happy1957

Congratulations!! I am sincerely excited for you. I too went through the insurance battle and didn't get approved until my last appeal, it was 11 months from start to finish. It's been a fairly easy ride since. I was approved and 12 days later had my surgery which fortunately has been a text book perfect recovery. I feel your overwhelming excitement. Again, Congratulations.

I lost 8.5 lbs. Not a huge amount, but a good percentage. I then only lost 4.5 over the next 4 weeks, stalled out for about 3 1/2 of that. I feel smaller, clothes fit looser, but unfortunately I did not measure myself. Start there, I think inches is important for your self esteem when the scale doesn't move. Thanks to everyone here on VST, I was able to be emotional about my stall and received much support. Good luck to you.

I am writing this because I've been complaining about my lack of weight loss and stall. I went to see my Dr yesterday for my 6 week follow-up. I have finally broken the dreaded three week stall that started the day I started on solid food which was the day of my two week check-up, it lasted for almost 4 weeks. According to her scale I have lost 4.5 lbs in just the last few days. I was still discouraged with the low loss, but she was not unhappy at all. They are aware of the three week stall, she also made me realize that the pounds I lost prior to surgery are and should be counted as surgical loss. Many people don't lose any weight prior to surgery and therefore enjoying a sudden drop. I have less weight to lose than many others, so my loss will be slower. She was so encouraged and made me realize that I am already over half way there to meet her requirements. Using her little calculator and making all these configurations, she said if I lose 50% of my excess body weight(average) I am over half way there, although the nutritionist and I have set a lower weight, she said if I lose a mere 20lbs, I will be what is considered a successful sleeve according to national averages. So my current 29lb loss is over half way??? I do not plan to stop at another 20lbs, but it was encouraging to know how well I am doing and will do since I am just 6 weeks out. Her visit was just what I needed. I love my Dr. :-) Thanks to all of you who gave me encouragement when I was feeling down. That's why I love this venue.

I'm happy for you LIssa, I wish at times my first husband could have understood that I had needs. He wasn't a bad man, but was needy and God forbid I needed a shoulder. I think we often have to mature a lot before we can truly communicate. At times the other person isn't willing to participate. Hopefully your husbands sobriety will be the key that unlocks new doors for both of you. It looks like you BOTH are on paths to a healthier life which will keep you in a healthier and happy relationship.

First I am not a marriage counselor, just a little wisdom from being an old woman. Wow, I have seen and heard about this at support groups and actually have a friend post bypass that is dealing with the same issues. Your husband is apparently insecure about your weight loss and I have dealt with that in the past when losing weight, although it was a different husband.:-) I think in your case your entire lifestyle has changed. It's like starting all over again. When two people live apart they become real independent individuals. You are not only more confident and looking great, but now you're treading on his territory. You both have to become partners again. Although you felt like you were partners in mind and really shared the others input in most cases, you were individuals in eating, sleeping, playing, watching tv etc. You are in his "space". That is new. I know you probably love each other and the situation you had prior worked and you learned to be without one another, but as happy as he was to have you come home for a visit, he knew you would be leaving again. I bet he gets angry because while you want to go shopping or do something together, he wants to sit around in his underwear watching the ball game (maybe not literally ) He had that freedom for a long time. Not having to answer to anyone for the most part. Your relationship was like an affair, all fun and not a lot of responsibility to the other. He learned to fend for himself, not really needing you for day to day living. He had learned to fill his time without you, probably not with another woman, but with precious private time and space. My opinion is that you need to start dating. You need to give him more space. We all know that counseling would be your best bet, but for now he is against that. Maybe living separately in the same house until he is used to you being around even if it's sleeping arrangements. I bet you feel like a stranger in your own home. You should share this with your children. They are grown individuals and you're not saying that you want to leave their dad, but you have to get over the "newness" of being a "in the house wife" again. Your children are your support. Plus you have to get used to him being around too. I'm sure you may have some sensitivities. Will he walk with you? Go to the gym? Maybe you can find a once a week activity that you both love and can share. Dancing? Make a date night, play a game. Make him write down 25 things on individual pieces of paper that he would like you to do for him or that would please him. It can be making his favorite desert, go bowling, go for an ice cream, washing his vehicle, drawing a bath, going to the movies etc. You do the same. Put them in individual jars and once a week on a particular day you both pick one from the others jar, not showing each other and sometime during the next week, you both fulfill what is written on the paper. I personally like leave a rose on my car seat while I'm working, and cooking dinner for me. :-) I sincerely wish you the best.I believe if there is still love there, you can fall back into it.

Any type of sharp pain is not normal. You could have referred pain from the left. I had no pain at all with the exception of the pinching feeling from the small incisions. It's always best to call your Dr. Unusual sharp pains can be a sign of a leak.

I too carry lots of butt /hip weight, usually when I lose, I get narrower, but my butt still sticks out. We'll see what the future holds.

Your subject line made me laugh...."Here you go sweet cheeks" I think this is the best site.. Dr Oz endorsed. http://www.feelfoxy.com/ or http://www.herroom.c...9f724cc3154c09b or http://www.lovemybubbles.com/ PS my mom had a stroke about 16 years ago, when cleaning out her private things I came across many of these, never knew her little curves ( 90lb woman) were not natural.

I don't think I could eat less without dizziness. My job is standing all day, running, running, running. I am exhausted in the pm and actually hungry all the time. I can't wait to see what the Dr say's tomorrow. I have had a couple episodes of near passing out over he last week. Not sure why, it just comes out of the clear blue sky. I am getting all my Protein and Water, I'm thinking a sugar drop from the lack of carbs.

Thanks for the encouragement. I am logical, know that eventually I will lose, it's a no brainer, I'm not eating enough to sustain my current weight. Yet at moments I am weak emotionally. Last night was one of them. Today is a new day. I can't wait to hit the Dr's scale tomorrow and hopefully get the ok to do some real exercise. Not that I want to become a weight lifter again, just wanted to be an average exerciser.

My friend apparently made a small tear at the point that the small intestine is reattached to the new pouch. It was a slow leak, but the pain she was haivng was disguised as a "pulled something". She was doing so well, had lost 75 lbs, was exercising every day, She had so much more self esteem,it's a totally different surgery than VSG. She also had an underlying liver problem found during her first surgery, after a 7.5 hour surgery to fix the leak, she was unable to fight the infection in combination with the liver issues. She passed on Jan 3rd and was only 44.

I will be 55 in May.... My Dr does not want me or any other patient to work out other than walking for 8-12 weeks. I just lost friend to a leak , who was 4 months post op from gastric bypass, who apparently caused the leak at the gym. Nonetheless, I will wait until I get the ok. I will be 6 weeks post op tomorrow. I am just disappointed and feel a little stressed about it. I'm sure it will come off eventually. I can't possible sustain this weight eating 600-800 calories a day...

Thank you for the kind words. I think my issue is that my entire life, no matter the effort, I 've been a slow loser and have had to work out 2 hours a day , 7 days a week to lose 1to1.5 lbs a week. I was so hoping this would be easier in some ways, that I could exercise without as much time and effort, not worry about building huge muscle to burn more calories. That my body would be happy with lower calories and the ability to just tone up and do average aerobics. It's discouraging. Wish the sleeve would have been around 25 years ago. I am just disappointed today, once I meet with the surgeon, the stress of not meeting their goal will take some pressure off. I hate disappointing others and myself. At my age it

What am I doing wrong? I was fat before my sleeve and now fat and depressed. I am so happy for all of you that are losing and so happy with your sleeve. I lost 5.5 lbs on my pre-op liquid diet and another 8.5 the two weeks following my Dec 28th surgery. My Dr was very pleased with my loss although I knew it was lower than most . I am scheduled fior my 6 week follow up on Thursday and had a "goal" loss of 6 lbs suggested by my Dr. I have been at a standstill for four weeks. I'm trying to be patient, but that is turning into depression. I have no idea what to do other than starvation. I'm doing all things right and getting 600-800 calories a day. I'm not trying to burst anyone's bubble, just voicing my frustration. I hope I wake tomorrow 7 lbs lighter.

I am going to be 55 soon, only 6 weeks post op. This topic seemed to bring together many from my age group. Did anyone here have an issue with losing weight at the beginning? I have not lost any weight since my 2 week check up and it's getting discouraging. I have but one day to lose the the 6 lb goal that my Dr gave me. I dread going to the Dr's and nutritionist appointments on Thursday.

I wish I had some words of wisdom, but it seems natural to sit at the same weight for awhile , check out this topic. I have been at a standstill and it will be 4 weeks tomorrow, haven't lost a pound since my 2 week follow up. :-( http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/30314-is-it-the-infamous-3-week-stall-or-is-it-3-weeks-of-stalling/page__fromsearch__1

Update.... I will be 6 weeks post op tomorrow. I have not lost a thing in almost 4 weeks, since my 2 week check up. I was given a goal of losing 6lbs and now have but one full day to do that in. I have a Dr's and nutritionist appointment on Thursday. I have seen a drop of about 2lbs, but then the next day it's right back on the scale. I hope a miracle happens by Thursday, I am embarrassed to go to the Dr's without any weight loss. I get all my protein, little to no carbs and plenty of water. I don't know what else to do. :-( I hate being old. All the young ones seem to have the weight just fall off. I hate to think this was all done for nothing.

Congratulations! Today will be the first day of the rest of your NEW life. Many successes to you.

I would also like the shakes document. It will not allow me to open it.Would you please send it to my e-mail? sos@myfairpoint.net thank you..

The one suggestion that someone here at VST made to me, was to bring ear plugs and they were a God send for the hospital and may be for your friends house. Sip,sip,sip and walk,walk,walk is all you'll want to do to get rid of gas. The best of lick to you!

Congratulations on getting approved! I too had lots of denials over 11 months and had lost weight. My Dr. Said that they use the first weight you ever had at the nutritionist. So when they send to the insurance company, that's the weight they use. I was under 40 and it was not an issue. The best of luck to you.

This topic has been written here many times. I too went through a period of waking in the early am around 2:00 - 3:00 for the day . Many have explained it to me as a symptom of ketosis which you actually want to be in to lose fat. It was about two weeks for me and now I 'm the opposite. I'm a good sleeper and find it difficult to roll off the bed in the am. I bought some Melatonin, but have never had to take one. I also try to get most of my Protein in by 3:00 pm as I had always had this issue with low carb diets. I wish you the best of luck in finding what works fr you.