Puja

I think another thread was just started on a similar topic! My surgeon was Dr. David Oliak - he's amazing! His staff is very supportive and they hold weekly support group meetings.
His website is: www.oliakcenter.com

Illgeturhairdid, what a wonderful idea! You're so right that the most of our lives have always been centered around weight, and probably always will be. But, there is so much more to us than that. Thank you for the reminder!
I'm 27, born and raised in Orange county, California. In 2004, I decided to come to India (I'm of Indian ethnicity) and pursue my medical degree. Now that I have finished, I'm working on getting back to the States and applying for Residency.
Over a year ago, an acquaintance of mine (who has now become a mentor) underwent a roux-en-y bypass, and I was amazed at he changes in her body and her confidence levels. She was very open about the surgery, and answered all my questions.
After passing out of med school, I asked my parents to support my decision for going through with the sleeve gastrectomy, and here I am, 4 months later! I've been very open about the surgery, in hopes to help someone just like my mentor did. Being open has helped me take charge of my own health, as well!
Being overweight all my life has been a blessing in some ways, because I have so much more confidence in myself and my personality because of it. I have never relied on my looks for anything! I've just had to be awesome! *winks*
I've been with my boyfriend for almost 5 years, and he has been a huge support. We both love good food (I still enjoy it), good music, and good company! We are also huge animal lovers and currently have a pair of male guinea pigs.
Good luck to everyone! I look forward to reading more about you all.

Illgeturhairdid, what a wonderful idea! You're so right that the most of our lives have always been centered around weight, and probably always will be. But, there is so much more to us than that. Thank you for the reminder!
I'm 27, born and raised in Orange county, California. In 2004, I decided to come to India (I'm of Indian ethnicity) and pursue my medical degree. Now that I have finished, I'm working on getting back to the States and applying for Residency.
Over a year ago, an acquaintance of mine (who has now become a mentor) underwent a roux-en-y bypass, and I was amazed at he changes in her body and her confidence levels. She was very open about the surgery, and answered all my questions.
After passing out of med school, I asked my parents to support my decision for going through with the sleeve gastrectomy, and here I am, 4 months later! I've been very open about the surgery, in hopes to help someone just like my mentor did. Being open has helped me take charge of my own health, as well!
Being overweight all my life has been a blessing in some ways, because I have so much more confidence in myself and my personality because of it. I have never relied on my looks for anything! I've just had to be awesome! *winks*
I've been with my boyfriend for almost 5 years, and he has been a huge support. We both love good food (I still enjoy it), good music, and good company! We are also huge animal lovers and currently have a pair of male guinea pigs.
Good luck to everyone! I look forward to reading more about you all.

Illgeturhairdid, what a wonderful idea! You're so right that the most of our lives have always been centered around weight, and probably always will be. But, there is so much more to us than that. Thank you for the reminder!
I'm 27, born and raised in Orange county, California. In 2004, I decided to come to India (I'm of Indian ethnicity) and pursue my medical degree. Now that I have finished, I'm working on getting back to the States and applying for Residency.
Over a year ago, an acquaintance of mine (who has now become a mentor) underwent a roux-en-y bypass, and I was amazed at he changes in her body and her confidence levels. She was very open about the surgery, and answered all my questions.
After passing out of med school, I asked my parents to support my decision for going through with the sleeve gastrectomy, and here I am, 4 months later! I've been very open about the surgery, in hopes to help someone just like my mentor did. Being open has helped me take charge of my own health, as well!
Being overweight all my life has been a blessing in some ways, because I have so much more confidence in myself and my personality because of it. I have never relied on my looks for anything! I've just had to be awesome! *winks*
I've been with my boyfriend for almost 5 years, and he has been a huge support. We both love good food (I still enjoy it), good music, and good company! We are also huge animal lovers and currently have a pair of male guinea pigs.
Good luck to everyone! I look forward to reading more about you all.

Illgeturhairdid, what a wonderful idea! You're so right that the most of our lives have always been centered around weight, and probably always will be. But, there is so much more to us than that. Thank you for the reminder!
I'm 27, born and raised in Orange county, California. In 2004, I decided to come to India (I'm of Indian ethnicity) and pursue my medical degree. Now that I have finished, I'm working on getting back to the States and applying for Residency.
Over a year ago, an acquaintance of mine (who has now become a mentor) underwent a roux-en-y bypass, and I was amazed at he changes in her body and her confidence levels. She was very open about the surgery, and answered all my questions.
After passing out of med school, I asked my parents to support my decision for going through with the sleeve gastrectomy, and here I am, 4 months later! I've been very open about the surgery, in hopes to help someone just like my mentor did. Being open has helped me take charge of my own health, as well!
Being overweight all my life has been a blessing in some ways, because I have so much more confidence in myself and my personality because of it. I have never relied on my looks for anything! I've just had to be awesome! *winks*
I've been with my boyfriend for almost 5 years, and he has been a huge support. We both love good food (I still enjoy it), good music, and good company! We are also huge animal lovers and currently have a pair of male guinea pigs.
Good luck to everyone! I look forward to reading more about you all.

Illgeturhairdid, what a wonderful idea! You're so right that the most of our lives have always been centered around weight, and probably always will be. But, there is so much more to us than that. Thank you for the reminder!
I'm 27, born and raised in Orange county, California. In 2004, I decided to come to India (I'm of Indian ethnicity) and pursue my medical degree. Now that I have finished, I'm working on getting back to the States and applying for Residency.
Over a year ago, an acquaintance of mine (who has now become a mentor) underwent a roux-en-y bypass, and I was amazed at he changes in her body and her confidence levels. She was very open about the surgery, and answered all my questions.
After passing out of med school, I asked my parents to support my decision for going through with the sleeve gastrectomy, and here I am, 4 months later! I've been very open about the surgery, in hopes to help someone just like my mentor did. Being open has helped me take charge of my own health, as well!
Being overweight all my life has been a blessing in some ways, because I have so much more confidence in myself and my personality because of it. I have never relied on my looks for anything! I've just had to be awesome! *winks*
I've been with my boyfriend for almost 5 years, and he has been a huge support. We both love good food (I still enjoy it), good music, and good company! We are also huge animal lovers and currently have a pair of male guinea pigs.
Good luck to everyone! I look forward to reading more about you all.

Illgeturhairdid, what a wonderful idea! You're so right that the most of our lives have always been centered around weight, and probably always will be. But, there is so much more to us than that. Thank you for the reminder!
I'm 27, born and raised in Orange county, California. In 2004, I decided to come to India (I'm of Indian ethnicity) and pursue my medical degree. Now that I have finished, I'm working on getting back to the States and applying for Residency.
Over a year ago, an acquaintance of mine (who has now become a mentor) underwent a roux-en-y bypass, and I was amazed at he changes in her body and her confidence levels. She was very open about the surgery, and answered all my questions.
After passing out of med school, I asked my parents to support my decision for going through with the sleeve gastrectomy, and here I am, 4 months later! I've been very open about the surgery, in hopes to help someone just like my mentor did. Being open has helped me take charge of my own health, as well!
Being overweight all my life has been a blessing in some ways, because I have so much more confidence in myself and my personality because of it. I have never relied on my looks for anything! I've just had to be awesome! *winks*
I've been with my boyfriend for almost 5 years, and he has been a huge support. We both love good food (I still enjoy it), good music, and good company! We are also huge animal lovers and currently have a pair of male guinea pigs.
Good luck to everyone! I look forward to reading more about you all.

Hi, everyone!
I've been lurking on this site for about 3 months now, and have only just decided to join. So, I thought I'd share a quick story about me, my weight, and my sleeve!
I'm 27 years old, of Indian ethnicity, and have been overweight since I was maybe 4 years old. I have the usual story of trying this diet, that diet, meeting with loads of doctors, etc. etc. About a year ago, an acquaintance of mine (now a mentor) had a bypass done, and I was inspired to look into weight loss surgery! I was studying medicine in India (I'm born and raised in California), while I researched everything, and decided to get the surgery done as soon as I finished med school.
I was sleeved on August 31st, 2011 by Dr. Oliak in Orange County, California. He's amazing. I recovered well, and have been on solids for a few weeks now. I'm currently in India while I finish up some paperwork to transfer back to the States.
As a Vegetarian, I've found my options limited. In India, they are limited even more so, because it's hard to get a hold of cheeses, soy products, and all that good stuff! Still, I'm hanging in there and enjoying my sleeve so far. I don't know how much I've lost, since I have decided not to weigh myself for a while. I want to follow the diet plans without worrying about the outcomes, because I know I'll be a slow loser. Perhaps once I get back home I will be able to bring some variety into my diet, and will be interested in knowing how much of a difference it makes.
I wanted to thank all of you for keeping these forums so active, because I've been able to learn so much from your experiences! My weight loss has been slow, from what I see in my body, but it's there nonetheless. You guys keep me motivated and interested. Thank you!

Neil, 3 months out with a 62 pound loss! That's amazing!
Being a vegetarian in America will definitely be much easier than in India. There is a larger variety of Protein options available to you. Natural, low fat cheeses, greek yogurt, low fat milk, powdered Peanut Butter, Protein powders, nuts, and soy products. All these items are staples you should have in your house, to provide yourself with daily variety!
I'm in California. Good luck to you!

I'm in the same boat! I don't eat fish, though.
I eat lots of lentils, dairy, and an Indian type of cottage cheese, called "paneer".
Still, I have to do a Protein shake every day to meet my requirements. Have you tried soy products like soy meats or cheeses?

I find it so interesting that we are learning more and more about this sleeve every day, in regards to its long term effects. It really is amazing to hear everyone's experiences, theories, and research.
This vet's forum really is brilliant, and I hope people keep checking in at different milestones to give us updates. As for me, I've gone back to my routine eating schedule, and my body is back to being happy and balanced. Isn't it interesting how quickly our bodies let us know if we are doing something right or wrong?
Every day is a learning experience for me, because my body has something new to teach me at even 2 years out. Or perhaps I'm more open to its signals now than I was before surgery?

My recommendations were the 30 mi before & after. I stop fluids 15 min before eating & don't drink until 30 min after eating. That's what is comfortable for me. It's a big time constraint factor. I work 12 hr sometimes hectic shifts so I like to get in half my fluids before I leave for work in case I don't have time to hydrate.

I am glad people are finding this thread useful. Hopefully it will continue to be useful far into the future.

If there is a secret to my success it would be changing my thinking about goals. I kicked out any remnants of half-way goals such as.."I'm losing weight so I'll look good for the reunion" , "I'm getting in shape so I'll look good", etc.
My goals became permanent life directives.
Health and power for living became the primary goals.
The implementation:
For the rest of my life: eat smart...train like an athlete.
Simple but set in stone.
Eat smart always, always in training.
No more yo-yo. The sleeve gave me a powerful tool. I'm using it.
A mind made up creates a body made right.

I hope you don't think I was calling you cynical. This is more how I regard other people's motivations as to how they treated me, or more, my perception of it.
For me, resentments are born from my own expectations of others. When people don't meet up to the expectations I set for them, the ugly head of resentment begins to fester in my heart. I treat people nicely, so why can I not expect the same in return? For some people, it just isn't in them. This is not my fault nor is it my fault to have chosen this person to be in my life. What I can take ownership of, though, is that perhaps I set an expectation which that person just doesn't have the capability to meet. For that, I must take responsibility for and learn going forward lest I sow the seeds for another resentment.

Yes, I have changed between the ears, and in a good way. Like you, I smile a lot more. I am no longer preoccupied with what people see when they look at me, or what that think when they see me. I no longer find excuses to avoid people who haven't seen me in a long time. I am no longer dealing with the physical limitations that made me uncomfortable with the slightest exertion, or the embarrassment of things like getting stuck in a diner booth.
Know what else? I can barely remember what it was like to be large. I've moved on. But I don't even regret having been large, because everything that I have done and everything that has happened to me make me the person I am today. And I like that person. And that is proof that I have changed between the ears.

I see so many posts from folks lately upset or frustrated regarding how people regard them now. The general theme is, "Why am I being treated differently? I am still the same person I was before I lost the weight!!"
Well, I am NOT the same person I was.
Not just now, two and half years post op, but also when I started to get noticed. Yes, I had these feelings, too, early out. I understand. At first I was delighted when a woman I passed on the street smiled at me and said, "Hello". But then I questioned why this never occurred to me pre-sleeve, but as time passed, I understood that I do carry myself differently. I walk with my head held a little higher and I have a smile on my face more often. I have more confidence and perhaps a bit of a swagger in my life.
I am different.
IMO, I don't think it is fair to chastise other people for treating us perhaps a little differently when, in fact, we have changed. Not just below the ears, but in between them, too. Yes, there are weight discrimination issues out there, there is no doubt. And it sucks, big time. I don't know the solution to solving that issue, but to be upset at people for no longer treating me like I was morbidly obese just messes with my mind in an unhealthy way.
So, to the veterans out there ... I know your weight has changed, but have you also changed between the ears?

As a vet and am close to or have reached goal already, how many of you find yourself making mistakes and unintentionally eati g certain things? Unintentionally may mean too large a portion or the wrong foods despite best intentions and planning. Does being a vet cure us from unintentional eating? No for most I am sure. Not a very deep survey question, but it would be interesting to see the spectrum of answers. You would think being a vet means you have these issues under control.
My answer is about once a week I will get the carb cravings and give in to some unintended carb snack. Not anything to derail from, but gives me pause to consider the trigger. For me, I think it is because body needs the glucose (energy) even though daily calories are pretty high. Weight still goes down. It really only hits me about once a week on the weekend (sunday) and usually mid afternoon. It is more of a "gee, can't you just not do that" response even though it does not lead to any weight related concerns.

Holy sleevies, I love some of the responses in this thread. They speak to me a great deal, and I feel so vindicated!
I love my sleeve, and I could talk about it all day long. I love that I have a new life because of it, and that it has taught me so much about making my health a priority. Yes, I worked my butt off to educate myself. Yes, I revamped my whole outlook on food and nutrition. Yes, I had to become super honest with myself about my bad habits, and change them.
But, this was all a learning experience. Not everyone realizes the work it takes from the start, and unfortunately some never realize it.To those people I want to give them a good smack and tell them to take a hard look at themselves. Why would you cut out half your stomach if you weren't ready to adapt to that change? Why would you undergo this procedure without knowing what you were in for? Why would you complain about something without taking the steps to fix it?
There are so many amazing vets here that have not reached their "goal" (I say that with quotes because honestly how you feel and live is much more important than the number), and are still going strong. They keep tracking their foods and continue to face their inner demons on a daily basis. We all do. I will forever be a bariatric patient, there is no denying it. And, honestly, I'm the happier for it. I LIKE this lifestyle. I'm not on a diet, I'm eating as I should have been eating my whole life. I walk the perimeter of the grocery store because I'm aware of the dangers that lurk in the middle. I acknowledge my faults and weaknesses.
Like so many in this thread, I did all my research before the surgery, so I knew what I should expect. I knew that this was not a quick fix and that this surgery was FOR MY HEALTH. Who cares if I lose slowly or quickly, or if I can't stuff my face full of junk anymore?
I will take the slow sips of Water, the weird gurgles, the loose skin, the thin hair, the wonky poops, and the strict regimens any day over a life of complications due to obesity.
This doesn't answer the OP's question at all, but I felt inspired to express myself! Like Butterthebean (who always has great advice), I appreciate the people who are optimistic and excited... I appreciate those that look for answers. I don't pay much attention to the complainers or whiners that don't seem to have their priorities straight.

Great articles FYE! It really does feel like the odds are stacked against us, but knowledge is power. The more we know, the more tools we have to continue maintaining and not becoming statistics!

I know we all have different approaches to this journey, but i do best when I DON'T stress over food and calories. I pay attention, but i don't obsess. That is my old way and it didn't work... tried it for about 40 years.
I am not only happier, I am alot skinnier because i am off the obsess... stress... overeat merry - go - around

As I come to the end of my weight loss phase, I am beginning the process of "mentally preparing" myself for maintenance. Just like I did before surgery, I have to get my mind right. These days, I am spending considerable time in thought. How is maintenance going to work for me? What will each day look like? How will I Celebrate success? Rebound from failure? How will I address the emotional or physical changes? What is my support system?
I'm viewing my VSG weight loss phase much like the time when I was engaged to be married. Lots going on, lots of planning, learning, stress, milestones, but always with a fixed end.
All of us VSGer's dream about our "big day". The day we hit goal. In my mental prep, I have realized hitting goal is simply the "wedding day". A one day celebration. After that celebration, the next phase begins. Maintenance.
We all know people who were caught up in the engagement & had a beautiful wedding, but weren't prepared to be successful at being married. I DO NOT want to be one of the VSG group that can lose the weight, but not keep it off. After all, you can't divorce your sleeve.
For me, maintenance means the long term, real responsibility has started. Maintaining my weight is going to be like a marriage. This is the rest of my life. There are going to be the inevitable ups and downs. Sometimes maintaining will take work. Sometimes it won't. There are going to be days that maintenance is as fun as I make it. But, for better or worse, this was my choice and is now my reality. I will continue to get out of my sleeve - exactly what I put into it. (Pun intended.)
Fail to plan = planning to fail

Thanks for the information, Feedyoureye!! You're such an awesome wealth of information.