Izuri

Congratulations!!! I'm glad to hear that you're doing well. It's great that you're up and moving about, keep it up!

This is knowledge I have gained from here, reading long term members posts and many questions about it. I am by no means an expert, but my take on it is that since the stretchy part of your stomach is removed it is pretty difficult to significantly stretch your stomach. That doesn't mean impossible, but you would have to be eating large quantities often.

One account of stretching came from a woman who was eating constantly. She would eat until she couldn't and then wait half an hour and then do the same thing again. If you have eating behaviors like this, or attempt to return to your previous eating quantities, it is possible to stretch your stomach some.

I can tell you that I have eaten til I was full, I have eaten until I was overfull. I still have head hunger and struggle with food issues. But those times have been less than I can count on one hand, and I still have great restriction. I would say that as long as you are listening to your body and not intentionally pushing it, that you are not at risk for stretching aside from the normal small amount that comes from just regular eating.

I tried pizza a couple of months out. Occasionally my family will order it and I was craving some so bad for the first few months and everyone seemed to be having it all the time! But when I tried it I realized a couple things....1. It tasted different - it was much greasier and after chewing like 20x it starts to taste/have a gross consistency 2. The bread on it just did not sit well - it would feel like it got stuck right above my stomach and be a lump 3. I couldn't eat almost any of it anyway - two bites of pizza is totally not satisfying to me.

And we are talking about pizza I used to LOVE pre-op. So it's not that I just ordered a crappy pizza or something. I've tried it a couple times since then because I keep thinking that it's the pizza I used to love, but I just don't like it anymore. I never thought I'd say it, but I think I'm over pizza, at least for the time being.

That being said, I haven't tried homemade pizza on flatbread or anything. That's on my to-do list. If you do end up trying it, make sure you wait until you're on full foods and be prepared for it to possibly be different.

Thank you everyone for all the compliments! It's nice to hear that the difference is really visible to others too =)

izuri

the thing about pictures, they never go away, and IMO its good to be reminded ( on a rare occassion) where you were - its ok

but thats all in the past

you know where you are, and you can only enjoy knowing, and seeing where you are going

you are looking great!!!!

good luck

keep up the great work bud

congrats

Thank you! It really is nice to be able to look back and never forget where you started. It's really an incredible journey.

Seems like the first thing to always go is your facial fat! Love it you look great!

•Highest Weight - 240 •Surgery Weight 8/3 -230 •Weight 8/31 -203 • Weight 9/30 -186 •Current Weight 11/15 -168

I know - I love not having a fat face anymore =p

What are you rules..like carbs..fats ect. ..I want stats similar to yours..that's awesome..I'm close to your old size...would.love to be down that much on four.months

I was really strict with myself the first 2 or 3 months. Hit my Protein goal every day. Once I was allowed to work out I was working out almost every day. Lately I've kind of fallen off the wagon as far as that goes, but I've been working on getting back on the protein wagon (I'm starting to have some Hair loss so I'm hoping it helps that too). I love Isopure zero carb and muscle milk light and drink one or two every day. Even when I don't work out, I walk a ton. My boyfriend and I go places to walk almost every weekend, so I think that's helped. Mostly I just follow my doctor's guidelines and I still have great restriction so it works well. I have a feeling that at four months you'll probably be close to where I am =)

I took a couple new pictures today and thought I would share. I found some old pre-surgery pictures on my computer today and felt like I wanted to see where I was in comparison.

Pre-surgery (Highest recorded weight: 325)

Shortly post-surgery (Approx: 320)

Approx 2 months out (50 pounds down)

Almost 4 months out (76.2 pounds down)

The last 2 are from today. They aren't the best pictures as I had just gotten up from a nap, but I really think it shows a big difference from where I started. I am so thankful for my VSG! =)

Starting weight: 325

Current weight: 248.8

New Years Goal: 230

1) Increase your calories a little if you can. There is no point in starving yourself, just take it slow, eat every couple hours, and make sure what you eat is high in Protein - Your protein goal is far more important than calories.

2) Accept the stall. It's almost impossible to do while you're in it, but a few weeks out I hit a stall that lasted 3 full weeks. I was nutty at that point worrying that I'd gotten stuck and wouldn't continue losing. I tried EVERYTHING I could think of. Eventually it just broke on its own. I know I am gonna jinx myself typing this so *knock on wood* I have not had a stall since. My weight loss is slowing down a bit now (About 3.5 months out) but I'm still losing a good 2+ pounds a week.

3) Do something fun. All the stress just increases cortisol in your body, which can be a contributing factor to weight gain. I dunno if it really makes a huge difference, but either way - getting out and doing something for you so that you feel good is healthy!

You're doing great. Hang in there and the pounds will just randomly start coming off again one day after your body finishes adjusting.

Yay for having fun with intimacy finally! I thought that I was going to feel very insecure and uncomfortable, but I'm not. One of my favorite NSVs =)

It took a good 1-2 weeks til I was even comfortable sleeping on my side. I don't sleep on my stomach a lot, but I would say that the first time I did after surgery was probably about 3 weeks out, and I don't think I really would have been comfortable before that.

Felt like forever. I think they finally fell off/I pulled them off about 3 weeks out.

Surgery day: July 26th, 2012

Starting weight: 325

Current weight: 257

Goal weight: 245

I'm gonna be in class tomorrow, but wanted to update for Halloween since I've already passed my goal.

My post on August 25, 2012 was:

Starting weight: 325

Surgery Date: July 26th, 2012

Current Weight: 299

Goal Weight by Oct. 31, 2012: 280

But my current weight is now 257! I lost 42 pounds between August 25th and today. Still am not quite into my size 22s, but I feel great! =) I hope everyone did awesome and has a great Halloween!

I have seen a wide variation of posts on this topic, from not having a period at all, to having very heavy periods. I was curious though if anyone has had a similar experience to me.

I have been on my period on and off for the entire 3 months since I've had my surgery. At first it seemed like I was just getting it more often, but now it will start at the drop of a hat. I have just started seeing a new guy, and would love for things to progress in that department at a normal rate, but I'm kind of terrified that it will start up, since it does any time my hormones seem to get going. I knew hormones going wacky is normal, but this is really getting stressful.

I started the Nuvaring today, which has been prescribed to me for the last couple months, but I'd been afraid to take it. I'm hoping that might have an effect. At this point I am even willing to go through a stall if it puts me on one just so that I can have a few weeks off!

I have an appointment with my gynecologist in a few weeks, and I have my 3 month follow up next week so I will ask my surgeon, but I was hoping maybe anyone had a little insight on it or just to know whether anyone else is having this issue.

What is this only word? That's like 6+ pounds per week =p You're doing awesome! When else have you lost 25 pounds in only one month? You should be jumping for joy, you're doing great!

I was scared as heck too. Usually the anesthesiologist comes and asks if you have any questions and that's a good time to tell them you're worried, they are good at handling it. They gave me a sedative as they were wheeling me into the surgery room, so I was much calmer, able to get myself on the table and the second they put the mask on me I either fell asleep or at least got to a point that I don't remember. Woke up in recovery room feeling very foggy, but fine. It's scary but you'll come through on the other side and not remember a thing =)

I don't think a runny nose will postpone your surgery at all. If you were ill with a fever, maybe, but not if it's just a little bit of a cold.

I am a month late, but would like to join!

Start weight: 325

Surgery weight: 321

Today: 271.6

January 1, 2013 goal: 240

Workout goal: at least 4 workouts per week

Journaling goal: 6+days a week on MFP

You look fabulous! Keep it up =)

Awesome NSV =)

Congrats! You are doing great =)

Woohoo! This is fun, isn't it? =) Keep it up!

Congratulations!!! You are doing awesome, keep up the good work =)