Seannie

okay, Crosswind - here goes....
SNAP OUT OF IT
I'm with Lissa ... you are 47, and dangit, "we" in our 40's deserve to have the best... best tummies, arms, legs... you name it! Stop tripping off of all the other stuff and go for it..
And by the way, scoot over - 'cause I'm next! I was already researching tummy tucks, etc... when I logged back on here and saw your post! I'm just 8 weeks out, lost 40 pounds since surgery and I already feel successful. And guess what? I have several children, love them dearly.. love my hubby, and my house... but this time, it's about me.

okay, Crosswind - here goes....
SNAP OUT OF IT
I'm with Lissa ... you are 47, and dangit, "we" in our 40's deserve to have the best... best tummies, arms, legs... you name it! Stop tripping off of all the other stuff and go for it..
And by the way, scoot over - 'cause I'm next! I was already researching tummy tucks, etc... when I logged back on here and saw your post! I'm just 8 weeks out, lost 40 pounds since surgery and I already feel successful. And guess what? I have several children, love them dearly.. love my hubby, and my house... but this time, it's about me.

okay, Crosswind - here goes....
SNAP OUT OF IT
I'm with Lissa ... you are 47, and dangit, "we" in our 40's deserve to have the best... best tummies, arms, legs... you name it! Stop tripping off of all the other stuff and go for it..
And by the way, scoot over - 'cause I'm next! I was already researching tummy tucks, etc... when I logged back on here and saw your post! I'm just 8 weeks out, lost 40 pounds since surgery and I already feel successful. And guess what? I have several children, love them dearly.. love my hubby, and my house... but this time, it's about me.

Glad your recovery is going well! Please keep us updated with your progress..
I'm leaving for San Diego on Thursday, surgery is friday! Yikes!!

okay, Crosswind - here goes....
SNAP OUT OF IT
I'm with Lissa ... you are 47, and dangit, "we" in our 40's deserve to have the best... best tummies, arms, legs... you name it! Stop tripping off of all the other stuff and go for it..
And by the way, scoot over - 'cause I'm next! I was already researching tummy tucks, etc... when I logged back on here and saw your post! I'm just 8 weeks out, lost 40 pounds since surgery and I already feel successful. And guess what? I have several children, love them dearly.. love my hubby, and my house... but this time, it's about me.

welcome to the Loser's Bench!! and get ready because you are in for the ride of your life! There will be lot's of emotional and physical ups and downs, and that's something we all here have experienced. But the one thing consistent among all of us is weight loss - some of us reallllllly slow, some of us lightening fast.. and of course every speed in between. The good thing about this forum is that we are all family in this weight loss struggle - there's really no topic off limits, and LOTS of good advice because there's so much experience here to choose from.
Not everyone here has a cool support system in the "physical" world, that's why these forums are so important. We truly understand how this surgery has both positively and negatively impacted our lives. I can tell you this - your relationship with food really does change! This surgery made me have to deal with other issues point blank - because I couldn't stuff myself (anesthetize) with food. I have/had to deal with those food triggers dead on and let me tell ya - it ain't always pretty! But you what is pretty? (Yep, I'm a girl!!) Pretty is looking in the mirror and thinking "damn girl.. you are looking great today"... no feeling like it. My confidence is through the roof and it shows in both my personal and professional relationship.
I'm down almost 35 pounds. It's one of the best decisions I've made in my life.
Good luck on your journey, and keep in touch! We are here for you!

If you want to see what I am talking about you can check it out at dagorhir.com ...
...okay, so a MUCH younger me was always doing some sort of martial art - and at about 18 fell in LOVE with armed european swordplay - european martial arts, that sort of thing...so I fought in the SCA and other groups...I loved it and I was really good at it.
And then I packed on the weight and I just could not keep up. I lacked the arm reach and I was always injuring myself...
Sunday I participated in an event again for the first time, and I KICKED ASS, lol.
I was mediocre, actually...but it was the first time in fifteen years, and I won sparring events and survived the meley.
You may need to locate a nerd to interperate...
I was getting some Water, which is on the otherside of a bamboo wall in the park we were in and I heard one of the more experienced guys (who I almost beat 5/6) say "she hasn't done this is 15 years? really???"
you can't see it, but the sun is shining from WITHIN me right now, this - feels - sooo - freakin' - good!

Your are not alone - this happend to me 2 weeks ago - literally, 8 friggin pounds! I was walking, eating right, you name it. But like a PP said, 3 days later it was gone! I was just about to throw out my scale thinking something was wrong with it! Not only was the 8 pounds gone - but I actually lost another pound???? Go figure.
keep doing what you are doing, if need be, drink a little more Water, step up the exercise... but most importantly ... keep your head up and keep in the game.. okay??

I am 1 year and 4 months from my surgery. I have lost 177 lbs. I am hoping to lose 200 lbs. total. At my heaviest I weighed 385. At surgery I weighed 365. I am now 188.
The VSG was the BEST thing I have ever done for myself. It has done so much for me than just lose weight. I have gained back hope, self esteem and a since of pride within myself. I love being able to ride a bike with my kids, going swimming, walking my dog, tying my shoe! All the things that I wasn't able to do without a struggle or being out of breath.
Don't get me wrong- at times I questioned "why did I do this"- but now I am so stinkin' happy I did!
One thing I try to tell myself is that this surgery doesn't fix everything. I doesn't fix why I got that heavy in the first place. Or my bad relationships with food. Those are things I have to work on a daily basis.
The best part- having a lap for my 7 year old to sit in. For the first time in her life!

WindyCity .... good question.. and good responses from PP...
I've been there and done that in the 5 short weeks that I've been sleeved.. one too many times, and you know what??? I stopped (like Pavlov's dogs) when I got sick one too many times. Seriously!
I mean, I knew that I was only hurting myself (literally) but somehow, i thought I could "out smart" my sleeve by eating what i wanted and when I wanted... forget the diet the surgeon recommended!!! What the heck am I supposed to do when the kids are going crazy, too many demands at work, sisters getting on my nerves, husband forgets to pick up the stuff from the store like I asked him to 15 times... blah, blah, blah... the surgeon didn't think his "diet" would work then did he??!!
(uh... umm...wait, I'm getting side tracked here.. I digress )
Well, "home-chick".. my "gangster" sleeve, showed my butt who's boss. So after a few (really like 3 times) I gave in... I was like this is ridiculous.. I'm NOT going to win this struggle at this stage of the game. She's in charge and runs this ship. My need to eat when I was angry, upset, frustrated started going away. Like the PP, you harness that energy into something else.. your "something else" may be going for a walk, or a drive, or in a quiet room, or phoning a good friend... just try to keep yourself focused on what's going on, and not let old habits kick in. Stuffing ourselves, eating quick, eating the wrong fattening foods is not going to help... and if so, you have a few "ounce" window for it to appease you.. and even that is not cool with the sleeve...
We all know that - that's why most of us got the surgery in the first place. We have to use this "tool' to our advantage and learn other ways to channel those uncomfortable feelings.
Know what i mean?
Girl, my "home chick" sleeve acts UP when I even THINK about the wrong stuff... LOL.. LOL

You Guys are the best!!! I needed to hear some positive feedback and you have made me feel sooo much better! I guess being a lab rat never entered my mind and now that I have read your posts it makes me think that some Dr.s are like car dealerships-once they sell you the car they don't want to service it. I am so grateful to all of you as my new family.

Get a new doctor my dear!
What is that.. 13 pounds on average a month?? Are you kidding me - that is fantastic! I believe that most "doctors" strongly suggest that anyone who needs to lose weight should average 1 to 2 pounds a week. You have averaged over 6 months time, about 4 pounds a week... you are on track!
If you ever have a doctor that makes you feel like crap - write your own self a prescription.. for a new one!

Get a new doctor my dear!
What is that.. 13 pounds on average a month?? Are you kidding me - that is fantastic! I believe that most "doctors" strongly suggest that anyone who needs to lose weight should average 1 to 2 pounds a week. You have averaged over 6 months time, about 4 pounds a week... you are on track!
If you ever have a doctor that makes you feel like crap - write your own self a prescription.. for a new one!

Girl, haven't encountered anything yet, but I can tell you, those will be fighting words!! LOL! Shoot, what's easy is getting type II diabetes from over eating, getting HB medication, high cholesterol.. and then letting the government pay for my health bills, which consequently means letting the public pay for me to over eat! Yep, that's right.. I said it! It's easy to over eat, it's easy to go for fast food, it easy to blame everyone else on my inability to lose weight...Easy way out my arse! What's SMART is recognizing my issues and dealing with them head on - rather than waffling - doing every diet under the sun and still failing.. and only to wake up years later with every known chronic issue out there related to weight. What's SMART is being there physically, mentally and emotionally for my kids.. Being in a good place to nuture, love and inspire them that all things are possible... OMG... don't get me started.... I can't stand naysayers and anyone that even thinks they are going to get away with saying that to me will regret it... I'll give them the schooling of their life....

Girl, haven't encountered anything yet, but I can tell you, those will be fighting words!! LOL! Shoot, what's easy is getting type II diabetes from over eating, getting HB medication, high cholesterol.. and then letting the government pay for my health bills, which consequently means letting the public pay for me to over eat! Yep, that's right.. I said it! It's easy to over eat, it's easy to go for fast food, it easy to blame everyone else on my inability to lose weight...Easy way out my arse! What's SMART is recognizing my issues and dealing with them head on - rather than waffling - doing every diet under the sun and still failing.. and only to wake up years later with every known chronic issue out there related to weight. What's SMART is being there physically, mentally and emotionally for my kids.. Being in a good place to nuture, love and inspire them that all things are possible... OMG... don't get me started.... I can't stand naysayers and anyone that even thinks they are going to get away with saying that to me will regret it... I'll give them the schooling of their life....

OMGoodness - I couldn't agree more! I'm just now 4 weeks post-op, and while I've had my sdhare of "slimy issues" this surgery has changed my life! I mean that literally. I'm feeling better than I have even when I've lost more weight on other diets. I feel in CONTROL... I truly believe that this is a life changer, and that it's exactly what I needed. I needed the restriction, the inability to over eat. My BP is dang near normal, knees no longer hurt and hate to admit this but ... the desire to eat, and over eat is practically gone... you can not tell me, for those in the weight loss struggle, that they like it. Because they don't.. we don't... no one likes to limp because their ankles are swollen and their arches hurt. no 40 year old woman wants to walk with a cane, because it hurts to carry around that weight.. NO ONE wants to feel invisible and treated less than because they are heavy ... I could go on and on.
I've seen so many women, and my heart aches for them - because I've been there. The one thing that gives me a little solace is that maybe, just maybe.. some of these folks HAVE had the surgery, and they are just going through the metamorphisis (that's just me trying to find the bright side)... But I know if someone looked at me, and thought the same thing "dang.. she should get WLS" they'd be hard pressed to talk to me about it - because I walk with purpose now.. I hold my head up.. I smile more and dang - I still have 70 pounds to go.. but I'm proud of myself for doing something so "drastic"... I got my life back.. who wouldn't walk around with more pep in their step??

LOL!! Well Jimmy, you got my attention! Prior to my surgery, my "vice' of choice was cognac, staight, no chaser, no ice.. you know "brown liquor".. LMAO!!
I'll be curious to see what others say about this. But, I will say that my family has come by - bearing wine, cognac, etc.. and even though I know at just 4 weeks out that i can't indulge, I really haven't had a desire to. which is interesting, because I often had a nightly "night cap". I mean, to be honest, my last "drink, was about 2 weeks before the surgery and I kept thinking, well.. no worries, you can indulge soon after the surgery... blah, blah, blah... you know, trying to convince myself that my life wasn't going to change that much - HA - yeah, riiiiiight....
Still no real desire... I'm actuallty shocked... maybe it will come back... or maybe not

I know. I did share this with one woman at work who was telling me her knees hurt. I said something innocuous I guess -- and she said, no; I know it's because I'm overweight. And this woman really is --- I'm thinking she's 350 or more. Nicest person. So I told her the whole story of my journey -- I had probably gotten down to 220 or so by then, and she said, " Well, I'd never do anything that drastic."
Which I guess I understand. The thing is....you know....drastic? You're dying. You can't *walk*. Come on....

I have thought this several times. I have stopped myself. I decided not even to share with my own family out of there reaction so I sure would not to offend anyone one else or get a reaction I wouldn't like.
The way I found out about the Sleeve is I am a server at a restaurant and a guest shared her experience when she did not want a drink with her meal. I am not a pushy person, she just wanted to share her experience. I went home, looked into it, found this site and was hooked. 5 months later went to MX and the rest is history. That lady has know idea she changed someones life.... mine.
Maybe one day I will get my nerve up and help make a difference in someone elses life.

Hey there! just wanted to let you know that I went to church yesterday and the pastor asked the congregation for prayer requests... I asked that by His stripes, YOU are healed! I didnt have your name - I just used 'sleeve' but fortuantely, I know that God knows who I was talking about!
Like the PP said -keep us abreast of how you are faring. You may not have a physical family (outside of your immediate family) - but there's a really big virtual family right here that's got your back!
Take care and keep your head up - prayers work.. really they do!

Ha! Ha!
As I am sitting here at my desk (constantly fidgeting making sure "everything" is tucked in, covered and looks appropriate) I realized something..... my stomach isnt sticking out further than my boobies anymore! I dont know when this happened but woooohooooo anyway!!
It might be raining in Houston today but not on this NSV parade! It's definitely the little things that keep me going!! LOL

Hey DD ... I know the feeling! I snuck a few of my daughter's goldfish.. had about 10 of them.. and I swear on the 10th one - I actually Heard MY stomach gurgle - and it was like slow motion.... As I put the last one in my mouth, the others were making their way back up! Girl, I had the shakes, the sweats... I was in the bathroom, thinking I don't know whether to Sh*t or go blind!!! I mean I was in the bed for 30 minutes thinking.. did goldfish really just take me out????? well, I may end up extending my "liquid" phase even longer because the thought of something non-liquid gives me the willies!
BTW, weighed myself today, and I'm down exactly 16 pounds since 3/9.. woo hoo!

Hey DD ... I know the feeling! I snuck a few of my daughter's goldfish.. had about 10 of them.. and I swear on the 10th one - I actually Heard MY stomach gurgle - and it was like slow motion.... As I put the last one in my mouth, the others were making their way back up! Girl, I had the shakes, the sweats... I was in the bathroom, thinking I don't know whether to Sh*t or go blind!!! I mean I was in the bed for 30 minutes thinking.. did goldfish really just take me out????? well, I may end up extending my "liquid" phase even longer because the thought of something non-liquid gives me the willies!
BTW, weighed myself today, and I'm down exactly 16 pounds since 3/9.. woo hoo!

I agree with the AP (Natural).. it's the head hunger thing that I have got to get over! I wish I had known this before. Not that it would've deterred me from surgery, but I might have been mentally prepared for it. I swear, I think my stomach divorced my head when I left part of it in Mexico The two - head and stomach - are like the Hatfields and the McCoys! I feel like I'm starving half the time, but the minute I eat ONE smidgin over, I'm toast! So half the time, I'm looking in the fridge wanting something to eat, only to close it because I'm afraid to eat.. Sounds crazy coming from someone whose still 80 pounds overweight.

Holla everyone! Just wanted to give a status of my experience with getting sleeved - and in Mexico to boot!
Arrived in Tijuana on Thursday March 8th, was met by a driver and driven across the boarder to the Hotel Lucerna. The drive was actually quite nice. I've been to TJ before, and I'm from LA, so I knew what to expect. The hotel was actually just 15 to 20 minutes from the boarder in a pretty nice area of town. Made small talk with the driver, met my coordinator Trish - and was taken to my room. The hotel was nice - modern - kind of like a "Ramada Inn", or maybe a "Marriott Suites" (kind of sort of). The rooms are nice, clean, nice sized TV, bottled Water, pretty tile in the bathroom, etc..... Really like any decent hotel that you stay in here in the states.
After check in I was driven across the street (literally) to the INT Hospital. It's also relatively modern, only 4 stories with about 13 rooms on the floor that I stayed on. When I say the hospital is CLEAN.. I mean.. CLEAN. You could dang near EAT off the floor. I do have to admit however, that after a while, the smell of "Fabulosa" cleaner, nearly made me sick.. but I digress...
I met with one of the doctors, who did the EKG and my blood pressure. I just KNEW that I was not going to pass the BP because I hadn't taken my medication in a couple of days, hadn't eaten, was STRESSED out with all that I was going through.. BUT, he took it and said it was really good.. like 142/80.. huh?? Had to ask my coordinator if they had a different numbering system in Mexico because surely that couldn't be right.. (being sarcastic of course!) The EKG took like 5 minutes and I passed with flying colors?? what?? So I cross the boarder and am in better health than when I left Atlanta?? Oh well, that was great news for me.
I left the hospital, went back to the hotel for the night - met my mom - who flew in separately and went to sleep. My surgery was the first one that next morning at 7. Got to the hospital around 6:30, they put an IV in my hand (first try!), got some fluids in and I was taken to the OR. I walked in myself, holding my IV bag with one hand, the back of my gown in the other hand (yep,they were about to see ALL of me - but dang it - can a sistah's arse be hidden for a minute??)
Ok.. let me focus here... It looked just like any other OR, they were playing what I consider to be "Mexican" smooth Jazz ... yes baby!! The operating table itself was skinny as I don't know what.. I told the 2 doctors/nurse in my best - trying to be cool in spanish... "delgado??" meaning skinny?? They laughed and said it's ok, hop on... The first doctor, named Dr. FRIDAY . um, I said to him, did you say FRIDAY? is that in English or is your last name Viernes, that means Friday in English (He said "you are a comedian")... um, no, just delirious and nervous, and when that happens, I turn into Richard Pryor, I don't know why!!!) So, the next doctor comes in and I say "Dr. Ponce??"... he says no, I'm the anesthesiologist.. Alright I said, now the party starts (they probably can't stand American sense of humor ). I told him I was talkative because I was nervous and he says Don't Be.. well, that was all I remember...
You know how you watch movies, and they do really quick flash backs?? Well, waking up in the recovery room was like that for me. I don't remember much except briefly waking up and swinging. I mean SWINGING like I was Muhammad Ali! I remember telling the young nurse next to me that I had to go - because I was going to be sick, and she kept saying relax, relax! I was busy trying to escape. Next thing I know, I'm back in my room and my mom and Trish walk in and my mother is yelling at me.. Sean, Sean.. OMG what are you doing??? I was not in the hospital bed - I was on the floor! I know this sounds crazy, but I was so freakin sick from the anesthesia that I couldn't get LOW, enough.. FLAT enough, and COLD enough! I had to get to the floor STAT!! The nurses are rushing in, my mother is screaming SEAN IT'S AGAINST THE LAW TO BE ON THE FLOOR IN A HOSPITAL... really Mom? really?? well, if you were sick with what feels like the ebola virus - you would care less!
Anyway... the first 24 hours were like a nightmare. I was alternatively nauseous and in pain from the dry heaves. Between my mother barking orders at the nurses, then back at me..SEAN you are going to ruin your new stomach if you can't control those dry heaves!.. Um... lady, do you think I want to do this???? You think I want people walking in here with my arse out, on my tip toes, throwing up air in the trash can???
I was crazy the first 24 hours... I refused to sleep in the hospital bed, because it wasn't firm enough and was hard to get in and out of. So, yours truly slept on the firm, narrow couch and my mom in the hospital bed! Good Grief, they probably thought these ladies are nuts!! I kept telling my mother we needed to get back across the boarder to an American hospital because they don't understand my pain level here! See... when you spell DRAMA.. it's really spelled S-E-A-N!
They finally realized that I was having a reaction to one of the pain medications that they gave me. So after 24 - 48 hours - any many different medications, they found the one that basically knocked me out! I slept for 7 hours and on Sunday morning - I woke up and smiled at my mom. She said she had gotten up in the middle of the night to check on me because I hadn't been thrashing in my sleep, whimpering, etc.. she said I was so still that she thought they had given me an overdose!
I have to say that I have a low tolerance for pain, BUT a high tolerance for pain medication... Not trying to scare anyone but thank goodness my mom was there to help guide me through this. The nurses did later say that it's the first 24 hours that are the hardest and most folks get through just fine. I had a tremendous amount of gas..they kept telling me to get up and walk, and when I did, I had to walk the halls with my eyes closed to keep from being sick. Can you imagine how I looked?? I had my yoga pants on, bra and an open back hospital gown. My hair was all over my head, and I was walking with my mother holding one arm, me holding the the IV, and my damn eyes closed! round and round the floor.. alternatively opening one eye and then immediately shutting it..
They'd be talking about me to my mother in Spanish (she has a functional level of Spanish), telling her she was great, because I was so spoiled! .. Yeah, whatever ladies... just keep the dang meds coming so I can get better!
I left the hospital Sunday night, back to the hotel, and have been recovering nicely ever since. My scars are okay, still a little sore - but overall I'm feeling pretty good. Especially when I got on the scale and was down 10 pounds from the day of surgery. WOW!!
I met with Dr. Ponce and we reviewed my diet for the next 40 days. It's very similar to what allot of you are doing.. 10 days of Clear liquids and water, followed by another 10 days of water, broth, yogurt and "creamed" Soups, then another 10 days of similar foods, but can add small amounts of Protein... I was okay without food the first couple of days. I stayed full on all the water/broth. I just started feeling "head" hungry this weekend, and made the pivotal mistake of thinking I could eat a few "goldfish"... ummm, no, no Sean you can't! I felt sick within 5 minutes and vowed to NEVER do that again. It's like being one of Pavlov's dogs... you only got to show me once or twice, then I'm okay with following strict directions.
Would I do it again? Yes - in a heartbeat. The first 2 days were hell for me - but that's because of my own intolerance to pain (gas) and anesthesia (nausea) . Sorry, just have to keep it truthful. That was my personal experience, not that it would be yours. Bottom line, If I can get off my high bp medications, lower my already heading toward high cholesterol, and lower my pre-diabetic numbers.. then what do I care that I was in pain for a few days? Oh, I forgot to mention that when they took my BP, right before I left the hospital, it was 125/80........... and THAT'S with all of my drama AND no high BP medication...
I'm on my way... and thank God I did this...
Seannie