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It's my one year anniversary!

Hey Gang!   Well it's been a year. Hard to believe. I'm feeling great. I've lost 109 lbs from my top weight and 87lbs since surgery. I was hoping to have lost another 10 to 20 lbs but I don't think that is going to happen. Once I hit the weight I'm at now, I just totally stopped losing weight. I think our bodies know where we are suppose to be and just stop there. I'm ok if I don't lose anymore. I'm in a size 7/8 or 9/10 depending on the clothes.   I pretty much eat whatever I want now but just try to be mindful of what I'm putting in my mouth. I can definitely eat more than I used to right after surgery. Right after surgery and up until about 5 or 6 months after I could eat about 1/3 cup of chili. I now can eat 1 cup. I still try to make protein my first choice and try to keep my carbs down to a minimum. I rarely eat bread now, so sandwhiches/burgers etc aren't part of my diet. Bread is one of the things I don't digest well now and I'm glad because it used to be one of my weaknesses. My tastes have definitely changed. I don't care for fried food at all. I used to love fried chicken or anything fried. Now, I hate the taste. Not because I can't eat it, but my tastes have honestly changed. I love salads and Dr. Aceves gave me the ok to eat them.   For all of you contemplating or just beginning your journey. Life does become very normal again. Actually for the first time in 30 years I feel normal. I don't constnatly think about eating, I don't eat until I feel like I'm going to explode. I told my doc..."This must be what normal people feel like"!   I've had some great NSV's over the last year. One that comes to mind is not being recognized more than once. A casual aquaintance asked me if I was "Barbara's" sister because I looked just like her. lol I thought he was joking, but he wasn't. I explained that I was "Barbara" just a smaller version. lol   In all honestly, this surgery changed my life. I couldn't be happier. I would do it over in a heart beat.   Best wishes to all my sleeve sisters and brothers!   Barb
Barbara278

Barbara278

10
 

2 Years Post Op

Well hard to believe that it's been 2 years since my VSG. Life really does become normal again. I've done fairly well, but have developed a few bad habits since surgery. I snack on candy which I never used to do prior to surgery. I am working on doing better at it. I've gained a few pounds as a result and really have to watch closely.   I can pretty much still eat anything I want without problems. I am able to consume more than I could right after surgery but still not able to eat large quantities of anything. Which is great! I no longer have to sip my water. I can take regular drinks like I used to. I remember right after surgery and for a few months I really had to take baby sips of my drinks.   In two weeks I will be having plastic surgery. YAH!!! I'm having a breast lift with Augmentation. A tummy tuck and arm lift. They will be doing all 3 surgeries at once. I knew eventually I would need to have plastics. I have lots of hanging skin that never bounced back. Partially due to my age and just my genetics.   I'll try to post before and after pictures once I've recovered.   This journey has been so worth it. It saved my life!
Barbara278

Barbara278

2
 

It's been a few weeks, and it's a done deal!

I did have the surgery Jan 19th. All went very smoothly for the most part. I was really impressed and happy with Dr. Aceves and his staff. Hubby and I were surprised at how accommodating they are. I have had to contact Dr. Aceves office several times for questions etc. and they always reply with in a few hours, on the other hand, I can call my local doc and wait hours and sometime days to get an answer or response back. Doesn't make any sense to me.   I did have one complication from surgery and that is a blood clot in my left arm as a result of the IV from surgery. I noticed a lump on my arm after being home several days and ended up in the ER room twice as a result. The good news is that my arm is much improved. At the beginning it would swell and hurt quite a bit. Now only my hand hurts. So I'm pretty sure it's on the mend. It was scary though as my family doc explained that it can break up and move to your brain/lungs or heart and kill you. Not exactly what I wanted to hear.   I've done really well with liquids and have sucessfully gone through phase I & II of my post op diet. This saturday I can start eating mushies. I'm so looking forward to that. I really haven't been hungry much at all, so it's more that I'd like to be chewing.   A few times (just for a second) I've had that "What have I done" question pop into my head, but it leaves very quickly. I know this is the best thing I could have done for myself. I only wish this would have been available 20 years ago. I think my life, like so many others would have been so different. Oh well, we are who we are because of what we've been through. I don't want to end up like all my other family members (DEAD). My mother died of Lups in her 50s. My dad died of cancer in his 60's. My brother died of complications from diabetis in his 40's. Obviously these things run in families. Hopefully this surgery will help me to be healthy and live a longer life.   More later when time permits. :001_tt2:
Barbara278

Barbara278

5
 

Onderland feels so wonderful!

I hit onederland today. :thumbup1:   I went to my doctors apt yesterday to do a follow up on the clots. Last time I was in they also did an array of blood work to see if I had any other issues (like clotting problems) etc. I'm not really sure how to take the results. The doctor said several areas showed borderline issues, but yet she couldn't really say there is a problem because they are borderline. Not sure what that's suppose to mean!! In the past they had run blood work and said that I had some elevated SED levels that could indicate issues, but they still haven't a clue. I've often wondered if I have Lupus or Fibro as I've had so many issues with joint pain etc. Hopefully all will resolve itself. Back to the blood clots...they are still there. :crying: She was a bit surprised and thought they would have disolved by now. She was also concerned as that arm has a spotty look to it, almost like leopard spots. They are faint and just red around the edges of the spots. I'm scheduled for another Ultra sound at the hospital this week. She wants to compare the ultra sound from 7 weeks ago to see if there is any change. If not, we will need to take a different approach as the aspirin doesn't seem to be having much effect.   It's so discouraging because One, it's painful and two I want to start lifting weights and building up some muscles and I can't until the clots are gone. I have been doing 4 miles 3 to 4 times a week. Either bike riding or walking fast paced. So I'll continue doing that until I get clearance from the doc to do strength training.   Things overall are going well. I'm getting so accustomed to my sleeve it's almost second nature anymore. It's easy to forget you have one, and take a gulp of something and then spit it out because "oh yeah you can't do that"!!! lol   I have had no real food issues. I've been very slow to introduce new things and have tried my very best to avoid bad choices. For the most part I've done really well. Food just doesn't have the same appeal to me anymore. It's not the main focus anymore. How blessed am I? I did try popeyes chicken nuggets as I used to love those preop. Nah....didn't care for them at all. I ate two and tossed them. I won't be trying those again. :sad0:   Wishing everyone a fantastic week! :biggrin0:  
Barbara278

Barbara278

7
 

Things are going well

Everything has been going very well. I'm down 43 1/2 lbs. This week has been a yo-yo week. I lost a few pounds then gained 1/2 lb then lost and gained the same 1/2lb again. Ugh. Not sure what's going on with that, but I am still down for the week.   I was still going to the gym doing the walking/riding/running for 4 miles until last week. I sprained my knee and am in a brace. It is getting better each day, but it's disappointing because I can't exercise now. Hopefully by next week I'll be back to the gym.   The only issue I'm having right now is constipation. Which seems to be pretty common amoungst us sleevers. I guess when most of your diet consists of meat, that's the reaction you get. I was doing one chewable fiber pill a day and recently upped it to two a day. I really don't care for them though because they have carbs in them and I'm trying very hard to keep my carbs between 20 -30 per day. One of the threads here talked about Miralax and how good it works. I'll pick some of that up today and start trying it.   Hope everyone post sleeve is doing great, and those of you pre sleeve, hang in there...it's so worth it.   Barb
Barbara278

Barbara278

2
 

Two NSV's this week.

I have felt like I'm losing very slowly since surgery, but I have to realize that my age, and the fact that I haven't been exercising much has a lot to do with it. I know it's a journey that takes time, but it's in my nature to be impatient. lol   I had two NSV's (None Scale Victories) this week. The first was being able to scoot the seat up in our jeep and actually reach the pedals. Normally my belly prevented me from being ablet to scoot up far enough to push the clutch down to the floor. Now I can!! woohooo. The second was that I tried a pair of 18 jeans on today and they fit!!! I haven't worn a size 18 in a long time. I've dropped 2 - 3 sizes since surgery. Makes me feel wonderful.   To anyone questioning whether this will work or not...I does!!! Trust me.   Happy Thursday all! :w00t:
Barbara278

Barbara278

6
 

It's getting close

I'm counting down the days. My surgery is January 19th. I've been on the preop diet for 5 days and so far so good. It's a low carb (below 30) high protien diet. The only issue I had was getting a severe headache the first 2 days. The doctor only required a one week pre op diet but I decided to do two weeks. Hopefully next week will go as smoothly as this week did. Next week I will cut out caffiene totally. I only drink it in coffee but I know that will need to go as well.   I've only told a few close friends and family and my boss about my surgery. It's kinda of wierd because everyone just thinking I'm going to Mexico for vacation. It's not that I really feel the need to hide it, but I just don't want to deal with all the questions etc before hand. I think after I will be more than willing to say I had WLS.   I have some daughter issues that have been pretty stressful but I'm trying my best to keep a cool head and not get overly stressed as I think it can effect surgery and recovery. I'm trying to keep a positive attitude in all areas of my life.   I'll write more later as it gets closer.   Ciao:001_tongue:
Barbara278

Barbara278

4
 

11 weeks out

Things are going fantastic. I feel better than I have in many years. I'm down 42 lbs. I have 2 times as much enegery as I had before. I can't wait to see how much more energy I get after dropping another 40 lbs or so.   I had a great NSV this weekend. I hiked to the top of Helen Hunt Falls. :sneaky2: I cried when I got back down to the bottom. It was such an emotional moment for me. It took me an hour, but I did it!!! I had attempted it 4 other times (once when I was 20 lbs lighter) and failed. It was hard and every muscle in body hurts today. I could hardly get out of bed this morning. lol   Anyone out there wondering if this surgery works...it does. I'm a testimony to it.   :scared0:
Barbara278

Barbara278

4
 

Slowly getting things in order

Well, I'm starting to get things in order for my trip to Mexico for the Sleeve surgery. I got a pre surgery diet. I was surprised that it's only for one week prior to surgery. It's mostly a high protein and low fat/carb diet. I think I'm going to start a low calorie diet several weeks before and then switch to the doctors diet one week before surgery. That way I'll have a little jump start on my weight. It would be nice to be down 10 or 15 lbs before surgery.   Hubby and I went to get our passports yesterday. We'd been meaning to get them for some time but just kept putting it off. It cost us almost $400 to process them quickly. Not cheap. Oh well, nothing we can do at this time. Dr. Aceves office did tell me that we could still cross the boarder without them as long as we had proof that we had applied for them, but I didn't want to take any chances.   I'm starting to purchase some of the protein drinks I'm allowed to have the weeks after surgery. I've also sent off for samples from two different places. Might as well start trying them out to see what I like and don't like. The doctors office suggested having all those things in place before having surgery so that I can just rest when I get home and not have to worry about buying supplies. I think that's a good idea.   The last couple of weeks I've been dreaming of the surgery almost every night. I think it's a combination of being excited and nervous at the same time.   More later.   Hope everyone is doing well.
Barbara278

Barbara278

4
 

Emotional Break down:

Last night hubby and I went shopping to finish up the last minute things we needed to pick up for Christmas gifts.   We were in the womens clothing section of the store, and I heard hubby say "Hey, this looks like something you would wear". I came around the corner to see this beautiful bright yellow sweater hanging up. Probably a size Medium. I just looked up at it and burst out crying! I think I scared my hubby a little. Just the thought of being able to go into a store and pick something you LIKE off a rack and be able to fit in it was overwhelming.   For many years I go into a store and go to the "fat ladies" section and hope they have something that isn't to horrible that will fit me. I know some of you ladies have been there.   I can't wait until the day I can pick something I truly like off a rack and wear it.   :001_tongue:
Barbara278

Barbara278

5
 

I haven't even had surgery yet and I'm already seeing benefits:

I'm presently taking several medications because of my obesity. About 8 month back during a blood test, my PCP discovered that I had elevated enzymes in my liver as a result of one of the meds so she changed my Cholesterol medication to a new and improved one that isn't suppose to affect your liver; which is great with the exception that I went from one little tiny pill a day to six HUGE horse pills. After reading these boards for so many months I know that swallowing pills can be difficult if not impossible after surgery. I called my PCP today to discuss changing my prescription to something else and explained why. She told me not to worry about getting a new prescription because she feels with me dropping the weight that I won't need to take them anymore and that we will recheck after 3 month out. I'm so excited!!! The prescription costs $240 a month and even after my insurance pays their portion it still costs me $60 a month. This is only going to get better and better. *doing the snoopy dance* Until later :001_tongue:
Barbara278

Barbara278

4
 

Four Weeks Out

It's been 4 weeks since surgery. Amazing how much my life has changed since then. It's really kind of been a blur;but a good one. I'm just really starting to get in more mushies/soild food in the last couple of days. So far everything has gone down ok. I do find eating chicken feels so dry and I have a hard time swallowing it. I've tried chicken salad with a small amount of lite mayo in it, and that was really hard to swallow. Maybe it's the lack of drinking, but it sure seems foods are much dryer to me than before the surgery.   Last night was my first social event with a group of friends. We had a late Valentines dinner with 5 other couples. It was a little akward because it was a sit down dinner severed in courses. First course was a potatoe soup, I did fine with that but ate very little of it. Second course was a pasta salad, which I skipped altogether. Third course was the main course which was baked cornish hen, mashed potatoes with gravy and sweet potatoe cassarole. I did ok with the main course but was really afraid to eat. I have been measuring everything at home, but when you have larger servings on your plate, it's difficult to judge how much you've eaten from each item. I have no doubt in my mind I ate way less that 2 oz because I was unable to judge my portions and I was afraid to get sick in front of others. All in all it went ok. I'm hoping at some point I can get to where I get a full feeling before it's a "too late ohoh I overdid" feeling.   My weight loss has been extremely slow. Last week I only lost 2 lbs. I think part of the reason is that I'm having a hard time getting over 500 calories in per day. I'm finding that it's almost impossible to do only eating 3 2oz meals per day with no snacks inbetween. So, I know I'm not suppose to snack, but I'm going to have a mid morning snack of 1tbsp of peanut butter dailey to try to get my calories up. I also havent been exercising because of the clot issue but have decided that I'm going to start in the next two days. Hopefully those two things will help me to lose a little faster.   I have set a goal and I'm not sure that it's a good healthy one, but it's one none the less. I am aiming to lose 50% of my weight by my 3 month mark. That means I need to lose 30 more lbs in the next two months. I really want to take advantage of the honeymoon stage of losing. Once I get to my 3 month mark I'll set another goal for my 6 month mark.   More later   Hope everyone is having a fantastic week!:w00t:
Barbara278

Barbara278

2
 

Six months out

Well, I can hardly believe that six months have passed. It really does go quickly. I'm down 74 lbs. yaaahooooo. I feel fantastic. I have about 30 more lbs to go and I'm very determined to get there. I'm not quite so strick as I was in the beginning but still working hard at it. I pretty much eat anything now. Dr Aceves said I could start eating salads now which thrilled me to death. Drinking is much easier than it was in the beginning. I can pretty much drink normal now. I haven't had any problems eating anything and have never thrown up or gotten sick from anything I've eaten. I do try to get protiens in first, then veggies and maybe a bite or two of anything else that will fit in. I can eat about 3 oz now which is up from 2 oz from the first 4 months. I can now tell when I'm full and stop right away. To all the people just starting this journey, hang in there....it really does work. :thumbup:
Barbara278

Barbara278

2
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