LilMissDiva Irene

Yayyy!! Those few weeks will fly by.

My prayers are with you! It's my hope all the tests and biopsies turn out normal. Definitely do your best to not stress... though I understand easier said than done. Hugs!!

You took my post way out of context. I was not saying you personally could not express your own personal experience. I was addressing everyone else who was generalizing ALL DOCTORS, that was all. Your story is helping others in their research of your personal Dr. It is NOT helpful to lump all Mexico doctors in that pool. I am in no way, shape or form promoting my Doctor at all. In fact, I rarely respond to any of these types of posts. Anyway, you're preaching to the choir here. I wish you the best.

Let us know how everything turns out. I hope its not a big deal but sure not a bad idea to ask your dr about it. It almost sounds like you're getting sick... Oh mercy

Try posting this issue in the Forum suggestions and assistance - one of the admins might be able to help. Sorry, not sure.

You're not able to click the link I posted above? If not you can get there by going to the main forum page, then look in the Gastric Sleeve Surgery Support section. There you will find the monthly support groups. Yours is in the 2012 Sleevers. Click on that link and you can find the January Sleevers. HTH

Whoa... what it sounds like. You sound pretty tight/swollen. Be sure to take the tiniest sips you've ever taken, and only sip every minute or so. If it seems out of character, give your surgeon a call - just for safety sake.

I will also share with you a story that was told by the horse himself in one of my former surgeons monthly support groups. My FS (former surgeon) performed both lap band and gastric bypasses. He did far more GB than Bands. So it stood to reason why there were far more GB folks at the support groups. Well we would have a meet and greet type intro every time. We would stand up and say our name, give our date of surgery, tell others how much we'd lost and explain what's going on with us... etc. In one of our sessions a gentleman stood up and introduced himself. He mentioned he'd been away for awhile because he was recovering from a second surgery. My FS egged him on to tell us all why he'd had a second surgery. Here is what he told us: He said what he did was the most foolish thing he could've ever done. He had chicken at one week out. He said he was just wanting the feeling of food in his mouth so badly that he couldn't help himself. He felt like he could "chew it to mush" and he would be okay. Well he wasn't. He split his inside incisions open. He had to have emergency surgery to repair the leak he'd caused and he nearly died. He admitted he knew exactly what the post-op rules were, and that he was TOLD WHY we had specific eating guidelines to follow. He simply did NOT follow them. He thought he was smarter than years of research. It was him and his story telling that day that I realized why I came across that man's story - years later. It would speak to me months out and remind me after my VSG why it is so important to stay on the Post Op eating plan!! So, I beg of all of you, when I often say please be careful with your new sleeves (please note our incisions are very similar to those that the GB folks get) that there is a reason behind it. Guard it well, for one day it will guard your life.

http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/forum/193-january-2012-sleevers/

Hi there! I had a hard time sleeping too for the first few weeks. I'm a side/tummy sleeper as well and it was hard to get comfortable. After about a week and a half I started to put a soft pillow between my stomach and the bed, that seemed to help. Also, Melatonin will help to get you to sleep. You can find it all over, in Vitamin sold places. Also, the Celestial Sleep Time tea helps right before bed. HTH

No this isn't crazy at all! I started to get the feel of what it was like to enjoy shopping again when I got my lap band and I was down 50 Lbs. Then I went all the way back up. I truly wasn't expecting to gain it back so I had no clothes to wear anymore. I gave them all alway. I went shopping and bought the most pathetic clothing anyone could find. Black/Brown or Gray Capri pants made of cotton and drawstring and tons of huge TShirts. I was literally depressed. Well, that's long past me and all those clothes are long gone too. I buy so many outfits now I barely have any room to store them anymore. Ohhh what a sad problem to have now! Here's an idea, I went out and bought me a goal outfit. Size 8 Jeans. I had a few large tops too. Once I fitted in those I started shopping all the time! LOL Have fun!!

The only time I do super low carbs (about 30g/day) is when I've been eating a lot of "bad" carbs and I need to break the cravings. I do that for about 5 days, then I'll get back to moderate carbs. I did about 60g per day during weight loss mode. I didn't like the way super low carbs made me feel. I think a great deal has to do with how much you workout too. If you're planning to workout to up your fitness than super low carbs IMO is not a good idea. I was doing about 2 hours a day, and I needed the carbs to survive. It would be said I did lose pretty fast doing my routine, I hit my original goal in about 6.5 months. I created another goal and got there in 10. It was then that I started trailing off the food logging and carb counting. I'm probably in the range of about 100g per day, just guessing. I also pull in about 1 hour of workout per day (5-6x per week) I'm still losing too. HTH - please remember everyone's metabolisms and needs are different. If what your nutritionists advice isn't working for you, ask her to modify it.

Okay, the previous post is a reply to all the lucky sleevers today!

Wow!! You're probably getting prepped or in surgery right this moment.. Sending prayers your way for a quick and smooth recovery!! Please check in when you feel up to it. Walk, Sip, Rest and Repeat.

Agreed with PDXman... I would weigh myself daily during weight loss - but please note - I didn't let it get me down. I guess I was able to handle it, I never let it get me in a tailspin. If it's causing you to panic and feel like you're failing then it's probably not a good idea. I didn't let it make me panic because I knew my body will go through Water fluctuations every single day, based on what I ate (salty?) if I worked out hard (body repairing itself), what time of the day it is even... If it works better for you perhaps 1x per week would be better. Pick the same day of the week (Monday? Weekend eating...) and do it first thing in the AM, after bathroom break and with undies on. That would be IMO a more accurate picture of how you're doing. ETA: Stress factors in too! I think a lot of folks forget about this. Stressing about what the scale says every day isn't a good thing and can help keep the weight on. Just remember, the weight scale is only a tiny piece of a huge puzzle that is YOUR journey.

Seriously my rolls and big bits didn't start really disappearing and uncovering that fit me until I started really taking running into real consideration. It left me lean and toned all over my whole body. With that said, I was still never completely satisfied because I always felt so big on the bottom. I always carried all my weight in my thighs, hips and backside. I took care of that with Plastic Surgery Body Contouring. I am absolutely happy with the results! I for once in my entire life feel "normal". Good luck on feeling complete! It's really hard. One day I feel great, the next I'm thinking I can tone up more here and there. I think this is normal too, I love to workout and it keeps me motivated to keep doing it/more. I can think of a lot more unhealthy things I can be addicted too!

Oh yes... all of this is going to change - and if you're anything like me, it will be in a major way.

Well it has been WAAYYY too quiet in here lately. I'm telling you, I think that's just downright terrible. I'm guilty too so I'm getting this party started NOW!! I have decided that 2012 will finally see me arrive, and arrive I will. I still need to tone up in a lot of areas, and I fully intend to see to it that my Summer is the best I've ever had. So, I have decided to challenge (oh yes there's that naughty word again... LOL) myself to do a MINIMUM of 30 minutes workout (any) every single day. Starting January 1 and going through February 29th!! Yeah, I get an extra day this coming year!! Then, from that point I am going to hit the wonderful world of the P90X. (ohhh what???) That would dutifully require it's own thread of course. Anyway, I just have to get this over and done with because I'm ready to just enjoy all my hard work. Don't get me wrong, I do - but the finishing touches are still needed. There's always something more that can be worked out. I will be checking in here for sure, every single day to keep accountable. I'd like to see more pop by and get back to your routines. Come out, come out - where ever you are!

Wow Lynda!!! Well first of all, it's about time! Second, YOU LOOK AMAYYYYYZINGGG!!! Big hugs!! Thanks for always sharing your story, yours is a definite success.

I'm glad I could help even if only one person blackanese!

Hello and welcome to VST!! that is so wonderful that you have your entire family to go along this journey with you! You will find the more support you have, the better the journey is. I agree too about the grocery bill... big difference!! And I'm the only one in my household who has had the surgery. So that tells ya how much I was eating... LOL

Hi again! Yes absolutely positively, it has slayed the hunger dragon for me. When I was banded I had the worst feeling in the world where after only 2 bites I'd be sickly full. BUT...I'd still feel hunger pangs... yes real hunger pangs - growling stomach. Not head hunger, I know the difference for sure. Especially now that I never feel physical hunger but extremely rarely. It's usually because I ate something carb heavy in my last meal and once its burned off I'll get hunger pangs. But, if I stick to the protein first rule and make sure I don't drink anything for about 45 minutes after eating, I really don't feel hungry. I have to remember to eat... how amazing is that???

re: Jenny Jones... do you mean that ex talk show host? Wow, I can't even remember what she looks like!! BTW... You keep beating me to the punch with the responses! LOL!!!

heyyy now!!!! Nothing at all wrong with any kind of bragging or whatever you want to call it! This WHOLE journey is really tough and patting ourselves on the back is sort of a right of passage, IMPO. And I can DEFINITELY see a difference!! Looking GREAT!!

In the beginning months I logged everything I drank, excluding anything with caffeine as it is a diuretic. So, Jello, popsicles, Protein shakes, crystal lights or just plain Water would all go into the tally. Now that I'm further out I no longer tally all the fluids I get in. I just make sure I'm getting a minimum of 84 Oz of plain water in per day and I'm fine. Whatever else I drink is just bonus. On really good days I'll drink a gallon or more of water per day. HTH