SharonL

I'll be 50 in November. Does that count? I had my surgery 12/1/10. So now I'm 8 months old. I've lost a total of 125 lbs. 42 before surgery. I stalled for a long time - since May. First my brother got married and I was traveling for that and then I fell and broke my wrist and was basically inactive for 8 weeks. I've just started losing again - lost 5.2 lbs last week.... Yea! Started back to exercise too. Went swimming tonight - felt so good to move again.

Agree with the others. You're not going to change - other than physically - your personality will be the same. Yes, you will be able to do different activities and be more active. If she's heavy - maybe you will motivate her. Talk to her and see how things progress.

And no way would I get in a public hot tub - even if it is in a private room. Hard telling how clean it is.

I actualy had a waitress ask me one time if I had surgery. I answered honestly. It doesn't matter to me who knows. I was very open about it when I had the surgery. The waitress just noticed that I didn't order a drink and that I ate very little of what I ordered. She had a friend that had the surgery and asked me if I did.

My guess is that your mom is very proud of you and your choices and this is her way of showing it.

Biotin. Yes, it does make other hair grow more but it's worth it. My daughter was watching Dr. Oz one day and he said you can lose up to 150 hairs a day and it's normal.

My surgeon took my off all of my meds except my insulin (and he lowered that) the day after the surgery. For a couple of weeks after that my blood pressure wasn't stabalizing. It would be high and then drop low. I saw my endo about a month after the surgery and he put me back on 1/2 dose of my bp med. Seems to be fine right now but I hope to be completely off it soon.

Hmmmm. hard to remember and it hasn't been that long. I don't remember feeling hungry at that time frame. I'm still not really hungry. Are you drinking your Water? Protein Shakes? That might help. Might also be "head hunger". Is your stomach physically growling? Just some thoughts.

Hi Sharon, I wasn't 400 lbs but very close to it. . i was 350 lbs and in the first 1 year lost 150 lbs. I reached my doctors goal of 212 lbs (I am very big boned and 6'0 tall) and lost about 10 more after that. . never reached onederland, and now at 18 months out probably never will unless i get really sick. But i am very happy fluctuating between 205 - 215 lbs. . . wear size 16/18 and look pretty good. . . anything is way better then 350lbs! good luck!

You look great! Thanks for sharing!

Check out the amazing results of StrawberryKissesRBetter.... she's lost over 200 lbs I think!!! Amazing~

Thanks, I'll do that.

I started at 430, was 397 at surgery. I still have a ways to go but if you follow your doctor, nutritionist, and body you will lose the weight. Don't worry about individual transgressions, you are human and will make mistakes and bad choices. Learn from them and don't dwell on them; they will not keep you from your goal as long as you don't repeat them.

Don't be discouraged if you don't lose at the rate you expected either. After reading many things, I was expecting to lose around 20-30 pounds per month initially considering my starting weight. I averaged 15 lbs per month for the first 6 months or so and am now at about 10 lbs per month. Be patient, eat right, exercise, and the weight will all come off with time. It is basic laws of biology and physics at work, and you are not so special that they don't apply to you! ;>)

Thanks Jeff.

Penzey's spices makes a garlic herb cheese blend that is incredible on grilled veggies or grilled fish!

I am so glad you posted this. I've been beating myself up because I haven't lost the last 2 months. Have been taking vicoden and tylenol / alleve for a broken wrist. Yes, I know lack of exercise didn't help - but knowing that there is possibly a chemical reaction as well.... THANK YOU!

I see lots of people on here and on other forums that are at goal - starting in the 200's or maybe even the 300's. I was exactly 400 lbs on the day of my surgery. My highest weight was 442 lbs. As of this morning I'm at 321 lbs.

Is there anyone on here that started at 400 lbs or higher that is at or close to goal? I'd love to hear your story - how long did it take, any stumbling blocks, where are you now in your journey? And of course, pictures.

TIA.

Sharon

That "mistake" may just be a blessing. I'm not familiar with the Drs at St. Lukes but I do know the drs at KC Bariatric Center. My surgeon was Dr. Kowalski. And I love him. He's great. Dr. Sabapathy - the psych dr is excellent. The nutritionists are great and Becky in their front office is a joy. I had my surgery 12/1/10. I've lost 70 lbs since (a recent set back has caused a slight stall)... And the f/u support group is a great group of people. They are a center of excellence which means they have to meet certain requirements to have that "seal of approval".

What insurance do you have? Their coordinators will work with you to get everything done as quickly as possible. I started the process kind of late last year and was going to barely be done by the end of the year with my requirements. Since at that point the surgeons were usually booked 3 weeks in advance - I was afraid I wouldn't get in before the end of the year - I wanted the surgery before the end of the year because I had already met my deductible and co-insurance for my health insurance so basically I paid nothing for the surgery other than their "extra fee" that isn't covered by insurance.

Good luck. I hope to see you at the support group sometime. The VSG support group meets the 1st Thursday of every month at 3:30.

Sharon

That "mistake" may just be a blessing. I'm not familiar with the Drs at St. Lukes but I do know the drs at KC Bariatric Center. My surgeon was Dr. Kowalski. And I love him. He's great. Dr. Sabapathy - the psych dr is excellent. The nutritionists are great and Becky in their front office is a joy. I had my surgery 12/1/10. I've lost 70 lbs since (a recent set back has caused a slight stall)... And the f/u support group is a great group of people. They are a center of excellence which means they have to meet certain requirements to have that "seal of approval".

What insurance do you have? Their coordinators will work with you to get everything done as quickly as possible. I started the process kind of late last year and was going to barely be done by the end of the year with my requirements. Since at that point the surgeons were usually booked 3 weeks in advance - I was afraid I wouldn't get in before the end of the year - I wanted the surgery before the end of the year because I had already met my deductible and co-insurance for my health insurance so basically I paid nothing for the surgery other than their "extra fee" that isn't covered by insurance.

Good luck. I hope to see you at the support group sometime. The VSG support group meets the 1st Thursday of every month at 3:30.

Sharon

Hello all.

I finally made the decision and started the process.

2/14/11: Verified with Saint Luke's Center for Surgical Weight Loss that my insurance would cover their program

2/15/11: Attended St. Luke's Seminar

2/23/11: Attended first pre-op Dr. appointment. Sandy explained that I would need a 1) sleep study, 2) appointment with their nutrionist and exercise specialist to begin a three month supervised diet/exercise program, 3) psych eval, 4) letter of medical clearance from my GP, and 5) copies of notes from any doctor I saw in 2009 and 2010 showing my current weight. I would also need to attend at least one support group meeting. My appointments for the psych eval and diet/exercise specialists were set. I briefly met Dr. Price.

2/24/11: I received a call from the St. Luke's sleep Lab to schedule my sleep study.

2/27/11: Completed sleep study.

2/28/11: Received call from UHC. They explained that my policy does not cover Saint Luke's Center for Surgical Weight Loss . In addition, my policy requires a 6 month medically supervised diet.

You might imagine my reaction to this news. I was devestated and furious at St. Luke's for assuring me that my insurance would cover everything when they clearly had NO IDEA.

2/28/11: Reserved a spot in the upcoming seminar (3/7/11) at the only local program my insurance does cover, The Bariatric Center of Kansas City at Shawnee Mission Medical Center. All I can do now is wait to see what my earlier mistakes will cost me and try to move forward despite them.

I'm in Raymore MO. South side of KC. Dr. Kowalski was my surgeon (same office as Dr. Hoehn). And I love that place. Dr. Kowalski is great and their staff is great. The psych dr is Dr. Sabapathy and he's amazing. Becky - the receptionist / office clerk is so sweet and caring. And their follow-up support group is a great group of people. I had absolutely no problems with the surgery or the staff at Shawnee Mission.

Hi Laurie - I'm new to this site. Sleeved by Dr.Kowalski 12/1/10. My story is posted from last night in the post your story forum. I'll be 50 in November. 2 kids. Grew up in NE Kansas but now I live in Missouri - Kansas City area..... Welcome to the site. Hope to talk to you again - if you don't mind talking to a Kansan from Missouri!!!

Thought I would do a shout out to all Kansas sleevers so we can help each other out during our VSG Journey. My name is Laurie...will be 50 on the 8th...hubby, 2 kids, live in SE KS but travel to KC each week at the beginning of the week for work. Will be sleeved by Dr. Kowalski at KC Bariatric Center in Lenexa. Self Pay. Very excited. How is everyone holding up and are you surving the heat?

Thanks guys. I am getting my mind back around what I need to do. We're working on finding a new gym and this weekend - the house will be cleared of any food that I don't want near me. Going to go through my closet too and get rid of more clothes - I feel so much better and more positive when I'm not wearing baggy clothes.

Have a great day everyone.

I had my surgery 12/1/10 - Dr. Kowalski. He is absolutely the best! I had no pain. I actually made them show me the x-rays of my stomach the next day because I didn't believe they had done anything. I went along great for the first 6 months. Then life kicked in and has sucked me down. I've lost a total of 120 lbs - 42 before the surgery. Before the surgery I was taking 6 insulin shots a day and numerous other medications. Now, I still take a small dose of my cholesterol medicine but 1/4 what I was taking and 1/2 dose of blood pressure medicine. I'm back on 2 oral medications for the diabetes but I'm down to 1 shot and tapering it off. My highest weight was 442 lbs. That was in February 2010.

In May of this year - my diet became less restricted and I could start having beef, starches, etc.... At the same time, I went on a trip with my parents to Minnesota for my brother's wedding. Me and my mom in the same area for a week plus 8 hours each way in the car - spells disaster. The disaster came in the form of carbs - ie the biscuits she took for us to eat for Breakfast every morning while we were there. Plus the wedding cake and well - you get the picture.

Then, I get home from that trip and Memorial Day weekend we go camping. We usually camp several times during the year. Normally while everyone else goes off hiking and having fun - my sister-in-law and I sit at the campground (usually munching on chips or something). Not this time - 100+ lbs down - I'm going hiking! I did - and I fell. I broke my wrist. So for the next 6 weeks - I pretty much sat on the couch watching cooking shows, not eating the best foods and not exercising. I couldn't swim because of the cast and if I rode my exercise bike or walked, my arm swelled. I'm back at work now but still not released to full duty. I'm back in the pizza lunches all the time, cake and Cookies in the breakroom environment.... I'm also trying to get back into exercise. I didn't gain during this time - but I didn't lose either. Basically I've wasted 3 months of my tool. My surgery support group met today and the speaker was the psych dr. The topic was change. So, basically what he was saying (and what I had figured out is) 1) I'm dealing with the change in eating restrictions right when my own life changed, 2) I'm having to change my exercise habits and 3) I'm dealing with the fear that if I could get hurt once with being more active - I could get hurt again.

Ok - so that's my surgery story. I'm not giving up and I'm hoping that I can find some support on here to find my way back to the healthier lifestyle that I have wanted for so long.

On the personal side - I'm married, live in Missouri. My husband and I have been married for 24 years. He's my biggest supporter but he's not good with the emotional side of this. We have 2 kids - our son is in the Air Force - stationed in Tacoma WA and our daughter is in college - still living at home. I love to cook, am active in my Church and love to read. Exercise - I love to swim, I ride my exercise bike and right before I fell- I started circut training at the gym. My husband & I camp (mostly at Missouri State Parks) a lot in the spring and fall.

Hope to "talk" to you all soon.

Sharon