emme2009

Hope this isn't too late to answer your questions. I think it is completely and totally feasible to maintain the energy needed to still exercise intensely with VSG. I have been training for half marathons since July 2010 (was post op 5 months at that time) and ran another half marathon this morning The nutrition worried me when I first started training but I've never had any issues, I just started losing weight at a MUCH faster rate than before I was running so much--and that was a welcomed side effect ! Let me know if you have any more specific questions. There is also a poster on OH who has a blog (http://fattyfightsback.blogspot.com/) who trains for Ironmans, triathlons, etc and is a veteran sleever. She has information on nutrition on her blog as well that I have found handy but just applied to my needs.

I was sleeved 2 months after turning 29 and hit a normal BMI by my 30th birthday

Today is my sleeve anniversary. Hard to believe. I had written a letter to myself one month before my surgery and never looked at it again until today. It basically listed all of the things I hoped could change by losing weight. Every. Single. One. Has. Changed. All 36 of them. For any of you who are pre-op, I suggest writing the letter...it really is an eye opener as I look back one year post-op. I still remember writing it, crying and thinking that this was all such a long shot. Here are my stats: Highest weight 1/1/10: 251 Surgery weight 1/13/10:243 Maintenance weight: 146-148 I've lost a total of 132 inches in 19 places on my body. My waist went from 49 to 36 inches. Starting BMI: 40.4 "morbid obesity" Current BMI: 23.2 "Normal" I've also gone from squeezing into size 20 to slipping into 8's....whattttt!!? In the past year, I've completed many road races including a half marathon and will be running another this weekend and next month. I feel like I eat pretty normally and do not need to feel like I have to constantly monitor what I am eating or search for the newest diet craze to help me. In the beginning of this journey, I was on this site morning, noon, night, in the middle of the night....and obviously have scaled back but still lurk and post and check the site often. My sister is getting sleeved in March. I look forward to the changes this surgery will provide for her. Best wishes to all of you!

Definitely write it all down. A year from now, some of the things will (surprisingly) seem foreign to you and what a great feeling that will be. I had forgotten a lot of the things that used to plaque me daily but since I had my list, there was no denying how far I had come.

Sign me up!

Sassy, Why are you afraid it isn't going to work? My advice to you is to measure your foods until you have a good grasp on what your serving sizes should be. In addition to measuring, track your intake of calories, carbs and Protein so that you are fully aware of what you are eating. I did this for about 5 months before I felt like I could handle not tracking or measuring everything. I still occasionally measure, but for the most part, I can judge what I need or can handle. I started exercising around 3 months post op but didn't start a serious regiment of walking until around month 4 and then by month 5-6 I joined a running group and began the long-distance training beginning with 3 miles and reaching 14 miles by 9 months post-op. I just didn't have the energy in the beginning and I worried that I was losing slowly, etc. because I wasn't exercising but when I was able to get out and go, my rate of weight loss increased drastically. When you feel ready and are ready for a boost---definitely get the cardio going Let me know if you have any specific questions and I'd be glad to answer them. Also, remember that the average weight loss for VSG is 15-20 pounds in the first month and 5-10 pounds each month following. Just be patient.

Good luck to you! I was very candid in it---listing everything from not wanting to have to hoist myself off the couch to not wanting to see those painful red lines on my skin after wearing pants. I also listed emotional things so it wasn't purely physical, but they go hand in hand in so many ways!

Women who are getting ready to try to conceive begin taking prenatals (or at least they should a few months in advance), right? So my question is: should I just add a prenatal to my regular Vitamin routine *now* to prepare for in a few months when we are TTC? Or should I just double my multi? Is it possible to have TOO much folic acid? My multi already has 400mcg and the prenatals have 800mcg....and this is the same for other Vitamins that are found in both. Should I be concerned with over-doing it with any of the vitamins? For those of you are have already gone through pregnancy as a post-op, how did your vitamin regimen change and for those of you preparing to conceive, what changes are you already making? We hope to start next year and I'd like to get into a routine now (and I always like to be prepared for the unexpected). Thanks!

I don't eat anything before a morning workout. Even for long training runs (10+ miles), I wont have anything before hand. I was like that pre-op and it still works for me post op. I have Protein immediately afterward, either a shake or eggs. How about half ripe banana with some Peanut Butter?

If you like it for the boost of vitamin C, etc., there is no reason why you shouldn't be able to take it. I just went through a whole tube of it this week when I felt a cold coming on. If carbonation bothers you, you can let it sit for a few extra minutes to let the effervescence calm down before drinking but it should go down pretty smooth.

Congratulations on your training! I just ran my 'comeback' 1/2 marathon this morning As I started training seriously in late July/early August, I definitely started losing even more rapidly but I was still in my losing phase so it was great! I was about 180 when I started the training and was 151 this morning. I am 10 months out and am a 5'6.5" female so as I started training, my goal weight was 157 pounds (normal BMI). I am now in maintenance and have, like Tiffykins, added things to my diet especially during my longer-run weeks. The calories burned on a long run are often-times more than I even consume in a couple/few days so I know I have to replenish them somehow. I like avocados, pepperoni (switched from turkey pepperoni to the regular kind but still a serving size), Peanut Butter, dark cocoa almonds, an extra Protein shake for recovery after a run, multi-grain saltine crackers, V8 tomato juice, baked potatoes, baked sweet potatoes, full-fat cheeses (colby, mozzarella). I also allow myself things like Snickers bars if I want one...I can't even eat a whole candy bar in one sitting so it's not like I'm bingeing out or something and yes, I know it's not "high quality" anything...but I'm in maintenance and I'm burning over 1000 calories in a single run some days so....I think it's okay Plus, it has peanuts As far as nutrition/energy during the long runs: I use Carb Boom (all natural--Apple is the best!) or Cliff Shot Blocks for nutrition during long-runs. I had to realize that carbs were not scary. Even though I've added them back, I still don't eat THAT many. I am not in ketosis, but I know it is important to balance things out for running. I was a runner pre-op (ran a full marathon and many 1/2s in 2006 before gaining weight back) so it has taken a little bit of trial to see if I can still do things the same. I also drink coconut Water to help with hydration. I usually have one after a long run for recovery but drank one last night for good measure to prepare for this morning's race. When is your race? You're going to do awesome!! Feel free to ask me anything---I'm so glad to find a Sleeved Runner!

Thank you for the replies. I added the prenatal to my regular routine a couple of weeks ago (around the time of the original post) and must have stared at the amounts of Vitamins and minerals forever to decide on everything. So Tiffy, you plan to *only* take the prenatal when you are pregnant--and that is enough for us? I guess it seemed like some of the vitamins were lacking in it compared with my multi. I plan to get into my PCP soon and run some more labs (and continue to do more independent research) on the Vitamin stuff to make sure I'm not getting too much with the brands I have chosen. Thank you both SO much for replying! We're actually hoping for the BFP this month and if not have to wait a few months to TTC due to timing for jobs.

I also get migraines and would take Excedrin or Ibuprofren as a pre-op. Post-op I switched to Tylenol and it works well for me when I get a mild migraine. I also started taking a preventative--Topamax and that has worked extremely well. I take it daily and it took about a month to build up in my system but it really helped. I have Maxalt on hand for out-of-control migraines. I was able to take the Tylenol immediately post-op as needed. I am still cautious (i.e. I don't take it daily), as I am with ANY medication and I was pre-op because too much of anything just can't be good Good luck to you!

Zumba will be coming out for the Wii and is currently available for preorder but wont be in stores until 11/18. Tiffy--I tried Hip Hop Abs pre-op and couldn't handle it...sold my set on Craigslist but now I wish I hadn't!

I do! I use it to refuel/rehydrate after doing long runs (I'm training for a half marathon). I prefer the pineapple flavored over the plain Coconut Water and have found it at Trader Joe's, World Market and Vitamin Shoppe. They are about $1.39 per 8oz container. I've used both ZICO and Vita Coco. Over twice the amount of potassium as a banana and even though we hear how high in cholesterol coconut is, etc.---that is not the case with coconut water. Check it out if you're curious. The plain was not palatable to me at all but the pineapple was great and they also have one with mango.

First of all, you are definitely on the right track! The **average** weightloss for the sleeve is 15-20 pounds in the first month and 5-10 pounds each month following. Congratulations on your success so far! I don't know if any of us can say specifically what your "goal" should be but I think we can help you think about the many things that you might want to set as goals. Tiffykins definitely gave you a good start. Do you want to be a normal BMI? Do you want to be a specific size? My first goal was to weigh 175 because that was the weight I remember in my adult life being comfortable at and active. I hit that in August and just kept going. I reset my goal to be a normal BMI which was 157 for my height and am just under that now. Set reasonable goals and always readjust them as you will probably meet and surpass them and continue to impress yourself Good luck!

I had surgery on Wednesday and was back to work on Tuesday. I was tired and lethargic but it was doable.

Have you tried the EAS Carb Control Protein shakes? They have 17 grams of protein but a much smoother and lighter taste than most protein shakes. Just a suggestion to maybe help you out. They have them at Target and Walmart. Congrats on the weight loss and the pregnancy

I heard the average for the first month is 15-20 and 5-10 for each month following. This is a great chart to track your EWL%: http://www.thinnerself.com/files/Expect_Chart.htm

First, I tried to use the "contact" at the bottom of the page but none of them linked to anything. Second, I am trying to change the information in my profile that is listed under "converted": occupation, zip code, etc. I can't find a place to do this anywhere. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.

Thank you

I was 29 when I was sleeved...recently turned 30 and have kept my VSG private aside from immediate family.

Having an office position is definitely to your advantage. I had surgery on a Wednesday across the country and was back to work on Tuesday teaching middle school and coaching softball. I was lethargic but fine. I would normally say that two weeks is plenty of time to be off for VSG but only you know your body and your MS could factor into your recovery time. (I don't really know???) If you know your boss will take it easy on you and you will be sitting all day anyway, I think you'll be fine

My periods were completely messed up during the losing phase and I was on a low-dose birth control. I didn't even have a period for a couple of months. Fingers crossed for you!