2sweetnsugarland

Yep this is my Bestie I told ya'll about on Friday!!! Girl I'll hold your mule!!!

Remember to save us a seat on the looser's bench!!!

@jessicaamere: That is AWESOME!!! You should be really proud of yourself. Don't forget to take pictures so that you can "really" see how far you've come!!! Keep us posted!

Yep this is my Bestie I told ya'll about on Friday!!! Girl I'll hold your mule!!!

Remember to save us a seat on the looser's bench!!!

I got my e-mail from the Davis Clinic today. My insurance approved me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I meet with the nutritionist tomorrow and the psych eval is on Friday. I can't wait!!!!!! I'm nervous and excited and ready to start my new journey. As soon as I get my surgery date I'll let you know. Keep me and my bestie/sister in your prayers -- we're taking/doing this journey together!!

Hello!!! I'm 4 months out today and I've lost some hair -- not enough for anyone to tell who doesn't know me but I see it especially when I wash or condition wash my hair. I've been natural since February 2011 so my hair is holding up pretty good. I just make sure I keep my hair moisturized really well and massage my scalp daily. Hope this helps!!! Happy weight loss journey!

Hello!!! I'm 4 months out today and I've lost some hair -- not enough for anyone to tell who doesn't know me but I see it especially when I wash or condition wash my hair. I've been natural since February 2011 so my hair is holding up pretty good. I just make sure I keep my hair moisturized really well and massage my scalp daily. Hope this helps!!! Happy weight loss journey!

You are looking great!!! Keep it up!!

Don't know if my picture attached the first time. Sorry if you get it twice. :-)

I loved your post!!! You know how I like to get my read on!!! :Banane51:

You spoke the truth about alot of things but there are two sides to everything. All of us have issues that we are trying to overcome and I think this forum is a good way to do that. We are talking to people who are just like us with like minds who have had the same or similar struggles with their love/hate relationship with food.

You keep up the good work and the good fight and keep posting cause I do enjoy reading your posts. Take really good care of yourself!! Toodles!!

Me and my sister got sleeved on the same day/doctor/hospital. We are now almost 3 months out. Here is my little bit of advice:

1. Get a candle warmer from Michael's [about $4.99] this is to keep your clear liquids/full liquids/purees/mushie foods/broths/veggies warm because you are going to eat ALOT slower after your sleeve.

2. BEFORE your surgery make your favorite chicken/pea or whatever Soup - strain everything out - freeze the broth because you are going to get tired of drinking those sugary shakes and that chicken stock is going to tase like HEAVEN!!

3. Buy yourself a small pretty bowl, cup and saucer, one that will hold about a cup of whatever. I bought mine from a Chinese store in our city. Why??? Because the small bowl and/or cup will fit perfectly on your candle warmer and keep everything nice and warm as you spend at least an hour eating your Protein and veggies.

4. Stay away from carbs or at the very least limit them to 30-40 grams per day. This will help you loose weight quicker too!

5. Buy yourself some chopsticks -- why -- it will help you slow down with your eating when you are allowed to eat chunky regular food again.

6. Always underfill your sleeve because you do not want the discomfort of being too full.

7. MOVE!!! Walk as soon as possible. I was walking as soon as I was coherent enough after surgery which was about 4-5 hours. I had my little IV pole and my pain pump and I was walking like a 90 year old lady down those hospital halls!! :D As soon as my sister woke up we both walked the halls -- this will help speed up your recovery and help with gas pains too!

8. MOVE AGAIN!!! As soon as you are cleared by your doctor start working out at your local gym/neighborhood Y or just walking in your neighborhood -- get up and get out there!!! My sister and I both go to the gym 3-4 times per week and we just started taking Water aerobics. This week we started taking a Aqua Zoomba class -- Can't Wait!!

9. Eat your Protein first and drink that Water -- you will loose more weight this way.

Hope this helps and good luck on your weight loss journey!!

Not a big proponent of hiding things from spouses but maybe you jut tell him you're going to a specialist, one of the best surgeons in the world, and must travel to CA? You're not outright lying, just omitting that after you land in CA you're heading to Mexico. I understand what you mean, though. I told everyone I knew EXCEPT my mother and my Facebook page has been in suspended animation/lockdown since she's a FB friend. She's 78, has high blood pressure and is recovering from back surgery herself and I didn't want her to stroke out with worry or worse, try and accompany me on the trip. I spoke to her last on Wednesday, flew out to CA Thursday morning and she was calling me by Saturday while I was in Mexicali recovering. I finally called her back on Sunday after she left a message saying she was worried and was going to drive to my house if I didn't call her back and let her know I was ok. I'm a 40 year old, grown-ass woman who still has to check in. We talk & see each other several times a week and are very close but I was really hoping to get away with a 5 day stretch of no contact. At least your husband will know what you're doing, just not exactly where, and I can understand that. The friends who gave me the most pushback were concerned with my going to Mexico more than I was having most of my stomach irrevocably ripped out. I thought that was strange...

Age - 50ish
Weight to lose - at LEAST 75 pounds
*****************************************Last year I thought about doing this. ... and didn't. Didn't really have the money.
This year I wish I had followed through... and seriously looking at it again. I have a little more financial room than before.
I am nervous -- NOT about the surgery and certainly NOT about the lifestyle changes, but I am nervous about my social sphere. I want this for ME and I want it to be TOTALLY PRIVATE. The only person that I must tell is my spouse. So I am asking myself how much information do I need to give him? I do NOT want to just flat out lie to him... but he is going to be difficult. He loves me dearly and is very afraid of losing me - on a lot of levels for different reasons. I have just started planting the idea of WLS into him. At first he immediately jumped to all the negative results of people who have had WLS (one being his daughter (Run-Y) who gained all of her weight back within 1 year). I told him that we hear the same exact things from people concerning other "risk" events - motorcycle riding, flying, hiking, etc. So several weeks have gone by now and he is a little more settled with it.
NEXT he asked, "You are NOT going to do something crazy like go to Mexico to do this are you?!??!"
How do you answer that? "Uh yes honey, I'm going completely insane and going to save 50% on the surgery."
Right now all Texans are being asked to NOT cross the border in Texas into Mexico because of the vast number of disappearances happening to tourists. Not a problem... I think I want to go to San Diego and use Dr. Almanza at Mt. Zion.
So how much do I actually tell my husband?
He is a very talkative person and he tells everything he knows. He will tell his mother (she can be a little critical.. very critical). I don't want people to worry... seems like I am surrounded by a few of those types. He will tell. So I feel like I am almost stuck in a place of flat out lying to him, or knowing that I will have to deal with a lot of questions, etc. when I get home. EVENTUALLY I know it won't matter -- once the weight is off, I'll be singing it from the rooftops, but for now... I'm embarrased, and shy, and private!
I emailed the contact person about setting a date. It is all okay.... I have 3 extra days off work, coupled with a weekend - so a total of 5 days to get it done. My work is not strenuous so no problem there.
How do I disappear for 5 days?
How do I do that without notifying the people who I am in daily contact with. Again... I don't want to flat out lie to them... but I also don't want to deal with confrontation or negativeness or arguments or other peoples fear. NOR do I want to hurt or alienate the people who just love me so much they can't help giving me their opinions. lol.

I was sleeved on Dec 14th 2011 which makes me 4 months post VSG. I have lost 65 pounds! I eat basically anything I want, but only a very small amount. I don't eat fried foods. The reason is because the grease will make me vomit. I had 2 fried shrimp and they came up. I loved fried foods before surgery, but I don't miss them anymore. My Aunt is over a year & 1/2 out of VSG & enjoys her 4 fried shrimp on occasion. My tipical day is as follows:

Breakfast- Protein Shake EAS from Walmart pre made boxes are the best!
Snack- almonds (about 5-6).
lunch- chicken salad scoop.
snack- yogurt or cheese.< /span>
dinner- small amount of what I cooked for my family.

sweet tooth? Cocoa almonds from Sam's Cub (sweet & protein)

This sounds like a small amount & boring food but I just don't even care about food anymore. I eat to give my body fuel, not just cuz it tastes good. I have 2 small children and we are so much more active. We ride bikes, go for walks, and live outside playing. I owed that to my children and myself. I am so happy to have had this weight loss surgery.

Bad things- Hmmmm not too many. I do miss some foods, but when they are in front of me, I have no problem refusing them. I can't consume wine anymore, it's too strong for my stomach. I have had cocktails, but only one per event. Hate taking so many Vitamins, but it's important to stay healthy. I have mild heartburn, but I take a daily prilosec and it's gone.

Great things- I feel amazing! Full of energy and happiness. When my hubby hugs me.....my breasts touch him first, not my old big belly, I can go into a regular store to buy clothes, not the plus size side. I'm in a 14 now. Men smile at me, open doors, and let me go when sitting in traffic. I don't drink 6 sodas a day and don't even miss them, My hubby is calling me sexy again, I feel girlie. I am wearing more jewery, and fasionable clothes. I can go on forever. This is truely a great tool that I choose.

I have had NO hair loss!! God, please don't let me lose my hair. Although, it's VERY common to lose. It will grow back. I take 2 Biotin daily just in case it starts to come out.

I attend monthly support groups at my surgeon's hospital. If you have not had VSG yet, start the support groups NOW!!

If anyone has questions, please ask. I'll answer any of them. Even the ones that are hard to ask someone. Oh, did I mention sex with my hubby is soooo much more fun! I'm married and I can say that right?...

Happy, Thinner, & Happy (did I mention happy?)

Misty