happy1957

I am 17 months out, have never been nauseous or thrown up. I too hate it. This surgery comes with pretty good directions, if you follow the recipe, unless you're ill, you may never experience the throwing up part. It seems people who eat too fast do that or I've just been exceptionally lucky. I've never been sick at all. :-)

Hello everyone.. I had VSG on 12-28-11. At that time in the excitement of finally getting approved and the possibility of a healthier future I became an open book about my upcoming surgery. After being slapped in the face so to speak and dealing with so much negativity regarding my ability to lose weight without VSG, I decided to close the door(my mouth). Of course my close circle of friends knew, and we all know that if you tell one you've told 20. As time has gone on and I have been successful, when someone asks how I lost all this weight, I just say, you know "calories in, calories out" and working out 5 days a week religiously everyday at 4:30 am. I have never been blatantly asked if I had surgery with the exception of one time and I told the truth. Of course they had asked if I had a by-pass and I felt that I needed to educate them. I have become much more private about it. I actually am so routined I don't even think about it. I work in a public place and there are clients that only see me once a year so they are blown away still making it a daily subject of conversation although I try to quickly turn it off. Today I had a client / outside acquaintance ask my opinion about a friend who has lied to her about having bypass and passing it off as "hard work and determination" and she apparently is one who flaunts her new body around like a 3 carat diamond. She felt that this friend told a blatant lie and wanted to dissolve the friendship. She asked my opinion. I just told her that some things in life are private. That had I had breast implants I wouldn't be telling the world. I asked her if she had asked this person flat out if she had surgery or just asked how she lost the weight The conversation never really went anywhere because other interoffice stuff was happening. The one thing I did take from this was the GUILT of not telling her about myself when she asked. Was she really asking me if I had had surgery? She and her mom have asked me numerous times how I did it. I use the same line over and over. Well, this struck home.. I am not a liar, but have I been lying by omission? Is it my right to surgery privacy? I actually feel depressed tonight thinking that this person may have lost trust in me for lying. I didn't feel like I was lying, told a 3/4 truth. I do watch my diet, I do work out religiously and I try to be a model VGS recipient. I just am sick of the "explaining" myself. How can I lose this feeling of GUILT? Moving to another state or having a sex change operation has crossed my mind tonight. :-)

Good morning.. I am surprised at this stage you can eat a WHOLE Cheeseburger. I am 18 months out and I would have had to eat that in two sittings. I can eat 1/2 of a sandwich thin sandwich of tuna or turkey etc. Did you not have any feelings of fullness prior to finishing it off? I have only "over eaten" one time and I was miserable. I don't eat beef but any time I eat dense protein like chicken it fills me up fast. I'm happy that you enjoyed it and was able to eat it without adverse effects, but remember that your stomach can stretch to some degree and it would be easy to slip into old habits. The best advice that my Dr ever gave me was to always eat on a tea cup plate. Even in a restaurant I ask for my box immediately and only leave what would fit on a the smaller plate to actually consume. Good luck to you.

Morning Deano, I guess I'll have to reconcile with myself. Reading all these posts and some have made me laugh, I'm ok with the lying by omission :-) Thanks and have a great day!

I originally thought I would have no issues and most people in my life would be supportive As time went on the negativity about how I could have done it on my own and have numerous times, started making me tight lipped. I hated dealing with the negativity. I think the straw that broke the camels back was last summer I was at a wedding and saw many family members that I hadn't seen in years. I received many compliments and at one point my cousin was telling me how great I looked and another "older" family member whom I had not spoken to about anything, stood up in front of 30 people, yelled down from the opposite end of a 10 ft table and yells, WELL SHE SHOULD LOOK GOOD, SHE HAD THAT BYPASS OPERATION! I was so stunned, I just stared her in the face, said I didn't have a bypass and this isn't the place to explain what I had. I was so embarrassed. It was like she said it to embarrass or belittle me. I sincerely would have loved to talk to anyone about it, I am an advocate for the surgery, but people are just so uncouth at times. It all stems fro fear, the fear of the unknown.

Wish I could have done the same. I wish my husband was the only one who knew. I have no regrets regarding anything about this surgery with the exception of who I've told.

First off, don't trust anyone. I mean NO one. That person you trust may have a smaller megaphone than others, but believe me, they will blab when you are getting smaller and getting all the compliments. MY EXPERIENCE IS THAT THAT EXCITEMENT ABOUT GETTING HEALTHY AND THEM SUPPORTING YOU, TURNS INTO JEALOUSY . NOT OF HOW YOU LOOK BUT ALL THE POSITIVE THEY HEAR AROUND YOU. I already had a weeks vacation planned and just had the surgery. Went back to work at my regularly scheduled return I have a standing/walking job, so I didn't deal with any of the problems of having to sit all day and getting gassy etc. It was a perfect recovery and I started walking immediately which also helps. The best of luck to you.

You did not hijack my thread, I like to see opinions and expressions of the same concerns. I wouldn't leave a job I love, but the thought actually crosses my mind at times too, I suspect co-workers tell the clients behind my back, I think a new life in a new city might be the answer, but running from the issue doesn't change it. I'm trying to find a way to deal with it without all the Catholic GUILT! Tell her you're having a sex change and laugh it off. I've tried that in the past with another issue.

OMG, you cracked me up!! I laughed for the first time in 24 hours. You are so right. If anyone has asked me straight out I have told them. Only one person was brave enough to do that. I was in a public place at the time and came home and answered her through e-mail along with educational information about the surgery She was so intrigued she is doing it herself now. I think you are right, it's my business and if not blatting my surgery to world divides our friendship, then so be it. My success is a thorn for many since I see the repeated Monday diets over and over again among my co-workers and friends. I actually thank God I'm not in that boat any more. Gotta go get on the elliptical. Have a fabulous day and thanks for making me smile.

Thank you for your reply. From my experience, I wish I had just went on vacation and NOT told a soul. I had a very quick recovery without any set backs, was out of work one week and no one noticed a difference in me with the exception of what I ate. If I were in your shoes, that is exactly what I would do. Loose lips sink ships, tell one and the world knows. It's not that I'm ashamed of my surgery, but my work is not a place to explain, most people have never even heard of the sleeve in my area. It's a way of life and I don't ask people what they eat, how much exercise they get etc, so why do they feel that they need to know? I work hard at this and hope I maintain a handle on it forever as I've always been able to lose, it's maintaining I've never been successful at. Thanks again.

Congratulations... asking my PCP was the hardest part for me in making the decision as well. In fact she didn't take me serious until I called a month later to find out why the referral had not been sent the bariatric center. It was a long year since I had to battle the insurance company right through until the last appeal. I had my surgery 12/28/11 and it's been the best decision of my life. I wish you the very best. I don't think you'll back out once you get fully inspired and are doing this for all the right reasons.

Good day.. I will be 56 next month. I had my surgery on 12/28/11. I reached my goal exactly at my 1 year anniversary. Although I had a lot less weight to lose than others, my BMI was still 41. I would say my biggest flaw area is my abdomen. I absolutely hate the "sway" belly, but just over the last 3 months, I've noticed a big change in my skin. I have not lost any weight in nearly 4 months. I do work out 5 days a week, but it seemed like it helped very little with both the sway chin and tummy until I stopped losing weight. I think the skin is starting to catch up to my inner skeleton or I'm getting used to it. I actually saw a photo of myself that a friend snapped over the weekend and didn't mind my chin anymore. I will spend the summer doing more crunches and see where this abdominal skin settles, if it doesn't get better, it's a panniculectomy for me! Overall I will take the lose skin over the all the medications I no longer take.

Congratulations, you are just a gorgeous woman thin or heavier. I know that the smaller you has a different spirit and level of confidence, but I see the beauty in all the photos. Keep up the good work, if you don't lose the additional 10 lbs, it'll be fine, you look and I assume feel fantastic. Any potential health issues are gone too!

I too hate my face. Hollow, dropping cheeks and a sway neck. Grrrrrrrrrrrrr.. It does seem to have gotten better over the last three months, but am I just getting used to it? I suspect a neck lift is the only thing going to fix it. I'm came in here today to read about Mexican plastics.

I was weighed on a special scale that told my BMI, plus fat %, bone density and muscle mass%. Maybe you have less muscle and more fat would bring your BMI numbers up. Just a thought. I personally carry a lot of muscle, so my goal weight was a lot more than others of my stature. Without this special scale, I would have to lose another 23 lbs for my height, but because of the ability to see muscle mass, I have more than reached goal. This really helps over the standard BMI charts

I'm curious...To whom in Mexico did you go and the cost? PM if you'd like. Thank you.

I too am out about the same amount of time, surgery was 12/28/11. I have not lost any weight in 4-5 months, but maintaining. I would like to lose another 5 lbs strategically (lower abdomen) but the Dr told me I've lost 3% more than her goal and that is sufficient it's totally up to me. Can't wait for the spring weather to get here and stay. I love the outdoor walking etc. I am happy where I am, since I'm older, no need to look sickly. I wish you the best of luck with whatever you decide.

Good morning.. I had severe migraines prior tot he surgery I was experiencing them as much as 5 days a week. I too had more when I was dieting. I have NOT had a single migraine since my surgery which was 12/28/11. I attribute that to the diet food world. I no longer eat lein cuisine, smart ones , progressive soups etc which contain a lot of preservatives. I have had a headache a couple times, which I blame on barometric pressure and impending storm, but were resolved with one OTC medication. I have other issues like high blood pressure which have been resolved by the surgery and could have attributed to the migraines. Overall, I am so much healthier I know of another sleever here who is now migraine free. I wish you the best of luck.

Good morning.. Thank you for taking the time to write about your journey. I thought I would update you. Over the last 2-3 months those negative comments have really stopped and I'm actually getting the compliments or comments I expected, along with a few flirtations. Now that gives this older lady the GOGO juice., LOL I have continued to work out faithfully maybe don't eat as carb free as I should, but I wanted to be healthier and not feel feel like I'm dieting and fighting my body all the time. I am in a very HAPPY place. I will NEVER be a size 2 like my daughter, my make-up isn't like hers. I am very happy where I am, the workouts are doable and also are a great stress reliever, the satisfaction in my diet is at 100% so no need to closet eat or overeat. I believe I still have great restriction, as I visual measure my food and just hate that "over full " feeling and do my best to avoid it. I still don't drink with my meal as my Dr said always eat on a 6 inch plate and never drink with your meals and you'll be successful. I hope and pray that this success is long term. I have absolutely no regrets. I think once I passed the one year mark and have not lost any more weight, my skin is settling in and my face doesn't look as hollow. I now wish I had the courage to do something fun with my hair, but guess I just haven't seen anything striking that would make me cut it off. Life is very good and I hope the same for you!!

That is fabulous!..............the best of luck on your journey..

I hate to sound repetitive, but you sincerely do look like a different, younger woman. Congratulations. I bet you're on your way to feeling much better too!! Keep up the good work..

Unfortunately I was not able to exercise right after surgery. I had injured my neck just three days before my planned program was to start. This injury took a total of 17 weeks to get to surgery and recover. I did lose weight and stuck to "Basics" , but I think I could have lost more or hit goal sooner had I been able to work out. I think over all you feel better too. I can tell you once I started, I have lost weight, yet it was slow, but feel so much better and am getting more toned each day. My advice is to use the "bible" that your doctor gave you and it will work great. All of my information including diet, exercise and recipes were put into a red binder. I call that my bible. Eat often, drink lots of Water and don't drink with your meals. Protein first and at that stage, that's about all I could take in. I am now 14 months post op and at goal, but worry about maintenance since I can and do eat more. I'm much more hungry now. I think the first 9-10 months my hunger level was much lower. Take advantage of that. Best of luck to you.

Hello.. I am 14 months post op. I do 45 minutes a day on the elliptical at the highest level, highest incline. I do this Mon-Fri, I take the weekends off. Here in Maine it's difficult to get out in the winter months. I was doing weight training 3 times a week, but due to a neck and arm injury, I've stopped that for awhile. I try to burn 550 calories each day. There are days it take me 42 minutes and days it takes me 45. There are also times that I'm happy to stay on until I burn 600 calories. I am older than a lot of folks here and feel that's all I can give right now and feel HAPPY doing it. I use the elliptical as my diabetes prevention med. It also sets my attitude for the day, making a stressful day seem easy. I heard on the Biggest Loser something that was profound for me. If you were diagnosed with cancer, would you get up each day, head to the hospital five days a week and have your treatment in hopes of saving your life? YES! would be my answer. Then those mornings I'm tired and want to just stay in bed, ( I do this at 4:30 am.) I remind myself, this is my high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol prevention treatment, I MUST get up and prevent myself from dying by those diseases. So I do it, even with my eyes closed at times. :-)

Hi.. don't think the lbs are as important as the percentage of excess body weight that is lost. My Dr told me we should strive for 60% and I hit 63% at one year. I have been stable for 2-3 months and not sure I want to struggle with exercise and eating any less than I do now. I enjoy knowing that I can have a desert and just burn a few more calories on the elliptical. I am about a size 10 petite and at my age being any thinner would not look healthy on my large frame. I'm good, also find it difficult to believe I wear a medium shirt. The first 6-8 months was my window of opportunity. I have lost very slowly ever since although have lost lots of inches from toning up. I wish you the best of luck.