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To celebrate reaching my goal weight (95% excess weight loss), I had a DexaScan done to measure my body fat percentage. I'm at 20.6%, which is in the Ideal range for my age. The scan revealed that my weight loss was mostly fat and not muscle.

I'm 5'3. I had my vsg at around 200, got to 160. No problem getting it approved due to comorbities. I held that for about 6 years, felt good, most comorbities resolved. But then I got severe gerd and had an rny to fix gerd over a year ago, now weigh 109 lbs.

I had the surgery last year when I was 62. Only regret was waiting so long but I never had the funds before. I feel so well now and am super happy with my weight loss so far

I weighed myself weekly to begin with, but once it became clear that I was going to be a serial-staller, I stopped weekly weigh ins and went with bi-weekly to monthly. As I got closer to goal, I weighed myself less and less, letting months go by. I found that actually really healthy, mentally. So I hit milestones like "under 100kg", and finally "goal weight" without even realising until weeks later. Obsessing about the scale isn't helpful. I could feel my clothes getting looser, which was much more significant, and I was sticking to my plan so even when weight loss slowed down, I knew I was heading in the right direction.

Can’t help with the surgery in Mexico. Though if you have a good GP you trust & who is willing to support you through the process when you get home you’ll be fine. I was two months shy of 54 when I had my surgery (& am 5’3” & was a teacher in one of my lives too 🙂). The surgery was the best decision I’ve made. I feel (& look) younger & better than ever.

I had my surgery at age 55. I know several people who've had it in the 50s and 60s - and even a couple in their 70s!

I had acid reflux before the surgery, but the doctor also fixed a hernia when he did the sleeve so I haven’t had any heartburn with meds. Also my post nasal drip is pretty much gone. I would wake people up or keep them up at night coughing up phlegm.

Waiting for insurance is the pits. I have heard that once submitted they have 30 days to either approve or deny it. Perhaps you could call the insurance and ask if they received it and when (and also whether what I heard is true in all cases). I’m the mean time I agree with starting your healthy habits. One thing that was hard for me to get used to was taking the vitamins. Perhaps take a regular (non bariatric) version but take it at the same times a day you plan to take the bariatric on (also order those soon cause they take a while to shop for whatever reason and take advantage of auto ship and adjust the date based on your surgery date if you want or just stay a little ahead. Also, getting used to logging calories and water intake. You can make adjustments to calories or not it’s up to you but getting used to logging them and your fluids are things you will eventually have to do (having some idea how much water you naturally drink now may be good to know as well cause I not everyone drinks 64oz Exactly. I actually drank way more than that). Another thing that was an adjustment for me was not drinking before or after meals. Perhaps practice some of these things now and you will be ahead of the game by the time you are approved. Your surgery time will be here before you know it.

Unfortunately, reflux or gerd is a possible side effect of the sleeve. Definitely speak to your surgeon about how it can be better managed & your options. I had reflux before my surgery which I managed most of the time with dietary choices. My reflux is worse now in that I need meds every day versus rarely before surgery. But the surgery also reduced some of the reflux symptoms I had like the horrendous hiccups. Try avoiding caffeine, carbonation & spicy & rich foods (though your current eating plan probably avoids a lot of these). Try not to eat heavy/dense protein a couple of hours before going to bed. Sleep on a wedge or raise the head of your bed with a brick. Worth a try to see if any of these things can help you even a little.

Jan 10th here. It just got very real. My doctor is allowing a high protein diet 2 weeks before surgery and the liquid diet only 2 days before. Is this normal? I know everyone is a little different.