Search the Community

Your feelings are totally normal! You can do this! When I got home from surgery I thought I would never be able to get through the first 30 days. I had 10 days clears, 10 days full liquids and 10 days soft foods (which is where I am now). Guess what, the time has flown by! I have 7 more days of soft foods and I can't believe it went so fast! For me the head hunger is the worst part of it. I know others don't have this but I do. I figured I probably would bf I had the surgery so I knew I just have to deal with it. It is getting better! I know I will eventually be able to have all of the things I love so it's not too bad. Also, I was one of the lucky ones that didn't have any nausea after surgery so you may be just as lucky. I still haven't had any. When I try something new I take a tiny sip or bite and see how it sits in my sleeve bf I take more. If it doesn't feel right I don't eat anymore and will try that food/drink again later on! Hang in there and keep us posted on how you are after surgery!

Thank you for your posts. I think that creatinglee answered carolyn24seven's question about why Kaiser makes us lose 10% of our weight before they will schedule the surgery. It's tough, but it'll all be worth it in the long run. I was a sugar addict but I've been off the sugar for a few weeks now, so I won't go thru withdrawals after surgery. I AM also learning patience (I think)! Good luck creatinglee. Fremont is a little different. I had my pschyc appt last week and as soon as I've lost my last 5 lbs or so, I just call the surgery scheduler, she then sends my chart to my surgeon and then they call me with the surgery date. That's it. No caseworker involved. Strange, isn't it, that it's the same company (Kaiser No. Cal.) but they work in different ways from one location to the next. Keep my posted, please. I'll do the same.:001_tongue:

Hi Nopatience, Welcome to VST. This is a great website with very helpful people. I really get it about the last five pounds. I'm at Kaiser Richmond. I have what I hoped would be my final pre-surgery weigh in tomorrow morning. Sunday I was 229, great. This morning, 230.6, not so great. I can't believe this is happening. I'm so ready to get to goal and get a case manager appointment so I can get a surgery date. I've eaten very light today and I'm headed down to the gym now to walk as long as my ankle allows (surgery last year). After walking, I'll do the weight machines. I'm determined to be at 230 (with clothes) in the morning. Carolyn, there have been studies that suggest that people that lose 10% of their weight pre-op have less complications post-op. I think that Kaiser really goes with those type of studies. It also makes sure that people are really serious about doing the work both pre and post op. For me, it's given me time to really explore. I thought I wanted the band but discovered in my month before meeting my surgeon that I would only consider the Sleeve. I'm glad I had time to really figure it out and be sure. That said, I want my Sleeve TOMORROW! :001_tongue:

Two weeks from today is my surgery date. I've got my registration and hospital testing scheduled next week and I am alternating between being excited and wanting to cancel everything. My husband admitted that he sort of wishes I wasn't doing it - he worries I'll lose too much weight, and he likes "curvy girls," and is definitely a boob guy, which I already knew. But he said that logically it makes sense to get this done since I'm having difficulties now, and he wants me to be healthy and hadn't said anything because he knew he was being irrational (about the appearance factor), and he loves me, I'm his best friend, and he supports me. But he's also a little scared that things will change so much that I won't love him as much any more. Sigh. And of course there are no guarantees in all of this - we'll just have to do our best to stay committed to our relationship and communicating as we go along and hope that we come through it all still wanting to be with each other. We've been married just over 12 years, so I'd like to think we have weathered most crap that can break up a marriage (serious health issues, infertility, extreme family issues) and still managed to come through that without too much damage. That being said, I am also worried about losing too much weight. I don't want to be a size 4 or even a size 10. I would be much happier to be a size 14-16. That would mean me losing around 110 pounds, which is in the realm of "average" weight loss for my size/height. But then I read about most of the sleevers losing so much weight that they are sizes 4-10 and that bothers me since I thought the sleeve was supposed to be for losing an average of 60-70% of the excess weight? So a whole lot of folks on here are either crazy successful with their sleeves or the average loss is higher than what my doc told me. I would be fine with some saggy skin, but I don't want to lose my boobs/butt or my hourglass shape, and sure as hell don't want to have to get a boob job with implants to make up for the fact that my boobs "deflated." I just want to be a good weight to be able to get my flexibility and stamina back and feel like going out and doing all the things I used to enjoy... and still look good (which I don't think I will if I got down lower than a size 14). It does seem like after a certain point - about a year out? - you can control how much weight you put back on once the sleeve adjusts and you're able to eat any food, so I told him even if I got down to a lower weight than I wanted, I can always increase the calories to make sure I get back to my goal weight. I'm pretty sure that would work?

None of us can predict the outcome of this surgery as individuals down to pounds lost - that's why there are statistics.However, I'm willing to bet that you don't need to worry. I could EASILY gain weight - probably every pound I lost. I'm a size 8/10, (started at a 24/26) but would rather be in a 6. I could probably get there if I worked super, super hard. I think a lot of people work hard to get to those smaller sizes - it was not magic or mysterious in any way. As you lose weight, you'll start to learn what it takes to lose it, and then when you get to a weight you want, you'll figure out what it takes to stay there. Barring any unforeseen problems, you can choose your weight, especially when you want to weight more. It's pretty easy to get in a few high calorie things to accomplish that. Most of us struggle trying to get off a few more pounds, and that's when your body might refuse to drop more weight - not the other way around.

yes everyone please keep this going....I know dr's are all over the board about what to eat and when so it also helps to see where ya'll are in your journey....like.... 2 mos out ....or 6 mos out.... then we can kind of see how it all progresses....lets get this going again. I'm only 10 days out but heres my day b- protein shake from v8 strawberry/banana smoothie with 1 1/2 scoops of unflavored powder l- Yoplait greek yogurt d- 1 egg with turkey sausage bits and cheddar cheese.... I'm so sorry about this post... I can't make the spacing and new paragraphs work....idk!

My vitamin D level was 10 before surgery and they didn't postpone it. Just increased the vitamin D supplement I was already going to start post-op.

It's your life and your health! It will be the best thing you will ever do for yourself. My knees are destroyed from waiting till 56 to do this surgery. I have a huge regret, why did I not do this 10 years ago. Our lives are incredibly difficult being obese, prejudice, pain and unhealthy.

I am post op 10 days today, went to the er last night for bad dehydration so keeeeep Hydrated they said have some pedialite pops for the electrolytes sound like you need more fluids

I'm curious when most people felt well enough to go to a show? I'm trying to plan for my surgery in late nov and between holidays and kids' events I'm really struggling. Do you think I will be able to sit through my daughter's ballet recital 7 days out? Maybe 10 days out? Will o be miserable on xmas if it's 10days post op. I do have young children so want to enjoy it with them. TIA

My daughter has alopecia totalis, started when she was about 12. We tried the topical creams and treatments, but I drew the line at systemic steroids and we focused on getting her the best scalp prosthesis we could. She did incredibly well once she moved to a vacuum wig and a couple of years ago her hair started growing back. She ditched the wig about a month ago (she's 19 now) and is growing in a full head of hair with only one thin spot. Now she's been diagnosed with an auto-immune arthritis, so we're heading down the rabbit hole on that one now. Hugs for going through it, it's terribly traumatic.

I was recently diagnosed with sjogrens and am about 20 lbs from goal weight but the extreme fatigue and joint pain has put a damper on any workouts that I may have concocted in my head[emoji36] and that is very frustrating! I was banded in 2013, removal in 2015 and VSG 10/20/16. Fatigue started in 2015 but I thought once the weight came off I would start to feel better but had no idea that I had sjogren until about 2 months ago. So I am still learning what the new me looks like.

Often, especially early on in a bandster's journey, they will post, frustrated by a stall or small gain...here's an explanation of why this happens: Our bodies use glycogen for short term energy storage. Glycogen is not very soluble, but it is stored in our muscles for quick energy -- one pound of glycogen requires 4 lbs of Water to keep it soluble, and the average glycogen storage capacity is about 2 lbs. So, when you are not getting in enough food, your body turns first to stored glycogen, which is easy to break down for energy. And when you use up 2 lbs of glycogen, you also lose 8 lbs of water that was used to store it -- voila -- the "easy" 10 lbs that most people lose in the first week of a diet. As you stay in caloric deficit, however, your body starts to realize that this is not a short term problem. You start mobilizing fat from your adipose tissue and burning fat for energy. But your body also realizes that fat can't be used for short bursts of energy -- like, to outrun a sabertooth tiger. So, it starts converting some of the fat into glycogen, and rebuilding the glycogen stores. And as it puts back the 2 lbs of glycogen into the muscle, 8 lbs of water has to be stored with it to keep it soluble. So, even though you might still be LOSING energy content to your body, your weight will not go down or you might even GAIN for a while as you retain water to dissolve the glycogen that is being reformed and stored.

I'm 19 and my surgery will most likely be in October. My moms is next week and she's super supportive of me as well as my friends and the rest if my family, but no one else really understands! I'm frustrated I'm not losing weight before the surgery because I have to lose 5-10%. I could use some friends going through this too!

@@wannaBthinsoon Totally am with you on the gut thing. @sharkgirl. I bought jeggins last week and they "seemed" to fit when I got them. Wore them and they are baggy in the butt. Try smaller jeans and see if you can get ones with less spandex in them. I'm having "loving my body" time EXCEPT my gut....wtheck? I need a 12 for my waist and a 10 for my butt and thighs...arghhh!

I was a victim of the 10 day phenomenon too!! Actually, I am more hormonal and emotional now than I ever was before the surgery..... don't worry girl, it is all part of the process, and all for the greater good!!!!

U went from an 18/20 to a 12 in just over a month? That's insane! These posts are so inspiring, especially since I am just 6 days post op. I also started at a 18 and bought a size 10 dress for next spring. At this rate I will probably fit Into a lot earlier than then! plz share ur secrets people!

From a 16 to a 10 or 8 in jeans. XL or 1x to a M or L in tops! (surgery July 18) Shoes..8.5 to 7!

Hi I'm 19 scheduled for the sleeve April 15th I've been begging my parents for so long and now that It's finally here I'm soooo nervous but excited too. I need a weight loss buddy! Please! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Okay, I have been on here before when I was first "stoned". Got my information, read, read, read some more. I thought I was done after they did lithotripsy and a uteroscopy at the same time. Water Water Water. Had a follow up scan 7 months...guess what they're baa-ack!! Can somebody tell me waht is going on with my body? My stone profile shows no risk of developing stones, yet here they are...not just one but multiple stones on both sides. Is this a result of the band? I have no family history of stones, I have cut 10 grams of protein from my minimum, take no calcium supplements. I want to get to the cause not treat the symptom. My right side continually aches, I feel like crap most of the time. My leg bones(femurs) hurt. I am demoralized, depressed (situational I am sure) over this. BUT I am 63# lighter because of the band. I am at my sweet spot I believe. I feel so lost that something so great has happened to me and something so bad is developing. I drink my water, I know I am getting enough. Has anyone else had this happen to them:scared2:? Any input, info, other stories like mine would be so appreciated. Do I go to my surgeon? My PC physician? My Urologist?Endocrinologist? Nephrologist.:ohmy: Thanks a bunch all for listening to me whine.

Debly, I, too, had a relatively low BMI, around 36. I've dieted all my life, losing and gaining. Every decade that went by, I managed to pack on an additional 10 lbs. I never thought I was "that fat" and I thought I carried it well, because I didn't look as heavy as what the scale said. In my 30's, the dr would say I needed to lose weight. In my 40's the dr would say I need to lose weight. When I turned 50, the dr said that I needed to be on BP and cholesterol meds because of my weight. I went on a serious diet and couldn't lose, went to several hypnotists and couldn't lose, in fact, I gained more. So, I opted for surgery. I don't know how old you are, but believe me, age works against a person. When I was younger, this surgery wasn't available. I wish it had been. Although, I'm not too far out (3/12/12), I know I'm going to be glad I had this done. Better late than never. From what I understand, the hair loss is temporary, and you can do supplements to minimize it. And, since the health aspect of losing weight is the most important thing to me, I think....no one has ever had a stroke from thin hair! So, hair loss is unfortunate, but secondary of concern to me, at least.

Yes I dont have to do a liquid diet... I have to do a low carb diet for 10 days.. Sent from my iPhone using VST

Hey, just this morning I said to my husband, "Look, I've lost 10 pounds since February!" That's not a bad weight loss -- 10 lbs a month is fantastic -- in fact, I've pretty much lost 10 pounds a month since my 2nd or 3rd month -- the first month you're going to the lose the fastest -- but there after should be a regular, steady weight loss -- some months more, some months less -- but more or less the same. 16 lbs in one month is awesome!! Don't worry, you're still gonna lose! And a 5 week stall is not unheard of -- make sure you're eating your protein, getting in enough calories and drinking your water!

When did you start doing your 3hr workouts? At 2months out? I admire your tenacity!!! You're my hero????????✌????️???? I just want to make sure I am ready to push out a 3hr workout 4days/wk at 2mos out. Keep it up!!!!

The one thing that I've loved doing since surgery is answering questions on this forum. And making Youtube videos, trying to help those that are as nervous and unsure as I was pre-op. I tried my hand at blogging about my adventure, but my life got really boring and normal very quickly. So I ran out of stuff to blog about. :-( http://www.bariatricpal.com/blog/9018-gastric-sleeve-surgery-an-unexpected-journey So now I'm trying my hand at writing books. :-) Get my free eBook - The Top 10 WLS Fears and How to Kick Their Butt!