ToDream

I would say that I'm around 1000-1200 cal a day on average. It's hard for me to get in the calories I'm supposed to even at this point and as a result, I too have had the freak out where I think I've lost too much and can't stop. I haven't lost anything in nearly a month so I'm hoping thinking that I won't lose anything more. I have started exercising (weight training only with a trainer) as well so it could be that I'm finally regaining some muscle and that's why, even with exercise, I haven't lost any more this last month. I hope that's the case as I really would like to NOT get below 130!

I put pleasure. When they asked I said surgery. They didn't ask or care which surgery.

Hi back! I'm happy to see some Edmontonians on here!

I too went to Dr Almanza and I have zero complaints about my surgeon. In retrospect, what I would change is simply going to a doctor that used a hospital. I didn't want to stay at the house because my husband was with me and there was a high likelihood he would end up on a couch or the floor so we stayed at the hotel. The hotel was great... but... I was originally told that they would come to ME for meds. I found out I had to go back and forth to the clinic 2x/day for them instead. I found that terribly inconvenient and uncomfortable travelling back and forth so often. I also had to base my pain meds on their schedule, not when I needed the pain meds so often times it could be over 12 hours between shots.

Dr Sharma is very very knowledgeable. I have subscribed to his blog even as a self pay patient. If I had been heavier I might have qualified to have the surgery with Weight Wise but as my BMI was 37, the likelihood was very low they would have done it for me with no "real" co-morbidities. If you haven't yet, get your doctor to refer you to the program. The modules are very interesting and helpful. I've attended 3 so far ... post-op!

Thanks for the welcome! If you visit, don't venture to Saskatchewan or Manitoba. B.o.r.i.n.g. BC is by far one of the prettiest provinces and then Alberta (western side near the Rockies)

My name is Cheryl. I'm a Canuck.. is there room for us here!? My hubby is a member of the Retired (yay!) Canadian Army. 20 years and 4 tours later they released him with a medical pension and a host of fun issues to deal with for the rest of our lives. His last post brought him to Edmonton, Alberta before he went to Afghanistan. We are contemplating a move to Vancouver next year.

Hi Dwayne, I'm from Edmonton as well. I had my VSG with Dr Almanza at the end of April. Best decision I ever made... seriously. I wish that I had known that I had this option years ago. I was one of the many uninformed out there that thought that WLS was only for people over 500 lbs. Now, I'm enjoying my life again and looking forward to each day. My asthma is better, I'm off my anti-depressants and my blood pressure is now hovering on the low side instead of high! You ask about if you can have a normal life post-vsg... I guess it really depends on what you consider "normal". If your normal is eating to excess, eating poorly or using food as a response to stress or emotions... then no. It will be far far from normal after surgery. You will gain a REAL normal. A healthy respect for your sleeve is definitely needed going through this process and if you don't, it WILL remind you. Is it easy? no freaking way. It's absolutely not easy.... however, weight loss is guaranteed with this option. For you, all you have to do is learn how to have healthy habits post-op so you stay healthy and keep the weight off. Support post-op is incredibly important and self-pay sleevers often have difficulty getting that. I know 2 other Edmontonians that are successful sleevers that can help. Private message me if you want more info! Cheryl

Given how I felt for the first month post op I wouldn't have wanted to be on a vacation. I wanted to sleep all the time and going through the food stages wasn't much fun. I had issue getting in my water. I couldn't imagine sweating all the time while recovering. I'd likely hide in my room most of the holiday.

I average about 700 calories a day right now. I'm 4.5 mo out.

I do it monthly on my anniversary date ... so the 27th!

Last time I measured (Aug 27) I was down over 40 inches! I'm still very "hippy" so I expect now that the upper body has lost most of the inches, my lower half should catch up.

Much like Tiffykins,my bp hangs low as well when I'm in a lower weight. Especially when I'm exercising. I too was diagnosed with hypotension a couple of years ago (before I regained a bunch of weight again).. mine too was mainly postural/positional. My doc told me to wiggle my feet before standing, not do anything where I have to shift positions quickly (like burpees much to my delight!) , increase fluids and sodium intake and take care when standing quickly. I found if I stood too fast everything would go spotty and spin!

Congratulations on your sleeve-versary! Thank you so much for meting with me before my VSG... you're an inspiration!

Definitely keep us posted! I have been oogling the bodybugg for a couple years and just found out about the fitbit... I'd love to know which is better!

I'm travelling for business next week and this was very informative. I'm pretty nervous how I'm going to manage my eating while on the road... especially with a bunch of co-workers that don't know I've had this surgery!

It's really important that you eat every few hours. Your body is going through alot right now with healing and losing weight. This is basically skipping meals and that is really bad for your metabolism. Skipping meals contributed to how many of us got heavy and couldn't keep it off to begin with. Set an alarm, have a spouse or friend call or text to remind you. Do SOMETHING to make sure you're getting your meals in. It's really important for long term success.

I too had Dr Almanza. I was very pleased with the facility, staff and my surgery!

The average diet means that surgery or not, most people need a daily vitamin (at least) anyway. Frankly, most people aren't getting the foods their body needs because of the over-processed nature of the foods we consume these days.

This is a great list. I've reposted most of it on another board (with credit given to you of course) to share this great list with other to-be sleevers! Congratulations on your fanastic loss and maintenance!

85 LBS! CRAZY! Congratulations! I'm at 39 pounds. Surgery date April 27. Feeling great!