McButterpants

I found that in the beginning that if something bothered me, I gave it up and tried it again a couple of weeks later.

I was cleared for walking immediately. I walked until I was tired, quickly moving up to 2-3 miles. I was cleared for cardio gym equipment at week 6 (elliptical and treadmill) and no restrictions at 12 weeks.

My doc was very clear in the beginning - measure your food and only eat the amount specified. I didn't feel restriction until about a month out. It's easy, especially in the mushy stage to over-eat. Once you start on the dense Proteins, you'll feel the restriction.

I had milk in my coffee once it was approved. I just didn't put milk in my shakes on days that I put it in my coffee.

I think I probably changed my mind or waffled a hundred times...right up to the day of surgery (in admitting I had thoughts of walking out thinking, "I could walk out of here and only be out $500." I think it's totally normal...this is a big decision and a life changer. My suggestion is to research, research and research some more. Come to this forum when you have questions - You'll get the perspective of people that are actually going thru or have gone thru the same thing. My parents, specifically my dad, was skeptical at first. He didn't try to talk me out of it, but he was concerned about the fact that the VSG is irreversible. He now calls it "a necessary surgical procedure". (That makes me laugh) Only you will know if you're ready - only you have to live in your body day in and day out. It's easy for someone to say "do it on your own". My response: Uh, yeah, I've been trying that for years and it isn't working.

I was cleared for walking immediately - there was no limit on walking. I got up to 3 miles fairly quickly and it felt good to move. I was cleared for gym workouts at 8 weeks - elliptical and treadmill (no lifting). At 12 weeks I had no restriction on activity. Remember, you just had major surgery - be kind to your body.

You could be confusing your hunger with acid - that happened to me. I took a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) and that feeling went away. I knew something was up because I was feeling what I thought was hunger at odd times - when I shouldn't be hungry...

I telecommute full time - I had surgery on Thursday and worked 1/2 days starting the following Monday (that Tuesday I put in a full day). If I had to go back to an office and work, I would have taken 7-10 days off. I got tired easily those first 10 days and it was nice to be able to rest when I needed to and I could walk when I was ready. I flew home 10 days after surgery with no issues. Best of luck to you!

Yep - it happens to a lot of us. I contacted the NUT 5 days after surgery to tell her I hadn't pooped since before surgery and she freaked out! I had difficulty the first 3-4 weeks after surgery and needed "help" to get things moving....I took Metamucil daily and a good quality pro-biotic. Once in a while I would take Colace and drink a strong cup of coffee if I needed extra assistance. I'm a regular kind of girl now at 6 months and really don't need to take anything. I'm sorry you had those issues...it will get better!

I was thinning on top...yes, it's thinner now. I started losing at 2 months and it's continued to now, 6 months. I love the Toppik product as well - I use it every day. Look it up - it really does work how the videos show it does. It even fooled my hair dresser. I had to go with a short cut to hide some of the loss. I will say - I wouldn't 2nd guess my decision to the have surgery, even now, knowing how much hair I've lost. It's shocking and it sucks, but I'll take it. I'm so much better off today.

I agree with Linda above...hide the scale. It's bad for your soul. Your body is trying to figure out what you just did to it. Be kind to your body - you've put it thru a lot; it will respond in kind when it's ready. For the hair...I started losing at 2 months post-op and am still shedding a little at 6.5 months, although much less now. I lost a lot of hair. My doc said that "hair is optional according to your body", it will take care of everything else before it takes care of your hair. She also said "whatever you lose due to the surgery, will grow back". I can see new growth and that is encouraging. My doc approved me taking Biotin and Folic Acid. I use Nioxcin Shampoo 4-5 times a week. I also use a product called Toppik - it hides the really thin spots (I would have never guessed it was as good as it is - my stylist didn't even know I was using it until she shampooed and saw the thinning). Hang in there, sweetie. You're going to be fine. Be patient and be kind to yourself!

Please don't stop using it without your doctor's direction. You still have sleep apnea, your surgery didn't rid you of that. I'm 6 months out and still use mine every night. I have hopes that at some point I can get rid of it, but it's not worth the risk. Losing weight doesn't necessarily guarantee your sleep apnea will go away - it might, but it might not.

I am a very private person - 5 people know that I had surgery...my parents, my husband, son and my best friend. I live in a small community where I grew up - I have seen people talk nicely to someone's face and the minute they leave, tear them apart. I didn't want to give anyone any fat to to chew. I have a very small circle of people I am close with - others I consider acquaintances and I wouldn't tell them personal stuff anyway. Maybe some day I will feel comfortable enough to tell people, but not now (I'm 6 months out). I applaud those that go out and share the message about weight loss surgery and can tell anyone.

I started losing at 2 months and it's just now slowing down at 6 months. I've lost a lot - some days it was horrifying the amount of hair I lost. I see a lot of new re-growth though, so there is light at the end of the tunnel. It's making styling a challenge. I had to go with a shorter cut because most of what I lost was on top right up front, where my bangs used to be. I use a product called Toppik - it can fill in those really thin places. My stylist didn't even know I was using it until I told her. It works just like the website shows. I take (doc approved) Biotin and Folic Acid. I use Nioxin shampoo. I focus on getting in my Protein. All the things the doc says to do. She also said, "Anything you lose due to the surgery, will grow back." There is light at the end of the tunnel. Hang in there!

I am 6 months out...I will snag a fry off my son's plate. I eat a chip or two every once in a while. It can be a slippery slope, however...be careful. The other day a handful of Doritos became two and I got a little sick to my stomach.

Mine was done on outpatient - I was in at 6:00 am and in the car at noon on the same day. Some docs will keep you a couple of nights, others on outpatient. They will not let you go home if you aren't ready - make sure you are your own advocate in that regard. I could have stayed longer, but I was ready to leave.

I wish I could say that I didn't lose hair, but sadly I cannot. I started losing at 2 months and it's continued to month 6, although now it's slowing down. I've lost quite a bit on top in the front - it is noticeable. I've also lost a lot on the sides. I have a lot of re-growth now - these hairs are about 1/4"-1/2" long. It makes styling difficult, but it's nice to see. As mentioned above, you lose hair because, to your body, hair is optional. It's going to take care of the vital organs and necessities before hair. I've taken Biotin (which helps for re-growth) and Folic Acid with the approval of my doc. I use Nioxin shampoo. I also use a product called Toppik which helps cover the thin areas. I will be honest - for me, the hair loss was horrifying at times. It's embarrassing. HOWEVER, I would do this all over again, even if the next time the hair loss is worse. This surgery has changed my life. I'm glad I did it and I wouldn't change a thing. Best of luck to you!

I'm 6 months out and salad does not sit well with me. I can eat just about anything else. I can have a little bit and I'm fine, but I do miss sitting down to a nice cold salad with veggies.

You rock! Way to go. Congrats on your success.

I am 5'4" and when I was 256 pounds, I almost needed an extender...I looked like I was steer wrestling, but I got that belt buckled without one! I had a really big a$$ and carried most of my weight in the middle.

Mr. McButterpants has been my rock during this process. He listened to me, he gave me his opinion, he loved me and he expected me to succeed. Sometimes he was brutally honest - I needed that. He was just there for me - that sounds simplistic, but I really mean that. He was there if I needed help physically, but he was also there if I needed to cry or yell or just talk about how I was feeling. He didn't wait on me after surgery - he made me get up and get my own Water, which is a good thing. Today, 6 months later, he's still my rock. He smiles when I ask him if my pants are too loose and need to go down a size. He hugs me when I cry because I'm having a bad day. He celebrates my successes and reminds me of them when I get down on myself.

I'm 6 months out and down about 70 pounds from high weight. I've told 5 people about my surgery (my parents, husband, son and best friend). Not embarrassed about my decision, I live in a small town and don't want everyone knowing my business - I've struggled with my weight since I was 17 years old...people know my struggles. So, I tell people, "I got some things straightened out with my doctor that have been a problem since high school. That made me feel better which led to being able to exercise more, then I really started looking at my diet. It's been a lot of hard work." The follow up question/questions is/are usually about the diet and exercise. I talk about Protein and reducing the amount of processed foods I eat. I tell them about my work-outs. That usually satisfies their curiousity. I really thought that at some point I would start talking to people about surgery, but that's just not me. I'm a very private person and what I'm doing is working for me. I'm proud of the hard work I've done over the past 6 months.

The sleeve doesn't stop you from eating "bad" foods...It stops you from eating large amounts of "bad" foods. You are in control of what you put in your mouth and the quantities in which you do that. I have found that I can "eat around" my sleeve - I can eat lots of carby foods like tortilla chips and never feel full. You still need to practice self control and make good choices.

I'm at about 900-1100 calories per day. I'm trying for at least 85 grams of Protein - my carbs are in the 50-60 range. i stopped logging my intake a couple of months ago and realized I was snacking too much, so I'm back to tracking now. I still do at least one shake per day - they don't fill me up like they used to, so I need to add some bulk with low glycemic berries and frozen greek yogurt (not a lot, just a couple of tablespoons to thicken). I find the shakes cut my urge for sweet stuff.