Casey235

Just wanted to take the time to say I am very happy with the decision to have this surgery! I believe it was Gods will to get me and every other fellow sleever healthy! Thank you God for allowing my surgeon to be knowledgeable enough to perform my surgery, thank you for guiding the nurses, workers, and every one else who was a part of helping me on April 8, 2015! Thank you God for their knowledge and for passing it along to me to be able to live a healthier life! Thank you God for this website, for more reasons than one! I pray for all of those who are having problems, or struggling with something that you will guide them through the storm! Life is not a guarantee but Heaven can be! I'm so thankful I have a spot reserved for me there! Do you? I truly am thankful to God, and just want to share my experience with others! I'm sure I'm not alone here, and even though I know some will not agree with me, it's ok!

Just thought I'd share this photo! I was so excited when I saw my x-ray today!!! I am having esophageal spasms so I had a barium swallow test done... You can see my spine in the background, and My itty bitty tummy is the tube that comes from behind it and gets darker at the bottom!!! I'm so happy with the way my surgeon cut my stomach, and my surgery experience itself has been great! 4 weeks out down 30 lbs!! Woohoo!!! God is Good!!

Has anyone used Alabama Weight Loss Surgery in Birmingham, AL with Dr. Miles and Dr. Schmitt?

I'm in! CW :198 GW :185

Well I have been debating on posting this or not because of a lot of the harsh comments I've read. I am scheduled for vsg April 8th, my pre-op starts April 1st. I have been living it up these past couple of weeks eating all kinds of things because I fear that I won't be able to have them again. I've seen posts about people cheating on their pre-op diet and looking for encouragement, instead (certain posters) end up telling them if you don't do it pre op what makes you think you will do it post op... And so on.... And so on.... I mean I don't know who some of you people were before surgery, but did you not love to eat? Is that not how we all got fat? I really want to be healthy but I really want to be skinny too. So am I alone in what I'm doing before I start my diet? Another poster added that if we all could have done what we were supposed to have done before surgery, we wouldn't have had the need for surgery at all. Amen!!! We all have a problem right? Sometimes I think these "fitness junkies" shouldn't be commenting on posts that don't necessarily pertain to them. Just because it's easy for one person doesn't mean it's going to be easy for another! Maybe I just want to see if this was anybody else pre op, and if so, was the surgery enough to change your mindset post op?

I'd like to know if there is any "valid" info on it as well! Instead of just everyone else's useless rude comments! Lol Why judge someone for being truthful when you could just give them insightful encouragement instead? I have not drank alcohol, soda, or anything else I wasn't supposed to but Lord knows if I did I wouldn't post it on this board people are way to hypocritical. Lol I'll ask my nut for real medical examples of why not to drink soda and alcohol and try to post it on here when I can.

Yesss!! The chocolate and regular are both delicious and full of protein!! I have a glass almost every night!!

Definitely not alone!!!! We all slip on occasion!!

Straws are also ok after 4 to 6 weeks!!! You cannot deprive yourself of everything! Moderation is always the key for me! If I want pasta, I'll have a bite or two after I've had my protein!!! Or a bite of a cookie one day!!!

You wanted the bariatrics police... And I see you got them!!!! LoL

Fairlife milk is the best thing that's ever happened to me!! I used to drink 1/2 a gallon of 1% every two days, so I missed milk! But the fairlife is great, chocolate and regular! I'd definitely recommend it to anyone! Wal mart and target both have it where I live in Alabama

Have had two c-sections and a hysterectomy (all before age 26) ... This surgery is much better as far as pain goes! For me it doesn't even come close! Also had my gal bladder out and it was even worse than VSG. I had no gas pains, so I can't help with that, so my main complaint the first few weeks were head hunger! Most of my problem was mental!!!

I have at least one protein bar a day, plus a protein shake! The bars practically dissolve when you chew them! Cheese also helps me get to protein goal!!!

It's so hard! I'm not gonna lie because it doesn't get easier! This is where we have to muster up all the willpower we have in our whole bodies and be strong!!! A week or two after surgery will be so much easier, then three weeks is even better, and so on and so on!!! Hang in there because it's soooo worth it!

Used ALWLS in Birmingham, Dr. Lee Schmitt! Awesome Doctor and staff!!!

My goal was to lose 80-90 lbs, so I don't think the surgery is only for people who want to lose over 100... I've seen many success stories with people losing 100 or less! Good luck to you whatever you decide! I just know I could lose 20, maybe 40 with diet pills, but each time I gained back plus some! With the sleeve I believe I will be able to keep it off because it's a wonderful tool to help you eat less!!!

I started to try a hypnotist once! ????

Stay off of Pinterest!!! I couldn't even look at it because of all the food!! Lol

I also get that sharp pain if I accidentally take a drink too soon!! I do drink up until I eat, but will probably always wait 30 minutes after before I drink! It hurts too bad!!! You should see some of the looks I get in restaurants! Lol

Maybe it's from all of the sweet protein shakes we had to endure! Just a thought! Lol I know I'm sick of chocolate shakes and chocolate bars!!! But I have to have them! Haven't tried "real chocolate" yet!

You can do it!!!

Wow! You had a nice long time at home! Just be thankful that you were allowed that long at home to heal! I went back to work after a week! You are a couple of weeks ahead of me, but I usually take some chicken salad or hummus for lunch, and cheese and Protein shakes and bars for snack! Going back to work really helped me get back on track and start to feel somewhat normal again! Good luck!

Just for those little moments when you are just home for a little bit, or watching tv, the times we are usually eating, are the hardest! I completely understand!!! But... Once you are able to eat real food and are off the liquids your cravings will likely calm down some. The reason they did for me was because food doesn't make me feel the same anymore. I used to be able to eat and get so full, and feel great, but bad at the same time! Lol Now food is just here to make sure I have enough nutrients to get by. I think it's part physical (with our tiny tummies) and part mental!! I really rely on cheeses and Protein bars to help my cravings, and you will see that once you can have these things it doesn't take but just a little bit to fill you up! Good luck, it does get better I promise!!!

I was too right before my surgery! Good luck to you! Sending prayers your way! ????

I would like to know this too! I took it a few times before surgery and I was groggy in the mornings after taking it. Honestly I've been scared to try something after surgery but boy do u need it! Sleepy time tea helps a little, so does lavender essential oil on my nose, but not every night!