New in 2012

Lots of health changes can cause this. Dehydration can really make one cranky, confused, forgetful. So does low caloric intake. Of course, hormones have to adjust to new things. Overall, as you lose weight, it puts incredible stress on your body's systems. So try to take Vitamins, drink tons of Water, exercise -- even just a little -- and eat. Hang in there. Don't eat too little or your body will revolt. You'll find your rhythm!

Way to go!!! Can't wait to get there. You're an inspiration!!!

So glad you shared your story. I seem to be a staller. I lose in steps. So it is really encouraging to hear about your journey. It is hard not to be discouraged, isn't it?

Well, here we go. Or here I go. I just joined the forum, although I've been reading various posts for a while now. I just turned 49 years old, weigh 232 and am between 5'7" and 5'8", and I think I'm finally ready to get rid of this weight I've been carrying around for the last 25 years. Initially I went to the surgeon to investigate the lapband. I didn't tell anyone I was going -- not even my husband -- because I was scare? embarrased? I really liked the surgeon, Dr. Ganta in Austin. I've read a few reviews that his staff is somewhat disorganized, but that is really secondary to me. My main concern is getting a doctor who knows what he's doing. Dr. Ganta seems very competant, was articulate, addressed all my question, and was well acquainted with the current literature. (My husband is a physician, and I've worked in the medical field, so I know my way around things overall.) After doing some thinking/reading/praying/etc., I'm leaning toward either gastric sleeve or gastric plication. Right now I think sleeve is the way to go. If I'm going to go to the trouble of having surgery, I want it to work. I've read several mixed reviews of the amount of weight loss with the plication. Of course, the information is just annecdotal because there isn't really much good research in the US at this point. I read the Brazillian study, which was informative. I'm in graduate school (second career) and I'm wondering how the surgery will affect my stamina. The coursework is demanding, and I have three kids and a busy life, so one concern is keeping my energy up. Of course, the extra weight I have drains my energy. I've had lots of knee issues, as well as back and sleep issues. My health is the main reason for me to take this step -- I want to be around for a long time, and I want to be able to keep up with my kids better and with my grandkids when they come someday. Plus I'm starting a new career when I finish grad school, so I want to be healthy and fit and ready to go. I welcome any thoughts about the journey. It's truly inspiring to read the stories of others.

I had my gallbladder removed when I did the VSG. I was having symptoms and attacks, and I can say that I'm much better now and so glad I had it removed. Good luck!

I too have read that the body can't absorb more than a certain amount of Protein at a time. So if you are drinking a really high amount of protein in a short time, your body won't get the full benefit of that protein. My NUT also reinforced that. I can definitely tell when I drink before or after a meal. It just isn't effective use of the limited space of our stomachs. It is hard to get used to, though.

Amazing!! Congrats for your success.

It's a strange thing, isn't it . . . sadness or a sense of loss over something we wanted to change. Because in fact we are a contradiction, aren't we? We all want to be different (or we wouldn't have had surgery), even if just physically, but we all also want to be who we are at our very core, that part of us that is, for the most part, unchanging. And we want people to know us, the deeper us. So, for me at least, I think some people haven't been able to see past the physical part of me. Or maybe I haven't been able to see past that. Anyway, any change in our lives, whether positive or negative, requires adjustment and change, and these adjustments and changes bring with them a sense of grief. We have to mourn what was, even when it isn't something good or if it was something we want to change. Pookey, I think I get what you're saying. I think that when we have major changes in our lives, we think it changes everything. But it doesn't always. I would say give yourself the space and the time to mourn what was as you move into and embrace what is and what will be. This advice is for much more than weight loss. It is about being.

WhooHoo!! Way to go!!

I had the same experience and worried about restriction. I even talked to my dr. about it. But now that I'm eating solids, I can really tell the difference. I suspect the same will be true for you. And your weight loss is great! So just keep with the overall program.

I was in the same boat. Now I try to weigh myself just once a week, always at the same time and on same scale, so I have an actual point of reference. Once I made that change, it helped my sanity. I definitely am losing weight because I've changed clothes sizes, so that's good! Plus my husband says he can tell when he hugs me. Yeah!

Well, I think it really varies from person to person. I expected my top half to get smaller sooner, but it's my bottom half that has the most noticeable difference -- big surprise to me! So at 2 months out, I'm down from a tight 18/20 to a loose 16 or a snug 14. Many of my tops still fit though, although noticeably looser. I had to clean all of my pants about 2 weeks ago and go shopping at thrift stores, which was really fun! But, I haven't lost as much weight as you have -- 42 pounds at this point. I'm loosing inches faster than weight, which is another surprise. I expected it to be different. I'm thinking each body reacts differently. I do feel great and am so pleased with my progress so far. I bet you'll really start noticing soon!

Yes, I know the feeling. I'm only 8 weeks, and my weight loss is ok, but I'm afraid it will stop and I'll have trouble getting to my goal. I just stay on course and keep believing that it will happen. I sometimes look at Youtube video of people who posted over the course of several months. That is generally always encouraging to see that they do continue to be transformed. You'll get there. Hang in!!

Pammie, I feel the exact same way! My surgery was 8 weeks ago, and I am in my 2nd stall!! I follow all the rules and still a stall. My dr. told me at the 6 week mark that I need to be eating more food, which scares me a little bit. But I'm doing that and I can tell my energy is much improved. I know I'm changing, because my clothes keep getting baggier and I'm wearing different sizes. My weight has come off differently than I expected. My lower half seems to loose faster than my upper half, and I expected it to be just the opposite. But the measurements are changing all over, which is good. Still, when the scale won't budget I feel discouraged. I'm just hoping all these other folks are right, and that this too shall pass! Good luck!!

Pre and post op

I had both things. For more than a week after surgery, my throat really hurt and was sore from the tubes put down during surgery. That did fade. Then I had the feeling like something was stuck in my throat, especially when drinking. That was the reflux, and I'm on a ppi to help that. I think when I drink or eat too fast it also tends to reappear.

I had both, and I'm glad I did. As iegal pointed out, they are two very different tests. I did the endoscopy in the dr.'s office with no drugs/sedation other than a local spray in my nose which deadened my nose and throat a bit as it dripped down, and it was definitely uncomfortable and hurt most of the day. But it wasn't unbearable for me. If they don't do an endoscopy before surgery, they will likely do one during surgery. It's how they can see the inside of your stomach, and that's pretty important. They did one at surgery as well as prior to with me. I also had an abdominal ultrasound to see the size of my life, spleen, gallbladder, etc. So lots of tests. It's no fun to have both, because that equals more cost, but I think it makes a difference overall and helps your surgery be safer. I too had gallstones, and they took out my gallbladder when I had the surgery. They also found a small hiatal hernia which did not show up on ultrasound and repaired it. So I had three times the fun in recovery! Good luck!

I have wondered this too. I'm 5 1/2 weeks out, and I drink 2-3 Protein drinks a day, plus I add unflavored protein to things. My nutritionist and doctor said that I need to expect that I'll be getting the bulk of my protein from supplements for the first 6 months. I aim for 100g per day but usually end up with 85-90. (Dr. said to get between 70-100, and that patients who get closer to 100 tend to have better overall weight loss and fewer side effects, like less hair loss.) I can't for the life of me figure out how I will ever be able to eat enough protein when I am on ful foods. I just can eat such small amounts. Greek yogurt and cottage cheese are good sources that I like, so I'll keep them in my repretoire.

I've wondered this too. I was worried about taking Vitamins in the first few weeks, so I ordered Celebrate ENS Protein drinks which have a multivitamin, calcium and some other stuff in them. I'm using them and supplementing what they don't provide. It's been a good way to get my multi and some calcium without having to force down chewables. I've noticed that I'm able to tolerate more tastes now than I was at first, so I'm about to branch out to the other supplements. I tried samples of many kinds and have ordered the ones that taste the best to me. My hardest one is the Iron. I tend toward having anemia, but iron supplements really disagree with me. Plus they tend to make me constipated -- yuck. (So that means another thing I have to take to deal with the side effects of the iron!) Wish there was a way around that.

Way to go!! That's an inspiration, let me tell you. Keep up the amazing work and you will be where you never thought you'd be again!

I have just the opposite problem since my surgery. I very rarely feel hungery at all, and I forget to eat. So I have to be pretty vigilant to make sure I'm getting my nutrients, etc. So I think you might be surprised. I felt much more hungry before surgery. Of course, there are times when I just want to eat something because it seems like it would be good. But I don't feel hungry -- just my mind playing tricks on me. Good luck!

I was told that the max was 40g at one time by my nutritionist.

So, so sorry! Will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Hopefully they will fix this and you will be feeling much better. You've had a hard road! Take care, jasleeve!

I'm going to be traveling soon and wondered the same thing. (We share our surgery date, Amanda!) I'm expecting TSA to be very stringent about liquids, so I'm not even going to try and will just take powder. I do always take an empty glass in my carry on bag or purse and just fill it in the Water fountain after I go through security. Sometimes I get free ice for it from a vendor. This is because it reallly irritates me to pay for a bottle of water! Good idea about the baby bananas for potassium; I'll have to remember that.

Congratulations! And welcome to the new you! I felt full all the time too, but that is wearing off. Every day is better and better!