mt_hi_liner

Right there with you. To step on the scale and see it start with a 1 will something I would have never dreamed to be a possibility.

Congrats Recycled. You and I have very similar stats. I'm curious since I am 6 months out. How much did you lose after 6 months. I know everyone is different but I have around 10 pounds to my goal and might try to go lower.

This thread really made me laugh. I have heard: 1. I didn't realize your head was so big. 2. You have a turkey waddle. 3. Don't you feel so much better now? 4. Are you ok? (I had a conference with customers and finally had to leak that I had the surgery because so many were asking my coworkers if I had some type of serious illness) 5. You look like you did when you left my house. (My Mom) She thinks that she didn't instill bad eating habits into my life which I am totally responsible for but growing up in my house was not helpful. 6. There have been others but I can't remember them. Here is the thing though. I don't care what people think that much. You can think I took the easy way out and I'm fine with that. My health isn't changing because of your opinion. I don't mind talking about the surgery and am open with it after I knew it was going to work. I always make jokes and use myself as a target to not offend others quite a bit of the time. Life is just easier if you can laugh. I also know sometimes my mind gets ahead of my mouth and I say things that don't make sense so I cut people slack when their mouth is ahead of their mind. Most of it is just ignorance from people who have never had to endure the struggle that obesity is. They can't equate it to whatever struggles they have.

Rovo.. I am 46. I use what others here have said. I always eat lean Protein first, no exceptions. Lots of Fluid and almost no carbs. I have not been consistently exercising yet. I bought a house with an unfinished basement that I am finishing myself as well as reflooring and the painting the main floor so it is keeping me very busy. I have another month of that and then hopefully I can get in a consistent exercise routine.

YES!! Look at that ticker. I have worked my tail off and been extremely diligent. Hope you don't see this as being too cocky but man I am thrilled to have lost over 100 pounds. One of the best decisions that I've ever made. Next major goal is to step on the scale and see it start with a 1. About 25 more pounds and I will reevaluate to see where I want to try to reside at. Anyone have suggestions about maintenance? I think I am still at least 6 months away but want to digest some ideas before formulating a plan. I have had to earn the last 20 pounds or so and I don't think the next 25 will be any easier to get rid of.

I agree with Par. Hydration is critical for me. I still struggle with getting enough fluids after 6 months. I feel like I am always behind on it. I did get so dehydrated the day after my surgery that I required IV's. That was a lesson learned.

I had about the same issue. For whatever reason I flatlined for awhile and then I increased my exercise routing just a little bit and lost around 7 pounds in 5 days. I think sometimes just a change of pace eating or exercise kind of wakes up your body. I agree with Buffle above. I noticed that my Fluid intake was getting less so I also made a concentrated effort to get more Water intake. I would also recommend that you take measurements of your body. I did that so I knew even the weight was not going down that my body was still changing. I kind of knew it just because I could feel it in my clothes but it was a nice confirmation. Best of luck.

I was outpatient. Had surgery around 8 am and was sent to my hotel around 1 pm or so. I think I was able to rest more comfortably with anyone bothering me (except for my wife for whatever the doctor asked her to do) Hard to recommend since I don't have any experience the other way but it did not bother me.

Good luck. It took me almost 18 months to decide what to do but glad I did it. It is not a freebie but if you stick with what you are told to do it works like a charm.

Premier protein bar or an egg depending on the day.

You sound just like me. Ate fast food everyday weekday for lunch. Worried about having the procedure and having it not work. I am very satisfied with my results so far. I knew (or at least thought) I could follow the Protein first mantra. Surprisingly, it has been easier than I anticipated. I have had cravings but a nice 3 ounce portion of protein cures that. I have been very strict about carbs, under 30 grams a day is my goal. Again, I am surprised how easy it has been to follow that these first 4 months. It may become more difficult but I feel that I am getting into a good routine and creating better habits.

I attended a seminar in my hometown. The surgeon had actually had the procedure. He gave an awesome presentation and is very passionate about the subject. I met with him and started the process. I would have had him perform the surgery except for 2 things. First, my insurance did not cover it so I had to self pay and midway through the process he moved jobs and went to Utah. At this point, I had been researching the procedure for around 8 months. I now switched to trying to find the best surgeon that I could at the best price. I narrowed it down to around 4 surgeons thanks to this site and then started doing my own research on the internet. I settled on Dr. Umbach because he was ranked as one of the top surgeons in this type of surgery. I believe he was top ranked in 2011 and 2012. I got lucky and spoke with one of his patients as well. He also has a cash price which was a consideration due to my self pay. Lastly, although this had no bearing on my final decision, he is located in Vegas which isn't a bad place to have to be for the few days that you are recovering. I know I made the best decision for me. Mexico might be good but I wasn't comfortable with it and the care that I received from Dr. Umbach and his staff was top notch. I would be glad to speak with anyone about them if you are looking and tell you about my experience. I am pretty independent, so I cannot speak to the long term aftercare as I don't utilize it and I am only 3 months out. I have spoke to the nutritionist a few times and she is very knowledgeable.

I was curious if anyone else has gone through this. I am over 3 months out now and here is what I am experiencing. I will go days even a few weeks with no weight loss. I will notice changes in my body with how clothes fit. In other words, I know I am getting smaller. I do not however see it on the scale. Eventually, maybe 2 or 3 days after I notice the change, I will see 2 or 3 pounds come off on the scale. I only mention it for a few reasons. 1. I have lost weight plenty of times and have never really noticed this routine before. 2. If you are not losing weight at the rate that you had hoped for, I think it is critical to have measurements to see that progress. I have had stalls of up to 3 weeks already and these measurements have helped me to realize that I am on the right path and keeps me from getting frustrated with the process. It sounds petty to say it but when you are losing 5 - 7 pounds a week in the beginning, 1 - 2 a week seems like a letdown. I have to remember there is a lot less of me to lose. I have switched to weighing myself every 3 - 4 days as well to limit my frustration. I can actually vary day to day by 2 pounds.

Another tip and I was told this but didn't think it applied to me. Do not try lettuce or broccoli for awhile. I was sleeved 6/19. Last week my family wanted pizza. I thought I would just have a small salad from the salad bar. NOT SO MUCH. First issue that I have had from my sleeve. It all came back up and I didn't eat too much just the lettuce and raw broccoli really didn't work for me.

Holy!. I thought I was doing really good but you eclipsed my progress. Good job.

Good stuff. I thought I was really kicking but and I still feel I am for me. Some of you guys though are really getting after it. I think I better get some consistent exercise started to kick it up a notch. I wanted goal weight at a year but now I am getting greedy and would like it by around February or March. Good job guys. It is good inspiration to see the stories.

Hello, I am tentatively looking to have a sleeve put in the end of May. I have researched this for over a year now and I only have one real concern. I have asked this of other people but cannot not seem to wrap my mind around it. Can you give me your experience with not feeling the need to eat and not having food consume your life? I have heard others say that this is the case and had discussions around the fact that when I wake up, I am thinking about what I am having for lunch and dinner. Others have told me that they were the same way and that the sleeve really changed that for them. I would like any feedback that you are willing to offer on this subject as it is my number one concern and also the number one thing that I believe will make this a successful choice for me. Thank you.

I was sleeved on 6/19/14. Weighed 318 beginning of May. 291 at time of surgery. I am now at 240. I had a 2 - 3 week stretch with no loss. Knew it was coming thanks to this site but it still sucked. I am eating around 800 - 1000 calories. I have had a few days that went up to 1400 range. I am exercising but not as consistent as I would like with 3 kids under 10. That is my next thing to incorporate in.

Live in Billings. Sleeve 6/19/14

Don't know about plication but I can tell you that the sleeve has been unbelievable for me in under 2 months. For me it really came down to losing weight permanently or having my weight take care of me permanently. I have lost 43 pounds in 7 weeks with another 25 or so before the surgery. I have had no side effects or pain and don't expect any at this point. I know it is different for everyone but mine went extremely smooth. The only issue I had was needing fluids that next day after surgery due to not being able to hydrate. After the IV, I was on the Las Vegas strip all weekend. It is a difficult decision that I struggled with for well over a year and I had already narrowed it down to the sleeve at that point. I would encourage you to take your time and create a pro's and con's list. I must have done that at least 20 times before committing. With all that said, I will say that I wish I had done this 10 years ago. But I wasn't ready then and I was 7 weeks ago. Best of luck. You will know what and when it is right.

Good topic. I would like to be in the 34 - 36 range. I can't imagine buying 32's but who knows. I really got after this at the beginning of May with surgery on June 19th. 64 lbs gone but things are definitely moving slower now.

This is a great topic. I would be happy in the 34 - 36 range. That is where I was at in high school. I can't imagine going and buying a pair of 32's but who knows. I am down 64 pounds since I the beginning of May.

Sleeved June 19 and was 291. I am now 257. 34 pounds in 40 days. It is slowing down now though I have noticed.

I can confirm the Water. The tough part is to drink the water and then realize you are actually really hungry but have to wait 45 minutes to eat. Pretty small price to pay for the results that I have seen so far. I guess everyone else has gone through this but I don't really see where I am going to have any issues eating the way I am for life. This is the first time I have changed my eating habits with that belief firmly in place. It seems like every other time I 'dieted', it was seemed very temporary and I would incorporate the foods I avoided eventually. This time I don't see myself ever eating chips or Pasta or bread again. I was so addicted to chips and now I don't really have a feeling one way or the other about them. Same with any soda or pasta or bread. I am finding out that some foods that I just ignored taste pretty good and am satisfied with that. Pretty life changing for me. I would obviously recommend this to anyone that is considering it. I agonized over this decision for roughly 18 months because number 1 that is just how I am and number 2, I had to self pay so that amped up the decision.