Martene81

Hello all! I finally have a surgery date...May 27th with Dr. VARNELL. @@Cota1262 I'm a little confused on all the post op diet plans too but I'm hoping I'll get the hang of it as I go. From what I've read and heard from others is they don't focus on calories, well not at the early stage anyway. Even though you are board with the water and protein, I'd focus on those for now. Once you are further out and able to resume a more normal diet, you may want to keep calories in mind...especially with the sleeve.

My surgery is May 27th! I was thinking about doing something to prep my body as well. I'd love to hear more of your ideas and a surgery buddy would be great ????

So I am wondering if anyone has had success with the belly area after surgery. I've had 4 kids and 4 c-sections and most of my weight is carried in my stomach area making me look about 9 months pregnant ???? It's large, round and hard. No mass or anything because when I lay flat it's all jiggly, but with all the c-sections when I stand up I have no abdominal wall to hold all the fat in thus I get the bulge. I'm trying to find others (particularly women) who have a similar issue who saw it go away after surgery. Now I'm not talking about skin because I know I'll have a ton but I'm talking about the baby bulge lol. And if you have any pics that will be helpful too...I see a lot of men with the belly I'm describing and it seems to disappear after surgery but I'm not sure if that will apply to me as a woman. So any success stories would be well appreciated ????

I'm scheduled for bypass May 27th and chose for all the same reasons @@TLW said ????

You look awesome! I'm scheduled for bypass on May 27!

@@TLW our dates are close...I go May 27th! They wanted to give me an earlier surgery date but I also teach and wanted to wait until I was out for the summer. I too have been trying to keep myself busy until surgery but with all the end of the year happenings at my school, I'm not having a hard time with passing time at all

Good luck!

@@losing-it I have decided to go with the Bypass. The decision was hard but I prayed and feel it's the best procedure for me. I was leaning toward the sleeve at first because it's what's popular and what everyone is going with these days. My surgeon, pcp and endo all recommended the bypass but I was fighting hard against it. I finally gave my fears to God and trust I'll have a complication free procedure and smooth recovery. My main purpose for this surgery is to get healthy and get a significant amount of weight off. Although the sleeve is popular I'd have a better chance at that with the bypass. Both are great procedures but I think it comes down to your habits. I've found that with the sleeve at about 6 months out most report that they can eat whatever they want (in small portions) and begin to struggle to get remaining weight off and fight regain. It seems that what they then have to do to get the weight off, sounds a lot like what someone without surgery would do to lose weight. Now don't get me wrong I'm ready to work my tool but let's face it, why am I getting this surgery (tool) if I eventullay have to fight has though I have no weapons. I'm sure there may come a point where people with the bypass feel as though they have no tool but I think if or when that happens I will have surpassed my goal. Sorry for the long post but that's how I looked at things when I decided...that added with the awesome words of encouragement from @@MisforMimi and others helped as well. With Gods grace I know I'll be fine and despite what everyone says and feels about the bypass, I'm not going to let those fears get in the way of me having a happy and healthy life. Good luck and hope you decide what you feel is best for you ???? I'm booked for May 27th!

That is amazing and you look amazing!! I'm pre-op going for bypass in May hoping to start losing soon!!

I just ordered the punch flavor. I have not yet tasted them but I purchased with the mind set of making popsicles and adding it to jello...I hope it works out ????

I felt this way when I first started....it seemed like my surgeons office was dragging their feet on getting my appointments scheduled. I think it was me being a little anxious and inpatient. They eventually got everything scheduled and things moved really fast from there. Do you have a patient coordinator? If not just give it a little more time and if you still haven't heard anything you can always stop by the office. I would highly recommend just taking a deep breath and try to be as patient as possible...don't get discouraged, things will start coming together and you'll have a surgery date before you know it. I'm having bypass on May 27th...blessings to you ????

I'm scheduled for May 27th! Still haven't submitted for insurance approval but I'm ready!

I don't think there will be any issues with insurance approval I'm pretty sure I meet ALL the requirements.

Good question! I'm having rny surgery on May 27th and am planning a mini vacation the end of July so I think that's about 7-8 weeks out. I was wondering how I'll do with walking around an amusement park. Anyone do amusement parks after surgery??

I'm scheduled for May 27th!! Was going to go with the sleeve but my surgeon recommended bypass. I'm a little nervous but excited at the same time.

@@Erica Brownlee glad to hear your going to get what you need to get things moving again! I'm in the pre op stage and as I research more I'm finding more people with the sleeve having the same issue as you. I've decided to go with the bypass because I'm not sure I'll have an opportunity for a revision in the future if need be. Do you have to requalify to get this done or is your Dr just going in and doing it??

@@Roo101769 I just want to say thank you for writing this post and being sooo honest and open about your struggle. I'm still pre op and have been looking for ppl that could share the "real" deal about surgery. I was trying to decide which surgery to get and the biggest fear I had about vsg was what you are describing in your post. I have decided to go with bypass because like you, I know having no consequences after a while may leave me stuck. Just know you are not alone in your struggle. I'm sure there are a lot, who's had either surgery, in the same predicament as you. It's probably a little hard right now but I'm sure you'll get over the hump and kick it in gear soon...you've come so far, let that and your baby girl be the motivation to keep going...good luck!

@@gowalking thanks for the response! You give me hope!! I'm definitely going to invest in shape wear!

@@goodnuff I totally agree with you on that. My babies were well cushioned lol! I actually just got a tentative date today...May 27th!! I still have my last weigh in on April 23rd then they will submit to insurance...I'm a Teacher so i'm waiting until I'm off in the summer to get the surgery

@@GreenEyes604 congrats on the 84 pounds lost!! These belly's are a pain but I guess after 4 babies I can't be too mad. Hopefully you'll be looking at toes soon too!

@@goodnuff wow that is amazing! i'm actually in size 26 now...could be smaller but my waist is like whoa lol. Glad to hear that it will start shrinking. How are you feeling after you Bypass? I'm still trying to decide between sleeve or bypass. I'm thinking bypass may be best since I have so much belly fat to lose.

@@Bandista that is great news! I'm definitely ok with flubby just ready to be able to see my feet too haha!

Ok thanks for info! I'm definitely not looking to tighten it up just wondering how others with a belly bulge have looked after massive weight loss. I would imagine after I loose the excess body fat that there wouldn't be much else to bulge if you know what I mean. I guess I'll just have to wait and see how my body will change after surgery ????

Awesome! How are you feeling?

I'm right there with you! I'm pre-op and have my last weigh in on the 23rd before they submit. Although I'm nearly done, this process has flown by and I still feel very new at this journey. I too was leaning towards the sleeve but like you, reading all the posts are driving me crazy. I have a lot of weight to lose myself and my biggest fear is not losing enough with the sleeve or losing some and struggling as I do now and I'll feel like I've gone through this for nothing. I try not to focus on all the horror stories because everyone is so different in what they have experienced. Now, I try and compare the good/benefits and see what is common in that area. Since I've started to do that I'm now leaning more towards the bypass. I think there is good, bad and ugly with both but trying to decide based on everyone's negative experiences is getting me no where so by looking at the benefits and choosing the one with the best outcome may be my deciding factor. Because I'll literally change my mind daily based off something I've read on here or looking at someone YT video...the minute somebody posts they stopped losing with the sleeve I'm all for the bypass and the minute somebody post about dumping I'm all for the sleeve lol! So from here on out I'm researching the benefits (I'm very educated on risks lol) and hopefully make the best decision based on that ????