CaliKat

I'm 7 months out and get hiccups almost daily post meal and I've had them since first day post op... It's my "full" signal. It's very short (2 min or so) but they still happen. Nothing to worry about- hiccups happen!

At 6 months I had 1/2 a glass of champagne and it made me pretty flipping tipsy!! But.... It was my first drink in 6 years, so that might have been a reason too! I made sure to take tiny sips and roll it on the tounge a bit to get the carbonation out. My advice- follow your doctors advice... Whatever plan that may be!

At 6 months now I'm about 1.5lbs//week. It's slow but pretty consistent. And that's only if I'm good.... If I'm bad and go for carbs vs Proteins there is NO HOPE for any loss. Keep following the basics and before bathing suit season next year you're gonna be amazing!

This is my one short term "bummer" issue with this sleeve- fruit. Dr/NUT says no fruit till I'm done loosing. I have 10 varieties of fruit trees in my yard and it was KIlLLING me to not eat off them! When I did cheat and eat fruit (even moderate amounts) I stalled like a car out of gas..... Not worth it. I figure next year after goall is hit I can go back to that old "apple a day" habit! Save it for now and enjoy the "fruits of your labor" while the loss is rapid!

Sleeved 4/4/12 Started at 246 Today I'm 175- total of 71lbs lost Goal is 145- 30 lbs to go Weight is slowly coming off- avg of 1.5lbs/week. Just gotta lay off those carbs and the sleeve sure works for me!

Say you're getting blood drawn in 2 days and are fasting.

I got Mirena in Jan/ VSG in April.... Had 2 light monthlies since surgery and no evidence since then of one. However- I still get my "ghost period" when I eat, eat, eat! I crave chocolate and salt- it only lasts 2-4 days but it's a doozy! The worst part about the Mirena/VSG combo is I get moderate cystic acne now- never used to before

Went back to work 5 days later- full time. Had no problems. I am a counselor of sorts, so I dont do anything but sit and talk. I was pretty tuckered out after work for the first week but nothing bad.... my recovery was pretty easy. I also made sure I had clothing that was non-irritant. I wore only dresses for the first week- no waist bands! Also make sure that you can sip, sip, sip the whole time at work!

my surgeon & nut both said one black cup a day isnt too bad- you may feel too jittery for much more. They also really press that we should try to limit to 2-3 week if you are doing lattes, iced coffee, etc (even FF, skinny, SF, etc because of the carbs). Try (really try) to make Click Protein powder work for you- if not, just offset your latte intake with extra work outs!

Deli selects by Oscar Meyer are AWESOME!!!! They have turkey, roast beef and chicken and they are thick cuts of meat- 1/6" thick.. .. Not like paper. Good protein/low fat snack option or to use as a Meal Replacement. You can easily watch for sales at supermarkets and get them 2/$6.00

If you are ok to be on solids- try making endamame and putting them in ziplock bags. Don't forget an extra bag for your shells!

If you get REAL CND SHELLAC there is absolutely no filing, scraping, grinding or damage to your nailbeds. Most people that have poor experiences with shellac get a similar product like Gellish or Gelicure at the salons and the nail tech is applying & removing it improperly. The kits you can buy online or in Walgreens don't use professional grade products and will not give you professional results. If you don't like nail salons, don't like long-term cost or simply must DIY- my advice is to get a couple of REAL CND SHELLAC manicures from your local CND certified salon to make sure you understand the process and then go buy your own CND UV light, polishes and do it yourself. It's a little spendy upfront- but worth every penny. You can check out the CND website for product details and certified salons in your area. Google someone named FingerNail Fixer for YouTube videos on propper shellac techniques.

Lol- I went back to work 5 days after my surgery and I wore a Flexees girdle the first day back! In fact.... I have worn a girdle every single time I leave the house for the last 5 years- post-op has been no exception. I would recommend that if you do wear a compression garment, spanx, girdle, whatever.... and open stitches, that you wash it daily or rotate your undergarments to keep it clean. In my experience, my sutures did leak a little bit and stick to the fabric of the girdle, so it was a tiny, tiny bit painful removing it. I dont have a whole lot of sag in my stomach though.... I am thanking the spanx & girdle for that!

OMG- Shellac is the best! Its a UV cured "polish" that goes on just like normal nail polish with a 2min UV light cure between coats- it lasts for 7-15 days before chipping and comes off by placing a cotton ball soaked in acetone on fingernail, wrap in foil and 7 min later it slides right off. I have been "shellacing" for 2 years now and have had NO NAIL DAMAGE, discoloration or splitting. Its a miracle product in my book. Its worth every dime!!!! BTW: My nails are fantastic lately.... I think that after your body adjusts your nails, skin and hair start using the additional nutrients better- I think the nails grow so quick that it shows up first and (sadly) the hair sees improvement last.

Lol.... I am betting if you are a hot mama now and still new to the VSG- and you are STILL getting dates.... in a few months your social calendar will be on FIRE!!! You wont be on the market long. eat, date & be merry!

For a sweet drink: lots of Snapple Diet Iced tea, Lipton Green Tea, iced coffee + non fat milk + SF torani syrups or splendas. Even FF milk with PB2 was a yummy treat (occationally I use the SF carmel sundae syrups) In the beginning I used to drink a lot of broth with spices- LF chicken stock w/garlic powder, onion Soups, beef consumme soups, etc...

I brought nothing but my iphone. My BF had my ID & ins card in his wallet just in case- I even left my purse at home! I wore yoga pants and uggs to the hospital and wore them around hospital & out under my gown. I was too drugged to read, too tired to watch TV and too out of it to care about pillows, blankets, etc. I had a private room w/ a pull out couch so my BF could stay overnight, but it was pretty low-key all together. You dont want to pack up & carry a bunch of stuff post-op anyways, so keep it simple. Anything you need the hospital will provide it- even extra pillows, chap stick, treaded socks, etc... Good luck and dont stress! Its gonna be a-OK!

My NUT says stay below 40g. When I dont I stall majorly!

I eat out 5-7 times a week and most of it is socially.... I never have an issue. I make good choices and if needed, get creative. Example: if i am out where i dont want people to know i have had the sleeve i get creative. I usually order a appitizer (i dont eat at the chain resturants so no.... Im not ordering cheese sticks or potato skins) and mention i want it brought out as my meal. Mmost people dont notice. I also make a joke about not knowing what to order, so i am ordering something small so i can order/try another dish.... No one ever remembers i was going to order for round #2.

I dont like the way my credit card statements look (too much shopping) but I LOOOOVE the way I look! I never share pics that i am in with friends cause im always the fattest and so embarrassed..... I was with some friends in Vegas over labor day and 6 out of 8 of them are skinny and mini.... With just me and another girl (who is probably 260/5'6" and who kinda looks like me anyways) being the larger ones.... I was looking at the pictures and kept mistaking myself for the larger friend!!!! My BF had to keep reminding me it wasn't me and you know what.... I kinda looked normal and kinda HOT!

Or...... Places like Safeway, Raleys and even Whole Foods sell pre-made kabobs that are marinated in the meat counter. All you have to do is grill or broil. Safeway also has started selling frozen kabobs and they are awesome!

The one big "downside" (if you could even call it that ) was I lost about 1/2 a shoe size since surgery.... making many of my shoes kinda big. High heels that dont fit well can be floppy and downright dangerous. I am betting by the time I hit goal, I may be a full size down. Im gonna miss my old shoes but LOVE my new ones!!! I guess everything shrinks! Feet too!

Lol- I wore heels out of the hospital! They were wedges.... But still heels! I was back to work in 5 days and was rockin my 5" Aldo's. Go strut your stuff girl!

Keep in mind that no two people are alike and I hate to burst your bubble but..... At almost 6 months post op my stomach still gurgles, growls and emotes. It's like a freak show in itself. It gurgles cause its empty, cause it's full or when it's working on dense Proteins or junk, when I'm standing, sittin or laying down.... Bottom line is that its LOUD AND PROUD no matter what!! Lol!

@Andy the software dev- you could easily operate a WLS dating service service for profit... The way most online dating services make money is ad revenue and lead sharing/commerce. If you are serious about it you're gonna need some help on the details- I have exp in this area... PM me if interested. -Kat