goldenraisin214

BAM! Congratulations !

Thanks, guys! Rootman, I'm having hubby take monthly pics and I was out of town last month, so I'm going to get back on it and post soon

Yesterday was my stepson's 9th birthday, so we took some pics and video of the festivities. I was nervous to check them out, but when I looked at the pictures and video, I still thought I looked "big," but I didn't feel like I looked "sloppy" and I wasn't disgusted and sad after looking. That's a pretty big deal for me--so yay!

I'm about 4.5 months out and I recently started trying salad greens. It went down fine--it's not really that they disagree with me, it's more that with having to prioritize protein, I rarely have room for "extras" like that. But I missed the taste of salad, so I had some. Same rules apply--chew really well, pause between bites to help gauge when you've had enough...hope this helps.

Kiki, now that you mention it, I did end up having to get more blood drawn by the hospital where I had the surgery--I think it was 1-2 days before the surgery--but it was pretty simple: they took the sample, gave me these wipes to wash with after a shower the night before and morning of, asked a bunch of questions, and sent me on my way. That must have been included in my self-pay amount, because I don't remember getting a bill for it.

I did my preop testing at a different hospital because preop was covered by insurance but the surgery itself wasn't. The doctor gave me an order for specific testing to take to wherever I wanted to get the testing done. I don't think the hospital would care why you were doing it there, as long as they got paid

I was self pay in KY and paid about $16,500, including hospital stay for 2 nights, anesthesia, etc, and 180 days of post op office visits. My pre op testing was covered by insurance, as was the post op bloodwork.

Once a week I drink Smooth Move tea after work. By morning (sometimes in the very wee hours), things are definitely moving. I had issues before surgery though, and things are pretty much the same...

Hi cudlyqt-- I think the answer to your question depends on the time frame you're talking about. I told the nurse/anesthesiologist that I tended to get motion sickness/nausea and they put that little sticker behind my ear before surgery--that pretty much kept me nausea free while in the hospital (I think it was good for 3 days). I did have one episode of dry heaving/retching in the hospital, but oddly enough, I don't remember being nauseous at that time...in terms of further down the road, I am just over 4 months post-op. Plain water still makes me nauseous at times and I get queasy occasionally for no reason, but it doesn't last long and I usually have some juice or a cracker to calm my tummy. It varies of course person to person, but overall I would say it hasn't been bad at all--totally bearable. I'm sure others will chime in with their experiences as well...Hope this helps, and good luck with your surgery!

Thanks Musharooni--be sure to keep us posted on your progress, and welcome

I hope you're right--those couple of lbs will probably fall off now that you're back on your regular schedule...I'll check in with you soon--good luck!

So how was the weekend? Hope you had a good time and didn't worry too much about the scale while you were there 197.6 this morning--hopefully that means that even if it does bounce a bit it will stay under 200! *fingers crossed*

Hi Estrovan, I think most people use a website like myfitnesspal.com or livestrong.com to look up food values. If you're looking for an actual book, I've seen them at bookstores like Barnes and Noble in the diet/health section, but I would imagine that the online versions are more complete and up to date--plus they allow you to add your own items if you can't find what you're looking for. Hope this helps, and congrats on getting your date!

I'm in a stall right now too, and I'm just under 4 months out...I set 900 calories on MFP, but I never get that much in a day--probably more like 700. I'm trying to hold steady in terms of intake, but next week I'll be moving from an exercise regimen that was mostly strength training to one that has mostly cardio, so we'll see if that helps. Hope your stall is a short one!

Enjoy your wonderful long weekend, Janerose. This morning I was 199.6--now if I could only make it stick!

Ouch! Sorry you're having a hard time, Ebony. I agree with Wheetsin: while I was in the hospital, they gave me a bottle of Chloraseptic--had my name on it and everything--I barely used it, but it did help some.

Thanks, Ivy! Janerose, I thought of you too and wondered if you'd made it yet. So funny that we got stuck at the same number! the 1.2 fell off in a week, but here's hoping it doesn't take you that long!

I found the Unjury chicken soup to be pretty good (21g of protein per serving), though as others have said, it is a bit on the salty side...

Congratulations--you're making great progress!!

BAH! The number on the scale keeps bouncing around and it is driving me CRAZY! It had gone up to 201.2 a week ago and today was at 200.0 WHY is my body rebelling against being under 200lbs?!?! I want my onederland back! I only had it for about 3 days, but still...

I've never been a smoker, but I feel like I remember my surgeon requiring patients to be smoke free for 6 months before they would do the surgery. They said if you feel like you cannot/do not want to quit smoking, you need to re-think VSG. I guess it depends on how strong a stance your surgeon want to take...

You look lovely, healthy, and happy! Congratulations!!

janerose, you got this!

I had polish on my toes for my myomectomy and for my VSG. No problems--I was told not to have polish on my fingers for the same reason others have cited.

Thanks for all the encouragement...this morning it was down to 200.4. I tried not to check on it today, but I HAD to!