B.B

Best of luck. After my surgery I kicked my self for not doing it sooner.

great to hear everyone's stories, its amazing how a process can do so much for someone's life.
This past May 22nd was 2 years since my sleeve and in the best shape i have ever been in !!

the surgery will help but IT IS NOT THE WHOLE SOLUTION!!!!! keep that in mind and add the work that is needed if you dont want to have hanging skin all over. every day in and out, you did not go through the knife to end up wasting it all and gaining the weight back. so awesome to see everyone succeeding, blessings and best wishes to all !!

Hi, All!
Asian sleever here hahaha. It is now +1 year post-op for me and I am feeling great. My weight won't come down anymore tho, but that is alright since I am not in a rush, plus I have some muscles now.
I am 168cm, originally was 97,5 kg, right before op I was 95,5kg and now I am 61.8kg. I would love to reduce the scale to 58kg (I have reached this weight before, but I gained some due to unhealthy decisions of eating so much carbs lol). I exercise at least 3 times a week and I am feeling healthy.
Cheers and nice to meet you All.

Hi ! I’m 3 wk post op VSG. I have done well since surgery. On surgery I weighed around 254 now I’m 240. I was 237 on Monday but when I weighed today I had gained. I’ve read lots about that 3rd week being tough and at first I was upset but then I settled down. One day at a time. I am happily married for 22 yrs and we don’t have any biological children but we raise my first cousins by their mother passed away from brain cancer 2 yrs ago. I am an RN of almost 15 yrs and I specialize as an oncology nurse. I have a mostly supportive family except my husband and a few others but I had to do this for myself and my family. The biggest difficulty I have had since surgery is getting all my fluids in. I have been blessed not to have continued nausea as some do. Good luck to everyone!

I think I posted on this thread months back but it's worth a revisit.
So many reasons, but in a nutshell I was tired of hiding from life and not living. Living in shame and making excuses to not participate in life due to weight shame. Life is way too short and we only get one shot. I didn't want to waste this precious gift of life!!

I had always been too afraid too have the surgery... afraid of the risks, afraid I wouldn't get approved, afraid that I would hate the way I looked more after I lost all that weight. My PCP put me on a strict diet to manage my T2 diabetes 2 years ago, and I have adhered to it and maintained a 5-6 A1C and lost about 40lbs. I thought that was great, but as time went on I wasn't losing anymore and she asked me if I would reconsider the surgery. I told her I would think about it. That weekend it was my hubby and I's 10 year anniversary so we were going to a concert in Baltimore to see my favorite band to Celebrate. It was a 15 minute walk from our hotel, then we stood in line for an hour and there were 3 opening bands before my favorite one played. The venue was standing room only, and I had taken breaks between sets to sit on the curb outside. The 4th song into seeing the ONE band I went there to see, I felt like I was going to pass out. My legs, my back, my feet all hurt so bad I turned to my hubby and said I can't do it and that we have to go.
I was soooooooo disappointed in myself. Although we had a good time, and he didn't make me feel one ounce of guilt I felt like we wasted our money, That my weight ruined a milestone in our lives. When we came home Sunday afternoon, I signed up for the WLS seminar at with our local bariatric program. I decided that I was done allowing my life to be controlled by my weight. So here I am.

I've read through every single post on all 147 pages: it's been inspiring and heartbreaking. Thank you, everyone.
I realize that I'm unusual in many ways. I haven't been bothered by shame and embarrassment--I just figure this is the way I am, take it or leave it. Yes, there are good reasons why I should be smaller, but I haven't stressed out about it.
Here's a list of the things that HAVE NOT made me make this decision:
--High blood pressure; I've been on medication for probably 20 years;
--High cholesterol; on meds for maybe 10 years;
--GERD and Barrett's (acid-reflux issues); on meds for that;
---Diabetes; on lots of insulin and two other drugs for that;
--Airplane seats; I ask for the seat-belt extension and put it on, and the last time I flew, I *just* booked (and paid for) two seats in an attempt to be comfortable;
--Amusement parks, even though I realized there was no point in my going to the Harry Potter World when it opened, not at my weight;
--Not being comfortable in various theater and movie seats;
--Always asking for a table, not a booth;
--Not buying clothes other than online or through a catalog for the past couple of decades.
Y'all get the idea--I've just adjusted to the issues associated with my weight. Until now . . . because the one thing that is just not acceptable is KNEE PAIN.
For the past six months or so, I've been in agony nearly every time I stand up or walk at all. The meds for this don't remove the pain; they sometimes make it bearable, but they also make me sleepy. Shots don't last at all and certainly won't fix the problem. Nearly constant application of ice helps. I'm at the point where I either figure out a way to help in a major way (weight loss) or I'm headed for a wheelchair. And as a single person, I'm definitely not willing to give up my independence to that extent.
The ortho doctor referred me to the bariatric surgeon. I've done a ton of reading on this site and the most common thing nearly everyone says is this: "It's the best decision I ever made, and I wish I'd done it sooner." I want to be able to say that, too.
Being able to possibly get rid of diabetes and some or all of the other ailments/meds, being able to fly comfortably, and being able to buy regular-sized clothes are all benefits I'm excited about--but the knee pain is still the major motivator!

I'm really not sure where you are getting your information from concerning Mexico. Their standards are at least as high if not higher than in the US or Canada. I had my bariatric surgery in Mexico and had one of the best bariatric surgeons in Mexico, who is now an International Member of ASMBS (American Society for Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery). Also, the hospital (Oasis of Hope-a full service hospital, not a clinic) where I had my surgery had very skilled and educated surgical staff, doctors, and nurses, who were more attentive than in the US. They came to the room when I hit the nurse button. They didn't ask me what was wrong on the speaker; they came to my room. The company I went through also had valets that checked on me and my companion to make sure we were doing fine. I stayed in the hospital for three days, then went to the hotel, where I was visited both days by a doctor to make sure I was progressing well. That kind of care doesn't exist in the US. It was the best hospital and subsequent care I have ever received, bar none. Not to mention the fact that whenever I have questions, for the rest of my life, I can get in touch with my surgeon and nutritionist, via email or Skype, and get my questions answered within 24 hours.
More than likely, I will go to Mexico, through the same company to get my plastic surgery as well, because I know I will be well taken care of.
My bariatric surgeon is Dr. Selim Illan, and the company I went through is Bariatricpal Team Mx.

I had Abdominoplasty / Tummy Tuck on Feb 6th and had my one week follow up today. It's the first time I got to look at it and wow. I love it!! Yes I have a cut from hip to hip and they only removed one drain along with every other staple today but the incision was pulled together flat tight and perfect. The right drain line was removed and that was FAR less painful than the tape removal.
I am so pleased!! I go back in a week+ and the other staples with drain will be removed. I have hip bones, expect flat sides, which I really wanted , and a cute belly button. I didn't need much pain meds and except for the last two days of tape itching I've been great. A pull on the drains were uncomfortable at times but I just changed positions.
My sleeve surgeon also does tucks for his patients at a cash price far below anywhere else (plastic surgeons) that I could get to return my calls.
He only does tucks and no other procedure I.e. Breast, legs, or arm lifts.
i am 62 and debated the surgery the last 18 months from my sleeve date; however older ladies it IS so worth doing for yourself! No one may ever see it but hubby and I and that is just fine by me. I no longer expect to be pushing skin into a stretch "Cami" or slimming underwear but I also won't be getting sores under tummy hang over either.
I wish i could throw myself into a dryer and "shrink" all my other loose hanging skin. But I will take this with a huge smile on my face.
write if you have questions???

I weigh 255lbs and I have arthritis, and balance issues, I'm afraid if I fall my husband wouldn't be able to help me because of his physical issues. I need assistance with simple things.
One day I was looking through some pictures of a family gathering, wen I realized that my view from chest down was deceiving, I thought I had a muffin top, when I saw the pictures I seen the whole bakery with a basement going on.
I have been able to lose weight but never have been able to maintain , used to be muscular and would tell everyone that there was a lot of muscle weight included in my bmi. I realize things need to change so I'm starting my journey on the 22nd of Sept.

I took my daughter to the Zoo, I had to say no to several small rides because weight limits were under 200lbs. Missing out on fun experiences and bonding with my daughter. Watching my sister take her on the marry go round. I don't want to let it happen again

Oh and congrats. That's very inspiring.. I'm delighted for you.

Sent from my VF-895N using BariatricPal mobile app

Sadly that was me too, I'm so glad I did it, I feel like I have been given second chance at life, love and happiness.

If it's any consolation- I was lying in bed at like 5pm yesterday feeling overwhelmed with how hungry I was and having a pity party. I keep thinking "make it to the next shake/pudding cup/cup of broth" because otherwise I'll feel so dejected [emoji87] I am pissed off that food has this hold on me & I'm trying to use this time to focus on things that are positive like Bible study and tackling long neglected chores like cabinet organizing. Fun!

In all seriousness, I am so thankful you shared about your night because I feel like I have found someone who understands!!! My husband is TRYING but if he tells me One. More. Time. how he's not hungry AT ALL (he's doing the same preop diet with me in solidarity, his choice, which I know is sweet) I may snap. [emoji23]

I had to go to Walmart today to get cupcakes for my daughter's birthday (dropping them off at school in a bit). The smell of the fresh baked break like to have KILLED ME. carbs are my crack. But we got this! Here's to making it one more day!!


- No idea what I'm doing but I'm here!

Thank you!! One of the last lessons my granny taught me before she passed (7 years ago) was that I was perfect the way I was. I used to look in the mirror allll the time and say (out loud) "ugh I'm so fat"... I said once in front of her (as she was lying in hospital bed fighting her battle with cancer) and she shared her feelings with me. She was a loving person, but wasn't always super gushy and emotional. So that time it stuck with me. It took me a long time to accept her words, but they did stay in my mind and helped me take the first steps to CONSIDERING I was indeed worthy of love even if I THOUGHT I WAS TOO FAT TO BE LOVED. [emoji5]


- No idea what I'm doing but I'm here!

I failed to admit it in any other post so far but something like this took hold of me.
SIX MONTHS AGO, my 32 year old son died on his sister's 34th birthday. He was crushed by a four tonne steel beam falling on him at a construction site. He left behind a pregnant widow and a 15 month old boy ... now a widow with a son 21 months and 7 week old daughter.
I suddenly realised that I had no leading adult male left in the family but me. The eldest grandson is only 11.5 years.
Someone has to be there for those important things. I had to step back into another part of my life that I'd tacitly handed over to my daughter and son in 2013-2014.
My son-in-law is a good man but he has "his own side" of the family tree to be in first place with.
My daughter and I are still devastated by the shock and the size of the gap to fill.

For me it was combinations of many things that made me think I have to lose weight to be able to enjoy life again: diabetes diagnosis was bad, starting to take blood pressure meds was bad, not being comfortable in the movie theater seats was awkward, being unable to keep myself clean was awful, getting dressed took me about 30 min and I was sweating while doing so, getting any clothing over my foot was a huge effort and required me to be in a certain position to be able to manage it, my shower chair can only hold the weight up to 300 lb and I didn't want to use it worrying it will brake under my body one day, using CPAP was neither comfortable nor practical but I had to, and what worried me more was my son being scared of me when seeing me wear it, increasing foot, knee and back problems were starting to be a growing worry, but what got me over the line was one other fact regarding my son.
He is autistic and rides the small bus to school, which means I have to get up on it and buckle him in. One day last year they changed the actual bus and this one had very little room in the aisle between the rows of seats and I had to squeeze myself sideways through them all (my son favored to sit on the very back of that bus). I thought to myself I cant wait till I wont be able to make it between those seats.
Now as the new school year started and I am about 2 months after surgery I can fit between them just fine, I already put some of the older clothing away, diabetes was gone before I got back home from the hospital, I'm taking only half of the blood pressure med but I think at the next visit my doc might take me off of it completely due to pretty low pressure now (106/68), I can get dressed like everyone else, including clasping my bra without magic tricks, NO MORE CPAP ,saw Dunkirk in IMAX theater and enjoyed the movie immensely, not only cause it was a great movie but also cause I was really comfortable and sipping my drinkable greek yogurt while others chowed down their movie foods. I walk daily, about 30 min and I pay very close attention to how much and what I eat, and I see myself changing, and being happy, really enjoying life again. I still have knee and back pain, and I will deal with them when I lose more weight. Also thinking to sign up at local gym fro the winter months. The changes I see are not only in my body but also of my mindset, and the weight gone (about 60 lb now) really inspires me to do more, be better, smarter and healthier. I even started cooking at home LIFE IS GOOD

For me it was combinations of many things that made me think I have to lose weight to be able to enjoy life again: diabetes diagnosis was bad, starting to take blood pressure meds was bad, not being comfortable in the movie theater seats was awkward, being unable to keep myself clean was awful, getting dressed took me about 30 min and I was sweating while doing so, getting any clothing over my foot was a huge effort and required me to be in a certain position to be able to manage it, my shower chair can only hold the weight up to 300 lb and I didn't want to use it worrying it will brake under my body one day, using CPAP was neither comfortable nor practical but I had to, and what worried me more was my son being scared of me when seeing me wear it, increasing foot, knee and back problems were starting to be a growing worry, but what got me over the line was one other fact regarding my son.
He is autistic and rides the small bus to school, which means I have to get up on it and buckle him in. One day last year they changed the actual bus and this one had very little room in the aisle between the rows of seats and I had to squeeze myself sideways through them all (my son favored to sit on the very back of that bus). I thought to myself I cant wait till I wont be able to make it between those seats.
Now as the new school year started and I am about 2 months after surgery I can fit between them just fine, I already put some of the older clothing away, diabetes was gone before I got back home from the hospital, I'm taking only half of the blood pressure med but I think at the next visit my doc might take me off of it completely due to pretty low pressure now (106/68), I can get dressed like everyone else, including clasping my bra without magic tricks, NO MORE CPAP ,saw Dunkirk in IMAX theater and enjoyed the movie immensely, not only cause it was a great movie but also cause I was really comfortable and sipping my drinkable greek yogurt while others chowed down their movie foods. I walk daily, about 30 min and I pay very close attention to how much and what I eat, and I see myself changing, and being happy, really enjoying life again. I still have knee and back pain, and I will deal with them when I lose more weight. Also thinking to sign up at local gym fro the winter months. The changes I see are not only in my body but also of my mindset, and the weight gone (about 60 lb now) really inspires me to do more, be better, smarter and healthier. I even started cooking at home LIFE IS GOOD

I wish I had time to read every single answer here. I've read a lot & feel better knowing I'm not alone. This is so scary and hard and overwhelming. This is my first post on this app/page & I just want to say how glad I am that I found it!

I have had it on my mind for YEARS to pursue a surgical intervention, but I kept telling myself I didn't need it. I could do it on my own. (It feels like a failure to need it, you know what I mean...?)

I turned 39 in July & I just got tired of waiting for the me I feel I am inside to come out. I've always been overweight. It has gotten slowly and slowly more difficult to maintain a "decent" size - able to wear sizes 14/16 but creeping towards 18/20- and the pain in my knees has gotten steadily worse. I have arthritis and have had pain since I was a child, but the older I get (& the heavier), the worse the pain is. I've had to wear a knee brace almost daily for the last 6-9 months.

I don't feel "old" but the reality of my weight is setting in. I have a 10 year old daughter. I want to set an example for her. A good one.

My husband is very fit and active. We've only been together 5 years and I'll be honest- from the start I've felt uncomfortable about my weight. I've never had a "fit" partner. Like ever. He's EXTREMELY supportive and loving and has never suggested I lose weight or made any comments of the sort. It's actually his unconditional love that finally helped me start to truly love myself. I hope that makes sense, as I know it sounds like I'm talking out of both sides of my mouth.

I want to do this for me. But I didn't care enough about myself before to really think I deserved it.

I went for a consult maybe 4 weeks ago. And it all went so fast! I have a surgery date (in 2 week!) and just started my pre op diet yesterday. I'm stressed and a little miserable (see previous comment about pre op diet LOL), but am trying to take is day by day. Ok, sometimes hour by hour. Thank you for reading this! Hope you all have a great day!!


- No idea what I'm doing but I'm here!

If you are on the website you can just scroll down to the very bottom and and it is on the right. On the app, no idea.

I do not live in New York, ( I live in Florida) but I had my surgery July 26, 2017. If you are interested in being "chat buddies ", please contact me!

Well, here goes nothing...
My name is Jim. I am from central California and have three absolutely beautiful daughters from two different marriages. They are smart too, which leads me to wonder where the heck they got their brains, because their moms and I definitely got the short end on that deal. lol
I was born with severely deformed feet and legs. Spent my entire childhood in casts and braces. Surgeries were the norm to get me to where I could walk (almost) normally. I was also incredibly skinny and had a voracious appetite. The standing joke was that I stored all the food I ate within my casts. Because we were also quite poor and depended on assistance, my parents insisted that I clean my plate with each meal and nothing was allowed to be wasted. Pasta was plentiful because it was so cheap.
As I got older, my appetite never let up, but I still did not gain weight. I was active and my body seemed to eat those extra calories with ease. Then, I hit 21. For whatever reason, the weight poured on. I went from 140 pounds to 175 in a few months. Then to 200. I felt like I was on a runaway freight train. I noticed with the increased weight, my feet and legs began to hurt more. My activity levels started to decrease because of the pain. Then, with the failure of my first marriage and the trauma of the disgusting divorce process, depression set in. I isolated myself and began to eat to take the pain away. Before I knew it, I was 250 pounds and my feet and legs were worse than ever.
Over the years, I managed to diet, but fell into the 96 percentile and always gained the weight, plus extra, back. A few years ago, I suffered a work related injury to my left foot. I was told that, because of the deformities and the surgeries, that my work injury would never heal. Essentially, I re-sprain my foot every morning when I get out of bed. Although minor, it is painful ... daily. I also learned that I had limited mobility in my ankle and that the metatarsals were trying to pick up for the slack that my ankle was leaving. In short, I was told that I need to find a different career or I would not make it to retirement. The only solution for my problem will be to fuse all of the joints.
In April, I went in to see my doctor and weighed in at 299 pounds. I am 5' 11", so I know that for many this is not as significant, but my BMI was 42. With a historical trend of increasing weight, HPB, sleep apnea, and severe joint pain, he recommended I look into the Kaiser bariatric program. This is where my journey begins ....
June 29: Attended first orientation class in Stockton (299.0 lbs) July 03: Had a huge mental set back when I took my daughters to a theme park and was called out of line to see if I fit in the "test" chair. July 07: Attended official orientation at Bariatric Center in South Sacramento (298.8 lbs) July 10: Officially gave up carbonated drinks, alcohol, and caffeine. Started using post-op food plan religiously. July 21: First visit with Dr. Yenemula. Was informed I had already made goal weight (283.1 lbs) July 24: Attended nutrition class and that evening attended support group meeting (282.4 lbs) Aug. 07: Stopped by for official weigh in (270.2 lb) Aug. 16: I have my psych visit I have been very limiting on who I have included in my journey. My mom, significant other (SO), and kids know. I have also told my boss (a close friend), so he is aware of the time I may need coming up. Everyone has been extremely supportive, except that my SO is insistent that I do not get the surgery. She has never had weight issues and is a gym rat (talk about oil and water). She believes that all I need to do is continue with this diet that, as of now, has been extremely successful.
The problem is, she has not been with me to see 20 years of struggling. The emotional and physical pains associated with losing, then gaining back more. She has not seen me getting dinner for the family on the way home and ordering an extra meal, just so I can hurry up and eat it before I get home for dinner. And, after wolfing that meal down, feeling the extreme shame in doing so.
For me, this is a much-needed physical tool that will assist me in maintaining what I am doing right now. With this surgery, I will be lighter and able to return to exercising the way I used to. I see the possibility of retiring on my own terms…not a doctor’s.
I am so sorry for this lengthy intro. Just started typing and it flowed. If there is anyone in my neck of the woods that is willing to chat (Stockton, Sacramento), I would love to learn more about your journey and maybe mutual support. While I value the support groups and do intend on going, I am not as comfortable in that group type environment.
If you made it this far, thanks so much for reading.

Same happened to me, I finally found time to type something up and then as i tried to post it all was gone, and I spent good 30 min on it, lol. Not sure what happened but I don't feel like typing it all again, an "auto save" feature would be useful...

2 corrections, i must have clicked accidentally on florida, but i live in illinois (edited the info in profile but not sure when it will be updated), and im not sure why they are showing my BMI at 48, i didint write it, and when i had my very first consultation (about 6 mo prior to surgery) the BMI i got was at 51.9, and my weight taken that day was also lower then at the time of start of my pre-surgical liquid diet. my son needs me now, i will try to find time later to write more

hi all just a quick hello as im new here, and dont have much time now to write my story as they suggested in welcome email, but i wanted to make my mark here i like this forum, read a few comments, supportive people and nice community, glad to be part of it now