former_vbg

You need to STOP right now! I have never until now gotten upset at anyone here on this site until this type of RUDE and UNCALLED for posting. Look at my ticker and tell me whether I've been successful or not. more than 110# lost in 7 months! I don't care what you do or anybody else- but don't ram your theories down someone else's throat. I simply stated a FACT that not everybody has issues with drinking before/ during/ after eating- period. WHat you do is your business. What I do is MY business and you nor anybody else has the right to condem me for it. PERIOD! Now STOP!

Congratulations!! I know how hard you have been working! Final stretch is within reach!!

If this is directed at my post, then post some published studies that state drinking while eating causes damage to the stomach, stretching, etc. Your post comes across as rather high and mighty without anything to back it up. As I said, my surgeon doesn't believe drinking sips with eating causes any problems and he has been around a long time doing this.

Please don't speak in absolutes as if this is for everyone. As noted, there are some of us that have been quite successful and do drink with our meals and have not had any issues. Speaking for myself, sipping small drinks is all I can manage, but I DO drink before, during and after and do not have issues. I also have not experienced any stretching of my stomach because I am taking very small bites, and chewing well. My surgeon didn't have any issues with drinking with meals as long as I was getting in my Protein first, small bites and chewing well.

I do agree. Sometimes a little tough love is in order. It can be done with tact certainly, but I know if I come on here and I'm talking about eating foods that are counter productive to experiencing weight loss or maintaining, I WANT someone to give me a kick in the pants. Will it be tough to read? Sure, but I respect people who tell me what I NEED to hear, not what I WANT to hear.

Normal eating is making healthier choices overall. Keeping in mind what your NUT or Surgeon has told you, but for the most part realizing that high Protein choices will be what fills you up quickest and keep you full longest. Moderating that with other healthy choices like fruits and vegetables. And, if you are far enough out from surgery and IF you think you can control yourself with something off program whether it's sweets or something that doesn't fall into the protein, veggies or fruits, then in moderation and understanding that too much of that will affect the progress of weight loss. It's a delicate balance, something that each of us has to figure out for ourselves since we are all different. Furthermore, men tend to lose weight more quickly than woman when following this regimen, plus if the men have more physically demanding jobs, that is even more helpful for them.

In case you thought I was taking it personally, know that I wasn't. I was only wanting to share that controlled cheating once you have gotten further down (as you mention) with the right way to eat, that cheating is likely to happen but that we must be able to keep it in check. We are on the same page! :-)

I also take small sips of something to drink with eating, and have pretty much all along. I take VERY small bites of the food. It actually helps me. Now, if I take too big of a bite especially of something dense, I can't drink for 20 or 30 minutes. I'm not advocating to against your NUT or surgeon, but just sharing that it hasn't been an issue for me as long as I'm taking very small bites and chewing well.

I have to agree with pretty much what has already been said. I know someone who had the surgery right around the same time as me and she was around the same weight as me (maybe 15# higher) and while I realize age and medical issues can and will affect everyone differently, but this person just has one excuse after the other why they can't eat this Protein or that protein, or can't get to the gym. I try to be supportive, but I just don't understand why this person won't take the surgery more seriously. I care about her very much, and I'm not close enough with this person to really have that "come to jesus meeting" with her. I don't dwell on this, but I just wish there was something I could do to help her realize she is her own worst enemy with coming up with all the excuses and then being depressed at the scale. Sighhh..... I regress..... Oh, I did want to add that I have cheated a few times, but not only does the sleeve keep me in check, I also don't go overboard. Sometimes it is actually a concious thing on my part when I hit a stall to confuse my metabolism. Then, I get RIGHT BACK to the program.

Reporting in. It's been 2 weeks since I reported my weight loss, inpart because the website was down and also I heard one person got a virus shortly after the site came back up so I was a little leary of coming back. Anyhow, down another 5#!!! I'm only 1# away from my V-day goal, so I'm going to change my goal to 154 and see if I can make that. Surgery weight: 271 Starting V-Day Challenge weight: 179 Current weight: 161 Valentines goal weight: 154 Final goal weight: 135

All I can say is "ditto" what Lissa and Coops have said. Was curious though if you would mind sharing your results so far. How much further do you have to go? When you start getting closer to goal, it can take a little longer too. I am noticing that myself. I have just under 30# to go, although, I may try to go a little further since I still have so much loose skin and see if that helps. I hate having to wear things like spanx everytime I want to wear a nice blouse or to keep from spilling over my jeans. It just makes me feel fatter than I am... Keep the faith!!!

You guys crack me up! No, I'm not insulted Lissa, you gave me a good chuckle. Yes, my screen name was in reference to my original WLS that I had 14 yrs ago come this March. The "VBG" could easily have stood for "very big girl", cuz I was. I love saying I WAS cuz while I'm not yet thin, I'm getting much closer!! Honestly, I don't have anything negative to say about the procedure. It was actually very successful for me. As of this morning, I weigh exactly the lowest weight I reached when I had the VBG surgery and I don't blame the surgery for not reaching goal. I think it was a combination of things. First, there wasn't ANYTHING like there is now with regards to the support post-surgery from the Dr.'s or support groups. I think I went in for one follow up, maybe two at the most a few months after surgery and never saw the Dr. again. I didn't think anything of it. They didn't tell you Protein first, not sure they knew. My highest at the time of that surgery was 305#. I got down to 162 within I think maybe 6 or 7 months, it's been so long ago my memory has faded a bit on some of those specifics. The other thing that happened for me was I was so thrilled with the attention from men that I got involved in a long term relationship with someone who ate lots of junk food, and was fortunate that at most he had a small to medium sized gut as a result. He didn't really take seriously my requests to eat more healthy around me, and consequently I just gave in to those eating habits. I kept the weight off for a few years actually, but then started bouncing back up close to #200, then I would drop back down to the 170#'s and then back up. The reason for the "failure" of the surgery persay is more about me thant he surgery honestly. I'm not one to go to the Dr. unless I have a serious pain or whatever, just not a complainer. What had happened over time was that I had developed inflammation in my esophagus which could have EASILY been resolved by a reflux medication. Instead what happened is that my esphagus would make it difficult for the "good / more dense" foods to go down. I started gravitating to the slider foods because they wouldn't come back up. The inflammation wasn't everyday, nor every week- just intermittment and so it just became a way of life for me. I never said anything to my PCP all those years. I really wish I had, I may not have shot up to the weight I got to this time around. To answer your question on how the VBG procedure is done/ was done is they used either a silastic band or mesh and create a small pouch at the top of your stomach very similar to the lapband. The basic difference between the lapband and the VBG is that it was permanent, where the lapband required fills. I don't believe there was ever anything metal used to create the band- but I suppose some surgeons may have done that but it wasn't common. My original surgeon used the mesh and so when I had the sleeve, it had become embedded into my tissue and so my surgeon for the sleeve simply cut tightly around the mesh because it is still in tact and not really an issue. In some cases, the silastic band was able to be removed for people who had revisions. When I had my Upper GI done prior to the surgery, I was diagnosed with Esophagitus Stage C on a scale of A through D. And, A being good, and D worst. Basically, it's based on the amount of inflammation you have. Fortunately, after I started taking a PPI, that feeling of food getting "stuck" on the dense foods went away immediately. Only problem was that by that time I was well overweight "again". Could I have just stuck to the same program those of us who have had WLS now and lost weight? Probably, but when I started researching all the changes with WLS, I REALLY liked the idea of having my ghrelin removed so my appetite would be significantly reduced. I couldn't be happier with my Sleeve!!! My cravings for sweets and sugary things are pretty much gone, and that is a huge deal for me. I think with this being my 2nd time around, I am older (40 yrs old), more in tune with my body, WAY more knowledgeable about weight loss surgeries and I understand much better that this is a tool- not a cure. I don't remember if I thought my first surgery was a cure, but I don't think I realized that even though I had that surgery, I would still have to make the life style changes a LIFE LONG process. I have every reason to believe that I will be able to maintain my loss, and even if I go through some bumps in the road that I will be able to keep things managed before they get out of control. Feel free to post here or PM me if you have any other questions.

Probably a little weird NSV, but I get such satisfaction over being able to take one hand and in a claw like manner hold my other wrist touching with my thumb and middle finger with a little room to spare. I also like touching my collar bone being able to feel bone. No, I'm not anything close to underweight, it's just that it was covered up by so much fat before, it's nice to see the new "me" emerging. Something fun is I'm taking a day trip tomorrow and have realized that the jean pile I went through over Christmas to change out the original fat jeans to the not so fat jeans, that now some of those are too baggy. I don't like tight jeans, but hate baggy jeans. So, I now have a new pile of jeans that don't fit. I'm wearing a pretty solid size 10 now which is awesome! I still have my brand new size 6 and 4/5 jeans from my last journey nearly 14 yrs ago that I fell short by 20 or 30#. I'm happy with my progress, but will be doing the HUGE happy dance if I'm able to fit into those babies! Oh, and one more since you guys brought up grocery store stuff. I was at Walmart last week getting a few things. I was in the soda row trying to get some liters of Diet Pepsi Wild Cherry which was on the top shelf and all the ones at the front were gone. I couldn't reach the ones in back and some guy noticed I was struggling and he says, "here, let me throw you up there to reach those". I about did a double take to see who he was talking to. "THROW me up there?" I couldn't look that thin, not yet for someone to even suggest that. Talk about make my day!! :Banane55:

I tried to edit my earlier post. I mispelled breading- typing too fast and I meant to say when So, I understand when you say your sleeve IS sensitive. Gosh darn it, hate it that this site won't let us edit our original posts.... anymore.

You will know really quickly if you are lactose intolerant. If you are going to the bathroom #1, that is not a sign of being lactose intolerant. Now, if it's diarrhea, different story. Basically, if you eat something with milk in it and your stomach starts to cramp up within 5 to 10 minutes (at the most 20 or 30 minutes), and then you find yourself with diarrhea right afterwards- that is your body expelling that out of your body ASAP. I hope that helps. If you want to test it, try drinking a little milk- you will know pretty quick.

I'm glad to hear you are taking off the breaking from the mozzerella sticks, I don't recall seeing that in your post. Just suggesting that Protein first will help you in the long run. Your sleeve (mine was too) very sensitive for the first few months. In fact, about month 3 or 4, I realized I became lactose intolerant. I suspect it will be temporary because I can handle very small amounts of food that has milk product, but I tend to stay away all together because when my stomach doesn't like it, I am in the bathroom within 10 minutes. So, I understand when you say your sleeve isn't sensitive.

Just a word of caution. Things like mozzarella sticks, nachos sort of fall into the "slider foods" category. What that means is that it will not fill you up- it will "slide" through your sleeve pretty quickly. I don't know what your NUT or surgeon recommended for you, but my suggestion for you is to really try to focus on your Proteins as MUCH as possible. This is what is going to fill you up QUICKLY and you will stay full for a long time. I know you said you could only eat 1 1/2 mozzarella stick, but it isn't exactly Protein. I'm only saying this because I care and I would hate to see you in a month or so frustrated with not having the kind of weight loss you are looking for. The honeymoon phase of weightloss fades quicker than you know. I'm glad you are feeling better though!

So, what did you do to break your stall?

Hey there- congratulations! I know you have been working really hard! Keep it up!

Congratulations! You are doing great!! I look forward to when my # starts with "13.." I don't think I have seen that number since junior high- sad to say. I graduated highschool somewhere around 200#. I didn't tend to weigh myself very much, was just too depressing. Was easier to stay in denial that way. Keep up the great work. Hopefully I will be behind you before too long!

That's going to be different with each Dr. My Dr. did 2 different leak tests but all before my surgery was completed. There wasn't one done once I got to my room. I would ask your Dr. when he does them.

Thank you so much for sharing that information. I'm getting close to goal, but money isn't there even if I wanted to do plastics now. I also know I should wait awhile to be sure my weight has stabilized before doing plastics. I do have a question though for you. I have seen one Plastics Dr. and asked her what I could expect in terms of things being firm or taunt say from a breast lift (don't need augmentation) or a tummy tuck. Her answer was rather vague and said she wouldn't really know until after she got in there to do the surgery. That didn't seem like a good answer to me. If I'm going to be spending thousands of dollars, I want to know what I can expect. It's great to see pics of other people, but I want to knwo what I can expect for my body. I'm not after trying to be some beauty queen, far from it- but I have a friend who had a tummy tuck and I wasn't overly impressed with the results. Yes, her tummy was flatter, but had pretty good muffin roles going on. She had gotten to goal, but don't know if she could have lost a little more weight if that would have helped. I've noticed that my belly "overhang" gets a little less the closer I get to my final goal but I know I will still have some or maybe a lot- just don't know yet. I'm just curious if your surgery doc was able to tell you what to expect in terms of firmness of the skin where he or she is doing the surgery.

I was an out of state patient at Forest Park with Dr. Stewart. Overall, it was ok, but personally I was not happy with Forest Park at all. I found many of the nurses to be either rude or just simply unaware of what people need who go through WLS. Many of the nurses had very poor skills in drawing blood. On morning #2, they wake me at 4AM to draw blood. THey weren't wearing gloves which is an OSHA violation. I'm ok with not using gloves to find a vein, but not wearing gloves when drawing blood is a problem. Yes, I am probably more of a risk to them than them to me, but it still made me furious. It also took FIVE different nurses, before finally calling the Phlebotomist (sp?) to come up and he dres blood the first time. I have had blood drawn multiple times before and there has never been a problem drawing blood on me. I was also upset that I was told prior to arriving there that this was a hospital. It is NOT. If anything goes seriously wrong, you have to hope they can stabilize you to get transported to a fully functioning hospital. The day before I went in to get my paperwork done and I realized this, it TOTALLY freaked me out. I asked one of the nurses about what would happen to me if something went wrong. She pointed to this mobile thing on wheels that had those paddles they use to recucitate people and it had some other things in that station I don't remember. Bottomline, better hope you don't have anything major go wrong and if you do that you can get transported in time to get taken care of. Another issue with the nurses was on day #2, I had ALOT of pain in my lower left which I knew to expect. I asked for a trapeze bar because it was painful trying to pull myself up to get out of bed. Know what the nurse told me? She told me to raise my hands up and pull myself up higher in the bed and then swing my legs out. I was like WTF, do you not realize I just had major abdominal surgery? Finally, after complaining to the ON-CALL doctor, I got the trapeze bar several hours later. The one that topped the cake for me was on day #2, the Forest Park staff Doctor who oversees the patients for the surgical docs who do our surgery walks into my room that afternoon WITH my chart held by her hip saying, "I see you had the DS surgery, you should be ok to go home today". My heart sunk when she said that thinking.... I BETTER NOT have had the DS surgery. I just looked at her and said, "I wasn't supposed to have the DS surgery". So, then she says, "what surgery did you have?" If I had been feeling better I probably would have lept up and strangled the lady. Ok, maybe not, but I sure felt like it. I told her I was supposed to have the Sleeve. She says, "Oh, ok and then after a few more exchanges, she walks out". A few minutes later, I beeped the nurses station and asked to speak to the head nurse. I was LIVID! I told her that this doctor was NOT going to make the decision of whether I would be released if she couldn't take 30 seconds to read my DAMN chart before she walks in my room. Her response was, "well, she is busy, we have lots of patients". I'm like, I don't care how many patients she has. It's her JOB to at least know what procedure people have had before making stupid statements like that. I could go on. I guess my suggestion to you is to make sure you have someone there that can be your advocate. I was ther by myself and this just added to the stress. Probably the only positive thing I can say about Forest Park is they do have Patient Advocates and that lady came to see me before surgery and then afterwards. I told her exactly what I thought of the facility. She was very kind and understanding, apologized for the ongoing issues I had been having and promised to make notes with her reports. Maybe my complaints have helped, but not sure. I would NEVER go back there- ever. I will also make sure that before I ever have another surgery that I find out if it is a hospital or surgical center. I would be ok w/a surgical center for something less invasive- but never something like this but that is me.

I'm just going to give my opinion on this. First, I think it's good to have aggressive goals. I think it helps keep people motivated and stay on track. However, setting too high of goals without giving yourself permission to modify your goal along the way may be setting yourself up for failure. I'm not saying it's not possible to reach that goal, but it is pretty aggressive. I had really hoped to meet my goal within 6 months, but I had almost a 2 month stall (months 4 and 5) and it became very frustrating. I realized that I wasn't going to meet my final goal within 6 months, but knew that it would just take me a little longer. Everyone is different, there are a few people that report not really having any or many stalls, but since you have been on here for some time, you have probably read about many people who have. The most common stall being at about the 3 week mark after surgery which I think has more to do with transitioning from the pureed foods to regular foods. Your body will be adjusting to these changes and as a result, your body will sometimes hold onto the weight longer than you want. If you stay true to the program, you will likely still be loosing inches. I guess my suggestion for you is to go ahead and keep that original goal, but be willing to tell yourself that its ok if you don't make it in that time frame. You will know after about 3 or 4 months how things will start to work in terms of your weight loss. You have probably also seen people talk about the "honeymoon" phase which for some is 3 months, others 6 months, etc. Again, each person is different. Just learn to listen to your body, do your best to stay on track, but don't beat yourself if you get side tracked once in awhile. We are human, and while we have to learn to use the surgery as a tool, unless you live under a rock, there will be times when you are in work or social situations where food choices will make it difficult to stay on track. You will do great, you have a great attitude and I'm certain everyone here will be available for support as you need or want it.

I only drink diet soda but to answer your question- absolutely not. It is not causing any bad cravings and I am continuing to lose.