Saying "hi"-introducing myself...

[Chancie 65]

I just wanted to say "Hi" to everyone....I just joined !

A little about me...

I've always had a weight problem, but not as bad as the past 10-15 years. i had to always "watch" what I ate, or I would pack on the weight. I did have a "thin" period... Not a very long one.. but I was thin for a while...

Then came a divorce and I had to care for my mother the past 15 years...

I started really putting on the weight.. and then it felt so futile to even TRY to diet...

Excercise?? What was that?? I felt work was all the excercise I needed....

I became so stationary... come home, get on the couch and that was it.

I had been looking into weight loss the past 3 years, and I tried to file with my insurance each year thinking that they would improve, but no luck.

then in Oct. of '08 I had to have a total knee replacement and I KNEW I had to do something. The surgery was a success.... but my weight was overwelming. I had no stamina... I could hardley walk to the mailbox without being winded.

I had already been to a few seminars... and I finnaly made up my mind to try again. I went, and I talked with the doctor afterwards and asked how soon he could get me in being a "self pay", I explained I was already on a leave of absence and coudn't afford to lose any more time, he told me to call the office in the morning and tell them he said to schedule as soon as possible.

I called and thy got me in to see him in 3 days! I went and we talked for almost 2 hours... and I decided to go with the VSG, Best decision of my life!

That was Jan. 12th....

I had surgery Feb. 9th!

I am 5 months post op... I started this with a weight of 354 the day of surgery and today I am 223.. a loss of 131 pounds!

I still have over 60 pounds to make "goal" but I am so glad that i had this surgery, and it has deffinitly improved my quality of life!

I still have my struggles, as I will be posting them tooo... but i just wanted to share my story and a bit about me....

I hope to make some friends here and to have a support group here as well... I don't have one close to attend to in my area...

[Malaika 50]

WELCOME CHANCIE! Great WEIGHT loss - congrats. You'll find all kinds of support here - we're all in the same boat so to speak and so we all know where you're coming from -- don't hesitate to ask any questions or hey - give us advice - there are a lot of newbies here - me included. Looking forward to hearing more from you soon!

[Ky.hen 5]

Welcome Chancie,

Thank you for your story. That is a great way to give hope for all us wantabes. Keep on posting. You will be a great help answering questions too. Judy

[kauser 0]

Hi Chancie, welcome. You have found a great support team here. OMG 131 pounds in 5 months, that is incredible!! I'm only 12 days postop, that gives me so much inspiration. Please share with us what kind of changes you have gone through and what struggles you mentioned still.

[*susan* 1,709]

Hi Chancie, we are thrilled to have you here with us. Wow, 131 pounds in five months, I can't even begin to imagine! That is just amazing. Please post before and after pictures, they are always such an inspiration.

[Oregondaisy 2,021]

Welcome to our little corner of the WLS world. Your weight loss is amazing!

Can you share what kinds of things you have for your meals? I am sure that there are many people who would love to hear how it was possible to lose 131 lbs in such a short time!

[BobBayCityMI 111]

Welcome, Chancie. Good group of people here. Am glad that you make our number one more.

Bob

[Chancie 65]

WOW!! Thanks for the warm welcome everyone!

I thought I would check in this morning and see no posts:sad0: So this was a nice surprise! Thanks again for the welcome!

I'll try to answer any questions you might have...

I did have alot of trouble from the minute I got out of surgery, I was vomiting badly! Or should I say "dry heaves"? It really was awful.... after the first day, and continued vomiting, My Doctor changed my pain meds. Still no good. I ended up staying 4 days because of this going home on the fifth day.

It was bad, but nothing toooo terrible.The first day being the worst.

I got home and followed the rules, and tried to get in my Water. Geeze... how in the world am I going to get in all this water??? It was difficult... but gradually I did it. Now water is ALWAYS in my hands... I always get in 64 oz. but usually 80-120 now daily.

When I started on "food" I still vomited... or "foamies" as some of you know it as. Horrible!!!! And I had constant heartburn. So on my check up at 6 weeks, Doc put me on Nexium and also Reglan for the vomiting. This lasted about 2 months.... so I think thats where most of my weight loss came from.

I still can't eat in the morning.... so I have a Protein Drink. My doctor is ok with this... so far. I go back for my 6 month check up in Aug. And I'll see what he says.

As far as food goes.... I completly stay away from breads, Pasta, potatoes...and sweets!! I can't do carbs because they are such a weakness of mine and being a "Self pay" wanna get my moneys worth!! LOL

I don't eat beef yet( have had it... just doesn't sit well with me)... or pork... just chicken, fish,shrimp ( my fav) and turkey.

As for the before and after pics.... LOL... I first gotta figure out how to do the profile thingy!!

And I shyed away from pics at my biggest.. so there aren't many... but I have been trying to get at least a face shot every month.. will try to figure this out and post...

Hope this wasn't tooo long and sound like I was rattling!!

Gonna go check out the rest of the boards... and will post more often... if anyone has ANY questions I might be able to anser... feel free to ask away!

HUGS

Chancie

It is a whole life style change and mind change. I struggle with head hunger... still think of certain foods....

[PennyS 0]

Great Job on the weight loss. Glad to have you on the forum.

I'm sure we will have lots of questions that you may be able to answer.

I'm having my surgery on July 29th, and I know I'll have so much more to learn from everyone here.

Hugz,

Penny

[ash 5]

Awesome story, and welcome to this board! It is a really great place and visiting here has become part of my daily routine. My doctor is sometimes surprised at what I know and I have to say it's because of everyone else's experiences that I've learned about here. Keep up the great work and thanks for sharing your story! ~Amanda

[Oregondaisy 2,021]

I am really having a tough time with solids. I get the foamies or slime or whatever you want to call it on a regular basis. It's very difficult for me to want to eat solids.

tonight I went out to dinner with DD. I had one little tiny piece of chicken. I didn't even eat all of it. It was about 2" square and I probably had 3 tiny bites of it and about 3 green Beans. I guess I didn't chew the grean Beans well enough because the sliming went on and on until I finally threw up. I don't think my portion was too big this time.

[Suzannesh 376]

WOW!! Thanks for the warm welcome everyone!

I thought I would check in this morning and see no posts:sad0: So this was a nice surprise! Thanks again for the welcome!

I'll try to answer any questions you might have...

I did have alot of trouble from the minute I got out of surgery, I was vomiting badly! Or should I say "dry heaves"? It really was awful.... after the first day, and continued vomiting, My Doctor changed my pain meds. Still no good. I ended up staying 4 days because of this going home on the fifth day.

It was bad, but nothing toooo terrible.The first day being the worst.

I got home and followed the rules, and tried to get in my Water. Geeze... how in the world am I going to get in all this Water? ?? It was difficult... but gradually I did it. Now water is ALWAYS in my hands... I always get in 64 oz. but usually 80-120 now daily.

When I started on "food" I still vomited... or "foamies" as some of you know it as. Horrible!!!! And I had constant heartburn. So on my check up at 6 weeks, Doc put me on Nexium and also Reglan for the vomiting. This lasted about 2 months.... so I think thats where most of my weight loss came from.

I still can't eat in the morning.... so I have a Protein drink. My doctor is ok with this... so far. I go back for my 6 month check up in Aug. And I'll see what he says.

As far as food goes.... I completly stay away from breads, Pasta, potatoes...and sweets!! I can't do carbs because they are such a weakness of mine and being a "Self pay" wanna get my moneys worth!! LOL

I don't eat beef yet( have had it... just doesn't sit well with me)... or pork... just chicken, fish,shrimp ( my fav) and turkey.

As for the before and after pics.... LOL... I first gotta figure out how to do the profile thingy!!

And I shyed away from pics at my biggest.. so there aren't many... but I have been trying to get at least a face shot every month.. will try to figure this out and post...

Hope this wasn't tooo long and sound like I was rattling!!

Gonna go check out the rest of the boards... and will post more often... if anyone has ANY questions I might be able to anser... feel free to ask away!

HUGS

Chancie

It is a whole life style change and mind change. I struggle with head hunger... still think of certain foods....

Hi Chancie,

You are cute. I loved it you haven't figured out how to do the profile, but you managed to lose over 130 pounds. Even if you don't post any pictures on here. I highly suggest that you take pictures of yourself every month. For me I would look at my body and say--OK I have lost weight but where. I am a very visual person, so by seeing the pictures, I could actually see where I had lost the weight. You are doing a wonderful job. You have a fabulous attitude and you are going to be very successful. Welcome to our world of the " Sleeve Weight Loss." They is a great site to get information and share with everyone. I was sleeved in Oct 2008. You will find that the people on this site are so helpful and they are a great support.

Take care and Hugs.

[Suzannesh 376]

I am really having a tough time with solids. I get the foamies or slime or whatever you want to call it on a regular basis. It's very difficult for me to want to eat solids.

tonight I went out to dinner with DD. I had one little tiny piece of chicken. I didn't even eat all of it. It was about 2" square and I probably had 3 tiny bites of it and about 3 green Beans. I guess I didn't chew the grean Beans well enough because the sliming went on and on until I finally threw up. I don't think my portion was too big this time.

Hi,

I have found out that sometimes I don't chew enough too. But, I also have found out that if I drink just a small amount of something that is warm before I eat, that seems to help me quite a bit. Try just a couple of sips of something warm before you try to eat--not a lot of liquid. I hope that helps.

Take care

[Bornagainbabe 4]

Welcome Chancie. Awesome weight loss so far xxxxx

[Chancie 65]

I just wanted to comment on the "foamies"/vomiting...

some what I noticed.... alot of you are early out... and the same thing was going on with me. It WILL pass... around 3-4 months.( Maybe sooner ) I have a bout with it still... but being MY fault.

Alot of it is trying to eat foods that you shouldn't. Your mind may think uhmmmm THAT sounds good... but your belly will tell you otherwise. And If you eat too fast.. it will happen.. if you eat too much... it will happen.

And alot of it depends on HOW things are cooked too. I love my George Foreman grill... Talapia has now become my fav, and it only takes like two minutes to cook on that thing!

Hope this helped a bit!