MsNat3

I'm almost three years out, and I am maintaining. I am working really hard right now to do that. I do get hungry now, though it is more manageable than before. One thing for sure, the sleeve does help, but you can still "eat yourself sick", it just takes less food to do it. But it's still the same problematic behavior - eating beyond need or hunger. That can only be controlled by your brain, and it gets harder to do over time. I was not prepared for that at all, but even knowing that, I wouldn't change my mind. I would have never been able to lose 145 pounds and keep it off more than 5 minutes.

VSG patients' weight losses three years out are all over the place. The more you lurk and read here, the more you'll see that some have regained a considerable amount and others are still at or below goal -- and everything in between.
There is no single outcome. It depends on your willingness to continue to follow a lot of eating rules that you learn when you have surgery, your nutritional knowledge and the food choices you make and the portions you eat, whether you exercise (and how consistently), your susceptibility to binge eating and grazing (not the same thing, but both awful for your maintenance dreams), the support system you have for creating a new lifestyle, and your own good or bad luck with regard to your metabolism.
I also think it depends on how badly you want to be healthy and slim long-term. The sleeve helps a lot. But if you're determined to eat (or compelled to eat by an eating disorder or stress or other forces), you can figure out how to eat around the sleeve.
That's my take on it.

My mother has maintained a 150 pound weight loss following VSG five years ago. You can do it!! If she goes up five pounds she "diets" to get it off.

I was sleeved 2011. Initially lost a Ton of weight the first year but have never reached my "goal" weight of 140. I Started at 276, today at 181. It's been tough, snacking has been a real problem for me and yes you do get the hunger feelings back, I don't care what they say.... My stomach rumbles if I don't eat for more than 3-4 hours. Doctor said it was most likely gas and not hunger pangs. Also really think about the psychological part of it, not being able to eat certain foods or large amounts of food gets to some people. Also I lost more than half my hair the first year and have never been able to get it all to grow back. I really need to just get back on track ???? but I still believe having VSG was the best decision I ever made & have no regrets! Hope this helps.

Congratulations!!! I can't wait until July 3 is when I get mines

Sent from my SM-G935P using BariatricPal mobile app

Congratulations on the 6/19 folk. The 19th is a great day. 6/19 is my 6 month surgiversary. You both will do great!

Sending my best wishes. I had mine 5/22. Walk. Walk often. And get your Water in.

Donna

I just got sleeved on 6/12. Feeling great. Surgery was at 4pm and I checked out of hospital by noon next day. Took pain meds just one day at home and now not needing. Feeling great. Taking it slow, resting and just doing tiny sips of Protein drink and broth. Pounds melting away!

Congrats on a surgery date! I have my psych evaluation on Thursday and then my final nutritionist visit on July 5th. After that, it's waiting on approval from my insurance. Hopefully it won't take long and I have date in August! Keep us posted.

Good morning all,
I have been on this app for a couple of months but this is my first introductory post. My name is Natalie and I live in the Greensboro, NC area. I started this journey the end February and time is really flying by. My insurance doesn't require supervised weightloss which I think is really good. I've learned so much from this app, and the following books, Weight loss Surgery for Dummies & Ultimate Gastric Sleeve Success. I'm excited, nervous and anxious all at the same time.
I'm looking forward to interacting and meeting others on this site.
Sent from my SM-G935V using BariatricPal mobile app

I work in Human Resources and no there is no need to let HR know the details, just the basics.. You need time off to have a procedure done.. they don't need to know details. It is really your decision to disclose that information, but just know you don't have to, and they shouldn't ask.

HR has no legal right to know why you're having the surgery. Just that you are having it and can't work.

Before, 227lbs in a size 2X coat that was tight on me.
2.5 months post sleeve, finishing off a night of swing dancing in a size L dress in the mid 160s.
The difference here isn't just the weight and size, but the fact that old me NEVER would have been doing weekly swing dancing lessons and going to social dances! I'm not only smaller, I have a genuinely better quality of life! Oh and the picture was taken by a new friend of mine who I met through a post-op support group! We do all kinds of activities together that don't revolve around food. I love it!

Are you just asking for the time off, or filling out FMLA paperwork? If your Dr fills out paperwork saying you need time off for medical reasons and FMLA is approved for you, I'm not sure HR would still be able to ask questions like this, but really not sure. If you're not, I'd recommend filling out the official paperwork.

My center had two options - one for those with a BMI over 50 and one for BMI between 40-50. I'm on day 6 of the second option right now, which is 2 Protein Shakes + 2 meals (60% proteins/40% non-starchy veggies) and you can throw in sugar-free popsicles, sugar-free Jello and broth as well. I've found that after doing a shake for breakfast and lunch, and getting in at least 100 oz. of Water for the day that I am only doing one meal. My calorie count has been between 575-1000 each day, and I'm down 13.4 pounds and feeling pretty dang good.

I had RNY on March 8, 2017. This was the best day of my life. The photos are of me at my highest weight of 330 and my current weight of 231. Every day has been a struggle but I'm doing it. I have my eye on the prize. Onederland here I come. I haven't been there since the 90's. 
HW 330
SW 292
CW 231
GW- under 200 lbs. I'll let you know when I get there.
Sent from my Z981 using BariatricPal mobile app

I am 8 months post-op, have lost 203 pounds, and am 14 pounds from goal. I have completely re-defined my relationship with food, changed my life for the better, and positioned myself for a long, healthy life!
The early weeks post-op are among the most difficult times in this journey. But it is more important than ever to follow your plan, meet your Protein and Water goals each day, exercise as you can, let your body heal, and stay off of the scale.
Good luck!

It is pretty typical to have the RNY when there is more weight to lose. And sometimes, doctors prefer it because it is sort of the "gold standard". You will lose more weight with this surgery than with the others. It's even quite common for patient's who have had one type of surgery come back and eventually have the RNY. It's done now--stop looking back. Make the most of it and you'll do great. It will really depend on how you follow the plan now. It is only a tool. It has some magic the first year but eventually that magic wears off and you really need to put in the work so it's best to get in the habit of doing that work now which will pay off exponentially! Best of luck to you and congratulations for making the decision to live longer and better!

I'm not one to shove my belief in God down anyone's throat; but I DO have to say that the only words of wisdom I have are to pray! If that's not your thing, ok. I'll just pray for you! I'll pray He provides you the peace you need to get through the surgery and that He wraps His loving arms around you to comfort you. Good luck on your new journey!

Sent from my SM-N920V using BariatricPal mobile app

Here is a better progression photo of before/during/after

Sent from my SM-G950U using BariatricPal mobile app

I'm coming up on my 4 year surgiversary, but I still remember the moment on a date when I looked down at my legs only to realize I was sitting there with them crossed effortlessly AT THE KNEE!!!...in the passenger seat of a Prius!!
Side note: ended up marrying my date, and years later the memory of that simple act floods back to me every time I get into that Prius to go for a ride with my husband

I can identify with every comment in this thread! I am nearing the end of my 4th month after surgery. Have lost 37 lbs including the prep week. Have lost a total of 100 lbs when including on my own before surgery. Here are the things I have been experiencing and loving! I can fasten the car seatbelt without moving by hips over or lifting my thigh to find the clasp! I can fly coach without asking for an extension belt or worrying that I'm crowding the person sitting next to me! I can ride a bike again! My husband can get his arms all the way around me! I have to keep sewing bigger seams in my clothes to make them fit. I can find clothes to fit me in the stores and in the regular sizes, not having to order the plus sizes from the BIG catalogs. When I sit next to someone, I'm no longer higher than they are-I'm actually sitting lower than they -not sitting on so much bulky fat! (However, I do feel those sits bones on the hard chairs. - That's a new feeling!) No swollen ankles when I'm on my feet a lot. In fact, my feet, ankles, fingers, hands and wrists are considerably smaller! Going from a pant size of 28-30 to now 16-18 is so totally a high! I'm so happy! And look forward to getting to 12-14s! Sorry, going on and on.......you can tell I'm loving my "little things" because they truly are BIG things!

I have Highmark BCBS and hey stopped doing the 6 month nut requirement in dec 2016. Look at ur medical policy online if u registered with ur insurance and it will tell u the policy requirements.

I would be more concerned about what the "cheating" means to your commitment to doing what you need to do. And post-op, following the doctor's orders regarding food and drink is more than just about losing weight -- it is about life and death.