Bridget312001

I was anemic before the VSG, and still fight it now. You will want to make sure you get plenty of Iron after the surgery so you can heal and also maintain a level that is normal so you can function. Its manageable with an iron supplement and stool softeners as needed. Never did develop a lactose intolerance.

Wow Lorie, you are almost there!! Keep it up! :-)

Thanks CBT, its so good to know I am not alone! Excellent that you can have frank conversations with your PS Surgeon. That is awesome. :-)

1. Use some sort of tool to track your calories and exercise each day. Be honest with it. 1200cals was the norm for me every day. 2. Eat protien. Lots of Protein. 100g of lean protein if you can (its hard). 3. Drink your fluids. At least 60oz a day. I guzzle Mio and herbal tea as I dislike plain Water. 4. Exercise as often as you can. I worked out 3-4 days a week for an hour and a half. Mostly used an elliptical I found cheap on Craigslist in my garage. I did go to the gym, but found the elliptical quicker and easier to get to after work during the week. 5. Never give up. Even when you slip..get right back on track. Phew! Sorry strawberry Blond, thats all I can think of. If you have any specific questions I would be happy to help. You can email if thats better for you. :-)

Oh Mickally you are making me blush. I'm not inspirational material. Just plain simple bulldog me digging my heels in until I get what I want. :-)

Hi Vogue, Dont get me wrong, I am feeling so much better today. Not taking any drugs for pain during the day, and 600mg ibroprofen at night. Its not so much painful as it is tight feeling when I move. Drains came out on Monday, which was day six after surgery. That was the turning point of recovery for me I think. Holy hell those drains were disgusting! LoL.. Swelling is moderate..I can tell its there, but I dont feel like Jabba the Hut anymore. Today was the first day I had the courage to stick my finger into my belly button and omg was it deep and odd. Grossed me out. I've not had any itching on my stitches yet..but itchy is good Vogue! It means you are healing! :-)) I have to laugh at my garment today..its crotchless and i caught myself in the mirror and I look like i have a baboon butt from behind when i didnt have underwear on. Hahaha..this damn stretchy nasty garment isnt going to get the best of me. its a beast..:-P

Bridget312001 happy surgiversary i knew there was something different about you today ups and downs??? been there, done that!!! but you are a survivor and you did it!!!! woo hoo party dance party dance "lifelong changes" you/me/we all have to continue to work very very hard for the rest of our lives we work with the sleeve and "it" will work with/for you so happy for you you are aces!!! keep up the good work for the rest of your healthier, happier, longer life (I know you will ) good luck kathy congrats Kathy, YOU are an inspiration too! Thank you so much for the kind words, it really means a lot. X

Thank you PKdvm, having the surgery was the best, hardest, most worthwhile thing i have ever done for myself.

thank you Janet! :-) 125 was my goal. I never paid attention to their goal weight for the year, but I think its based on the percentage of weight you need to loose?

I had a Fleur De Lis Tummy Tuck last Tuesday, and I have to say this last week was one of the most difficult of my life. I am no baby when it comes to pain. My discomfort was manageable. It was the fact that I didn't feel in control of my body and had to rely on others, hard to do when you are a hard headed independent woman like me. Oxycodone and morphine suppositories made me feel awful. Between feeling blazing hot then freezing cold to not wanting to eat, move or be able to have a poop, to horrible hallucinogenic dreams I had enough of the narcotics pretty damn fast. i have had surgeries before, but this one really was the hardest. Emotional support was so so important for this one. I am not a clingy person, but good grief, this time around I could not get enough hugs or encouragement. My compression garment will be burnt at the stake as soon as five weeks are up! Today is day number 8 and I am starting to feel like my old self. Today I happened to get on the scale to see if Id lost any of the ten pounds plus of Water weight, and I am pleased to say I weight 125 which is my goal weight. yay me!

It's been a long year with many ups and downs but I am proud to say today I finally reached my goal weight this morning. I had Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy (VSG) April 8, 2013 and over the last year I have worked hard to loose 89lbs. I started at 214lbs and am now 125lbs. VSG is not for everyone, but it worked well for me. My only advice to anyone thinking about the sleeve is to really REALLY do you homework and think about the lifelong changes YOU must make to use your sleeve to its best advantage.

Vogue, Today is going to go fine. Before you know it you will be out of surgery with your new tummy and on your way home. I will be thinking about you at 10am. I must admit I can completely relate to being more nervous about this surgery than the VSG. Just know you are not alone.

Vogue, good luck with your Panni on Monday! Im having a fleur de lis TT on Tuesday. I know what you mean about nervous. House was scrubbed clean this morning and Im cooking two dinners on the stove..and its only now just after 10am.

A lower body lift..wow…thats huge! I will be thinking of you on St. Paddy's Day. Best of luck

Got it Scamp…eye on the prize..I will be repeating that as I get shuffled onto the operating table.. thank you x Always loved Scotland, although being from Southern England It was always a bit cold for this Sassenach