TinaMari

My doctor told me tingling is an indication of a vitamin deficiency.... Def check with your doctor!

I was told that my Vit D was "dangerously low"... I was put on prescription Vit D b/c the over the counter wasn't producing.... Ask you doctor if you need the prescription...!

Ladies, Thanks for your response. I truly understand what your going through. If WLS is right for you, by all means go for it! I just wanted to target those individuals who did not put any thought into WLS and what it truly encompasses. Post-op is truly a journey but well worth it when necessary. Good luck to the both of you~!

So, I’ve read various posts about regretting the journey that sleevary (yes I’ve created a word) brings. However, do some of you fully regret being sleeved or are you impartial to it? For instance, my journey to sleevary was quick fast and in a hurry. I never considered having WLS. In fact, I was one of “those” individuals whom laughed at the very idea of WLS and even said “I’d never do that”. Until June 2011 hit and I was diagnosed with Diabetes. That is when I said I HAVE to take control of my health and weight and must be proactive about it. And proactive I was. I was dieting, exercising and losing weight. Until, my cousin told me about a WLS forum. I attended not thinking anything of it. And the surgeon announced the fact that WLS reversed diabetes. Instantly, I said “sign me up”. I did not hesitate nor did I think about it. My insurance had a short process – 3 months, and since I had a comorbid disease the doctor said I would be approved. I did my research and sure enough it was proven in the research that WLS fully reversed diabetes. So literally, less than three months from my first WLS forum, I was on an operating table getting sleeved. I did minimum research, I knew about the risks, but to me, being diabetes-free far outweighed any leaks or any other complications. July 17, 2012 I’m sleeved. Told no family members, coworkers or anyone and went through the recovery process by myself. Thankful to God, I had no complications (and still do not have any). It’s January 2013 and I’m down 91lbs thanks to my sleeve and exercise (I’ve been a gym rat). 91lbs Horray!! One would be ecstatic right!? I look good (like a new person), I feel good, and best of all I’m diabetes FREE. After all, that was my goal for sleevary… Right!? Absolutely. One would think I’d be living the high life, I’m no longer classified a “big girl” I don’t have to shop at Ashley Stewart or in the plus size section(s). I should be happy. Shouldn’t I!? Well, I’m not. And here’s why… I can barely eat. I throw up sometimes but it’s very minimal. I feel most foods going down my esophagus, and although it doesn’t hurt it is uncomfortable. I can’t enjoy basic foods anymore…! Am I miserable? Am I unhappy? Absolutely not. I was never a food junky. However, do I believe I should have and could have lost this 91lbs without being sleeved? Certainly!! So why did I do this to myself!? Why did I take away 85% of my stomach? And now I can’t even enjoy the simple things in life... I can’t go out to eat with friends or on a date to a restaurant with a cute guy or participate in work functions that involve food because it’s embarrassing to be full off of three bites and have everyone sit and stare and wonder what’s wrong with her!? There’s just so many “normal” things that you just cannot be a part of post sleevary -- like enjoying a full slice of pizza, or popcorn at the movie theater (granted NOW I can eat popcorn but a month ago forget about it, pizza not so much) or how about a bagel with cream cheese or a full sandwich (and I’m not talking about a gigantic 12in sub just a measly homemade sandwich with two slices of bread), or how about indulging in thanksgiving dinner or eating a snickers candy bar without feeling stuffed or eating more than 1 egg or to have to chew EVERYTHING to a paste-like consistency before you swallow. The list goes on… Two of my friends know about my sleeve, and one is overweight. She is so excited to be sleeved and I told her if you do not have any medical problems it is not worth everything that you are giving up. Sure, you are skinny but is it worth the basic joys of life!? To some it is. To others it is not. To me, a person formerly (I love that word) living with a horrid debilitating disease YES it’s worth it! With that being said, I DO NOT regret my sleeve. And I thank God that I have not and prayerfully will not in the future have any complications. I just caution those whom are out there to try to lose weight naturally (unless you have severe health problems) and truly think about whether the sleeve is worth you losing your basic liberties (whatever they maybe)…! But, I can and will say. I love my sleeve. I love my surgeon and I love God for allowing me to become insulin and finger prinking free! However, I do wish that I would have taken control of my health BEFORE I became diagnosed with diabetes. Had I had any inkling that I was even close to that diagnosis of that dreadful disease (and I don’t care what people say, IN MY OPINION, that disease is like being diagnosed with HIV it is just awful – don’t even get me started on how life altering living as a diabetic is and how depressed I was… Ugh!) I would have ran to the nearest gym and stopped all the ice cream and soda (because that’s all I used to eat) cold turkey!! All I am saying is… Think about it! Truly, sit down and think about whether being sleeved is right for YOU! If it is, WELCOME TO THE LOSERS BENCH!!! If it isn’t, WELCOME TO THE LOSERS BENCH ALSO!!! You can do whatever you put your mind too! Persevere and rise to the challenge. God Bless you all~!!!! I love my VST-Family. SmoochieS~! TinaMari – Sleeved & Loving It July 17, 2012 – Washington Hospital Center.

Hayyyyyyyyyyyy I'm from Bergen County also!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Coolllllllll !!! I no longer live there but my family still does. Awesome!!!

Oh wow! I've never had this happen to me. But the gas pains are AWFULLLLLLLLLLLL!!!! I was poppin gas-x like they were skittles and still it didn't help much. But, the nurse is right you need to walk walk walk!! I was so weak but I was up walking at like 2AM the day after my surgery. I was holding onto that pole thingie that is attached to your IV like it was a cane. lol. Walk walk walk!!!

Your probably at a stall. IT happens. Happened to me. Amp up your exercise. That's the only way to get through it...!

I've been really bad with protein. I haven't drank a protein shake in months! lol. I do eat eggs, turkey, chicken etc... But I highly doubt I'm getting in the recommended 60g per day. So far everything has been ok. But I want to do better so I recently purchased some unflavored powder... It still leaves that protein smell in my drinks but I just drink it with a straw so I don't have to smell it. Ugh! I normally eat yogurt or boiled egg for breakfast.! Now I can eat two boiled eggs. I'm super happy about that. (Even though I'm full after that). But my sleeve is progressing...! Good Luck~

I'm 27 and have only had ONE period. After VSG, like immediately after, I've had my cycle every month. I'm so happy!!!

I was sleeved on July 17th and I haven't had a quarter of the problems the people on this board speak of. Almost makes me wonder why I'm the exception but I surely am grateful!! Anyway, I tried pizza a few weeks ago. I can do it but I prefer not too so I didn't finish even half the slice. I just wanted to see if I could eat it. I've also tried calzones and Stromboli. Lmfao! Same experience with those. I can eat a lot of foods I just don't Bc I want to continue to loose loose loose!!! Good luck~!!

Thanks! I'm hoping I haven't waited to late to start applying the cream. Ugh!

Hi Everyone, I was sleeved on July 17th. My incisions have heeled but I still have six scars which is driving my nuts!!! What can I use to lighten these scars? I want them GONE! I plan on having a super flat stomach one day and I can't flaunt it with these six gashes in my tummy . As always, Thanks for your advice & help~

I don't have blurry vision but my vision has definitely decreased since surgery. I can barely read street signs now. It's actually terrible and I don't like it.

I think it was wrong for your cousin to ask that question in a public forum such as Facebook. She could have at least had the decency to ask you in private. Now everyone on your page is going to see that you possibly had WLS. Again, I don't think there is anything wrong with being an advocate for surgery nor do I think there is anything wrong with keeping the information to your self. It is definitely your decision whether you want to tell your cousin or not. Don't respond to that inquiry on fb. In fact I would delete that post of I were you. If you want to tell her then tell her one on one and tell to keep her trap shut. But honestly it sounds like your dad or someone who is aware of your wls has already told people. So now the "rumor" has hit the family. You mi as well just embrace it and come clean now. Definitely talk to your dad about this though! I think this topic is difficult. You do not have to share any personal information with anyone and to suggest otherwise is ludicrous. You can't say just because a person chooses to exclude WLS in their response of how they lost weight that there not advocating for WLS or their holding up the stereotypes of WLS is the "easy way out". I don't agree with that at all. Your answer is your answer. It doesn't matter if it's a slight fabrication. If you were a homosexual and chose not to tell people would you be ridiculed then!?? Absolutely Not. It's your life. You come out of the closet when you choose too and don't let anyone deter you from keeping your personal decisions personal!!!! BAM~!