RedShoesinDallas

The cruise was awesome!! We flew to Ft. Lauderdale and then got on the ship and left from there. We stopped in St. Thomas, Antigua, Tortola and Nassau. We went on excursions at every port. My favorite was Tortola. It reminded me of Maui on the Road to Hanna. It was very clean and we didn't see the poverty we saw on the other islands. We snorkled, sailed, toured, and just relaxed on the ship. It was great. Now, I just need to start dropping hints that I want to go to the Mediterranean next summer:)....and I didn't even tell you about the food. I did pretty good. I had only been eating solids about a week before the cruise, so I did have some instances where I ate too much and it either came back up (immediately) or I was miserably full:). I am still struggling with trying to determine the right amount - but overall I think I handled it well. always started out a meal eating my Protein, then if I thought I could eat a bite or two of something else, I would. When your stomach will only hold about 1/2 a cup, there's not alot you can do:) I am down 34 lbs since surgery on July 6th - I wish it was more - but I'll take what I can get!!! How about you - how are you doing?

I have two grandkids. I just had surgery in July and have only lost 34 lbs thus far - but I don't think the kiddos will even notice. They are in their own 'little world' and I don't think my looks are a priority for them:)

I had VSG on July 6th this year. When I went in for my 1 month checkup, I mentioned how tired I was to the dr. and he gave me a prescription for a B12 nasal spray that you use once a week. I take my B12 chewable vitamins daily and I have B12 Gummy bears at my desk for a little extra, but the nasal spray really gives me the extra energy I need to stay on top of everything. Now, that doesn't mean I am exercising like I am supposed to - but I do feel like my old self:)

Who is your dr.?

I was sleeved at Forest Park Medical Center in Dallas on July 6th. I am 56 years old and I am a self pay patient. At the start of this adventure I only needed to lose about 65-70 lbs to get to my goal weight. I wanted the surgery for 2 reasons: 1) vanity (yes, I admit it:) & 2) as a preventative measure so I wouldn't get some of the health issues that go along with being overweight.

I've used botox for about 10 years and I anticipate continuing to use it. Without a doubt, I don't have the same elasticity in my skin as I did 10-15 years ago - so I am just taking this one day at a time - and when/if the day comes that my ta-tas no longer fill my bra, I'll be first in line to get a boob job:). I don't think I will have enough excess skin to consider surgery elsewhere - but I'll make that decision, too, if the day comes.

Your VSG journey will take you down different roads: The first 2-3 weeks, you will be focused on healing your body from the surgery. Then you'll be focused on taking your Vitamins and trying to eat enough to keep your energy level up. Serious thoughts of cosmetic surgery - at least for me - are still about 45 lbs away:)

Good luck on your journey!

Thanks for the words of wisdom! Since my eyes are still bigger than my stomach, I think I'll try measuring out what I can eat and moving what I am not going to eat off my plate into another container.

I had surgery on July 6th. I had no problem maintaining the liquid diet before or after surgery, but now that I am starting to eat some solids, I find that I eat more than I should and I end up miserable. Within 15 minutes of eating, I cannot even streatch out enough to get comfortable. Last night I ate about 8-10 small bites of talipa at a restaurant and I thought I would burst. I've done the same thing 4 or 5 times. When will I figure out the right amount my stomach can hold??? I haven't thrown up because I've eaten too much. I've just made myself miserable.

Wow! That's amazing. It sounds like you are on the road to 'skinny'!! Congratulations!

I had surgrey on July 6th. I started taking my liquid, chewable, and sublingual Vitamins the first day I was home all day - which was July 8th. I thought I had read somewhere that I shouldn't be taking Calcium for a couple of weeks, but I checked with my dr. yesterday and he said I should be taking them too.

Thanks for the positive vibes. On day #2 I was wondering what I had gotten myself into:) but I am up and running now and life is good. I am still on a liquid diet and have stuck to it. Tummy staples come out this Thursday morn. I am chewing Vitamins daily and walking alot. I feel like I have 'crossed over' the threshold and now the work begins. And, yes, Dr. Barker (aka McDreamy) is still as good looking as ever!! How are ya'll doing???

While everyone is different, you will likely be up and about, moving around like normal much earlier than 3 weeks. Just make sure you walk as much as you can and drink the required amount of Protein drinks and liquids. I just had surgery last Wednesday. Wed. afternoon, I didn't hesitate to ask for pain meds and slept most of the day. Thursday, I was still in some pain and by this time I was questioning what I had done:). I walked the halls 4-5 times and I sipped some liquids but the comfort of the bed felt great. I came home Thursday afternoon. Friday was another lazy day for me. I tried to drink a shot glass of liquids every 15-30 minutes throughout the day. I didn't walk very much on Friday though. Saturday, I got up and haven't slowed down since. We went to the mall and shopping in 4-5 stores outside the mall. I walked over 3 miles. Sunday I walked almost 2 miles. And, today, I am almost back to normal. I have some staples on one incision that are right at my waist line and my pants have irritated it a little bit, but not enough for pain meds. Staples come out this Thursday. I've been drinking alot of nectar, broth, and sugar free popcicles and taking my Vitamins everyday and my body feels fine. I have an office job and I went back to work today. And - did I mention, I am 56 years old?? So, if I can do it, you can do it!!! Good luck! It's exciting to start this journey!

I had vsg surgery on the morning of July 6th. First day, my lights were knocked out all day. 2nd day, I was wondering what the heck I had done - did a Mac Truck run over me or did I have really have surgery???? I did get up and walk 4 or 5 painful times. 3rd day, I just slept and took it easy most of the day. Today, day 4, I am almost good as new. I've walked 2.56 miles (I picked up a digital pedometer last week at Brookstone). I haven't stepped on the scales yet, but my body is telling me the worst is over. And, in this Texas heat - mmmm --- sugar-free banana popcicles have become my favorite!!!

I agree. I am SOOOOO Ready!!!! I am scheduled for mine tomorrow morn. I could hardly sleep last night - not because I was nervous - but because I am SOOOOOO Ready. I know there's a skinny girl inside and I am hoping Dr. Barker helps me find her:) Good luck! I'll catch you on 'the other side'...

I agree with your assessment of Dr. Barker - I've told all of my friends about him:)

I usually lose weight in my breast before anyplace else so I'm already dropping hints to my hubby to prepare him for the implants I'll need next year:)

Great job on your weight loss, you deserve a new set of ta-tas for that!

I'll touch base 'on the other side'

V

I am scheduled for surgery tomorrow and I am soo ready. My Dr is Wade Barker and surgery will be at Forest Park Medical Center. Anxious to find that skinny girl inside me:)

My surgery will be at Forest Park Hospital located at 75 and 635. Dr. Barker is my dr. Who is yours?

Since I'll be a week ahead of you, I'll be able to tell you what to expect and we can compare notes. I have no choice but to get well fast - we are going on a cruise August 13th. I am so ready for this surgery! I don't even care if I can't eat any of the fancy dishes they will be preparing on the ship. It just sounds like more calories - and I'm done with lots of calories!! I started my liquid diet in preparation of surgery yesterday. I had a little bit of a headache today - I am sure my body is just adjusting - so all is well.

I am scheduled to have VSG Wednesday, July 6th, in Dallas. I started my liquid diet today. Are there any other newbies out there??

You look sooooo beautiful! I want to see real wedding pics next month!!

Happy Dance !!! Congratulations!!! Great job!

of course I haven't started yet. It may be worst than I think:)

I start a liquid diet in July 2nd with surgery on July 6th... So not too bad...

I am 56 and very active. Surgery is scheduled next Wednesday, July 6th. I Will provide an update on Thursday

My 2 cents: I don't care who knows I about my surgery. (Maybe it's an age thing or perhaps it's because I am comfortable with who I am). People I know that are considered opinionated or judgemental will continue to voice their opinions whether it's about my surgery, weight or any other topic they chose to discuss. I cannot please everyone - but I can please myself. And, this is the right decision for me. Losing weight is not easy - no matter it how you do it. I will have to recover from surgery, eat healthy, exercise, and balance changing relationships. VSG is just a tool that is going to help me. And, I choose to use that tool:)

I am 56 and scheduled for vsg next Wednesday, July 6th. I, too, am worried about wrinkles and 'turkey neck'. Today, I received a Groupon offer for 25 units of Botox at a local spa for half price. I've never had Botox before, but am considering this offer. This coupon expires in January, so if I wait until December to take advantage of it, I should have some weight loss and wrinkles that need to be addressed. Of course, Botox is not a permanent solution, but I am thinking I might give it a try.

I'll be your 'sleeve sister'. I'm going in for surgery on Wednesday, July 6th, with Dr. Barker in Dallas. I just found out about vsg in May and I knew immediately it was for me. So, I am moving forward pretty fast. I start my liquid diet on July 2nd. In the past, I have responded well to surgery and I don't have any other health issues (that I know about) so I am planning to be back at work on Monday after surgery. I have an office job and work from home some days too - so I don't plan on this keeping me down long (does that sound like someone who doesn't know what's ahead - or just positive thinking???. You'll be a couple days ahead of me, so you'll have to prepare me...I have spent hours on YouTube reviewing vsg testimonials. There are alot who have successfully used Dr. Alvarez. You are in good hands!

oops - that's www. vitalady.com