panda_sam

My doc said, no drugs 2 weeks pre-surgery.
I would also stay away from it as long as possible post-surgery, as it has unwelcome physical effects such as rapid heartbeat (you don't wanna pass out) or munchies (which, combined with impaired judgment, could lead you to eat something harmful for your new sleeve). I enjoy some substances, but I've made the decision to postpone it all to minimum 3 months post-surgery.

I'm new to the site and should be getting my surgery date tomorrow. Getting nervous. Mostly I'm worried that this 100lbs is a medication issue and after all this I still won't lose anything. I've been working with a dietician since May with no results. ( like 3 lbs). Anyway, it's nice to see that I'm not alone. And I've gotten some insight regarding possible post op issues. So, thank you all. I look forward to this journey with you!

I'm not gunna lie...that thought has crossed into my head many, many times. I've seen family members and friends who have had the surgery look down right sick looking and too thin. This is NOT the case with every bypass patient, but it's also a concern of mine. I'd like to be healthy after this surgery, not 110 lbs....but maybe I'm being a little unrealistic lol

Welcome to VST Andreas wow, sleeved in 2009. Almost a three year sleever, that definately makes you a veteran.
How long has your weight loss been stalled? Any idea why?
We've got a great community here. I hope you choose to hang around a while.
We seem to do a pretty good job of keeping each other motivated and focused on our targets.
Being a 3year veteran, I'm not sure how much advice we can offer, but we are really good at the support & community thing.

Hello all, My name is Gina and I am 25 years old. I am a newbie on this site and so far have found it absolutely amazing. Everyone is so knowlegdable and so sweet. I am now 3 days post- op. My surgery was at 11am on August 3rd 2012. My highest weight was 241. Pre-op before liquid diet 236. One day into liquid diet 230 second day into liquid diet 227. Day of surgery 8/3 I was 224. During my hospital stay I went back up to 227. Today I am 224. Any advice for the newbie in town? Reguarding anything and everything! I need as much advice as possible. From diets to excercise esp. Because I am worried about excess skin? Anything you have to offer I will be grateful of. Thanks ❤

**Waves hat in the air** ...YEEEEEHAW!!!!

Wow, your friend can eat more than I do now. U are doing fine. We all go at our own pace and we end up skinny too! No worries so focus on ur accomplishments and marvel at all the NSV'S coming ur way!

Another way to see this is as an adjustment period after a big loss...( here is the reason to be EXCITED about an adjustment..) its followed by another big loss.
Having said that,I still freak out if it lasts too long!It just puts doubt in my mind.
I've lost really fast for my age and genentics by eating real solid Proteins.Hardly ever needed a shake since I could eat.
You will look at your friend,that's what we do even if we know we shouldnt.So,if you say she eats lots,how what does she eat that you dont and what does lots mean?
40 pounds in 2 months seems great to me.Will go and see where I was at 2 months out but it seems like a heck of a lot more than what some people lose.
xxo

I'm 11 days post op and have not lost any weight at all in the past 8 days. Not even 100 grams. Can be disappointing but I just think my body is in shock. Hang in there, its just another bump in the road

A couple of things. First, don't compare yourself to your friend. That will drive you crazy. Everyone loses weight at a different pace. BUT everyone that does this loses weight! You have done great so far. You have lost an average of five pounds per week! If you had done that on a diet like weight watchers, you would be celebrating! Second, I have read on this forum that stalls are completely normal. I had my surgery the day before you and experienced a stall for a couple of weeks and then a very small creeping down of the scale for a few weeks and then boom, suddenly losing again. Based on what I have read, I expect that this will happen again. It's frustrating, but it happens. If you are following the plan, drinking your fluids, eating your proteins and keeping carbs low, and exercising you will continue to lose weight and get to your goal. As for shake, look at how much protein you are getting with food alone. If you are making it to 60-80 grams per day, then you are doing fine. If not, consider adding a protein shake to get you there. I have to drink at least one shake per day because I can't get all my protein in with food alone.
Keep up the good work!

I started gaining weight 5 years ago....and gaining fast. I put on 130 lbs in a little over 2 years. I had myself medically checked for everything. Every test to diagnose something that would cause such dramatic weight increase came back negative. I was so frustrated for a couple of years. I wanted the docs to find something wrong with me medically, then say here is a pill and you'll be back to your 130lb figure. No such luck! I finally had to come to terms with the obvious. I turned 30 (slower metabolism) ate crappy fast food daily, Stopped exercising, and was extremely stressed at work. Yikes by the time I snapped to reality and tried to change my behavior, I was in a strangers body. A body that was once very limber, now could barely bend to tie her shoe, or find any energy after or before work to be active. About 3 months ago I started talking to a friend at work who was having issues with weight as well. WLS entered the discussion, and I voiced an interest in the lap band. My friend mentioned a newer procedure her sister had gotten and demonstrated success.... VSG... I researched the band, bypass, and VSG. VSG made the most sense to me by far. I won't list my reasons in detail, as I'm sure they correlate to many others reasoning. Mid May I went to a seminar at a very reputable center of excellence and took the next step in making an initial consult with one of the surgeons, on June 8th 2012. I made up my mind to get the sleeve and started the approval process. My surgeons office sent all necessary documentation to my insurance company UHC and I was approved because my BMI was 40 or greater within 2 weeks. My surgeons office then required the following clearances: Pulmonology consult, dietary class, psych evaluation, pre-op support group class, upper gi, chest X-ray, and blood work up, etc. I was then able to schedule my surgery date for July 30th. I had to follow a strict pre-op diet consisting of only 4-5 protein shakes per day with sf Popsicles, and jello 15 days prior to surgery. The day prior to surgery I was allowed only clear liquids and had to drink a 10oz bottle of magnesium citrate (bowel prep) the night before surgery I needed to gargle with 1/2 bottle of Listerine (my mouth was on fire) I also needed to shower with Hibiclense that night. The morning of the procedure I gargles with the other half of the Listerine and bathed with the other half of Hibiclense. I arrived at the hospital 2 hours prior to my surgery as told. I went to registration, everything was entered in the system already, and they took me up to the surgical floor. The nurses had me gargle with more Listerine, pee in a cup (pregnancy test precaution) and I changed into a high tech surgical robe that they attached a warming hose to. The nurse then hooked up my IV, the surgeon met with me briefly asking if I had any questions. I was then visited by the anesthesiologist, who explained they would inject some happy medicine to make me relax. They then wheeled me into the OR and lifted me onto the OR table... That was all she wrote. I woke up about an hour and 1/2 later in recovery. I had some problems breathing when I woke up ( not too bad) and they continued to monitor my pain. I was then transferred to my own beautiful private room with a view of a large swan pond. I was in pain but it wasn't terrible. They didn't have to put a JP drain in, and I was allowed to shower the next day. I stayed in the hospital for 2 nights. I also did experience buyers remorse. I asked myself why i would put myself through something like this voluntarily, because of the pain, then remembered people on this site recolecting there accounts. The thing that helped me through so much of my hospital experience was the stories others posted on this site. I read so many posts, and educated myself prior to the day of surgery,and it helped. I knew the buyers remorse stage would pass, as it had for others. I am 5 days post op now and let me tell you it is sureel. Im sure I will run into more obstacles along my VSG journey but I know where to turn, and what tools are available. I really hope my story helps at least 1 person going through the pre-op stages. I am thankful this site was available to me.

Having a waiting period is good for a couple of reasons. The most important is going to get mentally prepared for the big change that is comming. Post op you are going to loose weight as long as you follow the rules. I lost 85 lbs prior to my operation. That helped me out alot for the surgery. It made it easier for the surgeons to work. I spent alot of time on here gathering information. Good Luck!!!!
Go Celtics!

Hey! I am having my first appointment this month...hoping I dont have to wait to long to get it done. I am sure that it is hard having to wait but look at it this way it took years to get over weight and in just a few months you are on your way to getting rid of all the unwanted weight! You have 6 months to start window shopping for new clothes!
Congrats! Take care!

The 6months will fly by, funny how we can be fat all our lives but now want to hurry the process up. We are just excited and want that Sleeve already,lol.