Itsanewdaycassandra

This is an update I am 17 weeks post op and down 58.5 lbs, I am 5 lbs from my 1/2 way mark for my goal of 160. I'm happy but I also have mixed feelings...this is not as easy as I thought it would be pre op LOL!!!

_{This is too heavy for me to just respond to simply, but I would like to say that, I have been there and marriage is a challenge. For myself and my marriage I have to remind myself that it is a partnership, and it is ok to put my needs out there and make waves or ripples in the partnership if I need. WLS is also difficult for me because I now have to take care of myself and prioritize what my body needs. I struggle with caring for myself as I would care for others. I wish you luck with therapy, it’s nice to have someone non judgmental to talk to.}

I'm so happy for you!!!

Wow! I just looked this up and came across this article:

Gastric Bezoar after Vertical Banded Gastroplasty: A Case Report and Review of the Literature Abdul S. Bangura, Stelin Johnson, Karen E. Gibbs Division of Minimally Invasive and Bariatric Surgery, Staten Island University Hospital, Staten Island, New York, USA E-mail: kgibbs@siuh.edu

I read it and it seems that it happens in our WLS communities. Good luck.

Congrats! Keep rocking that sleeve!!!

My sleeve loves Tofu but I was running out of ways to prepare it until I got hold of Chinese Mabo Tofu and Vermont Curry Sauce mixes both from House foods (http://www.house-foods.com/) the sodium is high but I can usually cook 2 blocks of tofu per package and each block is 4 meals for me. If you have given up on Tofu you should try it with one of these sauces!!

You are so right there is never any shame in reaching out!

I am an emotional eater; I eat even when I don’t recognize the emotion behind it. But the sleeve has helped me see this clearer, so I can only imagine the battle that you are facing with your Mother’s passing. I wish you peace and strength during this journey! Because parts of the post op process is harder (trickier) than you could have comprehend pre op.

I did not meet the the challenge goal of 20lbs but I am down 15lbs! Thanks for the support this was fun!

I’ve been feeling anxious about the amount of sugar and carbs that I eat yesterday. I had a chocolate bunny and 2 croissants! My eating was way off and all I can say is that I am thankful for this tool, because without it I would have done much more! Back on track today… now I just need to focus and keep off sugar and lower my carbs again.

I recently started on the wellness liquid Vitamins and I like them, the taste is doable for me and it doesn’t upset my stomach.

http://www.wellesse.com/bariatric.asp

I would like to offer some suggestions, what helped me is to find savory foods like Curries, spicy sauces or laughing cow wedges as a spread for veggie sticks, I also enjoyed pickles at that stage. I think because the satisfaction of eating a large amount was no longer an option I preferred to eat something flavorful. I also ran into an issue with the Protein Shakes and Vitamins and bottom-line is you have to get them in so experiment with ways to do this. Put Protein into low fat or sugar free puddings; make frozen yogurt pops with the Protein Powder. Your body is still getting acclimated to this drastic change so you will have to try a lot of new things to find out what will work for you. I recently started on the wellness liquid vitamins and I like them, the taste is doable for me and it doesn’t upset my stomach. Good luck, don’t give up, you have to use this tool to help you get to a healthier lifestyle.

I was sleeved 12/1/11 and I’m down 53 lbs. It’s been an awesome journey and I think that I am learning a lot about myself and food and figuring out what will work for me. Congrats everyone on your weight loss!

^{Wow good find!}

_{Linda congratulations on reaching goal! This is very encouraging news!}

_{Dorrie I ‘m with you I need to increase my Water as well that is my main focus for the next 2 weeks!}

_{Here is my Easter challenge update, 5 lbs to my Easter goal!!!}

_{Surgery Weight: 287}

_{Current Weight: 234.0}

_{Easter Challenge Goal Weight: 229}

_{Feb. 10: 249}

_{Feb. 24: 246}

_{March 2: 238}

_{March 5: 236.6}

_{March 8: 238.1}

_{March 23: 234.0}

_{March 30:}

_{April 6:}

_Easter:

So happy for you keep rocking that sleeve!

Sleeve 4 me do you have any updates? What seems to work for you so far.

Well done Decembers!!! I was sleeved 12/1/11 and I’m down 51 pounds and I’m going to the gym regularly which is cool. I went for a long walk over the past weekend and I could not believe how I was able to do it without huffing and puffing and no pain in my back or knees and ankles. I stared in a 24-22 and now I’m in an 18 so I would like to keep going like I am for awhile.

No I don’t think so. But here is some good advice that I received earlier … pay attention to how satisfied your stomach is, and try to not over fill your new stomach. In other words take a bite and wait and if your stomach feels like more than eat but if your stomach is fine then stop no matter how much or how little it is. What I have been experiencing now is some days I fill faster then others and some days I can eat twice of the same thing that I eat the day before, I think this might be the way it is for me for a while. Good luck!

That sounds about right for 6 weeks out although some days now I can eat 3 small pieces but I am about 4 month out now.

I am so happy for you and you made it in time of summer way to go!!! Congratulations on all your hard work paying off!

Sallynew

You are not alone in this struggle. Just try to stay focused and use the tool to help you as much as possible. It might take some time but you will get to your goal.

Voted!! Good luck !

Keep up the good work everyone!!! I see some have hit underland and some have boosted up the WL during this goal, awesome job everyone!

I recently read something that someone wrote on another VGS site that I’d like to share, she said “ This tool (VGS) is like hiking down a hill, and some people will take a more scenic route and some will run down to the bottom quickly, but in the end we will all reach the bottom of the hill” so try not to panic and go back to the basics when you feel you need to.

I love this saying “Just because your weight isn't shrinking, doesn't mean your waist isn't” it’s going to be my WLS mantra for the next week, thank you!