64chris

EXCELLENT, keep up the good work, you will feel so much better losing the weight. Good job, Chris

I have had problems with constipation a few times since Jan 2014. I have taken stool softeners (generic ones from Wal-Mart), which helped, also taken Metamucil in with my fruit smoothies, that really works, and I have found that if I eat sugar-free candy, it really helps. Hopefully this will help you. Good Luck, Chris

HI, I had the sleeve on 20jan2014, I originally was scheduled to take off 2 weeks, but I ended up taking 5 weeks all together. I work as a nursing assistant and could only come back to work full duty. I was pretty sore for a couple weeks and I would not have been able to do my job after only two weeks. I was 45 1/2 years old when I had my surgery, so I'm sure that was part of what took me longer to heal. I would request more time off than you need, just in case. Good Luck, I am so glad I had the surgery and feel so much better. Chris

Jill, I know exacly where you are coming from, my surgery was the same day as yours, and I feel like I have seriously fallen off the wagon and am having one heck of a hard time getting back on. I too have access to candy and other sugary foods, which I know if I eat them, I will be miserable for a little while, but yet I still do--the old habits coming back to haunt me. I have been stalled for a little over a month, going up and down a few pounds, but no real weight loss. I know what I am doing wrong, but somedays I just can't seem to get my head on straight and eat the right things. I have been eating small amounts of chocolate, chips, puff corn and even though i put it on myfitnesspal, I still can't stop. I know I need to remember all the milestones, i.e., each smaller size of clothing, being able to fit into the bathtube without both hips being squished against the sides, and able to cross my legs again. My NUT has given me articles to read, but I haven't gotten a chance to get through all of them. I have been working numerous hours of overtime, little sleep and these are definitely triggers for me for overeating, but damn I thought I would have had a better handle by now. I truly thank you for writing about how you are doing, as I sometimes think I must be the only one out there struggling. If you find out something that works for you, please let my know, I will do the same. Seriously struggling, Chris

Thank You for your words of kindness, you never really truly know what strength you do have to get you through certain life events. Just know that I truly appreciate it, even though sometimes the weight loss is slow, it it so nice to have somewhere to go and just talk and hopefully help somebody else. God Bless you all and good luck with your futures.

Hi, My name is Chris, I am 50 years old and had VSG on January 20th, 2014, in LaCrosse, WI. at Gundersen Lutheran Hospital. My surgeon was Dr. Grover and my starting weight was 322# on December 7th 2012, my weight the day of surgery was 295#, as of today, September 14th, 2014, I am down to 217.6#. My reason for surgery was that I was going to be turning 50 years old and was definately not in the best shape and needed to change my life so I could be around for my husband, children and someday grandchildren. The last 8 years truly have tested my faith and wonder for life. I have lost my parents, 2 siblings, but the worst was the loss of my oldest daughter, 2 days before Christmas 2007, she was only 23 years old. I truly have no idea how we got through it, but we did, although life is never the same, but we have to go on, as we have two other children that needed to be taken care of and loved. We also had 3 family losses on my husbands' side of the family, another one being only 22 years old, which in turn brought back all of the memories and loss of our daughter. The losses I lived through, were part of the reason for my weight gain, it was easier to eat than to deal with the pain and suffering. There were also other reasons, but I have decided I cannot live the past and must let things go and learn to enjoy the present and future. I truly wish I had had my surgery earlier in life, due to the fact that I feel so WONDERFUL,so full of energy, that I almost can't imagine how I got through life carrying so much weight around. I am down over 200# since 2012, and am hoping to lose another 50#, but if I don't, I am so thankful for where I am at now. In 2012, I wore a 4XL nursing assistant uniform, today I am in an XL. I can hardly believe it. My jeans were a 26/28, my shirts were a 4xl o a 5xl and today I fit into a 16 pants and an XL shirt. I have not worn those sizes in at least 30 years. It is hard to believe that I can go into a store and be able to fit into regular size clothes and not feel embarassed that I won't fit into anything they have or get the stares, like why are you in here? I feel so blessed that I am almost giddy. I have written down certain dates that have been important, such as the date I got into a size 18 pants, now a size 16, when I got into the different sizes of uniforms. I am now off my blood pressure medications, which makes me terribly happy. I remember the day I was able to fit into my jacuzzi tub without touching both sides of the tub and not being able to be comfortable when the jets were turned on. I feel like I am in such a new world that I am just amazed by so many things, that most people take for granted. I truly struggle with eating some days, as the old habits want to come back into play, but I know that I NEVER want to weigh over 300# again and hopefully soon, I will be under 200#. I do sometimes think that is a dream, but I am trying very hard to make that dream come true. For people who are having a hard time deciding whether to have this surgery or not, please do not wait any longer, you will be so much happier and feel so much better. It is not easy, but in life nothing is easy that you truly want. I could go on and on, but will close for now and hopefully will talk with some of you later.

Thank you for your encouragement and it is such a wonderful feeling when you get that giddy feeling. YOu will feel so much better and keep on working on those goals. Good Luck!! Chris

It is crazy how our stories are so close, the day after my surgery is when my oldest sister passed away. I truly hope you never have to feel the pain of losing a child. Good luck on your new journey, it won't be the easiest but you will feel so much better, physically and mentally. Hopefully we can talk again. Chris

Thank You, it has been a tough road, but I try to be positive. It makes it nice to hear someone say, "I'm proud of you", it makes it all worth while. Good Luck on your journey, you will also make your goal weight!!!! Chris