gardendiva3

Yea for you! As a September Sleever as well, I can atest to that magnificent feeling of dropping UNDER a new target...280 under 270 under 260...

I have lost 34 and feel fab! I just started exercising and need to figure out how to use the Wii that I purchased several years ago. HA!

Dragging out the clothes I've saved over the past 10 years has been a real treat. Even though I have another 20 pounds before I can slide into those size 18s - oh lordy how sweet it will be. Stay pumped - keep on keepin on and know that you are well onyour way to a new you! Best wishes. Reb

Ditto! I was sleeved Sep 2 and I did the same thing. But, I did stop all solids 3 days before surgery - per instructions - and was one of the only few who did not barf all night - the first night after surgery. (IN Mexico)

So - enjoy your "last suppers" and quit worrying about afterwards - because - YOU WON'T HAVE A CHOICE!! HA! Even if I wanted to eat a pizza... which I do...I know I can't or it will feel TERRIBLE. Bread dough becomes a painful experience if you do not have it in teensy doses and very small quantity.

Good luck - don't worry - it really will be the best surgery in the whole world!!

Reb

Hey Miss PG80 - I am 4.5 weeks out and have been eating pretty much whatever "feels" right. The first week was liquids and protein shakes, and the second week I went right into scrambled eggs and mashed spuds with protein shakes (prepackaged). The third week I had 1/4 of an English Muffin and 2/3 of a scrambled egg. Now - after I ate my 5 small bites - I looked at that scrambled egg and thought, "surely you can get down that tee tiny bit of egg!" So I opened my mouth - took one more bite and chewed...and paused..and then spit the whole thing back out in the garbage. I knew it wasn't going to "go quietly". So now I am used to leaving something on my plate and tossing it in the trash - a new concept for someone who always cleaned her plate.

Good luck and remember to trust how you feel. Slow and easy does the trick! Reb

Gosh Heather - you are well on your way - having taken the first step....a decision. Unlike all of your previous weight loss experiences, this one will be different. You will research, gather stories, data, costs, benefits, and perhaps even a few nay-sayers will provide their opinion of taking "shortcuts" or "well I know someone who's gardener....blah blah blah..."

I say - poppycock!

Good for you! I'm going to be 57 in a few days and 2.5 weeks post op (Sep 2) I feel great - never had any pain beyond day 1 - a little soreness - and I am definately eating 500 - 600 calories a day - including my protein shakes. There is no way - I'm going to lose this weight .....and THEN GAIN IT BACK! That's what is different! I would have to work 10 times harder and feel terrible in order to gain weight. (If you take one bite too many - your chest hurts like you swallowed a big rock....for a few minutes until it either goes down or comes back. So far I have not pushed this limit as I can feel when I've reached my limit.

Say hello to my sis in Waynesboro GA - if you ever get that way! I just love the way she talks! Best of luck in your journey! Reb

You are too funny! I love that you have a date with the Dr.

As far as the "food funerals" - don't worry about it. It was fun saying..."Well, I probably won't be having Pizza, Chinese, Spaghetti Pie, (you fill in the blank) ...anytime soon so I may as well have one last big blowout!" LOL! OK - so I had a few of those and bought a dozen maple bars at WalMart - ate two and threw the rest away because I knew I would eat the rest over a period of 24 hours - if I didn't call a halt!!!

Sometimes it's just the thought that I may not be able to have.... whatever.

I am 2.5 weeks post-op and gosh - I'm not eating steak - but I'm having yogurt and soft noodles in beef broth - mostly broth, soft cheese, scrambled eggs very soft - and mashed potatoes with cheese. I drink my 2 protein shakes a day and take my gummi-vites and sub-lingual vitamin B (under the tongue) with enthusiasm. The vitamins really have helped me maintain energy.

GeminTheRough posted our photo on her gallery at the airport before they picked us up to take us to Tijuana. We had fun - except her first night was barfy...and then here we are on the sleeved side of business.

I have followed your blogs from the first day I heard about this site and telling us where we could get a blow by blow story. Thank you for the big part you played in my moving forward with the sleeve. You too will soon be my sleeve-sister! Love ya! Reb

Marna - My insurance doesn't cover so I had to fork out either $12,000 minimum in the US or $4500 in Mexico. So you sacrifice the comforts of the USA for surgery but so many others had gone before me - I figured - hey they survived - I will too! I flew to San Diego on Sep 1 - the hospital picks us up at the airport on Sep 2 (morning) - we cross the border and have surgery that afternoon. My return flight was Sep 5 - but I was actually back in the US on Sep 4th and could have flown home that day if I had made my arrangements accordingly. You know how the airlines are about changing flights.

I am doing great - have lots of energy - lost 17 pounds since the 3 days prior to surgery (all liquids) so not bad. Reb

I actually ate half of a nectarine (chewed really good) and then I realized - I probably am not supposed to eat solid food yet because I don't want to stretch the stomach pouch. Anyway - it went down fine and tasted wonderful - but I will refrain from fruit for another two weeks.

Same to you Gem. We got in at midnight last night and I was happy to be home. I hope you are feeling better. I feel pretty normal today except I burp a lot if I drink too fast. When she pulled my drain tube - she pulled out two stitches...this left a 1.3 inch gaping leaking hole. They should have put steri strips on it. Anyway I bought bandaids at the hotel and Kaite patched me up (good to have a nurse!!) so was good till I got home. Thankfully I bought some steri strips a few months ago to have on hand and when I got home I jumped in the shower and patched up really good. Did you have only two stitches left in that drain wound after she pulled the drain??

Amanda that is great and it reinforces my excitement. Friday is my Sleeve Day and I know it will be rough for a while but the very joy of not swooning at the smell of pizza will be a good reminder of why I am here. Did you have sleep apnea? I would be happy if losing the weight gets rid of my CPAP and allergies...and COPD. I really look forward to getting my BMI below 30. Good job --keep on keepin on! Reb_HR That's so you know what I do!

Glad to know the reality of not everyone feels great --not everyone feels bad. A week from today I will be sleeved and hopefully resting comfortably! Stay on VST and keep up the good work!! 12 pounds Wow!

Welcome to the VST site Purple Lady! Sorry to hear you've had a rough time. The good news is - it will get better - I know because everyone here tells me so. I won't be sleeved for another 9 whole days!!!

Check out all the forums - there will be someone who has "leaked" and recovered... plus you'll get tons of ideas for recipes etc. I love this site and spend an hour or so in the evening searching for one more piece of information about anything and everything!

Good luck - drive safe and keep us informed! Reb

Hang in there. Drink something with calories but clear..in case you get light headed.

CONGRATULATIONS!!! I so look forward to seeing those same numbers!!

It sounds like you are down in the dumps and I hope you share this with your family doctor. Sometimes you need a bit of help in the form of medication or talking it out. I struggled for quite a while (mother had to move in with me as her dementia was getting quite bad) before my doctor suggested I try a low-dose anti-depressant (sertralene). It allowed me to sleep better at night and cope with coming home and finding she had peeled a sack of potatoes, cut them in perfect cubes and put them in the dishwasher to cook. She also had a thing about green dish soap and thought it would be great to cook peas in.

So start thinking everyday about something you CAN be thankful for and try to keep moving forward one step at a time. You can do this and this website has lots of wonderful people to encourage you and provide similar stories.

Bless you.

Good Luck and don't forget....a small travel clock, earplugs, and take your own pillow if possible. I sucked all the air out of one of the "space" bags from costco and man - my pillow fits perfect in my suitcase!

Things do happen for a reason and I know you will be better prepared because you have the support (your fiance) with you and the extra time to sluff off some of that yucky looking fat I see in the VSG video. That's enough to make me lose my appetite forever.

Kamay1234 - Remember how you felt 4 weeks before your surgery? Anxious, excited, nervous, possibly hungry... I know in a few weeks you will feel much better. The turning point seems to be somewhere in the 5th week, according to a lot of blogs. Perhaps because they begin to introduce more solid foods. Hang in there Lady! I'll be sleeved in 15 days and you can comfort me.!

Congratulations Sassygirl! I love that you posted so soon after surgery. I'm absorbing every word as my surgery is right around the corner. Be well...keep chewing (the gum) and hopefully you'll get some water really soon! Reb

Hey KB -

16 days to go ...and I know just what you mean by taking a break from VST. I had to get away from all of the "hearsay slammers" that just don't get it. Remember playing "pass it on" as children - we would sit in a circle and whisper something and it would go around the circle. By the time it got back to the beginning - the original message does not even resemble the final message.

That's what happens with gossip and spreading fear with hacker, idiotic emails about doctors who killed their patients blah blah blah. I was ready to never return to this site. But alas, I finally realized some people can't live unless they can rain on a sunny day.

I laughed when I read your treadmill story because a few years ago (8 or so...omg) I had a flutter that had to be checked. I ran for about 30 seconds and thought I was going to die. I started shooting PVCs or something like that and they stopped the test. Eventually the flutters went away - probably about the same time as they discovered I had sleep apnea...and set me up with a CPAP.

It's good to not overly think this journey. We go through the educational stage where we gather information, and then we go through the decision stage followed by the excitement stage and then we settle into being consumed by every piece of information we can get...and finally we move to the ...ok it's just another surgery - let's move on. I think that is why so many people get on VST a LOT before surgery...some after... and then don't respond as much because it is no longer a big deal as they have lost...and lost...and lost more weight.

I look forward to that last stage.

PG80 - Right there with you girl. I have a SF popsicle and a Eco friendly 16 oz cup of "Great Value (WalMart brand)" Cherry Pomegranite flavored water as soon as I get home. That gives me enough "oomf" to get through the warming up my chicken and fixing a big bowl of salad. Here's the trick. I hate to make salad. So on Sunday evening I cut up all the lettuce, carrots, celery, green onion, radish, (no tomatoes yet...add those separate) whatever else in very small pieces. I put all of it in the salad spinner and get all of the water OUT. Then I bag it in a unused shopping bag- and it's great all week long. (Since it's just me - I grab a handful and enjoy with my favorite dressing.) Costco sells chunked chicken already grilled and this is great warmed up and tossed on the salad!. I keep shakes at the ready for work...over ice - they are much better!

Just keep Swimming would be a great Blog that you could continue to post! I love that movie...my first grandson was born during the turtle scenes ...we all said "Hey dude"...when he was born.

ANyway - you came to the right place. My sleeve is a month from today...this very minute - it should be over. I have found so much love and encouragement and help on this site and especially in the CHAT room after work. Phily13, Michele, and several others are routine evening chatters and I love to get caught up every few evenings. Remember - not one person has stated on this website - I didn't lose my weight and I wish I hadn't done it! That's good enough for me!! Reb

You will be just fine. Remember the pain after that little guy was born. We all seem to forget in our joy of loving this new little person. Now it's your turn to start loving the new little person you will be.

I laughed out loud about the bending over to shave. That's the good thing about being nearsighted or far sighted ...whatever I am. I can't see my hairy legs in the shower anyway so I'm sure I miss quite a few. Every now and then I will notice someone staring intently at my chin....yep. A great big giant 1/4 inch hair growing fast and furious...nearly covering my lip, or curling under my chin... where the heck are my pluckers???? It wouldn't matter anyway. I can't see them. So my girls check out my chin and lip every few days...particularly if we are going to Costco or WalMart together. (I wonder why?)You earned those staples... they just barely pinch a teensy bit when they are taken out! :cheer2: Reb

That's right - next year she will be scopin' out what you have on your plate! KB - you inspire me. I know the fat is temporary. (Yes, I've said that for 30 years) but this time...we will have the tools to succeed... primarily a much smaller tool box! Reb

OK - All of you have me smiling big time! Sue - for your incredible writing style and honest application of transferring thoughts to the page. I laughed out loud about the french fry because no matter how naughty that was - it was still perfect and taught you something that most of us might totally miss. You want a BITE - have ONE. Just don't have 54. I mean - honestly - last week I opened a bag of yellow oreos...don't ask me why - but after eating 4 - I heard 3 more calling my name. So I topped off those three with a glass of milk and 7 more so the columns would be even (of remaining cookies). But then I realized...

Ok - enough you know exactly that the NEW truth is - bet you CAN eat just ONE! Lays new ad for the VSG person!

KB - If you wanna shack up with Sue - you're going to have to fight me for her. OK? I mean she is funny and insightful - but so are you.. so maybe we just need a great big VSG commune somewhere in northern Idaho where the skinheads used to live - but the compound is empty now... Do you think we could convince others to join? No kool-aid here.

And Melissa - bless you sweetie - you can have that piece of toast or a tortilla - as a pizza crust maybe ... Just use smaller torillas or use the ROUNDS and make a sort of mini pizza or nacho or taco or burrito...just on a cap instead of in a roll.

How I love reading your comments - all of you! Blessings from Reb in IDAHO!!!

Hey S - It's liquid...so keep a 7-up or sprite on hand to suck down a few sugars to keep those in check. I'm hypoglycemic and can pass out really fast by letting them get too low. Also add the protein WHEY from Walmart to milk and blend it - It's much cheaper than buying the Atkins or EAS shakes. (And they have chocolate peanut butter)

There's a reason the DIET says 4- shakes a day.

I still plan on having 2-liters of regular 7-up available for that ligh-headed headache I get when on all liquids. Good luck...Just think next Wednesday!!! Yahoo! I am excited for you!

Reb

Oh boy has that word "failure" haunted me for many years. Yo yo dietig is the biggest and fastest emotional roller coaster anyone can ride. I think its terrible that WLS is kept a secret - especially in comparison to all the infomercials and advertisements for weight loss programs that only supply short term weight loss. I'm grateful to have found this tool. I havent been sleeved just yet, but I know this time my weight loss goals are attainable, and I will be able to maintain them because I have no choice but to modify my behavior.

Hey KB -

You and I and every other person that is on this website goes through the same thing. I was just telling Melissa about my "last suppers" and eating candy. Who knows why..I certainly have not been a candy hog in the past but for some reason it jumps in my cart and when I get up to checkout...welll there it is.