8NoAngel

Sleeved 10/23/13. Was in the hospital one night and came home the next day 5 pounds heavier, have lost the 5 pounds plus an additional 17. I lost 43 pounds in the months prior to surgery so total lost is 60 lbs.

I too was a smoker prior to having surgery. I am 45 and started smoking at 16. I have not smoked the entire time, there were spans of several years of not smoking and then a traumatic event would occur and smoking, along with food, would become my crutch to make it through the trying times. I quit smoking Sept. 1st and was sleeved 10/23/13 and have not missed the cigarettes that much. When I do, I remind myself that I underwent WLS to better my health and why would I want to sabotage that by putting tobacco back into my system. Good luck in your weight loss journey, whatever your decision, but please try to remain nicotine free.

I went through a 12 week (one time a week) program through Kaiser Permanente(Southern California) called "Options". During that class, we learned a lot of details regarding the sleeve, band and RNY. I went in originally considering the band, but after learning of the risks/options for all three surgeries, I settled on the sleeve. I had never had surgery prior to getting my sleeve on 10/23/13. I did have the norplant (birth control) inserted in my upper arm several years ago and since my body tends to encapsulate anything foreign injected into it, they had to cut the implant out of scar tissue that was formed around it to remove the device. Thinking of the lap band concerned me since although it is inserted laproscopically, if you have complication such as encapsulation or band slippage, they have to open you up to repair/remove it. Since I assumed it too would encapsulate in my body, along with the continued maintenance, band slippage, and possible stretching of the esophagus due to food getting stuck above the band, again I stopped considering it. I went through my Options Program in Bakersfield, CA and my surgeon was not a Kaiser Surgeon but a contract surgeon through Bakersfield Surgical Associates so the band was an option. I was mildly surprised when we were told in class that the Southern California Kaiser Surgeons at the Kaiser Hospitals stopped performing band implants a couple years ago based on their studies regarding complications. I did not consider RNY since there was a greater risk of dumping syndrome and higher cases of mal-absorption of Vitamins and nutrients since the food does not enter the stomach at all. I have not had a problem with indigestion since getting sleeved, however, while the surgeon was in there, he also removed my gall bladder and repaired my hiatal hernia. The surgeon referred to this as the "trifecta" In conclusion, the decision to undergo WLS alone is a huge undertaking. Although it is interesting to read the different responses to this type of question, the best advice I can give is that you need to be informed as possible regarding your different surgical options and ensure when you do decide, you ask the surgeon's office to schedule you enough time to answer ALL your questions during your first consultation. Good luck in whatever decision you make and happy losing

I am one month Post-Op and met with my surgeon yesterday. He said I can start introducing regular foods and recommended getting the South Beach Diet guide and start introducing foods allowed in that eating plan. I am really pleased with my progress so far and am looking forward to a larger variety of food/flavors.

I was sleeved on October 23rd. I stayed in the hospital for one night and was discharged the evening of 10/24. I gained 5 pounds in the hospital due to the swelling and IV fluids...I have been told this is normal. A Protein shake that works for me is Premier Protein from costco. They are whey protein but they come in chocolate and vanilla and they are ready to drink. If you can stomach this, they are 11 ounces and contain 30 grams of protein per serving. Keep moving for the gas pains and mine seemed to alleviate a bit when I was laying on my right side. You did the right thing and you will be feeling better soon. Good Luck.

I was sleeved on 10/23/13. I went through Kaiser Permanente, which required me to attend what was called the Options Program once per week for 12 weeks. The program really prepared me to continue my weight loss journey. My starting weight on the first day of Options was 318. During the 12 weeks, I lost 27 pounds. I met with my surgeon on 9/5/13 and we decided on a surgery date of 10/23/13. My surgeon wanted me to lose an additional 7 pounds prior to surgery and put me on a 1 week liquid diet prior to surgery date. Surgery: 10/23/13 Weight on day of surgery: 275 Current Weight: 259