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I'm not sure what your weather is like right now, but having had my surgery in the summer, I lived in dresses the first couple of weeks (but I've always been a dresses and skirts kind of girl). Clothes weren't really an issue though except for bras...I had a pain pump catheter in the first 5 days and the underwire just didn't seem to work, so I wore sport bras and was fine. Since this surgery was done lap (unlike my other surgery, which was an open procedure) I didn't really have to worry about panties or such irritating the incision. Maybe make sure to have some yoga type pants on hand if dresses aren't feasible at this time of year or your style. Depending where you work, you might get away with some dressier black yoga pants and sweaters??

Welcome Sarah and congratulations on your date! This has been one of the best things I've done for myself...I hope you find it the same. Good luck with your pre-op process and keep us posted.

My energy levels were low the first month out (not right at the beginning) and I needed to nap/rest every afternoon. I suggest talking with your surgeon about your supplements.

Welcome Jeani! I just want to wish you luck on your journey. Not sure about the insurance process, but you can call and talk with a representative and ask them to send you a hard copy of their pages regarding wls.

Welcome Sabrina! I'm sorry to read about your horrible experience with the band. I can't really speak personally to your questions. I know with my recovery, as a new wls patient, I would have been just fine going on a cruise 6 weeks post-op, but wouldn't plan on eating normally at that point or drinking alcohol. As for drinking, I don't do it personally, but I've read about others who do further out and have no problems. My nutritionist/surgeon said carbonated drinks were out after surgery. According to them there is a slight possibility that carbonation can stretch the pouch, but no research has been done to agree or disagree with this. Hopefully some people will chime in soon that has more personal experience with your questions. Good luck!

It took me until I was about 1 month post-op for my energy levels to return to "normal," but I couldn't let that stand in my way of getting in some exercise. It just meant I took a lot more rests that first month out (especially in the afternoons), it was usually easier for me to walk in the mornings because I seemed to have more energy.

I just want to again mention Soma bras. I was waiting for an appointment this morning and wandered into the Soma store. Was fitted and bought 4 new bras. I just couldn't believe how much better the dress I was wearing fell on me when I had the new bras on under it compared to the one I wore into the store. It made a huge difference. I did pay full price for 3 of them, but I hope this will be my bra size for good.

I'm sort of like Chancie. It's kind of funny that in the first 3 months I never "slimed" or threw up, but I've probably done one or the other every 1.5 weeks since then. My full signal is usually my nose running, but I sometimes like the taste so much I take another bite, chew it and spit it out just to taste it again (I know gross). I've gotten pretty good at it that no one even notices.

That's so neat, thanks for sharing!

I'm 5.5 months post-op. I didn't feel hunger really at all the first couple of months, but then I started noticing that if I went from 5 AM until 4 PM (when I get up to when I typically get home) I would be pretty darn hungry, but I also noticed those days were days I was so busy that I didn't drink as much water either. Thankfully this only happened a few times. This last week though, I was like a bottomless pit, but now that I read dybarra's post I'm thinking it could have had to with the fact that I've upped my exercise routine quite a bit.

I am only 5.5 months post-op, but so far my 1st and 4th period after surgery were horrible where the cramps were concerned (but I've had horrific periods since I got them at 11). The great thing that happened for me is my cycle became regular since surgery...it was way off before. Immediately after surgery I didn't really have any cravings (but did before) and basically crave and want to eat foods now because I feel that getting something in my stomach will somehow take away the bloating and cramps, which my brain knows really isn't true.

Hi Maddie, I think you are making a good decision to have surgery. I turned 30 a few months ago and am so excited to do things in this decade that I was unable to do in my 20's. As for my experience with your concerns (remember everyone's different)... 1) Lactose Intolerance, does this happen to everyone? If it should happen, does it go away or am I stuck with it? I've had this issue for my entire life, I still eat yogurt, but some cheeses and dairy products will get to me, it's just always been a part of my life, so I guess I don't find it that bad...sorry no answer to your question, my surgeon said it might happen for some and not others. 2) The hair loss ?...I'm expecting it to happen but my hair is the only thing I get compliments on. Will it grow back? Will it be like it used to be? You'll see, you will get so many more compliments on other things when you start getting healthier. My hair loss started around 2 months post-op and started to slow down around 4.5 months post-op. I'm still losing more than normal and do not notice new growth, but it's still pretty thick. 3) Bowel issues...as a child I had lots of bowel issues and I can still remember the horrible experiences. Will constipation always be a problem after VSG? Honestly is has been a problem for me since I've had my surgery. I always was a very regular person (2-4 bm's per day), so this was something that I've had to work on. Now, 5.5 months out, I usually can go every other day and I know foods (spinach, applesauce, even pita chips) that can help me go...sometimes I will start cramping really bad and then realize it has been a couple/few days and try to up my Water and add in the Fiber...it usually helps. 4) Alcohol...I do enjoy a drink now and then. Will I be able to enjoy a glass of wine or a vodka drink? I would not attempt this until way further out. I gave up drinking a couple years ago when my husband and I started to try for a baby, now I'd rather use calories for other splurges (a couple of french fries or bites of ice cream), but I've read of many other wls patients who have had no problems with this. Good luck on your journey! It has been such a great thing for me and I think you will be so pleased with it as well.

Thanks Shawna and Tiff for the words of encouragement. I will definitely get through this! I just got back from shopping and Jenny Craig. Picked up a few meals and am excited to use them for breakfast and lunch this upcoming week. I also set a goal there of 140 lbs. (there scale weighed me lighter than my own and this was dressed in the middle of the afternoon after eating steak for lunch), but my goal is still 148 on my own scale. Shawna, don't be scared because unlike every other time, I am not regaining and getting depressed about it so gaining more. The VSG has helped me to break that vicious cycle. It's like I told my mom before surgery, a big part of why I need this tool is because I know myself and I want to be able to not gain when I come to a place like this and have a chance to get my head on right again in order to keep losing. I hope that makes some sort of sense.

I'm almost to my 6 month mark and this is typically where (in the past) I start to lose dedication/motivation to living a healthier lifestyle. THANK GOD I have the sleeve! Because this last week all healthy eating pretty much flew out the window. I was like a bottomless pit and did not fill that pit with the good protein I should have. Both Thursday and Friday I bought a bag of chips from the vending machine AND yesterday bought a bag of candy from their as well and had nachos for lunch. I could sense it coming too. That's why last weekend I called to make an appointment with Jenny Craig. I realized that I do not have time/desire to cook (it was so different when I was off work this fall--I used my cookbooks, planned out and made meals, etc.) when driving 80 miles round trip for work and 30 miles round trip for exercise. I'm going in this afternoon just to pick up some food...I explained about the wls and how I just wanted access to their food and they seemed fine with that. I know frozen, processed foods are not the best, but for right now I need the ease and structure. I figure one meal per day will last me for breakfast and lunch and then I'll buy a couple more for dinners during the week. I like these better than the ones sold in the grocery stores and they have a whole lot less sodium. On the other side, I'm still keeping up with my exercise routine, but it's getting harder. My body has been so exhausted. One night I got home and could barely move, but made myself get ready and drive the 25 minutes to class. It really helps that I made the goal of becoming an instructor because that is what keeps me going right now. I knew I was expected to teach a couple of routines so I had to be there. I WILL get passed this 6 month hurdle (still two weeks to go) and come out victorious because of this great tool! I even managed to lose a little this week, down 1.5 pounds since Monday, so I guess the extra calories aren't bad, I just need to make them healthier calories.

I was just looking at her and her daughter's pictures. I hope everything went well and can't wait for an update.

Are we supposed to taper off at some point? I'm on Prevacid Solutabs and initially had a 60 day prescription that ran out and after a week off them my heartburn was SO bad I had the surgeon call in a refill. I'm still on them (just got my third refill) and the surgeon hasn't said anything about it being unsafe to stay on them...is it?

I'm very sorry that you are having to deal with this right now. I told people about my surgery in advance and had mostly positive, but some negative reactions. With time I think the "advice" will become less especially if you don't engage in any conversations about it. I've told the same people over and over (when asked what I've been doing) about the surgery and they seem to forget about it in about a month and come to ask again what my "secret" is. So maybe if you don't bring it up, they will forget eventually too. Once I was sleeved there have been only positive comments since the deed was already done, once I perceived a negative reaction, but I turned out to be completely wrong. Good luck!

Welcome! It really does vary. I felt better about 1.5 weeks post-op (almost normal), but was still very exhausted in the afternoons. That went away and I started feeling pretty energetic around 4 weeks out.

Congratulations to both of you...only 10 days left now!!!

Welcome Margo! I also had to wait quite a while (5 weeks) before they could get me in for my consultation. The waiting sucked, but was so worth it. My consultation appointment was on June 24, and I had surgery scheduled for August 4. I had to meet with the nutritionist 2 times individually and then 1 time for a 3 hour class, had labs, an ekg, a barium swallow test, had my psych. eval, and had a sleep study (which I had to repeat a second time...long story). I was self pay, but I think this is about as long as it takes for insurance covered patients as well (not including if they have to do a 3, 6, 9 month diet for approval).

Congratulations!!! Welcome to the world of being a sleeved person. I wish you well on your recovery.

I got one that has sand (I think) in it--it's called the "stay ball," so it helps it from rolling around and me sliding off. I really like it, but have not pushed myself to use the dvd that came with it very often. I just kind of do a few reps of the same ab moves. Sitting up tall on it and bouncing is supposed to help, I planned on using it for that when on my laptop and/or watching television, but I always seem to find the sofa or chair more appealing.