cindymg

59 and sleeved May 15, 2013. No complications, no pain, no problems. Down 52 lbs, co morbidities resolved, and I feel fantastic! I have noticed that at this age, I seem to be carrying weight differently. I tried on a skirt from my last major weight loss about 6 years ago. It is actually too big everywhere BUT in the waist. How annoying! It's like that weight around my tummy isn't going anywhere anytime soon. My legs/ hips continue to get smaller, my upper body is losing bulk -- but the weight around my middle is still plaguing me. I'm guessing lipo is in my future!

You'll feel better once you can start on soft foods. I was exhausted for the first 3 weeks also. I couldn't deal with puréed foods, so since I had never had any complications, my nutritionist let me go to soft, soft foods at 3 weeks. Then I started walking more and my energy returned.

Thanks for posting your positive results. There are a few people who have had problems, and they seem to post more than those of us who have had no complications. Let's keep the spirit up! Lookin' good, by the way!

I found the book to be very helpful. Check out this thread for other books: http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/85547-good-books-for-the-emotional-aspects-of-post-surgery/

You'll appreciate this:

Good for you! Hope your recovery goes well. The hunger you are feeling is probably stomach acid. Did you get a prescription for an acid blocker? If no, you can get chewable Pepcid that will help. Also, are you drinking broth with salt? That helped me when real food was around. Plus Protein shakes and Jello can get so sweet after awhile. Good luck on your journey. It's going to be amazing!

Have your medications been adjusted after your weight loss? Mine have been cut to 1/4 of what they were and I am weaning myself off blood pressure med. Also are you taking your Vitamins? Have your primary care physician run all of your Vitamin levels -- Iron, B12, Vit D, Potassium and Sodium. Good luck to you.

As an alcoholic friend of mine says, "that's why there is more than one brand of beer in the world!" I am relating my experience in criticizing a nutritionist who could suggest everything in moderation to a compulsive eater. Hey, if the advice to eat everything in moderation works for you, that's great. I've been trying that for 40 years, and haven't been able to master it yet. While my sleeve restricts the amount I can eat, I am starting to see how people eat around their sleeves. And this is just too important to me to screw it up. For me here is an example: I recently added sugar-free chocolate Fiber bars to my daily Snacks to try to up my fiber intake. And I am suddenly finding that I am craving things like ice cream. So, is the sugar-free chocolate a trigger for me? Too soon to tell, but I may have to give these up lest I go off the deep end and wallow in slider foods.

Yes, I have it and is very informative. Like the bible of VSG surgery. Check out this thread also. A number of books are available and several of us gave our reviews: http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/85547-good-books-for-the-emotional-aspects-of-post-surgery/

My surgeon said that my starting BMI is what the ins co goes by. I didn't actually lose any weight during the six months (wasn't a requirement). Didn't have any trouble getting approved. I use United Health Care, but every insurance co is different.

Another suggestion: Life Savers makes sugar-free candies. If I am really thirsty after eating (like something spicy), I will suck on one of those. It helps me feel less thirsty until my 30 min is up.

unjury has a strawberry sorbet flavor protein powder and recipes for mixing it with jello. It's pretty good with orange jello.

I don't have just one outfit I dream about. I am trying to rebuild my work wardrobe right now and I find that I only want clothes with shape. Loose and flowing is what I used to wear and I have to force myself not to buy those things anymore. Give me knee-length skirts, shaped jackets, close-fitting pants, and fitted sweaters and tops! Plus tight, straight legged jeans! It's fun!

You realize that just because you can, doesn't mean you have to, you know. I am 3.5 months out, and I can eat more too. But it is still sooooo much less than I was eating before my surgery. Generally I can still only eat about 3 oz of solid Protein, but I can now also eat some potatoes and veggies. And by some, I mean a little bit -- not clean the plate. This is the time to be diligent about recording everything you eat and sticking to a goal. I plan to eat around 1,200 calories a day. Sometimes it's only 1,000; on exercise days I have been known to go to 1,400. I keep losing, around 3 lbs a week so it's okay. Good luck on your journey!

I finally had to resort to Miralax, stool softeners and fiber powder added to food. 1/2 a dose of Miralax a day fixed me right up, but it can be harsh. Suggest you take some probiotics also.

I don't take a multi with iron, as the iron can cause constipation. I went through several types of iron supplements, and finally started taking Ferasol, a plant based iron that doesn't cause constipation.

Here's a link about donating blood exclusions: http://nybloodcenter.org/donate-blood/become-donor/can-i-donate-blood/ Surgery is only an exclusion until you have healed. Look at the medications list. I stopped giving blood when I started traveling internationally to places with Malaria and Mad Cow. Don't think they want my blood.

That really did make me laugh out loud! Thanks for that visual.