Pookeyism

YUP! Hubby bought me several pairs of wool leggins and I wear them constantly when home. He also got me several layers of school socks that are heavy cotton so I can be warm at work. And a heated matress pad! The matress pad is awesome. I never dreamed I would need such things in HOUSTON. We have extra blankets that never leave the living room, just in case. I wear my hubby's gear from Alaska alot. North Face, North Face, North Face.

I would think you probably could shrink your tummy a little, but backing off the fluids at mealtime is probably enough. The stomach has alot of elasticity. But shrinking or stretching it is a long term effort.

My husband has had food stuck for almost a day before he would let me take him to the ER. Food getting stuck due to a constriction or bone or Fiber in food catching the throat was, according to my great- grandmother, a very bad way to die. People used to die of this, UGH! Actually people still do - according to the doctor who saw my Hubby. It can cause a reaction that causes Water to build up in the lungs, or if you have an existing heart condition it can cause a heart attack.

Are you keeping up with a support group? These are the things we need to look out for - and you are lucky to be headstrong enough to recognize them for old patterns. If you need it, this is one of the things the counseling will help with - but you need to also find strength - we all do that differently. Good luck - and perhaps stop looking at summer as some end all goal - you have 40 lbs to lose and a WHOLE SUMMER to fill full of activities to burn it off in, while being amazed at what you can do now that you couldn't last summer. Maybe look at it like that? I was 279 last January. I am 212 now. From size 26-ish to baggy 18 some 16 - and I can't wait for summer! Literally! I am going canoing on the Colorado River for the first time in FOREVER in April! Good luck.

So many good posts! But I want to mention the part where you referenced lack of will power and that the sleeve will help when you want to eat a big piece of cake - it won't help that. It will make you less phisically hungry, but it will not cure the head hunger that tells you that you want cake. The "head hunger" is something you want to be in as much control of - or at least understanding and recognition of, before you undergo surgery. The pre-diets that insurance companies make you go through, and enough emphasis is not put on AT ALL, do so much more than just qualify you for surgery or get you in a better physical state to undergo anestisia and surgery - that is when you begin to deal with your issues, and really begin to get an understanding of life after. I too am 38 and I began to think about the bypass about 10 years ago - I had a rapid unexplained weight gain (very long story) and was not able to do the things I am used to and panicking because it wouldn't come off. I decided no way on the bypass about 7 years ago, and then lapband, and then no go there, too many complications. Then the VGS and I chose that. I do not have any regrets so far - I was sleeved 1/4. George (my sleeve) has had some issues and we are still mainly on liquids but I feel better each day. I tried sooo hard before I finally decided to go with VSG. I understand the desire to be able to say "I did it on my own". But I am doing it on my own. I decided on the surgery, arranged it, paid for it, I put the food in my mouth and record my intake and take my Vitamins and exercize. The medical side would have been there to one extent or another anyway. Teh surgery was just a different type of prescription - that is how I am looking at it. Prayers for you as you make your decisions!

The dims for the pool should be posted somewhere - I bet the gym will even have a chart. Good luck.

If you are feeling too tight I could definately consider it, I can get in about 2 oz almost 6 weeks out just about every 45 minutes if I do regular small swallows. Beyond that I get the burps and I can even get a kind of spazy feeling in my stomach like little jerks - and it can push it through too fast also. If I sat and drank 4 oz I would be way too uncomfortable. 1 oz is a snooch less than 30 cc. Our stomachs were generally reduced to 50cc-65cc and possibly a little more. So 2 oz exceeds alot of peoples pouches. if you have a 90cc pouch you could just hold 3 oz. Liquids pass which is why we can consume faster, but for some, especially for the first few or even several weeks, you would be better to treat liquids just like anything else. Have you ever cut yourself and left a very clean, deep gash? If you did do you recall the way it raised up and swelled? That is what our stomachs are doing now, except it is doing it in a very acidic environment and it wasnt just cut, it was pushed around and tugged on and cauterized. It is going to take time. Be careful not to irritate it anymore than it probably already is. Okay sleevers chime in, I want to be sure I gave good measurements!

Yes, the 1/2 cup is a bit much - 8 oz. to a measuring cup so that is 4 oz. switch to about an ounce at a time and see if that helps. If it does you know it is the serving size. Good luck.

When did you have your surgery, what are youup to eating now, and about how much do you eat?

1/4 here and I am well. I have been fighting some sort of allergy or somethign for the last 5 months or so and it is bad today. My eyes are almost psoriasis like - ugh. At least is isn't sleeve related, lol.

You have my most heartfelt wishes and ample prayers. May you choose the path that is correct for you.

I had very regular periods before the surgery as far as cycle goes, but they were always very intense, and very painful. The days fluxuated but predictably (moderate 1st, xxx heavy 2nd, heavy3rd&4th). Only had two so far after and one followed JUST after and was early, I was on pain meds still so I don't know if the pain was bad or not, lol. The next was like clockwork again - but ligher and I don't think I hurt as much.

My husband actually gained a bit of weight over the last 16 months or so to the point that he is probably as heavy as he has ever been. he carry's it well and so to many he is just another bigger-than-average guy, but I do know it bothers him. He is a true foodie and loves to cook - actually he cooks twice a month for his faternal org. and is always the one all of our friends wants to bring the sides to a cookout, etc. I do not think he could ever be happy with the sleeve. I do not think he needs it actually. He never really had any weight issues until a few years ago, so I think he could catch himself if he tries, but he has to be ready to try. I have stepped up and made some guidelines, however. he has to pack his lunch 2-3x week (he will not let food go to waste so if he packs it, I know he will eat it). I have refused fast foods. He is restricting his fast food intake so that I do not ban it outright. I talked him into getting a gardner for our home last August and I regret it - he spent hours in the garden and I know it ate up calories. I am on a subtle mission to make him convinced no one does it as well as he does (which is largely true) so he wil get back into the yard - that way I don't have to say "go burn calories". I am expressing concerm for walking in my neighborhood alone at night - the only weekday times I can get in a long walk other than on treadmill. I actually have no concerns but let's keep that between us! He dislikes me being scared at night, so he now walks with me, almost without fail. And finally I focus on our outings and weekends, minimal TV, maximum active fun. I hope to see him shed a few pounds, and that will encourage him on his own to pay more attention, etc. I had hoped to be in mushies and near solids but that has not worked out, but once I do I am going to make every evening a "show me how to make this" - so we will make a healthy meal every evening. I am doing sublte things that I hope will pay out in a big way.

UGH!

It's okay to be scared. Just do all of the research you can - get in as much counseling as you can - address the issues that have helped keep you overweight BEFORE the surgery, and go through the threads here AND TAKE NOTES! No kidding! notes will be so helpful! God bless and keep me posted!

Yay! labido os gewd! Seriously, that is awesome! I was told I am no longer diabetic, and it was the best news!!!

I had a leak test and insisted on a drain but I just wanted to be very sure I had no issues - even with that I was back in for another barium drink about 3 weeks out due to complications, and I had not transitioned off liquids yet. Things that make you go "hmmmm"...

Awesome - I am doing a zombie 5k in December! It sounds a ways off but I have to lose more weight before I can run with my knee.

It is such a rough road for some of us. It does get better - and you are sleeved! yay!

Ok - I have been getting a dream that I am at my house and this Publisher's Clearinghouse type of get up shows up and they go "Congradulations on your weight loss" - and I am all happy because in my dream I have lost to my goal - but then they go! "PUNKED! You never got the surgery! It was all a joke!" And I wake up...WT@! Anyone had any odd ones like that?

I self-paid so can't say I fought with insurance. In other instances with mt insurance I demand to talk to a specialist and kinda check to see how knowledgeable they are...and I always make them email me the part of my policy they are referencing. They hate that. I possibly could have had my costs reduced if Ihad been diagnosed with a haital hernia but I knew I did not have one so I did not even try. Perhaps you have something like that that needs to be worked on anyway. It would reduce the cost drastically. One important thing - don't be too quick to get your surgery - be absolutely sure you are in a good mental state to do this. Just because you can or even if it is do or dont for awhile, does not mean you should. There are alot of people on here who have jumped in on minimal requirements and not dealt with why they are obese to begin with. It can be very detremental overall and can lead to not being able to deal with the changes. Good luck.

So glad to hear you are all on your way. I was sleeved 1/4 so a bit ahead of you but not much. Hang in there and be super careful with your new friend, lol. Jello is still a very important part of my diet, I hurt quite a bit after too. Don't let the fluids worry you, unless thet do not dissipate or you gain more fluids. Good luck guys!

Whoa...I think she intended that to be a joke...the smilies and whatnot gives it away. It is not funny to lose someone like that. My first fiance wrapped herself around a tree when we were 21, 2x over the limit...don't get upset over peoples humor. It isn't intended to be bad.

You may be prone to dumping. Had you had that many carbs before?

I had/have that at times. I get an odd "this is too easy" feeling - I spent years being hungry. I am just taking it one day at a time, and letting my waist let me know better!