iegal

Texas T, good for you! Yeah, I too thought I looked to gaunt at my lowest weight. Well, now I am on day 2 of the pouch test. Head hunger is HORRID. Knowing something and then following it are different. I'm not on sodas, know that is a slipperly slope for me. The chips and snacking are killing me. Best wishes!

Dear LW; Um, try a small bite...like a nibble. Wait a few minutes and then take another, repeat until 15 minutes have passed or you have eaten 1oz. Don't eat quickly. No drinking 30 minutes prior to eating or after eating. Sounds like you are just of mushy stage post op and you need to take things slowly. Good luck, each day is an adventure learning about what you can/can't tolerate.

HA HA, yes your taste buds really do change post op. Living in SoCal you can imagine the amount of authentic mexican food joints. None even tempted me those first months post op, about six to be exact. Yes, you probably will get that taste for amazing food again. For me, I still don't get burgers anymore. Can't stand burgers still. Tacos, enchiladas, rellanos, ceviche, paella...yummy. In small portions, obviously.

I am the flip side of Traci. I was a skinny person until after my mid 20's. Drastic life changes caused me to pack on the pounds along with metabolic changes and a dramatic slow down in my physical activity. Could win a frequent flier award at almost every weight loss clinic/club around. Let me confess that I am a volume eater. That voice of "feed me" never shut up....NEVER. Now, the sleeve cured that for a while (not everyone loses to hunger urge with sleeve) but came back. What I am in the process of is learning the difference between head hunger and physical hunger. Back to you...sorry sidetracked. If you can do this on your own, please do. But for me, I was tired of being a failure repeatedly for years and over a decade. Simply could not do this on my own. Could lose weight for a period, sometimes up to a year but it always came back and with more. The disappointment in me was crushing. Ongoing hate cycle was killing me more than the weight I had on this one body of mine. So, look inside yourself and take a good hard look. Can you do this solo? Don't let anyone push you into a quick response. Really consider any other option. My answer was no. Remember, VSG is not reversible so your decision if yes if permanent. I am permanently altered where I can no longer gorge. I love my sleeve and have no regrets. Best wishes.

Thanks Butterthebean; Day 2 of pouch test. So here sits one of my children next to me munching on Veggie Chips/hummus (as I type this), eating a HN hot dog and it smells delicious. I choose to make my sleevie wonder work. Going for a walk once I finish this post. Resolved to follow through on test. Tomorrow, eggs for Breakfast, chicken for lunch. dinner, well - that will be tough since I have a standing dinner date with friends and my DH. Wish me luck! Oh - looks like I am down a pound too.

A lot of members in SoCal VST support group, with a wide range of doctors. Do you have insurance, are you self pay or other? Recommendations will be different from everyone. Obviously I would recommend mine or his partner, Dr Braverman. Go up to community, Social Groups and join SoCal VST support group. Sure many of us will recommend a local surgeon for you. Best wishes!

Depends on your insurance and what requirements needed to have VSG. Surgeons office should be able to check on this prior to your consultation. If you don't meet those requirements you can self pay here in the US. But a lot of people go to Mexico for an inexpensive alternative and are pleased. Don't be in a rush, do a lot of independent research and don't trust everything you read. Congratulations on taking a step and having the courage to make a change. Hugs - I love my sleeve and have no regrets.

I think of "coops" when I think of a slow loser who always kept moving forward and sticking to plan. She was sleeved sometime mid 2010 and hit goal maybe just in late 2012. Coops was always my hero, a true testament to the story of our sleeve is but a tool...follow the plan for the weight to come off. Search members coops and read about her incredible journey.

I so needed this thread. Think minus Susan I'm the "oldest" so far. Really takes a dedicated person to come on here a couple times a week when I should be living life. Feel that need to pay back the support given to me in those early days of the sleeve. VST was my lifeline. So, confession here. i just started the 5 day pouch test since I gained weight beyond my normal up/down stable weight. Still below surgeons goal, barely. Today is day one on pouch test. Feel like the first day of my preop diet...except slightly easier. Not than I am happy unable to chew on anything. Maybe this extra lbs is due to head hunger and emotional eating. Can you encourage me to follow the advice I so freely dish out to others, please? I need your help. ARGH - I have seen the enemy. She looks remarkebly like me. Help, I'm not going back.

Did you surgeon say no or did the hospital tell you no? Hmm, I think you are right to question this.

Happy Birthday! You gave yourself a better present than anyone one else could ever give you. It will taste better than any store bought stale cake. You gave yourself a chance to change. Celebrate yourself, your courage, know that you do matter. This will be a year of new firsts, be willing to adapt even if others don't see the new butterfly.

Bureaucracy can be tedious. You are strong and patient to change your future. Good luck to you with a hopefully quick response Hugs- I love my sleeve and have no regrets

Wanted to send a note to each of you encouraging you to hang in there even if just until the end of today. Tomorrow you can start fresh knowing you can handle this. Yes, it is tough, tiring and emotionally draining fighting old habits. You are so close! Hugs for being willing to fight this battle

Blondie You are rude and are the one breaking forum rules. Should you not be able to intelligently respond and instead use shortened profanities to state your opion, then stay out of the conversation. Lies are lies. Sad that those of us willing to confront members lying are attacked personally Stick to the facts.

Just say no...unless you aren't getting in enough nutrition/protein. Me, I put on weight "snacking". Hence I steal Mrs. Reagan's words...Just say no.

Why did I have VSG? I was a volume eater. I could lose weight on any type of diet, but keeping it off long term made me a failure. Sounds like you and I are similar in this regard. I have lost the same weight so many times that I was discouraged, almost immobilized enough to not have VSG believing I was the failure. Think of this like fixing a leak in the sink. If you don't have the right tool, you can't fix it. That is all this surgery is, a tool. You can use the tool and lose weight or you can choose not to get the tool and continue on the road you are currrently on. VSG is a restrictive surgery and permanent. Never will I gorge again for it is physically impossible. Now, i can eat junk and gain weight. Eating a high calorie smoothing, sweets or junk will count for me gaining weight. The choice is yours. Yo-yo some more and feel like you are not in control. Or have a tool that allows you to limit the quantity of food you consume. Obviously you have discipline otherwise you never would have competed, let alone completed an Ironman. Impressive Hoping you find what is right for you. As for me...I love my sleeve and have no regrets.

Mere months you have to wait for weight loss. Several people here have to complete a six month program before they can ever be where you already are now. Don't give up hope. Keep moving forward for only you can make this happen.

What do you want to be done? You want to be at goal after a week out? Well, reality check...this won't happen. But you can be assured you will continue to lose weight, perhaps a little more slowly now that you can't be active...but the sleeve does work. I hope you get better soon. Hugs - I love my sleeve and have no regrets.

Don't know about the rest of you but my surgeon only did stomach surgery, not brain surgery. Once a foodie, always a foodie. I still love food even at 28+ months out. Yes, watch Food Network and cook up a storm. I just eat smaller satisfying portions. Now, this is a double edged sword being a friend. Easy to go overboard and graze. I admit, food was my secret (not so secret) friend who I went to for all celebrations, disappointments and boredom. You need to deal with this PRIOR to surgery so you don't break down in front of a buffet like I did a few weeks after surgery bemoaning that I would never gorge again. And I won't. No one says promises this VSG journey will be easy, WLS is never a cake walk (pun) but I know almost everyone will agree VSG was a good choice. Here, we will hug and cheerlead you on to your many victories ahead. I love my sleeve and have no regrets.

Don't think I would have known it was the same person. Related, yes but the same person? No. WOW, you have done a great job working your sleeve!

Consignment stores, Goodwill, ebay and purchase on sale items ONLY. I went from a size 14 to a 10 in two weeks, never wearing any of those 12's. Only purchase enough for two or three days wear. Remember these are only temporary clothes so long term wearability is not your concern. Consignment is a great way to get back a little money too. As other said...what a great problem to have. And you will never be out of style!

Try to stay positive. Hoping the process is smooth with new insurance.

No drains tubes, no IV, no cathedar, no pain pump, no morphine, no staples, no pain meds (none needed although I did have a perscription filled just in case) and no overnight stay in the hospital. Yes, everything differs according to the surgeon. Ask what your surgeon does...and then ask why. Experience, ongoing education and how each surgeon was taught to perform VSG will vary between surgeons and medical practices. Hugs. I love my sleeve and have no regrets.

Yes, I can emphathize and have been through each and every emotion you describe. Me, a committed foodie was gagging watching others eat. Even watching food Network was out. Certain food smells made my new sleevie wonder roll like waves. I struggled with each bite and drink I forced down. Was ever so tired of sickenly sweet Protein drinks and food was no longer my friend. Truly I felt like goldilocks never finding that "just right." Best advice I recieved? Hang in there, things change. Your appitite may change, your attitude towards food will change, you sense of taste/texture/smell will change. Remember this is a journey and like life, your experience will change over time. Hugs - I hope one day (might be a couple of months) you too can proclaim as I do...I love my sleeve and have no regrets. PS - as a mom of 5 boys I know you will survive this.