JLOR

I didn't look at journals but rather liked online at webmd. Also looked at articles from doctors like David Kim and nick Nicholson.

Of the 80+ in my Facebook group almost all lost hair starting at month 4. For me my hair thinned all over but no actual bald Patches. As for my weight BMI. I was a 33 BMI pre surgery at 195 pounds, but lost 20 on pre op diet and then am now down to 137ish. I started at a size 14 pants and now wear a size 2. I'm 5'5". As for normal activity I was back walking all over by about 4 days out, but no hard core running until week 4. I live in Dallas where there are a lot of doctors and options and I feel like dr Kim was a good doctor that provided lots of guidance on what to do and when. Also look for a doctor with support groups and visits for one year out to check Vitamins and progress. Goodluck!

So you asked about downside. I am about 9 months out and the only downside is sometimes I will go out to eat and I really want to enjoy a big dinner but that is just not possible. But I look at that as a positive. But nevertheless when u r craving something special and then you can only take a few bites its sometimes disappointing. Lol some things you should consider if u are serious. A lit of people end up with gallbladder problems and end up having them removed. I would ask your doctor if he would consider doing that whole he is doing the sleeve. Also most everyone I know had hair loss at 4 months. It can get pretty thin but it dies eventually grow back in. I'm lucky I had thick hair. Also re first 24 hours after surgery was HELL! I was so sick from anesthesia. But u can't drink or eat so u just have to tough it out and know it will go away as soon as u r Cleared for liquids. Finally and this one is good and bad....buying new clothes is very expensive! Lol. Seriously though I really didn't think about the fact that literally everything in my closet would be discarded. I'm talking bras. Undies. Hose even shoes. Really suggest you get used to shopping at goodwill, platos closet, clothes mentor, eBay, etc. I've lost weight a million times thru the years but never to the extent that I literally had nothing in the right size. So keep it in mind.

All- I started this thread last year before surgery and haven't checked back very often. Let me update everyone. I am 5'5" was 195 pounds but lost 20 on the pre op diet. Today I am 137 pounds and very healthy and feel great! My only complication throughout the whole process was hair loss at month 4 but no matter what u do u wont avoid that. And yes I took my Vitamins and ate a ton of Protein. It's just a side effect you'll have to deal with until it grows back. And it does grow back! Now comments to some of the replies here- 1. It seriously pisses me off when people call thus a vanity surgery. I was overweight for 20 years. Pre diabetic, tired all the time, and could barely look at myself in the mirror. Just because I'm not 500 pounds you call it vanity? Well news flash being overweight no matter how much is unhealthy. 2. Do your research. No one knows better than u what risks you are willing to take based on your circumstances. Understand the options, give alternatives a try, and ask around. For me this was the best option but it may not b for everyone. You still have to do the work and you still have to eat watch what you eat. 3. Take before and after pictures. I have no before pictures because I couldn't stand to look at myself. Now I live the camera! Never thought id say that!!! 4. You will go they plateaus but lose clothes sized during those times. Just stick with it and it will continue to come off. 5. Follow your doctors advice. I see people concerned with why they stopped losing and yet they are eating all the time and the wrong things. You still have to be diligent about eating the right things. 6. You will likely need cosmetic surgery to fix loose skin, baggy arms, etc. Plan for it but don't be in a rush. Let you skin shrink on its own for 18 months before you do anything. It will minimize what you need done. 7. Get a support group! I wax lucky enough to find a great group on Facebook and they are all so encouraging! It really helps. Goodluck!

I barely squeaked by but I did it!! Now 10 more pounds by Christmas!

You are all going amazing! Great work!

Ok update. I had surgery at 175 on 8/28. And as of last week was 155#. (sorry been out of town this week and no idea on weight) but I've bougt clothes this weekend in a size 7/8 and that hasn't happened in 20 years!! So when the scale stops moving dont worry you are still losing inches!

I was thinking about tis today and it occurred to me that there is a very easy reply for this that your friend will get and will be pretty light hearted. there was this Guy stranded in the ocean one person in boat came up and said come on get in the boat, the man says no I'm fine God will help me, then the Guy in the boat takes off and says fine, another one comes and says the same thing to him and he says the same thing back to the second person then he says okay fine. hours later he drowns and goes to heaven and asks God why didn't u come save me. God says I did dummy I sent two boats. This surgery is your life boat. glad to hear surgery went well. Welcome to the losers bench!

The burning on your left is where the largest incision is and where they pulled stomach through. It will b the most tender but it goes away very quickly.

Good for u! That has got to feel great!

I will try to get some stuff together this weekend Thanks

I have some suits and dress clothes on size 12. Let me know if u are interested. Thanks.

I am almost 5 weeks post op. have 60 pounds excess and I'm down 38 already. So I think it's possible to lose more! Hope that helps.

I just open the capsule now and swallow. No issues. I get to go back to hormone hopefully soon!!

I was 195 and lost 20 pounds pre surgery. Day of was 175. It has been 4.5 weeks and I'm now 158. Since we weigh less it comes off slower but I don't regret it one bit!!!! No issues and doing really well. Had a stall in week 3 but I'm back to losing now.

I had to switch from hormones to Effexor spe officially because I can't take hormones for 2 weeks prior to surgery Sibiu should b fine but they did tell me not to take it the day of surgery because your stomach needs to b empty. If u are worried take it the night before.

I should also have said yes I was on anti nausea and a patch for nausea and neither worked. I had to get off the pain meds because they were upsetting my stomach.

I stopped all pain meds and magic I started feeling better. And the pain wasnt bad enough to need something so strong anyway.

My doctors nurse told us a horror story specifically involving a tortilla chip. It was one of only 5 cases where the person had severe issues. Basically it caused a major leak.

Suggestions from when I did this last year. 1. Do not try to do c25k every day. It should be at least every other day. 2. Stretch before and after you work out. 3. butta is right start slow. Keep your arms as relaxed as possible and you strides short and flat. Be careful not to run on your toes. (I always had problems with this). 4. It's always good tvstretch on in between days as well but don't try to over do it with tons more exercising. 5. And remember if you get to a week that you struggle with just repeat it until you are ready to advance. 6. Finally try breathing through your nose. I hels control the breathing. Take nice long deep breaths. Hope his helps!

I guess I feel a little different about the wait. If dr Kim operates on me and runs into a problem I EXPECT him to take the time to do this right even of that means taking longer than originally planned and pushing other patients to later. With that being said I was told to come in at 430am and was the first tk be operated on at 630am. And I was operated on a little later than that. So that didn't make a lot of sense and I can only assume that the operating room was full with someone else's patient.

One more thing I forgot, you will find people here who have had problems. You do need to educate yourself about the risks- blood clots, leaks, etc. Looks for the thread that starts what you need to know...

For the most part you are going to see that most people on here are VERY glad to have this new tool to help us not only lose the weight but keep it off. I am almost 4 weeks out, and I can tell you I would do it again in a heart beat! I am one of the people that has insurance but I did not weigh enough for my insurance to pay for it. I was a BMI 32, and you have to be at least a 35 with two additional co-morbities. So I paid myself and I would do it again. But let's just be clear, this is NOT easy. The first day after surgery was the worst EVER. I had dry heeves for 24 hours straight. Also, I can't just eat any old thing I want, because my sleeve will not let me. I'm probably never going to have soda again, and I'm on a blended diet for another week. My sleeve doesn't care for spicy foods right now, and I love spicy foods. So don't let anybody kid you, this is not easy. Yet, I WOULD do it all again tomorrow. Because, without this tool to help me control me eating, I would still be in the yoyo diet craze and gaining back more every time. Also, to all those people that tell you to just stop eating and start exercising, you just need to say if it were that easy don't you think I would have done it!