Essence33

Hi
I have not done any exercise. I only walk when I got to grocery store or clothes shopping due to the fact I have lower back pain. I have disc dengeneration disese and two herniated disc. So far I have been very successful with out exercise. I got sleeved on July 29 2013. And I ve lost 100 pounds. I am 6 ft tall my hw 377.5 sw 353.8 cw 277. Here is a picture I took a couple of week ago it is a before/during.

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South Florida in Wellington, Lake Worth, Boynton Beach area? I'm 5 days post op! Would love to find someone who knows my struggles. These normal stomach people don't get it!!!!

Orlando area !!!

I am in Palm Coast. It is between Daytona Beach and St.Augustine.

Gainesville being represented here, lol.

Pierced, Small world lol! We went to the first peer to peer group tonight, Probably 15 people. We are 66 and 67. Most people there were older than you. Some had surgery, some had not. Hardly got to know anyone there, the way it was set up. They have a www.facebook.com/stvincentsweightloss on FB I want to look at. My thought is to go to several of these meetings and see if we can get to know the people a little better and try to form a group. My husband and I have not told anyone about our surgery because we do not feel the need to share.
My husband has more health issues than I do, and he is 2 weeks post op, with diabetes and fighting low blood pressure problem right now. I will friend you and lets please stay in touch. Maybe after the holidays we can come up with a plan.
Best wishes everyone!
Linda

I also had surgery with Dr. Uchal, and he is a terrific surgeon. I LOVE the staff at his office, they make sure you are set, and understand everything along the way. My surgery was an emergency situation, I got the ok from insurance at 4pm on tuesday and had surgery at 6am on wed. When I lived in Chicago and was banded, we had a group that met monthly, it was informal, usually at Panera, or Sweet Tomatoes type places, and it was more the chance to know people that had the same type of surgery, and also had to follow a similar diet. It was more a group of people developing a friendship, and less about the support group setting. We discussed surgery, and progress but it was also a chance to discuss our lives, work, kids etc. I have issues getting to the support group at the hospital, since I have a middle school aged child, and between getting dinner done, help with homework, and then getting to the meeting from the westside, and back I don't have time to get everything done. I had surgery in May, and am past my goal at this point. Last time I saw Dr, Uchal, I was still 140, and he was thrilled. When I said I wanted to lose another 5 pounds, he almost fell off his chair. I told him I didn't do this surgery to squeek my way into a healthy BMI, I wanted to be in the middle or lower end of healthy. That way if I over indulged on vacation, or over the holidays, I still would be ok. He was glad I am so motivated, and said most people only want to get to the "healthy" range and then they are happy to stop. I've always been one of those people that is not happy with being average. I'm a perfectionist, and an overachiever so he was surprised that I was so determined to get to a size/weight that I would be happy with. I wanted to be a size 10, and now I'm approaching an 8 and couldn't be happier.

Call your doctor to be safe!!! Don't risk our opinions for your health. Seems you should not be having this feeling so soon since surgery. The bloating would be normal, being we all had gas problems probably. We pay these doctors a lot of money. Better safe than sorry. Good luck!!!!!

Jacksonville here. Go Gators!
Essence, my advice to you is to be positive. I feel the procedure (11/18) was 10 times easier than I expected. I spent 1 night in the hospital and had 1 dose of pain medication since I went home. I have more energy and was shopping 4 days after surgery, but being careful. One month post op, I stay out shopping 4-5 hours, when before surgery I barely would leave my house. I feel wonderful.
I had a little episode this week from not chewing long enough, and eating faster than I should. I strongly caution you to follow the guidelines of your doctor and don't be adventurous, it will bite you, LOL!!
Merry Christmas all, and good luck Essence!

I have family that lives in Delray it only takes me 15 min to get there. I had my surgery done in Wellington by Dr. Wizman. How are you 10 months out? I get sick easily still and I'm not eating or drinking enough. I can't or I get sick. I feel like I'll never be normal again.

Hi everyone, I'm waiting to pay for this surgery in full. I pray I get all the money ($10,500) for my procedure. Couldn't get insurance, so I'll be paying out of the pocket. I've been waiting since Feb 2013 for this. Hopefully my tax money will complete my outstanding balance and I'll get a date before March or April. Keep me in your prayers and hands cross. I need this badly.
Sincerely,
"Your fat friend and future sleever."

Hi everyone, I'm waiting to pay for this surgery in full. I pray I get all the money ($10,500) for my procedure. Couldn't get insurance, so I'll be paying out of the pocket. I've been waiting since Feb 2013 for this. Hopefully my tax money will complete my outstanding balance and I'll get a date before March or April. Keep me in your prayers and hands cross. I need this badly.
Sincerely,
"Your fat friend and future sleever."

Wishing you lots of luck xx

My 1st appt was supp to be 2-3 hrs. I was literally there for 25 mins. Lol

This is a very personal decision and one I did not make lightly. In fact, the morning of my procedure I almost backed out because I was so nervous about possible complications. I was very fortunate...I have had absolutely no problems from surgery and am now 7 months out and down 76 pounds. It was the BEST decision I have ever made. I was a borderline diabetic, with joint issues, sleep apnea and borderline high blood pressure. Now I no longer need my cpap equipment because my sleep apnea has disappeared, sugar and bp are back to normal and my joints are a lot happier. This is the first time I have lost weight and see light at the end of the tunnel to be able to keep it off. If you should decide to do this, make sure your mind is set, you follow your doctor's directions exactly (even if others are posting that they have done things and had no problems) and learn to eat as they suggest and get your exercise in. The benefits are well worth it...

I live in the delray area. I am about 10 months out.

Sorry about daddy. Happy you took the journey for a healthier you.

I will

Hi everyone, I'm waiting to pay for this surgery in full. I pray I get all the money ($10,500) for my procedure. Couldn't get insurance, so I'll be paying out of the pocket. I've been waiting since Feb 2013 for this. Hopefully my tax money will complete my outstanding balance and I'll get a date before March or April. Keep me in your prayers and hands cross. I need this badly.
Sincerely,
"Your fat friend and future sleever."

I'm in Jacksonville.

I'm in Florida!!!

Hey everyone,
My name is Ashaley I am 23 years old mother of 2. I have a very supportive boyfriend who has been with me through this entire journey. My father passed in April 2013 at 54 he the reason i decided to get WLS. He had many health problems streaming from weight and once he finally lost the weight it was toooooo late ???? .... But i promised him that I would take hold of my health before it was too late. After alot of back and forth I decided to attend a seminar. That day 7/1/2013 I had made my mind up about that this was what I needed to do. After a very long journey I was sleeved on Monday January 6,2014!!! First new years that i might actually be able to meet my resolution about taking control of my weight. I feel amazing and Have lost 21lbs 11 on the liquid diet and 10 after post op. I hope god and my father continue to watch over me through this journey ...
Just wanted to share my story you all the beat of luck and thanks for being here you are all very supportive!!!

Hello,
I am back. I was unable to log into the forums for 8 mos. I lost my password and everytime I tried contacting someome at the old Sleeve talk address I got no where so I decided to persevere until I got in.
I had my surgery January 30 2013 and I have lost a total of 92 pounds. To say I have been successful is an understatement. I started out on surgery day at 247. I am about 5 or 10 pounds from my goal and I lose when I am no longer trying.
I am wearing a size 8 jeans and shopping at the Juniors section of stores. It has been relatively easy for the most part.
In the beginning I was like, WHAT DID I DO?? But it gets easier.
I am pretty happy for the most part except I have these 2 horizontal lines on my neck that you don't usually see in a woman until she is in her 70's but I am not yet 50. I wish I had done this 20 years ago when my skin was a little younger but it is what it is.
I walk for exercise but so far this is the easiest thing I have ever done. I had Zero complications and spent less than 24 hours in the hosp.
I am happy to be able to post again!!
Rycherchick. Janice

Rae, for 10 years my husband and attended seminars on every kind of weight loss surgery, different doctors and hospitals. We know a lot of people who have had different surgeries. My husband's health really worsened in 10 years, but until the sleeve came along and was covered by our insurance, he was not willing to take that step and I sure did not push him. It is a big decision, especially as our health went downhill with diabetes, HBP, asthma, and age. In the past year I qualified for the sleeve and I am so glad. I saw nothing but doom and gloom for us without this surgery.
Our doctor - we loved from the get-go!!! Some of his staff who assisted him at the first seminar, told us he had done the sleeve on them. Everything combined, we knew the sleeve was right for us. We are both less than 2 months post op, and life is wonderful. Our only regret is that we could not have had the sleeve 10 years ago!
We do not feel like we had surgery. We feel great. No pain once we came home from the hospital. No issues. I am off the med Metformin for diabetes. My husband's issues with diabetes and HBP are much better, we are off a few more meds.
I love not having that constant feeling of being hungry!!!!!!!! It was like my stomach kept telling me to feed it. Thank God that feeling is no more! Best of luck in your decision. Linda

My surgery went well! Beside the normal pain from the surgery, I feel great!!!