Montana Gal

Thank you CowgirlJane for you response, I am working up the nerve to call the stable I chose...hopefully will do it today.

@@OutsideMatchInside, thank you for posting the video about global obesity. I just have to say how stunned I was to learn that the schools in Chiapas, Mexico only provide CocaCola to the children. There is no water made available to them at all. The fact that CocaCola was paying the principal to do this AND he was pocketing the money for himself made the story worse than I could imagine!

I could understand having this kind of pain for the first month or so, but not at 20 weeks. I am 17 weeks out and have not experienced this. It seems a little unusual. For your health and safety my advice would be to call the surgeon's office and tell them of your concerns again and insist on a follow up sooner. Sorry I can't be of better help, please keep us posted on your progress.

I had no idea these apps even exsisted. I found this review when I looked to see what they were all about. I am astonished that these major companies would participate in this...I guess I was somewhat naïve, not anymore! "it's a fun app when you and your family are bored and have the camera open for some reason. "I have an idea, let's go FATBOOTH!" try this on a fat person, be prepared" ​

Welcome! I know it's scary and yes it's a huge decision. It sounds like you have done a lot of work on yourself mentally and I think that's a major key to sucsess in this process. You are right, it's your decision who to tell and not tell about your surgery. I told one person, my mother, and that's it. If anyone asks how I am loosing the weight I just tell them I have committed to a high Protein, low carb lifestyle. When you come home after surgery you will be sore and on different stages of dietary restrictions....I don't see how you can keep that from your teenagers. I think they will notice, so in my opinion it might be a good idea to have a talk with them. You might be surprised at how happy they will be that you decided to become a fit, active and healthy mom. This was the best decision, my only regret is not having it done about 10 years ago. Keep coming to this forum, ask a lot of questions. You will do great!

I am going to take horseback riding lessons when I hit my first goal of 60 pounds. Congratulations on your 90lbs, that's something to be very proud of!

I had to take a standard personality test before the psch eval. The Pschologist then went over the test which didn't reveal anything I didn't already know. He then asked me what I thought led to my weight gain and what kind of support system I had for after the surgery and if I had a current therapist. That was about it. Took all of maybe 30 minutes. Just answer the quetions honestly and you will do great.

You look wonderful!

I have enjoyed getting to know all of you better, thank you for sharing yourselves! -I was born in Montana but raised in Richland, Wa. Moved back to Montana in 1997 after spending a year bumming around California(the best year of my life:-) -I have never been married and have been "in love" only once. -I have no children but did raise my younger brother so I kind of feel I was a parent once. -My parents divorced about 25 years ago. They have never spoken to nor have they seen each other since. -I have spent my life so far blending in well. I have never stood out in a crowd and have worked very hard at not being noticed. If I could do it all over again I would yell loud, laugh big, wear bright colors and speak my mind. -I was an R.N. in my younger career and went back to school later in life for Political Science. I was accepted and set to join the Peace Corp in India in 1988 but had to drop out due to family illness. -I have a progressive form of Osteoarthritis and am disabled now. With continued joint replacements and weight loss I hope to join the workforce again. -I have a dark sense of humor. -I love Independent films, documentaries, T.V. dramas on Netflix("Mad Men" and "Bloodline" are my favorite) and alternative music. -My best friend is my beloved dog Emmy:-) -This post was really hard for me to write!

I like Quest bars as well, esp the strawberry cheesecake and chocolate Peanut Butter. I use Pure Protein bars in strawberry flavor too. It took some trial and error, had to give away a lot of the ones I didn't like.

I was on clear liquids for a week as well. My surgeon's guidelines were to get my Protein for that week from Isopure(GNC). I didn't like any of the flavors but kept sipping until I was moved to regular Protein shakes during the full liquid phase.

We wait so long for summer to come around here and then when it does it only lasts for a good 6 weeks....so I will be on a 6 week vacation at home! Gardening, tending to my flowers and swimming in the lake. I had to stop kayaking 3 years ago due to my weight, so I am hoping to start up again in July. It's truey amazing after reading through the replies how active we all are becoming either for the first time or starting up again! I am also trying to work up the nerve to take horseback riding lessons this summer:-)

Pre op I bought beef and chicken broth, herbal teas, sugar free Jello, sugar free popsicles and Isopure for the clear liquid phase. For the full liquid phase I bought Premiere Protein shakes and lastly for the soft food phase I bought greek yogurt and cottage cheese. I kept it really simple not knowing what I would be able to tolerate. I ended up not even touching the herbal tea and SF jello. I did live on the Outshine brand of popsicles though and still do for sweet cravings.

Why can't people just go when the traffic light turns green? Move people, it's green!

I am a little over 3 1/2 months post op and can eat about 4oz of Protein first then a bit of veggies(5-6 asparagus spears). As far as drinking goes, Water is no problem and it takes me about 30-40 minutes to drink an 8-11oz Protein shake.

I am so happy for you, amazing job!

@@saphfyre14, welcome! This is an excellent forum and has tremendously helped me both pre op and post op. My guidelines were pretty much like Inner Surfer Girl's except the different phases were in 10 day increments. The information can be overwhelming at times, but if you follow your plan, move as soon as possible and keep in contact with your Bariatric team you will do great!

Gas pain in the chest and shouler area from the air/gas they use during the surgery. I wish I had known about this, I expected pain in the surgical area but not in the chest. I was scared I was having a heart attack when I woke up in recovery. But I wasn't, and all was well. Walk, move around as soon as you can after surgery...this will help a lot. Good luck to you on this amazing journey! You will do great!

I am 3 months post op as well, congratulations @@BelgianGuy!!!

I agree, Outshine brand of popsicles is a lifesaver, especially during the first few weeks. Like @@Christinamo7, I still have them as my dessert in the evenings. Hang in there, it does get better.

@@Kindle, I am so happy for you! Not only because of your new "normal" weight range, but because of your boost in energy and mood. You have been such an inspiration to me before and after my WLS. Reading your posts and replies always give me a good and clear understanding of nutrition and what the body goes through after WLS....thank you!

@@asolanom, I had my VSG on 2/9/16, my one regret....wish I had done this 10 years ago. The first week was very hard, then each week it got a little better. Before I knew it a few months had passed and all of the changes became my "new normal". What has really amazed me about this surgery is that if you follow your surgeons guidelines like Protein and Water goals, exercise a little each day the weight really does come off. Other "diets" in the past have always failed, even if I follow them to the letter. Yes, this surgery is a commitment and a big lifestyle change, but the results are so motivating and the surgery actually got me excited for the first time about nutrition! I am obsessed with clean and healthy food for the first time. I hope this helps, I know it's scary...there are options and lots of hope! Good luck to you!