ai1992

Hey everyone! I posted in another section before I realized this one made more sense, so I'll post a little more in-depth here! I started my weight loss journey a long time ago but the insurance company denied me for about a year. It was a struggle and really disheartening, but I was finally approved and had a surgery date in mid December. I guess it's been around 9 months now and I feel fabulous. You lose a whole lot in the beginning then it slows. One thing I will say is it is very hard to get in all the nutritional necessities. I felt sluggish even though I looked better. I did some searching around because I didn't want to be on supplements or pills or anything but I also knew there was no way for me to get in all my fruits, vegetables, ect. I finally found a product that is simply powdered fruits, veggies, and berries. Like eating all those fruits and veggies and getting the nutrition from it but not actually eating the whole fruits. Make sense? Literally considered a food product. It's got all my servings that I need in a day in just a capsule or a shake mix. It has tons of clinical research that's been done on it too. It helped with my skin, my energy, but most importantly I actually get in all my fruits and vegetables. Anyway. That's been my journey so far. I live a life full of happiness with an energy I cannot even explain. I'm so happy and so full of life thanks to the weight loss surgery. It's an adjustment, but I mean that in the greatest way. One of the best decisions I've ever made in my life.

Walking and Laying on your side helps a lot. My mom had the surgery, so did my dad, and then so did I. Moms a nurse and if it weren't for her tip to lay on my side... Life would have sucked. It helps release gas pain. Hope this little tip helps someone! (:

My mother and her friend had the revision surgery too. They gained their weight back too. Don't worry, they're doing great now. Keeping the weight off is much more sustainable with the sleeve. Promise. My mom is actually down to her goal size. Just remember when you do get your appetite back- even if the food is good don't push yourself to keep eating more. That'll stretch it. You can do it. Just have confidence and believe in yourself. You are not the only one- it's become quite common with the band. You'll get back where you need to be and you'll be feeling great in no time.

Congrats!! So exciting!

Beautiful story. Your reasons for the surgery are wonderful and similar to mine. I'm only 22, and I had the surgery for my future. For my children when I have kids 10 years from now. So they don't struggle like me, so they never have to see me die from something like obesity. My father (heavyset) had a stroke, my entire family was fat. And unless we are the ones to break that trend, change our life... our kids will go through what we have. And I just couldn't wish that on them. You are a true role model and I wish you good luck with your surgery. Prayers for you and your family- you are making the right decision.

Thank you! (:

Thanks!

Hi everyone! It's been about 10 months now and I am (and have been) in ONEderland for a while! I'll share a before/current pic below. I've never before shown anyone these as they are embarrassing but I am so proud of myself. One thing with a smaller stomach that I have found has been getting in all my fruits and veggies because that is vital. I finally found a company that literally has fruits and vegetables powders in capsule and shake mix form which has seriously changed my life. Anyway, I always post on here every few months to let you all know having the surgery was the best thing I ever did and I am so blessed and thankful to be where I am today. This forum helped me so much pre-op, so I can only hope this reaches/helps out/inspires someone else out there. I'm also on Instagram @ Ahli92. I love making friends!

80 lbs down since December (: Most recent ^

PS- I'm 22, any of you young ones with questions about lifestyle ect with the sleeve at this age... Feel free to inbox me, & let me tell you it's the best decision I ever made!

Thanks! My mom went through the exact same and she lost it all when she got the sleeve! You can do it!! (:

It took about two weeks till after surgery for me to start really dropping weight. Don't get frustrated. It was slow early on for me too. It'll come off. Try and get more calories in. Once I started eating higher calorie foods i started dropping the weight.

Hello all! I figured I would drop in and give everyone an update! I am 22 and decided to get sleeved Dec 11, 2014. I started out at 270 and I am currently around 225 for a loss of 45 lbs in 2 months and one week. I am so happy I made the decision to get sleeved! My entire life has changed and I am just a happier, HEALTHIER, more confident person. I had to go through the preliminary stuff for a whopping 9 months- so if you are going through all that just be patient- it'll all work out in time!

Hi there! My father, myself, and my mom all got the sleeve. When you wake up from surgery it will be different. I thought I would miss eating the volume of food I used to eat- but I don't feel that way. Its different. Since our stomach is so much smaller from surgery... you just feel full. You instantly know. That's the only way I can describe it. Before, I could eat and eat and eat before feeling full. But now you just know. You just reach that point and you will not continue eating- trust me. It'll almost be painful If you do continue to try eating. You can still splurge! It's really hard to eat much in the beginning in all honesty. You truly won't have an appetite and the first few weeks suck a bit. But a month down the road when you can start eating normal food again? Life will be awesome. I promise. Good luck to you!

Hey Courtney, I'm Amanda, 22. I just had my gastric sleeve done Dec 11th and I am down 12 lbs (8 days). Before that, I had to do a 3 day liquid diet to shrink my liver and lost 8 for a total of 20 lbs in 11 days. I am now 250 lbs at 5'6. I totally feel ya on wanting to look great for college graduation, I have a semester left woohoo! To get started: #1 Going to the informational session is right on. #2 Research and look up statistics. There's tons of info out there. #3 Realize this is a life-long thing. For example, no carbonated beverages for the rest of your life. (You can on rare occasion, but it isn't a good idea... its very uncomfortable and stretches your stomach over time). So with that, I would say once you know the surgery is what you want to do... start eliminated all carbonated drinks so it is an easier transition. #4 Realize the way you eat now is not the way you will ever eat again. (Sidenote: my parents both got the sleeve so I saw all this stuff before I got mine.) Take for example a subway foot long sandwich. I used to be able to down those. My mom cant even eat a fourth of a foot long, and my dad is full with a fourth. I haven't been able to try yet because I am only in week two post op. I was an emotional/stress eater and I also ate when I was bored. The transition was fine because I am not hungry like I was be before and when you get full- you just know. Its an uncomfortable feeling. #5 Get the information from the insurance company on what you have to do to meet the requirements. My insurance company had the option of 3 months of supervised weight loss with a nutritionist and a few other things OR 6 months of weighing in monthly with my primary. With both, you could not gain any weight. I did the 6 months and ended up gaining some weight. I was notified by month 6 that the reason I was gaining was most likely due to my PCOS with insulin resistance and I was pre diabetic. Once I was put on the proper medication, I started losing. But, my insurance denied me because I didn't lose any weight. I ended up doing the three months with the nutritionist and lost weight fine throughout that and then I was approved. So, everyone's insurance company is different, and hopefully your journey to get the sleeve will not be as complicated as mine! #6 Find a Protein powder you like and try it now. You will need this pre and post op and probably for the rest of your life. You don't have to, but its a great way to get that protein in. As far as the surgery goes: Realize that it is painful and the first four days for me sucked, but it does get better. Have the staff bring you a small pillow to hold over your stomach when you need to get out of bed or for your car ride home. This is kinda gross, but be prepared for gas both ways. I'm not totally sure what they do but apparently they put air in your stomach for the procedure then afterwards you have that trapped gas. I ended up getting hiccups most likely due to the anesthesia, but man did that hurt. The best thing to help is to lay on your left side (my mom is a nurse and that tip helped a lot). Sorry for another gross fact, but there will also be diarrhea due to all the liquids. It is still like that for me 8 days post op. In general, you will have more gas than when you had your regular stomach. I don't have a clue why, but both my parents agree, unfortunately. Alright, done with the gross stuff! After surgery you will not be hungry.You will want to sleep a lot, and you won't have much energy. I still have low endurance because I am still healing. For example, I get tired after being out for 2 hours and need to go home and relax or sleep. It'll go away soon though. I shouldn't be out doing a ton anyway while I'm still healing. Hope this helps! I am so glad I decided to do this surgery as I know it will change/has changed my entire life.

The first day is the absolute worst, second gets a bit better, and by the third day the hunger just goes away. Just remember it'll all be worth it. Once you get past the first day it gets much easier.

Hey everyone! I'm new to bariatric pal but this site/app seems pretty helpful! I'm looking for some people close to my age (22) that I can either go through this journey with or just talk to who has already gone through this process. My parents are actually both sleevers themselves and are super helpful when I see them (I'm away at college), but it would be great to have someone to talk to about all this stuff that is closer to my own age. A little about me health wise: I'm getting sleeved in December, I've got PCOS (which makes losing weight super difficult for me!) 5'7, SW 275 CW 260 GW 140-150. Any takers? (:

I'm having mine on dec 11th too!

You look beautiful girly! Before and after! That's a huge weight loss in three months, I hope I'm as successful!

You should have the surgery. My father had it done about 3 months ago and is down around 45 lbs. He Was diabetic, and a few months prior to surgery he had a stroke- and luckily he ended up being okay. He was on all kinds of meds and he had slowly gotten off of them the past few months. His blood sugar levels are now all back to normal and he isn't really even considered "diabetic" anymore. He's in his 50s. He has tried dieting the majority of his adult life. But after the stroke, he knew he had to have this surgery. Don't wait. Get the surgery done and get your health back; you won't regret it.

It's okay! Since it's not letting me see your stats, how much have you lost and how long has it taken you? Excess skin issues? How long did it take you to recover and get back to being active? How have you dealt with telling people if they ask what you've done to lose weight?

Can we add friends via the app? I know we can on the computer but I'm struggling with the app. I'm trying to add you both but I don't see an option? Newbie status.. Lol.

Wow!! Congrats! You look fantastic! Im getting sleeved Dec 11th, I'm 22 currently. How long did it take for you to get back in the swing of things and recover? I heard anywhere from 1-3 weeks, but I'm thinking it may be sooner since I'm younger than most WLS patients. Also, did you have any problems you had to figure out socially after getting the sleeve? (Going out, alcohol, ect)

That's so awesome! Congrats to you, you look wonderful!