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This post needs to be pinned at the top of the forum. Wish I could do more than like it.

Congrats on your new life BigFrank. I appreciate your post but feel a bit differently. I think it is easy to discount the negative experiences when your journey has been 100% positive but those stories are real and just as important. For every 10 perfect surgeries there is at least one that is not and those people need support too. During my first three weeks post-op in July I had a few issues, nothing serious on a medical level but they were to me. This forum and its posters kept me sane and more important, informed. I will never forget that. Before surgery I wanted to hear about both sides. I wanted to know the truth, not just the white washed version which usually ends with "but I'm still losing weight". I would hope all VSG pre-ops join the forum, read, become educated and make the best decision knowing the good, bad and sometimes ugly side of weight loss surgery. This journey is about so much more than just weight loss, it is about quality of life as well.

My surgeon required a two week liquid diet....I was unable to stick to it full time. I did full liquids all day and had some type of chicken every night for dinner. I was very honest with him and he was fine with it. I think they expect some cheating, just keep it in moderation. Most important, have nothing to eat/drink after midnight the day of surgery. Good luck!

This happens to a lot of people, slow down while eating and chew well, that should take care of the problem.

You know every time I see another thread like this, I think the same thing. I remember discussion and being given information about birth control necessity and such after surgery because weight loss can increase fertility. Obviously not all physicians do the same. Good luck to you southernbelle, may you have an uneventful pregnancy.

Traditional homemade tamales are everything except sleeve worthy.. LOL There are some healthy alternative recipes available but I do not know one person that has ever tried to make one.

I love tamales and usually eat them with my best friend's family for Christmas. I am five months out and still too afraid to try one. This will be the first holiday in more years than I can count where I will not have them but I am just not ready yet.

That was wild, thanks!

Not everyone dumps and most of us can eat a pretty good variety of foods so do not panic over this. If you are getting full on small amounts then you still have restriction. As others have said now is the time to watch what and how much you eat which is something that you control not the sleeve.

Currently experiencing a huge amount of hip pain which started Saturday evening. It was sore but exploded today after going bowling. It was so bad I ended up in urgent care. I believe it started due to a two mile walk I did Saturday morning. I have not really been very active since surgery and it appears this walk was too much at one time. The bowling has now aggravated everything to the tenth degree. Everyday I am understanding the importance of some form of exercise after surgery. I've read people here say it, my doctor states it but I am stubborn and have to learn everything the hard, painful way.

Did you not discuss post op care with your PCP prior to having the surgery? Who is going to provide local follow-up care for you in the future? If you cannot find a physician for this current issue then a visit to the ER may be necessary. If not that then try one of the clinics associated wit CVS or HEB although I'd imagine they might be hesitant to step in at this point either. As a last resort, try an independent physician/clinic, you see them around town, I believe they perform simple visits and require cash payment up front. Good luck and please post with an update.

It is so good to see this thread! I've lost about 77 lbs since surgery and have been concerned to pissed off that more pants sizes have not been dropped! lol. I have gone down a couple but not what I expected to equal the lbs. To date I have lost mostly in the face, chest and waist area. The hips/butt/thighs are getting smaller but slowly.

Yes your dermatologist is either poorly informed or ignorant and I'd think twice about seeing this person again and trusting them with your health. I cannot believe in this day an age, with the large amount of research available that a medical professional would say this documented condition was dirt! SMH.

Please remember that you did not gain the weight in one swoop and will not lose it this way either. One of my doctors had to remind me of this when I was complaining about being a slow loser. She was absolutely correct and it helped readjust my thought process and disappointment.

You may take a drag and find that you no longer like smoking. That was my experience after giving in to the cravings last month. The damn thing tasted so bad that I ground it out after about 4 puffs. I even tried again a week later, same outcome.

My surgeon is moving away from the band as well. Why not take a look at the band to sleeve part of the forum: http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/forum/13-band-to-gastric-sleeve-revisions/ There is a lot of information there that could help with your decision. Also remember the sleeve has been around for a while, it was just previously used as the first step of a two step process (duodenal switch) . Over time it was found that step one was so successful that some did not need the second surgery so it increased in popularity.

Yep, I am in the same boat. Actually today was the first time I have really enjoyed eating a meal, probably because I was eating thanksgiving goodies. Even at small amounts, it was tasty food that I do not normally eat. My days consist of trying to meet eating and drinking goals, usually failing on both. It is so depressing that I even lost my lunch buddy at work. She moved her lunch time and now eats with someone else because watching me suffer pretty much ruins lunch for her. I cannot fault her for that although I do miss her company. I went through the surgical process because I had to, not because I wanted to. I have to keep remembering that when I get really down about my life now.

Does anyone know how to custom adjust the carb, protein and fat content under "customize your fitness goals". Every time I change one entry, it automatically changes the other two which always end up being higher than I want it to show. This is very frustrating and is why I have trouble sticking to MFP!

This was so my plan but to date I am having a difficult time finding pants in my size. While I am still losing it is not rapid as in the beginning. I've actually had to breakdown and purchase some pants retail which just hurt my heart because I will never get proper use out of them. I haven't given up on Value Village and other shops like it though, I cannot afford to.

THIS. I always tell people not be upset or angry with the insurance company due to benefit level denials because everything lies with your employer and what they agree to during contract negations. I will say this, before you go the self-pay route, please perform or have your surgeon's office perform at least one appeal to BCBS. Sometimes another set of eyes reviewing a file will provide a totally different outcome.

The intake nurse for my pre-op lab work tried to talk me out of surgery. She was subtle, mentioning how she lost almost 100lbs via weight watchers, knows that it works, how anyone can do it if they take it seriously. Whatever! I smiled, nodded my head and kept on moving. People will say anything and everything, it is up to you to know what is right for you body/life.

I had surgery one day prior to you and am amazed at the loss listed on your ticker! What is your secret?

Yes after WLS you most certainly can but it is not ideal. I have a close friend that has exceeded goal with little to no exercise and has kept the weight off for almost four years after her surgery. I have not exercised very much so far but am starting a program tomorrow. During the last visit with my surgeon, he more or less demanded that I start doing so because I am losing muscle. I've not lost a lot of weight but now everything...moves...and it is very disturbing. I am used to being fat but very firm and this movement is not sitting well with me.

No, I'm looking at this as two close co-workers having a laugh. For example, I have a gay friend that LOVES blondes to no end. We've been out, my back is turned and I will hear him flirting with someone. I already know, without looking, that the guy in question is blonde and we have joked about it before. This is what I feel the woman at Panera was doing. It had nothing to do with insulting Susan 2.0 and everything to do with having fun with her guy friend.

Going to have to agree with the other posters, a sleeve for such a small amount of weight to lose is not a good idea. Honestly, any doctor that would sleeve you at this point is sketchy in my book. Your weight is not out of control and you can get back to 135 with some serious buckling down. Please try that first.