bikrchk

Take the time you need, but understand that Protein and hydration are a LIFETIME commitment after VSG. It's so easy to not get enough of one or the other unless you make a point to focus on it. I'm 8 months out and still have to be intentional about both. Not enough Water and my blood pressure drops so I get dizzy. Not enough protein (I still use 1-2 protein supplements per day in addition to food to hit my 70+ g) and I get tired and don't lose weight well, (not to mention the potential hair loss if you let that go for very long).

Sorry you are having this experience, especially with family. I just don't get the "that's cheating" mentality. For cheating to have taken place, there must be a winner and a loser and YOU taking action to improve YOUR health diminishes NO ONE! I used to be lazy. It hurt to move. I used to sit on the couch, or on the sofa and play video games or watch TV all the time. Now, I get up at 4:30 every morning because I love the way an hour on my bike makes me feel! I walk stairs voluntarily and choose to be more active because I can and because I'm grateful for my health. I had a disease that was killing me like it killed my dad at 54. There was a procedure available to help me fight that disease, so I took it and am ever so grateful for my new found health!

My original goal was 135 pounds, (I'm 5'6 and that puts me smack in the middle of healthy BMI, plus it's an even 100 pound loss, lol), but after losing 85 pounds and chatting with my doc, I adjusted my goal up by 10 pounds which puts me 5 pounds from goal. I'm in a size 6 now (and some of them are loose), which is a size I've NEVER seen in my adult life as I was overweight even as a child. I'm keeping a stretch goal of 135 and at the rate I'm going, I'll make that too! Doc says as long as I stay within the healthy BMI zone, it's all good. Friends\family are starting to be more vocal about telling me to stop now! I'm not sure how to stop, exactly! I know its about calories in vs calories burned, but I have no intention of dialing back the exercise, (1 hr, 5 days per week), and I don't know how I can eat more without eating more junk! I already eat what I like in small quantities which includes treats fairly often and 2 planned snacks per day. Hoping my body will "adjust" when the time comes!

I've heard that too, however I've seen folks buck that trend. One in particular had R\Y 13 years ago, lost like 200 pounds, and recently took off the last 20. I'm 8 months out and I know my weight loss has slowed down a lot over time, (which works for me as I'm about done anyway). In addition to being the easiest time to lose weight, it's the time when you'll build the habits that will need to carry your through the rest of your life as a thin person! Make the most of your first year!

Did that with a chocolate chip cookie just this week at a tech conference! Had been actively searching for them, (it was 3 pm and I KNEW there was a table somewhere)! When I found it, happily munched down half a cookie and promptly tossed the rest feeling only slightly guilty for the indiscretion and victorious for not being a glutton!

I'm down 85 pounds, 5 pounds from goal, 15 from stretch goal. I noticed it about 1/2 way through. Stomach has held up fairly well, (I'll never qualify for a tummy tuck for insurance). Boobs and arms are really loose, but I've always carried a the weight a little high so I guess it's to be expected. Never could wear Victoria's Secret before, but the girls enjoy a nice VC boost today!

I have BCBS of Kansas. I think it took about a week and 1/2. I called them every other day to "check in" and knew before the Dr's office was notified.

You will use the cr@p out of that bullet the first month post-op. So easy! I still use mine today for an occasional shake and to make home made dressings and dipping sauces for meat. Yummers!

Nothing wrong with experimenting with Protein shakes now! Just be advised that your tastes may change after surgery, so don't pre-buy large quantities of anything! Adding a protein supplement now may actually help boost your weight loss when worked into your meal plan. I know it did for me pre-op. Once I added supplements into my already low calorie pre-op plan, I lost faster.

You will get into that dress! I did the same thing before I was sleeved. I collect a Harley T shirt when I travel and was in San Francisco for work the week before my consult. I purchased a "skinny fit" Women's large shirt that I could in no way cram myself into, (I was in a 2x top at the time). Today, I'm 8 months post op and that shirt is loose! I can wear a small, (even in the skinny fit shirts) now! You'll be in that dress in no time!

My surgeon's office recommends a separate Iron supplement due to the interaction between Calcium and iron, (you don't absorb the iron in your intestines if it's taken at the same time as calcium. SO.. I take a regular Multivitamin in the morning along with a time release calcium supplement, Biotin, fishoil, a probiotic a B12 and a D3. I take an iron supplement with lunch, then another multivitamin before bed. Labs are good, so I guess its working.

You'll feel it when you begin to eat food that's more dense, and feel more satisfied as well on real food.

Do you have a PCP you can ask? I'm prepared to take at least one dose per day for life, (cut back from 2 doses\day last month), but I had reflux to begin with. Mine was "silent" and went mis-diagnosed for 10 years. It's easy for me to know now I need the stuff because I know the night time cough I get is reflux, not asthma. Mine was finally properly diagnosed due to the pre-op EGD they did for my sleeve when they found evidence of effects of too much acid. If you're asymptomatic, I don't know of another test, besides the EGD but your regular doc might.

How about... Painting my OWN toenails Doing yard work all morning and having the energy to go out and do something fun later Enjoying normal blood pressure, cholesterol and sugars, MED FREE Trotting up 4 flights of stairs with my computer backpack on every morning instead of waiting for the elevator Having my butt and my purse both fit in the movie theater seat together

You're not crazy. I never thought I'd have this concern. Ever. But I'm 5 pounds from goal, (15 from my stretch goal). I'm still losing pretty well so I'll probably make the stretch goal (135 pounds, I'm 5'6"), which will make an even 100 pound loss. I'm already in a 6 easily. Does that mean I go to a 4 or even a 2? I can't picture it. At. All. The only thing is, I've heard that most folks will gain back 10-15 pounds from their lowest weight and tend to stabilize there, so I'm trying not to stress about it unless I get to the point I can't maintain a weight I'm comfortable with. I exercise at least 5 days per week burning 500-600 calories a pop. I guess it's all about calories in\calories out. Record what goes in and what you burn and adjust as necessary would be the logic. We shall see...

It's not a big deal at all. They'll give you something to knock you out so they can have a look and make sure there are no surprises, (hernias, ulcers, etc). You'll likely wake quickly after the procedure and have no more than a scratchy throat afterwards. I didn't even have that. When they did mine, they found a small hernia and evidence of reflux that they determined was causing my chronic night time coughing. I never had heart burn and had been being treated for 10 years (unsuccessfully) for asthma. They were then able to put me on the proper medication, (along with fixing the hernia during my sleeve procedure) so now I don't have those symptoms anymore. My EGD was a major blessing!

Garmin ViVo Fit! Battery lasts an entire year and you can get the chest strap to use with your workouts. I never have to take it off to charge or sync it and it has an indicator that tells me when I've been sitting too long. Which it's telling me now to get up and move! Here I go!

I'm 8 months post op and 85 pounds down. 5 to go to my goal, 15 to my stretch goal. Still losing well, so I may actually make the stretch, (135 pounds, I'm 5'6"). I'm in a size 6 now easily. Most days I see a thin'ish person staring back at me. Not a size 6, but a healthy 8 or 10 and she looks pretty good to me! I see my friends who are an 8-10 and can't believe I'm smaller, and that the clothes I borrowed 2 months ago are too big for me now. Some days I feel like I look outright chunky. Body image is a strange chicken for sure!

I'm an open book. I'm excited to share any information I can that might help someone who is struggling and could benefit from this procedure, (or knows someone who can). As for the ridicule, maybe it's that I don't give a flying "eff" what folks think if they're against me in a decision I made to improve my health, maybe I've been lucky, maybe its in my delivery, but I've had very little negative reaction when I've told folks about my new tool.

I did early on. Mine was from low blood pressure due to slight dehydration. I upped my water and added G2 for the electrolytes which helped.

I started sushi maybe 4 months post-op. Funnily enough it was the only rice I could tolerate for several months. Today at 8 months, any rice is okay in small amounts.

I add chocolate protein to coffee. Mix with a small amount of cool water first then add the coffee in a shaker.

I'd been at least overweight since I was 8 years old. Lost the same 50 pounds multiple times. Didn't really have health problems until I turned 40, then WHOA! Hi BP, Hi cholesterol, asthma, borderline diabetes, anxiety and general pain and lethargy. I did not have the energy to work so hard at losing it again only to be unable to maintain the loss, so I decided that NOT doing it scared me more than doing it. Good decision for me! I've lost 80+ pounds, am near goal and prescription free except for the omeprazole the surgeon put me on post-op. High BP, asthma, high cholesterol and high sugars are a thing of the past and I'm enjoying my new size 6 jeans! Best of luck in your decision!