deb_fox

I didn't keep my surgery a secret. I told all of my family, friends and co-workers. The reason I didn't keep it a secret is that I have known several morbidly obese woman who have told me through the years that they were huge their entire lives. Then, all of a sudden, they become skinny within a year and keep it off. I feel they had to have done a form of surgery because to struggle your entire life and then to claim to lost it all in a year or less and keep it off seems suspicious. I just wanted it out in the open because I feel there is no shame involved. Getting a sleeve is just a tool I needed to help me.

I didn't keep my surgery a secret. I told all of my family, friends and co-workers. The reason I didn't keep it a secret is that I have known several morbidly obese woman who have told me through the years that they were huge their entire lives. Then, all of a sudden, they become skinny within a year and keep it off. I feel they had to have done a form of surgery because to struggle your entire life and then to claim to lost it all in a year or less and keep it off seems suspicious. I just wanted it out in the open because I feel there is no shame involved. Getting a sleeve is just a tool I needed to help me.

It is complicated because you do need to walk a lot to get all of the gas out of your body. I was told it could be there for weeks. If you don't get it out, you will be very uncomfortable. I felt so tired for several weeks after surgery and asked about it on this site. So many people told me that it was expected and completely normal. To help ward that feeling of exhaustion, be certain to drink the Protein, it really makes a difference. I was also instructed by my surgeon to walk one block my first day home and to add more distance each day. By the end of my first week, I was walking a mile and a half. It is a good thing!

I used Dr. Collin Brathwaite for my surgery. His office is located in Patchogue and the surgery was done at Winthrop Hospital in Mineola. I could be wrong, but I thought one of his patients in my support group said that she was 16. I will give you their office number. It is 631-475-1900. All of my Doctors said they would recommend Dr. Brathwaite for the surgery. Every time I spoke of wanting the surgery to one of my Doctors, they said Dr. Brathwaite is the one. I know many people that have used him too. My surgery went great! Good luck sweetie.

I used Dr. Collin Brathwaite for my surgery. His office is located in Patchogue and the surgery was done at Winthrop Hospital in Mineola. I could be wrong, but I thought one of his patients in my support group said that she was 16. I will give you their office number. It is 631-475-1900. All of my Doctors said they would recommend Dr. Brathwaite for the surgery. Every time I spoke of wanting the surgery to one of my Doctors, they said Dr. Brathwaite is the one. I know many people that have used him too. My surgery went great! Good luck sweetie.

I too get frustrated with the rate of my weight loss. I read other people stating that they lost as much as I have within the first month and I am two months post-op. I know in my heart of hearts that everyone is different. I also know that my thyroid problem is going to make my loss slower. My husband tells me to look at the whole picture. I am down 45 pounds since my pre-op weigh in at the Doctor. This is since June 1st. When is the lst time I have been able to say I lost 45 pounds in 2 months...NEVER! I need him to remind me of these things from time to time. FYI...I sometimes go a week or more without dropping a single ounce. As long as we follow the required diet, this has to work!

When I was doing the pre-op liquid diet, my boss said to me that I looked great and just proved that I could lose weight and I haven't had the surgery yet. He asked me to reconsider having the surgery. A few other people in my office agreed with him. I brought to their attention that I hadn't had a morsel of food for two weeks, only nutritional drinks, that is why I lost the weight. I obviously cannot continue to live my life without food! Then my boss says to me that I have been able to show such discipline with the liquid diet, I should postpone the surgery and try to apply that same discipline to healthier eating and exercise. I know he and my friends at work meant well, they really did. They just don't get it. If I could have done this, I would have done this over the last 20 years that I have had a weight problem. I feel I made the mistake of being completely open about my intentions to have surgery. At the end of the day, who cares what anyone else has to say. This is my body, my life!

I have so many surgery scars on my belly between this surgery, having my gallbladder removed and stretch marks from my pregnanices that I think a bikini is never happening for this gal no matter how skinny I get.

I had my surgery on June 11, 2012. I have been in a complete stall for over two weeks. Like you, I am doing everything right. I understand your frustration. I am listening to what other people have to say about it and it seems like we shouldn't panic. Just keep doing the right things and it will break. My husband is going to take my scale away from me if I don't stop weighing myself every day! Ask yourself, when is the last time you lost 32 pounds in a month? Your sleeve is fine. I am only down a little over 20 pounds since my surgery...

Greats decision to do the sleeve! I went to a support group meeting last night with my Surgeon and it seems like the lap-band patients had so many more issues. I was sleeved on June 11th and have had a very easy recovery. My weight loss has been a bit slower than I had hoped, but everyone sees the inches! Every day people are commenting on how good I look. I am down 20 pounds since my surgery. So, today is actually a month for me and down 20 pounds. When is the last time I was able to say I lost 20 pounds in a month? Best of luck to you and keep us informed. This site is a blessing.

Congratulations! Each day you will feel better and better.

I feel the same way about food. it is simply fuel for my body. I eat because I have to. I think it's because the Protein Shakes still keep me feeling full all day.

I had the same problem for a few days. The truth is, we need to stop weighing ourselves everyday. All of a sudden, A pound and a half came off one morning. I wrote just a few days ago that I was upset with my weight loss. Then someone pointed out to me that I have actually lost a lot of weight since I started my journey. It doesn't matter what came off before or after surgery, it all counts. When I realized that I had surgery on June 11, 2012 and I am down 27 pounds since my final weigh in before surgery on June 1, I am thrilled. I am actually down 38 pounds since I signed my papers with the surgeon in November. I cannot tell you the last time I have lost 38 pounds. I needed to look at the whole picture. Now, I am continuing with the same positive attitude. This has to work!! This is why we did this! Good luck!

I had the same problem for a few days. The truth is, we need to stop weighing ourselves everyday. All of a sudden, A pound and a half came off one morning. I wrote just a few days ago that I was upset with my weight loss. Then someone pointed out to me that I have actually lost a lot of weight since I started my journey. It doesn't matter what came off before or after surgery, it all counts. When I realized that I had surgery on June 11, 2012 and I am down 27 pounds since my final weigh in before surgery on June 1, I am thrilled. I am actually down 38 pounds since I signed my papers with the surgeon in November. I cannot tell you the last time I have lost 38 pounds. I needed to look at the whole picture. Now, I am continuing with the same positive attitude. This has to work!! This is why we did this! Good luck!

I had the same problem for a few days. The truth is, we need to stop weighing ourselves everyday. All of a sudden, A pound and a half came off one morning. I wrote just a few days ago that I was upset with my weight loss. Then someone pointed out to me that I have actually lost a lot of weight since I started my journey. It doesn't matter what came off before or after surgery, it all counts. When I realized that I had surgery on June 11, 2012 and I am down 27 pounds since my final weigh in before surgery on June 1, I am thrilled. I am actually down 38 pounds since I signed my papers with the surgeon in November. I cannot tell you the last time I have lost 38 pounds. I needed to look at the whole picture. Now, I am continuing with the same positive attitude. This has to work!! This is why we did this! Good luck!

I had the same problem for a few days. The truth is, we need to stop weighing ourselves everyday. All of a sudden, A pound and a half came off one morning. I wrote just a few days ago that I was upset with my weight loss. Then someone pointed out to me that I have actually lost a lot of weight since I started my journey. It doesn't matter what came off before or after surgery, it all counts. When I realized that I had surgery on June 11, 2012 and I am down 27 pounds since my final weigh in before surgery on June 1, I am thrilled. I am actually down 38 pounds since I signed my papers with the surgeon in November. I cannot tell you the last time I have lost 38 pounds. I needed to look at the whole picture. Now, I am continuing with the same positive attitude. This has to work!! This is why we did this! Good luck!

I had the same problem for a few days. The truth is, we need to stop weighing ourselves everyday. All of a sudden, A pound and a half came off one morning. I wrote just a few days ago that I was upset with my weight loss. Then someone pointed out to me that I have actually lost a lot of weight since I started my journey. It doesn't matter what came off before or after surgery, it all counts. When I realized that I had surgery on June 11, 2012 and I am down 27 pounds since my final weigh in before surgery on June 1, I am thrilled. I am actually down 38 pounds since I signed my papers with the surgeon in November. I cannot tell you the last time I have lost 38 pounds. I needed to look at the whole picture. Now, I am continuing with the same positive attitude. This has to work!! This is why we did this! Good luck!

My Doctor told me no gum because it puts air in your stomach I became a huge gum chewer when I gave up smoking 22 years ago. I am also a huge lifesaver gal. Gave it all up, but it is worth it!

My name is Debbie and I had a gastric sleeve procedure done on June 11, 2012 by Dr. Collin Brathwaite at Winthrop Hospital in Mineola, New York.
I am 44 years old and had considered this surgery for about a year. At first, I was convinced that I was going to have a lap-band. After researching and attending support groups, I learned of the gastric sleeve procedure. Quickly, my mind was changed.
I was a slender person until I had my children. I had 3 children in 5 years and just got heavier and heavier. I also suffered from depression after the loss of my Parent's while I was still in my 20's. Life had never been the same for me once I started to pack on the pounds. The day I signed the papers to have the surgery, I was 5'2" and 252 pounds. Like most of you here, I have been on some form of diet since I put the weight on and have been unsuccessful at losing more than 25 pounds on my own. I do also have hypothyroidism and Hashimoto's disease.
I want my outside body to match what I feel on the inside. I am tired of feeling disgusted with myself. I always feel like the biggest lady in the room and it is humiliating. I want to be able to buy clothes that actually look nice on me and that I like, not just buy them because they fit. My husband loves me regardless, but he deserves to have a healthy wife. My children deserve a Mother that will be healthy enough to see their children when they are born. I just feel that If I didn't do this surgery, I wasn't going to live to be a Grandma and that scared me.
I did my two weeks of liquid diet before the surgery. Honestly, I think I was just in the right frame of mind because I didn't think it was a big deal. I went in to have the surgery on June 11th, 2012 and wasn't the slightest bit nervous (which I found odd). While in surgery, they found that I had a hiatal hernia, so they repaired that too. I woke up feeling sore, not in agony. I tried to not take any pain killers, but the nurses convinced me there was no reason to be uncomfortable. I stayed in the hospital for two days and went home. I really didn't feel bad at all, still just sore. I only continued to take Percoset for two more days. I did my walking to minimize the gas discomfort and I adhered to the liquid diet that I was told to keep.
I am in my 3rd week of recovery and still feel good. I am losing weight. Today, I weighed 217. I am still very tired. I have gone back to work and could easily nap at my desk. I am still taking it easy and trying to get all of the Protein drinks in. My re-introduction to foods has gone smoothly. The only issue I had is when I ate a hard boiled egg too fast. It was hurt to breathe and felt like I was choking (I knew I wasn't because I was breathing and talking). I learned a lesson. EAT SLOW!
I have enjoyed this sight and love to hear about everyone's personal journeys. Congratulations to everyone that has done the surgery. Best wishes for those that are considering it. I can tell you that it is by far the best gift I have ever given to myself.
Good Luck!
Debbie

My name is Debbie and I had a gastric sleeve procedure done on June 11, 2012 by Dr. Collin Brathwaite at Winthrop Hospital in Mineola, New York.
I am 44 years old and had considered this surgery for about a year. At first, I was convinced that I was going to have a lap-band. After researching and attending support groups, I learned of the gastric sleeve procedure. Quickly, my mind was changed.
I was a slender person until I had my children. I had 3 children in 5 years and just got heavier and heavier. I also suffered from depression after the loss of my Parent's while I was still in my 20's. Life had never been the same for me once I started to pack on the pounds. The day I signed the papers to have the surgery, I was 5'2" and 252 pounds. Like most of you here, I have been on some form of diet since I put the weight on and have been unsuccessful at losing more than 25 pounds on my own. I do also have hypothyroidism and Hashimoto's disease.
I want my outside body to match what I feel on the inside. I am tired of feeling disgusted with myself. I always feel like the biggest lady in the room and it is humiliating. I want to be able to buy clothes that actually look nice on me and that I like, not just buy them because they fit. My husband loves me regardless, but he deserves to have a healthy wife. My children deserve a Mother that will be healthy enough to see their children when they are born. I just feel that If I didn't do this surgery, I wasn't going to live to be a Grandma and that scared me.
I did my two weeks of liquid diet before the surgery. Honestly, I think I was just in the right frame of mind because I didn't think it was a big deal. I went in to have the surgery on June 11th, 2012 and wasn't the slightest bit nervous (which I found odd). While in surgery, they found that I had a hiatal hernia, so they repaired that too. I woke up feeling sore, not in agony. I tried to not take any pain killers, but the nurses convinced me there was no reason to be uncomfortable. I stayed in the hospital for two days and went home. I really didn't feel bad at all, still just sore. I only continued to take Percoset for two more days. I did my walking to minimize the gas discomfort and I adhered to the liquid diet that I was told to keep.
I am in my 3rd week of recovery and still feel good. I am losing weight. Today, I weighed 217. I am still very tired. I have gone back to work and could easily nap at my desk. I am still taking it easy and trying to get all of the Protein drinks in. My re-introduction to foods has gone smoothly. The only issue I had is when I ate a hard boiled egg too fast. It was hurt to breathe and felt like I was choking (I knew I wasn't because I was breathing and talking). I learned a lesson. EAT SLOW!
I have enjoyed this sight and love to hear about everyone's personal journeys. Congratulations to everyone that has done the surgery. Best wishes for those that are considering it. I can tell you that it is by far the best gift I have ever given to myself.
Good Luck!
Debbie