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I had VSG 15 months ago and have lost 100 pounds. I reached my surgeons goal at 6 1/2 months, my personal goal at 7 1/2 months, then lost another 10 pounds and have been maintaining in the middle of normal BMI range for over 6 months. And I've done this without weighing or measuring or logging a single bite of food. I followed my surgeons postop directions to a T, ate mostly Protein and veggies until I reached surgeons goal and have simply eaten a well balanced diet of protein, veggies, fruit and grains since then. I eat when I'm hungry, I eat until satisfied, not full, and I eat pretty much whatever I'm in the mood for....no planning or prepping whatsoever. I eat a lot of leftovers and my vacuum sealer had been awesome. I have a 30-40g protein smoothie and a 10-20g Protein Bar everyday and try to go for protein rich foods for the most part. I also keep a mental tally of fluids to make sure I'm getting at least 64oz/day. I do eat carbs and sweets and alcohol sometimes, but in moderation. That is the extent of my "diet" routine. I don't really think about any of it. I go to the grocery store and wander around the deli and produce sections and up and down the aisle, looking for what looks tasty. I pretty much stay clear of the bakery. Like today, I was taking a friend to a doctors appointment and afterwards she wanted to go to Sizzler. I, of course, overpaid for an all you can eat salad buffet, but it was delicious, I had a little bit of many different things, sticking with more Proteins (meatballs, shrimp, taco fixings without the tortilla, broccoli bacon salad, hard boiled egg, etc) than anything and then topped it off with some cantaloupe and a bit of bread pudding and ice cream. My friend meanwhile (who is 5'2" 105#...bitch????) had 2-3x as much from the salad bar plus a steak and broiled shrimp plus a whole brownie and ice cream for dessert. I, too have done the diet tracking/logging thing with the zillion diets in the past, and I knew I didn't want to do that after surgery. In fact, in my mind I was having surgery so I wouldn't have to ever do that again. There are many different ways of being successful with WLS, and it IS possible without focusing on every little food detail. For me, it's as simple as my sleeve restricts my portions and I make good choices (most of the time) about what I eat. Pretty simple.

I've got a Fitbit One which I really like. I originally wanted a Charge HR but with my job, I can't really wear anything on my wrist. As a vet tech, it would get peed on, pooped on, bled on and you don't want to know what else.... The One clips on my pocket or waistband and seems pretty accurate. It comes with a soft wristband to wear at night to monitor sleep patterns. Really long battery life...I only have to charge it every 7-10 days.

Jerky, mixed nuts with craisins, Natures Valley Protein bars, and Quest bars. I don't get a lunch break, so these are staples for me that I eat on the run pretty much every day.

For the first 3-4 months I couldn't do artificial sweeteners or plain water. I was also lactose intolerant. But those things passed, and I'm good to go with everything except carbonation. I will get a bit of gastritis if I drink too much alcohol or have too many sweets.

I use regular Torani and Davinci syrups....not the sugar free. I don't like the taste of artificial sweeteners. I actually couldn't tolerate it postop, it hurt my sleeve, so I've done regular vitamin water and lifewater, 100% fruit juice, etc since day one. I avoid "sugar free" anything other than some of my protein powders because that artificial taste is not as noticeable in them.

TPN stands for total parenteral nutrition. It is a mixture of fats, amino acids and other nutrients that can be administered intravenously. It is used for patients that can't take in anything via mouth. In the case of WLS patients, this may be used in the case of a stricture or leak that they are trying to repair/heal or if a patient cannot keep anything down due to nausea/vomiting.

I had to give up using BP on safari on my iPad. Trying to type responses only to have it freeze up got too frustrating. I started using the app, but I don't like it because you can't see tickers, profiles or avatars.

Right after surgery I was taking a multivitamin, Vitamin D3, calcium citrate, Iron and sublingual B12 everyday. Of course I had to take the iron separately from the calcium and multi. My 6 month bloodwork showed that my calcium and iron were both high so I discontinued those supplements. I currently take a whole food based multivitamin, B12 sublingual 3x week, and Fish Oil with vitamin D. My annual bloodwork was perfect. I will repeat bloodwork at least once/ year for the rest of my life. It is very important to keep up with regular bloodwork in order to adjust any supplements before they become a problem. 90% of gastrectomy patients develop deficiencies even 10-20 years postop without adequate supplementation.

Oh yeah, I forgot about the cramping from the drain! It was more uncomfortable than painful and went away as soon as they pulled the drain on the 3rd morning.

Everyone is different, so there will be a huge range of experiences described. As for me, I was out shopping and sightseeing less than 24 hours after surgery. I had no nausea and no pain. I was sent home with sublingual NSAIDS for pain but didn't need them. My abdomen just felt fatigued...like I had done a ton of sit-ups. I travelled by plane and drove myself home 5 hours 3 days postop, resumed normal chores as soon as I got home....plowing the drive, feeding horses and dogs, laundry, shopping, etc. I just had to modify things a bit so I wasn't lifting over 20 pounds. I was back to work at an active job (other than the lifting restrictions) within 7 days. I was certainly tired, but barely knew I had surgery. I don't know if the differences are due to individual pain responses, surgeon technique, perioperative meds or all of the above. I do know I was on pain Meds for over 4 weeks after my neck fusion and I although I went back to work at 2 weeks, I was limited to very light duties, so VSG was WAY easier.

Before I gained a lot of weight, my normal BP was in the 106/68 range. As I gained, my BP crept up to 138/96. I wasn't on meds, but headed in that direction. After surgery, it didn't immediately come down. Even 8 months out at goal weight it was still around 124/78. Finally, at 15 months postop and 6 months at normal BMI my BP what it was before I gained weight.... 103/68 last doctors visit.

I drank from the time I woke up till the minute I fell asleep. I kind of set mini goals, too....16oz before I went to work. Another 16 oz before lunch, another 16oz before the end of the workday and the last 16oz before going to bed. I Kept a easy-to-sip-from bottle with me at all times and grabbed it every chance I had. It was a full time job and I was really sick of HAVING to drink all the time, but I just kept doing it. I got my 64oz fluids in everyday but it was WORK. It finally got easier after 3-4 months. Some people have set an alarm on their phones or watches to take a sip every 5-10 minutes. My drinking/eating restrictions were nothing 5 min before or 45 min after. Maybe this was easier than the typical 30 min/30 min. ???

Imported foods sold in this country (United States) have to pass the same federal (USDA and/or FDA) regulations as food produced here. You really have nothing to fear. Tell the dogs that who have gotten sick and died from the imported Chinsese ingredients in their treats.

I had surgery in Mexico and my surgeon dispensed a sublingual NSAID. I also picked up extra at a pharmacy down there so I would have some on hand. You may want to check into this if you need to take an anti inflammatory in the future. That way it gets into your system but never touches your GI track. However, you may want to consult with your doctor first. Yours Sounds almost like an allergic reaction, so be careful. I have two friends (one is actually my PCP) that have ended up in the hospital after severe NSAID reactions. One actually stopped breathing in the ambulance. Both of them have taken plenty of NSAIDS in the past but neither of them can EVER take NSAIDS again and it has nothing to do with WLS. (They haven't had WLS).

I was self pay, so no insurance requirements. But my surgeon in Mexico required a 5% weight loss on the 2 week preop diet (3 protein shakes/day and leafy greens). For me, that was 12 pounds. I was nervous I wouldnt lose it all so I started 2 days early and followed directions to a T. I ended up losing 22 pounds in 16 days. But that was definitely a one time thing...I never lost that much that fast postop. But I still hit and even passed my goal weight. You will, too.

thanks Texasmeg. I think we've all kind of hit our plateaus so checking in isn't as exciting as it once was. But hey, that's a good thing! I bounce around in my new normal range and am actually quite proud of myself that I haven't gone back to the old ways of dealing with grief. Kind of makes me think I can really do this. Glad you are doing well and enjoying life.

@@onmywaytoonederland don't worry about it...I'm not. I just need to learn to stay away from these posts. I obviously don't have any idea what I'm talking about. Sounds like you are doing great....and have a good attitude, which is crucial. Getting rid of clothes was one of my favorite things to do. It really solidified the fact that losing weight this time was for good and not just another "diet". Good luck to you!

At 15 months out, Other than carbonation, I can eat anything. However, if I eat too many sweets or too many artificial sweeteners or too much coffee or too much alcohol I do get a bit of gastritis. Rolaids or a few days of a PPI will help, but the best is just not to eat "too much". The week of Christmas was the worst...Even though it was all SO GOOD I was looking forward to finally getting back to Protein and veggies. I've never dumped and other than 1 time (very recently) that I ate way too fast, I've never vomited. And just know things change as your sleeve heals and you find what does and doesn't work for you. What I could eat at 3 months is way different than 6 months and a year.

Hard to tell. I was a nice, firm C cup in college. Went to a 44DD as I gained weight. Now 100 pounds lighter I am a 34/36B (would be an A if it weren't for all the extra skin stuffed in there). And genetically, I should be well endowed... My mom actually had to have breast reduction surgery for health/medical reasons. I, too, considered my breasts one of by "assets", but I'm surprisingly happy with my new boyish figure. ????it's just easier to deal with.

More water! Or decaf tea or dilute juice or crystal light or Vitamin Water or G2 or milk or whatever it takes to get more Fluid in. Have a bottle with you at all times. Sip from dawn till bedtime. You need H2O in order to metabolize body fat. Chronic dehydration is just as detrimental as caloric starvation when it comes to weight loss. Doesn't sound like you're eating a whole lot, either, so you may need more calories as well as fluids. Have you tried Protein shakes? I make a large protein smoothie (24-32oz/30-40g protein) with different protein powders, milk or water, Fiber supplement, ice, sometimes fruit and sometimes Torani syrup everyday. I sip on this over 2-4 hours in the afternoon. I'm getting almost 1/2 my fluids 1/2 my protein this way. Throw in a Quest Bar, several small meals/snacks, some decaf coffee in the morning, decaf tea at night and I'm good to go. Just try and mix things up and Hopefully you'll get through this slump.

I'd definitely talk to your surgeon. I had no surgery pain postop, but if yours is normal for your surgeon, perhaps he can get you different pain medication, you shouldn't have to be suffering.

Those savory flavors are certainly heaven after all the sweet drinks! I went gang busters in full liquid stage....mixed unflavored protein powder in every soup I could find. Butternut squash, lobster bisque, cream of asparagus, cream of shrimp, broccoli cheese, French onion, portobello mushroom.... If it had chunks, I just diluted a little with milk or water, pureed and strained it. Made the same thing in Pureed stage, minus the straining, so added in vegetable beef soup, split pea, clam chowder and other thicker varieties.

I was on both my treadmill and recumbent bike as soon as I got home. A recumbent bike puts you in a different position than a spin bike, so I guess check with your surgeon.

You are doing everything you are supposed to AND you are losing weight. I don't see the problem? As for being in a different part of the journey, you are right, I am 15 months out, but I have been where you are and I'm just saying you are making yourselves miserable for no reason. You've actually lost more than I had at 4 weeks out but I celebrated every pound I lost as a success. You see your loss as a failure. The only difference is perspective. My biggest advice has always been "stay off the scale, get in all your Protein, Water and Vitamins and don't overeat. Enjoy the NSV's". This can be the best time of your life or you can stress and be miserable. The choice is yours.

Get over it! You didn't put this weight on in a few months, why do you think you'd lose it that fast? You weigh the same as you did in high school for shit's sake! You have been given one of the greatest opportunities of your life and you are whining about it?!? Not sure what kind of expectations you had, but you may want to re evaluate and learn how to be happy with any loss. No one is immune from stalls, and this was just the first of many. Just as a comparison, I had lost 17 pounds in the first 7 weeks postop and I was thrilled. Then I gained 3 pounds and sat there for a month. I was STILL thrilled because I knew I had a lifetime of losses and gains in front of me, but never would I be as fat as I once was. Just relax, be patient and enjoy the changes ahead, no matter how fast or slow they come.