Pelicanlady

I had my surgery a month before my 59th birthday and was 248 pounds. It is now 2 years later and I weigh 130. I wish I had had the surgery when I was younger, but it just wasn't my time. I believe that everything happens for a reason. Maybe I needed to live longer in my fat body to appreciate my surgery. I don't take my surgery for granted. I still log everything I eat everyday. You get out of it what you put in it.

I actually spent about 6 months researching WLS prior to going in for my consult. I feel I knew everything that I need to know. I am the type of person that has to have all the facts upfront. I watched videos on youtube, downloaded books from Amazon about WLS, talked to my doctor, went to support groups, and talked to my step-daughter who had gastric sleeve the year before.The information I got from these forums was very helpful. Most people didn't sugar coat anything. I was well informed about problems that could come up, what foods to have on hand for after surgery, what to do and what not to do. This surgery was the best thing I have ever done for myself. I am 2 years out and am about 20 pounds under my goal. I still log everything I eat, everyday. We recently went on a 10 day trip to Hawaii, including a cruise. I continued to log and actually lost a pound. I never feel deprived. I eat what I want, but before I eat junk, I make sure that I have had all my Protein for the day. I can count on my hand the times I have eaten junk food. Just not interested in it anymore. That stuff is what got me fat. For me it all comes down to choices, and I choose being healthy over eating what will make me fat and shorten my life.

I am 19 months out and I lost a lot of hair from around month 3 to around month 9. It slowed down somewhat, but I am still loosing it. On a plus side, the new hair that is coming in is very curly. I have always had just lightly wavy hair, and now it looks like I just had a hair perm.

I was sleeved July, 2014 and I had regrets for the first month. I was dehydrated and had terrible pain. I had to sleep sitting up for a month, then everything changed. As soon as I could sleep laying down I was feeling much better about the surgery. This surgery was the best thing I have ever done. I have been below goal since April, 2015. I have so much energy and I love buying new clothes.

I had gastric sleeve and was in the hospital 1 night. I almost ended up back in the hospital because of dehydration. Please work hard to get as much Fluid in you as you can. Your tastes will probably change after surgery. Prior to surgery I loved room temperature Water, but after surgery it made me sick. I had to have very cold liquids. Protein drinks that I liked before surgery, didn't agree with me after surgery. Now that I am almost 17 months post surgery, everything is back to normal. This surgery was the best thing I ever did for myself. Good luck with you surgery.

One year ago at this time I was on my way to the operating room to get my sleeve surgery. I was scared and happy at the same time. I knew that once the surgery was done, my life would change forever. I was ready for the change. It was a rocky first 3 weeks. I got dehydrated in the beginning, and had to sleep sitting up for the first 3 weeks. Once I got beyond the 3 week mark everything got so much better. I started my journey at 248 pounds and as of today I am 152. That is 2 pound below my goal and 6 pounds below my surgeons goal. I have maintained my weight between 152 and 154 since the end of April. I was in a size 24 and am now in a size 8/10 pant and medium shirt.

Pre-surgery I was bulging out of a 42DDD, I am now in a very saggy 34D.

From my surgery until I was 10 lbs. from goal I weighed once a month. Once I was 10 lbs. from goal I started weighing twice a week. I will probably continue the twice a week after I reach goal to make sure I am keeping on track.

Hi Ladiec2, They found a small infection after my EGD. I was so worried that it would delay my surgery, but it didn't. I was put on an antibiotic for 5 days. I only took 4 pills because the 5th one would have been the morning of my surgery. During my surgery he found a small hernia which he repaired. I hope everything goes good for you. After your surgery just make sure you keep your Fluid intake up. I got dehydrated and almost had to go back to the hospital. I was only able to swallow about a tablespoon of liquid at a time. Your little tummy will be swollen inside, but that will go down in time. Don't drink too fast. I can't believe that my surgery was 5 months ago. I feel wonderful and still can't eat much at my meals. I only eat between 1/4 cup and 1/2 cup each meal.

Just happened to me. I think I ate my fish too fast. This was the first time it happened to me. I am 9 weeks out and hope it doesn't happen again.

I spent one night in the hospital after surgery. I couldn't sleep in bed, so slept in the chair. Walked around the hospital ward a few times and had some fluids. Once I got home, I had trouble. I still couldn't lay down and spent the next 3 weeks either sleeping in the recliner or sleeping in the spare bed propped up with about 5 pillows. I had problems with nausea, even though I was on anti-nausea meds. I was maybe drinking 6-8 oz of Water a day. I tried several Protein pre-mixed drinks and powders and my Tiny tummy didn't like them. I had no energy, my vision was blurry. I knew I was in trouble. I had my husband go get me gatorade and banana popsicles. The banana popsicles are what saved me. I was only able to eat 1/2 a one every hour, but it helped. I also stopped taking the anti-nausea meds and pain meds. I still had lots of pain, but used tylenol. I also found that V-8 juice helped me and Tiny tummy liked it. I am almost 7 weeks post op and drink 64 oz water most days and eat about 700 calories a day. I try to keep my protein intake above 60 gms a day. It was a rough first 3 weeks, but very happy I got sleeved.

Don't buy too many Protein shakes and powders before surgery because several people's tastes change after surgery. I use to love Protein drinks before surgery and after surgery none of the protein drinks or powders agreed with me.

Hi Janie, I had surgery 6 weeks ago and I am going to be 59 next week. My first 4 weeks I lost 19 lbs. I only weigh when I go to my doctor so I won't know how much more I have lost until Sept. 3rd. Like everyone else says, if you follow the plan you will lose weight. The main focus has to be on Protein and Water. After your surgery please make sure to get your water in as soon as you can drink. I didn't and ended up dehydrated. You don't want that. You might want to start practicing now on taking very small sips. Don't forget to take your measurements the day before surgery so when the scale isn't moving you will see your progress by rechecking your measurements. Good luck.

I only weigh myself once a month. If I were to weigh everyday it would screw with my mind. If the scale was down I would think great I can eat more. If the scale was up I would say, screw it why bother. This is working great for me. As long as my clothes feel better I am happy. I do take my measurements every 2 weeks and that really helps.

Sleeved 7/8/14, 5'6", 59 years in 10 days. Surgery weight 241 no pre-diet required. Lost first month 19 lbs. I agree, don't compare yourself to others. Everyone's body reacts so different. I don't weigh myself, that way I never know if I am on a stall. I leave that to my doctor. Just keep up with your Protein and Water. I know if I could get more protein and water in I would probably lose more, but I will take whatever I lose. I prefer to judge my weight loss by how my clothes feel. Started in a loose 24W and am now wearing 18W. Good luck with your surgery.

Today I had the Peanut Butter supreme and the other day I had the Cookies and cream. I like both of those. I tried the coconut and cashews and didn't care for it. Good to know about the chips. I won't bother getting any.