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I am considering vsg and I'm having trouble making a decision. My reasons for wanting it are back pain, lack of energy and yes, vanity. I feel like if I don't have the surgery that I will just continue gaining weight , and eventually my BMI will be much higher, and I will have wished I had addressed the problem earlier. Also, if I do have the surgery, I want to keep it secret from everyone but my family because I fear being judged. Any thoughts?

Ppl on these sites will try to make you feel guilty, some will even act like bullies, and have holier than thou attitudes when you say you've kept it secret.I chose not to tell anyone but my immediate family. It was the right decision for me, I am not ashamed, i do not feel guilty for not helping out others on their journey etc etc etc. I made the decision to have surgery for me, not to jump on a soapbox! Is that selfish? Perhaps, but worrying about everyone else other than me was what got me fat in the first place! Do what is right for you!! How do you like them apples? Lol

Again, someone who is making presumptions about MY LIFE. Why would anyone think anything was different this time I lost 50 lbs, I've done it 5 or 6 times before. The only difference is this time it's staying off.

I told ppl i was dieting for 2 months before i had surgery, and that i had lost weight, but was getting really frustrated that it wasn't showing yet. After surgery when i did lose 50 lbs over 4 months, they thought it was six. I also told them i'd lost 40 lbs, so if they did the math it wasn't as alarming. 1 yr later, still at goal, still only my family knows, no regrets. No one even suspects as far as i know. I told them i was eating a high protein low carb diet with smaller portions. Now, when eating in public, no one notices my smaller portions and leftovers on my plate, if they do, i just say something like, i wasn't very hungry, or i have heartburn. Honestly, ppl do not pay attention to details.

Just came across another down side of losing weight... I am in the smallest size of pants that my favorite clothing stores sell.( Rickis, Reitmans, and Cleo) If I lose more, I'll have to find new favorite stores!!

You can't put a price on your health, of course its worth the money! That being said.... I paid 5500 with dr Kelly in TJ, about 6500 total including flights. It's cheaper in Mexico, and this is what these doctors specialize in. They have much more training and experience than a general surgeon does in WLS. Check with your lender if they have a better rate if it is for medical expenses, or ask about a secured loan. You'll read on this forum how self pay clients say it is the best money they ever spent. And like mentioned earlier, save you money on prescriptions, diet fads, plus sized clothing etc. Go for it!!

Make sure you have mixed drinks with a non-carbonated mix, no sparkling wine, and no beer of course. Screwdrivers, Caesars,and mudslides are good choices!

Ok, maybe I'm overly emotional today or something, but this topic has me in tears. So happy for everyone's success. And my own too of course!

An update Thank you all for helping me make the right decision! I am now 4 months out and 42 lbs lighter. I did research dr.s and decided on Dr. Kelly in TJ. - also a very good choice! I did not lose as quickly as some with higher bmi's , but that also meant not losing my hair and not too much loose skin. My back pain has improved some, not as much as I'd hoped, but then again, I'm not taking handfuls of painkillers anymore making me groggy and lazy. I am still losing weight, and will soon be transitioning into maintenance. My entire experience has been so problem free, again, thank you fellow sleevers for your help. And BTW, I never have told anyone but immediate family, and that's worked well for me too. For anyone with a lower BMI doing their research before making a decision, I HAVE NO REGRETS! It was definitely the right decision for me.

I have to go shopping every three weeks for work clothes because they are baggy in no time!

4 months out, and haven't lost any, but then I didn't lose weight super fast either.

When I hit 140 and size 8's, I thought if I didn't lose any more, I was happy and my surgery successful. Now I am at 130 and size 6's, I'm ecstatic! And the weight is still coming off. My lowest adult weight was 122-125. I guess I'll aim for there now? I am 4 months out, and still have significant restriction, so should I go as low as I can while I can? ( still staying in BMI range for my height of course, I'm 5' 4") or at 44, should I have a little fat to plump out the wrinkles? Lol. Never, never did I think I would be worried about losing too much for my frame!!

I am 3.5 months out and have lost 39 lbs

I booked with Christi at successfully slimmer for Dr. Kelly, surgery date Aug 29/11. I was met at the airport by Ricardo and taken to Florence hospital- part of Oasis hospital which is a cancer clinic. My pre-op tests were done right there. I did not experience any problems. I did meet Trish who has an office right at the hospital. She told me that the stateside coordinators had a smear campaign against her, and keep starting rumors on the boards about her no longer being with Dr. Kelly etc. They feel she has an unfair advantage apparently. Regardless of who you book through, Dr. Kelly is an amazing, experienced, caring Dr. NO REGRETS

Reading off the side of the unjury chicken broth container, it says the texture will be affected if the water is too hot. Some ppl have trouble tolerating protein drinks soon after surgery, if so, bouillon cubes are an alternative for now. At the beginning you need to concentrate on getting enough liquid in foremost. Once your new tummy heals a little and gets a little stronger you can introduce the protein drinks slowly. You may have to experiment with different kinds at first. At 3 months out, some of them still just go straight through me! I was a big coffee drinker before surgery, and switched to decaf after. Because it was my normal habit to drink coffee all day, I found it a great way for me to get my liquid in, and my tummy tolerated it well ( with the PPI ) I also love a glass of skim milk in the evening, easy on my tummy, filling, low cal, and protein to boot. Good luck!

Me too! I also had surgery on Aug 29th and have lost 35lbs!

Also, are you taking your PPI? If I forget to take mine I feel rotten. I found at the beginning, hot liquids went down easier than cold, try chicken broth, it's easy on your tummy. Maybe you could try taking a gravol pill to settle your stomach long enough to get something in, beware though, they will make you sleepy. Above all though, talk to your surgeon or PCP.

Thanks everyone. I'm feeling a little shy, and exposed now with my smaller body and dramatic cut. Back to work though Monday, I'll have no choice but to get over it! I guess you could call it un-growing pains?

I am 11 wks post-op and have lost 30 lbs. Yay!!!.......but hardly anyone has noticed! Tonight I got my shoulder length hair cut short and wow! I grew a neck! My face looks thinner, shoulders narrower, and neck so long. What a difference a haircut can make!

You look sooo much younger!! And you didn't lose your boobs,lol. Congratulations, you look great!

Bean and bacon soup, high protein, low fat, high fibre.

You are not doing anything wrong, just have patience. Your main concern right now is liquids. Experiment with warm liquids, some find they go down easier. Give it some time, I promise you will see results. Congratulations and good luck on your journey!

I have 3 nieces who are triplets, not identical. The smallest of the three has always eaten twice as much as the other two. They are teens now, and still she eats a lot more and is really tiny. So, no, it definitely is not just calories in vs calories burned.

So this past weekend was thanksgiving in Canada. I sat between my niece and my sister in law, both who've been naturally thin all their lives. The niece, who is so thin, she almost looks anorexic (she's not) had 2 heaping platefuls AND two desserts! The sister in law, who has never gained a lb in her life, had 1 heaping plateful, and one dessert( and multiple cigarettes I might add). Me on the other hand, had a slice of turkey, a spoonful of carrots and raw veggies. An hour later I had half a slice of pumpkin pie. THEN, to top it off, there was a conversation down the table a ways about a lady they know who " had a sleeve put in ". ( no one knows I had surgery) and isn't it a shame that some people have to go to such lengths! I have never eaten 2 platefuls and two desserts in my life! Lordy, Lordy life is not fair. Thanks for reading my rant, I feel better now.

Yes, Dr. Ramos Kelly, and he is very good. He really put me at ease. There is a very large staff at the hospital, I think I was seen by 5-6 doctors total. Some of the nurses don't speak English very well, but are very good nonetheless. I had originally planned on going alone, but my sister eneded up coming with me. I am so glad she came because the first 24 hours after surgery were difficult, as I got sick from the anesthesia. For pre- op and post-op clear liquid stage-- clear boost is so much better than isopure! As for advice-- I am trying to change my lifestyle as little as possible, with the hopes of making an easy sustainable change to my new life. I used to drink coffee all day long, switched to decaf, goes down nice, I can meet my fluid intake easily. I used to have a cereal bar for breakfast every morning at my desk-- switched to protein bars. I didn't usually snack during the day before and don't now, although I will in the evening. I try to eat all my protein, but will have a premixed shake 2-3 times a week. I go low carb for the most part, but allow myself carbs occasionally. I eat the meat portion of whatever hubby has made for supper, no special meals for me. I walk 20 min everyday. I haven't made any drastic changes to my lifestyle, I feel "normal".I don't feel like I'm dieting. Hope this helps, I'd be happy to answer any more questions you have.