Introduction:

[JT2013 30]

Hi there, I'm glad you started this group. Not a lot of us so far but I hope it grows. I'm currently going through the process of getting ready for gastric sleeve. I have not heard of having to have 2 surgeries, unless you are talking the Tummy Tuck for when you are done.

My highest weight (about 2 months ago) was 518. Over the last 5 years I have bounced between 440 and 518. I have heard as well that those 500+ loose weight faster if they stick strictly to diet and exercise as much as they can.

I am a 42 year old female with chronic back pain and have been "disabled"... I call it 'limited' in my movements for about 3 years.

I expect my sleeve surgery date to be June 2013, and my endoscopy is April 24th.

<a href='http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com'><img src='http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/tickers/55657-jt2013/bodyweight.png?ts=1365033777' /></a>

[kthorne119 4]

Hello, Thank you for starting this group. I had been considering surgery off and on for about ten years. When I first looked into it, the Dr. I visited had two deaths, so I was not too motivated to have the surgery. Plus at that time I was only about 350 pounds. In 2007 I started a desk job, but my eating habits continued. I had a two hour drive home, and at one point I would stop at McDonald's get a meal. I would eat the meal, and then when I got home I would eat dinner too. Fast forward to December 2010 and I weighed in at 495 pounds. I went to a doctor and she put on medication. I lost 50 pounds, got sick, and gained 70 between June 2011 and December 2012. I weighed 520 pounds, and made an appointment to see my surgeon. I lost four pounds doing weight watcher, and two weeks before surgery I lost 23 more pounds by doing a liquid diet. The week and half after surgery I lost another 23 pounds, and I have lost 38 pounds so far. As of today I am down to 455 pounds, and I have been there since Sunday. I am five weeks out, and now I can start exercising. I am walking daily, and plan on increasing the exercise activity I can do. Today also is the first day that I was able to drink 64 ounces. I am going to try for another 32 ounces before I go to bed tonight. I hope this helps.

[JT2013 30]

Wow it is great to hear that things are starting to go in the right direction for you. What are you doing for exercise, anything besides walking? I hope something fun. Right now I get to the pool whenever I can and I do very short treadmill walks daily. Curiously Thorne how long were you on a liquid diet before surgery? Were you on any supplements with that?

I have my endoscopy on this coming Wednesday and a week and a half later they finalize my "file" and submit it for insurance approval... with any luck I should have my date set by Mid May. Sorry to shoot so many questions at you but you are one of the first I have heard of in my weight category that has had the surgery. I assume you have a over happy droopy belly like mine... did that cause any issues with where the incisions were for the scopes/tools?

Any advise for someone that is about 3 months behind you in this process?

Best of wishes for you on this journey. I'll keep in touch.

[kthorne119 4]

I don't mind the questions. That is why I joined this site. I was on a liquid diet for two weeks prior to surgery. I did not take any supplements while I was on the liquid diet. I would eat something every two hours. My liquid diet consisted of a frozen fruit bar, Jello, yogurt, 8 ounces of gatorade, applesauce, pudding, and my Protein Shakes. But not in that order. After the first three days I would be starving in the afternoons. My nutritionist advised me to have the carbs in the morning, and the Proteins in the afternoon. That took care of the hunger pains. I would also recommend incorporating some of weight watchers principles. Plan ahead everyday, and make sure you are truly hungry before you eat. The only thing I am doing now is walking. Next week is my sixth week, and I am going to an introduction to cross fit class on Thursday. I will let you know how that goes. Good luck with your journey and let me know if you have any questions.

By the way my name is Ken.

[SanDiegoVSGGal 4]

I was so totally there, don't know my actual top weight, however, I do know three weeks into my "Do over" as I call it I accidently stepped on a floor scale in a hospital and saw this number flash on this little screen in red, it said 479. When I figured out it was a floor scale and that was my weight I did the stealth look around me to see if anyone was near me and I wanted to DIE!!!! Seriously I did want to die when I saw that. In the next three years I was fortunate that I was able to give up about 165 pounds. I became stuck due to numerous issues and bounced between the same 20 pounds and decided after reading about the different surgeries to give it a go. Now I had verticle sleeve November 2 2011, and I have never heard of two surgieries for it. Not even in the literature of the lectures from the surgeons. Not sure what your surgeon is talking about, however, I sure would ask for the specifics. When I finally saw the surgeon before my surgery to get approval I had a list of questions to ask him and he was great about answering them. Everyone is different as is every surgeon, I would sure ask though. Best wishes and to all, thanks for being here, this is a safe place I need to be.

[jsrmanatee 51]

hi everyone-nice to meet you! my heaviest was 398 back in january, but i figure that is close enough to join. it seems like a lot of people here are starting at what i'll be happy to get down to. my goal is 180, but i'll be happy with 250. my surgery is june 11th! add me as a friend please.

[NeverBeTheSameAgain 241]

What I mean by 2 part surgery is...he said that ppl as heavy as I am will get the sleeve 1st and then after losing atleast 100lbs he will go back in and give the bypass IF needed. So therefore thats 2 parts. I personally feel like I wont lose enuff weight with the sleeve...for my goal I need 2 lose 300lbs...I havent heard or read of that being done thats why I created this group.

[SanDiegoVSGGal 4]

Hope everyone is doing well and moving forward in their progress. I am having knee surgery end of August and hoping that I will be more mobile and be able to move more to accelerate the weight loss. I need all of you and so thankful to have you via this method. Thank you

[BarNone 19]

Hi all,

While not currently over 500, I was over that at some point. My surgery is this week and I too wonder about having the ability to loss the weight with one procedure. I am converting from a lap band which was nothing but pain and problems. I have heard of the 2 procedure because that is actually how they figured out that people would loss a lot of weight with the sleeve and often would not need the malabsorption procedure/ bypass later. So they began offering the sleeve on its own, and it has taken off!

I know that I will never overt to the bypass. It has way to many complications and I have yet to meet someone with a good outcome.

Good luck to all.

I will try to update you a few days after my surgery,

Michelle

[jsrmanatee 51]

hi everyone! i had my surgery 32 days ago and i feel great. i lost 30 lbs in the first 30 days! now i get to start exercising. i hate exercise. but last night i walked all the way to the end of my road and back and only had to stop once for a break. now that's progress. 6 months ago i could barely get to my mailbox and back. i am going to start out swimming laps and doing aquacize on monday. the gym part scares me because i have absolutely no idea how to use any of the machines. but i'd like to try the elliptical machine. everyone keep in touch with me. i need friends who are going through the same things i am.

[BarNone 19]

Well one week out of surgery now. Not sure what my weight is dont really want to know as my legs are still massively swollen. Still having lots of nausea and pain. I mean lots and lots of nausea. My drain pull was delayed by 2 days because of the amount of Fluid that was still coming out of me. The dr is taking it out this afternoon, and then tomorrow I have a 6 hour drive home. Not much fun, but one step at a time. Mostly annoyed with the nausea and that I can't sleep on my side yet. But I am keeping stuff down and trying not to overdue It

More to come I am sure

Many blessings

[MusicMan1383837856 3]

Hi group... my name is kevin and I joined because i want to connect with other "Super Obese " people.. I am here for the same reasons as eveyone else... my health... im currently 582 i was 669 in Feb. my goal is to get down to 200lbs.. i know its a far fetch goal but hey i know i can do it... its going to be along road but a fun one im sure to make it...