M2G

I am 39, so I'm thinking yeah, when I'm done I will probably have wrinkles that I never had before. But as Tiffany said, I will take wrinkles over fat any day. Being fat puffs up your face SO much. When the first 20lbs dropped off that was the most common thing I heard "I see it in your FACE" and they were right!

My surgeon is a stickler for 6 weeks post op for anything more than walking. I did a LOT of walking in those 6 weeks (we have a treadmill). My normal workout is Curves, so I did take a 6 week hiatus from that, and once I was cleared at 6 weeks to go back, I pulled a muscle the first day. It took a full week to recover from the pulled lower abdominal muscle and I had to go back to walking only during that week. There is still one machine I avoid at Curves becuase I think it was the culprit of my muscle injury. lol. I'm 3 months out now and still avoid it. This question, however, is something you MUST ask your dr. about what their protocol is. I've heard some surgeons release as early as 4 weeks. I know the walking is boring, but it is preventing blood clots, getting you moving and helping with your whole system.

I have been eating greek yogurt since May 2010. My NUT recommended it and I switched. Well, my girls still like my "old" yogurt which was Yoplait Light (the ones in the white and light blue containers, pretty sure they are top sellers for Yoplait because they sure do sink a lot of ad money into this particular yogurt...it's the one with all the "flavors" like pineapple upside-down cake, and boston creme pie, and lemon cream pie, key lime pie, etc.) So anyway, tonight my girls wanted yogurt and fresh strawberries for dessert. I split the container of vanilla into 2 small bowls, added fruit and then I licked the spoon from the yogurt container. ICK. Totally nasty disgusting stuff. It tasted sooooooo sweet, and so, well, chemical. I can't believe I used to eat that stuff. Time to get my kids hooked on greek yogurt as well.

You are looking wonderful...and YES those lbs are gone forever!!! Definitely something to celebrate!!! :Banane01: :Banane02:

My Vitamin protocol (for now) is fairly simple, in the am I take 2 adult gummies (they taste good I buy them at Costco) 2 chewable Calcium citrate (ordered them http://www.celebratevitamins.com), 1 Biotin and 1 sublingual B12. In the pm I take the same but omit the biotin and B12. I bought one of those granny style pill case holders and helps to remind me, and I fill it once a week. A lot of bariatric vitamin sellers wil let you order a sample pack to "try" before you buy. My surgeon just changed his guidelines for blood work for sleevers to be at 6 months post-op. I'm not going to take Iron unless I need to. Same for other possible Vitamins. I don't know what to say except that I've never before taken daily meds or any other vitamins in my life (this is the first time!) and I guess I just viewed it as necessary...you know part of the guidelines we agree to live by if we want to make our surgeries a success. I DO want to be successful, and healthy. And since I'm on the Quest for health, I don't want to short-change myself. I started the vitamins before surgery so that it would be a habit after. Do you know what the roadblock is for you personally? Is it that you forget, or don't like the taste, etc? I think trying to identify what is hard for you personally about taking your vitamins regularly might help you figure out ways to make it easier.

Thanks for posting this Susanne. know for me personally I try to stay around 30-50g a day and that seems to work for me. I have done a zero sugar diet before (it was a chiropractor diet that was offered through my Curves) and I honestly never felt better, but it was ultimately not sustainable (surprise!) for me. The no-sugar extended to things like carbs that TURN into sugar once they hit your system. So it was essentially a no-sugar, no-carb diet. I do better with complex carbs (fruits, veggies and whole grains) than the simple (i.e. junky) carbs.

That is such a great way to give back. You both are wonderful inspiration!

Mini...thanks for your posts and encouragement, and thanks most of all for not deserting us once you hit your goal. I appreciate each and every long term vet that has been here well past meeting their weight loss goals, because they give me so much HOPE. So thank you for sharing your journey with us. :love:

Welcome!! I have never been "thin" my whole life, but I know the sleeve can get me a normal BMI. I think I was probably 12 years old the last time I had a normal BMI!! You will find a ton of great people and lots of information here. Good luck on your journey!

TOTALLY!!!! At my drs. they lump the RNY's with the VSG's and there are so many differences!! It is annoying but I think the tide is changing... CONGRATS on having lost 100!!!

I didn't have a band (thanks to everyone who was honest about what living life with a band is like!) but just wanted to say, Irene, that was really beautifully put! :heart:

Congrats! I was 3 months on 1-22-11, and have *almost* lost 45lbs (I'm .2 away from it...aargh!) My stats are somewhat similar to yours. Let's keep working our sleeves, and we will eventually get to goal!

Glad you are home and recovering nicely. Yes, you are right, fluids are the MOST important thing after surgery....keep sipping and walking (and resting too) Oh and congrats on your loss! Woo hoo! ~Sheila

Welcome to the board. I couldn't help but to giggle at this "been fat nearly all my life, blah, blah, blah" because most of us have such a similar story, right? I think the sleeve will resolve (hopefully) many of your health issues. Good luck with your upcoming surgery!

Friend Tiffykins and read through her stuff. She is a long-term vet around here and did have a band to sleeve revision. She did have a leak and definitely had a rough start. But she still would do it all over again because of her results. Go check out success stories and you will see quite a few members are at one year or more out. I've searched for lots of "complications" stories with the sleeve and they are hard to find. MUCH harder to find than any other WLS out there today. What you WILL find is people who say they LOVE THEIR SLEEVE. (You can put me in that category, I'm only 3 months out but haven't had one single bad issue related to having the sleeve!) Welcome to the boards, you will find a ton of information and helpful people here.

Welcome Mike1981 and Thinbefore40!!! You will find a ton of helpful people and information on this site. As for losing "that" much with the VSG, I do believe that you can do it. The wonderful thing about the VSG, is that it can later be converted to a DS if you are not losing enough weight. It was originally designed as the first surgery in the DS procedure, used for super morbidly obese. However, as it was a first part, what Drs. were finding was that the many many people didn't need to come back and have the DS done because they were able to lose enought weight with the VSG alone. I think the hardest part is the emotions. And surrounding yourself with supportive people is hard to do when you bring up WLS. Hang in there, your time is almost here, and soon you will both be on the "losers" bench!

Welcome and congrats on your loss! You will find a ton of helpful people and information on this site.

Great analagy with the GPS and scale. You are doing everything right!!! I'm sure this 2lbs will be gone soon and take a few friends with it!

I agree Coops! First: wearing a belt (I've avoided them for years) Second: being able to SEE it clearly, not, ah hem, searching for it! What a great NSV!!!

Lexy, I think you are wise to consider all the options available going forward. I think probably getting that referral is an excellent idea. I hope it happens soon for you and that you get some clear answers as to the long-term health of your stomach. I have always been leary of the whole "reversible" claim that comes from lap-band, and plication, and while I know having a VSG is pretty drastic and some view it even as radical, I knew it was not reversible, but I was ready to live life within the limits that the VSG procedure provides. Thank you for coming back and updating us on your situation. I'm continuing to pray that you feel better each day and that you get some answers on what went wrong and what the future holds for you.

You are doing great! Let us know how the pouch test goes!

I also missed your original post and am SO sorry you are going through this! Such excellent advice to get things checked out when you have issues or concerns. And even though you are going through an incredibly scary and rough time, I am so happy to see that you are staying positive and know that this too shall pass and you can pick up and move forward. I think attitude plays a huge part in our lives and how we frame our thinking. STAY POSITIVE and thank you for posting your story so that others can benefit.

That is SO rude. I agree that you have to not let it get to you, hard stuff for sure. It's very hurtful, and probably good that you didn't engage this individual any further. Sorry you had to go through that! BTW, I like this comback, I think it could be used in a variety of circumstances. I do agree that being "fat" is the last holdout that it is still "okay" for people to make fun of fat people. It's not okay to make comments, based on your ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, etc. but for some reason being fat is still a "free-for-all" and people make comments at will.

Well, I'm 3+months post-op and I can tell you it only gets better. I give a moments thought to my meal just before making it (will I have tuna or egg salad today for lunch?) Fix the food, and then forget about it. I used to be always thinking of my next meal before the one in front of me was done. It is amazing how freeing it can be to not have your thoughts constantly revolve around food. I'm sure skinny people think like post-WLS people...food becomes an afterthought. LOVE IT!!!

That is very scary, and I'm glad you are ok. I am glad you posted this, because there are risks and complications that can happen with every surgery and it is really good information for people to know. I'm sorry you had to go through this, and wish you the best in your continuing journey for health.