Hopeful Spirit

Hi October Sleevers. I was sleeved Oct 17, 2011, HW 230, SW 226, CW 143, GW 150. I have also been allowing some bad habits back in and HATE IT! I have allowed myself to finish out the year as is, and get back on track at the beginning of the year. That is a promise I have made to myself and am determined to see it through. I haven't been on this site in ages, and its nice to see some familiar faces/screen names. I hate that we are struggling right now, but don't allow that to get you down. Your sleeve is still there and it still can and will do its job. It's up to us to be accountable. I know, that's the hard part, but WE CAN DO IT!!

Hi girls,
There is a veteran forum here that sounds like it will be really helpful for you.
We have lots of vets that are 3+ years out some dealing with maintenance some with gain and some that never made it to "goal"
5 day pouch test meh...
Not for me thank you..
You need to put the hard work into detoxing from carbs, sugar, junk, and trust me it's HARD!
The minute I open the door to those things my eating habits go downhill fast.
Dense Protein and veggies are the sleevers friends

Hi Oceanblue. What a pretty name.
You bring back a lot of memories. It has ALSO been a long time since I have been on this site, and, quite frankly, I have been avoiding it. I started this topic of "looking for October friends" way back in October, 2011 before my Sleeve Operation (one day before your operation) and well, "petered out" in my posts to this site after I had lost close to 100 pounds in just about 6 months! It was really wonderful way back then -- losing all that weight. But, like you, that wonderful fast downhill journey didn't last for all that long. I have a lot of your same problems with craving carbs (especially sweets) and being hungry. Weight started creeping up slowly. I started at 309 pounds and went down to 209 pounds with a goal of 160. I, also, remember those first 10 pounds gained. But I was not so lucky to stop at that. You are doing much better than me. I managed to add another 16 pounds to that and am now at around 235. So I am pretty concerned as well. I started to see a psychologist and continued going to the Weight Loss Center at Mass General Hospital to see the people there for support, but have been in constant struggle for this past year. I remember feeling SO THIN after I lost the 100 pounds, and NOW I feel fat! It is so funny how we see ourselves.
So I was actually happy to see your entry on this website even though I hardly even recognize this website anymore. I think I will need to start using it again and, like you, start reaching out for support. I don't know what this "5 day pouch test" is, but it doesn't sound good to me. It sounds too much like a diet and for me, diets ALWAYS means weight gain afterwards. The only cure, I think, is learning how to cut down on the carbs and sweets. Sugar is the real culprit. I have made a couple of efforts at curbing my sugar cravings by substituting fruit, which actually worked for awhile, but I somehow fell into my emotional eating pattern again, and the sweets came back.
I wish I could offer you some help or advice now, but I am in your same position, only with more weight gained since my operation. I will have to look for help for the "old-timers" who have maintained their sleeved weight for a long time.
But for now, I just want to tell you that I totally understand and perhaps we can support each other in overcoming this road-block to our weight loss and health goals!
All the best wishes for a happy Thanksgiving and a little turkey and veggies and tiny dessert! I like to remember that Thanksgiving is only a one-day event!
Let me know how you are doing.
Hopefulspirit

Hi Everyone!
I am looking for people who will be having their VSG in October. My surgery is Oct 17 at Mass General Hospital in Boston with Dr. Hutter. Anyone else out there in Massachusetts or Boston? But that isn't necessary to respond. Let's share our thoughts and feelings as this surgery get closer, happens and we start our new lives.
Let me know how you are doing! Looking forward to hearing from you.
Hopeful Spirit.

Hi Everyone! I have been using and enjoying the forums on VST but only just today found this "Boston Area Site". Great! I am from Boston (Allson neighborhood) and had my Surgery on October 17 at Mass General Hospital. They have a great program and have done a fair amount of Sleeves. My surgeon, Dr. Mathew Hutter, told me he had done 20 before me and others in the MGH Program had done as many or more. 20 seemed low to me, but he was a very well respected Gastrointestinal Surgeon at MGH and had done hundreds of BiPass surgeries as well as other GI surgeries involving cancer, etc., so I trusted him. And he was WONDERFUL. I couldn't have been happier. I had absolutely no complications and I am 66 years old. Mass General was the only hospital I could find in the area that took people over 65 for this surgery. The hospital care was great and the pre-surgery and post-surgery nutritional guidance and psychological care are also excellent. The only problem is that the non-insurance out of pocket costs are higher than most of the hospitals in the area. It costs $1,045 paid in two payments before surgery for the educational and support part of the MGH Weight Center program, but the support is excellent and the program is life-time support. Another issue is that it usually takes a long time to get an appointnment since they are very busy. But most of the people I have talked to say that it was worth it.
If you all still want to have a "Regional Meeting" we can meet at my house if you would like, or maybe I can find some space at one of the local universities. Let me know what you think.
Phyllis, aka Hopeful Spirit

Hi Leah, my October 17 Sleeve Sister!!
Sounds like your post surgery experience was very difficult which I am really sorry to hear. But it also sounds like things are getting slightly better every day, which is good. Hold on to the thought of your progress, and also hold on to the support of your husband which sounds like it is good. You will make it through this.
I can say a little bit about diarrhea since I have had it since I left the hospital on 10/19. It has really worn me out, and at first I thought it was normal -- you know liquids in and liquids out -- but I finally took this problem to my doctor. She thought it was lactose intollerance and told me that it was very common after all GI surgery. I was, indeed, using a lot of milk products for my liquid Protein, so I have had to change over to soy-based Protein powder and soy milk and Lactaid. Apparantly it takes about a week to improve, but I have noticed an improved difference. This doesn't happen after I take my medication like it happens to you, and if you only have it ast that time, and no other time, you may have a totally different situation from lactose intolerance. I just thought I would tell you my experience if it may help you.
I have even more experience with anxiety than I do with diarrhea , and if medication helps, it is good. It doesn't mean you have to take it forever. You are going through a difficult time. Everyone responds to things differently. You had major surgery, and this is how you respond to your particular circumstances. That is totally okay. It also sounds like the medication is working in that you were able to leave your house for the first time since surgery and do the awsome motherly task of getting your son ready for Halloween!! Yippee!!
And, by the way, you are doing much better than me in the exercise department!! 10 min at a time on the treadmill. I have to admit that I have trouble walking 10 min at a time.
So hang in there. You should be losing some weight by now, aren't you? That should make you feel good!!
All good things to come for you, my dear,
Phyllis, aka Hopeful Spirit

Hi Sandy, my Sommerville friend!
I will be thinking of you tomorrow morning. I also had the first surgery, early in the morning and even though I didn't like getting up at 4 am to get to the hospital at 6 am, I was really to get it over with early rather than later. That way you are in your room by early afternoon.
Sorry to hear that you have to spend your "clear liquid day" collecting candy with your son, but it is what it is. Just keep that Water bottle at your side at all times and keep sipping. I found that I drank a lot of fruit2O and Propel flavored water on my "liquid day". The artificial sweetness helped. This is interesting because now, after surgery, I don't care for it, and much prefer unsweetenend beverages.
Keep your eye on the prize (!!) and all good luck for a smooth recovery. Let's get together when you are up to it. I am only across the river!
Phyllis, aka Hopeful Spirit