WLS Veteran's Forum

What the hell was I thinking?! You can shout it too, it's okay. I deserve it. Yesterday it was a beautiful, warm day full of sunshine and such. I stayed outside as much as possible with my puppy and we enjoyed NOT focusing on things like loneliness, an empty house, and food temptations. Today it is a typical Pittsburgh day. Cold, grey, and it's raining. I'm feeling the emptiness of the house even with the puppy napping peacefully. All I want is comfort. And wouldn't you know, I reached for that damned box of waffles that has been in the freezer for over six months. (Can we say Eww?!) I toasted one waffle, measured one serving of low-calorie butter substitute and .…

I remember when i started getting serious about this whole sleeve thing, I became obsessed with it. I read every forum, tried to read every study, every whisper of info about my surgeon - EVERYTHING. It was on mind mind pretty much constantly. In the end, I made peace with finding the "just right" surgeon for me and was able to put it all in his hands - i was still scared as crap, but I was no longer questioning what size bougie should be used or how he should oversew the incision line. I had kinda forgotten that but now that I am zeroing in on plastics, my obsession is renewed...lol I am completely committed, I understand what needs to happen and how to be successf…

Some of you know me and some of you don't and at six months out some of you may not count me as a "Veteran" and that's okay- I'm not. I'm as green as the fresh-cut grass. And my questions are going to prove it! I'm posting here because posting in the really newbie forum isn't going to help me as much as I believe you all may be able to. My main concern is how to increase my calorie count to where my surgeon/nutritionist wants it to be when I'm just not able to eat that much. Even with a sudden increase in my appetite, I'm finding that my calories are right around 500 for the day- not the 1200 recommended by the surgeon/nutritionist. Increasing my exercise hasn't made it…

I'm just curious how you folks handle PMs from newbies. I get quite a few of them and usually do not mind helping out and answering. For fear of this becoming a rant or something that will get locked, I'll just generalize, but I get a lot of messages that are more along the lines of "justify this surgery to me" or "do my research for me" or "give me the magic answer for my weight loss pace/struggle/scale woes/etc." and similar things. I get plenty of folks that actually have a similar situation or stats and feel more comfortable sending a message off there. And of course I love comparing stories with other folks that have reached goal or are close to it and have seen…

I am 7 pounds away from losing 100 pounds. I have said all along that I wanted to do something big for losing 100. My ideas were get a tattoo or get my nose pierced. My dilemma is - my parents and a number of others are against the tattoo. I was all for it - an infinity sign with my daughter's names in it and a "100" dangling off it to show 100 pounds lost forever. But now I am not so sure. When I am 65 am I still going to be happy with it, et cetera....(I am 47 as of tomorrow) What I really, really want is to get my nose pierced. Tiny diamond stud. I think it is beautiful and I, in my opnion, have a petite, cute nose. My HUSBAND is against it and so are my ki…

Mine is coffee. So far I have hidden the extent of my depravity from loved ones. I see different baristas so none of them are the wiser. I even brew at home... who really notices if it is one cup or three? I make light of this but I find it curious how much I want coffee ! I used to take it black, now I need cream and sweetener. I used to have a few cups in the morning now I have to tell myself NO even in the afternoons or else I would drink it all day long! I have heard of addiction transference ... Also, I suddenly stopped listening to NPR and now only listen to country or rock music. I might be going over the edge!

Now, warning.. this might sound stupid! What is the difference between a piece of clothing that fits and a piece of clothing that is too tight? I'm confused. See, for the past 20 odd years, I have always worn baggy clothes, to hide my weight and when the weight had gone, to hide the lumps and bumps! And probably to hid the weight loss so I don't have any attention... I don't really enjoy too many comments about how I look, I still get embarrassed! So now I have had the apron removed, obviously my waist is smaller (although still swelling like made at 7 weeks post op, but that is to be expected and will, eventually go) and I need to get some new clothes, especially j…

Well I am three years post op and so grateful for this journey. Having lost the weight increased my fertility dramatically, and allowed me to conceive and give birth to a healthy beautiful boy. However, the strangest side effect has come with my epilepsy. Medications that once managed my seizure symptoms are no more. I have been working with a neurologist for 2.5 years trying to find the magic combo. Taking way more than I had to at 320 lbs (I am at 160 now) the best guess that my medical professionals have. I once had a fatty inefficient liver. I no longer do. My liver is so effective that it chews up more medicine than the FDA's maximum dosages. I am so grateful for the…

I ate something heavy and I ate it fast. Needless to say, my stomach rejected it and I threw up. I've noticed there are small traces of red, blood I'm assuming, in the exiting contents of my stomach. Should I be alarmed? I have an email out to my surgeon but I wanted some feedback from here as well. I'm 9 weeks postop.

Hi there! I'm 15 months out, and still haven't gotten into the habit of incorporating veggies back into my diet. I love veggies, but, as weird as it sounds, have gotten out of the habit of eating them. I would appreciate any suggestions about when to eat them and good ways to get them back into my diet. How do you incorporate them in your day? Thanks, everyone!!!

I started seeing a counselor - focused on some relationship/family issues. Anyway, yesterday she asked me, on a scale of 1-10, with 10 being estatic - how have you felt overall the last 30 days. I said 9.5 Okay, maybe that is an exaggeration, but I really do love life as a normal sized person even with my extra skin, return of hunger and the drudgery of maintenance. Curious how the rest of you would rate your happiness?

Hello fellow sleevers, I am now just over 6 weeks post TT and uplift and I can't tell you how happy I am that I have turned the corner. I ain't gonna lie, it has been a tough 6 weeks, not physically but mentally and emotionally but that is for another post... Anyhoo, today is the first day that I have been able to wear my post op jeans (my original size goal; UK 14) - before now the swelling was sooo bad, even with compression garments and control pants on that they wouldn't do up and were tight on the legs... booo! I wore them today and they were big... yes big! So, as we were shopping I picked up a new pair, one size smaller as an incentive and a 'work in progres…

I was banded in July, 2010. I lost 70 pounds and felt great, even though I was still 20 pounds shy of my goal. I don't know what's happened. I've lost all motivation and feel like I have failed again...it was my biggest fear and it has come true. I think it's why I never wanted to tell anyone about being banded - the fear of failure and judgment. I guess I called THAT right. I want to get back on track but don't even know where to start. I'm embarrassed to go back to the doctor. I had gained about 15 pounds about a year ago and realized I was not in the right mindset and just quit going. Then I gained another 25. I know my band needs adjusting, I'm just not sure …

Hello all, I am approaching my 3rd surgiversary and this brings up a lot of emotions. First of all, I have yet to make it to goal, this is crushing and something I still very much want. I have been through a pretty tough year; since last April I have lost my job, broke up with my boyfriend, went on unemployment, had to have my gallbladder removed without insurance so racked up shocking medical debt, lost my Father suddenly, lost our home suddenly, at the same time as those two last events my Mother lost her job and is now a homeless penniless widow living in what used to be our home until the new owners arrive. I have deployed to a warzone now, and the IRS is coming …

Am able to comfortable wear my size 14 pants today, no button marks on my skin, no gasping for breath. Am wearing a large light sweater and size 14 pants….life is good I am down to 183…..24 more pounds to go to goal weight 159 It’s been a long sometimes difficult trip, had some setbacks but am generally very happy I got the band No way would I ever go back to pre band eating Feeling very good………even though I pulled a muscle in my side at the gym this weekend…no pain no gain…don’t want to miss the gym later this week……who I the heck am I ????

Hi all, I posted in the Tell Your Gastric Sleeve Surgery Story thread, but wanted to post here too. It's my two year surgiversary today. Looking forward to another year at goal. I love my sleeve. In honor of my surgiversary, I have finally updated my profile pic, status, and added my surgery story and goal pics to my profile. Lynda

Death in family, issues at work, severe neck pain... just stuff. I have been hungry and not wanting to work out. I had too many "meals out" - and even a couple of "drinks out" - just too much. I moved into stage one of denial and stopped weighing myself about a week ago. Today i finally stepped on the scale - only up 2# so i am okay. It is time to return to daily accountability and eating the way i should. There, i said it. deep breath - there was this little part of my brain that expected to be up like 10# or maybe 100#, who knows... LOL... just goes to show that facing the honest truth is easier then whatever it is we might be imagining. My clothes still fit…

I am finding myself with Water retention in the AM;s and ran across this so I thought I would share this every one. Thursday, January 21, 2010 How to Deal With Water Retention: Part One 1:03 PM | Posted by Martin Berkhan In an ideal world, weight loss would be perfectly linear. You'd lose weight in a predictable manner, seeing small but consistent changes each passing day. But this is rarely the case, which my experience has proven me many times over. If you've ever been on a diet and tracked your progress with the scale or the mirror, you're probably familiar with water retention and long weight loss plateaus. Even though your diet is on point, nothi…

Very much so I want it. I'm on day three of having nothing but minuscule BM's. I did have a power poo on Tuesday. Nothing Wednesday. A sliver in Thursday. A larger sliver today. I've been eating organic prunes. Added chia seeds to my smoothie yesterday (yum). Took MoM on Monday, power poo on Tuesday. Took MoM on Wednesday. Sliver and sliver. I feel pressure in my lower abdomen. Large intestines I believe. Please help!?

I thought this article was very interesting. It's a study about heavier people compared to skinnier people's eating habits when dining at a buffet....Hope you enjoy it. Tactics to Eat Less at the Buffet Table Study reveals how people stay in control when faced with endless portions, many choices WebMD News from HealthDay By Brenda Goodman FRIDAY, April 19 (HealthDay News) -- Few situations can trip up someone who is watching their weight like an all-you-can-eat buffet. But a new research letter published in the April issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine suggests two strategies that may help dieters survive a smorgasbord: Picking up a smaller plat…

I couldn't see where to post this so, I thought Vets may apreciate a chuckle if your inclined to laugh at this, so, Whats "Porch Tomatoe", sounds like couch Potatoe, Nope not a lazy Porch dweller Tomatoe person, just my home spun gardening effort several floors up in my Apartment building, hehe, also got one each Zuchini and Eggplant growing;

So happy to learn of this new veterans forum! I have been off the VST forum for a while having hit my goal weight 10 months ago and basically feeling like a NWP (Normal Weight Person) with no food issues for a long time now. I have settled into my food routine nicely and been at my goal weight without any problems since last September. I'm 59 years old and the only downside to the surgery were that my breasts did not fare well....they were unslightly, asymmetrical, (one being almost twice the size of the other) and very sagging. So a week ago today I had a breast lift on both and reduction on one. I am very very happy with the results as is my husband! Since we are …

Does anyone else get this feeling? It's quite irritating to be very honest! Before I lost weight, I felt really strong and "hearty".. I could lift things and push heavy boxes around. Now, I feel like those silly girls at the grocery store that ask for help to lift a box of Water bottles. I AM that silly girl. I've been studying for exams these days, and often find my bum hurting from sitting on it too long, and certain positions are no longer comfortable, because I've lost the padding! I also have this constant irritation around my elbow, where the nerve keeps getting pinched, because I rest it on the table, just so. It's getting ridiculous! While I like that my b…

I go to the Dr tomorrow. Just wondering if anyone has had this. I have this burning sensation in my stomach in my right side.I have had pain in my belly button area as well. I had my gallbladder removed and i have had my apendix removed. Just wondering if anyone has had this Thank you

I had some anxiety over the surgery i had booked for May 9 - tomorrow, but what tipped the scale is my support person going "off the rails". His brother is near death and the whole thing was just too much stress. Lets be honest, i had big time anxiety and realized that it wasn't actually entirely about the surgery, but my anxiety triggered some past traumas to rear its ugly head. I decided to postpone by about 6 months and spend the summer enjoying life! And I am going to do EMDR treatment again to deal with those old traumas a bit more. I hit goal back in February and so have been toying with the idea of trying to lose another 5-10# over the next 4-5 months since …

Last night for the first time in many years, I stood flat footed, clad in only bra & panties then looked in the mirror and didnt hate what I saw... my pannis is still horrible but with the right cute panties it wasnt as noticeable....got me almost looking forward to going to the beach Im a lil under 175 lbs, solidly in size 10....showing a whle lotta leg and happy about it....

NEVER, in my life, did I think I would say those words!! My goal was 115, when I hit 120, I considered myself close enough and figured the other 5 lbs would just happen. I am now 112lbs. That is still a normal BMI, but how do I keep from going lower? I physically cannot eat more, I don't want to add junk food just to boost calories. I'm still only eating my protein because my tummy can only hold 1/2 cup at a time. That means only occasional bites of veggies/fruits and rare bites of pasta/potatoes/bread/rice.

And I jumped off, I am desperately trying to fix it. But I am consumed with thoughts of, well if one tire is weak then perhaps they are all destined to fail. Is it just fear of failure or is there a much more sinister thing going on? Like trying to give up so I can give in? I'm writing this as I sit in the drivers seat again. Albeit a much bumpier ride at the moment. Wrong place I see now. But I didn't need answers anyway

I do believe that sugar is toxic for us....Here is an article I thought you might like to read and give your opinion on..... Your Brain on Sugar It gives you a rush, messes with your mind, and always leaves you wanting more - and now researchers are calling for the government to regulate the sweet stuff like a drug. Is sugar worse for you than, say, cocaine? According to a 2012 article in the journal Nature, it's a toxic substance that should be regulated like tobacco and alcohol. Researchers point to studies that show that too much sugar (both in the form of natural sucrose and high-fructose corn syrup) not only makes us fat, it also wreaks havoc on our liver, mucks u…

I know this topic has been posted about in other forums, but I'm wondering about how the vets handle this. My short answer is NO. I typically burn 300-700 calories in a workout depending on what it is. 1 hour of spin class of pretty intense cardio where I'm dripping sweat and there is NO stopping for the entire hour probably nets me around -700 calories burned. And I just don't see the sense in eating an extra +700 calories on my sleevers diet of 1,200 cals/day. I know there are are LOTS of theories on this topic and everyone is different, so your mileage may vary. I'm also *still* trying to lose weight so in my mind, burning extra calories just to eat them back se…

Well, it only took me 2 months to get around to asking HOW to do this, but i finally know how to post before and after photos in the profile! I had put in a gallery before, but this the spot you see when you first click on someones profile. Go to edit profile -> My Surgery -> My Photos I know not everyone wants to share their photos, but I know for me, at the depths of my fears about getting this surgery, seeing people's transformations inspired me and filled me with hope. There are before and after threads but I think it is so nice to have it on the profiles so people who are new and wandering around the site might stumble across it!

Hello everyone. I was curious. I am a year out and for some reason I can eat a lot of salad. However I do tend to eat my salads with spinach. I did notice one when I had a salad with romaine lettuce I got full much faster. For example I have made salads for lunch, I have been doing the salad in a mason jar thing (which works really well) I have been using the quart size jar. I also have been able to eat the whole salad. I would say about 2/3 of the jar is spinach. For the rest of the veggies I use cucumbers, about 5 mini cherry tomatoes, and some orange peppers along with about 3-4 ounces of chicken breast with vinigerette dressing. And for the record salad is the…

This site has been my main source of support since before I had my surgery on June 20, 2012. So far, I have lost 88 pounds, and I'm thrilled with the results. I have not had a terribly difficult time, but it has definitely been work. I am watching what I'm eating, and I am working out regularly. Overall, happy with the surgery so far. I wanted to lose weight for myself, and my health, yes. I have a husband, and three small children who need me. A secondary reason that I wanted to lose weight was that my mother had cancer and was very worried about my high weight. So I am thankful that my mother has seen me lose weight, and is also happy with my loss. My mother is no…

I really, really, REALLY hate being back in the loss phase. Oh, today I only have nine pounds back to goal. Tomorrow it will be twelve. The next day six...and I'm so frustrated playing the up and down game on the scale like I did during initial loss. Those that have experienced regains and recovered, how did you approach it mentally? I know this isn't a "real" regain, whatever the heck that means, because it's pregnancy weight. And no, I'm not in a hurry to see that magic number on the scale again...but I feel frustrated by not really knowing where to start and not feeling like I'm making progress. Because seriously, I feel less prepared to adjust myself back in…

I want plastics, I need plastics, I have saved the $$$ for them. I would say that in the end, even the process of going through the "consults" has helped me feel alot better about my body and helped me work through dismorphia issues. All good. And yet, the whole process has given me alof of stress. Monday morning I woke up in a full on anxiety attack. I am not prone to those, however, when my sister died a very slow and painful death 6 years ago, they did creep into my life. I did some emdr therapy and felt I had moved on past it, but this week i realized that I have not. There is anxiety (normal and acceptable and it is okay to feel this and not worry about fee…

Before VSG, I always had very irritable bowels with frequent diarrhea. Post- VSG, like many others, I dealt with constipation and infrequent bowel movements. The last few months I was getting to a more regular schedule, maybe every other day. So, for the last probably 4 weeks, I have been experiencing a lot more diarrhea. My eating habits have not really changed. I did eat kinda poorly over spring break last week but this started before. Previously, my loose stools were always related to something I ate and happened immediately after eating. Now they seem to be happening in the morning, sometimes before I eat anything. It has been the kind where I have to rush to the ba…

Anyone else that is sleeved for a while started any new medication and gained weight because if it? It was actually an antidepressant and I gained 7lbs in one month after starting it when I have been a stable weight for a year! I did quit taking the medication and am looking at other options. I only quit taking it a couple of weeks ago, so I am hoping the weight will come back off. Any other experiences would be appreciated? I am just feeling so frustrated when I have worked so hard, have been so stable, and BAM!

It's probably a totally unnecessary post but who cares! Having delivered my little bundle of joy/sleepless nights I found that I no longer have acid reflux or lactose intolerance. I've eaten cheese, cottage cheese and even a piece of toast with REAL BUTTER. I'm so happy I could scream. I also seem to have dropped the meat aversion and enjoyed a really delicious (albeit teeny tiny) portion of turkey chili last night. With SOUR CREAM AND CHEESE!! Oh yeah, I'm living the wild life over here. The fact that my sleeve is once again restricting me to 1/4-1/2 cup portions actually makes me a little sad. I really wanted to eat that entire cup of chili and was disapp…

Hi All, I rarely come on the forums anymore. It seems that, once I got past the really tough times with my band to sleeve revision I just drifted away. Anyway, I realized that I will be 2 years post-revision in a couple of weeks and I should probably report in and let the newbies know about my experience. If you want to know specifics about my surgery, you can look through my profile posts - it is hard for me to remember all the details now. I had a lap band for 4 years and it sucked. I got my lap band at 215 pounds and ended up at about 195 pounds and was gaining slowly on top of that. I couldn't eat chicken (did I mention the band SUCKED?). I wanted the band out, …

6 months post surgery and at least 100 posts ... Are these settings enforced? I know this will probably make me sound elitest ... whatever ... I have seen a few folks who have surgery AND join dates < 6 months posting in here. Also, do you think 100 posts constitutes a veteran? I see A LOT of folks several months pre-sleeve who have hundreds of posts. Sooo ... I guess my question is, what do you feel constitutes a veteran? Does a veteran always have to be sunshine, lollypops and rainbows? Does being rigorously honest mean we aren't supportive? Even if that means calling you on your ****?

Ok I have to Ask if anyone has experienced this. I have been banded almost 5 years and have never had this happen. Yesterday I ate a few, maybe 1/8 cup of shelled sunflower seeds. Since then I have had mid sternum dull chest pain that only hurts when I drink or eat. It is very strong then. Goes away within a minute. I am not too tight and can still get liquids and soft foods down easy. Scared to try more solid foods. I am a nurse and I know this isn't a heart attack so please don't advise me to go to ER. Just wondering if anyone has had this. I'm going to call doc Monday if it is still going on. I have had left shoulder pain if I eat too much but this is totally different…

Totally bummed bc I have to have surgery 2 yrs after being banded to fix my slipped band. I've gain 50 lbs since October & am feeling like a total failure. I just pray they can either fix or replace my band & that I get back on track.

Okay, sometimes my mind plays tricks and i don't see myself accurately. I was noticing over the last few weeks that my face looks a little drawn, a little thinner. My other meter, which is attention from the opposite gender is definately falling off too - but I think that happened when my boobs disappeared sometime in the last 10# lost...lol It makes no sense because i have only lost maybe a couple of pounds since i hit goal in late Feb. I am not really trying to lose alot more, just wanting to get a little under goal to give me some "flex room" - goal is the top of my weight range now! I am also slowly adding in more food and wanting to coast into maintenance. I e…

I buy jeans mostly at Goodwill because for the past 3 or 4 months, Ive been going thru sizes pretty quickly... Im also the clearance rack queen... I have really been struggling with body image issues.... I am fitting loosely in size 12, tightly in size 10.... I know , in my head at least, that I am not HUGE anymore...I can pick up an outfit and see if its too big or too small.... and as long as I have clothes on, I think I look OK... but as soon as I am naked or in my skivvies, I still see the 280 pound me in the mirror as some of you know, Im training for triathlon.... until yesterday I had still been wearing my size 20 bathing suits...Lycra is forgiving so the body …

I am six months out and have noticed I can eat more and am hungry more. I am happy with my weight loss and don't really care if I lose more. Maybe I am just paranoid but I know people can gain weight after this sugery and I know this is just a tool. Losing this weight has been so easy and quick for me that I am scared and kind of waiting for the other "foot to drop" so to speak. Do I need to go on a diet now? I weigh everyday and have not gained any yet but I am so scared. I love my new life and I don't want that monkey on my back again.

I am 16 months out (perhaps I should not call myself a vet, sorry!), and shared the symptoms with a VSG friend of feeling off balance for days to a week on end after having alcohol. We deduced this must be dehydration! I notice I am prone to this off balance feeling if I am even slightly dehydrated now, and the effects take awhile to go away. It's not your typical "room spinning" dizziness, but rather feeling off balance, like you're walking on a boat or in a plane- more like an equilibrium issue. I post this in here, because I did not suffer dehydration early on, and I'm wondering if other vets encountered these weird balance issues, and what has worked for you! I wi…

I'm soooo flippin happy! I have lost 100 lbs since my surgery on 6/15/12!! This has been the greatest decision ever! Surgery weight= 217 lbs Current weight= 117 lbs Height= 5'5"

On vacation with my husband and am eating like a crazy person. Still eating little portions but eating things I know I shouldn't! Eating out for every meal. Ice cream, bread, had a drink at dinner tonight. I am feeling a bit out of control and although at the moment I eat something I shouldn't I enjoy it I Immediately feel horrible about it afterwards. I did walk 4 miles today so I hope that helps combat the Chipwich I just ate at 10 pm I am really disappointed in myself and afraid that I will start going backwards and never reach my goal. Thanks for letting me vent.

I haven't lost any weight since mid December and I'm getting nervous. Grant it I haven't been exercising, so I went back to the gym. But I'm afraid I've gone through all this only to lose 36 pounds. I started at 224 and I am currently 187. My goal weight is 146. It's been 7 1/2 months and I haven't been told I have other issues to contend with. So, my question to all of you is will I ever see additional weight loss? I haven't lost any inches either.....ugh! So frustrated. Sent from my iPad using VST

Hey folks - I tried to post a thread on the Success board in an attempt to stave off some of the frantic "I'm a slow loser" posts. But what I meant to be a motivational thread that invited OTHER slow losers to share (so it could motivate everyone else) instead got picked up by just a small handful of newbies and turned into a "Yay Cheri!" post. Not my intent at all. If any of you are also slower losers (as in, you didn't drop 110 pounds in five months) I'd ask you to please share your story there so people can find it. If we get enough good posts there, the thread might merit pinning. No, it won't stop the frantic slow loser posts but it might give reassurance…