PamelaAM

So I had my VSG on September 27, 2010 and lost 61 lbs out of the 100 that I needed to lose. Over a couple of years I gained back almost 30 lbs! I have tried everything to get back on track and most recently got involved with It Works (this is NOT a sales pitch, just my story) and am using a couple of their products and have lost 11 lbs in less than two weeks so I am excited about getting back on track. Really want to get the rest of this weight off. But I have to say, I have absolutely NO regrets and still say that the VSG is the best thing I had ever done! Under normal circumstances I would have gained back the entire 61 lbs and another 50 on top of that!

Pam

P.S. And clearly I have to figure out how to go back and edit my profile because my current weight is 210 not 189 (I wish). But I will get there and further :-)

Oh, and one more thing - if you "like" them on Facebook they provide discount codes. Wish I had known that sooner because I paid full price but they said they will give me the 30% discount on my next order.

Oregondaisy - My biggest problem was that I always wanted to eat. Even though I still have great restriction, we all know that if you eat all day you are consuming way too many calories. My SIL had gastrci bypass many years ago and had lost and regained over the years. All of a sudden she was down 42 pounds and my niece down about 20 so I asked them what they were doing. They said they were on the Bee Pollen Diet and just took this pill (or two) each day. As desperate as I was, I decided to try it. I've only been on it almost two weeks now - the first week you just take one pill so I didn't really lose but I didn't gain either. Then you start on taking two pills in the morning and I was shocked at what it did to my appetite. I will start to think I want food, but then when I think about it I don't want it - at all. When I eat (haven't change what I eat at this point just trying to stay away from junk) my appetite is really diminished. I've lost 4 lbs this second week and have tons of energy. The only problem is that I have so much energy that sometimes it is hard to get to sleep at night but nothing serious. I watched my SIL struggle for so long after her bypass and she looks amazing now. How these pills make me feel is how many explain they feel after a sleeve - but for me, I never really lost my appetite - imaginary or real.

I am not recommending this but just saying that for me, I love how it takes away my appetite and allows my sleeve to work as a tool.

Here is the website: http://beepollendiet.com/ I guess there are alot of fakes out there that have copied these folks, so my SIL said to make sure you order from this site. She has no interest in the company, just knows it is working for she and her daughter.

And I feel great for the first time in a long time :-)

I haven't posted here in forever! I was one of the ones who only lost 50% of the weight that I needed to - well maybe a little more than 50% - originally leaving still about 45 lbs to lose. And then I gained 18 pounds. So when everyone on this board is talking about being at goal and ony gaining 1-3 pounds, needless to say it got a bit depressing and was easier to just not come to the board anymore. Once I hit the +18 lb mark I stayed the same for months and months regardless of what I would eat. But clearly that is not where I wanted to stay. So found something new that is working for me (I think we all need to find our thing that works) and am already down 4 lbs in the past week. So may even start popping in here more often. Now that I see that I am not the only one gaining :-)

I had purchased 5 wigs when I lost so much of my hair. The lace front seem to be the way to go because they give you a natural hairline. Spoke to friends who have worn wigs for a long time due to chemo etc, and they swore by the synthetic wigs because they are literally shake and go so that's what I bought. Once you purchase what you think you like, go to your hairdresser and have them trim it for you if need be.

I continue to struggle. Even with going to the gym about 5 days per week, I can't seem to get my metabolism going well enough to allow me to even eat the 1200-1300 calories that the nutritionist said I need to eat every day. I am one of the ones who didn't necessarily lose all of the hunger (not nearly what it was before the surgery but clearly still there)so it always amazes me when others say "oh, I forgot to eat all day. . .". I am up about 11 lbs and have been tracking my weight daily for two months now just to try to figure out a pattern (what I eat or not eat, whether I go to the gym or not, etc. . .) and I am staying within a 2-3 pound range (still up from my low point)so I know I need to do something different than what I am doing. Went on Jenny Craig for a month to see if that would shake anything up but nothing. It's like my body found it's happy place and is staying there. Problem is that it is not MY happy place - still need to lose another 40-45 lbs. UGH. Sometimes I need to just stop thinking about it because it is getting depressing.

I still can't believe you guys did that in the pouring rain!!! WOW! I sat down there with Michelle and debated and decided not to get drenched and headed to the gym instead. You two are our HEROES! Let's plan another one for a sunny day and I'm SO there! Or let's do the trail. . .

Patrice! I am just now seeing this post - haven't been on the board that much. I too, started going up again and gained 14 lbs. Am struggling to get it off again but started going to the gymn every morning and love how it makes me feel. Haven't lost anything but I need to get the food under control too. You tend to forget how easy it is to go back to old eating habits - maybe not as much but still the wrong stuff. So now I am only at the half way mark - back up to only 50 lbs lost so have another 50 to go. Bound and determined to get there. .

So funny how it is SO different for everyone! I don't really struggle with much (unfortunately) with the exception of taking that one bite too much of anything- then I suffer :-(

Happens to almost everyone at about that same time. . .no worries - just stay the path :-)

I have had a strange journey with my weight loss - lost really fast in the beginning when I was doing only 500 calories or so, if even that - then stalled big time when the caloric intake went up to 1200-1300 (per nutritionist) - can't seem to lose at that - I travel ALOT for work and when I travel I have gained up to 8 lbs from my low point but as soon as I come home it starts to come off again. I think with the travel there is Water weight gain from the flying as well. I still have 40-45lbs to lose to get to a reasonable goal and I think it is just going to take alot more exercise, which I have been very bad at.

So here's something that I wouldn't necessarily advise for others but it was what my surgeon advised for me after 11 days when I was so weak I couldn't hardly stand and they couldn't even get a blood pressure reading on me. He said "go home and eat ice cream". So I bought those little Haagan Das little cups and it took me 4 sittings to eat just one but after doing that Friday night, Saturday and Sunday I actually woke up on Monday morning feeling normal again. He told me that my body could not take the lack of carbs. Everyone is different. I suggest that we all listen to our surgeons and go by what they are telling us - they are trained to adjust when necessary and that is what he had to do for me. I would have never done that on my own and honestly was shocked when he suggested it but it was, as they say, "just what the doctor ordered".

And this is a surgeon in SoCal that does thousands of these procedures and there is a waiting list to get in to him.

Everyone's body is different and that is why we have medical professionals gudiing us through this process. We have people in our support group that can't stop losing weight and are eating donuts and drinking alcohol and then there are others like me who stick to a plan for the most part and end up and very long stalls. We are all different and our bodies react differently.

But again, please defer to your surgeon for guidance on what my work for your particular biochemistry. Don' t take chances with a surgery like this one - leave it up to the experts. But trust me, we have ALL eaten something at least once that was probably not the smartest move and we paid the price :-(

It really is true. I worked for years in the fashion industry when sizing was monitored and you were basically the same size everywhere you went - like it or not :-) Now I am fitting into smaller sizes than I ever would have imagined at this weight and while it feels good to fit into a "smaller" size, I know the sizes aren't real so it's pretty much a bubble burster.

I had the luxury of taking 6 weeks off of work - actuall 3 weeks off and then worked from home for 3 weeks. There is no way I could have gone back to an active job before 3 weeks. For me, the 6 week time frame was about right. But I had a really tough recovery and couldn't hardly get out of bed for the first 2 weeks. Everyone is different. I would suggest that you take as much time as possible off before going back.

Bonnie:

You are amazing!!! I hope you can make it to our September meeting! We are doing a pot luck at my house and we are going to have some newbies here that I would love them to see your progress!!

Rock on!!!

Hellllooooooo Everyone!

I know I have been MIA for a while but I have been extremely busy with all of the new things going on in my life.

(New House, New Puppy, Wedding that is now in 7 days, New job) I hope you understand.

Yesterday (May 27th) was my 6 month surgiversary but I decided to stick to my routine and not weight in until this morning.

Before I got on the scale I though to myself (Like I have MANY times over the last 6 months) "I did everything right this week but I know the weight loss has to slow down at some point, so its OK if I don't pull a big number."

I got on the scale and I was down another 4 pounds from last week!!!

Bringing my total in 6 months and 1 day to exactly 115 lbs!!!

I started this journey at 325# and I am now 210#!!

Here are a few things that have really stuck out in my mind about my journey so far...

Since surgery I have not gone one week with out losing.

I know this will change and some point and I am prepared for it because I though it would have already happened by now.

This probably isn't normal but it is possible. I stick to my plan and it pays off. :-)

I have been making You Tube videos since 6 weeks post op, as well as taking progress pictures and measurements weekly and those 3 things have helped me get through this journey mentally more then I can even begin to express. You can not see what other see unless you take these pictures along the way and TRULY look at them. It is hard to look back and see where you started but it feels damn good to see where you are at now and how your body is changing.

PLEASE TAKE PICTURES AND MEASUREMENTS!!! It will truly blow your mind!

With the removal of the Ghrelin it has been like some one flipped a switch in my head and I no longer have a constant nagging hunger.

Eating is no longer something that consumes my every though, it is still enjoyable but not all encompassing. I am able to go out with friends and not be ashamed to order the quantity that I really way. I can go to sushi and not leave with an empty wallet or with my head hung in shame over how much I just ate. I can go to a BBQ with friends and not be worried about if they are making enough food or think about if I should eat before I go so I don't end up hungry...

I still feel no physical hunger. I know I need to eat and get enough nourishment so I plan my day accordingly and still enjoy what I eat.

I love cooking and that has not changed one bit. I cooked healthy before but it was just in HUGE quantity and I am amazed that I DO NOT miss sitting down to plow through a plate of food.

Exercise is now something that I actually enjoy doing again. I am not saying that if you have always hated exercise you all of a sudden love it now, but for me I used to enjoy it... Until I got so big that it was uncomfortable to even bend down to put on my gym shoes.

I do not enjoy mindless walking/ jogging on a tread mill... I love resistance training and hiking. You have to find something that works for you.

I do not go to the gym 5 days a week, nor do I feel that I need to. I try to go 3 times a week at least, some times 4, but lately with all the new stuff going on it has honestly been more like once or twice a week. I know I need to step it back up but the weight loss is just about the same when I exercise and when I don't. I exercise for my over all health and to build/ keep muscle tone.

My hair has gotten substantially thinner but I had really thick hair to start with...

When I went in to have my "mock up hair do" done for the wedding, the stylist said that it is already growing back in and you wont be able to tell at all in 6 more months... She also said that when it is dry and naturally down you can not tell at all.

The loss started pretty heavy 3 months post op and has slowed down over the last few week.

So be prepared for Hair loss but know that is does get better.

There is SOOO much more I could write about but I feel like I am rambling so I'm going to stop... :-)

However I would like to say THANK YOU to all of you on the board that have unknowingly answered so many of my questions along the way and I look forward to being able to help others the way you have all helped me.

If you are new and have questions feel free to ask away...

~Bonnie

So here's the deal. . .I had one of the PA's in my surgeon's office explain to me why the hair loss. She said that when you do something as drastic as removed 85% of you stomach your body thinks that it is dying because a major organ has been compromised. So it starts sending all of it's energy to all of the major organs in an effort to save itself. Thereby not having any energy left for any of the peripherals - hair, nails etc. So your hair follicles actually die immediately after surgery but it takes 3 months for them to work their way out of your scalp. That's why you start experiencing Hair loss at about 3 months out. LeslieH is correct that it normally lasts for about 3 months and then will slowly subside.

My hair was very fine to begin with. I wore it in an A-line bob and colored it - both bleach and color, just to have some texture to it so that it appeared thicker. Once my hair started coming out at 3 months I started to freak out and went out and bought 5 wigs - very cool wigs, I might add - you'd be amazed at what's out there. I just could never bring myself to wear one. So I ended up cutting my hair really short (which I thought I would NEVER do) still color and bleach and everyone loves it, including me! When I was 60 pounds heavier I would have never been able to get away with a cut like this because my face was way too fat, but now it looks ok.

This surgery will change your life. No doubt. It is such an amazing transformation you will be in awe. I, too, freaked out about the hair loss and I'm not going to tell you that I didn't have some incredibly emotional times over it, but the weight loss and the new life is SO worth it. It doesn't fall out completely and for many of the gals that have gone from really thick hair to normal hair or even thin hair, when I see them, they still look fabulous - one would never notice the hair loss. Sleeve4me uses those clip in extensions and you would never know it's not her own hair - looks incredible. For me, I just went really short and honestly, don't think I will ever grow my hair long (er) again!

Hey guys! Thank you SO much for all of your comments and tips - it all makes sense! Going to start a new regimen and see if I can't get rid of these last 40 lbs once and for all! I think sometimes we all just need some encouragement or maybe a swift kick in the butt from each other :-)

Myrori - you have done amazingly well! WOW! I know in the past (and I mean since I was 16 and I'm now 58) I have really struggled on other diets that normal people lose on. I remember one time being on that one where you get the daily injections of HCG and Vitamin B12 and they had me on 500 calories a day and I still only lost about 30 lbs. it got to the point where they were saying things like "ok, instead of that 1/2 of red apple, try a 1/2 of a green apple because there is less sugar in it". They couldn't figure out why I couldn't lose anymore. And I totally wasn't cheating at all - I was so obsessed with losing.

I am probably eating a bit more than I should but I am going by what the nutritionist said. I think I just need more exercise.

I am drinking probably about 100 oz of Water a day and doing about 1200-1400 calories. I'm sure it's the exercise that I am missing and I need to quite coming up with so many excuses that I don't have time :-(

Here's what my day today will look like:

6 bottles of Water - 4 with Kellogg's K20 to add 20 grams of Protein

2 Kelloggs Protein Bars to add 20 grams of Protein

Breakfast:

1 egg

salsa

small amount of cheese (1/3 cup)

2 small slices avocado

lunch

Greek yogurt

1/2 cup blueberries

1/2 cup strawberries

1/3 cup granola

dinner

3 oz salmon (baked)

2 Tbs tarter sauce

grilled veggies (zuchinni & onions today)

If I need something in the evening I will grab a small handful of reduced fat wheat thins.

Just trying to see what everyone else is doing with regards to food intake once you've gone beyond the 6 month mark. My nutritionist told me to eat 1200-1300 calories and 120 grams of carbs and 80 grams of Protein. Seems like the carbs are so much higher than what everyone is doing. I had a problem doing low carbs in the beginning so they told me that I needed to do 120-130 of carbs per day - just seems like alot.

I really need to get an idea of what others are eating at this stage of the game. I have completely stopped losing and basically have been playing with the same 5-6 pounds for months now. Would love to see someone else's daily diet. . .

That's why I love shopping at Old Navy - vanity sizing!!! Haven't been in this small a size in years :-)

LOVE the scale pic!!!

You have been such an amazing inspiration to so many people but especially to me. You went first. . .and then you mentored me the entire way. I still remember our first meeting at Marie Callendars for Breakfast and you could hardly eat and were so depressed. I was having my surgery 3 days later and you inspired me and let me know that i would be ok. All of the text messages back and forth when I needed support and a voice that had "been there". You got me through SO much!

And YOU were the one that has brought us all together for our support group - none of that would have happened with YOU. The group has inspired and nurtured all of us and given us all the strength to keep moving forward even when we were having a difficult time with the process. It made all of us feel like we weren't alone in the journey. Thank you for bringing us together.

And you continue to inspire. Each and every month when you speak to the graduating class at Kaiser and share your story, letting them know that this DOES work - even though the road is sometimes difficult. They look at you and see your succes and find comfort in the fact that they are embarking on the right journey.

I hope you realize the impact you have had on all of our lives. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart!

Pam