Molly3

Post-op life has been incredible so far. Even when I was in the hospital right after surgery, I was so positive. I was so thankful to the nurses, doctors and hospital staff - and I told them so endlessly - that many of them told me that I was the sweetest patient they'd had in a long time. Why? Because I was so thankful to be alive, to be doing okay (in pain, but no complications), to have them helping me, to know that IT WAS DONE... I just couldn't help but want to thank each of them so much for being there to help me through the hardest part (first few days post op). It was wonderful. Through all the pain and discomfort, I was guided by the idea that this is exactly what I wanted. I was exactly where I wanted to be. It was only gonna get BETTER from there.
 
And it has. SO MUCH!!!!
 
So, last Thursday was my 12 weeks post op.
 
My stats:
High weight: 459
Surgery date: 417
Today: 370.
 
In 11 more lbs, I'll be at 100lbs down. And my high weight is from November 2012, so in LESS THAN A YEAR (cuz I know 11lbs will be coming off soon) I will have lost 100lbs.
 
This surgery is my miracle. And I am an agnostic cynic who doesn't really believe in miracles.
 
At my highest weight, it was impossible for me to have any sense of fashion or feeling cute in clothes. All my pants had to be ordered online and were usually somewhat ill-fitting. Almost all my clothes were bought from catalogs because plus size store tops were just too snug, even in the highest size. About 6 yrs ago was the last time I was able to buy pants at a store. Tops were okay, but jeans/pants were too small. Well, now just about everything I have is way too big. So, I started pulling clothes out of "the archives" a few weeks ago. I had held on to some of my nicer work clothes from Lane Bryant from about 5-6 yrs ago when I could still fit in them. Now, even those are all getting too big. The smallest size I remember being in my adult life is 26/28 and 12 weeks post op IT'S TOO BIG. I still find it so hard to believe!
 
Well, I went clothes shopping this weekend. I waltzed into the Lane Bryant outlet and grabbed a pair of 28 jeans thinking "I'm sure all my old clothes are stretched out/worn in. So we'll see just how much more I have to lose before these brand new ones will fit", guessing that I'd get them pulled up but would have trouble buttoning them.
 
Wrong. More like "Um, Miss, can you get me a 26?" A 26!!!!!
 
And yes, I realize this is still big. I have a long way to go still, but just the idea of buying something in a store - something smaller than I would have bought even 5 years ago - it blows my mind!!! I got a bunch of cute tops in size 22/24 - and by the end of summer THOSE will be too big because they are already just a tiny bit big in the shoulder area.
 
Anyway, aside from the clothes shopping (which I always LOVED back when I could actually shop in stores, so it kinda made me giddy to be able to do it again!) - I also have some NSVs.
 
I've started parking on the 3rd floor in the parking garage at work. I was on the 2nd and would take the stairs every day. There are 5 floors, so I want to work my way up. Not sure how long it will take, but I just want to be able to do it!
 
I can cross my legs at the knee. My thighs are still so huge (UGH), but small enough that I can cross my legs, and I was NEVER really able to do that comfortably in my LIFE.
 
I moved my seat up in my car about 2 inches. Never thought that would be something I'd have to do because I'm almost 6 ft tall, but without my gut (well, with LESS of a gut) I felt a mile away from the steering wheel!
 
I no longer fear any chair. Sometimes arms with chairs were just too tight and I couldn't sit in them. Now, I don't have that problem. Next challenge - sitting in a booth at a restaurant!
 
this last one may sound snarky - but I have an overweight friend who's been acting a lil jealous of me lately because my weight loss is getting noticeable. I'm REALLLY close (if not already there, really), to being smaller than her. I've ALWAYS been the biggest friend. Always. I know that may sound petty - but I am just so sick of being the fattest person in my family, at work, in the store, of my friends - I have always been the fattest person... and now - I'm not! however that comes across, there is something about that fact that makes me proud of what I've accomplished!
 
And last but not least - I met a guy. He's a really good one, too - so far. I haven't shared all my secrets with him or anything, it's still really new. But I do thoroughly enjoy him and want to see where this could go. It's got some potential! I haven't had the confidence to date in YEARS, and I go on this one blind date and am lucky enough to meet a really great guy. Another miracle? I dunno. Maybe I've been overdue for some miracles in my life! lol
 
Anyway, that's about all I got to share at this point. Hope everyone else is doing well out there, too! <3 <3

If your WLS program provided a guide, I suggest you use that. But many people do not receive a program guide when they have WLS. If you fall in that boat, here are some links to guides that I have saved from this forum over the years. If you have any to add, post a comment with a link.
 
Kaiser Fremont Bariatric Program Guide (this is my program's guide and it covers VSG and other WLS)
http://mydoctor.kais...rics/binder.jsp
 
The Cornell Weight Loss Surgery Program: Dietary Guidelines for Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy
http://www.cornellwe...gastrectomy.pdf
 
Institute for Advanced Bariatric Surgery: Preparatory Surgery Guide
http://www.laplose.c...urgeryGuide.pdf
 
Institute for Advanced Bariatric Surgery: Sleeve Gastrectomy Surgery Diet Guide
http://www.laplose.c...veDietGuide.pdf
 
Northwest Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery: Laproscopic Gastric Sleeve Diet
http://www.northwest...ectomy-diet.pdf
 
Ellis Medicine Program Guide
http://www.ellishosp...pGuidelines.pdf
 
Here are some additional guides posted by Misty (read her post here: http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/85182-list-of-vsg-post-op-diets-from-surgeons/)
 
 
 
Auckland Weight Loss Surgery (New Zealand) - Patient Information Book Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy
http://aucklandweightlosssurgery.co.nz/downloads/Laparoscopic%20Sleeve%20Gastrectomy.pdf
 
Brigham and Women's Hospital - Dietary Guidelines for Sleeve Gastrectomy
http://www.brighamandwomens.org/Departments_and_Services/surgery/services/generalsurg/WeightLossSurgery/PostOpSleeveGastrectomyDiet.pdf
 
Columbia University - Sleeve Gastrectomy Discharge Instructions
http://obesitymd.org/postop_sleeve.html
 
Goodnight Surgical – The Sleeve Gastectromy Guide (PDF)
http://goodnightsurgical.com/doc/Sleeve_Gastrectomy_Guide.pdf
 
HealthPoint (New Zealand) - The Sleeve Gastectromy Information for Patients (PDF,Must be downloaded, can’t be viewed online)
http://www.healthpoint.co.nz/download,267405.do
 
Johns Hopkins - Vitamin and Mineral Supplement Guide
http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/johns_hopkins_bayview/_docs/medical_services/bariatrics/nutrition_sleeve.pdf
 
London Bariatric Group (UK) – A guide to eating and drinking after Sleeve Gastectromy
http://www.laparoscopicconsultant.co.uk/pdf/post-op-sleeve-gastrectomy.pdf
 
London Obesity Clinic (UK) - Eating after Sleeve Gastectromy
http://www.obesitycliniclondon.co.uk/pdf/eating-after-sleeve-gastrectomy.pdf
 
Miami HOPE Center - Patient Education Booklet Sleeve Gastectromy
http://www.miamihope.com/docs/Patient_Educational_Booklet_Sleeve_Gastrectomy.pdf
 
Murfressboro Surgical Specialists - Dietary Guidelines Post-Op Sleeve Gastectromy Procedure
http://www.murfsurg.com/dietary_guidelines_sleeve_gastrectomy.htm
 
North London Obesity Surgery Services (UK) - Eating After A Sleeve Gastrectomy
http://www.whittington.nhs.uk/document.ashx?id=1948
 
Northwest Obesity Center – Laparoscopic Gastric Sleeve Diet
http://www.northwestobesitysurgery.com/pdf/sleeve-gastrectomy-diet.pdf
 
Peachtree Bariatrics – Gastric Sleeve Patient Manual Guide
http://www.peachtreebariatrics.com/docs/Gastric-Sleeve-Patient-Manual.pdf
 
Pinnacle Health (Australia) - Sleeve Gastrectomy Surgery Patient Manual (Word Doc, must be downloaded, cannot be read online)
http://www.pinnaclehealth.org/pinnacle/media/Images/Sleeve-Gastrectomy-Patient-Manual.doc
 
St. George Obesity Surgery (Australia) - Sleeve Gastrectomy Pre and Post Operative Information for Patients
http://www.stgeorgeobesitysurgery.com.au/pdf/sleeve-gastrectomy-booklet.pdf
 
St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton (Canada) – Bariatric Surgery Guidebook
http://www.stjoes.ca/media/PatientED/U-Z/PD%206000%20Bariatric%20Surgery%20-%20Gastric%20Bypass%20February%2029%202012.pdf
 
University of Missouri - Guidelines Before & After Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy
http://www.muhealth.org/documents/bariatric/Bariatric%20Booklet%20VSG.pdf
 
Upper Gastro Intestinal Surgery (Dr. Talbot, Australia) - Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy for Weight Loss
http://www.uppergisurgery.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/sleeve-2011.pdf
 
Virginia Hospital Center - Your Complete Guide for Nutrition and Exercise Following Sleeve Gastrectomy
http://www.surgicalassociatesvhc.com/Nutrition-and-Exercise-following-Sleeve-Gastrectomy-82011.pdf
 
Walter Reed - Nutritional Guidelines Handbook
http://www.wrnmmc.capmed.mil/Health%20Services/Surgery/Surgery/Bariatric%20Surgery/Shared%20Documents/Nutr%20Guidelines%20Section%20Handbook.pdf
 
Walter Reed – Nutrition for Bariatric Surgery Presentation
http://www.wrnmmc.capmed.mil/Health%20Services/Surgery/Surgery/Bariatric%20Surgery/Shared%20Documents/Nutrition%20for%20Bariatric%20Surgery%20Presentation.pdf

16 days post op.
 
I've been eating real food (soft) for 2 days and I'm feeling better, a bit more energy. I'm learning to 'read' my new stomach for the new full feeling. UGH! I'm only able to eat about 1/4 of a cup of food at this point.
 
Here's what I've had so far:
one egg with Franks hot sauce
1/4 of mushed, ripe banana
refried, black beans with taco sauce
mushed avocado
humus
canned pears
cottage cheese
sliced deli ham
sugar free Carnation instant good start with skim milk
 
It's so wonderful to move away from the overly sweet crap. I never knew how much I love savory foods with flavor.
 
One big disappointment I'm having is that the bathroom situation has not returned to normal yet. Maybe someday - sigh.
 
I've lost 16 lbs since the surgery - about 1 lb a day. My belly still has some swelling, so I only notice the weight loss in my face, but dear husband says he can tell I'm losing everywhere. I've lost 35 lbs since my heaviest weight. I had my first picture taken yesterday (for the swim pass) and WOW, I can see the difference already. HOORAY!
 
I've passed the point of feeling "why the hell did I do this!" However, I'm realizing now that food is essential, not just for the yummy taste or comfort, etc. I need food - BUT I can't eat much of is, so I'm sort of frustrated. I also HATE the nasty liquid/chewable meds. JUST PUKEY! I'll be so excited when I get the go ahead to swallow a PILL! I can't imagine the lap-band people never being able to swallow another pill - forever.
 
This week-end we're traveling down to visit my folks at their lake home. It will be the first time they've seen me, and I'm excited and nervous. They've been nothing but supportive, but . . . parents.
 
Someone asked me to share the whole, ugly truth of my experience. I'm reticent to do so, because I don't want to scare anyone off, but reality is - **** happens. Soooo . . . my surgeon 'nicked' a blood vessel during surgery and I bled internally. My hemoglobins went critically low and I had to have two units of blood. Then I spiked a high fever and was given strong antibiotics for another day. So I was supposed to stay 2 nights, ended up staying 4 nights and my entire belly looks horrendous. Seriously 'zombified' and swollen. I've had to go into the dr. 2 times to make sure the hemoglobins are returning to normal - they are. I had low grade temps for the first week (with the cold sweats, shiver-shakes, and all.) So happy those are gone now. I would say I passed the 'hell' point on day 11 post op. I'm also so glad I'm doing this during the summer (I'm a teacher) because I really can't imagine going back to work next week. I really don't have the energy level back up to normal.
 
I'll post a new picture soon. I just hate that my belly is still so huge.

I am so happy that I had the sleeve surgery. My life changed almost immediately. I got rid of the C-pak machine for my sleep apnea and no longer take high blood pressure meds! My knees and feet no longer ache from the 207 pounds I was carrying around. And I have discovered that I am tolerating the climate heat like never before. I have actually worked in my flower beds this summer! I am 9 months out from my surgery, weigh 149 ( down 58 pounds)! I want to lose another 14 pounds. My weight loss has been on a stall but I understand what is happening and I am staying on course with exercise and diet. I know that weight loss will continue with my efforts. This experience has been a miracle for me. I just wanted to feel better! My energy level is astonishing! I am loving my sleeve! No regrets at all! It was an answer to a prayer for me!

My revision surgery was on June 10th 2013. I arrived at the hospital at 10 am. My surgery was was set to begin at noon. However due to an emergency, he was called away. We didn't get started until 1:45. I remember being rolled into the operating room. The next thing I remember was waking up in my room. It was 9:40 at night. Dr. Simon had no trouble removing my slipped lap-band and constructing my new sleeve. He was happy to report that I had little damage from the band. No hernias. Minimal scarring.
 
At first I felt like I was hit by a train. But, the pain meds they gave me worked well and I slept throughout the night. The next morning I was up walking. I walked 1.5 miles. I passed my water test and was then brought my lunch. (Tea, chicken broth, and jello) I had minor discomfort. But I was exhausted. I slept most of the day.
 
The following day I was released. I was sent home with a PPI and a pain med. Once home I put myself on a schedule and continued to sip sip sip. I have had no issues with my sleeve. It likes both hot and cold liquids. I also have had no nausea or gas pain. In fact, I felt so good that I stopped taking my pain meds after two nights at home. I just didn't need them.
 
I am one week post op. I am down 14 lbs!!!!!!! I am on liquids until Wednesday. Then I get to move to mushies!!!! I can't wait to have some refried beans. I am not hunger but every time I see a Taco Bell commercial I crave Mexican. HEAD HUNGER!!!! (Oh and by the way..... I hate Taco Bell! But, if I don't get some real food soon I might just lick a taco shell!)
 
Oh..... I forgot one major thing. I had an allergic reaction to the surgical glue. Very painful and itchy. My incision sites were all blistered up by day three. I have to take Benadryl around the clock. It is however, healing nicely.
 
Well, I wish I had more to report. It has actually been pretty uneventful. May your surgery go as well as mine!

Woke up this morning actually feeling a bit more like myself. HOORAY! The light at the end of the tunnel has appeared. Only taking tylenol for the pain/fevers now.
 
Had a hard day/night last night, very depressed and hungry, but still on the liquid only diet so there's very little I can put into that new stomach.
 
Really looking forward to Tuesday when I get to eat eggs, refried beans, cottage cheese, etc. Yippee!
 
So the doctor did admit that a blood vessel burst in my abdomen during surgery which has caused the crazy bruising and the low hemoglobin problem. Things happen, but somehow I felt better that he explained WHY they happened.
 
The the most positive thing is that my husband can tell I'm losing weight. Of course the scale says it, but when I look in the mirror, I DON'T SEE IT. There's still so much swelling in my belly that I feel bigger. UGH!
 
My boys have been super supportive. I'm feeling guilty that tomorrow is Father's Day and I don't have much planned for the most wonderful Dad in the world. I'm so blessed to be his wife.

I wrote a pretty long post about my surgery and experience on my blogger blog, which you can find HERE . But for the reader's digest version:
 
Surgery went great with Dr. Aceves and his staff down at Hospital Almater down in Mexicali. The hospital beautiful and clean, the staff super friendly and the language difference wasn't an issue. My "final meal" the night before was a fantastic italian dish of chicken and tortellini with tiramisu for dessert.
 
The day after surgery was the worst and painful with the gas pains and drain site discomfort, but by day 3, I was much better. Day 4 we flew home, and today I have done 3 loads of laundry and put them up, walked 30 minutes on my treadmill, and put up everything from traveling, and feel almost back to "normal"...ha!
 
I didn't reach my 64 oz liquid, 70 grams of protein, but I'm getting closer every day. I did make some "protein infused sugar free jello" and with a dollup of coolwhip, it rocked. I've also had the unjury chicken broth, and diluted gatorade today...both good. I have found my Tiny Tum doesn't really care for the artificial sweetners added to water (like vitamin water zero and the syntrix necture stuff), but hopefully that will change.
 
I even made a big spaghetti dinner for my husband with roasted yellow squash and garlic bread, and didn't even crave it...it was very odd. Like perhaps I wanted a taste, but didn't want it in my stomach if that makes sense. It was the weirdest thing... but I'm thankful!
 
Still happy I made this decision, and I plan to wait until Friday morning to do my first post surgery weigh in.
 
And so...Life begins with Tiny Tum

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO ME!!!! ( Picking up mic) I want to take moment and thank God.... LOL!!! No seriously THANK YOU GOD ALMIGHTY!!! I was so worried about complications, infections, leaks and most of all FAILING!! To be at this point right now in my journey, I can safely say I DID IT!!!! I have been the same weight for the past six weeks or so. Going up and down two pounds. But strangely enough I don't care. The scale doesn't bother me. I am content with the way I feel, the way I look and life and general.
 
I WAS OFFERED A NEW POSITION AT WORK AND I AM LOOKING INTO GOING BACK TO SCHOOL!!!
 
Life is great and amazing and I am living again....
 
next goal: A BABY
 
PS. 1st Pic: on the left was taken Dec 2011. Picture on the right was taken 5/24/13
2nd Pic: Left was taken hours post surgery. Right was taken 5/25/13

My, my, my... where do I even begin?
 
Let's see. My life has drastically changed. I'm a different person, inside and out. And oh yeah, I found someone who loves me and my child and wants to marry me. Yup. Life is good. Wait... no.... life is GREATTTTTT!
 
 









 
Bottom line, my life didn't begin until I had VSG. Plain and simple. No diet, no magical pill, no trainer workout session would ever get me to the point where I am today. I'm now smaller and weigh less than I did when I was in high school. I had a lifetime membership to the fat kids club, and now I'm on the outside looking in. If I could afford to pay for all my overweight friends and family to get this surgery, I would do it in a heart beat. This has been a high photographic month for me. My boyfriend and I are NOT engaged... yet. However it's on the horizon and we had formal pictures done with my son, and then last week I went on Vacation and he and I went to Las Vegas for 4 days with friends, followed by a week with my family in Colorado. It was amazing. And I lost weight on vacation.... my sleeve is a miracle worker! While the pounds aren't coming off as drastically as they use to, they are coming off. I'm still eating a pretty clean diet, and I work out 3 to 4 days a week for a couple of hours at the gym that has onsite daycare for my son. My schedule is a hectic mess, but once again- if I can do this- ANYONE can do this. There is no magical one thing I did. I did it all. I worked out as much as I could, forced my water consumption, and ate clean. The sleeve did the rest, and the proof is in the pics.
 
Interesting side story:
 
While on vacation I visited with my aunt, who has been my stand in mother my entire life, has been battling with a number of major issues that have made her gain 90 lbs over the past 7 years or so. Always a pillar of health, when menopause set in, followed by a major back surgery, she couldn’t stop the weight gain. Last month she found out she has major artery blockage, horrible cholesterol, and high blood pressure. They put her on a super intense strict diet. I sat her down, and told her EVERYTHING. She knew I had VSG, but I told her the good the bad and the ugly. I even told her I went to Mexico for the surgery (she was VERY upset, and I figured this might be her response…).
 
Then she said something interesting- she told me I was a walking billboard for VSG. We went to lunch and dinner several times together, and she was watching my eating and drinking habits, and started asking me how I was a 2 bite wonder? How I could eat a little bit of everything but not binge? And asked me about how my hunger has lessened, if not almost totally disappeared.She has never seen me so healthy and happy. She said my weight really messed with my head and my life decisions, and she sees how drastically I’ve changed over the past year, and she was so proud. And also found out VSG is covered by here insurance! She has already made the doctors’ appointments to look into it. I’m so blessed and thankful; she looks at me as a success story. She said she would NEVER have considered it if I hadn’t done it. While I wish I could get all of my overweight friends to invest into the VSG surgery, it’s absolutely humbling that someone so close and important to me would consider this surgery. I truly hope she follows through with it, and I hope I’m there when she has surgery.
 
 
Height: 5'9
 
Highest (Surgery) Weight: 216 lbs
Current Weight: 147.1 lbs
 
Weight Loss to Date: -68.9 lbs
 
1st Primary Goal Weight: 169 (Achieved 11/27)
2nd Optimal Goal Weight set by Doc: 145
3rd Final Personal Goal Weight: 135
 
Sleeve Journey:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~> 8/17/12- PreOp/Surgery Day w/Pics Posted in Blog
Week 1 (8/24): 204.8 (-11.2)
Week 2 (8/31): 200.6 (-4.2)
Week 3 (9/7): 196.8 (-3.8)
Week 4 (9/14): 193.5 (-3.3)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~> 9/17/12- 1 Month Anniversary w/Pics Posted in Blog (-22.5 lbs)
Week 5 (9/21): 191.6 (-1.9)
Week 6 (9/28): 190.1 (-1.5)
Week 7 (10/5): 187.0 (-3.1)
Week 8 (10/12): 181.9 (-5.1)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~> 10/17/12- 2 Month Anniversary w/Pics Posted in Blog (-11.6 lbs)
Week 9 (10/19): 181.4 (-.5)
Week 10 (10/26): 177.9 (-3.5)
Week 11 (11/02): 176.8 (-1.1)
Week 12 (11/09): 174.7 (-2.1)
Week 13 (11/16): 173.3 (-1.4)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~> 11/17/12- 3 Month Anniversary w/Pics Posted in Blog (-8.6 lbs)
Week 14 (11/23): 173.1 (-.2)
Week 15 (11/30): 167.3 (-5.8)
Week 16 (12/7): 168.1 (+.8)
Week 17 (12/14): 164.6 (-3.5)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~> 12/17/12- 4 Month Anniversary (-8.7 lbs)
Week 18 (12/21): Holiday Break/Vacation- No Scale Available
Week 19 (12/28): Holiday Break/Vacation- No Scale Available
Week 20 (1/4/13): 164.5 (-.1)
Week 21 (1/11): 161.5 (-3.0)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~> 01/17/13- 5 Month Anniversary (-3.1 lbs)
Week 22 (1/18): 161.7 (+.2)
Week 23 (1/25): 158.7 (-3.0)
Week 24 (2/1): Out of town- No scale Available
Week 25 (2/8): 157.2 (-1.5)
Week 26 (2/15): 157.2 ( .0)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~> 02/17/13- 6 Month Anniversary 157.2 (-3.3 lbs)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~> 03/17/13- 7 Month Anniversary 153.9 (-3.3 lbs)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~> 04/17/13- 8 Month Anniversary 150.8 (-3.1 lbs)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~> 05/17/13- 9 Month Anniversary 147.1 (3.7 lbs)
 
 

Today, I am half way to my weight loss goal of 92 pounds! Yes - I am eating well and exercising, but I've never lost 46lbs just eating well and exercising. And NEVER could have lost 46 pounds in less than 4 months! Feeling so blessed and free from past demons. I am re-writing my future and it feels so wonderful!