WL WARRIOR

The first six months are the easiest time to lose weight because your restriction is at its greatest. After 6 months post-op, the stomach can start to hold a larger capacity of food and hunger increases. Thus, making it harder to lose weight. I also read somewhere that the stomach has a slight ability to stretch a little after the first 6 months. I'm assuming that is because your stomach is almost completely healed after 6 months. I did some extensive research on stomach dialation after VSG surgery out of curiosity and the fact that I want to know everything I can to succeed. Most of the research concluded that the stomach of a VSG patient will stretch due to habitual overeating. So, a few times of overeating won't cause permanent dialation. However, if you are eating past the point of fullness or discomfort multiple times a week, then it may stretch without shrinking back. I will try to find these research articles and post them. If you want to do your own research on stomach stretching, then type in the term "neo-fundus" as this is the terminology used for the part of the stomach with the capacity to stretch. Thanks for all the wonderful comments regarding my weight loss. We are all in this together and I appreciate the support!

October 7, Day of Surgery: 274 lbs. January 30: 190 lbs. I have lost 84 pounds since surgery on Oct. 7th, 2014. This process has its ups and downs, but I am extremely happy that I had VSG surgery. I've stayed on track since my pre-op diet and have not had one bit of sugar or junk food. My daily calories are between 550-600 and I walk 3 miles everyday. I'm trying to add in Pilate's to tone my body, but only do it 2-3 times a week. My goal is to be down 100 pounds by my birthday, March 11th. I want to hit my goal of 160 pounds by the end of April. My overall goal from the beginning was to get off all my extra weight within the first 6 months post op. My doctor and countless other veterans have said that it is easiest to lose weight during this time frame, so I am taking their advice.

I haven't ever had either as well. I've gotten into the habit of keeping two bites left when I'm done. Even if I still feel hungry enough to eat those last two bites, I don't. I do this because it takes 5-10 minutes to get the full feeling and I don't want to overdo it. I haven't had sugar or junk food since before surgery (3 1/2 months ago), so I don't know if that kind of food would give me trouble or not. I would rather never find out if I don't have to.

Someone from the church came to my hospital room the day after surgery. We said a prayer together and then proceeded to communion. Without thinking about it, I put the wafer in my mouth and swallowed it. It wasn't until they left that I realized what I had done. I rang for the nurse and she said that I should be fine. I was.

I just watched one show, but I got the impression that it was a fat acceptance program. Do you think fat acceptance programs should come with a health warning? I think the show is helpful in the fact that it doesn't hide her bad habits. She definitely needs to stop "playing the victim" if she ever wants to get better.

I watched episode three of "My Big Fat Fabulous Life" last week and found it disturbing. Well, maybe the real problem I had with the show is that I couldn't connect with Whitney. I know that there are morbidly obese people that are happy with their size, but sometimes I wonder if it is all an act. During show 3, she splits the back of her pants bending over in the grocery store. This happened to me as well at my heaviest. It was truly a horrific experience. I had to walk to another store with the back of my pants split so that I could purchase a pair of stretch pants. Afterwards, I had to change in my small car, which was no easy feat for a big lady. Whitney cracked up and kept laughing hysterically when her pants split and undressed in the parking lot where all could see. She's always got spare pants in her glove compartment because a fat girl always has to be prepared (according to her). The way she undressed in the parking lot like she had no care in the world is completely dumbfounding. She's either laughing on the outside, but crying on the inside OR her personality is just much different than mine. I'm not sure. In the end, it's just a show and I try not to over think it. I did get more of her story during an online news interview. She confessed that she would only consider WLS if her doctor said it was necessary. Doctors have differing opinions about the necessity of WLS. My doctor would have never suggested it for me. Also in the interview, she says she had lost 100 pounds in the past on an extremely restrictive diet. She gained it back quickly in 6 months and now wants to take an easier approach to losing weight. Good luck with that, Whitney!

Wow, never knew my hypothyroidism could be the culprit. However, I had never experienced constipation until after surgery 3 1/2 months ago. It just makes me conclude that it has to do with the surgery and dietary changes. Thanks for posting the article.

At my three month follow up meeting, the nutritionist strongly recommended all three month post op patients to stop eating yogurt. Her reasoning behind it was that it is a slider food that you can easily eat too much of and wasn't very filling. I can understand this to a point, but I really do enjoy my yogurt. There are so many foods that I no longer eat due to high sugar or carbs. I just hate adding yogurt to that list.

Sorry....I just realized this was the guy's room. Carry on men..........

I've lost 75 pounds in three months, however I doubt that I'll get to 100 by the end of month four. It would be nice, but I'm just not counting on it. Like the previous response mentioned, its getting harder as time goes by. I've stuck quite rigidly to the rules and haven't had any sugar or fattening junk food since my pre-op diet. It works better for me this way because it has eliminated the cravings or even wanting those kinds of food. I do want to lose the weight as quickly as possible and perhaps get to goal within the first 6 months post op. My physician and other post op patients have warned me how much harder it is to lose after the first six months, so I'm going to try my very best to be successful in the early stages. My loose skin is not as bad as I had anticipated. I think the weight loss has slowed down a little to give my skin time to adjust.

My legs, ankles, and face were always swollen. It was only three days after surgery when it noticeably got better. I couldn't believe it! I haven't had a problem with it since.

I had the leak test while I was under as well. However, nobody informed me of it. While I getting ready to go back home, it occurred to me that it never was done. I had to wait around an hour before someone could tell me why. I never noticed any blue dye or had ice chips either.

I agree, you do seem fixated on calories. Do you want to have an eating disorder? There is an interesting documentary on YouTube titled, "Addicted to Food: Sharon's Story". The video is split into two parts. It tells the story of a woman who became the fattest woman in Britain and was constantly ridiculed in the tabloids. She underwent WLS and was so determined to get thin that she restricted her calorie intake to a miniscule amount. She lost a lot of weight, but never really got to enjoy her new thin life. Why? Because SHE DIED of malnutrition. You have to focus on getting healthy after weight loss surgery, not starving yourself. Nevertheless, you have been told that before on this forum.

I had numbness and leg cramping from low potassium many years ago. The craming usually happened at night. It went away once I started eating a banana everyday. Have you had your three month labs yet?

There is a Muscle Milk out now that has 40 grams of protein per 12 ounces. I wasn't sure if milk protein was as good as whey protein isolate, but my nutritionist said it was okay. I've stuck to Isopure powder the last three months because it makes me feel healthy and the weight has been coming off at an adequate rate. It has 50 grams of protein per 12 ounces with no carbs or sugar. Many people complain about the taste of protein drinks, but it is something you just have to get used to. They say it takes 15 times before the taste becomes tolerable. It's doing great things for your body and that is what is important. Just grin and bear it, I say. The taste of protein shakes aren't nearly as horrible as apple cider vinegar. I use to drink 6-8 ounces of it daily and eventually lost 50 pounds. I'd rather drink liquid protein than that again any day.

I had my surgery October 7, which appears to be one day later than when you had yours. Similar to you, I don't get overly hungry all that much. I don't force myself to eat when I'm not hungry. It just doesn't make sense to me. I just had my three month follow up last week as well. I asked my bariatrician for his opinion about forcing myself to eat (without hunger) and he said not to bother eating. Furthermore, he said it was needless to worry about calorie intake as long as I was getting sufficient Vitamins, Protein, and liquid intake. I do only get 500-600 calories most days, but still get in 100 grams of protein and 60 Fluid ounces. If the my bariatrician recommended that I start eating more, I would be upset too. I'm tired of being overweight and want to get a substantial amount off during the first six months. I keep hearing that it gets a lot harder after that. As for being anxious and depressed, I think it is all too common after weight loss surgery. I get depressed during the winter months (SAD) and am trying my hardest to make it without taking Seroquil this season. I have taken the drug for the past five winters and have finally decided to rely on just cognitive behavioral therapy to cope this winter. Some days are better than others. When I get really down, I have to constantly remind myself that it's just a phase and won't last forever. How were your labs at your three month follow up? Mine were fine. Try to remind yourself on the great success you have had so far in your weight loss journey. You really are doing great!

I've always had this problem. I get hungry every day of my period. When I was dieting, I would allow myself to eat what I wanted and skip exercise during my period days. Since surgery, I no longer do that. In fact, I'm extra careful on those days to not go over my calorie limit and go on long hikes.

I'm from Jefferson City. Any idea on how to get more people from the area to join or come to a local chapter meeting? I go to the Bariatric clinic for my three month follow up on Thursday. Maybe I'll create a flyer and see if they will put it up there. I know some areas in Jeff City that may let me reserve a room 1-2 times a month. The public library usually has a room you can reserve. I don't want to reserve meeting rooms until there are enough people showing interest in attending, however. Once that happens, I can call to put it in the paper in the section with all the rest of the weekly support group meetings. There has got to be more people in our area interested in weight loss surgery (or have already had), don't you think? It keeps me on track with my eating plan when I attend support groups.

I've stuck to only getting weighed at my bariatric follow ups and PCP visits. So, I really only see my weight every 3-4 weeks. It's sometimes more if I'm sick. I'm actually anxious now about my current weight because I want to know if I've dropped below 200. However, I'm going to hold off until my three month follow up on Thursday. When you don't weigh yourself as often, then you aren't even aware of the stalls. It's not like you can do much about them anyway. Just keep following your plan and it will happen.

The Swanson Thai Ginger and Tuscan Chicken broth taste great. The Swanson Louisiana Cajun and Mexican Tortilla broth flavors are quite spicy and sometimes burn your throat when you swallow. All four flavors are much better than plain broth. I bought some herb and garlic flavor enhancers to put in my regular chicken and beef broth.

I've seen the Anthony Weiner videos on YouTube. He does not promote eating vegetables first until a patient is 6 months out. And even then, I would not begin to do so without the approval of yoyur bariatrician and careful guidance of a nutritionist. The dizziness or "feeling like you are going to faint" are classic signs of dehydration. I would start increasing your liquid and Protein intake right away. If you had this surgery to get healthy, then follow the set guidelines.

Did you quit taking your blood pressure medicine after surgery? I don't know if my blood pressure has really improved because my PCP won't discontinue or lower my Atenolol.

I am a teacher as well. Bariatric surgery is popular among teachers. The teachers at my school are a gossiping bunch, so I told nobody about the surgery. Don't you have a Spring break or an Easter Break? I've seen others use FMLA during their post op recovery time to keep their teaching position in tact. You don't get pay when you do that, however. Good luck on whatever you decide to do.

I used silicone sheets on scars and stretch marks during my 20's when I actually gave a darn. They are sticky on one side and can be left on for weeks. I found them effective, but quite pricey. Some scars will not disappear completely and hydroquinine is your best bet to flatten and fade. It will turn fresh stretch marks white. I've used Mederma and don't care for it. I know others have liked it, but I never saw much of a change even after 3 months. DO NOT put Mederma on a scab. It is suppose to be used after the scab falls off and new skin has formed. Neosporin is best used on scabs for the first two weeks and then a scar cream. Bio-oil also does a good job fading discoloration and scars.

I second that. I was on two weeks of Augmenton and another two weeks of doxycycline (sp?). I would throw the pills up if I didn't eat or drink 8 ounces of water immediately after. Also, make sure you are sitting up at least for 30 minutes after taking an antibiotic. A lot of people get yeast infections while taking heavy doses, but I was lucky I didn't. Antacids and multivitamins should be taken two hours apart from most antibiotics.