PdxMan

I remembered myself being quite slender and fit when I was 190, so I added 10 lbs to it to get a realistic goal. Go figure ... I am now at 195 and still have some fat under the loose skin. So, that tells me I have also lost a lot of muscle, too, but I can work on that. I probably will reset my goal now to 185 knowing that I will gain some muscle (lifting 3-4x / week) and we'll see about the loose skin later. No way to get rid of that except plastic surgery.

Costco Premier Chocolate. Very good. Vanilla is good, but the last drink is grainy.

Mine was an outpatient procedure in Las Vegas (baby!) on Friday, July 8th. I arrived at 7:00 am for an 8:00 am procedure. Like the above poster, did the cute little gown, inflatible leg thingys and a visit from the surgeon and anesthesiologist. Breath deep ... g'night ... wake up ... oy! Felt like I did 100 sit-ups. I'm an anxious type and do not like to hang out in recovery rooms. They are too bright and cold! So, I knew I had to walk before I could leave, so I kept asking for someone to take me. After two walks, the surgeon came by and we chatted and he discharged me. He just told me everything went great and that I must have stuck to the pre-op diet because my liver was so easy to work with. I did stick to it pretty tight and even opted not to eat anything the 24 hours before, figuring the whole what goes in, must come out, and after a bunch of pain killers, that can be tough, sometimes. My wife drove us back to our hotel (Golden Nugget) around noonish and we napped until around 4. We then went out and about downtown Vegas walking, doing a little gambling and took her out to dinner. I did the liquid loritab, which we picked up the day before. I suggest getting the loritab flavored as I understand it tastes terrible. Even with the Green Apple flavor, it still was a little tough, but I understood later that Green Apple is not a suggested flavoring for loritab, so, perhaps you can research. The next two days I was out and about Vegas and we flew home Monday, no problem. Could have gone back to work on Tuesday, but I opted to take that day off and returned on Wednesday.

I had to set an alarm at noon to remind me to eat for the first couple months post-op for this same reason. Eventually, you get into a cycle. The sleeve is truly an amazing tool for sure, testified by my ticker. But it doesn't mean the old thinking doesn't haunt me from time to time. Before, I was sadly powerless, but now with the sleeve, I can overcome. Congrats and good luck to all.

I was a 120 oz/day Water drinker. More on gym days. Post surgery, I struggle to get 64 oz ... even on gym days. For me, it does taste different at almost 5 mos post-op. Here is my 2 cents: Don't start reducing your water intake pre-op. It makes no sense to wean yourself off of it. Your body may not react the same. You may do fine. Experiment with the straw. For me, I found I took in less air with it, but I can see where some people would take in more. See what works for you post-op. Experiment with the temperature of the water. Post-op, your stomach may be very swollen and restricted. I found drinking room temp water easier. Perhaps the cold water 'shocked' the swollen stomach ... don't know. I was drinking about 20 oz of water on a good day for the first week, but I kept trying. Gatorade, Poweraid, blah blah blah-aid. Whatever flavored water or additive works well for me. Don't know why it makes it easier to drink the liquid, but it does for me.

Here is a major thread with this: http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/26997-i-had-my-gastric-sleeve-surgery-on-and-so-far-have-lost

This was me exactly. My wife propped up a bunch of pillows on the bed and I nestled myself inside them.

Well, don't buy any more. If they give you a hard time, tell them to go pound sand. Last I checked, we live in a free society. You are self-pay and have the option of how you want to continue services.

Yup, I was telling this same thing to my wife when I was going through it. "If I didn't have to eat, I wouldn't." At about 3 months is when some things didn't feel terrible. Solid proteins: Chicken, tillapia, tuna ... But I still, at almost 5 months, get a terrible feeling in my tummy if I eat bread. Had one bite of my delicious homemade rolls on Thanksgiving and I was done. So sad.

3 months from deciding to do it to surgery. Self-pay in Las Vegas (baby!). The reason I did this was because of how permanent it is. When it comes to food, it is more powerful than myself. I had to take that power away from it and put it back in my hands. The sleeve has helped me do this. Of course, there are possible complications with this surgery as there are with any surgery. Of course, do your research on the process, but more importantly, on the Dr, the clinic and the surgical team. That is what makes the difference. Your own preparation also counts, too. Are you willing to get into some form of shape prior to surgery to minimize complications and speed recovery?

I'm running in my first 5K this weekend. I've been working hard and know however it comes out, it is something I never could have done before. There are many C2K programs out there and I don't think you can go wrong with any of them.

Myself ... I wouldn't worry about the calories your burning. With the sleeve, you are in a deficit and that is what matters. Yes, burning more calories is going to make you lose weight quicker, but is this a race? If it takes one more month to reach a goal, is there some victory there? I believe the most important thing about the excercise is getting fit. Improving your endurance and the other benefits that come from working out. You have to admit you feel pretty good working out. And now that you have reached that point where you feel good during the workout ... it is even better. Since you are under Drs care regarding your heartrate, you need to consult them as far as what your next step is. It may be to carry handweights or put ankle weights on. Perhaps it is time for the elliptical. The best way to increase your fitness would be to increase your heartrate, but that may not be an option for you. Talk to your Dr.

If you investigate the difference between a 32 and 36, I think your worries will be put to rest. You're talking about the difference between a really small banana and a small banana. As they said above, an orange is mostly juice, so ... it should go down relatively easy.

Hey all, I am almost 5 months out and if I can assist or answer your questions in any way, please feel free to send me a message. Hover over my name and something should pop up where you can send me a message. This is a time of vast changes for our bodies, for sure.

I weigh once a month otherwise I would drive myself crazy with things like this. Our bodies are in a state of vast changes right now. You have to know this. Just be confident that if you do what you are supposed to do: get your protein, carbs, liquids ... excercise, sleep ... the weight will come off. It has to. You don't need less calories, you need more. Otherwise your body will go into starvation mode. I eat as often as I can getting about 1,000 calories a day and I am losing. I weigh myself on the 20th of each month and I see change on the scale and how my clothes fit. Women, I think, especially should weigh themselves monthly. Because of exactly what you are going through. Women have far more factors for retention issues. You will lose weight. Don't drive yourself crazy. It will happen. 800 calories in, 2,000 calories out. Do you really think your body can sustain that? What about if you add exercise and get that up to 3,000 calories out? What do you think will happen then? Just don't drop your calories in.

Not all of the shakes taste bad and it is going to be different for everyone. Pre-op, I was doing a powder that I loved, but a week post, I couldn't stomach it. I went to The Vitamin Shop and they had several with smaller containers. I ended up spending $100 and not finding anything. I experimented around until I found one that worked for me. That would be the costco Premium. My Costco sells chocolate and vanilla, but I understand there is also a strawberry. $24 for 18 of them. Pretty cheap, I'd say. They are 30g of Protein, too. I have at least one a day, sometimes more depending on my workout and the solid protein I am able to get in. Invest the $100 into finding what works for you. You will be eating less now, so your recovery of that investment will be quick and well worth it. You are post-op now, so try to find something.

Pre-op, I was a regular apherisis donor, which, I'm guessing would be a viable alternative. I highly suggest checking this out if you are the donor type of person.

You are going to have some muscle loss; I don't think there is a way to prevent that. I have tried to be diligent with my protein intake, but it was so hard at the beginning. I am at the same weight I was 18 years ago when I had a 6 pack, but I still have a lot of loose skin and some fat, so I know I have lost muscle. Besides, when I am at the gym, I can't lift the same amount as I could before. But, I am working on that. I didn't have the energy to work out shortly after surgery, but I increased my carbs and was able to resolve that. It's work. This is not a walk in the park, by any means. Now, I am training for a 5K and lifting 3-4x a week. It will come back and I feel better than I have in years.

I had my surgery on _7/8____, and so far have lost __78___. Hey! That's kinda cool. I've lost 98 since deciding to make a change. Time to set a new goal.

You are probably not a sweller, like most, meaning, most folks, including myself, had a very swollen stomach after surgery, which is normal. It just underwent a MAJOR surgery and reacted by swelling. This would restrict the size of the sleeve even more. Myself, I could only get in a few sips an hour for about the first week after. I have read many other stories of people similar to you. Some people swell something fierce and others not at all. But I think you need to be extra cautious, though. My body enforced taking things easy because of the swelling. You must do it more conscienciously. Remember, you have a stomach with tiny staples trying to heal. Don't put too much in. It takes at least 3 weeks for the sutre line to heal.

Well, yes ... my great metabolism was doing such a great job for me before VSG ... I would hate to sabbotage that!

Got stairs? Push-ups are great when done correctly. You have internet, so ... http://www.lmgtfy.com/?q=home+workout

Congratulations! Try to get up and walk as much as you are comfortable with. Sip Water. Try warm ... cold ... find what works. Good luck and post your progress.

I do have jello in the fridge for a drive-by snack, but rarely have done the popsicles. I have a cold-sensitive mouth. My go-to snack is cheese. Tillamook Extra Sharp cheddar and those little round baby belle cheese are a godsend. Did I mention the crumbled blue cheese ...? :drool5: For me, the flavor of everything has shifted towards the bland, so I tend to gravitate towards snacks with bold flavor. A discovery, :blush5: , I made a couple days ago is the little 6 oz V-8 juices. Bold flavor, some vitamins and liquid. I'm always short on liquids. Case of 48 at Costco for like $8.

An ever changing answer ... Week 1: Protein shakes and Water throughout the day. broth Soup for dinner. Never did get my 60g of protein or 64 oz of water, but I did my best. Week 2: Same as week 1, but added applesauce (2 teaspoons) whenever I could. Week 3-5: Added pureed Soups. Made a ham and lentil soup. Blended it smooth. Yummy. Also added cottage cheese. chicken soup was good, too, but loved the lentil. Week 6-8: Didn't blend the soups quite as much. Started eating real foods. Fish, chicken, tuna ... but only like 2 or 3 bites. Loving them soups. From there on, I just slowly introduced foods back into the diet. I still don't eat breads or rice as my restriction is pretty good. I want to save room for the Proteins and veggies. After 12 weeks, I was able to add salads, and that has been great. Such flavors with adding cheeses and dressings. I add chicken or tuna for my main protein and cheeses for a little extra. (Crumbled blue cheese ...yum!)