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Well, I would love to be posting with excitement and enthusiasm. It is there, bubbling under the surface. It wants to come out. I just have to be careful. I have started so many many times before. I remember sitting in a weight watchers meeting in a basement of some office building, being led by a woman wearing a dress that looked like it went out of style 20 years before she lost the weight she was when it first fit her. I remember the sadness I felt being there and the desperation and sense of failure that must have driven us all to sit on these metal folding chairs in this basement, getting weighed and hoping some of the words the leader said or one of us said would be the thing that would make it happen and we could be thin and happy. So here I am again. 5 years post-op. I finally came to the band believing that my weight wasn't my fault and I didn't really need to have control. That my body's desire to be fat was genetic and biological (see all my fat relatives?) and really I had to admit that and to stop trying to diet to be thin. I lost about 65 lbs, mostly during the liquid diet stage and a few months post-op. But then I started some bad habits and also developed some complications and then got pregnant and then had really bad complications (throwing up bile every night in my sleep). So I got the band repositioned and thankfully have not suffered that symptom again. But I also have not gone back to the eating with the band that helped me lose weight. I still use food as my entertainment and comfort and choose a lot of sweet and carby food. So I gained about 20lbs back. I would need to lose 90lbs to get to my ultimate goal weight. Can I do that? I haven't weighed that little since I was 9 years old. To lose weight in a healthy way, I would need to seriously reduce my calorie intake and increase my exercise. To get the ball rolling, I am going to start a liquid diet. This will help me to reset the clock, take the focus away from food and give me time to plan menus.

So after much consideration I decided I would go ahead and blog my sleeve journey.... I wasn't going to because of keeping up with it but after surgery I find myself on this forum 3 and 4 times a day! So I guess I'll start out with why I decided to even get the sleeve and go from there This first blog will be long!! sorry!! In May this year, I had a meeting with my knee doc who explained to me that if I did not lose at least 60 to 80 lbs in the next year I would have to have a knee replacement because it was simply not holding up to my weight requirements. I cried and complained, went on yet another diet and failed and then ran across an ad for Dr Nicholson's weight loss seminar. I thought yay! I'll get the lap band and get this weight off! Well, I went to the seminar and loved him and all of the information, if you can possibly absorb all of that info in one setting! Anyway, after hearing the info I went home off on my own new journey to find the best option for me because what he was saying about the lap band was definitely going to be a no go. I did not want to deal with the fills and unfills and the possible erosion complication just from the info he was giving me. I started to look at video blogs of people with the lap band and couldn't believe it! There were problems with food getting stuck, vomiting if your food didn't like your band (ex: a piece of lettuce covering your opening), NOPE! the band was def a no go for me.. I did not like the extreme of the RNY or Gastric Bypass but the sleeve seemed like a good fit for me! Low complication rate, quick recovery, back to normal (albeit smaller portions) food after a couple of months and people are keeping the weight off! So I sent off my paperwork to Dr Nicholson's clinic!! Now for the Doom and gloom .. lol My Aetna policy has a weight loss surgery exclusion on my policy, as I am self employed so if I was going to consider going on with the surgery I was going to have to self pay. I contacted several medical financing companies and even my bank but for what I was doing and the associated costs it was just simply not going to happen. As I said before, I am self employed, as is my husband so those are hard circumstances to get financed for a large unsecured loan like I was talking about, approx $14K. Now, you have to know my personality, if I want something, I don't just sit back, I am a go getter and something like financing was not going to hold me back! I researched and dug and found a couple of companies would either 1) finance me or 2) do it for much cheaper. I was thrilled! Until I learned that these surgeries were in Mexico AHHHH!!! Are you kidding me?!?! Surgery in Mexico?!?! Don't they harvest your organs there?!?! I know, I went a bit overboard but I couldn't believe I could afford it so it was at least looking into right? Well, I researched lots of Dr's in Mexico and decided on Dr Jose Rodriguez in Juarez. He operated out Star Medica hospital. I researched his credentials, his staff, the hospital, the area and on and on. I found out that he had been doing these surgeries longer than Dr Nicholson and had a low complication rate. He was out of a company called Belite Weight and they would finance half of the surgery for me as long as I could cover the other half up front! Woo Hoo! So Mexico it was!!! Now for the surgery My surgery was scheduled for June 29th and I was completely prepared. I did the preop diet of Dr Rod's choice, basically the Atkins diet but with 50 carbs a day. I could handle that, as a matter of fact my husband and daughter (21 yrs) went on it with me and we lost weight! I lost 19.2, my husband 30 and my daughter 10.4. I was so stoked to get on with this surgery! I had bought our airline tickets in the early part of June and gotten our birth certificates to cross the border (don't believe the hype, the birth certificates worked just fine, no problems!) finance documents signed, family doc here on board with my journey, and so on and so on. I was prepared! We landed in El Paso and the hospital sent a shuttle for us to take us across the border to the hospital. We crossed the border and Juarez was a pit... a desolate pit. Scary as a matter of fact, sand lots with kids playing in them, people living in conditions I couldn't even fathom! They lived in cinder block houses!! businesses boarded up, people driving like idiots, I freaked completely out! I thought, what the HELL have I gotten myself into?!? Now, please know at this point that my husband and my daughter insisted on going with me so I am not alone but there were 2 other women there who were alone! I couldn't imagine being alone! Well, we finally got to the hospital and man was I relieved!! It was so nice! It was super clean, modern, smelled nice (not hospitally lol) so completely different from the outskirts of Juarez! There was mall across the street, nice restaurants within walking distance, the US Consolates office was 2 blocks away. Couldn't have been more pleased! Anyway, we did a brief stay at the front desk (I was with 4 other patients) to get our arm bands, checked in, pre op, etc. All went well and we headed up to our rooms. I was completely floored! It looked like a spa hotel room with 2 rooms, leather couches, cushy futon with giant pillows and a really nice bathroom. So nice! I was calming down at this point and happy we were in a safe area!! Day of Surgery!! I was so nervous the morning of the surgery! They came in and drew blood and took my vitals and EKG the day before so the day of surgery you don't have much to do or think of except that you are about to embark on a journey of a lifetime! Your choice! The thoughts that went through my mind were... 1) What if I am not one of those people who recovers quickly? 2) What if I die on the operating table? 3) What if I need a blood transfusion? How does that work in Mexico? Do they have the same strict testing as the US? (the answer is yes by the way lol I asked!) 4) What if I don't get to see my grandson ever again? CRAZY questions!! My mind was playing tricks on me and I was doing this surgery electively!! What the crap was wrong with me? doing this in Mexico no less?! My husband was wonderful in calming me down and so I just cried instead of backing out =) When they finally came and got me around 11:30 I was about ready to just back out, call it quits and go back home, stomach in tow! lol They got me down to preop and I was praying (along with my husband :wub: ) that everything would be fine, quick recovery, the whole bit! I remember them giving me something to "relax" me and off I went..... I woke up in recovery and they wheeled me back up to my room quickly so I was with my family. I had a little gas under my shoulder blade and a little pain from the drain site but great other than that! I got up after about and hour and walked walked walked! The gas pain went away after the first day and I never really had any nausea problems so I was a lucky one!! God is good!! My mom and her boyfriend came to the hospital to see me, yep! they drove in my Dallas and came to Juarez for 2 days to spend some time with me! I love my supportive family <3 My whole family and all of my friends were so supportive and good to me the whole time! I love them all!! Anyway, fast forward a couple of days to going home!! Home again, Home again, jiggity jog!! We left for the airport around 9:30 am although our flight wasn't until 1:30pm. We needed to make sure we got across the border in time to catch our flight and had heard horror stories about it taking sometimes 3 hours to get across. Lucky for us, it was the Mexican Election day!! There were only 3 people ahead of us to get through the border so less then 20 min to get across! Woo Hoo! We got to the airport with plenty of time to shop, go through security and time for me to sit down and rest for a while. The flight home was uneventful and once home I was content to take a nap =) Happy to see my kitties (Bella and Momma) and my 12 year old lab Buddy. I have a grandson that is 1 year old and lives with us and seeing him made me melt!! There is nothing better than a grandbaby!! I love him dearly!! Well, after all that, I am home! I work from home so it is nice to be able to work, nap, sip sip, work, sip sip, nap lol I feel like one of the cats! I feel good though! I have walked, done some laundry, cleaned and even cooked a little. I will venture out tomorrow!!! Thanks for reading!!! They will be shorter here on out! PROMISE!! Oh by the way, my weight!!! 6/15/2012 247 lbs 6/29/2012 227 lbs -19.2 lbs 7/1/2012 229 lbs (gotta love the IV fluid and being swollen!0

Hello: I had lap band surgery with Dr Carson Liu in March of 2005 and did not have a good experience, first off I almost died of a pulmanary embolism in both lungs, which Dr Liu blamed on my taking birth control pills when his staff never even asked if I was taking them and then when I called to find out if I could continue to take them I was told it was ok. So I was still in the hospital when I crashed sent to ICU - recovered then got a macular hemmorage in my eye - and more complications from there. Biggest issue is I did not lose any weight! I could never get the band to be in a place where it worked - I was either throwing everything up or could eat whatever I wanted. I recently had a Colonoscopy and the Dr told me the band was placed too high and that is probably why it never worked for me. Dr Liu is a competent surgeon, however if your surgery is not successful my experience was that he is not interested in helping you.

Hi Ya'll My gastric sleeve surgery was performed because I had a tumor on my stomach and the procedure to remove it is gastric bypass surgery. During this surgery they perforated my bowel and it caused poison to go all through my body and almost death. Now I am told that this error/complication is more common then I know. Well I would like some statistics now to see if it is worth fighting the bill I am going to get from that second surgery. Please share if you ran across this same complication as I really need to chat with someone regarding the after pain. Have a blessed day!!

This is something I have also wondered about....and I plan on talking to my Dr. about it before I'm 65.... Has nothing to do with loosing weight, the band did that just fine in that department...I'm just wondering about the long term...life time... Possible long term complications with the band? Versus the sleeve? I have no idea.....uncharted territory.... I have been banded for 3 years now, and I don't think about it anymore...I wonder that now that I am at that point, and I have formed new habits and the rules (some of them) have become practicable common sense....can I get something that is not adjustable with little or no maintenance? And still sustain me in the Green Zone? ie; no hunger, auto portions, etc? or will I have to go back to dieting, counting calories, etc, which I am absolutely terrible at.... Was the band a temporary quick fix to get me there...and the sleeve a permanent fixture? Don't know, just things I ponder and want to investigate..... Dr. did casually say something once but I did not pay attention....

Well I finally did it, took me over 10 yrs to commit, but I decided on the Gastric sleeve last October and took the steps necessary to make the surgery a reality! I have had a slow start, because I had some complications found in surgery, but was taken care of during my sleeve surgery. I have lost 10 lbs so far and hope when I am cleared for exercise that I will loose a little more quickly ???? I started at 242 in October and the day of my surgery weighed 205. I am now 195 and very excited to be under 200???? I hope to find others that were sleeved around the same time and can't wait to share stories and get ideas from each other!! Sent from my SM-G900V using the BariatricPal App

Helen, first off, be so proud of what you've accomplished. 85 lbs is amazing! As for eating too much lately...have you been eating more because you've been feeling hungry, or for other reasons. If you've been hungry, you might want to consider if a fill adjustment could help. You might need a small fill to get you back to good restriction. If it's not hunger, well, that's more complicated. I've seen people suggest that going back to basics can help, like going back to a liquid diet for a couple of days, but if you're eating for emotional or psychological reasons, that might not help. What might do more good is finding a local support group. Sharing stories and getting advice from other people always makes me feel stronger. Also, getting you mind off food by filling in time with other activities you love can also help make it through a rough time. Good luck!

Although I was never banded, there are many on this site who were banded and now are sleeved. You may want to scroll down a little and find that forum for additional support. Almost all of us have second thoughts, questioning "what am I doing?" Optional surgery is a choice. Many write a list of why they want surgery and what are the benefits. I have a new life without complications. Now I can do so many things that I would never have even thought of before. I hike without getting a rash on my inner thighs. No longer have to wear shorts under my skirts for the same reason. I buy clothes off the rack. I share meals when dining out and save a boat load of money. I feel better about myself. People treat me differently. I am healthy. I go to the gym more often. I stand in front when getting my picture taken, not behind someone. I am not always behind the camera. My children hug me in public more often. My mom thinks I am too thin, since I am her size now. My dad is proud of my ability to keep the weight off. I have a chin...not three. What else can you add? The new you is just around the corner. I have no regrets - except maybe not getting this done earlier.

My mom and sister had GB 4 and 6 years ago respectively and both are doing great BUT they use their surgeries like banders do. As a TOOL. My sister's husband also had GB after my sis and he's gained most of his weight back and blames the surgery for not working. He eats til he pukes then goes back and eats some more. My reasons for looking into LB: Don't have to cut up and rearrange my insides. I only started gaining weight in my early 20's and have about 100lbs to lose. I'm hoping to avoid PS with a slower loss and less time being fat overall. My mom and sis were both very heavy ALL of their lives. Very important - shorter down time. I have a toddler at home and a husband who's a fireman and on duty half the week. I can't be down for weeks and weeks. Another very important - less risk during surgery. Yes, it is surgery and there is ALWAYS a risk of dying or major complications, BUT the risk is dramatically decreased with LB vs. GB surgery. Less chance of malnutrition problems, dumping syndrome, puking b/c something doesn't agree with you, etc. The adjustability of the band. Although I'm going to have to travel several hours for fills and un-fills, I like the idea of being able to have an adjustable tool to help me keep the weight off. I don't mind the hard work. It's the working so hard only to see the weight come back again and again that I hate. I lost 60lbs on WW and felt great. Hit a bump in the road and never recovered from getting stuck in my process. Ended up gaining all but 10lbs of it back. I've since been fooling with the same darn 10lbs for the last year. It ticks me off and I'm tired of trying so hard and not getting anywhere. SO, I've started this process and we'll see where it takes me. I don't want to be the fat mom when my DD starts school. I hate meeting my DH's co-workers for the first time and wondering what they think (he's 6'3" and about 190, I'm 5'3" and 236). I'm tired of being tired and things being sore or stiff and being winded when I climb a hill or stairs. SO, for me, LB is the way to go. I'd suggest that you make a list of pros and cons and go from there. You have to work hard with any WLS so if you are looking at WLS then you need to look at all aspects of all of them. I'd suggest hanging out on this board and reading the good, bad and ugly. Yes, it sounds scary but at least you'll be informed. And you are going to hear a lot of ugly sometimes b/c people come here to talk about it in order to get some help or just find that they aren't the only ones. Personally, I'd rather hear about ALL of it before-hand then find out about some of this the hard way AFTER! Okay, this was a very long post. Sorry! Best wishes in your decision!

It's been an interesting 10 months. I've had some ups and downs along the way. But im happy to say that things are finally coming together. Im getting healthier and Im definitely happier. Im currently down 90 pounds. Trying to it my 100 pound mark by my 1 year surgiversary (April 1St). I am extremely happy I had this surgery. I needed it. My knees and my feet couldn't take my weight anymore. I was having constant pain in my back, I had trouble sleeping. Dieting just hadn't worked for me in the past and my exercising was limited. I was in fear of getting diabetes and most of all dying young. I was tired of being depressed and unhappy. I had my surgery April 1St, 2014. I am now down 90 pounds from where I was (280). And I have 60 pounds left to get to my goal (130). This surgery has been one of the decisions I have ever made. But I am in no way shape or form saying it is easy. Because it sure isn't. The main thing to remember about this surgery and the other surgerys is to reach optimal results YOU MUST DO YOUR PART. Yes you will lose weight but if you don't do your part it will return. I've seen it. My mom and my sister have both had the surgery as well different times. My sister had it a year before me and my mom had hers over 10 years ago. They both struggle with their weight now. My mom was down to 180 at her lowest she lost 150pounds and struggles now a days and fluctuates between 215 and 240. My sister had lost 100 pounds and was down to 240. She's now at 260. The reason why they are struggling is because they didn't adapt and make a lifestyle change. You must eat better you must exercise. Im not saying go run a marathon (unless you want too). But just add a little 30min exercise to your day. It might not seem like a lot but it's an extra 30 minutes of exercises that you weren't going to do. You don't need a gym membership. Squats, lunges, push ups, sit ups, crunches, torso twists, kicks, walking, etc etc etc is all FREE! AND BE REALISTIC! This is the problem my sister and my mom have and it's normal. My mom noticed more that I was exercising more and she got inspired and motivated and that's awesome. So what did she do? She started on day 1: 90 sit ups!!! Really? I don't even do 90 sit ups yet. I mean I probably could but im not trying to hurt myself the point is to progress. Anyway...what happens with the 90 push ups. The next day she's in so much pain she can barely bend down to tie her shoes and what happens next? No more sit ups. The point im trying to make is be realistic. You don't have to kill yourself right off at the start. It's a gradual process. Start small and work toward a greater goal. If she would have done what I suggested start of 25 sit ups and then gradually increase by 5 she would ultimately get to 90 because she wouldn't be in so much pain and she wouldn't give up because your changing it up and your progressing. BE REALISTIC...RESULTS WILL COME. I do zumba at home, I work out at home. Im starting to go to the gym now though. Eating better is important!!! Diet is key. I'm not saying starve yourself. You will get no where with that. Plan your means ahead of time. I started doing this and it's helped me so much I don't have to think about it. I don't get tempted as much. It's great. The main thing is GET YOUR Protein IN FIRST...then your veggies then your carbs. Stay way from sugary things. Fruits will satisfy that sugary craving usually. And there is nothing wrong with giving into your temptation. This surgery is not only physical it is a mental one and it takes your mind longer to catch up to speed. It's going to keep thinking you can eat the things you were and the quantity. Example: my husband had texted me he was going to order pizza for dinner one day. I told him to order a medium pizza. He asked if i was sure amd i said yes. Normally we would have gotten 2 large pizza's.(there is a purpose to this) The whole time I was at work I was literally thinking about all the pizza I was going to eat. How many slices! Yum! I couldn't wait. I decided before I got home I was going to have 2 slices maybe 3! I got home he was eating his pizza. I went to the box. At first I thought im gonna put the 2 slices on my plate. Then I was like no. I'll put only half of one on my plate when I finish I'll get up and get another. I ate the half of a slice of pizza and I was full and content. If I would have put the whole slice of pizza on the plate I probably would have make myself eat it even if I was full. And the point in buying a smaller pizza is...if I would have bought 2 large pies...he would be the one eating it all by himself. Which isn't good or healthy. Medium size pizza smaller slices...he had only ate 4 slices which u can equate to 2 maybe 3 large pizza slices and he was content. food is all mental. Im not in no way shape or form saying pizza is healthy. Im just saying you can treat yourself...because not treating yourself can actually make you sabotage yourself, by binging or over eating. Complications I had along the way: 1. The day after I got sent home I found out I was allergic to the Tylenol and Codeine I was prescribed. My lip had swell like a balloon. Wasn't anything super major but I did go a whole day with out pain medication which was really ok. I did have pain but I still did move around. 2. About 3 weeks after my surgery, I went to the ER. I had a lot of abdominal pain. It felt like a pulling filling right at the incision above my belly button. Turns out it's the stitch that was there on the inside. It tends to kink at times and it was normal by readjusting myself and my position it but have kinked. 3. In September, I had a scare. I was working pretty much everyday 16 hour shift. It was the norm for me. I had 2 jobs. Well one day after I got out of work, I was driving and all of a sudden I began to shake. My body was shaking not like a seizure but like if I was cold. It was weird because I wasn't a cold night. I rolled up the window and proceeded. I was still shaking...teeth shattering cold...and it was painful. I was only 10mins from where I needed to be. I turned on the heat on high but the seat warmer on. I was still cold and my body was in excruciating pain. I was trying not to panic and I was afraid to stop. No one knew where I was and my phone was dead. My vision got blurred by the time I got to the house and my husband opened the door. I told him I wasn't feeling good and I was worried. He helped me up the stairs and I got so cold. I couldn't even hold a cup of Water my hands were shivering so much. He was going to take me to the hospital but I couldn't move I felt so faint when I stood up so he called 911. I went to the hospital. They did some tests. I had some kind of virus like a small 24 hr flu. My Iron, Vitamin D, and B12 levels were so low that I was pretty much running on Empty and my body was trying to reboot. It had no energy to fight off the virus so my immune system was compromised. Afterwards I was so weak and my body hurt. I had to take off from work until my levels were a little better. I was off for 2 months. Vitamin D deficiency sucks really bad. So be sure to be taking your Vitamins. I am now prescribed prescription strength vitamin D and have to get blood work every couple months. My levels still aren't where they need to be but they are a lot better than what they were and im able to function. This surgery is a journey lots of ups and downs along the way. But I believe it's well worth it and I would do it again. My journey isn't over yet....if you have any questions definitely message me!

Go to the forum for sleeve complications. There is a lot of knowledge and answers there. Don't get scared reading. Just make sure when in question for anything call your doc or go to er. Also send message to like RJ.

Thank you all for the list of names of doctors. I have also heard some good reviews for some of those doctors mentioned above. I have a few questions about after care. Also, if there is concern with leaks or any other major complications with the sleeve are you able to go back to the doctor to get it fixed?

Ditto on Dr. Ortiz and Dr. Martinez at Obesity Control Center. Everyone at OCC takes great care of you and I have no surgical complications. Love my sleeve.

It's been an interesting 10 months. I've had some ups and downs along the way. But im happy to say that things are finally coming together. Im getting healthier and Im definitely happier. Im currently down 90 pounds. Trying to it my 100 pound mark by my 1 year surgiversary (April 1St). I am extremely happy I had this surgery. I needed it. My knees and my feet couldn't take my weight anymore. I was having constant pain in my back, I had trouble sleeping. Dieting just hadn't worked for me in the past and my exercising was limited. I was in fear of getting diabetes and most of all dying young. I was tired of being depressed and unhappy. I had my surgery April 1St, 2014. I am now down 90 pounds from where I was (280). And I have 60 pounds left to get to my goal (130). This surgery has been one of the decisions I have ever made. But I am in no way shape or form saying it is easy. Because it sure isn't. The main thing to remember about this surgery and the other surgerys is to reach optimal results YOU MUST DO YOUR PART. Yes you will lose weight but if you don't do your part it will return. I've seen it. My mom and my sister have both had the surgery as well different times. My sister had it a year before me and my mom had hers over 10 years ago. They both struggle with their weight now. My mom was down to 180 at her lowest she lost 150pounds and struggles now a days and fluctuates between 215 and 240. My sister had lost 100 pounds and was down to 240. She's now at 260. The reason why they are struggling is because they didn't adapt and make a lifestyle change. You must eat better you must exercise. Im not saying go run a marathon (unless you want too). But just add a little 30min exercise to your day. It might not seem like a lot but it's an extra 30 minutes of exercises that you weren't going to do. You don't need a gym membership. Squats, lunges, push ups, sit ups, crunches, torso twists, kicks, walking, etc etc etc is all FREE! AND BE REALISTIC! This is the problem my sister and my mom have and it's normal. My mom noticed more that I was exercising more and she got inspired and motivated and that's awesome. So what did she do? She started on day 1: 90 sit ups!!! Really? I don't even do 90 sit ups yet. I mean I probably could but im not trying to hurt myself the point is to progress. Anyway...what happens with the 90 push ups. The next day she's in so much pain she can barely bend down to tie her shoes and what happens next? No more sit ups. The point im trying to make is be realistic. You don't have to kill yourself right off at the start. It's a gradual process. Start small and work toward a greater goal. If she would have done what I suggested start of 25 sit ups and then gradually increase by 5 she would ultimately get to 90 because she wouldn't be in so much pain and she wouldn't give up because your changing it up and your progressing. BE REALISTIC...RESULTS WILL COME. I do zumba at home, I work out at home. Im starting to go to the gym now though. Eating better is important!!! Diet is key. I'm not saying starve yourself. You will get no where with that. Plan your means ahead of time. I started doing this and it's helped me so much I don't have to think about it. I don't get tempted as much. It's great. The main thing is GET YOUR Protein IN FIRST...then your veggies then your carbs. Stay way from sugary things. Fruits will satisfy that sugary craving usually. And there is nothing wrong with giving into your temptation. This surgery is not only physical it is a mental one and it takes your mind longer to catch up to speed. It's going to keep thinking you can eat the things you were and the quantity. Example: my husband had texted me he was going to order pizza for dinner one day. I told him to order a medium pizza. He asked if i was sure amd i said yes. Normally we would have gotten 2 large pizza's.(there is a purpose to this) The whole time I was at work I was literally thinking about all the pizza I was going to eat. How many slices! Yum! I couldn't wait. I decided before I got home I was going to have 2 slices maybe 3! I got home he was eating his pizza. I went to the box. At first I thought im gonna put the 2 slices on my plate. Then I was like no. I'll put only half of one on my plate when I finish I'll get up and get another. I ate the half of a slice of pizza and I was full and content. If I would have put the whole slice of pizza on the plate I probably would have make myself eat it even if I was full. And the point in buying a smaller pizza is...if I would have bought 2 large pies...he would be the one eating it all by himself. Which isn't good or healthy. Medium size pizza smaller slices...he had only ate 4 slices which u can equate to 2 maybe 3 large pizza slices and he was content. food is all mental. Im not in no way shape or form saying pizza is healthy. Im just saying you can treat yourself...because not treating yourself can actually make you sabotage yourself, by binging or over eating. Complications I had along the way: 1. The day after I got sent home I found out I was allergic to the Tylenol and Codeine I was prescribed. My lip had swell like a balloon. Wasn't anything super major but I did go a whole day with out pain medication which was really ok. I did have pain but I still did move around. 2. About 3 weeks after my surgery, I went to the ER. I had a lot of abdominal pain. It felt like a pulling filling right at the incision above my belly button. Turns out it's the stitch that was there on the inside. It tends to kink at times and it was normal by readjusting myself and my position it but have kinked. 3. In September, I had a scare. I was working pretty much everyday 16 hour shift. It was the norm for me. I had 2 jobs. Well one day after I got out of work, I was driving and all of a sudden I began to shake. My body was shaking not like a seizure but like if I was cold. It was weird because I wasn't a cold night. I rolled up the window and proceeded. I was still shaking...teeth shattering cold...and it was painful. I was only 10mins from where I needed to be. I turned on the heat on high but the seat warmer on. I was still cold and my body was in excruciating pain. I was trying not to panic and I was afraid to stop. No one knew where I was and my phone was dead. My vision got blurred by the time I got to the house and my husband opened the door. I told him I wasn't feeling good and I was worried. He helped me up the stairs and I got so cold. I couldn't even hold a cup of Water my hands were shivering so much. He was going to take me to the hospital but I couldn't move I felt so faint when I stood up so he called 911. I went to the hospital. They did some tests. I had some kind of virus like a small 24 hr flu. My Iron, Vitamin D, and B12 levels were so low that I was pretty much running on Empty and my body was trying to reboot. It had no energy to fight off the virus so my immune system was compromised. Afterwards I was so weak and my body hurt. I had to take off from work until my levels were a little better. I was off for 2 months. Vitamin D deficiency sucks really bad. So be sure to be taking your Vitamins. I am now prescribed prescription strength vitamin D and have to get blood work every couple months. My levels still aren't where they need to be but they are a lot better than what they were and im able to function. This surgery is a journey lots of ups and downs along the way. But I believe it's well worth it and I would do it again. My journey isn't over yet....if you have any questions definitely message me!

Your question makes me wonder yet again what the best method is for tracking (I have been having a hard time deciding what is best for me---counting protein, cals, carbs, fat...ugh!!)1000-1200 seems about right for someone of my age/size/gender, but seems low for a male...I always thought it was closer to 2000 a day for a man, but not sure if that's to maintain where you are or lose...sorry, guess I'm no help, but your topic is one I, too ponder. I thought about counting cals, but have decided to count my carbs instead, as those seem to be the hardest for me to resist, and I figure if I stay under 50 net per day, I should see some results...counting cals always seems like the least complicated to me...maybe I should do that...ooohhh decisions, decisions, good luck to you!!

My husband was not supportive at first. I had to educate him on complications of obesity-- and the fact that I had been overweight so long, I didn't know what "fullness" was. I had tried on my own, changing my eating habits, but only for a season...The more he was educated, the more he realized this elective surgery was no longer a choice... I would have had it without his support but he sure has encouraged me so far. It's not about being "skinny" or " looking good". I'm in my 40s, those days are long gone. It's about health, and feeling good and keeping up with the kids and working full time. I certainly hope this site can provide the encouragement if you can't obtain it by your family.

I kind have been slacking on my pre op diet . Like I commit throughout the day and at the end I'm just starving and bitter about the world and cave in to a somewhat healthy alternative outside of the list of foods you can eat with the 2 week diet . Also I been smoking weed everyday still I told the psychologist on my team and he told me as long as I dont smoke at least 6 weeks post op my operation he told me it was no big deal , just watch out for munchies . Which I honestly don't really get . And my operation is oct 6 . Anyways I'm reading the forums and I see people are more anti weed and received other news from their doctors . Anyways ... Should I be concerned about complications with my surgery.

I was banded by the doc in question in Denver... so that is my vote. He has been wonderful to me and totally took care of my when I had a complication. His price includes fills for 3 months and then after 3 months fills are only 15 bucks. I think once you add in airfare getting to Mexico for surgery and fills it becomes a wash financially. PM me if I can answer any questions about Dr K! I don't want to turn this into a Mexico vs US debate but from what I have read here on LBT choose your MX doc very carefully. Some have had great luck going south of the border others not so much. Good luck to you! :biggrin1:

I'm Friday August 1st and very much the same...nervous and excited most likely for different reasons than most. I had complications and this is a revision that is supposed to let me heal and feel better so I'm very hopeful for that!

Congrats! I had mine July 1st. So far no regrets and no complications 🤞🏽 I’m walking 30 mins daily on my treadmill and keeping clear fluids down. Next week I can start full liquids. Hope that goes smoothly as well.

I a, going to be having surgery in the next month with this husband/wife team and was curious of anyone had any complications or any bad experiences with them?

So exciting for you! Congratulations, and I'm glad you didn't have any complications. Keep following the rules once you are home and hopefully it will be happy trails.

I'm 19 days post surgery, and I wouldn't go to the beach now. I do light driving, walking, and try to completely avoid lifting and bending. I have almost no pain and thank God, no leakage or other type of complications. However, I tire easily, especially in the sun and in crowded places. Too much noise, movement, action make me a bit dizzy and lightheaded. I went to the mall this past Saturday, and had to leave to the car 20 minutes after being inside. I wasn't like this before surgery, so I know it's part of the recuperation process. My body and mind are still in recovery, and I know I must be careful to what I expose them to. Another issue that has come up is depression, better yet: anxiety. This is something I wasn't familiar with either. Never had anxiety, only mild depression on PMS days. This time though, it's different! I panick easy, I become terrified and immensely emotional. It hits me at any moment. It's mindboggling and almost unbelievable given my pre-op personality. Be careful. I wasn't prepared for all the different physical changes and sensations. And I especially wasn't prepared for the emotional challenges. Given the way I've felt, I wouldn't go the beach on such a hot, crowded, noisy day. But, hopefully your experience will be different and you will be able to enjoy a day at the beach. Best wishes!

I had my sg 5/28/09 and I have had some complications (port that leaked and had to be replaced) but even with all that, yes it is worth it. I am about to hit 50lbs lost and feel like I can do this now... It is work, some days are very hard, and some days you question your sanity for letting someone cut 5 holes in you to keep you from eating. But obesity is a disease and I have had it all my life, I have never been able to kick it on my own and for the first time I feel I not only can but will... Good luck to you.

No I mean 158. I had my band removed due to complications at the same time and had the sleeve done. I hope the water weight doesn't stay for too long. I'm following everything to a T.