indy sleever

So it sounds as if you now need to go on a "diet" and just be very disciplined until you make it back to where you are comfortable. I too am a little over a year out and I know exactly what you mean about have a chip here and there. I can eat anything I want at this point and that is so tempting sometimes! So far the best tool for me is weighing myself daily... it is just a way of reminding myself where I am and what i need to do to stay there. Good luck!

I had the same thing going on as you... lost a significant amount of weight but did not really change sizes... at least not much. They will catch up with each other. One day you will wake up and put on your clothes and they will be huge. Then you will buy stuff that fits and a month later you will be down 2 sizes again. That is what happened with me anyway! I am a little over a year out now and I can tell you I have gone through so many different sizes of clothes that I now groan when something doesn't fit! Horrible problem to have right?!?! I have met my goal but my body is still changing. Enjoy all the stages of this process... it is an amazing journey Good luck to you!

I sure wish someone had told me I would have to give myself shots in the tummy for 2 weeks after surgery!!! Lovenox is a blood thinner and helps prevent blood clots. Not sure if all doctors have their patients do this but mine did. I survived and it really wasn't all that bad BUT it seemed like I was the only one in the nutrition class before surgery who didn't know! The other thing... the drain tube after surgery. I am just a a whimp and the thought of shots and tubes just makes me want to curl up into a ball. Once again I survived!!! My tube was in place when I came out of surgery... was taken out 24hours later while I was still in the hospital. What a weird sensation having that thing removed! Didn't exactly hurt but I didn't like it at all! I would do it all again so obviously not all that bad!

Getting the sleeve is hands down the very best thing I have ever done for myself. I went in hopeful that it would work for me and oh my goodness it has been amazing I am so happy. Don't get me wrong... I was happy before too. I still have the same wonderful husband and sweetheart kids but feeling better about myself just makes my happiness that much bigger I am 6 months out and 70lbs down... still would like to lose another 20-30 I think. I was sort of a "compact" heavy person and I was able to somewhat hide some of my weight. I was wearing an XL top and 16 or 18 bottoms. I was hopeful to someday after surgery be able to wear a M shirt and size 10 or 12 bottoms... I have blown that out of the water!!! So 6 months out and I can wear a S or M shirt and size 8 pants It is like a dream. I didn't go into this with any major health issues... but I knew they were coming. So I have been able to ward off those health issues and give myself a giant boost in confidence. I just feel good all over. I was very fortunate and did not have any complications from surgery... of course I went in scared to death that I would! And overall for me I would say this journey has been exactly what I expected and honestly quite easy. Of course every persons journey is different. Good luck to you You are in for quite a ride!!!

I am asking this question because I am concerned about my SIL. She had Lap Band surgery a few years ago and has done well with her weight loss. The problem is that she told me over Thanksgiving that she sometimes goes as long as 6 days without being able to eat anything because something will get "stuck" and she just can't take in any food only liquids. She also vomits on a daily basis... so much that the enamel on her teeth is being to erode. She refers to her Lap Band as a medically induced eating disorder. She has some bad habits... too much alcohol and smoking. I am quite concerned about her. I encouraged her to go back to her surgeon because I don't believe it sounds right that she vomits so much and sometimes can't eat for days. She won't go because she is more than a year out from surgery at this point and has to pay in full for each visit. She simply refuses to pay the $ to go because she believes she is fine. Is this normal? How did any of you know if your band was causing erosion? I believe she is headed for trouble. Am I right or is this normal for a Lap Band patient?

You are doing amazing!!! You should be so proud of what you have accomplished For some reason it takes a while to really start showing up in clothing sizes... at least it did for me! Then all at once BOOM! I was dropping sizes like crazy! The first 30lbs for me were the same as you... I couldn't tell any real difference and my clothes sure weren't fitting much differently. Then as I hit 40lbs I could tell a huge difference! All of the sudden I was down 3 sizes in pants and 1 size in shirts... 50lbs was another pant size down and another shirt size down... coming up on 60 I am once again coming up on another pant size down and my L shirts are just hanging on me. It will happen quickly Keep on doing what you are doing!

I was also a wreck before my surgery (8/18). I had no health issues and a pretty awesome life. However, I wasn't happy with myself. I wasn't someone who had been overweight her whole life... it honestly just crept on over the course of 10 years and 2 babies. Before I really even realized it I had gone from a little overweight to being labeled "morbidly obese". It broke my heart. I was 35 years old 235lbs and my son was afraid for me to climb into his bunk bed with him because he thought I would break it... he had no worries about his tall, thin 230lb daddy being up there though. I couldn't live my life like that. I also started to fade away from my friends. Somehow I was the only one who got heavy after high school. All of my old friends still look amazing. So I would skip meeting them out for dinner or drinks... and started avoiding their calls altogether. I also worried that my sweet, wonderful, handsome husband was embarassed of me. He always told me I was beautiful but "I" didn't "feel" beautiful. I knew that eventually I would have health issues due to my weight... and I knew that day wasn't far off. So I made the decision to take control and get my life back. The decision was all mine... and I only shared it with my husband. My journey has been amazing... AMAZING!!! Hands down the very best thing I could have done for myself. I have a spring in my step now that was long gone. I smile more than I ever did before and I was pretty darn smiley before surgery. I just plain feel good... inside and out. To some I may seem like a slow loser... I have lost 57lbs in just under 4months... BUT when I step on the scale I smile! Crazy I know! At 4 months out I pretty much eat what I want. If I want pizza with my family I have pizza. I end up eating only a small piece or maybe a few bites but it is more than enough for me. If I want an alcoholic beverage I have a few sips. That is the beauty of the sleeve. You will have a little and you will be happy. It is not hard to follow the sleeve diet because you will learn very quickly what your sleeve can or cannot tolerate after you have healed. Only you know if you are ready to start this journey but I believe you will not be disappointed if you decide to go through with it. Good Luck!!! Keep us posted

I hear you... it is weird! I have kept the news that I had this procedure VERY private. Only my husband knows. What is crazy is that there are people who literally cannot stop telling me how awesome I look and then there are people who don't seem to notice at all. It is one way or the other. My kids bus driver tells me every other day how awesome I look and that I am disappearing right in front of her... then I go to a family gathering with my brother and my SIL there and they say nothing at all to me... but my parents (at that same gathering) will be showering me with compliments of how amazing I look. So I know my brother and SIL hear the comments... yet nothing. No big deal. I think weight is a very sensitive issue for my SIL... she is overweight and has been most of her life. I, of all people, can totally understand how it feels to be insecure about weight. And my brother knows how uneasy weightloss talk makes her feel so he probably doesn't want to make a big deal out of it. Totally understandable! Just know that YOU are doing great... and they do see it even if they don't comment

Hi there! I was sleeved on August 18th. As of today I have lost 53lbs. I don't have a ticker because I really have no idea what my goal weight is. I can tell you that I am enjoying every pound I lose. I seriously celebrate it! I still have more to lose but WOW are things different now than they were before I started this journey. My whole outlook has changed I am so happy. Sure I would like the next 50lbs to be gone tomorrow but things are so good right now I am just going to go with it. You are doing fantastic! Enjoy this process... you are inspiring many more than you know!

I started a similar thread on this topic back before I was sleeved. I was going into this process with only me and my husband knowing what I was planning to do. I have 2 small children and I just felt there was no reason to worry or scare them. I am very close to my parents... they actually live across the street! But I didn't want them to worry or try to talk me out of my decision. I am close to people at work... I work in a family business. But again I didn't want anyone to worry or talk behind my back. I am super close to my neighbors... we go camping together all the time! But I didn't want to broadcast this to them or any of my other friends. In the end I decided to keep this to myself and my husand. The day of surgery and time I spent in the hospital I told all my friends, family and coworkers that would notice I was gone for a few days that I was going out of town to visit an old college friend of mine I kept my fingers crossed that I would have no complications! Everything went perfectly. My worry when I started my thread was "is only 1 person knowing what I am going through going to be enough support?". My husband is very supportive but I didn't want to put all my emotions on his shoulders. I have to say it has been a breeze. I know everyone is different with this procedure though. So here I am 6 weeks out from surgery and down 31lbs... I thought keeping the secret would be so difficult. I thought everyone would be on to me and would be asking questions. Not the case at all. Everyone of the people I am close to knew I wanted to lose weight. They had all watched me over the years do one diet after another. All they know is that this time that "diet" is working. And in the end I am the one making this happen! It is my choices every day that make me lose weight. I am proud to take the credit of what I have done. I get so much encouragement from my family, friends and coworkers. They are all complimenting my success all the time. I wouldn't have it any other way. I have been so insecure about my weight for so long that it would have just added to my shame to let everyone in on my decision to have weight loss surgery. I was not proud that I was heavy enough for surgery. Making the decision to go through with it broke my heart. To me that is something very private. That being said making the decision to be sleeved was the best thing I ever could have done for myself. Good luck to you! Whether you share your journey or not just know that you are going to do great

I expected to be self pay as I was initially denied coverage from my insurance company. The cost in Indianapolis, IN $20,000 + the surgeons fee of about $5000. Luckily I ended up getting approved. I am shocked to read that from all these posts this is the most expensive I have seen. Good luck! Sounds like a lot of people have had excellent experiences in Mexico... maybe that would be a good alternative.

I went into this process expecting to be self pay. I do not have any health issues aside from being overweight and I barely met the bmi requirement for surgery. I wanted to stay local and the "package price" at my hospital was $20,000.00. A little tough to stomach paying that much but I was willing. Before I even went to my first seminar at my surgeons office I found out I was denied by insurance. No big surprise there. Then after I had my first one on one with my surgeon she said she was going to submit a letter to my insurance company explaining why I was a good candidate for this procedure to see if I could get coverage. Next came the list of things isurance wanted me to get clearance on before they would consider me for surgery. I did all the tests because if by chance I could get covered for this it was going to save me 20 grand! After the surgeons office got all the info insurance had requested from me they resubmitted and I got approved! I was so shocked. Even the cardiologist I went to (one of my tests was cardiac clearance) told me that I should not expect to be approved. She was a nice lady and told me that in her opinion they were just looking for reason to not cover me. She was wrong! This whole process... from my first call in to inquire about the surgery to surgery date was 3 months. If your surgeon will send a letter to insurance on your behalf you should have them do it. Then jump through the hoops. I was so tempted to not jump through hoops but now I am so happy I did. Good luck to you... I know it is frrustrating but keep pushing to get it done because it is so worth it

I am so happy for you Moments like yours make you realize just how far you have come... Congrats!

I have only been sleeved for 16 days now and already I can tell you this is the best thing I could have done for myself. I feel amazing. I too was worried (and still am at times) that this won't work for me. I am starting to get past that feeling since I have already lost 23lbs since the day of surgery. Of course this takes work... and will power. I would be lying if I said I don't "miss" food. I am not hungry but old habits are hard to break. I can say that I have stayed away from anything I am not supposed to have. I want so badly to succeed and of course I don't want any complications! So 2 weeks out from surgery I have tons of energy. I have a 5 and 8 yr old so I too was worried about being tired. I have a new confidence that I haven't had in years. YEARS! And I am only 23lbs down. I can't wait to know how I am going to feel at 40lbs down... and 60lbs down. I can fit into clothes that I haven't been able to wear in longer than I can remember. People are noticing my weightloss and I get compliments and encouragement from so many people... and no one except my husband knows I had the sleeve done so it is super fun for everyone to be noticing this change. I am not sore. Haven't been on pain meds since day 4. I even went to the batting cage with my son the other night and hit balls... and here I am still feeling great. You have to decide if you want this change bad enough... and I believe you do. It is an amazing feeling to be proud of accomplishing such a great change. You owe it to yourself and your family to be healthy and be there for them You have already done really well losing 22lbs! I did not have a pre op diet to follow and I lost nothing before my surgery. You are already doing great! Good luck to you!

You sound just like I did a week and a half ago! My post was titled "scared to death". The day before my surgery I had a melt down! I was just terrified. And just like you I have a wonderful husband and children and friends... just a great life. The fact that my surgery was elective because I had no other health problems was just really tearing me up. I was scared that I would have some major complication... or maybe I just wouldn't wake up from surgery. I had to remind myself of all the reasons I wanted this surgery. And that the risks are relatively low. AND I received so much encouragement from all the wonderful people on this site. I came home from the hospital a week ago today. Had my surgery on the 18th. The only person who knew I was even going in for the procedure was my husband. Everyone else... including my kids... thought I was going out of town for a few days to visit a college friend. Now I am home and things are going just fine! I have lost 20lbs since leaving the hospital this time last week. I never would have thought that would be possible. I am adjusting to my new life of eating very small amounts. I have been off pain killers since the beginning of this week. Not even taking Tylenol. I know I am not totally in the clear for complications. BUT I am following the diet the best I can and that is all I can do. And it is working You will do great. I know it is hard to see that through the fear! Just know that you are not alone and you have good reasons for doing this surgery

I am almost a week out from surgery. I am really struggling to get in enough fluids. I just can't drink enough at one time... even sipping all the time... to get it all in. I am mostly worried about getting in my protein. I have so few choices this early into being sleeved and I just can't choke down the protein shakes. Again I try to take as much as possible but it is minimal. I hate the taste and that makes it so hard to just sip. I am scared of the consequences of not getting in my protein. I know it hasn't been long since my procedure but is this going to get easier? I have lost weight so fast and that is great but I really haven't eaten or drank much of anything for a week now. I am worried about becoming dehydrated. I am trying to drink milk for calcium, protein and fluid. Any suggestions on how to make this easier on myself? Does anyone know of any protein drinks that are really yummy? I have tried several and so far no real luck

Hi there Thanks for the advice! I will try out BJ's Bariatrics. I went to the Vitamin Shoppe the other day and loaded up on things that I thought sounded good only to get home and find out they were nasty! Nothing really tastes good to me right now. I have this feeling of being not hungry but empty. But nothing really tastes good. I have done well losing weight but I feel it is because I really have had no food for over a week now. I am even struggling with choking down the flintstones Vitamins. This first week has been a little rough in that respect! I try to drink a lot of milk... at least I get a little protein from that. I was wondering about string cheese! I know our list says soft cheeses are ok... but then I wasn't really sure what qualified as a soft cheese so I just stayed away from cheese. I have been so nervous about eating anything that could cause damage to my sleeve! Right now I am mostly milk, water, crystal light, Jello and yogurt. I did eat some very smooth and soupy mashed potatoes the other night. That is pretty much it. What are you eating? I tried oatmeal but it just didn't taste good at all I try to get down some Protein shake in the morning but honestly it is so hard for me to force it down. I sure hope when I get to weeks 4-8 having more protein choices will make it easier!

Thanks for all the encouragement and advice! I am really working hard to make it all happen. It is overwhelming though! I am not vomiting at all. Mostly I feel very weak. And of course I am not gaining energy from day to day so I seem to be heading in the wrong direction. Yesterday I was really shaky. This morning not shaky but still just not quite right. I am working on a protein shake right now. My husband is determined to make me get in the protein. He hates that I am losing so much weight (15lbs! And today is 1 week out) and that I am not really enjoying it because I am wiped out. No matter how hard he tries to get me to get in all the protein it just isn't working I appreciate him trying but I just can't get it in. It is such a slow process and he doesn't really get that I can't drink fast. No more chugging! I know it will get better. Slowly but surely For now I will just keep at it the best I can!

I have surgery tomorrow. And I am so scared. I cried myself to sleep last night and here I am crying in my coffee this morning. I have a million things running through my head... how could I have let myself get to this point that I need surgery... what the hell am I doing... what if I end up regreting this decision... what if I have some sort of major complication and leave my family behind? I feel trapped. I picture this amazing life of being a healthy weight... then I look at the amazing life I have right now. I want to suck it up and go in fearless but fear has taken over. Before I went to bed last night I read a story posted on this site about a woman who had major complications a month out from surgery. That just did me in. Worst thing I could have done to myself was read that 2 days before surgery and right before bed. I sobbed myself to sleep. Yes I know it is good to know about potential complications but I am so emotionaly drained right now that that little bit of information just pulled me under. So here I sit feeling awfully alone. I am reminding myself that I am young (35) and healthy... on no medications just overweight. And that my surgeon is very experienced. I am going to a good hospital. I need a crystal ball! I need to know I am going to be ok. Have I really tried hard eough to lose weight in the past? I am really leaning on all of you. Only my husband knows that I am going in for surgery. My parents have no idea... and I am super close to them. None of my friends know. My kids don't know because they are only 5 and 8 and this is just too much for them. I promised my little girl that I would go dress shopping with her in the Spring and that mommy would actually by a dress to wear too. Mommy never buys dresses for herself. I want that so bad... but mostly I want to know I will be here for her when she grows up. My kids are so precious to me. I am terrified of them hating their mommy forever if I leave them behind. Lord please give me strength.

Hi there! I had my surgery this past Thursday the 18th. My drain was removed on the 19th... less than 24 hours after surgery. Not all doctors put in a drain. It doesn't hurt at all while it is in But is a very strange sensation when it is taken out Good luck to you! You will do great!

Thank you

I would love to attend support group next Wed. If I am feeling up to it I will be there Hopefully we will get a chance to meet!

*UPDATE* Scared to death girl has made it through surgery I had surgery at 2:30 yesterday and I feel pretty darn good. My doctor told me I can go home anytime but I have chosen to stay one more night just t give myself peace of mind. I was a little sick in recovery when I woke up. Haven't been sick like that anymore! I am walking a ton. Every 2 hours the nurses have me cruising the halls. All the nurses here are wonderful. They have been so sweet and caring. I can't imagine anything better than good caregivers right now! I had my drainage tube removed this morning... YUCK! That was an odd sensation. In no hurry to deal with another tube ever again. So far my food intake has been maybe 2oz of jello... 2oz of apple juice and water or crystal light. I am being so pumped full o fluids through my iv that even though I am eating very little I am not at all losing weight just yet. I am very optimistic! Thanks to all of you for you support.!

Thank you And congrats on your wonderful success! We all deserve this

Thank you I am feeling better... still crying but feeling better. I am hoping the fear subsides at some point today. I have lots to do and I don't want to be running errands with tears rolling down my face! Knowing that so many on here have done so well is encouragement in itself. I am ready to be one of you