IveGotThePower

You look amazing! Congratulations on your success! Sent from my SM-N920V using the BariatricPal App

Hubby is awesome, and very supportive. So, when I ask him to indulge me with things like way too many trips to the mall and new (on sale) clothes and high heels that I normally wouldn't buy. He is encouraging and always has a smile. And when I have told him for the millionth time that day to look at how baggy these pants are he again smiles and agrees every time. Any sweet things your significant other does to support your efforts?

I had this happen 3 or 4 times as well a few weeks after surgery. I spoke with my nutritionist about it and I think it was a drop in sugar. She gave me a sugar monitor and I tested again for a few days, but it did not happen again. Awful feeling. I haven't had it since and my NUT said she has had some people who have that happen. Hopefully you don't have it again.

I wondered if I would enjoy food again after surgery and I remember reading a post from someone who said she enjoyed food 100% as much as she did before surgery. I am 5.5 months out and I agree with her completely. I enjoy what I eat. I just feel sated with a much lesser amount of food. Another person at a meeting pre surgery said that food doesn't call to her like it did before surgery. That is also exactly how I feel. Before, food was like a drill sergeant in my head or a panic that made me feel like I needed to eat this or that NOW. I felt like I had no control over food. Now, after small amounts of food I feel like I just had a satisfying meal and I'm good. It's an even/neutral feeling. No panic or feeling of withdrawal or wanting food so bad you are almost shaking. Now I often take a few bites here and there of foods I love (mostly high protein) and it is still insane to me how I suffered through so many diets for so many years with such poor results, and now I am actually loosing a significant amount of weight while truly enjoying food. Mind Blown!

I have been making a large batch of Bourbon salmon, jerk shrimp and frozen crab cakes. Then muching on them all weekend. The salmon is already marinated at Publix (if you have one) And I just mix a little of Grace Jerk seasoning (comes in a jar) with olive oil and brush a little on the shrimp and "grill" them on the stove in a cast Iron grill pan while the crab cakes are baking in the oven. It's not cheap, but cheaper than going out and buying that same meal. Also, I keep a large container of cottage cheese in the fridge and grab a few spoons here and there. Also grab a cup of Fairlife milk which was also mentioned above.

LOVE this idea! Yes I have lots of items that I bought but are still unused. I wish I had thought of this right after surgery. I am certain pampering myself would have been a wonderful thing while recuperating. I do mani-pedis regularly and love the stress relief as well as the cute fingers and toes. I love this idea so much that I am going to make it a priority. We are so worth it

Yes, I see a family member dieting now also. I'm taking it as though I inspired him. But it could very well be a little competition going on from his way of thinking. I wish him all the success in the world. But in the end I believe this amazing sleeve gives me a huge advantage and I almost feel a little sorry for him, because I think he still believes it's just a matter of willpower. I now know it is SO much more than that.

Holy Toledo Batman! You look almost perfect! The only thing missing is a great big smile on the after picture Amazing job! High Five!

I didn't tell anyone until a week before surgery. Then I told my team of co workers (who are guys). They asked a few questions and after a few weeks it was a non-issue. I have also told some female co workers and I have received some ugly/ignorant comments from them. My experience is that the women have reacted negatively a lot more than the men have, which I find interesting. I don't regret telling people though. I didn't expect anything from them anyway I just share now if it comes up in conversation. I don't feel the need to make something up that isn't true. If they are judging me now, then when I was a bigger person, they were judging me then too. I am very comfortable and very happy with my decision. By being open, I hope that maybe my experience can help someone else.

Congratulations! You look amazing!

Yep. 62 lbs and at least 1/2 size down. Sent from my SM-N920V using the BariatricPal App

I'm reading that the average weight loss for VSG is 60-65%. Although I have seen 80% also, but mostly 60-65%. Does anyone know if this is the amount from the date of surgery or if it includes the preop diet weight loss also?

Thank you KristenLe. Doing my best. Not to say that I don't have a greek yogurt pop or a handful of popcorn once in a while. Life is too short. And I could not do it without my sleeve. This is such an amazing learning experience for me.

For me, I eat turkey, chicken, salmon, shrimp, eggs, cheese, milk, plain greek yogurt, fresh steamed broccoli, cauliflower, nuts and legumes. I do use seasonings and olive oil. I also love avocados.

Thank you HillaryA for posting the details of your nutritional intake. I would really love to hear about your blood work results and hope you will post them. I believe I am also very carbohydrate sensitive. Since two days ago, I lost another 2 lbs, so I believe so 6 lbs in 8 days. I am sure it will slow down, but weight has NEVER come off this fast before. Just tested and the ketosis sticks show I am producing ketones. My appetite is definitely less as well. I think I'm going to stick with this for a few weeks and see how it goes. I will also have blood work done in the next month.

The response I received from my Nutritionist was that ketosis usually happens when you consume less than 50 grams of carbs a day. That is about the equivalent of 3 servings of either diary, fruit or starch. She advised that I continue to include healthy Protein sources that have natural carbohydrates (yogurt, milk, legumes). Didn't really answer my question about whether it is safe or not. Maybe that is not an easy answer. My NUT is excellent. I've been using her for over a year and I trust her, but I will ask specifically when we meet next month. Additionally, I ordered the ketosis strips so I can check to see if/when I am actually producing ketones. By the way. I lost another lb. So that was 5 lbs in 7 days. Way more than I've been losing. I also know my appetite has decreased. I am still eating. But there isn't much in the way of hunger at all. Anyone tried the sticks and anyone who specifically stayed in ketosis for a period of time with success...or not?

The number I sort of use is based on the statistical average. But I know that is just an average. I too would like to do a little better than that and considering my experience so far I believe I will. Picturing myself at 150 is also difficult for me. Everyday I'm surprised that the weight stays off and keeps going down. If the weight loss stopped now, it would still be so worth it. To me it is such an odd feeling that I am actually losing weight with less effort than when I tried over and over so hard and couldn't lose anything. I'm just doing the best I can, having a blast on this wonderful insane ride and I will see where it takes me. Enjoy the ride!

Thanks for the update. Congratulations on the 75 lb loss! That is wonderful and I know that must feel AMAZING!

You so hit a nerve with me on this. Do your research. Attend support group meetings. Read other's experiences here (the good and the bad) and read the statistics. I did this and read 3 books and lots more and am so glad I did. You will be the BEST person to make that decision. I spent 20 years doing WW and a LOT of other things to try to lose weight just like most people here. THEY DIDN'T WORK FOR ME and Didn't work for most people here. But VSG absolutely is working for me now. Doctors are just people. Ultimately our health is our decision and our responsibility. The best to you with whatever decision YOU make.

continuation... so glad I did. And my personal experience with doctors who are not involved in wls seriously have NO CLUE! I have heard comments like, "well at least it doesn't touch your stomach" and "VSG isn't bariatric surgery, it's just a procedure." from a Dr! And I've been asked what exactly is that from a doctor. It feels like I'm in the twilight zone sometimes. My Nurse from the Bariatric program that I went through told me last week that it is a constant struggle to educate the pcps about wls. There were almost 200,000 VSG surgeries alone last year. Not including the other types of wls. I kind of think that's a big number. And I believe those numbers will continue to go up.

Sorry, but I have to agree that your pcp is a moron. Mine was a moron too. I changed to a different one and am 5 months out and S

Wow! So 6 months in Ketosis with 95 pounds down! I sent an email to my nutritionist and hope she says the same thing. Weight is definitely coming off a lot faster that way. And there is less hunger for me also. Thanks for sharing. Sent from my SM-N920V using the BariatricPal App

When you look forward to deciding what to wear to work because it is so much fun now. I actually woke up early to do this the other day. When you take selfies just because you like the way you look now. I hated taking pictures of myself before. When you love clothes/shoe shopping again. Before it was depressing and something I dreaded. I'm only half way to where I think I will be. But having a BLAST!

Time Oh what wonderful things I could do with it....

What is happening is normal. Everyone is different. See your NUT if you feel the need for a closer look at your diet. I alternate between inches then lbs. Back and forth.