Newtum

the MORNING of my surgery, one of the surgical nurses said "and why are you having this surgery"? being sort of flustered, I said "because I'm sick of struggling with this". and she said "you know this isn't a quick fix, right?" while the other nurse dramatically rolled her eyes and they exchanged looks. I was pretty furious. Yes, lady, I did my research before having this massive operation. Sorry I didn't have my solid reasons all stacked up and ready to go at 5:30 a.m.!!

@@hats123 Welcome! Anyone who finds support here is always welcome. Fluids can be difficult. I'm 14 months out and still have to remind myself to drink. Don't let anyone other than yourself pick your goal. I thought I'd be thrilled to get to 160, but with just sticking with the plan (mostly), I got down to my fantasy weight of 135. The last 2 pounds took months to come off. Now I'm happily in maintenance and if my body chooses to lose five more, I'd be ok with that too ( I'm 5'6", 54 years old, started at 200 pounds when sleeved in June 2015). Make your own goals and sleeve on!

Hi, I'm sorry if I'm repetitive here but still getting used to these forums and how to navigate. Wanted to introduce myself to this thread -- I was BMI 30/31 when I was sleeved on August 11. I hope (and think?) that puts me in this group? I wanted to let you guys know that it's so helpful to read your successes and struggles...and I hope to be able to return the support in time!
For a little over a week I didn't really lose weight -- I was quite bloated from the IV fluids and I think my body was more like "WHOA there let's heal a minute!" after the double whammy of pre-op (including no Water on surgery day of course) then IV fluids and actual surgery, before pounds started coming off. They're coming off now, in a way that seems consistent with people starting around our BMIs. I admit that except for some walking I haven't been exercising yet, 12 days out. I try for a long walk each day and then I feel just exhausted. Hard to tell if that's from being out of shape or what. I think I'm doing OK getting my nutrients and Protein. Some days the last "batch" of fluids is hard. I'm trying to turn that around -- this morning woke up thirsty and got down 24 oz in a very short (for me) amount of time. Hoping that drinking more in the morning will make it easier to hit goal fluids than trying for some late night insane Water version of a frat house chug-fest.
Sorry to babble! At this early stage I'm so so so glad I did this. I was really in a bad place feeling like I was failing at so many things and just unable to make weight loss work. Now I feel like I own it. I know that stalls are going to freak me out but it helps to know that everyone (or most everyone) has them.
I set a goal weight of where my weight was for most of my adult life...it's much lower than what the nutritionist thinks is my "goal" weight, but I know my frame and well, if I don't hit my personal goal that's fine! I just like seeing it there as something to work towards.
Hi and thanks to everyone here.

I needed to hear this thanks everyone

@@Newtum YES THIS IS KEY!!!! KEEP GOING!!! The stalls will come and go!!

Stalls (especially around 3 week mark) are so real!!!! They defy logic, can go on for an unreasonable amount of time, and usually have little do with your actions. Just stick with the program and wait for your body to reorient itself.

Stalls (especially around 3 week mark) are so real!!!! They defy logic, can go on for an unreasonable amount of time, and usually have little do with your actions. Just stick with the program and wait for your body to reorient itself.

I'm sorry those you confided in about your surgery aren't supporting your decision. There's risks involved in every surgery and virtually every medication. What's important is measuring the risk. The VSG is a low-risk surgery, and few people experience long-term complications. For most, it significantly improves their health. You can find medical research about the safety and the effectiveness of WLS. I don't know if that would convince your mother that it's actually a very smart decision that you're making, that will improve your health rather than harm it. There's also risks in not pursuing medical intervention. Obesity significantly contributes to so many health conditions that can shorten or even claim your life. It also just robs you of so much joy. The other poster is completely right that only a small percentage of obese people lose weight and maintain that weight loss on their own. The VSG isn't a diet fad or a quick fix.
I had the VSG in August of last year. My mom initially thought that the surgery "wasn't for me" because my BMI was low for it, but I explained that my endocrinologist had recommended it to me because other patients my size and age had benefitted from it. I have PCOS and showed her research about how the VSG has substantially helped to improve the health of women who have it. She got on board. My dad developed type 2 diabetes even though his highest BMI was just in the low 30s. This helps to reduce my risk of having it in the future. I've lost a little over 70 pounds, putting my BMI in the low 20s vs the low 30s. I've gone from a size 14 to a 4-6. I was on a series of medications for PCOS that I've gradually been able to taper off of because the weight loss has helped to improve problems. I've had zero complications. Even on the day of surgery the most pain I experienced was from my period starting and having severe cramps. I'm a professor and was back at work on my feet for most of the day within a few weeks. By 5 weeks post-op I felt well enough to bike to and from work every day instead of driving. I've lost little hair. I have absolutely no loose skin. Every fear I had pre-surgery turned out to not be valid for me. I'm in my early 30s and getting carded again. My blood test results have been excellent. Physically and mentally I feel so much better. I feel like I'm in control of my life, and it isn't being ruled by the scale or what I eat. I don't obsess about food. I don't feel deprived. In the past I'd lose 20 pounds then gain back 30. Besides the typical 2-4 pound fluctuation, I haven't had any weight gain. I've found that a lower-carb (not strict low carb) eating plan works best for my weight loss, and is surprisingly painless for me to follow. I've gone on vacation a few times where I just eat what I wish, within reason, and still have not had weight gain. I'm not daydreaming about danishes, or planning out the indulgences I'll pig out on once I've lost x amount of weight. I can actually eat Pasta, Desserts and treats without seeing a massive weight gain. The difference is that I'm satisfied with a much smaller quantity than before.
This surgery is a tremendous gift to my life. I think it will help your life, too. If your loved ones continue to be unsupportive before surgery, just use that as even more of a reason to be successful. This time next year you'll likely have lost a lot of weight and will be feeling fantastic. That will give them (and you) peace of mind. You're being proactive and taking care of yourself.

I have a lower BMI and my surgery is next week - I've battled losing and gaining the last ten years and I feel if I don't get control of this now it will only get worse. I feel like the sleeve is a tool to help me on my journey. I haven't told many people either as I don't need their judgement and their opinions.
I don't think you should feel guilty for doing what you truly believe will help you. Good luck to everyone!
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@@LowBMISleever hurrah!!! best of luck with surgery and recovery, you'll do great! i do work out, but actually somewhat LESS than i did before surgery. i've always been very active, but having gained so much weight, i struggled with this debilitating stress to prioritize working out/dieting over family/work/sleep (especially sleep). Post-surgery, I've found that while I need to work out for toning and health reasons, and it definitely does help with the weight loss (plus i think its a crucial habit to get in prior to maintenance), the fact that i can work out for 30-45 min instead of an hour plus and 3x a week instead of 5 has really helped me stay more balanced in my life. This is a purely personal thing, there are lots of others who really push long, hard, frequent workouts post-surgery. it just depends on what's right for you
long way of saying that for me personally, this surgery has just given me the freedom to live a healthier, balanced life instead of jumping from one desperate attempt to lose weight to failure to another and repeat. SUCH a feeling of freedom.

@" Newtum" that last paragraph was perfect! What I am hoping
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Omg you're making me SO excited!! I'm 48 hours away from being sleeved!!
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Sure:
SW: 185
1 month out: 164
3 months out: 151
6 months out: 141
9 months out: 135
After the initial drop, I've always felt my weight loss was "slow", and maybe it is, but it's always moving in a downward direction, however "slowly", and lord knows its nothing I could ever have accomplished on my own -- I TRIED!

@@LowBMISleever - 185. We have pretty similar stats! I started at 185, GW 127, CW 135.

I had a decent amount of hair loss in the first 6 months, but it's stopped now, by 9 months and seems to be growing back. it didn't get to a dramatic point, but was noticeable to me and disturbing to my husband to find so much hair in the shower drain! as far as loose skin, i would say my stomach and upper leg skin is not as tight as it might have been when i weighed 135 "originally", but i still feel comfortable in a bathing suit. working out as you lose apparently helps, but who really knows.

hi all, just checking in because we have some newbies and i remember how desperate i was for information pre-surgery! i tend not to come on these forums much anymore, i consider that part of the success!!
i was sleeved on october 19 last year at a weight of 185 (i'm 5'4) and a BMI of 31.8. I now weigh 137, BMI of 21.8. I truly couldn't be happier and it was a relatively painless process. yes its difficult at first to get in your liquids, fit in to our massive portion society and struggle with whatever other little side effects you have (i had relatively bad acid reflux which i still have to manage with Protonix), but the results make it all worth it. i am healthy and happy and full of energy and wouldn't take it back for a second!
best of luck to all!

hi all, just checking in because we have some newbies and i remember how desperate i was for information pre-surgery! i tend not to come on these forums much anymore, i consider that part of the success!!
i was sleeved on october 19 last year at a weight of 185 (i'm 5'4) and a BMI of 31.8. I now weigh 137, BMI of 21.8. I truly couldn't be happier and it was a relatively painless process. yes its difficult at first to get in your liquids, fit in to our massive portion society and struggle with whatever other little side effects you have (i had relatively bad acid reflux which i still have to manage with Protonix), but the results make it all worth it. i am healthy and happy and full of energy and wouldn't take it back for a second!
best of luck to all!

I'm trying to keep a grip on it. I don't want to wake up and gain weight. Even though my husband thinks I looked "really good at 165". WTH?! Umm No! It's so strange to me that someone would say I look good being bigger when I worked so hard to NOT be big! Not that 165 is big I'm just saying I said good bye to that number months ago and I have no intentions of going back. I doubt be even knows what I looked like at 165. Dork! It aggravates the crap out of me that people have such an opinion on what I should weigh when not one of those asses said a word when I was obese!! Maybe they were scared of me because I was big and now that I'm smaller they think they are safe? My slapping hand can hit just as hard and it would probably hurt more since my hand is boney!!

This is my first ever stall and I am 10 weeks post op. I am grateful that I haven't had a stall until now and I am okay with it. I knew at some point I'd have to slow down losing weight. I too started with a low BMI. I have 23 more pounds to reach my goal weight. The key is to think positive thoughts and make good choices. I make sure I get in my Protein, Water and exercise daily. This is life long journey that I have chosen and now am embracing. I love how I feel and look now and am thankful I was given this wonderful gift to help me become a better healthier me. We've got this!

the MORNING of my surgery, one of the surgical nurses said "and why are you having this surgery"? being sort of flustered, I said "because I'm sick of struggling with this". and she said "you know this isn't a quick fix, right?" while the other nurse dramatically rolled her eyes and they exchanged looks. I was pretty furious. Yes, lady, I did my research before having this massive operation. Sorry I didn't have my solid reasons all stacked up and ready to go at 5:30 a.m.!!

I started with the BMI of 33 (day of surgery weight 193, 5'5" )and had my surgery October 22. I was self pay because my insurance wouldn't cover it. I have lost a little over 30 pounds so far and I'm no longer on blood pressure medicine. I had a major stall and have slowly been losing again. Totally worth every penny. I am down several sizes and feel better with more energy.

the MORNING of my surgery, one of the surgical nurses said "and why are you having this surgery"? being sort of flustered, I said "because I'm sick of struggling with this". and she said "you know this isn't a quick fix, right?" while the other nurse dramatically rolled her eyes and they exchanged looks. I was pretty furious. Yes, lady, I did my research before having this massive operation. Sorry I didn't have my solid reasons all stacked up and ready to go at 5:30 a.m.!!

the MORNING of my surgery, one of the surgical nurses said "and why are you having this surgery"? being sort of flustered, I said "because I'm sick of struggling with this". and she said "you know this isn't a quick fix, right?" while the other nurse dramatically rolled her eyes and they exchanged looks. I was pretty furious. Yes, lady, I did my research before having this massive operation. Sorry I didn't have my solid reasons all stacked up and ready to go at 5:30 a.m.!!

the MORNING of my surgery, one of the surgical nurses said "and why are you having this surgery"? being sort of flustered, I said "because I'm sick of struggling with this". and she said "you know this isn't a quick fix, right?" while the other nurse dramatically rolled her eyes and they exchanged looks. I was pretty furious. Yes, lady, I did my research before having this massive operation. Sorry I didn't have my solid reasons all stacked up and ready to go at 5:30 a.m.!!

the MORNING of my surgery, one of the surgical nurses said "and why are you having this surgery"? being sort of flustered, I said "because I'm sick of struggling with this". and she said "you know this isn't a quick fix, right?" while the other nurse dramatically rolled her eyes and they exchanged looks. I was pretty furious. Yes, lady, I did my research before having this massive operation. Sorry I didn't have my solid reasons all stacked up and ready to go at 5:30 a.m.!!