redroses47

I had my surgery a year ago and I think they reduced the costs on the band and the sleeve about 5-6 months after I was done. And no, I don't attend any support groups. I never did.

They have reduced their prices .. I definitely paid more than $17,000

Isn't Dr. Landerholm great? He didn't do my surgery but his post-op was fantastic. I would recommend Puget Sound to anyone. Hope you are feeling well, too!

I am in the Vancouver area and I was done a year ago @ Puget Sound. I highly recommend them.

For the first few months, my weight dropped quite dramatically. I was constantly looking at my wardrobe to find things to wear as I am sure, like many people, I had quite a size range. I had it in my mind I had clothes for 'months ahead' but the truth for me is that I went through my entire wardrobe and zipped past sizes I expected to wear (but didn't) in less than 6 months post-op. I got to the point where I tried on my smaller clothes once a month and I could see the difference each month and there were many things I never even got a chance to wear. Talk about thrilling. Don't feel reluctant. I think that is a natural feeling because we have all dieted and gained back and tended to keep that larger wardrobe 'just in case'. I guess we knew deep down that diets don't work. But this does. Trust me. I just did my second consignment and the store couldn't believe these were my clothes. They were new-ish but much much larger than the woman standing before them. The owner asked me if they were actually my clothes! As I was preparing the clothes for this consignment, I was holding up items I had worn mere months ago and can't believe I was that big. I had been dealing with my brain not catching up to the image in the mirror plus the comments I had received from others so after I looked at my old/large clothes recently, any remaining denial flew right out the window. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

The pics always tell the strongest visual story but no, I have no plans to post. I wish to keep my identity private.

Wow .. look at your success! Very inspiring, too!

Thanks for posting I feel so completely different in heels. I used to feel like I was jamming my foot into the shoe (I probably was) and thought it looked great but in reality, it only promoted swelling. Not attractive. I have lost about a size and a half (plus a width) since my weight loss, too. Another unexpected perk!

Laughing here .. good call on the tray!! Yes, not only was it down but I had at least 8" to spare. Talk about another mini success!!

Thanks for your comments I think it's important also for those who have had successes to also share the difficulties, too. For me, I dealt with extreme exhaustion for about 4 months post-op when I heard so many times that I will be up 'n running in no time. I found this pretty difficult and let myself nap when my body told me it was time to rest. However, it does pass. And, you will stall and everyone's schedule for stalling varies. However, the weight will come off. Follow the rules and you can't go wrong. My weight dropped very steadily for at least 6 months before my first stall and that one lasted about a month. And of course, the closer you are to goal, the slower the scale moves. That is where you rev things into gear with exercise as it's so exhilarating to move without those same pains you may have had post-op!

It's pretty amazing to me how this surgery has changed my life. My one-year anniversary is coming up and I can't believe the number of ways my life and health have changed. Obviously, the main one, is how I look. People who have not seen me in awhile are simply blown away. I am half the person I used to be. Original size was 28 and now I am a 12. My wardrobe that was very carefully collected and cultivated over the years is completely gone. Ask me if I care. Shopping today is a THRILL! I have not told people how I lost my weight and the only ones who actually know the truth are my family. Works for me .. I know people around me are very critical of this surgery and I don't feel like fighting the fight, you know? It's my business and my success .. I am very happy. I was on a plane recently, too. Can you say 'snap me in' without tightness or asking for an extension? Freedom, baby .. it's incredible. I can even cross my legs in the seat. And not feeling like I am squishing the person next to me is an amazing success. Paint me happy! I eat quite a bit more than I did perhaps 6 months ago but I have never gained any weight back. I exercise (very easily, I may add) about 5-6 days a week and I can actually run for the first time in over 20 years. My foods remain healthy choices with high Protein and veggies being the main options. I have zero cravings for chocolate which I found weird. My pre-op tastes were sweet and post-op are definitely savory. Wearing high heels now is sooooo easy and comfortable, too .. that rocks! I did experience the hair-loss factor quite heavily in the 8-9 month post-op period. Nothing you can really do and I didn't subscribe to special shampoos or Vitamins .. it's a body/system thing and you have to roll with it. I have a lot of hair and very long hair, too. My bathroom floor was quite a mess every day for a number of weeks but then it suddenly stops falling out. You will survive this .. I can promise you that. I will need follow-up tummy surgery. My weight fell off so fast that I wasn't able to even try to exercise my way through it so I do have that apron that needs to be removed. I have gone for two consultations and I have to wait another 6-8 months before anyone will consider this since my WLS is still considered quite new and I am expected to continue to lose weight over the next year. I am not at target weight yet but I suspect I won't really get there as I always felt I was too thin by those standards. Regardless, should it stop today, I am fine, happy and healthy. Thanks for reading and best of luck to you!

Pre-op I drank 2-3 cups of coffee a day and I made a decision to stop drinking coffee post-op until I felt better to do so. What I found is that my taste for coffee was radically altered after surgery and I didn't have a sip for about 6 months. The taste was horrible. I was recently on a road trip to Vegas and I was dead-dog tired so I grabbed a coffee and made myself drink it. Honestly, I could have flown a plane after that *lol* and since then I am back on coffee - about 2-3 cups a day with a bit of cream and I am now 8 months out. No issues, pain or bloating, etc.

Great update! Although I am 8 months out, I can relate to a number of things you posted here. I didn't tell anyone about my surgery except for my family and I know my staff are seriously wondering how I have dropped all of my weight. Whatever .. I made it my decision not to say anything. That is my comfort zone. I also related to the eating little in the morning and more in the evening time. I have no idea what my caloric intake is but I think like you .. it balances out in the end. My weight continues to drop. The last one was the hair loss. I really started shedding pretty badly around the 5-6 month mark and only now does it appear to be waning. Talk about a panic .. my hair is very long and very full and even my hairdresser noticed the difference. It's starting to come back though. I can see the new growth. Anyway, best to you. You are doing great!

I was sleeved 8 months ago and I still experience coldness frequently. Or at least my propensity to it .. it hits hard and fast out of the blue. Even during the summer months. I think it's a part of this journey of rapid weight loss and as well, less body fat.

It's quite a feeling, isn't it? Congrats on your success - you look terrific