1 Full Year Post Op... The Real Test Of Time.

[LilMissDiva Irene 3,282]

Hi everyone!

I wanted to touch base with you all... because I can! On Thursday I will be 18 months post op. One and one half years exactly. Yay! I'm happy.

Yup, that about sums it up right there.

Here's something I've learned and I think by sharing this bit of knowledge it might help some of you who might be struggling mentally with figuring out how - when - where - what - why's with the Post Op life of a VSG patient.

Notice the word "patient"... because seriously, you will never find this more of a virtue than after you have your surgery. This journey IS!! NOT!! EASY!! You're going to have so many ups and downs you won't know where you're headed sometimes. It's ok, and it's normal to feel confused by a lot of things! That's why this forum is so valuable, all of us pre-oppers and post-oppers coming together to offer support and some great advice.

Here is something to look forward to though... rather than become fixated on how much one will lose on the first month out, or for that matter 6 months... concentrate rather on how your life will look IN ONE YEAR from the date of your surgery.

You're going to have a Santa's List worth of NSV's, likely you will have cleaned out your closet and replaced all your clothes 2 or 3x over. Some people (for example my own Mom) will pass you right up and not realize that you're YOU... You're going to be bombarded with folks coming up and either congratulating you and/or asking you how you did it. You will probably get a little embarrassed by some comments. You won't need to buy your clothes in the Bigs & Talls anymore. Your shoes are going to fit like they should. You will be able to walk and workout with the greatest of ease and without much pain. Likely you will begin to feel more comfortable in larger crowds... and (if you're single) you might feel more empowered to flirt with others. You will fit nicely in stadium seats, in an airplane without extenders, chairs with arm rests... you will also be able to cross your legs like second nature. Your Before & After photos won't even look like you!!

These are only a handful of all the wonderful things you WILL experience at one year out... that you will still be dreaming of at one month.

Patience. It's THE #1 asset to have in this whole process.

Have a great day everyone!

[Shemy-away 83]

:wub:

[Pookeyism 1,143]

Very well but, and duly noted! Thank you!

[AbacoRaveness 44]

Thanks for that Irene! I definitely needed it today.

I think this week is going to be my first "stall". I managed to avoid it at three weeks and have lost about 4lbs per week steadily since surgery (six weeks), so I'm over the moon with my progress! But, its still hard to see that scale get stuck.

Your advice is just in the nick of time to remind me of what my surgeon said, "Don't worry about the scale day to day or even week to week, its about monthly trends."

I know I'm going to be a completely different person in a year, looking back on this moment and smiling at how, once again, I got myself worked up over nothing.

[LilMissDiva Irene 3,282]

Thanks for that Irene! I definitely needed it today.

I think this week is going to be my first "stall". I managed to avoid it at three weeks and have lost about 4lbs per week steadily since surgery (six weeks), so I'm over the moon with my progress! But, its still hard to see that scale get stuck.

Your advice is just in the nick of time to remind me of what my surgeon said, "Don't worry about the scale day to day or even week to week, its about monthly trends."

I know I'm going to be a completely different person in a year, looking back on this moment and smiling at how, once again, I got myself worked up over nothing.

Your Surgeon is a very smart man! I know it's hard to remember these things when you're going through it. I went through it and it was hard for me. I only wish I'd seen a post like this back then.

One year from now, you will be a completely different person, and you WILL look back and say... wow!! What DID I get so worked up over? LOL I speak from first person experience.

[FishingNurse 1,210]

Love this post thanks!!!!!

[Liliana Arleen 173]

Thanks for the encouragement always lady. You TRULY ROCK!!!

[gmanbat 5,889]

Thanks for the "down the road look." We get hung up on scale feedback and time periods too much I think. There will be a year later, 2 years later, etc.. I look at the amount of food I eat and know that there is no way I will not reach my goal regarless of any stall times I encounter. We have years of being lean and mean ahead!

[teambrown4 19]

I truly needed to read this today! Thank you!

My one month is tomorrow and after my initial -11lbs my first 9 days, I haven't lost anymore the past almost three weeks.

I have my nut telling me she's sees I'm doing verging correct in it and exercise and yet my dr said -1-3lb at least a week is normal.

So to lose none is discouraging!;(

But again, I say the same thing every night before bed.... It'll get easier every day and less will be intolerable and less will be painful in one month, as one month ago this week was hell and pain like I've never felt. (& I've had four kids)!

Yes, to look towards the future is all I can do and just stay positive everyday that this 'diet' is one that will work!!!! :-)

[LilMissDiva Irene 3,282]

I truly needed to read this today! Thank you!

My one month is tomorrow and after my initial -11lbs my first 9 days, I haven't lost anymore the past almost three weeks.

I have my nut telling me she's sees I'm doing verging correct in it and exercise and yet my dr said -1-3lb at least a week is normal.

So to lose none is discouraging!;(

But again, I say the same thing every night before bed.... It'll get easier every day and less will be intolerable and less will be painful in one month, as one month ago this week was hell and pain like I've never felt. (& I've had four kids)!

Yes, to look towards the future is all I can do and just stay positive everyday that this 'diet' is one that will work!!!! :-)

Hi TeamBrown, that 1-3 Lbs per week is based on average. Some weeks you won't lose, some you will lose a lot. Hang in there!!!