McButterpants

I stayed in a condo on the 2nd floor right after surgery - I had surgery on an outpatient basis (in at 6:00 am out by noon). I'm not joking when I say, I walked up the stairs 4 hours after surgery. I went up and down the stairs a few hours later when I went for a walk. Seriously, the stairs were not an issue for me - I just took them slow and held on to the rail. Do what's right for you - you're the one recovering from surgery! Best of luck to you!

I was a foodie before surgery - absolutely loved food. Thought about food all the time. Wanted food all the time. I was a snacker/grazer. Post surgery - it does not rule my life. I think of it as fuel for my body. I don't eat to escape emotions any more, I don't eat because I'm anxious anymore. I do enjoy food now - I savor my food now. I enjoy it. I'm three months out and can go to a restaurant and enjoy a small portion or split a meal with my husband and leave perfectly content. I have no restrictions on my diet other than "don't eat anything that makes you sick", so I get to try a lot of foods.

Pain - not so much. Discomfort - yes. My pain after my c-section was worse than the pain or discomfort I felt with VSG. My surgeon was big on pain and nausea control - he gave me pain pills for when I got home. I only took four pills and it was so I could sleep, not necessarily for pain. Feeling nervous is totally normal. You're going to do great! Best of luck to you.

One thing that I remember from one of my first doctor's appointments - she said, "Measure your food and remember, you don't have to eat it all" and "the point of eating is to rid the hunger, not necessarily to be full" Things I try to remember - sometimes I'll stop in mid-meal and try to figure out if I'm continuing to eat because I need more food if it's because I want more food. I try not to feel "uncomfortable full" if that makes sense - more of a feeling of satisfied.

I laughed at that! No kidding. Refried Beans were my go-to when I was hungry. They filled me up and kept me full.

My full feeling can be one of three things - I watch out for it because if I go past, it's not fun, it's painful. Sometimes my nose will run. Sometimes I do a hiccup/burp things. Sometimes I feel a poke in my abdomen. You're still fairly early if your surgery was in February - I think I didn't start feeling things until about my 5th week.

Yes, MEAUSREMENTS!!!! I took my measurements prior to surgery and again during both of my stalls. Both times I could see the difference in the numbers. We are conditioned to give the scale a lot more power than we should - I'm guilty of weighing every day (sometimes weighing more than once a day) and that is really unhealthy. Sometimes our bodies will hold on to Water it thinks it might need - that can move the scale by 5 pounds!

I'm coming off a 23 day stall. I stalled between weeks 3 and 4 as well. I'm not sure if there's any science behind it, but both times, I increased my calories by a little bit, like 150-200 calories and the scale started to move again. Some say you can exercise a bit harder or maybe try something different and that will work. Here's an article from butterthebean's signature line - it's worth the read: http://www.dsfacts.com/weight-loss-stall-or-plateau.html#.UwuiJhZCddg

That is awesome!

The doctor I originally went to for orientation had the sleeve - he walked in carrying a diet soda and drinking from a straw. During the orientation he listed a number of things we wouldn't be able to do after surgery - straws and soda were on the list...We called him on it and he said, "It doesn't bother me". I thought it was a do as I say, not as I do moment. I have had a soda - an adult beverage mixed with Coke. (Please don't judge me.) I felt OK after, but I only had one drink and I nursed it and stirred so there was little carbonation. I would say the soda they gave you in the hospital was an oversight.

Best of luck to you tomorrow. You got this! The day before surgery and in admitting, I almost backed out...more than a few times. I had to think about all the reasons I decided on the surgery - that brought me back. It's perfectly normal to be nervous. You'll do great and we'll be here for you when it's over. Best of luck!

100 pounds in a year is awesome - I was surprised when I heard he got the band though...I would have thought by-pass or even sleeve based on the amount of weight he had to lose. Does he need to lose more to be healthy - yes, but he's healthier today and he was a year ago. I personally believe he did it for political reasons - he wants to be president and he wasn't going to get there with his weight and health constantly in question. I wonder however, if his motivation was political and not pure with regard to his health, if he'll be successful after his life in politics is over. Nonetheless - I'd take 100 pounds!!!!!!

Mr. McButterpants and I had a conversation the other day about what I call The Fat Girl Syndrome. I told him I cannot imagine I will ever get to the point where I don't feel like the Fat Girl anymore - that's been me since I was 17 years old...the Funny Fat girl. (I seriously had a dream that night that the clerk at the grocery store referred to me as "the Big Girl" - I woke up pissed off!!!!!) I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror of a bathroom this morning - I didn't recognize the person as me; I took a double take and realized it was me! My body has changed in so many ways. Even my face sometimes - I don't recognize that person looking back at me. I still get an anxious feeling when pulling on my jeans - prior to surgery, I'd have to lay down on the bed to get them zipped. I'm down 3 sizes and my jeans are loose, but I still feel like the Fat Girl pulling on my jeans. I flew on a plane recently and I felt that same nervousness as before - I don't want to slap someone in the face with my ass as I walk by them in the aisle. I could feel my heart race as I sat down and prepared to buckle the seat belt - OMG how many times did I worry I was going to need an extender. Here I am 60 pounds lighter, I fit in the seat and no risk of needing an extender, yet I'm still worried about it. I know our perceptions of ourselves has to change - my perception of myself has been shaped over 20 years...I'm only 4 months into my journey (I count the month before surgery in that timeframe). I'm starting to like what I see in the mirror. I slather lotion on my body every day - I avoided looking at and touching my own body before. I can talk to people easier and I see their reaction to me is different as well - perhaps I don't have that "go screw yourself" look on my face anymore. I wear makeup and do my hair - I try to look nice every day.

My surgery paperwork said no make-up and no perfume.

I think for me, not telling my husband was more about denial - yes, he knew I was fat and unhealthy, but I think sharing my weight with him, meant I had to acknowledge that same fact to myself.

It wasn't discussed with my doc...I was 3 weeks post-op. I went by the "as soon as I felt up to it" theory

I told my husband my high weight - I've been hiding the number from him for 17 years. I was silently embarrassed that he and I have weighed the same for the past 10 years. He had no clue I got to 256 pounds - he was so shocked at that. I cried when I told him. He understood at that point that I had to go thru this surgery for my health. It wasn't about wanting to be skinny - he knew I was in danger. I now share my weight with him every week (even during this fu*&ing stall!!!!!!!).

I walked immediately after surgery - every hour on the hour I moved. Within a week I could do about a mile and increased from there. As far as healing - within 3 weeks, I felt like my incisions felt pretty good. Exercise - I was cleared for light weights at my 8 week check up. Walking was cleared and encouraged immediately.

Maybe it's a waste of time, but if it can save you $10,000 or more, I would give it a shot. But that's just me - what's the worst they can do - say NO?

I was allowed scrambled eggs from Day 1. I whipped up the egg with some milk - it will make them softer. I didn't puree it because the thought of that makes me want to gag. I just chewed - they are really soft anyway.

I'm not very creative either. I did a lot of canned chicken breast - whiz it up with a little low-fat mayo and mustard. I also liked fat-free refried Beans. I've eaten a lot of scrambled egg, too.

I agree - you should be known as that amazing CPA tax pro who looks awesome in men's yoga pants!!!!! I haven't been to my office in almost a year - I've lost 56 pounds since my co-workers last saw me. I think I'll have to go into the office in April. I'm actually dreading it a little because I don't want the attention.

Well, this is what happened to me - I knew I had the exclusion before I went to the surgeon for consultation. They submitted the pre-approval paperwork and the insurance company denied it. I could have gone thru the appeals process at that point.

My insurance doesn't cover ANYTHING weight loss related - it's a complete exclusion of anything weight loss related. I asked the insurance coordinator at the hospital and she said she has never seen a reversal with my exclusion. With that said, it's worth a try. If they deny, I'd appeal and push the issue.