Amanda131

Thank you! So much of what you said is right where I am. It's the battle between what I know and what I occasionally feel. I, too, worked on a school campus when I had VSG and I did not plan to share that I had surgery but I am so damn honest that it just kind of came out. And, I can tell you from experience that if you plan to tell anyone then everyone will eventually know. My campus surprised me with how supportive they were when they learned that I had chosen WLS. I have since been promoted to the district office and when I visit they are all still super excited for my weight-loss success. I don't regret choosing to be open and honest with others if for no other reason then that by being open I've helped two others chose to change their life with VSG. So, I try to remind myself of the positives when people like the woman I mentioned earlier in the posts get to me. Like you, I am letting this stew and roll around in the back of my mind. I feel the big victory is being aware of the feelings so that I can make peace with them in a healthy manner. Thanks again for the great words of wisdom. Amanda

Mine are small AND they like to roll before they collapse. After years of playing "catch me if you can" and being left bruised to the point of looking like an addict, I learned that the tops of my hands are the best place to hit a vein. It's a little more painful but I'd rather that than literally 20 pokes. I learned to be kind but firm with the techs in my statement that blood and I.V.s only come from my hands. I feel your pain. Getting the IV was one of the most stressful parts of my vsg. Also, hydration does play a role especially consistent hydration over a long period (not just chugging the night before). I would suggest staying really well hydrated from now until midnight the night before. Best of luck! Amanda

Expect to be tired. I mean exhausted tired for the first two to three weeks post-op. Use every opportunity you can to nap and rebuild your energy. When you aren't napping, plan to be sipping constantly on either water or protein drinks. That's the best way to make sure you get in the required protein and water. Also, expect a bit of an emotional roller coaster. Embrace it and ride it out. Expect a "What the Hell have I done" Day. Mine was day five. I thought I had seriously screwed up and mourned the fact that there was no going back. Of course, today I am thrilled with my decision- but that day I was sure I had screwed up royally. Finally, expect to be dissappointed with weight loss in the first month. Despite learning everything we can it seems to never fail that everyone is upset with the three week stall and his/her weight loss. Lean on this forum when those days come- it helped me tremendously. Good Luck! Amanda

I started running 2 months ago and I am seeing tremendous results. When I started I couldn't run more than a half mile. This past weekend I ran 5 and 1/3 miles. I also incorporate some strength training. BBJ mentioned CrossFit and I have a lot of friends swearing by it. I am considering giving that a go as well based on all of the positive recommendations. Good luck finding your groove! Amanda

If you're average, then I'm pokey! I think you have done a phenomenal job. Anyone who is knocking on a 100 pounds at six months has played the game extremely well. Congratulations! Amanda

Hi Wondering1- I was also able to eat a larger amount of calories than others post-op. I remember being really concerned that the surgery had failed, that I was overdoing it, etc. On my doctors plan I was on a liquid diet the first two weeks and then could incorporate soft meats and foods starting week 3. On my plan, a grilled leg and mashed potatoes would have been allowed at day 15 as well. What I learned is that some us don't deal with as much swelling as others and therefore can eat more and some of us have longer stomachs which equal longer sleeves and the ability to eat slightly more (especially if you are tall). Of course, the bougie size can vary as well. I feel I have had great success and I have eaten from 800-1200 calories a day since the third week post-op.Of course those are generally "quality" calories and Protein dense foods. I would encourage you to follow all of your doctor's orders and when eating take your time, eat small quanities and really try to find that sense of "satisfied" rather than full. But, also know that there isn't anything wrong with you or your sleeve just because you appear able to consume more calories. I think you will also find that it is more difficult to consume a lot when you eat more dense foods like meats. You're doing great! Amanda PS I lost 14 the first three days and then didn't lose another pound until day 25. It's probably the dreaded three week stall that we all had to deal with. Just keep doing what you are supposed to and it will all work out. Promise.

What a magical weekend brought to you by all your hard work. Congratulations!

Congrats, SK! I am so happy for you and I know you'll be at goal before you know it!

Hi Firefighter- Yay for you and your wife going on this adventure together! As for your questions, I was only off work for 6 days but I work in an office. I won't lie those first few days were really rough. I was VERY tired and weak. I actually took a half day on my third day back just to rest. I had very little swelling and was able to eat and drink much easier than others so I never had to worry about dehydration. No one really knows how they will handle surgery but assuming you do well, my suggestion would be bringing lots of Water to work and constant sipping. I am assuming you cannot take more time off as that would be my first suggestion in such a taxing profession. I was feeling much better when I started soft foods in the second week. Best of luck to you and your wife! Amanda

I am SO exciting for you! Congratulations!

Right? THEY were walking while I RAN. Screw them!

Bebes- Thank you so much for this perspective. I plan to put it in my mental toolbox and pull it out if this ever happens again. This even helped me feel more normal as it helped me realize that other addicts probably have feelings of failure for not being able to control their addictions as well. I realized reading these posts that this was the real issue for me. A fear that I had to "cheat" with surgery because I'm failure. Can anyone guess who here has serious perfection issues?

This story totally made me smile. Way to go! Amanda

When consciously thinking, I am so with you girls. What has me upset is that my subconscious (or maybe unconscious?) self- the one that reacts without thinking- agreed with that woman. As soon as my conscious-self registered what I was thinking, I was appalled. That is really what has me all twisted up. I could care less what other people think- I can't change them and don't want to waste the energy trying. What bothers me was my initial response.

My assumption is that it is because of the inability to take certain medications after RNY. I chose VSG because of an Iron Deficiency issue and the malasorbtive re-rerouting deal just scared the fire out of me. From what I've read, you run a bigger risk of regain with the RNY since the pouch will stretch in ways that the Sleeve can't (it's created with less stretchy materials. With either surgery though, you can find the means to regain if you allow it. We all have to remember that we are working with a tool and not a complete fix. Best of luck to you! Amanda

I have started training for a half-marathon and am doing so with a running group. I actually wanted to do this last year and joined the group only to realize I was too fat to run. I worked out with the walking group for a while before I realized I was too heavy to even do that. Fast forward 12 months and I am now there again almost 80 pounds lighter and running 5 miles. Big victory, right? Today, I saw some of the women I used to walk with. Of course they asked how much weight I had lost and then the inevitable, "How'd you do it?" I hmmed and hawed for a moment before just saying I had wls. I have a huge issue with needing to be honest so I rarely conceal surgery when others ask. (I'm not saying concealing is wrong, it just doesn't work for me.) Anyway, once I said wls I saw the curl of one of the women's lip... you know the one. The one that says, "Oh, you cheated." And, it's fine that she feels that way. What wasn't okay was that I felt that she was kind of right. In that moment, I felt like I kind of cheated, too. And, that just pisses me off. I know how badly I needed this and how hard I've worked for my success. I can't believe my head/heart would betray me like that. I don't know if I am making any sense, but it was really disheartening to have my own head de-valuing all of the hard work I have done. Moral of the story: Stay tuned into yourself and don't let yourself provide any of the negative talk. There are plenty of others willing to do that for us. Thanks for listening/reading. Amanda

Thanks for the info! My university has a bod pod and I am going to try to get in to use it. It should be fun to see my old stomping grounds, too. I'll share the results when I get it done. I'm totally curious, now!

Hi Alota Luv- I live in Katy on the west side of Houston. I am almost 6 months out and very happy with my choice to have surgery. I would be happy share my experiences with you and trade support! Amanda

Hi Diva- Congrats on some rockin' stats. You worked hard for those! I am really interested in doing this. Was the charge really only $25? And, what was the process like? For some reason, the term "Bod Pod" sounds really claustorphobic to me... not sure why, I usually don't have that issue. Amanda

Congrats sleeve twin! You've done fan- friggin'-tastic! I can't wait to join you on the other side. Amanda

Increased acid can also make you feel a false sense of hunger. You may want to speak with your doctor about taking a PPI or changing things around to see if that helps. Good luck! Amanda

OMG! I thought I was the only one dealing with this. I love it! Isn't it interesting (better word than "sad" which is what I orginally wrote) to witness the shifts in behavior of our female friends and co-workers as they stop viewing us as "fatties" and suddenly see us as possible competition. Cracks me up on a daily basis. Thanks for putting it so succintly! Amanda

Yup. And then, when I had surgery I was sure that I'd be the only one ever that actually wouldn't lose the weight. Now I fear I will not make goal or that I will eventually gain it all back. But the level of fear now is much less than before I had surgery. Your fears are completely normal. Amanda

Seeing the muscles in my quads and calves popping up makes me feel super sexy. Becoming a runner had lead to a sense of strength that has morphed into a sense of sexy, too. I've also started noticed that men are checking me out these days and that doesn't hurt either! Amanda

I would rather... 1. Run! Who knew hitting the pavement would feel so good and empowering? 2. Check this site... it's staved off more than one urge to munch! 3. Use all of this new-found energy to play with my little girl. I end up wearing a lot of tiaras these days. 4. Straighten my home... things are more organized than they have been in years! 5. Chat with friends and family. I am lost that slightly anti-social edge that obesity seemed to give me. Great topic, SK! Amanda