sLeeving the fat behind

Excited and a bit nervous!

The first three months are key. Many people lose 50% (or more) of their eventual total during the first three months. Take full advantage of this "honeymoon" period by strictly adhering to your diet. The weight drops off quickly during the first three months and then slows progressively each month following. You get one "honeymoon" period, and that's it.

I switched to Dr. Curry’s office after I had my LapBand done in 2013. I am scheduled for a band to sleeve revision on the 28th if this Monday.

I was a patient of Dr. Curry when I had my lap band several years ago. When he removed my lap band, he offered to convert me to a gastric sleeve, but I declined at that time.
I chose Dr. Curry after I lost faith in my original surgeon. (The original surgeon misdiagnosed gall bladder problems as anxiety, causing me to suffer for nearly 6 months.) Dr. Curry had an excellent reputation and I drove almost 4 hours to see him because I trusted him to help me. I also liked that he was easily accessible. Back then, he was very active on another obesity/bariatric social forum like Bariatricpal and I really appreciated what he was doing for the obese community. Dr. Curry was easy to talk to and I felt he took his time with his patients to explain things. He always made me feel comfortable and confident about everything we did/did not do. If I hadn't moved to Texas, I might have gone back to him when I reached the point where I was ready for the sleeve.
One minor complaint and it's not Dr. Curry's fault. When he took out my lap band, his office "forgot" to get insurance approval before doing it. I had a lot of after the fact fighting with the insurance company to get it covered and avoid being taken to collections.

Doesn't (or rather shouldn't( detract from the the helpfulness of his older stuff

Hey guys, just a little something to keep you encouraged. For me, the pre-op phase was the hardest part of my journey. I am currently 9 mos. P.o. from gastric bypass. I love my tool and wish I had went forward 3 years Ago when I first started this journey. I had lots of questions, but I wanted to know what life was like after the procedure. I wanted to hear from people who were experiencing it. So, this is my info..sw 264 lbs. , cw 186 lbs. Medical issues before surgery...hypertension, diabetes, pcos, infertility, lupus, heart murmur. I currently only take a low dose hypertension pill ,but they will evaluate that at my next post-op appointment. Life is good and I have had zero complications, zero visits to the hospital after surgery. Im grateful for that! I started a YT channel ( under my name Bariatric Blondeshell) that addresses the pre op phase and what life is like for us after surgery. I hope if you check it out you will be encouraged afterwards! Keep pressing on everyone, you deserve this!

I feel it's time to tell me story as best I can and hopefully it will give the new comers some hope and take away their worries or anxiety about surgery.
Okay I have a very dysfunctional childhood and I think maybe subconsciously I turned to movies and food as a way to cope until alcohol came along but all those things combined made me gain weight massively in my teen years.
As a child I was tiny but after my father passed and my stepfather came in the picture; he was a tyrant; life changed dramatically.
Anyway fast forward to the end of high school I had reached over 250lbs and by 21 I was 320lbs and my weight fluctuated over the years between 300-320 until I finally found a way to get bariatric surgery..
I always believed surgery was for the rich people and I was never rich... But I found out randomly that health insurance would cover most of surgery and I'd never had health insurance before because here in Australia we have an amazing Medicare system that covers pretty much everything to do with doctors and hospitals except for elective surgery like bariatrics; unless you're like super morbidly obese and even then it can take 3 years and numerous hurdles....
So I researched and researched for months and months and spoke to multiple surgeons offices until I found the perfect surgeon; I needed to get health insurance first then do the waiting period which I used to save up the gap and that gap covered absolutely everything from first meeting until surgery and hospital was covered.
I met the surgeon and his doctor and got information and told them I wanted ROUX EN Y BYPASS; and we all agreed that was the best decision as I had bad type 2 diabetes and it would only get worse.
I weighed in at 322 there and then and I just wished and hoped the surgery would help me to get down to at least 200 maybe 190; I just wanted to be healthy and happy and of course to look better and feel better in myself.
Anyway from first consultation until the surgery day was about 4 months had a few meetings with surgeon and he does a very direct approach no need for all the tests and stuff just my medical history and some blood tests and a big discussion was about it and he was ready to go.
I was advised to do at least 2-3 weeks low carbs/protein shake diet before surgery and to try lose at least 10lbs; but I literally woke up one morning 2 months before surgery and decided there and then to kick start my journey and started on Protein Shakes and I actually found a brand and flavor that I actually loved. It tasted just like chocolate milkshake even though I only used Water to mix it up
i tried a few different brands but they were either too bland or no taste at all I like flavor and I like a little sweetness in my shakes... And I've been using the same shakes in bulk powder form for months without any issues at all...
So I started on shakes and they literally filled me up and I was determined to show the surgeon I meant business.
i was amazed how quickly the weight came off because I was ONLY on shakes Max 600cal preop; I dropped so much water weight it was amazing.
By surgery day I had already dropped from 322 to 257lbs and the surgeon was so proud.
i went into the hospital early without only water that morning so my sugar was actually low so they made me wait a few hours longer and I went in to surgery I think 3pm and next thing I know I was awake in ICU a few hours later and surgery was done but oh boy was it painful for me; I'm not sure why but I was in pain for like 2 days luckily I was given good drugs through the IV and slept most of the 2 days...
By the 3rd day I started drinking a small glass of Protein Shake and was sipping water each day; here in Australia the surgeon is very cautious so I actually spent 6 days in hospital was fine I had my own private room and bathroom and was really well looked after.... By the 3rd day they finally took the drain out and I had a shower for the first time and a BM which was like sticky black green like a baby; oh the shower felt amazing on my poor sore belly; I think I had 5 incisions sites and a very tight bloated belly.
Each day I would walk the halls of the hospital and say hello to the nurses and other times I would rest and watch TV but by like the 5th day I was feeling really good and was ready to go home but because I lived over 2hrs from the surgeon and hospital they made sure I was 110% fit and healthy; they checked my blood sugar and blood pressure multiple times a day and they said everything was fine, by the time I left the hospital they had taken me off multiple medications and it felt Great.
The ride home in my mates car was a little rough but it felt Great to be home and in my own bed my big bed not the single bed in hospital...
It's hard to remember everything I went through its been over 8 months since I left the hospital but I do know I was still a little sore when bending or carrying shopping bags for the first few weeks I had to be careful.... Showering was amazing my bandages on my incisions came off on their own after like 3 weeks.. I was given a guideline diet but Ive always been a strong independent personality so I just chose to do things my way; of course I was glad for the surgery and the surgeons advice but I felt is my body; my life I need to do it my way so maybe I was lucky but I didn't even think about food for months like literally I lived off shakes and yoghurt for months before I really started actual food and of course the weight kept coming off everyday it was amazing.
For the first 3 months I think I was on maybe 500cal a day with next to no carbs or sugars... I didn't feel hungry at all... Shakes kept me going...
Every couple of months I had to buy new clothes, I couldn't believe how much I changed one month to the next and people who hasn't seen me in a few months were shocked ever time they saw me....
i never kept it secret from anyone; I was proud of my decision to finally change my life and possibly extend my life, I was enjoying the complements and I was lucky I don't think I stalled for more than a week and I never had any complications at all except for diarrhoea BM for a while and sure I threw up a few times when trying different things or eating too quickly...
i started drinking regular coffee by 3 months and my surgeon said it was fine as long as I don't get dehydrated.. I was drinking tea as well and by 6 months I actually decided to treat myself here and there with some sugar free energy drinks and it has not impacted me or my weight loss one bit.
Now I'm over 8 months out I can eat most things just small portions; I've even had bread a few times just have to take it very slowly... I've had Pasta a few times and even had some chocolate over Easter without any issues at all and still continued to lose weight...
i will admit recently I've had some treats here and there but that was once I got in to maintenance mode...
I've pretty much been in maintenance now over 2 months and pretty much sit around 165lbs but just this week I've seen 163lbs on the scales...
i don't log my food much now but I do keep a mental tally of my calories and such and I do still check my weight regularly to make sure I'm doing well..
i had the RNY bypass and it was 120cm and it was amazing; I've had a blast and I've lost pretty much 50% of my original weight.
FROM highest of 322 to the lowest 162.8lbs just the other day....
i felt the need to share my story everything has been positive for me. It has totally changed my life and transformed my life and the way I see myself... I'll be 36 in 3 weeks but I feel better than I have in 20 years...
i want everyone to read my story and see it is possible to have the BYPASS without any issues and also my 3 months blood tests were perfect so no issues with Vitamins either just have to remember to take them everyday..
The one issue I will say was my hair did get thinner and would grow slower but never fell out.... I'm sure in time it will get better
I've gone from being the FAT friend to the SKINNY friend...
i look and feel amazing and my BMI has gone from 43 to 22.
I've dropped 159lbs or 72KGS in 10 months including my preop...
From 146KG to 74KG and below every goal I thought I wanted.
I don't mind because most people will bounce back 10-20lbs anyway plus when I do start to build muscle that will add a little weight because right now I'm kinda skin and bones LOL feels weird saying that about myself but its pretty good...
I'm really hoping I'll meet someone soon and start a family and live a long long life 😁😁😁
So if anybody is curious about RNY BYPASS don't be afraid...
Success is possible!!!!
A few pics before and after

Finding Before and After Pictures of men is proving difficult as the main forum is mainly women. I think we men should share some success photos here in the guys forum. I will share as soon as I have some results. Surgery in 1 month! I need some inspiration.

when people loosely ask or comment in a social situation about my weight loss and say "how?" i generally joke it off and say "tapeworm" or "crack" and that usually gets laughs and ends the conversation.
but if someone later pulls me aside and genuinely asks for advice, either because they have a weight problem or someone they know does, then i'll proudly tell them about my surgery and advocate for it for them too.

Just curious as to how the rest of you guys handled the conversations about your WLS with co-workers and friends after returning to work. I’m inclined not to say much to anyone beforehand (except my wife and my best friend) but eventually I know my weight loss will become the elephant in the room at the Water cooler. I also work in public safety and the perception I get is that not many of my colleagues will understand or approve of my decision. Any tips?

So I’ve been trying to get pictures every month to allow ME see the progress. I was sleeved 1/7/20. LOOK!

I am new here kinda just stumbled on this site. I am on my Pre-op diet it has not been bad only one day with a headache. It feels good to read positive and uplifting words of encouragement. My surgery date is July 16, i am excited but nervous because nobody can be there with me because of this pandemic. I have been very quit about this nobody knows but my 3 kids. I was wondering was any of you secretive about having surgery? i chose to keep it secret because sometimes i feel people speak before they think, like saying this is the easy way out, when that is the furthest from the truth.

Attend a free seminar, touch the brochure, look around the room, there will be people of all shapes and sizes. From this meeting to a surgery date usually averages around nine months. This is NOT a quick fix. This requires A LOT of thought. That being said, I was like you, big, but healthy, but not forever. I chose the sleeve because it was the right fit for me. Do your research, ask questions, and the right choice for you will present itself. Good luck.

It's very normal to be indecisive about having a major surgery. It took me two years to make my decision. I've read the boards for a long time and decided to just go to a seminar since they are free and after that a consultation. I was convinced before that but actually starting the process clinched it. Two months later I was having surgery and two weeks later I'm making this post.
Think about the long game. You're fortunate enough to not have any medical issues but being overweight increases the chances of them.
Sent from my SM-G935T using the BariatricPal App

I would recommend against lapband. Many doctors are no longer performing this operation. The individual that I knew who had a lapband had it removed and had a revision to RNY gastric bypass. This was because the band was wearing into his stomach and it was about to rupture. That was an extremely dangerous situation. There are many forms of bariatric surgery today such as RNY gastric bypass, the gastric sleeve, duodenal switch. These are a much better choice. I would also recommend finding a bariatric surgery center of excellence in your area. This is like a one stop shop. Everything in one location. You might do an internet search to find one that is close.

I agree with OKCPirate, and like him, I too had my surgery in Mexico. Another piece of advice, call and talk to your health insurance. I work for a hospital, which ironically performs bariatric surgeries, but our health insurance specifically does not cover any bariatric surgery, so my only alternative was self pay.

The bariatric clinic I used for my RNY no longer does the lap band due to long term problems with that technology, so that alone indicates the need to get multiple opinions on lap band. Many on this site loved it but many have had to get the band removed and sleeve/RNY or other options done.
Here is "old guy" advice. Get something done. I did not have any obesity related obvious medical problems until I was almost 55, then they started, mobility, diabetes, edema, heart problems, etc. I waited. Glad I had something done, because at 65 years old all those things are either 90% better or gone, but boy do I wish I had done this at your age. I do mourn the loss of activities for some of those decades -- the hikes I did not go on, the restaurants I could not go to because all they had was booths, the times my kids wanted to do major sports and I couldn't. Now, I can do those things with grandkids, so life is good.....

@@cwhitt456 - Yeah it's normal. Good for you to look before you leap. It is a life changing decision. The fact that convinced me was behavior change alone results in long term weight loss with about 5% suceed through behavior modification vs. nearly 80% (going by memory) who succeed with WLS.
You might want to check with the Cleveland Clinic who did some of the best long term studies on Sleeve surgery.
I am surprised how few guys do this vs women, but the numbers are what they are.
I am very glad I found out about WLS. In 2014 I thought I had a stroke. It turned out to be something stress related, but it was the first light on my dashboard that I needed to lose weight. I diligently did weight watchers, but with my travel, it was hard to stay on track. I found out about WLS on a pod cast, and started researching (Cleveland Clinic study convinced me). I had mine done in Mexico (just didn't want to mess with insurance, and it was affordable enough). It's worked wonderfully.
Only thing I regret is not knowing about it when I was your age. It is a tool. Don't think it's "FM" (freakin magic). It requires work and diligence, but it is an amazing tool. Absolutely changed my life.
That said, some things to consider:
* Do I have a couple of weeks to recover? Might not need it, but with my scheduled I figured out there were only two days in 2014 I could have the surgery.
* Significant other? When a partner loses weight, it can change a relationship. Sometimes women like the chunky guy because he is less likely to stray because fat guys have fewer partners. They get nervous when that changes.
* Emotional issues with food? We got fat for some reason. Get your mind right before.
* Can I get in the best shape possible before the surgery? It will speed up your recovery and you will thank me for suggesting it.
* Can you go without smoking, coffee, alcohol for several months? You want the stomach to heal.
Good luck, feel free to PM me if you have any specific questions.

I would start the process, by researching what type of surgery would be the best fit for you. From my research and experience (I am a nurse, working in the ICU). I have seen more complications with the lap band. The seminar I went to, the Doctor said the #1 surgery isn't the lap band or the sleeve, it is the conversion from the band to the sleeve, because of complications. The band is NOT intended as a permanent process, at some time, you need a second surgery to remove it. I am not trying to persuade you in any direction, but informing you of the process I took. Having bariatric surgery is a personal decision and a LIFELONG commitment. I wish you all the success as you start your journey and welcome to the guys room.

Hello, I have just starting researching weight loss options the last few weeks. I have been greatly overweight for about the last 12-15 years. I am 38 years old 6' and weight 330 pounds. I have enjoyed reading post on this site and decided to join to ask some questions.
It seems hard to find many forums for guys. I do not have any weight related medical conditions yet. I really want to try and get it under control as I am sure they are likely to come any time now.
I guess what I am looking for is just any advice at all. Does anyone suggest a certain Dr in my area, what questions should I ask them? It's crazy because I know that I should just make an appointment but I am really struggling with pulling the trigger. Is this normal? I have done an online seminar with Dr. Trace Curry out of Cincinnati. He seems to be very experienced with the lap band procedure I was looking at.
Thanks,