frpringle

Highest: 450 lbs. VSG date: 11/7/11 Pre VSG loss: 35 lbs. To date loss: 170 lbs Current weight: 280 lbs. One year goal: 220 lbs. lost, 50 lbs. more to go!!

the protein shake is something you will be sipping on all day long basically. I started eating solids about a week out without any problems at all. I mostly eat chicken for my protein but I also have these protein shots that I drink if I notice i'm not at my protein intake for the day, they have 40 grams of protein and are cheap! I also buy nuts now and eat those for snacks, Bolthouse Farms protein shakes are good too if you want something different. My nutritionist recommended those to us. I also like string cheese for a snack too, it's high in protein and it fills me up.

For a while I would stall for 2 weeks and then lose 20-30 lbs in the following 2 weeks. It was really weird to me but then I figured it was probably from my period starting again and I was holding Water weight and bloating. It wasn't until I noticed the pattern that I realized it was 2 weeks on 2 weeks off kind of thing.

I just started stalling at the 6 month mark. When I do notice I'm stalling, I basically readjust back to my original diet which was a high protein salad for a few meals and measure everything, time myself while eating, and so on. It basically gets me going again and I drop 3-5 lbs in just a matter of days and it gets steady again.

I waited 4 months before eating any of those. My surgeon suggested waiting because the skins or pieces of them can get stuck in your sutures in your stomach and possibly cause an infection.

It was explained to me that the straw and gum chewing causes you to swallow air, which can cause stretching to the pouch. Soda, well that's a given with the carbonation, that's just not good to have, it does stretch your pouch. Coffee was not restricted for me, just caffeine. The only thing they told me about coffee is that because it's acidic, it can cause discomfort and possibly cause ulcers in your stomach because of the acid if you have too much. I know people who have had the surgery and drink diet pop regularly without any problems. I guess it just depends on the person and personal control to not go back to the bad habits that got them in the situation of needing surgery in the first place.

The best advice I got and use when I notice I'm eating faster is to use a kiddie spoon/fork for smaller bites and wait 2 minutes in-between each bite. That way you know you have chewed really good, you are taking really small bites and you know for sure you are not eating too fast. I have gotten to where I don't really need to do that anymore, but sometimes I catch myself going too fast and I just go right back to timing myself.

Have you talked to your doctor or dietician about it yet? I've had small stalls along the way and I just recheck what I'm doing and I'm off again. That would be my best advice. What's your diet like?

I actually haven't been following anything in particular anymore, other then eating protein bars while I'm out instead of buying food and drinking lots of water. I have been really overwhelmed by a lot of things going on in my personal life these last 2 months do exercise has been hit & miss. I just try to makes sure if I can't exercise I'm making up for it with my diet.

Don't get yourself down! It sounds like you are doing good. I got upset at my 3 month post-op because I was 2 lbs shy of 100 and I felt like I had screwed something up! My surgeon couldn't believe how upset I was over 2 little pounds when I have come so far, lol. Just keep your head in it and change something up. Meet with for dietician or exercise consult again and see if there's something you might be missing. I think your doing great and keep up the good work!

I was eating solid foods 4 days out. It freaked me out a little bit, that I was already able to eat solids, but it's different for everyone I guess. There's some things that I still can't eat that my friend who had the surgery could eat, and vice-versa. I hope things get better for you soon and the doctor can figure out what is causing this, I can only imagine how frustrating and painful it must be! Keep us posted!

Just because the average is less than you would like to lose doesn't mean that that's all you will loose. If that's the case, then I'd be almost there, and I'm no where close to slowing down. Some people don't use the surgery as the tool in which it's intended. They destroy themselves by not following the right diet and having the right dedication to change their lives. Sometimes the surgery doesn't work for others like it does some. You have to remember everyone is different, therefore different results each time. The benefits of the surgery were far greater then the disadvantages, for me anyway. Even if I only got to 60% of my access body weight lost, that's 60% less weight then I was carrying before. You have to make the decision for yourself, but if you do what you are told and use the tool your being given as you should, there's no reason why you can't be successful and get to the goal you are setting for yourself. Also, just think about if you choose to not have the surgery, are you going to be happy with where you are at and where you might get to?

I don't think it would cause weight gain. Just consider the bloating that comes along with it though. Although you will bloat and probably retain Water, after your period that should all calm down and you will be right back to where you should be. I always gain about 3 lbs of water weight while I'm on my period, then when I weigh myself a couple days after I have ended, i'm down 5-6 lbs. I haven't heard/seen anything saying that you can't use tampons after the surgery.

More than likely. That's the IUD I have and before surgery, I hadn't had a period for close to a year, and it's right on schedule now. Mine is slowly lightening up and going away again though. The first time it started after surgery, it really freaked me out though, b/c I hadn't had a period like that since I was in high school and I had actually forgot what it felt like.

I have an IUD as well, and I've had a period since my 2nd month out. They haven't been very crazy, but I normally don't have them so the fact that they started again is a title disappointing lol.

I'm still here! I'm crazy busy with this being the last month of the semester for me, my grandpa is about to die and I got a job, so I'm just a little crazy lately! My weight loss has slowed significantly and I think it's because of all the stress I've been under. I finally was able to get a gym membership, I just have been swamped and haven't had a chance to use it much. One more month of school for this semester though and I'm going to be right back at it! Also, my husband is hopefully going to be getting the surgery late May/early June!

Have you talked to your doctor about it? Also, it could be what your eating too. I had a really hard time right before I scheduled my surgery and it turns out even though I was eating good foods, they weren't good for me. Everyones body is different, and some people can eat some things that others can't. For example, carrots aren't ideal for me to have as a normal staple in my diet, but dark veggies like green Beans and broccoli are. So if I eat a lot of carrots, even if I'm staying in my calories, I might not lose as much as I would if I ate more green beans. I don't know if this will help, but I hope so! Talk to your dietician, they would have a LOT of great suggestions good luck and keep us posted!

Yes! I'm freezing ALL the time. I was always hot before, but now I'm constantly cold. I sleep with 3 comforters and several pieces of warm clothing and I never get warm. I started turning on a spare heater in my room and shutting the door before my husband comes to bed. He says it's so hot in the room it's hard for him to breath, but I still feel cold. I know I live in Michigan, but I always stay bundled and it doesn't matter. I'm sure I will eventually adjust. I've had my blood drawn lately so there's nothing wrong that they found. I'm just cold (brrrr!)

The Vitamins I take are called "It's Vital" by a company called It Works Global. www.itworks.net The are amazing and I love them! My surgeon was very impressed with them, as well as the dietician. I am a consultant with them, so if you need any further information, please let me know!

Thank you!!!

I am having a lot of sinus pressure and drainage and I was just wondering if anyone knew if Benedryl was safe to take. Thanks!!

I havent gotten myself on a set exercise routine just because I'm usually very busy. I try to make sure I'm doing extra while I'm out running around though, like taking the stairs and parking further away from the buildings, etc. I'm doing school full-time and I know that's not an excuse for not exercising, but it's been very hard to get into the routine. Yeah, I eat chicken for breakfast lol. I don't change it up very much, just because I know it works for me and I don't feel sick after. It's boring, lol but I find that I don't get excited about food very much anymore, so eating boring doesn't bother me. I was able to out on a pair of kakis today that I haven't been able to wear for almost 4 years now, and it felt great. I finally let my husband take a "before and after 100lbs down" picture today. I'll have to post it when I get a chance. It sounds like you are doing amazing too! I just can't believe how much rings are changing and how fast!