BeenThereWasThat

Just wanted to check in and say that I am getting ready to hit my 4 mth post surgery mark and I am down 95 pounds. If I can do it anyone can!!! Good luck!

OK I am 1 year post op and starting IVF.... I've had a really great first year and feel that I can totally control my eating (either pregnant or not). I am starting the IVF process. WL doc doesn't really care. IVF is my last resort. I've battled infertility for the last 5 years and to be honest it is probably the #1 reason I got my VSG.... I am really hoping that some of you who have had the same issue can provide me with some feedback! Thanks!

Just an opinion... I prefer Syntrax nectar 90 calories per scoop 23 gms of Protein per scoop no fat or carbs I use roadside lemonade and fuzzy navel... I recommend getting samples because not all flavors are created equal.... Good luck protein shopping sucks!

My doc took them off at my first pre-op appointment... I was so worried that I would start gushing blood...don't worry I didn't! I think they would have stayed on for months! Surgeon said to use pure acetone to get rid of the fuzzy dirt of the steri strips outline it worked and I made hubby do it...I was so worried...

I agree try something different and make sure you are eating enough! I have found that is not hard to put your body into starvation mode....

I don't know about coffee but I I did wait 16 weeks before having an adult beverage. I drink pretty regularly but I am still pretty careful with beer....

I have thick hair and noticed it falling out about month 4... it started to get embarrasing because It would fall out at work... I used it as an excuse to try a short hair-doo and have had loads of compliments! It does stop falling out but my hair was so long I was leaving a hair trail where-ever I go.... I love it now because people I haven't seen in months look at me and can't tell if it is the hair cut or the weight loss... sooo funny! I never had bald batches it seemed to fall out evenly...

Any weight loss surgery is what YOU make of it!!! I just hit my 6th mth mark about 2 weeks ago and I have lost over 125 pounds (with only a VSG!!!) I just turned 28 last October and I am still able to go to dinner with my friends and hit the bars after!!! You seem like the kind of person who knows what they want and honestly knows what they need to do to reach goals I am sure you can make a VSG work for you...

I am 6 mth post op and I still take Syntrax nectar Protein.. google it and look for samples before you invest lots of money in it. It is not for everyone but I love it!!!!

Bump!!! as a sleever who is TTC I am curious!

Even thought DH and I are only approaching our 5th anniversary I can relate to your story... I went on the pill about 3 mths after surgery. DH and I knew way too much about ovulation and like you condoms were a joke to us... DH has lost about 100 pounds since the last time we TTC and I have lost about 125 we are going to TTC the old fashioned way til next Jan before we visit the RE again... I didn't mind using ortho tri cyclen low (low dose estrogen is crusial to my santitiy) but I am not sure how it has effected my weight loss.

I think you will always have issues if you take a hormonal based birth control.... I will let you know asap I have been on othro-tri cyclen lo for the last 3 mths. I am going rogue til next Jan before I again meet with my RE. By going rogue I mean we are not trying not preventing.... so no birth control

I need some new fresh ideas for lunch! I work in an office and try not to go out to eat. I have access to a microwave. I usually take a salad or some lunch meat and cheese no bread with a veggie or fruit side. I am 6 mth post op and weigth loss is slowed looking for low carb selections! Thanks!

I buy it from Drugstore.com they are resonably priced. My local body building store carries them but they charge $38 a tub. You can buy it on Amazon & bariatriceating.com. I also recommend getting samples because I have some flavors that I do not like. Just google Syntrax nectar samples they are out there.

YES!!!! My first nurse manager would not return my phone calls and I was having a horrible experience. It was very hard to work my way up the chain to speak to a manager but in doing so I got a new nurse manager who was AWESOME!!!!

Sorry I didn't come back and check on everyone's responses. I just hit the 5 mth post op mark and I am down 115 seriously it is crazy.... If you are feeling bad because I have lost more you shouldn't I have lots more to lose then most sleevers and it's all relative. I am still half way to my goal. I don't have any secrets I just follow the plan but I also don't beat myself up if I treat myself to something. My calories are around 800-1000 a day and I always get 60-80 grams of protien. I try to keep my carbs around 25 but they usually end up closer to 35-40. I still supplement my Protein with a Protein shake I drink Syntrax nectar either lemon tea or fuzzy navel. They are 90 calories per scoop with no carbs 20 grams of protein. I take a 20 oz Blender Bottle one scoop of protein and a crystal light mix in and fill it up to the lid with Water. I try to work out at least 4 times a week for 45 min to an hour. I was taking 60 min group fitness classes twice a week but I didn't like the time they were meeting so I am heading back to the gym. I try to switch it up 20 minutes treadmill, 20 minutes biking , & 20 minutes elliptical. I have not been tracking my food lately but I have in the beginning of trying to figure everything out I used myfitnesspal.com I really liked their site it was easy to use and convient since they have an android app for my phone. Typical day BK (7:00 am) activia light yogart & piece of fruit or no sugar added fruit cup (right now I love those cutie oranges!) 9:00 protein 11:30 salad for lunch with protein (either chicken or steak) I always include cheese and crutons eat the meat first 6:00 dinner baked Salmon and a vegetable (no potatoes) If I need a snack after work it is usually one of those 100 calorie bags of popcorn... I love popcorn. If you check out my blog you can see photos. I wish I had more time to blog. My Blog

I used to be a beer babe and have turned into a cocktail cutie! I have found that I cannot really drink with meals when dining out but I can have a cocktail before dinner and maybe another one an hour after. It is too hard to drink and eat and get in enough food.

Any recomendations for low-carb Protein Bars? I like the convience of a Protein Bar for Breakfast but I am having trouble finding low carb choices. Basically I don't want to eat all my carbs for breakfast...

This sounds a lot like me too. One person early on gave me the advice to take measurements because when the scale is being a jerk you can head to the tape measure for some joy. I've lost 70 pounds and 44 inches in 2 months...not too bad and if it weren't for the inches I would have lost it. Honestly my body is also weird in that I will loose weight 5-7 pounds and then stall out. During the stall I notice that my clothes are looser it is almost like I drop the weight and then my body reacts. It is hard now but I am sure a year from now we will look back and go "WOW that happened so quickly!"

I do the same thing as Pete.. I stick it in the back of my mouth take a big drink of Water and let the Vitamin kind of float there. Then swallow. I almost do better with bigger pills them smaller ones(like citrical petites) gravity seems to help. I do better standing then sitting. I also have extra water nearby in case one does get stuck at the top of my stomach.

Nope I think you will be fine! You would know by now if it was going to cause some issues.

Most atkins bars have 18-22 gms of carbs and I choose to not just count net carbs. I guess I would rather have a piece of fruit.

I think you have to keep in mind that weight loss is somewhat relative. I lost a lot in the first 2 weeks but I have a lot more weight to lose. I think in the begining all lightweights feel the same way you do.

It is weird and awesome. I no longer have a rumbly tummy instead I have to look for other cues that it is time to eat. Weekends are the worst for me because I can go for a long time before my body starts getting cranky. At work I am constantly looking at a clock so I know when I need to eat.

Yea! I am glad you surgery went well! You will start loosing just keep drinking your water and it will help flush all the fluids out. I know it sounds counter-productive but it does help.