PJ_Sleeve

I am in my 30's. I lost my period for quite some time due to my weight. Four weeks after VSG, I got my period back. I know that the weight loss definitely has something to do with hormones in women.

How is it possible that you always hit the nail on the head!!! I could not have said it better myself!!!

Great story!!! I am routing for you!!!

As we all know, some of us get a touch of reflux after being sleeved. I am happen to be one of those lucky sleevers! What do you take for reflux? What has worked best if you have tried multiple medications/treatments. (I have a little secret...I have been drinking coffee and I heard that is a no/no...so starting tomorrow, I will skip my daily cup or two of coffee to see if that helps.) I was taking Prevacid Solutab, which worked wonderfully, but they are way to expensive (my insurance doesn't cover it). I am currently taking Zegrid. Not really doinig the job, so I am turning to my VSG Community for some insight! ;0)

That is terrific!!!! Even though I am a fellow sleever, I definitely would have tapped into the cooking sherry (or shall I say chocolate pizza)! (Even if it were just one bite!!! That is a great NSV!!! ;0)

I skipped the coffee today and seem to be feeling a little better. I am beginning to believe that coffee is the heartburn culprit for me.

during pureed stage, I had some of the following foods: - apple sauce - cottage cheese - ricotta cheese - pureed Soups (my favorite was butternut squash soup) - Mashed Turnups, Sweet Potatoes, and Potatoes

I just joined my fitness pal this week and it looks like I fm averaging 900 to 1000 calories a day at three months out. Is this normal? I noticed other sleevers set a goal of 700 to 800 a day... What is your calorie goal?

Thanks everyone for your responses! I truly appreciate your feedback!

I would stay with crackers and the bland stuff for now. dairy products trend to trigger my reflux also, so I try to stay away from it.

I definitely think I am going to get back on the Prevacid (just not the solutabs). It worked wonders for me!!! So, the Zantac and the Prevacid can be taken together? I can do that! I love my coffee, so hard to give it up! It is my worst vice right now!

Buttrfli - Congrats on your revision. Believe me, I am almost 12 weeks out and it get easier and easier. I felt a little hungry in the beginning also, but once you start eating more substaintial foods that too shall ease up. Welcome to the revisionisa club!

Thanks CowGirlJane! I needed that little "talk". This has certainly been a journey from the day I decided to get the lap-band until now. It just feels much better knowing that someone "understands"! Thanks again!!!!

Well, I still have a long way to go until I hit my first true goal, which is my lowest weight with the lap-band being 214. However, I had my revision surgery on September 17th. My start weight was 312, Surgery Weight 293, Current weight 256. That is over 50 pounds lost and I am extremely happy with my progress. I feel better physically already. For instance, my feet, ankles and knees are no longer throbbing and my engery level is finally starting to increase. I know this is way too much info, but TOM is visiting me once again and that is an fabulous NSV for me, because I see my body is getting back to "normal." With all of that wonderful news above, I still struggle with my body image. With the lap-band, as the weight fell off (my highest weight before the lap-band was about 330), I would look in the mirror and swear I saw each pound that melted away. I had a very positive outlook on my body image. I knew I was still a "big girl," but I was a "smaller big girl." Each size that I went down, I would jump for joy and go on another shopping spree! It was wonderful and exciting. Now with the VSG, I can't say I am feeling the same way. I have lost over 50 lbs from my highest weight and I am down two sizes (depending on the cut), but when I look in the mirror, I just don't see the "changes." My closest family and friends have paid me compliments and I don't know how to respond, because I just don't see it. There is also a part of me that is skeptical to Celebrate my progress. It is like I am almost afraid to celebrate this part of the success, because when I started to put the weight back on with the lap-band, the dispair of buying the bigger clothes and hiding from cameras again as I gained the weight was overwhelming to me. It is like I have this annoying little voice in the back of my mind reminding me that failure is around the corner, so I best not celebrate or feel too good just yet. I can't believe that my attitude is so different about my WLS this time around. I posted this for two reasons, I figured it would help me to get it off of my chest, but also to see if any other revisionistas ever had similar feelings. If you did, how did you deal with it? What did you do to turn that frown upside down?

My advice is to concentrate on healing during the first few weeks. I think many people stall within the first few weeks, because our bodies are adjusting. I also stalled for a bit and then it picked up again. Remember, to try to make good food choices (protiens first); and try to get a little exersize in. It is start coming off again!

My surgeon used a 34 bougie, stapled and oversewn.

I am open about the surgery. I try to stick with the belief that I can accomplish two things by being open: 1. I can educate the ignorant (the "easy way out" people) 2. I can help or inspire someone through my experience The fact is...people notice the rapid weight loss. WLS is so common today that people will suspect that I have had WLS and either talk behind my back for not being forthcoming (and they will not know what they are talking about) or I can just be upfront and if they have anything negative to say about it, I can have the opportunity to tell them how it really is. However, I don't meet new people and say, "Hi my name is Pam and I had the Sleeve." That is just weird. But if someone asks...I just tell them the truth. Most of the time the response is very positive.

You look beautiful!!

Amy, Actually I really haven't. I joined the YMCA and went to a couple of Zumba classes. I have to create a workout schedule and stick to it. Also, I have not been back to work since the surgery. I took a few weeks off and then worked from home for a while. We were hit with Sandy the week before I was gong to return back to the office, but since my office is in the Financial District in NY, the building has been closed since due to damage. So, I am STILL working from home. Long story short...I really haven't been getting the level of activity that I would normally get in, like walking to work from the Ferry and just moving around in general. I think you are right, I should defiitely kick up the activity level! That helps in so many ways. Just working out regularly puts me in a good mood! ;o) T

I used NYU Bartiatric Group - Dr. Christine Ren-Fielding. (I was a revision from lap-band to VSG). This a fabulous all around group! However, not sure where they are conducting surgeries right now, because Sandy hit NYU pretty bad.

I am 10 Weeks out and take a colace at least once a day. I had helped so much with going to the bathroom.

Is it okay to have a glass of wine at an event at eight weeks out? I am also putting a call into my surgeon, because I didn't see anything about this topic in thier documentation.

Thank you all for your input. I am thinking it is safe to slowly sip a glass of wine!

I, too, have the same fears. I was sleeved six weeks ago and I feel like I am waiting for the big Binge our how I will manage to gain the weight back our if I will even allow myself to hit my goal. Then I think about all the reasons why I did this in the first place and try to stay positive. I guess we have all failed at diets at one time or another... this is different. This is a permanent life change.

Long story short: 4.5 weeks out from surgery. I ate lobster bisque (less than half a cup). My heart started racing, I started sweating and my stomach is cramping. I feel soo sick right now. I still feel like my heart is going to come out of my chest... what is happening to me? Has this happened to anyone?