MG in SD

It probably depends when you got your tattoos too. I got all of mine when I was 18-21 years old, and still slim 'n' sexy. They looked bad the fatter I got because they stretched out. I am hoping as I lose they will look less distorted. Who knows, guess we shall see.

1-2 weeks

I would so much rather stay at home if it wasn't too much of a financial hardship. But an experienced surgeon is the most important thing ever. I am sure you want the better, safer, shot at a successful surgery. If you think your local Dr is not as good then it should be no question. But if your local doc is good stay home. I only needed one night in the hospital after surgery but everyone is different. Tough one, but if it were me I would make it happen in the US.

I was told 6 months to a year but I had my first drink 3 months out and was fine. I tried it at 3 months because about half the people on this forum said their surgeon cleared them for alcohol at 3 months while the other half said 6 months to a year. I figured it was just a preference dependent on your surgeon and when i asked him why he said so long when other said 3 months, he said it was just empty calories and I didnt need that. So, if it wasn't going to kill me, I was ready at 3 months! Not saying that is right, just telling my story.

I actually tried my first beer on vacation last week in Mexico and I am exactly 6 months out. Beer made me feel a little uncomfortable, crazy burping and tightness in the chest. But I drank it nonetheless because of limited availablity of mixed drinks. I think I am going to steer clear of the beer for the most part and stick to vodka /water or vodka cranberry. You just had surgery, so you should probablly cool it for a while and give it time to heal. Just a thought.

I am 6 months post op and had my first drink 3 months post-op. Yes, it does hit you faster, but it certainly wears off faster too. I can have two vodka drinks and feel pretty tipsy, but one hour later I am stone cold sober. My surgeon said the biggest concern with alcohol is the empty calories and transfer addiction. I am pretty much a weekend drinker and I haven't had to change my lifestyle much, I just had to give it up for a while. I do stay away from beer though because of the carbonation, and obviously sugary drinks are too high calorie.

I am 5'6"/ 5'7" and was 320 before surgery. Currently at 236, and I am almost exactly 6 months post op. Went from size 22/24 to a 16/18.

Well welcome! I was all over this site before my surgery, and I agree, it was a great resource. I still frequent it just to keep my head in the game. And don't worry about missing out on Thanksgiving week one, the LAST thing you will want is food during that first week. You will barely be able to get down liquids. But don't worry, it will normalize and you will be able to enjoy food again in the future just in much smaller portions. Good luck!

Great job! I am 6 months post-op today and down 83 so I think you are killing it! You just have to make yourself do certain things if they are bothering you. The sleeve can't make you drink all of your Water, take your Multivitamins, or eat slower. But try the Gummy multivitamins, that is how I get mine in. Congrats!

I walked the first two weeks, and started with gradual gym visits on week 3. Only cardio at first and only how much your body can handle. Good luck!

Well I have had dumping syndrome 3-4 times from the times I was bad and I am 6 months out. Holy hell it sucks. Sweating, puking, and things I won't mention. The pain is intense. You don't want this to happen to you so try to follow the rules. Best advice I have.

haha! That is hilarious!

I don't even know what you are talking about. They made you get an endoscopy? I only had to do the 6 month diet and medical & psych clearance. Well at least thet are being thurough!!

I confess:

- I drink alcohol almost every weekend when I go out, even though my Dr. told me to wait a year. I did however, completely give up beer.

- I started with the caffiene again. Yet this time I am going with tea and one splenda rather than a venti nonfat latte.

- I had dumping syndrome twice and it was my own damn fault.

- I sometimes eat badly, i.e I will sneak a halloween candy or eat one slice of pizza

- My workouts are inconsistent. One week I will go 3-5 times and the next week 0-1

- I just started dating and I can't decide whether I want to disclose about my surgery up front or leave it a mystery

and yes, it was 3 months of scary Hair loss

It will stop. I started having dramatic Hair loss at 2.5 months post op. I am now 5.5 months out and it is starting to grow back in and hair loss is decreasing. This is exactly what my surgeon said would happen. He said hair loss would start around month 3 and should stop by post op month 6. He said there is absolutely nothing you can take or do to prevent it, but I still tried everything. He said hair loss past 6 months out could indicate a deficiency of sorts, but it doesn't look like I will have to worry about that. It will grow back.

Hell to the yeah girl! Looking good!

I waited 3 months and am totally fine. My surgeon told me a year and I thought that was just plum crazy! I cheched around on this site and moste people were told to wait anywhere from 3mos to a year, depending on their surgeons preference. I went with the low estimate, because clearly my surgeon is conservative!

My surgery was 5/14/12 and it has been 5 months and 3 days. Down 78 lbs. Hell yeah!!

yes, you feel normal again. I did it because I need help keeping the weight off for good, not help just losing it. I have "lost it" many, many times before. What I love about this surgery is that I literaly cannot overeat. It is damn near impossible. I get super full off of very little, and a bad day for me is maybe 1300 calories. I would do it over again. I am 5 months out and over 75 lbs down. The weight comes off slower after the first few months but it still comes off regardless of how hard I try. The harder I try the more I lose. And I feel normal. I went to lunch today and shared an appetizer with a coworker. I drink occasionally, and still go out to clubs. I am going on vacation at the end of this month. My diet doesnt rule me, if anything ruled me before it was my weight. Good luck.

That's awesome! yes, get some pics up for us.

Haha, that's awesome. Yeah my pajama pants are done too. They are the yoga type and my gut can't keep them up anymore.

Yeah, I have had a 2 week stall before. It sucked but I got over it and started losing agian. Just get back to basics with your eating, fluids, and Protein. It also helps to work out if your not. That always helps me to break a stall.

I used my fitness pal religiously at first. Now I only use it to track my weight, it does a graph of loss and a overall lb tracker which I like. The only problem with it is I always have to guess at calories. They have thousands of foods in their database, but not at the serving size I can eat.

You just need to calm down. You just had surgery!! How could you even say you have failed yet? First, do not weigh yourself everyday. That is a recipe for crazytown! I weigh myself once a week, and as long as I am losing I am happy. I am now close to 5 months out and down 75 lbs, but not every week as been a huge week, and yes there are weeks where I don't lose. Give it a chance, and try to kick the crackers and chips, at least at such an early stage. You will lose if you are eating 800-1000 calories a day. Keep your head up.

So I am just over 4 months out and I am feeling pretty normal. I can eat a little bit more, I can have raw veggies, i work out pretty hard. My surgeon told me not to drink for a year, but whatevs, I drink occasionally on the weekends with no problems. I have learned to just share a small appetizer if I go out to eat or get a cup of Soup. I am not just eating tablespoons of mushy junk. I am eating real food. I think you just need to hang in there, I am already getting used to how much I can eat. If I eat too fast or too much I get a tightness in my chest or have to burp alot, but that is easily avoided by just knowing my limits and sticking to it. Keep positive, because month four is good.