Luanne

I had to chuckle on 'the waiter looks worried' as that has happened many times with me. "Everything is fine." Thanks for sharing your story!

You're an inspiration ~ CONGRATS!!!

Please keep us informed on how YOU'RE doing, ok?!! April 11th is coming soooon = you'll do great!

I think the VSG surgery is the best not only for the $ but long-term help in NOT gaining that weight back. Our sleeve is a tool for a lifetime of help, all we have to do is continue to use it! I have DID it "the right way" several times in my life and just k-n-e-w I'd never gain it back this last time = ONCE AGAIN--in 2008, I started a doctor-supervised program leading towards WLS, lost 90lbs, did great and then 20 snuck back on, and Sept/Oct/Nov of 2010 I put another 45lbs on from emotional eating (a young friend committed suicide). I was out of control and went to Mexico on December 9, 2010 to have the sleeve done. My only mistake was not to have WLS after the 90 as I still had 20 more to go. It isn't the easy way out but damn better than suffering in shame over gaining it back time 'n time again!

Thanks everybody for your opinions! I did the HCG diet for 8 days -before VSG- and I had carb cravings from hell. One Melba toast turned into the whole box on several occasions. I feel that now (after VSG) it will work wonders for me as I won't get as hungry. I'm willing to try it down the road if I seem to be at a stall. Thanks again!

Woo-Hoo! = FINALLY HIT 199 today! After a frustrating 3 week stall with not even a pound lost ~ I decided to do Protein whey shakes for 4 days & that seemed to help me lose the 6 pounds to get me under 200. Hopefully this will be my jumpstart to continuing weight loss!

I've enjoyed the Zero Carb Isopure vanilla whey for several years in my blended fruit shakes. I get it for over $20 less at vitacost.com than buying it at GNC or a health store. I order alot of my vitamins there also: B liquid, fish oil, liquid - Natural Vitality Organic Life Vitamins (veggies,fruits,aloe vera, essential vitamins & minerals, amino acids,MSM, chrom.picolinate, selenium, antioxidants),and even a Home Health unscented Almond Glow skin lotion that I love after a shower.

I'm not sure how the VSG people feel about the HCG diet? I'd research it and see if it is something you would want to try but you must follow it specifically. Several friends have had amazing weightloss on it., all over 40+ lbs. One of them had the sleeve for about a year and did the HCG to lose the 20+ and "reset" her weight. I did it about a year before my sleeve & lasted only 8 days but I am considering it down the road as my metabolism is so screwed up.

You're doing great! From what I've read & went thru, we all have stalls but get NSV's (NonScaleVictories) in other ways so my suggestion is to give yourself some time before the HCG. My friend had the sleeve for about a year before the HCG and she did it to help "reset" her weight. and to lose the extra 20 she wanted to. I'm 4 months, 46 pounds and grateful for this weighloss but my metabolism is so shot from the gain/lose that I am really considering the HCG to jumpstart it also.

Put "5 day pouch test" in search all forums & you can find a link there that explains it.

The minute I woke up out of recovery I said, "I need up to pee and walk." The doctors kept telling me that I looked like a girl that didn't have surgery.

70 pounds is 70 less than where you started! I lost 40 in 3 months but then had a 3+week stall...verrrry frustrating! I did protein whey shakes for 3-4 days & lost 6 to get me under 200 = 199! Hopefully this will keep me going on the losing track. They say to do a 5 day pouch test that will also help a person get back to using the sleeve right. I even had a friend use the HCG diet to get her to her proper weight as she was losing too slowly (she thought) after her sleeve. Search HCG info. I did the HCG diet before I got my sleeve but a person has to follow it to the letter exactly. The principle of it is that it eats the fat not the muscle I only lasted about 8 days on it but I think I could definitely do it now as you're only allowed 500 calories and now that I'm really not that hungry, it would work better for me. I'll see.

WOOPS I meant DECEMBER 2010 Sleever! In three months, I lost 45 lbs and then a standstill for almost a month ~ VERY frustrating! The last 3 days (also today) I have did mainly protein shakes & lots of liquids. FINALLY started the scale moving and will be in onderland soon! What kind of exercise regime do you do?

You could try mixing your protein whey in yogurt or pudding.

No side effects and I feel the best I've felt in sometime. Research & talk to your doctor about Pristique. Good luck.

There is a difference in broth! ~ Try the Butterball brand!

Over the years, same thing: You name it, I was on it but I also medicated with booze & drugs for years. I went to treatment in 2001 and they put me on Seroquel + Librium for a year. A light Trazadone that I took at night was my ticket for relief until last year & several deaths pushed me to something more. I've been on Pristique for 6 months which helps the seratonin & neonephrine levels plus seems to give me energy. I also try to do the natural stuff: I take a Gabba & liquid melatonin at night plus hydroxine (dr prescribed) and I sleep like a baby. Any/all could be swapped for the Lorezam = ask your doc.

Dr. Aceves in Mexicalli, $8500. He did several friends LBs so google & research him; also from what I've read, he has done many on this VST, put him in this search engine also. The experience was great and I was not even nervous a minute.

Susan, I did a doctor-supervised program (part of the criteria to have VSG) for over a year, lost 90 pounds and kept thinking I was really glad that I didn't have to go to the length of having any WLS. WRONG: 20 crept back on and after a stresser, put another 45 back on in 3 months. I was out-of-control! ~ That's when I went to Mexico to have it done. I'm a "guzzler 'n a shoveler" on top of being an emotional eater. My sleeve is just a tool to help me get & stay healthy and in control. Good luck on your journey!

With your attitude & conviction, it willbe sooner than later! I went thru all that crap too and decided the $ would be well-spent going to Mexico.

You are doing amazing! = An inspiration!

We bought our IMAGE tm with all the bells & whistles from a newspaper ad for a $100. I have also had a GAZELLE for several years that I love...very easy on joints, knees & feet.

I have sf popsicles on hand...helps with my sweet tooth.

After I get out of the shower, I use a HomeHealth Almond Glow unscented skin lotion w/peanut, olice, lanolin & Vit E in it. Just my daily routine that helps my dry skin.

Healthy & Happy in a size 8 is wonderful!