Woobs

Jeff, Just realized I never answered the 5k race question-not until March. I might do one sooner but March is the goal. Congrats on hitting goal (and a little extra). I'm still about 20-25 lbs from mine. My weight loss has slowed down to a crawl but I'm not gaining and my sizes are still going down so...I will just be patient. I hear you on the body image stuff. Some folks around me say I'm getting "tiny." I don't see it though--but my body image thing had always been off. When I was morbidly obese I didn't see that girl in the mirror either. Its good to get the head check and make sure you're mentally where you need to be too - this journey isn't just about the weight alone. Remember this is the short part of the game, maintenance is the long game! But I'm sure you'll do great! Amber

NSV- I have started using the app couch to 5k (c25k). I ran/ walked 2 miles today. My miles were under 16 min each. :-) Fay, I hear you about the hair EVERYWHERE. It's crazy--thinking about it and having a coat for the winter made with it. Ok, not really but jeez!!!

Well my new sleeve adventure is hair loss. It's not a ton--I'm not going bald--but it is noticeable. I've read this can happen so not super worried think I need to up my vitamins a little bit though.

Way to go!!! :-)

Hi Robin, who will be your surgeon? Dr. O'Rourke did mine. Overall my care was excellent. Are you looking for op day/ hospital stay advice? Once you go into preop don't be surprised if you wait awhile. I checked in at 8am but wasn't rolled into my operating room til about 11:30. This can play havoc on the nerves but you'll get through it. If you're nervous about IVs, tell them. They'll call somebody down who does nothing but IVs. Packing- was pretty unnecessary. I brought a robe and slipper socks and they went unused (they give you socks to wear). Do have someone bring comfy stretchy clothes to go home in though. Ask for the bariatric wards chicken broth--it's better than the regular food service broth. Be assertive about your pain meds after you get off the button. My care was great except for when they were working on checking me out. I was on pain meds they would bring to me by then. I let them know that I would need another dose around two. They got overly busy and even though they checked on me for other stuff I went about 3 hours without being given anything for pain. Lets just say I was a little grouchy...I should've been more assertive. Also checking out took forever--the nurse practitioner on the floor was been pulled in a million directions so it just took awhile. Which was hard. Oh, also I heard that if you have nausea that the meds don't work on I've heard they can do acupuncture. I didn't have any issues so I didn't experience that myself. That's all I can think of...let me know if you have any questions though!

Fayfay, you and my weight loss are about the same. I'm a few lbs less but not by much. I hear you, it's hard not to compare yourself to everyone else--I fall into that trap myself sometimes. You just can't though because weight loss (VSG or no) is a personal journey and everybody is different. Just keep your eye on the prize--getting healthier--and try and be patient. Besides, Jeff's right, 10lbs a month is pretty amazing! :-) Keep your chin up, onderland is just on the horizon for us both. :-)

How are people dealing with the questions from coworkers? People are starting to notice my weight loss and commenting on it, asking me what I'm doing..."what's my secret." I've told a few people but I'm not comfortable sharing with everybody. I just keep saying "I'm eating less and moving around more" which isn't a lie but...I was wondering how other people are handling the questions...

I am on my second stall since surgery. The scale is loving 207 and just won't let go... It's annoying but I keep telling myself that it won't last forever. I am just impatient because I want to get to onderland I am the lightest I have been in I can't remember how long. I had a NSV realization the other day-- the weight that's on my drivers license which when I last renewed I sheepishly told the DOL gal a weight that we both knew was incorrect... is now still incorrect but now in reverse. :-) ...

Congrats Yoli. Where are you having it done? I had mine done in January at OHSU. Been so glad I did it.

WTG Jeff!!!! :-)

Glad to hear you're feeling better. I've treated everyone around me who even sniffles like they have the plague. I just couldn't imagine trying to concentrate on healing, etc and add a bug on top of it. Good luck on the 5k Jeff. I'm doing a 5k walk this month with a friend. Should be fun if the weather cooperates. My big milestone this week was going to my gym's "body works plus abs" class today. The instructor is this super fit older gal who gives everyone a run for their money. I'm not going to lie, I couldn't finish all the sets, and I used the lightest weights I ever recall using...but...I stuck it through the whole class and did the best I could. I'm pretty sure I'm going to feel like I got hit by a car tomorrow but it will be a good pain. Hope everyone is healing and doing well.

I also recommend the salmon burgers. I bake them too. The other day I made them and loved it (can fit about 1 patty in but feel very full). I'd my nut recommended veggie burgers. costco has the Morningstar chipotle black bean burgers--which I love. I sometimes use them with eggs and make a scramble for Breakfast. Another one...Kirkland canned chicken. Now I will be honest before surgery you would have never caught me eating canned chicken. Now, I love to cook with it! Use it with some low sodium taco seasoning and a side of refried Beans and its "Mexican" night. Or I cook it up with some peppers and onions add a little Water down teriyaki sauce and its "Chinese" food night. Last but not least, ground turkey. My Costco (don't know about others around the country) has the cheapest ground turkey in town so we are always grabbing some when we go.

2013neeme, I hear you! In fact up until last Friday I was you (even the same weight)! A few days after my first post op appt my I hit a stall. It lasted for at least two weeks. I would step on the scale, see the 218, step off, count to 10 so I wouldn't pick up the scale and throw it, and then start my day only to do the same thing the next day. So here's what I can tell you... 1) while this was happening lots of people actually started to mention that I looked thinner. Which I thought was crazy because the scale wasn't moving. I think I was slimming down size wise though because now I can fit into my "skinny" jeans and well...breathe. So check your measurements. This may help you motivation and emotionally until the scale starts moving again. If nothing else, you can see how far you've come so far and feel good about it. 2) the scale has finally started moving again! I'm sure it will for you too. I talked with my doc about it and she seemed fine with my little plateau and said that it was good it happened so I could learn to work through it. Our bodies just need a little time to adjust every so often at first because of the rapid weight loss. 3) I really think you need to get the water in. Also, i don't know how much protein you're getting but make sure you're getting what your program recommends. The other thing (that my doc asked me to do) was eat more frequently. She asked me to add a snack in because she wanted my metabolism to stay up and she felt I wasn't eating frequently enough. So...thought I'd mention. Keep your chin up! You're doing great. Remember this will be a long road and its bound to get bumpy every so often. :-)

Jeff, oh definitely the deal won't work for everybody and it helps that we don't have kids. Good luck with the birthday party #2. I feel your pain on the food = love front. I'll be honest, I've been avoiding seeing my Dad for that very reason. When I was on my pre-op diet he kept trying to feed me until I finally had to say "Dad, I love you and I know you love me. You can stop offering me food." He just stared at me for a second like I'd grown two heads and then said ok. I don't think he even realizes what he's doing. So good luck fellow sleever! I'm sure you'll do great!

I think a pinkies worth of cake is ok. I keep reminding myself that moderation is going to be the key to making this last long term. As for the spouses, my husband and I had to come to terms with how we were going to work with my sleeve. He likes to bring me home "surprises" which he now has to think about in non-food terms. Also, I didn't want him to feel like just because I can't/won't eat something doesn't mean he can't...but...on the flip side I can't be successful if I open up the fridge and pantry and see chips, candy, etc... So, the deal is he can eat whatever he wants outside of our home but he can't bring it home. What's funny is, as a side effect to this new deal, he's losing weight too. :-)