mparkersmith

@@Janiegirl1, Everything you are feeling is totally normal. I was terrified, but the day before my surgery, I kept going over and over why I was doing it, and a peacefulness came over me. I realized I had made up my mind, everything was set, and it was going to be okay. It was still hard to sleep, and the next morning at the hospital, I was a mess. Nerves for days! But it has been the best thing I ever did for my own health and well-being, period. And I would do it again in a heart beat. We will all be waiting for you on the other side, to give advice, encouragement, and support. You can do this!!!

I was an emotional wreck for weeks. But I knew that I was going to go through with it, because I HAD to. And about two days before my surgery, this calm came over me, because I realized the decision was made, and I trusted myself for making the right decision for all the right reasons. That was June of 2013 and it was the best thing I have ever done in my life. Recovery was easier than I ever thought it would be, although it was no cake walk. Follow the rules, do your best, commit to your new lifestyle, and most importantly, forgive yourself for not being perfect 100% of the time. You will be successful; you can do this! Best of luck on your journey. Enjoy the ride.

Almost 8 months out exactly, and I have hit my goal weight! Woo hooooo!!! This is just the beginning, I know, but it feels GREAT! I love this little sleeve of mine! It truly has been a journey, and at times rather challenging, but I wouldn't trade it for anything. It has been the best decision I ever made for my health and my life. Thanks to all you out there in forum land for all the posts and advice and support. Couldn't have done this without you. Cheers! Keep on keepin' on, sleevers!

I love veg and fruit juice, but my juicer sits and collects dust. Clean up is a pain! Luckily, the city I live in is saturated with juice bars, which is convenient. Also, if you have a Whole Foods, try Daily Greens cold pressed juices. Great flavors, and NO clean up! Yay! A little pricey, but well worth it.

LyndseyD, we do have similar stats! I'm in a size 10 now, can't wait to see an 8! I'm visiting with my surgeon in about 3 weeks and it looks like we'll be adjusting my goal weight. This doesn't feel like "it'" yet, ya know what I mean? I wanna see some 140s!!! Surgery June 3rd Starting weight 256 Size 22 We've come a long way, baby!

Wow! That is some awesome progress! Congratulations!

Good to know! I'm 7 mos. out and I'm sooo cold! They used to call my house the meat locker, but now it's known as the sauna! Oh, how times have changed!

Questioning yourself is normal, especially at this stage. But I can tell you, in my case, I have never been happier with the decision I made. Every day I am happier at the progress I am making both physically and emotionally on this journey. Yes, there are challenges, and I am not perfect by any stretch of the imagination, but I never could have lost now nearly 100 pounds on my own. That is a fact. I tried so, so many times. And I can also tell you that everyone is different. I wouldn't say that eating ever has made me sick. I followed my surgeons orders, and much of the excellent advice of the people on this site who went through this process before me, and I listened carefully to my body and still do. All these things, and probably a little luck mixed in, and I can happily report that I have had a remarkably easy time of it. No throwing up, not even once. A few upset tummy aches, much discomfort at first while healing, of course, and lots of challenges while adjusting to my new sleeve, but it is so. worth. it! I wouldn't change anything, and I would never go back. This was hands down the best decision I have ever made for my health, and I hope you find success with it, too. Best of luck.

Disregard this. Don't weigh yourself more than once a week. I know, it's hard! Right now, your body is adjusting to some serious changes and going through a pretty major shock. Focus on your post-op instructions and follow them to a "T". Everything will fall into place, and the weight will come off...quickly. Soon you will be dealing with the (welcome) problem of having to shop for clothes constantly because the pants you bought 2 weeks ago are already too big. I promise!

I took a month off of work, and I lost about 18 pounds. I remember being disappointed about that, but in retrospect, 18 pounds is a lot to lose in 4 weeks!!! Six months out now, and I could not be happier with my weight loss! Everyone is different, your journey is your own. Good luck!

I am a huge coffee lover, so I could not live without Big Train Fit Frappe protein drinks in a Mocha and Espresso. However, many surgeons do not allow caffeine for weeks or sometimes months after surgery. Be sure to ask. Right after surgery, I was using Chike and Syntrax daily. I must be the only crazy person on the planet, because I personally think that Unjury is about the worst thing I've ever tasted, but hey, everyone else seems to like it!

Try not to let this get you down, it is just a normal reaction from your healing body. You've gone through a major surgery, and it takes time to heal and adjust. Get sufficient rest, keep sipping, sipping, sipping, and as the days pass you will feel like yourself again. Some days can be better than others, and that is totally normal. Hang in there!

Try taking an acid reducer for the feelings of hunger you are experiencing. When I was newly post op, I often confused acid for hunger pains. I was like, I just had a protein shake 20 minutes ago, my stomach is the size of a peanut, how can I be hungry!? This helped a lot. As far as the rest of it goes, just hang in there. The first few weeks are the hardest, mentally and physically, in my experience. Little by little as time goes on, you will get to know your sleeve better, and tolerate real foods. Nutrition will get better, just stick to your surgeon's orders and you'll do great!

I can eat anything. Nothing has ever made me sick since the first couple of months post-op. BUT... You must eat slowly, and listen to your sleeve. Stop eating when you are full, or actually, not-quite-full. Focus on lean proteins and nutrient-packed vegetables. Just because you CAN eat something doesn't mean you SHOULD! That is the hardest part for me, six months out. I have to make conscious choices to avoid snacking and grazing.

I'm overweight, too, and it feels GREAT! Can't wait to reach "normal!" And I have also finally underweighed my husband for the first time ever! Yay!

Some of my favorite groceries from Trader Joe's: --Steamed lentils (already cooked, just heat and eat, in refrigerated section) - I use these all the time, they have high Protein, great in salads or as a side. --Teeny tiny potatoes - perfect size for us sleevers! In produce section. --Thai Spicy Peanut salad dressing - a little goes a long way, divine w/ lentils! --chicken Tika Masala, and pretty much ALL of their Indian foods are scrumptious --Frozen garlic Naan --Frozen Turkey meatballs - I eat these all the time! Heat up 2 meatballs in a covered dish w a little chicken broth to keep em moist. --mini party-size meatballs - a bit higher in fat/calories than the turkey --Fresh buffalo mozzarella sticks --California Estate Olive Oil- cheap, good quality --Nonfat Greek yogurt in Mango, blueberry, and pumpkin (when in season!) --Unsweetened vanilla almond milk --Thai noodle salad (many other fabulous salads in refrigerated section) ...seriously, I could go on and on and on! Love Trader Joe's!

Shopping has been a little challenging for me! I must admit that I now find shopping for clothes a little overwhelming! I was so used to going to the plus-sized corner at Macy's or Nordstrom, or shopping online...so to have all these CHOICES is bananas! It's a little disconcerting sometimes, and I'm the one who used to always complain about ugly plus-size clothes, the lack of variety, etc. It's a great problem to have, though. Lately I've been hitting Macy's, Old Navy, Nordstrom Rack, Zara, J. Crew, Talbots, H&M, and I still love Land's End online, too.

Protein,protein, and more protein! Cut the carbs to less than 30g a day. You can do it!

I had these same fears prior to surgery, and second-guessed myself all the time. Two days before surgery, everything became crystal clear to me. I was making this commitment because there was no other choice for me. I was sick and tired of being obese, and all the health problems that come with it. I wanted to enjoy life again, and do things that for years I avoided because of my size. Surgery was the best decision I ever made. It is not a "cure" as stated above. But it DOES work. None of us are perfect, but if you follow your doctor's orders, eat healthy foods, get in enough Protein, and take your Vitamins, you WILL be successful! I feel better than I have in years. Sometimes I worry that I might stop losing weight, or that I'll put it all back on, but you just have to take it one day at a time. My biggest problem now is having to constantly buy smaller clothes! It's a GREAT problem to have! Best of luck to you.

I suffered from constant migraines and headaches starting in March 2009 until about Fall of 2012. The things that helped me tremendously were: 1) seeing a neurologist who specialized in migraine diagnosis and treatment; 2) having regular Botox injections by my neurologist as a migraine treatment (not for wrinkles, haha!); 3) having a sleep study (apnea now being treated); and finally, incorporating deep tissue massage of my shoulders, neck, and head. Yes, my head, too! You can carry A LOT of tension in you shoulders, neck, and the many muscles on your head. My migraines were already in control by the time I had VSG, but I have only had 1 or 2 since surgery five months ago. That is pretty normal for me now. I didn't experience more migraines/headaches after surgery. Good luck to you, I know how hard it is to cope with constant migraines!

You will get full! Solid proteins like fish or chicken will definitely fill you up. Hang in there! I remember the first couple of weeks, I was like, mine doesn't work!!! It works all right! And yours will, too.

I looove Chike, but lately I've been using Big Train's Fit Frappe in Espresso or Mocha. I bought a giant tub of Isopure Protein powder in the Columbian coffee flavor from Vitamin Shoppe, and thought it was just hideous. To me it tastes like chemicals, yuck. Sometimes I do a scoop of chocolate protein, a scoop of espresso/mocha, and 1 Tbsp of PB2 powder, mix with ice and Water for a delicious frozen treat. Yum!!!

Congrats! You look fabulous!

This is happening to me right now. It is so alarming to lose so much hair every morning in the shower. And all through the day whenever I touch my head! I am 4 1/2 months out, and it started about 4-5 weeks ago. I hope this doesn't go on too long, I won't have anything left! Kinda freaked out by all this!

When I was on soft foods, I ate things like refried Beans, scrambled eggs, soft cheeses (I love babybel cheeses!) yogurt, hummus, mashed potatoes, canned greens beans, canned carrots, grits, deli turkey breast, lentil Soup. Good luck, TeeTee12! It gets soooo much better. As far as the topic, I'm just over 4 months out, and I aim for 700-800 calories a day.