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.

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 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!!!