RAAinNH

RAAinNH wow - that was you knocking on the door
you are one of the latest and greatest new members in the "Onderland
now, lets all wait patiently at the entrance..........
to meet and greet other newbies and everyone else to go through that door
congrats on starting your journey - looking forward to a healthier, happier, longer life
good luck
kathy

Congrats! Great job, can't wait to be there

Woohoo. Congrats

Excellent!!!!!! YAY for ONDERLAND!

Good Morning Everyone!
I have lost 14.3 pounds since my surgery, two weeks ago. I have made it to Onderland!

Good Morning Everyone!
I have lost 14.3 pounds since my surgery, two weeks ago. I have made it to Onderland!

Good Morning Everyone!
I have lost 14.3 pounds since my surgery, two weeks ago. I have made it to Onderland!

Good Morning Everyone!
I have lost 14.3 pounds since my surgery, two weeks ago. I have made it to Onderland!

of course i'm so happy, healthy, blissful about my successes these past 19 months!!!!
went to my nurse/surgeon today - we were talking about how i'm doing
she said you are doing great - then somewhere in the conversation she said.......
people usually gain weight back in a couple of years!!!!
last week i went to a doctors office that knew i had WLS
the nurse and i were talking
she also just "threw" in the comment that its so sad that so many people gain the weight back!!!!
are you kidding me!!!!!
why in the world would anyone - especially a medical person say such a thing
i was just so shocked both times i literally think my mouth dropped!!!
i couldn't make a proper reply
i was speachless
anyone who "knows" me is aware that i love to talk and "write" alot "
i know "some" a "few" maybe might gain , but not this proudgrammy!!!!
but for ANYONE to put a cloud over your/my head - OMG???
well thats my vent for the day
kathy

Wonderful news! May God bless you and your family!

Just got home from a trip to Orlando I'm on purée stage had some Protein Shakes but mostly chicken roasted or grilled and chewed it really well and tolerated it also yogurt, scrambled eggs worked out ok Lost 2 lbs
Sent from my iPhone using VST

So im 9monhs post-op had my surgery Oct-9.2012. ive lost a total of 113lbs...feels great....but I found out today that I'M PREGNANT! I thought this would never happen to me due to fertility problems....I know its been only 9months but this surgery has made one of my DREAMS come true and im so happy to start my own family with my husband!

Well fellow sleevers I did it! Sleeved on the 8th. Observed til the 9th and discharged home on the which was a cautionary measure. Dr Clark is awesome. I left preop about 9:30 am and awakened in recovery 11am. Received dilaudid in recovery Of course I had gas pain,but no where near when I had the band put in. I hadn't been n my room 30 minutes before radiology took me down for barium swallow. Results were good. Back to the room where I began the dry heaves and up chucking gas bubbles. I had terrible nausea even though I was given Zofran, Pepcid and nystatin preop. Needless to say until he nausea wore off , it was difficult. I continued to take iv pepcid and zofran post op. I was discharged the next morning still nauseated but home. I slept a lot on the 9th to allow my body to heal. Today I finally felt I could drink Water and I have had almost two cups so far today. Oh yeah and passing gas thru the other end, which is good thing. I'm on my way now, looking forward to a healthier me.

Hello Sleever People!
I had my surgery January 25, 2010 with Dr. Aceves in Mexico and have never once looked back. I was on this board pretty much 24/7 pre-op and for a long time post op and one of the things that I desperately wished for more of was feedback from people that were "long term" sleevers. We seem to be few and far between and I swore I would provide regular updates... fail!!! And I apologize to any of you that, like me, wish for more of the "big picture" - no pun intended! It's true that we simply get on with life after surgery and before we know it, life has been blowing by and suddenly it's been some fantastic years gone by - you'll see, trust me!
So, the long and short of my sleeve experience has been incredible – there truly are no words to describe one of the absolute best decisions I’ve ever made for myself. I started at 254 and lost exactly 100 pounds well before the end of the year. I ate low carb and drank Protein Shakes forever it seemed. About a year and change after surgery, after maintaining a size 4/6 154# for months, I started gaining – eeekk!!! – I attributed this primarily to nursing school (which I started the same week of my vsg and have since finished and am now working in an ER – whole nuther story!) and grazing all day. Cashews are the devils work, btw!! I was scared and worried but stopped gaining after slowly putting back on 20 pounds. I’ve lost five of that since, am now in a size 8/10 and have been holding there for some time. I truly eat what I want within reason. I’m in a good place mentally and physically. I have been at this weight for over a year now.
I 100% BELIEVE THAT EXERCISE IS CRUCIAL TO YOUR SUCCESS LONG TERM!!!!! So commit to it, the sleeve, while a fantastic tool, WILL NOT solve all of your problems if you aren’t prepared to take care of yourself and having the sleeve makes it easy!! Like any “diet” or whatever, the long term is the trick; you will be able to eat A LOT more as time goes on yet nothing like before. You WILL be able to eat enough and often enough to gain weight if you are not aware. But it’s different. I would have easily gained that 100# back by now, that I know.
So, for me, to compensate for eating so-so, I bicycle competitively and long-distance; average 50 miles every other day at about 19mph. I have a group that I ride with but do it often on my own too. Burns a gajillion calories.
I guess the bottom line is that your life is going to be absolutely incredible post-op BUT, you will always have to be aware of what’s going in and out. The story about the woman who gained all her weight back cuz she would order an xl pizza and work on it all day? I can see that!! Yikes! But, you know what? Don’t buy the stupid pizza!! Easy!!
I wish you all the very best and please feel free to contact me to vent, ask questions, whatever, I’m happy to help and happy to be here for you.
Carol

After 3 weeks of hell... I can now confirm there is a light at the end of the tunnel. I ate all normal soft foods today after a hellacious 3 weeks. It was amazing!!!! 2 pieces of steamed shrimp and one Tomato slice with a small slice of fresh mozzarella for dinner. No pain, no nausea, no reflux, and I feel full. Just finished my 30 min wait and sipping some sugar free juice. There is hope for all of you suffering - just keep looking forward.

Today is the day I hit 188 on the scale I have lost 100 pounds I really cant believe I was ever that big. And I still get shocked at my own reflection:) Love my sleeve

I'm so excited I'm down 40 lbs and 32 lbs from goal. I'm only 3 months out. I'm noticing a considerable difference in my body. But the pictures speak for themselves.

I have to admit, while researching the sleeve that number concerned me! I wanted to lose 100%! I personally know 2 people who have lost 100% and one had trouble losing too much! The other is 8 months pregnant and was flaunting her cute little belly in a bikini yesterday. I'm 8 months out and have already lost 70% of my excess.
For those still researching, don't let that number discourage you! I don't know how they came up with it! Seems like most lose more than that!

Does anyone feel that we just over think things? We all have instructions from our individual surgeons and program that we've been given to follow as different as they all are.
Do you think that maybe listening to other people's fears and doubts gets in the way? As it was explained to me pre op the only difference is that our stomach is smaller and we have to relearn how to treat it. I guess what I mean is that just just because one person has a good/bad experience doesn't mean you will too. I know that personally I let some of the things I've read on here quite nearly cause me to cancel my surgery at the last minute. But I went ahead and did it. That was nearly 3 weeks ago and while I really wish I didn't have to make this journey after 40 years of fighting this battle and not getting anywhere, I did not feel I had a choice. My sleeve is a bit bigger than some. Done with a 38 bougie and only 80% of the stomach removed. My doctor has done wls exclusively for 12 years and finds that in his patients that it caused fewer complications and better quality of life. Since I started soft foods at 2 weeks I definitely have good restriction and nothing I've tried has given me any problems no throwing up, no nausea. I have had ravioli and corned beef hash (they told me as long as it could be mashed with a fork I could try it.) I know some people have issues but I don't really understand why a food you have eaten all your life would suddenly make you sick-provided that you chew well and don't eat too fast. Too fast is my problem. Have always been a very fast eater.
Anyway, I know that this is long and rambling but I was just wondering if anyone that had similar thoughts.

I'm 5 months out from surgery and I've lost 94 pounds. I have 55 pounds left to lose to reach my goal of 125. I'm 5 ft tall. I'm so excited about the weight I've lost so far and feel a million times better.
I hesitate to post this because the before pic is me in my underwear but It's the only pic I have that really shows the difference. I hope it doesn't offend anyone.
My family is getting ready to go on a beach trip and I bought a swim suit. I got a halter bikini top and swim shorts. I tried to find a pic of me last year at the beach but I couldn't find any that showed me from the shoulders down...but I found this underwear pic from the night before surgery.
I've lost a total of 64 inches so far! I've lost 13.5 inches from my hips and 10 inches from each thigh!! I'm amazed at the process and I'm loving this journey!
Please, if underwear offends you, do not click on the pic. :-)

my surgeon gave me a card, and it allows me to order off the kids or seniors menu. I have better luck with seniors menus, as kids meals are usually crap food. But I find that I save more money by just ordering an entrée ala cart, and then have a bite of my hubby or daughters sides if I have room.

My surgery date was March 21, 2012....I have lost a total of 160 pounds!!! I just want to let everyone know don't get discouraged...this is the best thing I ever chose to do. It's hard at first but stay committed and make this a life style change. I love my sleeve.

You look wonderful! Congratulations!

I was discharged with only one night stay in the hospital. I slept for three straight days when I got home. I got up long enough to use the bathroom and walk around. I laid in bed and sipped Water and Isopure. Each day I felt a little better. I'm a week and a half out and I'm feeling great! Hang in there!

If you're looking for something convenient and organic, Ella's Kitchen is amazing. It's in a pouch so it's perfect for tossing in your purse for a busy day.