Montana Gal

Breakfast is a tough one for me, but this website recommended by so many on this site has been helpful. theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com

I have learned to stop comparing my weight loss to others. Like @Innersurfergirl, I have learned to embrace the many stalls!

I use Designer whey unflavored, only because it's in my local health food stores and I didn't have to order it online. I really don't taste it and usually mixe it with 2Tbsp PB2 and almond milk for my shakes. I still use Premiere Protein, but it's a nice change from the sweet flavors. During the soft stage I added it to my Greek Yogurt, scrambled eggs, ect. Good luck to you and your husband next week!

I only had to stop my pain medication for a chronic condition until after surgery. My surgeon consulted with my PCP. I agree with @@Freckles70, ask your PCP what to do with your current medication. Best wishes to you during the WLS journey!

I am 49 years old and had VSG on 2/9/16. As of today my total weight loss before and after WLS is 46 pounds. 1. How do you define long-term WLS success for yourself? For me, I think I would define my WLS success long-term by what I can do instead of what I can't. I am not sure what I want my goal weight to be, but 150 or less would be amazing. Success for me would be throwing away my cane for good...walk without it long term for years to come. To be able to get off ALL pain medication. Most of all to be able to do all the things I have always wanted to do like learn to ride a horse, go snowmobiling, travel to places outside of the U.S.(China, India and Isreal to name a few). Hike the Appalachian Trail :-) ​2. What are your biggest challenges in becoming successful long-term? Self sabotage, that's my biggest challenge. I am working really hard on this one. When things go well for me I begin to get scared, fear takes over. To me change equals fear and I can easily sabotage my efforts. I have spent a lot of years hiding from the world and blending in. To be noticed is a new concept for me as an adult. Sabotage for me usually means slipping back into old patterns, especially eating. 3. What advice do you have to those newer to WLS than you? My advice is to let all those newer than me know that no matter who you are, what you have done in the past, etc., you are worth all the good that comes with getting WLS! It is a hard, rewarding and joyful journey that is worth every step taken. Oh, and Protein first, veggies second! Follow your surgeons guidelines and meet your protein and H2O goals everyday. With the help of the sleeve, it does work!!!

I definitely do! I even have the exact outfit in my head of what I will wear once I am able. Plus, I am going to wear that outfit with the exact hiking sandals I imagine wearing while hiking with my dog.

@pr_pitbullgrl....I'll take your weather, even in the 100's, any day of the year compared to mine!!!!

This is not surprising, it's almost like when the Sugar Industry put out reports back in the 40's and 50's that sugar was healthy and good for you. Coke and the Sugar Industry have a very close/friendly relationship with one another. It's too bad that Coca Cola can't just stay in their own lane and stay out of things they shouldn't be in. I know the bottom line for them is money, but their greed has extended to owning water(Dasani), tea(Honest Tea), juice(Odwalla) and milk(Fairlife). I would like to think that my 2-3 Diet Coke's a day habit that I stopped hit them hard, but I know better.

Yes, it is common to think "maybe I can do this" without WLS. I dropped 13 pounds on my 10 day liquid diet. My thinking turned as yours has. Then I remembered all of those MANY times I lost chunks of weight on Weight Watchers, Atkins, Slimfast shakes, Diet Center, Nutrisystem and fasting to only gain it back plus more! I checked into the hospital 2/9/16 and had the VSG wihout hiesitation or regret. You know yourself the best and what will work for you. Best wishes on whatever route you choose.

Glad you are back home. Will you have time to just rest today? I hope so. From keeping up on your posts, it sounds like you might have some stressors in your life. Stress seems to contribute to A LOT of illnesses! I hope so much you feel better soon @@Sharon1964, prayers going out to you!

You are averaging about 10 pounds per month, I think that's great! You have not failed. Like most have said, you may just need to tweek your eating plan to make sure you are getting enough calories, Protein and Water. Let your Bariatric team know what's going on...call them. I have noticed that sometimes family is the last to see our weight loss. In my case it seems to be people I see randomly, like the cashier at the grocery store or the dog groomer. Hang in there and be proud of what you have already accomplished!

I too have debilitating arthritis with many joint replacements and migraines. The best thing I ever did was surround myself with a medical team specific to pain management. I am allowed to take prescription strength Ibuprofen occaionally for pain that does not go away by other means first. With the help of Lyrica, Cymbalta and Magnesium I am down to 2-3 Ibuprofen per week. I wanted the bypass as well, but the surgeon felt the sleeve was the best option due to the pain. I have no regrets. For the first time in 20 years I can sleep 5 hours straight without getting out of bed in tears.

@@Christinamo7, I am so sorry for your devastating loss as well. My prayers go up to both of you.

Both of my parents and my brother are of normal weight. My father and brother are extreme athletes and very obsessed about their weight and excersise. Both of my grandmothers were also obsessed and very critical of what they ate though neither were overweight. I fought against their obsession my whole life, as a child then as an adult. I turned into a very clever sneak eater!! My mother has dieted her whole life mostly out of pressure from those mentioned, she is also not overweight. Other than one uncle and a great great grandmother, I am the only obese one. The only one that knows of my surgery is my mom and she is supper supportive. For those that have noticed my weight loss believe it is due to a low carb high Protein diet, which is true!!! @@Valentina, I have always found your posts to be so helpful and honest. My heart sank when I read of your loss...I am truely sorry and am grateful you had your little bestfriend by your side. I don't know what I would have done without my little one as well.

Sounds like it may be difficult for you to get ahold of your surgeon, if so, please go see your regular practitioner or urgent care clinic.

I agree with @@KristenLe, please call your surgeon's office. It may be gas, your period a pulled muscle or absolutely nothing. It is improtant to let them know when something just doesn't feel right.

I am also one of those 17%, but like @@Valentina it keeps me on track. Anytime I eat or drink something too fast I get shakey, a really dry mouth, extreme nausea and weak. It is manageable, I have learned to eat/drink very slow. If you know what triggers it, you can avoid it...so please don't let it scare you away from the surgery.

Your smile says it all!!!!

Like @@VSGAnn2014, Jane13 and InnerSurferGirl, I too am a little concerned about a loan from your father. I have been in therapy a long time trying so hard to rid the effects of my father's control of my weight. It began at the age of 11 and continued unitl the age of 30. I physically moved 1000 miles away to California, but mentally the baggage came with me. I am almost 50, and still 1000 miles away. He does not know I had the surgery, nor will he ever know. If you have a healthy relationship with your father and have no other options, a contract of sorts might be a good idea. Guidelines, boundaries and a re-payment schedule. I am only 3 months out and can't speak to what happens after goal is met or the maintenance phase. I will take a 40%, 50% or any percent weight loss over how I felt at the beginning of this process one year ago.

Congratulations! Thank you for your inspirational post, I sure needed to read something like that today!

@@findingnish, when you get in contact with your surgeon's office today please let them know about your struggles. Be honest with them and tell them what you have eaten on your pre op diet. This is a serious surgery and a lot harder than I thought it would be. With all the research and preparation I did, I was still surprised! You have received some great advice from this forum and everyone is rooting for you to succeed. This is a major change, please be sure you are ready for it and really want this before you go in to surgery!

My surgeon recomended "Major Dickinson's" decaf blend...the brand is Peet's coffee. I used that before and after surgery, it did help and didn't have that weird decaf taste. Stick to your plan, you will be surprised at how fast 6 weeks go!

Unflavored protein powder mixed with 2Tbsp PB2(healthy peanut butter powder) in almond milk, hope this helps some.

I agree with @@Miss Mac, I took way too much as well. Chapstick, toiletries, cell phone and most important for me was a pair of slippers I could just slip my feet into without help....that is all I would have needed. Good luck on the 18th, you will do great!

​Half way through it and it's already so true! Very good so far, thanks for sharing!