Irish Fan

I'm on there. All of my friends there are VSGers. I'm Irishfanvsg.

I think it is strange to go shopping. I went into a store today that I've never been in because nothing fit me so I never ventured in. When I went in I felt like someone might tap me on the shoulder and say that I was in the wrong store. I am kind of at a loss that I don't need to go to Lane Bryant or Christopher Banks for clothes or head upstairs to the women's department. It's like I've been kicked out of the club there too because they'll probably say that I'm in the wrong place there. I put on a size large sweater and shirt the other day and proclaimed it to my husband (who is full of praise) that it was a "regular" large. It opens up alot of options that I have never had before. I have quite a bit to go and I can't imagine what it will be like when I get there. It certainly won't be anything that I am used to.

So remember....."its a personal woman thing and all is well thank you" You're a genius. This made me laugh. It is funny that people think it is okay to ask personal questions these days. I also thought the stomach thing and not pushing it was also very good. I'm a teacher and had my surgery in the summer so many didn't see me in my early days. I didn't tell others. I eat with two others and they haven't said anything about my 6 shrimp and 1/2 c. cottage cheese.

My last of four children was born via c-section. Thank the Lord because had any of the earlier ones ended that way, she wouldn't been conceived. I thought that was really a painful recovery and I consider myself pretty tough. VSG recovery was much much better/easier. I stopped for my meds on the way home from the hospital and was walking around thinking that I just had surgery 2 days prior. I am also a stomach sleeper. I think after a week I was back on my stomach. Shifting in bed probably was the most noticeable with pain. I used one pain pill on the day I got home and that was it. Granted don't over do when you get home, but you aren't an invilid either. I can't believe after the first two weeks how back to normal I felt.

It's funny how we let an number affect how we feel. I have a bad habit of stepping on before I shower. I think I'm moving the scale to the back bathroom. I only "count" Mondays for my diary.

Okay, let me tell you, I love coffee. I don't think it is the taste so much but what it represents. It is a social thing for me and just part of my routine. All through the six month preop diet they told me to stop drinking caffine and coffee. I could stop drinking pop, but coffee? Come on. I was honest with my NUT and she just told me to keep trying. One day I was reading a post how a person said the caffine withdraw after surgery wasn't good. A light when on and I switched to decaff. I didn't want to deal with both (caffine withdrawl and just post op misery). I still got the taste and my routine of drinking coffee. I would drink about 5 cups daily (10 cups accoording to my pot but I drank big cups of coffee). I haven't been making coffee daily since surgery because I know that I should be drinking a Protein shake or something better than plain coffee. I've tried mixing in protein and it would clump all up. I purchased some Bariwise Cappuccino. I made it like instructed one day. It was doable... hot and (almost too) sweet but not enough coffee flavor. Today, I made decaf coffee, poured half my package of the cappuccino and my coffee straight from brewing. Perfection. No clumps, enough coffee flavor, perfect temperature, and not too sweet. I used to put half and half in and like a 1/4 packet of sweetner so this was perfect...I didn't add any half and half or milk. I drank 2 cups, used the full package of cappuccino and got my 15 grams of protein with my coffee. I think it is going to be a good day.

I would get nausea when taking vitamins before surgery and still sometimes do. I have been told it is the iron in the vitamin. I will take gummies some days but I was told not to because there is no iron in them. (Probably why I don't get nausea.) I was told Flintstones complete chewables are recommended. I don't know what child would like those but I grit and bare it. I bought some liquid calcium (Wellese or something like that) that is thick and has orange flavor. Take three spoons a day. It is ok. I might get some of those caltrate petites for mid day at work. Agree that any vitamin is better than none but be sure you don't leave out calcium. I remember in my orientation he showed an X-ray of someone who didn't take calcium and she had brittle bones and fractures due to depletion. That is stuck in my mind of why it is important not to forget it. Also without iron people get anaemic ...also something that makes you think it is worth taking gritty Flintstones vrs. Gummies.

All my life I have had big feet. The good thing is I've saved thousands I'm sure on shoes. I wondered with a big loss of weight (90-100lbs) if people have changed shoe sizes. I'm a 12 even to go to an 11 would give me more options...especially if there wasn't a W following that number. Just curious.

While I sing the praises of bariwise cappuccino that I have been putting with my morning decaf coffee, I began thinking that if I use one packet each morning (7 cost $11) that will start to get expensive. One packet has 15 grams of protein. I split it and put half in a cup and drink two cups of decaf. I like it but it can be too sweet if I put it all in one cup. Plus I get to enjoy two cups of coffee that way. So I have some S/F nestle chocolate breakfast drink (6 protein) and I mixed it with 1/3 cup of dry milk (8 protein) so that gives me 14 protein. Instant milk is cheap. I then thought, heck why not just do the whole 1/3 cup of milk in my coffee without the breakfast drink, that would give me 8 protein per cup. I used to drink my coffee with half and half. Just an idea...

I went out for one last day of freedom before I have to go back to teaching. I celebrated my summer weight loss (32 lbs) with a spa manicure/pedicure and then to lunch with my friend. We picked Red Lobster. I've been eating alot of shrimp at home so I felt that was a good choice. Of course the killer garlic biscuits came out (I'm five weeks postop) and smelled so good. I thought of how terrible it would make me feel. I took one morsel off and tried it, while good, I thought it wasn't worth the risk and sat it off to the side. That would be taken home for my family to enjoy. I ordered the "Quick Catch Lunch- Garlic Shrimp Scampi and Wood Grilled Chicken". I ate the scampi, boxed up the potato (said I didn't want the rice/couldve got broccoli too) , chicken, and some biscuits. I packed an insulated lunch box in advance knowing I'd have left overs (we shopped all day). I was full and felt good. When I got home to track on myfitnesspal.com I saw that that meal had 41 grams of Protein and 332 calories. I ate some of the chicken for supper so I thought that was a good protein choice. On a side note, my friend's side ceaser salad didn't come out before her meal so the server offered it to go for her. It looked quite cute in it's container. So that might be an option for the next time if I get a dinner instead of just lunch. At six weeks my doctor told me that I could add in small amounts of lettuce. I think that means a piece of a sandwich. Any way....good lunch option I thought.

It sounds good but I was told to say away from corn. I'm almost six weeks out.

I'm also 5 weeks out and I feel normal. I've been walking 2 miles now for just about two weeks and have good energy. That first 2 to 3 weeks is not so hot but after that you get down to normal daily living and all is good.

It too will pass. If you have a pillow handy and hold it close that seems to help. I would't allow myself to really sneeze if it all possible. Good luck ladies. In general, the first two to three weeks out are the worst. After that, life becomes more normal. Good luck to you.

Hmmm...very intreresting. The ad they placed on my posting is for wonderslim.

I just received an order from dietdirect.com (very fast free shipping) and ordered a variety of protein bars. I think I got six boxes. I bought Bariwise and Wonderslim products. All that I have tried so far are very good. I've had some bad protein bars, but these were really good. I would never know they were protein bars. They do publish all the information about them on their site. Most have 15 grams of Protein. I went looking for the lemon meringe because I heard they were good. They were out of stock. I got the variety pack and it had a lemon one. I can see why they are out of stock. Delish. The crispy ones remind me of like rice krispie crunch dipped in a chocolate or flavor of the bar coating. The count on the peanut butter one I had was 15 protein, 15 carbs, and 160 calories. I tried the wonderslim ones (chocolate mint are good) and they are about 15 grams of protein too. You might consider looking at their website. When I was surfing around I got an instant message from their representative giving me a code for $10 off. So that was excellent. You can search for coupon codes because they are out there. I also got a free sample pack that included two drinks. I bought some Bariwise cappuccino. It was good but sweet. I got some instant decaf which I might stir in next time. That cup was 15 grams of protein. I made my morning seem more normal. I was a big coffee drinker before. I'd probably order it again or try their hot chocolate. Since I'm telling you about good tasting protein bars...pure protein bars are good and have 20 grams of protein. I get their chocolate peanut butter and chocolate chip. They are really filling. Higher in calories though...200.

I've been walking lately and I'm pretty sure how far it is but I thought there must be an app for tracking excerise or some kind of pediometer out there. I was reading on Obesity Help and read one lady who recommended Endomondo sports tracker. You can choose the type of excercise (walking, running, biking and many more) and put in your weight and it will tell you the distance, pace, and number of calories you are burning. I also use my droid for my music and this app will break through and tell me when I've walked a mile and the time it took and then go right back to my music. If I do more it tells me that I walked two miles and the average of my lap time. You can also use this program to load your music too. I'm sure it is on itunes too but I only looked for my droid. You can set it for Kilometers too. I haven't played with it much but found out my walk was 2.2 miles and not the 2 miles that I thought. Just thought I'd share this cool app. It was a free app.

Ladies and gentlemen…I wanted to share my experience on my walk tonight. I’ve have posted very few times but have silently been in the corners of the threads reading, reading, and reading. I can’t imagine going through this experience without this site. I’ve learned so much, come to expect things, and had my fears eased just from someone posting their experiences. Thanks to everyone. Anyways, my walk this evening was almost four miles because I wanted to listen to my new playlist that I put together. Once the music started I felt like I had hope this time. It’s a Monday…how many freakin Mondays have you started a diet and an exercise plan? Every time I did, I’ve failed…this time…there is hope. I have found the tool that is finally going to help me be successful. VSG. What you might wonder what made me want to extend my walk? I HAVE NEVER WANTED TO EXERCISE MORE…NEVER! Over the last day I’ve been making the ultimate playlist to motivate me. I’m sharing this so you too can too experience the range of emotions that I did. I cried during my walk, wanted to boogie through parts, raised my hands in joy, and just had a big smile on my face and enjoyed the whole experience (again, never would I describe any former walks as ‘enjoyable’)! Let me preface this with my normal music is hardcore Bon Jovi, any hair band, Styx, and classic rock. I’m 41 years old and a high school teacher. I don’t watch and haven’t watched American Idol. With that said here was made tonight the best walk of my life…1. Not Afraid (Eninem- clean version), 2. This Is My Now (Jordan Sparks), 3. I Gotta a Feeling (Blackeyed Peas), 4. Pocketful of Sunshine (N. Bedingfield), 5. Black Horse and The Cherry Tree (KT Tunstall), 6. The Edge of Glory (Lady Gaga), 7. Fighter (C. Aguilera), 8. Firework (Katy Perry), 9. Just Dance (Lady Gaga), 10. Raise Your Glass (Pink-clean version), 11. Who Says (S. Gomez), 12. Unwritten (N. Bedingfield), 13. Only Girl (Rihanna), 14. Invisable (J. Hudson), 15. The Real Me (C. Aiken) There is a line or series of lyrics in each of these songs that I could relate to as an overweight woman in search of something better. If you haven’t heard these songs, go to youtube. I bought every single one of these on Amazon and put them on my cloud drive that I can listen to them on my android phone while I walk. I’m telling you, it was awesome. I can’t wait until tomorrow. Not only to walk but for every tomorrow after that. Why, because this weight is coming off and I want to see what happens. In the lyrics of Unwritten it says, “Live your life with arms wide open, Today is where your book begins, The rest is still unwritten”. The chorus of Invisible is “I gotta find me another way Cause I don't wanna stay another day Time for a change in my mind I've opened my eyes I'm changing my life And now I'm gonna live my life for me Cause this ain't how it's supposed to be No more standing in the back of the line Cause I'm invisible for the last time.” A final chorus that started the walk was Eninem (Ya I know really, who knew) “I'm not afraid (I'm not afraid) To take a stand (to take a stand) Everybody (everybody) Come take my hand (come take my hand) We'll walk this road together, through the storm Whatever weather, cold or warm Just lettin you know that, you're not alone Holla if you feel like you've been down the same road (same road).” I’m sorry this is SO LONG, but if you are a newbie (like me – 7/13/2011), stop worrying, stop pitying yourself, and do something positive. No looking back…it’s on to the future. It’s going to be a journey; we need to learn a new lifestyle along the way. We won’t wake up tomorrow thin, but one of these tomorrows we’ll be there…just keep on walking.

Hi Robin, I use "myfitnesspal.com" I like it because I can track my food, it remembers what I enter frequently, and I can play with the settings manually. I can set my own calorie and protein intake goals. It subtracts the numbers for you. You can log your weight and measurements. I like that I can use my phone (droid), ipad, or computer and it will synch them. I can put in a recipe and it will do the calculations. You can scan food from the code on the package and it will load it into your system. That is pretty cool. There are many things you can use it for. I like that I can print it out too. I took it to my nut appt one time. It doesn't take long to put your food in either.

I'm 10 days out and the last three nights before I go to bed I develop this rash that kind of looks like heat rash. It is like I ate something and had an alergic reation. I take a 24 hour allergy pill (which then brought on acid reflux) and that takes care of it. Told me doctor and he is clueless. I had my steristiches removed by the doctor yesterday . After reading the posts today on reflux, maybe it isn't the pill that causes that. I have to go and buy something for that.

Hey Congratulations! That is exactly what I have experienced as well. It is a very strange thing. I have been really bad about eating my four small meals because I haven't been hungry. I''ll eat a 2 oz SF jello just so I can say I ate. Today is my 10th day out. The thought of the new subway sandwich (BBQ pork) made me sick when I saw those commercials. Good luck with your journey.

I too was in Costco this afternoon looking at shakes. I was tempted to buy them but decided I should try a smaller pack first. I found a 4 pack RTD at Meijers for like $7.99. I didn't see any powder of the Premier protein at Meijer. They had vanilla and chocolate. I bought the vanilla ones. I had some left over decaf and poured some in with one and some ice. I couldn't believe it was a protein drink. I need to buy some instant decaf and mix in for a stronger coffee flavor. Plain the would be good too. I've been seriously dreading protein shakes because they haven't been good and they stink. It is not thick like muscle milk (which is the other one at Costco) and it didn't stink. On a side note, I did not like the Unjury ones. They did say that I could return an opened container to them. There is hope afterall.

I am having surgery on Wednesday. I have looked at some shopping lists and bought the food on some of the lists, but is there anything that I should do to make my return home easier? I would be interested in hearing what makes it easier to come home so I don't have to send my husband out with a list. Any tips, thoughts, and ideas would be appreciated.

I started back in January with my 6 month dieting which was required by my insurance. I just went through my preop testing. I have surgery on Wednesday. I'm getting nervous.

Hey thanks everyone. Very good advice. I forgot the SF popsicles and the gas x. I bought some of the Unjury protein mixes. I mixed one with some decaf coffee and it was pretty good. I came across this glass shaker at TJ Maxx with measurements on the side and a clamp type top. It was like $5. It has an added plastic piece that helps break things up while shaking. I also ordered a personal blender made by cuisanart on Amazon that is like a magic bullet that will help with protein shakes/smoothies. There was a $20 rebate so it was only like $40 (after mail in). Would've never thought of straining Asian soups...that is a great idea.