Neoteric Verve

Im just over a month out.....I do some light jogging. (about 20 min at a time) Not where I was prior to surgery though. I find it more because of energy level, and getting lightheaded...not because of pain. (there is no pain)
Trust your body. Listen to your Body. You know it better than anyone else.

Here's my take on thongs...you can have 1" of material crawl up your rear or 5"...take your pick! lol. I used to wear them ALL the time before I gained all this fart noodling weight, and I can't wait to start wearing them again! They won't take too long to get used to at all.

Currently I am doing very well with my weight loss. I have rocked my sleeve all the way down from 298lbs to 181lbs. I feel like I am doing a fantastic job. I love life and my new changing body.

Well lately everyone has been constantly asking me how small am I going to get? My response has been, I don't know either 175lbs or 150lbs where ever my doctor and I feel comfortable.

Now mind you I have been with my husband for like 5 years. But I have never asked him what he thought about my weight or for that matter has he mentioned anything. He was very supportive about my having the surgery. He is still very supportive. I just so happen to ask him, at what would like to see me? He responded that he thought I was great at whatever weight I stopped at. I kept pushing for a specific answer. He actually said he would like to see me at 130lbs. I was not angry as my girlfriends were. I was shocked that he had a number or actually even cared what I weighed. When we married I was bigger than when we first met. I must say I never had this number on my horizion. Probably because I can not recall ever being this number in life. In junior high I was 190lbs.

I can say that I am actually okay with the number now that I have had time to let it sink in, and realize that with help of my sleeve I can actually reach it, heck maybe even pass it, who knows what is possible.

I say all this to say, ask your spouse what they think. I would have never known how he felt about it had I never asked.

Thank you its a great help

This is a great resource. Thanks for sharing.

Hi guys! I was approved for July 11, too! Let's keep in touch with each other!

CONGRATULATIONS!!! I was approved and am having surgery the same day!!! I'll see you on the other side

I was finally approved today by BCBS. I'm so excited and scared.
I don't know what to do next. I'm feeling very overwhelmed.

*races out to buy license plate*
Alright, alright. You can have it.

Hello all, I got sleeved on May 31, 2011. I'm 14 days out and finally feeling better. I have lost 29 lbs to date, going from 327 to 298. I had my surgery at Lenox Hill Hospital in Manhattan by Dr. Roslin. The first 2 days in the hospital were the worst. I thought I was going to die. I couldn't get comfortable, I was in pain and it seemed like the hospital staff was doing something to me every 20 minutes, so no rest. I had to get out of the hospital because my blood pressure was going way up. My wife called my primary care Doctor who had me released from the hospital. That made the difference. If I wasn't released that day I was going to escape and walk home with my a$$ sticking out of that gown. When I got home I started on the Atkins Protein Shakes which are OK and dannon light and fit yogurt. I've been drinking Water and Diet snapple. The best thing I've found are sugar free tropical popsicles.
I've started walking, today 2 miles and I'll try to keep this up for at least the next 2 weeks every day then move to the bike. I'm hoping to get back to my birth weight 8 lbs or as close to it as I can get. Realisticly I want to get to 240 lbs and try to maintain that weight for the rest of my life. I'm 6'2" and 240 is a good weight for me, any less and I would be too fragile.
I'm glad I found this site because I know I'll need the support and encouragement that only fellow sleever can give.
Do well and let me hear about it.

The trick to being muscular is being ripped. This is why i put less stock into a BMI number and more into the bodyfat percentage. Case in point (even though I don't agree with HOW he got here) Jay Cutler, IFBB Pro. He is 5'9" and weighs 275lb. According to a BMI chart he's morbidly obese. Now if you ever saw him:
He doesn't look anywhere near obese.
Ok back on topic. You're not getting bigger because you may not be taking in enough amino acids to illicit growth. All I can recommend is to keep your intake of Protein at the maintenance dose until you can ingest more to grow on. Get "cut" first and watch what you have pop out and then target your smaller areas.

OMG,...Usedtobe!!!
On paper, you have done such an amazing job... now we have the photos to prove it....BLOODY AMAZING FELLA!!!

Before weightloss


Before Surgery



6 Months After Surgery

Before:



Progress (during)



After (now)

Hey fellow sleevers,
Today is my 8-week surgiversary. I have lost 42 pounds and still have a lot to go. But I have gone from a size 26/28 to a size 20 on the top and 22 on the bottom. My shoe size has gone down from a 12W to an 11-1/2 normal width (I'm 6'2", and my mom used to say that if I had smaller feet, I'd blow over in a high wind, LOL). I made my first purchase from the “regular” size women’s clothing section the other day—an XL T-shirt that fits beautifully (yes, it’s stretchy!).
I have learned how to eat—what to eat, how much, and when. I have also, through repeated trial and error, learned how NOT to eat—fast, thoughtlessly, without a PPI on board, with a beverage, one bite past satisfaction. I have found Protein sources that work and that I enjoy. I have learned the importance of being disciplined about taking medication and Vitamins. I have learned that my scale will eventually move again and in the right direction.
I have eaten out numerous times and have found sleeve-friendly food everywhere; it may not be the precise thing I was craving, but I can eat in public with friends and/or family. My goals have changed. My mother-in-law, after watching me eat 3 shrimp for lunch yesterday at a local seafood restaurant, asked me, “Are you full?” I said yes. She then asked the more important question, “But are you satisfied?” I said yes and was happy to realize that I was, indeed. Food is no longer my drug of choice, nor is it at the center of my decisions. What I enjoy about eating out has changed; now, I really focus on my companions, on the conversation, on enjoying the smells and texture and all the elements of the food. I have given up quantity for quality. In the beginning, I really wasn’t happy about being forced to do so—but I knew that’s what this surgery meant. I awoke from surgery with a serious case of buyer’s remorse. Today I know that I would do it again, because I honestly believe it is the only way I would ever be able to lose the weight that was threatening my health and my long-term happiness.
I know a lot of us got into our overweight status for a variety of reasons—inactivity due to physical limitation, thyroid issues, pregnancy, emotional or binge eating. For me, one of the big triggers was fear; I was sexually abused as a child and I wore my “fat suit” sort of like a suit of armor—let’s face it, fat people are invisible in our society, unless someone just wants a handy target to say something ugly to. For decades, I wore my protection on the outside because of fear on the inside. I worked with a therapist last summer because I didn’t want to continually be a victim of my childhood trauma. I changed on the inside. Having this surgery done is an affirmation of that change, getting rid of the “fat suit” and allowing me to be me, strong enough and capable enough to deal with whatever comes along, able to trust and love and relax. The sleeve is helping me become on the outside what I already am on the inside, and that is satisfying in a way that food can't touch.
Cheers to my fellow 4/18 sleevers, and a happy next 8 weeks to everyone.
Meg

For me, I did not have any surgical pain. My pain was GAS PAIN!! That is NO JOKE!! For 3 days, I was miserable. And let me tell you, nothing made it better. Not walking, sitting up straight, GasX, NOTHING!! I couldn't burp or fart. I was miserable!
I didn't take any pain meds after leaving the hospital because my pain was gas and the pain meds didn't help that! When that went away, I felt fine. About a week after surgery, I was really sore. Like I had done a really intese ab workout. My obliques and abs were sore for about 2 weeks, but no real pain.
I did sneeze one day and pulled a stitch. That kind of hurt about 3 weeks out. But, it went away a few days later.
They say this surgery is merely painless because the stomach doesn't have nerves in it like your finger or nose, so it doesn't really hurt!
Good luck to you!
Kelly

Welcome!
It is never too late to change your life in a positive way like getting sleeved!
I am 20 years older than you and was sleeved ONE WEEK AGO! If I did this 20 years ago I wouldn't have gotten VSG and that is the absolutely right WLS procedure for me. Maybe that is why I didn't do this 20 years ago. I never liked the idea of gastric bypass surgery. I don't need or want my intestines rerouted. My food leaves my body fast enough and I sort of thought that intestinal adaptation issue was going to be discovered. Our bodies are pretty, pretty clever at finding ways to grab calories if they are feeling deprived. So if I had surgery 20 years ago I'd be trying to get a revision without an intact pylorus!
I am happy I decided to do this just as co-morbidities were looming large but before they destroyed my health! You are young and vital...this is a great time to rock your sleeve!
Plus VST is the absolutely BEST PLACE for information, advice, pep talks, support, encouragement, recipes, you name it the folks on this site will try and help you out or just listen sympathetically.
Good luck and let us know if we can be of assistance!!!

Welcome Courtney,
I had my surgery just about 11 months ago (7/13/2010) and have lost 120 pounds to date. I'd like to lose another 5 pounds or so, but I am not sweating it. Without a doubt, the decision to have this surgery was one of the best decisions I have ever made.
I was 300 pounds at my heaviest and when I got on the scale this morning I weighed 178.4
I've gone from a size 54 suit to a size 42.
From size 44 pants to size 34
From XXL shirt to a Large or Medium
From a 19 inch neck to size 16 or 16 1/2
I hear what you say about shopping, but I have to say, it is a real challenge now. I used to know that I should just basically buy the biggest size that they had -- didn't have to try anything on. Now I have to try everyhting on because I have no idea what size I am for a particular manufacturer. Not a bad problem to have and a really great feeling.
I also can't believe how much more comfortable I am when flying or taking any public transportation. At 300 pounds, I was finding planes and trains to be a real challenge.
WIshing you the best of luck on your journey. You will not regret doing this.
Brian

Welcome brother. You are on the right path for sure. I am 6'2" and was 497 lb the day of my operation in November of last year (no pre op diet). I've lost over 150 pounds already. While I still have a long way to go, my quality of life is already much better. I had flown a month ago, and while I may still be spilling into the next seat I didnt need an extender. I was completely shocked as this was the first time in 8 or 10 years that I had not needed one!! There will be small victories like this very day. Good luck.

I'm still pre-op (VSG date 6/6) but I was told at least one month/4weeks before intense workouts. I cycle on weekends and spin/walk/yoga during the week. But like others, I was told walking is okay, moderately at first. Like others said, it's more about the healing and recouperating. Our bodies need the energy. I'm no authority but I'm not sure how much muscle repair can happen if lifting while healing when we are consuming mostly clear fluids for about a week. Thanks for posting this question. I'm going to ask MD again and be specific about weights since I want to encorporate those too. I'll post here if I learn anything new.

I agree with the other ladies, THAT is awesome! :bounce:

After I hit my goal-
I'm going to:
1) Buy a $1,000 Armani Suit
2) Take the Top down on my C5 CORVETTE CONVERTIBLE
3) Then go to a upscale dance club - Going Solo (that will be just the way I will Roll)
4) Actually DANCE
5) then -Pick one of the top 10 hottest chicks there to dance with a little.......
then
6) Dance with ALLLL the "BIG GIRLS" for the rest of the evening!!!!!!!!!
Not sure what that will accomplish, but I know inside It will make "me" feel good. Hopefully "them" too.
Kevin

Try Snowboaring with my daughter Actually buy a wet suit, and wear it in public and go surfing Fly across the country and demand a middle seat, preferably between two fat people Try to run regularly Play Badminton (I love badminton) Learn to sail work on a 6pack (you know what I mean) Try Kite Sailing Try scuba diving (since I'll own a wet suit already) Wear shirts with thick horizontal stripes Shave my beard (which I had for 30 years) Go to the gym and take showers and be NUDE in the locker room Join a softball team play basketball Dance (well... maybe not dance but go where people dance) Take my shirt off at the beach Go swimming at a public pool (with a spedo!!) Pick up coins when I drop them Throw my cpap machine in the ocean Buy a small car, or just rent one to see how it feels getting in and out of Try indoor rock climbing ride a bike, and sit on that.... seat Give the middle finger to the guys at Rochester big and tall, (they are nice but damn expensive) Try to help out other fat guys, somehow
What about you?

In May of 1981, I graduated from MCRD Parris Island, SC at 187lbs. Today, May 31 2011, 30 years later, I stepped on the scale and was the exact same weight. I have chased that number ever since. I stuggled my entire enlistment to maintain the maximum allowable weight for my height (197 lbs). I have not at this weight since shortly after that time. I might not be as green or as mean as I was at 19 but I am just as lean. (perhaps leaner) It feels really good. This was a personal goal that I had set at the onset of my journey. Anything lower from here on out is a new low weight as an adult.

Welcome to VST!!! This is truly a wonderful site! You will find so much great information, advice, and inspiring stories! Good for you that you decided to have the sleeve- better late than never!!!