RaginCajun

Greetings to Fellow Sleevers and Sleevers-to-Be - The purpose of this post if to provide some experience to the older crowd that might be considering VSG, as compared to usual ways to loose weight plus exercise. ME: I am 2 months post-op VSG. My surgery went incredibly well (4-16-2015). I had little to no pain, could drink Water soon after, could eat with no discomfort. Was moved to soft foods at one week post op (normal for my program if you are proceeding well). I was able to eat shellfish at two weeks post-op, btw. Can eat quite a bit with no issues, keep my daily calories < 700 and my daily carbs < 50. I use KetoStix to assure my body stays in state of Ketosis, which I personally believe is key to losing max weight during the critical 12-18 months post-op. So, my journey has been a great one. I have both knees requiring full replacement and have had back surgery/issues at L4/L5. So, I currently get little to no exercise. PS Part of my motivation for WLS was to drive BMI down to level having the knee replacements with much lower risk and better rehab potential. While preparing to start using a personal trainer at my VSG 3 month post-op timeline, I stumbled across some details and documentation on my weight loss the last time I was serious. This was at age 50 back in 2009. My approach then was NutriSystem. In January 2009, ironically, my weight was 385 - about same as it was on date of my VSG surgery. At the same time, I began to use a Personal Trainer at local Golds Gym. So, it was a very intense strict diet and 3x to 5x workouts a week. Those old records show that I successfully lost 65 lbs, taking 10 months to achieve that milestone. Approx. 6 lbs a week. Including working out (mostly cardio and weight machines). Reminding me of this time in my life, I have the cute little NutriSystem bears from 10 lbs lost to 60 lbs lost. BUT - no surprise, at that point I became bored with the diet and went back to bad habits, gaining all the weight back in approx. 2 years. Playing the movie forward, as of yesterday (6-19-2015) I have lost 65 lbs since my VSG. The staggering and compelling comparison is as follows: THEN >>> Time to lose 65 lbs - with focused diet program and personal trainer >>> 9 months. NOW >>> Time to lose 65 lbs - with VSG and little to no exercise >>> 2 months. What else do you need to know! VSG was the greatest decision I have ever made. I feel no hunger and plan to see this journey to my goal weight. Even if I wanted to cheat and eat bad things, I am a quantity eater, so its just a physical fact that I will not be able to hold much food. So, if you are a member of the older crowd of 50+ yrs of age, VSG can and will work for you. DO IT!!!!! -RC-

Hi All - I am curious about how the ability to eat returns once past the critical 12-18 month period where weight loss is fast and aggressive. As an example, lets say before sleeve I could go to Outback and eat: 1/3 Bloomin' Onion; 1/2 Bread; Salad; 12oz Ribeye; and Baked Potatoe with butter and sour cream. And drink about 4 glasses of sweet tea to wash it all down. Question: Compared to above >>> Once at 1yr to 2yr post-op normalization >>> how much will the sleeve restriction allow a person to eat? Ball park, of course. Aware of the fact that stomach can stretch and a lot of eating behaviors must change ... BUT my question is focused on the physical capacity ... comparing BEFORE/AFTER. I recall reading one guy discussing the Outback scenario as after he would order the Victoria's Filet and maybe not eat all of it, along with some veggies on the side. Let me know what your experiences have been, if you can share. Cheers and regards ... -RC-

What a great story, and an awesome NSV!!! -RC-

Just before Christmas, I had the most marvelous experience. For the past 20 years, I have had to buy clothes in the BIG&TALL section, or in the era of on-line shopping, would have to pay up for larger sizes for Lee or Levi jeans. Would cost anywhere from $35-$50. Last week, I actually was able to buy Wrangler Jeans at a Walmart store right from the shelf, for $17. Its a wonderful thing! Happy New Year out there ... -RC-

Hi All - I am 56 yr old male and approx. 9 months post-op VSG. Recently, I have started to have profuse night sweat episodes. Happens for a few nights and then goes away. But will return. Notice some posts on the Internet about this, and specific to WLS patients. Noticed one of two threads here, but very old with no recent posts. Some of the theories were: 1) Body will sweat to release fat and toxins 2) Body is confused by the rapid weight loss 3) Hormonal reaction by body (thinks its going thru menopause, even for men with WLS) 4) May be response to limited food intake, and specifically no Protein close to bedtime So, I wanted to raise the topic again. QUESTION: Has anyone had any episodes of night sweats, which seem to relate to no other cause beyond the body reaction to WLS? -RC-

Its true what they say, grazing will undermine everything. This was my first Christmas since VSG this past spring. With so much bad stuff in the house - Christmas Cookies, chocolate, and other holiday goodies ... I found myself snacking throughout the day and night (something I had not done since VSG). After consistently losing 2-3 lbs a week since surgery, I actually gained 1 lb the week before and though Christmas. Went on a trip right after Christmas to FL. While I was eating out all meals, I didn't eat anything in between. Just got home AND ... lost the pound I had gained and 2 more. My body picked right up where it left off. Conclusion: Grazing is the DEVIL! -RC-

What an awesome NSV. My own experience is like yours, in that sometimes I look at clothes and do not believe they will fit ... AND THEY DO Recently bought some shorts in size 44 (I used to wear size 60 pre-op). When I looked them, couldn't believe I could fit in something so tiny. Yet they fit. PS Hoping your visit to HOT-lanta was a fun one. -RC-

NSV = Non scale Victory Thats one you will want to know. -RC-

Great job!

My experience: THEN: At 56 and 387 pounds, I felt like 76. ... VSG nine months ago ... AS OF TODAY: At 56 and 250 pounds, I feel like 36. 'Nuff said -RC-

Well, with few exceptions, you can't 'work yourself' to death. But you can certainly 'eat yourself' to death. Seeing a therapist will help. -RC-

Thats ironic, because 'binge eating' is what the WLS will address. By that I mean the ONE THING that WLS does for us is to restrict severely the amount of food we can eat at a single 'feeding'. Maybe they think you will overeat and 'blow up'??? -RC-

And after you lose the weight, you will have ... LOTS MORE DATES -RC-

I knew this was ABSOLUTELY the right decision when it was revealed that I lost 30 lbs just on the 2-week pre-op liquid diet alone. Its been ALL DOWNHILL since (on the scale, that is). -RC-

The Old = food controlled YOU The New = YOU control FOOD Moral of this is: Don't feel "BLUE" ... feel "NEW" Happy new Year. -RC-

You'll do well. Just remember that WLS serves a single purpose, it keeps us from eating a lot at a single 'feeding'. Make sure you will be able to remove temptation to eat continuously throughout the day. That is the one thing which can undermine everything you will be trying to accomplish. -RC-

Before = 6-8 After = Lucky to finish one Of course, thats a single sit-down to eat. WLS helps to restrict the amount of food we can consume at one 'feeding'. The challenge is to avoid eating 'little meals' throughout the day. -RC-

Congrats on starting the new year with a new 'skinnier' you -RC-

WLS will help you lose weight, as it keeps us from eating a lot at one 'feeding'. Your key to success for a life long journey after WLS is to make sure you can fend off the grazing problem. That to mean, will you be able to manage stress and emotional drivers, to stay on course (for a lifetime). YOU CAN DO IT!!! -RC-

Good job!

Just remember that WLS gives us ONE tool in the tool box, we cant eat a lot at one 'feeding'. But, you can undo everything by grazing and eating a little throughout the day. Remove all of the temptations and you will be fine! -RC-

You look a helluva lot better than Miley Cyrus!!!! -RC-

Best of luck on your journey. Its only down from here (on the scale that is). -RC-

Can someone share what the symptoms of the gall bladder problem is, associated with WLS. And, do we have a theory on what causes it? Is it not drinking enuf Water? -RC-

Hi Kim - I think all of us go thru that stage. For example, I had a real hard time being around food for the Christmas holiday season and started to snack on Cookies and chocolates and other holiday goodies that were in the house. I actually gained a pound the week of Christmas. Then, I took a trip after Christmas and didn't have the access to the bad stuff. Even though I was eating out a lot, wasn't around all of the 'grazing' temptations. Lost the pound I gained and two more!!! Based upon my experience, it is clear that the road to success is to remove all of the bad stuff. WLS has one specific goal, to keep us from eating a ton at one 'feeding'. And we get a side benefit that the chemical "grellin" (sp?) that causes physical hunger is not produced by our body for 12-18 months post-op. You can do this, just get your mindset back to what it needs to be by REMEMBERING THE LOW SPOT IN YOUR LIFE THAT BROUGHT YOU TO WLS AND THEN RECOGNIZE HOW WELL YOU HAVE DONE!!!!! Post that before/after pic on your fridge, or anywhere else you have the 'bad stuff'. PS You look fantastic in the pic. Way to go. What a great 'new you' to go with the 'new year' -RC-