crickee

I had mine out 23 months after surgery. My pain was back pain that I thought was muscular, until I realized I had creeped up to eating tums on and off all day due to indigestion. Went to primary Dr., she ordered an ultrasound where gallstones were confirmed. I then had the gallbladder function scan that showed I was 90% blocked and my first gallbladder attack (front abdomen pain that felt like labor pain) that night. Surgery was 4 days later, I didn't realize how bad I had felt until it was removed. Surgeon said my color in recovery room was 100% better than pre-op, I felt better as soon as I woke up.

The closer I get to my goal, (only 5 pds to go), the slower I have lost, but I have been a slower loser overall. I think this is my body's way of saying I'm close to where my natural weight should be. I have also allowed a few extra treats in that I didn't for at least the first 9 months.

I had good practice before vsg, I started taking supplements after a complete hysterectomy 8 years ago. I still use Flinstones with Iron, it's the only iron that I can take without nausea. My supplements are the first thing I do every morning. I then drink 16 ounces of Water while I put my makeup on to get a jumpstart on the water for the day.

We are here for you, so hang in there! I have found if I start grazing, to walk away and do something busy for 10 minutes. It takes my mind off the food when I really don't want or need it. I still don't have physical hunger, but the head hunger does rear its ugly side if I'm not careful, usually when I'm tired and/stressed.

Thanks for the info. Luckily I don't eat heavy fatty foods anyway so that and the fact that I still don't get hungry 2 yrs out will be my saving grace I hope. I have only had one Protein Shake today for dinner and so far I'm doing ok. They told me its ok just to drink if I don't feel like eating, hydration is more important.

Good luck to you tomorrow! Hang in there, the first couple weeks are the roughest. Just focus on being on the losers bench!

Mine is scheduled for Wednesday too, I can't wait to feel normal again! Thanks and good luck to you as well!

Well, I finally got all the testing done and I have to have gallbladder surgery next week if I make it til then without a bad attack. I have a 98% blockage, no wonder I have felt so terrible lately! If any of you have right side back pain and an increase in acid indigestion go to your dr. I didn't have any frontal abdominal pain until this week, but have had back pain for over 6 months that felt like muscular. Last night I had the worst attack, felt like labor without a baby. Please say prayers that I don't end up in emergency surgery. I'm going back to all Protein Shakes until this is over hoping that I can keep another attack from happening.

I don't have my surgery until Nov. 10th but one of the things I worry about (in addition to gaining the weight back) is not drinking anything 30 min. before, during or 30 min. after a meal. It's just so natural for me to have a glass of tea or Water when I eat. That's going to be a hard habit to break.

Livsmum--you're my new idol! You look great. I'm about 40 years older than you but I want to be slim again! This will be my time to succeed!

Not drinking was a big thing for me as well! The funny thing is now its natural not to drink with a meal! You will replace your bad habits with good habits because you have to. The most satisfying change for me is knowing I can have a bite or 2 of anything sweet and walk away without feeling deprived! I was definitely a carb and sweets addict before surgery, now I crave salt.

I was a size 22/24 before surgery and now a size 8, smallest I have ever been. I didn't drop clothing sizes that fast while I was still in the plus sizes, but once I reached the misses sizes they drop real fast. I wasn't a fast loser, just slow and steady. Keep staying on the program, it will happen!

I love Premier Protein ready to drink shakes. I cannot tolerate any of the powders and have tried just about everything the last 2 years. I still have at least 1 shake per day usually for Breakfast.

Oh yeah, this is very common! My coworker sent me a before pic about 3 months after surgery saying how proud she was of me. I still keep that pic as a reminder of the journey. I too never thought I was "that big", it funny how our brain works.

I had to swallow a pill the next day in the hospital and I was scared to death based on what I was told. I was told for a while nothing larger than the size of an M&M. The hardest part at first is drinking, I too couldn't wrap my head around not being able to gulp 16 oz of Water at one time. As everyone has said, one day at a time, it will slowly become your new normal and you won't think about it so much. About a month ago, I had eaten a 1/4 of a sandwich and then drank within 10 minutes, due to being very busy. Needless to say, it came right back up. I have been one of the lucky ones that I didn't get sick at the beginning. You will know what you can and can't do, just listen to your body, you can do it!

I get a pain in my lower mid back on the right side after I eat some times I figured it was a kidney thing . Going to talk to my dr when I go in. .

I have had the same pain for many months, and thought it was muscular from exercise. I started having very bad indigestion several months ago. I went to my doc last week and had a gallbladder ultrasound today. They called this afternoon and said its gallstones. Sad to say I hope the gallbladder scan turns out positive it can come out and I can get back to normal. The indigestion has been awful. I have had twinges in the front, but mostly all in my back.

The PA at my surgeons office said the hardest thing to change was how you visualize yourself. I am now a loose size 10 almost size 8 and deal with the body image issue a lot. I work at a school so I am constantly in the public eye. The moms who are very fit constantly compliment me on being small. I know that technically I am small, but I don't feel it in my head. I thought that this far out my internal perception would be changing faster. This seems to be the biggest hurdle to face from people I know who have been through a major weightloss as we have. I just wish I could change it a little faster, LOL!!!

I am 15 months out and I still can't eat raw carrots. I tried again about 4 weeks ago and they felt like lead for over 2 hours. I do eat a small salad every day with my Protein. I have the last 17 pounds to goal and I have reverted back to a couple of shakes to increase my Protein each day. I have never been able to get the amount of protein my nut wanted me to eat. I still eat protein first, then veggies religiously.

I too am in the minority and don't have hunger issues. I am a slow loser (always have been). I occassionally will have head hunger. My solution is to either drink Water or a Protein shake. I still do shakes several times a week at Breakfast.

I just recently found out about cool sculpting and wondered if anyone here had tried it. I have always had large thighs and would really rather not have surgery on them. This sounds like it might be a solution that has shown great results.

Will I EVER get there??!!!

YES, you will! The 2-3 month mark is when everyone get impatient or begins to question the surgery! I remember thinking will I ever enjoy food again at this stage, and you do. Keep doing what you are supposed to and it will happen!!! We have all been there!

My husband was laying on the couch with me and asked me why I had my cell phone in my pocket, I told him that I didn't but that was my hip bone! haha

Also having lots of trouble with my tailbone. I actually have a sore on it and when I sit on it the wrong way, oh my word! I bought one of those blow up donut pillows and have to use it most anytime I sit. Taking a 7 hour flight next week and my donut will be with me on that flight! Last time I took a flight it felt like I was sitting on a hammer!!!

Please go see your family doctor about this, it could be a pilonidal cyst. They are very common, but no one talks about them. They can be very painful!

I too am a side sleeper, I put a pillow between my knees some nights like I did when I was pregnant! I am very aware of my coccyx, certain chairs are not comfortable anymore. I also have had a pilonidal cyst there since I was 18, I really try to be careful not to put extra pressure on it! I really don't want to have it removed, having it lanced once was more than enough and that was over 30 years ago!

I completely understand! I have gone from a size 42 bra to a 34! Also, now that the rear padding is gone, I can feel my tailbone on certain chairs . . . . . not fun!

Hmmm. . . . I always knew there were hip bones under there, just never really felt them until last night. My cat decided to "walk all over me" and something didn't feel right where she walked. I checked and LOL, it was my hip bone I was feeling! It took -100 lbs to notice this and that I actually have knees that I can see! My hubby just laughed and said he never thought about that before!

100% yes, I would have it again! I have never felt better or been as small as I am in my life (well probably pre-teen years, but can't remember them). I also do not have an appetite almost 1 year out, nor do I get cravings. This has been the best thing I have done with the exception of marrying my hubby and having my kids!

I can eat 1/2 of a sandwhich thin, but regular bread is completely out! I also used to love bread and Pasta. I can eat very miniscule amounts of pasta but it's like a lead balloon in my sleeve, so I will only do it once in a while.