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My doctors office says a month from when I attend my last class till surgery. My last class is Dec 1st so I'm looking at 2 week of January.

Most people report little pain and quick recovery. Mine diminished gradually over 2 - 3 weeks. We each heal differently. Please let your Dr know you're hurting. Peace

Lia - analysis paralysis (LOVE it) - yes, that is what I have for sure. First thanks to all for your responses and they all make huge sense of course. HAVE to explain I was joking a little about the pain comment - that was more my "ideal world" scenario and just being cheeky really. BUT if I'm being downright honest here - my biggest problem with surgery is the iv insertion due to my past problems with surgeries. They have a dickens of a time getting that sucker in and it HURTS. I had two surgeries within a week of each other a few years ago and both times that iv was a biatch to get in, they finally gave me a shot for pain and plugged it in okay. SO - here is my burning question to you - are there any surgeons that you know of that will do the iv AFTER you're out ? or at least dope you up with pain meds before they commence digging around for a vein ? (sorry but I must reiterate - the problem was not with the doctors and nurses - it truly is my stupid small veins)

Well here I am - still stuck in what I can only describe as a mental culdesac of indecision and frustration. I spend maybe 1-2 hours per day on this forum hoping to finally make my mind up. So far I've "decided" on several different surgeons. Except I haven't really "decided" anything - and therein lies the problem. Do you want to know what's been going on in my world of VSG madness ? - okay, first I wanted to go with BeLiteWeight - a little pricier but well reviewed (AND FYI their in house financing is easy peasy) but communication not so super but I can get over that. OH and NO DRAIN - me like that very much. So why haven't I committed with them ? - they tried a little scare tactic on me which I really don't appreciate. Don't try and boost your image by making someone else look smaller, not cool. Contestant number two - Ready4Achange - alma is ALL about communication - that girl gets straight back to you no matter when it is. Again, price is right, no easy finance though so would need to go through a nasty finance place but again, doctor reviews seem good - Alma is still definitely on my list. Contestant number three - Dr. Kelly - this guy is very clearly a rocking doctor but hampered by association with questionable coordinators and their shady tactics. A little on the high side but it isn't and never will be all about price (but lets be honest - it does have to have SOMETHING to do with it - unless you're independently wealthy) - he's still on the list though - can't look a gift doctor in the mouth. Now right about this time, I started getting interested in the "single incision" idea so began researching surgeons performing this. Enter Dr. Diaz - rated highly for this - they promote this as faster recovery and NO DRAIN (again - me like that) and price is actually pretty right - does not seem to have a ton of reviews however but what i could find seemed positive. Still on the list - but then enter contestant number four (Dr Ortiz) - read a lot about him and decided to check him out. Contestant number four - Dr. Ortiz - arguably the cutest doctor (yes, I am that shallow) Luckily he is also a very good doctor with super reviews. BUT does NOT perform single incision surgery because he feels it is "to risky and much bigger risk of bleeding" Here is what I want - safety first and foremost (like all of you, I would quite like to live) - secondly - I would like to not have to bankrupt myself (yes I am fully aware it isn't ALL about money - I get that already) - thirdly - I would quite like to lose weight afterwards and LAST of all - I want ALL of this with as little pain and discomfort as possible - what is so wrong about that ? I'm a chicken - so sue me. Okay I'm done - I'm gonna go have a cup of coffee and regroup and start researching again.

I'm on all liquids until I go back for my 3 week follow-up this Friday, then I can move to puréed stage.

I was an insulin diabetic (for about a year) before I was sleeved. I'm now 2 months post op, have not had insulin since, and my blood sugar numbers are @ fluctuating between 160 and 200 throughout the day. I'm not eating carbs / sugars (except what is in approved foods) and I exercise about 6 hours per week. I asked my surgeon and he said they don't do any blood work for 6 months because my body is in a state of flux. He said I should use my fast acting insulin on a sliding scale if the numbers are higher than that. I've only used it twice. I understand I may end up back on the pills, and that's ok, I'm just concerned about now. My questions are - Are there others that have experienced this? Why are the numbers still high even though there are very little carbs / sugar going in? About when (pounds lost) do the numbers go down? Should I be seeking another opinion?

mine was not given to me until my first post op visit 3 weeks after the surgery it was in a kit of info that the surgeon gave me. some get cards with the specific info on their bands but mine is a generic one call your surgeon see if he gives one

Banded on the 30th. And I slept on my belly some last night I've lost 22 pounds so far and I'm feeling pretty good havent taken any pain meds since about 4 days post op. going to try to do some fishing tonight! Before I go crazy in this house haha I'm going back to work wed (had a ton of sick time so went ahead and took two weeks)

Yep.......and so do a lot of folks. But be aware that stalls are like lovers. Your first will probably not be your last!

Hello everyone! I'm just over 3 weeks postop, and have been doing well. I'm trying to be careful not to compare my results with everyone else, and when I feel discouraged, I acknowledge that my own journey is unique and is just beginning. I know that if I stay true to the plan (and myself) the results will follow. All my friends, family and co-workers know that I've had the surgery, and I've gotten support from those that are most important to me. However, there is a part of me that is stressed about having to deliver results. And fast. I feel like I have to "perform" now. And I feel that if I don't loose huge amounts of weight, my efforts will be deemed not good enough, and that I am a failure. It's self-sabatoge at it's best… it is the story of my life and part of the reason I got to almost 400lbs! I see it starting already, and I am determined to not let it get the best of me. (breath… say to self "trust the process"… lather, rinse, repeat) I will be seeing a therapist about this (and other things) this week, but I'm curious if anyone else feels this way? And how do you deal with it? Be well...

I've had this very similar situation myself. I was so worried about the scale since my co-workers would say, "so how much wight have you lost now?" It was like they were waiting to hear some astronomical number!! I almost felt like I was disappointing them if I said 12pounds etc.... I discussed this the last time I went to my nutritionist and she wasn't happy with my thinking. Here was her tips: 1. it's no one's business how much you've lost. #2 Everyone is different and we all have our own journey. She said I'll be losing for the next year to year and a half so what's the rush. Do it slow and healthy. Enjoy it! #3.and the most painful in my book..Stop weighing myself everyday! Only weigh once a week tops. Go as long as I can without weighing. She said I will be forced to enjoy how I feel and my accomplishments without the dreaded numbers on a scale hanging over my head.... She was sooo right! I haven't weighed since that visit on 2/21/14. I go back on 03/28/14 and I can't wait! She is going to be so happy for me. Plus I feel sensational. I'm not worried about my weight cause I feel so incredibly good and my clothes are big! ...I hope the best for you!!

My surgery was three weeks ago today and I'm down 34 pounds. My surgeon says it's ok considering I was carrying a lot of excess water pre op due to other conditions. As long as your surgeon says it's cool rock it! You look amazing!!!

Hi, i've heared more stories about stalling after a few weeks. I don't think you should be worried just yet. To be clear i had my surgery on monday but I have read stories where people stalled after few weeks. Your body has been totally reset but I am sure you will lose weight again soon. So keep it up and remember when you start walking more or excersising you will train your muscles etc so weightloss is expected to be slower! Sent from my SM-G920F using the BariatricPal App

Today is January 16th. I didn't lose anything last week, but when I stepped on the scales this week I was pleased to see a 2-3 pound loss that would put me at a 52 pound weight loss since my surgery in mid August. I am very pleased with that! I have been out shopping with my Christmas money! I can now pick out medium sized shirts and tops and need to buy some new jeans, probably size 14s as my size 16s are too loose. I have gone from 230 to 178-79. I have been using the treadmill about 40 minutes at a time about 3 times a week. I need to get on that tread mill more often as my weight loss has slowed down. I am due to see Dr. Avila on Friday for another fill as I haven't had one since mid October. It is so much more fun to shop for clothes now and I don't have to try on every little thing and I can shop the sale racks with more options, which I have done since Christmas. I even bought regular flannel p.j.s with tops and pants which I normally do not buy because the pants are too small for the tops usually, in order for them to fit my body shape. I usually buy night gowns to avoid this problem. Not any more!!! I am enjoying my two pair of large pjs, but bought a medium size for next winter as I continue to lose more pounds. I can put these large in the dryer and shrink these a bit if I need to as they are all cotton, for next winter.

Today is January 16th. I didn't lose anything last week, but when I stepped on the scales this week I was pleased to see a 2-3 pound loss that would put me at a 52 pound weight loss since my surgery in mid August. I am very pleased with that! I have been out shopping with my Christmas money! I can now pick out medium sized shirts and tops and need to buy some new jeans, probably size 14s as my size 16s are too loose. I have gone from 230 to 178-79. I have been using the treadmill about 40 minutes at a time about 3 times a week. I need to get on that tread mill more often as my weight loss has slowed down. I am due to see Dr. Avila on Friday for another fill as I haven't had one since mid October. It is so much more fun to shop for clothes now and I don't have to try on every little thing and I can shop the sale racks with more options, which I have done since Christmas. I even bought regular flannel p.j.s with tops and pants which I normally do not buy because the pants are too small for the tops usually, in order for them to fit my body shape. I usually buy night gowns to avoid this problem. Not any more!!! I am enjoying my two pair of large pjs, but bought a medium size for next winter as I continue to lose more pounds. I can put these large in the dryer and shrink these a bit if I need to as they are all cotton, for next winter.

My surgery is tomorrow (!) and I'm having trouble with the clear liquids. I only have to do it two days pre-op, but it's hard. I will be on clears for two weeks after and I'm really hoping it's not going to be this hard. Any tips/words of encouragement?

@@Miss Mac - so you stalled at 3 or so weeks post op? That's what I thought the 3 week stall was when I referred to it earlier and was told something different. I am 3 weeks 5 days out and the scale hasn't moved since last Thursday.

I brought it up with my PCP a couple/three years ago and he said I couldn't do it because 1) wasn't big enough, 2) no co-morbidities. and besides that I'd be right back there again afterwards unless I figured out WHY I was fat to begin with. I started up with a counselor (who was WORTHLESS! I did not need behavior modification - I needed my head to know why I went to food to begin with! grrrrr) anyway - i switched doctors and decided this fall to bring it up. i'd been researching it and asking someone who had it all about it. He was super supportive and wrote me out a referral right then. Unfortunately - the local surgeon he referred me to required the 6-month dr. supervised diet to be with PCP not the surgeon's office. So - back to PCP and 6 months - with drugs. Long story - but I'm going with an out-of-town surgeon, highly rated, and am on board for surgery in June. hooray! my two cents - if you research this and look into it and the PCP doesn't support you ------ find another one!

Same here, I am starting to clean the house, clean the fridge, clean the pantry and getting rid of things I don't want to be eating later. My grocery lists are done (pre-op, than post-op week 1-2-3-4), and i'm preparing myself to get that phone call from my doc to start my per-op diet. I'm ready, can't wait!

That would have been a deal breaker for me. I can't imagine anything more unhealthy than not eating a single vegetable for 6 mths. 6 weeks I might consider, 6 mths no way, no how. I can understand not eating any fiborous veg for 6 months out of concern digestive issues, but that''s as far as I would be willing to limit myself.

Prior to my surgery on Jan 15.. I cleaned closets, drawers, etc.. just was determined to get it all done before I had surgery.. so glad I did it now.. we were able to make room for things in our closets and I even got my linen closet organized... My best friend came down from Alabama and stayed with me when I had my surgery,, she even spent the night with me in the hospital.. My husband is great but can't drive good at night so he went home... so, my house was nice and clean when she came..I also cleaned my bathrooms from top to bottom.. Now I don;t feel too bad taking it easy .. I Have about 2 more weeks of layinng low...

Hello Everyone! I have been snooping around here for a little while and figured I should post something! I went to the informational seminar in September, had my first meeting with the Doc on 10/31, and finished most of my pre-op testing in one week! I scheduled my surgery for Dec. 10, and I just got the confirmation from insurance that I have been approved. (Only 70% though). I have a blood test today, and the pre-op seminar Weds, and I'm done! I was very nervous in the beginging, but now I'm only excited. I'm worried about missing work and I'm hoping I'll be back in the office on Thurs. (Surgery is Monday) 12/10. What are your thoughts? Does this seem possible? I'm trying not to tell too many people I work with either. Anyways, I look forward to getting to know you all! -Michelle:clap2:

Thanks for the wonderful and inspiring post! I'm getting close (3 weeks) and the encouragement is so very uplifting.