kyllfalcon

I keep dreaming that my double-bag-o-jello-butt gets so baggy that it has rolls...

You're cuter than a speckled pup! And your family looks so beautiful.

All my surgical scars stay red for about a year or more. Eventually they turn white but it takes a while. VSG scars are no different - still red.

I tried the chicken soup and found it incredibly salty. Otherwise it would have tasted good.

You can get a six-pack of those sugar free syrups at a reasonable price on Amazon. You can't pick ala carte, but the sets have really good flavors.

I use the KitchenAid ice cream maker attachment for the stand mixer. Love it.

Be patient. I am 8 or 9 weeks out, I forget, and just a couple of weeks ago I was lamenting to hubby that food was no longer a pleasure but a big old pain in the butt. But that is rapidly changing. Yesterday the company ordered pizza for lunch, so I thought I would give it try, planning to eat just the toppings of a pepperoni pizza made by a local pizzaria. I thoroughly enjoyed pulling the cheesy tomatoey topping off and savoring it. Then I thought I might eat the thin but not crispy crust, and finished about 2/3 of it. I felt stuffed for 5 - 10 minutes, then the feeling went away. It was worth it! And lately I have been enjoying homemade cheeseburgers without the bun. I can only eat half of a cooked patty with real cheddar, but it is oh-so-delicious. And it does not make me feel bad in any way, physically or otherwise! Hang in there, it will and does get better!

I went to a seminar in October, 2011. First visit about three weeks later. Could have scheduled before the end of 2011 but that would have been catastrophic workwise. I deliberately post-poned to March, 2012 until it was a better time for my work situation. I was self-pay.

spartmsu, YOU GUYS HAD TWINS AT 51????? That is unbelievable!!! Congratulations! (and better you than me )

My grandchildren are 7 and 9, and so far they haven't noticed. I can remember being 7 and not noticing that they next door neighbor was heavily pregnant. My older sister pointed out the big belly and explained to me what was happening. I don't think it will matter. I agree with the other poster that young children focus on faces and voices.

It took several months of constant thought, analysis and worry for me to come to grips with having most of my stomach removed. At first I just could not wrap my head around having the sleeve, and was instead considering the band. I also struggled not just with the reduction of a major organ but the resulting life style changes. I worried about my life with my spouse, family dinners, work situation, you name it. I forced myself to "pretend" a day in my life as it would become. I forced myself to "pretend" family gatherings and business luncheons. Over time, the pretending showed me that it really wouldn't be so bad, and I came to grips with it all. I have no regrets... not even the thousands of dollars I spent as self-pay! Your concerns seem perfectly normal. Just keep researching, thinking, planning. You'll find your answers.

Just type in an ingredient or food name in the Search box on her website.

Panera's tomato soup.

Don't intend to be a wet blanket, but I find that the "no hunger" thing doesn't apply to me! I still get physically hungry!! And have from the first day post-op. I'm not speaking of cravings and head hunger - I mean stomach-is-empty-and-demands-food hunger!

Not every lab or hospital performs the H Pylori test. I had to have the test done in another town because no lab or hospital in my town could do it. Better check first! Fortunately, the test was negative so there was no delay.

Wheetsin, I am one of those arthritis sufferers and chose VSG in part due to being able to take NSAIDS afterwards. BUT... I had to go off all NSAIDS for one week pre-op and six weeks post-op. My surgeon said that NSAIDS can slow or stop the healing process and regardless of severity of arthritis would not permit any exceptions. He also stopped hormones one month pre-op and 3 weeks post-op, plus all steroids 30 days before/after surgery.

Yes. It contains naproxen which is an NSAID.

No idea what the funny feeling is .... but 6 months out and down 100 pounds and in your mid-50s??? You are some kinda sleever, that's for sure!! Way to go!!

MinaT, Wow! That's a long liquid period! Best of luck on your upcoming surgery. Please post as soon as you are able. I truly hope your experience hosting family events goes as well as it did for me. Just like old times, without the bloat and heartburn!

Kathy, I know what you meant about your daughter! My kids moved away with all my grandkids too, but I'm lucky in that they still live close enough to drive home for holidays and other family events. It must be incredibly hard for those with kids still at home and/or a non-cooperative spouse.

OMG!!! What a transformation!! You look lovely, and you have a beautiful family. Looks like hubby has dropped a little weight too?

I am a good cook and as the self-appointed matriarch of the family have always loved to put on big family dinners. Some of my major concerns pre-surgery were that I might somehow develop an aversion to food or the smell of food, and that I might no longer like or want to keep up the family dinner traditions given that I would be limited in partaking thereof. Along comes Mother's Day, 8 weeks out... We traditionally have the first big cookout of the year on Mother's Day, with all the kids and grandkids in attendance. We prepared the traditonal list of grilled goodies, such as cheeseburgers, hot dogs, brats with all the fixins' such as chili sauce, kraut, corn on the cob, mac & cheese, baked Beans, and most glorious of all... two homemade New York cheesecakes with raspberry coulis!! So darn good!! The Victory is that I enjoyed cooking and serving just as much as I ever did. I ate a bite or two or most things (skipped the corn on the cob and the green salad, and left off the buns), including the cheesecake. It was a major relief to sail through the first event and still feel normal! Looks like Thanksgiving is still a go! No one commented on the small amount I ate, but they did notice the weight loss!

It's rainy today, as was yesterday. But that's ok - keeps the bluegrass blue!

My surgeon asked about stairs, and when I told him I had a flight to deal with, he said just take them one at a time, putting first one then the other foot on the same step, and go slowly.

Dang!!! That's a remarkable Before/After!! You turned out real purdy!!