Hello all,

I have been contemplating WLS for over a year - I actually had a Lap Band scheduled last July 09 but backed out (and lost my deposit & airfare, oh well....)

I am 5'2 and am 191 today. The smallest I EVER remember being was 127 (19 years ago!! & through starvation and bulimia) I am tired of being FAT.

I feel that the Vertical Sleeve is the right choice for me, but like many of you, I have some reservations and questions....please bear with me.

I will be a self pay and plan on using Dr Aceves late April or early May.

My primary concern is the down time after the surgery because I own my own business and really can not afford to lose any more time away from it.

So anyone out there with similar stats have some information for me?

Is it realistic for me to lose 64 pounds? And keep it off?:laugh0:

It seems to me that the complications some people have had are from a Band to Sleeve (revision) surgery - Is this true for the most part?

Where can I find a print-out-able Pre & Post op diet list to look over and shop from?

I know I have to be responsible for my own success but any info, negative or positive I would find helpful.

Thanks in advance!

~C

Hi, C!

I'm almost the same size as you are, and I totally breezed right through the surgery. I took a week and a half off work (surgery on Wednesday, took off the rest of that week and all the following week) but could easily have gone back to work the following Monday, just 5 days later. I was really stunned -- no nausea, no incision pain to speak of (more like sore muscles from too many sit-ups), no nothing. I even went back to my tap-dancing class just a week after surgery!

Dr. Aceves should send you all the info you need re: his pre- and post-op diet requirements. I had my surgery locally, but if I hadn't found someone nearby, I would definitely have gone to him.

Good luck!

Thank you for the info!

I haven't received my info yet - How did you do on the Pre-diet phase? What about the clear Post- Phase?

Have you found in your research that Lower BMI's heal faster?

I will be doing this alone- no family to support me thru the healing phases...

Thanks again!

As a band to sleeve revisionist, I weighed 170/lbs when I had my band removed and sleeve done. I also had a hiatal hernia repaired and my gall gladder removed at the same time. Even after all that, I came back to work in my home office the Monday after having surgery on Friday. I didn't work all day, but came in and out as I felt like it. I do 95% of my work on the computer, with some phone calls, so it was nothing strenuous. My back would just get tired from sitting up. There is no reason to push yourself and do too much, but I felt fine and didn't want my work to pile up any more than it already had, so I did a little and would then rest a little.

I don't see any reason you can't lose the weight and keep it off. I'm already down to 145/lbs and close to goal. Since you're going to Mexico, you have a reason to stay away from work for a few extra days anyway. Just start walking right away after surgery and I'm sure you'll do fine. As for the post-op diet of liquids, it's really not that bad because you won't be hungry. And it will be over with before you know it. Good luck!

Thank you TexasT & MlKPas for your input!

I did find the Pre & Post Diet on another forum (How'd I miss that?? LOL)

My doc didn't require a pre-op diet, and after surgery he said I could eat basically anything I could tolerate as long as it wasn't too hot, cold, or spicy. So I've been eating mushy/solid food every since Day 2 or 3. I have a theory that the Mexican surgeons are much more conservative about their post-op diets because they won't be around while you're healing, so they don't want to take any chances at all of you eating something that disagrees with you.

I had an "American" doctor, and I was on clear liquids for a week and regular liquids for two more weeks. Then slowly started mushies for two more weeks. But every doctor is different.

I am 207 lbs and I'm 5'3. So pretty similar. I totally am excited about getting this surgery. Anyone that finds out at first usually tries to tell me I can lose the weight on my own. But it's hard for others to understand I feel this is a very personal thing. I am waiting for insurance clearance right now, I have high blood pressure and poly cystic ovarian syndrome so I qualify. Hope everything works out for you!

I was only about 10 pounds heavier than you. I am about 3 months out. I have lost 40 pounds and I am still losing. I am losing a lot slower than people that were bigger than me, but have to keep telling myself it's not a race. I just had to stop listening to other people because they kept telling me that I should try to do it the natural. I have never felt better about myself. I bought a swimsuit from Banana Republic the other day for my Spring Break trip. When it came in the mail, it was TOO BIG!

Hey Newbie.

Go to OBesity HElp website and check out the lightweights...they are low BMI

sleeve people and they can give you lots of information...there is tons of info on that site....good luck... I hear Aceves is great...

You are probably money and stress ahead by cancelling the lapband! : ) It was my first choice also, mainly because it is supposed to be reversible. I have my doubts tho now after everything I have heard and read.

I am just 2 inches taller than you; similar weight. My true weight problems started in the late 1990's/early 2000's. I had always been able to keep it in check before that. I totally get the tired of being fat feeling!

I didn't meet my insurance's guidelines and wouldn't have had the patience for their one year pre-op program anyways : ) I figure that even with the $5200 for surgery and $300 for airfare, I spent less than what my deductible, co-pays, etc would have cost. I told very few people before the surgery. I figured most of them would have lousy attitudes about the surgery in general and go balistic over surgery in Mexico! Most friends and family have been supportive; only a few have been difficult.

We also own our own business as well as I am a Broker for a real estate branch office. I had surgery on Thursday, flew home on Sunday, went to work on Monday. I was able to work shorter hours for the first week and was back to full time the following week. Other than being tired, it really wasn't an issue being at work.

Seems alot of people hit stalls around the 5th week or so. I may be at one now but I also took a few days off from logging every single thing I am eating or drinking. We had alot of company over the past week, had a party at the house, etc. Its not like you can overeat quantity wise, just quality : )

So far it seems very possible to me that I will lose at least 50-60 pounds. I would be happy if I get in the low 140's or 130's. 128 would just be a bonus. It is hard to tell what is reasonable.

I followed the Cornell University Sleeve Diet Guidelines. Worked better for me but everyone is different. Keep an open mind and adjust as you go along.

It truly is amazingly easy. I wish I would have known about it sooner!