tnl1031

You look fantastic, Katie!

_{I was sleeved on 9/23/14. Best decision ever!! My starting weight was 329, my surgery weight was 310. I am now at 220, that's 109 pounds! I never, in my wildest dreams, thought this would work the way it has. My family has a bad history when it comes to medical procedures. They almost never work out the way they are supposed to. Imagine my surprise that this is actually working!! I am no longer morbidly obese either, just obese now. LOL My surgeon's CRNP was thrilled to tell me that on my last visit. Keep up the good work everyone!}

I was a September 23rd sleever. I started at 329, surgery weight was 310, I am now down to 220! It's amazing! Hope everyone else is doing well

I had 3 bouts with PTC. They were quite a while ago though. I wasn't allowed to get pregnant until I got my pressure under control. I haven't had any PTC issues since 2001, had my son in 2002. I just had the sleeve done last September. My doctor always told me that any weight loss you have is going to help with the PTC. Do it for you and if it helps other problems, that's great!

My first pic was of me and my newborn niece. That was Memorial Day, 2014. I had my VSG on September 23, 2014. My new pic is of me at Walt Disney World on March 12, 2015, down 93 pounds. I had such a great day. I was able to keep up with my husband and son all day long! On a previous trip in 2013, I had to rent a scooter to spend the day in the parks. My knees just wouldn't let me walk all that way. Someone said I looked happy and relaxed in this pic, so this is the one I chose to be my new avatar. I am now down 104 lbs. and I can't believe it. I have 55 more to go to my goal and I actually think I can get there!

This is me last Memorial Day and me March, 2015. I am now down 100 pounds!

Wow! I can honestly say that I am amazed. I know this surgery is supposed to work, but in the back of my mind, I thought I would fail somehow. My weight loss attempts in the past have always worked for a time and then the weight would creep back. I cannot believe that I have lost 100 pounds since last June! I have seen some people at my son's baseball games that I haven't seen in the last year and they can't believe my transformation. It's nice to hear compliments from the moms, but it's also nice to hear some from the dads! LOL Men don't usually discuss those kinds of things, but I have heard some very nice words from some dads that we have been friends with for years and usually only see during baseball season. I have so much more energy, my knees feel better, I have gone off of 4 meds at this point and am looking to get rid of 1 or 2 more in the next 3 months and I think my sleep apnea is gone. This is the best decision I have ever made for myself (besides marrying my best friend and having our son). This one is all for me though. Please let me know how the rest of you are doing. I had my surgery in September, 2014.

Bechtelsville, PA, about 1 hour NW of Philly in Eastern PA

I lost and gained back more weight than I can count. I have not been able to keep the weight off on my own. This surgery has been fantastic for me! I considered the surgery for over a year before I went to a seminar. I had an epiphany on a weekend trip to Baltimore. I was miserable and so was my family. I knew after this, I had to do something drastic. Best decision ever!

I was extremely tired. Had trouble waking up and staying awake. I didn't have pain, more like soreness across my stomach. I had issues with the morphine, it made me sick, so I stopped taking it. Wasn't allowed food or Water the first day, just mouth swabs. After the leak test the following morning, I was allowed Jello, broth and water. Was not anywhere near as bad as I was anticipating. Everyone is different though, good luck!!

I must say, I am so happy to enter the new year 73 pounds lighter than I did last year! I was sleeved on 9/23 and am feeling great. I am wearing jeans again!! How much weight have you all lost this year? Keep up the good work and Happy New Year, New You ????

My BCBS of Western NY told me 3 business days. It took me an extra day because of Labor Day, but it was 3 business days after they got my paperwork.

I was diagnosed with Diabetes in February of this year. When I saw my doctor in August, my A1C had crept up to where I needed to start Metformin. I stopped it just before my sleeve surgery on 9/23. I saw my Endocrinologist again this morning and he had great news. My A1C had gone from 7.1 to 6.0. I am no longer Diabetic! He also told me that my cholesterol has dropped 90 points and my thyroid medicine was reduced due to my weight loss as well! My BP was lower than usual, so that may be the next pill to go. I am hoping to be off of cholesterol and BP medicine in February, I am already off of Diabetes meds and have lowered my thyroid meds. What a great day today!!

I had a similar NSV. I attended my 25 year reunion Thanksgiving weekend and I wore a size 18 jeans! I haven't worn jeans in about 10 years!! It felt great

Today, I saw my Endocrinologist, I am no longer diabetic, my cholesterol has dropped 90 points and my thyroid medicine was decreased. The doctor was thrilled and so was I! I have had a great day today

I had a similar problem. It was due to an internal stitch. The pain lasted, off and on, for about 4 or 5 days.

BTW, I started at 325. I got down to 315 before surgery. I am 4 weeks out of sleeve surgery and I am now at 285. I have 115 pounds to go!

I have a question that may get me in trouble. Does anyone else find it incredibly irritating that people that only need to lose 40 or 50 pounds are having this procedure? I mean, I wish I only had 40 pounds to lose and I don't think I would consider surgery if I did. I would try something else, first. Just my opinion and I mean no disrespect to anyone.

I hear ya. I understand people have different problems, but I don't understand why people have surgery with 40 or 50 pounds to lose. I see people on here complaining about losing a little bit, but they don't have 155 pounds to lose, like some of us.

I have a question that may get me in trouble. Does anyone else find it incredibly irritating that people that only need to lose 40 or 50 pounds are having this procedure? I mean, I wish I only had 40 pounds to lose and I don't think I would consider surgery if I did. I would try something else, first. Just my opinion and I mean no disrespect to anyone.

Well, tomorrow's the day! I am scheduled for 8 AM. I can't wait to be on the other side.

Hi Katie, I did get my approval, so my surgery is on for the 23rd. I certainly hope you get things worked out on your end. I have been thinking about you.

Tnl1031, I'm in Pa too, near Harrisburg. Are you nearby?

I'm outside of Boyertown, which is about 1 hour and 20 minutes from Harrisburg.

I am from PA and am getting sleeved on 9/23. One week to go! Good luck to all of you!

What brand of shakes is everyone drinking? I am trying different flavors and different brands, but they all taste nasty to me. Some it's the taste and some it's the smell. I wonder if, instead of shakes, we can eat Meal Replacement bars? Anybody try that? I have to be on 2 shakes a day and small meal for dinner for 2 weeks. I ate an Atkins meal replacement bar for lunch today and it was actually good! I am 2 days in, have had horrible headaches both days and don't know how I am going to get through the next 12 days. Any thoughts would be appreciated

Did you get the headaches from the shakes? If so, how long did they last. I am two for two so far.

The struggle is REAL! This is day 7 of full liquids for me. I wish I could have some Protein to chew. Lol...I just keep telling myself just 7 more days to go. We've got this!

I finally got my insurance approval yesterday! My surgery is definitely on for 9/23