Nancy Rivers

4 weeks out and have lost 15 pounds. It was 19 - but regained 4. For the last week, I have been holding steady at the 15 pound loss. Kind of disappointed in that. Otherwise doing well though. I still do a protein shake a day to make sure I get enough in. But, I'm getting more chicken and fish in now which helps. Technically, I'm still on soft foods until the 28th when I see the surgeon again.

You look awesome! Congratulations!

Queenmab - our stats are very similar - I had surgery the day after you. At this point, I have lost 15 pounds and have been at this same weight now for a week. Actually, in the first 3 weeks I lost 19 pounds - but last week gained 4 pounds and have been stuck at that now for a week. I know it's discouraging. But, we have to keep with it. At this point, our bodies are still trying to figure out just what the heck we did to it - so it will take a "breather" and try to figure it out. That's why we're stuck at the weight we are right now. But, it will break eventually and then we'll start losing again. We are learning new habits that will lead to a healthier body over the long term - that has to count for something.

Here's the link to Anthony's website: http://www.myownweightlossnow.com/ He has an "open chat" every Sunday night between 8pm and 10pm Eastern Time.

Well, my 28W's are starting to get big. While they aren't falling down on their own yet, I realized last night when I took off my pants without thinking and didn't unbutton or unzip them (and they were loose when I took them off like that!), that I probably should find some smaller pants. So, today I found a couple of local thrift stores and found myself some 22W's that are still a bit small for me, some 24W's that I think will fit or will in a very short time and a pair of 26W's that I know will fit. I had a hard time finding the 26W's that's why I only got one pair of those. Some of the pants still had the original tags from the "name brand / big box store" on them. I got one pair that was originally $40 at JCPenny for $7.99 at the thrift store. While I was looking forward to buying the smaller sizes, I never really thought it would happen a month after surgery. Shirts are still fitting fine - somewhat baggy around my stomach, but I can tuck them in and they still look good. Best part is when I go to get rid of my too big clothing - one of these local thrift stores will take them as a donation and give me a receipt that I can use for tax purposes! Yay!

It takes about 6 weeks or so for things to heal up. What I do is measure everything putting only the 2 or 4 ounces on my plate - and then eat with a baby spoon so that I don't eat too fast. This way I know how much I am eating so I can journal it (my dietician wants me to journal daily). I eat until I feel full (most of the time that means I eat until I belch, but tonight it was until I got a tight feeling). If I haven't eaten my entire portion, then I put it in the fridge until my next meal time. I have found some 1/2 cup containers that for storage, as well as some 1ounce and 2 ounce containers too (those are "baby food dishes" - but they don't look like they are for babies - just the outer packaging was). It really helps.

I didn't have to do any bowel prep before surgery. All I had to do was 4 Protein shakes for 11 days with 6 other food items (broth, Jello, salad veggies) and Clear liquids the day before surgery. For me the hardest days were days 3 through 5 when I started having cravings. Other than that, it was pretty simple and I didn't have any issues. What type of pre-op does your surgeon have you doing? Every surgeon seems to have their own plan.

Congratulations!

I was wondering if anyone used the Leslie Sansone DVD's? Are they worth it? I'm just starting out and need something "gentle" at first. With the heat and humidity, I can't walk outside and absolutely HATE the malls. I know I need to start walking more, and was thinking of trying these.

I have NEVER been able to float - I always sink! I'd love to be able to float.

My surgeon won't let me do anything but walking before 6 weeks out.

I haven't been able to start at the gym yet (hopefully at the end of the month my surgeon will clear me for it). However, there is a personal trainer there who had the gastric bypass surgery approximately 6 years ago and has lost about 400 pounds. He has not had any plastic surgery and has no sagging skin. He told us in a couple of our support group meetings that if you do the "right" exercising, then it will really minimize the sagging skin. One of the ladies there had VSG surgery a year ago and has the bat wings - he started working with her and when I saw her last, even though her arms were covered, I could tell there was a definite reduction in the bat wings. His name is Anthony and works at Mercy Healthplex in Fairfield Ohio. I know he has a personal website as well - but I can't remember it off the top of my head. I'll see if I can find it and post it though. He seems very willing to talk to anyone about his experience.

Congratulations! That is awesome news!

You're PCP is probably taking that idea from something on this website: http://www.yoursurgery.com/ProcedureDetails.cfm?BR=1&Proc=5 I had to read down quite a ways to find it, but there is a sentence that talks about it. It now explains why we get those breathing things after surgery that we are supposed to use 10 times an hour. That never made sense to me until I read this article.

Yeah, it will change. You're still swollen from the surgery. As that swelling goes down, then you'll be able to eat more. My surgeon had me using full liquids and puree foods starting on day 3 after surgery - though to the 20th day. Then starting on day 21, I could have "mushy" foods - or soft foods. Starting at 6 weeks, I can have "normal" foods. When I started mushies last week, I had some meatloaf and it was wonderful! I could only eat about 2 ounces though. Now, a week later, I can have 3 ounces. I can eat a full 8 ounces of a thin Soup though - so it will depend on the food how much you can eat at a time. Just listen to your body and you will know when you are full. Do not push it otherwise you will end up throwing up. Don't worry about the time it takes this early out to eat. As the swelling goes down and you are able to eat better, then pay attention to the time.

The ricotta bake is really good. I substitute low fat versions for some of the ingredients. The carbs aren't too bad in the recipes that I have checked out.

Yup it's normal. In fact, that's how I know I am full - I start burping. I don't get the tight feeling that most people report - instead I burp and I know that I'm full.

No, I just do regular walking. I was extremely sedentary before the surgery and had zero stamina. Now I can walk for about 15 minutes before I have to have a break.

I expected that I would stay the same - just not gain. I'm sticking with it because well, I have to. The only exercise I am doing is walking - my surgeon won't clear me for anything else before 6 weeks out. I'm hoping when I see him again on the 28th, that he will clear me for more exercise so I can start a real exercise program. I know that will help.

Congratulations on getting the sleeve. What you are experiencing is normal - many people experience that feeling when they are eating - it's a sign to stop eating because you are full.

I don't have the same situation as you. However, keep in mind there is a risk of death from ANY surgery - no matter what medications or other conditions you may have. Even though I don't have the same conditions that you do, I also could have died from this surgery. Thankfully, I didn't and came through the surgery with NO problems. However, there was still the chance that I could have died on the table - or from a complication right after surgery. However, I didn't let that stop me because it was such a SMALL chance, and I also knew that if I didn't do this, then eventually complications of obesity would. Fully research both surgeries and talk with your surgeon about your concerns. There's nothing wrong with checking with a couple of different surgeons even. Ultimately, only you can make the decision, but the best way to do that is to get as much info as possible. I hope someone else with a similar situation would be able to give some advice.

I never have been put on an acid reducer and I haven't had any problems with acid.

If you are on ANY medication (not just blood pressure) and it has not been adjusted since your surgery, that may be the cause of it (for example, if your blood sugar goes too low due to diabetes medication, you could potentially faint). I would check that out with your PCP. Also, make sure you are getting at least 64 oz of Water and all of your Protein in. If you are, and there isn't medication involved, contact your dietician/surgeon and see if you might need a few carbs. I know once I got a FEW carbs in, I felt better. Definitely get this checked out this next week as you should not be fainting.

So, I decided to go to the "Wellness Expo" that Jungle Jim's had today. It wasn't too bad - the focus was really on gluten free foods, with a smattering of other "health" related items. Many of the booths had samples to try of course - and I did try just about everything. Although, I would take just a small sip if it was a drinkable item, or about a half a baby-spoon full (occasionally a full baby-spoon full) of solid food and toss the rest of my sample in the trash. I think I did well by doing that. I never would have in the past that is for sure. There were 2 exceptions though. 1 was for some greek yogurt that had fruit in it - a bit high in sugar, but otherwise, I still don't think it was too bad for me to eat about a whole tablespoon full of it. The other was some ice cream that was gluten free, lactose free and sugar free. I had a couple of tablespoons of that - it was really really yummy. I'm trying to log my food for the day - how the heck do I log such tiny tastes as that? I'm certain there wasn't much Protein in those foods - more sugars than anything else probably, but definitely calories that should be counted - although I have no idea how many. By the way, I did find a food there that I absolutely MUST get when I go grocery shopping again - it's Bilinski's sausages. They are fully cooked chicken sausages that are anti-biotic free, nitrate free, gluten free and have no pork casing on them. The guy who owns the company was the one demonstrating them - and had several on a grill. There was NO grease on the grill and he allowed me to try about 3 different kinds. Each of them was scrumptious! I also came across another line of products from Organicville - various sauces and condiments that had virtually NO sugar - including BBQ sauce. Sadly, there weren't any samples of that brand, but I did pick up a couple of coupons so that I can try some. They sounded good though.

Dr. Joe Northup in Fairfield, Ohio does the BLIS and is a very good surgeon. His staff is top notch too. I've been very happy with them.