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I am about 3.5 months post-op. I have lost 52lbs and am down 3 pants sizes and one shirt size. This hasn't been an easy journey so far, but it definitely gets easier each day. I eat between 600-800 calories/day. I was in pretty good health before surgery and was lucky enough to not need any meds, but I certainly notice a difference in my energy levels and I just feel good all over, even mentally! I could have never had this success without the sleeve. Here are my before and after pics! For some reason they are backwards lol. My before pic is on the right :-p

Well here I am 21 months post op. I am so thankful to God for my sleevie, words can not express.

Highest weight 234, lowest 144...I am 148 today and that's with tom lol. I am a perfect size 6 (actually even have some 4's)...if I can do it, YOU CAN DO IT!!!!!!!!!

Here's some before and after pics

This must be the night for "Booth or Table" NSVs!! Hooray!!
7 months ago, I went to this pizza place here in Albuquerque, and the only place to sit was a teeny tiny booth for 2. I reluctantly sat there with my husband, and I had to SQUUUEEEEEEZE myself into it, and then it was hard to eat because the table was pressing me in half and I was hanging out in the aisle. I cried in frustration and embarrassment. I told him at the time I was going to come back in six months and make that booth my B***H!!
Well, here's my B***H:

Take THAT booth!!

My mom sent me a cute new top from Chicos, just as a really nice thing to do for me. I was thrilled that if fit because I could NEVER shop there. The clothes have always been too small for me. So I had my daughter take a picture so I could send it to her with my thank you. It was the first time in years that I actually wanted my picture taken and the first time, in as long as I can remember, that I actually liked what I saw. Below is a picture taken of me a few weeks before surgery and the picture of me today. I guess its time to start documenting my progress in photos. It has been exactly two months since my surgery. I have lost 52 pounds since that photo was taken. I still have a long way to go, but now I feel like it is possible and that I will never be going back to the old me!

Wow! That is a huge two month transformation !!! You look amazing!

I started gaining weight 5 years ago....and gaining fast. I put on 130 lbs in a little over 2 years. I had myself medically checked for everything. Every test to diagnose something that would cause such dramatic weight increase came back negative. I was so frustrated for a couple of years. I wanted the docs to find something wrong with me medically, then say here is a pill and you'll be back to your 130lb figure. No such luck! I finally had to come to terms with the obvious. I turned 30 (slower metabolism) ate crappy fast food daily, Stopped exercising, and was extremely stressed at work. Yikes by the time I snapped to reality and tried to change my behavior, I was in a strangers body. A body that was once very limber, now could barely bend to tie her shoe, or find any energy after or before work to be active. About 3 months ago I started talking to a friend at work who was having issues with weight as well. WLS entered the discussion, and I voiced an interest in the lap band. My friend mentioned a newer procedure her sister had gotten and demonstrated success.... VSG... I researched the band, bypass, and VSG. VSG made the most sense to me by far. I won't list my reasons in detail, as I'm sure they correlate to many others reasoning. Mid May I went to a seminar at a very reputable center of excellence and took the next step in making an initial consult with one of the surgeons, on June 8th 2012. I made up my mind to get the sleeve and started the approval process. My surgeons office sent all necessary documentation to my insurance company UHC and I was approved because my BMI was 40 or greater within 2 weeks. My surgeons office then required the following clearances: Pulmonology consult, dietary class, psych evaluation, pre-op support group class, upper gi, chest X-ray, and blood work up, etc. I was then able to schedule my surgery date for July 30th. I had to follow a strict pre-op diet consisting of only 4-5 Protein Shakes per day with sf Popsicles, and Jello 15 days prior to surgery. The day prior to surgery I was allowed only Clear Liquids and had to drink a 10oz bottle of magnesium citrate (bowel prep) the night before surgery I needed to gargle with 1/2 bottle of Listerine (my mouth was on fire) I also needed to shower with Hibiclense that night. The morning of the procedure I gargles with the other half of the Listerine and bathed with the other half of Hibiclense. I arrived at the hospital 2 hours prior to my surgery as told. I went to registration, everything was entered in the system already, and they took me up to the surgical floor. The nurses had me gargle with more Listerine, pee in a cup (pregnancy test precaution) and I changed into a high tech surgical robe that they attached a warming hose to. The nurse then hooked up my IV, the surgeon met with me briefly asking if I had any questions. I was then visited by the anesthesiologist, who explained they would inject some happy medicine to make me relax. They then wheeled me into the OR and lifted me onto the OR table... That was all she wrote. I woke up about an hour and 1/2 later in recovery. I had some problems breathing when I woke up ( not too bad) and they continued to monitor my pain. I was then transferred to my own beautiful private room with a view of a large swan pond. I was in pain but it wasn't terrible. They didn't have to put a JP drain in, and I was allowed to shower the next day. I stayed in the hospital for 2 nights. I also did experience buyers remorse. I asked myself why i would put myself through something like this voluntarily, because of the pain, then remembered people on this site recolecting there accounts. The thing that helped me through so much of my hospital experience was the stories others posted on this site. I read so many posts, and educated myself prior to the day of surgery,and it helped. I knew the buyers remorse stage would pass, as it had for others. I am 5 days post op now and let me tell you it is sureel. Im sure I will run into more obstacles along my VSG journey but I know where to turn, and what tools are available. I really hope my story helps at least 1 person going through the pre-op stages. I am thankful this site was available to me.

Justine13 wow we have the same goals! I can't wait to get there...... Love This.site

Hello June Sleevers! I was sleeved 6/25 and I am down a total of 40 lbs 20 pre-op and 20 post-op (my weight flip flops). You wouldn't think it would make that big of a difference but look at my profile pic. The first one was taken June 8th at a family get together and the second one July 13th. I was shocked myself. I am on soft foods and cannot eat more than 6 teaspoons at a time. I have a scramble egg with cheese for Breakfast. I have notice that if I eat carbs (oatmeal)..it makes me crave them.
I love this site and I love this post!!

i started at 273 & i will be 8months post op on the 20th. last week, i weighed in at 173. im hoping to weigh 169 when i step on the scale tomorrow. my goal is 135. at first, my goal was 175 - 150. but now, its 135! i wear a medium/large in shirts & i wear an 8-10 in jeans.

Goal is: Not fat. To shop in normal clothes. To wear single digit sizes. To keep up with my kids. To not be in the 200's and to win the lottery.

I posted a goal of 120, only because I think that's the ideal weight for my height; however, I personally would be ok if I got down to about 130/140. I just wanna feel HOT,like i did back in the days!!

Yay! That is so awesome!! I can't wait to get to onderland and no more W's after my clothing size!! Good for you! Thanks for sharing about the stalls too. It seems like a daily topic of someone being frustrated with that (myself included), many with the common theme of being convinced that, just like everything else, this last attempt at weight loss will not work. I know that thought has crossed my mind on more than one occassion! You just gave tremendous hope and inspiration! Thank you!

Good luck! I'm 5'7" and started at 250...people I've told are shocked when I told them I had surgery, since they never thought I was "huge". But 10 weeks and nearly 50 lbs lighter, it feels awesome to get all the comments from people saying how good I'm looking. And shedding those lbs (I was similar sizes to you) pushing me into an 18 and soon a 16...and so on. It feels amazing and I say go for it. I opted to say screw the insurance process even though I have it, and went to Mexico. I just didn't want the hassle and was fortunate that it was an option for me. Something to consider if insurance doesn't work out!

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11 - so thankful for a good report!

God has a plan for you...and part of that plan was for you to find this because of your decision. It's a blessing that they caught it and that it will be treated. (((Hugs))) I know you don't see that plan yet, but He will reveal all in the fullness of His time.
Good luck! Please let us know once surgery is over.

I got my hair chopped off today and had my best friend take some new pics of me!! I feel fantastic!!!! Having this surgerywas the absolute BEST decision I have ever made!!! I lost 17 lbs pre-op and 53 lbs since my surgery on April 16th. Who would of thought that 262 would feel and look so good??!! I am only half way to my goal!! WOHOO!!!!     

First of all, congratulations!
We share the same stats...exactly...except I am 52! I hope i am equally successful.

Congratulations on your weightloss! Truly inspiring to me (someone who is fighting to be approved)~!

Surgery date was 06-14- 2012 . I doing fantastic! I really didn't realize fluids could sustain you longer than going without solids or food, I'm one week two days post op highest weight 285 lbs pre surgery diet weight 268 lbs and my current weight as of 06- 23 - 2012 is 247 lbs.

Hey ladies,
I am a pastor's wife with the band. We are Americans living in Germany and pastoring an international flock. God is awesome. I was banded 29 Aug and am on my way to a better life. Thank you, Jesus, for this band. We will be separating from the military in less than a year and staying here to do God's work.
Take care all,

Hello all I love him yes he is strict but that is because he wants to see you succeed. Don't forget he was once in our shoes as being overweight and that is one of the main reasons I decided to go with him. The office personal is nice and he will answer any question for you but you can't be afraid to ask.
Best of luck and success on your journey...

I had my surgery with him 6 days ago! I think he is great and I live the office staff as well. I have no conplaints about him personally. Only complaint would be having to travel so far.

Wow!! You go girl!!! I hope it works out for you. Hang in there!!

Well I have tricare and their requirements are crazy! The way I see it I'm obese and need help! Just help me already. But no can do. I looked at self pay and the cheapest was 13,000. Well I just don't have that kind of money. So I gave up the thought of getting banded. 2 months later I seen where they opened up a bariatric program here at fort Knox. Hmmm I applied and now have a surgery date of July 10, 2012!!!! never give up god always finds a way. 220 lbs good bye!

Dear Brebre,
I,also, don't want this band! I need this band! Without it I am a 255 lb woman wearing size 22-24 dresses or bottoms, and 3x tops. I looked like someone's grandma, which I am. But, with it, I am wearinga size 8, and my husband called me his trophy wife the other day! My grandson saw an older picture of me, and asked who that was, he did not know the "fat" lady in the picture! Without the lapband, I can't ride the rides at the amusement parks that I go to with my grands, and I can't comfortably sit in movie seats, plane seat, etc.
I tried Weightwatchers, it was okay, I lost 20% of my weight. But, took a vacation, and since I did not have a band, gained 20 lbs in 3 weeks. Boohoo. I am NOT a good dieter, I need the help of restriction because I don't have the discipline to stay on a diet long enough to loose the weight I needed to. For me, it is and was the only thing!! I don't like the band, I love the band and need the band to survive, and most of the people on here are like that. Stay strong, soon you will be able to eat hamburgers, if you want, I don't eat them, no appetite for them. They do look yummy, but it is not anything I want anymore. I got banded Oct 30, 2009. I am 63 years old and happier than I have been in many, many years! Good luck, and best wishes for your future as you journey bandland! Karen