pumpkin07

I notice most people with VSG hit their 50% mark between 3 and 4 mos, that is 50% of their excess weight. That is what I did too, I was at 3.5 mos. Then in the next months I lost very slowly. In 10 mos I've lost somewhere around 83% of excess weight. And now it is hard to get off. I have no idea how this compares with plication studies since it is so new, but it doesn't sound like you did the 2 week liquid diet most of us do before surgery. Definitely that accounted for some of my weight loss. Kind of gives you a running start. So half of your excess weight would be like 32 lbs. You are almost half way to that point, and that doesn't sound bad. If I had known about plication I would have considered that. My primary doctor isn't real fond of the fact that I cut out most of my stomach. I hope this surgery will alleviate concerns for many people. Like I have a brother needing surgery but scared of the radicalness of the VSG. I'm scared if he doesn't do something he will never feel good again. So I'm proud of you for choosing something that is kind of a compromise. Especially bc your BMI isn't that high to begin with.

Some behaviors are just unacceptable no matter what the reason is, right? I think he is over the top not being supportive while attempting to look to someone that he is being supportive. I am sorry you are going through all this right now. My suggestion to you is to read or re-read Boundaries and to surround yourself with tv shows/radio shows/books, etc. of men that have good family values just to remind you how good men treat their wives. Don't let your 'normal' gauge change.. Men who value their wives just do not act this way, right? You may not be strong enough today to deal with this, but just do whatever you can to remind yourself you are worthy of better than this type of treatment. Long term tolerating it would be just difficult for me. Of course, he may have a side in this so I shouldn't rush to judgement. But it kind of sounds in the way you write that this isn't the first problem. The lying is incredible in itself. Speaks volumes.

I have trouble with knees only when going upstairs. And it still hurts. I think I tore something, I heard it. And I just avoid stairs. I had foot trouble, plantar faciatis on and off. I totally did not expect to ever have trouble with that again, and in fact I have not had trouble with it in several years. Low and behold down 70 lbs and it starts acting up. My feet are so damn skinny I think my heel pad is all but gone.

Tell someone who loves you!!

WHen I am really full I get hiccups.I was cold after surgery but almost 10 mos out it has normalized.

You should do this surgery at the right time for you. I think you need more support to help w kids. This is major surgery and everyone has a different experience. You need to consider doing this as a step towards caring for yourself. Meaning pamper yourself. Can you invite someone like a relative or friend to help? I went back part time second week and I have a toddler but his nanny was making me Soup and supporting me. She was OUR nanny that week. Can you afford to pay a helper to entertain the kids? Women, we got to ask for help when we need it. You could injure yourself. Love yourself enough to get some assistance. You will need a lot of rest and sleep. I swear we make it too easy for everyone except ourselves. Would you ask your husband to care for kids 2days after getting a major organ zipped out? Nope!!! And you can't drive for a few days either... Maybe be selfish and ask for love and help. You are soooooo worth it.

I think you have gotten some great suggestions. You have been on my mind all night, bc I keep thinking you are gonna have to eat regularly. If the move is too stressful, maybe don't do it. I think your health is the most important thing right now, right? I bet your husband is very worried. I am praying for your weight gain. Do you think they made the sleeve too small? Since you are tall I would think it would be longer that some of us shorties. But perhaps you can't get enough food down or you don't eat often enough. You need to find some fatty foods, some kind of balance. Seem like TIff got the hang of it with her small sleeve. But hopefully you are getting medical care. Just wanted you to know I was thinking about you and hoping/praying you'll get some fat on those bones soon.

I had a fear at first of regaining and yet having no stomach left to spare. That would be sad. I don't really think that would happen though. I hope not. I would like to be a runner some day, to be truly fit. That is my goal - not just to be small.

Hmmm...this is one thing my primary doctor does NOT like about the sleeve - that it is irreversible in that way. He says it is not uncommon for people to not be able to maintain a good weight. I didn't ask his opinion before the surgery. But because of his concern I have tried to start leveling off before I get to my goal weight. I even thought of changing my goal for that reason, to leave a cushion. So why can you not eat much...just no appetite or bc of the virus? What is your plan? I wonder why some people lose and can't stop losing? Is it bc sleeve is too small, appetite is too small, or maybe some other health reason? I have no advise, it is obvious that you need some really great advice and attention from someone who can help you day by day to get your weight back up again. I am really worried about you, that is just too thin. It would be a shame to lose a lot of health risks only to gain another risk. I'm sure with a lot of work you can regain the weight. But you gotta be able to eat to make that happen, right? Best wishes to you. I certainly wish I could help. It is a scarey risk that is hard to comprehend when you are overweight. Can't imagine not being able to eat, not having an appetite, etc. But now it is a little clearer. I get worried when people lose their weight so darn fast. But not many people post with this complaint. BUt obviously my doctor has read about the problem so it must be in the record books as a problem for other patients. I bet your hubby is kinda worried too. Take care of you!

I am not a fry nut but can eat them if I want to. But no protein in there, so why would I want that when I could eat protein? It gets like that, you'll see. But if you have a craving you could eat fries. I would prefer homemade, you wouldn't find me at McD's much these days. That kind of low nutrient food is very repulsive to me. And wings yes, definitely, although I tend to want them milder than I used to.

I love your name. It would be fun to have the surgery as a secret I think. Its not just a tool but a SECRET tool. I like that !! There is a certain satisfaction in keeping your business to yourself.

I'm 9 months out and just wanted to add that you can eat all those things, but most of the time you won't want them. Like if I eat spag and meatballs now, which was my favorite before, I'm like tearing into it looking for the meatballs. I eat all of that I want first and then eat a couple bites of Pasta to satisfy myself. B/c if I eat the pasta first I guess my body won't get what it needs so the craving sort of switches. You can't eat a lot of both, so you tend to go for what your body must have first. The cravings sort of reverse in that way. Pasta won't give you the energy to keep going, and you know it. Your body guides you on eating more than your mind does. Bc it comes down to body needs, which are pretty powerful. There are still times I think of nothing but food. I went through like a week a of eating just strangely recently, just could not get satisfied. Kind of a binge? And that will happen to me every few months. And then it passed, probably hormonal. But the diference is with the restriction I can't do myself as much damage b/c the volume is cut short. On Thanksgiving I sort of snacked while I cooked for 3 days , as we had a big group over for a huge spread of food, so when the meal came it was absolutely not a big deal. I ate a tad of a plate, like some turkey/ham/bit of dressing, potatoes, corn, etc. No roll. Then I picked on ham (it was sweet/smoked yum) all day and never got hungry again. I ate a little dessert, but honestly I just couldn't ever get my stomach empty enough to put down a plate of food. A lot of grazing but just never could pig out. But since I cooked it all I was pretty done with it anyway. Your life will just be different. I don't miss pigging out at all. Like if I want pizza I eat it, but I just can't eat so much of it. Once I ate 3 slices of thin pizza over the course of an evening. It satisfied the craving I was having. But usually I'm fine with a piece or piece and a half. I needed the restriction. It keeps me out of trouble. But I don't crave white carbs often, and am fine with a couple bites. What you have to realize is you WILL be full on less food. You will feel totally satisfied after a meal a lot of the time. There are times I feel I need more food than I can eat, especially if I went too long without eating. And that can be frustrating because my body is still wanting more fish, for instance, but I have no more room to eat more. But I just have to make a point to eat more often at those times to satisfy the nutritional needs of my body. That was never an issue before surgery, but it happens if I skip meals b/c I'm busy. I eat fish Soup now, which is pure Protein. We buy it at this seafood place. This reallllly satisfies my body's need for protein. When I need a boost I'll eat that. I eat a little asian rice with it, yum. The soup is like heroin for my body, which craves protein in this form. I never ate that before, I would have went straight for the fried shrimp. I really don't eat much fried shrimp now, and if I do I will often take off the breading. How weird, huh?

I caught on right away bc me too...i havenew little bones in my FEET too. Starting to feel bones in my legs occasionally, like in my calves. I"m sure thin people would laugh at that. I don't remember ever having them before.

Congrats Catgirl on 115 lbs. How close are you to goal? Has your losing slowed down? .

Yes it is weird to get attention again. I remember the first time someone looked at me and didn't look away. I was like who are they staring at etc, not realizing that I just wasn't repulsive to them, I wasn't invisible. That is pretty hard core I know, but when you are over the acceptable weight in the eyes of almost everyone, people just look away, look through, etc. So it is good, but sad b/c you are the same person. Oh well, you cannot fight the world though. I'll take thin over fat any day. As long as I'm healthy and feel good.

When God closes a door, he opens a window. You'll find a way, or its not meant to be...either way goodness will be in your future. DON'T give up on your dreams. Be resourceful, save money like a fool. Do a fundraiser for you. I know this guy that does fundraisers for my school. He said he has individuals that do their own fund raisers like selling magazines or chocolates or gifts (I know, kinda counterproductive). They earn 40-50% He even has a guy that works his way through college just selling magazine subscriptions. There is a way.......fight for it. Do something outlandish. You'll get there.

I vote NO. I went back to work a week after surgery and I sat and cried for the day, and then started feeling better as the days followed. If I had to stand I may have passed out as I was very weak. So I would reschedule the surgery or the winter ball, or let someone else do hair for the ball. It won't be fun, you'll feel like crap, and whatever money you make will not be worth your health. It would be too taxing in my opinion. You may have a good day or a bad day. I think those that take off for 2 weeks are smartest.

My thought was also that you have been successful. YOu focus a lot on what you have not accomplished, but what about what you have accomplished. I have loved coffee since I got the sleeve. I had to start limiting myself bc I couldn't sleep well so I just have a cup in the morning. Do you make it or buy it? Bc I have seen some lower acidic coffees in the store for sensitive tummies. Also my mom used to mix half decaf and half regular and that helped her get off the caffeine little by little. My addiction has been sunflower seeds b/c I can munch mindlessly. If I have them in the kitchen while cooking I can munch on them. They are Protein mostly, and if you get the Lance ones not a terrible amount of salt, although you could probably find some lower in salt. The only bad thing is sometimes one ends up in the food I'm preparing haha. Also, my car can become a wreck. I eat the ones with the shell and crack it gently w teeth. Perhaps you need to find a protein type addiction like the seeds. But they might give reflux I guess. I don't have a problem with it and the Fiber keeps things moving along. I won't buy the ones without the shell bc I always figure they used chemicals to remove them from the shell. I am an emotional eater, and still have a problem with this if something is really upsetting me. I think it has caused the losing to slow down, definitely. I wish you the best. Sounds like you are on the right road. The restriction is likely what is making you face your emotional issues with food. No matter how I look at your situaiton, it looks better than weighing more and more.

I would love to get together sometime.

Hmmmmm I definitely see myself as better, but I still feel pretty chubby most of the time. I met my husband 14 years ago, and when I finally agreed to go on a date with him I bought a shirt and kept it all these years. I was thin then when I went on that date. I remember I felt very confident. And it is kinda big now, so I'm smaller now than I was then (in between I couldn't fit in the shirt at all). But I feel big. But sometimes, when I go to 2-3 stores and squeeze into a size 8p I'm like okay, 8P is smaller so I am smaller. And I know I work harder and have much much more stamina. But I still feel big, especially my mid section. I do feel better. The other problem is I can wear the black dress, but I don't always wanna deliver the goods. haha Some people seem to get more ummmmm.....ummmmmmm....excited sexually after surgery. My husband wants to know where he can get me somadatt!

I am sort of a numbers person, and I notice you can't say 10 lbs, it depends how much excess weight a person has to lose. The greater the excess, the higher the number of pounds each month. I observed that I lost half of my excess at 3.5 months, and most people seem to be at that same point bt 3-4 months. But after that it did slow down for me. I lost 10 lb a month at first, like during that time, then 5 lb for 3-4 months, now I think 2-3 lb. It keeps cutting in half. I notice the number of lbs each month keep going down as I get closer to my goal. So now it seems like to get off the last 20+ lbs I will really need to develop some discipline and work out. But heh, I don't count cals, carbs, exercise. I'm just Proteins first, light sugar, not a lot of fried stuff, a lot of liquids like tea, coffee, my steady cherry koolaid. Some of you diet the whole way, work out, etc. I'm so proud of all you people. Makes me feel like a bumb. But with clothes now I guess I look pretty good. But no one has said "you don't need to lose any more weight". I'm still a lil pudgy. If the surgery is done correctly I honestly have trouble understanding how people could not lose weight. I would be curious why that would be. But then again, I'm having a lil difficulty getting off those last 25lb. Fish Soup is going to be my friend...

Looking great in an almost bikini.

Did things improve?

I was very open and told everyone at first. To be honest I kinda regret that enough to say it would have been more fun to not tell. People don't really want to know. I realized that after a while.