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I haven't had surgery yet - July 28 (yay) but my surgeon said 10 days post op, not strenuous, he said it's one of the best things to do for your skin as well as for exercising. Sent from my KFTT using the BariatricPal App

My surgery is in 6 days (10/31), so last night I began writing a "Letter to Me" as suggested by my doctor. (Obviously, the purpose is to record the reasons you decided on WLS in case you later have second thoughts or need a bit of motivation to stay on track.) Writing this letter led me to think about my fears and what I kept returning to was my fear of gaining the weight back. I'm not afraid of the surgery, the pain, or even the drastic changes required in lifestyle and eating choices. I'm not even afraid of not losing weight. I know I'll be successful because I've done it so many times before. What I'm afraid of (we're talking "heart beating out of your chest type fear"), is that I'll gain it all back. (This is certainly exacerbated by the fact that I'm self-pay and having the surgery in the US.) I'm guessing that I speak for most everyone in their 50's when I say that we've spent much of the past 40 years on one diet or another. And I'm guessing that most of us have had tremendous successes. Those successes are fabulous until they're followed by the inevitable regain, which of course, is followed by doubts and the self-loathing. I have every intention of following my doctor's orders to a "T", I am optimistic, and frankly excited about this surgery; however, if I'm being truly honest with myself, I'd have to say that in most of my prior weight loss efforts, I had those same feelings. Every single time I was 100% certain that THIS TIME I WILL BE SUCCESSFUL! Those of you that have fought this battle and are winning (I know it will never be truly "won" and the fight will continue the rest of our lives), what made this experience different? Why did this one succeed when the myriad of other attempts failed? What advice do you have for me? I truly welcome your comments and advice. Many thanks,

I got banded in May of '10. It was never a happy rind for me. I was slowly raised to restriction 1cc at a time with a month in between fills until I reached 7 cc in an 11 cc band. Since surgery I have never been able to burp. I know weird right?? But never could. My band is fickle there are many days I can eat tons of food and days when I can't swallow my own spit with the same full level with no apparent reason why. I began having horrible reflux about a year and a half after surgery when previously I had no reflux at all. It began getting worse... I paid over $1000 for an EGD. I had horrible acid erosion in my esophagus. My band was unfilled, and I was immediately relieved! But... I gained weight back (~25#, over 6 months) I had lost about 75 with the band. I started at 240, and made it to 164. But after the unfill I was back up to close to 200. I was engaged at the time and wanted to lose some weight for my wedding and couldn't seem to get the weight off on my own so I refilled my band. I have no restriction at 4 cc, at 5 I have terrible reflux... I can't even tolerate the 7 that used to be my "sweet spot" but the truth was, for me even before the reflux the first time, my weight loss was from not being able to keep down food. I would retch after a few bites but still be ravenously hungry... It never was healthy weight loss in my opinion. But I needed the loss so I took it how ever I could find it. We just went on our honeymoon and something happened-- I stopped being able to hold food down at all. And my reflux which was mostly controlled with dexilant became horrible. I would wake up projectile vomiting straight stomach acid through my nose. I can feel every food I eat sitting in my esophagus for hours and hours... It bobs up and down. I can't even keep down broth at this point. I was in Italy until last week and could not do anything about it. When I returned home, we have recently moved and I am 5 hours away from my previous surgeon. No doc would unfill my band. I am completely suffering, can't keep down anything and the docs are basically telling me I need to pay them $1000 to be accepted as a transfer patient???? WTH??? I could get an unfill in dallas for $50! But I did pay the fee and was referred to have a barium swallow... I did that last Friday I was called after and told by the surgeons office that the band had slipped pretty dramatically and if I experienced and further "trauma or changes" to go the ER. But otherwise they would unfill me tomorrow when I finally get to meet the doc. I want the unfill, but I feat that because of the slip it may not fix the problem.... I figure they will push for removal and possible revision. I'm looking at my options. I want to have babies soon and I am a PCOS'er. I'm currently 170 pounds. I still do not have regular cycles. My re said the only way I would ever be able to ovulate on my own will be to get at or under my ideal body weight. Which I can't attain with the band in place and holding nothing down. I'm feeling very discouraged and need to know if anyone else had similar stories? I would like to know if anyone is a revision pt in the Austin Tx area... I would like to hear the good bad and uglies of the sleeve and if I should consider it or just leave my band unfilled in its place??? I'm scared and craving relief from the hell of my band. But I'm scared of a new procedure and what hells it might entail also... Advice??

I had my sleeve on 11/4 here in Jacksonville. Dr. Uchal at st Vincent’s riverside. I was self pay ($15,000 total includes hospital stay and follow visit). My BMI wasn’t high enough for insurance coverage. On the plus side, I got scheduled pretty quickly and didn’t have to jump through the hoops required when using insurance. I had 2 pre-op dietitian appointments (honestly pointless in my opinion. They could have just me with the info binder), blood work, EKG, and a chest X-ray. I have no co-morbidities. I didn’t do the pre surgery diet, just clear liquids the day before. The first 10 days sucked, not because of pain, but because of nausea. And I was starving. I couldn’t drink the nasty ass protein shakes, not for lack of trying. I just drank water basically. My surgeon told me don’t even worry about protein just stay hydrated. When I was allowed to have caffeine I started drinking the latte premier protein. I’m almost 2 months post and have lost 25.5 pounds. i eat things I shouldn’t sometimes (things that most people stay away from until goal, but it’s impossible to eat a lot of anything.

Surgery on 3/19 8:30 am Nauseated with dry heaves all day and night 3/20 much better. Peed on my own, walked a lot and drank small sips of Water and broth and released but did need pain meds 3/21 woke up with really tight back muscles, worst pain so far. Started farting this morning :-) Gas hasn't been bad as its coming out. So far so good. Keep the prayers coming. For those on the fence about surgery, I cried and almost left the hospital numerous times but just kept going through the motions... And, nothing has been as bad as I have imagined. I have a great surgeon... Still worried about leaks and clots, but I'm a hypochondriac! Can't wait until I feel I'll really be "okay" and start looking forward to my goals. :-) Best of luck to you! :-)

There are all kinds of very brief "exercise at work" suggestions. Just a couple of minutes standing up, stretching, or chair exercises might relieve some of the stress you are feeling about missing exercise. I do 10 minute walks because I can't face the prospect of a longer one. Maybe you could try a 5 minute walk at lunch, IF there's any time left over. Anything you do consistently, no matter how small, will build your exercise habit and get you headed toward more exercise in the future.

Hi Christina! 19 lbs is great! I'm 3 weeks post op and have to say that i was very similar last week losing 20 lbs and then nothing. Of course we eat almost nothing for those 2 weeks after surgery so weight is bound to come off. After a lot of reading here, i'm probably not getting enough calories in during the course of the day. I know i wasn't getting enough Protein, but the calories were 700 - 750 or day and that maybe my body was going into store mode instead of shed mode. OOPS. So i kicked up some calories 2 days ago to about 900-1000 (Still on mushies so i'm experimenting with meals to increase a bit yet til i'm on soft food by end of the week) and i've noticed a difference just in my energy level right there. The biggest change to my diet was adding in canned chicken & tuna, BLENDED to mush with light mayo. Gives me about 140 calories plus 15 grams of protein in 2 ozs or so. I also found that after adding some food the BM's improved greatly between these two weeks & the gas is all gone now. Hang in there, you'll be moving on to the next food group soon! It did get better for me & i'm only a week ahead!!!

I am pre-op and the vitamin sample packs from Celebrate were the very first ones I tried. And I was stupid and took them on an empty stomach my first time taking them, so yup, I vomited within 10 minutes. I am going to have two backup plans: ENS Shakes from Celebrate, and also liquid vitamins. I'll see what I tolerate best post-op. Good luck with the liquid vitamins!

I am 2 weeks post op. Down 19 pounds. I am not eating enough and I am exercising everyday. I feel tired and sluggish. Also lately, I was having trouble with BM so I took mucilax. Now I feel a slight burning sensation in my chest. Like heartburn but not as bad. I am getting frustrated. The scale has not moved in over a week, I am sluggish AND now my stomach feels irritated. Help

thanks Becky - truth is thats MY goal - when I started this journey I couldn't imagine getting below 150, so thats what I set it at. But to be in the "normal" bmi range I need to be at 140. I dont' care if I ever get to 140 or not. I'm with you I just want to look in the mirror and say "hey, not bad for a gramma!" I'm in a size 10, I hope after my tt I will get into a size 8 - and thats it - if I'm in a size 8 I'd be tickled pink! Well let me rephrase that - if I'm in a size 8 and I have a flat tummy - I'd be tickled pink!

ok, so 5/5/8 @ 7am i got my band. spent the entire day in the hospital. i was planning on doing it outpatient but as the day went on, and due to the gas pains, i stayed the night. they told me i wouldn't be able to eat until the next morning b/c of my upper GI that they had to do. after a little kicking and asking i got a bowl of chicken broth, Jello and h20 right around 9pm (Monday).. and i'll tell you that was the best freaking meal i can remember having in a long time. weird thing was that i put on 5 lbs in the hospital. i guess all the IV fluids and whatnot. did my upper GI today and left the hospital at 10:15am feeling pretty good. got some gas pains, but that is to be expected. i went on a little walk to p/u my daughter from her school. the walk was about 6blocks...and man, did it feel like someone kicked me right in the chest. or better yet, it felt like i was in a car accident and hit the steering wheel with my chest. but as soon as i sit down, i start to feel a little be better. had some broth today (twice) and had my first vanilla Protein smoothie (about 8oz). ...on the path. more updates to come.

Nope, I am all set for the sleeve. I've been looking into doing something like this for the last 10 years. I am not real keen on the idea of a bypass.

everyone leaves the hospital weighing more than they did when they went in because of all the IV fluids (which I believe contain sodium, which makes retention even worse!). I've heard of people "gaining" 10 or more lbs, in fact. It can take up to a week for them to work their way out of your system. You're probably fine. Even in phase 2, you're not taking in *nearly* enough calories to maintain your current weight - I'm sure it's water.

I had a brownie I can’t remember how far out I was maybe 10 weeks I know I didn’t get through all of it and I cramped for ages - what was I thinking??

I figured we could start communicating on the on the public forums. It is easier than private. How are you? I've been thinking about you and came across your post on this forum. It is a very emotional time for us, esp w/ the med situation. Know that I am here if you need me(public or private) I'd love to hear from others on this forum, too. I knew we had lots of issues in common, like the meds and such, but I didn't know our husbands were so much alike, too. I have done everything alone, too. If I was not (happily, but it is alot of work) married for 12 years now with two kids and so much "stuff" my husband and I have been through, I would feel exactly the way you do. I have just learned that that is the way he is, he works hard and cares alot about his family but I knew I'd be doing this alone until the day of my surgery. That is why I reach out to this website and to you. I would not even mention to my husband that I resent always being alone on these appts. I know that he is worried that something could happen to me, just as I am sure that is on your husband's mind. That could be why he doesn't want to talk or be involved with it(he could be really scared) How have you been with you on the pre-op diet? I was doing good during the first week, even cooking for everyone. Now I am hiding in my bedroom or leaving whenever it is their meal time. I ran to the market and got enough micro-dinners for the three of them to last until my surgery on July 7th. I feel guilty about that because the food is not very healthy and they are used to me cooking and sitting with them. My husband works 10 hour days as a UPS man and I have to feed them before he gets home. I am so weak and nervous now that I don't even think I will care this week if my 11 yr old son sits at the computer and my 8 yr old daughter plants herself infront of the TV all week. Isn't that awful? And on Tues, I have to drag them an hour to the city to go with me to my pre-surgery testing because I have nobody this week to stay with them. Oh well, everyone keeps telling me that it is not such a big deal, they'll survive and I am doing the right thing. Maybe it will get easier again this week. Another full week of liquids UGU!!! I know your surgey is the 2nd. Hope to hear from you before then. GOOD LUCK and don't worry about anything!

It has been one of those days to say the least. I called my insurance to check the status of my recently submitted papers for approval for bariatric surgery. To my dismay I was told I was denied because it wasn't medically neccessary. How can that be? My BMI is currently 66 and my weight is 422. I have sleep apnea and yes I sleep with a machine. I am borderline diabetic. I have high blood pressure. I have high cholesterol. I've got arthritis in my lower back, right hip, and my pelvis, making it very painful to do anything. I have Sciatic Nerve damage. I have Carpel Tunnel in both arms, and hands. I am ALWAYS out of breath. EVERYDAY I live in misery from the pain, and yet they say its not "Medically Neccessary". Are you kidding me? So now they are requesting a Peer to Peer with my bariatric surgeon, and yet the lady that handles the insurance stuff at the doctors office says she hasn't gotten a request. When they told me they sent one over, and their waiting on a response by tomorrow or else that's their final decision. I don't know what to do. I have come to far to give up now. I made sure I got clearance from my PCP, the Pulomonary Doctor, the Cardiologist, and the Gastroenterologist, and they ALL said it was "Medically Neccessary" for me to have the surgery. I also sent the last 10 years of medical papers showing that I have been battling with my weight forever. So now what? Does anyone know about Peer to Peer meetings and what are the chances of approval after having one?

Yes. I just cannot afford it state side, and I am worried about my health. A lot of women in my family are diabetic, and I am almost 36. Over the years I have yoyo'd so much weigh wise and I feel like this is what I need to help me take control of the situation. I have been heavy all my life. I lost a lot of weight in 2004 by doing Atkins, and got down to 156, my lowest weight (even lower than when I was a teen) and then I stopped eating low carb and woosh. But that's the way it works, and I have found that my inflammatory response is so great with sugar and gluten that I gain FAST. The past 12 years I have gone on and off and stayed around 210-230, but a few times I was up to about 250. Two years ago I was 250 and started eating ketogenic and lost 35 pounds in about 5 months, and since then I have maintained it, gained a little, lost it again, so I've been around 215-220. I was 218 on April 7 when I got married, we went on the honeymoon and I literally gained 10 pounds in 5 days. Two days ago I was 242.8 and I panicked and ate low carb most of the day but had dessert because I hadn't been 'ok, I'm going to strict low carb, just calm down say no to bread and starch today (but I did have a small ice cream serving after dinner)' and then yesterday I ate low carb all day and am down to 238.4, so that's something. My problem is, I have such a hard time sticking to the low carb All the time, but when I don't, all I eat is horrible-for-me foods, and a lot of them. I have food obsession and will eat even when I'm not hungry because I like to eat. Some friends of mine have had the surgery and had the same problem, and after surgery this impulse eating went away for them. I feel like this surgery will help me in multiple ways. The pre and post op diets are basically low carb, which I already know how to do, and I KNOW I will get results. I'm glad I know I like Isopure shakes already. I also know that if I do want to have some carby foods now and then down the road, they're only going to be a few bites because that's all I can have, so I will be less likely to gain AS much weight at one time, and that it will be easier to reset if I need to.

Thanks, jess_ga! I think I'll end up posting my results once a month. I did lose 10 pounds during pre-op dieting, so that was nice. good luck in August! Oh, and thanks for the heating pad idea. I wouldn't have thought of that! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

My journey started only about 9-10 months ago when I first learned about the VSG. I approached my doctor, she agreed, and we started the process for insurance. However, by about April of this year I was entirely fed up with the constant hoops they were making me jump through, and the co-pays I was having to pay even just to meet their requirements. I started looking into self-pay with little hope as I don't just have that kind of money lying around. Then I saw Alex's post for the $4399 surgery in Mexico. My brother had suggested looking at Tijuana surgeons, but I had shot it down. I did some digging, educated myself, asked a ton of questions, and within a month I had a down payment, and a surgery date scheduled with the BariatricPalMX team led by Dr. Illan. This all included getting picked up in San Diego, brought to Tijuana, the surgery, 2 nights stay in the hospital, 2 nights in the recovery condos. And then, voila! Time to go home. Being picked up and brought over was non-stressful, easy peasy. Stacy, who works for the BariatricPalMX team, did a great job at easing my mind on the drive over. She was so warm and welcoming! Once arriving at florence Hospital, I had blood drawn, an IV put in, and chest x-rays done. Soon after all the doctors started coming in (sorry, I don't remember all names). Everything was explained to me, every question I might've had was answered. I think the first time something happened that I wasn't expecting was straight out of surgery. I was in the recovery room outside the OR and I was in PAIN. Most people didn't seem to experience much pain, but I did. Whether it was gas pain or actual pain, I don't know. They gave me two doses of morphine, and that didn't do anything other than make me extremely warm and nauseas. After another hour or two, a different pain medicine was administered with some anti-nausea, something for gas, and then eventually something to prevent infection. The rest of that day I was really weak, really uncomfortable, and did some walking and breathing exercising as much as I could. I also will say, don't expect to get some restful sleep, haha. Nurses in and out every hour or two hours. But this is just a testament to how attentive and on top of it the staff was during this time. Which was truly appreciated and made me feel taken care of. The next morning I was taken for my leak test, and once that was passed, I was given some ice chips, Water, gatorade and apple juice. Of course coming off from the liquid diet I went straight for the apple juice. It tasted like heaven, but my new stomach didn't really agree. The sugar content didn't settle well. So I backtracked to the water, took that slow, and had to take a sip of the Gatorade (not G2) every 30 minutes or so to kind of work up to it. By late that night/early that morning, I was able to drink the Gatorade just fine! (btw Gas-X strips will be your best friends!) Wednesday we came here to the recovery condos, I began just been relaxing, sipping away at water and gatorade, working out the new timeline for the medicines that was prescribed. There was a very helpful packet outlining phases and what to have and not have. Luis was wonderful and took us out into TJ and we went to Caesar's where Josh (the boyfriend) had a good looking fish dish and I had the beef broth. It was delicious and I have yet to feel full, but have stopped myself in fear of taking in too much. While we were in the hospital, Roberto was great and always checking in on Josh and getting him food and drinks whenever he needed it. He was well taken care of even though he didn't want to leave my side. Dr. Illan came in and checked on my incisions the day before we moved to the recovery condo and to see how I was doing. Again, everyone was very attentive and caring, and just been great. I couldn't have asked for better attention and being put at ease. I'm so incredibly thankful and am now just easing forward and looking forward to healing and getting my life back on track now. Thank you to everyone! Dr. Illan, Bill, Stacy, Roberto, Luis, Rosa, Jessica, Denise, and every other doctor, nurse, or staff member who's played a hand in this and helped me reach this goal and start a new life.

Hi, my name is Sara and I am currently waiting for approval from my insurance company to have the vsg. I had to do a 24 week weightloss program through the surgeons office which I completed in July and I lost 48 pounds. I have not been doing so well since. I have pretty much maintained until a couple weeks ago when we went on vacation and I gained a good 10 pounds. I have not weighed since so I am hoping I lost some of that but I still am struggling with getting back on track. I am in Michigan and I plan on having my surgery with Dr. Kemmeter of Grand Health Partners in Grand Rapids, Michigan. I would love to hear from anyone who has had Dr. Kemmeter or anyone who has had their surgery through this office. It would be nice to have some support. I do plan on going into some of the surgical support groups prior to having surgery as well just to hear others stories. Thanks All! Sara

i had my daughter feb 19 and am having this done on oct 4. i will let you know next week if it were something i think i could have dealt w/ right after giving birth. i had to have a c-section so there was the recovery from that as well.

I was sleeved on 10/2/2018 and am down 47lbs. I feel like my progress is slow but steady. I’m actually in the 250’s for the first time in YEARS! My hubby and I have a Vegas trip planned in January and my gift to myself if I’m under 250 is to go horseback riding for the first time ever. I’ve never been under the maximum weight in my adult life so I’ve always avoided doing it. I know it will be cold but I don’t care. My butt will be freezing doing something I’ve always wanted to do. I’m so excited. Now to continue this hard work. I’m about 60ish lbs from where I think I want to be, which is under 200, and it finally feels like a realistic goal! Here’s to being sexy in Vegas. To all my fellow sleevers “We’ve got this”! HW - 306 SW - 298 CW - 259 GW - none (just to be under 200) Height - 5’8 1/2

I call tomorrow for my official surgery date but I will be getting mine done on/around December 19...I'm just under 2 months away! After 10+years of aiming to get this surgery (and failing every diet to kingdom come during that time) it feels surreal! I can't believe this is finally happening!

Yes I'm now 10 days out and only fighting "head hunger". I now truly understand what that means. I have not really had any physical hunger yet. I really hope it stays that way!! Today is my first post op. I'm down 13 pounds.

Unfortunately my experience is opposite of everyone else. Just thought you might want to hear a different perspective. I was having 3 surgeries diseased gallbladder removed.,hernia repair and the sleeve. I went into those surgeries so positive that I was going to heal really well and this was going to be the right thing for me and a lot easier then how I had lost the previous 180 pounds. The first 2 weeks were extremely easy. I was in the hospital 2 days and had very little pain, they kept me well medicated. When I got home my room mate was expecting me to take to the bed but I went right to the recliner. I was sewing making curtains less then 3 days later. I had no problems with drinking the Clear liquids and no problems with the full liquids. At one week out the Dr said my incisions were healing nicely and I looked wonderful. I was so happy as the first 10 days I lost 20 pounds. The 3rd through the 6th weeks have been very difficult for me. I feel very tired, emotional and don't feel as good as I did the first 2 weeks. You see at week 3 I was told to start eating an egg a day. As soon as I started to eat I had pain and now almost 6 weeks out I still have pain under the left breast. I can barely eat 1 1/2 to 2 oz of Protein at a meal. I am only suppose to eat 3 times a day. A lot of people who have been reading my postings are telling me I am not getting enough calories or food protein down. I told the Dr about the pain at the 1 month follow up and he claims that is normal and either I am eating too much or too fast. neither of which I am doing. In these past 3 1/2 weeks I have cried and never did the first 2 weeks. I am now sitting here wondering what have I done to myself? Since the first 10 days I have only lost 2 more pounds as this week at almost 6 weeks out I gained 6 pounds. I wonder if I am ever going to be able to eat more than 3 to 4 tip of the spoon bites without pain. I hate to sound so negative but I am frustrated and don't understand why 3 to 6 weeks out I am in so much pain when the first 2 went so wonderfully. I never expected to be feeling this way this far out from surgery. I hope and pray your surgery will be as easy as mine were. I also hope and pray you feel wonderful and will have no problems with eating when you get to that stage.