iegal

How exciting! Keep up the great work until you hit goal.

Went from an overflowing 38DD to a 34D. I know the men are disappointed that there are no before and after pictures...for illustration purposes of course. If post size is an issue, plastic surgery can be done. Ask Diva.

Sorry - no matter how much research you do you still will have an emotional moment of - "What have I done", just like that new hairstyle, home or car purchase or other. Logically - write a list of why you are doing this so you can remind yourself in that moment. I can lie to tell you the road is always easy with a sleeve. No, there are struggles. So when will you know this is right. When you decide you have hit the final point of no return. I can remember walking around with a strong resolve to NEVER be higher weight than what I was again. The surgeon did not convince me with all my questions, I convinced me. I needed the sleeve to save me from me. food was not the enemy, I was the enemy. Still a foodie just no longer a non stop eater. Why was this right for me? I have two close friends how have Gastric/RNY and nope, would not want to have those "experiences". Also, I am scared to death of needles so the fills of a band quarterly rules that surgery out. Plus, my surgeon said VSG was a better choice than Banding but he would put in a band if that is what I decided was for me. What is best for you? Fills, reroutes or restriction? No one has all the answers, at some point you must step out in faith to trust yourself. Hugs! I love my sleeve and have no regrets.

Pretty hard to add anything after Tiffykins. Listen to her - she is not trying to "sell" you anything. I never considered RNY since I have two good friends who have had RNY surgery. Personally have watched side effects of RNY. I did not find this site until after I had chosen to have VSG on advice of my surgeon. Went in consult for a Band and he suggested VSG instead. Once choice was made I started reaching out to find others who had had this surgery and walla - VST website. Joined less than 2 weeks before surgery when on preop diet. Now about my good friends - One has had revision surgery at 9 years out since her intestines which were rerouted wrapped around causing a blockage. While she does not experience dumping, and most do, the malabsorsion issues has caused damage to her long term health. The other is under 1 year out. She makes me feel blessed to have chosen VSG. Came back from vacation with her and posted about experience. It is obvious she has had WLS since she almost daily experience issues common to this surgery. I experience no such issues. I live like a normal person today, just not longer live for the next buffet. I eat crap every so often...maybe too often but that is another story. Agnin, repeating what Tiffykins said, only you can make this choice for you. How do you see yourself next year at this point? Rerouted or restricted? Hugs to you!

Hi Ivy; Took this journey with many other SoCal sleevers and this is our hot topic of conversation at one year out. My disclaimer - none of us are too skinny and I mean that with BMI or health issues. None of us are non eaters - DUH or we would not have required VSG surgery. Your body will know when to stop, really. As Rootman said, you start to eat a little more too. There are about 6 of us in southern CA that support each other, each having different surgeons - all getting sleeved within two months of each other. One beauty has not hit weight loss goal at a year out (under 100 lbs to lose total) and still privately struggles since she has balanced out at "overweight" down from "obese". She would love to get down to a "normal" BMI range but her body resists. The rest of us are at or lower than we ever dreamed of getting in normal BMI range. Listen - we are all professional dieters on this site and know what NOT to eat to gain weight. Worry about hitting goal learning better healthy habits prior to surgery, practicing those tenants (eating healthy with proper calories, Protein, take supplements’ and Water) during weight loss phase and then worry about maintenance food still is a major part of my life, but my hunger no longer owns me. So, the glory of the sleeve is if you need calories, add healthy calories such as cheese, greek yogurt, extra slice of meat, a dab of guacamole or sour cream. YUM. Do not worry about anything other than hitting goal and learning new habits to create a new healthy you. I have no regrets, a mini miracle. Love my sleeve!

I am more than willing to go on an early morning hike, if you ladies take it easy on me at first. Let me know.

Thank you for the update on your condition and glad to hear you are going to another Dr tomorrow. Writing as I sip on my Poweraide Zero (no carbs) or try crystal light or try G2 gatorade. Vitawater has a Zero version also. Please keep hydrated. So very important when you are just along. Did you ever get a response from your surgeon, even if out of the country? What was his advice?

HI Angela; You may want to post this topic in a different foum, try scroller down to groups (at the bottom) and look for NoCal group sinc eyour surgeon is in Bay area. Here are some users who you can contact, go to upper right corner in search, use drop down for members, type in name and send them a message. Try Bayarea12, who is being sleeved next month or try mimimermaid who has been sleeve by Dr. Jossart back in June. Good luck on this journey I love my sleeve!

Welcome to VST forum. Okay - lots of people on this site have used your surgeon in Lancaster. Several of them even speak at the Options group which is what you are talking about for the 6 months....if you have Kaiser. Understand all insurances are different. I am going to suggest you contact "was a humpty dumpty" sleeved just a few months ago by Dr. Yadegar. I am sure she can bounce you over to several others who can give you feedback Exicting for you both to be starting this journey!

Wow - this is a loaded question. Suggest to get more responses you post in maybe another forum since usually pre-ops read this thread. Your demons will not be diminished with surgery. You can sabatoge your sleeve. Are you sure now is the time for you; because a hard look needs to be taken at your question. So maybe a soltution as to what to lies in asking yourself what do you do that brings a smile to your face besides food? Don't think about it - what was the first thing that was reasonable? Can you repeat this pattern rather than food? We all battle ourselves - you can win this if you have enough desire to do so. Your success is in your hands alone. If you are confident in yourself - go for the sleeve.

Wow, interesting subject. My surgeon's line is "no." No nutritional value, no redeeming value, a "gateway food" to other old habits before. So at a year plus out, I still have not had a soft drink. Not one sip. As a former addict of diet soda's I am happy to drink other drinks to quench my thirst. I just say "no" too. Good luck to all of you. I love my sleeve.

Wow, you have a lot of foods you do not like. So you need to get creative. Hopefully you own a food processor. You are going to start dicing up. Pork, Turkey, chicken, fish you do like and Beans. You can mix with mayo or mustard...just a tad. Add spices lightly. Curry, garlic salt, lemon pepper and more...just be creative. Have you tried Protein suppliment drinks from costco? Not the protein shots. Sounds like you are going to need to supliment until you can get in the required protein. powders, soups with lots of pureed protein and other. Good luck!

I am a self professed wimp. Bloodwork scares me. C-section,...ouwwe. Kidney stone....hit me over the head please so I can be knocked out. VSG - uncomfortable but no real pain. Last year I had VSG surgery as an outpatient procedure which is becoming more common. Went home and slept in my own bed that night. No nurse poking me at all hours, taking my vitals, no catheder, no morphine, no noises from outside and as you are aware worrying about infection. Now, did I have pain? No, but as mentioned before by another poster, my shoulders felt like someone had tried to pull my arms out of the sockets. I was given pain perscription prior to surgery which I filled. Used it once to sleep since I could not sleep on my side or stomach and my days/nights were all mixed up. I had gurggling stomach that first week and used a heating pad plus a perscribed anti acid. At home I used a recliner to live in for the first several days. Slept there too since I was more comfortable in a semi sitting up position. My biggest compalint was an adverse reaction to anthestia to where I retched for almost two days. Good luck and talk to your surgeon about pain management if you are really concerned. Good luck. I love my sleeve and have no regrets.

Dear Beachlover: Good luck to you tomorrow. Be sure to post a progress report. Thinking of you in thoughts and prayers for a speedy recovery. Tips: Write down tonight why you are getting surgery. Take before photos for your own benefit. Take measurements. Do not look at them again for 3 months, okay? Why list is for when you have self doubts. Photo's are for others to see the difference. Measurements are for you alone when you hit goal.

Wow - he was not even on your list. I had my surgery with Dr. Quebbemann, his partner. You are going to be happy. If you ever want to meet up at a TNP support group, let me know. Couple of us on here have used TNP for surgery and I can send a private message with their screen names. One lady is going in next month for her sleeve with Dr. B, I think. Feel free to contact me if you ever have questions. I love my sleeve!

Hello to all of you from So Calif; Whole lot of us on this site from SoCal area with sleeves...or waiting to be sleeved that get together once a month for that extra support. Plus, putting a face to these musings and watching a fellow sleever shrink is great. If you ever want to tag along and join us - event is almost always held at a public location and you are always welcome to bring a friend or spouse too, drop me a note. The encouragement I receive is tremendous. I only hope I can encourage others on their WL journey as much as my support group as been there for me. I love my sleeve.

Happy birthday (sleeve) and welcome to the losers bench! Looking forward to your posts.

Wow, I agree with Coops and Fern. At a year out, I can tell you that I have not had one Coke, Pepsi or even Diet Dr. Pepper (my former best friend) since surgery over a year ago. I was formerly addicted to diet DP. I have fellow SoCal sleevers who drink one every now and then without any problems. Some have tried without problems. If you NEED one - set a goal for yourself. When you hit a big milestone weight goal - let your self have one if you feel that is reward. But, I have chosen to say no since what would be my next reward. food was always a reward before and I do not want to open that door ever again. My success is worth more than a coke, so I just choose another option by ordering tea or lemonade or Water. Now this resistance is a badge of honor. Silly, but it makes me feel in control over my former addicition to food and diet soda. Just will not open the door.

Good question. My surgeon placed my goal at 10 to 15 pounds above what I am now. Can remember before surgery that a weight of 160 sounded like heaven. (I am an inch shorter than you) Am I too skinny today? No. Am I am undernourished? Not according to my bloodwork. So what makes a good goal weight? In my opinion it is both BMI and how you feel/look. You will know what, is right for your body, really. As long as you are not obsessed with being a certain pants size or hitting a certain low BMI wieght, your body will probably let you know. I have only lost 5 pounds approx. since March but I have dropped two dress sizes. My weight bounces around according to hormones, what I eat and other external factors but only by a few pounds. Now is not about what I weigh or don't weight but how I feel, how healthy I am and if I am getting in enough protien and taking my suppliments. I add calories if I drop below 138 as I think that makes me look a little sickly. I range from 137-143 within a month. BMI of 21.5 which is right in the middle range of healthy normal BMI. Don't worry about a "goal" right now, work towards becoming "normal." Then you can discuss with a nutritionist what is a good weight for you. By then you can discover what your body type really is after shedding most of your excess. Who knew my collar bones were so beautiful?

Congrats to all of you who have made goal over the last year!!! Some of us Sept. sleevers are slow losers but have not given up...keep moving and stick to the plan. There have been highs and lows through the year and the road to being healthy/skinnier was not always easy. My results are amazing. Need to do a one year update but that will come later. Just wanted to say - I love my sleeve.

HI - Dr. Criangle is in Northern California area. If you go onto the NoCal support group website I know several people on this site have used him. I understand he is very experienced but does not always have a warm fuzzy feeling - aka not a very good bedside manner. I do not know of any of the other doctors. Suggest you find someone who has a great after support group for free. If you are looking for a surgeon, I highly recommend mine. The New Program has an office in Bevery Hills also. Good luck in your search!

I too did not look at my before pictures which were taken the night before surgery. At one year out I am determined to take a picture in the same panties and bra although they might have been tossed away as too big already. Additional advice: Take measurements. Weight is not everything. Write down the top 5 reasons you are having this surgery. Tuck away one piece of clothing you think you look great in and do not look at it again until you hit 50% of wieght loss goal. All of the above are to encourage you. When you are not losing weight, you might be losing in size. When you become discouraged, your top 5 reasons with remind you of all of ways you are becoming healthy and happier...not just pounds lost. When you feel saddened that you are not losing like others on this site - you can physically see how much you have lost. One of my SoCal group members kept a pair of her jeans and put the size she was wearing currently on top of her starting size jeans. Her last picture was of her at goal standing in one of the legs. This journey is not always easy but always worth it. I love my sleeve!

Good luck tomorrow and keep us posted on your progress!

How much fun...a great NSV. Little things make weight loss with VSG makes me smile...a lot. Great job Caliblond!

Hi Monty; If it ain't broken, don't fix it, right? Same as Weho, my surgeon perscribed Urisodiol (generic drug for Actigall) to help prevent gallstones. I too took the pills for 6 months out. Ask your surgeon if he can prescribe these to you too to help avoid another surgery. Ursodiol is used to dissolve gallstones in patients who do not want surgery or cannot have surgery to remove gallstones. Ursodiol is also used to prevent the formation of gallstones in overweight patients who are losing weight very quickly. Apparently when we lose weight rapidly gallstones can occur. So, my surgeon had gallbladder removal surgery scheduled for me 6 months afterward WLS, which was cancelled when I showed no signs of problems. Best wishes!