Teri Barowsky Hooper

I was in Omaha, Nebraska 2 years ago talking to my mother's doctor. She had gastric surgery several years ago and had developed a hernia. Her doctor knew Dr. Nguyen. He told me Dr. Nguyen was the president of the bariatric doctors association and very, very well known as one of the best surgeons in the country.

I live in Riverside. I had my sleeve in November 2012. If you get a group together, let me know. I would love to attend.

I am no doctor but I can't help but believe that medications play a big part in weight gain and loss. According to statistics, 80% of all medications list weight gain as a side effect. It just doesn't make sense that one could eat so little, exercise, follow all the correct weight loss protocol and stall out after 50 pounds or so. I know statistically, the sleeve only helps you lose about 60% of the weight you need to lose. I think there is more to weight gain and weight loss that simply calories in, calories out. Just my opinion . . .

Don't feel discouraged. You are not alone. I had a basal cell carcinoma removed from my foot about 3 months ago. I had to have a 2nd extraction at the same spot to make sure we got it all. That meant that for almost 4 months I could not exercise. Walking was very painful most of the time and waiting for the scab to fall off took forever. In that time, I gained 10 pounds back. While I was laid up, I got lazy. I felt sorry for myself because of the pain and did not make good choices. Very frustrated!!!! I am back to exercising this week and back to keeping track of every morsel that goes into my mouth. It bothers me that after going through the sleeve operation, that the weight has not come off like expected. I am currently down 43 pounds. Before my recent gain I only got down 53 pounds total. My pain management doctor (I have fibromyalgia) told me the medication I am on for my fibro makes it almost impossible to lose weight so that fact that I have lost any is a miracle. When I talked to my sleeve doctor about my medication he didn't say much. I don't know what to believe at this point. Keep us posted on the adipex.

I am almost 2 years out from VSG. I lost 60 pounds in the first year but have stalled for most of the 2nd year. I regained 10 pounds and if I let myself, I can eat more than I thought I would be able to. When I went to my pain management doctor last month, I got to talking to her about my sleeve surgery and my weight loss. She told me nobody loses weight on the pain medication I am on and most people gain weight. When I talked to my sleeve doctor, he didn't say much and just shrugged it off. This is very frustrating because I cannot be without my Lyrica (I have fibromyalgia). Is anyone else on medications where weight gain is the primary side effect? How has that impacted your weight loss after VSG?

I am on hormone therapy. I had a total hysterectomy 2 months prior to my sleeve surgery due to uterine cancer. I was on bio-identical hormones before my surgery and immediately after. I didn't notice it affecting my weight loss.

I live in Riverside but go to Orange County often. Depending on the "when" I would be up to come. Teri

I am kinda in the same boat. I have not lost anything since October either. I am also a very slow loser and have been trying to focus on the inches. Those has stalled as well. I know I can eat more than I used to be able to eat and that is a concern for me. I exercise 3-4 times a week in a pool because of my fibromyalgia. Anyone else struggling to lose weight?

I just attended my monthly support group meeting last week. One of the best plastic surgeons did a presentation there. He is from UCI. He explained that most plastic surgeons do not know or understand that doing plastic surgery on weight loss patients is very different than doing it on regular patients. He has kinda written the book on the differences in weight loss patients and how most surgeons perform the surgeries based on normal weight patients models. The results are usually disastrous and expensive. If you are really bothered by loose skin, make sure you have a surgeon who has LOTS of experience with weight loss patients. There are only about 5 of those in the country!!!! After watching the pros and cons of the surgeries, I will leave my loose skin alone unless it becomes a medical problem. The risks of complications are like 70%. Just my two cents. Good luck to those who are going to do it.

50 pounds off today . . .

Sleeved 11/5, down 49 pounds, 51 to go. I feel like I am doing great until I see how many more pounds everyone else has lost.

I am 5 months post op. I have had both wine and mixed drinks (vodka tonics are my favorites). I find that if I eat something before I drink I do better. If I drink on an empty stomach, it hits me pronto!

I am around 800-1000 calories a day.

Almost 5 months out, no problems with sushi with rice. I can't eat a whole roll but I can usually eat about a half roll. I like to do take out because then I can have an entire roll . . . it just takes me most of the day!

It has been almost 4 months since my VSG with Dr. Nguyen. I do not know what my stomach size is. He did not discuss that with me. I am comfortable with my stomach size, whatever it is. I feel the total program is well rounded. You are required to attend an information meeting where all bariatric options are presented. You have to get a psych evaluation. At most appointments, you see Dr. Nguyen, the dietician, the social worker, and possible the PA. Because it is a teaching hospital, Dr. Nguyen always has students following him. I am very glad I had this done.

I am amazed at how much weight everyone else has lost. I do not want to compare myself to others because I know there are lots of variables that affect weight loss. I'm happy with my progress until I come on here and see how much everyone else has lost. I exercise, track my food, and follow the directions my doctor has given me but it is coming off very slowly. It makes me sad.

Hey Sara, I'm from Riverside too. I had my sleeve done at UCI in Orange. They have a support group that meets on the third Tuesday of the month. I attend that one.

Hi Amber and all, I am doing good since my surgery. I have a few minor bumps in the road but have kept an open mind and tackled anything as it arose. I am pretty much able to eat everything now and am learning how much with each new thing I try. Not having any trouble getting my protein in overall.

I had a total hysterectomy in Aug 2012 and then the sleeve in Nov 2012. I should be losing hair from my first surgery but as of yet, there hasn't been any noticeable loss. I started taking my bariatric vitamins BEFORE my surgeries so I could get used to them. I also use Aveda's Invati serum daily on my scalp to help prevent hair loss. So far, so good.

Besides health reasons, my grandchildren are a major reason I had the sleeve done (back in November). I want to be able to do things WITH them not watching them. I am only down 35 pounds so far but I made it 6 hours at Disneyland with them last week. And I did it walking!!!! Grandbabies are motivation to get healthy regardless of how much skin is hanging around afterward.

I find that odd. I had 2 surgeries in the last 6 months and had to take my cpap to the hospital both times. I wore it practically nonstop for the first 16 hours post op at the hospital. Now I am 10 weeks post op and just saw my sleep doctor last week. He is having me continue using it for 6 more months and then we will do another sleep study and see where things stand then.

I had it real bad in the first 5-6 weeks too. I got better with time. I did take zegerid for a while but that didn't seem to make a difference. I wonder if the stomach over produces acid in the beginning to aid with healing. Anyway, I'm 10 weeks post op and only have it on occasion now.

Sleeved 11/05/12 HW: 278 CW: 245 Lost 33 lbs! GW: 150 Age: 55

I talked to the NUT today about this. She informed me that I needed to cut back on Protein a little at a time until I got the protein/carb balance that allowed me to get some sleep. Of course the focus needs to be on healthy fruits, veggies, and high Fiber carbs. I only need about 30 gms of protein a day tops. P. S. I am 10 weeks post op.