Blessedfun

I was nervous about my decision. I even got a bit weepy right before surgery. I worried that somehow the sleeve would not work for me. I worried that someday I may need that other 85% of my stomach! All of that is normal. But here's what happened: My sleeve does work and I've lost almost 80 lbs since then. My blood pressure has dropped from prehypertensive at 120/80 to 107/66. I haven't missed that other 85% a single day so far. I was lucky, I had zero complications. What works is following your doctor's orders both pre and post op. What works is starting to adopt healthy habits like regular exercise. I don't love to exercise but it sure is a lot easier now without all those lbs weighing me down. What works is knowing that you are putting your body through a lot after surgery so stalls might happen, they are normal, and if you stay on track, they will pass.
Good luck with your surgery. It's good to go in with both eyes open as bad stuff can happen but most likely, you will be just fine.

I am two weeks post op and have lost 15 lbs since surgery. I have no regrets so far. I won't lie, there were times in the first 24 hours when I kind of wondered if I had done the right thing. That passed and I haven't looked back. I can't believe how good I feel.

I went into surgery with such anticipation...I could not wait..I was ready and willing to do almost anything to get this show on the road.....
I came home on the 3rd day and returned with a leak 4 days later....This led to 5 months of a hospital stay with several surgeries and other severe complications.....
After 5 months I came home and had nursing care for another 5 months.....Still not out of the woods yet!
Would I do it again..In a split second..I am nothing like I was before surgery..I am living now, before, existing...I love my sleeve and so glad I did it...176 lbs. down...36 to go...I feel so brand new!!!!

Thanks for the info Cindy!

Beachbum, Chanvita, cindy, thanks for all of your encouragement!
When I first saw the new pic (in the red dress), I could definitely tell something was different! Sometimes it is harder to see it tho. Isn't that funny?
I'm 5'2" and have lost 57# since my initial consult, 37# since surgery 8 weeks ago. I'm trying real hard to maximize my golden 6 months and at 2 or 3 weeks out I joined a gym. Have been doing Zumba 3x/week. I have now been incorporating weights into my workout. Having energy to move is such an amazing feeling!!
So far, I've gone from a 2x top to Large. Size 20 pant and dress to size 14. SA-WEET!!
It's terrible tho. I've become addicted to losing weight! I want more off now!!! lol!! Don't worry, I'm not doing anything crazy!
I did, however, have to miss my 6 week appt, so if anyone has any tips, please share!
Everyone - keep getting healthy!

Ok brush it off! No use beating up on yourself now. You still have the sleeve.
This is going to be hard trust me. But cut out all the crap cold turkey. Don't starve yourself but fill up on lean Protein and veg only. It's going to take awhile to get over those cravings but once you do. It will be easier to to stick to a clean diet and start losing again.

I had band to sleeve revision. Because I have MS and band was eroding and I gain back 35 of 50 lbs I'd loss during a long recovery from MS episode.
I am down 52lbs in 6 months. Much slower than expected but told that is expected in revisions. Also down to a sz 16 from a 24. And diabetes meds in half and no more cholesterol or blood pressure pills all which I'm thankful to God !!!
Prayers up for you ).

Hello everyone. My name is Moni & I'm 37 with 4 sons. I had lapband in March of 2009. I lost 60lbs but gained it all back while pregnant with my last baby. I have noticed that it has become more difficult for the MD to fill my band as needed to aid in my weight loss. I have decided to have my band removed for other reasons as well and I am interested in the sleeve. My surgeon is in agreement and I am going through all the necessary appointment to get approval from my insurance company Cigna. I love this thread & I am excited to begin this journey. Good luck to everyone.

BF2 congrats on the size 8!!! sounds great, excited to be where you are soon!!! 80lbs in 6 months you go girl!!!

I live in Greenville but had surgery at MUSC in Charleston May 15. Started at 240 down to 160. Was size 20-22 wore a size 8 pants yesterday. Still losing. Sleeve works. Blessings!
Blessings ~ Melody (BlessedFun2)

I am going to be 6 month post op.. I was 320... 318 day of surgeryt currently 246. Hope this encourage someone
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Have anyone in SC had their surgery with Dr. Marc Antonetti with Riverside Surgical? They are apart of Lexington Hospital in Lexington SC.....

Thought I would check back in and share a wee bit about my sleeved life as I will be 1 year post op tomorrow!
Started my journey 275lbs and now 165lbs - at 5"9 this was my personal goal. I have stalled or maintained this weight for about 2 months now whilst lowering my body fat %.
Two exciting things within this year 1) I got engaged! 2) I am doing my first half marathon in 3 weeks!
I eat pretty much whatever I like these days - I do have to be careful as bad habits are re-forming. I have to have chocolate every day! One thing I can attribute my success to definitely is my activity levels running and strength training.
Here is a pic of my trying on my first pair of short shorts ever in my life! I didnt buy them because I still dont think I can pull them off! I'm a mummy! Nice to do up that zip though. Size US 6
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Pre op diet day 7. Down 20lbs. 7 more to go.

Don't beat your self up over a simple mistake. Correct the problem, you've come to far at this point. I've eating a few suckers, it not the end of the world. Go back and read over the food items to avoid your foot dine now. If you must trash those snickers. Tell your kids the ants got into them. Lol!

Okay here's a pic. no makeup and hair looks like crap after walking for hours so I chopped my head off
Be gentle! I haven't worn a dress in a while.
Sent from my iPhone using VST

My husband can't stop shopping online for me. I have no idea why but clothes keep appearing at the house. So he bought me two tiny looking size 14 dresses. I wanted to let him see how they were still waaaay too small for me. I love dresses but they didn't look good with the excess weight so I was very nervous.

But they fit!

And even though I say it myself, dang I look good in them! I have to admit, I didn't recognize myself in them. I didn't realize I am "small" enough to fit into them.

I used to read about others who said they didn't realize they were in a smaller size and it made no sense to me. Today I understood that.

I'm exactly three months out today (sx aug 2nd), 39 lbs down and in another pound I'll be half-way to goal. I've gone from an 18w or 20 to a misses 14.

For those of you who stress about stalls(I.e., me too)? Just know that in 3 months I've had 3 stalls that lasted 12 days, 12 days, and 15 days respectively. So out of 90 days, I spent 39 days stalled. And still got these results overall.

So grateful for the sleeve today. I have a thankful heart. Thanks for listening to me dance about with happiness

ISP pure great stuff still use it after the gym if you make it on the thin side really no taste if you make it thick a little but I love it waiting to try the java stuff myself!

Okay I am not being sleeved until nov 11 but I have ordered from Vitamin world.com. Isopure 50 grams per scoop!! Zero carbs! And you can put this in hot cold food..or liquid!! No taste !! So it can go into broth..which is great especially at first when you are so tired..right? Green tea too..gets 5 stars on review.

Jess my cousin had surgery there in March. She had the sleeve and my sister in law had the bypass a couple years ago there. A lady dr did my cousins sleeve and I think dr Scott did the others bypass. They both are doing good. I went to their seminar last dec and they quoted me like $12,500 cash for sleeve. They do the plication too but I recommend the sleeve over that. You have to go to the classes and etc. it's faster if your cash out of pocket but if insurance u gotta go through all the red tape. They are nice people from what I can tell. Plus they have all the Protein mixes and vitimins there but I prefer Premier Protein shakes from SAMs and I take Centrum multi vitimins and their cheaper . Not sure if they require u to use their products .

It turns out I have a friend that went through Bariatric Solutions in St Francis Greenville. I'm going to attend one of their seminars this month and hopefully go through them. If anyone has had their surgery there, I would love to hear from you! thanks.

How r u doingg

Well guys..in less than 12 hours I will be getting sleeved..I'm excited, nervous and a bit anxious. My surgery is a double procedure..I have to have a large mass removed as well so I have to have an incision at my bikini line,,a large one ta boot, so I think my nerves a little crazy because of that part. Oh well God has me so all will be fine. Guess I'll gulp down some more liquids before midnight. Goodnight guys!!!

I seriously can't believe it. I've gone from a size 20 to 14. I am so incredibly happy. I've gone through cravings and food phases. At the beginning it was Fruit! I was buying a watermelon, cantaloupe, and pineapple every week at the grocery store. Then it was goldfish. I seriously had to hide the goldfish from myself so I'd stop eating them. Lol. Eggs!! I'm in love with eggs right now! eggs benedict, scrambled eggs, fried egg. I have an egg every morning!
I was walking every night with my husband after dinner but haven't in a few weeks. I have a crazy work schedule. I have experienced that crazy sweating when I'm eating too fast though. Also I do still spit up when I eat one bite too many. Although it's a little different than spitting up with the lap band.
Overall I'm happy. I can't believe I've lost this much so fast!
If anyone has any questions please don't hesitate to ask me. I had the lap band before the sleeve and this forum really helped me pre op.