lswelk

I was sleeved 1-15-14, by Dr Foote of GHP Grand Rapids....so a week and s half ago. Feeling good. No nausea, no more gas pains. Have ridden my recumbent bike for 2 days straight 20 & 25 minutes respectively. Woo Hoo. Got a streak going. .

Have not weighed myself in a couple days, but the last time I did had lost 8lbs since surgery, yielding a total of 35 lbs since I started dieting 6 months prior to insurance approval. Seems to be coming off faster now. Have not been hungry. Been conscientious about Protein and liquid consumption.

The only sense I have of the surgery is the feeling of a band around my torso between waist and chest. I imagine that will go away eventually.

Glad to be an "official" member of the Michigan Sleevers Group. See post below. Getting used to this iPhone app and not as adept as I will be.

Well' date=' I am just over 11 weeks post op and down 54 pounds! August 19th was surgery day. I am down 5 pant sizes and 2 short sizes! I still have more to go in the gut but have lost a lot in my face, shoulders, arms, legs and waist. I feel great! I truly hope everyone else feels as great as I do! Here are before from Feb 2013 and today Nov 2013.

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Great job! And good question from another commenter about your beads. Ha!

This month! I got approved yesterday and I got the call to start my two week liquid diet tomorrow and my surgery is 11/20/13 @ 1pm!!!

Love this fast track from approval to surgery. My last 6 month meeting is Dec 4. I hope I can get my surgery before the end of Decenber for tax purposes. Wish my luck. Fingers crossed! Pray! Thanks.

Top pix night before surgery 10/9/13 bottom 6 weeks out

A noticeable loss. That is inspiring.

Hey everyone!

I had my surgery August 22nd' date=' 2012 so I'm about 15 months post op. I've lost a total of 101 pounds and I feel great I started at 231 lbs. and now weigh 130 lbs.

At 23 years old, I feel like life can't get any better I've been maintaining for about 7-8 months. I feel so much healthier and more confident. I continue to exercise and make healthy choices to motivate myself to be the healthiest me that I can be. This journey has been one of the most humbling and challenging experiences of my life. I've surrounded myself with positive people who have supported me throughout this whole process.

I'm now participating in the "Bari-Buddy" system at the hospital I had my surgery at - getting paired with people who just had the surgery to be a support to them. It's been a great experience - both rewarding and inspiring to help support other people who are in the same position I was in 15 months ago.

Since the summer, I've graduated college and started a new job. I'm now an occupational therapist working in a pediatric setting. This is something I always wanted to do but I was always too intimidated to work with kids - because let's be honest...kids are a little too honest!! I am so grateful that I now have the confidence (and the energy!!) to help these kids achieve all of their goals.

I hope everyone is having lots of success and happiness Here are some before and after pictures![/quote']

You look MARVELOUS! Excellent work!!

I had my surgery on Mon and when I see people like you who are doing well a year out it reminds me that the tough things Im going through right now will fade away and soon i will feel better' date=' and better yet look great also! Thanks![/quote']

I read this with interest because I will be sleeved in January and I want to hear about the "tough things" you and others have gone through.

OR put anither way, what specifically did you experience the first post-op days?

Would like to hear from some folks or be pointed to good discussions of this that already exist. Thanks in advance.

Any potential December Sleevsters out there?? Im finishing up a couple of the requirements and hoping for a Dec 5 surgery date. Just in time to recoup for Christmas with my kids. Getting super excited!!!

I HOPE to be sleeved in December. Will have completed my 6th month pre-op supervision per my insurance dictates. So, it depends upon approval turn around time, meeting with the TEAM, and the availability of my surgeon, Dr Foote. Sooooo, I am bracing myself for the possibility of a Jan date. I am also SO tired of waiting...and am do ready to get on with it!!

So I made 9 months on the 21 of this month I started at 299 now at 173 down 126 pound goal 185 im12 pounds under and 9 pound to normal bmi .. I wanna share sine pics through out my journey

I started in a size 24 2x tops now I'm in a size 10 pants and med tops small dresses .. I can't wait to my yr come up a lot can happen in the months oh and did I mention I lost my first 100 at 5 months

This is so inspiring. You look great. Thanks so much for SHOWING your progress. I am hoping to be sleeved in late Dec or January. I hope I am as successful as you.

I am 59' date=' found out about this surgery in June. Sleeved on August 7th. At my one week post op appointment my surgeon said I was an excellent advertisement for any one contemplating the Sleeve. I do everything my surgeon and nutritionist tell me to do and I am recovering beautifully. I say Go For It![/quote']

Congratulations on your successful experience. Very inspiring!!

I had mine done on 8/28/13' date=' and honestly I feel like I haven't had anything done! I think the first 3-4 days are the worst! I took my meds every 4 hours until the 3rd day, then just at night. As soon as they will let you, get your butt up and walk, walk, walk!!! It gives you motivation and helps with gas!

Good luck, you will do just fine:)[/quote']

This is inspiring! Thanks for sharing.

Was sleeved on 8/26. One bout of horrible cramps and that was it. My three days in the hospital were so pleasant I didn't want to go home!! I'm thankful that I did not experience any severe gas pains nor did I have any trouble swallowing. I' date=' too, was so afraid of the expected pain and difficulties but was pleasantly surprised. I had three c-sections and a couple other gynecological same day surgeries and this was BY FAR the easiest. My best advice to you is WALK!!! I walked the halls morning noon and night. I got home on a Wednesday and by Thursday I was walking a mile in my neighborhood. I walked around a cul de sac every time I had a Protein drink. I am up to two miles now, at nearly two weeks out and I am convinced that this is helping my recovery. Plus, after the initial post op gain of a few pounds (due to water/fluid gain) my scale is is going down down down. Wishing you lots of luck!!!![/quote']

Love this testimonial. It's so vivid and specific. Very helpful. Thanks.

Actually I believe 211 would be the lowest you could go to stay at bmi 35 and above for approval.

Thanks for this note. I believe you are correct. Sorry for the delay in getting back to you.

I was approved at 37 BMI and am now @ 35 BMI. (20 days pre op)

I'm self pay but my doc approves if u have 30 BMI or higher.

I don't really have any co- morbidities (slightly high cholesterol which will come down with the weightloss).

So excited about becoming sleeved!

Good luck to everyone!

Good. You are getting this done BEFORE you get the co-morbidities.

I've gotten to the point where I just laugh at people who think it's a bad idea. They don't get it unless they've struggled with weight. I just tell them I am so comfortable with this decision' date=' and have thought about it for years. They are just hearing it, so it can be shocking at first. My parents weren't that happy when they first heard (I am 37), but they are totally supportive now. I am so close to my date!![/quote']

Thanks for your note. Good for your for doing it at your young age. I have had slim periods in my adult life. But for the last 20 years have struggled and hovered around 210-240. It's my time, while I have time left. Best to you. My date is undetermined, but should be lat December or January.

I'm pretty passionate about this subject...apologies if this sounds too strong. BUT....I had much the same reaction from my parents. Wild and unplaced concern for such a "radical" decision...have I really thought it through...you are strong willed' date=' just get ahold of your weight problem...blah blah blah.

Are your daughters skinny? I know my parents aren't! Weight is a struggle for them too. So, I was really surprised they weren't supportive about me being pro-active to regain my health. I don't want to have a stroke like my Dad or need a pacemaker like my Mom. I wanted to yell at them, "Do you SEE yourselves?" I was flabbergasted that with all their weight related health issues they would have the guts to tell me I was making the WRONG decision!

You know, if I could have lost the weight on my own and keep it off, I probably would have done it sometime over the past 20 years. Do I think surgery is a drastic and final step? Yes...AND THAT IS THE POINT!

It is one thing to have concern for someone - especially if you aren't familiar with their surgery. But it's something very different to dissuade someone from a surgery that will prolong their life. Would you try to talk a breast cancer patient out of a mastectomy? No. Then why try to talk an obese person out of a surgical solution to their weight problem? Sheesh.

Stick to your guns and blaze your own trail. If your daughters are like my parents, they will want to have the surgery too because they watched YOU be successful.

Kudos to you for coming to get support here. Keep doing what you are doing. This surgery will change your life in ways you can't even imagine now. HUGS![/quote']

Hossiergirl: I love your passion. I agree totally with you. It is a life-death issue. My PCP thinks it's my only choice if I want to prolong my life. So, I am determined, especially after reading all the good posts like yours.

Do it for you!!! I am still pre-op but I have been close to 200 lbs almost all my life & at 57....I decided it was time for me...my only reget will be not doing it at an early age...Good Luck...

Mammecan. Thanks so much for your note. Yes, let's hold virtual hands and find a new us as we both go through this life changing experience. It's time!!

You could always bring up the statistics (this is what sealed the deal for my husband and myself - we both had vsg) - if you have a BMI over 40' date=' 100lbs or more to lose your chances of keeping it off for 5+ years is loooooow - something around 2-3%. I am certain all of us are deeply familiar with the diet/exercise losing and gaining rollercoaster. The sleeve as a tool to get our health under control is the best thing we have ever done for ourselves - we are both about 1 year and a half out and are doing great! finally we can manage our weight over the long haul - all of our co-morbidities are gone <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />[/quote']

Chimera. What a wonderful story. Yes those statistics are what turned me into a believer. I intuitively knew theyust be correct based on my experience. Am going to make an inspiration poster and will put that STAT right smack Dan in the center if the poster as that is key for me. VSG is just a tool, but the best tool!! Thanks!!!

Stick to your guns!!! Sounds crazy but' date=' it's a tough love kind of decision!! You love them to death, but when it comes to your body, well, it is your body!!!! I also am at the age where I can't wait any longer. I turn 60 next September and want to look half way good!!! I'm 5' .5" and started at 226, BMI of 43.4. Some of the people I work with are nay sayers. I listen, but that's all I do. My husband and kids are a great support system. My hubby goes with me to my appts. and is curious about the whole process. We will all be here to support you no matter what your family or anyone says. Good luck to you and as someone else said, be strong![/quote']

Oh, yes. You are right. It is tough love. I can never expect universal approval and it is MY body. It's strange to get older, and wake up to the fact of finite nature of the rest of your life. How did I get to this age already? I want to take ahold of my future, as long or short as it may.be. Thanks so much for your encouraging message.

I would not let them deter your decision' date=' you are an adult and it is up to you.

You might also gently remind them that people who love each other stand by and are supportive of each other, even when someone is making a decision the other party doesn't approve of. I'm sure you could pull a few examples of where you stood by them even though you didn't like the choices they were making.

Best of luck to you.[/quote']

Thanks so much for sharing your TERRIFIC wisdom. I will take this to heart and practice standing my ground in a loving way.

My husband is very supportive also. My parents have never liked the idea of it. I've talked about it a lot through the years. My mom is a yoyo weight watcher. I have been in the past too.

That's exactly it. I have yoyo'd all my life. This is a tool that is the best hope we have of not gaining it back. I know it's not a panacea. It's just a tool. But a great tool. Glad your husband is supportive. All best.

My adult kids were also disapproving when I first mentioned it. So I never mentioned it again (for a year!) until a couple of days before surgery! Fait acompli! They are very supportive now. I think what I read as their disapproval was actually their fear - they didn't like to think of their mother being chopped up.

Jane. Thanks for sharing your story. I plan not to mention it again to them. I wish I hadn't given them the opportunity to give their opinion. Oh well. Live and learn. I have two more months to keep things to myself. It will be a good exercise in self control to make it through without bringing or letting them into the conversation about MY body!! Thanks so much!

Only you can make the decision. You are doing this or not doing this for yourself. Plain and simple.

I know. That's the plain truth. I am seeking to learn all I can about adjusting to life after the sleeve in preparation for the lifestyle change. Thanks!!

This is a decission that you need to make. You will surely consult with those whose opinions matter to you' date=' but in the end it is your body and your life we are talking about here. No one else should be telling you how to live your life. Like many other here I made the decission in consultation with my spouse, no one else got to comment on the decission prior. Many people knew I was thinking about it (for over a year), but when it came time to actually make the decission, it was me and my wife that had anything to say... Since having the Surgery I've let most everyone know that I've had this surgery, and especially my family I left all of them know that my eating habits were drastically new and different. I am very thick skinned, to the point of being dense sometimes, so if someone disagrees with my opinion or decissions I may not ever know... But so far I've not had anyone state that this surgery was not great for me...heck I've lost over 100 lbs in the first 4 months. Go Sleeve![/quote']

Allan, congrats on your weightloss and your thick skin. I need to toughen up, I know. Letting people in on things after the fact was a wise choice. Thanks.

I understand. The first thing my MIL said was "you don't think you can do this without the surgery?" Well' date=' no. Then I sent a link to my dad from Dr. Oz and he didn't reply. He told my sister that I've already proved that I can lose weight without it when I have my mind set. But what does that really matter? That means with this tool I should be able to do even better. I still haven't told my parents that I'm actually having it though.[/quote']

We are both "of age" (I a little more so than you). So we should do it for our own sakes. My husband has gone to all the meetings with me, and though he was a skeptic st first is now on board. Good luck to us both!!