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Hi all..New to this site. Let me introduce myself. My name is Elizabeth and I am 48 years old. Been married for 30 years (in April) I am a night L&D nurse. Have struggled with my weight all my life..I know just like most of us have LOL! Today is the beginning of week 2 post op for me. I have my sleeve placed on 8/29/12. I was in the hospital for 2 very long nights. It started of as a early day getting to the hospital at 0530, surgery start time was 0730. Met with my surgeon and my anesthesia guys that I was fortunate to pick ( I am a nurse at the hospital). So I know I was in good hands. Being a nurse does have it advantages but in my case I was really nervouse because I know just a little to much about what goes on LOL. Anyway, I was given Versed before going to the OR..It is a med used to relax you, which I needed. Only remember being in the OR for maybe 3 minutes and the rest is a blank... Woke up in recovery with only a quick second of feeling nauseous and that was it. I was in recovery for about 5 hours while they tried to get the previous patient out of my room hehe Why would anyone like to stay longer than they have too? Moved to my room and did really well. My doctor does not believe in his patients being in pain and gave me meds round the clock and then extra was available if needed. After day one I had to do a swallow study and I passed thank heavens..My mouth was as dry as a desert. Started off with 1 oz of water for 4 hours, then 2 oz for 4 hours then I could drink as much as I could tolerate...I have to say that first sip of water was the best water I have ever tasted.. Been doing really well the first week. Kind of tired from no rest at the hospital ; / Still sore but getting better by the day. Have had no problems with nausea or vomiting. I do have to say that yesterday I had a weird experience. I took my dog to training for the first time since surgery. I was there for maybe 10 minutes and all of a sudden I got the worst stomach pain, broke into a cold sweat and had to leave. I didnlt know if I was going to be sick or worse...the other end...TMI? Barely made it home and since I have been kind of queazy. had some SF pudding last night and I tolerated it well..This AM I am feeling the same, just kind of queazy, crampy like... I am so looking forward to eating a soft diet, I go back to work next Wed night. I want to start eating a little before going back to work to make sure I tolerate it OK.. Looking forward to getting to know everyone and sharing their VGS journey with them... Much love, Elizabeth

Today I'm 7 days from my one year anniversary of being a Loser and I'm still learning my body. Just this past weekend: I've come to terms with myself that my eating habits have changed. I get angry because I want to eat more but I can't because my sleeve is full after 3 or 4 bites and by the time my stomach has settled, I don't want it anymore. I need to learn to cook in smaller portions. When we order take out, we can share one dish or I should order something others will eat because I never eat more than a handful. I shy away from dining with others because I'm done before everyone else so I sit there looking at a full plate of food waiting for the everyone else to finish. Also, something that never use to happen, now, I KNOW, I'm leaving with a doggy bag! Thing I use to love to have I don't anymore, things I want to have I can't. I no longer love chicken. I can eat a few bites and then call it a day. When I see pasta's, mac and cheese, lasagna, spaghetti, I'd love to have it! BUT I no longer can tolerate pasta. STILL love, love, love ice cream/frozen yogart, cookies, cakes and salads...BUT the sweet stuff ....and something about lettuce is like a laxative to me. Once eaten it only takes 3 minutes to hit my sleeve and send me running. (Literally!!) I've come to terms with myself that I must take vitamins daily. When I miss them for more than 3 days, I'm runned down and useless. I don't sleep well and I have no energy to do anything. I've come to terms that my weightloss will be slow and NOT always steady, that now, I need to work out more to get faster weight loss results and to tighten up and build muscle. I've come to terms that with my loss, I will have some saggiing skin and I will need to make a decision in the future if another surgery is something I want to do. AND, today I've learn to listen to what my body is saying...and go with it. I can't stay with old habits good or bad, if my body says go left, then left is where I'm heading. This is an exciting and frustrating time but I'm sure some day soon, I will master me once again.

So I was looking through your posts and you have this great topic posted on the 30th of July that says 4.5 months out - 80 pounds down. That means that you lost over an average of 4 pounds a week! That's incredible. Can you blame your body for needing some time to adjust? =) Stalls are crazy difficult things. I had a 3 week one when I was only 3 weeks out and I thought I was failing at another weight loss journey. Then one day it started moving again, simple as that. I think yours will be the same. Look through your nutrition records - are you getting in all your protein still? All your water? Are you creeping up on calories? I think the gastric sleeve is definitely for you. You didn't gain the weight over a six month period - to expect to lose it all that quick is not only not as healthy as losing slower, but you would have tons of loose skin! Do you measure? Are you losing inches in these three weeks? Maybe your skin is tighter than you'd be with RNY. Maybe you're healthier, have less vitamin deficiencies. Three weeks feels like forever, but in the scheme of things, it's really not. You are doing amazing. Don't give up.

OK so first blog ever hope you all enjoy. I have been on this journey since April and my insurance just approved me yesterday WOOT!!! Now I have my endoscopy and things tomorrow. Everything seems to be moving so fast and I am getting anxious and nervous but thanks to my hubby and friends from work and my sleeve buddy also a co worker who have supported me along with friends I know I will be ok. I am ready to start this new journey in my life and ready to do the things I have always wanted. Socially I am ok and really dont care what others think outside of my circle. This is something I want to do for my children and I know there will be ups and downs and lots of emotions. I know magic isnt going to happen overnight but I know with hard work and dedication I will be able to achieve my goal weight and keep it there. I just want to document my journey through photos so I can see the improvement. I have read tons and tons of material and know that im not gonna drop 100 lbs in 3 weeks or something crazy like that. I plan on setting realistic goals for myself and helping and achieving them all. Thank you all for reading this.