Lookinupin2010

My face and shoulders first....upper tummy (where surgery was) was flat pretty fast, and I can feel ribs even though I still have another 140 lbs to lose....but lower tummy is JUST NOW beginning to show any signs of getting smaller. I tried on a pair of dress pants today that I found in my closet with tags still on them cause they wouldn't fit...whatever year I bought them...they had a zipper, and I've always had problems getting zippers zipped on pants cause my gut was so big. TODAY....I GOT THEM ZIPPED......

WOW !!! 4 kids and still making time for yourself to go to the gym. Sounds like you have also discovered that you have to take care of you, so you CAN take care of them well. Keep up the posts.....you are doing great !!!!

i had this done 2 days before my 58th birthday. Was released from the hospital on my birthday. I have had some struggles...getting down Water, feeling tired the first 6 weeks, adjusting to not having food as my ally in crime...getting enought Protein... and now beginning to lose hair on my poor balding scalp. Would I do it again...YOU BET !!! Best thing I EVER did for myself, except get married, have my 2 beautiful daughters, and ask Jesus into my life. I DO wish I had it when I was younger because I've missed out on so much in my life and my daughters (when they were younger) cause I couldn't do certain things with them. BUT...the sleeve wasn't available at that time, and the bypass never sounded appealing to me. This takes work...REAL WORK...and as already stated...the work it requires is work that we have avoided. It takes wise choices, realizing that this is just a helping tool that you must use to your advantage. Depression will more than likely set in and you may even wonder what the heck you did to yourself, but when those emotions die down and the scale becomes a 'friend'...you will never want your old self back. Good luck to you...and if you can...get involved with a support group and keep posting and reading this site.

I'm 9 weeks out, and have already started seeing more of my scalp. I take biotin, get 60 gms of protein a day, and am planning on talking with my Dr. about zinc supplements.

Oh pooh pooh on those that don't support you. YOU are the one that has to live with yourself. I applaud you, but that doesn't matter either. You know what you need, and you did it. I found, that I have to be careful who I tell....I've gotten some surprises. Now, I try to listen to that little voice in my head as to who is 'safe to tell' and who will condemn me. Lord knows, I don't need anymore condemnation in my life...and neither do you YOU GO GIRL !!!:scared0:

Please don't be embarrassed. That's how ALL of us learn to take better care of ourselves. We aren't used to taking care of US. We take care of others, and shower ourselves and other with food to show love. NOW...we have to learn (the hard way...by making ourselves sick or hurting like the dickens) that love doesn't revolve around food. That's one of the hardest lessons I think we have to learn. Be glad it's over, and strike it up for one more lesson learned in the path of many.:scared0:

My '3-week' stall lasted 11 days !!! I just knew that I was going to be the one that this surgery was NOT goint to work for. Fortunately, we can't cheat with the sleeve like we did in the past when we got frustrated. So I just kept plugging along. Considered taking the scale away like others have said. I just couldn't do it. Finally, one morning I had lost 3 pounds !!!!!!!!!! I'm sure I'll never have another stall along the way....but I know that I'm only going one direction.....the good way down. VSG 4/7/2010 Highest Weight: 365 Surgery Weight: 349 Current Weight: 304

I agree with Immore. This is just a tool, not a solution. We can choose to stuff milk shakes down or ice cream, cake or Cookies....but what have we accomplished or learned. It was abuse that got us into the 200-300+ lbs. We ARE our worst enemies when we abuse ourselves, whether it be with food OR with words. Since I can only have 4 oz of food to fit down my stomach right now, I choose to make it as nutritious AND tasty (TOGETHER) as I can. I lost 180 lbs in my 20's by diet and exercise and kept it off for 10 years, then my Mom got cancer and I was her caretaker. Lots of stress taking care of her and depression after she passed away brought the weight back on and it hasn't been moving down since I was blessed with this 'tool'. I hope and pray that I have learned to take better care of myself, and love me. I try to say good things about me, just as I would someone else now. VSG 4/7/2010 Highest Weight: 365 Surgery Weight: 349 Todays Weight: 304

For those who have kids and can't get to a gym....check out bodyforlife.com I love the exercises and schedule they have. Bought my weights at Walmart, and exercise bench I use a stair step board. I have to get down on the floor and lie on it, but I can do those overhead presses just fine on it, as well as being able to use it for my legs as a step aerobic exercise. I have a treadmill and recumbant bike, and I just plug in my mp3 and listen to music to not get bored on them. Hope my arms will start looking better, only got the OK to start this 2 weeks ago. VSG 4/7/2010 Highest Weight: 365 Surgery Weight: 349 Todays Weight: 304

I am officially 2 months out today. I was having problems with the Protein shakes making me nauseus. I'm supposed to have 2 a day with one protein based meal. I also had HORRIBLE problems with constipation as I've had IBS for several years. I started eating more Fiber and making my meals vegetarian (however, I do eat fish from time to time) and I'm feeling much better. I can only get 1/4 c eggbeaters with some string cheese 1/2 mushroom down for an omelet with maybe a strawberry or 2 for breakfast. lunch is usually 1/2 c Beans with a couple bites of cantaloupe. dinner is some time of veggie protein with a couple bites of deep green steamed veggie. My calories are around 500-700 a day. Try to keep the carbs down as low as possible without interfering with fiber or energy level. I missed coffee too, but can't handle the caffeine anymore. I can NOW drink decaf. Usually after dinner as my special treat. I can now also handle decaf tea. My favorite is Lipton's Orange Garden. Funny, how are special treats are now decaf and fruit !!!! lol VSG 4/7/2010 Highest Weight: 365 Surgery Weight: 349 Todays Weight: 304

Don't quit posting....you are a mentor for a BUNCH of us. And just look at those SKINNY LEGS !!! WOO HOO I was having trouble with constipation and feeling tired, and it was your posts from the past that led me to the low carb vegetarian site. I'm now feeling more energy and less consti....(well you know) lol You look fabulous and are definately MY inspiration. :thumbup1: VSG 4/7/2010 Highest Weight: 365 Surgery Weight: 349 Todays Weight: 304

I too struggle with this. I don't know why, and maybe need to see a therapist but money is the issue right now. (husbands job went to Brazil and he was forced into early retirement.) Anyway, I realized this week, after I had eaten more than I should have one day that I NOW have to see food as fuel and not comfort !!!!! I was absolutely miserable for about an hour and at first started missing the way that I could comfort myself with food in the past. NOW.....I can't do that. Depression started sitting in, so I got on this website and started reading all the issues that we go through. We are all alike, we think of food as social, family, love, entertainment, hobby.....I could go on and on. But that isn't what food is for....it IS FUEL TO MAKE THE BODY GO !!! I hope I can fully grasp this soon, and you too.

I read people taking a pouch test and I'm not sure what this is. Is this something the Dr. does, is it a self test, why is it done, when is it done?:svengo:

Thanks. I had a 'leak' test before I left the hospital, but the pouch test I kept reading, but didn't understand. Thank you again for the info

Great job....exercise will probably be easier as more weight comes off. You may even WANT (imagine that) to exercise. Keep up great work !!!! :svengo: VSG 4/7/2010 Postop weight: 365 Current weight: 313

There are days when I'm so miserable with constipation that I have actually considered looking into vegetarian meals for VSG patients. Does anyone have any info for vegetarian Protein diets for us?:svengo: VSG 4/10/2010 Post op weight: 365 Current weight: 313

I'm 58 yrs old and have been on Celebrex for the last 7 years for arthritis in my knees, hips and back. I was sleeved on 4/7/2010 and my Dr. told me to stop taking Celebrex as it could hurt my new stomach. I thought I would never be able to walk again if I did that. I haven't had Celebrex since my surgery, and have lost 52 lbs. I try to walk on the treadmill every day for at least 40 minutes. My knees feel wobbly the next morning, but don't really hurt. I think the combination of MAKING myself get on the treadmill and the loss of weight has helped the pain go away. When I walk on concrete, (for exercise, ex: walking paths) I DO have a little pain, but nothing like I used to have before the surgery. This is like a miracle for me, because I used to be in constant pain before the surgery if I didn't take Celebrex. VSG 4/7/2010 Post op weight: 365 Current weight: 313

I'm glad you posted this, because I have it too. I'm sitting here drinking warm Water right now to try to 'dissolve' the mucous feeling. I hate this feeling, and makes me gag after I eat and sometimes even throw up part of my meal. Hope someone can give us some words of wisdom.:svengo: VSG 4/7/2010 Post op weight: 365 Current weight: 312

Premier premade shakes are all I can get down right now. The powdered stuff I was able to drink BEFORE surgery, but now makes me gag. For some reason, these go down much easier. And since my Doc say 2 a day and one meal till I get the weight off.....I have a long road ahead of me for Protein shakes. VSG: 4/7/2010 Preop Weight: 365 Todays Weight: 313 Goal Weight: 160

Tonight, my husband and I went to Denny's. I still have issues with restraurants cause I never know what to order. Tonight, my husband ordered his dinner and I asked him to include the grilled skewer of shrimp so I could eat it. I kept thinking.....this will never fill me up (6 little shrimp) so I ordered a bowl of chicken noodle Soup too. Well....6 shrimp DID the trick, and he ended up having to eat the soup !!!!:001_tongue: Sleeved 4/7/2010 Dr. Chaisson Beginning weight: 365 Todays weight: 317:thumbup:

I'm 5 weeks out, and when I see someone drinking a diet soda my mouth begins to salivate...lol But, I gave up soda when I was pregnant both times and lived through it...I can give it up again. I drink crystal lite if I feel like I cant stand it. Sleeved: 4/7/2010 Highest weight: 365 Surgery weight: 349 Todays weight: 321

My personal opinion is that we have spent most of our lives wrapped up in numbers. I'm as guilty as the next. Before the surgery, I said I wasn't going to let that happen again, BUT...I find that I started getting that way from my 2 week post op visit with my Dr. I love him dearly, but I find myself getting caught up in the goals he has set for me. I figured out that he wants me lose 5 lbs a week. I have only lost 4 since last weeks visit, and started freaking out !!! How ridiculous of me !!! The scale is still not my friend.....because I want to step on it every day....and if it isn't doing what I think it should, I get all weepy. Silly silly me...I have lost and I'm going to continue to lose, but those old haunts of being a failure are trying to get me down again. I'm glad that you posted this, it makes me realize how we get wrapped up in numbers, rather than the positives that we now have available to us. Thank you for making me stop and think...rather than freak out like in the past. VSG 4/7/2010 Beginning weight: 362 Surgery weight: 349 Todays weight: 326:thumbup:

Consider it a blessing that you can at least chew....some of us had to go on protein shakes for 2 weeks !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:thumbup:

I was told that headaches are to be experienced because we go into the state of ketosis, where our bodies burn fat instead of carbs. My nurse was the one who shared this info with our preop class. After surgery I suffered from headaches, and I was able to take liquid adult strength tylenol. I tried to take it only when I needed to. I'm now 3 weeks out, and the headaches have pretty much disappeared. VSG 4/7/2010 Beginning weight: 365 Surgery weight: 349 Todays weight: 326:thumbup:

I'm only 3 weeks post op, and I can tell you that getting Water in is a very real struggle for me. Before the surgery, I drank water all day long. You rarely saw me without a water bottle. I drank water that we bought from a machine at the store for 25 cents a gallon, and drank it for years. After surgery.....I struggled with the taste of almost ALL brands of water. Since I got dehydrated and suffered quite a bit from it, I finally was able to get down Dasani, but only about 32 oz. a day. I was still having dehydration symptoms. I didn't want to go back to the hospital, so I just kept trying. Now, finally just this week, I'm able to get down the water from the machine again, and it was only yesterday that I got down the full 64 oz. I haven't had any symptoms of dehydration today, and I'm hoping that it's all over. Several times, I thought I was going to faint....very scary feeling. Keep trying....seems as if our taste buds change, but keep changing along the way. I often said, that if I didn't have taste buds I probably wouldn't enjoy food as much.....sorry I ever said that statement, cause now hardly anthing tastes good to me....:thumbup: VSG 4/7/2010 Beginning weight: 365 Surgery weight: 349 Todays weight: 326:thumbup: