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Hey everyone! I am still in recovery from having surgery a few days ago. I have been sharing my experiences on IG and have planned to continue posting about my progress (hopefully lol). I like to see other people's journeys as well, and I do see a lot on this app however I feel like it's not very personable though. If anyone wants to follow each other so we can share ideas moving forward, I would love to make some new Instagram friends. Please leave your IG below if you'd like to follow each other's journeys! My IG is: aryb_vsg Thanks!!! Sleeved 10/10/17 • HW 280 (3/1/17) • SW 259 (10/10) • GW 180 (TBD)

I feel a little out of the ordinary here. I took a little over four weeks off. I want to be solid in my routine before I go back to work (I work in an office - but they're 10 hour shifts.)

Hi all, I had my sleeve surgery March 5th 2014 with zero complications and lost 130 lbs my first year. I got pregnant 1.5 years out and gained 20 lbs during the pregnancy, and that weight came off very quickly after delivery. But unfortunately during the pregnancy my hunger came back full force, and I stretched my sleeve no doubt. My baby is 13 months old now and I feel like even though I still can't eat as much as I was once able, I am able to eat more than I am supposed to, also I am slipping calorie-wise. I was doing so well the first couple years, I had fought the head hunger to where it wasn't a problem, and now it is back. Making unhealthy eating choices, etc. I have not gained back much, 10 lbs or less, but it is noticeable (clothes are snug and overall feeling sluggish and terrible.) Those who are years out, how do you keep focused? This is a lifetime commitment and I should NOT be struggling at only 3 years out!! I feel like I need to start from square one, with Protein shakes and all that. Please any advice is much appreciated.

Note to self... NO STOCKING UP. Got it! I am really into makeup and all that jazz, so one of the things I am booking before surgery is to get eyelash extensions so when I wake up, I'll feel all pretty. lol On a scale of 1-10, how bad was the pain after? I was thinking of just bringing flowing dresses, would yoga pants be too constricting on the wounds? I plan on walking as soon as I wake up, I'm afraid of a blood clot forming so I plan to WALK WALK WALK! I really appreciate y'alls input.

Congratulations! I had a bypass on November 5th. I was worried about pain and what recovery would be like. I spent two nights in the hospital and had plenty of pain meds while there. I also took pain meds when I got home but not nearly as many. Get up and walk more than they tell you to. It can be exhausting at first but it really does help with gas pains you may have. Follow your surgeons advice, ask lots of questions if things are not clear. I am 10 days out and get tired but my husband and I hung new blinds a few days ago so I figure I am not doing too bad at this point. Good luck tomorrow!

Bariatric surgery is not a quick fix for severe obesity. What comes after the actual surgery matters a lot too. Weight regain is normal and is not something to be ashamed about. But, hopefully, the amount of weight regain is minimal and can be managed. Bariatric surgery isn't like shopping at a convenience store. It requires a care team that appreciates and addressed the nutritional, psychological, physical activity and other challenges that occur in the years after the surgery. https://www.forbes.com/sites/brucelee/2018/10/22/what-happens-after-bariatric-surgery-makes-a-big-difference/#4e3dce3c29b1

Just got the Revision from a 2013 LSG to DS 10 days ago. I'm recovering well and seeing excellent results. Everything went better than expected. Just graduated to Puree stage today after four weeks of a liquid diet. The diet was satisfying and I never went hungry. Now I'm adding some new foods to my diet for this 2 week stage. In these COVID-19 times, the hospital does not allow visitors so no family could visit during my 5 day stay. I had four other required procedures that week for a total of 3 surgeries over 4 days. I've seen a lot of great, relevant information on this forum. I look forward to getting through the journey with all of you.

Below is an edited version from 3 weeks ago when I was conceivably talking about getting a bypass with the medical group. Now the Doctor Thinks a Sleeve Would be Better Then a Bypass. With battling weight most of my life 10 years ago I got a lap band put in. I am now 57 years old, 15 years ago I was diagnosed with type two diabetes At the time my Lap Band was put in my weight was 230 pounds. That might not sound like a lot of weight but for a male 5’8 it was a lot for me. In addition to having type two diabetes I have also had two neck surgeries and three back surgeries over the years. The Lap Band gave me significant weight loss. I got down from 230 to 160-165. I also lowered my Metformin from 1000 mg to 500 mg. I lost approximately 70 pounds of weight and maintained this weight for about nine years. To say that it was an easy road for me would be lying, I was constantly having the band loosened tightened loose and tightened like being on a roller coaster. I had problems with the Lap Band being so tight that I was having major acid reflux problems. In addition to that I had some small ulcers around my esophagus next to my Lap Band. Last year I decided I had enough of this and had a lot of Fluid taken out of my band. The major acid reflex went away immediately however, I still have some ongoing small minor heartburn and a small cough because the Lap Band is still in place but a lot of the fluid has been taken out. Because of that removal of fluid I have gained back for the first time in 10 years 35 pounds. Now I am back up to taking the same amount of diabetic medicine Metformin 1000 mg because of the 35 pound weight gain. The bariatric center in Los Angeles is now recommending that I conceivably switch to a Sleeve. This decision is not completely final yet and the acid reflex problems I’ve had for so many years which only really developed soon after getting the Lap Band 10 years ago. As in all surgeries there are risk concerns for changing the body anatomy, any advice or opinions from anyone that has been down this same kind of road would be much appreciated. Thank you for your time and concern. Hopefully one day I can help someone else.

Experience is very important but you also have to consider the travel time. What if you are having some type of complication or another and cant get there? Plus like you said he has done gastric for 10 years. In my opinion, it seems doing a lap band would be a piece of cake for him. Plus he wouldnt have been certified if he didnt know what he was doing. Another thing to think of is that he is not going to be the only one in the room. Im sure someone else though they may not be the one doing the surgery have seen one done and could assist him if the need be.

I'm newly banded - surgery date was 9/28, at the time of surgery my doctor usually puts in 3CC's so you feel restriction right away - I had my first fill on 10/20 and when they checked how many CCs I had and he put in 4 at the time of sugery - so with my first fill I'm up to 5... but i still feel hungry between meals and I'm sure its hungry not just head hungry because my stomach growls... I drink all of my liquids a day and eat my protein etc, but I think that I might need another fill already...is this possible so soon? I know everyone is different, But how many fills did it take you to feel restricted? How many CC's?

It sounds like there is a variety of ways people respond to the sleeve in terms of what they can eat, So there is a gamble in that sense. I had the VBG 12 years ago and could not eat healthy foods. The opening was the size of a dime and the pouch was the size of an egg, so I was very restricted in how much and what types of food.I could eat.....after 10 years the opening got blocked and I had to have surgery to remove half the band...the back half is still in place. Now, I can eat anything, the size is still restricted because of the stapling that had been done so it sort of sounds like it is comparable to the sleeve but I also gained the weight back. I am trying to determine if havign the sleeve done will be worth it....if it will restrict the amount I can eat more than I am restricted now. So Does anyone know the diameter of the sleeve? From what I have been reading it seems lots of people have had problems digesting certain foods or feeling full and uncomfortable. From the diagrams of the sleeve it looks a lot bigger around than the size of a dime yet people describe their experiences which sound exactly like what I went throgh with the VBG. The pouch was the size of an egg and the opening was the size of a dime.....but with the sleeve it is the whole length of the stomach, so I am puzzled when people say their sleeve feels full or they feel uncomfortable with what they have eaten because the sleeze looks a lot bigger than the pouch was.....I hope I explained that clearly enough for people to understand...... Any thoughts?

I just went for my seminar and they said I have to be on a liquid diet for 10 days prior to surgery. The insurnace lady said that if you have gained any weight they cancell the surgery on the spot. But she said that 90% of the patients lose 8-10 lbs on the liquid diet. Are you going to have to do the same? That would be a great way to lose the weight and shrink your liver at the same time, maybe call and ask the surgical nurse her thoughts on this. Best of luck to you and congrats on the approval.~Mandy

The lap band is different than other surgeries, I would find someone more experienced. I have a surgeon only 10 minutes from my house but he has only done around 300. The surgeon I chose has done 3,000 and is 1 hr away. Go with experience!!

I am a single mother of two wonderful boys. I have been divorced for 2 1/2 years now. I have battled my weight my entire life. FINALLY, there is a way out!! I have tried just about ever diet out there: slimfast, weight watchers (4xs), cutting calories, metabolife, trim spa, hermal remidies, ect.... I have also bought so many exercise programs - i could make my own : the firm; walking off the pounds; turbo jam; windsor pilates, gazelle, billy blanks circut training, jazzercise, ect..... so this is my last resort! I have to do something now or i know i will just continue on this distructive path and end up so large ~ my health will suffer much more than it already is. I attended the SCOR Lap-Band Seminar April 18, 2006. My weight is 210 and i'm 5'3. I had researched online and spoke to family before even committing to attending. Luckily my family was behind me 100%. I was excited before i ever got there. I had looked into my insurance policy before even going also ~ it's not excluded however i've been on plenty of diets but none of them have been medically supervised. So, that was my biggest fear of not getting approved. There just is NO possible way i can self-pay. I made my inital consult w/Dr. Powells office for April 26th, 2006. My insurance pre-determination said i needed 3 years of physician supervised weight loss attempts. I told them there way no way that was plan specific ~ so we continued with the consult anyway. I was told i was a good candidate for the surgery and i had to get my psych and nutritional evaluations done and then we could sumbit to insurance. I had already gotten all of my medical files for the past 5 years before coming to this appointment~ i didn't want any delays My psych exam was May 5th ~ seemed easy enough, just a bunch of questions and a computer test. May 10th met w/ psychologist for review of my psych results ~ it was a student and she told me she was going to suggest my surgery be placed on hold until i seek Pyschiatric help to re-evaluate my current depression meds and further counseling. I was OUT RAGED!! What did she think has been causing my depression all of these years? OH well, i called Myra (Dr. Powells nurse) and we decided for a second opinion. However, the nutritionist did clear me and said she saw the medical neccessity needed for the surgery and her report. May 17th~ I went to Dr.Howard Smith - a psychiatrist - and he cleared me on the spot after 30 minutes of talking to me. Thank Goodness~~i was getting worried. Friday May 26th ~ my paperwork has been mailed to my insurance company~~it was too large to fax - LOL. June 1st ~ insurance has received my paperwork! I am gonna call every other day until i hear something probably. I'm just afraid that it will just sit on someones desk. Not likely w/my insurance - they are pretty on top of things. However they said it could take up to 28 days for review..uuuugggghhhh! June 19th ~ WWWHHHHOOOOO HHHOOOOOO!! I just called insurance and i am APPROVED! I am blessed to have such a great insurance company. I was afraid i would have some of the same issues as i have read about here and other boards. I am glad that i didn't. I talked to Myra(Dr Powells nurse)- and she was very excited for me and said as soon as she gets the letter she will call me and we can get set up to see Dr. Powell and get a surgery date :Dancing_biggrin: So, i called the office responsible for sending out the approval letter and she's not in..but the secretary said she'll e-mail her and try to get it printed and faxed to Dr. Powell's office by Wednesday :confused_smile: I am SO excited it seems sureal. I know it's not a quick fix ~ but a very valuable tool to help me get back to a healthy lifestyle. June 22, 2006 ~ met Dr. Powell today and got my lovely Myocel and surgery date :behindsofa: It is July 6th, 2006 @ 7:30am. I am SOOOOOOOOO excited. I'm sure i may be nervous the morning of, but right now it is a wonderful feeling knowing it's really gonna happen! June 25th, 2006 ~ OMG, that Myocel (vanilla) is AWFUL. I thought since i am used to drinking Slimfast that it would be alright. Well, after adding chocolate pudding mix (sugar free) it wasn't so bad. Tolerable atleast. I know i have to do it~ so i will. Went to Beth Moore Living Proof conference in OKC this weekend..it was SO awesome. All i could do was praise our God b/c he is GOOD. I prayed so much that this surgery would be his will and i could get approval. Well, obviously~~ it was and its great! June 26, 2006 ~ My surgery is ONLY 10 days away...i have to go get blood work done today-ewwww. OH well, just a means to an end :rolleyes2: June 28th, 2006 ~ atleast i'm getting used to drinking the protein shakes, but i'm pretty sure i will get the cholocate myocel next time! Kinda afraid to weigh myself ~ it's that time of the month...and it's probably better if i don't anyway. I'm still excited about surgery date ~ just trying to stay realistic though and not expect results too fast :lightbulb: Well, only 6 days left until surgery! I can hardly believe it's actually gonna happen. By no means am i expecting any miracles. I know this will be work ~ i am just gaining a very effective tool to help me. I am ready to be healthy! I want to be able to play with my kids as they grow up and grandkids when the time comes! God willing ~ i will be able to make this work. Better hit the sack :rolleyes5: :notagree June 30, 2006~~Ok guys, only 5 days until surgery! I have still been reading posts n this site and some others. There are some very unfortunate omplications that have risen from this band. I am trying to be optimistic, but not naive to this fact. So many people have lost weight in the first 6 weeks of healing, and some are having trouble losing even after fills. I know everyone is different. I also know its just a tool. I guess i'm just venting concern. I am still excited and wanting this surgery ~ just a little freaked out by what some have said here and there!!! Well, only 3 days left :rolleyes5: Yesterday i went to a family gathering and a friend of the family was there. She'd had the lap band back in May 2003. She almost died. She was following the post-op directions to the 'T' and lost 60lbs. Then all of a sudden she couldn't keep anything down. She got so ill~~~so many hospitals~~~ just awful. Fortunatly, God wasn't ready for her to come home yet. After removing the band and much rehab ~ she is alright now. I completly believe that the lapband is not for everyone. Don't quite know how to "know" who it is right for~~guess i'll find out. I belive in my heart that this is Gods will for me. Going to the store today to get post-op foods and such. Guess i'd better be going....update later :thumbsup: December 5th, 2006 I got banded July 6th, 2006 -so i have a new birthday! I haven't done so well with weight loss though. I am only down to 202 - so that's 10 lbs in 4 months!!! I now have a 2.4 cc in my band and i have major restriction. I'm really going to start trying to walk on the treadmill more - i have run out of excuses! I am not giving up ~ NO WAY~ never!!!! I will make this work!! I have to remember the band is just a TOOL... not a miracle worker by itself. So...i'll try to keep up - ttyl __________________ :)Jessica Stevens Dr. Powell 7-6-06 212/202/120

I am a single mother of two wonderful boys. I have been divorced for 2 1/2 years now. I have battled my weight my entire life. FINALLY, there is a way out!! I have tried just about ever diet out there: slimfast, weight watchers (4xs), cutting calories, metabolife, trim spa, hermal remidies, ect.... I have also bought so many exercise programs - i could make my own : the firm; walking off the pounds; turbo jam; windsor pilates, gazelle, billy blanks circut training, jazzercise, ect..... so this is my last resort! I have to do something now or i know i will just continue on this distructive path and end up so large ~ my health will suffer much more than it already is. I attended the SCOR Lap-Band Seminar April 18, 2006. My weight is 210 and i'm 5'3. I had researched online and spoke to family before even committing to attending. Luckily my family was behind me 100%. I was excited before i ever got there. I had looked into my insurance policy before even going also ~ it's not excluded however i've been on plenty of diets but none of them have been medically supervised. So, that was my biggest fear of not getting approved. There just is NO possible way i can self-pay. I made my inital consult w/Dr. Powells office for April 26th, 2006. My insurance pre-determination said i needed 3 years of physician supervised weight loss attempts. I told them there way no way that was plan specific ~ so we continued with the consult anyway. I was told i was a good candidate for the surgery and i had to get my psych and nutritional evaluations done and then we could sumbit to insurance. I had already gotten all of my medical files for the past 5 years before coming to this appointment~ i didn't want any delays My psych exam was May 5th ~ seemed easy enough, just a bunch of questions and a computer test. May 10th met w/ psychologist for review of my psych results ~ it was a student and she told me she was going to suggest my surgery be placed on hold until i seek Pyschiatric help to re-evaluate my current depression meds and further counseling. I was OUT RAGED!! What did she think has been causing my depression all of these years? OH well, i called Myra (Dr. Powells nurse) and we decided for a second opinion. However, the nutritionist did clear me and said she saw the medical neccessity needed for the surgery and her report. May 17th~ I went to Dr.Howard Smith - a psychiatrist - and he cleared me on the spot after 30 minutes of talking to me. Thank Goodness~~i was getting worried. Friday May 26th ~ my paperwork has been mailed to my insurance company~~it was too large to fax - LOL. June 1st ~ insurance has received my paperwork! I am gonna call every other day until i hear something probably. I'm just afraid that it will just sit on someones desk. Not likely w/my insurance - they are pretty on top of things. However they said it could take up to 28 days for review..uuuugggghhhh! June 19th ~ WWWHHHHOOOOO HHHOOOOOO!! I just called insurance and i am APPROVED! I am blessed to have such a great insurance company. I was afraid i would have some of the same issues as i have read about here and other boards. I am glad that i didn't. I talked to Myra(Dr Powells nurse)- and she was very excited for me and said as soon as she gets the letter she will call me and we can get set up to see Dr. Powell and get a surgery date So, i called the office responsible for sending out the approval letter and she's not in..but the secretary said she'll e-mail her and try to get it printed and faxed to Dr. Powell's office by Wednesday I am SO excited it seems sureal. I know it's not a quick fix ~ but a very valuable tool to help me get back to a healthy lifestyle. June 22, 2006 ~ met Dr. Powell today and got my lovely Myocel and surgery date It is July 6th, 2006 @ 7:30am. I am SOOOOOOOOO excited. I'm sure i may be nervous the morning of, but right now it is a wonderful feeling knowing it's really gonna happen! June 25th, 2006 ~ OMG, that Myocel (vanilla) is AWFUL. I thought since i am used to drinking Slimfast that it would be alright. Well, after adding chocolate pudding mix (sugar free) it wasn't so bad. Tolerable atleast. I know i have to do it~ so i will. Went to Beth Moore Living Proof conference in OKC this weekend..it was SO awesome. All i could do was praise our God b/c he is GOOD. I prayed so much that this surgery would be his will and i could get approval. Well, obviously~~ it was and its great! June 26, 2006 ~ My surgery is ONLY 10 days away...i have to go get blood work done today-ewwww. OH well, just a means to an end June 28th, 2006 ~ atleast i'm getting used to drinking the protein shakes, but i'm pretty sure i will get the cholocate myocel next time! Kinda afraid to weigh myself ~ it's that time of the month...and it's probably better if i don't anyway. I'm still excited about surgery date ~ just trying to stay realistic though and not expect results too fast Well, only 6 days left until surgery! I can hardly believe it's actually gonna happen. By no means am i expecting any miracles. I know this will be work ~ i am just gaining a very effective tool to help me. I am ready to be healthy! I want to be able to play with my kids as they grow up and grandkids when the time comes! God willing ~ i will be able to make this work. Better hit the sack :notagree June 30, 2006~~Ok guys, only 5 days until surgery! I have still been reading posts n this site and some others. There are some very unfortunate omplications that have risen from this band. I am trying to be optimistic, but not naive to this fact. So many people have lost weight in the first 6 weeks of healing, and some are having trouble losing even after fills. I know everyone is different. I also know its just a tool. I guess i'm just venting concern. I am still excited and wanting this surgery ~ just a little freaked out by what some have said here and there!!! Well, only 3 days left Yesterday i went to a family gathering and a friend of the family was there. She'd had the lap band back in May 2003. She almost died. She was following the post-op directions to the 'T' and lost 60lbs. Then all of a sudden she couldn't keep anything down. She got so ill~~~so many hospitals~~~ just awful. Fortunatly, God wasn't ready for her to come home yet. After removing the band and much rehab ~ she is alright now. I completly believe that the lapband is not for everyone. Don't quite know how to "know" who it is right for~~guess i'll find out. I belive in my heart that this is Gods will for me. Going to the store today to get post-op foods and such. Guess i'd better be going....update later December 5th, 2006 I got banded July 6th, 2006 -so i have a new birthday! I haven't done so well with weight loss though. I am only down to 202 - so that's 10 lbs in 4 months!!! I now have a 2.4 cc in my band and i have major restriction. I'm really going to start trying to walk on the treadmill more - i have run out of excuses! I am not giving up ~ NO WAY~ never!!!! I will make this work!! I have to remember the band is just a TOOL... not a miracle worker by itself. So...i'll try to keep up - ttyl __________________ :)Jessica Stevens Dr. Powell 7-6-06 212/202/120

I've lost 26 pounds, and I do see it in the mirror. I'm certainly not where I'm going to be, but I see a deflated, me. I was also able to wear a pair of pants yesterday, that I hadn't worn in over two years. Another confirmation! Koolkel - do you have pictures from before surgery? I think it's a good idea to repeat pictures at different weight loss intervals, and compare them side by side to the starting pictures. Our eyes can play tricks on us when looking in a mirror, but the pictures don't lie. Many years ago, when I was getting ready to start (yet another) diet, I had my sister come over and take a set of pictures of me in a two piece bathing suit; front, back and side views. Every 10 pounds she took another set. This was one of the greatest tools ever! After the first 10 pounds lost, I couldn't see anything in the mirror. But looking at the pictures, I could see bulges minimize, from where the bathing suit squeezed by skin. So - even though the mirror didn't reflect my progress, the pictures told me that things were happening. Good luck!

Jack has given you solid advice for it does seem to me like you are currently caught up in a self-destructive cycle of over-eating and then despising yourself. Forcing yourself to PB is likely part of the punishment which you force upon yourself for your so-called bad behaviour. Do as Jack has said: focus on your achievements to date. You have been successful in losing a lot of weight. And remember that we are all bandsters because we all have problems with food choices and with portion control. We all feel your pain and we have all worn the same T-shirt. Do try to avoid PBing because this can be bad for your band and your esophagus. If you do feel that you are in a period of your life where you will be prone to overeating for emotional reasons, get a defill; by doing this you will avoid stretching your pouch or causing your band to slip. You can always return to your journey later. And by the way, eating 8-10 ounces of roast beef is a much healthier choice than finishing an entire pizza. You might want to print out Jack's inspirational post and keep it where you can reread it from time to time. You have hit a rocky patch but I believe that you will do just fine. You have already lost an impressive amount of weight.

Well I started my journey at 315 lbs pre surgery. I got to 275 on surgery day with 10 months of dietician. Today I am exactly two months post op. And it made my day this morning to weigh in at 239!!!!! I cant ever remember being this weight. Besides buying new clothes and having them not fit in a month this has been the most rewarding, hard, scary and fulfilling thing I have done in a very long time. I hope all of you are feeling fulfilled and proud too. Keep up the good work!

We are seeking individuals that have had the lap band surgery (specifically the Realize lap band) within the last 6 months to participate in a clinical market study. Interviews are by telephone, can be scheduled between 9/28and 10/2, 60 minutes and participants receive $100. The purpose of this study is to understand what people think about the experience and how it can be improved. All results are reported anonymous and for he purpose of research only. Respond with interest to below contacts. Kind Regards, Jan Mallery-Groom RN Clinical Project Manager +510-922-9710 jmallery@recruitingresourcesllc.com

Anyone else suffering from anxiety who has recently had sleeve surgery? It has been hard. Not that I've had any major issues (please god) but I'm fixated on any new symptoms and wake up with a feeling of "oh god, how I am going to feel TODAY?" I'm on anti depressants and have a great surgical team who put up with my constant questions but having health anxiety and dealing with the aftermath of an operation is no fun. Every tiny new sensation opens up a massive pit of worry. I wish I could be more positive and stop focusing so much on how I physically feel. I guess I'm just feeling sorry for myself. And maybe hormones (I'm due my period in around 10 days) The general anaesthetic really messed with how I felt and I'm so tired as well. Sorry about the moaning amd groaning but I'm definitely getting buyers remorse about the whole thing... Sent from my MAR-LX1A using BariatricPal mobile app

Still here, still queer! Anyway... I'm disappointed that I didn't make my goal of 200lbs by today. I'm 3.8lbs shy but I know why 😬. Overall I am happy. I weight in a 255 on my surgery on 1/15/19. Today I'm 203. That's 51.2lbs in a little over 2 months!😀 I restarted my whole journey on 6/7/18 weighing in at 280. So altogether I've lost 76.2lbs! 😍 I lost my preop weight doing IF. I tried doing in for a while after my sx. It isn't compatible while my stomach is so restriving. Besides I eat so few calories (around 600 a day) I don't need IF yet. Now when I start upping my calories after 6 - 9 months I'll definitely be back to IF! I lift weight 3 to 4 days a week. I don't do cardio. 😞 I need to hop on the elliptical regularly. Once spring actually sticks around I'll try my feet at jogging!

I'm a low BMI 34.5 and I'm 35. I started pre-op on 10/21 surgery 11/5 and as of yesterday I'm down 21lbs started soft foods today. Sent from my iPad using LapBandTalk

Just thought I'd share a study I found in one of my medical journey subscriptions. Interesting read! Sleeve Gastrectomy Improves Testosterone Levels in Obese Men Thu, 10/08/15 - 11:39 Sleeve gastrectomy can normalize testosterone levels in men with obesity-related hypogonadism, according to a recent study. Previous research has suggested both the potential benefits of bariatric surgery to overall health and potential adverse effects of testosterone replacement therapy. For this reason, researchers aimed to investigate the effects of surgery-related weight loss on serum testosterone and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels. ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ RELATED CONTENT Bariatric Surgery Helps Relieve Asthma Symptoms Bariatric Surgery Can Lower Diabetes Risk by 80% ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ In their study, they followed 24 men undergoing laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, measuring their serum testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), and PSA levels before surgery, then again 3, 6, and 12 months after. Overall, the amount of men in the study with low serum testosterone levels dropped from 63% to 41% 12 months after surgery. “Our cohort experienced a significant increase in average serum testosterone as quickly as 3 months after sleeve gastrectomy and by 12 months, this value had increased from 295 to 423 ng/dL (p=0.003). DHEA showed a trend toward increase, from 12.8 to 39.6 ng/mL (p=0.12) and serum PSA concentration rose over 12 months from 0.62 to 0.75 ng/mL (p=0.047) with no change in PSA mass.” “The take home message is that if you are an obese man with low testosterone your therapy should be weight loss not testosterone replacement, and a successful way to achieve meaningful weight loss is through a bariatric operation,” they concluded. “This is a unique and beneficial finding for sleeve gastrectomy hasn’t been studied before, demonstrating for the first time, that testosterone levels are improved in a group of obese male patients following sleeve gastrectomy.” —Michael Potts References: Morton JM, Mokhrati T, Nair AA, et al. Male sex hormones normalize after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy. Paper presented at: The 2015 Clinical Congress of the American College of Surgeons. Chicago, IL. October 5, 2015. American College of Surgeons. Testosterone Levels Improve in Obese Men Following a Common Weight-Loss Operation [press release]. October 5, 2015. https://www.facs.org/media/press-releases/2015/morton. ‹ PREVIOUS ARTICLENEXT ARTICLE ›

I am feeling MUCH fuller with smaller amounts of food than pre surgery that is FOR SURE. Before surgery I could go out to dinner and eat an appetizer, full dinner, and dessert, plus drink 2-3 drinks. Now when we go to dinner I can't eat 1/2 of my food, only about 1/4. No appetizer or dessert, and of course no drinks. I have started ordering Water though because the waitresses look at you like you have three heads when you say "nothing to drink" and they try and talk you into water anyway so to save the hassle I just order water, plus I thought if I choked it would be good to have! LOL I feel satiated at all my meals no matter what I eat. Because I have to chew so much I want to get to the point that the meal is over. Food does not taste so good when you have to pulverize it in your mouth. As for calories, I'm still stuck on what to do to increase. I don't want to eat fattening food as I am eating healthy now, but if I bump up my portions it will be too much. Here is a typical day for me: one egg beater with some fat free cheese 50 cal two slices of turkey bacon 60 cal Protein shake 200 cal chicken salad with reduce fat mayo 150 cal wheat crackers 80 cal 1/2 an apple 50 cal reduced fat string cheese 60 cal handful of almonds 70 cal Ground turkey burger w reduced fat cheese (no bun) 80 cal 10 sweet potato fries (baked) 50 cal steamed broccoli with butter spray 40 cal IF I have a snack at night I will have sugar free cool whip inside two chocolate wafers and frozen (homemade ice cream sandwich) which is 50 cal or sugar free choc pudding which is 80 cal or sugar free Jello which is 60 cal I am getting a fill tomorrow, we'll see how it goes!!!

You may want to talk to your doctor about a realistic goal for your overall weight loss. I sort of guessed on the high side of what I know my body will carry. As I get closer to that number I am realizing that I may shoot past it because that is what my body is comfortable with. Each of us is very different. You will have to take into account your height, bone structure, and waist circumference as well. I am 5'6" and I am still in a size 10 pants at 142 pounds. I imagine I would be a size 8 at my goal weight. That still leaves a lot of fat and excess weight around my stomach that I should probably work on. I was comfortable in my 20's at 125, but that seems really extreme to me right now. By contrast, our friend LilMissDiva is the same height as me, weighs a little more than me, and fits into size 4 jeans. At some point, the weight is less important and the size is important. You are so early out - talk to your doctor about a realistic goal and stick with it. Don't worry about the numbers right now - stick to the doctors food plan and stay healthy. The weight will come off - it just takes time for the body to come to terms with what you did to it with the surgery.