xenophile

This topic reminds me of an article in the NY Times a while back. I don't think that the research was described all that well (at some point maybe I'll look at the original article--maybe on my next serious procrastination session), but it supports what several of y'all have been saying: the math isn't as straightforward as once thought. Here's the article: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/20/health/20brody.html?_r=2 BUT here's a decent critique of the study, for what it's worth: http://www.bulletproofexec.com/nutritional-fundamentalism-why-even-resolute-dieters-often-fail-nytimes-com/

Wow, I'm sorry about this--that must be a hard thing to hear after all the effort you've put into losing weight. Speaking of couches, I'm starting the Couch to 5K program this week. If it would be helpful, you're welcome to join me! Here's my post from earlier today: http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/30145-couch-to-5k-anyone-want-to-join-me/page__fromsearch__1 Either way, I wish you the best with becoming even healthier than you are now!

I'd always bail on plans with friends, saying I was tired or busy--when really I was just avoiding being uncomfortable (particularly in theater seats and little wooden restaurant chairs that felt like they would collapse under me). My favorite line to myself, which I stole from a bumper sticker, was "Fat people are harder to kidnap." That one still makes me giggle.

Congratulations on an awesome achievement! :cheer2:

That's awesome. Just goes to show how food symbolizes comfort!

Hi folks! So I've been posting for a little while, but I kept forgetting to come over there and actually introduce myself. (How rude! lol) Now I'm doing some heavy-duty law school paper procrastination, which makes this the perfect time to post. I'm Rachel. I'm 30 years old. I live in the Washington, DC, area right now, though I've lived in a lot of other places. I'm originally from the Deep (Fried) South and come from a family of people with weight issues. I had my surgery on 12/28/11 with Dr. Kelly in TJ. I was really nervous about it at first, but the process went fairly smoothly. The company that handled the logistics, nutritionist, etc. wasn't that great (no big problems--just a lot of little ones), but Dr. Kelly was AWESOME. At the end of the day, that's all that mattered. I'm just starting to get over my "leak anxiety," which had me pretty freaked out for a couple of weeks, especially for a few days after an episode of overeating hummus. I was really uncomfortable, and I started having some weird sensations--of course my anxious brain dreamed up the worst scenarios, fueled by the worst things I had read about on the boards. Besides time, the thing that has been helping me get over the anxiety was buying a good digital thermometer and checking my temperature twice a day--that has helped convince me that I don't have a bad infection and am therefore not currently dying of leak-induced sepsis. (Lesson learned: Don't belittle or deny the anxiety--acknowledge it and figure out a way to address its needs while getting on with life.) I'm also starting to feel a lot stronger now that I can eat more. It's just been a few days ago that the swelling in my stomach went down substantially. Now instead of just a couple of teaspoons of mushy food, I can handle 1/4 to 1/2 cup of mushy and some solid foods. Life's a lot better when you don't feel like you could pass out at any moment! I don't yet feel up to exercising--I started back to work and school a week after surgery, and I've felt really wiped out most of the time since then--but I'm planning to start walking on a treadmill this weekend. So that's my story up to this point. Best of luck to all of you on your journeys!

Thanks, everyone! I'm so glad I found this site--people here have been so supportive and helpful as I've begun my VSG journey!

I'm squarely in the money-burning camp, and have been for as long as I can remember. Ugh. I've also become totally obsessed with food, which is new. I'm hoping that will subside once I get into a new normal eating routine. (I'm just one month post-op.) I've been toying with the idea of getting a Wii and getting rid of my home internet connection. I waste so much time websurfing! (Guess that's another addiction to add to the list, right??)

Ditto what others have said--you're doing great! I was also sleeved on 12/28. I can't believe it's been a month!

Congrats, BeachWithMyBabies! That's awesome! I'll be 1 month post-op tomorrow, so I'm really looking forward to a similar moment. Right now I'm celebrating my return to (some) solid foods. Yay, tuna salad!!!

I reached 4 weeks yesterday. Meatloaf is my new best friend. Giant grocery store makes some that's more "meat" than "loaf," but it's still really soft and goes down easily. Today I also had the tuna part of a tuna melt, which tasted great and made Sleevie really happy. I'm also still eating the same soft foods I've been living on for the past couple of weeks: scrambled eggs, hummus, Laughing Cow and BabyBel soft cheeses, sugar-free Jello pudding (with plain unjury Protein powder mixed in), frozen yogurt. And, of course, the Protein shakes.

I think that's a great idea. Unfortunately I'm only 2 weeks out, so I can't do much for another 4 weeks. Best of luck!

Hi all. This leak business has been freaking me out for the past few days. I'm 16 days post-op, and I've started getting all these weird "could-be-a-leak" sensations--I feel these trickling/oozing feelings all around my sleeve. They started two days ago, when I know that I challenged Sleevie with soft foods too early (3 tablespoons of hummus in about 15 minutes--definitely a bad idea, and I paid for it!). I was really sore and only able to tolerate Water for about 18 hours afterward. Now I'm feeling a lot better, just some residual soreness and these weird sensations. I keep telling myself that I probably didn't do any permanent damage with just that little bit of soft food, but I know that all non-compliance is risky. I'm back to liquids for 5 more days before I try mushies again. Just hoping I didn't spring a leak! I'll be really glad when all this anxiety has passed.

Hi all. I'm almost 2 weeks out from surgery, and I just stumbled upon an incredibly simple, delicious food for the soft foods phase. 1 tablespoon hummus -- I used Sabra Classic 1 wedge Laughing Cow cheese -- I used Garlic & Herb Mix and mash together with a spoon. Enjoy!

Sleevie (I <3 this name, sleeve4me!) looooooves hummus likes corned beef hash dislikes cottage cheese detests protein drinks and Lactaid milk (regular milk and soymilk are fine--go figure!)

I'm now officially post-op--yay! Other than some wicked gas pain I'm doing great. (I hereby officially crown myself the Burping Queen.)

I'm headed to the hospital in 2 1/2 hours. Best of luck to everybody else who's getting sleeved today!

Hi everybody. It's so exciting to hear everyone's stories! I'm getting in to Tijuana tomorrow night for surgery on Wednesday. I've been driving for four days, so it's been a real adventure. I've been mostly keeping to clear liquids for the entire time, except yesterday I was feeling really light-headed, so I had a bottle of V8 (which helped a lot--amazing what 70 calories will do!). I'm kinda concerned about the trip back, but that's what I gotta do. Best of luck to everyone else who's getting sleeved this week!

Hi, enixon2010. I'm also having my surgery on 12/28 by Dr. Kelly in TJ. Yay! I have a sleeve sister!!

I'm one week out, and I'm starting to get really nervous. Good thing I already paid my fee--I'm all in now! Part of me thinks this is a really bad idea. I know it's not, but I'm having some serious jitters. I'm trying to think of it the same way as I did Lasik a couple of years ago--yes, there are risks, but the odds are on my side. Still, I'm going thousands of miles away from home by myself to be put under anesthesia and cut open...aaaaaah! I am calm. I am calm. I am calm...

I'm glad to hear Dr. Kelly's on his game right now. Here's hoping it lasts 'til the 28th!! I hope the rest of your recovery goes this well!

Well put, hunydew. I've been going through a lot of the same feelings. Best of luck with your recovery!

GOOD LUCK, ATeam!! You'll do great--you're starting a great new phase of your life tomorrow!! I'll be down there in a couple of weeks... Keep us posted!

On a related (to my last post above) note, how are y'all planning to deal with the inevitable comments about your weight loss? Do you plan to be open about the surgery? Or keep it private? Sometimes I think I'll be totally open about it. When anyone asks or comments, I'll just say, "Thanks. I had 80% of my stomach removed." I tend to be a pretty matter-of-fact person, so that approach appeals to me a lot. Except then it opens me up to criticism. But do I care? I haven't decided yet. Or there's the honest but slightly evasive version: "I'm eating less and moving more." But that doesn't quite do it justice. I guess it'll just depend on context. I hate the idea of having to hide the fact that I had surgery. But, again, it's really not anyone else's business. Thoughts?