Hi, I'm Tori, and I had the VSG on September 9th, 2014 by Dr. David Miles in Wilmington, NC. I have lost 50 lbs. since then, plus 27 lbs. pre-surgery (since July, 2014). My goal is 160 pounds. I've had a great experience so far--and have not regretted a minute of the journey.

Tell me about yourself and your experiences with WLS! Looking to connect and make new friends here. Glad I found this site and happy to be here!

Hi Tori,

Welcome to Bariatricpal and the Loser's Bench.

• Hi joatsaint, thanks for the welcome!

I forgot to add, that if you have questions, please post them. There's bound to be someone here that has already gone through anything you may experience during your new "adventure". :-)

Congratulations on your success! I just had mine 11/24. I'm down 13lbs. I only had a week to prep which is different then most. I had a lapband where I enjoyed a 60lbs loss but started having serious issues with it and it had to come out and I knew I want to go in this direction and as soon as insurance approved there was a cancelation on my dr surgery schedule and he asked if I wanted it since I already had all the education and had been successful with band. I said yes...and here I am.

• Congratulations, emsgirl! I lost 14 lbs. the first week and was losing about 5 a week, now it's down to 3. I hit a plateau but the surgeon's PA said just to live thru it, it'll pass then the weight will start to drop off again. I did a pre-surgery diet of my own concoction ( mostly lean Protein and vegetables and a ton of green tea ) but the surgeon's prep was only for 2 days before surgery. I took SEVEN YEARS of going back and forth on whether or not to have surgery and my doc's office just hung with me and I'm glad they did because I FINALLY DID IT! Yay!

Congrats and welcome!

• Thank you, Elode!

Hi Tori. I'm 12 days out to get surgery. My surgeon only wants a two day prep as well, but I'm thinking of taking 5 days or so....the first couple for a liquid Protein and Soup diet, and the last two days for the mandated clear liquid diet.

Have already stocked up on broth, some Protein powder, some premiere Protein drinks, etc.

Hi Skywalker, Congratulations on your upcoming surgery! Good for you for doing a 5-day prep. It can only help that much more to prepare you sooner for what's ahead. Good on you also for stocking up pre-surgery. A lot of people don't do that, amazingly enough! I love the Premier Protein drinks---they taste just like chocolate milk , and I put a few ice cubes in them even though I chill them first. I used Pure Protein powder too...the chocolate, and their Protein Bars, too. But don't start out with the bars in the beginning. Do EVERYTHING to the letter what you are instructed to do, you will do GREAT!

Don't forget your Vitamins, Calcium Citrate, Iron, and I started out with 10,000 Mcg. Biotin per day too as well as Omega-3's.

Congrats!! Welcome to the happy losers u do u have pics? I would love to see!!

• Hi! I don't have any full-body pics unfortunately but I do have a selfie at 345 lbs. I need to get a current pic for you guys....