Tiffykins

It's all the crazy hormones. Estrogen is stored in our fat cells so when we lose weight rapidly, it all releases into our bodies. You might find your moods swingings too. I had pretty crazy cycles the first couple of months, but everything did settle down. Once my body regulated, my periods became very regular and light. The more weight I lost, the lighter my periods became. Yes, you should consult your surgeon. Make sure you are taking your Vitamins, and keep pushing fluids.

Absolutely amazing ! ! ! Keep rockin' your sleeve ! ! !

I did not fully read all the replies so if this is a repeat, please accept my apologies. Your stomach has been severed, stapled off, possibly sutured over itself or glued just 8 days ago. Along with all that trauma, your stomach nerves have been severed, cut, damaged, traumatized and if you aren't feeling restriction, it's a combination of 1) the consistency of the foods you are consuming 2) the fact that physically your body just can not/does not "feel" anything right now. I always use the logic of "just because I can; doesn't mean I should". I apply this thought-process to this very day at 21 months out. I rarely eat until being full or stuffed. That's what got me fat so I figure I don't need to repeat those behaviors. It took months for a full signal to become apparent for me, and measuring portions is what ensured that I stayed within my dietary guidelines for calorie, Protein and carb intake. Liquids also go in, and pretty much immediately dump into the intestine since we have an intact pyloric valve. It sounds as if you have little to zero residual swelling, and that can also explain the lack of restriction. Remember, we do not have a pouch. We have smaller yet fully-functioning stomach so things are not going to hang out in our stomachs like foods/liquids do in pouches.

I agree 100%. I noticed the same thing with a few other products especially cold medicine. I'm a coupon clipping, frugal, very thrifty shopper so saving $3-$4 bucks in my mind is a gallon of gas in my vehicle, right? I have "tested" the generic theory on several things, and for those items that the generic just didn't add up (Mucinex, and Nyquil) are 2 that come up in my mind, I'll clip a coupon to save the cash vs. going generic.

A pound is a pound regardless if it's muscle or fat, it's still a pound. The difference is volume which is NOT weight. Fat is lumpy, bumpy and takes up more space vs. lean muscle mass. Same concept of a pound of gold vs a pound of feathers. It takes just a single brick of gold to weigh a pound, but it takes huge amounts of feathers to weigh a pound. While you are building muscle, it tears and has to be repaired. The one thing it takes to repair muscle is Water. Therefore, you'll see a bounce on the scale of water weight. It's impossible to gain 2lbs of fat overnight. It's just not physically possible. You are more likely losing inches, and your clothing will start fitting differently. If you haven't already I highly encourage you to take measurements. Measure your neck, upper arm, bust, waist, hips, upper thigh and calf. Through my losing stage, and when I started working out, I would bounce on the scale, and I had to really evaluate what was going on. I know once I started some strength training, the scale slowed down tremendously, but I was dropping and even skipping sizes. Don't do anything drastic like going back to liquids only, or just doing shakes. Let your body readjust, and you'll see the scale move.

Nope. There are plenty of people on here that got in more than the required protein grams immediately post-op, and lost more hair than I did and for more months than I experienced it. I didn't get my protein in until I hit mushies, and could eat food around 5-6 weeks out. Protein shakes made me puke so they were a "no go" for me to use immediately post-op. Honestly, there really is no rhyme or reason, no way to predict how much or how little you will lose. It's just a temporary, yet alarming side-effect, but I promise, hair grows back. I had gorgeous, thick, wavy hair pre-op, and it was the one thing I loved about myself. I was bothered by the losing, but looking back, it was well worth it. I'll trade a little hair loss, a little loose, wrinkly skin to be rid of the back fat, joint pain, and size 22/24W pants.

This is why: http://emedicine.med...071566-overview Mine started at 3.5 months, and last a full 3 months. It has all grown back in. My hair grows extraordinarily fast and it's pretty much to pre-op volume. No amount of Protein, snake oils, shampoos, pills, will stop it if you are going to experience. It's the shock to your body, the anesthesia, the major dietary change. I experienced hair loss after my gallbladder surgery 8 months post- sleeve so it's not just protein amount, or Vitamin intake or anything else. Zinc, Biotin, staying on top of your protein will help with regrowth, but I only know of 2 people that didn't deal with hair loss after bariatric surgery. And, they did nothing special.

I slept in the recliner as well. I'm a major side sleeper, and regardless of how I propped, stretch, curled up, it never worked for me. I had a lot of gravity pain from my abdomen being bloated, along with drains, side sleeping was not an option. Getting up and down out of the recliner made things much easier.

I really had zero issue losing weight, keeping it off was the issue. Sure, we can all lose weight, but being able to keep it off is where the failure rate comes in with the "good ole fashioned" way of losing weight. I looked at it this way; 1) I can have surgery and take the "easy way out" 2) Stay fat and battle obesity related diseases/conditions well into my golden years I get in my car to drive to WalMart which is just a 1/4 mile from my house. It may be the "easy way" to get there, but I'll take the easy way over walking down the hwy here that is affectionately called "bloody 98" because of the high number of fatal car accidents. Ultimately, it's your decision, but this surgery gave me a fabulous life.

I'm in the same boat, and someone stole my paddles. At nearly 22 months out, I can not use the excuse of "I'm hungry". Night snacking was a big downfall for me. I'm 100% a "bored" eater, and honestly, it's not turned into a beastly beast yet. The operative word in that sentence is "YET". I noticed the patten in early January, and nipped it in the bud pretty quickly. I didn't see a gain or anything, but I noticed that I was hovering around 128-130 instead of my normal 125-126. I know it's only 2 pounds, but for me it was setting a trend. I started keeping healthy Snacks in the house again. Laughing cow cheese wedges, and low fat cheese chunks with 4-6 sliced turkey pepperonis seemed to be my best option for a snack. I was reaching for the chex mix, cheez it crackers, and other carby options, but for the last 2-3 weeks when I really want a snack, I grab the cheese and pepperonis. It's not something that I can completely beat, and I've stopped beating myself up for it. I know it's a habit, and to rid myself of that habit, I need to pick up a new one. I was reaching for the bottle of Moscato, but at 140-something calories per glass I figured a handful of cheezits was just as "bad". So, I started going to bed earlier that resulted in me waking up at 5am, not good either. There's only so many online games I can play before I feel like I'm losing braincells. I really do not have a solution other than staying out of the kitchen. My husband does not help the situation as he'd love it if I were to gain a good 20-30lbs, and he offers me bites of his ice cream. I wish I had a magical answer you for, but I'm right there with you. I'm seriously never hungry, but things "sound" and taste good again. I can eat shitpots of junk food, and I know if I allow "life to happen" then I will gain.

myfitnesspal.com was my food tracker of choice. Once I hit mushies, I rarely struggled to get in my Protein grams from food. I still limited my carb intake religiously because it's what I knew would work best for me. Plus, I really didn't have room for carbs after eating protein. I ate 4 meals per day with a minimum of 15gr of protein per meal. I hit my 60gr goal fairly easily. I never used shakes, or powders since they all made me puke.

What does your intake look like? I mean like breakdown of Protein, fat, carbs, calories? ? ? Also, have you been tested for any metabolic conditions i.e. thyroid, insulin resistance, PCOS? ? ? If you have not, I recommend it. If you have, and it was pre-op, then you might need to have your levels rechecked. How much weight do you have until goal? How is your Vitamin intake? The whole "losing weight" by watching what we eat doesn't always work out as magically as they explain it. I still have to monitor my intake even in maintenance, or I will see a true gain. You might have to tweak your intake numbers, and figure out what works for your body. what worked for you the first month? Did you do low carb the first month, and then progressed with more carbs, just smaller portions? Your body might be sensitive to carbs, and if you're taking in more carbs than protein, your body will burn the carbs first instead of the fat stores.

I'm elated for you and all of your success ! ! ! I know this sounds crazy, but I get this overwhelming sense of pride when people I adore (YOU) are so successful, and so excited to embark on this adventure. I know it was a tough decision for you, but I never doubted that you would find victory with the sleeve. Many cheers to you, and I am so proud of you ! ! ! Keep rockin' your sleeve chickee ! ! !

22 months out, physical hunger is NULL and VOID completely. I can go (and I'm talking running around town, errands, volunteering, delivering jewelry, etc etc etc, shopping LOL) about 16 hours before I realize "Oh crap, I have not eaten today." I get a bit moody, cranky, irritable around the 10-12 hour mark, but I typically don't realize it until someone else points it out. I battled most of my head hunger with the band so I have a fairly decent grasp on that as well. I'm a "bored" eater so I have to keep my mind and hands occupied and I can completely avoid snacking.

I hate actual tomatoes, but love all the sauces, pastes, etc etc and was all of those were allowed from early out. I was just warned to watch the sugar content on some items, and that they are pretty acidic. But, I honestly never had any issue with any tomato based sauces/foods. And, actually ground beef/turkey with Pasta sauce was a staple in my diet for a solid month. Are you on a PPI? Oh wait, we already discussed the PPI situation, right or am I confused? Once your PPI kicks in, or you might need 2 doses per day, or some Gaviscon for breakthrough reflux and then tomatoes won't be an issue for you.

Did they perform a leak test post-op? Do you have a fever, rapid heart rate? I didn't have any symptoms other than what you are describing when my leak was detected 2 days post-op on my final leak test. So, my recommendation is do NOT take anything NOT prescribed by your surgeon. Call the after hours number, if there is NOT an after hours number, go to the ER. They will need to perform a leak test. I'm not trying to scare you, but ignoring any symptoms is not a good idea. Taking additional meds not authorized by your surgeon can cause more issues. Yes, it sounds like acid, but at the same time, the second I swallowed the contrast Fluid, I felt it going all the way down, and immediate pain in my abdomen. Please do not take anything else. Call your surgeon. They get paid to take care of you at any hour. If the surgeon doesn't call you back, at bare minimum a nurse on-call should.

I won't bore you with my band horror story. I highly recommend you checking out the research links at the bottom of this very long post for VSG information. This huge entry is directly from the band makers. It's a study they did, it's not just personal stories, this is scientific evidence. Easy break down, 1 in 4 band patients will have another surgery to either remove, reposition (after a slip then you're risks for another slip quadruple), revise to another surgery, or repair the band will happen in the first 3 years of having the band. Think twice, cut once. I had the band for 8 short months, if you'd like to add me as a friend so you can read my torrid tale of my band life and the VSG revision feel free to do so. I've included some of the information for you to read now. I have tons of information in my blog. I could NEVER in good spirit recommend the band knowing what I know now. I have recommended the sleeve to 7 friends, 5 have followed through with the surgery and we're all living fabulous, full active lives. http://www.lapband.c...ty_information/

VSG is being performed outpatient, just like the band with a stay overnight. 23 hours is becoming a pretty standard stay for band and VSG. Anything less than 24 hrs stay is considered outpatient. Some stay longer for either surgery if there is a reaction to anesthesia, typically nausea. You can't go home puking pretty much. But, the gas pains from them blowing up your abdomen with CO2 gas is pretty common with any lap surgery. One thing to consider with the band is if you're worried about time, or convenience. Check out my blog for information on VSG, and my personal horror story with the band. It's full of information, research articles, scientific studies etc etc for the sleeve. There is one marked "Lapband information" It's a study by the band makers that shows 25% of band patients need a 2nd (or multiple surgeries) within the first 3-5 years of having it placed. It's on the band makers website so it's not just personal horror stories so you have a 1 in 4 shot of having another surgery within 5 years of having the band placed, not to mention all the long term complications and the rate of revisions being done because of complications or slow weight loss. Fills, unfills, are time consuming and frustrating. I went through it myself and the sleeve was not offered when I got my band. The band only last 8 months before I revised due to complications, I lost more stomach tissue because of the band than most revision patients, had a leak at the staple line because of the band, and so you won't hear me singing any praises for the band. You can check out a few forums on obesityhelp.com to get some real life perspective on life with a band. Stats don't lie though, and I always tell people now "Think twice, CUT Once." I always recommend checking out the Revision forum, the Failed Weight loss forum, the VSG and Band forum, you'll see a common trend. People typically do not fail the band. The band fails them, and when it fails, it fails miserably. I've added you as a friend so you can have access to my blog, and I recommended checking out this link as well. Good discussions and topics for someone new researching VSG. http://vsgfaq.wordpress.com/

That's what I'm saying that even the pureed foods could be too much for your tummy. I promise I understand "programs". I was supposed to be on regular food by 6 weeks out, well I stayed on mushies for nearly 3 months with a few meals of "regular food" maybe once or twice a week because I couldn't hit protein goals without eating chicken salad/tuna salad/egg salad consistency stuff until I was much further out. Plus, Protein shakes made me puke therefore I had to get protein from food. What was more important? Getting in protein, and solid nutrition, or puking up food that my body wasn't ready for, or not being able to eat decent amounts of regular food because my body wasn't ready? You're body is talking to you, and pretty much saying "hey, I don't like this, but I like that other stuff". You were doing good on what is considered full liquids with yogurt, so cottage cheese, sugar free puddings are "less dense" than purees, and your body might just not be ready. It happens a lot, and is a recurring theme amongst post-ops that have diets that progress faster. You will be able to eat soft food and even regular food, but at the same time, think about what your stomach just went through a little more than 2 weeks ago. It's still pretty pissed off and confused about what you've done to it, and now you're putting food in there that obviously isn't agreeing with it's new upset, swollen, traumatized state. The swelling gets better, and eating gets easier, but 16 days is way early out, and your body is different than mine or anyone else that is on your surgeon's program. Sometimes, these things just take time, and some tweaking on our part. I would recommend taking the Nexium with just Water, wait 60 minutes to ingest anything other than water. This will give the Nexium time to get in your system considering it a time-released medication before you dump food, or a shake in your stomach. The proton pumps start producing acid as soon as thick stuff hits our stomachs. So, if we don't give it enough time, it's not going to work at maximum efficacy. This little blurb is directly from the Nexium manufacturer "HOW to take Nexium" website: I took Prilosec before switching over to Nexium in January this year, and the Prilosec directions read the same. To wait a full hour before eating anything. It could also take several days for to fully kick in if you have not taking it on an empty stomach every day. I'm nearly 21 months out, and still take my nexium religiously without fail, and never suffered from reflux. The getting stuck feeling you described really sounds more like what happens when your body just isn't ready for food of that certain consistency that's why I brought that up just for consideration.

It also kind of sounds like your stomach might not be ready for mushy foods just yet. I was starting full liquids at your stage, and I understand every program is different but your body might not be ready for thicker foods. Are you taking the Nexium on an empty stomach and waiting a minimum of 30 minutes before eating, or eating and then waiting 3 hours before taking the Nexium? You might it twice a day until your stomach adjusts as well if your surgeon will approve twice daily dosing.

I think I look younger, but I have more wrinkles. I'm not sure, but you can see my pictures, and make the call if I look old. I'm 34, and the only time I have noticeable wrinkles is when I smile my crow's feet show, and the laugh lines around my mouth are more apparent. Personally, I'll take looking my age over looking like a can of Grand's biscuits popped at the seam. I will have face work done because I'm vain. I will have botox, and some sort of filler for my laugh lines, but I do not need it. I want it. Not for any other reason than I think I need it. Ask all of my friends, my husband, and they think I'm crazy because they all think I look 10 years younger. I get carded for cigarettes and alcohol. Most people think I'm my husband's age which is 6 years younger than I really am. I think it's how I view myself. The outside world seems to think I'm my age or a few years younger.

Before: Progress (during) After (now)

You look AMAZING ! ! !

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr I'll have to play later, it's date night with the mister and my computer is being stupid ! ! !

It's all about vanity sizing. I remember graduating high school weighing 180-190lbs, but I was wearing a 16-18 PLUS. Fast forward 15 years, and at the same weight I was wearing a 14 misses just normal sizes no plus, no W behind it. I'm 5'2" weigh between 125-130lbs and I wear an Xsmall top and a 2-4 on the bottom. Some of it can be attributed to body composition, lean muscle vs, flabby skin and bumpy fat, but for the most part, it's vanity sizing and manufacturers adjusting waistlines to accommodate a larger sized population. I know for a fact 5-6 years ago I could not squeeze my ass into anything at Old Navy, even their 3x hoodies in women's were too small, now even some of their XSmall dresses and size 0 skirts are too big on me. There is no way that today's size 2 is the same size 2 from my high school years.