MINI-Me

I checked with 3 surgeons and all of them offered the surgery outpatient. I went with Dr. Umbach and was very happy to not have to stay in the hospital. I was not given a drain at all so no concerns about that. The first 2 nights are pretty uncomfortable to say the least, but I had some mighty good drugs to help me through. I have several friends who did this outpatient and were very happy to have done so (not all with Dr. Umbach). My two cents??? If you trust him to do your surgery, trust him to decide if outpatient is an option or if you need inpatient care.

AWESOME job!!! You celebrate and enjoy your victory!!!!!!!!!!!

You are doing GREAT! Congrats on the 20 pounds and being lighter than hubby.

I freely admit that I drink diet soda and have since 3 months out. Doesn't seem to affected my weight loss or stretched my stomach - I still have excellent restriction. BUT - that is my story. YOURS may be different.

So happy for you ... isn't it great breaking into a new set of numbers. You are doing AWESOME!

Thanks for sharing ... May need to try that out. Our local grocery store, Haggen, also sells a Cheesecake that is 2 carbs per slice. I love it with strawberries or SF chocolate Sauce. YUMMY!!!!!!

You are most likely just in a stall. They are sooooooooooooo frustrating, but while it doesn't seem so now, this is just temporary. Some stalls are 2 weeks and some more like 4. Just continue to follow your plan and one day, whooosh - the pounds will start coming off again. To get you through the stall, try taking your measurements & compare them to pre-surgery. I bet you'll see some amazing results.

You will be amazed at how much better you will feel each day over the next few days. You are going to do great!

The good news is that I am still on the journey right along with you. No matter what month or year I am in, I will always be a WLS Patient. This is my lifelong journey ... But the difference is this time I WILL DO IT!!!! I will be thin and healthy and not gain the weight back. What a concept. And, so "freeing" after being a slave to the scale and my tight pants for so many years.

I say, no need to tell anyone. Your husband is a great support system so let it be what it is. People are ignorant of the process, scared, and I think often jealous. They call it a quick fix because they haven't been on the journey. Believe me, it's not quick and it's not easy! Kudos for your husband's support and your resolve. YOU GO GIRL!

I have 2 on my "gallery". I think everyone can see them. To everyone else ... Thank you! Your encouragement helped me to keep my eyes forward and get where I am today. On another note - we had a health screening today at work. Something I always hated going to in the past. My numbers were awesome. The nurse walking me through the results said I was the healthiest person she's seen in the past 2 days. Me?!?!?!?!?!?!?!? Chol - 141 HDL - 66 TC/HDL ratio - 2.1 LDL - 61 Trig - 72 Blood Glucose - 70 BP - 117/77 Have a great Tuesday everyone!

Becca - I totally understand those second thoughts. I was so sure I would be the one who failed (after all, every other diet failed me) ... but I am the same weight as 17 (a looooooooooooong time ago) wearing 6 and 8's. While it has been work, it's been easier to do than any other diet I've tried. I am very confident that maintenance will be fairly straightforward. I am so grateful to have had this surgery and starting my life again. My husband is thrilled with my new body (not that he complained about my old one) ... I feel like a 17 year old again. (Well, with a few more wrinkles and not quite the energy level.)

Thanks Oregon ... I appreciate that you had faith in me when I was doubting myself. I hope I can be an inspiration to others like you have been to me. I can't keep from smiling today!!!!

Thanks everyone ... I feel like a million bucks today!

Not sure what I think yet, but definitely was a surprise when I signed on. Now, to figure this thing out ...

That is awesome ... Be careful though ... Too many of those fashion shows & your husband may not be able to hold himself back!

I did it! I hit goal over the weekend. In fact, I'm a little under it. I just kept staring at the scale. It hasn't moved much at all the past 3 or 4 weeks, so I was in shock. I didn't break down in tears, I didn't do a happy dance ... I just kept getting off & getting back on. I finally realized that I was standing in the bathroom totally naked getting on an off the scale so I decided to come out. I just looked at my husband and said, "I did it. I'm under 135 pounds. I haven't weighed this since I was 17". He did his best to congratulate me, but he really didn't get it - HOW COULD HE? I still don't get it. But, I MADE IT! I hit the goal that my nutritionist and pyschologist said I would not be able to achieve. I knew I could and my surgeon had faith in me as well. Now that I'm here, I'm still considering going a little further. Somewhere between 125 and 130. Not exactly sure yet, but it feels like I can lose a little more. I'm still in a healthy BMI range if I go down, so here I go. Keep me accountable! OK?

I know what you mean ... I can't find mine either.

Carrie, Please don't take this as negative, but I am confused. Didn't you say that you asked not to have the surgery, but were put under anyway? Why would you recommend them if they "forced" you into a surgery you didn't want?

You are very NORMAL ... I think many of us go through this. For me personally, the "high" of having surgery was over. food didn't taste as good, and the real "work" was kicking in. There was a mourning for "real" food and "normal" portions. But, it will pass. I'm a little over 8 months today. I'm eating anything I want (in smaller portions of course) ... if it weren't for the restriction, I could easily forget that I had surgery. It's hard to imagine right now ... but this too shall pass. We are all cheering for you!

I was right there with you ... Good news is that it does get better. I'm glad I captured this, because it's kinda like having a baby - you forget. http://verticalsleevetalk.com/post-operation-vertical-sleeve-gastric-surgery-vsg-questions-answers/3493-surgery-recovery-sucks.html Keep your chin up ... the light is just around the corner!

How is your pain level now? Were you able to get any medicine?

Looking so good!!!!

I do think families react like this out of concern. Isn't it strange how terrible we will treat someone we love when we wouldn't talk to a stranger like that??? Also - it sounds like your brother may be reacting to his diagnosis by focusing his anger/emotions on you. I'm sure he is worried about death and leaving his family alone as well. Do what you need to do for yourself first. Then, you can focus on providing support for your brother and his family. Best of luck ... and don't forget - we are here to support you.

We were flipping channels & I saw part of it. Honestly, that show just makes me mad. Did you hear him say to her "This is bigger than a one day surgery?" Yes, it's hard to believe someone would do a bypass on a 14-year old girl. BUT, we don't know the story behind that. He kept telling her it was hard work and they would show her the way. HELLO!!!! It seems like a majority of the contestants gain back the weight after the show. At least with surgery and effort, we have a chance of keeping it off. I think that's the last time I turn that show on. It's a shame, because that show had a chance to show all the options, show the struggles and help many people make a difference. They just got caught up in the "Reality TV" game and made it all about emotions & chaos.