weho

Don't let other's opinions slow you down. I'd have that surgeon's number on speed dial. No, this isn't the easy way out, you still have to work at it. But it sure does help. I used to have knee and foot pain after exercising, sometimes to the point of being immobile the next day. Not a good motivator in staying active. At the end of a long day at work I would literally limp around for the rest of the evening. NO MORE. I can kick butt now! Stay the course! I'm not saying that VSG heals all aches and pains. I have a coworker who had it done and lost 150 lbs but still relies on pain meds because his knees are so shot from being obese for so long. Go for small walks if possible and add a minute a day. Anything is better than nothing. Stay the course grasshopper. Good luck!

Thank you! This looks great. I will try your lower fat version. Maybe I need to try that pouch test too....

Yay for you! That has been my most celebrated milestone. Doesn't it feel good? Congrats! Good luck on your continued journey.

Ok, the 29/30 bmi makes more sense. I won't be judgemental and tell you not to consider surgery with your lower bmi. As others have said, if you go to Mexico I think that you could qualify for the surgery. Just do you homework! Good luck to you!

A BMI of 20 or 30? Really? A BMI of 20 puts you at a completely normal weight. 30 is obese. So there is quite a gap between the two. My surgeon won't even consider performing vsg surgery unless you are at least 35 bmi, or lower in the case of revision from lapband to sleeve. I know all surgeons are different. I understand your frustration with gaining and losing the same weight over and over again. Keep doing your research regarding BMI, and maybe try a consultation with a bariatric surgeon. I think that will give you a little more insight. Good luck in your journey.

Thank you so much for your positive thoughts and encouragement. You are doing awesome!!

I am so happy for you and your family! It has been so exciting following you and Tatum. You are absolutely adorable and so is she. I am a sonographer and concur with the hair pic. That is A LOT of hair.

I had one repaired during surgery that I had no idea I had. I wonder if maybe you had a small one that went undetected during surgery. But I find it odd that you would only now be experiencing symptoms even after having lost so much weight. I hope that this can be resolved without surgery, but if it would make you feel better and prevent additional problems it might be worth the surgery as a last ditch effort. Good luck to you. Did you have surgery this year or last? Either way, I am so impressed by your progress. We are related I had my surgery on 5/17 also. Wow, you are doing great!

Well, I concur with sleeve 4 me...holy moly. You look absolutely terrific! I am very happy for you and wish you the very best on your journey. Great job!

Well, I did both yesterday! Made my yearly pilgrimage to the State Fair of Texas and had 1/2 of a Fletcher's corn dog, a few bites of fried cheese cake, a bite of a fried oreo and drank a beer for the first time since surgery. I spaced all of this out quite a bit and had no problems. It's nice to know that I can still splurge on the rare occasion and that it takes very little to satisfy the craving. I was told to keep fat and sugar content under 10 grams per serving, which I try to follow. I was also told no more carbonated beverages. I enjoyed the beer yesterday, but will probably not drink it or any other carbonated drink anytime soon just because I've heard it can stretch the sleeve. Thank God for wine

I quit both a week before my surgery as I only had to do a one week pre op diet. But if you are a big caffeine drinker you might want to start weaning yourself a little sooner; just my opinion. Good luck to you!

Oh you look SO cute! My reasons for loving fall: A reprieve from the 100 degree weather The State Fair of Texas I love Halloween and all of the spooky ghost stories and scary movies Chili made with Hatch peppers High school football and homecoming

This liquid diet stage will be a faint memory before too long...totally worth it. Stay strong and positive!

Yay! That is AWESOME!! It's a miracle, ha?

I can "gulp" water now, although my gulps aren't quite as big as they were before surgery but pretty close. I feel that I can drink normally now...I can down an 11 oz protein shake in about 5 minutes. I have also found that I can eat more like I could before surgery meaning I don't have to chew every bite of food a billion times. I still do feel some discomfort if I push it though. But it all feels very normal to me now. Hope this gives you hope

I was only cleared to eat soft foods at 3 weeks, ie chicken salad, chili, etc. Did you eat the bread too? Bread was really uncomfortable for me at first. I wasn't even cleared to eat that till 6 weeks out. So you ate a chili and a half of a burger at 3 weeks out? That sounds like a lot to me.

Oh you're so cute!! Great info for those who are considering having children post op. Good luck to you and Tatum!

Week 3 day 2 down! I'm so excited. My right hip and feet are not hurting (as they have done in the past) at all after I do this anymore. Hopefully as I progress my body won't rebel. Good luck to all who are doing this!

I've heard of doctors taking it if gallbladder disease has already been diagnosed. But as a preventative, no I haven't heard of that. My doctor prescribed Ursidiol (?) to help prevent gallstone formation. I started taking it about 1 month after surgery and will continue taking till I'm 6 months post op. Not sure how effective it is, but if it will put my odds in favor of not having another surgery, I'm all for it.

I met with the hospital dietician post surgery and she would not give me a number for carbs. But her slogan is "Protein then produce". When I asked her about carbs she looked at me like I was an idiot...and said that my carbs should come from produce. At least 60 grams protein, and less than 10 grams of fat and sugar per meal. She also recommended at least 1200 cals per day but my surgeon stongly disagreed with this aspect and just told me to focus on protein and fluids. What would you recommend? I would like to get your opinion on this!

I am not a smoker but want to encourage you to stay strong and draw strength from anything that you can. This surgery has changed my life and I am saying a prayer for you to do what you can to get to your surgery date successfully. Good luck to you!!

Great insight Emily. I think at times I can relate with you Escape. Four months post surgery and I am just now at the weight that I was 3 years ago, although I am not at the size that I was 3 years ago; I get pissed at myself for abusing my body like I have. But overall I know that I have done something to change the course of my life. Try to draw motivation from anything that you can! Enjoy each success and reward yourself.

Wow! You have done amazing! Thanks so much for sharing. It's nice to know what works for others. Good luck on your continued journey!

Wow, this looks great! I bookmarked your site. I love soup and am excited to try this healthy recipe. Thanks!

Stay strong! Go for a walk, read, get on the phone and talk to someone, play a game on the computer. This liquid diet will be a faint memory before too long, I promise. Good luck you you both!