Slim by Sleeve

BTW, I gained 27 pounds during pregnancy and have lost 7 since having my LO!! 20 more to go!!

Hey ladies! Here's some HOPE for you!! I TTC for 7 years due to PCOS and was also very overweight. We adopted our beautiful son in 2007 and thought our family was complete. I had my VSG in 2010 and lost 140 lbs in 1 year. At a yearly physical, my OBGYN took me off birth control (taken to regulate my periods) because she realized I had a blood clotting factor and it could be very dangerous to continue on BC. We didn't do anything to prevent pregnancy because it hadn't happened in 7 years right? Well, 2 months later I was preggo! I gave birth 11 days ago to a beautiful, HEALTHY, 5lb, 4oz baby boy and we couldn't be happier! An unexpected blessing that I KNOW would not be here without my sleeve! In my opinion and experience, weight loss DEFINATELY increases fertility!! Good luck!!

I was 308lbs and 5'4" when I had surgery on October 8, 2010. The surgery was a breeze and I am right where I want to be now 17 months later! I got down to 168 pounds then got a SURPRISE positive pregnancy test!! My DH and I are thrilled and I'm now 5 months preggo!! My OBGYN did several blood tests/ultrasounds and discovered I no longer fit the criteria for PCOS! My blood pressure is staying at 80/55 (used to be 150/95) and i feel super healthy now! I have gained only 8 lbs during pregnancy which my OB is fine with as long as my choices are healthy and are at least 1800 calories a day. It's a struggle sometimes but the health of the baby is more important than anything!! Before pregnancy I was walking about 10 miles per week and doing Zumba 2x per week! Zumba was my go to exercise as it is a blast and works your butt off!! Can't wait to get back to it!! Good luck with your journey!! Hopefully your road takes you exactly where you want to go also!!

My PCOS seems to be completely gone now! Based on blood work and an ultrasound in October my GYN says I no longer fit the criteria to be DX with PCOS! The BEST part though is that after 7 years of TTC before surgery, I got pregnant on the first month I stopped using the pill! I am now 8 weeks along and baby looks fantastic!! Good luck!

Hey girls!! I also had PCOS and TTC 7 years before Finally becoming a mommy through adoption!! I had my sleeve 14 months ago and last month decided to stop birth control and leave it in the hands of God. Well.... Sunday (1 month after stopping the pill) I realize I haven't had a visit from Aunt Flow so I take a test and BAM! BFP!! Went to my high risk OB yesterday and am 5 weeks preggo and numbers look good so far. Still cautious of course but very hopeful that my PCOS has resolved as my GYN predicted!! Good luck girls! The sleeve was the best thing I've ever done for myself (besides my sons adoption of course!!)!!

Thanks for everyones response. I will, of course, do anything I need to do to prevent another miscarriage. I didn't know some surgeons allowed NSAIDS so this makes me feel much better! Hopefully I'll have those baby pics for y'all next August!!

Just found out yesterday I'm 5 weeks preggo. I'm 14 months out from sleeve and have lost 138lbs! This pregnancy is a total surprise as we TTC for seven years pre-sleeve. During our years of TTC, we discovered I have MTHFR which is a blood clotting factor that can cause miscarriage (I had 2) if blood thinners are not taken during pregnancy. My sleeve surgeon has always advised staying away from NSAIDS due to risk of stomach bleeding, but now I have to take 2 heparin injections daily plus a baby aspirin which is a NSAID. Has anyone else been on this regimen of meds after sleeve? Should I be worried about stomach bleeds or just pop a PPI daily to try to protect my sleeve?

One was provided in my post operative packet the day I left the hospital. I use it every week and in a year have had only 1 problem ordering off the childs menu. Mine provides a diagram of my sleeve (along with a short explanation) and my surgeons name and address with a request to allow me to order from the childs menu due to my reduced stomach size. Love it!!

I was self pay in TN and I paid $16,500 for surgery, hospital, anesthesiologist, and 1 year post op visits. It did not cover all pre op tests such as EKG, labs, ultrasound, etc. All together I've spent about 18,000 but would do it again in a heartbeat! I couldn't find a medical loan company so I was going to use my bank but my parents stepped in with a loan that I am now repaying minus interest! Good luck! It's worth every penny!

Southernsleever we have a lot in common! I'm right outside of Knoxville too (Morristown) and I was also sleeved on Oct.8! I went with Dr. Colquitt at foothills weightless at Blount Memorial and could not be happier! I started at 308lbs and now weigh 192! Love my sleeve!

LOVE Zumba!! Go 2-3 times per week and burn 900 - 1200 calories each session (according to my cardio watch and the instructor's). Right now it's my favorite form of exercise! I have tried the DVD's and did not enjoy them near as much as the actual class.... I think the class routines are easier to learn therefore you can exert more energy doing the moves.... And everything is always more fun with lots of friends!

Congrats! I averaged 1 pound a day for the first 45 days. Then I slowed down.... I now average 2.5 pounds a week or about 10 per month. I had a stall at week 3 that lasted for about a week. Since then I've had 2 more stalls but when I kick my Protein up and make sure I'm getting my liquids in the scale starts moving again.Good luck!

Hi All! I've been a lurker for the past 2 months and everything on here has been really helpful! I was sleeved on October 10th, 2010 with Dr. Mark Colquitt in Maryville, TN at a starting weight of 308lbs. This has been the best thing I've ever done for myself!! I've now lost 76 lbs and am feeling soooo much better! I still have a long way to go but it doesn't seem so overwhelming now. I go to monthly support group meetings (which I highly recommend) but in those off weeks this forum has been a lifesaver! Thanks to everyone who continues to post updates... Us newbies really can use your helpful advice!