ReEstDec2013

I've noticed a lot of responses first solid meal was some sort of fish. Is that mandatory? I do not like fish and allergic to shellfish. The only protein I like is chicken. Not so much into beef or pork either. Just wondering???

CONGRATS! Very inspirational!

It depends…. People that I have told already about my pending surgery was either encouraging and some were not so encouraging. The ones that were not so encouraging I think are jealous. Therefore, for me it depends on who asks. At the end of the day, we still need to watch what we eat and exercise the way other people lose their weight. We just went that extra step to help us on your journey, so it will not be a far stretch from the truth if I do not mention the surgery. Again, it depends.... I do know someone that confided in me and told me about her surgery. She didn't know at the time that I was in the works with doing my own surgery, so I was very happy she confided in me. Now I have someone I know that I can talk to about this which really puts me at ease. When someone else asked her what is her secret she responded "diet and exercise". She looks FABULOUS and the fun part is she doesn't diet &/or exercise at all. Her take on this question is that it is no one's business, but her's. She told me that only a select "very" few knows about her surgery. She told me not to tell anyone else because you will get the mix responses as I have gotten already. She is literally the last person I told. Curious to see what others will say and their reasoning.

I was 5'9, but somehow now 5'8 and weigh about 280. I want to aim between 170 (heaviest) to 160 (smallest).

You look FABULOUS! Congrats!

I've noticed with a lof of the post-op VSGs that went through the pre-op liquid diet prior to their surgery too the post-op two week liquid diet, there were some that struggle during this period with hunger. Wonder if chewing gum is permitted during this period? When I watched what I ate last year and lost 30 pounds sometimes when I got hungry I would chew gum to give me that feeling of chewing. Mentally it was a distraction for me to eat. Would like to know if anyone tried chewing gum during their two week liquid diet and if it helped?

WOW and double WOW! Truly an inspiration! Congrats!

Thank you JerseyGril68! I am going to do the same and see what happens. Fingers cross is works for me too. Wishing you continue success on your journey!

This question is to those who already had their VSG, but prior to their VSG they had their gallbladder removed. Would like to hear your expereince having both done. Ever since I had my gallbladder removed over five years ago, I still have issues with using the bathroom. It comes in waves for some odd reason. Sometimes or most of the time the first thing I eat for the day sends me running to the bathroom in pain or I can go days without going to the bathroom at all... Very frustrating! Saw my dr. regarding this issue and he prescribed Nexium. I hate relying on daily meds to remedy an issue. To me it is a bandaid over the issue, not a permanent fix. Please share your experience. Thank you.

Oh my EarthWormJenn! I truly wish you success in whatever procedure you decide to do to get you 100% better! Curious to know as well for you if anyone else on here has the same elements as you and hope they can shed some light for you.

Thank you for your response JerseyGirl68. Funny that you mentioned gluten…. That is not the first time someone said I might be allergic to gluten. Even my NUT thinks that I might be lactose intolerant. Could be a combination of both. All I know is prior to my gall bladder being removed I never had these severe stomach pains and bathroom issues. I have not had my VSG yet, but wondered if my current issue will stop, decrease or worsen. Glad you are doing well, JerseyGirl68. Hope something changes for the better for me once I have my VSG.

Looking at all the before and after pics are just so freaking AMAZING! Some people don't even look the same which is shocking to me. CONGRATS to all who made it to their healthy goal weight and WISHING SUCCESS to all on their journey to a healthier weight. I can't wait to have my surgery now!

So I had my 3rd NUT visit towards my 6 visits for insurance coverage. Down another pound and I am shocked! Shocked because August was a BAD month for me. Most of all happy I didn't gain. So I went from 286 to now 279. Going to do my best this month and try to loose at least 3 to 5 pounds. Would at least like to be down another 9 pounds prior to surgery. Fingers crossed I will make it. Not 100% sure because the holiday season is the worst time for me. Happy Weight Loss Journey to you all!

CONGRATS!

Thank you Mfs. So good to hear your experience and how you handled it with your hubby. I sat down with my husband and showed him everything, but he is still not happy with my decision. Maybe one day he will be OK with my decision. As for telling my family and some friends, I should have done what you had done. Kept it to myself. One friend I spoke too actually had the sleeve and I never knew it. She looks GREAT and she told me not to tell anyone else because it is my business, my decision and that I will find people, friends/family, that will not accept my decision. So she was the last person I told. Everyone else can think otherwise. Thank you again for sharing your experience and all the BESTto you on your journey to a healthier you! :-)

I did not make the decision to have this procedure done overnight. It took me a year. Last year I was thinking about it and said to myself "I don't need surgery. I can do it on my own" and I did. Lost 30 pounds with watching what I was eating, drank plenty of water and exercising. I felt GREAT , but put 40 pounds back on during the holiday season and felt like CRAP again! When that happened to me that was when I reconsider my decision, did all my research and said to myself, "I am tired of being overweight and ready for a change". Now I am on my road to getting it done, but my husband, some friends and my mother are not on board with my decision. My mother has a good reason as my sister had the bypass and suffered many complications in result to that surgery. My sister went from about 400 pounds to about 140. She does not look healthy at all. Therefore, my mother is afraid for her second daughter to go through the same issues. I told my mother this is a different procedure and I will be OK. I am a strong believer in positive thoughts brings positive results. As for my husband, we are not in good terms so I think it is more of an insecure issue with him. My friends, I think it is more jealousy. Overall, it makes me sad that they feel this way, but does not sway me any other way with my decision. I am looking forward to being healthier. Looking forward to doing activities I know I an not phsycially able to do now and just overall being happier. I am moving forward with my decision with or without their support.

Thank you faurgb! Truly appreciate your support! Wishing you tunes of success on your journey to a healthier you! Can't wait to see your process. :-)

Congrats and keep it moving!

My 3rd visit is actually tomorrow and the first month I lost 6pds, but really by accident. During the summer months I always drop weight because I am not hungry. My NUT was so happy. My 2nd month she asked me to track everything I eat and sadly I did not do that due to stress in my life. Could not focus. So not sure what is going to happen tomorrow. My new life style change meal plan (don't want to call it a diet) is low card, protein, tunes of fluids (water) and walking. I have done NOTHING in August. I think I may have even put back on some of those 6pds I lost. I really want to do better at this as I plan to be the healthiest I have ever been in my life after my surgery. So this month, I will take it more seriously. Good luck on your journey!

Like that quote "The saying is true- nothing tastes as good as skinny feels " And size 8, you GO!

That is fabulous! CONGRATS! Looking forward to having the same feeling. Wishing you continue success on your way to a healthier you!

I have to say that reading blogs and viewing photos are so inspirational to me. When I made the decision to have this surgery it took me a year to say "I am going to do it". Now I am so excited to know that I am making the right choice for me and only me. I can't wait to have my surgery which is scheduled for Dec. 26th, 2013. Just want to thank everyone on here for the good and bad stories reguarding their experiences and I wish EVERYONE success on their healthy weight loss journey!