tmspears3

I had the sleeve done June 23rd. I am 5 weeks post op yesterday. I am down 53 POUNDS!!! I can see such a huge difference! At week 3 i hit a stall and didn't lose for like a week and a half! I am losing like 2 lbs a day now. Its insane! I started off at 271 now i am 218.7. I AM SOOOOO HAPPPPPPYYYYY!!!!! For anyone who hits that wall where you don't lose just wait it out i promise it will change and your weight will just go down and down! I can wait to see myself in like 2-3 months!!!!!

I too will have surgery planned in late October or early November. BCBS requires 6 months of physician supervised diet. I saw my surgeon two days ago and he wanted to schedule right away. I reminded him of the 6 months. I get my psych eval this Monday and the Cardiac test on Wednesday. My NUT appt is in two weeks. I have been tracking my food but not worried about losing until after my NUT appt. My BMI is right at 40 so I am being careful to not make any drastic changes until after the NUT appt. My surgeon is doing the supervised diet. Biggest post surgery worry I have is what I will be able to take for my arthritis..

I said that forever....but I finally decided that I wasn't happy with the me I had become. For all of my life I had been obese, and even though my family loved me...I no longer did. So I have taken the step to make this journey to change my life and I have never been more happy! I would like to have the gastric sleeve at St. Mary's in Huntington, WV. Because of insurance requirements, I have about 6 months to go. I'm in this for the long haul.

I had my 1 month follow up visit with my surgeon yesterday. I am very happy to report that combining my strict dieting for 1 month pre-op, and 35 days post-op I have said goodbye to 71 pounds. Thank you sleeve, I think I love you!

Just got back from a two week vacation in London and couldn't wait to weigh in when I got home. I had a loss of 3 pounds! woo Hoo! I wasn't 100%faithful to my sleeve, but I didn't go crazy like I would had in the past? I would try one small bite of a goodie "once in awhile" and no more. I did go prepared with 15 snack baggies filed with one ounce of mixed nuts in each Baggie and some Protein Bars. these were life savers while standing in long lines and with long periods of time between meals. the nuts really filled me up. hubby and I would share meals since I filled up on just four or five bites. My biggest problem is when I get hungry, I still have that fat me problem thinking I could eat a whole plate of food!! with a 75 pound loss walking was a breeze and was able to sit comfortably in a plane seat, with legs crossed, for eight loss. Ask me if this new life style was worth it and I would answer ,YES!!!

I would hit the like button a million times if I could!!!!!

I am 12 weeks post op today (Sleeved 4/9). I had a rough time in the beginning (had to go back in for emergence surgery 5/12), but now I am 100%. Running and walking daily. I have so much energy. Always have to be on the go. I thought I would post a picture of me taken about 2 weeks ago. I am very pleased with the success thus far. Good luck everyone.

I've been watching the BCBS website all day for policy changes. While they have listed some, they haven't listed anything about this surgery. BUT....they also haven't updated the corporate medical policy to show a 2014 review so maybe they just haven't gotten around to it yet. Stay hopeful.

I should just keep my bigger pants because eventually I'll be able to tuck my boobs into them.

Before/ during (posted in another thread previously)

Always have faith. Everything will work itself out.
Is anyone else trying to get their surgery in by the end of the year for insurance reasons? I wish i had started a month sooner (actually a decade sooner). My last 6 month will be in November so I'm hoping (fingers crossed) all the insurance stuff goes smoothly and I can get my surgery scheduled before 12/31/14. I have a $500 deductible and a $1500 OOP max so I'd like to get everything covered in one year.
My first appoitnment with the surgeon is July 17. What do they usually do in these appointments? I'm so terrified I'm going to say or do something to make the surgeon turn me down. I can't think of anything that would disqualify me but I'm going to worry about that until I meet him.
Hope everyone is having a great day.

Hey there, guys and gals! How is everyone this lovely night? Today I am 3 and a half months post vsg and I am down...75 pounds! Starting weight was 220 and my current weight is 145. My first bigger goal was 150 pounds. My ending goal is between 120 and 130 pounds (I am 5'2"). So, I have 15 pounds left to lose until I reach 130 pounds and I will just see how I look and feel from there. I am ecstatic with the weight loss results so far!!! I do want to warn you guys (a little late now I am sure) that there are skin pictures involved LOL! I have a sports bra and pants on. I only put a few on here. I have more on my profile page, and I also, just last night, uploaded a progress video of a bunch of pictures. Feel free to check it out on youtube...the title is very long, so you can just access it by typing in "72 pounds down" in the search and my video should be first. My name is "FindingMyselfAsIDisappear". If not, then just stop by my profile for more pics. Here are a few "in progress" pictures! Good luck to everyone with your journey!!! And if anyone else wants to post a progess update, please feel free!!! I love seeing how everyone is progressing!!!

I too have to do a 6 months physician supervised diet. My bmi is 44. I have already met with the surgeon and first dr appt. I have had my lab work and am scheduled for scope and gall bladder ultra next wk.. I also have has my physc evaluation. I am so readt for this journey to a new me and a new life. I agreed its going to be a long hard road but we can do this. Im almost a month into it and it seems like a year. I started making a skinny bucket list for things that i want to do when Im fit and fell good about myself to do them. Good Luck!!!!

I am so happy for you!!!!
I just came back from a week at Disney World/Universal and even though I am at my goal weight, my head would not accept the fact that I would fit in the rides. It was like a "have to see it to believe it" experience.
That horrible feeling of waiting in line worrying about whether you would fit or not...I wouldn't wish that torture on anyone.

So......I'm about to start my 6 month program required by insurance (BCBS NC). I've been reading through various posts on this website for about a week and the one thing I noticed it lacks is a place for people like me that are just starting. I saw groups for people getting sleeved at the end of this year but nobody is posting there (maybe you don't know it exists?). I've read about do's and don'ts, insurance policies, diets, before and after pics, etc.. It's so much wonderful information to inspire others. I am psyched about the whole process. I know it's going to be a loooooong, hard road, but I'm ready for the challenge. For the first time in the 6 years I've been with my husband (married 8 months ago), I finally broke down and told him how much I weigh. It was possibly the hardest thing I've ever had to do. Of course he knew I was overweight, but with my form I don't always look like I weigh as much as I do. He is being so supportive of my goals. Not that he wants to change me, he just wants me to be happy.
I'm hoping those of you that are just starting this process will join me here. I'd like to learn how you feel going to the gym (I'm trying to go, it's so intimidating). Are you making gradual changes to your diet or are you going "cold turkey"? For those of you already sleeved, your stories are a big inspiration. I want to be one of you ASAP!!
Thank you for creating this community where I can feel like I'm not alone in this. Everytime I start to doubt whether or not this is the right way to go, I simply get on here and start reading posts.
I'm looking forward to this journey and challenging myself to get there.

Today marks my 1 month surgiversary and I am excited to be a part of the celebration crowd. I know it's only one month out compared to many of you that's months or even years out but I need to still Celebrate my little victory lol. My HW 296 pre op 282 post op today 265. I wish I coulda lost at least 10 more pounds but hey it is what it is and I'm accepting of my journey and refuse to compare. I have never lost 31lbs in my life so imma take it and run with it lol.

WLS Do’s and Don’ts

DO remove the word ONLY from your vocabulary. Ex: I’ve ONLY lost 10 Lbs in 2 weeks… Now let’s look at this again without the word ONLY: I’ve lost 10 Lbs in 2 weeks!! See what I mean? Perception is reality folks!!

DON’T assume you’ll never eat all of your favorite foods again. This is just an excuse your brain has designed to allow you to indulge. You WILL eat all your favorites again someday, just much less but find it to me more enjoyable. Which leads directly into the next:

DON’T do the “last meal” syndrome. You will only sabotage your weight loss you might have pre-surgery or set you back further from your ultimate goal post-op. This surgery is very serious and is for the serious minded. Use this time wisely to get the feeling of how life might be like post op.

DO learn all of the rules pre-op that you will endure post-op. Such as, no drinking with meals, using smaller utensils and plates, engaging in some type of workout routine, limiting your sugar and sodium intake, joining as many WLS support groups as you can.

DO Celebrate every single pound lost! Imagine one pound of butter. Yeah… that’s gone from your body forever. It is noteworthy and worth every bit of a pat on the back as any others that may go along with it.

DON’T compare your successes and losses to others. Chances are very high that you will only come out on the short end and only find yourself disappointed. Everyone’s journeys are their own…

DO keep track of your losses in many different ways than just the scale! Examples:

DO keep one set of your largest clothes you’ve ever worn. Make it a point to try them on, especially when you’re having a down moment. You will find this will really pick up your spirits! This is a real rollercoaster of a ride, and anything that will keep you positive is what you should do!

DON'T keep any other fat clothes around. Get rid of them ASAP. You're never going to fit them again, right? So... off to donations they go.

DO take photos of yourself just before your surgery. Keep them close. Again, having a bad day? Look at them and compare them. As a matter of fact, take photos of yourself often. You will also find that the more you lose, the more you will want to take pictures. Nothing wrong with that!!! That goes with celebrating your losses.

DO take measurements of yourself often. Keeping track of all your inches lost will really keep you on the right track when your scale is being stubborn!!

DO reward yourself every time you hit a mini goal. Make some more worthy than others. I like to go shopping when I hit a goal, it is my favorite thing to do now.

DON’T let the scale define you. Great majority of us will endure many fluctuations and stalls in this journey. It is what it is… patience is the key here. Meditate and envision yourself months down the road at your goal. Smile, then move on!!

DO find out about measuring body fat! It’s more than just weight loss, FAT LOSS is the real goal here. Keep in mind that the BMI scale is greatly inaccurate and most Health Studies do prove this. According to the American Council on Exercise (ACE) our body fat % ranges should be average: 25-31% for Women and 18-24% for men. Any higher is considered obese. However it does go more in depth, according to ages and more. Everyone has different genetic make ups, frame sizes and fitness levels... even a different ethnicity can post differences.

DO have many goals in sight. Having only one, especially a simple weight goal you will find can be difficult. Have many MINI goals along your journey, and more than just ones that involve the scale. Such as, clothing size goals, body fat% goals, fitness or workout goals, dietary goals, etc…

DO challenge yourself always!! Whether it’s a global challenge with others, or personal challenges... It will keep you motivated and always willing to go further than you ever thought you could!

DO have a mentor! Find someone that you can trust and confide in, and that you know has “been there”. Preferably someone you know in person. You will find many folks in your life who have been there, for obesity is worldwide now and there are so many who have been able to defeat this demon. It’s not easy! It quite literally is the toughest feat I’ve ever had to endure. I can say this too, my job will never be done. This is for life!
DON'T believe the myth that your tool has an expiration date. Yes, it's true you will lose the most weight in the first year and it's also true that the further out you are and the closer you are to goal, the harder it is to lose. However, as long as you keep up with your healthy eating and fitness routines you will continue to lose weight and / or keep it off in the many years post op. It all boils down to calories in vs. calories out.
DON'T believe the myth that having WLS will keep the weight off forever. That is our individual responsibility.

And finally…

DON’T ever beat yourself up! We all make mistakes, and dare I say not one person on this Earth is perfect. I try hard to be, no doubt! I always admit that I’m a perfectionist – but I’m far from perfect. I just try to be… The only thing you can do is pick yourself up, give yourself a pep talk, perhaps contact your mentor for reassurance and move on!!! Again, this is for life. Every day you wake up is a second chance.

DO look for solutions to your problems. Otherwise they will just become excuses.


DON’T EVER GIVE UP! I don’t think any explanation is necessary here.

DON'T expect the scale to post a loss every single day. As a matter of fact, don't expect it to move that much even weekly! Just keep doing all the right things and the scale will move in the right direction when it needs to.

DO expect to see fluctuations on the scale, both down AND up. DON'T lose your head over it either. This isn't a miracle cure and the weight isn't going to magically disappear in a few weeks. You have to keep pushing with healthy eating, some type of workout and getting plenty of Fluid.

DON'T let the scale define your journey when there are so many pieces to that puzzle!!!



Good luck to all of you. This journey is a tough one, but if you are here, then you believed in yourself enough to give yourself the life you’ve always dreamed of. YOU WILL BE successful. Always keep that in mind.

Add-ons by other experienced sleevers:

DO keep a list of NSV (Non scale victories) to reflect on when times are getting hard. Can you walk up 2 extra flights of stairs before getting winded? Cross your legs?" and

"DO NOT be afraid to change things if they aren't working. Stalls happen even gains happen. If you are on a long stall look at your eating and decided if changes need to be made. Utilize your tool!" -- Southern Sleever

DO: Keep a food diary of what you eat and drink. This is a great learning tool as to which foods have what amounts of fat, Protein and carbs that add up to your daily intake goals. There are many ways to diary your food - from old fashioned pen and notebook to many options via smartphone apps. Keeping one is the important thing - however is right for you. I use mine now to look back for meal ideas when I hit a blank as to what to prepare for a day or a week.

DO: Realize this is not a diet to be followed for a while then set aside. This is a permanent lifestyle change. Yes, the amount of food you eat will increase as time passes, but your relationship with food will be forever altered. How you Celebrate your joys, successes and holidays will be different. How you mourn your sorrows will be different. Some people need outside help to get through the sometimes overwhelming mental changes this process brings. If you need help with this part of the deal- reach out and get it. -- SKCUNNINGHAM

DO roll with the punches!! -- fern