lobe22

I had my surgery on August 3. I get most of my Protein from fish---mostly broiled tilapia. Sometimes I will have a lean cut of steak or a grilled pork chop, but I tend to stick with fish. I eat sugar free yogurt for protein, too-----and when I have those moments of where I am just starving, a piece of low-fat mozzarella string cheese seems to take the edge off. I'm actually able to tolerate quite a bit of different types of food, but I have to be very careful with rice. TMI here, but the few times I have actually vomited, rice has been involved. So, I tend to stay away from that. Except for a few moments in the couple of days after surgery, I have absolutely no regrets. I love my sleeve and have been able to stop taking medication for Type 2 Diabetes. My blood pressure has been great---sometimes I feel a bit tired, but I think that is just my body adjusting to not consuming the amount of carbs that I was before. Also--my gastric sleeve surgery was my 4th surgery this year, lol. In a time span of 8 months, I had a hysterectomy, removal of my gall bladder and an appendectomy. 2016 has been quite a year!

I didn't think I would be able to make it without my morning coffee. I've weaned myself to 1 cup in the morning, about 5 days out of the week. Hasn't seem to affected me negatively, and my surgeon put more of an emphasis on not having carbonated drinks than drinking coffee.

Really try to cut carbs and sugar. Try to eliminate sugar completely in the time up to your surgery. Eat a lot of Protein. It will be hard, but you should have no problem dropping those 4 pounds by then. Good luck!

I was worried, too. 2 weeks out, and there was no food that I found that I could not tolerate. Then one evening for dinner, I finally crossed the line of how far I could go. It came back up, IMMEDIATELY. Now I am very careful that I don't get to that point. I also found myself feeling hungry almost immediately after I would eat, which put me in a total panic. One reason that I opted for the sleeve was that it supposedly cut down on ghrelin, the hormone that makes you hungry. The scale was stuck on the same number for a week, and I know it was because of the extra calories I was eating because I felt like I was hungry. A lot of people on here suggested acid blockers for the hunger pangs. I've started taking Prilosec, and it has definitely helped take the edge off. The scale started moving again and I lost 2 pounds in 2 days. Last night for dinner, I had 4 oz. of salmon (which has a whopping 23 grams of protein), and about a half cup of broiled zucchini, yellow squash and tomatoes. And drink, drink, drink that Water. It drives me crazy because I feel like I spend half of my life in the bathroom, but it really does help.

I was sleeved on August 3rd and went home on August 5th. I was so depressed because I looked so bloated in the mirrors at the hospital. My IV had slipped, and instead of pumping fluids into my veins, Fluid was being pumped into my tissues. My left arm was so swollen. I had some other issues, as well (having an allergic reaction to the hydrocodone & acetaminophen that they had originally prescribed for pain). When I came home from the hospital, I weighed my pre-surgery weight, which was 232 before I went on my 10-day liquid diet. It's now been a week and one day since surgery and I have dropped all of the Water weight and have been losing. Currently at 219.

I am so bummed! Thursday night, I began having stomach cramps.....which progressively worsened to sharp pains in my abdominal area. I vomited twice early Friday morning and started running a temp of about 101 degrees. I was feeling so miserable, I finally went to the ER that afternoon, where I was told that I had appendicitis. The surgeon performed a laparoscopic appendectomy that evening. The appendix had not ruptured---was just inflamed. I have been working so hard on my clear diet, and after struggling with the insurance company over some minor issues I have been so excited to get sleeved next Wednesday, the 13th. Now I am wondering how long I will have to wait to reschedule (which I am sure I will have to do.)

My VGS surgery is scheduled for July 13. My insurance company did not require me to do complete 6 months of dieting. My doctor wants me to go on a 10 day pre-op diet that consists mainly of liquids. I've been trying to get a head start by eating healthier foods and smaller portions, and have lost 7 pounds since Sunday. (However, I was sick on Monday and could barely keep anything down, so that probably accounts for a big portion of the Water weight lost.) My highest weight was 232---I am 225, as of today. I would love to be at 215 on the day of my surgery. Is it possible to lose 10 pounds in the next 13 days?

I'm so sorry! This was my worst nightmare, as well....being denied. Definitely appeal and look for co-morbidities that you may have that you were unaware of. I will say a big prayer for you.

July 13th for me! And I can totally relate to your nervousness. I am feeling it, too.

Everything has gone so smoothly for me since I had my first appointment on April 28, 2016. I had a BMI of 37 and Diabetes type 2. The once exception was a mini-nightmare with my insurance company. I have BCBS of Illinois, and the kept denying my because they said the facility that I was scheduled to have my surgery in was not a BCBS Center of Excellence. This was NOT the case, and it took about two weeks of talking to multiple people at BCBS to finally get it worked out. I shouldn't complain too much about my insurance, as it is covering my surgery at 100%. With your hypertension, (which is a co-morbidity) I would think that you would be approved. This was the worst part for me....waiting to see if they would approve my surgery. I feel your pain---hang in there! I have faith that insurance will come through for you!

That is exactly the pre-op diet that I will be on. I'm kind of dreading it, but I am so committed to this and you're exactly right....it will be worth it!

Thank you so much! So many people on here have inspired me!

After some minor issues with insurance, I was finally approved for the Vertical Gastric Sleeve! Initially, I was thinking of doing the Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass......but I ultimately decided that I didn't want to deal with malabsorption issues with medications, etc. Also, I am liking the fact that GVS takes away ghrelin, that hunger hormone. My surgery is scheduled for July 13 and I have decided that I am going to start easing my way into the liquid diet that I will have go on 10 days prior to surgery. With a BMI of 37 and type 2 diabetes, I knew that having this surgery would be the thing for me. I am so tired of being out of breath from the slightest exertion, getting out of bed and barely able to walk because my feet hurt so much, etc. This forum has been a wonderful source of information for me! I love reading the success the stories, the issues that may come up and tips for dealing with them and the outstanding support. I am 5'6 and my current weight is 231---I am hoping to drop 10 pounds in the next month before my surgery.

Thank you---I am looking forward to the ride!

Best of luck to you, as well!

Thank you so much! So many people on here have inspired me!

I just wanted to say that I have NOT had my surgery yet, but I HAVE done dry brushing in the past and it DID make a difference for me. My cellulite was not as noticeable and my skin was much smoother. I am hoping to get the Gastric Sleeve and my plan during my weight loss (for skin care) is to keep myself hydrated with Water and to dry brush every day.