Hi,

I'm new to the forums and in the starting stages of obtaining a VSG. Just looking to see if there are any other men who were above 400 (or even close to 500) pounds before starting this journey and how life after surgery has been. Did you suffer any complications from surgery due to your size? Did your doctor make you do anything extra or warn you of any possible issues? Did you lose more rapidly than average patients? Did you lose any motivation when you had lost enough weight to lead a fairly "normal" life, even though you might still have a good amount of excess weight?

A little background...I'm 31, 5'10", and honestly can't bear how difficult my weight has made my life. Just this weekend my wife went alone to her sister's engagement dinner at a restaurant due to my fear the chairs wouldn't be supportive enough. (I typically avoid restaurant situations unless there's a booth with a table I can adjust, ideally half booth/half chairs.) I've avoided flying for a couple years, will only attend theatre or sporting events where I can be guaranteed an aisle seat, etc. It seems like in the last 60 or so pounds many social situations involving sitting have escalated from very uncomfortable to more or less unbearable. Healthwise, I have hypertension and am very likely will be diagnosed with sleep apnea once the results of my sleep study last week come in.

Look forward to hearing from any of you have started in similar situations.

I'm dealing with the same issue as well. I have tried using compression shirts, but have struggled to find any that are long enough that they cover my whole, elongated belly. @@DavidOso, have you found a particular compression shirt that works well?

Im female (obviously) but my husband is getting sleeved in about 6 weeks, which is why I was reading this thread. That and we are both ~385. I am getting sleeved in 10 days.

VDB, you mentioned edema and that it is gone now. Can i ask what kind/symptoms?

I have had idiopathic peripheral edema for almost 10 years now. The hydroclorathiacide originally used to treat it gave me gout. I have also maxed out the dosage of furosimide with no real relief. I cant even wear real shoes (only stretchy sandals) due to the swelling.

I guess i am hoping you had similar issues and it was resolved with WLS.

Hi there, I had ipe as well. It was painful as you know, and furosimide etc only gave me temporary relief. I had to wear size 19 extra extra wide Shoes when normally I wear 17 or 18 wide. Main problem was mobility -- I could see the wheelchair or walker coming... now totally gone. I am 40# from goal but right now am on a lunch break from painting my very large house, using ladders etc. That says it all, and I feel good...

@@Thucydides, I use "Insta Slim Muscle T" It's a tank top. I have had issues with sleeves, too tight in the pit area. Ebay has them, not very expensive. I'm 6'0'' and the shirts come down to pelvic area. I suggest getting the same size as a dress shirt. I wear 2X dress shirts, so 2X. I do have a XL, it is VERY squishy on me now. Maybe in 20 more lbs. These are a bit of a bitch to get on but comfortable afterwards. I wear them to the gym too, so I'm not a loose skin version of Baywatch on the treadmill!

@@Thucydides, I use "Insta Slim Muscle T" It's a tank top. I have had issues with sleeves, too tight in the pit area. Ebay has them, not very expensive. I'm 6'0'' and the shirts come down to pelvic area. I suggest getting the same size as a dress shirt. I wear 2X dress shirts, so 2X. I do have a XL, it is VERY squishy on me now. Maybe in 20 more lbs. These are a bit of a b***h to get on but comfortable afterwards. I wear them to the gym too, so I'm not a loose skin version of Baywatch on the treadmill!

I wear these as well. The sleeves are actually loose on me. It tight around my stomach.

Two week post op checkup today. I'm down 51lbs since pre-op. Moving on to soft proteins and best of all back to the gym next week.

@@sgc Looking good!!! Congrats!

Wow man, you're killing it. I started at 385lbs and by the morning of surgery after two weeks of liquid diet, I was at 351.8 - then about 1 1/2 weeks post-op at the surgeon's office I was 341.5lbs. So 51lbs right now is killer. I haven't weighed in about a week, and I'm planning on holding off until my next doctor checkup. I just don't want to step on the scales too much, it's always been my enemy

Two week post op checkup today. I'm down 51lbs since pre-op. Moving on to soft Proteins and best of all back to the gym next week.

Wow man, you're killing it. I started at 385lbs and by the morning of surgery after two weeks of liquid diet, I was at 351.8 - then about 1 1/2 weeks post-op at the surgeon's office I was 341.5lbs. So 51lbs right now is killer. I haven't weighed in about a week, and I'm planning on holding off until my next doctor checkup. I just don't want to step on the scales too much, it's always been my enemy

Two week post op checkup today. I'm down 51lbs since pre-op. Moving on to soft Proteins and best of all back to the gym next week.

Thanks. Apparently I mistyped I am down 41, which is still good. I started similar to you. I was 391 then 368.5 at surgery, then 350 at the surgeons office at 2 weeks. I agree about staying off the scale. I am trying to go for once a week.

Yeah, looks like we are on very similar trajectories then! I'm definitely going to avoid the scale, I'm probably only going to weigh at the doctor's office, but we'll see. The way I see it, my clothes tell me all I really need to know.

Edited October 14, 20169 yr by PorkChopExpress

Glad to see you both are doing so well right out of the gate. I start my pre-op diet Monday.

Worst part of the whole process, I think! Aside from the mental hurdles you have to get past. But just keep remembering that there's a time limit on it, and you're setting the tone for the rest of your weight loss journey with that pre-op diet. It's important, do your best

Glad to see you both are doing so well right out of the gate. I start my pre-op diet Monday.

I agree the preop diet sucks. You feel hungry but it is a great trend setter.

I agree the preop diet sucks. You feel hungry but it is a great trend setter.

The preop diet was rough for me too. I only did it for two weeks, but I felt like I had the flu, the whole time.

I started the process on 6-30-16 at 409#. I have my pre op appointment on 10-26-16 and surgery on 11-8-16 and I'm down to 386#. I'm having RNY.

Started the journey on 12/10 at 419, had my surgery on 9/26, and right now I'm at 364.