LyndseyD

So, Just wondering if any of you might be having the same issue. Since I am now down 109.5 lbs (from 255 to 145.5) since May 8th, 2013 I am having a really really hard time sitting. At all. any time I sit, no matter where it is my tailbone hurts so bad. I can sit threw dinner, but thats about as long as I can stand to sit. Even sitting in bed hurts so bad. We went to a movie Friday and I nearly cried when I stood up because it hurt that bad. Anyone else, any tips? My mom said when she was really thin she had this problem too, and she just took a pillow everywhere with her to sit on... but even that hurts! Please tell me this will get better! BTW here are my stats: Pre-OP- 255lbs size 18-22 surgery May 8th Currently 145.5 lbs and in a loose size 8 Goal: 135

I have found there is a LOT of variation of size in misses clothing. When I was in womens clothes an 18w was an 18w pretty much the same no matter the store... now, I can wear anything from a 4 to an 8 American Eagle jeans in a size 8 look amazing on me now, and I am happy with that. My original goal was to get to 175 pounds, but I adjusted that when I hit that WAY faster than me or my doctors expected... moved my goal to be in the 130's somewhere and I'm now hovering in the mid 140's and I've been here for two months... at about a year I am thinking that this is where I will be naturally without trying to be concious of what I eat (because I'll admit- I eat what I want, when I want, just only a bite or two!) and I am ok with that. I would love to see the 130's but I had this surgery so I could live and love a normal life... and thats exactly what I have now. I eat with my family, go out to dine with friends, and unless you know me personally you probably wouldn't realize I've even had this surgery. Yes, I eat small portions, but I have figured out ways to not make it so obvious to everyone. I don't get sick hardly ever now (I did a LOT in the first 6 months) because I have learned what foods just don't sit well with me and I naturally avoid them. I love my post sleeve life, because I finally know what it is like to be normal.

Hi Everyone, I wanted to jump on here and share with you all the last six months for our family. My name is Lyndsey. I am a 28 year old mother of two, and married to my prince charming. For me, weight has been a struggle my entire life. I remember vividly being told at just 5 years old by a doctor that I was "obese" and from that point forward my journey really began. I had a pretty normal life, but fought weigth my whole life. I met my wonderful husband at work after loosing 60 pounds all on my own. Needless to say, marriage and getting comfortable- well, and having two children gave me all of that, plus more back. Before the surgery I was 255 with a BMI of 41.9. I had my surgery (VSG) May 8th, 2013 and just over 6 months later I am weighing in at 159.5. Since surgery I have had it pretty easy. I healed well, but did get pancreatitis right after the surgery and had to be hospitalized again for a few days. They were never sure if it was related to the surgery or not. Since the surgery I have tried really hard to make healthy choices with food, but to be completely honest I am a mom, and occasionally we do still eat McDonalds! (gasp!) I do not count calories, carbs, or anything for that matter. My doctor never told me I needed to. I DO drink diet coke... (terrible, I know!) I live a normal life now. I go out with my family, friends, and I am not constantly on some fad diet that wont work. I eat what my family eats, but I do try to focus on eating the Protein first, and follow that with the veggies, then the yummy sides if there is room (which there almost never is!). My goal is to be somewhere in the 130's. I really dont care if its 139.9 but I want to be in the 130's. I hope to reach that goal by the one year anniversary of my surgery. I would also like to tell you about my big sister, my only sibling. Sherrie was a 34 year old mother of three, and also married to her high school sweetheart. They have been married almost 17 years. Sherrie had her surgery April 24th (2 weeks before me) and there were complications following the surgery. We didn't see it as much at first, or I probably wouldn't have gone through with it myself. But as I healed and started getting back to normal, my sister got sicker and sicker. Her stomach had a stricture at the top. The surgon put in a stent to try to expand it. They stent bacame embedded into her stomach wall and they had to dig it out. After that, the middle of her stomach healed closed so tightly that she couldn't eat or drink anything and keep it down. She had eaten almost nothing for 6 months. She was in and out of the hospital, and the surgon made it very difficult for her to get anyone to help her. Finally when they found the problem we were able to schedule her with a new surgon to hopefully get the problem fixed. She was hospitalized twice in October for dehydration and malnutrition. The second time they put in a PIC line, and bagan IV nutrition (TPN). She was finally feeling better. They sent her home with the PIC line and instructions on how to give herself the IV nutrition and we were told to continue this until her appointment with the new surgon. She came home from the hospital Monday afternoon. Tuesday I talked to her, and she sounded better than she had in months. She was optimistic that we could get her better and even shared with me that before they started the IV nutrition she was scared she was going to die, but now she felt like she has a chance. Wednesday morning (October 30th, 2013) we got the call that broke our family. My beautiful big sister had died at home, alone in her bed. She had asked her husband to not sleep in their bed as she was scared he would pull out her PIC line, so he was in another room. He came into their room that morning to check on her and get ready for work and found her. It was just too late. She had been gone for several hours. We were in shock. We had just got a glimpse of hope with the IV nutrition, and in the blink of an eye, she was gone. I went to the funeral home to dress my big sister, do her hair, do her makeup, and spend some time with her before we had to say goodbye. We burried her the following Monday. A huge piece of my heart is missing now. I want to share her story too because there are so many who have all these wonderful stories, but she doesn't have a voice anymore to share hers. People need to know that you CAN die from this surgery. When I had the surgery I honestly felt like the only people that die from this were the "huge" ones... and thats just not true. My sister was my size. she wasn't some crazy 500 or 800 pound person. She was in a size 18 pants JUST like I was. She died. It can happen. It does happen. I did happen to us. I am not trying to scare anyone, but I want to be her voice too. Do you research, make sure this is the right choice for you and your family. We are left now with three children that now have no mother, and my amazing brother in law (who loved my sister more than I've ever seen anyone love someone) is widowed. His heart is broken, and so is ours. A vital part of our family is missing. Below is a picture of my big sister before the surgery. She was beautiful. ,

I feltthe same way at 3 months post op. Now at almost 11 months post op I am starting to battle head hunger again... I know I am not actually hungry, but I often get the urge to snack... this surgery is a tool, not a quick fix. I am down 110lbs now. start weight 255 and currently 145

your surgeon sounds like a real jerk, and treating patients like that is going to kill someone. Yes, the first 6 months the weight just falls off with little to no effort, but you do continue loosing up until 18 months, though much slower. I lost about 80 lbs the first 6 months, and have lost almost 30 more. In total I have lost 110lbs as of this morning. your doctor is crazy about telling you to work out and burn that many calories. I don't even eat 1000 calories a day, why would I want to burn everthing I take in, your body still needs energy to survive. I would check into his stats... with advise like that he's going to kill someone.

Tami, Wow, thank you so much. This means a lot to me that my sister and I could inspire someone to be closer to their loved ones because to her and I family was the most important thing. I am so blessed that while her story was very short, my sister had a beautiful life. A husband that loved her so much, beautiful kids, and she was truly my best friend. I will miss her forever, gosh how I'll miss her. I thought I would share with you all the uligy I shared at her funeral, maybe that would let you all see a little more our bond, and the beautiful person she was. Over the past few days there has been one thing that has stood out to me, the leaves on the tree. Its so amazing to me that the leaves are at their most beautiful just before they fall, watching the leaves fall reminds me that while we all wish we could go back in time, time moves forward and we can’t change the past. The leaves turn bright vibrant colors, they fall, we muddle through winter and then there is spring. Today I want to say for Sherrie that we all need to look forward to spring. The most beautiful leaf on the tree has fallen and while we all wish we could have paused time to hold her forever, time is going to move on. We’re all in a state of shock and disbelief and like winter, we must muddle through. But- in all of this, I can promise there will be spring. Sherrie is my big sister, My only sister. Sherrie was my very first friend, my very best friend. She held my tiny hand when I came home from the hospital as a newborn, dipped my binky in honey and slept under my crib for nights on end. As we grew up sherrie has always been there to hold my hand. Sherrie was the tough one, the one who I could count on to be there no matter what the circumstances. She watched me grow up, taught me how to stand up for myself, and held my hand through every milestone in life. She was by my side when Savannah was born, and I will cherish the memory of her smile for eternity. I will miss my sissy with my whole heart, and today I send part of my heart to heaven with her. To Jason: I want to say thank you. You loved my sister for her, all of her. I know today that while her story was cut too short, she really did marry her prince charming and get to experience a fairytale love. I cannot thank you enough for loving her the way you do. None of us can take the pain from you that your feeling, but please know that we all love you so much and are all so grateful for all you did, and how you love my big sister. To mom and dad: You have lost a precious gem. There are no words anyone can say to make your pain go away, but I also want to thank you. Thank you for your loving, supporting, and encouraging her. Thank you for my sister. Sherrie loved you both so much. She made you proud. She was a wonderful mother, no doubt due to everything she learned from you two growing up. To my sisters beautiful childern: The most important thing I want the three of you to remember is just how much your mommy loves you. Bubby: You are your mommy’s miracle. She was young when you were born, but let me tell you bubby, the love in her eyes when she looked at you is indescribable. You gave your mommy wings, and for you she strived to be the best she could be. She is so proud of you, and will be watching and guiding you from heaven forever. Little Joe: You are your mommy’s spunk. You came into the world and the way you made your mommy smile, there just isn’t anyone who could make her smile like you. You made your mommy so proud, She loved to watch you explore, and learn and work that inquisitive little mind of yours. Mommy loves you so much and will always be with you. BooBoo- Oh boo, You are your mommy’s girl. Everything about you reminds me of her. Your smile, your big heart, your honestly, and your love… you get that all from your mom. Your mommy was over the moon excited when we found out you were on your way. She has big dreams for you baby girl, and I want you to always remember just how special you are. Mommy loves you. She is your guardian Angel and from this point forward you will never be alone. To all of our friends and family that have come here today, I thank you. Thank you for helping us send Sherrie to heaven with the love of her family and friends. Remember my sister, when you see the leaves fall each year. I love you sissy.

Hi Everyone, sorry its taken me a while to update. We now have a definite cause of death. It was not labeled a "direct" result of the surgery, but it is related to her condition afterwards, for which she was offered little to no care until it was too late. I am not sure her husband will do anything legally, its all just so much for him right now. Last Friday we went and picked her headstone out, and ordered it. That was hard. We should have done it sooner, but we all just needed time, and I'm still not sure we're ready to see it "written in stone" but I want something marking her grave so her children and mine can have it for the future. I am trying to move on. I went two weekends ago and had her heartbeats and the words "let her go" tattoo'd on my left rib cage right under my bra line. It was an awesome experience, and seeing that each day lets me know she is always by my side. I am trying to get back to myself. I am now down to 145.5 pounds, wearing a loose size eight. I think soon I will move into the 6's. I am trying to get back into the swing of life, get back to myself and the way I do things. I made my house menu, did my grocery shopping for a full two weeks (I used to have a strict menu and shopping list, but since she died, we've just been throwing something together for dinner each night and its killing our budget) so, I got back to my normal way I run the house. I broke the plateau I was at (I had been stuck at 147-148 for a month) and I am trying to stay on top of work, family life, and trying to heal all at the same time. It's still hard. Harder than anything I've ever done. Ever. But- each day I wake up and I am thankful for the chance to live, the chance to kiss my kids, to tell them I love them, and to be with my family. If this has done nothing else, it has brought our family so much closer. Her husband and I are so close, and I pray we stay that way. Lord knows I need him. Her kids are my precious treasures. I just love them so much. So, thats where I'm putting my energy, into the family for now. I'll try to keep you all updated. Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers.

haha, it gets better but I can honestly say almost 10 months later my tummy still talks a LOT! its loud, really loud. It often gets to talking when I really wish it wouldn't... like work, or when hubby and I are spending some quality time together... nothing ruins the mood like the sounds of digestion!

I don't feel like this is "it" either. I have hit a plateau really bad lately. I haven't lost anything for about a month now...

I am 5-5.5 I hope to see 135, I think that puts me safely in the 130's with a little wiggle room. I need to start working out, I plan ot join a gym here in the next two week, just have to wait until my new tattoo heals

I had the same feeling in the pre-op area... almost got dressed and walked out... Everyone has to make an informed choice. Its a big decision. Nothing wrong with postponing to take some time to think about it if you think you need to. I would rather see someone wait a few extra weeks and make the right choice for them, then rush into something they regret.

Congrats! wehad our surgeries done around the same time and our start weights were almost the same too! I had my VSG May 8th Start weight 255 Current weight 148 Goal 130's (even if its 139, I want to see the 130's!!!) Congrats! What size are you into now? I started in a 20-22 (well, I was squeezing into an 18 but needed that 20-22!) and now I zip right into an 8!!!

I had a lot of pain and oozing from my wounds post op, come to find out I don't do well with the type of stiches they used so rather than them dissolving like they should, my body was "spitting them out" it was painful, and looked horrible. I went on a mild antibiotic just to be sure they didn't get infected, but after the strings came out they healed just fine

I have noticed I am treated WAY different in public. Sales people are nicer, I can go into any store and not get the "why are you in this store, you must be shopping for a gift" look... Thighs not rubbing together... or even touching for that matter. My jeans no longer start to wear in the thighs first. When I bought a size EIGHT jeans from American Eagle (my moment!) when my husband holds me... I feel small in his arms now. When my six year old hugs me and lights up and says "mommy I can hug you all the way now!" meaning her hands can reach all the way around me.. I still have a bit to loose, I am considered "normal" for the BMI range now, but I'd like to get into the 130's. I was 148 last time I weighed earlier this week so not too far to loose for my "end goal"!

you CAN safely get pregnant at this stage. I JUST got the ok from my surgon myself. She did advise me to wait until 18 months post op as there are no studies relating to the effect of pregnancy on your long term weight loss success before 18 months. I will be waiting until 18 months post op before we stop preventing. We are not even 100% sure we will have another, but at a minimum I will be preventing for the first 18 months. She did say there is no risk to me or the baby should we get pregnant now, just no guarentees on the long term success of the surgery at that point. I have reached my doctors goal plus some at this point. I am about 10 pounds away from my personal goal. I started at 255, currently at 148. My doctors goal was to be around 155, my goal is to get into the 130's. I am just over 9 months out, and I have two children as well. Mine are 3 years 10 months apart, and if we get pregnant right around 18 months post op my last two will be the same! I can't say much about having three as I only have two, but my sister had three (all two years apart) and when they were itty bitty it was hard because your out numbered all the time, but now that they are older its a breeze. She passed away from this surgery, so I have her kids a lot and they are teenagers. Having three is not an issue except they are expensive! lol.

I agree with a lot of post sleevers, at the three week mark I think we all felt some of what your feeling, but I can tell you I have had the picture perfect healing and results, and at almost 9 months out I feel normal again. I feel so normal that sometimes I worry that I'll gain all the weight back, but then I look at what I am eating and my portions and realize that while I am eating way less and making better choices I feel just as satusfied as I did before the surgery when I would eat. I will admit- I don't diet. I eat what I want, but I eat so much less of anything that at just over 8 months out I am down 107lbs. I went from 255 to 148 size 22 to an 8. I live a normal life, I go out with family and friends, I enjoy good food, just less of it! you'll get there, there are some foods I still have a hard time with but I naturally don't want them because my brain has learned that those things make me feel unwell so I don't crave them. Like Ketchup... I LOVED it before the surgery, and now I don't crave it ever because I know it makes my tummy hurt. Its amazing what your brain can do. Once your body adjusts you'll feel much better/

I was over the moon excited when I fell out of the "obese" range, and recently even more excited when my BMI hit 24.9 putting me in the "normal" weight range!

well, you have to figure that its going to be at least two years before you would be ready for skin removal surgery anyway, so start saving now- worse case senario you wont need the plastic surgery and then you have a nice big siavings account for something else I planned from day one to have plastic surgery after I reach my goals, I am a little nervous now because of other things that have happened in my family, but if I decide to do it we have been saving from day one for it. If I choose not to go threw with it, then I'll have a big savings account that we can use for something else...

I am 28, and I have lost about 106 pounds, and skin is only a very mild issue. I started at 255. Down to 149 now, and the only place it kinda bothers me is my arms but my doctor said it could take a year for things to firm up to what it will be... and then there is always the option of plastic surgery. I plan to have a tummy tuck eventually just because I have had two children and that tummy just wont flatten out... even at a size 8 I still have rolls!

I can not legally disclose who our doctor was, for fear of lawsuit as we do not yet have a definitive cause of death. YES, we had all the same doctors!

Hi Everyone, I just wanted to jump in and let you all know that I am still coming on and reading your comments. Thank you to all those reaching out in support. Yes, Sherrie and I had all the same physicains. Everything was exactly the same. All our pre-op visits, all our nurses were even the same! As for how I am doing. I am down to 149 pounds now. Just 10 lbs away from my final goal, and only 8 months out! I try to be excited, I try to celebrate. I usually sit around and think about how my life should be right now.. think about how much I miss her, and when I'm not doing that I am taking care of the family. I have two children, and she left three behind. It's a full time job, and I still own and operate my own company. My husband has been working 80+ hours a week so everthing literally falls on my shoulders. So, I took up a new hobby. My little girl wanted a "reborn" doll (creepy! you should look them up!) and I refuse to pay hundreds of dollars for something I can do myself. So, here I sit, making this baby doll look like a real newborn baby. It keeps my hands and mind busy when I have down time... lol, not that I ever have much of that! But, my little girl will be thrilled when I'm done, and thats all that matters. I've also gotten really into cooking lately. Too bad I can't eat most of what I cook! lol. I am just trying to stay busy. I find that if I stay busy until I just can't hold my eyes open anymore when I lay down I just pass out from being exhausted. Its the only way I sleep. I have been getting about 4 hours a night since she died, well recently, up until about a month ago it was less, but its slowly getting better. I'll keep you all updated, but for now I have two grouchy two year olds to contend with- because on top of everything else I do, I also babysit 5 days a week!

go to the hospital. I am not normally a wistle blower, but rigth after the surgery I devloped pancreatitis and i waited it out at home for days... by the time I came in they said if I had waited another week I would have died. Better to be safe than sorry, and a simple blood test can answer if its that or not. Also, possibly gallbladder?.

I guage my reply based on who is asking... most people I am honest with, but sometimes if I feel they're snarky I just say "I wat less" because that is the honest truth... I do not "diet" I do not count calories, or anything for that matter. I just eat less. which is the truth.

diet coke addict here. I didn't drink it during the healing time (8 weeks) but I do drink it now. I probably drink it every three days or so... and I do not drink it flat, I just drink slow. I can get a large diet coke down though if I am stuck in the car or something As for my progress I have a hard time beliving that it stretches out your sleeve though cause at 7 months out I am down over 100lbs and doing great. My doc actually told me if I didn't loose another pound he'd be happy because I was doing so well. I went from a size 22 to a size 8 in juniors (I have a short torso, so I have to wear juniors jeans!). pre-op I was 255, today I was 152 I plan to get down into the 130's as my final goal.

I use a straw all the time.. my teeth just hurt too bad not to. My doc only said no straws in the healing time... I have been using a straw since about 8 weeks out. I also am allowed to drink diet coke