movingtowardnormal

Hi everybody! I'm going to Disneyland in early June and then to Turkey in July. I am pretty apprehensive about it because I am not sure how to manage my nutrition while I'm away from home. Disneyland is a short enough trip that I think I'll be ok but Turkey hasn't any Protein shake supplements...I'd love some advice and anecdotes about how you guys have coped. I'm 10 weeks post op today...

Thanks, Luvvy! I see you've lost so much! Congrats! I'm hopeful. XO

Hi there everybody! I'd like to introduce myself here and then follow up my introduction with a great big thank you. My username here is MovingTowardNormal. I am a 40 year old school teacher in Sacramento. I was "sleeved" on February 21st, 2012 - Ironically that was Fat Tuesday! I have been over weight most of my life. I was also always an avid athlete. It's a pretty weird combination but it seemed to work. I have been considering bariatric surgery for perhaps a decade because that combo really wasn't working... In that decade, I have gotten a masters, degree, traveled around extensively, got married and lost and gained about 300 or more lbs. In November 2011, I visited a friend who lost 180 lbs with the DS 10 years ago and my decision was finally made. People who I told (I only told a handful of folks) asked why I wanted to do this. My answer to their query was always the same, "I want to be free." I love food. I love to cook. I love a good game of tennis. But I painfully craved freedom...Freedom from my breasts falling into my neck as I posed in downward dog; freedom from the horrors of an airplane seat; freedom from inner thigh chafe and so on. I first sought support at OH and while I'm sure it's a useful platform for others, it wasn't exactly right for me. So here I am! And so far, so go. My experience here has been outstanding! At the beginning of this this I said I was going to give a thank you...Thank you, all you VSGer's who are here. Here to support each other with the same goal and the same procedure. We likely have the same struggles and similar outlooks on things. I feel safe here. Thanks! I have a blogspot called Moving Toward Normal (http://movingtowardnormal.blogspot.com/). Come and visit me over there sometime!

Thanks Lissa!

Hi there everybody! I'd like to introduce myself here and then follow up my introduction with a great big thank you. My username here is MovingTowardNormal. I am a 40 year old school teacher in Sacramento. I was "sleeved" on February 21st, 2012 - Ironically that was Fat Tuesday! I have been over weight most of my life. I was also always an avid athlete. It's a pretty weird combination but it seemed to work. I have been considering bariatric surgery for perhaps a decade because that combo really wasn't working... In that decade, I have gotten a masters, degree, traveled around extensively, got married and lost and gained about 300 or more lbs. In November 2011, I visited a friend who lost 180 lbs with the DS 10 years ago and my decision was finally made. People who I told (I only told a handful of folks) asked why I wanted to do this. My answer to their query was always the same, "I want to be free." I love food. I love to cook. I love a good game of tennis. But I painfully craved freedom...Freedom from my breasts falling into my neck as I posed in downward dog; freedom from the horrors of an airplane seat; freedom from inner thigh chafe and so on. I first sought support at OH and while I'm sure it's a useful platform for others, it wasn't exactly right for me. So here I am! And so far, so go. My experience here has been outstanding! At the beginning of this this I said I was going to give a thank you...Thank you, all you VSGer's who are here. Here to support each other with the same goal and the same procedure. We likely have the same struggles and similar outlooks on things. I feel safe here. Thanks! I have a blogspot called Moving Toward Normal (http://movingtowardnormal.blogspot.com/). Come and visit me over there sometime!

Often times people can be so judge-y. It's unfortunate. So I, like many others here, told my family (except my brother - his wife is tricky) and chose 8 people who I thought would be as supportive as possible...that made an even dozen. My greatest support is my sister and a friend in Atlanta who had a Bilio-Pancreatic Diversion with a DS 10 years ago. What a great question you ask! I know a woman who told everybody and was met with such resistance instead of support. Discretion is always the best way to go because people have opinions on how to properly pick your nose not just whether or not to get WLS! Many bolessings and good wishes to you! XO Gwen

I was sleeved 2/21/12. Pre-op I was 234. 1 day post op I was 241.8 and today I am 206. I feel disappointed that I am not where other Feb sleevers are. I was on OH and I did not find support there. Nor have I found support with my surgeon or the dietician there. Both have told me to be honest. How much more honest can I be (and if anyone here tells me that I will scream - so please reserve that condescension for other WLS patients)? I eat Protein, I drink Water, I write everything down. I do Bikram yoga once a week and Power Vinyasa Flow twice a week. I walk a 5K three times a week at 13 minute mile... What am I doing wrong? What more can I do. I'm getting so frustrated that I may go (GASP!) eat an apple...well half...that's all I can fit.

Clk and all my friends here...I feel so much better since hearing you all. This can be a daunting journey. And negativity can be so pervasive. But you guys are right...this is my narrative; my story. How can I realistically look at others and expect to be the same...? I'm me. As for adjustments, I'm following the prescription to a T. So, I have between 70 and 100 gms of Protein a day, less than 30 gms fat and less than 30 gms carbs...plus oodles of exercise. I clocked 20k at a 13 minute mile this week plus 2 Power vinyasa classes and a bike ride... It seems I'm doing all I can do and as Clk said, " fast, slow, what's the difference the goal at the end of the road is the same. Thank you for all your love and respect! It is soooo very appreciated! Many good things wished for all of you!

Now this is what I call support! Thank you to all of you! I am so glad I have friends here! This can be such an isolating experience at times so it's excellent to have the goodness of others in the boat with you.