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Yesterday I was 5 weeks post-op. So far, the sleeve has been very good to me, and I have been good to it. I am following the plan the NUT gave me, and I have had no problems. I have lost 32lbs (including the pre-op diet). I count that because to me, that was a part of the sleeve journey that I had to go through. My current challenge is protein - sounds familiar huh? I cannot take another protein shake, shot, etc. I've tried numerous different "unflavored" protein powders, but can't stand the "feel" of the powder mixed with other things. I am also tired of chicken and tuna. I am going to town today to buy some thin sliced turkey deli meat, and will also buy some more talapia (it has 20g in each fillet). I guess I'll eat that until I get tired of it too. A real challenge for me is that I get bored with foods really quick. I will eat tuna every day then after about 7-10 days, I don't want to see another bite of tuna. Same thing with chicken. I knew going into this that protein was the #1 necessity once I had the sleeve, but I guess it just didn't really hit home how important it was, or how challenging it was going to be to get it. I know that in about 2 more weeks, once I get on "regular" foods, protein will be a little less challenging, but until, onward and forward My energy is WAY up - even from back before the surgery. I've lost 2 dress sizes (from a 24W to a 20W), and I'm walking 2.4 miles 3x a week. Prior to surgery, there was no way I could have walked even half that far without having to sit down and rest. I walk with a friend, and we even talk during the walk (and yes, we're walking, not strolling). Not that we aren't huffing and puffing that last little bit But just the fact that I can do that at all is amazing to me. I plan on starting Yoga next week via a DVD (Yoga for Beginners). Thought this might help with some stretching of muscles and flexibility. Since I'm 50, I just don't have the range of motion that I used to have, so I hope this helps. Might even help me to "center" myself a bit more. I have the Zumba DVD's and I'm a bit hesitant to start those yet. I think I'll save them until I've lost about 30 more pounds. I think it's going to really wear me out This forum has been such a fantastic source of encouragement, education, and support, and I KNOW I would have never had the courage to take this step if I hadn't found it. What a fantastic group of folks!! Thank you to everyone out there who has been cheering me on, and mentoring me!

Well after I posted this morning I spoke with Dr's office and I"M SCHEDULED!!! 10-25-07 is surgery day. Yippee! I am sooo excited.:whoo:

I know it's in our profile but I thought it would be easier to put our dates together My procedure is taking place on July 19, 2012. I am anxious and nervous all at the same time. I feel and imagine myself to be much smaller than what is projected back in the mirror. One of the things I'm most excited to do post-op is complete an entire Zumba class without simplfying the moves because of my knees or even difficulty breathing. What is the one thing you are looking forward to most after the surgery??

Hey y'all. I've noticed for the last 3 weeks after I eat I am getting some pretty fierce heartburn. No reflux coming up, just that clean-burning sensation. I had bad acid reflux and heartburn pre-op that totally disappeared. I am taking Prilosec. It definitely doesn't feel like an ulcer or anything and doesn't hurt while eating. It's a very distinct heartburn sensation. Doesn't seem to be correlated to any type of food. Just happens shortly after I eat anything. Any thoughts on this? I was taking Arthrotec which is an NSAID but also mixed with a medicine to protect your stomach lining (prescribed by my bariatric surgeon and later by my primary care for a disc herniation). I stopped that and now I am on Celebrex, also an NSAID but required by my plastic surgeon 10 days pre-op skin removal and 10 days post-op, and also "safer on tummies". Again, this is coupled with the Prilosec. But yeah... heartburny! Sent from my SM-G930R4 using BariatricPal mobile app

I, too, had no restriction after the first fill which was on 12/7/09. The only reason I think I went down another 1-2 pounds is because after the fill it was liquids for 2 days and then mushies for 2 days. My next fill is scheduled for 1/5/10. Fingers are crossed that this will do the trick.

Hi Jinjin, I just started week 10 post op. I had 2 stalls within 8 weeks. My first 4 weeks were awesome...lost 30 lbs. Then at week 5 I came to a screeching halt...I even gained close to 3 lbs in weeks 5, 6, and 7. Yes, I had a 3 week stall and was freaking out the whole time!!! Reading these boards helped me so much. I stopped weighing myself every day, now just weigh-in every other day. Somewhere between week 8 and 9 I stalled again for a few days...BUT, after all is said and done...Since July 1st (the date my first stall started) I have lost another 7 lbs. And I'm good with that. If you look at some postings of long-time sleevers, you see the number of lbs. lost really go down after the 1st and second month. I've realized it isn't how fast I get it off, but that I KEEP getting it off...and ultimately that it stays off. I was complaining on previous posts that when I stalled at about 30-35 lbs, this was the same amt I've lost on countless other diets, it felt like the same old bad vibe. BUT with my pre-op diet loss, I am at 45 lbs. lost. Now that is a new one for me! I have not seen this weight since I was a teen. And now I know, the weight loss may stall, but it will not stop anytime soon. Stop worrying! You WILL keep losing and you will become happier and healthier! It took me a week or 2, but now I'm not worried, I am just trying to stick to the rules...and rule#1 for me, low carbs...40g or under a day if I can; less than 1000 cal a day if I can, and all my Water. Exercise is my issue right now, but it may not be a coincidence that when it increased, my weight decreased and my stall broke. I am a very "the glass is half full" kind of person, and this is what I now say to myself: "I CAN'T wait for my next stall !!!" Because that means between now and then I will lose some weight, and then once the stall is over, I will lose again!!! Yay for stalls!! (I know, I know...get over myself! ) Take care, I hope some of these words are helpful to you.

Personally, from someone scheduled for surgery Nov. 19 Yahoo!!! sorry couldn't contain myself.... I think we need to look at why leaks form.. Have these patients been following their post op diets or are they cheating and putting their stomachs through a process it is not ready for. Some of these patients are on their 2nd surgery for weightloss. That tells us that they still have issues with eating since the first surgery didn't complete the job?? Don't get too worked up over this issues. Do research on your Dr. and Pray. God will take care of all things.

Well, not really from the beginning because that would take us back to about 12 years old. I have wanted to have WLS for years and have never been able to afford it. Since starting with my current employer (2/1/10) I learned that our insurance policy will cover it. One of the requirements is to be employed for one year, so here I am a year later starting my journey. I used last year to fulfill my 6 month w/ PCP requirement so that I would be all set on 2/1/11. I am going to keep up with a timeline on this blog and try to track my entire process. I am not announcing it to the world, but I am being honest if someone asks me about surgery. I hope to be able to help others through transparency in my process. I can honestly say that so far, my dietition consult has been the most enlightening and helpful. While we did talk about food and nutrition, she actually did a great job of making me think about some of the emotional pieces of this puzzle. I have come to realize that I am ready to do this for ME. I need to be able to put myself first for a change so that I can be the fit wife/mother that I am in my heart. I have lots of dreams of jogging on the bike trail with my kids, running a 5k, fitting in the swings at the amusement park (not being afraid to take that Disney trip out of fear of not fitting in the seats), having pool parties in my back yard and actually getting IN the pool, etc. My main fears with the surgery revolve around whether or not it will be sucessful and a fear that I won't be able to keep the weight off. I know this is because of the lifetime of yo-yo dieting, but I'm just trying to be honest with myself. I am concerned (not really a fear, but concerned) about not being able to drink with meals and drinking liquids in general. After my surgery consultation, I realized very quickly that I am a "gulper". Never really thought about it before, but am very aware of it now. I know that this is going to be a very difficult transition and I hope that my friends and family will see the work that it takes and realize that it is not the "easy way out". I want this tool for the better chances of long term success. While I am VERY nervous...I am mainly excited and so ready to start seeing results. I'm hopeful that with a 3/28 surgery date that I will see some good "summer" results. Bring on swimsuit season. Weight Tracker: 290 - Highest Weight (before 6 month PCP visits) Size 24 270 - Current weight before surgery (BMI of 43.6) Size 20/22 Timeline: 2/1/10 - Clock ticking on one year employment requirement 6/1/10 - 12/1/10 - 6 monthly visits w/ PCP to document non-surgical weight loss 2/1/11 - One year employment anniversary 2/14/11 - Consult with Surgeon 2/19/11 - Psych Consult 2/22/11 - Dietition Consult 2/23/11 - Pre-Certification Packet submitted to insurance w/ scheduled date of 3/28/11

and there is nothing wrong with that. whatever works for you!! I used to take it 10 lbd at a time... but really it was one meal at a time.

I'm sorry Apple! I hate when that happens! I'm 7 months out and I've had that same problem from time to time. I will eat something, it will feel fine for about 10 minutes then wham! Uncomfortable! Usually it happens if I eat chicken and green Beans... and I've found it's the green beans that pushed me too far.

Hello Mama_Gee, sorry this is super long. I went through Options at Kaiser Panorama City. I started classes in late September of 2017 and ended them on December 7th. Cleared by Dr. Alskaf (head of Options) on December 13th losing 12.8 pounds during the Options program. Then had to wait for my surgeon appointment and was called right before Christmas. Met with my surgeon Dr. Kim at Kaiser West L.A. on January 8th. During that time I gained about 5 pounds, it was tough because of Christmas and New years. He said I was good to go but wanted me to loose 10 more pounds and let me know that at any point I gain weight, I would have to restart Options. I was also told once close to the 10 pounds to schedule surgery. After getting back on track I called to schedule surgery, knowing i would hit the 10 pounds in a few weeks. I was scheduled for surgery on March 7th 2018, with pre-op surgery appointment on February 23rd, which by then I had lost 12.4 pounds. On surgery day I when weighed I had lost an additional 5.5 pounds. Surgery went smooth and I was home the next day on the 8th. So far its been a great experience and the team at kaiser very helpful. Best advice I can give you is don't miss any of your options classes. I noticed people who did had a tough time making them up. Also I recommend the Surgery group meetings. I go weekly and its great help because every week the Behaviorist and Nutritionist alternate and you are with people who are or have gone through the surgeries, we even have a few who will be going. Some of the people in my group are 5 plus years out and its good to pick their head about experiences. Overall I'm very happy with Kaisers program and found it very beneficial in the expectation leading to and after surgery. The after surgery group is the best, yesterday I learned a few recipes that are great tasting and very satisfying for my sleeve, without making me feel icky. Best of luck.

I was shocked! They took a few days to notify my bariatric center, but my file was submitted to them on 8/18 and the approval letter I got in the mail was dated 8/21! My coordinator said Cigna usually answers in a week. Maybe my 40+ BMI helped me. I was actually worried because I only lost 10 lbs in the 90 day supervised diet, but I believe they just wanted to see ANY loss. Hope you hear good news soon...keep us posted!

I had my operation on 10/14, transitioning to mushies - ricotta cheese, tuna, salmon, all fabulous compared to liquid. I'm down 28 pounds so far and only 26 to go to goal! Frustrating because I'm maybe eating 600 calories a day - and think because of that I should be losing a pound a day...AT LEAST! I would love a cracker - or something that crunches!!!

I am tentatively scheduled for January 10........can't come soon enough!

You realize you don't have to skip stuffing and gravy? Take smaller portions than you may otherwise have done. We co-host with another couple and have between 25 and 30 people. I'm always so busy that I don't eat much, though I do enjoy sipping on wine from midafternoon into the evening. I'm pre-pre-op, and I don't have a 6-month requirement, but I have a longstanding set of habits for the holidays. I know which foods are my favorites, and I focus on those. I don't feel the need or desire to eat everything. I skip the appetizers, except one stuffed mushroom (one of my faves). I love the taste of ham and turkey together, so I have a little of each. I may have a bite of pie after dinner, but I'm just as likely to take a piece home and have it for Breakfast on Friday. A year from now, I expect to be 9-10 months postop. This kind of approach is likely to work as well for me then as it does now. And for that, I'm thankful!

I do have WLS on a pedestal, to me it is a miracle. That doesn't mean it "can't be beat" and/or all the other things I must do are easy - they aren't. What im saying is that I'm convinced that this is the option that would have enabled me to succeed. I'm 64 and i was 13 when I went on my first diet I lost 50+ pounds on my own multiple times and always put more back on. After 55, I found it impossible to lose more than 10 pounds I tried everything else including the latest prescription siaity drugs. This was the only option left and it has succeeded thus far. If that means I have it on a pedestal, so be it. I know that it has saved my life and that's a pretty big deal

I was told at 10 days out, that many people gain weight and that any loss at this point is just a bonus.

Very excited today. I was able to buy jeans in Old Navy! Have never fit in their jeans. Bought a size 18 skinny jeans. Haven't worn an 18 in about 15 years! Also was able to buy size L tops. I'm 10 weeks post op and was in a 24 jeans and a 2x-3x top! It feels good!

HI I'm LaNoya and my surgery is set for July 10, 2012! im soooo excited and ready to let out this healthier more vibrant self i have alot of support and im ready to get and stay healthy

Three to four protein shakes a day with a max of 800 calories. Then at least 64oz of non caffeinated, non carbonated, drinks with less than 10 calories per serving.

Hi. There were a lot of people with a 10/26/16 surgery date on the boards prior to my surgery. I just wanted to see if anyone wants to chat or even start a little group as we go through this. I had my surgery at 7:30 am on 10/26/16. The first day was awful and on the second day I failed my swallow test and had a few minor complications and a major meltdown. I wasn't able to have anything to drink until 3:00 pm on 10/28/16 and didn't get to go home until 10/30/16. I'm now a little behind on my post op routine, started full liquids Monday. Pain wise, I am ok for a while and then the pain gets so bad I need to lay down. I have been walking a 1/2 a mile every morning (still can't get the gas out) and been taking trips to the store to keep busy. Maybe over doing it a bit.... Other than that, I am very bored and I am even starring to miss work. Hope everyone's surgeries went well!!! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Sleeved 10/25. I ended up in the ER yesterday having IV fluids because I was getting only half my fluids in. Feel like crap today. This is not going to plan. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I want to thank all you for the wonderful support and comments last night while I was anxiously awaiting his arrival. His name is Lucas John and was born at 10:33 this morning and is 8lbs and 21 inches long. I believe he is quite beautiful and perfect in every way! Spoken like a grandma! :) This right here is one of the reasons I wanted to get the sleeve.......To play with my grandchildren!!

Hi everyone.. my name is Laura.. and tomorrow marks the second week since I had my surgery. I am loving it so far, and have lost 10 pounds. I am a married mama of 3 beautiful girls, I work full time. I had to go thru 6 months of medically supervised weight loss and my husband's insurance has covered most of the procedure. I want to do the right thing and lose 80 more pounds. I am going to begin walking tonight. I am so pumped about this and am ready for this weight loss journey!