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I was sleeved 2/16/13. And Saturday evening i started getting this weird pain in my stomach right on the top part of my stomach but it's like a pain that's there for like 10 seconds then goes away and I'm fine then like 10-20 min later I get it again. And when I get the pain my stomach I can hear a grumbling sound in my stomach. I can't say it's a horrible pain cuz I can tolerate it. Has this ever happened to anybody??

So today marked day 6 of my pre-op diet. I've generally been doing pretty good with it. I realize I have to do this and I've put my mind to it to get it done. Today was a very busy day. We've recently finished our basement and I had lots to do building shelves and hanging pictures. Right after I started working my knees started to throb. Then my back began to ache. After about an hour I got nauseas and a bit woozy. I struggled through the rest of the day taking many breaks and resting my knees and my back. Once the day was done, I took a shower and realized why I'm about to have life changing surgery in 10 days. Sure, I'd like to look hot again (or as hot as a 60 year old guy can) but after today the real reason came out. I can't live anymore carrying about 150 lbs of extra weight. Although my doc says I'm the healthiest fat guy he's ever seen, I know that if my joints and muscles are breaking down so badly from this weight, the rest of my body can't be far behind. Looking good will be a great side affect from my surgery but truly the best benefit will be being healthy once again.

@dlar57- get the wet brush it cost about 10- but well worth it. I started ataking Biotin 10,000 mg and good vitimins too a while ago, fingers crossed it will help!!

Good Luck! you will be great! I've been on the pre op liquid diet for 10 days now!! I get sleeved on the 27th! Keep us update on your progress! Vanessa

Thank you everyone, i will try to show him, i dont plan on going anywhere, i know i have told him a million times, after all we have been together 10 years and have kids together lol! I do wish he would be happier for me, and not say things like, well i guess we wont be going to the buffet any more! Smh

What's a support belt? I am 10 days postop and still sore when I'm moving around.

Hello future sleevers; Sounds like you are all preop and have the jitters. You are normal in your feelings but that does not mean you should be backing out or rescheduling unless you have not done your homework or do not trust your surgeon? Do you trust your surgeon? You understand there are some risks, limited risks. Do you know that WLS is for you? If you answer yes, read on. Know why you are doing this VSG surgery. Write down the top 10 reasons you are doing this surgery so that you can look back on hard days ahead. Yes, this journey is not without bumps or a thought of "what have I done." I will start you off and you all are to add another reason. VSG surgery is for me becasue: 1. I was overweight - I had tried so many other diets and could never keep the weight off for long periods of time. Yes, I really tried too. 2. I wanted to be healthy for me and healthy to enjoy my family. My kids hug me so tight and I can play on the floor with kids easily now. 3. I wanted to walk up stairs without huffing and panting 4. I wanted to wear a skirt or dress without shorts underneath so I do not get a rash on my thighs 5. I wanted to be happier when I look in the mirror and not have to listen to the angry voice of "such a pretty face, if you could only lose some weight" 6. I wanted to reduce my risk from future co-morbitities, cancers and other issues of overweight people 7. I knew I can do this, if given a fighting chance. I am willing to change and I can conquer my bad habits to ensure maintanance weight goal. 8. No, this is not cheating - I need this surgery to save me from me. Helped me be a winner I know I am inside. Let me look like I felt deep down, beautiful. Others now see me as I was always, if they had taken the time to know me. First impressions are so much easier now. 9. I want to have better chances at so many things on vacation or dream about doing someday. A helicoptor tour (weight limit of 250), a horse back ride, a roller coaster, a ballon ride, skydive, a bike ride on the beach. Wear a normal bathing suit on a public beach without shorts and a tshirt on all the time. 10. I wanted to not hide in the back of pictures or be the one always taking the picture. Lastly - scroll down and read the NSV (non scale victory) section to inspire you. Good luck my furture sleevers. I have no regrets.

Hi everyone I am very new to this site and have been reading all the posts about the pre op jitters, I hope you dont mind me joining you. I am 10 days post sleeve, as soon as I had been given the surgery date I was so excited people would ask me how I was feeling and I just couldnt believe how excited I was. However I did message my sister, as I have no partner, to make sure she would tell my grown up son and daughter how proud I am of them and how much I love them, just in case anything untoward might happen. I didnt have much post op pain and I am dealing with the liqued diet OK I am looking forward to being able to have mushy/pureed diet from Monday, looking forward toscrambled eggs. I know its early days but I really dont think I will ever regret my decision to have the surgery as I know it was the best thing I could do for myself and my health.

I did it still afraid. Once I got to the hospital, I was so busy that I forgot about my fears. Then, later I was given a nice pre-med drug cocktail that actually relaxed me so much that I fell asleep while I was waiting for the surgery. Then a trip to theatre room, count backwards from 10, vaguely remember 8, and next I was waking up in recovery to have my vitals checked. Fell asleep again, briefly woke up to have my vitals checked (don't remember being wheeled to my hospital room), fell asleep etc .... I was done late in the evening, so I just slept and slept. Next day had a walk with a physio plus my IV stand, started on my fluids, had bit of pain, mainly from my drain site on my left side, got good pain killers. Was relieved once the drain came out the day after (not everyone gets a drain), could sip more fluids, had a clear Soup, Jello, Water, tea. Not much pain after drain came out. No nausea, no vomiting. This was lot less painful surgery than some other ones I had in the past. So, have faith that if it brought you this far, you can go further, be afraid etc, just take one step at a time, and One Day at a Time. Good Luck!

I've tried many, many different brand and found some that agree with me, and some that don't. I once was told that if the total carbs in a Protein bar aren't more than double the protein listed, then it's safe. It's not great for you, but better than some of the other bars. I have found that if you're lucky enough to live in the Kroger grocery store areas, that they have been having a weekly sale on Protein Bars, in thier health type food area of the store. They pick a few brands or styles and sell them 10 for $10. That's not too bad at all. Of course check the total carb to protein ratio to see if any worth buying that week. They normally change ads on Tues or Wed for the week.

I was banded in June and have been slow to lose weight mainly cause I didn't have restriction till my last fill (8cc in 11cc band) and now have better restriction. Up until 10 days ago, I wasn't getting hungry till like 4 hours after a meal, now it's more like 2.5 - 3. My question is if the reason we feel full is becuase our small pouch is full, and it takes one hour or so to empty the pouch, then how do we stay full for 4 hours? How do we feel full for hours when our small pouch empties out in an hour or so? Thanks!

Day 10 for me of my 2wks liquid diet, not including the day before surgery of just clear liquids. I really haven't had much hunger, but I've put a lot of effort into making my shakes interesting. I'll add fruit, no sugar flavor syrups, flavor extracts, etc and try different recipes. For breakfast today, I'm having a pumpkin pie flavored protein shake (pumpkin puree, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, vanilla extract, little bit of skim milk and water, and protein powder). Throw it all in the blender for a min with about a cup of ice and voila - a nice frothy (and big) protein shake that takes me awhile to drink. Your body will get used to it!

I don't think that I could have put it in words any better. You described my post op experience to a T. I was sleeved 10/12. I am JUST now starting to feel like a real person again. Today is the first day that I haven't cried. I even went outside with my toddlers for a while. This time last week I was convinced that it would be easier if I just rolled over and never got back up. I absolutely promise you that it does get better. You WILL start feeling human again. Push through, go find a support group (I went to an over eaters anonymous group last night for the first time and loved it), tell your family that you are not ok right now and let them help you. This will all be worth it. For now, find something small to Celebrate every day and remember that you're not alone. HW 427 SW 358 sleeved 10/12/16 I may not be there yet, but I'm closer than I was yesterday.

Hi I am new to this site, but I was also banded on 11/19 and I too feel no restrictions, I feel like I can eat anything I want, I feel hungry all the time. Not sure if I got filled before I left the hospital but I think I need a fill now. How soon after banding can we get a fill. I lost 14 pounds and have gained 1, so I am getting very nervous.

My second stuck episode is now over. It lasted 1 hour and 10 minutes. I'm going back to liquids today. I'll try solids again later. I hope the information in this thread might help others somehow.

I didn't swim until about 4 weeks after my surgery. My doc told me that I could've gone swimming almost right away... 10 days after surgery, if I was feeling up to it but I wasn't. You can start hardcore workouts around the same time [1 month out]. I just stuck to walking & WiiFit!

I had to go through a full year of requirements (10% weight loss, weight management class, psychological counseling) but once I had all of the requirements that my insurance company had, my doctor submitted the paperwork. There was requirement by the surgeon that I go to a three hour class on what to expect at the hospital before and after surgery and my diet post-op. However, since this was a requirement of the surgeon and not my insurance company she went ahead and submitted my paperwork. The surgeon's office said it might take 12 - 16 weeks to get approval but I was approved in a week and a half. I think it depends on your insurance and your doctor for when things are submitted for approval. Good luck to you! Debora

Quest bars. Nuke it for 10 seconds and it will be awesome. DOS:358 CW:270 SD:1/28/13

i have to go on the liver shrinkage diet 2 wks prior ,1 day Clear Liquids. than post sugery 1 wk liquid 1 wk puree 1 week soft than gradually regular foods.my sugery 10/25/11

My surgeon its an automatic. If you have a gallbladder they will remove it. Unfortunately I lost mine 10 years before in an open gallbladder removal. Left me a nice 5 inch scar right across my belly and 4 days in the hospital. Now having an abdominalplasty and that lovely scar puts me at further risk for healing. Still having the abdominalplasty........cannot live with this huge apron of skin and residual fat.

@hardwork&dedication - I'm 8 months out. I'm 55. I wish I had done this sooner. As for the kiddos - I was 37 when I had my first and 41 when I had my second - they are now 17 (graduating high school) and 14 (finishing 8th grade). By the time you are ready to fly to Paris, if you want a macaron, you can have one. Just adjust the rest of your calories that day. I've lost 72% of my excess weight and am 30 pounds from goal. I'm not sure I'm going to get to the goal I set because I'm putting on a lot of muscle with the exercise I'm doing. I've gone from squeezing into a size 22 to being comfortable in a size 10. Your family is concerned because surgery, any kind, is risky. Having kids is risky. There are 18.5 maternal deaths in every 100,000 live births. Is that going to keep you from having children? In terms of VSG vs. bypass - talk to your surgeon - s/he is the expert and can tell you what would be best for you given your physical condition. I had a sleeve and am very happy with it. Best of luck.

Hello, new to the group. I'm post op almost two weeks now. Following liquids ONLY diet for 4 weeks per surgeons orders. Getting in 64-72 oz protein daily (some days better than others). I've lost 10 lbs. from day of surgery. I don't feel like I look any different but I know clothes are fitting better. Reading the above, should I expect to lose pounds by the day? I haven't weighed myself again yet. My first pos op appointment is in a week. Sleeved: 12/19/17 Thank you!

Any tips on the liquid diet Thursday afternoon will be my last meal. The time for surgery will be here before I know it getting myself prepared

Hi all, here is my Journey so far. I was one of the lucky ones (NOT) who had a JP Drain. I hope my story helps others. So far, so good - no regrets at all!! June 2017: My ins just dropped the numerous lengthy requirements and is allowing sleeves. I jumped on it, and was able to navigate thru the list quickly. Start to finish took me about 2 months. Do Ins companies really think we haven't tried every program out there prior to considering major surgery??? Stupid! They no longer require 6 months of Dr administered weight loss program, but my Dr watched me for a few months, and submitted it just to make sure I would not run into any problems. I was approved 10 days after submission. I hate having to jump thru hoops, but the savings was worth it. Altho, I would have paid out of pocket if denied. Check off the requirements, and you should be fine. Most Drs have a good relationship with the ins claim reps. My daily (boring but working) pre op intake is: coffee with a splash of Premier Protein banana or caramel , then the rest of the Premier Protein Shake for Breakfast, at 10am I have 2 C of chicken broth, at Noon I have 2 C chicken broth + another Premier Protein shake, at 2pm I have 1 sf Jello cup, at 6ish I have 2 C chicken broth (appetizer ) and another Carmel Premier Protein shake, 8pm snack another sf jello cup. I don't really like any other flavors of broth or I would have those. My shakes have to be under 200 calories, high protein (these are 30g) and as low sugar as you can find (1g). Premier is handy, pre made, and I like the flavors (Caramel, Banana, and strawberry Cream are my favorites). I SWEAR I have not had any headaches, and my energy level is really good (just fall asleep earlier which helps me not dwell on food). Aug 25/2017: Surgery day and I couldn't be more excited!! My surgery went well except that I needed a JP drain that will remain in for about a week. I was up walking 2 laps of my floor that night. The nurse said she had never seen anyone do as well as me. She said my positive and excited attitude surely helped! My pain never got above 2 or 3 and I needed very little pain meds. 3 ice chips made me nauseous, so I did not eat or drink anything the first night. I do have to give myself shots in the stomach of Lovenox (blood thinner) to prevent blood clots for 2 weeks. Aug 26: Got discharged this afternoon after my upper GI and chest xray came back ok. Was able to keep down 4oz of liquid before I left the hospital. I'm off the pain meds now, and don't even feel the need for Tylenol. The Lovenox shots are not as scary as I thought they would be. The trick is to freeze the area for 10 minutes before you give yourself the shot, and put the ice back on right after you are done (the after affect feels like a wasp sting). Now I just need the gas to pass (pun intended). All said and done, I feel great for what I've been through, and lost 12 pounds pre op. I will keep up with updates. Thank you for all the support and info. This Forum is great, and I hope to pay it forward. Aug 28: Ok, so to continue my journey, I am 4 days post op and my drain is still working over time Im not concerned, but can't go back to work until its removed. After having little to no pain, this morning I noticed pain on my right side - like a stabbing pain. I have to hold my stomach when I walk for any relief. Seeing as most of my stomach was sliced off, I am assuming that now that the swelling is going down, some of this is "normal". Its definitely NOT gas pains. I don't like taking the liquid pain meds so am taking tylenol only. liquids are going down no problem. Energy level is up, and I'm looking forward to Protein Shakes on Friday. Update: Dr said my drain most likely moved which is causing the pain. Its pretty intense. Good thing is they will be removing it on Thursday. Bad thing is I will be living with the pain and have to take the liquid pain meds until then...a small price to pay I've discovered a love for tropical flavored sugar free popsicles !!! Aug 29: Having a good night and a great hair day so I'm psyched! Lol. My incisions are dissolvable stitches with a rubber cement waterproof type paint over them. The stuff just flakes off when healed. Easy peasy. I SERIOUSLY think I could have returned to work tomorrow if not for the JP drain. All bodily functions working perfectly, and no hunger pains. BUT I know that even tho I feel good, my body is still recovering from major surgery, so I am working from home Thurs and Fri and returning full time the day after Labor Day = 10 days post op. Knowing that there is still swelling and fluid retention from my hospital stay, Im staying off the scale until my post op appointment. I have ankles again!! August 31: Got my JP drain out today (yes, it hurt), but as soon as it was removed, the pain went away!! I feel like a million bucks Sept 1: Diet additions today!! I get to have protein shakes again, yogurt, milk, and cream soups. Still not feeling hungry and am down 18lbs. Had half a protein shake for breakfast, yogurt with sugar free cheesecake pudding mix stirred in for lunch, broth and a half glass of milk for dinner and sugar free jello with sugar free whipped topping for dessert. I heard that some are lactose intolerant after surgery, but I had no issues with anything I ate. I'm paranoid of gaining anything back, so am kind of afraid to eat. I will have to watch that. Having cabin fever so decided to venture out for the first time since surgery. I have a tendency to feel good and over do it, so wanted to be careful. Took a quick trip to the store, and then for a well deserved pedicure. Heaven. Energy level is still up. Since my boyfriend took good care of me, I decided a date night was in order and we went out. Challenging to say the least. How do you go into a bar without ordering a drink?? Pre planning helps. THIS IS A NO JUDGEMENT ZONE!!! I ordered a tall glass of water with lots of e and 1 small shot of vodka. Then I added Crystal Light cranberry to it that I brought along. Nursed it for 2 hours and did not even finish it. I have read others say alcohol hit them quicker after surgery (no noticeable change for me) and I KNOW that its not allowed (this soon or in some minds at all), but I am human. I gave up diet coke for Gods sake Next challenge coming up = lunch with friends in the liquid stage. I am mentally preparing already. Eat before, and take my Crystal Light. Since I am keeping my surgery secret, the only viable option is to say Im having a little tummy issue. Stay tuned. Sept 2: More milestones accomplished today! Ride my motorcycle - check, go boating - check Sept 3: Lunch with my man and his mom.....First I had to reassure my fiance that he could eat in front of me, and I would be ok. He was considerate enough to make sure that it was ok to plan lunch with his mom. Sweet man. I had a protein shake for breakfast and some vitamin water. We chose a restaurant where I knew they had soup on the menu. I told my future mother in law that I had been having stomach issues, and was changing my eating habits. I am not telling people I'm on a diet, or that I had surgery because history has shown that when you do say these things, people watch what you eat, or fill your ears with "helpful" tips etc. I'm not having it. So I ordered water and a cup of soup. Ate the broth and inconspicuously covered my cup with my napkin and handed it to the server first chance I could. Mission accomplished! You can go out to eat when in the liquid stage. Sept 4: Family bbq planned today.......Again, I will eat before we go. My fiance and I came up with a plan. We will both take plates and put food on them, he will then eat his plate of food, and then mine. Oh the games we play....Again, sweet man! I really don't care what anyone thinks, or surmises, this is my Journey and I will do it my way. 2 more weeks til I can eat real food The bbq was great. Truly a testament to the fact that it isn't the food, it's the company. I drank a shake for breakfast and then had some Greek yogurt before we left. Packed some So Be Life Water (my new staple). My brother in law tried to tempt me with Sangaria and grilled pineapple and I simply told him that I was trying very hard to eliminate sugar from my life plan and I was feeling GREAT so I must be doing something right. My fiance and I carried thru with our plan, and as we went thru the food line, he put on my plate half of what he wanted and then ate everything on both plates. Nobody said a word!! Not even my brother in law who notices, and comments on everything. That night we hit one of the last post op milestones Sex 10 days post op is just as fantastic as pre op. Yay! Sorry for the TMI, but this is a question that others are wondering about. Sept 6: Planning our road trip evac for hurricane Irma. I am packing protein shakes, cream soup packets, SoBe Water, crystal light packets, cottage cheese, yogurt and sugar free pudding mix for my yogurt. Wish us luck! Sept 12: The past week has been hell thanks to Hurricane Irma. Prepping 2 houses and 4 days of travel thru 3 states.....Boy, if I ever needed comfort food, or wanted to garbage up, it was now. But I stayed true to my plan by packing a cooler, and was never hungry! Sept 14: I am now in the puree stage and happy to be "chewing" kind of. I still love my sugar free popsicles. I have been switching it up with egg salad, tuna salad and lots of soups. I am surprised that I do not have any hunger pangs. So far I have not had any issues keeping food down. Watching my fiance eat the foods I used to eat does not bother me because I am so looking forward being thinner and healthier. So far I am down 24 pounds in 1 month (that includes my pre op diet week). Yay!

I can't offer much, I'm only 10 days post op but originally that is what I wanted. After research I decided against the band due to complications, always getting fills, and having a foreign object. The first doctor I went to was opposite as yours. I wanted sleeve by that point he suggested band but was willing, I found a new surgeon as the only reason was band was that surgeon's specialty. I researched alot on here and after my initial thoughts band was never an option. Keep reading and be sure to ask the people who had band to sleeve revision Also to had there are success stories with the band for me though sleeve was the better option.