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Starting wt 3/2012-412 lbs Wt day of surgery 12/13/12-325.5lbs Wt today (10/21/13)-237lbs Total loss so far-175 lbs This has not been an easy journey and the battle to lose will continue for quite a while longer for me! I exercise 7 days/wk almost every week. I lift weights 6 days/wk and do at least 30 min of cardio every day. I am in a size large top and size 16 pants in some things and 18 in others. I would do the surgery again in a heartbeat if I had it to do over. Hope this helps some who haven't had surgery yet but have as much to lose as I did. It is doable-just don't get frustrated and expect it to happen overnight. It took time to get to the weight we were and will take more to get healthy! Best if luck to all! Denise

Started at 412 lbs; lost 86.5 prior to surgery on 12/10/2012; lost 70.5 since then-total of 157lbs-still another 70 to go

10 1/2 weeks out-43 lbs lost since surgery, 129.5 lbs total lost

Two suggestions -Chike has a website that you can order a variety pack of their flavors from-expensive but they taste very good! Also, my protein of choice is amplified whey protein chocolate from GNC. 3 scoops gives you 60 gms of protein for only 290 cal. I can do 20gms in 4 oz of water and it's only 96 cal! Taste very good also!

Hi! I'll be 5 weeks post-op on Monday. I lost 85 lbs prior to surgery by limiting calories and doing cardio daily and lifting weights 3 times weekly. I started back on mild cardio 3 days after surgery and am now up to 1 1/2 hrs of cardio daily-burning 1000-1200 calories every day, Here is my question for others exercising this hard-how many calories are you consuming daily? I know the point of this surgery is calorie restriction and most eat low carb but my nutritionist and I agree 800 cal and 40 carbs just won't cut it for me! She recommended 1200-1400 cal in several small meals. I had been losing 27 lbs in 24 days but with this increase in exercise, I only lost 1/2 lb this last week. I know I will have stalls and am happy with my loss, just looking for experience from others.

Also keep in mind that some meds begin to be "broken down"in the stomach acid and with a sleeve, especially if on a PPI (protonix, Prilosec), this can vary a lot. Also, the transit time through the stomach is now different-just ideas why the same dose may be affecting you differently.

Tylenol makes Junior chewable tablets that are 160mh each-I found this easier than stomaching slimy Tylenol liquid.

I usually buy bottled water so I know when I've finished 3 20 oz bottles I'm done (I already mix 12 oz of water with protein shake).

This sounds like my GNC amplified wheybolic protein shake-exact same specs and only 2 gms of sugar. I researched many different proteins and tried very many and found this one to be highest protein content for calorie count and sugar content. I also liove the taste of the chocolate!

Thanks so much-that sounds good to me. I know I'll have to wait a couple more weeks, but it gives me something to look forward to!

Am craving oatmeal-how soon after surgery did anyone eat it? I have a food processor that can mush it up pretty well. Thanks for any info.

I had my surgery Monday, Dec 10, and came home Tues night. Stayed with a friend til Thurs then came home Thurs morning. I haven't had any bad surgical pain, just the typical gas pains, but not enough to need pain meds. I haven't been hungry since the surgery but getting my 64 oz of Fluid and 60-80gms of Protein in by Wed. Started back driving Thurs with no problem. Also started back to gym on Thurs with a slow walk on treadmill for 15 min. Up to 32 min on treadmill and 18 min on Arc Trainer on Saturday. Haven't weighed yet because several people on here recommend waiting 2 weeks to let overload of fluids in hosp come off. With all this being said, I really feel good. I am so glad I took the leap and had the surgery. I go back to work in a week and feel confident I will have this sipping down so that I can still get in all my fluids at work. Merry Christmad everyone!! Denise

My suggestion would be to join a gym and start workin out in the morning before you go to work. That way, you'll keep your metabolism revved up during the day and it might help motivate you to do some activity in the evening.

I have Cigna and it took exactly 10 days although even Cigna told me it can take up to 30 days . Best of luck and hope it works out. Denise

Dana, I am using GNC's amplified wheybolic Protein which had 60 gms of protein to be mixed in 12 oz Water. The rest of the day I'm drinking crystal light packets mixed in water. I honestly haven't been hungry. The protein relieves any hunger I have. I am on full liquids, which, for me, means broth, yogurt drinks, sugar free Jello, protein supp and water. Hope that helped some. Denise