k8bwalsh

Hate me - I know I aleady wrote a book - but I forgot - I can't do carbonation. I don't really miss it (yet) - but I tried to have a beer in early June, and it hurt my stomach and I had to give the rest of the can to my hubby. So far, that's the only thing I can't do. I'm scared to try a coke, because that was my favorite. I would like to keep believing that all carbonation will hurt my stomach so that I don't get started on it. I did start drinking diet iced tea about 3 months after surgery - not as much caffeine as coffee - but I needed something.... I eased into it, and only allowed myself one cup a day until after my 6 month mark. Now I have as much as I want. Anyway - good luck!!

Hi Heather,

Boy does your story sound pretty similar to mine! I'm a little older, I'm now 39....Last time I was in a bikini, I was probably 3 years old. And much like you, I saw myself getting bigger and bigger each school year! Funny, I recall 4th grade being the age when I became super-self concious about it, too. And I remember in 7th grade boys teasing me that I must weigh 200 lbs. I was comforted by the fact it wasn't true - I was 'only' about 190 (not that I told THEM that!!) In college I gained more weight, lost it after college, but never really felt thin. I think I was a size 12 for a few weekes, but mostly 18-20. Slowly, (or maybe it was rather quickly) after getting married and having two children, I hit my worst couple years where I kept bouncing between 275 and 300 (size 22-24), and couldn't seem to break the cycle. My sister's friend had gastric by-pass, my brother's frined had the DS surgery ~ both were huge successes!! That's when I started looking into surgerical options. One thing I found out from my siblings friends was that both of them have ungodly smelling gas (sorry if that grosses you out - just being honest) and both of them have to take a very large amount vitamins and pills every day, throughout the day, to keep their bodies in balance. Both of these, I, personally, was not comfortable with. The lap band seemed a good option, but I wasn't comfortable with the fact you have to go back to the doctor frequently to have it adjusted. Sounded like a lot of time off of work to me...plus, painful, as someone told me they can't always find the port on the first try, since it's under your skin. Yikes!! VSG seemed like the best option to me. Like you, I wanted a permenant solution. So, I fulfilled all the requirements (nutritionist, psycholgist, etc), including, after 25 years of smoking, I quit smoking. Wow! I must be serious!! [i am ashamed to admit I never even really quit all the way when I was pregnant, although I had cut down for them.] And I gained nearly 30 lbs after quitting, but was comforted to know that I was having the surgery soon. I hit my all time high of 329. Blah, I was so uncomfortable. I actually had to go out and buy two size 26 pants to get me thru!! The day of the surgery I asked a nurse if I was doing the right thing. And she told me I'd be a different person in a year. I'd never regret it. Well, I had my surgery a little over 6 months ago (January 26, 2011). As of yesterday, I have lost 70 pounds so far! The doctor told me I could expect to lose 60% of my excess weight by the 1 year mark. And I'm right on track. At my 6 month visit, I had lost 35% of my excess weight. I have to be honest, I do have to work at it. But a little bit of work results in a big drop! Unfortunately, over Easter I learned that chocolate does not make me feel sick and I could eat it all day long. I had to stop myself. But don't we all have to do that in the long run? I didn't lose much over the Easter season b/c I dipped into my kids stash prior to Easter.... But then I said to myself this is serious and I better not look like an ass after having that surgery!!! I started following the weight watchers plan, which I already had all the books and points sliders for. I didn't join weight watchers - don't get me wrong - and I know they've completely changed the program since I last went. However, it's just a way for me to keep track of what I put in my mouth and to make sure that I'm getting the protien I need. I keep a food journal. That, I think, is the most important thing for me. It's a tool that I need to use to ensure that I am not eating too much junk, which can happen with the sleeve. I have to say, it's difficult to get all my points in sometimes. I think that's my favorite part!! I need to be creative so that I meet the daily points requirements. Not saying that is what will work for you - and in fact I have never read anything in this forum that has shown anyone else does this method. They might have a food journal, but noone's ever said it followed the weight watchers plans... And it's not something I started doing until after the Easter candy fiasco. And exercise.... I just walk and swim. I walk, and walk and walk. When it's nice enough out, I swim laps in my pool. I was hoping my knees would get better as I lost weight, but am finally getting an x-ray to see if there's more to it, because even though they are not as painful, I still have pain that prevents me from doing vigerous cardio. But I have so much more energy! I feel amazing. My kids are happier because I'm able to do more with them (plus I don't smoke anymore, so already I feel like a better mom!) I have NO trouble digesting ANY food what-so-ever. Steak, which is one of my favorites, and both gastric by-pass and DS patients typically have issues with, is digested just fine by me! Although, it was a big adjustment learning to put less my plate....my mind said I wanted 'this much' but my new stomach could only handle a small portion of it! But the nicest part of all???? My new stomach was FULL from that small portion ~ and I was NOT hungry after eatting the small portion. I was amazed!!!! I'm still amazed, but I'm getting used to it. Veggies fill me up so fast! I feel like I'm eating like a skinny person (oh, half a sandwich is WAY too much for me! lol!!) The best part is, I'm beginning to believe that I will soon be that skinny person I'm eating like. And my farts don't stink. (Ok, well, no worse than they ever did...) And I only have to take a daily vitamin pill (Centrum), and once a week take a vitamin D pill. That's it. I think skinny people do the same or similar thing, right? And since the hunger hormone is produced in your stomach, and my stomach was cut out - I NEVER get hungry. I get empty - but not hungry. It's the craziest thing. You know when you get so hungry, that you just binge on whatever is placed in front of you? Well, I'm starting to forget what that's like. Just a few bites of food fills me up and I dont' have any urge or desire to binge. Sorry for being so long - but one last thought - since you wanted honesty..... The doctor told me I'd lose, then plateau, then lose, then plateau, then lose. And he was right. I set 10 lbs goals at a time...As soon as I get to my next goal weight, I think it'll be easy to get to the next 10 lbs off...but it seems like it takes forever, then, boom! I start losing again. I finally believe I will NEVER see 300 again, never see 290 again, never see 280 again, and never see 270 again. I am now struggling at around 260. Just saw 259 on the scale yesterday for the first time! I couldn't wipe the smile off my face all day OMG - at 250 I'm treating myself to a real massage in a spa!!!!! Anyway - good luck with your decision. I don't regret doing it ~ it's the best decision I ever made! Hope whatever you decide it is the decision that will reverse your life-long weight loss battle.

Great List! Really got me thinking.... I'm having surgery Jan 26th, and here's what I am most looking forward to:

10: Wrapping a regular size towel around me after I shower. Not a bath sheet! Just a regular towel.

9: Putting my 'skinny' rings on again. I miss them, especially my thumb ring.

8: Being able to tie my sneakers without getting out of breath from leaning over.

7: Being able to go on a roller coaster with my children (ages 8 & 5).

6: Feeling confident going for a walk on the beach without hiding under a big t-shirt and shorts. I haven't worn a bikini since I was 4. I'll be just as happy to wear a tank-ini!

5: Joining exercise classes. I've especially always wanted to joing a swimming aerobics class. I just know I'll love it, but have always been too embarrassed.

4: Going for a bike ride with my children around the neighborhood without my fat a$$ falling asleep because it's hanging over the teeny-tiny seat.

3: Being able to slide into any booth in any restaurant.

2: Buying a watch or a bracelet without trying it on first!

1: Not having the feeling that I'm going to break the chair during my kindergartners parent-teacher conferences when they make me sit in his seat!

Goodness! I can probably think of 10 more given enough time!! Thanks for the idea!