BKLYNgal87

Any fatigue? Dizziness? Fever? These are signs to go to the doctor, stat. But when in doubt, it never hurts to call the doctor's office and see what they say. I suggest you take it easy for a few more weeks before going back to the gym hardcore.

I try very hard to eat alone these days, or at the very least, suggest crowded restaurants when I'm out with family or friends. My stomach makes a cringe-inducing gurgle circus at every meal. Good thing I'm already engaged to my fiancé because if I was stuck on the dating circuit I'd be SOL. Lol. #sleeveproblems

Yes!! The ring around my neck is noticeably lighter. Unfortunately my armpits are still rather dark. Hoping they fade with more time and weight loss.

Were you honest with your surgeon's office about your drinking? If so, shame on them for being greedy. It doesn't sound like you were a good candidate for WLS. VSG was an intervention to help you make your life better, but it's totally up to you if you want to succeed. Alcohol alone is not going to stretch your sleeve, though it will make you incredibly sick and cause you to further progress your clearly budding addiction. Are you following the nutritionist plan at all in terms of food? Small meals, high Protein, low carb? Separating eating and drinking? Are you only spending 20 minutes eating at each meal and chewing slowly? These are the most basic requirements postop. If you aren't following the guidelines and you are depressed and drinking heavily, then it's easy to see why you are struggling. I think you need to seek help if you want to make this work. It's NOT too late to make real change for yourself.

I'm going to try really hard to not sound judgemental, but what makes you think binge drinking is a good life decision? Surgery or no surgery it's irresponsible and unhealthy. You had VSG surgery to help you lose weight, thereby making you healthier. Why would you throw it all away for college parties? If you want to be successful at the weight loss, and at life in general, you will stop going overboard with the alcohol. This whole "I'm not an alcoholic until I graduate" thing is complete and total bullsh*t. I hope you know that. Buckle up, eat right (high Protein, low carb), don't drink, and you will see the sleeve still works for you. You will get out of it what you put into it.

Who did you hear that from? The answer is NO. You are not likely to develop gallstones if you take the preventative meds for the prescribed time period. Even if you get gallstones, unless you have a serious attack, you probably don't need your gallbladder removed. Remember surgeons are always quick to suggest surgery, even when it's not needed.

You look SO Amazing and Happy!!! Congrats! Love your style, too

Awesome! Keep up the great work

You can do it!!

Was he a heavy drinker before surgery? I'd find it hard to believe he recently picked this up and is already able to drink so much at a time. His behavior sounds like the cornerstone of addiction, I'm afraid. Drinking that much sleeve or no sleeve is dangerous and irresponsible. He's setting himself up for so many problems down the road. It sounds like you and others in his life care about him. Try and confront him about it from a caring and constructive point of view. He may not be ready to hear it, but he needs to.

That depends on who you ask, but my surgeon team directs patients to not drink for 15 minutes before or 30 minutes after eating.

Take tylenol if you need a pain med for a few weeks post-op instead of NSAIDs. Bleeding and irritation are possible risks of NSAID use right after surgery. They can aggravate ulcers if you have them but they don't give you ulcers. I think I took ibuprophen at 3 weeks postop and was totally fine.

I also feel a great sense of empowerment not needing to shove a gargantuan amount of food in my mouth. Post surgery I think most people realize that life doesn't actually HAVE to revolve around food. In the beginning right after surgery it kind of does since you need to make sure you have liquids with you all the time and get enough Protein in but once you've healed up it gets easier. I will order a grilled chicken breast or shrimp rather than a sandwich as second nature now. That's not to say I don't get hungry. I still most definitely do. And sometimes I have the occasional treat. But the belly monster is not nearly so strong and voracious anymore. I'm able to look at a pile of Halloween candy and walk away. It's awesome.

Is this sadness from environmental challenges or do you feel like it's mostly internal (in your head)? Depression isn't uncommon after weight loss surgery and even regular old weight loss. You are experiencing a lot of physical and mental changes and that can be very difficult to deal with. Have you tried support groups or any kind of counseling? Having some experience in this arena I'd suggest you first look for a therapist or social worker who specializes in CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), and it would be helpful if they had experience with bariatric patients. CBT is goal-focused therapy that teaches you coping strategies. Why I suggest it is a lot of therapists, psychologists, and psychiatrists out there are more interested in keeping patients in therapy than helping patients so that they no longer need therapy. CBT practictioners don't generally practice that way. If you don't see benefit from that after a couple months then you may need something more long term. It may also be helpful to talk this out with your surgeon's office and see if they can give you options or a referral. Hang strong! You're not crazy. You just need a little help as you go through a major life transition. Wishing you well

I think wine is a safe bet. Trying it at home first is also a good idea. I definitely get tipsy after one drink nowadays. I don't do it very often because it's empty calories. Have a happy 21st!!

You look so incredible!! Way to go!

Well, I am far from being a year postop but just thought I'd share there is no special anatomical or physiological reason why it gets harder to lose weight after a year, other than weight loss and maintenance being difficult challenges for obese people in general. If you continue following the post-op diet and exercise you will lose the last little bit of weight, it will just take a lot longer since you have a lot less left to lose. It helps to keep in mind that surgeons are often going off of their own patient statistics when they say things like "most people" experience or do this or that, rather than their assessment of your personal progress. It doesn't mean you will fall short of your goal just because other people have. Congratulations on a 100 lb loss! That's a huge accomplishment for sure! Can't wait til I'm in your place!

So you are about 3 weeks postop. Are you on soft foods? At that point for me I was getting in only maybe 500-550 calories. Try eating a little less if you aren't able to get any exercise. Remember this also: you are still healing from major surgery. Everyone is different. Some lose a lot in the beginning and others hold onto it a little longer. It's not a reflection of what things will be like further out. Besides, could you have lost 11 lbs in 3 weeks without surgery? Look at it that way.

Not at this point. I took Tylenol cold, Sudafed, and a dextromethorphan/guaifenesin cough medicine (not all at once lol) during my 2 week cold and had absolutely no problem with any of them.

I'm going to have to agree with Endless80. A lot of people don't lose the desire to eat or even overeat. I wasn't hungry for about 4 weeks postop, then the hunger started to come back. It's not as voracious as it used to be, but it's still there and I still need to be vigilant. The sleeve is a great tool if used properly. I have been by no means perfect in my diet post-sleeve, and still managed to lose 68 lbs in less than 5 months. Went from a size 24/22 to a 12! Others have lost faster than me, sure, but I am so proud of my accomplishments thus far. You can't compare yourself to anyone else because everyone is different. But if I overeat at one meal or eat something I shouldn't, I make up for it later in the day or the next day by eating less. I also bust my butt at the gym 6 days a week. Every day is a new day and I don't beat myself up about it. The sleeve did help change my mindset in some way - I am more confident in my ability to lose this weight and keep it off. I feel more in control of my actions and decisions. That was something Weight Watchers could never do for me. I'll say this about Weight Watchers - At its best it's not designed for obese people. At its worst it is designed to keep members paying their dues (ie: still on the diet) for life. It sounds cynical but they are a multimillion dollar business. Their business is to make money, not to make people healthier. I have yet to meet more than one or two people who have lost weight on WW and managed to keep it off. The vast majority yo-yo and keep going back to the plan. It's a vicious cycle. The sleeve surgery and the sleeve diet - high Protein, low carb and exercise are much more effective tools for obese people to lose weight and keep it off (gastric bypass, too). But like anything else, you get out of it what you put into it. As for hair loss - I lost some at about 3 1/2 - 4 months postop. I still am shedding a little more than usual but it's pretty much normalized now. The trauma of surgery causes the hair loss, though it's a delayed reaction. You will still be regrowing new hairs to replace it, but for most people the falling out outpaces the growth. It's very temporary. The best ways to help speed it along and maybe loose less are to eat at least 70 g protein a day and you can take Biotin supplements. I take 5000 mcg a day. Good luck!

Well chili is not very dense. I'm also 4 months post op and I imagine if I sat there long enough I'd be able to eat a can of chili. I'm working again on only taking 20 minutes to eat a meal. What I don't finish in 20 minutes doesn't get eaten! You're lucky you haven't felt hungry. My hunger subsided for about 4 weeks after surgery and then it reared its ugly head again. When I eat enough Protein and eat frequently it's more manageable. Even at its worst, it is better than it used to be pre-op. Anyway every once in a while slip ups happen, don't beat yourself up about it. The next day is always a new day.

Sorry to hear about your diagnosis. :: HUGS :: My mom has osteopenia and she's not good about taking her calcium. Unfortunately, as you know, it doesn't help everyone. Losing weight will definitely put less pressure on your joints, so it's great that you are dedicating yourself to VSG and all the life changes that come with it. Wishing you well!

I was diagnosed 2 months before surgery, started using the c-pap about a month before. Usually they say use it for 30 days prior to surgery but that's up to you and your surgeon and (possibly) anesthesiologist to weigh the risks of going ahead with your current date. There is a higher risk of complication with extubation right after surgery if you have untreated sleep apnea. I think it depends on how bad your apnea is. Hopefully on monday you'll have an answer. But no worries, getting diagnosed properly and starting CPAP treatment will greatly improve your life and help with your surgery recovery! I am 4 months post-op, 66 lbs lost and I switched to an autopap machine because I don't even need level 4 anymore. My sleep doc estimates another 15-20 lbs and I won't need treatment anymore!

I concur, I also love reading your posts. Congratulations on your immense success!

Our IT guy brought in reeses peanut butter mini cups and hersheys kisses today. GRRRRR!!!!