ocean with my nephews and was scared to death I wouldn't be able to keep my balance and get out of the Water - much less be a good guardian for them. This year, I was having the best time in the water ever. I'm planning to resume SCUBA in a few months, so this was confirmation that I'm on track.

Last year when my nephews wanted to go to the water park, I had to say no and face their dissapointment. This year *I* got on the slides. I'd say they were more excited than I was, but that would not be true. I was grinning ear to ear and behaving 20 years younger than I did last year.
I was having food funerals this time last year. This year I stuck to my guns and did a pretty darn good job staying on track with my diet - and I really didn't feel more than a twinge of desire for anything not on my plan.

Last year, I had a hard time with any exertion and planned low key activities. This year I had energy to spare. One day I was walking to the car in a mall parking lot with the nephews and decided to just take off running to the car. Behind me I heard "He can run again!" and laughter. How nice to be able to have fun. Here's a kick, my wife and I took a helicopter ride. I went to Hawaii a few years ago and really wanted to but I was too heavy and over the weight limit.

Rather than hang out at the hotel during downtime like I did last year, I decided to go for a walk at the Tanger outlet. Last year I wouldn't have thought about trying to find good deals on clothing in the big and tall range I wore. 4x and 5x aren't compelling buys most of the time...this year, I was buying medium shirts. I can wear some and will be able to wear the rest within the next few months. I haven't worn a medium shirt since high school. This 50 year old was shopping like a kid in a candy shop. Even took my dear wife back to the mall and let her have fun picking some things out for me too. No more big and tall shops for me.

I can barely concieve of what next year holds. VSG gave me back my hope, health, and fun. I hope all of you can experience such a dramatic change next year.

Your surgeon should go over all that with you. You will have restrictions weight/exorcise wise until your dr clears you. DO NOT PUSH YOURSELF!!!!! Your mind and body will adjust, don't worry (: only problem most people have is the challenge of mental hunger, food IS an addiction, and we are going into recovery!
Think of it this way: there were 4? people on this thread that had leaks. Leaks are a 1% risk. So you're going to be one of the other 396 people who do fine

It normally takes about 12-14 weeks for a leak to heal on its own. Mine was about 12 weeks. Its a tuff ordeal,but I would also do it again to get the results I have from the surgery. As far as who does the surgery, do your homework! Every surgeon with experience has had a leak, it just happens. If they say they never had one, that means they have no experience! I wouldnt want to be thier first leak because they wouldnt know how to handle it! For those that have or had a leak, I pray for you but hang in there it will get better.

I have to admit, still being in the pre- op process this is kind of freaking me out. Can any of you fill me in on where you had your procedure? I really want to do this for a better quality of life, but I'm feeling scared after reading the two bad outcomes. Is it just me? Or isit normal to freak out after reading this thread?

My gf had her sleeve done on January 10th. She developed a 'leak'. She was rushed back into surgery on Jan 11th at 3 am when they discovered the leak. She became septic and was in the ICU with a 50/50 chance for life for 3+ weeks. It seemed like forever for her organs to start working well. She still has troubles with one of her lungs.
After another week out of the ICU they sent her home. She was home for almost 3 hours when I rushed her back in with a 104 degree fever and was vomiting. During that stay 2 abscesses were discovered.
She went in to her doctors three weeks ago for IV fluids and called two weeks ago for more fluids and a reported increase in pain in her abdomen. I took her in two weeks ago Tuesday. They put another drainage tube in another abscess that had grown up under her ribcage. The original drainage tube had failed and flushed itself out during one of the Friday surgeon visits so there's now a new one in and a PICC line in her left arm to come home with also so we can give her fluids, fats, carbs, Vitamins directly via her own IV line.
She's a trouper. I hate seeing her go through this. But, she used to have horrible Migraines and the surgery has helped with those. She also doesn't snore at all anymore. I trust that this will all come to an end. I'm guessing it will be another 6 months at least though. For now, it's just keeping on top of her symptoms and health.
We have a standing Friday appointment with the surgeon every week when she's out. I have his cell number and is a good guy with fantastic credentials and history. He's the guy people go to when they get leaks from other surgeons.
I realize that this is an extreme case and while leaks do happen they can be sealed relatively soon (weeks). I wish everyone well. I hope you all have safe and speedy recoveries. Thanks for listening. I was mostly feeling sorry for myself yesterday.

Here is the recipe for the Cinna-Banana Shake:
1 banana
1 scoop vanilla Protein powder
1/4 cup greek plain yogurt
1/2 cup almond milk
1/4 tsp cinnamon
2-4 ice cubes
Blend, pour and enjoy!

I agree. Depends on the Protein intake. It's not that hard to get 60-80 in if you're committed. I am a bit lazy and I use the Premier Protein premade from Costco....yum! As a crutch on days that I need it, sadly, it also solves my choco craving.

Yey for you!!! I had to do 6 months too and I gained every month. So let's say I can't wait until its over and the date is here. Best of luck to you! (I have one more month left and hope to have surgery mid September)

I found out I was approved on July 3 too. But, my pre op appt isn't until July 25. I'm hoping for an August surgery date!

So about a month ago I was at dinner with my sister and I noticed her hands didn't look dry (she's always had super dry skin) and her hair looked fuller/thicker...so I reached over and grabbed her hair and said what the heck have you done to your hair?!? She said "oh I've been drinking honey and vinegar..didn't I tell you?". Ummmm - NO! So for the last 3 weeks I've been drinking it....sure enough thicker hair and softer skin!!! No joke. So here's the receipe 1 Tablespoon Trader Joes Organic Raw honey and 1 Tablespoon Trader joes Organic UNFILTERED Apple Cider Vinegar...add to a 6-8oz of hot/warm Water, stir in and enjoy. I tried other brands but I'm telling you Trader joes is the best and it has to be UNFILTERED vinegar. The vinegar alkalizes in the body which is where the health benefits come in.
I really wanted to share this with everyone and also ask...do you think I can continue to drink immediately after sleeved?...will the vinegar be too strong? I'm hoping this might help with hair loss/thinning???

QOTD: Do you have any major award planned for yourself along the way down the scale or at the end?
There are so many rewards I have planned and quite honestly even the small ones, like sitting in a booth, seem huge right now. I do know that one of my major rewards will mostly definitely include a plane trip, sitting skinny in the center seat, and horseback riding. I have a feeling that if... no scratch that.. WHEN I reach my goal of losing 200 pounds, a full body lift and tuck will be a MUST and not so much a reward. 18 days till my new life begins! Wow, that is hard to believe. I have been at least 100 pounds or more overweight for 30 years... 30 YEARS! I honestly feel like I have been given a pardon from my life sentence of misery. Oh happy day!

You look fantastic. You were really pretty in your pre-op heavier photo too. I love your hair.
I just hit my 50 lb milestone and am about 3 months out as well. Feels great. Congratulations!!