ToDream

. Thanks Me, thanks all.
I can't believe it's been a year. I had several thoughts about how I was going to approach my weight loss. I thought maybe I would start a blog. I thought I would have celebrations as I went down sizes and get all excited about it. But I just didn't have the energy for it. My goal all along was to *not* make my weight loss the center of my life. I've spent a lifetime doing that and this time what I realized I wanted was a normal life, normal eating habits, and a balanced outlook.
Instead of *dieting* I've been paying close attention to my nutrition. I didn't go on excessive exercise kick but the job I got requires me to walk about ten minutes each way to the building from the parking lot and I committed to Pilates three times a week. Balanced, you know? Normal and over time. Nothing insane.
Now that I'm here I realize that it's the *obsession* with all this that partially kept me fat. When I was lowcarbing, I would get all wound up over whether there was any sugar in my ketchup; beat myself up endlessly if I touched a slice of cake. In my dieting days I would *make* myself walk for an *hour* a day, every day and be furious with myself if I missed one -- plus the additional workouts, one a day.
I had a serious emotional problem and I did not realize it or know how to stop.
But over time, eating normally, knowing my calories are always in deficit --- has probably been the best thing for me and a virtual guarantee that I won't ever gain it back this time. I have *never* -- probably since I was a kid, been more balanced, steady and normal with food. No binging and starving. No severe deprivation followed by massive calorie overload. Just eating.
My calories, in the past year, have never been in such severe deficit that I started starving. I'm now still losing on 15-1700 calories a day. I overeat sometimes but I can't do this like I used to so I just don't worry about it. I'm thinner, sure, but the real benefit is that my metabolism is no longer taking the beating I was giving it for most of my life. I'm just a lot healthier. It's not the weight loss that's the best part, you know? The best part is that I'm erasing a really bad relationship with food and with my body.
And like a lot of people have said, I wish I would have done this ten years ago -- although ten years ago this surgery did not exist.

I got on the scale this morning and it said: 183.4.
On April 1 it was my one year surgiversary. I knew I wouldn't be at my ultimate goal then, and I want to tell you the truth: I actually never believed I ever would be at goal. I really didn't think my body would go there. I thought I would always be a little fat -- in fact here's the weird thing -- the thinner I get, the more I don't remember being this fat at this weight. I remember feeling really thin at this weight. I thought around 180 would be satisfactory but it's not.
That's the first thing.
The second thing is I only have 28 pounds to go before I weigh what I weighed in high school.
About two months ago I remember getting on the scale and seeing 196. Below 200 for the first time since 2007. Got off the scale, shrugged and figured it I was around done losing.
Now it's 183.
Which means that I am less than 30 pounds away from something I really never believed I would have again. And -- if I have lost 13 pounds in less than two months -- actually I've lost 26 pounds since January -- that means it's getting more and more likely to happen.
I think that's so amazing I just don't even know what to make of it.

Welcome fellow successes!
A year has gone by since we all each posted about our nerves going into surgery, our fears, our hopes, trials and tribulations post op... and now we're on the outside looking in... as success stories, as "seasoned sleevers"!
For me, I'm a couple weeks from my one year anniversary and sitting comfortably below goal! I hit goal (149 lbs) a few days before Christmas 2011 and since then I've blasted past it and now sit at 133 lbs! Occasionally I've had moments where I worried that I am losing too much, or worse that I won't be able to stop losing. I currently get in around 1000-1200 calories a day which I know is too low for me and I still struggle with this but try to get in the calories I need now to maintain my weight. My "DO SOMETHING" weight is 140 lbs. If somehow I find myself nearing/approaching/above that mark, that's when I will take control and do a pouch test (& potentially revert to mushies again) to ensure that I stay below that magic number.
For exercise, I've been working with a trainer for the last few weeks to bring back some strength to my body. I have not exercised until this point. I'm now looking and planning for possible/likely plastics in April 2013. I'm pretty unhappy with how my body looks post-op and would like a mommy makeover to have my body look in person like it does in my mind.
Here is my pre and post -op pics!
PRE OP Size 18-20 XL/XXL

AND TODAY!
Size 4-6 XS/S!!!


Tell me about your journey! How has the last year been for you?
No matter how much you've lost, you are a success story!!! Celebrate it in this thread!

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

Just wanted to say hello as a fellow sleever and edmontonian.

I just want to maybe clarify this for you:
Translation, voice inflection can both get lost over the typed word. The sheer fact that we do not know you from Adam, we don't know that you are a nurse, we don't know you at all, we don't know what credit should be given, because let's be honest, after 2 years and seeing people post "I'm 10 days out, can I eat jelly Beans, cheetos, etc etc or I"m 4 weeks out, supposed to be on purees, do you think it'll hurt if I gnaw down on some beef ribeye this weekend at a barbque??? Do you see why these type of statements get some of the replies??? So, remember when you post something, we can not decipher what you NEED to know. You simply stated: I am 15 days out. I am still on a full liquid diet. Do you think an ice cream cone or sundae from McDonald's is okay to eat? I Have well over the amount of calories left.
This is how it reads to some of us and this might clear up why you got the reaction/replies: I'm 15 days out, supposed to be a on full liquid diet, I want to eat ice cream because I have the calorie allotment for the day. NOT, I'm 15 days out, feeling very sluggish, need calories, and was thinking about having some fat free frozen yogurt/ice cream or no sugar added ice cream. Would these cause an issue with my new sleeve or did anyone else try ice cream this early out?


Those 2 statements are vastly different. My reply would have been different although I would have suggested the same alternatives, but you asked about an ice cream sundae after having a huge portion of a major organ amputated so you can lose weight, and you wanted someone else to tell you they were fine after eating ice cream. That is NOT what you asked.
Perception is 9/10ths of the law, you asked a pretty vague question, and apparently wanted a completely different type of reply. Replies are reactive to the question.
Maybe now, you'll see why people replied the way we did initially. Your question was then followed by caloric justification. You're a nurse, you get this situation I'm sure in your daily job. For example (my aunt is an ob nurse) and she gets questions all the time, and they are not verbalized properly, or the patient can not communicate properly, or via email replies she says she just sits there and wonders how in the h*ll this woman was able to procreate.
I'll drop it at this point. You took the replies as chastising and insulting. We simply read and replied based on what you asked. We aren't mind readers, and I dropped my crystal ball years ago so unfortunately, we can only reply based on what you give us.

I think more than the fact that it might not make you feel well is the point that we're supposed to be changing our eating habits after surgery and if you go right back to your old eating ways then the future doesn't look too bright, sorry to say. There are many healthy things you can eat during the liquid/mushy phase that are much better for you than an ice cream sundae. Just my opinion.

You need to be extremely careful! Ice cream, is on my no way list. My surgeon said it was a slider food & could impede my weight loss. Plus, the magical period of the sleeve will not last forever...use this time to retrain yourself to enjoy healthy foods! I'm amazed that I actually like yogurt & veggies!

Goodness people. Kelly thank You for your advice. I will have to try that a little bit later out. And Texas, I'm more than a week out. 15 days=2 weeks and 1 day. I hope they're not letting You teach children lol....

I'm sorry, but you asked for opinions, you specifically asked if "it's okay". Sure it's okay, is it smart or a decision that is conducive to weight loss? Nope, not at all.
Your comments are rude and condescending. Support comes in many forms, and no one was rude or condescending towards you. You asked on a public weight loss surgery forum for opinions/suggestions. It's no different than a recovering alcoholic going to an AA meeting and asking "is it okay if I just have 4oz of a beer instead of 12oz?" Do you think the other members would be cheering him saying "sure, it's no biggie, you've been sober for 2 weeks, hit the bottle, just no more than 1/2 cup!"
I agree with TexasTeacher 100%. You are a mere 15 days out from having your guts altered and want to eat one of the poorest food choices out there, and for anyone to tell you "it's okay" would simply be enabling a bad food choice.
So, if you don't like hearing that ice cream is not a good option, think before you ask a group of fatties and former fatties who have decided to make the very best of their surgery journey and not eat craptastic food while trying to get to and/or maintain their goal weight.

I would personally choose a better option. Ice cream this early out is just not recommended, it's nutrient lacking, and empty calories. Grab some greek yogurt, flavor it with some sugar free pudding powder, and enjoy. There are tons of better options out there. Just because you can "afford" the calories doesn't mean those calories should or can be lacking in nutrients and/or a benefit to your body.
This is about making better choices and in the long run, believe it or not, making the best decision gets more difficult. I agree with making the best choice/decision now rather than just eating crappy food just because you can afford it with your calorie intake.

Chunk - I think we all loved to eat and drink (if not alcohol - sodas, milk shakes, etc). You have to balance your love of that lifestyle with your desire to live a longer and healthier life. You will not be able to eat the quantity of food you do post-surgery you do pre-surgery. After a year, you will be able to eat almost anything in small quantities. You could probably drink in small amounts. I have discovered a small serving of food (whatever it is) satisfies me and I don't want anymore - and the family celebrations don't miss a beat if I have 1 small helping rather than eat like a pig at the trough (like I used to). And if I have a small sip of a mararita then switch to something else it certainly doesn't impair my enjoyment of the evening and it doesn't seem to bother anyone else I'm not drinking (more for the rest of them is their attitude).
It's a tough decision - and you are right to give serious consideration to whether this is a step you want to make. This is a forever thing, not something you will do for a couple of months then can go back to how you were before.
Good luck.

Hi all! I hit my 2 week mark today and I was wondering if I should do my measurements again. I didn't do it before I started my liquid diet, just the night before surgery.
I'm just wondering if anyone else does them at 2 week intervals (and if there's actually movement in a short interval like that) or if it is better to just do it monthly.
Thanks!

I guess I'm just in a place where I'm completely happy with who I am now and who I have become. If I don't lose a single more pound, I can really really say I'm ok with this. I don't care that I still weigh in the 170's or 180's or where ever I am on any particular day. My body might just like it here, and I can tell you, I'm extremely healthy and happy - and when it comes down to it, for me, that is all I have ever wanted.

I will never allow the scale to dictate how I feel about me or how far I've come. I've LOST 150 LBS!!! I'm down almost 85 inches all over my whole body. I no longer suffer from High Blood Pressure or Low Self Esteem.

The scale does not wake me up in the morning, and it does not tuck me into bed at night. It doesn't feed me Soup when I'm sick, it doesn't tell me I look beautiful "just because". It doesn't hold my hand when I'm walking or hold me tight when I'm having a bad day.

The scale is nothing but an inanimate object... so why am I giving it so much credence on how well I'm doing to change my life??? It is SIMPLY a measuring tool, like the way my clothes fit, or the tape measure or whatever. However that sum does not equal all the parts.

Again.. I will NOT ALLOW THE SCALE TO DICTATE HOW I FEEL ABOUT MYSELF!!!

The study that feedyoureye posted concludes this:
Parsing that out, it means that yes, SOME people do regain weight. But EWL -- excess weight lost -- was still >50% at over 5 years. This means that for MOST people, MOST of the time, MOST of the weight will stay off.
Realistically, most of us will probably drop quickly, then plateau, then stay at low weight for a while, perhaps with a long slow drop to a "real" low weight. Then, most of us -- again, speaking statistically -- will probably regain 10-30 pounds over a long period, because that's just how the curve seems to be shaped. A lot of that is genetics, a lot is age. If you look at the weight curves of NON sleevers over the same time span, you'll see about the same curve!
So, statistically speaking, the sleeve IS durable weight loss, compared to ANY other method of weight loss that is current known. This doesn't mean that you'll never regain any of it; you likely WILL regain a little from your absolute low (if you think about what "absolute low" means, you'll realize that that means there's nowhere to go but up, since that's your ABSOLUTE low). And of course, if you sabotage yourself, you can regain quite a bit.
But with the durable ghrelin loss, and with the determination to work WITH the sleeve instead of sabotaging it, yes, you can lose the weight and keep almost all of it off.

That is why everyone should do their own research. There are stories about all Doctors. Dr. Kelly who I feel is a great Surgeon just had someone die a couple of weeks ago, do you think that makes him a bad surgeon? Things happen and it is usually the patient not following directions. The next time you talk to your surgeon, ask him how many he has done, I know how many your surgeon has done. I elected to go with someone with more experience( Almanza does 145 WLS a month) . One of the main reasons I did not consider your surgeon is I could of had the surgery in the States for 2,500.00 more than what Aceves Charges, that makes no sense to me to pay that much in Mexico and go to a Surgeon that has less experience. It is MY OPINION that Dr. Almanza is a great surgeon and the care was fantastic. I feel that there are a lot of great ones out there including your surgeon. Just a heads up, the majority of the so called horror stories you read on these forums are generated by coordinators working for other Doctors. I think the bottom line is everyone has to do their research and choose the Surgeon who they feel the best about, that is what I did and would not do it any differently today. Again, I AM NOT knocking any surgeon and it is the persons responsibility to do research and choose their surgeon wisely. There are great surgeons out there, I feel I had a great one with a lot of experience and could not be happier. Remember, just because you pay more for something does not mean it is better.

I've told people close to me: family, friends, and fellow volunteers (I'm retired). I have got a few comments, but I deal with them as I go. IMHO, it's easier to learn to deal with comments now, pre-surgery because after the weight starts to fall off people are sure to ask questions and make comments, whether or not you tell them.
Here are some answers:
Why don't you just diet, eat less, exercise more, join Weight Watchers.....
I really wish I could have lost the weight without surgery, but I have been trying for years and I haven't been successful. Surgery has the highest success rate for weight loss. I want a chance to be old and I want to be healthy now.
Don't have surgery, it's too risky, scary, dangerous.....
Every surgery has risks. This is done laprosopically so it's less invasive than older methods. Being overweight is much riskier to my health than this surgery.
Why are you having surgery? You're not that fat....
Thank you! Many people are more overweight when they decide to have the surgery, but I qualified according to the standards my insurance company set. I can't wait to see how much better I feel without the extra weight I am carrying now.
Lucky you! You get the easy way out...
Haha. I wish it were an easy way out. It is anything but easy, but it has the highest weight loss success rate.
Oh! You will be skinnier than me, men will be all over you....
I'm not doing this because of my looks. I'm doing it for my health. I want a chance to be old and I want to be healthy now.
Lynda

Quick update. I have Bren at the recovery house all day. I wil be here til Friday morning. It's nicely decorated, there us a nurse on duty all the time. What ever you need will be taken care of. My sister is here with me and us a vegitarian and they have been heat about making sure she is cared for. So far no complaints. Just looking forward to feeling better. Those hiccups really really took ALOT out of me.

Hey there!
You're asking about advice for surgery in Mexico, and everyone on here who's gone will try to push you on their surgeon (myself included) because, let's face it, we all think our surgeon was the best. So what I'm going to do instead is give you advice from a completely objective point of view, without dropping the names of surgeons if I can help it.
What helped me the most in researching the VSG in Mexico was calling the surgical groups that I was considering directly. Sure, the opinions of others can make you feel more comfortable about surgery abroad, but once you talk to the right coordinator about the right surgeon you'll just know....it's hard to explain. I will say though, don't choose anyone until you're 100% comfortable with making the decision, and accepting any of the risks and complications that can come along with the surgery. It's a huge decision, and you don't want to pick the person who will operate on you just based upon price or what you've heard from other individuals.
I will give you a list of questions that I asked myself and the coordinators before making my choice, in the hopes that it'll help you out.
How many surgeries has the physician performed?
What is his complication rate?
If something goes wrong during surgery, will I have to pay additional money to correct it?
How many nights will I need to be in the hospital, and what happens once I'm discharged?
What does the surgeon charge, and what all does this fee include?
Is the hospital (or surgical suite) located in a safe area of town?
Am I allowed to bring a companion?
How long has the surgeon been performing the VSG?
Do I feel comfortable putting my life in to the hands of this person, whom I've never met? (for me, this was the deciding question on which surgeon I chose.)
Would I be comfortable with someone I love telling me that this was the surgeon they've chosen (alot of times I don't consider the fact that my decisions effect others, so this one was helpful as well)
For me, the decision boiled down to what I found to be the most important factors when getting the surgery, which were how many times has the surgeon performed the procedure, how many leaks he had, and the fact that he had a zero fatality rate. I know that your list of priorities may vary greatly from mine, but I hope this will at least give you some questions to think about.
Try not to sweat it too much, and please (even though we all are well meaning and have your best interest at heart) take our words worth a grain of salt. The decision that you make will be the right one for you. There's no wrong answer, just the surgeon that's going to be the best fit for what you're looking for! If you have questions or want someone to talk to, feel free to shoot me a PM, I'd be more than happy to provide you with stats on all three surgeons.

I too had my surgery with Dr. Almanza and had a very good experience. I would be happy to answer any questions and I can also recommend a wonderful coordinator who will also answer your concerns and will be there every step of the way with you, she owns her own beautiful 5 bedroom home in Tijuana that she uses for your recovery, as well as having the surgery herself not to long ago.

hi there....i had my surgery with almanza, had an awesome experience...and excellent results so far. if u need to know anything about my exp id be happy to share with u...pm me if u want

You have already lost 27% of your excess in just 3 weeks, how amazing is that ? ? ? You are 1/4 way to goal, you are doing amazing, you will just have to let your body recover. You're getting in plenty of calories, and Protein, and all you gotta do is fluids. Those fluids will push the toxins and fat our of your body. Starvation mode only exists if you don't have any more body fat to burn through, and we all got body fat. So, don't worry about "starvation mode", you are doing great, and the weight will move. I know we all want it RIGHT NOW, but it will come, just push fluids, move a little more and you'll start dropping weight and inches.

It's been one amazing roller coaster ride to this point. From the informational seminar to surgery in 7 weeks. Of course it only went this fast because I decided to pay for it myself. Through all of the doctor's visits (and there were plenty), the psych eval and preop preparation it just seemed to be something I was going to make happen "in the future". It reverberated in my mind like every other attempt I've made at "permanent" weight loss -- something that I was going to accomplish in the future. Funny thing though, no matter how hard I tried, how much I dieted, spent, read, exercised, ate (or didn't eat) the goal was never within my grasp. The stick seemed to get longer and the carrot farther and farther away.
Now, I stand on the brink of my new life and I'm out of snappy comebacks and urbane witticisms. I'm just, well, just QUIET --- quiet -- which is something incredibly unusual for me. I'm not scared, I'm not worried about any "what if" scenarios, I'm just peaceful. I usually never sit back long enough to contemplate my navel so to speak, but here goes. I've had enough surgeries in the past to understand the risks and complications surrounding any procedure. I've faced total disability and helplessness and been knocked flat by life and the only way I could look WAS up. Somehow this seems so different. Maybe because I've struggled with my weight for 50 years and have had only fleeting glimpses of victory. I know what it looked like and I know what it felt like -- it just never lasted -- ever. Somehow that's what I can't seem to get my mind around -- lasting success at something I've failed at for years. It just doesn't seem real. But, I know it is. I know because I've seen proof here on VST. (Which I think has been a godsend for me.)
I have been in a quasi funk -- quasi because I really am not down so I'm not sure that "funk" is apropos. I haven't really been able to muster much energy for anything other than "consuming" every post and link on this site. Not sure what I was looking for, but I had to be connected somehow. I've been able to shove every other thought about what I should, must or need to do aside for the last few days and just "be". I'm not sure that that makes any sense, maybe it's the lack of carbs from the 2 week liquid preop stage, but it makes sense in my head (and since everyone there knows me it's all good). I have started pulling together my ditty bag for the hospital, readied my nails (haven't seen them without a silk wrap and polish in so long they look "funny" au natural) and double checking my preop prep list. I have my last consult with the surgeon today at 5:00 pm. I'm down 10 lbs from my first consult so it should be ok. I have to be at the hospital at 8:00 a.m. tomorrow and I wish it were here already. (I really don't like the waiting game!)
I'm not sure what the future holds, but I know WHO holds it, so I'm not worried or afraid. I'm just sitting back for now and saying that final "adieu Madame" to the old me and anxiously awaiting the long hoped for and dreamed about introduction to the "new" a/k/a "real" me. The "normal" body finally hooking up with that "such a pretty face" gal. After all these years, Who'da thunk it????

Been there, done that. Wanted to call the airline and change my return flight as soon as I got there. nearly barfed a few times too.

I stuck through it, as you will too. I'm now 100+ pounds down in less than 5 months. You can do it too.

I was sleeved on Dec 14th 2011 which makes me 4 months post VSG. I have lost 65 pounds! I eat basically anything I want, but only a very small amount. I don't eat fried foods. The reason is because the grease will make me vomit. I had 2 fried shrimp and they came up. I loved fried foods before surgery, but I don't miss them anymore. My Aunt is over a year & 1/2 out of VSG & enjoys her 4 fried shrimp on occasion. My tipical day is as follows:

Breakfast- Protein Shake EAS from Walmart pre made boxes are the best!
Snack- almonds (about 5-6).
lunch- chicken salad scoop.
snack- yogurt or cheese.< /span>
dinner- small amount of what I cooked for my family.

sweet tooth? Cocoa almonds from Sam's Cub (sweet & protein)

This sounds like a small amount & boring food but I just don't even care about food anymore. I eat to give my body fuel, not just cuz it tastes good. I have 2 small children and we are so much more active. We ride bikes, go for walks, and live outside playing. I owed that to my children and myself. I am so happy to have had this weight loss surgery.

Bad things- Hmmmm not too many. I do miss some foods, but when they are in front of me, I have no problem refusing them. I can't consume wine anymore, it's too strong for my stomach. I have had cocktails, but only one per event. Hate taking so many Vitamins, but it's important to stay healthy. I have mild heartburn, but I take a daily prilosec and it's gone.

Great things- I feel amazing! Full of energy and happiness. When my hubby hugs me.....my breasts touch him first, not my old big belly, I can go into a regular store to buy clothes, not the plus size side. I'm in a 14 now. Men smile at me, open doors, and let me go when sitting in traffic. I don't drink 6 sodas a day and don't even miss them, My hubby is calling me sexy again, I feel girlie. I am wearing more jewery, and fasionable clothes. I can go on forever. This is truely a great tool that I choose.

I have had NO hair loss!! God, please don't let me lose my hair. Although, it's VERY common to lose. It will grow back. I take 2 Biotin daily just in case it starts to come out.

I attend monthly support groups at my surgeon's hospital. If you have not had VSG yet, start the support groups NOW!!

If anyone has questions, please ask. I'll answer any of them. Even the ones that are hard to ask someone. Oh, did I mention sex with my hubby is soooo much more fun! I'm married and I can say that right?...

Happy, Thinner, & Happy (did I mention happy?)

Misty