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I was afraid to do the bypass but my surgeon refused to do the sleeve. I am 8 weeks post op and i am happy. I have had complications bc of all the scarring but would be worse if i had the sleeve. Good luck!

I had major complications and lost 70lbs over 6 weeks. I know that I was severely malnourished and dehydrated for 6 weeks so I expected a little gain once my stents were removed and I stopped constantly vomiting....but I gained 4lbs in the last 3 weeks that I'm back home and eating and drinking! And even though I started back @ gym this week (slowly bc I'm still a bit weak and weary) I'm not budging at all on the scale. Any suggestions?? I'm only 3 months post op and I am not ready for the scale to stop!!! I'm getting in my 60g of Protein and fluids! Help!

thyroid issues, possible pnuemonia......gosh girl, you need to take care of yourself....seems you have alot of issues and not just using straws and eating tuna from subway please if you are for real, take care of yourself and follow the dr's orders to the letter. i dont want newbies or prebies to think of this or any WLS as a joke. none of the LBT friends/members on here are rude or trying to be mean. just really tired of dealing with BS trolls and people who make sh** up. hope you are feeling better.

I think I have to get past my anger before I can have any of those types of conversations with him. I thought things were getting better last night, but this morning, I tried talking to him three times and got the silent treatment. Which apparently was set off by me asking him to change the baby's poopy diaper, because I was running late for work. It's the only thing I can think of. Before that, he was fine. After I asked him to do that, he stopped talking to me. He's great with the baby and the baby adores him. It's just me who feels like I'm walking on eggshells. Other than making faces and snotty comments, he's a good man. He's not abusive. He's fairly tolerant. He just doesn't seem to like me all that much. And I just get fed up about that.

Kempner, TX but working out of the Killeen office with the Texas Bariatric Specialist group. Sleeved December 2018 and had revision to Roux-en-x-y gastric bypass on October 7th, 2020 per GERD/Acid reflux issues causing damage to my vocal chords and creating a cancer risk. Lost 20 more lbs since revision and am happy with results as I was only able to get to 173 with sleeve and now I am 8 bs from goal weight ( Now weighing 153) and finally within reach. I have had no complication and no longer any problems with GERD or reflux and am very happy thus far.

Day 8 post op here, I'm also on a liquid diet. It totally sucks! I'm fed up with my Protein and I can taste my medication just thinking about it. Today, I served my husbands dinner and I took a small piece of meat from his plate. Sucked on it, chewed it a couple of times and spit it out. I realized it wasn't all that. It's definitely all In the head. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

You were just like me! But keep reading, there is light at the end of the tunnel!!!! Im sorry to here your frustration. We all have had our ups and downs for sure. I think my situation was pretty similar to yours. It took me forever to finally feel restriction and by the time I did, I had lost all the good habits I had practiced right when I got my surgery. The day of my 7th fill when I finally felt it, it was like a truck hit me! I was like "wait a second i don't like this!" But then I reminded myself that this was what I had prepared for but unfortunately because it took so long I forgot. As far as being too tight. I think you sound ok. If you can get down solid Protein like fish then you should be fine, chicken can be iffy, most of the time if its tender it goes down but sometimes it doesn't. Now as far as your weight loss, I will tell you what worked for me... As far as food goes, you sound like your on par with that. I try to keep mine around 1000 calories a day, and even if your not quite full, stop after 20 or so minutes and let it catch up. So great job with that! But as CRAZY as this sounds, even with a 1000 calories a day, you won't lose weight unless you get in 30 mins of light cardio a day because of that stupid thing we call metabolism. I chewed my doctor out 30 days after I was in green zone bc i hadn't lost a pound. I told him I'm only consuming 1000 calories a day! I should be losing, what is 30 mins on the treadmill really gonna do! Well out of desperation, I finally pulled my old bike out and started doing what he said. EURIKA! It finally all came together! The weight started coming off, and all i did was walk every night for 30 minutes!. I can tell bc the weeks i do it 5 to 6 times, I lose 2 to 5 lbs, but the weeks i get "busy" and only do it 2 or 3 times, i don't lose any . You don't want to really "work out" for hours at the gym though bc you might get burned out and not want to exercise the next day. Keep it light and consistent. The nurse told me that under a "normal diet" 30 mins of walking or whatever might not make that much of a difference because it doesn't burn that much calories but we aren't really doing it to burn more calories ... all the 30 mins of movement is designed to do is to keep your metabolism from going into shock. You need to get your heart rate up for a good 30 mins and it works wonders! To this day, I have never stepped foot in the gym. I get on my bike and turn on food network "haha". Anyways I don't make up reasons for not doing it anymore... my husband and children know that every night at 8:30pm leave me alone for 30 minutes. Moral of the story... 30 mins light cardio, as many nights as you can! If you do it 5 to 6 times a week no more, no less, you will be down 100lbs before you no it! Good luck girl!

One would think that a concerned and engaged parent should at a minimum be able to recognize something isn't right and seek help to deal with the problem. Education is all fine and good, but saying you're "too busy" is BS only demonstrates the level of neglect. He's 14. In most places I know that pretty much means he's unemployed and entire dependent on at least one adult for support, even if that support comes ultimately from the state. She -- practically guaranteed -- controls what money ends up in his wallet for food. She -- again, practically guaranteed -- controls what food goes into the pantry. If her son is sneaking food from the pantry, there are locks available. If she's too busy to cook consistently, she also is in the ultimate position for placing orders at restaurants. Did she even exercise the lowest level of parental control about his eating behaviors? When ordered to hand the child to a foster home, she skipped. Under any circumstance, that alone is worth jail time (as her $50k bail shows). And, of course, where was everybody else? I'm sure she felt she was trying to keep things under control, but so does a drowning man -- do you wait for him to speak clearly and coherently before diving in to assist? There's some accountability there to be scrutinzed. To be honest, I *want* that Pandora's box openned. Parental rights are cute and all, but a lot of "parents" seem to view their children as hobbies they can dabble in, or simply a potential side effect of a night in the back seat of the Oldsmobile.

Me 2.... i took sum Tylenol... I was up late bc im anxious n that led 2 my headache... im alsobat work finishing things up... im leaving @ 12 tho... 2 much 2 do!!!! But im soo excited!!!! Ive gotten sooo many calls n txt today... im sooo blessed n its making me feel better!!!

Thank you for that info!! My surgeon is Dr.Coates in Modesto!! I looked up Anthem Blue Cross's Medical Policy online and it says they cover the sleeve if you are an eligible candidate. Here's the link: http://www.anthem.com/ca/medicalpolicies/policies/mp_pw_a053317.htm It is listed in the first paragragh along with all the other types of WLS. It is listed as "Sleeve Gastrectomy" This may or may not be the info you need but DONT GIVE UP!! I would call your insurance directly and ask how you can view their medical policy online. They should be able to provide you with a link to your actual plan with them. And it is always better to see it in writing yourself rather than to be possibly told numerous things by different agents... Thank you so much for the advice about maybe having to be with them for a certain amount of time before the surgery is covered. That's a great question to ask my insurance lady when I go in tomorrow to possibly switch my plan!!! As far as Dr.Coates office having a contract with Anthem Blue Cross,I talked to about 4 ppl from their office yesterday that confirmed that Anthem Blue Cross does cover the sleeve with them,bc I kept calling back to make sure!! LOL. I would call Dr.Coates office and talk to them if you may still want to have the surgery done there. They are very helpful and have an awesome pre-authorization worker!! I'm sure if you give her your exact insurance info as far as what plan you are under with Anthem Blue Cross,she should be able to give you some valuable advice. Hope this helps-It would be awesome to go through this journey with someone local!!!

Hey Truberry. Congrats on your sleeve. I was sleeved 7/17 also! I returned to work a week later. How are you handling everything with your sleeve?I know you are looking for people in the area, but I live in Atlanta and I am coming to NY to visit hopefully in September to treat myself. I would love to join your meetup if possible. Thanks Wablue. Congrats to you! That sounds like a wonderful idea. So far the sleeve is great. The usual ups and downs. My job pays in full plus benes while I'm off so there's no point not taking advantage. I start mushy and moist tomorrow and I've never been so excited. What are some of the things you plan to eat during that phase? I'm very much looking forward to a new me. Officially I'm down 14lbs. Unofficially 18. But I'll have to wait three weeks for my next doc visit for any more info bc my scale refuses to move and I'm pretty sure it's wrong bc the docs readings were different. How are you doing so far?

It is a nicotine delivery method, if you choose to use nicotine. Leading up to my VSG, I have gone to zero nicotine. It is NOT smoking. No leaves are being burned, hence no tar, arsenic, benzene, etc. etc. Many think I'm splitting hairs here because of what vaping looks like, but make no mistake. It is NOT smoking. Allow me to be frank right along with you. Nicotine is NOT a carcinogen. It is a mild stimulant, much like caffeine. There is evidence that it could slow the post-surgical healing process, which is why most docs want zero nicotine tests before doing surgery, but it's many other chemicals in cigs that cause cancer, not nicotine. The thing is, unless you have a vested interest, you would never do your homework. Most people just take the information fed to them by main stream media as fact. The facts are much different, and I can support everything I say. I'm with you! Most don't do their due diligence because it's so much easier to criticize something that looks like smoking. It's not like they care or anything.

Saying prayers. It sucks. Now what everyone doesn't want...duh duh dunnnhhhhhh--yes, that's right! It's time for the "Advice from a Pre-Surgery Newbie" Show, starring? FluffyChix! Ok, so now for some practical advice. You are a medical professional--so you must be aware of this stuff--if not, get to know it! 1. Take baby steps. Begin again. Today. Right now. Only focus on the next bite. Today your one job is to dump the carbonated diet drinks. Dump em baby. Use LaCroix as a sub if you must. 2. Tomorrow or when you feel you can, work on the next step...make your snacks healthy and filling: 2oz of protein, or PB3s, or 2oz of GS apple + 2tbsp peanut butter (I'm presurg and this snack right here fills me for 3 hours). 3. Next step, STOP drinking while eating. You can do this. It's actually the easiest step. Make it the first step if you want!!! 4. Next step, go back to eating protein first with every meal. Follow the baby step meal order: protein, non-starchy veg, high carb bs, dessert. 5. Next step, get rid of all the sugar and carby nonsense. Lose the desserts and high carb nonsense. Dump all the sugar from your diet. Tighten up your daily food intake. REALLY this is the fish or cut bait time. It may take several days...get rid of the CRAP. 6. Go back to planning your meals for 1 day. Weigh and measure everything. All. The. Things. Each day, recommit to weighing and tracking (and planning--don't forget the planning) for that day and that day only. Each day. Every day. Recommit. 7. Start walking every day--just around your house, inside your house if necessary...just 5 minutes if that's all you can do. Work up every day to more. And that's as simple as it gets. Don't eat within 3-4 hours of bedtime. Sleep elevated. Make low acid choices. Chew the crap outta stuff and makes notes on what makes the GERD and your esophagus feel worse. Take your PPIs. Treat yourself kindly and with respect. Congratulate yourself on getting through some serious ****. Congratulate yourself on graduating and improving your life. Go back to basics. Each day plan and log your food. Only focus on taking the very next BEST bite. Don't forget to surrender to your higher power. Read about CBT and food addiction. It's an awesome tool for overeating or eating with abandon. And lastly, don't put off a revision if it's called for with the GERD. Just jump in and get it done. Don't waste any more of your life on this. But you do need to get the overeating/eating off plan stuff together cuz as you know, you can eff any surgery if you're determined to do so. Do OA or Greysheeters. Go to therapy. Just concentrate on changing one thing at a time. Take baby steps and you can turn your life around. This is exactly how I backed into starting my new life on the pre-surgery plan. Before I could even do my plan, I had to slowly and gradually back into it until I had strung together so many successful days that I'd built momentum and resolve. Resolve and commitment grow exponentially with success. The more you see the scale move (or whatever your marker of success may be), the stronger the resolve to stay on plan. Good luck. If I can do this, you can do this. I'm the queen of recidivism. I practically wrote the book on it.

This news story ran in BC, Canada earlier this week. A lady came back to Canada after VGS surgery in Mexico, with a leak and a sliced spleen. The story does not specifically name the surgeon she had, but they show the receipt she got from the clinic she used, which was "Bariaticenter" in Tijuana. You can figure out who the surgeon was from there. http://globalnews.ca/video/1569692/mexico-surgery-warning The lady sounds a bit nutsy, but even so, she didn't pay for this. I am still going to Mexico next week for my VGS surgery, but not to this clinic. This video is a bit of fear mongering I think, but obviously, this lady had a very bad experience. Research, research, research!

Your story is powerful and relatable to me... I got lots of resistance from friends and at first from my mom but in the end it was about me and what I know about myself I did start seeing a psychologist twice a week for my eating and other emotional issues including PTSD and bipolar which was recently dx after over 10 years of a mislabel of major depressive disorder The one thing that concerns me is tge type of surgery your getting.... I was originally going to get RNY but got cold feet, ended up psych hospital and many other health flare ups. My BMI was 52 so rny fit however when my surgeon saw me again a number of months latter, he was vety reluctant to do rny due to the realization that my depression issues are severe and I need so much meds to manage multiple medical and psych conditions. He totally said gastric sleeve was best because the RNY malabsorption can really screw up your maintenance medications and is more complex them sleeve in terms of care. My psychiatrist also shared with me that he has a really hard time adjusting medications in his bypass patients So, I'm not sure why your surgeon hasn't brought this up...maybe he doesn't realize that you have clinical depression...I told my surgeon originally but he still didn't get it until he saw my record in the computer system around a year latter, he got to see the extent of my medical and psych issues and I had been cleared by their psychologist too!! So I'm just being super candid, vulnerable and open sharing my sensitive history with you bc it concerns me a lot My surgeon acknowledged that RNY was ideal for my BMI but not for my mefical/psych history He also asked for a letter from my mental health ppl about my readiness for weight loss surgery. I'm really glad he was through in the end and my mom felt better and supported me too. My therapist knew I read, researched and was more then ready and I have his support along the journey I think your sister and mom have genuine concerns even though loosing weight tge " regular" way is not research supported for really overweight people but you do need to be emotionally prepared for it. Good fortune

I limit REFINED carbohydrates. I partake in them occasionally, but only occasionally. When I know my downfall (or drug of choice) after 50+ years, and I keep it around my house, I am only setting myself up for failure. If I eat a refined carbohydrate out at a party or restaurant, I know I can't spiral into a CARB COMA bc I don't have it in the house...... at all!

about 6 weeks post op. down almost 60lbs. got sleeved on 01-29-13. i do great all day. drink Water and my Protein shake, have my yogurt and soft cheeses, sometimes tuna. but when it comes to dinner time and the night time i always seem to struggle especially when i'm home. i def graze when i am home. and i hate it. a little Peanut Butter, a little more cheese, S.F. pops etc. sometimes if i eat chicken and f.f. gravy ill eat till im full and then go back later. it's so hard to learn this new way of life but i know i have to. i scraped the cheese of the pizza i made from scratch for my family the other night. is this normal ?? should i feel hungry and still crave food? i know my brain can play tricks on me but when will it stop. i don't want to want pizza or chinese or fast food bc i know it's poison. it's what go me here in the first place. i think i should eat and once im full just leave and walk away or go work out. do you still want food this far out ???

One friend of mine, who is 3 years post op, said the girls were finally beginning to look normal! She's never breast-fed so she hasn't experienced the deflation. Yours might not get smaller...some would be very envious of you. When you reach your goal weight, and have been there for a year or two, that's when you should consult a plastic surgeon and talk about breast reduction. Me? I'm definitely looking into having the girls put back where they should be and maybe even implants! But that's YEAR'S down the road!!

@brandnewme2013 yea im st that stage of not being able to drink anything while i eat but i was thinking of making a buffalo chicken salad to kick my craving. And i was told to keep my ground food moist always bc if i dont i feel like a big lump in my throat and i end up vomiting :-/

Hi everyone ! Im 3 weeks post-op and craving spicy food ! Especially buffalo chicken ! Is it bad to have spicy foods ? I dont remember my doctor ever mentioning this but my mom who had the surgery about 15 years ago said it was bad for me. Does anybody know ? ALSO, im at the gound foods stage. I have to measure 3oz of ground meat plus 1/4cup of mashed potatoes. Does anybody know if its okay for me to add like the broth over the meat to make it moist ? Bc i figured 3oz and thats it no adding anymore not even the broth.

Patricia: This doctor has been used by TLBC (Slimband) from the Toronto Lapband Clinic (now Slimband) for their patients in BC. He does fills for their patients. I know of one lady who goes to him and thinks he is very caring. Payment up front of course. Slimband patients go through the clinic fill nurse in Toronto for appointments. I understand they pay up front too and get reimbursed later if their contract calls for free fills. Also, I was told that this Dr. has been trained by Slimband in fills.

Hello there, I am new to this site and I was just wondering about other people in Bc getting surgery. I am seeing Dr. Sampath, WestCoast Bariatric in Richmond. I so far have done blood work, Ultra sound, and had the scope done. He arranged for me to have them done here in Prince George. Next month I get to see an internist in West Van. and get all the info from the diatition group he works with in Richmond, Then I get to work with my diation her in PG. So how goes it for others . Linda

Thanks ladies! I do want to become completely healthy! I want to be able to run! I've always wanted to be a runner because I'm fast, even being overweight I am still a good runner, just that u don't have much endurance lol I'm gonba try the sugar free peppermint stick bc I have a prob with nothing in my hands too. I've been using him but it seems to not work too well. On to other stuff I guess. Thanks! Johnathan

Well they are all fed, fat and happy.....

I didn’t pay anything. I got a lot of letters from different specialists. Not even co pays or the nutritionist or psychological exam. It only took a month from 1st appt to surgery being scheduled but it was rescheduled a month later bc non essential so it’s on 8th. I did the 14 day liquid died twice. I just hope he will get the plastic surgeon he works with to put rashes, infections etc for help with skin as I can’t afford that I don’t think.