Siege

My surgery is set for Thursday, January 21. I have been doing all the required work by my insurance company since May 2, 2015. I was finally approved for surgery on December 1. I had the 6 months supervised diet/counseling, psych, blood work, x-rays, ultrasounds, EDG, sleep study and follow-up with being fitted for a cpap machine to use post-op. I began all this by contacting West Medical - you probably see their billboards and commercials - they advertise all over the place. But I researched VSG for months before I even went in for a consultation. I was worried that since I had lost weight before and gained it back (twice) that I would be disqualified. The doctors and staff assured me this would give me another tool to help me lose the weight and keep it off. I have had so many instances where it looked like the surgery was not going to happen that I never posted anywhere about this. Now, with two days two go before the op, I find myself not knowing where to begin without making a huge post.

I had my surgery at Marina Del Rey Hospital as well. The staff is great, super friendly. I packed an overnight bag with much more than I actually needed. I was too uncomfortable to read so I just watched whatever was on the television. I did not sleep much the first night, mostly after I was out of surgery. Walk a lot afterward. One of the things I wished I had done prior to surgery is weight training. Building muscle before surgery, if you can, will help you so much. Even if you just have a few weeks, you should start building muscle if you are able to exercise.

That's good to hear, Britney! They did a good job with my paperwork, so that wasn't an issue for me. Dr Paya is a very busy man but he is also easy to talk to and you might forget what you wanted to ask after 15 minutes of discussing exercise and eating plans. I suggest writing down all your questions and concerns on an index card to bring with you when you see him. I know I forgot to ask a lot of questions when we talked and ended up making several phone calls after each visit.

At my three month check up my doctor said something along those lines. I told him I would be happy when I get to a healthy BMI and he said he would be happy around 200 pounds.

I'm 5'9", 46 years old, and I have successfully lost the weight, twice, on my own. I've successfully gained it back twice, as well. I was struggling to lose it a third time, and I don't want to repeat the process every ten years. I was/am a type 2 diabetic, hypertensive, high cholesterol, and I have apnea, as well. The greatest part of having this new tool is the lack of hunger. I cannot stress this enough, at least for myself. I've always battled the cravings, snacking, and grazing. I feel as free as the day I realized I no longer craved a cigarette (I smoked a pack a day for 11 years). Another consideration for me was that I wanted to get the surgery done before age became a factor. My procedure went smoothly and recover was easy, so I think I am very lucky, but not unique. Also, no one around me "supported" my decision to have surgery. My wife and family, as well as the family doctor, all were around when I lost the weight "the hard way" before and encouraged me to "just do it again." No one really knows what you struggle with but you. Anyway, my high weight was 401, my consultation weight was 326, my surgery weight was 308, and today I am 262. And I'm off all meds. Totally worth it.

I thought it was due to the straw. It's always the straw's fault. That's why they have that saying!

I was, as well. BMI was 45.5 day of surgery. It was 60 way back when...

Okay, so I'm not the only one! Good to know. I thought my stomach was haunted...

Thanks for posting this. I have been struggling NOT to make myself crazy over the idea that I am not losing enough. I am 14 weeks post op and have lost 36 pounds since surgery. It's kind of calming to see that I fall right in the low end of expectations, but only a little.

I stuck to the two week liquid diet, pre op. I drank enough diet soda, coffee, and Water to drown a small city. Ah, Diet Coke, how I love thee! It's been three months but I won't go back. There's really nothing in there but chemicals, anyway. But I digress! I used my preop as a test for my post op. It was hard. Super hard. On day 8 I didn't think I was going to make it. I drank my Protein shakes, chugged so much water I thought I would burst, and went to bed early. After that I knew I would be fine. You know what I really miss? Being able to chug water. Chug anything, actually. It seems so strange to drink in such small amounts. I'm getting used to it, though. You can do it.

I did that this week! Was chatting with a friend, not paying attention, then looked down and stopped! I said "Whoah! I crossed my legs!" My friend looked at me like I had just discovered the sky was blue.

I am 13 weeks post op. My wife told me she thinks my hair looks thinner this week. An amazing feat as I have very fine hair. Obviously I am worried - so I guess I will lose it even faster!

That is a tough one! My wife tries to be supportive but during one argument or another she told me the same thing. I did nearly all of the pre-surgery meetings, tests, sleep studies, etc., by myself. I told her I would drive myself to the hospital and just stay an extra day in order to be able to drive myself back. While having a support system is good, not having anyone around is far better than dealing with negativity during the days before, and immediately after, surgery. And I felt some support from this site even if I did not participate or post very often. My wife eventually came around and accompanied me to the surgery. She doesn't follow a diet, and she doesn't cook, but she does shop for me. We eat different things, as do, I think, most of us here.

Hi everyone! I was just thinking about this thread when I got the email update. I was sleeved January 21, so yesterday was 12 weeks out for me. I am currently down 35 pounds. I hope everybody is doing well. I agree, this is work. The sleeve helps but we still have to eat right, exercise, and deal with all the demons that made us who we were. I have been stalling the last few weeks but we all have challenges in our journeys. The key, I believe, is to be diligent, log our food, get exercise, and stay positive. I have also been putting up videos on youtube, to sort of keep me accountable. HW401 (highest weight) SW308 (surgery weight) CW273 (current weight) GW169 (goal weight)

@@SactoWendy It's funny (strange, not haha), but I really went back and forth about that, too. I was torn between putting in my weight as of my first seminar, or my highest known weight that prompted me to make the change. Ultimately I chose the latter because I felt it was an equal part of the journey.

I did, as well. It did not delay my surgery because the treatment fit nicely inside my six month supervised diet and counseling requirement.

I was exactly where you are before my surgery. Terrified of the idea of "not waking up." It doesn't help that my family was only feeding into it (I had a maternal aunt die of complications post surgery, and the family has been traumatized ever since). Then I had my EGD. And it was fine. Relaxing, even. And kinda cool. I woke up and it was over. I felt good. So, with that experience, my terror eased, lessening to anxiety. Still, I thought, next time they are going to be cutting stuff out! That's different, right? But I did my homework on my surgeon, talked it over until I was comfortable, and proceeded to try to put my family at ease. Those I could not put at ease I simply changed the subject. It was going to be fine. It is hard to hear that your worry is unfounded - that doesn't really put you at ease. It is okay to be concerned. But you will be surrounded by professionals, educated and licensed in one of the most strict nations in the world. They have tons of experience. They do this all the time. It will be as easy as everyone here says it is.

I'm down 25 pounds so far, sleeved on 1/21. First two weeks were some big numbers, than the slow down. Can't really call it a stall because I have lost two pounds each of the last two weeks. Looks like this week might be the same. I get gurgling after drinking fluids. Sometimes I get the gas bubble/bloated feeling after eating. I have to admit, I am still on the soft food stage and sticking mainly to the safest purees and blandest items on the list - I don't really care what I eat since I am not hungry, anyway. My wife works retail so she is not home for dinner often, no one bugs me if I eat cottage cheese over and over and over again. I tried some hummus last week at the beginning of soft foods - it was not pleasant (bathroom emergency the next morning). I feel good, though. Keep it up January sleevers!

Sleeved, no drain.

That is awesome! You will do great!

I had sleeve surgery and was back to work in five days. I have a tech job doing site support on a school campus ranging from network administration, software support, and hardware repair and installation. I can get away with extended time at my desk. But, I wear a fitbit, and even when I try to take it easy I manage to get in about half my ten thousand steps, so I did get fatigued frequently at first. There are other challenges, like adding new foods and trying to stay close to a restroom, jic!

I'm 4 weeks post op today, surgery was January 21. I lost 18 pounds the first two weeks, then slowed to a crawl these last two weeks. Three pounds last week, two pounds this week. Still, down is down, but it feels like a stall by comparison. My doctor performs a lot of sleeves and his office is very busy. When I see the doctor he is always very pleasant and thorough, and does not rush me out. On the other hand, if I have a question about something outside of my followup and I call the office, I usually get "You have a counselor and nutritionist, right? You should talk to them." I have been more tired than usual, after work I find myself in front of the television or computer more than before, due to fatigue. I'm sure it will get better. I start soft foods today, so yay! Hopefully that means more energy. I keep a food journal. Not an app, but a log I can actually write in, or scribble something that looks like words with a number next to it. I used to write in a journal, but I picked up the Biggest Loser spiral bound food journal and love it. It sits on my kitchen island and I fill it in at home. When I am out, I write what I eat on a piece of paper and stuff it in my pocket, then add it at home. That way I know what I am eating, and hold myself accountable. My nut recommended it, I have always done it when dieting, and I don't think I'll stop until I'm well into maintenance. I'm confident that as long as I am honest and keep a journal I will succeed. These forums are helpful, and I keep going back to the stall post myself. I should probably print it and tape it to my desk.

I love yogurt - have since I was a kid. I prefer the tang of unflavored, natural yogurt. I have one or two a day. I've been buying a lot of Chobani plain, lately. 90 calories, fat 0, Carb 7 (sugar 4), Protein 15g.

I think most people will experience regret of varying degrees along the way. I know I did, and I was fortunate enough to have a great doctor, staff, hospital, and overall no complications (so far, knock on wood). I was on liquids a week before surgery and two weeks after - that can get you into negative thinking, too, but it will pass. I hope you start to feel better soon. Hang in there.

That is great for all of you! It is going to be awesome! I had to wait so long (it seemed) to be cleared that I thought it would never happen. Then I got a referral to another surgeon and he was able to schedule me immediately. It was so shocking and all of a sudden, after more than seven months, it felt like it was happening too fast. Only then did I start to become nervous about the actual procedure. I had all year to really deal with my relationship with food so I felt secure about that issue (as secure as any of us can!). The only time I have ever been put under anesthetics was during the EGD, so this would be my first real surgery. That was scary. But I talked to so many people that had been through the same process and they put my mind at ease. As far as feeling like I may be missing out on life because I cannot eat the way I have in the past, I understand that. Food is a big part of my life. I bake as a hobby (people often ask me, and sometime pay me to bake things for their events). I like to get together with friends and do crazy food challenges. I experiment with wacky combinations all the time. I like to travel and try new foods from far away places. You know what? None of that has to end. I can still do almost all of that. I won't be entering any eating contests in the future (I never did, anyway) but the crazy food ideas don't have to stop - I just cannot eat every last bit of everything I concoct. I can still try new and exotic cuisines. I may not be able to clear my plate but that's okay. I won't be missing anything.