deedee

Congratulations on your decision to become healthier! This has been one of the BEST decisions I've made for myself. I wish you luck on the rest of your pre-op journey.

I am currently in a stall and IT'S ALL MY FAULT. Currently I am 4 months, one week out, and am pretty close to being at a normal bmi (my goal for now), but I'm just wondering if I'm ever going to make it. My mind knows what I need to do, but I'm just not doing it. The biggest problem is that I am now snacking, and not because I'm hungry, which has upped my daily calorie intake. I've also added more fruits and veggies (salads) into my diet, but unfortunately this has meant less protein. Each night of the past week I've had the best intention of starting the next day with a protein drink, but it just hasn't happened. I'm hoping by writing this down, I can recommit to my weight loss journey. This time of year (winter) has always been an emotional roller coaster for me, but it seems that this year, in particular, has been a lot more extreme "excitedness" and a lot more sadness. Lots of things seem to set me off in tears and then I try to pull myself out of it by focussing (obsessing) on some goal I'd like to accomplish, which excites me and gives me a purpose. The good news here is that my house has never been more organized, I actually spent 48 hours a couple weekends ago cleaning/completely emptying our sitting room, purchasing and putting together furniture and it looks great now! I guess all this rambling is to say that I'm not doing too well with my sleeve tool. I really do not want to fail and hope I can get my mind back into the game soon.

I'm glad it has been figured out. I hope you feel better really soon.

I just wanted to wish you luck on your weight loss journey! That's very exciting that it seems to be coming together for you.

Terrific job on your loss! I'm glad you're doing so well.

Welcome Dee! My surgeon was willing (and planning) to do the VSG and gallbladder at the same time. He said at one time the gallbladder was routinely removed with wls. At one of my pre-op meetings a few weeks before surgery my husband asked about the risks of being under anesthesia longer in order to have both removed and the surgeon did say the longer your under, the greater the risk (it really didn't seem that much greater though). Although my gallbladder was bad (based on an ultrasound I had last spring due to pains), we decided to wait (there were other reasons pertaining to my situation as well). The surgeon said I would need to wait either 4 or 6 weeks (can't remember) between surgeries, but it wouldn't be a problem. Good luck on your decision process, I'm sure your surgeon will have some good advice.

It sounds like you are doing really well. Congratulations!

Hello and welcome! There are a lot of us out here. Take some time and read through the forum and feel free to post your questions there as well. There are sub-forums for post-op questions/concerns, diets, general sleeve talk, etc. I have found so much useful information and very knowledgeable people. Can't wait to get to know you and hear all about your journey!

CONGRATULATIONS on the size 12's! I completely understand what you are saying. I finally got down to 160.5 and thought, great I should be out of the 160's soon, then this morning I was 162:-( Good luck with your fluctuation! I hope you get back to normal soon.

Ange, Thank you for keeping us posted on how you're doing. I hope things start to get better soon. Take care of yourself!

Your doctor was right, your weight loss is remarkable. Congratulations on your success, you are doing an amazing job!!!

I don't think anybody should feel bad about keeping it to themselves. I think it is a very personal decision, we are all who we are now, and who we will become in the future, based on the experiences we've had (will have) in life...and we just have to make the best decisions we can make that fit with our lives and philosophies.

AJW- I also go through a lot of up/down movement on the scale, it started with my first stall 2.5 weeks out. It sucks, but then it's so nice to see it drop and never go back. Official weigh-in weight from this morning: 160.5 lbs. I did up the Protein by eating more meat last week, but was not successful in adding in a Protein Drink in the mornings...maybe this week? I've been noticing the weight loss has slowed down over the past month, but when I look at it like this--week by week--it helps me focus on the success.

Welcome to VST! My husband came with me and I was so glad to have him there...I freaked out a little and they had trouble getting the IV put in. He works from home and brought his laptop with him and worked some while I was in surgery. My mom stopped by after she got off of work and waited with him until I was out of surgery. My surgery took longer than planned because they repaired a hernia, so she went home before I was out of recovery. My husband stayed for about an hour (I think) once I was back in my room. I was to be released the next day in the late afternoon, so he decided to come later in the day. I was feeling great most of the morning, practically running laps, until they took me down for my barium swallow. I started puking and dry heaving. I called him as soon as I got back to my room and he got ready and came, but we live 1.5-2 hours away, so it took a while. I guess all this rambling is to say, it depends on you and what kind of support you feel you will need. I needed my husband when I felt crappy/scared, but maybe you have a friend in the area? I told 2 different friends that inquired that I would prefer they stay away and I'm very happy I did. Good luck with your journey!

YAY Chancie!!!!!!!!!!!! I am so happy for your success. You have done amazing and will be at goal in no time. CONGRATULATIONS!

Thank you so much. Congratulations on your revision, you will be making your weight loss goals before you know it!

Last night after my exercise class the instructor came over to congratulate me on how trim and fit I was looking (I wish I looked the same with my clothes off). I told her I have 15 pounds more to go and then I think I'll be done (still not sure about that final goal, I'll have to wait and see). I also expressed how much harder it has become to drop even a pound and we started talking. This instructor weighs 134.5 lbs, down from 136.5 two weeks ago...two weeks ago we started our winter challenge in class where we weigh and record each week on a chart if we want...that's the only reason I know her weight, because she told me her weight that night. She is in her early 40's and has the body a 20 something would die for, definitely an inspiration for me (maybe after plastics some day:-) Anyway, she expressed that people in her life are always telling her how lucky she is that she can just eat anything because she is so skinny. She then said they just don't understand how hard it is for "us" to lose weight when "we're" smaller so "we" really have to be careful about gaining weight. For the first time I felt almost like I was apart of the smaller group. My entire life I have been apart of the larger group. I started ballet at 2 and even then was the biggest dancer. Throughout school, cheerleading, and dance team, I was always one of the biggest girls. At the time it didn't really bother me, in fact sometimes I took pride that I could keep up and even beat out smaller girls for coveted spots. I had a pretty positive self-esteem, but was always realistic in who I was and my appearance. But last night I realized that I never considered myself as completely "normal" and definitely not "smaller." I don't think anyone was ever rude about my weight (except my older brother could be brutal, but he was family and didn't count), but I also never truly felt included in conversations about "normal" weight and fears. I remember friends talking about gaining 5 pounds over a semester and how they must lose it before this or that, and I was always like "so, that's not a big deal, it's just 5 lbs." I am starting to get that 5 pounds can make a size difference and means you may or may not fit into those jeans or that dress. Enough of my ramble, I just wanted to journal this new experience I'm having. I still don't really fit in the "smaller" group, but I'd say I'm with the "normals" at least amongst my friends.

I agree with VegasAngel that you have to figure out what's best for you. My surgeon told me, before I left the hospital, to stay off of the scale for 2-3 weeks post-op. I made it to day 8, if I remember correctly, so I don't think every two weeks would be far from normal. The neat thing is that this is your plan and you can always make adjustments as needed. For me now that I'm able to eat more and my weight loss has slowed down (I also don't track my food), I feel it's important to weigh more often (daily) to help me make proper food choices throughout my week. It keeps me accountable when I don't see a loss for 3 or more days, I know I need to get back on the program completely.

Welcome Jodi! Congratulations on your weight loss so far (we had similar losses)! I just had my 4 month surgiversary yesterday, and my weight loss has been slow now for almost a month. Do you exercise? I'm hoping that maybe doing a little more exercise (adding in Sundays on a consistent basis) will help me. Good luck!

I am so HAPPY for you! You are such an amazing woman and deserve all the wonderful joys in life that you're experiencing now and will experience in the future. You were one of the first people here that reached out to me when I was having an off day and sincerely touched me with your kindness. I do not feel that my journey through this process would have been the same without your words of encouragement and support. THANK YOU TIFF for being you and congratulations on your transformation!

CONGRATULATIONS Deb!!! That date will be here so quickly. Good job and luck on your pre-op diet.