yasmineSF

I was sleeved on May 21, 2014. I have lost 96 lbs since surgery, with a total loss of 132 lbs since January 7, 2014 (when I started my WLS journey). I would like to lose an additional 150lbs. Some days I feel really good about my weight loss. I go to the gym 4-5 times a week, doing an hour or so of cardio and ground strength training. I meet with a trainer 1-2x a week to keep me motivated and focused. I honestly never thought I would be willingly going to the gym. Other days I feel like the end is so far away and I'm starting to get tired of this process. I know it's an entire lifestyle change but it feels exhausting sometimes. My recent struggle has been with food. I was really good about sticking to 600 calories a day, high Protein, no carbs for the first three months. But lately I find myself snacking here on there on empty calories that add up, about an additional 300-400 calories I don't need and shouldn't have. I know I'm overeating for the emotional comfort, which is almost ironic because nearly every time I end up feeling sick and have to throw up the excess food. The cycle continues. In the last two months I was sexually assaulted and laid off, both unrelated, but both have really rocked my foundation. I've been trying to stay focused and am seeing my therapist very frequently. Nevertheless, sometimes it feels like I can't control myself and end up overeating or snacking on the unhealthy Snacks my roommates bring into my apartment. Does anyone have any suggestions on dealing with emotional eating post-op? I am still losing but not as much or as quickly as I think I could be. I really don't want to fail or sabotage myself. Any help or encouragement is welcomed. Thank you in advance!

Yes, doing pretty well post-op. Today is my first time I've had any craving for food, which is a little hard to manage. I've been drinking Water and two Protein shakes a day. My smaller incisions are almost healed. Only a little soreness under my rib cage. Down 27 pounds. And have my post-op check in on the 13th. As for support groups, I go to one that's once a month that my surgeon hosts for his patients. I'm in San Francisco. Let me know if you know of any and I'll join you! Feel free to private message me.

Hi all - I had VGS on Wednesday with Dr Jossart at CPMC in SF. Everything went well, no complications I had some anxieties before surgery about if my surgeon would need to open me up. I'm on the larger end of one of his usual patients. Pain hasn't been too bad but I stayed in the hospital for two nights. Felt much stronger and more like myself this morning. Happy to be home, although my hospital experience was very positive. A little nervous about getting enough fluids or Protein and not gulping. It's hard to sip but I imagine I will learn quickly as it hurts to gulp more than an ounce at a time. This far I am down 5 lbs since day of surgery but this may be because I'm on a different scale.

I had surgery on Wednesday morning. I weighed myself on my home scale: 437 I have since weighed myself the last two days I have been home, both times dropping significantly. I am now 417. It is only 4 days post-op. That's 20 lbs down!? Has this happened to anyone? I'm not getting exciting or my hopes up yet...more in shock than anything.

It really is hard to believe that just a couple days ago I teared up on the operating table. All of my RNs were fantastic and made everything so easy for me. And yes, sip sip sip. I made the mistake a couple times of gulping and ouch. Too full! Good luck to you! It will here in no time.

My sleeve is scheduled for the 21st. I have been really careful the last three months and have lost 35 lbs. but in the past couple dash I found myself overeating and having "last meal" cravings. Has this happened to anyone else? I have to get it back under control and would like to lose a couple more pounds before surgery. I don't know why I'm sabotaging myself like this. I feel sick both from upset and eating too much. Any tips or ways to cope with these pre op feelings are welcome! Thanks.

Nerves are here with a heavy hand. Feeling excited and sure that I am making the right decision but of course have lots if worries. The what if something goes wrong during surgery? What if I don't lose weight? I've taken today off work. I couldn't sleep last night and am just trying to take care of myself today. Any suggestions from those who had the day before jitters? I'm nervous that even with surgery, I won't look much better. My day of surgery weight is about 435, I started the process at 476 in January. I'm 6'. Almost 30 yrs old. Anyone in a similar bracket? Thanks everyone!

Thanks everyone for your advice and sharing your personal experiences. I really appreciate it. My surgery is next Wednesday the 21st. Can't believe it's really happening. I've reached the goal weight my surgeon set for me and trying to be as diligent as I can about fluids and Protein before surgery. I already have head hunger and cravings but trying to work through them. Last night went to dinner at one of my favorite restaurants in SF. And while I was still thoughtful about my choices, I left feeling too full and uncomfortable. I've been on a very clean diet for the last three months so it felt good to be put off by richer food. Of course I still have fears about the day of surgery and that my doctor will have trouble operating because of my size. I also worry I won't lose enough to be closer to healthy. I imagine these are common worries and ones we deal with as they come. Thanks again and best of luck to everyone on their own journey!

Can't believe my surgery date is coming so soon. I've been thinking of weight loss surgery for about 5 years now. I decided 2014 would be my year. I've done a three month health plan with my surgeon and dietician, as required by my health insurance. I was approved within days and received the call today for the 21st. For the past three months, I was expecting sometime in June, but feel excited, relieved and nervous that it is so soon. I've lost 34 lbs since Jan 7 and will try to lose about 5-7 more before surgery. My starting weight is about 450. I'm 6' and turning 30 in June. I'm nervous I won't be able to lose enough for it to even be noticeable. I'm trying not to worry, though. I know this is the best thing for me. I have not her choice. Anyone else in my weight range that can provide some insight? Thank you!

Hi there - I've been thinking about VGS for a couple years now and met with a surgeon last week. I know I need to do it but am scared I won't lose enough, that I'll still be severely obese. I am 29, 6ft tall and at my highest weight of 460. I honestly don't know how it got to be this high, it feels overwhelming. My surgeon said I would need a sleeve and after a year would need a duodenal switch because of how much I need to lose. Has anyone had both surgeries? I see lots of success stories where everyone looks amazing at 6 and 12 months postop but I haven't seen anyone with a stating weight as high as mine. My goal weight would be somewhere in the low 200s which is still so high and where many people start. I feel like that sounds so embarrassing. But to get to the low 200s would mean losing over 200 pounds through the surgery. I'm just scared. Worried that even with surgery I will still look awful. I know I need to do it, mg surgeon said I could by April/May as I have Cigna which only requires a 3-month waiting period. Any insight or supporting words would be more than appreciated. Thank you!

Does anyone fear not losing weight with VSG? Or that you won't lose enough to make the surgery worth it? Or fear that you'll mess up with postop eating? Overall I'm feeling pretty set on having surgery, I just have these fears swirling around. Has anyone had surgery and felt like they didn't lose enough to make it worth it? Or that people didn't notice? I'm not sure how much I want to lose, but considering my starting point, I would benefit from losing 150-200lbs, which seems so daunting and honestly, nearly impossible. Any insight is much appreciated.

I was recently told that because I have psoriatic arthritis and take Embrel that my VGS would be "more complicated" Anyone have VGS and take Embrel? I've had moderate to severe psoriatic arthritis for 7 years now. I am 29. When I was first investigating WLS a couple years ago, the doctor said I couldn't not have RNY because of the arthritis and that I was taking Remicade. More prone to infection and ulcers. He then suggested VGS. I took Remicade for 6 years, then switched to Humira which only made my PsA worse. I was in so much pain and certainly put on weight during this time. I found a new rheumatologist that would listen and am finally on Embrel which has been a life saver. I am weary of the complications that this may cause and would love any feedback. I am meeting w my doctor again this week to discuss it further but would love more information from all of you. Thank you!

Wow thank you all for such supportive words! I really appreciate it. I have done a bit of research about doctors here in San Francisco and this one particular doctor comes highly recommended. I am thinking I will meet with one more for another opinion. I looked up LessofSarah on YouTube and her videos were helpful and inspiring. It's incredible to see how much weight people can lose with VSG, so long as it is paired with proper diet and exercise. Do any of you find it really difficult to keep up the strict diet plans? As for exercise, I imagine it gets easier as you lose more weight. Thanks again for your encouragement, means a lot.

Thanks for your reply. It's nice to know I am not alone. My doctor said that with the amt I need to lose, VGS wouldn't be enough. He prefers not to do both VGS and DS at the same time so once a year had passed and I was at a healthier weight, say 350, I would have DS and hopefully lose more. I feel ashamed he thinks I need both and that I am starting so high. I also worry about malabsorption issues with DS. Losing hair, etc. I am excited for you to have surgery scheduled so soon! I know we have to do it, that some weight off is better than staying on this path, but I am sad that what I may be able to lose is where many people start. Best of luck!!