karen091866

You look amazing! I am 21 months post- op and down #110... the changes are simply beyond words. Congratulations on your success! Sent from my SM-T350 using BariatricPal mobile app

I've been on Levothyroxine since 2013 & lost #101 within my first year post-op. I do; however, fall into the category of those with thinning hair/ hair loss...despite still having a thick head of hair, my hairline has receded and I lose a significant amount each morning when I shower & shampoo my hair. Aside from that, I certainly didn't feel that my weight loss was hindered by hypothyroidism...If anything, I've been bewildered that my TSH didn't change, allowing me to take LESS Levothyroxine after losing nearly 1/2 my body mass...but the dose has remained the same.

Leggings w/o any zipper...or sweats. DEFINITELY the way to go... Comfortable and also (important) easy to get out of should you have any "post-op gastro-intestinal distress" and need to make mad dashes to the nearest bathroom. Been there/ experienced that post op...and was grateful for cooperative clothes

Good to know! I was needing to swing by GNC today & replenish my stash of Protein bars! It is often a gamble selecting/ trying something new, so "endorsements" are always nice to hear. I will pick up a few of these this afternoon--Any flavors that really struck you as wonderful? Have a great day!

StephanieSO28, I hear you--my husband and I went out to eat with some dear friends a while back, and it was odd watching them sip/eat/sip/eat during the meal...while I can no longer do that. We live in WA, on the Pacific Coast, so we're surrounded by wineries and breweries...before my surgery, I was a huge fan of locally made mead-- (honey wines)---and had a rough time giving them up. LOL...we were in a frequent buyer club @ one winery...and they hated to see me go! It was one of the 1st sacrifices I had to work into my 6 month pre-op stuff...Mead and ALL carbonation were the first things to quit cold turkey. Long story short, NOTHING tastes as good as being healthy/ thin FEELS. (that is my inner mantra when I am faced with stuff like wine, bowls of ice cream, pastries, etc)

Flushable hygiene wipes...Sold near the toilet paper. Just trust me on this...they will become your friend.

I agree w/ LipstickLady 100% about the flushable hygiene wipes...they are a Godsend. We simply have too much going on post-op and during the huge learning curves afterwards to deal with such petty distractions. Tip: Pack a small stack of wipes in a zip-lock baggie to keep in your purse, for when you're out and about. I speak from experience on the importance of this.

During my pre-op nutritionist visits, we were taught that alcohol consumption essentially stalled any/all weight loss for 3-4 days after...so I simply felt it wasn't worth it after making the decision to have my VSG. I have an indulgence, though---sugar-free Torani Bourbon Caramel syrup...drinking just doesn't appeal to me anymore...not to mention, I'm not wanting to experience any hangover, nausea, etc, due to my drastically changed BMI and stomach size...I simply don't know what my new body can/ could handle...and don't care to test that.

YIKES! Glad you're ok after that...The diet phases are in place for our own protection, as the surgical wounds heal...We definitely don't need seeds, nuts, "other rough stuff" affecting a healing wound. Get back on track & take steps to stay on track. Are you keeping a food diary? That was something that I was "strongly advised to do" during the 6-months of pre-op nutritionist visits...to track my fluids, calories, Protein, etc...but mainly, for accountability. If we have to write it down, we have to OWN it...and it makes us think twice about what we put into our mouths. Take care of yourself as you heal!

@ Sent from my SM-T350 using the BariatricPal App

I'm a floor nurse & took off 3 weeks from work...I didn't want to "go back just because I felt OK"---I wasn't going back to direct patient care until I was 100%... Even then, my first shift back @ work was tiring...the pushing, pulling, lifting, twisting & bending...I felt it all at the end of the day...and came home---sat on the couch and was out like a light. Don't rush to get back to work...Do yourself the favor & courtesy of waiting until you're 100% and have your food and Fluid routine down, somewhat...because that will be a priority, right alongside work. Take care--Hope all goes as planned for you!

You just have to constantly remember that NOTHING tastes as good as being HEALTHY feels! Keep a vigilant food log (I keep a running MS Word document going, and track my foods/ Fluid intake on my phone during the day when I'm away from my laptop) A vigilant, HONEST food log will keep you on track and accountable...On days where I've made mistakes, I've actually gone back and flagged those as "WTF days" (that's accurate and honest, and I've got to keep things real)...I reflect on what went on that day (drama or stress at work, or with family...there is ALWAYS some sort of trigger involved)---and I hold myself accountable for my choices. Regarding missing foods that we once enjoyed, there are so many credible WLS recipe resources out there -- EggFace is one of the best I've found, since she is "living this"... I'm still a newbie, being 8 months out...but my transformation and success has simply amazed my family..and me... I shared my decision to have surgery with VERY few people...and one asked me if I had any regrets, given that the VSG is permanent / irreversible....My very honest answer to her was, 'Absolutely NO REGRETS! ---It is obvious that "my way" wasn't working. The sleeve FORCES me to treat my body right." ....and I feel that way every day. Each morning, everything I put into my mouth is a CHOICE...and I now have a tool 24/7 to make sure that I make the wisest choices....That is how I look at it.---My way wasn't working, so I chose this tool to turn my life around...and in 8 months, I've made amazing progress...a non-obese BMI, wearing clothing that I'd have never worn (or have been ABLE to wear just 8 months ago)...and the health benefits have been such a blessing. It is a learning process to adjust to having a banana-sized stomach literally overnight, after having a football-sized stomach all of our previous lives. Make peace with yourself for whatever little mistakes you've made...and make friends with your new stomach...you're in this together...and you'll be fine---

So sorry to hear that you're having these issues post-op. I'm right @ 8 months out--and truly was fortunate, in that my only issue was that my IV infiltrated (went bad, the vein collapsed and the Fluid was collecting in my hand, not flowing through the vein, as intended) The gas pains can be terrible after any surgery...try warm fluids, if you haven't already. Make sure that you're doing your incentive spirometry, especially since you're taking narcotics..."Splint" your abdomen each and every time you have to get up from your "recovery nest" (bed, couch, recliner...wherever it is you're set up during your down-time)...You do this by "hugging a pillow" close to your tender belly, to offer a great deal of supprt as you get up from being seated/ laying down. You mention diarrhea...I had this issue directly post-op and quickly found out that it was the Protein powder causing it. unjury and I don't work and play well together..so I switched to IsoPure--and the problem immediately resolved. In regards to getting all of your liquids and protein, when you're early on in your recovery, why not kill 2 birds with one stone---a Protein shake is BOTH! Manage things that way until you get your other issues ironed out...That is how I did things...because all of the sip-sip-sip, no fluids with solids, etc..etc....is a huge learning curve...and you need that protein to heal. Protein shakes covers it for you! Make sure that you're taking your Prilosec (or whatever acid-reducer med your surgeon prescribed)--skipping that can cause issues, too....Don't hesitate to take your Zofran (or whichever anti-nausea med your surgeon ordered)---those can work wonders when diarrhea is an issue. I'm by no means a VSG expert...I am; however, more than happy to offer up what I've learned and found to work since starting this journey back in November of last year. Hope you're feeling better soon...Try not to let a few bumps in the road cause buyer's remorse...I'm willing to bet that you're gonna be beyond thrilled with your results and life-changing choice once things get smoothed out.

VSG is permanent...but you've known this throughout your preparatory months (nutritional counseling, psychiatric eval, all of the required medical visits) Change can be scary...I'm nearly 8 months out--and, "fortunately", was able to do some serious changing beforehand...so the post-op changes were more about me "getting acquainted" with my new banana-sized stomach. This was my first elective surgery--but something I knew that I desperately needed...so, despite it being permanent & viewed as extreme/ drastic to many-- It has been THE BEST gift I've ever given myself...hands-down. You can read success story after success story here on this forum...There are so very few "failures" out there to read about. -- This surgery has been life-changing---and only is the best of ways. Hugs and peace of mind to you...In the morning, you will do what's right for you!

Call your Nutritionist--you should've been given Protein goals/ caloric ranges post-op / as part of discharge planning. Everyone's #'s are different, since height/ weight, start/ goal weights vary so much.