kygal1982

First you need to think that you will be successful! We have a tendency for beating ourselves up and not thinking we will succeed because of our MANY failed attempts in the past (at least that is how it was for me). But I really got motivated reading other people's post on this site. Also, My doctor wanted me to wait 2 months before starting a more strenuous workout plan, only walking till that point. Once those 2 months were up I really became a gym rat. I love it, even got a trainer and everything. I workout 4-5 times a week usually. We are here if you ever need to voice your concerns or need inspiration. It really is the hardest thing I've ever done in my life but I'm looking forward to what the future holds. Sometimes I get discouraged thinking that even now I am the size most people are before they have surgery, not after loosing 100+ pounds. But we will get there, just may take us a little longer than others!

Congrats! I know exactly how you feel. I started my journey at 440 pounds and now 5.5 months post surgery I'm down 107 pounds. It is a great feeling and I wish you continued success. 200's here we come!

I had VSG - October 10th 2011 (5 1/2 months ago) I've lost - 107 lbs Starting weight: 440 lbs Height: 5'10" Goal weight: around 174 so far yet to go, but the good news is I'm closer than I was. haha

Well pre-surgery I was a 46DDD. Now I have lost 107 pounds and I am a 42DD and sometimes I feel like I could go down to a 42D. I have been totally ok with the boobage amount I've lost. My back feels so much better. I do hope when it's all said and done and I get closer to goal that I keep some of what I got. My man loves boobs, gotta have something to work with lol

I am a little over 5 months out and I have hit my first MAJOR stall. I have had stalls before (lasting a max of about 2 weeks) but this time as of today I am on a 1 month stall. It's so discouraging. I've lost a total of 107 pounds (including almost 30 pounds pre-surgery) and feeling great. I work out at least 5 days a week. Two of those days are with a trainer and one of those days are a boot camp program. I really don't understand this long of a stall. I feel I am doing something wrong but not sure what??? My diet is pretty much the same as it's been the last couple of months and I have even increased my activity. I'm going to try your basics bootcamp starting Sunday. Wish me luck! I will let you know how it goes for me.

You look amazing! Congrats.

I have no idea how to get my little tracker to show up! I suck at this lol

You look GREAT! Congrats girlie! <p><a href="http://www.TickerFactory.com/weight-loss/wVwUk9k/"> <img border="0" src="

So I had my surgery on 11/10/11 and I'm feeling better each week. As of today I'm officially down 80 pounds (that does include my 3 month pre-op diet), 56 since surgery. I guess I'm having body issues because I just don't feel like I look 80 pounds lighter. I'm much larger than most who have the surgery. My starting weight was 440 pounds. Today I weighed in at exactly 360! I'm excited for the number but wish I had dropped more clothing sizes by now. It can be discouraging when you have to loose 50 pounds before anyone even notices you lost 5. I'm hoping my results are at least average compared to other people on the forum? Now I usually loose a couple of pounds each week. Too bad it can't be like that first week every week! haha

By the way LilMissDiva you look fantastic!

Opps Dorrie, I meant my surgery was 10/10/11, not 11/10/11! Thanks for the support guys. The way I feel now as far as strength and being able to preform my job better are things that make the surgery well worth everything I went through. I guess some days I have those I feel fat as ever feelings but I know I've made progress. I've always heard motivation is what gets you started, habit is what keeps you going.

I waited almost a full two months before I played raquetball. The doc told me to wait at least 2 months because of the increased risk of hernias post surgery. I'm a nurse and I didn't want to be the usual 'bad patient' that nurses can be so I waited. I felt like I could have played at a month out with no issues though. lol

Good day everyone. My post sleeve journey has begun and it's been a wild one thus far. I was sleeved on October 11th in Kentucky. I was required by my insurance to stay two nights in the hospital. My hospital stay went great, very minimal pain with my main issue being nausea from the anesthesia. Nurses kept talking about how great I was doing and how I didn't look like I'd had surgery. I was walking the halls, showering and even blow drying my hair to have something to do lol On the 12th, Tuesday, I went for my upper GI before they would start Clear liquids. I could hear the radiologist talking to the tech and it didn't sound good. As soon as I returned to my room x-ray was there to do a KUB on me because the radiologist thought she saw a 'leak'. KUB could not rule a leak out so the surgeon was in my room with a glass of blue food colored Water instructing me that he didn't think I had a leak but since the radiologist could not rule one out he was going to have to go back in and check. He had me drink the blue water while waiting for surgery and they watched the JP drain to see if any blue water entered the tubing (none did). Two surgeries in two days wasn't the greatest, especially since I get extremely nauseated from the meds they use. Luckily there was no leak and he just reinforced the staple line and put my drain back in. I didn't have any new incisions because they were able to go into the same holes. Right before I was discharged I started having severe lower abdominal pain. The doc told me this would be worse than usual since they filled my abdomen with air and sterile saline not once, but twice. This pain lasted till Friday till I finally started being able to pass some of the gas and drain some of the Fluid out. This was the most uncomfortable experience from the whole surgery. I've had massive amount of fluids from my drain (some nights >400 cc). This has finally slowed to 100 cc or less a night, thank God. I too experience what feels like actual stomach 'spasms' that are not painful but are uncomfortable and I believe this may be my stomach healing or trying to tell me it's hungry? I'm going to ask him about this on Thursday when I go for my f/u appt. I started this summer at my heaviest at 440 pounds. Day of surgery I weighed 406 pounds after the 3 months of counseling and supervised weight loss. Day home from surgery I weighed in at 412 pounds (FULL of fluids). Today, 6 days after returning home I've lost 20 pounds and am down to 392 pounds. It's great to be under 400. I finally told my mom how much I weigh which she was shocked and said she had no idea. We are tall (5'10) and I think I carry my weight well for the massive amount I have on me. This def was a life changing event for me which started months before surgery. I wanted to tell her how much I weigh because I don't want to ever be that again. I'm so ready for what's ahead and welcome the unknown. I'm glad I stumbled on this website and have found support and answers to many questions I have. I can't wait to see what the future holds for us! Good luck to everyone and God Bless.

So, I am being sleeved this coming Monday, October the 10th! Very excited and can't believe it's almost here. I've been on the pre-op diet now for almost a week and a half and have lost a total of 2 pounds. Very confused by this. I am doing 2 shakes a day and one regular portioned low fat, low sugar, low carb meal. In between I can have snacks like sugarfree jello and pudding. I am down 31 pounds since I started going to my meetings the end of June and I'm very happy with this. However, I would have thought I would have lost even more weight in the last week and a half. I read on here of people loosing 10+ pounds on their pre-op diet and I want those results too. I'm tall and have a lot of weight to loose so I should be capable of dropping those large numbers. Praying for a big loss by Sunday night! Good news is I have not gained weight at all during the whole time so my surgery is still on. Just wanted to drop 9 more before I have surgery. Any suggestions?

October 10th here also!

Hey everyone! I'm being sleeved on October 10th in Ashland, KY with Dr. Tompkins. The hospital is King's Daughters Medical Center and it also is a center for excellence. I start my pre-op diet Monday so fun times are just around the corner haha I have found I really enjoy the Matric and the nectar Protein shakes (particularly the Matrix Cookies and Cream shake, it's hard to believe it's good for you. Sometimes I add a tsp of peanut butter). I wish everyone the best in their journey and let's stay in touch!

Just wanted to share with everyone since I officially have a date. That's right! A date! October 10th I will be sleeved and couldn't be more excited. Is anyone else being sleeved on that date???

I personally use the Nuva Ring and love it. I'm still pre-surgery though so I'm hoping I still love it afterwards too. I keep it in for 3 weeks and then remove it for a week and discard. Periods are lighter and if he feels it during sex you can take it out for up to 2 hrs a day. Wash it off and then put it back in lol

Ashland here! With a date of October 10th :-)

Thanks everyone! A New Day, what state are you in?

Reading these posts felt bittersweet. Good to know I'm not alone, but sucks for us all haha However.....we are on the right path!

I want to be able to buy my work scrubs and not pay the additional $3.00 per item for a larger size. I also want to be able to fit my butt in an airline seat and not worry about if I even will fit. And last but def not least, I can't wait to feel better!

I am a nurse, and a difficult stick myself. All the above suggestions are good ones but I have one more that I find on top of increasing my Fluid intake helps most. Keep warm! I mean, if need be exercise before going into the hospital, anything to keep the blood pumping and the body warm. They can usually get the back of my hand If I've ran it under warm Water for several minutes while pumping my fist. Or, they should have heating packs available to place on your hand to get it warm and the veins to plump up. If I am cold they might as well forget about getting a successful stick on me. I wish you luck!

I'm pretty excited so I just wanted to share. My surgery has been approved!!!! I'm so close now I can taste it. What's left........... well my pre-surgery class, surgeon appointment, vena cava filter placement (2 weeks prior to surgery) and then finally surgery! I can't wait to get my actual surgery date. It seems like it's been such a long road but I guess it really hasn't. The anticipation is enough to make you feel that way. They say my surgery will probably be sometime in the first 2 weeks of October. I'm down 20 pounds thus far and hope to do at least another 10-15 prior to surgery. Anyone else getting sleeved around that time?

Hey Shea, I'm having mine done in Ashland, KY. Where in Lex are you having yours? I'm very familiar with the area. Trailnurse, I'm actually a nurse also. I wasn't pleased about the idea of having a vena cava filter placed but after discussion with him on my first visit I understand his reasoning. Thank you for the link, I checked it out. Mine will go in 2 weeks prior and then will be removed 3-6 months post. What type of nursing are you in?