bonbon916

Today I am 2 weeks post op...and I'm down 10.2#! (29.9 from highest weight this fall) Even better- I've lost 15" in that time!! I walk about 1-1 /2 hrs daily, and I guess it is helping! :-) The first week was pretty rough. I hurt (duh), but the liquid lortab made my stomach hurt. I had a hard time with all po intake...my stomach would spasm, and it HURT. Nothing tasted good, either...the blended cream of potato soup helped, though! I bought the Unjury Protein'd Cheese powder...and it rocks! :-) I blended up a can of chicken breast, and that tasted SO good! So did Taco Bell refried beans (yesterday) with red sauce!! Lentils did NOT sit well...BIG mistake!! I'm still drinking my protein shakes from Costco...they go down easily. I drink 1-2 a day. I have another 4 weeks before returning to work- thank goodness!! I tire so easily. Plus, not being able to lift more than 20#...not much in my CSICU weighs less than that!! :-) Right now, keeping up with my 3 y/o is a challenge...my mom came for 2 weeks, but she is going home tomorrow. She has been a big help. :-) I am so grateful to all the BTDT's who have shared their journeys so far! It helped me during the pre-op period, I found that most of my questions were addressed here by others! (So I just lurked) All the "before and after" pics are incredible!! Can't wait until I can post mine!! :-)

Way to go!! :-) What a great start! You can really see the difference in the pics. That is inspiring for me, I'm just getting started.

beba238, I totally understand your worry. For those of us who have struggled with eating disorders in the past, finding "normal" can be a challenge. When I started this process, I spoke with the nutritionist and psychologist about this fear..."how do I know when I'm there?" Most of my normal/under- weight times have been due to unhealthy habits or frantic workouts, etc...For someone who has battled the scale since childhood, How do we know when we reach "OK"? Both of the professionals I spoke with assured me that my body will auto-regulate, and because weight loss is gradual, it gives us time to adjust to each new stage...we will know when we see it, when we feel it. Hang in there! It is a new world for all of us...

WOW!! You look fabulous!! And in 3 months!! I am 3 days post op, and I can't wait to post #s like that!!! Congratulations!

Well, it was finally my turn!! After a long year, full of appts and wait-n-see, I was sleeved Wed, 11/28! Just came home from the hospital this afternoon...I feel tired, and painful, but not horrible. Liquid lortab tastes like evil, btw...ugh...but it helps, so I take it. Clear liquids also sucked, but now that I'm home, I can have full liquids. Oh, how wonderful to taste soup and protein shakes! :-) Sip, Sip, Sip...that is the rule of today. I took a walk this evening, it felt good to move. I lost 19.5# pre-op, so I'm on my way! I love this site, there is SO MUCH information and support here!

Question: I haven't seen anyone weigh in on the SL spray version of B12? I'm having surgery this week, and was thinking it might be a workable solution for me... I am not good at taking meds, period, so this is a whole new world for me!!

Hang in there! Everyone feels like crap initially. It will get better. Keep following the plan.

For me, it was a couple of things...First, I have been dieting since I was 9...I have run the gamut from too-skinny to where I am today...WAY too big. I now have asthma and plantar fascitis, so movement has become difficult/painful... 2 of my friends at work had VSG, and are looking and feeling fabulous! They have been very encouraging and supportive. Second, I am an old first-time mom. I adopted my daughter a few months before my 40th birthday...She is now 3, and the joy of my life. But, being a single mom takes a lot of energy, which can be a struggle. I've always been active and enjoy exercise, and I want to model healthy living for my daughter, PLUS enjoy her childhood. I don't want to be the mom on the bench, unable to run around or play with my girl. My daughter deserves to have a healthy parent who will be alive to raise her...the thought of orphaning her (for the 2nd time in her life) is very scary. My insurance required a 6-month class, which I finished the end of July...I am starting the labs and etc, and SHOULD be having surgery 11/14. :-) I am SO excited about this...but I dread leaving my kiddo for 2 nights in the hospital. I have only been away from her overnight twice; once for gall bladder surgery, and once for 12 hrs for a bday party. My mom is coming to stay for 2 weeks, and that should help...my daughter LOVES Grandma!! :-) I love this site, and the exchange of info, and support/advice given here. :-) Can't wait to join y'all on the loser's bench!!! YEAH!! Bonnie

The premier pre-made shakes from Costco are pretty good. They have 30Gms of PRO/shake.

Congratulations on 3 years!! :-) And a big congratulations on adopting your lovely daughter!! Adopting my daughter (in China) was the best thing I've ever done! She is the joy of my life. I am waiting on approval for VSG surgery, looking like late Oct/early Nov. Can't wait to start the next chapter. :-) Blessings to you and your family!!

Hi! I'm Bonnie, and I've been an RN for 20 yrs. this year. I work in a busy cardiac surgery ICU. My surgeon said to expect to be off 6-8 weeks, if you do heavy lifting...which all of us in the ICU do...no lift team, lots of chronic illness and immobility issues. I plan to take off as much time as I can! This is OUR time, to focus on healing ourselves, not the rest of the world...which we are SO good at!! I also am a certified legal nurse consultant, so I can do some work on that while I'm off. Incredible to see so many nurses getting healthy together!!! Very empowering.

Wow, does this thread strike a chord! I have been battling my weight for many years; yo-yo diets, you name it, there is a good chance I've tried it...My weight has fluctuated up and down and up again...but never this high. The turning point for me was this past winter. I had gained 20# post-break up, and then was diagnosed with asthma. I decided to try the hcg diet, and then got horribly ill. My asthma went crazy, they put me on steroids, and I gained 25# in a month!! Now I have plantar fascitis, so between that and the asthma, I have become really intolerant of exercise. I have never been this heavy in my life! 255!!! OMG. I was SO depressed and felt like SUCH a failure... I called one of the weight loss surgeons in town, had a discussion with her...and discovered that she didn't take my insurance. I went thru my ***, and have just finished the 6 month required pre-op class. I have my exit interview tomorrow, and then wait for approval...I am looking at late October for surgery; my surgeon is backed up about 6 weeks from the time all the pre-op stuff is finished. This is a whole new world, and I am so excited about getting started. I have a 3 year old daughter, who is the light of my life. I have always been active- dance, sports, swimming, and can't wait to enjoy all of them again, this time with her. I work 12 hr day shifts in a busy cardiac surgery ICU, and it is exciting to think of having the energy to enjoy it again, and NOT have my feet hurt all the time... KristiP- I understand wanting to be a mom...the doc told me years ago that I wouldn't be able to have kids...so I went to China and adopted my precious kiddo! :-) (right before my 40th bday!) I really enjoy this site. So much helpful info and support. Thank you to the BTDTs, for paving the way and sharing their experiences for all of us newbies! Bonnie

Recovery time also depends on the type of job that you do...it IS surgery, and those internal stitches need time to heal. My surgeon says that 4-6 weeks is average. 6+ weeks if your job involves heavy lifting, i.e. fire fighters, nurses, etc. I work in a busy cardiac surgery ICU, and he told me I can expect to be off at least 6 weeks. Can't wait to be on the losers' bench!! :-) Hope to meet you there! Bonnie...finishing my 6-month insurance-required class next week!! :-) Hoping for October sleeve

Congratulations on 14# in 2 weeks!!! :-) That is an awesome start! I can't wait to be sleeved, I'm hoping for late Sept/early Oct. I am an adoptive single mom myself, my precious girl from China will be 3 in just 3 weeks! She is the reason I started this journey, and I can't wait to be healthier and smaller, so I can keep up with her!! :-) Best wishes for your journey, keep us posted!! PS- if that is your boyfriend's idea of being supportive or loving...kick his ass to the curb!!! You deserve better...so does your kiddo!! :-) hugs!