Two months post-VSG - bullet-pointed update

[vikingbeast 987]

Thought I would give an update here. VSG was done 9/14/2021, today is 11/14/2021.

THE GOOD:

• Down 55 lbs from surgery, 64 lbs from the start of the pre-op diet, and 94 lbs from my heaviest weight.
• Hypertension and asthma diagnoses were officially withdrawn. Hypogonadism is under review.
• CPAP average setting went from 16 cm H2O to about 7 cm. Have an appointment soon to see if I need it any more.
• Depression has almost completely been put in remission.
• Went from 52/34 to 36/34 in the same cut of jeans, and actually need to go see if they have 34/34 at the outlet.
• Went from 4XL or even 5XL shirts to L or XL (mostly XL).
• Went from 15EE boots to 12D; my arch has returned, which shocked my surgeon and my PCP.
• Running and enjoying it for the first time ever.
• Way too many NSVs to count

THE BAD:

• Still occasional bouts of Constipation which mess up scale results, but then it all, um, resolves and the number on the scale goes WHOOSH.
• Had to fire my NUT for being a horrible person. Found a new NUT who is amazing and who does the same fitness I do.
• The extremely restrictive diet (especially under the old NUT's "guidance") caused a massive drop in strength, which did not help at work. It also caused me to stall out. The new NUT increased my intake from 600-800 to 1000-1400 cals a day, and WHOOSH went the scale once again.
• It actually hurts to sit down because my butt is bony.
• I'm cold all the freaking time, even when it's objectively-by-any-sane-standard not cold.
• Needed a chiropractic adjustment because my hips are not used to carrying 25% less of me and were hurting badly.
• Had to replace expensive work boots because they were giving me blisters. Clothes I can get from the Goodwill and Ross Dress For Less; work boots not so much.

THE UGLY:

• Eating too fast or even one bite too much means spending the next 30 minutes to an hour in great physical discomfort. It takes time for the full signal to arrive in my brain.
• Eating lettuce salad was, in hindsight, a really, really bad idea. Play stupid games, win stupid prizes.
• Some gnarly skin tags as my fat melts away, and the beginnings of some loose skin. Added in a daily dose of collagen peptides to help.
• One incision is still quite visible, though it's healed over.
• Starting to notice a little more hairfall, including head, beard, and chest.

Still the best thing I've ever done for myself.

Edited November 15, 2021 by vikingbeast

[Sunnyway 345]

8 hours ago, vikingbeast said:

Eating too fast or even one bite too much means spending the next 30 minutes to an hour in great physical discomfort. It takes time for the full signal to arrive in my brain.

Are you able to up-chuck when you get that chest pain? Up-chucking usually gives immediate relief. I'm 30-years post my initial RNY and I still (rarely) get that blocked feeling. I tried to eat sweet potatoes with skin the other night and the skin did me in. <Urp!> and it was all better.

[vikingbeast 987]

27 minutes ago, Sunnyway said:

Are you able to up-chuck when you get that chest pain? Up-chucking usually gives immediate relief. I'm 30-years post my initial RNY and I still (rarely) get that blocked feeling. I tried to eat sweet potatoes with skin the other night and the skin did me in. <Urp!> and it was all better.

I'm an odd bird and it takes a LOT to make me upchuck. I did it once and still felt woozy but at least not "blocked". But usually I just tough it out.

[njlimmer 343]

14 hours ago, vikingbeast said:

. Play stupid games, win stupid prizes.

I am going to steal this for use with my teenagers!! Glad to see the update and that you're doing well!

[FLPhoenix 20]

I'm an odd bird and it takes a LOT to make me upchuck. I did it once and still felt woozy but at least not "blocked". But usually I just tough it out.

Happens to me too and I am 1.5 months Vsg post op. I get that air bubble feeling and it is terrible to try to burp it up as it doesn't make it up all the time. If it feels like food is lodged and I start getting a ton of foamies I do end up vomiting a little. I use my iWatch timer for 2 minutes between bites has helped my brain catch up with my eyes as it relates to hunger. Just when I start to think I have enough room for that last bite...I stop and wait more and realize it's not happening. What does NUT mean.... nutritionist or significant other? [emoji51]

Now that I am trying to get back into weight lifting I have definitely noticed a huge loss of muscle and strength...but as we are able to eat more I am hoping to gain back muscle.

Sent from my SM-G998U1 using BariatricPal mobile app

[vikingbeast 987]

15 hours ago, FLPhoenix said:

Happens to me too and I am 1.5 months Vsg post op. I get that air bubble feeling and it is terrible to try to burp it up as it doesn't make it up all the time. If it feels like food is lodged and I start getting a ton of foamies I do end up vomiting a little. I use my iWatch timer for 2 minutes between bites has helped my brain catch up with my eyes as it relates to hunger. Just when I start to think I have enough room for that last bite...I stop and wait more and realize it's not happening. What does NUT mean.... nutritionist or significant other?

Now that I am trying to get back into weight lifting I have definitely noticed a huge loss of muscle and strength...but as we are able to eat more I am hoping to gain back muscle.

Sent from my SM-G998U1 using BariatricPal mobile app

My coach said to think of this is a months-long cutting phase... and just like with any cutting phase, the muscle will return.

[pintsizedmallrat 473]

re: bony butts...I ended up having to get one of those memory foam cushions with the cutout for the tailbone. I even just got a new car with REALLY comfy seats, and I drive pretty long distances and I still have to use the cushion on long drives because my tailbone is out and proud, apparently.