Ronee

My husband and I are big wine drinkers. We went on a vacay in April to California and visited many wineries and joined a couple of wine clubs. Need I say more? The wine keeps arriving and I am 3 weeks out from VSG. I weighed 265 and am now 238.2 this morning, in spite of having wine several (at least four times) in the last 2 weeks. Yes, it does affect your weight loss, which I compensate for. I eat mostly protein meals, with a little veg or fruit, and I have not had adverse affects, yet. and Yet is the optimum word here. I have never done things the way that others have, and I probably will not change now that I am 58 years old. However, I think that if you use your head, and you know what you are doing, and are watching your calories and proteins and making sure your are getting in the protein that you need 80% of the time, the 20% left is up to you to do with as you will. Maybe I will change my mind on this, but I have not hit a stall yet. I have lost 27 pounds in three weeks, and maybe I could have lost more, but I am satisfied with my progress. Whatever you do has to feel right to you, as they say "know thyself".

I am so glad that someone was brave enough to voice this issue. I specifically looked for this question and the replies as I too, am starved. I had surgery Last Monday, October 22, 2012, and was even hungry post-surgery! Which I couldn't believe and thought it was just pain that I was interpreting as hunger, so ignored it. Today is Sunday the 28th and I had a scrambled egg for breakfast, of which I only ate half and two hours later my stomach is grumbling and i am starving! One of the reasons I had this surgery is because I always failed diets due to hunger (what I call "pit" hunger), and one of the benefits of VSG was that most people weren't hungry and were satisfied with small portions allowing them to lose the weight. I scoured all of the info I printed out regarding VSG and this issue is never addressed, or maybe I never found it. I am also very lactose intolerant and have taken myself off of all dairy including my whey protein shakes, for fear of getting dehydrated from the ( and I apologize for this..) "trots". So I would love for someone to comment who had this problem and give reassurance that it does get better. Sharon

Sorry, I was a little off topic, with the start of this thread, but I had to come back and respond to that portion too. I tell everyone about it. I am proud I have made this decision for myself and I figure that when I start losing weight people will notice (I hope!! ) and I will tell them anyway.Other than my family, I don't care what people think about it, as their opinion doesn't factor into what I do. I feel empowered by being in my fifties with all the self knowledge that this age has given me and I want to tell everyone!! Sharon kcmo

Hi Ladies: I just joined this group today. I am 58 and am doing this for health reasons, high bp, high cholesterol, pre-diabetic, sore knees and back. But I am also doing this for me. I too am sick and tired of not recognizing or remembering what I used to look like. As a 58 year old woman, I sometimes feel that people don't even see me anymore, and I am still not used to being called Ma'am . I have a great husband with great family support but I am also glad to find a place where I can find people who experience what I experience on this journey. Glad to be here with you all. Sharon from Kansas City, MO.

Yes!! I was craving my pickle fix and couldn't help it, I ate 2 (3), but it didn't seem to hurt too much, other than make me retain water. I was afraid to try anything else, for fear of having to face the doctor on my pre op appointment and try and explain why I hadn't lost any weight after two weeks of liquid diet!! Hang in there, girl, you can do it! Ronee

Hi Everyone: Been awhile since I posted. I have been approved and have done all the pre-req stuff and am having surgery on October 22, 2012. My doctor is Stanley Hoehn and I am thrilled to have finally reached this point in the "journey". I have done one week of the liquid diet and have one more week to go. Have to admit that I have cheated a few times with dill pickles, I am an addict!! Can't stay away from those things!! Anyway, don't think I have done much damage as the scale has continued to drop. Had my pre-op labs Friday morning and I see Dr. Hoehn on Monday for my pre-op visit and barring any probs with my labs, I should be ready to go. Keep your fingers and toes crossed for me on the 22nd. Ronee

Hi Shawn, You are right this is the right thing to do. When I think of all the diet books and dumb diets that I have been on and failed at, I know I am finally doing something that makes sense. I also watched some you tube videos about people who had had the sleeve done and the amazing weight losses they achieved, so I know it works, it is a tool. Good luck on your surgery and I will send prayers your way.

My name is Sharon (Ronee) and I am 58 years old. Married and live in KCMO. I have approval through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois for my bariatric surgery, however I switched surgeons, so I am now having to meet the requirements of a new group, before being scheduled. Have to admit to a little bit of nervousness about the whole thing, wondering if it really is the right thing to do. Maybe I am just having cold feet....Sharon

Thanks GrammyK, I really appreciate the words of wisdom. Congrats on how well you have been doing. I had my first consult on Wednesday and have to get a couple of things done before I get scheduled. But I will share the date when I get it. Feeling calmer today, guess I needed a good nights sleep to let it all gel in place. Thanks again! Sharon

Hi, My name is Sharon and I live in the Kansas City area. I am 58 years old, married and have been overweight for 20 years. My journey toward bariatric surgery started about a year ago when I started and failed, yet again, another diet. I work in the healthcare field as a medical coder, and I knew about bariatric surgeries, having coded some of them in a local hospital, but I had always told myself that surgery would be the last resort for me. I realized that I had reached that final place, for me, another diet was not an option. I researched lap band and proceeded to the point of being scheduled for lap band surgery. But something didn't feel right about this decision for me. I had had my gallbladder removed about twelve years ago, and as a result I burp alot after I eat and continue to have GERD. I was terrified that I would not be able to relieve the stomach gas and would have a problem with acid reflux, with the lap band. I cancelled the lap band surgery and knew immediately that I had made the right choice for me. I attended another bariatric surgery seminar with a different surgeon and this seminar changed how I felt about everything. As soon as the surgeon started talking about VSG, I knew this was the right path for me. Finally, I felt confident about my decision and once again I am on the correct course for me. I have my first surgical consult tomorrow and hope to be able to get scheduled for surgery soon. I have joined this website as a way to track my progress and share the journey. Sharon