MTL

Good for you, congrats. I'm in a stall, but seeing my nutritionist & support group for help. The stall's because I cheat: so I'm recommitted to following the VGS diet protocols. It helps me to see the progress you've made, as well as others. Thanks.

Hi Sunn, You'll get up and walk as much as possible right after surgery, You'll be hooked up to an IV & your nurse will help you set the pace. I walked hourly and after 8 hours, 2-3x's in a loop. You'll get ice chips at first, and medications for nausea & pain. You'll only be able to consume 2 oz at atime of: broth, SF Italian Ices, SF jellos, SF puddings, SF popsicles & SF drinks at first, then 4 oz by the time you leave the hsp in one hour's time. H20 is so difficult for the next months, so the SF Great Value drinks at Walmart are your best bet, costing less than Crystal Light, you get more & have a great variety. Like most, I was discharged the next day, after I'd been given the SF shakes to try & after my surgeon checked in w me. Your pain & anti nausea meds will be filled before you leave the hsp, and you will need them. Your stomach will be very sore, so sitting or lying down & being propped up with a heating pad on your stomach/abdomen is a good thing to do for yourself. I walked my dogs up and down over and around the sidewalks near my home, By day two I increased my distance & walking speed. During this time I drank my shakes slowly & I built up to 8 oz/per hour. I included in the hour: 8 oz of broth & 8oz of my SF drinks, the SF jellos & 1/2 the bar of SF popsicles, dreamsicles or fudgesicles. Fudgesicles were/are my favorite. You might feel that when you drink anything, right in the middle of your esophagus, you're blocked or have pain: so stop drinking or chewing & let what you've consumed settle. The heating pad's a great help. After 10-15 min, you'll be able to continue on & finish up what you're consuming. I weighed myself everyday, and couldn't quite believe the weightloss, but it's real--you lose weight fast. I got cold during rapid the weightloss all summer. I live in Las Vegas, so it's hot as hell & in the teens by morning with the hottest part of the day around 5 pm. Before sun up, it's steaming. Two weeks post-op, I was cleared to use the treadmill & recumbent bike. Three weeks post-op, I was cleared to begin teaching H20 aerobics, Pilates Reformer, Yoga, etc. 2x's daily. I teach to people with various disabilities/rehabbing injuries, etc. I didn't move quickly, just nice & slow like the turtle. I started walking 2.5 mi to & from the dog parks, and all over inside the dog park following my dogs, I don't stand still & chat or sit down. I've got an Italian Cane Corso Mastiff (2 yrs, 150 lbs), a Giant Schnauzer (2 yrs, 80 lbs) & a mixed Wire-haired Terrier (3 yrs, 20 lbs). Walking them at night was great for me & them, because that's when the heat of the day was dissapaiting & I sweated bullets. Then we'd all hit the pool to swim & cool off. I'd shower us off using our outside showers & we'd air dry quickly. We'd go inside & all of us went right to sleep. When the weather cooled in Nov, no more outdoor pool work, since the pools here aren't heated, unless they're indoors. So that meant morning & evening walks/hikes. A week post-op I was ok'd to add the chewable bariatric multi vitimins, biotin & calcium citrate. By the 2nd week post-op, I was ok'd to start eating up to 3 oz of NF: Cottage Cheese, Greek Yogurt, Cheeses, Fish, Chicken & an egg. Remember your stomach's the size of a sunnyside up egg. I got in an egg & was full. I still continue to drink my 3 protein shakes daily. I sometimes add a tsp of cheese to a scramble egg or make one into a tiny omelette. Eating tiny bits slowly is still an issue for me: I want to eat so much more quickly, but trust me, if you eat quickly it's all going to come right back up & into your washbasin! Fish is easiest for me, followed by chicken/fowl: I can't do beef, pork, etc., can't do salads or raw veggies. I also see a therapist to deal with my emotional eating issues. You'll need to do exactly what your surgeon, PA & nutritionist tells you to do. Mine offers 3 support groups per month all free, so if yours does, go to them. I also belong to an online bariatric support group in my vicinity. One thing I shouldn't be surprised by but still am, is wearing clothes 6 sizes smaller than when I started post-op & seeing how baggy they are! Also, getting compliments & being told how slim & fit I am by my neighbors & clients. I still see that 218 lb. person in my head. From the beginning, post-op, I meditate & do affirmations daily/nightly. Louise Hay, YouTube, has my favorites, but I listen to many others. Hopefully this bio helps you so you can wear your yoga pants & whatever you feel like with confidence & know you've done the greatest thing possible to become healthy. Namaste.

Love this site, your posts are just wonderful & really moving. I haven't lost or gained anymore weight, but had the flu & bronchitis 2x's. I had to walk my dogs multiple times daily, but that just wiped me out. Today's the first day I returned to my 2.5 mi walk to, in & from the dog park. Still blowing my nose, but was grateful for the opportunity to jump back in and kickstart my exercise program. Up to this point, I ate whatever I wanted, which isn't good for an emotional eater with more weight to lose. I ate Ritz crackers, cookies, chips, muffin tops, etc.: so I'm not kidding myself that I self-sabotagued & of course I was down on myself. If it were anyone else telling me this, I'd be first in line to say, "It's ok, let's begin where you are now & show yourself some love." Why am I so critical of myself? I've been doing meditations/affirmations/prayers from the get go, to quiet that critical self & love who I am as I am. Anyone else got this issue? What do you do to help yourself? Somehow I managed to lose inches, go figure. I am a chef & make homemade broths, soups, etc., and there's still things I can't digest (i.e. beef & pork), but I do crave veggies & make soups with chopped up fresh veggies galore. I can only manage 1/2c at a time, 7.5 mos out. I'll see my therapist tomorrow who helps me deal with my eating issues, and at least she'll she my daily food & exercise journal: no matter what I ate, I was faithful to writing it all down. Here's something I found out: even though my hiatal hernia was repaired when I got sleeved on 5/24/17, it's still necessary for me to take my Acidphex. I went 4 days without it, and boy was I in major discomfort by the fourth day. Why did I do that? Well, to see if I still needed it! DOH! I'll see my dietician & PA this month, as well, something I haven't done for months. Same for going to their free VGS support, dietician & psychologist led eating issues support groups. Hitting the gym later today & will also do my Pilates Reformer exercises. In fact, I'm going to call to see when the groups are this month & schedule my appointment. If you feel like cheating: drink broth, have your SF popsicles/fudgesicles/creamsicles or SF puddings & jellos. Be kind to yourself & remember we're all here to help each other, so don't hesitate to put out here what you've been doing or not doing. This is such a personal journey to health, but we have such similar issues that it's fantastic to share what works & what doesn't work. TY for your posts & thoughtfulness.

I'm six mos post VGS & hernia repair. Learned to eat the tiny bites, chew a lot, eat slowly; however, that doesn't mean I always do this! It's like there's this disconnect switch in me where I'll eat too fast, and then get sick and toss my cookies! Seeing a therapist about my emotional eating has helped me: at least I'm keeping a daily food & exercise journal, and being honest about everything I put in my mouth or the exercise I'm doing. I can eat a scrambled egg, even put a little cheese on it & melt it on top or fold it in. Most food's just too rich for me right now: sometimes I can eat shrimp, sometimes it won't stay with me. Same for chicken, and can't eat meats, pork, etc. Since I'm also a chef, I do make broths & soups, adding small items to switch it up (like making tomato & spinach Florentine or making egg drop soup). My fiancée of 17 yrs, gets pissed when I don't want a donut, or candy/chocolate, or any crap fast food. He's expecting twins he's gained so much weight & is a diabetic, along with having Rx's for diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, etc. and not supposed to eat crap, but his journey's not mine. He won't even exercise with me even if it's on the recumbent bike & my therapist said, "You're not his mom, you take care of yourself and let him take care of himself." I'll make foods that are healthy, and either he'll eat what I've made, or not. I've taught him to make food he likes, but he really wants me to make them and eat with him, not understanding I can have maybe a tsp, not more. He has his own doctors and my therapist said to go in with him when he sees them, but he only wants me to sit out in the waiting areas. One step at a time is my motto, as well as sharing here and being honest. I can self-sabotage all on my own so I don't need him to get in my way of eating well & healthy, you know? Thank you for listening. Today's one more healthy day on the road to living a healthy lifestyle. Thank God I had this surgery, my life has vastly improved. Thank God for our support forums and all of you. Have a great day.

I do this, and am ordering a fascia blaster for a Christmas present to myself. Sent from my SCH-I545 using BariatricPal mobile app

Good. Thanks for this link and your post. After three months post-op, I sought out a personal therapist recommended by my surgeon and nutritionist, to help me with my dysfunctional food issues. Besides the VGS and hernia repair surgeries, 2nd best thing I did for myself this year. Sent from my SCH-I545 using BariatricPal mobile app

I agree that we're here to be honest, be supportive with each other, and gain as much knowledge as possible to ensure each of our journeys are successful. It's essential to forego being judgemental, and not beat up yourself or anyone else if errors in food eating occurs. I sought out a personal therapist recommended by my surgeon & nutritionist to help me with my emotional eating issues and to ensure I'm successful in losing the weight I needed to, and feel good about myself. My surgeon also provides three free support groups monthly: emotional support with a clinical psychologist, nutritional support with our dietitian/nutritionist, and bariatric support for any patients who've had surgeries. I also belong to an online post-op support group and an emotional eaters support group. To round things out, I belong to an online healing prayer circle: these three support groups are on Facebook and private. My personal therapist has me keeping a food/liquid/anything I put in my mouth journal, which also has my daily exercises and meditation included. We've chosen to ensure we've changed from being inactive to proactive by having our surgeries: that was the biggest and greatest decision demonstrating we love ourselves and deserve happiness. Your journey is my journey and I want to be as supportive of you as I am with myself, and I ask that you be supportive of me. We'll screw up, we're human, but it doesn't mean that we can't be successful. I depend upon each of you who're on this path and I'm here for you. Let's be loving to each other and celebrate what we're accomplishing in every way possible. Sent from my SCH-I545 using BariatricPal mobile app

I'm taking Biotin 2x's daily, but still having hair loss. Anyone have recommendations? Thanks.

Share with us what you find out/or protocols your doctor recommends. Thank you. MT

Anyone experiencing weird nose bleeds post-GVS? I've had two big ones after blowing my nose, about a month apart. Thanks.

You look gorgeous & thanks for sharing your thoughts & photos. Bravo! You've come so far in such a short time. Sent from my SCH-I545 using BariatricPal mobile app

Congrats! Keep going forward & keep posting. Sent from my SCH-I545 using BariatricPal mobile app

I've lost another few pounds, but am pretty happy that I got a short run in last night w my dogs. Usually I walk them. No soreness today, so will run tonight. Discovered I can't eat a small fish taco, came right back up! After that, I let my stomach settle then had a protein shake. I have friends coming to Vegas, where I live, over the Thanksgiving holiday. I said make reservations at the buffets, since I can't eat very much. I'm not cooking since I can't eat the foods. The buffets here are awesome, especially over the holidays, so I'll just get a small plate and eat slowly from items my fiancée's picked out. I already know it'll be seafood & other proteins, maybe some veggies, and that's it. Celebrating 17 yrs with my fiancée this weekend, and it feels pretty wonderful to say so. Since he's a Veteran, he'll get a lot of free things, including brunches, lunches, dinners, from the community, as well as free Starbucks, free haircut, etc. I'm glad so many organizations recognized our serving military members & Vets, it's the least they can do for these heroes. My son's a Veteran also, and although he lives in another state, I'm sure he's going to benefit from organizations there. Congrats to everyone on this healthy journey, your successes are helping me to learn & stay focused on living a healthy lifestyle. Thank you.

Congrats! You look beautiful & I'm so happy that you're feeling great. What a tremendous weightloss you've had, and being off the meds is the cherry on top of your journey. Definitely post what you've done to help yourself achieve such great weightloss, good & bad, and any exercises your're doing. It'll help me, that's for sure. Thank you. MT

Hi, my surgeon & nutritionist recommended Bariatric Advantage products, Multi EA Chewable, Calcium Citrate Chew 500s & Biotin, each 2x's daily. The cost is $71/mo w shipping & tax. I'm on a fixed income disability & these aren't covered by Medicare/Medicaid. Any suggestions? I appreciate you input. I'm 5 mos post-VGS & have lost almost 75 lbs. Thank you. MT

Great news I want to share: Bariatric Advantage's rep, Jason, gave me my Multi EA chewable vitamins (60 ct), Calcium Citrate chewy 500s (90 ct), and two protein shakes to try, for FREE! I sent him an email about my predicament and he did this, as well as gave me options for different multi vitamins and calcium citrate to use. I appreciate everyone giving me input on vitamins & supplements. Thank you so much. I think people should be recognized & applauded for their compassion & good deeds. I have nothing to gain from giving anyone his info: Jason Schmidt; j.schmidt@bariatricadvantage.com; (949) 422-1287

I take a spoonful of organic coconut oil and have had no issues. When you have your surgery, your best investment is a baby spoon/fork. Our stomach's are the size of a Sunnyside up egg. The baby sized utensils help us to take tiny bites & chew slowly: I still have that 'wolf food down' issue & when I do this, food comes right back up. Fortunately, my surgeons' office offers 3 free support groups every month: eating issues led by a clinical psychologist, nutrition led by our nutritionist/dietitian, and support for any who've had gastric surgery. Seeing a personal therapist weekly. Sent from my SCH-I545 using BariatricPal mobile app

My VGS & hernia repair were 05/24/17, so I'm hoping I'm close enough to June & can post here. I've been cheating, and yes I know this is self sabotage. I'm seeing a therapist, one that my surgeon's office recommended. She had me keeping a food diary of all I put in my mouth and including if I throw anything up. I'm re-committed to following diet protocols & exercising. Since I'm almost 75 lbs down, it means so much to me to love myself by eating healthy, exercising, etc. Just very grateful to have found this forum which will help me on my journey. I would post photos, but I don't know how! I've got an android cell phone and a PC running on a Microsoft platform. If anyone can walk me through the 'how to post pics' I'd appreciate it. Thank you everyone and have a wonderful day. Sent from my SCH-I545 using BariatricPal mobile app

Oh yes, this helps. TY. Sent from my SCH-I545 using BariatricPal mobile app

I'm confused & need help/advice. My questions are about vitamins: my surgeon & nutritionist recommended Bariatric Advantage Multi EA Chewables & Calcium Citrate Chewy Bites 500s, each 2x's daily. The cost: $71/mo! I'm on a fixed disability income & Medicare/Medicaid doesn't cover them. What does everyone else take? I can't afford the $71/mo, but I understand we need help due to not getting enough nutritional support to meet common standards. My surgery was 05/24/17, down almost 75 lbs. Thanks.

Thanks Tammy, will get them. Sent from my U673C using BariatricPal mobile app

Thank you, I'll get them. Sent from my U673C using BariatricPal mobile app

I'm paying over $75/mo for the bariatric SF chewable: multivitamin, calcium citrate w D & biotin. Has anyone found a lower price? Sent from my U673C using BariatricPal mobile app

Congrats! I'm giving you a standing ovation. If you aren't seeing your skinnier self, maybe talking with a therapist will help you. Body dysmorphia is an issue I have as well, and emotional eating, so I decided to see a specialist that my surgeons & nutritionists recommended. Best decision for me as I've lost 65 lbs as of 4.5 mos post-op. I don't recognize my achievement, or my good, as I continue to lose weight & inches, but am successfully using behavioral techniques from talk therapy to like the path I'm walking. Again, Bravo to you for your huge & wonderful success. Sent from my SCH-I545 using BariatricPal mobile app

I made mine the old fashion way using coconut oil w a little salt. Tasted great & did me no harm. I'm 4.5 mos out. Sent from my U673C using BariatricPal mobile app