Georgia

As I read this, I feel sad - really sad for those of you who have not had the expected changes you anticipated and have experienced depression, etc. For me, the experience has been just the opposite - no (or very little) hunger, quick weight loss results, and only some light headedness at times. I was already on a low dose of an anti-depressant for menopause prior so that might have helped with any feelings I might have experienced otherwise. I just want all of you to know that I truly feel for each of you and do believe that the overall effects you will experience as to gradual weight loss, and healthier living will be of great benefit to you. I know for me, it was all about trying to be healthy. Watched my Mom die last Christmas day from a stroke - she took 13 meds a day and had a host of ailments. That made up my mind for me. I had the sleeve done June 2nd and have lost 83 lbs. I am only 17 lbs from goal weight now. Started at 250 lbs. Hang in there! God bless!

Oh, my goodness! That sounds so yummy and easy. Been fretting trying to find different "concoctions" to eat at 3 mos out so both versions (string cheese and sliced w/veggies) sounds great! Anybody done the slice turkey or ham with low-fat cream chesse spread? I saw that somewhere and wondered about it.

Let's don't talk about Whataburger! Making me very hungry for a big juicy burger and fries! lol Of course, I couldn't eat 2 bites now but... (smile)

Actually, I think that is great! I lost very quickly (as a woman) and if memory serves me, I had lost close to 20 lbs in about 2-3 wks. I am 3 months out now and have lost 62 lbs so I think it varies from person to person. I have always lost weight quickly on diets so thankful that continued BUT also thankful that this time, I have such a greater chance of KEEPING IT OFF! lol Good luch and congratulations!

I like the Pure Protein bars (also lactose intolerant!) which have 20 grams of protein, less than 2 gr sugar and about 160 calories. Several flavors (chocolate and PB/chocolate the best!) You can buy at WalMart. You find them where the protein power, etc is found.

Welcome, Hailey! And for me, let me tell you VSG is a wonderful thing! You won't regret choosing it! I was roughly at your exact height and weight (5'7", 250) Had sleeve 6/2 and since then have lost 56 lbs. Some days you struggle to find the "right food" mix for you and that improves as you go along. It has been such a life changing thing for me. I'm sure it will be for you too!!!!

I can truly relate to all of you!!! Cleaned out my clothes closets (yes, more than one, I am a "clothes horse!") and took about 200 pieces to resale shop! Then I had to go find something for a wedding I am singing in soon. Well, it was truly amazing! No longer in the plus sizes and could shop "off the rack" in exclusive stores - skirt size 12-14!!!! Regular womens! I can hardly believe it! It's happened so fast that as one friend said, "You're going to have to stop thinking like a "big girl" which is really hard. Do you agree? I still want to migrate to the loose baggy tops to "hide!"

Okay, Tiffykins, I've finally found someone like me! lol When I get to a certain place in eating (after 4-5 bites) and food hits a certain spot then I start to sneeze! You hiccup! Hilarious! But Carrie, for me, no - it is not a full feeling like you would have had pre-op. It's like Tiffykins said after a while you "understand" what YOUR full is. IN the first weeks, everything is different when you reach different food phases. You certainly know quickly what WORKS and what doesn't for you and leave it alone for a while!

1) How long have you been sleeved? 3 mos 2) Who was your surgeon? Dr. Mark Gibbs, Little Rock AR 3) What were your experiences with your surgeon? Good/Brief 4) Would you recommend your surgeon? Yes, has had NO complications. 5) How much weight have you lost since your sleeve date? 54 lbs. 6) What type of sleeve do you have? VSG - 7) Would you recommend the type of sleeve you have? yes 8) Do you find you still have the necessary level of energy to sustain a good workout? wasnt working out prior - don't have as much energy, 9) Do you find it difficult to keep the weight off once you have lost it?no 10) Do you have trouble eating, such as getting ?stuck?? did, not nearly as much now. 11) What is the one things about getting the surgery that you regret? nothing - 12) Would you do this surgery again, or would you have made another choice? yes, in a heartbeat!

My husband works for the postal service/fed bcbs and basically, since I WAS FED BCBS my doctor went ahead and scheduled my VSG first! Had surgery 6/2 and had no problem. no pre-op diet, no psyche eval, nothing!

Okay, this is going to be weird but has anyone else experienced this? Everytime I eat (and I mean EVERY TIME!) as soon as any food reaches a certain area of my esophagus (i think and not my stomach since it feels higher up) I am prompted to start sneezing! Not one time - I will sneeze sometimes 8-9 times! lol Really weird. I had somewhat the same phenomenon before VSG when I got choked. I would sneeze once after getting choked but this is ridiculous! ha! My husband now just braces himself and looks at me like, " Here we go again!" Ha! Anybody else had anything like this happen to them?

I agree with Deb. Chicken just doesn't like me (or any dense protein for that matter!) And I agree with her also - most of the time I think I really want something I really liked and ate before but when I eat it, just doesn't do it for me. I have found that if I get the taco meat, tomatoes ( no lettuce doesn't agree with me) a little cheese and some refried beans on the bottom, it's like eating a taco salad and goes down great! Sad to say, I'm the same as someone else mentioned on Chinese food - my stomach doesn't like it! lol I am right at 3 months post-op. Loving my sleeve!!! I am now in Onederland and can't wait til I can see the #'s of weight loss some of you already have! You are inspirations! I am very happy with my weight loss so far - 54 lbs!

As for me, my comment was not about the AMOUNT of food I can eat - trust me, I'm LOVING the small amounts, -just that I would like to enjoy the taste of things I eat. I have absolutely no sense of something tasting pleasant at all. Again, I WOULD DO THIS AGAIN TOMORROW and I LOVE MY SLEEVE. I did it for all the reasons nurse ally and julie 6 mentioned. Just a clarification. I'm not griping about not being able to EAT. Hope that clears up my comment.

Can't do lettuce either yet How far post-op are you? I am 2 1/2 mos out. I can do tomatoes chopped fine but not lettuce so can't eat salads yet either.

Portion Control! That's what I say and it's true!!!! Ha!~

Yeah, I have the same problem but here is what I know - HAIR LOSS COMES FROM NOT ENOUGH PROTEIN! Have a true horror story from a good friend. So we have to work on getting in protein because even with enough, you still have hair loss. Mine was already thin on top from lack of hormones so I can't afford to lose much more! lol

Me too! Today!!!! 198! Whoo hooo to us!!!!

Perfect song, LizaJane! (and one of my favs too!) I agree with all of you - we started the year off with a Daniel 21 day fast in our church and during that time I read the book by Jentzen Franklin on fasting. He talked about gaining victory of "King Stomach." I debated for the last 3 years whether or not do so this - I would lose 30, 40, 50 pounds (and could usually do it quickly) and then over a period of months regain it all. When I found my Mom on her floor on Christmas Day after having a severe stroke and lost her within a few hours, my mind was made up. I believe God directs our steps and shines a light on our path each day. I truly feel that He directed me to VSG and made the way open quickly for me in a period of weeks. My husband agreed with me completely (and hadn't been much in favor previously) and I sailed through the surgery. Thank God for His mercy in spite of ourselves. You will do great!!!!

I'm with all of you! I think we "overeaters" had such a pure enjoyment of food, that it is really a loss to us to not have that pleasure. The first bite or so of something might taste good in my mouth but afterward all desire to finish it is gone if it doesn't feel good going down or you get that "full" feeling so quickly. Had 3 SMALL bites of steak (chewed, chewed, chewed it!) and 2-3 of baked sweet potato last week on vacay and made me totally sick. Made it a block down the road, pulled in the parking lot and threw up! lol So I go back to mushies again and like all of you - can't seem to bring myself to even WANT to eat since none of it tastes good to me. BUT sure am liking the weight loss and hopefully, this too shall pass! Let's keep our double chins up! ha!

Congratulations!!! I was sleeved 6/2/10 and have lost 52 lbs as of today! It's truly amazing to me! I did not have to do any pre-op diet so weight loss has been since surgery. I did experience a lot of weakness and "blackout" feelings early on but feel stronger now and I finally think I am getting to the point of eating a variety of things. Still can't eat much dense protein such as chicken breast, beef (made that mistake last week on vacation!) but other things seem to be coming along. I am not doing the best job of getting enough protein in every day and HAVE to improve on it. After reading of different ones complications, I feel blessed to not have had any surgical complications. I would do it again in a heartbeat! I want to make sure that I have better health as I get older. I lost my Mom on Christmas Day who was overweight most of her life and had multiple health issues including type 2 Diabetes, heart and a stroke took her life. For those of you considering surgery, think hard and examine all your options but again, I am MUCH pleased at this point.

I have them! Got up two weeks ago from bed, blacked out and busted my whole lip! Came to when my husband was screaming at me! On the floor, laid straight out. Many time when I get up I get very light headed, dizzy and vision dims. I have had HBP and discovered that evidently my meds were too strong now (2 mos out) and called Dr. He halved them! Now, I am better but if I take my meds too late at night when I wake up I will get the same response.

Thanks for that Crafty Christie - some good meal ideas! I was getting really tired of all stuff I have been trying to eat and ran out of "creative" ideas!

Why don't you do the "cottage cheese pouch test" and see how big your pouch actually is? Take new cottage cheese container, eat as much as you can within 5 minutes until FULL and then stop, add water to the cottage cheese container from a 2 cup measuring cup (full) until the cottage cheese container is back to the full line and see how many ounces you ate. Need to eat quickly and within 5 minutes.

6 weeks out and using a straw. Somehow the "chugging" part of drinking made me more nauseous than using a straw. I have no issues with it at all. One thing I would like comments on, though. Does anybody else have problems with STRAIGHT water? Drinking plain water makes me nauseated as soon as it hits my "stomach." If I flavor it with something like crystal light, no problem. I really liked drinking water before surgery - not now! lol Also, stopped any carbonated drinks Jan 2010 "just because" I was so addicted to Diet Coke before even considering any type of surgery. What is the reasoning behind no carbonated drinks at all. Sometimes just the tast of a Sprite or Fresca sounds so refreshing - I realize there would be more gas but.... (smile)

I would wait a while to use anything but ointment. Mine looked great for 1st three weeks and then began to get red around EVERY incision. Developed some sort of allergic reaction (either to the glue on incisions or soap). Dr. told me to use Lotrimin and it took another 2 weeks to clear it up. I was told to use Antibacterial soap (and did) still do and everything is looking great now.