2late4bed

Please! I am scheduled to be sleeved September 17, 2014. I am a worrier even though I am excited. The main thing that keeps me going and puts a lot of negative thoughts out of my head is reading everyone's stories especially their post surgery stats...... Please...I know it helps others reading this too. I would like to know your height. ....age (optional), presurgery weight, day of surgery weight, 1st month weight loss, 2nd month weight loss, etc. and then total weight loss and total number of months it took to reach the total loss. Before and after pics would be nice if you'd be willing to share. I know a lot of pre-sleevers like me would really appreciate this information so that we can compare ourselves to someone with similar stats...I am only 5'1" and starting at 218 pds. before presurgery liquid diet and am 48 yrs. old. Any and all stats are helpful. Thanks so very much for any and all responses that are shared....

Sleeve surgery was September 17, 2014. Weight was 218 pds. Height. ..5 ft. 2. I'm 8 months out now and am at 145 pds. and still losing.

I've had Hashimoto's most of my life. I've also had several bouts of anemia. I was sleeved on September 17, 2014. I'm 5 ft. 2 and weighed 218 pds. day before post op diet started. It is now 8 months out and I weigh 145 pds. and wearing a size junior's 7/8 jeans. I've only walked a little for exercise. I have a very bad back. Broke it in 2 places and was on steroids for a year and could not get the weight back off. I wrote every single thing that i ate down in a spiral notebook after surgery along with how much protein, carbs, and calories. Most days in the first few months I could not eat more than 500 calories. I kept my carbs under 15 and tried to keep my protein as high as possible by adding protein powder to soups, yogurt, and sugar free pudding. The weight will come off steadily if you do this. I did have a stall around the 3rd month that lasted about 3 weeks but don't worry. Keep watching your carb intake and your body will naturally burn fat. I also take a probiotic daily. I hope that helps.

K8tee, I know that a lot of medication can prevent weight loss and sometimes cause weight gain. I went to Mexico. I was soooo worried that they wouldn't make my sleeve small enough as I'm only 5 ft 2 in. Now, I think they may have gotten it too small. My surgery was September 17, 2014 and I weighed 218 pds. I now weigh 145 pds. and just bought 2 size 7/8 junior's jeans. I can usually only eat 6 normal size bites or 1/2 cup of whatever. I no longer count calories and eat ice cream and whatever I want. I don't get hungry very often but when I do I eat 6 bites and I'm done. I usually don't get hungry again but make myself eat. I have really bad acid reflux so that has a lot to do with my lack of appetite. In the beginning I wrote everything down on paper before it passed my lips and no matter how hard I tried I could not eat more than 500 calories. Usually it was less. I also tried hard to eat protein and kept my carbs under 15 every day. I did that for the first 4 months. If you are on any medication at all you should check the side effects. Alot of medication causes weight gain.

Meant to say we're 1 day apart and 1 pound apart from starting weight. I started at 218 had surgery September 17, 2014 and am now at 147 so I'm down 71 pounds.

KNZT. ...remember me? We had surgery one day a part and we're 1 day apart. I am down 71 pounds so far and weighing in at 147. Want to lose 15 more pounds. Feeling confident......2late4bed

Oh, I forgot. I started at 218 lbs. Surgery date I was 210 lbs. And today I weigh 184.5 lbs. Thank you, sleeve!

My surgery date was September 17, so tomorrow is my surgiversary, too. So far I've lost 34 pounds. I would NEVER have been able to lose this weight without my sleeve. I couldn't even make it through the 2 week pre op diet without having a moment of weakness here and there. (I lost 10 pounds but gained 2 back during a cookout we had) Now, when I get hungry I eat but only very small amounts. For anyone curious as to what I've been eating. .....I eat the following items but not every day. Cottage cheese, string cheese, Dannon Light and Fit Greek Yogurt (the caramel apple is to die for, lol), sugar free pudding with Unjury chocolate protein powder mixed in, Progresso Light Chicken and Cheese Enchilada soup with Unjury unflavored 1/3 packet protein powder mixed in, tuna fish, Egg beater Southwestern style egg white omelet with grated cheese , boiled eggs, and occasionally an Atkins bar or treat but usually only about once a week. I never seem to finish anything and usually put it in the fridge for later but end up throwing it out. Appetite is easily curbed with just a few bites....Also, I write everything that I eat down in a notebook along with the time I ate it and the calories, carbs, and protein. That way I can keep track of what I am eating and how many carbs and protein I'm getting. I keep my daily carbs under 20 grams a day. Well, that's about it. Good luck, everybody!

Hi....I think everyone has given you very good advice. Since I am on the preop diet awaiting surgery next week, (did I actually say that? Surgery next week...yikes!) but I have obsessively researched people's long term weight loss with VSG. I am very impressed with the long term outcomes regardless of the short term, or monthly weight loss stats. I observed many who would only lose 2-4 pounds some months while losing 8-10 pounds other months. Guess what? They still reached their goal and then some. The long term result is all that matters. That is why I am definitely not going to weigh except once a month so I don't get discouraged. It's nice to hear that some lose a huge amount very rapidly but most don't. ....but it is a huge amount of weight if you compare it to what you would have lost without the surgery. Now this is just from my research as I haven't yet had the surgery, but please be patient with yourself. It is normal to want quick results but please remember that the end result AND the ability to keep it off is what we are all shooting for. Take it a day at a time and keep smiling cause you have a great little helper called the VSG. Good luck!

Hi, you must try Flatouts! You can buy them at Walmart at the deli counter. They are oval shaped and only have 90 calories and 6 net carbs. Just spread a little olive oil all over the Flat out then flip it over and put it in the oven for about 4 minutes. Then take it out and spread a little pizza sauce or salsa, then spread grated cheese and whatever cooked meats or veggies you like. Then cook it a couple more minutes til the cheese melts. It makes the best pizza. My husband has gone crazy over these and he doesn't even have any weight to lose. My kids love them, too. You can also use them to make crackers. Very healthy alternative and tastes very yummy! I can't buy enough. You can Google other recipes. They are very popular!

I would REALLY like to know how everyone decided on their goal weight. Like I have changed my goal weight 3 times because I originally thought I would never be able to get down to what I really wanted to. I am 5'1", female, 48 y/o, and started out at 218 lbs. After 5 days on the preop diet and losing 8 lbs. I have now changed my goal weight. I looked up a BMI chart and for my height it says I should weigh between 110 - 130 lbs. So I have decided my goal weight should be. ........125 lbs. Do you think that is a good goal weight for me? How do most people determine what their goal weight should be?

This is an awesome thread! Thanks for starting it. My stats: 48 yrs. young Starting weight. .....218 lbs. Surgery is September 17. Female I am 5 days in on preop diet and already lost 8 lbs. but every single commercial on TV is about food so I'll admit this liquid diet is hard but I tell myself I have "NO CHOICE". That way I don't even allow myself to think about food except during the commercial. Lol.

Hi, fluff! I'm scheduled for the 17th in Tijuana, Mexico. I started my all liquid preop diet on Sept. 3rd. I've lost 8 lbs. So far. Woohoo! The preop diet, being extremely low carb is very difficult for me. I ordered the usual Friday night pizza for the kids and that wasn't as hard to deal with as the hot pockets they cook in the microwave. And I don't even like hot pockets but they smell so good. I have a headache occasionally due to coke zero withdrawal but the worst is the burning sensation in my stomach and feeling weak. I've noticed that when I drink a whole 20 oz. cold bottled water at once it helps with the stomach pain. I am famous for not drinking enough and never drink water so I am really needing to change my ways. I like the Premier protein shakes and actually like all the flavors including vanilla but I really like hydroxycut shakes too cause they're thinner. If it wasn't for the SF jello and ST Popsicles I wouldn't have made it so far. Keep posting because reading these posts keeps me focused.

Did you have to say tacos? Lol. My surgery is Sept. 17 and I started my pre-op diet today. I just had a bowl of chicken broth with a little poultry seasoning and black pepper. Not too bad but I really want some real food. I am already afraid that I won't make it through the next 2 weeks without cheating. God I pray the cravings go away! As usual I didn't really get hungry for favorite foods until I started the pre-op diet. Now I am suddenly craving everything I can't have. I need some willpower. Never expected this!

Everyone's pain is not the same just because you had the same surgery. You don't know if they might have bruised or nicked your liver during surgery which sometimes happens during any abdominal surgery. Your surgeon should have been concerned that you were having a lot of pain 5 days out and had you come in to be examined just to be safe.....but more than likely you were experiencing the rebound effect of going cold turkey after having taken the highest dose of hydrocodone every 4 hours for days. It just means that when the narcotic finally gets out of your system your pain will seem to be intensified and a lot worse than if you hadn't taken the narcotic or had taken a very low dose and endured some of the pain. But they should have warned you about that....the pharmacist should have too. But please keep your follow up appointments with the surgeon. Surgeons are KNOWN for their bad bedside manners. Just be like a fish and let everything slide right off of you. Hopefully he'll be much nicer at your next appointment. Some docs are that way....very temperamental. Good luck!

Sovanna. ....congratulations! I am sorry your mom is not supporting your decision. I suspect that she may change her tune when she sees you several months post-op. My mom is the one who approached me about the surgery. My brother had it done 2 years ago and went from 300 pds. to 185. She also knows about 20 other people who had it done and had about 4 talk to me personally. My insurance doesn't cover the surgery so I will be going to Tijuana Mexico to have it and my mom is paying a major portion of it or I wouldn't be able to do it. I consider it the nicest thing she has ever done for me. Her aunt sold her house to pay for the surgery for herself, her daughter, and son in law. Good luck and keep us posted!

Me too! Me too! September 17th in Tijuana Mexico with Dr. Elias Ortiz.

I'm going to Tijuana to be sleeved September 17 with Dr. Elias Ortiz. Does anyone know how long you stay on liquids post op?

I think maybe your doctor may have meant that your BMI is much too low to consider VSG and why he is recommending gastric band if anything. That way if you start losing too much weight the band is reversible while the VSG is not. It could be that he didn't mean to imply anything derogatory toward Mexico doctors at all just warning you of the dangers of a much lower BMI and an irreversible weight loss surgery. I prefer to give people the benefit of the doubt. Remember he said, "any doctor who did a sleeve on you would be tantamount to malpractice". To me he is referring to the risk of you having the surgery period with your BMI, and not the location of the surgery or ethnicity of the surgeon.

Just curious.. If you started out at 209, why did you have to do a month of preop? Was that a whole month of liquids only? I thought that was reserved for heavier patients. My liquid preop is 2 weeks and I know ever doctor has a different preop but a month of liquids? I am the same weight as you but only 5'1 and questioning now if 2 weeks is sufficient. Thanks.

I believe if you are very active, the carbs in Greek yogurt may not cause any problems but since seriously injuring my back, I am not nearly as active and have a very bad thyroid condition. I will be very carb conscious after my surgery next month as I went on a strict diet of very low calories and never lost a pound in the past and really believe it was the high carb content in the yogurt I was eating 3 times a day. Didn't know about carbs back then and thought yogurt was my friend. Lol. No....Given my issues and past failures, I'll be taking a good probiotic which I've already started. It's called Nsync. I have chronic constipation and it is a godsend for me! I also have chosen the Premier Protein Shakes along with the hydroxy cut protein shakes. Premier is thick with 30th protein and 160 calories and hydroxy cut has 16 go protein, 100 calories but thinner...I like both. I wish you all the best!

I wanted to cry when I read your post because I know how other people's comments about your weight can send you spiraling into depression. I have severe thyroid issues. Had it all my life. In 5th grade I suddenly went from skinny to fat. Got put on medication and went from fat to skinny again.......but not before I took horrible verbal abuse from classmates and close family members. With each pregnancy I ballooned and each time got harshly reprimanded by my doctor even though I was eating extremely healthy and much less than non pregnant. Not once did they check my thyroid level or increase my dosage. It has since been studied and found that pregnancy causes lower thyroid functioning and needs to be monitored each trimester and medication increased. One doctor halfway ridiculed me. Looked me straight in the eye and I was 7 months pregnant and repeated twice with emphasis....that's a LOT of weight! I gained 8-10 pds. a month for a 50 pd. total weight gain each time and was made to feel so bad during my appointments that I would cry all the way home....and I wasn't even that big at the time. Lol. 183 pds. was my final weigh in before giving birth. I know how hurtful those appointments can be. I went to diet doctors who made me come in weekly and weigh in. This is after I passed the 200 pd. mark. in recent years...I'm 48 now. But I was so worried about what the stupid doctor might say to me if I failed to lose so I started taking laxatives....like 4 or 5 of them the day before weigh in. I always lost 5 or 6 pounds overnight that way but it was strictly Water weight. I dehydrated myself and got dizzy and all because I was afraid of what some doctor might say. Crazy I know! Please hang in there! This surgery works in more ways than restrictions calories. Google the studies done recently. Also, my brother had the sleeve done 2 years ago and he is 5'10" and went from 300 pds to 185. I've also known several others who had it and were successful so relax..don't stress! Try your best and they will approve you. Don't let it make you crazy...

DaddyMarie. ....50 pds. gone after only 3 months is super exciting! I believe you will totally hit your goal of 140. Please keep us updated. Thanks for all the stats and encouraging pics....they are all very impressive. It is hearing the success stories from all of you people that keep me excited and motivated for my own weight loss journey coming up next month. I haven't even started and am so happy at the prospect of recognizing myself in the mirror again! I avoid them at all costs now. I think any substantial weight loss will make me happy. I broke my back in 2 places 3 years ago and put on a substantial amount of weight. ....my bback hips, and knees, not to mention my swollen ankles will be overjoyed to not have to carry around excess poundage. I have also made up my mind to ONLY weigh once a month. That will keep me positive cause any amount of weight loss will make me happy but a stall for 2 or 3 weeks might discourage me. Please keep the success stories, pics, and updates coming. You ALL are my heros!

I NEVER take pictures of myself because I can't stand seeing how bad I look now....BUT looking at a lot of others before and after pics....I think I'm gonna take one right before surgery so I can post a before and after too!

So my fear of having the surgery and NOT having a significant amount of weight loss is dwindling. It looks like everyone has had pretty good results. I haven't heard of anyone not losing weight so far. Thanks for the response. So, Kindle, may I ask how often and what type of exercise you've been doing? I hope to have results like you...