@DomLorenVSG

I was sleeved on Sept. 7 and I just reached 30 lbs today! (11 lbs pre-surgery, 19 since surgery) This is fun!

There is no average. Just a few guidelines.
1. Higher BMI = more lbs lost. Low BMI= slower loss.
2. Everybody stalls.
3. Everybody is afraid they will be the one person this doesn't work for.
4. Everybody gets discouraged. (that's what we are here for).
5. If you do what you are supposed to do, you will lose.

You are having the 3 week stall. Perfectly normal. Read the link in my sig, it will explain why you are stalling. You are still burning fat, but you are restoring your glycogen reserves, and that means also retaining Water. It will break on its own very soon.

Hello, I'm 15 months out and loving my sleeve.

Pre-op testing, for me, included blood work, EKG and psych test. I have heard of others having their stomach scoped, but that would entail more than a 2 hour appt, I believe
I do have a cup or two of coffee at work, with cream, and I drink Water throughout the day. Fizzy drinks, well, I have a few sips of root beer occasionally, but they are so sweet and make my burping ridiculous.
Yes, once your swelling goes down, you will be able to drink normally. You will not be able to chug, by any means, if you do that now.

Good luck and keep on reading and asking questions

Actually a bit smaller! Each doc uses different French Boguie sizing (a way to measure how big your stomach is...). My doctor is amazing and actually has an entire youtube channel dedicated to explaining, and showing things, and answering questions. It was SOOOOOOOOOO valuable to go through all his stuff before surgery. Take a look! : http://www.youtube.com/user/Endobariatric
Good Luck!

Well, went today and the surgeon suggested sleeve for a few reasons. No absorbtion or dumping issues as with RNY, minimal follow up, no rearranging of the spinchter muscle (yuk) right choice for my weight loss goals, great results - I guess my stomach will be the size of a banana??

I have always worked out six to seven days per week and I think I will never change. 25 years military and recent military retired, this is what I have always known. So why did I need GS, because I couldn't lose the wt. after 40 years old. Anyway, I joined a gym close to my house and take a variety of classes daily (step aerobics, boot camp, body pump, and Les mills RPM and body combat to name a few. I also visit the gym on base to work out on the threadmill and lift wts twice a week with my hubby.

Zumba 3 times a week. Body pump-all weight class 2 times a week. 100 crunches 5 days a week

I exercise about 5-6times a week. I love running and run about 11-15 miles a week and I take 2 60 minute spinning classes plus try to get some weight training in too. I need to get better with doing my weight training regularly. I also get a lot of walking in too...i enjoy being active!!!

Today I got a call from the hospital saying they didnt get my Clearance from my PMD,and that she needed it today since she wont be in the office tomorrow or monday..and surgery is tuesday! I called the doctor office and they convinced me that the sent it! well needless to say i drove a half hour to pick up my clearnace up and dropped it to the hospital myself!! I was so irritated!!! my heart was in my throat, if i didnt get surgery tuesday my plans would be messed up...i shouldnt have to there job!!! IM CLEARED NOW!!! SURGURY TUESDAY IS ON!!! IM READY TO GO!!!

I think you are doing a wonderful job, and you are looking fabulous. This journey is not all easy, as we cross some difficult paths along the way, but you are very well focused and a new you is transforming. Congratulations on all your hard work. What a way to rock that sleeve!! Keep going.

Ok, so here I am posting one day early because I won't be able to do it tomorrow. I have lost 103# since April 3rd. I post my picture with a mix of emotions. I feel embarassed, ashamed, sadden, and disgusted that I didn't realize just how bad I let myself go. Here I am the day before surgery. In looking at myself, I want to seriously cry. I feel sorry for myself, my husband, and my daughter. All those wasted years.  
And here I am ...the old, new me...103# lighter, full of life! A proper mother, a proper wife, a human being begining to live again...I am thankful for my journey. I have more to go, but I am on my way. A caterpillar still in my cocoon. One day, I will emerge as that butterfly I always was on the inside! For those of you who are working toward this surgery, it isn't easy, but it most certainly, definitely works. I have my life and myself back.

Twelve sizes down, and yes it changes everything...I would def do it again.

Well what a journey just deciding to have this surgery has been! My insurance made me go to seven consecutive doctor appts to discuss weight and I'm so glad they did because I FINALLY feel good about my decision to get sleeved! I really really REALLY went back and forth with this and thought I would never decide, but one day it just finally hit me. I am 48 years old. I am exactly like my dad (personality, build, etc) and he had SO many health problems in his later years before he died, many of which were related to his weight. Plus I already suffer from various ailments already which he did NOT at this age. So I'm done thinking about it, I finished the 7 appts, they submitted the paperwork (but are very sure I will get approved) and now I just wait for the next step. They seem to think I will be able to have surgery by the end of THIS month! What a TRIP it will be to be skinny again! I'm so looking forward to getting off all meds, having way more energy, and just feeling the way I'm supposed to feel...and not like an 80 year old! Good luck to everyone else struggling with the decision..it will just hit you one day what to do I think cuz it sure did me!

Hi everyone, I just got to call from my hospitals bariatrics coordinator on monday (best phone call of my life) she said i can now start my "pathway". I dont know if the process for wls is called pathway everywhere but it is at my hospital. I have my first appointment to get the ball rolling on oct 24th and wont sleep easy until then, IM SO EXCITED. Since i attended the seminar in late july i have been waiting by my phone and answering every call hoping it was the "okay" to start my journey. I have been reading vsg blogs and watching youtube vsg progress videos (herecomestrouble88 is a great wls channel on youtube). I have been up and down in weight since i can remember! I have lost 50 lbs since i had my baby in dec and i am at a plateau right now stuck at 219 to 224. I am 23 years old, 5'6, and 219lbs, i am looking forward to this life changing surgery and ready to finally live my life outside of my comfort zone(home). I dont have physical morbidities ..yet. but i do SUFFER anxiety from my appearance so much so that i do not leave my house and if i do i have to leave with my husband or a friend i am comfortable with. I cant wait to feel confident enough to LIVE MY LIFE!

I am scheduled with Dr. A on Oct 11th. I am very excited. On my 4th day of 10 pre-op diet. I have heard so many great things about people's experience there I am looking forward to it. I am from Alex City not far from Auburn.

Hello everyone!
I began my journey 18 months ago. It took me several months after going to my first seminar to.decide that gastric surgery was for me. At first, I thought this is the easy way out and that I just needed to work out more and eat less, so I gave that a try. 18 months later, I weigh more dieting and exercising! I love food, and I eat so often I don't even realize I am eating. I enjoy working out, but as my weight has climbed, it has become more difficult to work out. So, 7 months ago, I decided this surgery is for me! I am eventually healthy except for being fat and miserable (praise Yehovah for that!).
I did not have 3 years of documented medical history, mostly because I did not have health insurance until 18 months ago. My insurance, bcbs Alabama accepts dates photographs in lieu of, so I did submit pictures with all the other necessary documents. I was immediately denied! My doctor has said this is normal when submitting pictures in lieu of records and that he will resubmit and it will be approved. I am nervous that after all the time, money, and emotional investment that I will be denied. Has anyone had this experience? I am proceeding on as if I will get approval am seeing the nutritionist today. I need this surgery ASAP as I have plans for Disney in December. I hope this is a realistic goal. I would love to be walking around south Florida lighter and thinner.
Anyways, I refuse to quite even if denied. I will self pay but will need a loan for that. Anyone have suggestions for this avenue? I don't like debt, but honestly am willing to have it to live healthier. Mexico scares me, but seems way more affordable. Thoughts, experience, and support is greatly appreciated!

My dr and NUT said 2-4 pounds a week is what to look for...so 8-16 pounds a month.
I think it will vary but I'm 11 weeks tomorrow and have lost 10# already in the past 3 weeks....about 40# since surgery...so average of 3.5# a week. I completely understand wanting to know how much loss to expect. I'm am all about tracking & predicting my loss (even though I don't have total control).
This surgery is an amazing tool and so glad I did it!!!

Can't describe how easy it's been I don't feel like I've had surgery except for when I eat!! Best thing I've ever done in my life! I'm ELATED with joy!!!!!

I've decided to go my first step class in 3 years. I really hope I can at least finish the class. I haven't decided if I'm going to use a step or just do it without. It's still exercise without, right? Anyway, wish me luck!

I might add, that I'm seriously considering having anymore serious surgies (i.e plastics or dental) in mexico. I'm totally sold.

I will say, that the ONLY friends who have not hit serious stalls (that didn't last more than a few days or a week) are the ones who workout regularly. They lose -1 to -2 lbs at minimum every week, and if they do stall is not for very long (usually their bodies just adjusting). I see a big difference in the people who work out versus the people who do not and are battling stalls. They are bound to happen to everyone, but how your body reacts and the rate at which you lose is directly relational to how much you work out!

I swim 5 miles per week, bike 100-150 miles per week and run about 30 miles per week on average, sometimes more and sometimes less as I taper into a race. Lately it doesn't feel like it's enough since my times are plateauing. I'm going start cutting back on the quantity and focus more on the quality of the workout in the future.

Wow, these are great answers. Everybody is doing some pretty high intensity stuff. I guess it's time to put my game face on, and get to it.

I swore I wasn't going to be this way, but I am officially stalking my health insurance company. :ph34r: The first time I called was Tuesday- just looking for confirmation that the papers were in (they were not). After talking with the office coordinator, I said I must wait. Well, two days later there I was on the phone again, just checking. The papers are in and the nice gentleman gave me the claim number and told me what date they had put on for surgery. He said call again on Monday/Tuesday to check because the nurse had not reviewed the fie yet.
Oh boy, I know I will be itching to call again Monday.