swizzly

I live outside the US (in Europe) and my program routinely scandalizes Americans to the point of them sort of yelling at me and calling my doctors "quacks" LOL (on this very site even). Yes, there are no liquids phases (except first three days post-op) and no Protein shakes/supplements involved. Though you do take Vitamins supplements as prescribed, they are also huge believers in (1) getting as much nutrition from food sources as possible from day one, and (2) keeping your digestive system active and running as normal by keeping "real food" in the system instead of liquids/purees (too much of this makes your intestines "lazy" according to them...LOL...who knows whether that's true or not). The clinic and program are run by some globally recognised experts in the bariatric field (including publishing, doing studies, etc.), so they can't be entirely wrong... But yeah, it's very different to almost every other program I've been exposed to via the online forums. I do know of one person from another forum who had surgery in Denmark and had some very similar experiences as mine, e.g., the requirement to keep good carbs in your diet, eat balanced meals, not go too low-cal, etc. ETA: I had very soft-cooked veal with gravy and mash + very well-cooked broccoli on day four post-op...and it was awesome. I was starving! EATA: Naturally, I wasn't even allowed liquids until I passed the leak tests, though!!

I also have to add -- I never had any problem eating or drinking, didn't have to force either one. It's been easy for me to drink a lot of fluids since day one, and eating has also been a breeze. Apart from dry heaves right after surgery, I've not thrown up/had slimes/foamies/etc. at all in the past 18 months since surgery. I've barely even ever had indigestion or things I would normally experience pre-op. Oddly, I've had an easier time stomach-wise than I had previously. That said, I haven't escaped constipation and related issues. But easily manageable with OTC stuff like Miralax, Colace. I wasn't tired or dopey after a couple of days post-op and never felt like I couldn't e.g. stay awake and alert all day. I was off work for five weeks, but also just cos that's how they roll here. But I would have probably not had too much of a problem working after 2-3 weeks post-op. NB: I didn't go through a period of 'starvation' or ketosis, b/c I've always included carbs in my diet (again, required here LOL) and I got up to 1000 cals per day asap, and then stayed at 1200-1500 throughout the losing period, when I was also not yet exercising heavily -- so I probably had enough calories to keep my energy levels up. ?

I hate the tickers (just for me and how they have to be done -- I do like seeing them on others' posts!!) so I keep my sig info up to date. I don't post pics really cos I hate posting my picture on the internet or doing other things that reveal IRL info. That all said, most of the relevant info is in my sig, and I'm always happy to answer questions. I didn't start working out till 9 months post-op (personal reasons for that) and have been working out three days a week since then, plus I walk everywhere wear I live, including to/from work every day. I do 30 mins elliptical and another 20-30 mins on the weight machines, abs, etc., three times per week. I lost most of the weight by the first year and haven't lost much since then, but my body continues to reshape itself. I think I will probably lose another 5kg in total this year and that will be just dandy.

Don't look at the scale day by day, don't obsess week by week. Just do what your program calls for and IT WILL WORK. I swear, you'll blink and year will have passed and you will be TONS SMALLER. BELIEVE.

I have had an uncomplicated walk in the park with this whole thing. It was absolutely awesomely easy and complication-free. I didn't have a hernia, didn't need much pain medicine post-surgery. Was eating normal food within the first week (that's how they do it where I am) and have been fine ever since. I never lost my hunger as some people do with VSG, but that's not really been an issue anyhow. I've done really well. Good luck!!

Way. to. GOOOOOOO!!! Well done you. You have earned every ounce!!!

I realise there are some Christians who say that accepting Jesus is all it takes and you're in. Maybe so for some Christian denominations or groups, but for many (most?) of them there are also all sorts of social, financial, rule-following requirements and strings attached. So it's not just "salvation" per se that is expensive or not; rather, the price of being part of the community in the here and now gets a bit high. But it's neither here nor there for me personally, as I just don't believe in Jesus Christ as a god or saviour of any sort, so the "price" of "salvation" is irrelevant.

Is that a real thing? A prayer diet book? I love when this thread turns up in my notifications again from time to time.

See, now that is just AWESOME. I'm so happy for you. YOU ROCK!!! :wub:

I always took all my pills whole, after the first week (in hospital they gave me soluble ones). I've never lost my hunger from this surgery, and I've been on a PPI the whole time as well. It's not acid, it's not head hunger, it's just plain old hunger -- ie, my appetite. It's fine, though, cos this is still totally do-able even if you do have an appetite!! I have actually found it helpful so that I keep my calories up above 1000 (early out -- now it's more like 1500-2000 per day).

Zero regrets. The biggest surprise for me is how easy it's been, I love that for me it's totally been 'the easy way out' -- COS I TOTALLY DESERVED IT!! I'm also surprised that I never lost my appetite at all and get hungry just like I did pre-surgery, but that it's still totally do-able. Good luck!!

Completely agree with this! I tried the generic of Prevacid, that did nothing at all. For me the one that works is Protonix (generic: pantoprazole) -- and chewing on Gaviscon is also super when you feel hungry but suspect it's acid. Works much better than other chewables in my opinion. Someone's doctor on here recommended it, and I've been using it ever since.

Me too!! I got to 1000 asap after surgery and got up to 1500 by six months. I never hit "goal" because I'm not sure it was the right weight for me to be trying to hit, but I got within 10 lb and have been maintaining there for months, with some days 2000+ cals easy. I have a "thing" about not getting too low-cal and also worry about screwing up my metabolism in general. So make sure you're not eating just out of head hunger, but don't beat yourself up if you're hungry and eating what you need -- I think it is not necessarily a bad thing. I agree about the acid pills too, though -- having too much acid feels exactly like gnawing hunger and sometimes that can really help. Gaviscon chewables help with it too! Good luck!

LOL...I've hardly ever gotten excited at all over *anything* to do with this surgery. I had hypertension and was about 80-100 lb overweight, I just figured it needed to be done. I have lost 90lb and am a size 6-8, but have never had any emotional changing-room moments, nor did I freak out when I got to quit my BP meds. I am fine to be smaller and fine to be healthier, but neither one is the making of my life -- that's up to my head and heart, and I'm always working on those, always have been.

It's mostly an RnY thing, in terms of physical differences that cause alcohol to hit your system faster and be processed differently, which wouldn't happen with VSG. That said, transfer addictions (ie, psychological addictions transferring from food to shopping, drinking, etc.) are still a risk of course.

I think it sounds like a great loss for only two months!! Seriously, I am guessing you're doing just fine, that's good loss for reals.

{{{{Globetrotter}}}} I'm so sorry about the job, that is SO tough to take. I am very wrapped up in my work too, and would be equally sad. You've got a lot on at the moment, be gentle on yourself. Be super extra nice to yourself!! <3 ETA: Lately my comfort food has been multi-grain cakes and butter, so I'm right there with you...

Fat Free Dressing is awesome!! I have bought it on Amazon and eBay (and one shop locally started selling them too, which shocked me).

I started at 240-ish, wanted to be 140-ish. I had surgery in Feb 2011 and was down 90 pounds by Jan 2012. I am not too fussed about the last 10, but hopefully those come off over time. I had a slow loss overall and a lot of stalls, including the current one -- but I'm also not bothered about those very much. For personal reasons, I didn't do any exercise apart from walking till 9 months post-op, and since November I go to the gym three times a week in addition to the walking. Good luck!

M2G, you look absolutely GORGEOUS! Just love the transformation...

I've lost loads and loads and LOADS of hair. It's regrowing a bit by now, but it's also still falling out. Gah!! It's also completely changed texture -- it's all fluffy and curly and goes frizzy instead of being wavy and shiny. Sheesh. But I could do much worse than losing some hair, so I'll take it...

Tiff, you have been an inspiration and a VAST WEALTH of knowledge for me about VSG throughout this process for me, I could never thank you enough. I do totally understand why you've eased off on posting, sounds like life is pretty crazy! I think if anyone, ever in the history of VSG, could gain back 50 lbs and take it in her stride, it's you. I dig your iron will of determination. Can't wait to see the new little guy -- and take good care of yourself!! <3

I kinda wish I would've been told that! LOL...every time I brought it up to any of my healthcare providers, they were all YEAH TOTALLY DO THAT. And my friends were like that too. Only one ASKED me if I was 'big enough' to qualify. And no one's really ever told me I "have such a pretty face, if only I lost some weight..." I WISH. I think I'm actually not so pretty, but I'm much more attractive overall as a thinner person for sure. One funny thing that happened recently is that someone I only knew from the WLS forums friended me on FB...and then sent me this PM: "You're much prettier than I thought you'd be!!!" Um, what? I just laughed...who knows what that means...also, who cares.

I never really had much pain post-op at all and didn't need morphine or pain-killers at all (can't believe how lucky I was!!), but I did notice a difference for the better after they pulled out the drain. I didn't realise it was bothering me till it was gone!

It's not something I know much about, but I've just started hearing about it in the WLS boards over the past few months. I haven't read the experiences of anyone who's had it, that I know of -- also haven't heard anything negative about it yet either. Good luck!