k8bwalsh

Hate me - I know I aleady wrote a book - but I forgot - I can't do carbonation. I don't really miss it (yet) - but I tried to have a beer in early June, and it hurt my stomach and I had to give the rest of the can to my hubby. So far, that's the only thing I can't do. I'm scared to try a coke, because that was my favorite. I would like to keep believing that all carbonation will hurt my stomach so that I don't get started on it. I did start drinking diet iced tea about 3 months after surgery - not as much caffeine as coffee - but I needed something.... I eased into it, and only allowed myself one cup a day until after my 6 month mark. Now I have as much as I want. Anyway - good luck!!

Hi Heather, Boy does your story sound pretty similar to mine! I'm a little older, I'm now 39....Last time I was in a bikini, I was probably 3 years old. And much like you, I saw myself getting bigger and bigger each school year! Funny, I recall 4th grade being the age when I became super-self concious about it, too. And I remember in 7th grade boys teasing me that I must weigh 200 lbs. I was comforted by the fact it wasn't true - I was 'only' about 190 (not that I told THEM that!!) In college I gained more weight, lost it after college, but never really felt thin. I think I was a size 12 for a few weekes, but mostly 18-20. Slowly, (or maybe it was rather quickly) after getting married and having two children, I hit my worst couple years where I kept bouncing between 275 and 300 (size 22-24), and couldn't seem to break the cycle. My sister's friend had gastric by-pass, my brother's frined had the DS surgery ~ both were huge successes!! That's when I started looking into surgerical options. One thing I found out from my siblings friends was that both of them have ungodly smelling gas (sorry if that grosses you out - just being honest) and both of them have to take a very large amount vitamins and pills every day, throughout the day, to keep their bodies in balance. Both of these, I, personally, was not comfortable with. The lap band seemed a good option, but I wasn't comfortable with the fact you have to go back to the doctor frequently to have it adjusted. Sounded like a lot of time off of work to me...plus, painful, as someone told me they can't always find the port on the first try, since it's under your skin. Yikes!! VSG seemed like the best option to me. Like you, I wanted a permenant solution. So, I fulfilled all the requirements (nutritionist, psycholgist, etc), including, after 25 years of smoking, I quit smoking. Wow! I must be serious!! [i am ashamed to admit I never even really quit all the way when I was pregnant, although I had cut down for them.] And I gained nearly 30 lbs after quitting, but was comforted to know that I was having the surgery soon. I hit my all time high of 329. Blah, I was so uncomfortable. I actually had to go out and buy two size 26 pants to get me thru!! The day of the surgery I asked a nurse if I was doing the right thing. And she told me I'd be a different person in a year. I'd never regret it. Well, I had my surgery a little over 6 months ago (January 26, 2011). As of yesterday, I have lost 70 pounds so far! The doctor told me I could expect to lose 60% of my excess weight by the 1 year mark. And I'm right on track. At my 6 month visit, I had lost 35% of my excess weight. I have to be honest, I do have to work at it. But a little bit of work results in a big drop! Unfortunately, over Easter I learned that chocolate does not make me feel sick and I could eat it all day long. I had to stop myself. But don't we all have to do that in the long run? I didn't lose much over the Easter season b/c I dipped into my kids stash prior to Easter.... But then I said to myself this is serious and I better not look like an ass after having that surgery!!! I started following the weight watchers plan, which I already had all the books and points sliders for. I didn't join weight watchers - don't get me wrong - and I know they've completely changed the program since I last went. However, it's just a way for me to keep track of what I put in my mouth and to make sure that I'm getting the protien I need. I keep a food journal. That, I think, is the most important thing for me. It's a tool that I need to use to ensure that I am not eating too much junk, which can happen with the sleeve. I have to say, it's difficult to get all my points in sometimes. I think that's my favorite part!! I need to be creative so that I meet the daily points requirements. Not saying that is what will work for you - and in fact I have never read anything in this forum that has shown anyone else does this method. They might have a food journal, but noone's ever said it followed the weight watchers plans... And it's not something I started doing until after the Easter candy fiasco. And exercise.... I just walk and swim. I walk, and walk and walk. When it's nice enough out, I swim laps in my pool. I was hoping my knees would get better as I lost weight, but am finally getting an x-ray to see if there's more to it, because even though they are not as painful, I still have pain that prevents me from doing vigerous cardio. But I have so much more energy! I feel amazing. My kids are happier because I'm able to do more with them (plus I don't smoke anymore, so already I feel like a better mom!) I have NO trouble digesting ANY food what-so-ever. Steak, which is one of my favorites, and both gastric by-pass and DS patients typically have issues with, is digested just fine by me! Although, it was a big adjustment learning to put less my plate....my mind said I wanted 'this much' but my new stomach could only handle a small portion of it! But the nicest part of all???? My new stomach was FULL from that small portion ~ and I was NOT hungry after eatting the small portion. I was amazed!!!! I'm still amazed, but I'm getting used to it. Veggies fill me up so fast! I feel like I'm eating like a skinny person (oh, half a sandwich is WAY too much for me! lol!!) The best part is, I'm beginning to believe that I will soon be that skinny person I'm eating like. And my farts don't stink. (Ok, well, no worse than they ever did...) And I only have to take a daily vitamin pill (Centrum), and once a week take a vitamin D pill. That's it. I think skinny people do the same or similar thing, right? And since the hunger hormone is produced in your stomach, and my stomach was cut out - I NEVER get hungry. I get empty - but not hungry. It's the craziest thing. You know when you get so hungry, that you just binge on whatever is placed in front of you? Well, I'm starting to forget what that's like. Just a few bites of food fills me up and I dont' have any urge or desire to binge. Sorry for being so long - but one last thought - since you wanted honesty..... The doctor told me I'd lose, then plateau, then lose, then plateau, then lose. And he was right. I set 10 lbs goals at a time...As soon as I get to my next goal weight, I think it'll be easy to get to the next 10 lbs off...but it seems like it takes forever, then, boom! I start losing again. I finally believe I will NEVER see 300 again, never see 290 again, never see 280 again, and never see 270 again. I am now struggling at around 260. Just saw 259 on the scale yesterday for the first time! I couldn't wipe the smile off my face all day OMG - at 250 I'm treating myself to a real massage in a spa!!!!! Anyway - good luck with your decision. I don't regret doing it ~ it's the best decision I ever made! Hope whatever you decide it is the decision that will reverse your life-long weight loss battle.

CONGRATS!! You've inspired me. I'm going shopping tomorrow. My pants, size 22, are so baggie on me - I'm constantly pulling them up!! I'm not sure I'll have the same luck you did, but I'll be happy if the 20s fit. (I'll come back and post it if I actually get into an 18, but I'm not banking on it. But man, what a good feeling for you!!!! Won't be long for me

Congrats!!!!! I was sleeved on January 26, and I've 'only' lost around 63 (which I'm proud of). I was a size 26, but now I'm realizing the 22's are starting to fall off me. I'm probably a 20, but hoping I can buy my fall wardrobe a size 18...loving my shorts again! And my energy is just increased ten-fold! Feels so good Daily walks, nightly swims.... I feel like I have my life back again and I can keep up with my hubby and 9 and 6 yo boys. Finally!

Read this looking for some good tips, myself. I told many people about it. However there were a couple of negative friends that I purposely withheld the information from. Will see if it slips out anytime soon. Hoping to get some compliments down the road from them and tell them I'm eating right & exercising (which is true!!) If I can avoid telling them at all costs, fantastic! If they find out, so be it. I am not looking for their approval anyway. But even after 60 pounds, not a word out of them, so not sure why I'm classifying them as friends anyway.... Anyway - *most* people are supportive, and the ones that are not are mostly telling me all about so-and-so who had it done and gained it all back and then some, and looks worse now than ever...blah, blah, blah. I usually hold up my hand and say, "I don't want to hear it." Some super-rude people, however, persist on telling you all about it. They are NOT my friends and I do not confide in them anymore!!! Also, I've had one stranger insist that I should be taking a holistic approach, and she used to have a big stomach, blah, blah, blah. I walked away. But, like I said before, the thing that gets me the most is when they want to tell me about so-and-so who looks horrible and gained it all back after their surgery. Most people also think I'm not losing as quickly as I should. This is not DS or gastric by-pass. This is a slower process and eating right and exercising factor in or it's not going to work. I think people are talking behind my back at work saying I wasted my time, but really, 60 pounds in 5 months? More than they did, b-otches!! lol!! And at least I'm heading in the right direction, unlike them who gained over the past 5 months and are still gaining. (Of course I don't say this to their faces.) Good luck! So bottom line is I just say, "I don't want to hear it" and *most* people respect that.

I've been doing terribly! I bought a couple bags of milk chocolate eggs for my kids baskets, and opened one and ate some every day the week leading up to Easter. Should never have bought them!!! My kids aren't even eating them. What was I thinking???? Note to self for next year - kids will be happier with a basket full of crabby patties and I will be happier having no temptation b/c those things are disgusting!! Needsless to say, no weight lost the past two weeks!

I'm almost 3 months, and I tried salad a few weeks ago. I bought my favorite salad at work, they make up for you in the cafeteria. I used to get that with a soft pretzel and some sort of dessert. Well, this time I only got the salad, and it was a total waste of money, as I could only eat a few bites before I was totally, completely, disgustingly full!!! Since then I buy the smallest pre-made salad (either chicken Caesar or chef - since they have protein). But I take a huge handful of lettuce and throw it in the trash, leaving only about a 1/4 cup of lettuce (maybe less), and eat it with the protein and low fat or fat free dressing. And I'm am stuffed!!! Unlike previous responses, I had no 'bathroom' issues, so I suppose that depends on your own body. Good luck!

Yeah -watch out because when you do get to the 'unrestricted' phase, it's great, but you still think you can eat much more than you can. So, the steak & cheese grinder (I'm from Philly, so I assume you mean a cheesesteak?), you'll only be able to eat, like, a bite - maybe two - before you are stuffed like it's Thanksgiving Dinner. It's crazy! It doesn't last forever, but it's like that for the first few months... really - don't bother ordering one, just have a bite of a friends. And just make sure the rest of the day you're following dr's orders! Good luck!!

My doc. said no caffeine for 6 months, but honestly, I've been making iced coffees, with slighly more than 1/2 milk (for the protein), & a less than 1/2 coffee, about 2 or 3 times a week. I thought he said the concern is that coffee can cause ulcers, so I don't want to risk that by having it every day!!! Love Truvia to sweeten it up!!

It's definitely the doctor's decision. Of course my surgeon was the only doctor in the practice I went to that made you have it in for one week. It wasn't bad at all ~ the worst was not being able to shower until it was out. And of course I got a little visit from Aunt Flow the day before surgery....and then couldn't shower for one week! Ugghh! But ~ for those that do have to get one ~ no pain! It felt weird coming out as I did not realize it extended across my belly. But it was quick and easy to come out, and I had to wait 12 hours to shower once it was out (to give the hole a chance to seal up a little bit before I showered.) That shower never felt so good

I got it the day before surgery!!! They gave me disposable undies to wear with a regular pad, and when I finally got out of bed, that's when I realized they took the undies off in surgery and put a gigantic pad there. At that point I was allowed to use tampons - but the worst was my doctor leaves a drain in place for one week after surgery > which meant NO SHOWERS!!! Wasn't as bad as I anticipated, but still glad that is over with! So - you'll be fine. Just remember that the doctors and nurses have seen it all before!

I chewed gum a couple weeks afterwards. I found it helped me to burp, which I felt I needed to do a lot! I also drink a cup of coffee a couple times a week. At least it's not daily anymore...but I have a hard time believing it causes ulcers - just about everyone drinks it - but I don't know that many people with ulcers. I still take it easy, though, as I do want my stomach to heal properly. I also have not had any problems with straws. Not sure why the doctor said no gum or straws. Neither irritated my stomach one bit... I suggest go with your gut. If you really feel like you could handle it, just try it once to see how it feels. If it irritates you, don't do it again. Good Luck!!

You go food shopping on an 'empty' stomach and have zero desire to head for the cookie/cracker/junk food aisle!!! Oh the money I'm saving!!! Great lists everyone!! Cool idea

Try chewing gum. That always makes me belch!!! It really helped me. I also often feel like if someone would just pat me on the back like a baby that would be so helpful! But I haven't really actually asked anyone to do so. I tried the gum, and found it really helpful! Good luck!!

I was told walking was ok - but no lifting anything more than 10 lbs for the first 4 weeks. Just had my 4 week check up today and am down 35 lbs!! YAY! [Now I have to figure out how to update my signature. lol!] They told me today that I am completely unrestricted for any type of exercise, and that I should be doing at least 20 minutes a day - switching b/t aerobic and weight lifting.

My doctor said acetaminophen (Tylenol) is fine. I cannot have Advil or Alieve 1 month before or for 6 months after surgery, though.

It really is different after surgery. I thought I'd miss a lot more than I do, believe me. I'm almost 4 weeks post surgery, but my plan was slightly different than yours: nothing day of surgery - sponges to wet lips and tongue day 2 & 3 - clear liquids only (crystal light, water, broth) following 12 days - full liquids (protein drinks, yogurt drinks, cream of wheat thinned out w/milk or water) next two weeks - pureed foods (mashed potatoes, baby food, greek yogurt, cottage cheese) next two weeks - soft foods (eggs, crab, shrimp, tuna) then: unrestricted - trying things one at a time So far as I know, once I hit "unrestricted" nothing is off limits. However, I'm on the pureed foods stage now, and just a 1/2 cup of mashed potatoes fills me up completely - takes me just as long to eat as it takes the rest of my family to eat their entire meal, and totally satisfies me! You get so full so fast, that at this stage I can't even imagine eating a hamburger with a bun (which was previously a favorite). Even if I get to that stage where I can eat that, I cannot fathom wanting french fries with it. It was just overload me!!! (Which is a good thing! I've had my lifetime quota of micky d's anyway, lol!) Good luck!!

My youngest is 38 lbs and I avoided picking him up as much as possible the first couple weeks, but he's so used to it...it was hard. Especially after I could drive again and we went out in the car - as much as I tried to coax him into getting into the booster seat himself, often it was just easier to lift him into it as he'd be running the opposite way down the driveway. Not sure how old your older girls are, but maybe you could make a game of them helping you lift your little one? That may take some of the pressure off you during those times you have to lift her. Good luck!!

Great question! I was wondering this myself. My doc. said no sex, but never said how long > I have a follow up this Tuesday and was going to ask. I feel fine, and my hubby sure misses it! But I was scared - our first Valentine's Day just cuddling :/ Hopefully we'll make up for after the appt!!!!

I couldn't follow it either....not proud and wouldn't recommend it, but I was supposed to have 2 weeks liquids, 2 weeks pureed and 2 weeks of soft food before being 'unrestricted.' > I sort of 'skipped' the pureed phase....I started eating soft foods like eggs and crab legs and string cheese. I took it really slow and tried one thing at a time, and only a little bit at a time. So far, no ill effects. I was sleeved 23 days ago....

This was fun to read and to think about. I'm only 3 1/2 weeks out - but here goes my 7 truths, so far: 1. I, too, am much colder now! I used to sleep with my electric blanket on 2 or 3, but now it's on High every night! 2. I had an aversion to eggs before surgery, could only eat them once in a blue moon, but now, I love them!!! Smell good & tastes good. (Of course I'm the opposite of most people on this one. haha!) 3. I feel like I have tons of energy or I crash and burn. No in between! Still taking a daily noontime nap, which has to stop next week when I go back to work 4. I thought I'd have a real problem cooking and planning meals for my family, but I actually enjoy it. I have no desire to pick at it while it's cooking ,either. (Of course I'm not on unrestricted foods yet, either.) 5. It takes me as long to eat my little 1/2 cup of mashed potatoes as it does for the rest of the family to eat their full plate of dinner - and I'm full AND satisfied!!!!! 6. I'm just not hungry. I may feel empty but I never get that ready to eat everything in sight feeling. 7. Cheez-it's still go in way to easily and I must stop buying them!!!! I'm sure I'll think I lots more as time goes on...

I must be eating too fast, too, b/c I burp a lot! A lot more than I ever did. (I was sleeved 22 days ago). I seem to feel a lot better after I burp. I'm just kind of worried about how it will be when I go back to work next week. I almost always eat lunch at my desk, but I think I'm going to have to switch that up b/c I don't want to burp at work!!!

I am so happy to know that red meat is OK for almost everyone!! I was sleeved 22 days ago, and I was worried never to enjoy steak again. My brother's friend had a DS done, and says he can't eat it anymore. But I was kind of hoping that that's b/c he had so much other work done. I think I gonna try a nice juicy (albeit small!) steak as soon as I'm unrestricted (March 6th or something like that) I am not big on coconut, or celery - so I'll be careful with those, but sounds like it might be individualized anyway...

I find some things are way too sweet, too. I really like the Choboni's. I like this greek yogurt with a packet of Truvia and I also like putting it in my smoothies to up the protein of them. I'm still in the pureed phase, but can definitely see using it in place of sour cream. (I'm 3 weeks out). Good luck with your girls!

My doc and nut both say to have snacks - and it's all about protein right now. It sounds like your trainer is telling you to have protein rich snacks. I would definitely follow your doctors plan, though, and go ask your doctor. It does sound like a lot of food, but that's probably b/c I just don't get hungry anymore. Nothing sounds good to me at this point (I was sleeved 3 weeks ago today, and am still on pureed foods. blah! can't wait til this phase is over!!!) Good luck!