Has anyone on here had weight loss surgery?

[Krystal]

I have recently undergone gastric bypass surgery.  I am four months out.  I was wondering if anyone else on here has had any type of weight loss surgery.

[wmbureau]

I had a gastric sleeve in early March and have lost 33 pounds since surgery, 53 lbs total since starting my pre-op diet.  I am looking for workout motivation!  I am trying to get at least 5000 steps in every day but would love any suggestions/ideas about what fun things you do to get steps in. I love my fitbit!

[Krystal]

Awesome job on the weight loss! I typically get in my 10,000 steps... This last 2 weeks I have not because I am healing from a motor vehicle accident.

Now that it is nice out, I love to ride my bicycle. Finding ways to add steps through out your day is important. Park further away. Instead of carrying a whole load of clean laundry upstairs to put away, make a few trips up the stairs. When I'm home, if I need to use the restroom I use the one upstairs. All of the extra steps can really add up!

Good luck!

Sent from my iPhone

[NewKnee2014]

I had gastric bypass (RNY) on Feb 17th, 2014.  Losing weight and feeling good.  

[wmbureau]

Great ideas!  I will certainly start taking 5 trips instead of one when putting away laundry. Thanks!  And good luck and wishes on a speedy recovery!

[Russ226]

Great job on the 10,000 steps daily average and the weight loss. I had a gastric sleeve on 1/27/14 and have lost 101 pounds so far.  I still want to lose another 125 pounds, so I have a ways to go.  When I plateaued after about 5 weeks post surgery, I increased my protein drink intake and started walking.  It made the difference.

To get more steps at work, I take the stairs now, walk to someone within range instead of emailing, take the long way to the restroom, park as far away from the entrance door as possible, and anything else I can find.  I work in an old downtown neighborhood just off the city square (with courhouse, etc.) so I've been walking almost every day on my lunch hour.  When I started walking in March, I barely made it around the block. Now I typically 2-3 miles, adding City blocks and taking different routes to see the scenary. 

My FitBit keeps me motivated to walk because my personal goal is 10,000 steps daily.  At least 2 or 3 days a week I get between 10K and 15K steps.  Last Saturday, I did a Walk For Life challenge and walked a 5K.  I felt so good I kept going all day, doing yard work, etc., and ended the days with 20,043 steps.  Prior to surgery, there were complete weeks that I didn't walk that much. 

Everyone keep it up. If you're a bit discouraged today, don't be.  You are in control and you can keep moving.

[MariaA]

I had gastric sleeve surgery on March 10, 2014. So far I have lost 35 lbs. I have about 100 more to go but I am confident I can do this. I have never been one for exercise or even just walking. I am not an outside person at all. I have started walking through our parking lot every day. I get about 5600 steps a day at the present time and that makes me feels good. I make sure to get to the monthly exercise class at the hospital for bariatric patients. Fortunately for me, my husband had the same surgery a week after me so we are in this together. I have never felt better. I love tracking everything on fitbit. It gives me a true picture of how I am doing. It's a great program to use in conjunction with having the surgery.

[Spang]

I had by pass surgery 8 years ago and have kept the 100 plus pounds that I lost off. After I lost the weight I sgain went back to road cycle. This has been my way of staying "slim".

[ShannonBoord]

Yes, I had a vertical sleeve gastrectomy in May 2010.  I lost 93# [220 to 127 for a 5' 5" woman]. I found that after learning how much my pouch would hold and how to eat, weight loss was easy.  As with any weight loss surgery, it is just another tool.  You can defeat it by consuming the wrong liquid calories [sodas, alcohol, etc].

Last November I had to go on leave on absence from work to care for my terminally ill Dad.  I had many other stressors at that time as well. Due to antidepressant meds and decreased activity, I gained 25#.  Just started the Personal Trainer Diet [or PDT on 6/4/14]:  70% Natural Protein,

20% Healthy Carbs, 10% Healthy Fats and got my Fitbit. I find it hard to consume the entire meal due to my stomach capacity of about 4 oz. but the food is great.  I just save the uneaten portions for my snacks.  I have not weighed myself as yet to determine loss but will do so on 6-13-14.

[ShannonBoord]

Russ:  Great job!

[zelda]

I am 3 dAys post op now. It wasn't bad.. so far...drinking my protein snd and jello well

[Spang]

Have 8 yesrs post op. Follow the rules and keep active. From what I have seen about 5 yesr mark is when people either maintain or gain. At thst time if you have followed the rules and dtayed active you usually have changed your hsbits enough not to gain the wait bsck.  You will find tgst you need to attack any gain to keep your mind focused on whst you want to be.

[ShannonBoord]

Zelda-the first 3 months were the toughest for me--I am 4 yrs. out.   Adjusting to your stomach capacity and getting in your protein first along with ensuring your H2O intake will get you there!  Just remember, the surgery is only a tool.  You can defeat it with intake of the wrong calories [alcohol, milkshakes, that kind of thing that will slideon thru] .  Keep up the good work!  I feel it was the best investment [I was a self pay] that I ever made!

[Spang]

Have 8 yesrs post op. Follow the rules and keep active. From what I have seen about 5 yesr mark is when people either maintain or gain. At thst time if you have followed the rules and dtayed active you usually have changed your hsbits enough not to gain the wait bsck.  You will find tgst you need to attack any gain to keep your mind focused on whst you want to be.

[Tx-ANNIE]

Dreama,
I have been considering surgery and I feel the sleeve is the safest. I work in a gastroenterology office and have seen patients with problems with the bypass and lap-band. I only know of a couple of people who have had the sleeve and so far they haven't had any problems. Can you tell me why you decided on the sleeve and what problems you have had?

[MariaA]

Well, my husband and I went to the pre-op meeting to hear what the practice had to say. The practice we went to discourages the lap band due to many issues with it. As for full bypass, we decided against rerouting the plumbing. You lose a lot of the nutritional values and have to take a ton of supplements. I have lost 39 lbs since my surgery on March 10 and my husband has lost about 45 since his on March 17. We do take supplements but not as many as if we had had the bypass. Neither of us has had any major issues but you will really need to talk to the support team about what can occur. No one I know who has had the sleeve has had anything major happen. Just remember to follow the instructions given to you for preop and post op. This was the best thing I have ever done for ME!!!

[ShannonBoord]

I chose the sleeve because of the many issues I'd seen with the lapband [I'm an RN] and didn't want the drastic surgery and ongoing nutrition worries with gastric bypass.  I have not had any problems and lost 93# in one year!

[LivMin]

I had Lab Band in April 2009.  I've lost 60 lbs, had a knee replacement and am more active now than in my 20's (I'm 61).  I take Zumba 3 times a week, Cardio Kickbox 3 times a week and Body Works twice a week.  It took me over a year to re-learn how to eat.  I was so used to shoving the food in my mouth, at if it was my last meal.  Now I've learned to eat slowly.  I've also learned what I can and can not eat.  Steak is really difficult, along with rice, bread, and most pasta.  When I eat chicken I chop it finely.  I pretty much eat the same thing day after day, but I add lots of flavor so it doesn't get boring.  Good luck to you on your weightloss journey.  Be patient with yourself!  I have a protien shake with fruit every morning, a salad or home made soup for lunch every day (sometimes for dinner too).  I've learned what works for me just as you will learn what works for you.  Don't give up and remember the surgery is only one part of your weight loss plan.  Exercise is so important.  I started with water aerobics.  It's a great total body workout without causing joint discomfort.  Do what you can and keep it up!

[stevemalley]

Hi Annie,

I had the gastric sleeve on October 30, 2013.  When the three different options were explained to me I decided on the sleeve.  With the band there are ways of fooling it and consuming food that you shouldn't and also eating too much if the food is small enough or "liquified".  I even heard of someone with the band taking a pizza and putting it in a blender to make it really easy to go down.  The bypass doesn't let you absorb all the nutrients needed in the digestive procedure.  So I went for the sleeve.  I eat a lot less than I used to but feel satisfied.  You just have to make sure you don't eat too much or drink and eat at the same time.  And eat very slowly.  If you eat too fast there is a good chance that it will come back out, either one way or the other.  I've had both type of problems.

I had to go on a strict diet a few months before surgery to lose some weight in order to have the surgery.  So since June 27, 2013 I've lost 153 pounds and have never felt better.  I was able to lose weight my whole life, but I would gain it back plus more.  I had the surgery as a tool to help me keep it off.  I'm still losing, a little slower now, but want to lose another 25-30 pounds.  That would put me back at the weight I was when I got married 34 years ago.

I hated to travel because I didn't fit in the airline seats easily and I had to have a seat belt extender.  Since surgery I've flown two different time and had no issues.  The tray in front of me even can be pulled down to hold the free beverage the airline offers.

I wish you the best of luck in your decision making.  I will just tell you that I wish I had this ten years ago.  It's the best thing I've ever done next to getting married and having children.....................Steve

[Tx-ANNIE]

Thanks so much for the info, the more I hear and read about the surgeries, I feel the sleeve would be the best option. I wish you continued success.

Sent from my iPad

[vernam1]

Hello, I had the lap band in 2010 lost 80 pounds just got my zip and had surgery in April due to a torn ligament. So I picked up some weight, but not working that good yet, would live to get some friends to push me and keep me on track. Let's walk this out Verna://www.fitbit.com