atPeace55

If you haven't started excercising do so. If you are excercing and you are basically doing the same routine over and over again I would suggest (I did this as well) switching up your routines trying something new our bodies learn to adapt the same with our eating as well but with your body it is called - "muscle confusion" it will help jumpstart you weight loss again. Good luck on your journey!

Everyone is different and may go through different experiences so no answer to this question is consider "law". I wasn't really hungry when I was post op I had trouble staying hydrated I couldn't get enough water, liquids drinking the protein shake I would take a couple of sips and that was it. You are definitely not alone and that's what this site is for to ask questions, be encouraged and encourge others with your knowledge or experiences.

Longer than what I expected because I ended up going back into the hospital and having my gallbadder removed so about 8 weeks. I had a hard time introducing certain solid food back into my daily diet. Case by case basis my is not typical by no means.

Pretty much the same as everyone above mentioned I told my husband first and he knew I had been researching for a year then when I knew I was close to getting a date for surgery I told my family and a couple of very close friends. I didn't tell my job and my NP told me I didn't need to just to let them know that I have a major surgery that I will be undergoing and that I would be out for a few weeks for recovery. I also should mention that I work from home so know one from work would see my transformation so it was really of issue of having to come out and explain. Good luck with starting your journey!!

I love the Protein Powerhouse: 50% Spring Greens 50% mixture of fruit: - 1/2 avacado - 1c raspberries - 1/2c mango - 10 cashews Top off with Water Yum Yum Yummy!!

Congratulations and welcome to the next level of your journey! I wish you much success in your weight loss and new healthy lifestyle!

All of the above mentioned and my husband being able to wrap his arms around me almost twice, my hubby being able to pick me up and carry me around ( I was so scared he would drop me the first time he did it)! able to wear an XS, sit on the toliet and not cover the whole seat!! LMBO TMI I know!! Being able to run a 10K.

God Bless you too - It's good to reach out of here you will get answers don't hesitate to ask questions I did until I was satisfied. That's what we are all here for to encourage, share our experiences good and bad.

First off you're definitely not broken it you are then we all have pieces laying somewhere. Second, if you were able to do this on your own then you would not be considering the sleeve, everyone on here has had or have some type of food disorder that they are battling or have battled. You'll never really get read of it having certain trigger that cause you to eat but if you are patient and listen to your body you will learn what sets you off and causes you to want food to pacify you. I for one still can catch myself with cravings for certain foods during that girlie time of the month and I can be super emotional during that time or close to it. What I've done to deal with that emotional timeframe is I have a calendar reminder in my Outlook on my laptop and sync to my phone that lets me know that my time is near and to pay attention to my feelings. Yeah I know it sounds funny but it helps me keep that one in line. The VSG is a tool and that's it - you will still have to learn to eat right and exercise and that is a choice. Will you loose weight without working out or eating properly everytime? Yes, the first 6-9 months I dropped weight and wasn't really trying to workout like I should have but it's because you can not eat alot even if you wanted to so your body is adjusting/adapting to it's new stomach. But in the long run on this journey you will have to make good decisions which is you will even "STOP" loosing and you will have to eat properly and workout or you can gain all the weight back I have been to meeting where people did not maintain there weight loss because they didn't take care of themselves or they continued to eat like they did before. So just know you will have to do the work - hopefully soon rather than later. I am 18 months Post-Ops and I'm on my maintaining weight loss journey now so I am conscience of what I put in my mouth, I exercise 3-4X per week for 60-90 mins. and I weigh myself weekly to make sure I stay on track. I love the new me 135lbs lighter and I don't want to go back and this is my choice that I am in total control of. I was like you scare I may fail and not do well after I got this surgery but once you start losing the weight and you see transformation it makes you feel so different in a positive way. I wish you luck and I hope you make the best decision for you and you alone.

Source: Hula Cardio! Have You Tried It?

Yep! The chances of having gall bladder issues after WLS are quite high. Obese women are at higher risk to begin with as estrogen appears to influence the development of stones and obesity is thought to cause reduced bile salts in bile, leading to the formation of stones. Add rapid weight loss (when cholesterol is concentrated in the bile due to weight loss) and the risk increases again. Older people tend to have more gallbladder problems, as well, simply because there is more time for stones to develop, and a diet low in fiber and high in fat also can lead to stones. About 1/3 of WLS patients will end up having gallbladder surgery. If you're experiencing pain in your abdomal area or it you notice yellowish tint to your eyes that could be a sign of gall bladder issues.

No I did not have Kidney or stricture problems. But I did experience having gall stones and was admitting into the hospital the day of my post op release I was severely dehydrated and had problems keeping fluids in me and I had to stay in the hospital for eight days to get my levels down and then they decided to remove my gall bladder. I would definitely recommend calling your Surgeons office or the Nurse Practioner charged with you post op care so they can take a look.

I've been at the gym recently trying different cardio classes to keep me excited about working out and not falling into a rut! I know everyone is still on Zumba but I am LOVING Hula Cardio!!! It is fun, you work up a sweat the music is great - I feel like i'm on the island and the moves that you learn are so sexy!!! Yes SEXY! The movement of your core and you hips and keeping your needs bent it's a workout! I sweat sweat sweat! If you haven't tried it I would definitely recommend you give it a try and let me know how you felt after!

I used Biotin 1000mcg I take them 1x per day with a meal as well as a multivatimin and calcium chews. I experienced some hair lost in the beginning but not anymore nothing more than usual. I'm natural and have been for 8 years so I co-wash my hair I don't use anything with sulfates I also section my hair into four sections and take my time untangling my hair with my fingers and smoothing it out before I wash each section. I use a wide tooth comb and start from the bottom of my hair and work my way up and I do not use hot water only luke warm water when washing or rinsing my hair which hot water can cause tangling and breakage wich leads to hair loss. I keep my hair moisturized (not greasy there is a difference) often and I seal my ends. I still color my hair but I use Aphogee Protein Treatment before I color and that helps with hairloss as well. I don't know if you have tried any or all of this but that is what I do! Hope it is helpful!

Definitely recommend and aquatic class for low impact but I have you considered a fundamentals (intro) yoga or pilates class where there is not alot of movement that would trigger your asthma but you would toning and building muscle which burns fat so when the weight starts to melt away you will already have started that toning and strengthing process which may show better results in the long run on your body. Just a suggestion

Total Transformation!! You look great - Congratulations!!!

Well i'm trying my best over these hot summer months to stay very hydrated which is very important. We have been hitting the 100's lately and working out in the heat or just hanging out in the sunshine can be draining. I love water but, a friend of mine suggested that I try coconut water, believe it or not i've never tried it before - i've seen it everywhere but never had the urge to try it - mind you I like coconut cake, coconut milkshakes and coconut cream pie! (I know I know all fatty) ! I even use raw unrefined coconut oil & cream in my hair to naturally moisture it but never drank the water. So my friend was like, you should try it, it's so good for you. So I decided to see why it's considered so good for me before I go and buy it right?!?! Turns out that "Coconut Water" is the latest beverage trend and its health claims are many, from preventing cancer to curing hangovers (Hmmm sounds interesting) LOL! It's a clear liquid found in young green coconuts, It also says out there in internet land that it slows aging, promote smoother skin, regulate blood pressure, lower cholesterol, break up kidney stones, and cure a range of digestive disorders. (Sounds like a cure all and a age definer) Hmm Alrighty then! Can it Really Cure Cancer??? When it comes to cancer, no major studies link coconut water to cancer prevention. Some of the compounds in coconut water, such as selenium, have antioxidant properties and fight cancer in the lab, but many common fruits and vegetables are packed with these compounds. (That's more like it, was sounding too good to be true) What about Hydration? When someone exercises heavily, the body can lose electrolytes via sweat. Electrolytes are elements that carry a charge, either positive or negative. The natural balance of electrolytes keeps our body’s cells running smoothly. Sodium, potassium and magnesium are electrolytes, and coconut water has them all especially sodium and potassium. The handful of studies on exercise and coconut water suggests that after vigorous exercise, coconut water has the same positive effect as a sport drink. But most people do not exercise at such strenuous levels that they would need to replenish their electrolytes. (This is the information that I have been commonly finding out there on the internet - I can believe that) So How does it Taste? To be honest when I first tasted it I didn't like it at ALL! To me it had too much of a strong coconut taste, it's thicker then water and it's kind of salty to me if that makes any sense kind of like gatorade. So my first try was not the best. I did however give it a go again and this time I found one that was blended with another flavor (peach and mango) I put it in the freezer to make sure it was super cold - a friend told me to do that and I tried it again.......Still kind of salty tasting maybe that's the potassium but after a few more drinks of it my palette started getting use to it so, it's not so bad! Will it totally replace water for me? Not so much like I said I LOVE Ice cold water but it's an alternative - a healthly alternative that I will put in my rotation for hydrating myself. I definitely want to try it after and/or during a workout at the gym to see how it makes me feel. So is it a cure all or some sort of superfood? In my opinion based on what I've read I don't think so but it can be many things for many different types of people. It is refreshing, it's not sugary like flavored water (which I hate), it's high in potassium which is good, low in calories - the one I have now is 60 calories per 8 fl. oz and it about 2 serving in this contain so that's about 120 calories. Thus far I like it! I would encourage you to check it out for yourself if interested and let me know your thoughts. I have attached a pic of the one that I like drinking thus far.

These two make my day a little lighter. Since my surgery I have had like most folks i've seen on here really bad acid reflux. I usually take a PPI - Protonics but my surgeon doesn't want me to stay on them long time he suggested that I get another GI and that I may need to have a revison to the RNY (not happening)! I continue to search for natural remedies to resolve this issue but until then these two are my "Besties"!!

Thank you ALL for your wonderful and supportive comments, I know what I did was far from cheating, this is a lifestyle change unlike any other and I decided to take this journey and it has been the most successful for me. I've met alot of encouraging folks along the way! And if I had it to do all over again I would still make the same choice hands down!!

Do you know that stress and worry can cause you to stall in your weight loss? Relax and follow the process. Stop looking at the scale it's making you anxious now and it probably made you anxious pre surgery when you were trying to lose weight right so stay away from it. I only got weigh during my follow up appts. with my surgeon other than that I went by the way my clothes kept getting bigger and bigger and that made me smile. Believe me don't worry just relax and enjoy the journey you will see that wait come off, be anxious for nothing!!

I may not be like others when it comes to this but there is a reason why and it was confirmed for me recently why I don't really talk about it much. I was talking with a family member who knows that I had the VSG surgery last year and they have put on a few pounds recently (well over time). We were speaking of the US standard of BMI and I had stated that with all i've lost i'm still considered "overweight", and they said oh yeah well what do they say about my weight and I said well I don't really know your size but it you are 200 lbs or more and based on your height you are probably considered "obese". I even said a year ago I was considered "morbidly obese" according to the standards but i'm glad i'm not there anymore. Well once I said that they stated well if it had not been for the surgery you would probably still be but you "CHEATED"!! I was like cheated - really?? At that point I confirmed that no matter how many people say congratulations or i'm proud of you or you did it! In the back of some of their minds they feel "I Cheated"! That's why I don't tell people I just say I had my gall badder removed (which is true) and I can no longer eat the way I use too and I exercise and eat right (which is all true). I did not know there was a right or a wrong way; a honest way or a chearters way of losing weight?? Do you?! Just because I didn't join Weight Watchers again for the 4th time or try the lastest fad diet like most of my friends and drop some weight and then blow back up again shortly after does that make me a cheater? It doesn't matter if I slaved away in a gym 5 days a week or that I still need to eat right and be mindful of what I eat they still see me as a cheater! I hate that stigma but, at the end of the day I made a decision that was best for me and my life, i'm not coping out to being a cheater - I still have to put in the work both physically and mentally despite what people may think about bariactric surgery and it's supposed "quick fix". I've seen people gain it all back so I know that it is not a quick fix and you still have to work at it - it's a tool. Used wisely or unwisely you will it the fruits of it. I just needed to vent I guess and it hurt me to hear that from a loved one but like I said that's why it has been a personal choice of mine not to be forth coming with this journey of mine because of that very comment. Hopefully one day I will feel open enough to let more people in on my journey but until then that's why I have my VST family where i'm not judged!

Congratulations!!!!

My BMI is -- 25.11