CJinMichigan

I've gone from 350 to 275 and am thrilled with my body even as it is now. I've always been obese so I have no concept of what it would be like to weigh what is considered "normal". Since I'm in my mid-50's I don't want to have to have more surgery to remove excess skin so my plan is to just get to a place where I'm healthy; I'll still be overweight by some standards but as long as I'm happy and healthy I don't care what anyone else thinks.

I had the dry heaves after my surgery too and had to stay an extra day. The first two weeks after the surgery I really regreted having it. Now 3 month post-op I can say it was one of the best things I've ever done for myself. Good luck and hope you have a quick recovery!

I don't have a goal weight. Neither my surgeon or nut. ever mentioned making one and I've decided not to make one because I'll know when I'm where I should be. I've been obese my entire life and have no desire to deprive myself until I get to what some "expert" considers my ideal BMI. My only goal is to get healthy and have a happy life. I had this procedure to help me stop the binge eating and thankfully it works. I am 75 pounds lighter today than I was last June and right now I feel like I want to, and can, lose more. If I'm satisfied and want to stop losing and to begin maintaining at maybe 250 lbs. please be happy for me. Please don't slam someone because they don't have a goal that will make them what some consider to be the perfect weight. We are all individuals and deserve to be treated respectly even when our choices don't match yours.

I am 2 months post-op. I now have to burp for a few minutes after every meal. After that I'm fine until my next meal. If I'm with people I try to be discreet about it or I excuse myself and go somewhere private. A few burps after a meal is no big deal; I'd rather have that problem than the weight back.

I wait until the server brings the food and then I say, "That looks like more than I can eat. When you have a chance will you bring me a take out container?" I order anything I want, eat until I'm comfortable and take the rest home. The leftovers usually last for at least 2 more meals. I'm really careful not to overeat. I've done that twice and felt miserable for about 30 minutes after.

I am 7 weeks post-op too. I can't handle the Celebrate vitamins; made me feel nauseous. I mentioned this to my physician's assistant and she said that when they first came out she had a sample that she took and she felt the same way. She recommended 2 Flintstones daily and a healthy meal plan. I too have trouble drinking all the water. I just sip all day long trying to get it down; I miss not being able guzzle a cup down.

I've seen many people on this forum say they had their surgery done in Mexico. I am curious why they didn't do it in the USA. Is it the cost factor? Isn't it expensive to travel to a foreign country? Weren't you worried about sub-standard medical care? I was wondering if someone could explain the reasons they would chose Mexico. Thanks!

I am 6 weeks post-op and feel real hunger between meals. I tell myself that feeling hungry is a good thing because that is when my body is going to use the fat I've stored. If the feeling gets overhelming I pop a piece of sugarless gum in my mouth or I chew on a piece of turkey jerky. I can make a small piece last about 10 minutes and finds it gives me some satisfaction; plus it has almost no fat and is loaded with protein. Good luck!

I am 4 weeks post-op. Thankfully I'm over all the nauseau and can eat everything I've tried so far. The only thing that bothers me is to take my vitamins. I bought chewable vitamins from my surgeon's office and took them the 2 weeks before my surgery and had no problem. Since my surgery my stomach feels sick after taking them; both on an empty stomach or full. It doesn't matter if I take them with just water or with food. I went back to my One a Day brand and cut them into tiny pieces and take the little pieces throughout the day. I don't usually have any problem with them, just felt nauseau a couple of times. The chewables I bought from my surgeon's office are better and contain many more nutrients than the One a Day brand but I just can't handle them. Anyone else have a problem taking vitamins since their sleeve surgery? If so, how did you handle it?

Paola, sorry I meant no offense. My husband has spent lots of time in Mexico with his job and he knows first hand that the area of Mexico he was in had sub-standard medical care compared to the USA. That is what I based my comment on.

I'm sure if you had the type of stiches that had to be removed your surgeon would have told you and had you make an appointment to have them taken out. I didn't have a drian tube either and my stiches dissovled on their own.

I've always heard that when you lose it slower you will have less sagging skin. I am also loosing very slowly and that is okay with me. As long as the scale isn't going up I'm happy.

Hello! My surgeon was Randall Baker. He works out of Grand Rapids and comes to Petoskey. I was pretty satisfied with him. Where are you having your surgery done?

I always heard to never eat less than 1200 calories a day or your metabolism will slow way down making it even harder to lose weight. I had my surgery on Oct. 31st. This week I was put on soft foods with a calorie limit of 900. Am I going to mess up my metabolism eating such a low amount of calories? In the past when I counted calories I could eat about 2000 a day and lose 1 or 2 pounds a week. I was happy with that because I always heard that the slower the weight came off the less loose skin I would have. Of course right now I couldn't possibly eat 2000 calories a day but I think I could comfortably eat about 1200. I'm worried that not only am I going to mess up my metabolism but if the weight comes off really quickly I'll end up with lots of flabby skin. Any advice?

Since my surgery I hate the after taste of most sugar free foods and drinks. I can't stand sugar free jello now which I loved before. I agree with you; as long as your daily calories are in check, why not eat the real food instead of the fat free and sugar free stuff if your stomach can handle it?

Hello fellow northern Michigander! I'm from your area. How is it going? I had my surgery on Halloween. If you have any questions I'd be glad to help. Good luck! CJ

I had my surgery one week ago; woke up with the dry heaves that continued for 2 days. Went home on Wednesday; pain is bearable but I can't drink more than an oz without feeling stuffed. I can't stand the protein drinks anymore and can't drink enough water so now I'm dehydrated. How do you drink enough water when it makes you feel awful to do so? Right now I regret doing this. If I knew then what I know now I wouldn't have done it. Please give me some encouragement!

Hi! I am scheduled for surgery in five days. I have a sediatary job; sitting behind a desk all day. If no complications arise is it reasonable that I can go back to work in just four days? Will I be feeling too weak? How long were you off work?

Thank you for the great information; I love your light hearted way of putting it. You answered several of the questions I had. I am five days from my surgery. You are an inspiration. Thank you and keep up the good work.

Good question! I hope someone has a great answer. I am just a few days from my surgery and am worried my already thin hair will all disappear. I started taking Biotin a couple of weeks ago hoping it will prevent my loosing what hair I currently have. Best of luck!

At my very first appointment I was given a physical examination, asked about my medical history, measured and weighed, and asked my reasons for the surgery. I'm sure all surgeons do things a little differently. Best of luck.