nowatgoal

You people are ROCKIN' your sleeves!

Thank you, Melanie. I'll private message you. ONE MORE REASON to love this forum!

Oh, Favoredone, this is a wonderful challenge and you've made an impressive list! For years my brother has had the motto "Take A Risk". He has stickers with that saying that he hands out to everyone. It's so important to break out and try new things, even if its a bit scary. I'm going to spend this next week working on a new line of cards with my art work and I'll spend this next month approaching some galleries and stores about carrying my art. It requires a large investment on my part to have the prints made on metal (which is how they show best) but I think this is one of those cases where you have to spend money to make money. I don't have a salesperson personality, so I've had a hard time putting myself out there around town.

Congratulations on your new surgery date. April is quickly approaching! I'm sorry that those you have shared with have not been supportive. I was pretty certain most people would not understand why I was having the surgery so I kept it to myself except a few key people. I can FEEL that you are at peace and that is so important, because like lilmissdiva said, it's not easy and you need to be coming from a good place. I'm excited for you and looking forward to watching your journey so keep us posted!

I voted - and I'm SOUP-er excited for you!!! LOL

My doctor didn't have me sipping water the first few days (I was on an IV for fluids off and on) but he said I could chew ice chips. I'm wondering if you were to chew on ice if that might be more gradual than sipping? Some have said that when they can't tolerate hot, they can sometimes tolerate cold, and vise-versa...

Okay - this may be TMI for those of you that are squeamish. But this is one of those areas that I really learned a lot about AFTER the surgery, and maybe someone else will benefit from learning about this part of it. I have never coped well with throwing up - but after the surgery I found that if I ate too much or ate too fast and it was sitting in my esophagus causing me pain, the best thing to do was to throw up. It's different than when I use to get sick with the flu. It's like you just bend over and burp a little bit and up it comes. Usually, only the amount of a bite or so will come up and it's very easy. I still hate to throw up but when I need to for relief I do because it helps SO much. I have a very restrictive sleeve and it took me a long time to figure out how much I could eat, how slowly to eat, what foods I could tolerate, etc. so in the beginning I'm afraid I did my fair share of getting sick. Now, I very, very rarely have to.

This is how I was for TWO MONTHS after my surgery. I had to hang on to something every single time I stood up. Everything would go black and I'd have to wait for it to pass. My blood pressure had dropped drastically after the surgery so I upped my salt intake which helped quite a bit. I also tried, like you, to drink more fluids which has never been my strong suit because I'm not thirsty so I have to be ever mindful. At the 10 week mark, this had all gone away because I was finally able to eat more than 200-300 calories (I was up to 600) and, combined with the added salt for my BP, and the fluids - no more black outs.

This is key! I have always hated exercising - especially in a gym. BUT, I love to walk outside and hike in the mountains so that's what I do. Just about every day you'll see me out about our neighborhood, walking as fast as I can. I'll be looking at all the new spring flowers, or checking out the different neighbors landscaping, or watching the birds and critters because I'm beginning to know where they are keeping their homes... it doesn't seem like exercise because I'm enjoying myself. It makes all the difference in the world. Otherwise, I just wouldn't have the discipline to do it. And I feel so much stronger and healthier since I began. Like Dorrie said, make it fun and exciting!

When you look at the stats, you really have come a long way in a short 6 months! Fantastic! Why do you feel that exercise wouldn't help?

How many calories are you averaging? It looks like you're doing a good job of eating high Protein, low carbs, and drinking your Water. What's your BMI? I have been a "slow" loser but I started out smaller than a lot of others so that's normal. Are you exercising at all? Are you losing inches? Many of us have really messed up our metabolisms because of all the yo-yo dieting and becoming more sedentary due to our weight. If you add exercise that will help you to build muscle to burn the fat and it will give your metabolism a boost so that you are burning more calories even when you aren't exercising. Plus, it will help you to lose inches. I do a LOT of walking and hiking each week and it's really helped me lose inches even when the scale isn't moving.

I had a "lower" BMI but still had to do a two week pre-op diet. It was HARD but later I was happy that I was that much closer to goal.

Yesterday I was 143 but I'll use this morning's weight. It's slow going but the scale is moving... a teeny, tiny, itty bit... SN: Slimming Sara SW: 149.6 GW: 140 CW: 144.2 lbs to lose: 4 Feb. 15: 149.6 Feb. 22: 146.2 -3.4 Feb. 29:145.0 -1.2 Mar. 07:145.2 +.2 Mar. 14:144.2 -1 Mar. 21: Mar. 28: Apr. 04: Apr. 08 EASTER:

Yesterday was my 6 mo. surgiversary date and, oh, how life has changed... At my highest weight I was 238 - I lost 33 lbs. before my pre-op diet, then 10 on pre-op diet, and now another 48 since surgery for a total of 91 pounds gone forever At 5'7, I'm just 5 lbs. from my personal goal of 140 I have gone from not wanting to get off the couch to regularly hiking 5 miles several days a week (and enjoying it!). I'm doing a 10 mile hike Sunday! I eat about 1000 calories a day and I'm fully satisfied with that amount of food Instead of a size 16-18 and 1x, I'm a size 4-6 pants and small tops I love to shop for clothes now I'm far more social and enjoy getting out and participating in life I feel so much better about myself It hasn't always been an easy journey, but I love my little sleeve of a stomach and the life it has helped me to create for myself!!! I'll post a before pic of me at my highest weight (238) and a few from this morning at 145. Sorry, was in a hurry and haven't done my hair yet, but wanted to post anyway.

Sleeve 4 Me is such a blessing to all of us - So ABSOLUTELY I've been saying my prayers that her stress test goes well! We love you!

I think it's helping a little bit. My behind area was getting pretty saggy and I noticed that with the working out it's perkier because of the muscle so that's given more volume for the skin to smooth out around. Make sense? I don't have too much loose skin but my boobs may require a major lift up. I'm waiting until the one year mark to decide.

I had some food funerals after I scheduled my surgery date. Fortunately, I didn't have much time to gain weight. I also had a two week pre-op diet where I lost 10 lbs. so my food funerals didn't do much damage. Now, nearly 7 months post-op, I can eat anything I want but in very tiny quantities so I didn't have to say goodbye any type of food. I do tend to eat a high Protein, somewhat low carb diet now because the carbs don't sit as well as other food. What has worked for me, if you can do it, is to eliminate the tempting foods from the home. If it's not there, you can't eat it. Then fill your cupboards and fridge with foods that are tempting but healthier. The protein will satisfy your hunger. I large grilled chicken breast, or even two if you are really hungry, is going to give you that satisfied feeling for a long time as you digest it. Before the surgery, when I was dieting, I use to "pig out" on healthy food so I could have that full feeling. I needed that full feeling for some reason. Go to town on a giant salad. LOL Don't be hard on yourself. You are taking steps to a healthier you and July will be here before you know it.

I think you did a great job of answering her questions! We filled in each other's gaps. :-)

I did my surgery in Mexico so I spent a LOT of time researching answers to questions that came up along the way. You can (and should) also visit a local doctor after the surgery for follow-up care and blood work. I'll do my best to answer what I can: I'm sure you'll get lots of other helpful advice. This forum is great for that. Best of luck to you!

You look so pretty! And I love that dress!

I had my surgery in Mexico and flew home just 4 days later. I think it's common for those having surgeries out of their area to fly home soon after, so I'd say "yes".

I have to tell you something... Last summer when I first heard about VSG surgery and was researching it, I came across this forum. Yours was the first profile and pic I came across (probably you were responding to a topic or something). I remember the moment so clearly because I called my boyfriend (now fiance) into the room and we ooh-ed and ahh-ed over your before and after picture. I was hooked and had to know everything there was to know about VSG. Now every time I see a post by you, I'm reminded of that moment. In a way, I have you to thank for inspiring me to look into this surgery. Thanks, sleeve sister! XOX

Thanks for the encouragement to post a new youtube video. It was the push I needed to finally do an update today. I've posted it!

I have been doing a LOT of shopping online lately for new clothes because nothing in my closet fit any more. I ordered all size 6 in pant and dress sizes and size small in tops. The clothes all arrived this week and everything fit! I mean everything! And not only that, one skirt was a size small and it was too big! I laid out a pair of pants on the bed today and when I glanced over I couldn't believe how tiny they looked. WOW! The old (big) me can not believe my newest NSV - my mind needs to catch up with my new body...

This was the worst part of surgery for me. I was so weak I could hardly walk to the kitchen or bathroom with out feeling faint. Part of it was that my blood pressure dropped drastically so I upped my salt intake. And part of it was that I had a very hard time getting in enough calories. I was only at 200-300 for the first 2 months. Before the surgery I had stalked up on tons of different kinds of protein shakes and powders. But they all made me gag. I had to find ways to get protein that didn't over fill my tiny, very restrictive sleeve. At about 10 weeks, things finally turned around for me when I was able to eat a little more.