mellifluousmp

Hello everybody! Please forgive me for the format of this post as I am not accustomed to blogging or forums, but as I am sitting here 5 days after my surgery I was compelled by one of my closest friends to document my impending journey. I thought about writing in a journal to express my thoughts and I even played around with the possibility of making a YouTube channel focus around my own personal weight loss. I stumbled across this website some time ago and remembered it today and registered. I figured that writing to a community of people with the same struggles and triumphs that I have and will face would be the best route. So... a little about me... I am a young professional male living in New Orleans, LA... yes... the Big Easy...one of the culinary capitals of the free world and I have struggled with weight issues my ENTIRE life. While I have managed to excel in my educational and work environments I was often faced with the ridicule and pressure of being HUSKY, CHUBBY, BIG-BONED, PUDGY, FLUFFY, and all those other euphemisms for FAT. Being overweight was something that I came to accept early on as I loved to eat and most of my family was heavy. And though it hurt sometimes, I soon developed an exterior persona that would paint me as a person who was oblivious to their size; being stronger, wittier, and smarter than the people I would make acquaintances with and then going home to deal with the issues of my body in silence... and sometimes sadness. The first time I played around with the notion of WLS was back in 2009. I was 23, out of college 2 years at that time and making a pretty good living for myself. I was in a relationship that was toxic and discouraging... Voices telling you that you are basically never going to change or grow just because you are smaller can really put a damper on your outlook. Needless to say... I ended this relationship and renewed my own confidence until I was soon faced with yet another challenge. While vacationing with my friends for Memorial Day in 2010, I could sense something was different with my body. I was solemn, fatigued, and uninterested with the festivities that were taking place. I was also vomiting every morning... not food, but a weird golden substance that I decided to classify as acid reflux. On my first day back to work, my coworkers noticed that I looked dehydrated... like a fish out of Water... and that I was barely moving and slightly incoherent. My manager forced me to go to urgent care and soon after being seen by the doctor there, they urged me to go to the ER for treatment. Within in 45 minutes of being in ER I was diagnosed with Type-2 diabetes with a severe case of diabetic ketoacidosis, or DKA, which is an extreme shortage of insulin that is potentially fatal. After a week in the hospital, I was sent home with a shopping list of prescriptions to take and a whole new outlook on life. I immediately decides to sign up for a diet food home delivery service and tried that out for several months until the cost of that plus my meds became out of control. While I lost weight on the program pretty quickly, once I stopped the weight began to creep back. I knew I had to do something that would be definite... and that is when I decided to pursue WLS. I began reading, interrogating others who I knew had had it, and watching other VGS patients on YouTube. I told my close friends on my 25th birthday, on a cruise ship no less, that planned on pursuing WLS and I have not looked back since.&nSo... here I am... 5 days after my surgery... and despite the slight discomfort that is expected after surgery and a mild case of cabin fever (GET ME OUT OF THIS HOUSE!!!), I am feeling good and optimistic about what is to come.

It'll all be worth it!!! Keep in touch!!

I bought some of the Dannon Oikos greek yogurt...you can get it in a bunch of flavors but I decided to buy the plain and add a little sugar free jelly to mine... it's pretty good!

My brother bought some crawfish the other day and I salivated the whole time!! I have to wait another week before I start Proteins like seafood!!

I am having a similar issue. According to my food plan I can have greek yogurt and pudding, but i tried to eat some hummus (same consistency) and I could only tolerate about a tablespoonful... if that!!! I can finish off the yogurt and pudding with no problem but the hummus fills me up QUICKLY!!!

My incisions (only 3) are starting to heal already and I have a product called Kelo-Cote that I am putting on them to make sure the scars go away!!! I am excited for you!! We had ours done the same day so we have to keep in touch!

Yea...it's exciting and scary all at the same time, but I think it's a good start seeing as though I still have about 150 pounds to go. I went to the gym today for the first time and took it easy. I am excited!

Ok guys! Yesterday marked ONE whole week since I had my sleeve done and it was also the date of my first post-op doctor's appointment. Of course, I was anxious about what they would tell me but it went well. I told them that for some resin the backs of both of my legs were tender and they really didn't have an explanation for that and that my heart rate seemed elevated, but I am not experiencing any fever in addition to that. I know that when fever and a rapid heart rate is combined it signifies that there is a possible LEAK!!! So that was good news... The best part of the visit was the weigh in... I'M DOWN 30...yes THIRTY POUNDS in one week... I'm excited.

I had mine done on April 3rd as well!!! The discomfort from the gas stayed with me until the day after I got home. I have been walking up and down the house to get all of it out. I can honestly say that was really the ONLY pain I felt during the whole ordeal.

That's crazy b/c Chicago is my favorite city!!!

Good luck!! My experience so far has been an interesting one... not easy,but I am sure things could be a lot worse!!! You will do fine!

Today (day 5) has been excellent... outside of the fact that I was unable to enjoy the traditional Easter meal! LOL But... other than that I have had little to no discomfort in my abdomen. My first doctor appointment is Tuesday and I excited to weigh in and see how much i have lost. I am ready to get in the gym and SWEAT!!!!

No problem... i hope my story can help someone. Nobody can make the decision for you, but any questions you might have...don't be afraid to ask!

I thought it was just me!!!!! LOL I've been brushing constantly for the last few days... Good info.

Thank you! It's always good to have the perspective of a local! I will check out our forum!!!

Good luck and God bless!!!