Happy Camper

OH..... MAMA! Wow you look fantastic! WOW! Congratulations on the great Jo.

Hello Sleevers and soon to be Sleevers! This feels so funny to talk about myself but, I am so Happy...I wanted to share with you all. Especially, anyone thinking they are not sure they can take a chance. You need to believe in your surgeon and yourself. Best thing for me was my support, primarily my husband who has been to ever y appointment and both surgeries (yes I had a complication requiring a second surgery and setting me back...just a bit). Friday I went to see my surgeon and wonderful supportive staff, including Nurse and Marketing Manager...yup, Marketing Manager who was walking by and the nurse called her in...she saw my success and asked if I wanted to apply to Model in the organization's upcoming "Fashion Show", can you imagine? OH MY?? I then stood up from the table to prepare to leave and she said "oh wow look at you, you are model material". I just about fell over. Annually the Western Bariatric Institute in Reno, NV hosts a fashion show using local vendors and featuring their success stories. Apparently they have so many, you must apply to participate. But, what the heck...I will apply and see what happens. So, we walked outside and took a photo for the application and I thought, well I would post it next to a pic taken about 5 months before my surgery on November 1, 2011 and share with you all. I am looking for full body pics and will try to post those as well. One thing that came from the check up, was that I told my nurse, I was a little concerned because I definitely can eat more and I get hungry more often. She wants me to stick with 1100 to 1200 cals daily and add a probiotic and keep up my exercise. So, the only change was to add a probiotic. All other levels were great and my potassium is coming up, slowly but surely. Daily: Bariatric Advantage (BA) multi, Orange flav BA - Calcium Citrate, Cherry BA - Vitamin B-50 Complex BA - Vitamin D Biotin - 2 daily, 5,000mcg Omeprosol - 1 in am (PPI) Potassium - 4 daily (40mg) Probiotic - kerogen 2.4 billion CFU (all I know is it puts good stuff back in your gut) One more thing.. I bought a pair of Tommy Hilfigger Capri Pants this weekend, and I asked the young lady if the outfit was to young for my age and she said "wow, your legs look awesome", "no way, your outfit is age appropriate". It was strange because the last time I really shopped jeans and such, we all wore high wasted pants. NOT THE CASE TODAY. So, thanks for letting me share and hopefully, if you are someone researching your options, this may help even if in some small way. I just know, I never thought I would be this size, and feel this way again in my life. I am thankful to all the folks here on Vertical Sleeve Talk who are supportive and who share real stories so that we could make informed decisions to make changes to our lives. Take care

Me too...too fast or too much, flash but, I AM in menopause . Each night I "poof" when I lay down in bed.

Hi Dave, I am 8 months out and 100 lbs down, during my rapid weight loss period, I discovered my stomach did care for bread, skim milk or Greek yogurt. I never got sick, it just felt odd. Today, all is well but I just make wise choices. I use soy in my coffee and not milk, if I have bread whole grain and I Always eat Protein first. It is now my lifestyle. I had a piece of chocolate cake on my sons birthday this month, and it was great. I just did not eat half the cake . The VSG has been one of the best decisions I have ever made for myself and family. Good luck to you, I hope you have a fantastic journey as well!

Merges, I slept in a recliner for a day then moved to the bed with lots of pillows, behind me for support and in front where I put the drain bulb. Don't forget it is okay to use your pain meds and sip, sip, sip your fluids. Then walk it will help move the gas from your body.

Cheri, you are so beautiful. I posted once you woul be a great parent, subsequently learned you already ARE great parents. So congrats on the pregnancy and all of you successes with your sleeve!

Hey Ashley, I do know I can definitely eat more now, I sometimes long for that "I can only eat 2tbs" feeling. But overall realize I am within 30 lbs of goal. Weight watchers would have me weighing 145 but I am not sure that is realistic for me. How tall are you? How have you slowed? I am thinking I may need to go and do Diva's bootcamp. Juli, can't wait to hear how it goes, keep us posted!

Nice to hear Juli. You will have to let us know what happens. I am still very large busted, but seriously there is no fullness and the girls, well to say they have gone south would be close. They are more like flippers I would love you get reduction/lift but not sure of qualification now. A few years ago I was too fat according to insurance company. Good luck!

Hi Susan, the iPad app, as you know Is different than going Through safari. The iPad VST has frozen up on me twice, it just spins and does not launch. I just reloaded the application and it worked. Whilele you are here, can you tell me how to post my before and after pics in my profile using my iPad? I have spent hours trying to figure it out, and honestly it is like the system will not let me chose the file to upload. I have tried to create an album and that does not work either? Thanks for any help here appreciate it.

This was supposed to read oh my, so beautiful! What an inspiration, good job! Sometimes...I am just no good on this iPad application....

Oh my! What an inspiration... great job!

100 percent how are you doing? All Banana Babes, where is everyone and how are you? I am happy and living! I am losing VERY slowly now but, that is okay by me! Gino and everyone hope you are all well!

I have had issues as well. I removed it the other day and reinstalled, this was the second time?

Jas, so wonderful to feel your smile and see your success. I know you still have the residual pain of your leak be UAE you went through so much and were so upset, but I am confident with your weighloss success, have just extended your life. Doesn't it feel so incredible to truly live? I remember when Favordone sent you flowers, that is support and we are all still here to support, before, during and after! By the way, how did you lead the before and after pictures? I just can't seem to find what I have to do? Take care....

Hi there, I am 5' 10", started process at 303 and today weigh 198. Goal is 170 and am 8 1/2 months post surgery. The bulk of the weight came off the first 5-6 months. It has taken me 3 months to lose 18 lbs, but I keep moving forward and exercise for 40 minutes 3-4 times a week, always get all of my Water in. I definitely feel more hungry now, I still track carbs, calories daily through MFP. I think part of the reason for the slow down is I am getting closer and honestly, I am eating more (4 oz of Protein first ALWAYS). I go to see my surgeon next week for check-up, so we will see what they think. My calories stay under 1200, with a rare occasion they have gone up over the line but, by no more than 100. My son turned 17 last week and I had a small piece of his b-day cake but do not eat Cookies, pie etc. Not many sweets, or fruit either because I reserve for protein and do not want to go over my counts. Sorry more than maybe you wanted...have a great week.

Philly, how are you feeling? When you are up to it, let us know. And welcome to the losers bench Take care!

Why aren't you the little gourmet chef! Thanks for the ideas, pics and posting

Yes, you are superwoman! You are also right, soon it will be a distant memory. Kind of like, GOD taking away the pain of childbirth. You will not remember the awful feeling because you will be healthy and hot Take care and if I can help in anyway, send me a PM. (((hugs)))

Mmarie, such a personal decision. For me it was malabsorption with R N Y, I did not want the leftover stomach. It needed to be permanent. I did not like the thought of the staple line, but when you look at all the areas that are stapled in the bypass, it adds up to about the same. I am so happy with my choice and my intestines were not touched!

legal, nice response. I agree, I used to do the frozen meals but they are full of sodium and preservatives. You will find, you want quality food because you eat small portions so you want them to count, it helps with healing etc. I love brown turkey breat sliced from Costco. That with a baby bel cheese round is my go to food, if I do not want to cook.

Very interesting topic. I too did not see how big I had gotten until I saw a couple pics (rare), one in particular with my daughter. Is it some sort of mental protection? Then the other day, my hubby took a clseup of my face and showed me...guess what I saw? I had a BIG nose. I did not notice the fat cheeks were gone, I noticed I had a big flipping nose. Oh well, today I weighed in at 198, that is 105 down and I feel great. I started this to feel healthy and get off blood pressure meds, and no longer be pre-diabetic. I have done damage to my knees and feet, but it is all okay. I know the next 30 years of my life will be fantastic! And I wish the very best to everyone on our journey.