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I spend roughly 1-1.5 hours at the gym 3-4 times a week. Typically 30-45 minutes of cardio and 30-45 minutes of weight training. Maybe a little longer on cardio depending on what’s on TV. They always have Food Network on and I’m a sucker for Chopped, what can I say [emoji23]

I feel this so much!! I guess, emotionally, I’m suffering with the fact that I can’t eat my whole plate. At a restaurant, at relatives houses, and so on... everyone gives me strange looks and lots of “is that all you’re going to eat?!” It’s worse when I’m with people who don’t know I’ve had the surgery. I feel insecure about it too. But it’s worth it. [emoji4]

I feel better knowing I’m not the only one. I’m losing entire handfuls every day. 5 months out. I just started taking biotin also to see if that helps. Ive experienced this even way before surgery and it eventually went away. Luckily my hair is super thick and I don’t have bald spots that I know of. [emoji28]

I can’t speak on the BC pills but since I have migraines I was limited in my options - no estrogen. I opted for the IUD because I’m not that great at remembering a pill every day and don’t want to risk it. I like my IUD for the convenience. I don’t love it. I had it placed in September and I bled for 6 weeks...the cramping was pretty bad too because I think your body is like “wtf is this thing? Get out of me!!” I still feel it when I cramp, but it’s not really painful. All in all no regrets. And 5 years without having to take a pill is pretty great too!! I got the Kyleena which is the next size/dose down from the Mirena. There’s also the Skyla which is smaller/lower dose than the Kyleena but only offers 3 years protection.

First time checking in to this post and I’m so glad I did! Sleeved on 8/10 here. I’m 8 pounds from ONEderland and “surreal” is definitely the word for it! I’m still kind of in denial about my weight and size. I still feel (mentally) like the same fat girl that I was before surgery. Physically, I feel amazing. The holiday season went downhill for me. I kept losing, but I still snacked on stuff that I shouldn’t have...cookies, chocolates, etc.. I had been having some dizzy spells and I’ve been in a depressive mood since before the holidays. Doesn’t make it acceptable! I’m still a little ashamed of myself in that, but thankfully I still managed to stay on a downward trend with my weight. I’m proud to say I’ve recently joined my local gym (after my last gym closed last year I never signed up for another). I look forward to going to the gym. I’ve been under a lot of stress and it has been helping so far, even though it’s only been a week. I’m also in a bit of a stall right now so I’m being extra careful to track my food intake also. Trying to be more positive though! I’m so much better off than I was last year. I’m so proud of everyone here! Reading about all of your victories is inspiring to me! HW: 315 SW: 292 CW: 223 GW: 180 Sleeved 8/10

Congratulations and wishing you the best of luck today with your surgery! Prayers for you! We will all be here when you get out. I am so excited for you![emoji177]

So I’m feeling a bit of a cold coming on (strange because I’ve managed to stay healthy for over a year now!) my question is about meds like NyQuil. I know this is really a question for my doctor, but in the mean time, does anyone find that they tolerate it well or have to take less of it for the same effect? Etc. Thanks!! Em

I had a VSG and I can tell you have have definitely experienced dumping before. When it first happened it was one of the most frightening things to happen to me. Mostly because I didn’t know what was going on and it came on so suddenly. Basically, you feel this wave come over you: hot flash, cold sweat, nausea, and for me, horrible diarrhea (sorry for the TMI). I have ended up sitting on the toilet for close to an hour before with a trash can in my lap in case I need to vomit. My head spins and I feel like I’m going to pass out. Very scary. This is part of the reason I avoid new foods if I know I can’t go home/use a restroom privately. Now I avoid overly sweet things, and really take the time to slow down and eat. I had the tendency in the past to inhale my food which could exacerbate it IMO!

Congrats! You look amazing!! Keep up the great work! [emoji1]

I was sleeved on 8/10/2017. I’m getting pretty close to 4 months out now. Recently (the last few weeks) I’ve been experiencing some worrying symptoms. I’ve been having these strange dizzy/faint-feeling spells that come on for no rhyme or reason. I was shopping in the mall with my sister last weekend and felt a “spell” come on and had to quickly find a seat. My hearing seemed to “go” a little bit - everything sounded a bit muffled or distant. But no ringing like it does when you’re about to pass out. My vision seems to be affected also. Like it seems like I’m watching what’s going on from a tv screen. That’s the best way I can describe it. Paired with a little loss of attention and I think you can understand why I’m concerned. It’s effecting my day to day functions. I’ve been hoping the symptoms would subside but they seem to be worsening so of course I’ll be calling my doctor tomorrow. What I’m asking is: has anyone experienced this before? What was it and did it go away? Thank you! Sleeved 8/10/2017 SW: 292 CW: 236

I’m glad to hear that it should normalize! I went and saw my GP last week and we discussed my labs. I thought I had to be vitamin deficient because it was the only explanation to me. Everything looked great except for folate and B12 was slightly low but I’m fixing that. After a physical exam he said something along the lines of he thinks I have fluid in my ears and it could be vertigo brought on by allergies. Gave me Flonase. He also wanted to rule out hypoglycemia, so I got a glucometer and am supposed to test whenever I feel weird but so far I have been normal. So far feeling slightly better. I think I may be giving myself anxiety attacks also because I’m so scared I’ll pass out in front of everyone (like at the mall) so that probably further exacerbated things. [emoji23]

Had my vsg 8/10...experienced dumping 3 times since then! Dumping for sleeve patients is real!!! And I don’t wish it on anybody!! It’s a terrifying experience and has scared me straight - it makes me second guess any poor decisions I may be about to make. I fear that I’m going to dump while I’m in a public place, or if I have time constraints and can’t leave the bathroom! Haven’t touched Gatorade G2, fairlife chocolate milk, or sweettarts since!

For the gas pain I was told to walk, walk, walk! And it eventually went away. Every persons plan is different, but when I was recovering I was given the goal of 1 oz every 30minutes (if I can remember correctly). Congrats and good luck!!

It’s comforting to know I’m not the only one this has happened to! I got blood work done this week and have a checkup with my primary, so I’ll have the opportunity to discuss it with him. [emoji16] it’s been a better week. Berry, I noticed that it happens more when I’m in a busy place. Rarely at home. So odd!

Yes, I was wondering if it had something to do with BP. I always ran low even before surgery (~90/50). So I guess that’s a possibility also! Did it go away for you as time progressed or did you have to intervene in some way?

Yes that’s exactly what it’s like for me too! I have an appointment with my GP Dec 7th also I’m going to ask him to do some blood work and see what that answers...if you find anything out I would appreciate an update!

You may want to check with your Dr about the caffeine in the coffee so soon after surgery. I found that caff makes me feel sick even now so I just avoid coffee completely. Sleeved on 8/10/2017 [emoji4][emoji173]️

At work, I only told my one coworker - whom I trust completely not to say anything about it. I felt like I would be judged by everyone else so that’s why I decided to keep it a secret not only at work, but also in my personal life too. I did a “hybrid” surgery, so they did a liver biopsy at the same time they did my sleeve. I used the biopsy as an excuse for the time off. I’m getting to the point where I’ve lost a noticeable amount of weight. I tell everyone it’s because I’ve changed my lifestyle and they seem to buy it. IMHO, keeping it a secret has simplified things for me! [emoji4]

Hi Kiri, I'm the same way. Any time I begin to lose weight, there's a week or so that I feel like I'm living in an icebox (and I'm in Florida!). It should go away though.

Hi This is just what I know from the seminar I went to pre-surgery! I'm no expert and I could very well be misinformed. With the sleeve, you are less likely to get dumping syndrome and more likely to regain weight 10-15 years down the road (I think the number is like 30% or something like that). If you don't follow your diet or if you revert back to old ways. With the bypass, you're more prone to experiencing dumping syndrome, but less likely to put on weight 10-15ish years down the road. You can always revert from the sleeve to the bypass, but you can't convert the bypass to the sleeve. I got the sleeve 2 weeks ago so I'm still new to this, but my boyfriend got the sleeve 11 months ago and is doing very well - down about 120lbs! But we have a mutual friend who got the bypass about 18 months ago and has already hit his goal weight - from over 400# to 175. I guess it's something you'd have to sit and discuss with your Dr [emoji16]

Hi all, I was sleeved on 8/10 and seem to be healing pretty well. But the last few days I've just been feeling SO down in the dumps and I'm not sure why. Yesterday was the worst. I felt so listless and tired that it seemed like it took every last ounce of energy I had just to breathe. Today is better than yesterday energy-wise (I can at least get off the couch) but I'm still nowhere close to where I think I should be. Is this common?

That's great advice! Makes sense.

The protein is my major struggle right now as the water is getting easier and easier, but I'm thinking the lack of protein plays a good part in why I'm feeling so tired. I am so sick of protein shakes! I appreciate the input - I know it will get better, just have to survive until then haha

I always was told that the itching means they're healing. Have you tried lotion or vitamin E oil?

You look amazing! I'm also interested in the tracker you're using?