Paigers

(This was my response to a low bmi soon to be sleever worried that she would be a slow loser. I got to thinking about it and realized its pretty common so I thought I would post as a topic for others who worry about it.)
Don't let the idea of being a "slow loser" worry you. I worried about this a lot before surgery and I compared myself to others alot for the first few months after surgery, but it really doesn't matter at all. I'm about to tell you why.
I am 5'2 and started with my bmi just barely under 40. I think it was 39.6 or something. I hit 5 months out a few days ago and have lost 55lbs. That may not be as big of a number as some the sleevers that start out at 300 or 400 lbs and drop 55lbs in 2 months, but I am averaging 2.7 lbs lost a week and while its not the fastest I don't think thats too bad. I also have no excess skin yet (fingers crossed). I am now in the overweight bmi category when just 5 short months ago I was a hair away from the morbidly obese category. And I have to admit I have not started to exercise at all yet (bad me I know but I am starting soon).
Some people lose slower and some faster but I promise it will all FEEL fast. It feels fast when I've gone from a size 18 jean and an XL shirt to a size 11 jrs jean and honestly (could probably wear a 9 now but haven't been shopping in weeks) and a M shirt. It will feel fast when you are clearing your closet out and everything hangs on you like a sack. It will feel fast when your smallest sizes from yo yo dieting get too big and you realize you have nothing to wear. It will feel fast when you realize you aren't starting fires between your thighs when you walk. It will feel fast when you buy a bunch of Victorias Secret cheekie panties and your tush looks amazing. It will feel fast when you climb a couple flight of stairs and you aren't the slightest bit winded. It will feel fast when you don't mind seeing someone you haven't seen in a while because you aren't ashamed of your weight anymore.
I may be technically considered a "slow loser" by some standards but the sleeve has allowed me to lose slowly but surely through a week long cruise, the fair, a 10 wk pregnancy and miscarriage, Thanksgiving, a vacation to Florida, 2 weeks of Christmas and New Years with my house loaded with company and fatty food. Any one of those things would've knocked me off any diet. Before the sleeve and I would've gained back all the weight I lost +10.
So being a "slow loser" is pretty awesome if you ask me. And probably if we went by percentage of weight lost I bet most of us sleevers would be in the same loss range. Its just going by lbs that throws everything off. I love this sleeve!

I am from Fla but getting sleeved in mex

I hope everyone who is released from the hospital is given appropriate discharge instructions, however it seems like some may have disregarded these important instructions. With anything, we need to be informed and take action, when necessary. So with that said, I would like to remind those recent surgical patients that when you leave the hospital, call your doctor if any of the following occurs:
**Signs of infection, including fever and chills
**Redness, swelling, increasing pain, excessive bleeding, or discharge from the incision sites
**Pain that you cannot control with the medicines you have been given
**Blood in the stool
**Pain, burning, urgency, or frequency of urination, or persistent bleeding in the urine
**Persistent nausea and/or vomiting
**Pain and/or swelling in your feet, calves, or legs
**Cough, shortness of breath, or chest pain
**Any other concerning symptoms
In case of an emergency, CALL 911
Be smart! This could save your life or prevent you from having major complications.

I never did fat free or sugar free anything. I never counted carbs. I did have a very modest weight loss goal. (170) easily maintaining!

Great topic
I'm in charge of cooking so I got to plan everything out and make it VSG friendly
Christmas Eve I made a noodlesless lasagna. Used eggplant for the layers and layered with sauce, ricotta, cheese and ground turkey. It was great and was a cross between eggplant parm and lasagna. I made shrimp scampi with it (didn't use real butter- margarine instead, lemon, a splash of wine. I only had a tiny bit of both. For dessert I made pumpkin yogurt panna cotta. Awesome, healthy and good amounts of Protein. And no sugar in it (made with stevia)
Christmas Day we had Turkey, I made a small think of stuffing (I didn't really want it but my mother did) so I made it from scratch, used whole wheat bread and added ground turkey. I made a Rachael Ray version of 'stuffin muffins'. She basically put the stuffing in a cupcake pan. Perfect serving size! (I only had a tiny tiny taste of it, but still perfect servings for my guests- maybe they won't overeat if I portion it out for them too lol) also made roasted sweet potatoes and brussle sprouts with balsamic vinegar. I only ate a few sprout halves. And For dessert- skinny cheesecake with strawberries. Low carb, no crust and made in a cupcake pan so perfect portions.
The food was well received also, healthy and great. Ill attach a few pics of my Christmas Eve dinner. I forgot to take pics of the Christmas Day stuff lol.

Good luck!! Hope all goes well very soon!!

I had nearly 80 to lose when I started... and I'm hypothyroid so it felt unattainable considering that I NEVER lose consistently and I ALWAYS lose SLOW! But here I am... Two months out... 37 pounds down and happier with this decision than anything I've ever done since finishing college! I just wanted to come on and share my progress pics since today is my surgiversary! Here you go and if my undies offend you I'm sorry... they just show progress very well . Top row pics were taken the night before surgery - bottom row were an hour ago.  

I totally pigged out and gained about 10 more pounds before I started my pre-op diet. It was a total food funeral extravaganza....complete with all the trimmings. I had my surgery on 12-12-12 and am feeling good now.

I am less than two weeks from surgery and find myself trying to eat everything that I know I won't be able to after surgery... am I mental? Of did anyone else feel this way or do this?
Feedback...
Keep it real please. Thank you.

I thought this would be an encouraging thread. A reminder for those in stalls (me!) that success isn't just a number on the scale!
1) I'm off insulin with awesome blood sugar readings!
2) I've stopped snoring. My husband will check to be sure I'm breathing at night because I sleep so quite and sound
3) My energy has soared. Soared I tell you! I hand tilled the garden a couple days ago.
4) My husband can easily wrap his arms around me and cross them!
5) I am engaged in my life. Not on the sidelines anymore.
5)

I finally did it - I finally hit the 200's! So excited to be under 300 and be living in Twoterville. I have worked really hard to get under 300 pounds and finally made it at 9 1/2 weeks post-op. (Starting weight was 333 and now officially 299) Not sure what I will make my next goal but I am excited about the journey I am on thanks to my vertical sleeve surgery!

Pre op 307 now 259

I was nervous too!! And I work in an operating room, so I know the drill!! But I lost 50 lbs preop, and another 20 Postop for a total of 70!!! Best thing I ever did! food and I had this long term relationship that just wasn't working for me anymore! We had to break up!!! I got game, now!!!

NSV #1 - So I am at the dog park today walking with one of my male dog park friends. As we are walking, one moment we are talking away, the next moment I am on the ground!! I was knocked over from behind by a dog. Needless to say I was in shock and a little embarrassed, but here is the good part. My male friend offers me his had to help me up; the first thing running through my mind is OMG he is not going to be able to pull me up!! WELL pull me up he did, I actually felt "light" if you ladies know what I mean, he didn't have to grunt or bend over!! Thinking of this now it was an amazing moment, I haven't felt like a "light" woman in a very, very long time.
NSV #2 - I was in the ladies clothes store purchasing some new clothes as I hardly have any left that fit me right. So at one point I was asking for a jacket on the wall that the saleslady had to take down for me. So she says to me," Well you must be a size 11 but may need a 13 for your broad shoulders". A SIZE 11!!!!!!!! OMG when have I ever been a size 11, well I can't really tell you how I felt: to be recognized as a "normal" size person and not an obese one. It is definitely one of the best weight loss moments of my life!!!!

I thought I was going to be three weeks post op on Tuesday, but it will be only two weeks. Time is going much slower than I thought!
Doing okay, on the pureed diet. Difficult to remember to eat. I don't feel weak or anything. Just don't want to be losing my hair and such faster than I need to. Getting in at least two Protein Shakes a day. My stomach is certainly active. I used to gulp Water like crazy. It is difficult to switch to small sips. Often I feel everything is stuck in my throat, if I take two gulps in a row without thinking. It is a new way to life and I am adjusting. No regrets.
I am baking my Christmas Cookies and making meals for my husband (empty nester), no problems there. He is my official tester, so I am depending on him a lot. I am okay with all of it. That I am grateful for.
I just can't wait until six months from now, everything will be easier.

I just got back from the doc's office on Monday 12/3, and he said I am cleared for alcohol and basically anything I want to eat that agrees with me, which is everything. I have had a few glasses of wine and I am still losing weight. I don't drink alot though, I have to be up early for work and hate that icky feeling in the morning, so I'm good with my one or two glasses on a Friday or Saturday. I have not had any side effects from the alcohol, I don't get drunk and I don't act weird, I feel the same as I did pre-surgery.

Dr. Ponce - Dec. 19th

Hey everyone! Haven't been around in while.. but I wanted to share... I was sleeved 4/24 and am down 84 lbs since starting my journey. I wanted to share some pics with you.... the first was taken 2 years ago at my company xmas party with my best friend (we both work in the same hospital, different departments tho) and the second was last night...
The 3rd pic was taken the day of surgery in April, and the last one was taken last week at a holiday party where I ran into my surgeon! He didn't know it was me at first! He told me how amazing it is to be able to see his patients look and most importantly FEEL so much better about themselves and their health.
What I love MOST about my sleeve? I was still able to eat the food at the party, had a piece of this and a piece of that (no Pasta or rice, still can't tolerate it) and I was full and satisfied and guilt free! I even saw another surgeon who has been following my success (I work on a surgical unit, so I see alot of them.. except my bariatric surgeon because I work nights and he rarely comes around when I'm there) and he saw me eating a chocolate covered strawberry (my weakness) and he cheered me on because he knew I could eat just one and be satisfied with that!
I hope everyone has an amazing holiday!

Great job! You look wonderful!!

Hello guys!! Everything went great! Dr Garcia called my hubby back home to let him know things went well.
I had some nausea and discomfort where the drain is, but other than that no problems. Just had a leak test and no leaks! So get some fluids soon! Everyone has been great!
I will post more details from home. Thanks for all your thought and prayers!!!

Good luck to all the December Sleevers!! I wish you guys the best!

God to bless your coming and your going, and may your surgery be uneventful and blessed. All will be well!

Got into the airport and Samuel (R4C) was there to meet me in a nice clean ford Arostar. I was his only pickup. He gave me some history and little facts as we drove to hotel.
Rosie the coordinator met me at the hotel and helped me check in and get to my room where she went over everything with me.
Had some broth and its not bad at all!! Gonna head to Walmart and explore. So far, great experience. Marriott shuttle will escort to the hospital in the morning
More to come......