Harmonic15

Hello Everyone, I know that this is probably a self-indulgent posting, but I need a little reassurance from the experts on the board. I had surgery on March 15 and weighed 339 pounds prior to my liquid diet and 334 on surgery day. I must admit that I have had an amazing recovery; there is no food that I cannot tolerate ( I may have started solids too early) and I have not felt nauseous or in pain since the first day after surgery. In terms of weight loss, the first two weeks I lost 27 pounds, and in the following 2 week I lost another 7 pounds. Since then my weight loss has come to a grinding halt. I have weighed 303 – 302.5 for over a week now and I am simply not budging. Prior to the stop my weight loss had already slowed dramatically. Obviously, I am starting to get worried since I am hoping to lose much more weight, and I am getting discouraged. Since I am eating only 900 calories a day and seem to be getting in my protein requirements ( I am 6.4 and must be in deficit as needing more than 900 calories), why have I hit this plateau? Isn’t it much too early in my weight loss for this to happen? So what should I do gang, should I try to reduce my calories? Just relax and accept that I have hit a plateau? Call my nutritionist? In addition, my energy levels seem to be going down now and that is worrying to me as well. Anyway, I am sorry for the self indulgent post, I am just really worried… Am I still going to lose weigth? Finally, I was hoping that you may give me an idea of how many calories I should eat at 5 weeks out ( some have suggested I might actially be eating to little) and what serving size of protein you eat with your meals. All the very best and thank you, thank you, thank you!!!! Harmonic

I had a day of firsts today... Someone wrote to me from the board about my Doctor and I realized that I was starting to forget about my VSG, i.e, not thinking about it on a daily basis. So I made a quick post about that as a reintroduction to the board and for the first time posted my before and after pics. It was quite a freeing and emotional experience. I realize they are in the wrong place and I might qualify as as success story, so if it helps anyone else, here they are again before i lose my nerve... I was sleeved on March 16th 2012 and am down 150 pounds... 1st series of pics was the night before surgery. 2nd series are from my holiday to Aruba this July. My wife says she loved / loves both guys equally

Hi Guys, I just received an email from someone asking me about my doctor for her future sleeve and it occurred to me that I don't actively think about it anymore. I actually had to sit and consider the implications... On balance they are probably great because it means that I have been able to accept the surgery fully, it was done on March 16th 2012, and that I am comfortable with the new me (down 150 pounds, and from a 54 inch waste to a 34). On the other hand, I am worried that if i forget old habits will come back and so will the weight. I can certainly eat much more than I ever expected, but still very much less than I used to... Have others experienced this? Best, Harmonic

Thanks so much!! It has been an incredible journey- one that I undertook again with my cousin when she had her sleeve done in London this November. She is down 100 pounds already and I could not be more proud. By the way, I have never posted pictures so this is a big one for me... but here goes. 1st series is the night before the surgery, the nerves were certainly firing wildly, and the 2nd series are pics from my summer vacation to Aruba this July. Quite the change...My wife says she loved/loves both guys equally and I love her for it.

Thank you so much to everyone for their response to my post. They all made me feel much better about my stall. BUT, and I am not sure if I broke the spell by writing my post, the stall is over. I lost 1.5 pounds yesterday and am now 301!! I am soooo friggin pleased. Now, I must say that I actually upped my calories yesterday (1000+), I even had 1 drink... I wonder if that had any impact or if it is purely coincidence... I could never do this without your support so thank you again!. Harmonic

Hi everyone, I was sleeved on March 15th, 2012 and must say that I have had a dream run so far. Not much pain, lots of energy / able to take long walks, and most importantly 14 pounds lost since surgery… My problem is that I am now worried that I feel so well ( how ironic is that?) and may not have as much restriction as I need… Therefore, could someone please reassure me that it is quite normal to/ or that they can? eat a 170g (approx 6 ounce) light and fit yogurt without discomfort and over a 5 minute time period (only slightly longer than usual for me and maybe just because I am paying attention)? Be able to drink a glass of water (6 oz) without hindrance and quite normally? Eat 2.5oz of chicken salad with only a slight hit of gaseous pain? ( I was told to feel full after 2-5 tablespoons) Drink a 8oz protein shake comfortably in 10 minutes? My worry is that I have never felt fully restricted yet. It may be because I am misreading some gas pain and that they are actually fullness pains… That being said, I am satisfied with what I eat and am not craving food (so freeing to not be hungry!!!!) and have had very successful weightless so far. Am I worrying about nothing? All the very best, Harmonic

Oh, and yay to us!!! I feel really great about this decision and very excited about the future and I cannot wait to thinner and healthier. It s been a while since I have felt this good about me. I am sure it is the same for you guys.

Thank you so much to everyone for their reassurance! It is all so new and I am sure that I am overanalyzing everything! I am also wondering if any of you have had gas pain when swallowing- the kind where you need to “burp” after you have taken a bite? This occurs for me sometimes and I am trying to decide if this is simply post op pain or if this is actually an indication that I am full. As always, your kindness in answering will be passed on. Ps: for clarification purposes: the 2.5oz of chicken salad is blended into puree consistency. Best, Harmonic

Hi all, I know that it has been mentioned to me by my nutritionist that I should not eat and drink at the same time once i have been sleeved. I have just realized however that I accepted this as gospel and never really understood the logic behind the warning. I now wonder if it is because there will not be enough room in my sleeve for the all important Protein and the liquid? On the other hand, I had also heard that fluids push food down the digestive track at a quicker rate that normal peristalsis. This would hypothetically mean that one could eat more if they drank and ate at the same. I m hoping someone can help clear this up. Thanks so much! Finally, I have read that some have no issue eating and drinking at the same time, regardless of the reasons listed above. What has been your experience? All the very best, Harmonic

I just wanted to thank everyone for their great imput. You guys are really the best! My surgery was postponed until March 15th. I cannot wait. Harmonic

Hi all, I know that it has been mentioned to me by my nutritionist that I should not eat and drink at the same time once i have been sleeved. I have just realized however that I accepted this as gospel and never really understood the logic behind the warning. I now wonder if it is because there will not be enough room in my sleeve for the all important Protein and the liquid? On the other hand, I had also heard that fluids push food down the digestive track at a quicker rate that normal peristalsis. This would hypothetically mean that one could eat more if they drank and ate at the same. I m hoping someone can help clear this up. Thanks so much! Finally, I have read that some have no issue eating and drinking at the same time, regardless of the reasons listed above. What has been your experience? All the very best, Harmonic

Ken, NY Presbyterian- Weill Cornell for me. However, I hear that NYU has an amazing program and you should be in great hands. Let's stay in touch, Harmonic

Hey there bud, We are getting sleeved on the same day and are both in New York. Where are you getting yours done? I wish you every success. We should stay in touch. It would be nice to have someone to go through this with. Best, Harmonic

Hi Guys, As I mentioned in a previous post, I am having my VSG with Doctor Pomp on Thursday of next week. As this is my last weekend prior to surgery, I am trying to put together a final list of what I need so I can then relax into the week. Therefore, I was hoping that some of you would not mind giving me some tips on what to buy for the mushy stage (post op) of the diet. I have a sweet tooth and am not a great fan of cottage cheese etc. What has worked well for you? Thank you so much for your support. Harmonic

Lissa, Thank you so much for your response. I bought tons of stuff today, including tiny bowls and cutlery and finally feel prepared! Onwards and downwards! Harmonic

Hi Guys, I am very excited- I am being sleeved by Dr. Pomp at New York Presbyterian- Weill Cornell this Thursday! He is a very nice man and I look forward to marking this day as transformative. As you can imagine, I am a little worried about the operation itself and was hoping that there may be someone on this board who has either had the operation done by Dr. Pomp or at New York Presbyterian and may be able to give me a little reassurance about the process. Also, I would love to be in touch with any sleevers in the NYC area. All the very best, Harmonic

Hi Andi, It is so nice to hear from you. I m really looking forward to staying in touch, especially as we are having surgery one day apart! I will send you my contact information privately and look forward to having a companion on this great adventure. Harmonic

Hi there, I just read your post and I just wanted to say that I wish you the very best on your journey. I too am being sleeved on March 1st and I echo many of the sentiments you so eloquently discussed. Harmonic

I m not sure where to start. How I got here and to this weight seems so irrelevant and yet so important all at the same time. Today, I am over 330 pounds and my 6.4 frame can no longer hide it. To be quite honest, I think it stopped hiding it long ago but I was unable to see it...After all, I was once upon a time a good looking man. Today, I got the news that my surgery was approved and that I was scheduled for surgery in the first week of March. I am elated, scared, apprehensive, excited, and petrified. It makes me wonder how one person can feel all of these emotions at the same time. But most of all, what I am most surprised by, is that I feel slightly ashamed of myself in that I have been unable to overcome my own foods demons. I think this is a reaction to learning that my surgery is approved and scheduled, but today I nearly feel unworthy of this life changing operation… My name is Harmonic and I am 32 years old. I am married to a tremendous woman who has been nothing but supportive of my surgery. She has been my rock and has made it to most of my Dr. appointments and support group visits and will no doubt take care of me every step of the way during recovery. I love her very much. One of my main worries as I write this is a small fear of dying, and I am afraid that my food obsession could rob her of her life partner to soon, due to surgery that I could have avoided with the discipline I so lack. The hard cold truth is that I will never be able to lose the weight without surgery. I have tried and I have failed, but I still feel some guilt. The motivation for my surgery is also the fact that we want to conceive a family and I want to be healthy for my babies, off the couch and playing soccer, and most importantly alive to support them as my parents have me. I have many fears, fears of losing my hair, fears that I will no longer be the big guy who can eat a 20 oz steak and be jolly and fun at a dinner table, fears that I won’t be able to lose weight even with the surgery. I know these are irrational, but that doesn’t mean that they are any less real. I just hope that I am ok and that I win this battle once and for all. I also just want to be healthy. I don’t want to worry that I am causing my body irreparable damage and maybe even, with a renewed focus on my health, fix some of what I have already caused. I am writing these feelings down for a few reasons. 1) because I want to be open with my feelings as they may be of help to others at a similar time 2) be honest and open with myself 3) to hear from others who have had the same fears and maybe benefit from a little reassurance. Now that I have written these feelings down, I have already gotten a sense of relief. I am elated again, excited for a healthy future, a happy future, and, god willing, the pitter patter of little feet. I am sure that I will be swing back and forth many times between these sentiments prior to my operation. But I know what sentiments will prevail and look forward to sharing my journey with you. Thanks for reading.

I m not sure where to start. How I got here and to this weight seems so irrelevant and yet so important all at the same time. Today, I am over 330 pounds and my 6.4 frame can no longer hide it. To be quite honest, I think it stopped hiding it long ago but I was unable to see it...After all, I was once upon a time a good looking man. Today, I got the news that my surgery was approved and that I was scheduled for surgery in the first week of March. I am elated, scared, apprehensive, excited, and petrified. It makes me wonder how one person can feel all of these emotions at the same time. But most of all, what I am most surprised by, is that I feel slightly ashamed of myself in that I have been unable to overcome my own foods demons. I think this is a reaction to learning that my surgery is approved and scheduled, but today I nearly feel unworthy of this life changing operation… My name is Harmonic and I am 32 years old. I am married to a tremendous woman who has been nothing but supportive of my surgery. She has been my rock and has made it to most of my Dr. appointments and support group visits and will no doubt take care of me every step of the way during recovery. I love her very much. One of my main worries as I write this is a small fear of dying, and I am afraid that my food obsession could rob her of her life partner to soon, due to surgery that I could have avoided with the discipline I so lack. The hard cold truth is that I will never be able to lose the weight without surgery. I have tried and I have failed, but I still feel some guilt. The motivation for my surgery is also the fact that we want to conceive a family and I want to be healthy for my babies, off the couch and playing soccer, and most importantly alive to support them as my parents have me. I have many fears, fears of losing my hair, fears that I will no longer be the big guy who can eat a 20 oz steak and be jolly and fun at a dinner table, fears that I won’t be able to lose weight even with the surgery. I know these are irrational, but that doesn’t mean that they are any less real. I just hope that I am ok and that I win this battle once and for all. I also just want to be healthy. I don’t want to worry that I am causing my body irreparable damage and maybe even, with a renewed focus on my health, fix some of what I have already caused. I am writing these feelings down for a few reasons. 1) because I want to be open with my feelings as they may be of help to others at a similar time 2) be honest and open with myself 3) to hear from others who have had the same fears and maybe benefit from a little reassurance. Now that I have written these feelings down, I have already gotten a sense of relief. I am elated again, excited for a healthy future, a happy future, and, god willing, the pitter patter of little feet. I am sure that I will be swing back and forth many times between these sentiments prior to my operation. But I know what sentiments will prevail and look forward to sharing my journey with you. Thanks for reading.