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I had my vsg/gallbladder surgery on January 10th 2017 @ 2pm. I had a couple complications during surgery which required for me to have a laparoscopic AND open surgery. I woke up from surgery with a pain score of 20+. The pain was so serve that I just wanted to be knocked out the whole time. I was given morphine(the whole hospital stay) which is a pain med I was already on for going on 6 years (chronic back pain/6 slipped disc)but just a little extra(which I was hooked up to a med machine)through my iv. So I followed instructions and walked as much as my body would allow me. I couldn't even sleep in the hospital bed because I was having issues breathing (when laying flat) and I couldn't keep getting in and out of the bed to go potty so I slept in the chair(recliner) that was by my bed. I stayed in the hospital a total of 3 and 1/2 days, with no meds. I feel better everyday(thank god) but now that I am almost two weeks out I'm still having some pain but its way better than before(its around a 6 or 7).... Sent from my LGMS550 using the BariatricPal App

Hey everyone. I wanted to thank each and every one for your continued support with my gastric bypass journey. I am almost 2 weeks out and start the puréed diet next week. My doctor says I can have flaked fish, eggs, and other things. I was wondering what other flaked fish I can have and how did some of you prepare it and what other foods did you have during this diet? I am excited to start trying new things cause soups get tiring after a while. Also, I cannot muster putting things in a blender so I don't think I will be doing that.

Yes, very very normal! It will slowly lessen each day and eventually disappear. It took me a few weeks. Hang in there!

I'm 40. Thanks for saying I look young! I feel like 40 is old, but I don't feel old. I hope my sagging tightens up too... I really don't want to have surgery for it because people say it is really painful. I started working out as soon as the doctor released me for exercise. I do the Leslie Sansone Walk Away the Pounds workout videos. I started with the 1 mile walk and it was hard to finish...now I've worked my way up to 4 miles with jogging and weights included. I exercise 4 to 5 times a week. I really think the exercise sped up my weight loss a lot. I notice that if I take a break, the loss slows down. But, sometimes we all need a break! Congrats on your loss so far!

Yeah that desire for a last meal is definitely not a singular even. Everything in my mind has its right to have a last meal with me. Lol. But I need to get my head on. I'm integrating steps into my life now that should be a habit by the time I get my surgery. I don't want to be too overwhelmed post op. but good news for me...just introducing mindful eating back into my life...I've lost 1.6 lbs this week. I would like to get as far under 300 as I can before surgery so that it's not so hard on me when I go under aenestesia.

So, for the last week, I have been wearing my normal bra, and its just to dang big, I can barely wear it as its just too big - This morning I decided to look in my drawer and found some smaller bra's and decided to try one on - I went from a 48 DDD to a 44 DD I am SOOOO happy, I have had Big girls for quite some time and if they get really small, it will not bother me at all!! LOL sorry I just had to share

Also the nerves in your stomach continue to heal for 8+ weeks after surgery, so your stomach isn't getting smaller, but your nerves can get better at detecting food in your stomach and relaying that info to your brain.

I would check with your doctor to see if you're even supposed to be taking Vitamins yet, which may be why they're making you sick. I had my band to sleeve revision on the 14th and I'm not allowed to take any vitamins until my 2 week post op appt on Tuesday. And then, it supposed to be in liquid form since I'm on liquids only for 3 weeks. Your post op instructions may be different, but just a thought.

my niece is in a contest on facebook! if you could go like her picture it would be appreciated! https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=563849200322900&set=pb.494062013968286.-2207520000.1373570817.&type=3&theater go like it!

My daughter's baby shower was this week and someone made one for her - it was great! She said she learned to do it on you tube.

Ur body has going through a lot give it time stick with ur protein and drink ur water and walk when u can my doctor told me not to worry about the scale too much for the first 3 months Sent from my SM-G965U using BariatricPal mobile app

Hello Carol, I take Arthritis Strength Tylonol, But I buy the Wal-Mart Equate Brand. A person can take two tablets 3 times in 24 hours and each tablet is 650 mg of actephetaphen (Mispelled). If you have a YMCA close by, check to see if they have an Aquatic (Swimming Pool) exercise program. It is a big help and also the Hot tub or sauna room is helpful for muscle and arthritis pain. I wish you all the best!!

I've lost 45 pounds so far. My goal is to lose 115. I am 40 years old. Before surgery, I didn't have any wrinkles or saggy skin -- not even around my eyes. I am about 9 weeks out from surgery. I now have wrinkles around my eye when I smile. This is especially right under my eyes and the outer edge. My eyes are in more than they used to be. My belly looks very wrinkly/saggy right now. Some of this is due to four pregnancies but is just more visible since I lost weight. I was surprised that my upper arms are already showing a little bit of bat wing. When I started, my arms were 14 inches around. I've lost about an inch and a half in each, so it isn't really that much. But there is flabby skin under there now, and I am hoping it doesn't get any worse. I started lifting weights including exercises that specifically target the back of my upper arms. I am also working on strengthening my core. As for my eyes, I can't do a lot about them. I'm not upset about it. I remember hearing when I was younger that wrinkles show that you had a life that gave you a reason to smile often. Before my surgery, I did sometimes wondered if I hadn't smiled enough although I have a life that should have merited it and now I have the wrinkles to prove it. I should say, I don't think the wrinkles make me look older. I think the weight I've lost in my face actually makes me look younger. Just today someone mentioned she couldn't believe I'm old enough to have a 17-year-old daughter. She thought I was in my late 20s or early 30s.

I told my teaching colleagues and they have been so supportive!! I had my surgery two weeks before school got out and I only missed three days and two half days. Once you are walking after surgery, I didn't find it hard to go back to the classroom. I was tired at the end of the day, but it got easier and easier every day. I know it's hard to decide who to tell and how much to keep private. I made my decision because I don't want to live like I am doing something wrong. I had surgery to help a medical problem, and I'm proud that I made that decision for myself and my family. Being a teacher is different than working in an office...there is a bond that teachers form in a school that I consider most of my colleagues my second family. I hope you can find a solution that gives you the best shot at success!!

I'm having my surgery Sept. 9 so I'm in the thick of this "who to tell" 'what to tell". Very relevant for me. I've been vacillating for weeks about what to say. In the end I've chosen to be forward to be upfront with everyone except my 91 yo mother. She has some dementia issues and is having a very difficult time with fixating on my daughters health problems now (high risk pregnancy hospitalization). She has caused me so much stress with her multiple phone calls and questions that I just can't go down this road with her. I will tell her my weight loss is tied to my gall bladder surgery, she had her gall bladder out so she is accepting of that. The thing that really ticks me off about the entire thing is WHY do I have to ask myself these questions about who would be accepting and who would not. I'm so tired of my weight being the topic of conversation for people. I'm sure the haters will all whisper "she had to have surgery, she has no control"

I got the same thing.. Was told that it is because is the surgery and cutting muscle... Put a heating pad on it.. 20 mins at a time.. It lasted a couple of weeks .. I am much Better.. Sleeved on 10/6.. No more pain!

I never thought I would post a success story as I deleted my every "before pic" that was horrible. But I found this goodie on an old laptop tonight. Ewww. First pic was taken a few months pre-surgery and second was taken last weekend. I will be 6 months out on the 6th of April - and am down 84lbs with 24lbs to go! Woo-hoo. No major complications, and I am loving life! Weeks leading up to my surgery all I was obsessed with watching youtube videos and forum pics of success stories, so thought I would share some of the love back and I can't wait to see how I look after a year!

I'm heading in for appointment number 1 today. I've got my binder all ready to go. They are going to think I'm a nut. It has the notes I took during my information session via webinar; a calendar for the several date options I would like to consider based on my teaching schedule (April, May, July); my documentation proof of 6 months of supervised diets as required by my insurance; copies of recent blood work and EKGs from my recent gallbladder surgery; pages of stuff I've found on this site and most importantly my list of questions for today. I've been thinking about WLS since 2004 when my then 60 year old mother had her bypass. I was heavy, but not heavy enough. I can remember joking with my PCP about being more than capable of gaining a few more pounds to qualify. But at the time I was working for United Airlines and our insurance policy specifically excluded all kinds of WLS. So I never actually thought I would be walking into a surgeon's office for this discussion. I retired from United and gained 35 pounds over the 10 years- neither of which I thought would happen. I'm a life long dieter. Diet pills in high school when I weighed 140lbs; Weight Watchers in college dropping from 160 to 140; Jenny Craig, many attempts at WW, South Beach, Atkins and most recently Ideal Protein. I even took Redux in the FenFen era. I have really good BCBS insurance now. Unfortunately I pay a fortune for it because my husband lost his job and we pay cobra. But since the payment is as big as the mortgage, I figured I should take advantage of it while I have it. The requirements for approval are surprisingly few- Be 18, have a BMI of 40 or 35 with co-morbid conditions; complete a psychological examination and participate in either a 6 month structured diet program or 2 three month consecutive programs. I'm 48. My BMI is 42. I did WW for 7 months in 2013 and Ideal Protein via my cardiologist for 9 weeks. I take BP medicine, a low dose aspirin, and a nitrate to reduce chest pains caused by a totally blocked small artery in my heart. So with the exception of the pysch eval- I'm already done with my requirements. It was a comment during a snow storm this winter that was really my light bulb moment. My 17 year old and husband headed out to sled one day and my daughter made a comment that broke my heart- She said "Mom, have you ever gone sledding with us? I can't remember even one time" OUCH! The truth hurts. I haven't done anything with my kids over the last 10 years and now they are all grown up. (17 & 20) I don't think my daughter ever understood because she was very heavy but never slowed down. I think she just thought I didn't want to do anything with them. Breaks my heart and I need to change that by being active with them moving forward. I want the 4 of us to do a Mud run kind of thing or ride the roller coasters at Cedar Point with them. (side note: my daughter stayed on WW and lost 65lbs in 2013 unlike the hubby and I who weigh more now) I have enjoyed lurking on these boards for the past view weeks and look forward to taking the plunge with all of you. Happy Friday!!! Amy

Well it's been 3 months since my surgery. A lot has changed obviously. The sleeve is a great tool, it's worked wonders for me so far. It's allowed me to make clear decisions about my health and diet choices. I'm working out around 4-5 times a week (30min weight lifting and 20min of cardio). I feel like my mental state is returning to normal. Those first few weeks of caloric deficit really alter your mental state. I've had some ups and downs. I lost my brother I was close to on December 5th. He had diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, etc. I was following his path in life. He was so proud of me for getting the surgery. He said I hope I can get it one day too. He died of a heart attack at the young age of 49. If I had not of had the surgery before they I would been in a completely different state now. I made it through the holidays. It was different not gorging on food,but honestly it felt so much better this way. I have clarity now I didn't have before. I enjoyed family more without focusing on food. Overall at work my mind is clearer and sharper. Just this week I returned to joking nature. I'm down about 70lbs. I would like to lose another 60. I start p90x next week and am looking forward to that. I tried to focus more on building muscle and not just losing weight. I feel so much better. See yall in 3 more months!

Hello VSG Family, I had my surgery on 09/21/11 in Juarez, MX. My surgeon was Dr. Jose Rodriguez and staff! Fantastic people!!! I would do it again if I got the same set of people. I am 3 weeks out, and down 22lbs. *Note: My photos have not been edited. They will load up to a large size on your screen. ("Close button is on the bottom right hand side.")They were taken on my cell phone while I was in the hospital, so please excuse any darkness and discrepencies. I get alot of questions like; What was it like? (Great Experience for me) Have you ever been there before? (Nope! Had to get a Passport and everything.) Where you scared? (Of course, but I needed this surgery -- so fear was not an option!) Keep in touch all.. *Note: There were 2 bathrooms in my room. *Note: There were 2 tv's in my room also.

My first two weeks, I lost and then gained half of it back when I started mushies/softs.. I talked to my Dr and he gave me a fill early. (Early as in my 2 wk appt)

Don't freak out! You're still healing from surgery and you have no restriction yet. My fiance was just banded and had the same problem, but he's about six weeks out and steadily losing again. Have faith...if the band can work for a lifelong yo-yo dieter like me, it will work for you!

My surgery was 5/22 and I've been feeling great ever since. Last night as I was laying down to bed, my tummy hurt. Well, not exactly my tummy...more like my chest. Kind of like heartburn, but not really. Sort of a light pressure on my chest. I didn't sleep well last night because of it. Now today, my tummy feels kind of barfy. Not really sore, but more like sour stomach. Here are the things I did yesterday that I think could have caused it: 1. I started taking a PPI yesterday (Pepcid), whereas I hadn't been taking one before. 2. I put Sriracha hot sauce in my Soup. 3. I was bending over adjusting cables in the back of our entertainment center, and maybe overdid my core muscles. Any thoughts on which of these things (if any) could have caused this icky feeling? I am bummed today, because I've been feeling so good.

My surgery was on a Monday morning and by Friday afternoon I was starting to feel some hunger. Saturday, I went out to my mom's and was drinking strained progresso soups all day. I was very ready for week two choices!

Don't worry, I'm about three weeks out. It does get better, but even now I still second guess myself and experience regret. I think it's normal, and even though it sucks, you'll get through it.