CKR111

Thanks everyone! All of your comments make me feel better. And the 2 pounds I initially gained have since gone, so I guess it was just some Water weight/bloating. I have my first ultrasound one week from today, I think I will feel a lot better once I see that everything is ok! I appreciate all the support.

Hi all,
I am 8 months out from vsg and just found out I am about 5 weeks pregnant with my first baby. We are thrilled but also shocked. I did not plan to get pregnant this early. I wanted to wait a year as my surgeon recommended but I guess things happen when they happen. I have lost 120 pounds so far but am still about 65 pounds from goal. I am hoping some of you can reassure me that everything will be alright. I am worried that I either won't be able to eat enough to have a healthy pregnancy or that alternatively, I will eat too much and undo all the progress I have made. I am currently feeling really bloated and when I got on the scale this morning I was up about 2 pounds from last week! That really freaked me out because I definietly don't want to be gaining weight this early on. I'm hoping it's just Water weight from being bloated right now. Also I'm worried that since I am still 65 pounds overweight this will somehow have a negative effect on my pregnancy. I feel like I am walking a tightrope and am so confused! Anyone been in this position? Any words of advice?

OMG, I could have written this post!! I am also finishing my first day on liquid and just finished a bowl of chicken broth that tasted way more delicious than it should have! It HAS to get easier. What is your surgery date?

I am also scheduled for October 15th! Can't wait but also really nervous!

Hi everyone! my surgery date is oct 15th in Arlington tx with Dr Lyons. i just got my approval yesterday and i am on cloud nine! i have been a lurker here since last aug when i decided to research the surgery. My First appt was actually Jan 10th of this year, and i was told i might be able to be sleeved by March... But instead i fought tooth and nail with bcbs and shed many a tear. i was denied in may, but my amazing surgeon appealed it for me, after tons of run around, i finally got approved!! i have an appt next weds to sign all the final paper work and learn what my pre and post op diet will be and when i start all that... its been 9 months of uncertanty and in the last 30 hours my whole out look has changed... i am ready!!

I am also scheduled for October 15th! Can't wait but also really nervous!

I am also scheduled for October 15th! Can't wait but also really nervous!

Hi all you October Sleevers!!! We have a very short time left. I know some of you are on the pre op diet already. It is gonna fly by!!! If anyone is interested I have started a FB group for us 2013 October Sleevers. PM me your email and I will add you.

Hey everyone! Sorry my post is a little late, it's been a busy month. Even though I'm not losing any more, I continue to post updates because I know when I was starting out, that's what go me through rough Patches and I loved seeing before and afters. I just got back from Vegas on the 29th and still picking up all my clothes that I got while shopping, lol. I have to say it was the best Vegas trip ever. My mom and I always go and use to just stick to shoes and purses but it was so nice this year to go and be able to clothes shop as well. Wow, I feel like a normal human being for the first time in my life.
As for an update on my weight loss itself, I am now hanging in a range between 150-153. I found that this is where my body wanted to stop. My goal was 160 but my body just kept losing and I guess it's now happy where it is at. I have had quite a few people tell me that your body knows where it is happy and will stop there. I started at 308lbs and am down to 152lbs roughly for a weight loss of 156lbs, so I pretty much lost a me! LOL!
Shopping is my new addiction, an expensive one but I think I have finally gotten a closet of clothes that fits my new body and have given away all my old clothes. I started at a size 26 pants and am now in a 8 and my tops use to be 3x/4x and am now in a medium in most tops.
Like I tell everyone, this is the best thing that I have ever done for myself. If you are just starting on your journey, trust in your sleeve and treat it right and it will be good to you. For those of you that are a few months out, keep going, while you think today is great, tomorrow and the days to come will even be better, especially when you get to goal. Thanks to everyone here for your constant love and support and words of encouragement!

I am the same way with being away from home and finding it almost impossible to sleep. I took the sleep apnea test with having no signs of sleep apnea and suprise suprise I ended up having sleep apnea. I find the sleep centers to overall be very friendly and welcoming and clean. I think you will be suprised with how comforting they are for being away from home. The wires are annoying, but its really not that big of a deal. Bring your own pillow for comfort and something special like a family picture, Teddy Bear or so on. Once I was diagnosed with sleep apnea the worst part was finding the right mask. I chose the full face mask, WITH the daily disposable clothes for comfort. Sleep fine, and do feel more energized. Hope this helped :-)

Just found out that my insurance has approved me for the sleeve! I just have to get pulmonary clearance before I can schedule a date. Of course I could not get an appointment with the lung center until September 9. It seems so far away but I am hoping the time will fly by. I can't believe it is really going to happen. This just got real. I'm nervous but I can't wait to start this journey. :-)

Congrats on your approval!! I wish you be best on your journey!!

Hi Everyone! My name is Mandy I'm 29 & the Vertical Sleeve gave me back my life! I was 266lbs (size 22) 5 months ago & now 193lbs (size 14)! I'm off my C-pap machine (no more snoring either) I've had NO problems! This is the best thing I've ever done for Myself for health, emotionally & physically. I eat more healthy than I've ever done & I want to for once! When I'm at the grocery I look in my cart & I'm thinking "who's groceries are these"?! I'm so happy with my results this far now it's up to me to keep it up, this defiantly is not a quick fix, I can see why people gain weight back, this is a disease being this over weight( it's an eating disorder). I'm trying my best with eating healthy, walking & doing hand weights, trying to decide where I want to go from here & what I'm willing to do to get there. I haven't felt this good about myself in a long time! I'd recommend this to anyone who's thinking of having the V-Sleeve it's changed everything about me!

Amazing! You look great!

Thank you for sharing, you look amazing! I am still pre-op with a LOT to lose so your story is really inspiring and motivating for me. I hope I have similar results. Keep up the hard work! It is definitely paying off!

I was 9 months post op as of June 14th. I have lost 134 pounds since the day of surgery. Pics are from day of surgery and this morning.
I still want to lose another 82 pounds or so..but am so ahppy with my results so far. Weight loss has slowed down a lot, but its still coming off.. I am very dedicated to following and tracking my food... I stay within 800-1000 cals a day, at least 60-80 grams of Protein and try to stay under 40 carbs. If i do my work outs which consist of boxing/kickboxing classes at a boxing gym then I up the calories and protein..
I take lots of walks with my husband and dog, the more I lose the more active I become.
I hope this helps people who start out with a large amount to lose like myself and are unsure if this can work for them. It can work for you if you use it as a tool to help you. It comes with hard work and will power, but it can be done...
I can't say it enough, but I LOVE my sleeve and the new outlook I have on life

I had my sleeve on 2/26 I weighed in at 296 at that point. I'm now down to 218 @ 15 weeks out. Have been very successful and diligent only a few times where I had pain after eating. Haven't thrown up once (knock on wood I HATE throwing up). Anyone who's considering this procedure I definitely recommend it! Just make sure you follow what your drs and dietitians tell you to do. I'm open to answer any questions you guys have who are pre or post op.

Thank you ao much! And sure. For exercise I do crossfit 3x a week. as far as my daily menu I have 60-80 grams of Protein a day. Either 1-2 shakes (I use one scoop of isopure) or a shake and Quest protein Peanut Butter cups (I LOVE these they have very little carbs and 10 grams of protein each they're a little dry so try one pack and make sure you like them). lunch is usually 2 pieces of turkey with cheese rolled up with a slice of avocado in them. I make a lot of chili because I can put some vegs in there and get a lot of protein that way. Sometimes for Snacks ill have a piece of dark chocolate or an applesauce. Another thing I have for dinner is some grilled chicken (sometimes I cheat and use the page made frozen ones) and cook it with a little BBQ Sauce and light bleu cheese dressing. I really try to avoid grain and carbs (I try to limit myself to 30 carbs a day) I also try to have 2 tbsp of a flax and chia seed mix along with my Vitamins.< /p>

I would also recommend The Kane Center - specifically Dr. Rantis. He was great before and on surgery day - was also great with my family on surgery day. I had two follow up appointments with his PA and recently had my 6 mo followup with Dr. Rantis (more like 7 month). Very encouraging and positive. I met Dr. Kane in the hospital and has a great bed-side manner.

Wow! Thanks so much! I never heard of the single site sleeve but I will definitely ask! Maybe I will see if Dr. Rantis can see me earlier because I really want to get this process started. I have seen a couple people on here post about him and everyone seems to have liked him. Thanks again for the info!

I think many of us worry about failure. I worry about failure all the time because I've yo-yoed so much. what I have been able to determine is that with my new tool (tiny tummy), it will be harder to fail. My concern comes into play after I've gotten within 15 lbs of goal because in the past that's when I start to gain it. This time, I'm determined to continue my daily walking for exercise and to continue to eat healthier. I've fallen off the wagon a couple of times these last few months but it has been easier for me to get back on it since I know I have to eat right to stay healthy which means I have to make good food choices since I have such a small tummy.
Good luck to you!

The only way you will fail is if you give yourself the option to fail. The only option I gave myself was success.. And I've never considered anything else.
Don't get me wrong. I've failed a gazillion other diets and two lapbands so I'm not new to failure. But it's in my past forever... And can be in yours too

It's not even about being tough--I am a pretty tough cookie. It's more about the fact that it is my personal business and not open for commentary. My body doesn't belong to anyone except me and frankly, I find the fact that people will openly comment on someone's weight loss or gain distasteful, kind of in the same way you wouldn't go up to someone and say "gee, your tits look big, did you get implants" or "wow, your skin is really tight, how much was your facelift?"
Kind of the same level of tacky to me.

Why is it that keeping one's business to one's self equal being ashamed? I know we live in a world now that nothing is private anymore and everyone knows everyone's business but really, not everyone is like that. Maybe it's my age showing.
My husband and son know, that is the way I choose to keep for now. I am not ashamed of what I am doing. This is my decision and my health and I don't need to explain anything to anyone or justify it. Just because someone asks a question, does not mean an answer is required of me. I have always been a private person and this is no exception. Would you answer if someone asked you what your income was? Or how much your house cost? Or when did you last have sex? I most certainly would not. For me, that falls under the category "personal", as does my weight, weight loss and my health. People ask intrusive questions because they know most people will feel like they have to answer. I do not. It is really just that simple.
So for those of us who choose to keep our private life private is no way equals that we are "ashamed" or that we are not "proud" of making the decision to better our life through surgery.
I"m sorry if you don't understand that but please don't judge us and dump us into the ashamed category.