JaneJaneDoe

I have had three C-sections and they were MUCH WORSE than the sleeve. I went back to work (PT desk job) five days after my sleeve. I was tired and moved slow, but was fine! My hubby went back to work (FT desk job) in seven days. The pain is minimal and absolutely nothing like a C-section (in my opinion).

Well, I was six months post this week and finally took some comparison photos. 195 lbs - high weight 188 lbs - surgery weight 144 lbs - today's weight (well, 143.3 lbs, but I rounded up) I am 51 pounds down and only NINE pounds from my goal weight!!!! And, I have lost 61.25 inches... crazy! Hips are 34" and wearing size 4!

Cash pay in Texas. $14,500 total. Included hospital, one-night stay, surgeon fees, anesthesiologist, and all post-op appts for one year.

Cashews! Weight Watchers String Cheese

I started at 33 BMI and today (5.5 months post) I am 25.1 BMI.... almost in the healthy range! I have loved, loved this journey. I have never been depressed at all. I think I'm right on track and I have set my goal to settle in the 135-145 range (ideally 138). I believe I am right on track and so very happy I did this. I do exercise. I run/walk (and yoga). In the last twelve days, I have logged 41 miles. I think my running/walking/yoga has extremely helped my skin tighten. My cellulite in my legs has greatly improved and I'm actually wearing cute shorts this summer (first time wearing shorts in years!). Self pay $14,500. Surgery: 12/31/14 High Weight: 195 Surgery Weight: 188 Today's Weight: 146 (weighed 145.8 after my run this morning)

I'm almost six months post op and I drink sips with meals. But I am very careful (I've only thrown up once... I think day 14 post op). I used to drink lots and lots of tea with my meals, but now I only drink 2-3 oz with meals. I order Water and am very purposeful to watch the level in my glass.

Stalls are real. We all have and will experience them. I know it's frustrating, but please do not let them discourage you. Just stay the course and the weight will come off... slowly. Stay positive and focus on your good eating and being active every day.

Reading through these posts made me say, "I felt that way!" At eight days post-op, I vividly remember how I felt like I was starving. I remember telling my hubby how hungry I was and wondering if the doctor took out enough of my stomach. As soon as I started eating soft foods I felt much better. I think it must have something to do with eating Clear Liquids and your body is just craving substance. I'm now five months post and down over 40lbs. I love, love, love my sleeve and am ever so thankful for it. I will say, eat slow and learn your "full" point. I have only thrown up once... now I know my point. Good luck on your journey!

@@tnkrrbl, Just encouragement for you, I have similar stats to yours and am 4.5 months post-op. I started at 195lbs (highest weight), surgery at 188lbs. Today I weigh 151. I'm thrilled beyond words that I did the sleeve. My husband has been so encouraged that he is scheduled to have the sleeve in June. I yoyo dieted for years... can certainly lose the weight, just could never keep it off. I am highly motivated to keep the weight off and, now with my sleeve as a tool, I believe in myself and am taking the necessary steps to ensure my success. I hope you will look back and be happy with your decision too! Hang in there!

I started at 32.3 BMI. Surgery 12/31/14 and no pre-op diet. Although I did lose 8 lbs pre-op on my own (weighed 195 on 12/5/14, then weighed 188 on 12/31/14 surgery day). I just decided on my own not to pig out over Christmas; I was working on changing my eating habits and working on my mental behaviors with food. Luckily I have had zero post-op depression or hard moments. Zero. I don't know if I can attribute that to working on that before or if I was simply just so, so, so ready to change. My journey has been nothing but positive. I am ecstatic that I did this. Zero regrets. Good luck to you on your journey; I wish you the best!

Surgery 12/31/14 Back to work 01/05/15 ---- just 5 days later I went to back to work on day five and it was great. No one even knew I had surgery... still don't know. I work at a desk, so no manual labor or lifting. I wore "business casual" clothes with a binder (girdle thing that I wore for the first ten days under my clothes). It worked for me, but I know we are all different. Good luck!!!

Just checking in to see how other Dec Sleevers are doing. @Biloxigirl and @NewBeginning2015, I too am a 12/31/14 sleeve patient. It has been an AWESOME experience for me. My hubby is having it done in June. I feel like a different person with great energy and confidence. So happy for us all!

I've had three C-sections and my experience was the sleeve recovery was MUCH MUCH easier for me than my C-section recovery, hands down. I know we are all different, so take that into consideration, but I bet the majority of us find the sleeve recovery is better.

I have had THREE C-sections (plus on vaginal... 4 kids total) and ABSOLUTELY the VSG was a much, much easier recovery. And also much less post-op pain. That was my experience.

Just an update for those pre-op people who are wondering how post-op people are faring. It really helped me to read about other's experiences when I was pre-op and scared, nervous, etc, Hopefully this will help some of you. Surgery: 12/31/14 (currently I am a month and a half post) Height: 5'4" High Weight: 195 (at first pre-op on 12/5/14) Surgery Weight: 188 (no pre-op diet required for me) Today's weight: 168 (27 total pounds lost... 20 since surgery ... lost 12lbs in the first 12 days, since then I'm losing at a rate of about 2lbs/week) FOOD: I was on a liquid diet for first 8 days. I was extremely hungry day 8, same day as my post-op appt. Surgeon said to start slowly trying to eat real foods. I have and can eat ANYTHING now. I've thrown up ONCE, when I ate some chicken too fast at 14 days post op. Last night I ate about 4oz of filet mignon, a couple bites of au gratin potatoes plus a 1/2 glass of yummy cabernet (2012 Charles Krug, Napa). It was wonderful, zero issues. Drinking LOTS of Water... aim for 64oz of water per day; I don't always make that goal, but I try (my massage therapist said she can really tell that I am super hydrated bc my skin looks great). I am eating Protein first with a total daily calories of ~500-600. Some people say they are not hungry the first year post; well, I have been. I'm okay with it. I just plan and always have a cheese stick or almonds to curve my hunger, not to graze on or snack on... just a few bites to curve until meal time. I stay away from bread, Pasta, and most sugars. I have a couple chocolate kisses when I just have to have some. PYSCH: I have had ZERO depression. In fact, the reverse. I'm much happier knowing I have this TOOL to help me. Please know you still have to PLAN and follow an eating regiment; the sleeve is not a magic solution to our obesity. I am feeling great. sleeping great. Zero headaches (suffered from migraines). My snoring is just about gone!!! EXERCISE: I have logged 56 miles since my surgery (started walking on treadmill two days post). Hoping to run a half marathon again in the fall. WORK: I returned to work on January 5th, just 5 days post-op. I work in an office, thus no manual labor. PHOTOS/MEASUREMENTS/CLOTHES: I took pre-op photos; I can't wait to take the after photos. I'm holding out until I'm close to my goal weight, then I will take the after photos. I also took pre-op measurements and have lost over 26 inches. Today I cleaned out some of my closet... giving away eleven pairs of size 14 pants... going to Goodwill donation! WOULD I DO IT AGAIN? Hell YES! My hubby has been so encouraged watching my success, he has scheduled to have the surgery March 9th! Good Luck to you all!!!

$14,500 self pay... includes all pre-op appts and post-op appts for ONE YEAR. Yes, please be happy your insurance is paying for a large portion. My hubby's will be covered because he's over 35 BMI, but I was under 35 BMI so I had to self pay. WORTH IT!!!!!

Zero regrets. I am 26 days post. Feeling great. You will get there too. You will feel great... claim it! Wishing a better day/week/month for you!

Congratulations. Love that you guys are doing this journey together! I was sleeved 12/31/14 and my hubby is planning to do it this summer (insurance requires six months... I was self pay since I was under 35 BMI). I can't wait for him to join me. My surgery recovery was pretty great, so that just encourages him. I will look forward to watching your success as a couple too! CONGRATULATIONS!

I'm in a stall. I'm fine with it, just wondering how long does it typically last. I know we are all different, just looking for a consensus / average.

Just an update from a low BMIer... Surgery: 12/31/14 Height: 5'4" Surgery Weight: 188lb Today Weight: 176lb -- I lost 12lbs the first 12 days. Since then I've been on a stall. I'm fine with it, knowing my body will start dropping again soon... body is just adapting. A few people have noticed my face is slimmer... wearing big winter clothes doesn't help. I know as the temp warms, and the pounds continue to drop, more people will notice. FOODS: I had Clear Liquids first week with no problem. I did have HUGE hunger on day 8... that was the same day as my post-op apt and Dr said I could start easing into real foods. I had refried Beans with some shredded cheddar and it was so yummy. I also had scrambled eggs. Yum. Since then (I'm on 16 days post-op now) I've had a big variety. I've had chicken (soft chicken that was in tortilla soup) and it went down FINE! I chewed slow and really small bites. I will say I had some grilled chicken on 14 days post-op and .... it was the first time I had to throw up. I think I just ate too quickly. Other than that I'm doing really well. Eating very healthy and not really ever hunger (just that one day at post op 8days). I have to be purposeful about my Water and Protein. PHYSICAL: I feel GREAT! Other than some tired days during the first 8 days post, I feel great. I'm taking Calcium and mult Vitamin (purchased at my surgeon's office). My incisions feel great and I know it is just going to get better and better. I've been walking on the treadmill and outside. The furthest walk I've done is 2.3 miles. Felt great! For those pre-op, I was SCARED to death and kept asking myself should I do this. Well, I am so very happy I did. I would do it again in a heartbeat! I was self pay (first dr appt was on 12/5/14 and surgery on 12/31/14... so this happened FAST). ONLY hubby knows! Since I'm a low BMI, I knew people would be really negative towards me having this surgery. They don't know my struggles. So, we are keeping it quiet. I was nervous about this, but now that I'm past the initial healing, I am so glad NO one knows. Hubby is thinking about doing the surgery too. Hope this helps those of you considering the sleeve. Blessings!

Surgery 12/31/14. Self Pay. Height 5'4". Starting Weight 188lbs. BMI=32.3 Today 176lbs and BMI=30.2 (lost 12lbs and 12 days post-op) Feeling great!

I was able to sleep on my side at day 4 post-op. I would sleep with my binder/girdle on (they gave me one in the hospital... tight Velcro girdle thing). It really helped give support to the incision sites. I wore it about 80% of the time for my first week post-op. And YES, I think a body pillow would really help too! I'm 10 days post-op. Down from 188lbs to 177.2 this morning (5'4"). Absolutely zero regrets!

@thetaxlayd, I'll try to detail as best I can. Please know I work at a desk, computer work, thus no manual labor required. Surgery: WED 12/31/14 Work: MON 1/5/15 (5 days post op) I worked a 1/2 day Work: TUE 1/6/15 (6 days post op) I worked a full day Work WED 1/7/15 (7 days post op) I worked a full day --- I did go to bed on TUE at 8pm! OFF on THU Work FRI 1/9/15 (9 days post op) I will work a 1/2 day Physically, today (7 days post op), I'm only having minor issues with one of my incision sites, it is still tender. I'm moving around pretty normally. Also, I am low on energy. Today I've had 60g Protein (two Premier Protein shakes) so hoping my energy will get better and better as I am able to take more protein into my system. Ask any questions for more info. Love to help those pre-op in any way.

I was sleeved 12/31/14... 6 days ago and have lost 9lbs. Went back to work on the 5th. I was so scared before, but so very glad now!!! Hang in there. You'll do fine. Just focus on what your surgeon tells you and before you know it.... you will be a week out! Think positive thoughts!!!