Lisa821

Oh wow! I really have a hard time believing the changes in just a month. The pics show more than I can feel. I knew my jeans were looser and I could feel less chub in my belly when I'm sitting down. This is great to see the difference. The swim shorts I am wearing in the pics are actually loose!! I actually think my middle belly roll has disappeared and I'm starting to get my old hour glass shape emerging. I never thought I would be able to post pics but I'm just so happy that I really just want to share my happiness. My husband has said he noticed the changes but I thought he was just being nice. Now I can see what he is talking about. I am thrilled with my sleeve so far. No, it hasn't been all fun and games. There has been tough times and I know there will be more. The 3rd week stall really ticked me off. However, i got through it and proceeded to drop 6 pounds during the last 8 days. I really can't complain about that.

I just attempted to attach the pics in order for you. I've never posted pics before so I hope this works. Thanks to everyone for all of their support. Big hugs! Lisa     

I've read articles and talked to sleevers who mention "head hunger" and "true hunger". They said immediately after surgery u feel head hunger. Your brain wants u to eat, which means your old habits are speaking not true hunger which happened preop when u haven't eaten in 4 hours. Another confusion with hunger that I've heard about is when a sleevers has gas or acid or bloating. In those cases a sleevers needs advice from the doctor on an acid reducer or how to use over the counter gas reducers. Our doctors and nutritionists are wonderful resources on this topic.

Awesome! I love your post! Can't wait until I get to post it as my observation of me.

I will admit that I thought I was tougher than I actually am. I get very discouraged with the postop diet, trying to get enough protein/water/calories, being more fatigued for the last 3 wks and the stalls. When did I turn into such a whimp?! Lol. This support site has been the thing that keeps me on the edge of sanity. The wonderful people give kind encouraging words. I feel like I should give that to the next new sleevers. I want to help those who may be stuggling like I have been. It's just so much change, diet info and emotions. Just want you all to know that I'm here for you too.

This is how my wt has dropped this week. Down 1 pound on Sat, Sun and Mon. Total -3lbs. 0 on Sun. Up 1 pound Tues, but got my monthly "visitor" as well. 0 on Wed. Then down one on Thurs and Fri. Wow! Big change since that 3rd wk stall! A net loss of 4 in a wk!! I'm really happy with that. I said it before and I'll say it again, "it DOES keep getting better, just like they said it would"! Hang in there everyone who is frustrated in their first few weeks postop. I was in your shoes. I didn't believe them when they said that. But its true!! I promise. Big hugs

Yesterday the GasX gave more relief than Omeprazole. Perhaps the feeling is from something I'be been eating lately? I have never been someone with a gassy stomach just developed bad heartburn during later months of,my four pregnancies and when very obese. I don't feel like I have to burp and if I tried I don't burp. I'm thinking about taking a step backwards to mushies again to see if it's diet related. I'm fustrated though. I really want to keep eating eggs and meat cuz I need the Protein. I really had/have a hard time homing down Protein Shakes and drinks. I went to chew my protein. Any one else feel that way.

I am willing to say the Omeprazole is not working. Last night I tried a liquid, Maalox, and maybe got a tiny bit of relief. This morning I woke up with this nasty feeling again. I still took the Omeprazole, 2 hours ago, cuz that's all I had on hand. I just ate something now in case it was because I was empty. The feeling is still there. I'm ready to try a different approach. I just took a GasX strip cuz maybe it's gas and bloating. All I know is that I can't tolerate much more so I am willing to try almost anything. If the GasX doesn't work, I will go buy Nexium or Prilosec or other acid reducer OTC. Maybe I will email my doctor's office too? Yeah, I'm gonna do that right now. Thanks to everyone who has responded. Keep me updated if you figure out something that works for you. Like I said, I will try almost anything at this point.

I wish I could help you with the ticker but I can't figure out to get to it so I can update it. Nothing happens when I click it. That's why it stills say 23# lost when I'be actually lost 28. Honestly, I have just given up on the stupid thing and plan to make a new one later. Sorry.

I was always freezing and still am. Curious about how I will feel during our Minnesota summer. Also, out on my motorcycle....hmmmmm?

Con- trying to understand all the post diet stuff. I think some of my decreased ability to comprehend came from the drastic reduction in calories. I sort of feel off. I am clearing up lately but keep in mind I spent the first 3 weeks severely fatigued despite sleeping normally. I believe it was my body's response to surgery and it trying to heal itself.

No regrets tho, just challenges.

I'm 4 wks out today and I'm down 28. Congrats on your success!

I'm 4 wks postop and suddenly today I started feeling something weird in my epigastric region.not sure if its true nausea cuz its sort of like a bloated feeling and acid reflux. I felt a milder version of this two days ago so I had restarted Omeprazole, which I used to take religiously for acid reflux, twice a day. Anyone else feel this? It also reminds me of how I used to feel, preop, an I was ravenously hungry and my stomach would feel "sick". Like if I hadn't eaten in over 4 hours.

emily:

Thanks for your comments! Any advice on how to update my ticker? Also, I just wanted to comment that my doctor said I may lose 100+ pounds but I don't really want to. I believe 90 is the absolute most I would want to lose because I want to be able to maintain the weight loss long term. However, I do know that some people have posted that they don't have a problem maintaining their weight loss after VSG. I just really hope to be spending most of my "off work" time doing things with my family and not furiously working out to maintain my weight. The biggest reason I had this surgery was so I could relieve the stress on my back, reduce the bulging discs and in turn allow me less pain and MORE active fun with my family. I have missed out on WAY too many activities due to my back pain, risk of further back injury and this was mostly due to my obesity. I will be under 200 in just 9 more pounds. It has been over 4 years since I've been under 200 and even then I was 197 for just about 4 months. I had been doing Atkins. Soon after I catapulted to 235 in a matter of two months. I am so glad those days are over!! Thanks again for all of your support!

I just got back from my follow up appt with my nurse practitioner. She agreed to follow me after I had the VSG in Mexico. She ordered labs today and I'm interested to see if I have any deficiencies. I'm lucky to have her because she is in complete support of the VSG and doesn't judge people on anything! It didn't even phase her that I chose to go to Mexico to have it done. I had many people get eyes as big as saucers when I told them I sent to Mexico for my surgery. Those kind of people drive me nuts. They have proven to be the type that watch too much TV and believe all the negative reports they hear on TV. I conducted my own independent research before I went. By the way, I also think a few of those "negative" people are just jealous. That's just my opinion.

bikerchik: I love your ticker with the MC on it! Can I ask what kind of MC do you ride?

I am 4 wks postop today. I'm down 28 pounds and very happy about it. It was hard at first with pain, thirst, intense restriction and fatigue. The 3rd wk was the turning point. I could eat more comfortably, the fatigue started to lessen and I felt the weight loss in my clothes. Others said they noticed the weight loss but for some reason I don't believe them. Maybe i'm weird. I'm about one third the way to my goal which is to lose 90 pounds. so anyone who is struggling, hang in there it DOES get better like they say. Big hugs.

That is so awesome! Congrats!! I will be 4 weeks tomorrow and am very happy I have my sleeve too. I can't seem to figure out how to change my ticker either. I think I will remove it and make a new one. Ive lost 27 pounds but that was expected as I had a lower BMI and about 90 lbs to lose to get to goal. I'm very happy for you and for myself. I wish you the best on the rest of your journey!

Yesterday I dropped a pound and again today! Yay, this stall has gone by. But I heard there will likely be more.

I remember feeling like that too. I was about 12 days postop as well. (I'm almost 4 wks postop now) I noticed it first and didn't say anything to my hubby. Then I noticed I also could get my feelings hurt much easier than before too. After that realization I opened up to my husband and he agreed that he had noticed I was more sensative. He hadn't noticed the snotty attitude that would crop up at the end of the day. We talked about it and came to the conclusion that it's likely a "food withdrawl", possible a blood sugar change and that it will pass. I apologized and have tried hard to be aware of it since. I believe the snotty attitude is in check but I still have episodes of ultra-sensativity. For me, it is because I would use food to "deal" with emotions and now I can't. I actually have to face them. I want to say I also have a high stress job and it makes me wonder about the correlation between us "high performance women" and obesity/overeating. I'm holding the hopes that this emotional stuff will pass as I continue to face my issues with my therapist. I love this forum! Thank you for being here everyone! Big hugs.

I remember the first day I was able to try an egg. I was so sure I could eat one. It was about 2 1/2 weeks post op. I cooked it up, threw in a couple small nuggets of sausage (I was making my husband Breakfast too and he loves sausage), and sat down to eat it. I was still thinking I would be able to consume the whole egg. Oh but I was so wrong. I ate 3/4 of one egg and I was full. I was so shocked. Also, I remember the remaining egg looked and smelled good too. However, I was done. It was so weird. I sat back and smiled. I had always hoped for the day where I could feel satisfied with smaller portions and that day had come. Since then (I'm now almost 4 wks postop) I've had more of these situations. Yesterday my "3rd wk stall" broke and I lost a pound! Today I'm down one more pound. What a relief.

Good luck on your journey!

Hey cool! I'm gonna try to find that BariWise. Ive had some Crystal Light but it's too artificial for my taste. Where can I get that lemonade?

Omg!! Not only do you look like a princess, you are also SMOKING HOT!! I know exactly what you are talking about with your behaviors at dances. Your story gives me happiness for you and hope for me. I am 25 days postop and have been on a 2 1/2 wk stall. I have been reading the NSVs for hope and your story has done it! Thank you so much for posting it! You inspire me! Keep rocking it!!!

I don't know why but I crave lemonade. The really intense kind. Such as the brands "simply Lemonade" and "Calypso". It could be from needing more fluids but not sure. Anyone crave it too? Or post your own odd craving.....

I have noticed that my "non work" clothes are looser. I'm a nurse and wear scrubs everyday and they are tailored to be loose. However, in my jeans and other clothes I have noticed they fit right out of the dryer. Before I would have to put them on at least 2 hours to going in public just to give them time to stretch out. LOL. ohhhh the games we play. I am getting 600-700 calories a day and about 50g Protein. I know my protein should be more but I just have the hardest time getting it all in. Previously I was 400-500 cal/day and 25-30g Protein. I'm happy for the progress. I don't really crave junk. All I crave is Water. Well yesterday I craved cheese cake. My aunt makes the best cheese cake on Thanksgiving and I did have a bite after I ate the stuff that was good for me. I'm able to eat about 4 tablespoons of food at a time. I think that's about the usual volume at this stage of postop. Sometimes I would say my sleeve feels empty but I can't say that I've felt true hunger. This is all good. Thank you for your support!

Burgandy,

I'm in the same boat. I feel your frustration! We can get through this! I am trying hard to keep faith by using this site, the NSV's and the wonderful people on here. There are many people with great experience posting on this site. I am so thankful that they are willing to share their experience, strength and hope with us. Hang in there. I'm right along side you.

Big hugs, Lisa

When I first stopped losing weight I was "ok" with it cuz I had been dropping wt fast. It took about a week for me to begin to get frustrated with the stall. Then I read about the 3rd wk stall and I was back feeling ok. I have graduated up to ground meats and cottage cheese so I have been getting twice the Protein I was getting and about 200 more calories/day. I thought that might kick wt loss back into gear. Sadly, no. I read what others have posted about being patient and that with this kind of restriction we can't help but lose. However, my stall has been two weeks and I am really frustrated. I did have some concerns about Constipation but I have found that has cleared but still no wt loss. It is so clear to me how my mind will "talk me down" and get me in a spin about negative thoughts. This is clearly part of the reason I am obese. My crazy mind has been taking me down the negative road that says "you just paid to have a surgery, go through pain, extreme fatigue and all you're gonna get is a 24 pound loss". I have to work hard to stop those thoughts and turn them into positive ones. I am aware that I would like to eat those negative feelings away. I just can't because of the restriction and the restriction reminds me that I will lose weight. Rarely, in my past, was I ever aware that I was looking to eating as a way to numb negative feelings. I knew I did, the evidence was there but I just didn't "see" it when it was happening. Awakening to this is a positive thing. It doesn't change my frustration with the stall but it does give me the hope I need at this time.

I went to Mexcali Nov 2nd and had my vsg by Dr Almanza. I felt so weird in San Diego too. I just couldn't believe it was real. That the day had finally come. Everything goes smoothly. They know what they are doing and you will feel like a part of their family almost instantly. Welcome to the journey!

Big hugs!