Amanda131

Smile, let them know you have considered all options/drawbacks and this is the best course for you, then change the subject. People like that really want to get your dander up. When they realize it's not going to happen they usually stop. The easiest way to deal with it internally is to realize that these people are generally uneducated about the struggles of obesity and/or the surgery. We can't control what people say but we can always control how we respond and how it affects us. Best of luck! Amanda

I am also a confident, intelligent, outgoing gal with multiple degrees. While I was very successful pre-op, my level of success post-op has been astronomical. Like DIva, my opinions were given more credibility and I was given greater responsibilities as I lost the weight. Also like Diva, I am unsure whether people's attitudes changed because of my weightloss or because my attitude changed. I can tell you that I recieved a major promotion four months (and 70 pounds) after surgery. I strongly believe I would not have received this without the VSG.

In my experience, surgery and recovery are a breeze. Learning to no longer depend on food for fun, entertainment, solace, etc. is a bit harder. I completely panicked before surgery as well. I was ready to leave the pre-op staging area- I was that scared. Luckily, I prayed, asked for a sign and God gave me an immense feeling of peace that convinced me to stay. I almost had gastric bypass twice before the sleeve was available and I chickened out both times because I was scared. Now, I am very glad I walked away from those procedures so that I could have the sleeve and live normally. I guess I share this so that you can know that I also believe sometimes backing out is the right answer. No one on this site knows you, your lifestyle or where you are on this journey. Know that you have a choice and make the choice that is best for you. Just know that their are many who have had this surgery and found much success. Hugs- Amanda

HOLY SMOKES! What a celebration! Congratulations- A loss of that significance so quickly take some serious dedication. Go you! Amanda

I am more thankful for this surgery and the ways it has changed my life than I can even articulate. I finally feel like I am living life as I was meant to- I am no longer a fraud. I love that. Today, my husband and I woke up and ran a 5K pushing our four-year old in her jogging stroller. We ran the entire time and came in at 37 minutes (while pushing a 40 pounder!). It was awesome and so far removed from our life last year. Last year, we were carrying 175 extra pounds between the two of us and I'm not convinced we could've even walked the course. This year, healthy eating and exercise are normal in our life. I love that our little girl is going to know this lifestyle and hopefully not encounter her Mommy's struggle. I am happy. So damn happy. Amanda

I've gone through this as well. It just sucks. Celebrate the victories and remember we're running a Marathon not a sprint. Hugs- Amanda

Thank you so much for your "photo journal". At almost 9 months out, I often worry I am eating way too much now. Seeing that my portions are right in line with someone who has been very successful really helped me. Happy Turkey Day! Amanda

I have been blessed with no issues throughout my journey. I was able to get my liquids and protein in from early on, I've never vomited, got the slimes or had any other undesirable issue. I've also eaten a bit more than most sleevers from the very beginning (I could eat a 1/2 cup of food from early on). As evidenced by my weightloss, none of this has slowed me down. Best of luck to all of you! Amanda

1. You look AMAZING! 2. Happy Birthday! 3. I would have NEVER guessed 44! Girl, you seriously look closer to 30. Amanda

Gorgeous pics! Your smile says it all. Congratulations! Amanda

When I had it prescribed I had to go to a "compounding" pharmacy to have it filled. It couldn't be found over the counter. Good Luck! Amanda

I feel for you- I wanted a salad SO BAD after surgery. I wanted the crunch of fresh, raw veggies! However, I was not allowed to have most raw veggies until 12 weeks post-op, especially lettuce as it is fiborous and difficult to digest. As always, check with your doctor and follow their guidelines. Best wishes! Amanda

I also had a hiatal hernia repaired during VSG. I spent a lot of time in Hubs' lazy boy post op- about a week. However, a large part of my discomfort came from an impinged rotator cuff that I managed to anger the day before surgery. Believe it or not, my rotator cuff hurt way more than any part of the VSG surgery. I believe I would have been fine on the sofa or in bed had it not been for the crazy pain in my rotator cuff/shoulder area that wouldn't let me get comfortable. Amanda

I am also in Houston and would be interested in a support group. I actually live on the west side in Katy, but I'm not afraid of a little driving. Amanda

Folks who know me will tell you that I am generally a Pollyanna, glass is half-full kind of gal. But, friends, I have to tell you the one area I am struggling to stay positive in is my weight loss. Trust me, I am thrilled that I have lost almost 110 pounds and most days I am pretty sure I will make it to my goal weight. The creeping, negative monster in my mind is that I will someday screw up and gain it all back. That I am doing little things now that will ultimately destroy all I've worked for, etc. Literally, this is the stuff my nightmares are made of. I feel as though I just escaped prison and I am waiting for the Marshalls to find me and haul my a$$ back in. I don't want to be a fugitive in weight loss. I want to be confident and self-assured that I have finally learned my lessons when it comes to nutrition and health, but I have a history of losing 80-100 pounds on four other occasions and then doing everything in my power to sabotage myself. How can I convince myself this time is different? To those who've also battled these demons and succeeded, how did you do it? Any tips? I will keep fighting the good fight. I truly believe that failure is not an option, but the fear is real and it does affect me. Thanks for listening. Amanda

Most patients experience a stall of little to no weight loss immediately following surgery. It's even nicknamed the three week stall since that is where it often hits. It sounds like it got you a little earlier. I have also noticed that those who have a lot of weightloss on the pre-op diet take a little longer to get the scale moving post-op. I would relax, follow your doctor's diet,drink plenty of liquids, measure your food and stay away from the scale for week. I know it's frustrating but the scale will start to move in good time. Amanda

I invested in a therapist starting about 3 months prior to surgery and until about 6 months post-op to help me face those demons. It was something that I knew I had to deal with if I wanted to lose the weight forever. It is one of the best decisions I have made of this journey. I am now conscious of what I am eating and why I am eating. I won't say that I never have times when I give into emotional eating but now I am aware of it and it is apart of that day's calorie intake. Best of luck to you. It's a difficult beast to reign in but totally possible. Amanda

I'm sending all of the above. I was just thinking about you earlier and that your turn was coming up. I absolutely love your positive outlook and sunny disposition that is projected through your posts here. I believe those will carry you far through the healing process. Best wishes! Amanda

Yes, I remember those pains. I actually slept in our recliner the first few nights because that was the only place I was comfortable. At only four days out, don't be afraid to take your pain meds. Keep your body comfortable so it can focus on healing. Best wishes! Amanda

Fusilli- I am not studied on the scienctific evidence and whether it has proven that "starvation mode" is a myth but I can attest from the empirical data of my own experience that stavation mode was very real for me. If my calories dip below 1100 for more than a couple of days my body gets extremely ticked and I stop losing. I am also one that can generally break a stall by increasing calories rather than decreasing (assuming of course that I have been eating what I am supposed to leading to the stall). I agree with Shae that My Fitness Pal is a fantastic tool if for no other reason than that when you hit a stall you can look back at your intake and excercise for clues. Best of luck to you! Amanda

Funny you mention this. I actually looked at myself a few days ago and thought the same thing. I realized that even though I've lost so much I still have more work to do. Like you, I am not down on myself but it is eye-opening to realize how much I kidded myself about my weight for so long. Fortunately, we at least realized we needed help enough to have this surgery and are getting ourselves where we need to be. Amanda

Thank you all SO MUCH for your responses. Seeing so many successful peeps respond with the similar fears makes me feel much better. Like many of you I find myself able to eat much more at 8 1/2 months out. I think I am also stressing because I really thought I would be under 200 right now- even if that wasn't a totally realistic goal. I started logging calories again on My Fitness Pal and I spazzed a bit when I realized I was consistently hitting 1500 calories and I could easily go higher without watching it. So many on here stick to much lower calorie counts that I felt scared. What I didn't think about is that I am training for a 1/2 marathon and logging 20+ miles a week. I just need to remember that my body is a machine right now and needs fuel. Even at 1550 calories a day I lost 7 pounds in two weeks so I know needed those calories. I am so thankful for this site where I can find so many helpful friends who completely understand. And, I can't tell you how thankful my husband is that I come to you guys to spaz instead of him. Amanda

Such a great thread idea! I have actually checked off a few things on my bucket list so I am going to just the list the ones left. 1. Buy a pair of jeans with the "blingy" back pockets and strut my stuff! 2. Run a 1/2 Marathon. 3. Wear a size 10 someplace other than my foot. 4. Participant in a group fitness class. 5. Get under two hundred pounds (oh, so close!).

Like Yukon, I am an advocate of utilizing professional help in this fight. I really needed someone to help me understand how my emotions became so intertwined with food so that I could seperate the two. It was the best decision I made. I also remember the first 10 days post-op as being some of the most mentally-difficult days of my life. Although I had been seeing a therapist pre-op, I still had work to do. Surgery basically ripped away my emotional support system of food. I was one of the few who didn't have any a strict pre-op diet so post-op was the first exposure for me. It was rough! Even if you don't seek out a therapist, consider journaling your thoughts and feelings throughout this journey to help you understand what pulls you toward the food. I firmly believe that we cannot combat what we do not understand. Best of luck to you! Amanda

I had a similar situation. A friend dropped me off at home and my neighbor was home across the street. My daughter was with her grandparents so my husband was home alone. My husband came out and greeted me with a hug and kiss. All the while the neighbor was staring really hard at us, so I waved. She looked confused and waved back. Come to find out, my neighbor didn't realize it was me and thought my husband was blatantly kissing another woman in our front yard. We all had a good laugh.