MINI-Me

Leila - I am from Richmond and my mom is still there. Maybe I should have her shop for me. Funny - I was born at St. Mary's and now you are re-starting your life there. To my other friends - thank you for your encouragement and support. I love this group!

Crystal, I know you are disappointed, but try to be positive. At least you didn't go to a surgeon that just told you what you wanted to hear. He gave you choices based on his experience and professional opinion. I'd say you have a good doctor there! A few things I'd like to know ... Why are you so set on the ByPass? What makes you think you won't lose as much weight with VSG? Regain stats on the ByPass concerned me. Stats on the Band made me say "why bother". For VSG, a lot of the longer-term studies were for much larger stomachs. Yes, many of us took a risk having a surgery without stand-alone stats (meaning DS as part 2) ... but we do have the option of other surgeries, if they are needed. I am one year out, but I have to say this surgery saved my life. I come from a family of obese people. While I was the "smallest", I was still obese. I lost my dad in 2009 due to complications of his obesity - he was only 64. I am GOING to be around for my children and grandchildren. While maintenance does "scare" me since I've never been able to do it before, this time feels different. I can do this. My sugars, triglycerides, etc are all phenonmenal now. This is my second chance at life and I'm not going to blow it. Please continue to do your research. Ask any questions you have. We're glad to help out. Best of luck to you! MINI

It is very amazing to me that there are so many plans and guidelines out there. My surgeon was 3 meals & 2 protein snacks. My friends thta had VSG were told to eat 6 meals a day or eat every 3 hours. What I think works is what works for you ... These are guidelines and we need to find what works for us. Definitely try the plan, but modify if you need to. That DOES NOT mean we are off the hook for mindful and planned eating. YOU MUST HAVE A PLAN to be successful at this. From about month 2, I've eatten between 5 and 6 mini-meals a day. It seems to have worked for me.

Such a difficult question to answer. Each surgeon/NUT seems to have a different plan. Some swear they can only lose with x calories or being under x carbs. You can search on here for various plans by various surgeons and hospitals. I also think eureka is right - you will get more from your plan as time goes on. If not, insist on it - you need a guideline to start with. And REMEMBER, it's just a guideline. You may have to modify for your needs - the one thing I have learned on this journey is that EVERYONE IS DIFFERENT. This isn't a One Size Fits All Journey. If you have questions - ask on here. We can all offer up what has worked for us. For me ... Protein above 60; tried to keep over 75. Carbs - first 6 months, under 75. Then, 75-100. On maintenance, I'm trying to stay 150 or under for carbs, 60g protein, and around 1500 calories. My blood pressure is low so I've been adding salt. I'm seeing my weight around 127 - 128 the past two weeks because of "water" from the salt. I'll see how the weight goes for this month & adjust as needed. My "freak out" point is 130. If I hit that, I'll immediately drop back to 1200 calories and decrease carbs again. Make sense?

The first four weeks are the most difficult - trying to figure out your food plan, lack of energy, etc. People fly home from Mexico all the time at 3-4 days out so I don't think there are any "rules" for travel. Yes, you won't be eating much on the cruise - you might want to consider if you think you'll be mentally ready to be around that much food. While we get through it, many people have a bit of an issue watching people throw down tons of food when you can only fit in 1/4c to 1/2c at a time. I would say you are safe at 6-8 weeks as far as how you feel, healing, and energy levels. Your surgeon can provide more insight on that.

Can't quite fit in one leg ... but this just made me giddy! I always wanted to do one of these photos & now I have. Yahoo!!!!!!!!

The first month or so you may have to plan your food a bit when going to a friends house ... but, after that, you should be able to eat just about anything wherever you go. Most people serve some sort of Protein at a meal. And, if they don't, just eat the veggies and then up your protein the rest of the day. I eat out regularly and at friend's home quite often - has not been an issue since moving to the solid food stage. Get off the fence and join us on the Loser's Bench!

I'm a cool too, but my hair has natural red highlights when I am in the sun ... that's why I decided on a hint of red in my hair. I had a very thick head of hair before surgery. While people still talk about how thick it is, I can tell that it is thinner. I recently had mine chopped quite a bit (also to show of my "new" neck). I can't tell from your picture, but is it a one-length bob? If so, you might want to consider some long layers (think Tea Leoni from the movie The Family Man). I did that & it gave back that full look and feel. Can't wait to see what you decide to do ... Pictures are a MUST!!!!

I visited a NUT the other day to discuss maintenance and how to be successful. Her one tip was to still eat Protein first - she said to think of it as a plus in a sink. Definitely do not have to eat as much as before, but to eat it first. Then, move to veggies and fruit. And then, if I wanted it, some carbs. Maintenance is definitely different for everyone and guidelines are just that. We all have to find what works best for us. But, this little tip seemed to make sense to me. Stop up the sink so things don't slide through, but this gives me a way to incorporate other flavors and nutrients without overdoing it. That's what I am going to be practicing in the next few weeks. I'll let you know how it works. Maybe something to think about when you are ready to stop losing and maintain.

I found this article on-line. It may help you decide a color that is right for you. http://beauty.about....a/pickcolor.htm Is this the color you are thinking? If so, from your avatar, I think it would look great!!!! http://www.guciimage.com/store/images/P/Picture%20453.jpg

What a great feeling! Congratulations!!!! My husband and I joke now when we pass Lane Bryant. He says "Sorry honey, those clothes won't fit you. You'll have to go to the Little Ladies Store." I know it's silly, but it cracks me up and puts a HUGE smile on my face every time.

I also say do it. I just put some red color in mine (normally I'm a medium brown) ... made me feel a bit sassier to go with the new body and wardrobe. Have fun with it!

You are a superstar!

Search these boards ... especially look for the ones where people are just a few days or weeks out ... it will help you be mentally prepared. And, best of luck!

That is so awesome ... I just want to reach out and give you a hug. You are doing very well ... and the positive attitude is just flowing out of you. Keep on smiling! (And ... I am willing to bet that while the scale hasn't moved as much as you want, the inches are coming off. Are you tracking your inches?)

The stomach size is dependent on so many variables ... bougie size, how close the surgeon cuts/sutures to the bougie guide, how long your stomach is, etc. One concern of going too small is causing strictures which you don't want. My surgeon used a 36 and cut/sutured close. Some use 32 and leave room. Ask your surgeon how "close" he goes ... of course, you won't have control of your stomach length. However, no matter what size, it is going to be SOOOOOOOOOO much smaller than what you have now.

I am so proud of you ... YOU ARE DOING AWESOME!!!!!!!

So glad to hear that you are finding some peace on this ... maybe there really is a reason for the mix-up. No matter what, you have to do what you feel comfortable with. We are here to cheer you on and support your decision. Best of luck!!!

I soooooooooooo wish I could get in this frame of mind. I simply can't ... I hate thinking about it, doing it, and once I'm done, I hate thinking I have to do it again. Maybe I should try hyponosis???

Best wishes ... we are saving you a spot on the Loser's Bench. Write us when you are feeling up to it.

Welcome ... glad you found us.

Right now, the most important thing is liquid. If it has Protein, great. If not, don't overly worry about it. Are you allowed milk? If so, you might want to try that - it will give you liquids, protein, and some nurishment. I also could not tolerate Protein shakes. I gagged and decided I would just rather die than have another. I did find that I could tolerate unjury chicken Soup. You have to order it on-line, but it may help you (depending on how long your liquid phase it). Good luck - just try to remember that this too shall pass.

Y O U A R E R O C K I N ' Y O U R S L E E V E ! ! !

Dumb question ... But if you didn't measure before you ate it, how do you know how much you ate?

Congratulations ... Yep! I think most of us hit that panic moment once (or twice or three times) once it became "real". Keep coming out here, learn as much as you can and try to breathe!