MrsGina

My BMI was around 43 before starting. I was told by nurses, (not bariatric), that I didn't need surgery, I didn't look that bad. I'm 6'2" and mainly just had a pot gut. What you couldn't see was how bad I felt, how little energy I had, the sleep apnea, high blood pressure, diabetes, and the general misery that goes along with being obese. I could not lose the weight, chemo, steroids, lupron, and blood pressure medicine all set up a pretty good diet killing team.
My BMI was considered borderline for eligibility for VSG but the comorbidities put me over the line.
I would not go back. My life has been improved immensely and my life expectancy raised.
The sleeve may be a temporary chance but I would take the chance again in a heartbeat. I am making it a permanent fix.

I must say I'm a little taken aback by the number of posts I've read on this forum recently by people who seem genuinely surprised that you can gain weight after having surgery. Whether it be Water retention during that first month (3 week stall) or simply 9 months down the line and someone is eating crappy foods and not following their plan anymore....it is most certainly possible. In fact, no matter what type of WLS you have, a person who is determined can eat around it. This is why most of us are forced to have a psych eval and see a NUT several times before surgery...so we understand this is not fool proof.
This is not meant to be a criticism of anyone here. My real concern is why aren't your doctors and NUTs driving these points home with you before surgery? My surgeon made me sign a document stating I understood I had to eat right and exercise for the rest of my life or the surgery wasn't going to help me.
If I could say one thing to everyone it would simply be that the surgery will not do everything for you. You have to eat the right things, and you need to exercise. The sleeve helps initially. But as time goes by the sleeve does less and less, and you have to do more. The people I've seen here who have been successful are those that embraced those changes and learned better eating habits while they were still in the honeymoon phase, so when their capacity to eat increased they made better, healthier choices and maintained their goal weight.

I am post op 6 day and I am just now feeling better. It was awful. I did not get any relief until I took some MOM. For some reason, I could not fart. I know TMI but I just want you to know I totally understand what you are going through right now. Today is the 1st day I have truly felt better. Hang in there....

Isopure is the worst!!!I Before surgery, I bought 12.(asst. flavors) It was suggested that i add stevia to sweeten it up but i still couldn't handle it.I was so thankful that I saved the receipt and GNC accepts returns. I found that adding vanilla, stevia, frozen fruit, or PB2 makes my Protein shaked quite good. They taste like a dessert now. Best wishes on your surgery!

Just picked up some Isopure before surgery. I got it cold and started to drink, yak it's not so good. As expensive as it is, and I bought 4 bottles, I tried to figure out what to do. Well I have Hawaiian punch drink sticks, so I added about half a stick. Much better. I have the fruit one and a pineapple fruit one.
Just wanted to share if anyone else needs to try it.
Also, If you look under Protein shakes in Pinterest there are good recipes to make your shakes better.

I am having surgery in April 2013 and I had gallbladder surgery about 8 years ago and the incision herniated. I had it repaired about 3 years ago with a large mesh patch. My surgeon took a look at my incision and said that it shouldn't be more than a 15 min. problem. He said surgery would take a little bit longer as they would be planning on encountering scar tissue, but shouldn't be an issue. Hope that helps if it is still relevant.

You need to put that in his profile so no one else gets him!

I cant wait till Garage Sale season starts, you can get some really nice clothes, really cheap.

Back in the day, when I had a period. I would control it with my birth control pills, I would stop taking them to start a period or continue to take it to not start. For vacations or special events I didn't want to be on my period. I didn't do it all the time, just when I needed to.

NOOOOOOOOOOO NOOOOOOOO!!!! A THOUSAND TIMES NOOOOOOOOO!!!!! :lol:

Im taking a housecoat, heating pad, iPad, sweat pants to go home in, my own pjs. Thanks for the reminder, warm socks, slippers. Sports bras, underware, belly band. Phone charger, iPad charger. That's it so far.

I am 3 wks postop, down 30lbs! People are starting to notice, but what opened my eyes this morning was getting into a pair of jeans I haven't worn in a year- added bonus- they are a little baggy! Booyah!!!! So excited!

Cheri -
This is off topic but I just wanted to say that although I don't post much, I truly think that you add a lot of valuable insight to this forum. I read your posts often and appreciate all of them. Just thought I would let you know that
-Stephanie

Really?

I tend to buy a product called "Better than Bouillon" which is a concentrated stock. It tastes better than all those cubes and such. I've always used this if I need stock, broth, etc. It's also very economical. 1 tsp makes 1 cup of liquid so you can make as much or as little as you'd like.

I had my 1 week post op appointment today , everything is going great !! I'm down 18 pounds since my surgery which was on the 9th. I ginally got my staples removed which were Irritating my skin , felt such a relief as soon as they were off . i feel amazing , I'm so excited for the months to come .

The first 2 weeks were hard for me too. I felt like all I did was eat (or drink) my Protein all day. By far the best thing I found was the Unjury chicken Soup protein mix. I drank that 3-4 times a day and it was perfect. You mix it with Water so you are killing two birds with one stone- liquid and protein intake. Per serving of the soup it is 21 grams protein so if you do it 4xday you will be getting 84 grams protein and 32 oz water. The biggest thing for me was wrapping my head around the names of the Protein Drinks. Like if I bought one called oreo cookie- I had to constant remind myself "this is not gonna taste like Oreos an milk". Haha. I suppose that is part of their selling tactics. Hang in there and try to get the protein and liquid in. Some people will tell you that protein isn't as important right now but I (along with my surgical/bariatrics team) don't believe this. Your body uses massive amounts of protein to heal and of you aren't getting a good dose in everyday it will start to be pulled from your stores of it. Lean muscle mass, hair, bone density, skin collagen... Plus you will be amazed at how much better you will feel if you can get your protein in.

On November 29th marked 2 years since I had my VSG done. How quickly time flies! I am 83lbs down from my surgery weight, and 122lbs down from my highest weight. I went from wearing a size 20/22 at my highest the wearing a size 4/6 and xs/s tops. I actually dropped a little below my goal and have been easily maintaining for the last 6 months. I was a slower loser, but I reached my goal in 18 months and couldn't be happier! I have never regretted having the surgery done and have always felt like it was the best thing that I have EVER done for myself. I feel so great and would do it again in a heartbeat!

Wiping after I pee is definitely easier. Hope I didn't gross anyone out!

Some of you probably know I'm a massive advocate for transparency of this procedure with the people in our lives, family, friends, work mates.
I've noticed I've been doing something recently and I think I might change it up, just a little. In my need to be transparent I think I over disclose. When people say to me things like 'You've lost weight, you look great' after thanking them one of the first things that comes out of my mouth is that I've had WLS.
I guess the reason for my post is to clarify my thoughts. I've put in a lot of work to lose this weight. It's not all about the WLS. I've been managing my diet, exercising most days. WLS is part of the story.
My policy now is if I get a compliment just thank them. If they ask how I've done it tell them eating less, exercising more and WLS.
Cheers,
Deano

Hi Yasmine, I am pre op and have had the flu shot and still went through what your going through. We are in a flu epidemic so it's kinda expected. Keep your head up, spring is coming.

It is what it is. Everybody is different, and many people are surrounded by negativity and backstabbers, not to mention there is a big stigma about "taking the easy way out." I feel fortunate that I have lived my life in such a way that I am surrounded by people who would not dare say a negative thing to me about this. What they say behind my back....I don't care. My friends have the right to believe however they choose. I haven't heard a single negative thing.
I encourage people to share their WLS experience with others who are struggling with weight loss. A friend shared his experience with me, and that is what prompted me to take this path. Without his openness, I would still be 400 pounds. Now, whenever anyone asks me about my weightloss (and they WILL ask) I tell them about the surgery. It's liberating.
But not everyone is in the position to be this open, and that's understandable. Each of us should be as open as we are comfortable being.

Education! Read everything from your doctor multiple times. Read articles. Buy books. Stalk this forum. As you go thru each of the stages, you know what to expect and what to have ready. Then, as you notice something, "oh, I feel a little nauseated", your learning kicks in. " Oh yeah, stop drinking for a bit, and walk." Know the realities of a weightloss surgery.

Got the drain pulled today and it was more gross then painful.

I never could take Vitamins on an empty stomach, always with milk or something. You may be that way too.