GreginMI

I did a 10 day low calorie pre-op diet and yet after my surgery the doctor said my liver was pretty large but he did the surgery anyway. Maybe it's a level of expertise or experience issue? Good luck in getting it done after you lose the 20!

Not sure what drug I had during that, but I had an anethesiologist come in my room and talk to me beforehand so it was probably the good stuff. I don't remember anything.

Yep, I know what you mean. And even though it was one of the worst months of my life, it was the best at the same time.

I've lost over 120 lbs in a year and finally have a couple pictures to show the difference. The after shots are from my recent bike trip to Sturgis, South Dakota and the Black Hills. All I can say is I feel great!!

Thanks ladies!

Here's mine from a post I made a while back. http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/48030-finally-got-a-before-and-after-picture/

I confess that I've hardly exercised since my surgery. I confess that I don't drink enough water every day. I confess that I drink beer a LOT. I confess that I graze on some days. I confess that I eat rice and bread sometimes. I confess that I drink caffeinated coffee every morning. I confess that I enjoy the attention I get from women now, even though I have a girlfriend. I confess that it's been over a year since surgery and I've lost 120 lbs and I'm maintaining it while eating like a normal person! Waaaaaahh HOOOOOO!!!!!

Wait until that whole month of no solid food after surgery. This will be the second worst part of the journey. lol

Once you folks get off soft food and can eat dense protein like chicken, you won't feel hungry anymore. Slider foods always keep you feeling like you need to eat more, but dense protein will make you feel that restriction in a BIG way. Trust me!

I had a problem a while back because I was so constipated, but I started taking Phillips laxative pills and it helped a lot. Mine are shrunk down to the point where they don't bother me right now. Good luck with yours!

Wow, your story is close to mine. I too weighed 320 at surgery and now I'm stuck at 205. I got down to 198 but I've been fluctuating between 200 and 205 for about a month now. I contribute it to a couple of things. One, I graze too much. I work the midnight shift and I have snacks at work like almonds, pretzel sticks, and greek yogurt and if I have nothing going on and I'm bored I keep pulling then out of my locker and munching on them. I need to keep it to a small amount every night. Second, I'm close to goal, like 20 lbs, and I think my body just wants to hang onto these last few lbs. It's going to take some serious exercise to get to goal I think. The good thing is that I've had no trouble maintaining this weight so if I can just get to goal I believe I can stay there. Good luck to you and me both in kicking 205!

Bad girls!! lol

You're all too kind. But I appreciate it!!

Thank you, thank you!!

I've tried to drink while I eat and I just can't do it. There's not enough room for food AND drink in there. I've gotten used to it, though. I tell people that is the one thing negative about this surgery. But if that's all, it's not too bad.

I used a CPAP machine for 10 years before getting the surgery. I couldn't NOT use it before or I would feel like crap the next day. I never thought I'd be off it. My surgeon told me before I had surgery that 70% of people are able to get off the machine entirely after losing all their weight. After 120 lbs gone and only 20 lbs from goal I can say I'm finally free from that machine and the sleep apnea is cured. Thank the Lord!

Not sure of the dynamics behind it, but getting the sleeve somehow breaks your addiction to food. Maybe it's not being able to eat anything solid for weeks, I don't know. Lack of hunger contributes as the changing of taste buds, I'm sure. I never ate salads much before surgery and now I love them. I feel like I'm putting poison in my body if I eat unhealthy things. (except for beer...that's another thread). But food is no longer important to me. It's just a way to stay healthy. It's almost a chore to stop something I'm doing and remember to eat. Good luck to you!

I think you have made a great decision in getting the sleeve instead of the bypass. You won't have to worry about things like dumping syndrome, nutrient deficiencies, or weight re-gain like you could experience with the bypass. I've lost over 120 lbs in a year and feel great! I can eat anything and drink anything I want to, but I choose to eat healthy and maintain my weight loss. My life is so different now and I'm so much more active and happy. It was the best thing I've ever done for myself. Good luck to you!

Thanks everyone and you're welcome! If I can do it, anyone can!

I drink beer all the time and still managed to lose 120 lbs in a year and maintain that. I do eat healthy and not a lot, though. I save my calories for my beer! Every person is different. Beer is my one vice.

From everything I've read, your stomach can never stretch out to the same size it was. Her example from her doctor must be an anomaly.

Like was said, very normal although frustrating I know. I went through several stalls, sometimes a whole month at a time, before losing 120 lbs in a year. So hang in there. There is no way your body will not lose weight with the amount of calories you're consuming. Be patient and have faith. The scale will move again!

I am finally wearing my dream jeans. Now I'm a guy, but we care about clothes, too! At least I do. I wear destroyed (holes already in them when I bought them) from Old Navy in size... 33 waist! I was a size 46 waist a year ago. I haven't worn this size since the 1980s. Every day is a surreal experience looking in the mirror and thinking, "Is that thin guy really me?" I never want to wake up from this dream! Ever!

I used one when going through the liquid and mushie stages, but since going on solid foods, I haven't used it. I think you could guestimate enough to get by without one.

To add to what Rootman said, they removed the fatty portion of the stomach that stretches the most. What is left is the more muscular part of the stomach that is not as prone to stretch. However, it will give over time, but like was said, will never be the same size it was before. So you will always be able to use this tool when you need to. Or not, as the case will be.