Obsidian

First off I will start by saying that I currently have no before & after pictures to show you guys as I am in no rush to show anyone what I look like since I'm still a work in progress... so.. sorry to disappoint on that front! I WILL add some eventually but not yet. Not even most of my family has seen what I look like and they are waiting impatiently! For me it's kind of a TADA moment. Like letting my family open a present. That being said, I am down whatever it is my ticker says... some crazy number (lost 190 lbs or so?) which is AMAZING! I can do normal things now that most people I know take for granted and it feels great. My blood pressure is generally perfectly normal (unless my anxiety is high) and my heart rate at rest is something crazy like 48 bpm. I've still got about 100lbs to lose. It feels like a lot yet but I try to keep it in my head that I'm coming up on almost losing 200lbs since I started this journey so another 100 can't be THAT bad. I would be closer right now if I hadn't stepped off the tracks here and there more recently and sat around nibbling crackers and such instead of eating my Proteins. I have found through experience and experimentation that if I do not get at least 65g of Protein in a day with my drinks and greek yogurts then I get RAVENOUS. So good tip if you find yourself suddenly more hungry than you've ever been and even though you were never a nibbler before you just keep nibbling GET THAT PROTEIN UP NOW! The holidays were rough and I got down on myself through November and December. I even had some of my old ugly depression rear it's head which only made the carb nibblemonster worse. I'm back on track now for a little bit and the weight is starting to drop again without even adding back my exercise yet as I prefer to do it one thing at a time and not overwhelm myself (besides my daily chores keep me pretty active in our new house: loading large 30-100lb logs into the wood stove 2x a day, pitchforking 100lbs or more of hay 2x a day for horses, and running out to the coop to take care of our 10 chickens in negative temperatures and 2 feet of snow). My 33rd birthday is coming up on the 2nd of February and the 4th of February is the anniversary of my surgery. My goal is to hit 249lbs by that date although with as easy as the weight comes off me if I just stick to eating properly (about 0.5-1lb a day) I should theoretically blow past that goal. After that I'll set a new goal. I don't regret this decision one bit. I had zero physical complications and have had zero physical complications in the almost year since the surgery. Mentally there have been complications of course. I let myself slip up, I've overeaten, I've been down on myself repeatedly for not "doing better" and I went through a bad breakup with my relationship with food since I felt like food was my only "joy" in life so what now? The process isn't over. I am still working through these things mentally and when I look in the mirror I still feel like I am that 450+ lbs person. I don't deny there have been *MANY* physical changes and looking back at an old picture of myself I was like %#@&! but mentally things are coming along slowly... I am working on pushing myself past my comfort zones and into new things. It takes awhile! I can't rush it! I have to be patient with myself and patience with myself has always been a problem. Patience with all other things is where I excel. Anyway, I will try to get some before and after pictures soon.. and by soon I mean when I feel I am ready. But I wanted to share a bit of what has happened since the first moment I committed to getting the VSG and the first time I ever posted here.

Thank you everyone for your kind words! It isn't surprising how much of a mental battle this journey would be but I've learned some coping techniques for my anxiety disorder along the way as well. The most valuable lesson I have learned is Protein. Journal your food and focus on this oh-so-important number. I know that the nutritionists always stress the protein and I didn't realize just how important of a role it would play until I saw how much I could achieve while keeping my count where it should be versus how ravenous and easily tempted I became when I did not. I know I sound like a broken record but we are all here to try to learn and also impart the wisdom we have learned along the way and that would be my #1 advice to anyone finding themselves struggling after the early honeymoon period.

My advice is simply to STOP DATING. I know that's the opposite of what you want but here's the thing. I found the best man in the world for me and have been with him nearly a decade now the moment I literally said I want NO ONE and focused on doing something that I enjoyed. We met each other engaging in this hobby that we both had. When we started our friendship I had even flat out told him that I wanted to remain single since I had just gotten divorced and he agreed that he wanted to remain single since his fiancee had just left him after clearing out his house of all his stuff. We've been married 5 years, together for 9. So, find a passion.. a hobby... something outside your comfort zone you ALWAYS dreamed of doing. So in the meantime that will distract you from anything relationship-wise. When you find that passion, join a group of people who also enjoy it and get involved with them. You MAY find that the universe will pair you up with someone accidentally who shares your passions without even trying. But don't EXPECT or LOOK for it, just let it happen.

Mine used to randomly hurt like a sharp burning nerve pain and other times it would itch like crazy. I would say it took at least 4 months before I forgot it was even there. Just give it time. Remember that the incision is the least of your worries. Just focus on getting your liquids and Proteins in and unless it's hurting constantly and oozing something ignore it like a healing cat scratch.

I am glad it helps. I know that reading success stories here is part of what helped me push myself through to get the surgery done so I wanted to return the favor. I went through 50 peoples worth of second thoughts beforehand but when the day came for surgery I was surprisingly calm and resolved. My husband thought for sure there was a good chance we would walk out of there without the surgery because of how petrified of the whole thing I had been. But I was surprised at myself. You will surprise yourself too!

I am over 3 months out of surgery and I've lost a ton of weight. Down to 335 from 450 (450 highest since before surgery, 388 at time of surgery). In the last couple of weeks I've noticed that when I lay down my chest feels weird almost like it's hard to breathe. I've had no problems when I am up and about moving around although sometimes I almost feel the same feeling when sitting. Now, I know that sedentary life leads to concerns about pulmonary embolism. Thing is that in 2011 I had a pulmonary embolism so I know quite well how that feels. This is something else. I have really bad anxiety but when I feel the problem in my chest I'm not always anxious (I don't recall being anxious anyway which is no guarantee). I also don't have sleep apnea unless I've started to have it now after LOSING weight. My heart rate is also way down since losing so much weight, resting in the 50's and sometimes dropping just down into 40's. I have found some others after bariatric surgery experiencing this heart rate issue too. I know that I am going to have to call the clinic on Monday and ask them about it, possibly even take a trip to the doctors about it just to be sure, but I was kind of curious to know if others who started out quite large and lost a ton found themselves with sort of shrinking pains? Like your body adjusting to the weight shifting during weight loss causing pressures on different parts of the body that didn't have that weight there before. I was wondering if maybe the shift in stomach weight is pressing differently on my diaphragm causing the problems. So far along this weight loss journey, I have gotten very painful nerve pains sometimes in strange parts of my body for a few days to a week and then they disappear so SOMETHING is going on. Anyone else experience similar issues?

I had a 24 hour monitor, 30 day monitor, and stress test and everything due to a bad anxiety attack that I had my husband run me to the ER for a few years back. Everything came back normal except that I obviously have nasty anxiety. Earlier, when I was completely distracted and after I had spoke with my friend and calmed down, I caught myself laying down on the couch nearly flat without feeling any problems breathing. So I'm kinda leaning towards my anxiety flaring up. For the record, Anxiety sucks, but you can bet I'll be keeping an eye on anything else going on.. it's what us anxiety sufferers do! Now, I AM on thyroid medication and that DID cross my mind. I will definitely ask about getting that checked again, I haven't had it tested since before the surgery.

While I am waiting to see if anyone else here has experienced these issues I got ahold of my friend who had the RNY (she's also an EMT in training). She says her heart rate is now a normal 47bpm. Coupled with having read this on other forums I think the heart rate is not likely an issue. The breathing, she suggested since it is better when I am sitting or standing it's probably the weight pressing down and to just prop myself up because it will continue to change as I lose more weight. She apparently has had problems with it too and still props herself up as things change. I still will give my doc a call on Monday if things get any worse. Still can't help but wonder how many others experience these issues as a normal side effect of losing a lot of weight.

The first 5 or 6 weeks was the hardest thing I've ever endured. I was worried initially because I wasn't getting enough liquid in either much less food, but eventually I was able to start tolerating things without much problem and now just over 3 months I've not found anything I cannot tolerate. I also can drink water pretty darn fast. As much as 25ozs in only 15 minutes or less. I can only eat about 1oz of protein meat, which isn't much compared to the "average" person over 3 months out. But that is of little consequence right now. Just hang in there it will get easier. I know it's hard. Make sure you have your fluids in above all else, that is literally the most important thing. Most of us have enough fat on us to keep us alive a good long while, but not enough water can be fatal quite quickly. Not trying to be morbid, but I watched my friend have to visit the ER many times to get an IV because she wasn't drinking enough. Water Water Water.

Ditto this. Very important to keep putting in as much water as you can stand past your 64oz. It's been my personal experience even before the surgery that simply drinking enough can be the key to losing or not. Your body is inflamed and bloated in a few places from the surgery and then the period. Water water water. Drink it. Sent from my DROID RAZR using VST

My surgery was February 4th so I'm literally about to hit four weeks. The week and a half right after surgery I dropped from 388(day of surgery) to 375. Since then I have been bouncing around from 372 to 378. It's getting frustrating because I was tracking my calories as I progressed along the food plan and gradually got up to about 1000 a day. Now mathematically for someone at my size 1000 calories is not enough to maintain weight. I have to be honest and admit that I haven't been getting out and exercising since I'm way in the north of usa and there has been two feet of snow everywhere and zero room inside the house for anything. But having dieted for over a decade I know that with only 1000 calories even with no exercise I should be in the weight loss range. I was before the surgery at least. For the first couple of weeks watching this i convinced myself that it was just cause I was healing and it would probably one day just drop five lbs and continue on. But now I am getting overrun by my frustration and making bad food choices (which also has had zero effects on the scale). My question is... Is it normal to be stuck at a weight for a few weeks after surgery? Is there still loss going on that will just show up? Is it exercise? Not enough Water? Not enough Protein? Help! I'm going a bit insane and my old enemy depression is rearing it's ugly head and we know how that goes. It brings with it the urge for our old comfort food. Sent from my Note 10.1 using VST

Well since my post I decided it was time for me to get back to lower carbs even if crackers and what not was easier on my stomach. After two and a half days I was back in ketosis. Yay. Also I started to drop a pound a day until yesterday. I am now down to 367 and going strong on the diet. So frustrating that if I eat around 800 calories the scale sometimes stops moving. So I am shooting for 700 a day at most. Not that it is always achievable. Sometimes I only eat 500-600 and sometimes I go over. I am kind of wondering if maybe winter has anything to do with my seemingly way lower metabolism than normal? Less activities plus some built in biological mechanism. I hear some say that they are never hungry anymore and I was really looking forward to that but unfortunately I still do get hungry even if I'm drinking my 25oz Water bottle like it's going out of style and keeping my tummy full of water. Sometimes if I make an 8oz Protein shake with my almond milk I can't finish it and it kills my hunger but often it makes me feel sick to my stomach too. Not so good. What are you guys eating to only reach 300 calories a day? I'm confused because even the Protein shakes generally are around 100 calories each (Isopure zero carb alpine punch for instance is 60). Is there a super low calorie Protein Shake I am unaware of? It's possible. So spill your secrets! Lol Edited to say: I have started to get out and walk a bit even in the snow. I haven't made it a daily thing but am working on it. Today I used the snowblower for a good twenty minutes if not longer. Great workout on a 200+ foot gravel driveway that is uphill. Sent from my DROID RAZR using VST

I was concerned about this too but my nurse told me that they pumped me full of liquids and that at some point my body would just start dumping that Water. Sure enough about 3 days after leaving the hospital (6 days out of surgery) I started peeing a ton even though my liquids were still so low and suddenly found myself 10lbs less than what I weighed on surgery day. I wouldn't worry about it this soon out of surgery. You have too much going on with healing and should just focus on getting your liquid and Proteins in. Hang in there. Sent from my DROID RAZR using VST

Yeah I know well what little demons carbs can be. Honestly I REALLY can't wait for summer. Even as short as it is up here I have a devoted love for swimming. I lost my required pre op weight this last summer swimming every day for no less than two hours. It burns soooo many calories. I need an indoor pool. Haha Sent from my DROID RAZR using VST

Thanks for all the encouragement. My post op diet has stages and come the 11th of march it drops off to regular foods with no restrictions on consistency. Exercise is a bit hard since I live literally in the middle of nowhere. The woods. There are no malls anywhere near me. I would have to drive two hours to get to one. Good news is that the weather is warming up a little. Might have hit 30 degrees Fahrenheit today I think. I went out for a walk. I can't wait for the spring. I decided today to really focus hard on getting my Protein in and my Water. Most importantly I decided to drop the carbs to perhaps hit ketosis again. It should help with my mental appetite at least. Between that and getting out once a day for even a super short walk I am hoping that the weight loss picks up. It's easy to get caught up eating the rice, crackers, and mashed potatoes that tend to be easier on my stomach. Funny how simple processed foods don't bother me so much but string cheese (which I love and was allowed even before the rice and tators) sits so heavily and uncomfortable in there. Sent from my DROID RAZR using VST

Hang in there. I'm only 9 days out and the first week is tough. Day 4 and 5 especially bad. 6 and 7 were o.k. but I felt my sleeve get sore no matter what I was trying to drink (except water). But 8 and 9 are going much better. I can already take bigger drinks of Water or Powerade and I am starting to be able to tolerate tomato Soup since my whey powders make me feel gag they are so sweet. It gets better! I know what you are talking about though. I keep telling my husband "I can't wait until everything is healed up" and this morning when I woke up I had a very similar thought to yours "Ah, another day of sore tummy after trying to eat.. uncomfortable pressure.. and being hungry mentally and everywhere physically except my stomach." It seems bad now but I know just looking back at the progress I've already made that it will only get better!

I tried some of my homemade tomato Soup today. I was worried about the possibility of heartburn or some sort of discomfort because of the acidity. But so far no issues. I even added some Protein powder to it. Of course it was so small. Probably the equivalent of four regular person bites but took me like 20-30 to finish. Yum. I ordered some organic cream of chicken soup from amazon. It comes in boxes so it should be easy to just pour and warm what I need. I haven't ever had the brand but I can't imagine it would be too bad. No weird ingredients. I can always doctor it or use it in other soups I can make at home. I'm definitely happy that the soup is working because the though of having sweet shakes was turning my stomach. Funny enough all the cravings I have been having are all salty or spicy and not like.. Ice cream or candy. Go figure. I was such a sweet addict right before surgery. Now if I want sweet its like my brain goes right to yogurt smoothies, applesauce, or fruit in general. Sent from my Note 10.1 using VST

I was sleeved on Feb 4th and I'm doing alright. Still a bit sore in the stomach. I'm not getting in all of the liquids I am supposed to be but I keep trying. So I am not worrying too much about the Protein. I did try to get a shake in but it tasted too sweet and turned my tiny sore tummy. Funny how the shakes I liked before the surgery are no longer palatable. I have trouble even getting in broth so I haven't really tried. Mostly Water water water. I did find out that Powerade helps me drink more too. I've gone through a ton of emotions and I find that I feel hungry and daydream about all the things I can't have for a long time. Technically I can add yogurt, strained cream Soups and pudding. So far I've only been having some pudding now and again. Even the pudding makes my tummy crampy and feel sore. Not sure if that is normal. Good news is I have dropped at least 15 lbs since surgery day and like 7lbs during the preop diet. Sent from my DROID RAZR using VST

Yes my blood pressure was so high in the hospital that they gave me drugs to lower them. I was worried about it but my husband was right there to assure me that it was due to the pain. Soon as I got home though my blood pressure returned to normal. Sent from my DROID RAZR using VST

Wondering if anyone else has experienced any strange dreams since surgery? Some of the ones I am having make it difficult getting to sleep. Last night I had some trippy one that kept waking me up trying to convince me that I wasn't really sleeping I was somewhere else and needed to keep moving and stretching my arms and legs in order to stay alive. The night before I had a really vivid weird one where I felt like I got up and went to the living room doing things but I woke up and was still in bed but at the time it felt so real. Plus I find it kinda hard to get comfortable in bed. This morning all I wanted to do was sleep in like a normal person. I need the extra sleep after all. Frustrating! Sent from my Note 10.1 using VST

My stomach was nearly pain free but it was time to move on to full liquids. This includes pudding and yogurt. The pudding went down with minimal upset. Some minor cramping. Then today I tried plain Greek yogurt and my stomach got pretty damn sore afterward. Is this normal when you start on super soft foods like that? I ate only a tiny amount.. A lot less than I believe my stomach can actually hold but I don't want to push it. Sent from my DROID RAZR using VST

The day they let me go from the hospital my doctor told me that the barium swallow looked fine and that there may be a small hilatial hernia but not to worry about it because it won't affect my weight loss. I was kind of miserable at the hospital and ready to go so I didn't really pursue the matter. He gave the impression that it was small so maybe he couldn't really tell it was there during surgery? I see a lot of posts where others has their hernia repair at the same time. So I was wondering if anyone else found out after surgery that they had a hernia but that it wasn't fixed. What did your surgeon tell you about it if so? Have you had any problems with it? No I didn't have any pre-op stomach checks before surgery. Just all the pre-op work with the nut and psychology and blood work. Sent from my Note 10.1 using VST

Well it's good to hear that my surgeon didn't forget something then. Lol I kind of felt left out. Sent from my DROID RAZR using VST

I think in addition to my weird dreams last night I also had a tickle in my throat and kept coughing. So I would have been coughing and stretching. Weirdness. No I was not taking pain meds either. I haven't done so in a few days. Sent from my DROID RAZR using VST