clk

I developed gestational diabetes in 2007 and after delivery of my twins it never went away. I was on Metformin twice daily for three years prior to surgery. I can't tell you A1C numbers without pulling out my medical records but I can tell you that I had surgery 15 July 2010 and the night before that was the last time I ever took a Metformin pill. I had insulin in the hospital twice but have not had any issues with blood sugars since then. Prior to surgery my sugars ranged from 140-220 while on Metformin twice daily. Immediately post op (once I was back home) I was in the 100-140 range, a vast improvement. Now that I'm more than a year out, my sugars typically stay between 80-90 all day long, with no big jumps. I don't even bother testing my blood anymore, and like I said, I haven't even taken a pill since the night before surgery. I was never able to get my fasting blood sugars below 140 before surgery! My postprandial numbers were always in the 200 range - I was happy if I tested 190 an hour after a meal, because that was a good day. I was warned by my doc that the odds of developing full blown diabetes again once again with old age are higher for me, but for all intents and purposes I am no longer a diabetic. So yes, this surgery really can help. It was one of my big motivators for losing weight and I was so happy to have that be my first immediate improvement - before I even saw a big drop on the scale I had better blood sugar readings. That said, you're already on insulin, so your results might not be as exceptional. However, even decreasing down to a pill to control your blood sugars would be a vast improvement. I hope you will update specifically about how your diabetes is affected by your surgery, because it will be helpful to others considering VSG as an option. ~Cheri

Keep searching, and let me know if you ever find anything negative about Dr. Aceves or his staff. You won't - or at least, I never did. Every single person I dealt with went above and beyond and if I had extra money just laying around I'd be sending both my mother and sister to visit Dr. Aceves for sleeves of their own. He is THE best surgeon you could choose, in my opinion. Not just the best Mexican surgeon - one of the best, period. Before I went with him I researched three other stateside doctors and not only were his stats the best, there was nobody disappointed with him. I also thought I got a lot more for my money with him - 3 nights in the hospital for less than I'd pay to do it stateside. I felt safer and I was definitely taken care of - and of course, I got the results I wanted! ~Cheri

Excellent post! I got a little tear in my eye for you, but also for every one of us on this incredible journey. It's truly amazing how this surgery, how finally being able to lose the weight, changes us and improves our lives. I am SO happy for you, and I hope you continue onward with great success as you reclaim your life and your body. Congrats! ~Cheri

BAHAHA! Sorry, I had to laugh hysterically at that one. Those, my dear, are NOT my boobs. That is a Miraculous Push Up Bra from Victoria's Secret, and yes it was worth $60 because the darn thing works MIRACLES. My real boobs are sad, pitiful creatures counting down the months to plastic surgery! ~Cheri

Congrats on such a great start! I'm really glad to hear that the PCOS hasn't caused you issues with weight loss. Everyone is different and sometimes those darn hormones cause more issues than we expect. I didn't really see a difference in myself until around 60 pounds lost. Even now I really have to see side-by-side pictures of me then and now to really see how much I've changed. It's far easier for other people to notice, I think. Continue opening up and growing comfortable with this new body you're making for yourself. You'll continue to change as you head towards goal and I think you'll be very happy once you get there. I think that seeing the external match up to what we want to be inside really helps us treat ourselves better. I had no idea how much I shut myself away and how distant I was even with my family and friends as I continued to gain weight. Once I started losing and feeling better it was like I was back to being ME again. It wasn't until I regularly felt happy and cheerful that I realized it had been YEARS since I'd felt that way on a regular basis. Not sure if that makes any sense or not. In any case, keep up the great work. I'm sure you'll start to see a difference in the mirror soon. ~Cheri

Oh my gosh, you look fabulous!! You've clearly done a great job, and to be three pounds from goal is so amazing. This surgery is the best thing ever, isn't it? I'm happy for you - you've done a fantastic job. ~Cheri

Wow - you're doing a fantastic job! Just the medical benefits alone would make this surgery worthwhile for you, but to lose so much in such a short time is icing on the cake. Great job! ~Cheri

Thanks everyone! I hope that everyone sticks to the plans that work best for them. I would hate to encourage people to slack! Sometimes I regret that I didn't do a little more to have better results, but I still consider myself a success. By VSG statistics I'm a success - I've lost 80% of my excess weight. Dr. Aceves/Gaby are pretty sure I'm going to slowly reach my goal some time in the next few months, which is very reassuring. And yes, my shapewear works miracles! I don't even like to wear lounging clothes around the house without shapewear because I look completely different. Thanks for the kind words everyone, and take care, ~Cheri

Thanks so much for the kind words, everyone! It's hard to get on the internet and post here but I wanted to say I appreciate the responses. And yes, my shapewear works miracles. I don't even like wearing lounging clothes around the house without my shapewear on, because my silhouette is so different with it off. It trims several inches off, kind of like an instant tummy tuck. ~Cheri

You look fantastic! You've come really far. I know you're a real inspiration to a lot of folks on here. Back when I was researching, I started out on the band site and saw you posting there. I'm glad you made the decision to revise so that you could get to goal! You're definitely doing things "the right way" and you look fabulous. ~Cheri

Let me preface by saying I am not a doctor or a nurse or associated with the medical field in any way. Everyone’s body is different and reacts in different ways. What works for one person might not work at all for someone else. There are far too many variables for anyone (I think even doctors sometimes) to be 100% certain of what causes one person’s body to react to something a certain way, while someone else has no problems. Now that I’ve cleared that up, a little background. I was sleeved 15 July. I had a Mirena IUD inserted 2 November. It fell out mid-January and I had it put back in about two weeks later. I just had it removed (for good) 15 April. I am a firm believer that if you go looking for side effects to the pills/meds you’re taking you are going to find them. A lot of what we experience is easily influenced by our minds, in my opinion. I had mine removed because I suspected it was causing me to crave foods, inhibiting my weight loss and possibly causing me to lose hair. There is no question that the hormones made me a raving b*tch for part of the month - PMS is never fun in my house but it was a nightmare while I was using Mirena. I had a definite issue losing weight while the IUD was in my body. In the past, I’d always chalked my slow loss or non-loss (or worse, GAIN) while using birth control down to my eating habits. But post op I am very aware of what I eat and of how much I exercise. I weigh daily. Since November, my eating and exercise habits have not changed significantly. Prior to Mirena, I was losing 14 pounds a month (on average). When it slowed down afterward, I chalked it up to the quick loss not lasting forever, or the stress of our overseas move, or me not being diligent enough with my diet and exercise. However, after months of sticking to the program and losing only 1-4 pounds a month, I decided it had to be related to the IUD. After Mirena was put in, I lost 2.6 pounds a month (on average). The only exception is the month of January, when it fell out for just over two weeks – I lost 8 pounds that month. I’ve lost just a little less than 10 pounds in the two and a half weeks since I had it removed. Since having Mirena out, I am losing nearly half a pound a day (except during my cycle, when I don’t lose at all), something I haven’t done since November. So in my case, birth control was very clearly a part of the problem. As soon as the hormones were gone, the loss started again. Incidentally, the carb cravings and the urge to snack at night went away, too! I am not sure if my hair loss was related to the Mirena – some women that never had WLS have hair loss with it, too. All I can say is that once Mirena came out, the hair loss stopped, but that could be simply because I’m nearly ten months post op. I can’t be certain the hair loss is related. I was losing a huge wad of hair each time I showered or brushed my hair just a few weeks ago, and I'm down to just four or five strands with brushing or showering now. I mentioned this to a WLS buddy and was told I should put it out there in case someone else is having an issue. So, it’s out there now. If you made a change to your birth control regimen post op and noticed a change in your weight loss, you might be able to fix the problem. It might not explain everything. I think we tend to blame our overindulging or snacking on things like pregnancy or birth control, so the first thing is always to evaluate your eating habits and your exercise. That said, I think this is a real issue for some women, and I didn’t want someone to overlook the possibility of a solution. Best of luck to everyone! ~Cheri

I use AllMax IsoNatural unflavored. I like it because I can't taste it in things, but everyone's taste is different when it comes to the unflavored Proteins. I hated unjury and could never use a full scoop in anything or it made me gag. I think it was the smell, because Unjury had that really awful smell. Yuck. IsoNatural has about 25 g Protein per scoop, 120 calories and 1 net carb. I mix it in coffee, tea, crystal light, soup, yogurt, oatmeal...pretty much anything. In my experience it's never gotten clumpy and sometimes (with flavored coffee or water) if I'm low on calories for the day I can push it and double my scoops to make it a Meal Replacement with 50 g protein and 240 calories. I also LOVE the AllMax IsoFlex protein powders. I think they taste fine (no Protein shake tastes great to me) and they have a great nutritional profile if you're watching carbs. If you don't want to shell out for a whole tub of the stuff, find samples online. I used Vitalady for samples before I bought the 2 pounder. ~Cheri

If you love the Rockabilly/Pin Up look (who doesn't?) pinupgirlclothing.com usually carries a handful of things in plus sizes. They're a little pricey, but not really...I mean, the things I've bought are GREAT quality and very flattering. I'd pay nearly as much at a Lane Bryant to dress like my mother-in-law, so it's worth it to me. Every now and again I find something super cute on modcloth.com, but plus sizes are harder to find there (in-stock items are hard to find there!), though you might have some luck if you check their site often. I know you have your dress options now, but what girl doesn't love an excuse to shop for new clothes? Keep these two in mind (if you're not already familiar with them) for next time! ~Cheri ETA: I want to know the name of genepha's store!

Coops! Lady, you've had a HELL of a time this entire journey, so I would not be one bit surprised to find that some hormonal imbalance is partially to blame. Hopefully once your cycle regulates itself and evens out you'll continue with your loss. I know how incredibly frustrating it is! I honestly put off removing that second Mirena because I figured it was just stress or a fluke, but losing ten pounds in less than three weeks after having it removed proves to me that there was a real issue. My moodiness is far better, and while I am dealing with a bit more of the endometriosis pain it's a small trade off for the weight loss. I did not self pay to settle for anything less than goal, you know? I feel better emotionally and yes, losing weight again is fantastic. It's never easy to sort these things, and I don't know about your doc giving you grief when you bring these things up but mine was so reluctant to remove the IUD. I'm glad I talked them into it, and I don't regret taking it out one bit. I might try it again for endometriosis control once I'm at goal, but I'm not sure. The mood swings were crazy. Perhaps that part will get better as I continue to lose weight and burn fat, though? I read that we store hormones in our fat cells, so as we lose our hormone levels get wacky just from the weight loss. Adding in a hormonal cocktail for another reason can't be helpful. I hope you continue to feel better and that the loss picks up soon. You're better than half there - it's been a long, hard haul for you, I know. Best of luck! ~Cheri

I have endo and have also been dealing with it since the teenage years (though I wasn't diagnosed until five years ago). It caused me no issues with surgery. I develop adhesions (usually on my back and bladder) but since the areas with adhesions are totally unrelated to my stomach it didn't even come up. The only real concern I had were my previous laparoscopy scars, but it was no problem. Yes, our hormones go CRAZY post op as we lose weight. I've read that our fat cells store hormones and as they get used up the hormones are released into our bodies. I don't know what exactly causes it but I have had my struggles here and there since surgery. My TOM is tough - I lose no weight and sometimes I even gain a couple of pounds during my cycle. The pain initially got worse for me but has eased as time goes on. My only advice is to be very careful about how you treat your endo post op. I used to use hormonal birth control to ease the pain and skip periods. Post op I find I am ridiculously sensitive to hormones and my weight loss all but stops when I'm on something. I've tried Mirena IUD (great for controlling endo, BTW, if you don't have hormone issues like me) and Nuva Ring - both of them stall my loss out to 1-4 pounds a month. So I'm not taking anything to control my endo until AFTER I hit goal. This might never be an issue for you. I hope it isn't! But watch everything carefully and be aware that it could be a concern. And I TOTALLY agree - nothing during surgery (or even childbirth!) is even remotely close to the pain I was in on a daily basis because of my endometriosis. I had my doc tell me what a champ I am after having my Mirena inserted with no flinching - I was like, "YOU endure an unmedicated childbirth complete with back labor every month and tell me how your pain tolerance grows!" If you're in pain from endo, I'm sure your VSG will be a piece of cake. A few days of discomfort, a few nights afterward of not sleeping comfortably, and then the pain goes away and never comes back. Best of luck to you on your new journey! ~Cheri

Congrats! You've done a wonderful job losing and now maintaining. I also enjoy reading your posts and your rave reviews of Dr. Aceves really helped me when I was trying to gather information early in the game. Keep up the great work, and thanks for being honest about weight gain and control in maintenance. I think a lot of us view the tough part as getting to goal, but I think maintenance still requires a lot of work and willpower. Plus, it lasts FOREVER. ~Cheri

I had a close starting weight (242 pounds). I lost a grand total of 23 pounds my first month post op. Stalls are very common at week three - mine started week two. I've been a stop-and-start loser the entire time. Stay the course, DO NOT mess with your diet plan. It only makes you crazy. As long as you're following surgeon guidelines, don't mess around with anything. The weight will eventually come off, I promise. I'm a slow loser compared to a lot of folks, but I've lost more than eighty pounds in nine months and I'm almost to goal. Hang in there. And seriously, you won't be able to help it but try not to compare yourself to other people. Your body will lose at it's own pace and stressing about how fast or slow it happens is only going to mess with your head. And remember - stalls happen. This is probably the first one and most likely it won't be your last. Accept that it's part of the process for most of us, and that it will eventually break if you keep eating the right way. Good luck! ~Cheri

Try to browse the boards for answers to the questions people here may have asked before. It's a shame you didn't ask your surgeon, though, if you have real concerns or questions. Don't go into surgery with unanswered questions, no matter how silly or stupid you might feel for asking them. I'm 5'1" (and a little change - maybe an extra half inch) and my weight the day of surgery was 242 pounds. I'm now nine days from nine months post op. I'm a slow loser. It doesn't matter what I do to tweak my diet or how much exercise I add...nothing really makes much difference to my slow but steady loss. I've lost almost eighty pounds in those nine months, though. Without surgery, it would have been absolutely impossible. Despite my slower loss, I have gone from a tight 18 pant and XL (sometimes XXL) shirt to a size 8 or 10 in jeans and M tops. Honestly, even though I'm still "overweight" I think that with plastics I'd look awesome, right now - and I'd definitely be a six, maybe even a four with my tummy apron gone. So, numeric goals aren't all they're cracked up to be, and they don't tell the whole story. I look a helluva lot better at age 30 and 164 pounds than I looked at 22 and 164 pounds...for whatever reason my weight is distributed much differently this go round. There is no way to predict how quickly you'll lose. However, rest assured that if you do your part and try to change your current lifestyle, you WILL lose. Please, don't set a numeric goal as your only measure of success. I lurked on these boards for months before I made an account, and while I visit regularly I hardly ever post. It gets wearying to see post after post after post about how upset people are that they've "only lost 70 pounds in three months." So please, set a goal to be a gorgeous bride, because that's one you will definitely meet. I guarantee you'll be a lot smaller one year from now, how's that? Everyone loses at a different rate, even month to month! Some months I was down 12 pounds...and others, with the same diet and exercise program I'd lose 1-4 pounds. You are going to do great on surgery day, and I swear you're going to do great on your sleeve journey afterward. You'll be a beautiful, glowing bride - and every pound you lose will only make you feel more beautiful. Aim for your goal, but don't get ridiculously focused on the number. Set a lower number that you'd be happy with as your average monthly goal and go from there. Best wishes and good luck! ~Cheri

SOOOO incredibly happy for you and your husband! Enjoy the pregnancy, we'll keep you guys in our prayers. FANTASTIC news, lady! ~Cheri

Stop switching up your program! All you're doing is making yourself crazy. Stalls happen. They seriously stink. But you'll get through it. scale strike, and stay positive. You're barely two months out and more than halfway to goal. I'm not surprised your body is a bit freaked and wants to hang on to extra weight. Relax. It might not be what you want to hear, but a lot of us slow considerably once we're past the halfway point. Don't let it make you nuts. You'll definitely make it to goal if you just keep doing the right things. Keep up the great work! It took me nearly five months to lose the first 50 pounds - you're doing awesome. ~Cheri

Surgery (anesthesia) throws your cycle off and can cause breakthrough bleeding. After surgery my cycle moved two whole weeks earlier and stayed there. I'd double check with the manufacturer of your pills just to be 100% that there were no drug interactions that might have caused the pill to be ineffective, but I honestly doubt that's the issue. It's pretty common for this to happen, I think. ~Cheri

Maybe call or email your surgeon's office. I definitely felt discomfort when I pressed or rubbed my drain scar for a while, but I never felt actual pain and there was never any swelling once it closed up. That scar is puffier and a bit more raised and darker than the other scars, even eight months out. I massage the scars daily to help break down the scar tissue and smooth them out. No pain. So, I'd say better safe than sorry and get it checked out by the doc. ~Cheri

I am sure you'll be just fine if you start now! I started taking my pills at about two weeks post op and never had a single problem (other than a little nausea if I took my Vitamins before eating) though I admit that I never liked taking the Biotin pills because of the capsules. ~Cheri

I'm also right around 70 pounds lost, so maybe I'm no help. But I have two on the outside of my thigh, and I haven't really noticed any difference in them. They're not more prominent or less prominent. I do notice that after a long, hard workout or a day spent traipsing around in high heels they'll ache/burn more than I'm used to feeling, but I used to sit on my rear ALL DAY LONG, so I can't attribute it to the weight loss. ~Cheri

Tiffy is 100% right on this. First of all, you're almost to goal - you've had tremendous success. You are obviously not a failure at weight loss. Secondly, my personal thoughts are more in line with becoming a REAL, NORMAL person. "Normal" people do not live low carb lives forevermore. They eat lots of healthy foods and watch their portions but guess what? They eat what they want, in moderation! I personally feel that it is not only unhealthy, but an unattainable goal to limit yourself to an ounce of chicken, a hardboiled egg and a carrot stick for every meal for the rest of your life. Guess what? You're human...you're going to get sick of that after a while and then the real trouble will begin - binges because you feel completely unsatisfied and limited by your food choices. Don't start eating a donut a day, now. But for crying out loud, cut yourself some slack! You need to start slowly branching out and allowing yourself the room to be a normal person. Because once you hit goal, you're going to need to incorporate more carbs and more calories to maintain...and that's not easy to do on slices of chicken and carrot sticks! It takes a long time to break old habits. So don't fall into the habit of eating nothing but junk. And don't be surprised that it takes you a long time to stop feeling guilty about what you eat, or to stop worrying that all of a sudden you'll regain everything. You do need to be careful, but if you don't give yourself a little flexibility here, you're going to struggle more in the long run. Just my opinion, of course. Keep up the great work. We all deal with these issues. Some people choose to swear that they will never, ever let those "bad" foods cross their lips again, and that's their personal choice. I had to flex a bit because I'm a slow loser anyway and seeing no results day after day while eating "perfectly" was driving me insane. Be well, ~Cheri