Finally!

She did do a brief pre-op diet and did drop some initial weight. She's lost about 20 pounds total - but that includes the pre-op diet. She has done Weight Watchers, etc (every diet on the planet) and has lost weight before - but hasn't lost more than 20-30 pounds in quite a few years. If she completely restricts all carbs, she lost weight in the past, but that's unsustainable. I feel awful because I talked her into the sleeve - and even though I know that there's no way I could have known it wouldn't work, it makes me so sad to know how excited she was for the surgery and heartbroken that it just isn't working for her. It seems so bizarre. I can't imagine how you can NOT eat and still not lose weight.

I am really concerned this may be the case. Do you happen to remember where you found those studies that reference the failure cases? She doesn't really get hungry - about the same as me. Thanks for the reply!

She isn't dropping sizes. She isn't gaining weight, which is good - but it's so frustrating to not be eating, to have had surgery, and to not be losing. She has had a complete physical recently with her main physician and a full panel of blood tests. I'm hoping to find similar cases to see if I can figure out what is going on and then find a specialist who can help her.

Fern, I did get in touch with him. Unfortunately, he's in Mexico and the steps he wants to start with (giving her an eating plan, checking on her sleeve size) are multi-step and would require a few visits. He's so great but I really would love to at least know what to start researching in terms of her condition. I'm just trying to find some similar cases and see what they did. Thanks for your reply!

Yes, I agree with all of the numbers - but I'm telling you - I know it SEEMS impossible - but that's not the issue with her. She's active and is consuming very few calories. I was just with her for a solid week and saw everything she ate. She's not sneaking in shakes or high-calorie foods or crazy amounts of carbs or anything. She eats Protein, drinks Water - everything. She has kept track of her intake and it just doesn't make any sense. In the beginning I assumed that she was probably taking in too many calories or that her sleeve wasn't actually restricting her food intake or that she was grazing all the time. She's NOT. Something else is amiss here. Does anyone else have any experience with this - beyond the basics of calories in, calories out?

I had the sleeve 3 years ago and lost all of my weight. My brother, best friend, and uncle also had it and lost most of their weight. But my poor mom had it over a year and a half ago and has only lost 20 pounds. (She has about 80 to go.) She eats small portions, doesn't make terrible choices, etc. I don't understand. Her doctor doesn't seem to care. He just said to get some blood work done (it was all normal). I get the feeling that it's just a mystery to him and he's more interested in getting more patients sleeved than in figuring out what's wrong with my mom. She got her thyroid tested and it's on the low/normal side - but nothing that would explain this. I haven't found anyone else with this issue on any of the forums. If anyone has an idea about what to do, what to research, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE let me know. It's heartbreaking. If anyone has a doctor to recommend that would be able to figure this out, she's located in Austin, Texas. Her doctor was in Dallas. I honestly wish she had gone to my doctor (Aceves in Mexico) because I know he would never rest until he knew what was wrong with her.

Three times in the last 2 months, I've ended up with HORRIBLY PAINFUL stomach pains that last for hours - that I'm almost 100% sure are the result of trapped air. The other two times, I drank and ate too close together. Last night, I think it was because I had a chug of juice and then a slice of apple about 5 minutes later. I was on the ground with horrific pains all night. I tried all the usual gas remedies - and I could feel air in my gut area that was incredibly tender to push on - but nothing worked to relieve it. Walking made me burp a lot so I'm pretty sure it was trapped air. I tried gas-x but it did nothing. I think it was NOT the result of poor digestion - but literally air somehow moving through my system. Finally at 5 am, it settled down and I could rest. There was no bad-smelling gas or anything. I'm over a year out from my surgery, at goal weight (135, down from 212), and haven't had many other problems. I'm just wondering if I should be worried about this or if I just REALLY need to watch my Fluid intake timing against my food intake. Please post if you have any ideas about what this might be. THANKS!

Driver - who was your doctor?

Sleeved by Aceves, July 09. AMAZING. LOVE LOVE LOVE him and the whole staff. My brother and best friend have both gone to him and love him as well. HIGHLY recommend. Mine was $8750, too. (On special for that month.) ps - I'm a happy patient - not a paid flunky. :blushing:

Inside- Thanks so much! Do you know how many he's done at this point? The thing I loved about Dr. A was that he had so many years of experience in them. Congrats on the weight loss! I had my sleeve done last July 5th and am now a permanent size 6 -8. It just gets easier and easier! I remember that I was still a bit unsure of how to eat 7 weeks out - but now it's a piece of cake. (A very small piece of cake...:blushing:) Best, ID

How was Dr. Marquez? Do you know how many sleeves she's done? I'm trying to help my mom find someone in Austin for her sleeve surgery. I had mine done by Aceves in Mexico but Mom has insurance that might cover hers stateside. Any help would be much appreciated!

What's the word on Dr. Ganta? I'm looking for a vsg doc for my mom in Austin. I had mine last year in Mexicali with the amazing Dr. Aceves but my mom has insurance that may pay for hers in Texas. Any suggestions are very appreciated.

Awww! I remember your DH from Mexicali. What a sweet guy! CONGRATULATIONS JENN!!! All those days of yucky liquids and gagging on eggs is WORTH IT FOR A SIZE 8!! I'm in a 10 but anxious to try an 8. None of my clothes fit at all. I'm down to wearing loose gym shorts. (And freezing, even if it's San Diego.)

Would absolutely do it again. My first two months were hell - but I'd never want to go back to that kind of hopelessness and constant trying of the past. Happy I had it done, and have sent my brother & my best friend to Dr. Aceves. I'm down 50 pounds and can focus on something besides my weight!

Jenn, That's awesome! I'm also down 50 pounds. I went with a friend two days ago to Dr. Aceves for her surgery. I got a leak test - all looks great. How is it with being able to eat? I can eat most things. I'm still working on getting enough Protein & liquids. xoID