New guy here, you've GOT to read this!

[No game 14,437]

And no I haven't been drinking!!

I should really proof read these things before I send them out

[FromFlabToFab 268]

I've had an easy and amazing recovery only 9 weeks out but soooo happy I had the surgery. Can't wait to see what's to come it's an amazing feeling to wake up and not have food be the first thing on my mind and be able to just live life not centered around a fast food menu board. Good luck to everyone who is post and pre op.

[sfrias529 1]

I have really been going back and forth as whether to post here or not. I guess I am sort of a "forum person" in my hobbies and areas of interest' date=' but I have to be honest, I have avoided posting on this site or even looking at it for a couple of reasons. I found this site only a few days before my surgery but when I found it I found more negativity and frightened people then I found inspiration. Actually, I have gone here and gotten the (bleep) scared out of me by a few posters, every time I see their posts I get knots in my stomach. The main poster that does that to me has a screen name that starts with the letter "i". Everybody is terrified of leaks and all the negatives of this surgery and I just haven't been able to relate to many of the topics. Below I will share some of the basics of my journey so far. [/background']

First off, I am a 35 year old male who is 6 feet 3 inches tall. I wasn't fat my whole life, I actually weighed 218 when I was 19 years old. That was pretty close to a "perfect" weight for me. I got into a business where the guys I worked with partied, ate, and drank to excess. Over the years I ballooned to 445 lbs which is where I have been for the past 2-3 years. In 2010 I was considering the lap band but chickened out. I was back on in 2011 but chickened out again. In 2012 I HAD to make a decision because I was put on Metformin for borderline diabetes and Lisinopril for borderline blood pressure as well. That was it. I started again with the nutritionist appointments and made an appt. to see my surgeon who is located downtown Chicago a few miles from my house. My first appt. with him was in early October 2012 and he suggested a VSG instead of the lap band because of the large amount of weight I wanted to lose. I left thinking about it and did the rest of my pre op requirements such as upper GI, psyche, EKG, etc. I saw my surgeon again on November 14th, 2012 and we decided on the VSG (which I really didn't know a lot about). We set surgery for December 21st, 2012.

Because I am a big fella, my surgeon put me on a 28 day pre op liquid only diet (to shrink my liver and loosen my skin) which I started on November 23rd, 2012 (the day after Thanksgiving). The first few days were tough but I have very strong will power and stuck to it, following the requirements to the letter. I didn't cheat even once. Again, not even once. After about 12 days it was smooth sailing and I just plugged away and kept up the exercise plan that I had been doing for over a year which was just walking 1.5 miles, three times per week at my local YMCA. I didn't weigh myself even once the entire plan and weighed myself the morning of surgery. To my astonishment I lost a staggering 49 lbs!!!!I I couldn't even believe it, to be honest with you I began to sob like a little girl! I went from 445 to 396. I was just so shocked. My surgeon told me that I broke his practice record which was previously 45 lbs for a pre op diet. Again, I LOST 49 LBS IN 28 DAYS!!!

On the morning of December 21st, 2012 I was ready for surgery at a major hospital downtown Chicago. I arrived, valet parked, checked in, and was laying on the table prepped for surgery within 1 hour just waiting for the anesthesiologist. I was in surgery about an hour and a half later and the surgery took 2 1/2 hours. I am going to cut the details of my hospital stay down so readers aren't sitting here all day reading. Any questions just ask me. I wanted to leave the hospital the next evening but my surgeon said that he wouldn't allow me to break two records and that I should stay another night. Quick recap, I was checked into my room after surgery at 6pm Friday night and was discharged from the hospital at 11am Sunday morning, less then 48 hours after entering my room.

Upon arriving home I checked my weight, expecting to have lost a few lbs, and actually gained back 2 lbs due to all the fluids that were pumped into me. I was back up to 398. My recovery went ok I think, I was in a lot of pain along my largest incision which is about 3+ inches wide. I was on Tramadol which sucks. It took me 9 days to finish the 25 pills that I was prescribed since I was skipping doses. I was home on Sunday morning and by Wednesday morning I was off to the YMCA where I walked only one lap around the track. I limped around and talked to my friends there before going home. I was back at the YMCA on Friday and actually walked 5 laps (a half mile). I finally weighed myself on Friday, one week after surgery, and I was down from 398 to 391. I weighed myself again on Sunday afternoon and I lost another 4 lbs from Friday to Sunday, 9 lbs in 9 days, ending up at 387 lbs, 58 lbs down in 38 days.

So that's basically that. It's been over 10 days now since surgery and I am feeling like a million bucks. Here are the "scary" parts. I am using the term scary because after reading this site I would have thought I was going to die from this surgery. I HAVE NOT been nauseous even for one second since surgery. I HAVE ABSOLUTELY NOT thrown up, or even gagged for that matter, not even once. I AM ABLE to drink 60ozs of Fluid per day. I just started puree on Saturday, 8 days out, and it has been perfect. I had 4 ozs of fat free cottage cheese (which I LOVE) today as well as only one Protein shake, a bowl of Tomato Soup, and plenty of Water. I AM NOT hungry, EVER. I just eat to live, that's it. Today I feel the best that I have felt since surgery. Every day gets better. My goal is to lose 220 lbs, 100 in three months from the start of my pre op diet on November 23rd. I WILL do it.

I know I left out a bunch so fire away (or ask any questions that you want).

Thank you love

[BigFrank 354]

I forgot to mention something important. The day after surgery my blood pressure went from 140 over 90-150 over 100 to 130s over 70s. I called my primary care doc and am off the blood pressure meds. I hope to be off the Metformin in 1-3 months.

[mbamom 29]

BigFrank - thank you for taking the time to post your positive and inspirational story.

You are not alone in shying away from all of the negativity. In fact, I know of at least a hundred or so FORMER users of this forum that have left because of the continued negativity and doom and gloom posts of a select few posters. We grouped together and started a private Facebook page instead where we offer one another positive reinforcement and encouragement - even to those that are having bad experiences and leaks.

I'm not really sure why I checked back in this evening, but I'm glad I did and I'm glad I was able to read your post and I look forward to hearing about your POSITIVE progress and the POSITIVE progress of others!

Thanks for helping us give 2013 a new start and a bright outlook!

[Yael770 10]

Thanks Frank. I really have had a very easy time, I thought I had nothing to post!!!

We all need to share the good and the bad. So sad to think the scary stuff makes some run away.

Getting sleeved was the best decision I could make (even with some little ups and downs).

I was sleeved 12/20 and like you have never vomited and have been able to drink. I kept wondering why it's so easy. The people on the site have such complications! Did the doctor really remove all he should have? LOL

Frank, have a great new year and keep strong!

[abetterme4.2 268]

Thank you so much for posting!

Wishing you nothing but success and more uneventful recovery time!

[lisa2job 130]

So glad you didnt let the people whom have such negative things to say scare you off. Most surgeries go smoothly, everyone recovers differently ..... Glad that your surgery went good and that your on the road to a better you!!! congrats !!

let this be a lesson to all !!! this is by far the best thing I ever ever did !!!!

[Losin4good 689]

I am so glad someone finally said it. I dont even like to comment half the time because of the negativity.

There is a way to support someone without being Rude or condescending. Its called respect. I dont know about everyone, but i practice what i preach. I cant tell my kids to be respectful and kind and then jump on the internet and do the exact opposite.

I am also in a private group of people that all met here. There are 115 of us. And i can honestly say that we have not had one issue of people being rude or condescending. We choose to act like adults. And respect that we are all different and so are our plans.

You are not going to like what everyone in a public forum writes, but if it causes you anger or for you to feel writing something rude is necessary, maybe its time to back up and do some re-evaluating.

[TheCurvyJones 721]

Uneventful recovery here. No nausea, no pain. Constipation is my biggest problem right now.

I think most people are looking for worst case scenario and what to do if it happens. If nothing happens.......nothing to talk about. The scary posts do stand out but I am encouraged by people SO excited to change their lives.

[chubilicious 12]

This is so inspirational to a guy with same numbers. I am 6'5'' 427lbs. Going under the knife in 2 weeks and starting my diet today. People with smooth post ops tend not to stick around the forum and we need to hear these type of stories as well. Thank you for sharing Frank and i hope your journey continues as it has so far.

[kemo46 82]

Frank, it is funny how sometimes we need a trigger to get us to do something. Mine was the Diabetes and it was not pre-Diabetes. I am glad you took the step. Some people have complications but most do not. This surgery saved my life and probably yours too. Follow your surgeon's instructions throughout the process and you will acheive your goal. If I was to give any advice it would be if you get hungry, drink more Protein. The other thing is keep drinking Water at all times. This helps with the hunger but will also keep you from getting dehydrated and that is the biggest issue for post op complications. Dehydration puts more people in the hospital following surgery than leaks or anything else. The other thing I would tell people to do while losing weight and especially after they have reached their goal is when they get ready to eat something, ask yourself, is it nutritional? If it is not, do not eat it.

I will be post-op for two years in May. This was the best decision I have ever made. I am in the best health of my life and on no medication. I reached goal in 9 months after my surgery and have not looked back. I go to the gym every day and eat very healthy meals. Enjoy the rest of your life Frank.

[ebonisekim 1,713]

OMG I can't thank you enough! I cancelled my surgery after joining this site. Most posts are negative and ready to call in the lawyers. After your post I will reconsider.

It really a personally choice Im happy u reconsider getting healthy but it kinda like I'm doing this for myself and does the risk out weigh my health problems that the way to like at it but good luck you'll find your way

[ATX Girl 24]

Thank you so much for posting and congratulations on a moving forward with a healthier you in 2013!

[AmandaRaeLeo 2,146]

Thank you for sharing your positive experience and congrats on your success! If you think you've seen negativity trying visiting the Self Pay/Mexico forum! I'm going to Mx in March for surgery and it is an overwhelming choice on top of an overwhelming choice. Ironically most who post negatives didn't have surgery in Mx,! They just can't believe someone would... Sigh...

Have a safe and successful recovery and please stick around!

Amanda Rae