New with alot of weight to lose!

 Hello all!

I was recently approved for surgery and went in to meet with my surgeon yesterday. I thought I'd be having gastric bypass, but he recommended the sleeve procedure for me, so that's what I ended up scheduling. I'm a smidge worried that I won't be able to lose the drastic amount of weight that I need to, but he said that in his experience, the weight loss is very similar. I've been doing alot of reading since yesterday and am now getting really excited. I'm right at a BMI of 50-- way more than I ever dreamed I'd be. I'm 39 and have an 11-yr old daughter who is extremely active. I can't wait to be more active with her. She and my husband have been very supportive. I recently (in Dec) graduated from college with a degree in nursing, so this is the next step in improving life for both myself and my family!

Thanks for being here and letting me share my little story. I look forward to interacting with you all-- learning from your experience and supporting each other!

Congratulations!

I'm one week out of surgery and I had RnY. My BMI was 62 (weight of 443) at consultation, so I know what you mean about scared you won't lose what you need. The doctor discussed the Duodenal Switch with me as well, which I declined because I didn't feel it was for me. So far, I've lost 14 pounds and 35 since I started my pre-op diet. You will do great!

These boards have been great at getting me through my questions, and being there when I was getting too nervous to go through it. But, I am SO glad I did, and I would do again in a heartbeat. 

**** you're skinny on this board! I think the majority of us start off quite a bit higher than your starting weight. My starting BMI was 61i****'s 45ish now. I'm 6 months out in about a week. I've lost 107 pounds. From 380 to 273. If you click on my profile you can see some befores and afters. Of course I still have another 80-100 pounds to go but the sleeve is working for me. Hopefully I can lose the 80 in a year. I might be happy at about 200 pounds. To me, the journey is about being happy and healthy and maintaining. The fact that I started out at almost 400 pounds makes me think that I'll never be 130-150 pounds. After living at that weight for so long I think 200 pounds is good. On the regular VSG board you will hear people going by BMI and whatnot but you have to choose your goal and what you're happy with. That's my opinion. Personally, I think those of us with higher BMIs have a different type of journey.

Anyway, I forgot to mention that I had the sleeve too. There are a lot of people with high BMIs that had the sleeve that are doing pretty decent. Sometimes it's hard to find them on the regular board because there are so many people in the mid 200 pound range, but we are there! 

I think the sleeve is a good surgery. I'm happy with my choice and I wouldn't change it.

I think your doc is right - comparing similarly motivated people - the weight loss is very similar between RNY and VSG (gotta weed out the people who are committed to a healthy life style though). I'm a total sleeve advocate though - i think for those of us starting out in the higher BMIs, keeping our pyloric valve is important(especially because the RNY ultimately ends up being a restrictive only procedure after about 18 months and you lose your mal-absorption).

I'm a year out on Sunday - I've lost 134 lbs since my surgery plus my pre-op wieght loss - I've lost an obese person!!!  My BMI started out at 60+ and I'm now at 28. It is very possible and reasonable to reach your goals with a sleeve, but it will be a lot of tough work, sweat and tears to do it.

Feel free to PM with any questions or if there's anything I can do to help!

Welcome Vickie! Congrats on the decision to get healthy :D

Welcome!!!  I started at a BMI of 51.  I had RNY and really wanted a sleeve for a variety of reasons.  I am happy with my bypass, though!!  You are about to "meet" some amazing people on this board.  Prepare to be inspired!! :-)    Congrats and best of luck!!!

Kat

Welcome Vickie
Always glad to have a new face here!  I'm really excited that you have a supportive husband and daughter. It's such an important component to have a support group around you.

You can lose as much weight as you want with VSG. You'll see that on this board in particular. It just takes some a little longer than others...but we're starting from a different place than allot of folks on the other forums. We'll all get there supporting each other.

Off topic---
Kat---love the new avatar
hwag---I think I go looking for your posts---you make me laugh my ass off - (it's still the largest part of me and needs more work)

Congratulations on your decision to have a better quality of life. I had the VSG. I started out with a BMI of 64. I think mine right now is around 48.  My weight loss has been steady, never losing more than five or six pounds a week but consistent. My cousin had the RNY procedure done and we have noticed that our weight loss progress is comparable. I set the goal of 165 but honestly will be happy to be below 200. I can't believe even now how much better I feel and how much more energy I have.
If you have any questions let me know, we're about the same age. I'm 38.
Take care!

Congrats!  My husband and I each had VSG on 1/30/12 and have each lost 130lbs.  My doctor says we should be able to lose all of our excess weight with the sleeve.  

Good luck to you!!

Welcome. 

Regardless of the surgery type, you have to be committed.  You can do great with the sleeve.  Most of your stomach will be gone. So don't fight the process.  Embrace it; follow doctors orders; take responsibility to eat properly and exercise when can safely do so.  Success is within your reach! 

Today is my one-year anniversary.  I'm still restricted albeit less restricted than in the first 6 months. 

All of my weight loss on my ticker is post sleeve.  My monthly numbers are below. I lost 100 pounds within that first 6 months.

GOOD LUCK!!!!