iegal

Normal to be scared. Can I recommend that you write down 10 reasons you want this surgery? Take list with you to pre op appt and then with you for day of surgery. You can reread these reasons when having those doubts. Here are/were some of mine, but make your own list. 1. I want to be a healthier me 2. I want to wear normal size clothes..and cute ones including a bathing suit upon occasion 3. I no longer want to battle my weight every single day, only to fail repeatedly...I want a chance 4. I don't want my thighs to rub together where I get a rash 5. I want to be seen for me, not my size. (yes, sadly you are treated differently when smaller) 6. I want to hike with my husband 7. I want to play with my kids freely 8. I want to be able to go up stairs without huffing 9. I want people to stop staring at me when I eat a bite or two of dessert 10. I want to reduce risks of being overweight, mostly my knees hurt a lot Hugs to all of you. We are here cheering you on to success!

Hi Nikki; At two years out plus myself, I applaude you for your courage to speak. Today I have learned how to "trick" my sleeve and get a lot more in than what I should. Now when I need to "lose" weight I kill myself for several weeks to get off one or two pounds which I see come back quickly. Wish I could say I'm stuck but not ready to give up knowing I could be happier with 5 lbs off me. With a lower caloric intake as the new normal, it does take longer time frame to lose that excess weight. This is not like taking off pounds after surgery. My hunger came back at around 18 months (not everyone returns...lucky me.) While I am still under surgeons goal, I am 10 pounds above my lowest weight. Yes, I am still in a normal BMI range but the scale is stuck. So I am one size larger than at my smallest. Nice that others advise to eat slowly, or Protein first...heck, I eat like I did before just in less volume. Think pre sleeve. My brain or emotions want food. The brain is a powerful thing, wiser than most of give credit to our emotional eating habits. I eat because I simply love to eat. So today I still obsess over food, but I have tool to limit my intake. Still, I love my sleeve and have no regrets. Hugs to you Nikki...nominate you as my hero today.

Your day will come, sooner than you think. Small steps. You are healing now. Remember, a man does not run a marathon on a whim. He trains for it. You are in training. Have you tried eating a sugar free Popsicle?

Exciting times ahead. Congratulations on your upcoming VSG surgery.

Finally, someone was able to express the look of horror on my face after drinking a few shakes those first few weeks. Thanks for the laugh.

First step is admitting you failed...today. So move forward and commit yourself to getting through all day tomorrow without putting anything in your mouth that you shouldn't. Often times docs will put someone on pre-op not only to shrink the liver but also to see if they (you) can follow to post-op diet. Chin up, tomorrow is your day.

Shannon, you are simply amazing. VSG surgery will continue to allow you to do things you only dreamed of so think of all the wonderful adventures ahead of you! Keep up the great work. Congrats!

Indymom - thank you for being honest and letting others know that the restriction you feel at 5 months is not the same at 12 months. I have learned how to "trick" my sleeve and get more in, sadly so I have regained over 8 lbs. Yuck. Fervently watching everything I put in my mouth so I can drop those 8 lbs to so I can eat a treat of two during the holidays. So, what can I eat at two years out? EVERYTHING. Bread, Pasta, spicy foods, ethnic foods,...I love it all. Once a foodie always a foodie. My surgeon only reduced the size of my stomach neglecting to change my physiological view of food. Hunger urge came back after a year and a half. Before VSG I could pass up sugar, chocolate all day long (chips were my drug) yet now I crave sweets. Today for Breakfast I had a Protein drink w/ 15 gm protein. Lots of decaf tea. Handful of tortilla chips (because I couldn't say no and I ate them without thinking) lunch - Open face egg salad sandwich with no mayo. Spicy egg salad (2 egg whites) on one slice of whole wheat bread. Snack - 1 celery stalk with chunky natural Peanut Butter. Lots of Water. dinner - Turkey hot dog, 2 gm carb 14 gm protein. Will make a Protein shake for a snack tonight to ensure I get in enough protein. Listen, we all are different so you might not have my experience. I suggest you follow the VSG diet plan set by your surgeon & NUT almost to the letter until you hit goal. I didn't let more than 30 carbs pass my lips a day until I hit goal...carbs are my trigger to gain weight. Good luck - I love my sleeve and have no regrets.

Here is the offical web site... http://www.5daypouchtest.com/ If you are only in a stall, I don't think this is what you want to do unless you have already hit goal. As I understand it, this is for people who think they overeat. Are you tracking EVERY bite along with carbs/protein/sugar/liquid and exercise? If not, start there. Sometimes you have to add calories to break a stall. Really. Sometimes your body just needs more protein and calories. Don't give up. Keep on track but make minor changes.

Are you gulping down your Water or drinking with a straw? Next, are you drinking cold drinks? This caused me a lot of discomfort. Agree with above poster, tepid decaf peppermint tea might be better than plain water. But careful on the milk, several new VSG patients get an intolerance for milk/lactose for a while. Also, if you are not getting in enough liquids, try sugar-free Gatorade/power aide type drinks to get in electrolytes. Drink often...set your phone to go off every 20 minutes during your waking hours for you to take ONE sip during each interval. This will ensure you do not dehydrate. Hoping you are able to find a solution that works for you. Hugs...things get better. Really.

6 weeks? I only had to wait that long after an episiotomy with over 150 stitches (big baby) Dang, I would second think VSG surgery. Seem to remember I got the okay after my one week check up with limitations of no .... well, um...creativity.

Hate to say this, but I wear black all the time at my goal weight. Always said "If I every can get skinny I will shop at White House Black Market." Hmm, looking down I have on a top and pants of theirs. Now I just don't have to avoid those colors or even better, horizontal stripes or belts. Oh how I love my sleeve. You are going to look great in everything, no matter what the color!

Be careful ladies. With VSG we will need to avoid NSAID's for life as these can cause issues with our new tummies. This should be in your VSG preop/post op instructions or in the complications section. Luckily as MsShauna said, Tylenol is not a NSAID. Saying that, Advil is a NSAID. You could have headaches due to: Lack of caffeine or not enough liquid, so try to up you intake of Water if you are not getting enough. Good luck and I hope you feel better soon!

Call your surgeon who performed VSG surgery and let them know what is happening. Next are you on a PPI? This might help. While I experienced nausea those first two/three days, I never became dehydrated enough to be hospitalized. Yes, I saw foam & bile that 2nd day. To help me drink, I dribbled room temperature liquid down my throat in small dosages, using a shot glass so as to ensure small dosages using G2 (sugar-free) Gatorade or slightly warm decaf peppermint tea to settle my stomach. Did this every 15 minutes all day long to make sure I drank that goal of 64oz. Good luck and keep us posted on your progress.

There are a lot of happy Aceves patients here. Try Oregondaisy , she is about 3+ years out from Aceves and is very happy.

Remember to SIP and not gulp. Are you able to drink water now? If yes, how much? I used a shot glass to measure out my liquids and dribbled a little down my throat every 15 minutes. If you have a problem with getting in protein (I could not drink the thick over sugary protein shakes) I used clear protein from Isopure 40gm from GNC. Just buy one bottle to see if you can tolerate. Congratulations on being sleeved!

YIPPEE, congratulations. Do me a favor and write down ten reasons why you want this surgery and how it will help you. You can read this list when you self doubt your decision or have a minor setback. Looking forward to reading about your recovery and journey. Hugs - I love my sleeve and have no regrets.

Two years ago, I had VSG as an outpatient surgery. Loved being home same night, no drain, no staples, no cathedar, no pain pump, no IV and no nurses waking me up every hour. So, how did I sleep? In a recliner for first week. Not sleeping on my side killed me those first few weeks. If you don't have one in your hotel room call downstairs and order a lot of extra pillow and create one. Hope you have a speedy recovery and looking forward to reading about your future success. Sweet dreams of a new you!

You and I are exacts, well almost only I am two years ahead of you. My surgery 9/17/10. My height is the same. My starting weight was a few pounds above you. My optimal goal weight is the same as you. Went down to 138 and looked gaunt, guess you can be too skinny. HA HA Love reading about your new attitude towards how you celebrate. Congratulations and HAPPY BIRTHDAY.

Great attitude and this will get you far. Keep up the great work in the pre op diet...you are almost there.

I didn't drink milk for several months, like you. Was able to reintroduce in small dosages about 4 months. Don't try drinking a glass but put a little in something you are drinking. If you get sick to your stomach maybe you are still intolerant. But, there are some whom never get back to drinking the stuff. Good luck!

Everyone tolerates food a little differently. What type of meat are you eating? Recommend soft fish at first then try something besides beef. One of my SoCal group buddies at three years out still feels "heavy" when eating chicken. So, you are learning what you can and can not have right now. Back off what you can't tolerate now and try again in a few months. Hugs...things will get easier as you learn on this journey.

You must be thrilled. I am ready to do a happy dance right along with you. Keep up the great work and make that sleeve work for you. Hugs. No regrets, I love my sleeve.

You must be on such a high! Love this post. Thank you for inspiring me. Congrats on rocking your sleeve!

Write a check dated for Wednesday when funds are available. Docs want to do surgery so I think you will be good just take in your deposit slip showing funds in same account as check you are writing out of for payment Good luck and keep us informed