Hi gentlemen--

I've been lurking here for five months or so, but wanted to say a note of thanks to everyone who posts regularly. It really helps the process.

This morning, I made the leap and had the VSG done. Because I'm a self-employed consultant with insurance from the ACA exchange, self-pay was my only option. After quite a bit of investigation and discussion, went to Dr. Curry in Cincinnati (at JourneyLite). I live in Indianapolis, so it's only about 2 hours from home. Dr. Curry does the sleeve via outpatient -- although he makes you stay in a hotel overnight.

Quick stats: about 6-1, 302 on first day of two-week pre-op diet, and 283 today for surgery. (Although I'm guessing I gained 5 pounds of Water weight from the IV fluids today.) My surgeon's target is 200 lbs, but I'm targeting 180 for my goal.

So far so good. I didn't have the gas pains. I didn't have to have a hernia repair. I've taken a few Vicodin, but nothing too bad. The only real discomfort is when I drink water/Powerade Zero/diluted fruit drink (per doctor orders) and get the muscle spasm. It goes away quickly but it happens every single time. The anti-spasm medicine helps a little, and I'm hoping it will help more in the next few days.

Anyway, thanks again. The conversations here are great and very helpful.

Congratulations and let us know if we can be of any help.

Congrat's on your leap. I too was a self pay and don't regret anything!! I was drinking Gatorade and just ice Water for the first week. I didn't have any gas pain, that wasn't relieve by taking gas-ex! And my pain medication for general aches. Good luck on your journey and let us know if there is anything/any questions you might have

Welcome aboard.

You jumped in ring in a big way.

Sounds like your results and experience is very favorable at this point. Sounds good.

I hope that everything continues to unfold very smoothy for you.

Best of luck. Hope things are going well a few weeks out.

how's everything going now? if you're still around would love to hear a update

Hi. Yeah. So it's been 50 days since surgery. The first few days after surgery were not that great but only threw up once or twice. I lost weight really quickly the first two weeks and didn't really have any hunger at all. My surgeon and dietician said not to worry too much about Protein the first two weeks and just to focus on fluids.

Started out at 302, was 283 on day of surgery and this morning was 242. I only weigh myself on Mondays (after a few weeks of weighing too often). I've had two mini-stalls but found that I could break them by just going on a clear, liquid, zero calorie diet for a day and my body reset.

I'm on soft foods now but have been stretching that a little bit. Haven't found anything that makes me sick, other than just getting right to the edge of being full. I'm still amazed how little it is. Made burgers on the grill last night for family and made one for myself minus all the toppings and bun. Got about half of it down before my stomach told me "that's enough, dummy."

At the beginning of the process, I went through YouTube and all kinds of places online and tracked out how much various people in my size range had lost weight on a week-by-week basis. I put it all in Excel, normalized it, and came up with a weekly goal plan. Hopefully the image works.

All in all...best decision I've ever made about my health. Only regret is that it's been too long coming.

that's awesome man..congrats

looks like you're on par with hitting that goal too