RareGold3000

Such an uplifting and informative post, thanx for all you wrote, it's very inspiring. I think we all wonder what it will be like beyond a few weeks, and then months and then year out from surgery and beyond. So, we need these stories to help us realize how it will be. It's nice to know if 'we' work our sleeve, our sleeve will 'work' for us!! Have a great weekend and congrats!! Karen

Congrats on your success!! You look great and I'm sure you feel amazing, it shows!! Thanx for sharing.

They say that if you're going to lose hair at all it usually starts between 2 to 5 months after surgery and lasts until 5 to 7 months after surgery, depends when it starts falling out. I noticed I started losing it at around 4 months after surgery and has started to now stop at 6 1/2 months out. So, it lasted 2 1/2 months for me. I have thin/fine hair to begin with so it doesn't look that great, but I am thankful it has all but stopped falling out!! It WILL get better, hang in there :-) Karen

Pre op 10 lbs Post op: 1st month 22 lbs 2nd month 12 lbs 3rd month 9 lbs 4th month 9 lbs 5th month 4 lbs 6th month 8 lbs 7th month ( will post in my profile on 3-23-13 .....and I've been in a 3 week stall so we'll see if it's anything more than 1 lb!! )

Pre op 10 lbs 1st month 22 lbs 2nd month 12 lbs 3rd month 9 lbs 4th month 9 lbs 5th month 4 lbs 6th month 8 lbs

My ticker has my weight loss, 10 lbs lost pre op......75 lbs total, surgery 8-21-12. Pics are in my profile under 'gallery' to compare. RNY might lose a bit faster initially, but as my surgeon just reminded me at my 6 month post op visit this past Monday (which was really 6 1/2 months post op), the sleeve patients are doing just as well as his RNY patients. Studies have been done, do some research, they go back 5-10 yrs. As with each surgery, it's a tool, and we need to do the work as well. Best of luck with your decision, I'm sure you'll do what is best for you!! :-)

Way to go!! Keep up the awesome work you are doing!! Congrats on your success! Thanx for sharing :-)

I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism in Feb 2009. I was sleeved on 8-21-12 and have 75 lbs lost total so far, 10 lbs being pre surgery. I had my thyroid levels checked in February and they are still within the normal range and I've been on 112 mcg of Synthroid since before surgery. I wasn't sure how it would affect my weight loss, but it seems as long as my levels are good, the weight has been coming off, which is a good sign. I still have 42 lbs more to go go get to my personal goal, so we'll see if it slows down a bit now. Good luck to everyone who has thyroid issues and has this surgery too!!

Yes, weight loss is in my ticker and profile. I did lose 10 lbs pre op, so 65 lbs since surgery on 8-21-12. He said I'm right on track to where I should be. I was just wondering the size of my stomach since I never asked before, which he answered for me today, plus the bougie question. Since I'm not sure what other's restriction is like if they have 75-85 percent of their stomach's removed, I can only say that my restriction is pretty good at just over 6 months out.

Well, my appt for my 6 month check up was today. I asked my surgeon the bougie size, he said he doesn't use one, he just uses the endoscope, but it's comparable to the 36 size. And, I asked what percent of the stomach he removed and he told me it's between 66-70 percent that was removed.

Hello......I can totally relate to what you just wrote. I went to my first meeting in April 2012 and saw my surgeon as well in April 2012. The first thing he told me was to give up my Diet Sunkist that I also drank every day, at least 4 a day. I NEVER thought I'd be able to do it. But, I went to the grocery store and found what I thought was a good alternative, which was orange flavored Mio. I added it to my bottled Water or tap water. Now, almost a year later since my first meeting and appt, I've not missed it at all. I never thought I'd get thru a day or two much less a year. My advice to you is to try different things, Mio, or Crystal Light packets, anything that can replace the diet soda addiction. Trust me, I know it's hard to do, but the rewards are so awesome, I know you will find what works for you, best of luck!! Karen

Same here......45-60 min for the actual surgery, 1 1/2 hrs in the recovery room. And, my surgeon has his patients stay over for 2 nights in the hospital.

Surgery 8-21-12 Highest Weight 249 lbs Surgery Weight 239 lbs Current Weight 174 lbs Total loss: 75 lbs!! 42 lbs to go!!

I actually have wondered the same thing, and continually have forgotten to ask my surgeon. I go back on Monday afternoon, on 3-4-13, so I will make sure not to forget to ask him this time (fingers crossed). I had no choice prior to surgery, and never asked prior if he had a set percentage for everyone. I'll let you know then what I find out, but I am sure each surgeon is different.

Almost the same height too!! It's nice to see someone who is all but the same, so thanx for sharing :-) Karen

Awesome difference!! I started at 249 lbs, highest weight and am now 174 lbs, so we have comparable stats. I am 5'5" not sure how tall you are? I was at a size 20 and now am in a size 12!! Congrats to you!!!

I was told to wait 6 months, but at my 3 month post op, my weight loss was good, blood work was great, so he said anytime after 4 months. I had a 1/2 glass of wine at all but 5 months post op. I was never a big drinker, so once in awhile works for me.