Ronnie0422

Started my process in October and had surgery March 23rd. Had to have 4 consecutive months of weigh ins, had to see a psych, get an endoscopy and see a nutritionist. Didn't mind the process. The time helped me get mortally prepared. I know some people habe to go through a longer process but I'm sure insurance make you do that because only those who want it will go through it.

3 days post op and I'm feeling great. From reading other people stories I was expecting the worst. I have a headache that I can't get rid of, that's it. Trying to get my my Protein in now. Need another brand of shakes. My new stomach doesn't like the lean 25 from GNC anymore. Good luck everyone, we got this!

3 days post op and I'm feeling great. From reading other people stories I was expecting the worst. I have a headache that I can't get rid of, that's it. Trying to get my my Protein in now. Need another brand of shakes. My new stomach doesn't like the lean 25 from GNC anymore. Good luck everyone, we got this!

3 days post op and I'm feeling great. From reading other people stories I was expecting the worst. I have a headache that I can't get rid of, that's it. Trying to get my my Protein in now. Need another brand of shakes. My new stomach doesn't like the lean 25 from GNC anymore. Good luck everyone, we got this!

Been in the hospital since surgery Thursday. Can't get enough liquids in for me to leave. It hurts like hell. Surgery wasn't that bad, not much gas until I start to drink and I've been walking a lot. Hoping to go home today but we'll see

Been in the hospital since surgery Thursday. Can't get enough liquids in for me to leave. It hurts like hell. Surgery wasn't that bad, not much gas until I start to drink and I've been walking a lot. Hoping to go home today but we'll see

After going through so much I finally got approved. I'm excited and nervous at the same time. My surgery is scheduled for thursday. Not sure what I should take with me when I go but will soon figure it out

Hey! Everyone has given you some great information. I will like to add, bring a cami shirt with a built-in bra. As one of the incisions are close to where an underwire bra will lay. The first night is the worse, so like many have already said...walk ASAP. And bring your own robe. Good luck!

I'm officially post-op! I'm writing this at the end of my first day in hospital. It's been a day full of frustrating gas pain, moderate nausea, and some incision pain, but meds help with that. (I opt out of nausea meds because it only lasts five minutes at a time.)

That being said, I have not experienced the so-called "Sleever's Regret" — not once! In fact, I'm actually planning my vsg anniversary trip to Disneyland in 2018!

I hope I can pass gas tomorrow because it hurts something AWFUL! Other than that, I'm still very happy with my decision and look forward to all the new adventures.

Thanks for reading! ️

Follow me @vsg_dan on Instagram if you want!

I had to add another month weigh in. My surgeon said she will speak to me on Friday about my options. I made an appointment to see my gyn and with another PCP for the end of this month just in case. Still trying to be optimistic about it.

WLS Do’s and Don’ts

DO remove the word ONLY from your vocabulary. Ex: I’ve ONLY lost 10 Lbs in 2 weeks… Now let’s look at this again without the word ONLY: I’ve lost 10 Lbs in 2 weeks!! See what I mean? Perception is reality folks!!

DON’T assume you’ll never eat all of your favorite foods again. This is just an excuse your brain has designed to allow you to indulge. You WILL eat all your favorites again someday, just much less but find it to me more enjoyable. Which leads directly into the next:

DON’T do the “last meal” syndrome. You will only sabotage your weight loss you might have pre-surgery or set you back further from your ultimate goal post-op. This surgery is very serious and is for the serious minded. Use this time wisely to get the feeling of how life might be like post op.

DO learn all of the rules pre-op that you will endure post-op. Such as, no drinking with meals, using smaller utensils and plates, engaging in some type of workout routine, limiting your sugar and sodium intake, joining as many WLS support groups as you can.

DO Celebrate every single pound lost! Imagine one pound of butter. Yeah… that’s gone from your body forever. It is noteworthy and worth every bit of a pat on the back as any others that may go along with it.

DON’T compare your successes and losses to others. Chances are very high that you will only come out on the short end and only find yourself disappointed. Everyone’s journeys are their own…

DO keep track of your losses in many different ways than just the scale! Examples:

DO keep one set of your largest clothes you’ve ever worn. Make it a point to try them on, especially when you’re having a down moment. You will find this will really pick up your spirits! This is a real rollercoaster of a ride, and anything that will keep you positive is what you should do!

DON'T keep any other fat clothes around. Get rid of them ASAP. You're never going to fit them again, right? So... off to donations they go.

DO take photos of yourself just before your surgery. Keep them close. Again, having a bad day? Look at them and compare them. As a matter of fact, take photos of yourself often. You will also find that the more you lose, the more you will want to take pictures. Nothing wrong with that!!! That goes with celebrating your losses.

DO take measurements of yourself often. Keeping track of all your inches lost will really keep you on the right track when your scale is being stubborn!!

DO reward yourself every time you hit a mini goal. Make some more worthy than others. I like to go shopping when I hit a goal, it is my favorite thing to do now.

DON’T let the scale define you. Great majority of us will endure many fluctuations and stalls in this journey. It is what it is… patience is the key here. Meditate and envision yourself months down the road at your goal. Smile, then move on!!

DO find out about measuring body fat! It’s more than just weight loss, FAT LOSS is the real goal here. Keep in mind that the BMI scale is greatly inaccurate and most Health Studies do prove this. According to the American Council on Exercise (ACE) our body fat % ranges should be average: 25-31% for Women and 18-24% for men. Any higher is considered obese. However it does go more in depth, according to ages and more. Everyone has different genetic make ups, frame sizes and fitness levels... even a different ethnicity can post differences.

DO have many goals in sight. Having only one, especially a simple weight goal you will find can be difficult. Have many MINI goals along your journey, and more than just ones that involve the scale. Such as, clothing size goals, body fat% goals, fitness or workout goals, dietary goals, etc…

DO challenge yourself always!! Whether it’s a global challenge with others, or personal challenges... It will keep you motivated and always willing to go further than you ever thought you could!

DO have a mentor! Find someone that you can trust and confide in, and that you know has “been there”. Preferably someone you know in person. You will find many folks in your life who have been there, for obesity is worldwide now and there are so many who have been able to defeat this demon. It’s not easy! It quite literally is the toughest feat I’ve ever had to endure. I can say this too, my job will never be done. This is for life!
DON'T believe the myth that your tool has an expiration date. Yes, it's true you will lose the most weight in the first year and it's also true that the further out you are and the closer you are to goal, the harder it is to lose. However, as long as you keep up with your healthy eating and fitness routines you will continue to lose weight and / or keep it off in the many years post op. It all boils down to calories in vs. calories out.
DON'T believe the myth that having WLS will keep the weight off forever. That is our individual responsibility.

And finally…

DON’T ever beat yourself up! We all make mistakes, and dare I say not one person on this Earth is perfect. I try hard to be, no doubt! I always admit that I’m a perfectionist – but I’m far from perfect. I just try to be… The only thing you can do is pick yourself up, give yourself a pep talk, perhaps contact your mentor for reassurance and move on!!! Again, this is for life. Every day you wake up is a second chance.

DO look for solutions to your problems. Otherwise they will just become excuses.


DON’T EVER GIVE UP! I don’t think any explanation is necessary here.

DON'T expect the scale to post a loss every single day. As a matter of fact, don't expect it to move that much even weekly! Just keep doing all the right things and the scale will move in the right direction when it needs to.

DO expect to see fluctuations on the scale, both down AND up. DON'T lose your head over it either. This isn't a miracle cure and the weight isn't going to magically disappear in a few weeks. You have to keep pushing with healthy eating, some type of workout and getting plenty of Fluid.

DON'T let the scale define your journey when there are so many pieces to that puzzle!!!



Good luck to all of you. This journey is a tough one, but if you are here, then you believed in yourself enough to give yourself the life you’ve always dreamed of. YOU WILL BE successful. Always keep that in mind.

Add-ons by other experienced sleevers:

DO keep a list of NSV (Non scale victories) to reflect on when times are getting hard. Can you walk up 2 extra flights of stairs before getting winded? Cross your legs?" and

"DO NOT be afraid to change things if they aren't working. Stalls happen even gains happen. If you are on a long stall look at your eating and decided if changes need to be made. Utilize your tool!" -- Southern Sleever

DO: Keep a food diary of what you eat and drink. This is a great learning tool as to which foods have what amounts of fat, Protein and carbs that add up to your daily intake goals. There are many ways to diary your food - from old fashioned pen and notebook to many options via smartphone apps. Keeping one is the important thing - however is right for you. I use mine now to look back for meal ideas when I hit a blank as to what to prepare for a day or a week.

DO: Realize this is not a diet to be followed for a while then set aside. This is a permanent lifestyle change. Yes, the amount of food you eat will increase as time passes, but your relationship with food will be forever altered. How you Celebrate your joys, successes and holidays will be different. How you mourn your sorrows will be different. Some people need outside help to get through the sometimes overwhelming mental changes this process brings. If you need help with this part of the deal- reach out and get it. -- SKCUNNINGHAM

DO roll with the punches!! -- fern

Yes. I have been approved. My insurance didn't require a letter from my PCP. I told my surgeon about my HS, and he didn't seem concerned. I'm scheduled for Feb 28 and just started pre-op diet yesterday.


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I hope that's an option for me. Good luck on your journey!

So...4 months out and (almost) 4 stones down...the before and after photos are at 3 stone off, I look SO different again, just need to take a pic.

I have lost 12 inches off my waist and 14 off my 'mum tum' (its flabby flap has gone from 3 inches of sag to under 1/2)

I am lighter than my other half...therefore no longer the heaviest in the house *high 5*

I have lost the combined weight of my 4 year old, the cat and 2 of our hens

I buy a UK size 16 off the peg (previously a 22)

I have just applied for and got a job which I wouldn't have dreamed of even applying for 5 months ago...start tomorrow eek!

My 4 teens are super proud of my new look and (though they aren't consciously doing it) are actively spending more time with me around their friends...and my 4 year old is thrilled with my new energy levels.

I'm away to take climbing instruction and have joined 2 groups to learn that and ukulele...and am involved with sorting a 20yr reunion for my high school (a stark contrast from my previous very anti-social self)

I have legs...really nice ones...I have always totally viewed them as my worst asset and had no idea that these shapely beings existed beneath my previous tree trunks.

My boobs are no longer my best asset...this really worried me pre-op as I was massively defined by them...you know what??? I don't care (and neither does he)!

I can go buy vintage clothes...and they fit...and they look amazing (hand knitted 70s dress from a charity shop is my absolute favourite buy)

The skin looseness is nothing like I thought it would be

Learning that food is fuel and not enjoyable is hard and the mental process behind it isn't a nice one...but the feeling of accomplishment helps more than I could have ever believed!

I love yoga!

This is the best investment I have ever made in myself...I am just so, so happy! yes...there are negatives, but they are far outweighed by all the zillions of good stuff :D

I'm officially on the losers bench . Surgery went well yesterday and I feel great.
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Thank you! I was telling myself that too, it's a process to be become my best self. Going to make another appointment and go in optimistic and a positive attitude.

Woah, how much have you lost since starting?
Fridge Pickers Wear Bigger Knickers ????

Yea my insurance policy has the 4 documented visits along with a letter of recommendation from your primary doctor. Seems like everything should be ok. Thanks for the response!
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