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About this blog

My New Journey :)

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6 Months Post-Op + Pictures

Hey everyone!   I spent an hour of my time yesterday, trying to place my pre-op and six months post-op pictures in my blog but gave up due to size restrictions. Therefore, please go to my gallery and check out the uploads. Feel free to leave a comment or advice (either here or on the pics) as I will use it to help motivate me over the next six months and beyond. It's been a wonderful journey- learning much about myself along the way. Despite becoming dehydrated and malnourished, ultimately loosing my ability to walk, I spent many months in rehab and am walking better than ever... with this thing called confidence. I spend 5-6 days at the gym and am working on building strength/muscle, toning, as well as cardio to help with further weight loss. I couldn't have come this far without you and the rest of my VST family, so thank you for all your support over the past 6+ months. 112 pounds down- 33 more until my first goal (150), gladly accepting anything else beyond that.   Feel free to add me as a friend on VST or MyFitnessPal (SpartanMello09).   Melissa
~*~ Melissa ~*~

~*~ Melissa ~*~

1
 

Be MyFitnessPal Friend, Please?

I just put the 'MyFitnessPal' app in my phone and am looking for friends. I've tracked my weight since the beginning but never really used it. I want to give it a shot with friends, allowing me to praise others and receive motivation along the way. I'm learning the app so below is my info. Please add me!!   Name: SpartanMello09   Greatly appreciate it- THANKS!!!!   -Melissa
~*~ Melissa ~*~

~*~ Melissa ~*~

3
 

Finally Found My Protein- 90 to 100+ grams/day. YAY!

After struggling for months, trying to get down unsatisfying protein drink after protein drink, I finally found my groove and am getting 90-100+ grams of protein a day! TWO eight ounce cups gives me 46 grams alone. And thank goodness I can still tolerate dairy post-op because I usually get three glasses of milk in, giving me 24 ounces right there. Drinks alone- that's right, 70 grams of protein!!! Add in meals and a protein bar and I'm good to go   Thanks to all my VST friends for your continuous support during my protein struggle.
~*~ Melissa ~*~

~*~ Melissa ~*~

4
 

No More Hospitals!

Hey All!   To start off, the last couple months have been nothing but craziness! Three hospitalizations, 30+ days and nights spent undergoing tests and sleeping in the most uncomfortable beds ever. For now, I want to thank my VST family for all the messages while I've been away. Below is an explanation of what I've been through for those who have asked (much easier than replying to multiple messages). Much love to you all <3   At the beginning of September, I moved back home to Michigan to be with family and get well, leaving my new life and job in Tennessee behind. Everyone in my immediate family now knows of my secret trip and decision of getting sleeved, which has been a relief. My mom is my partner in crime and is always checking in on me which is something I appreciate more than I could ever imagine. I still have bouts of dry heaving and sickness + vomitting because of my siliva (thickness) but each day seems to get better and better. I'm now on a pill that has helped thin out secretions. I spend 3 days a week with a physical and occupational therapist, gaining strength and learning to walk again. All the hospitalizations caused me to lose much muscle, specifically in my legs. Each and every day gets better and I'm thankful for every professional that has helped me move closer to independence once again. From all the tests done in the hospital, I was told that my surgery went very well and that everything looks great- hooray! All worries regarding the procedure have been officially thrown out the window. The problem: Vitamin B1. Blood tests revealed that my B1 dipped critically low and seems to be the culprit behind many problems- numbness, blurry and double vision, etc. This vitamin has been added to my medicine and has helped much thus far.   Just out of curiosity, has anyone else had issues with dry heaving or even vomitting up thick phelgm? It was much worse months ago but still lingers. If you experienced something similar, did it ever go away for good?
~*~ Melissa ~*~

~*~ Melissa ~*~

2
 

Hospitalized Last Week.... The Story And More

First and foremost, I want to thank ALL of my VSG friends and family last week for your prayers and support during this rough time. I am writing this blog to update you on what happened and am hoping to receive advice since I am and will be facing a long recovery.   For roughly 2.5 weeks, I have been very weak and have had symptoms of dizziness, fatigue, zero hunger, etc. Additionally, each morning I would wake up and run to the bathroom to dry-heave froth/foam at least once every morning. A week ago today was the worst and I just couldn't take it anymore, running to urgent care immediately after work. They had me pee in a cup and drew some blood to find that my levels were everywhere- they couldn't tell if it was from an internal infection secondary to surgery or what. I was sent to the ER the next day (Wednesday) to have a CT scan done which came back negative, in addition to some x-rays. Overall, I think everything is going well with Mr. Sleevie; however, I do fear popping a stitch or staple with the consistent day-to-day episodes of dry heaving/throwing up phlem. I learned from leaving the hospital that I had a "significant" UTI and while there are many unknowns, they believe this is what is causing the fatigue, nausea, etc. I arrived home Wednesday and started my meds on Thursday, taking a turn for the worse. The meds made me extremely ill and dehydrated, which I was then admitted to the hospital Thursday evening until Sunday for dehydration and malnutrition. The IVs helped much but now that I'm home I'm still having difficulty eating and such since I have NO appetite, easily get sick, and find that certain smells (i.e., chicken broth) makes me sick to my stomach. Even taking meds are becoming more and more difficult-- I place the pill on my tongue and start gagging. I'm not getting in the amount of liquids that I should either :/   I was asked at the hospital if something were to happen and CPR was necessary to bring me back, would I want it and I actually said "no". I am extremely depressed and have no idea what to do or even how to get better. I'm normally happy and never full of drama but part of me just wants to die and move on since I am beyond done with everything. I have no idea how to get better from here. Protein intake is one thing I have failed to do and something I need to but now that I need it, I gag on the smell and thickness. It has to be with water since milk isn't proving well. I'm going to purchase EAS from Walmart/Target soon. I'm not a fan but I was able to sip it prior to surgery and sips count- better than nothing. I have NO idea what to eat since everything I have has dairy and that seems to upset the stomach more than anything. Smelling soup broth makes me nauseous. I nibbled a cracker just to see what would happen and that led me to dry heaving as well. Suggestions?   Thanks again for the support and for reading. I need as much help as I can get.
~*~ Melissa ~*~

~*~ Melissa ~*~

7
 

Happy One Month?

Today marked my one month anniversary of being sleeved and I'm still contemplating whether or not I made the right decision. Since it's not reversable, seems as though it's going to be a rough road. One month out and I'm never hungry- still drinking the broth of soups. Tried mashed potatoes and ate four bites and had one slice of ham and cheese from a lunchable and feel blah. I'm never hungry to begin with which makes eating hard since it's forced and not enjoyed. I have refried beans and tuna but neither sound appealing. I question if this will ever get better. I really wish I could turn back the hands of time :/
~*~ Melissa ~*~

~*~ Melissa ~*~

2
 

Questions & Suggestions, Please :)

1) Can I ever chug water like I did prior to the sleeve? In the next upcoming weeks, I will be beginning my fitness routine. Before the surgery, I would chug water when feeling hot and dehydrated during my workout, drinking 30-50 ounces while at the gym alone. I'm assuming chugging only 5-6 weeks out probably wouldn't be a good idea, huh? Will I ever be able to do so cause I hate sipping with a passion, watching everyone else just chug away.
  2) I LOVED icees/slurpees, especially Coca-Cola prior to my surgery. I can no longer have that due to carbonation. Is Fanta Cherry or Fanta Blueberry okay to drink? I tried searching to see if they are carbonated but couldn't find a thing. Additionally, I tried going to the icee website and my computer told me the site would harm my computer. Therefore, I'm turning to my VST community for help. The reason why I ask this is because this girl is going on a date really soon-- first time in ages in the upcoming week. I'm trying to avoid the dinner part since I'm barely eating. Thursday will be four weeks post-op and I'm still eating soup, with the occasional 3-4 bites of mashed potatoes or refried beans. I just feel dinner would be extremely awkward so I'm trying to push a movie. While I LOVE movie theater popcorn, I know it's too soon to have it. What about the fanta cherry or blueberry icee? If not, this guy is going to think I'm crazy for a thick girl like myself to not eat or drink anything (except water). Any suggestions? And yes, I went to this theater last weekend and they check purses on the way in so I can't take a drink of my own. I am tempted to wrap it in my hoodie but would feel extremely embarrassed if caught on the first date. What to do!?!?!
~*~ Melissa ~*~

~*~ Melissa ~*~

0
 

"damn, I'm Looking Good"

I had a moment this morning where I both laughed and cried over probably THE craziest thing. As I walk to my bathroom from the living room, I can see myself in the bathroom mirror. I caught a glimpse in the mirror and stopped for a second, looking back at the reflection. For the first time in my 25 years of life, I said to myself "Damn, I'm looking good." Then followed a happy smile with some tears of joy.   I know I have a LONGGGGG way to go but am happy with the progress thus far. This Thursday marks my one month anniversary and I would love to hit a goal of 50 pounds lost. The weight loss includes what I lost on my own prior to the pre-op diet, the pre-op diet and post-op diet.   Thanks, Mr. Sleevie
~*~ Melissa ~*~

~*~ Melissa ~*~

7
 

Worst Nightmare Came True... Infection :(

I need help-- I am more scared now than I was before getting sleeved. I had my stitches removed this week at an urgent care setting in TN, since it is my new home and I do not have a primary care doctor at the moment. Three of the five incision sites look pretty bad- all full of puss, red and refusing to close. The incision site where my drain was has closed but is pink/red all the way around and one end is sore when I push. Then the incision near my bra line isn't severe but isn't in the clear either. How did this happen? I made sure to clean them, put coverings on, took all my antibiotics, etc.   While I would hate for someone else to have infectons like me, I really need your support. What did you do? What happened?? I was given an antiobiotic cream and was told that if I don't see a difference in 48 hours (Sunday night) then we need to go forth with plan two. I'm not sure of the next option but the doctor did say if nothing works, it could be internal infection meaning I need to make a trip to the OR to get recut and cleaned. I'm really hoping this isn't the case. Please say prayers for me. I'm so scared :'(
~*~ Melissa ~*~

~*~ Melissa ~*~

9
 

Just Joined The Loser's Bench!

Surgery went well and recovery is off to what seems to be a good start (I'll post more details at a later time). Drinking liquids is SO incredibly hard as it feels stuck going down. I'm really hoping this goes away in the near future. I have been walking much and feel great. One thing I am worried about are my stitches. All five areas are a bit red and one had liquid on the outside that was of a yellow color-- I guess it could be pus. They don't hurt, no fever, etc. Is my fear of having an infection coming true??
~*~ Melissa ~*~

~*~ Melissa ~*~

2
 

Less Than 24 Hours..... Hopefully!?!?

Here I am, writing this blog from the Detroit airport. I still can't believe how fast this day has come! I'm feeling happy, anxious, nervous, excited, scared.... etc.   While most people in my position would be worried about the procedure tomorrow, I'm more worried about getting to California in time for my procedure. I have sat through TWO cancelled flights and am praying I'll board and depart on the third booking. And then there's the connecting flight in Arizona.... ay caramba!   Please say a couple prayers for me. I need this and am beyond ready to begin this journey to my new, healthier life.
~*~ Melissa ~*~

~*~ Melissa ~*~

3
 

Am I Screwed!?

Alrighty. For some of who who have read my past blogs or posts, you would have found out that I am doing the surgery alone... completely behind my family's back. Not one person in my family knows. My surgery is taking place in Mexico and they believe I'm going to Canada for a wedding. Okay... here goes nothin'   My surgery is scheduled for July 19th, returning back home on Monday July 23rd. I am a recent grad, walking in May with my masters degree. If things are going as good as I hope they are, I may be offered a job and will be required to move from Michigan to Tennessee (about a 9 hour drive). I'm not supposed to lift anything for 6 weeks so moving is going to be a blast. As bad as it sounds, I'm planning to "throw out my back"... which may be believable after dealing with the soreness from the surgery. Additionally, training starts the following Monday on the 30th.   Am I screwed? I know moving isn't going to be fun but how about training for my new job? Will I be able to sit through training and do what needs to be done after less than 2 weeks post-op???   Change the flight is going to cost money. I have no idea when I'm going to be able to get the surgery done again. HELP ME!!   I'm a horrible daughter, ain't I?
~*~ Melissa ~*~

~*~ Melissa ~*~

6
 

Fat, Carbs, And Sugar -- Oh My!

Hey everyone!   I bought a couple protein drink packages at Target this evening to trial before going into my strict liquid diet. They aren't clear so I won't be able to have them for a couple weeks post-op, but I just thought I would trial some now that I have time and am feeling 100%. I still plan on giving Isopure a try as well-- the pre-mixed drinks to be exact. Below are the drink brands and nutrition info. Do you think they are okay??   Atkins Day Break (Morning Snack/Light Breakfast)- Strawberry Banana Shake (11 fl oz)   Calories: 140 Total Fat: 9g Saturated Fat 2.5g Trans Fat: 0g Sodium: 58 mg Total Carbohydrate: 10g Protein: 10g   EAS Advantedge Carb Control (Ready-To-Drink): Chocolate Fudge (11 fl oz)   Calories: 110 Total Fat: 3g Saturated Fat: 0.5g Trans Fat: 0g Sodium: 340 mg Total Carbohydrate: 4g Protein: 17g   Obviously the second product looks better. Not sure how they taste just yet- will update either tomorrow or Sunday. Are both products fine to drink post-op for protein purposes once out of the clear liquid stage? Are there too many carbs in the Strawberry Banana shake??   Also, I'm still confused on how much fat, carbs and sugar I should stick to per day. I plan to keep sugar and fat as low as possible, eating and drinking low fat/fat free and low sugar items. I know my doctor will probably discuss this with me when the date comes closer; however, I would like to know now, allowing me to stock up on items. Also, for those of you who are post-op, how much protein do/did you take in per day with shakes?   Thanks for your time and consideration!
~*~ Melissa ~*~

~*~ Melissa ~*~

6
 

Exciting Pre-Op Results!

As I said before, the big day is July 19th and my emotions have been crazy-- one day I'm extremely excited and others are a bit more stressful. Finding verticalsleevetalk.com has been like striking gold because it allows me to ask questions and even seek support from others going through this new journey. I can't thank you all enough for your time and knowledge over the past couple weeks. As someone going through with the procedure alone, you are making the approach easy and comfortable. Again, big thanks to all   To help ease myself into the 14-day liquid diet (due to my higher BMI), I have been watching what I eat and snack on, consuming much less versus the norm of eating until feeling full. I have lost 15 pounds thus far and will begin the pre-op diet in exactly one week. Yay!! I have been debating one thing and would love your opinion. I love, Love, LOVE coca-cola slurpees! I haven't had pop for a couple weeks now and am very proud of myself but have been craving a slurpee. Should I allow myself to have one before the pre-op diet, especially since it isn't an approved liquid and because I am unable to have carbonation for 6 weeks post-op? Part of me thinks I deserve it but the other part of me sees how good I've been doing and that purchasing will only set me back. Ugh! How can something so minute be so difficult to decide!? Thoughts???   Side note: I took roughly 5-7 full body pictures last night to look back on when I feel down about slow/stalled weight loss and fought back so many tears. I truly can’t believe I did this to myself and my body. Here’s to a new, happier and healthier life full of better food choices, exercise, and most importantly, confidence.
~*~ Melissa ~*~

~*~ Melissa ~*~

7
 

Sooo Many Questions.... No Answers :(

Hey everyone!   Seeing the success of my last blog, I thought I would post another to help get answers I'm failing to find online. The company I'm having my procedure with had a liasion leave and it's been hard to get emails answered and phone calls returned, which is a bit scary since I'm doing this alone. I would appreciate your help and expertise on the following questions. Thanks in advance!!   1. Since my BMI is over 50, I plan to complete a 14-day liquid diet before my procedure on the 19th of July. I have a basic understanding of what I'm allowed to have based on the packet received; however, there is one thing I am confused about-- where do protein drinks come in??? Am I supposed to drink these pre-op, post-op, or both?? Suggestions on brands and flavors would be greatly appreciated as well   2. I know I have to follow a post-op diet starting with clear liquids, then moving to puree and eventually regular food... but I have yet to hear of any "new" limits, specifically carbs. I am particularly interested now since I have free time and want to get all the facts before going in. I think my biggest fear is not knowing a limit with carbs and stretching out my sleeve. Is there a limit on how many carbs sleeved patients are allowed per day post-op??   3. Last but not least, do you recommend any books or online websites in addition to verticalsleevetalk.com that will help answer questions someone like myself may have both before and after the procedure? Has anyone read "The Success Habits of Weight Loss Surgery Patients" by Colleen Cook?? A forum and group mentioned the book and it seemed legit. Will probably order tonight.           Have a wonderful week!   ~*~ Melissa ~*~
~*~ Melissa ~*~

~*~ Melissa ~*~

3
 

Things You Wish You Knew/did/didn't Do Before Your Procedure....

Hey everyone!   Thanks for taking time to read my mini blog this evening. I am 27 days away from my procedure and absolutely can't wait to begin this new journey! One of the things I am looking forward to most is completing a Zumba class-- doing all the lunges, jumping jacks, etc. that I was unable to do before because of two factors: 1. My knees; 2. Embarrassment of watching my fat jiggle and jump up and down around stick thin people.   For those who have gone through the surgery, do you have any advice on things you wish you knew/did/didn't do before your procedure? I keep hearing stories of people who ate everything and anything they could think of prior to the liquid diet, setting them roughly 20 pounds back. Ouch!   Also, has anyone had any issues with hair falling out? What are you doing to prevent this??   Many Thanks!   -Melissa
~*~ Melissa ~*~

~*~ Melissa ~*~

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