Bob_350lbs

That was a very moving story. I am so glad I found this place. For years, I have struggled with my weight, tried everything under the sun and moon. The lapband never set right me, and I didn't want bypass because of dumping, and I am considered a 'lightweight'..how at 5'2" and 212.9, I could be considered not elible for WLS, I don't undstand. My doctor and insurance said no. But, I couldn't stand my life anymore, I was so unhealthy and just couldn't lose the weight. It was so uncomfortable and society treats obese women like S*&$# or I thought they did..I would have gone to Dr. Aceves, but the traveling part, without family to go with me, wasn't an option. I spent 2 yrs debating the sleeve, but I knew this surgery was the best option for me, just the money thing..I wish I would have done it soon, I spent so many years being miserable. If anyone is sitting on the fence, you have to take a leap of faith and follow your instincts..it is not a magic bullet, but darn close..I found the closest surgeon to my home and got my niece and her boyfriend to take me. The ride home was bumpy, even tho the surgeon d/c me before rush hour traffic, we still got stuck in traffic midway home, and I recouperated at their house, but I never had complications or problems. At day 3, I was able to drink 64 oz and get in 70 grams of protein thru the supplements that came with the pkg, and I started walking that day too. My energy is through the roof. I can do 1 hr on the treadmill at a good pace, and I feel great. The only problem for me is constipation..I put Benefiber in my water. And, now I eat greens. Anway, thanks for listening.

I am not trying to promote a certain brandname, but I love it. It's like the "Bullet". It's a blender for one, the top turns into a nice cup, clean up is easy too. It also comes with a little cup, that work very well to make the puddings and I even use it to blenderize chicken, tuna, soups, for one. I bought mine through Medifast about two years ago, I keep one at home and one at work.

I don't care for Protein drinks, probably because of years of dieting using slim fast, medifast, etc...but I realize that some days, to get in all my protein, I have to use them. So, in my 32 oz Water bottle I sometimes add 1 scoop of Syntrax nectar, "Fuzzy naval" 4 tsp of Benefiber, 3 tbls splenda, and 16 oz water, shake, then fill the rest up with ice. That takes me through the morning. It kinda reminds me of Tang. I couldn't stand Syntrax at first, but now I have my own little formula that makes it more tolerable. And, when I use the GNC amplified wheybolic extreme 60, vanilla flavor, I will add a couple frozen strawberries, and 1/4 cup 2% milk, to 6 oz of water. You only need one scoop of the powder, not 3 like recommended. That is for those who want to build muscle. I still buy the protein crunch bars from Medifast, cause I can't find any bars that are as low in calories/high in protein. Medifast now has parmesan cheese puffs, honey mustard pretzles, that serve me well. Anyway, that's my 2 cents worth. Oh, and I forgot to add, I like to keep the premade shake, Muscle milk lite, in my desk drawer and even my car, just in case. If you find you forgot to take protein with you, and need something quick, most all mini-marts and grocery stores carry them in the cold section, along with sodas. They are ok, not great, but will do if you are in a pinch.

I found this at Walgreen's accidentally. It's the "Post bariatric surgery formula" chewable vitamin/mineral supplement you take 4 times a day. It is citrus flavor and I like it. It makes me feel like I am eating/chewing. I know if it were a big ole horse pill, I wouldn't take it. Maybe later, I will switch up. And, I take Trill Oil, omega-3, just one small capsule per day.

Me too, stalled at week 4, and the scale hasn't budged in 10 days! holy moly...if it doesn't move tomorrow, what to do? I am doing everyting they told me to do..today I did 60 min on the treadmill. And, the milk of magnesia really works. I must say, I have more energy than I have had in a long, long, time. How can someone consuming only 700 cals per day, mainly protein, stall? That's okay, it has to come off eventually. I am figuring that we are just losing fat, not muscle, and at least we won't have sunk in butt cheecks..is that tmi?

True, thanks for the support...the air in my balloon deflated a little that day. My sister also says just keep doing what your doing. Today, I did 60 min on the treadmill though~yay! my favorite little "snackies" are the medifast cheese puffs, 11 gms protein, but 14 gms of carbs. But I am still under 700 calories per day..the body does what it wants to do, I am beginning to feel. When it is ready, it will let go of the fat.

Gosh, I can so relate to you. The first 4.5 weeks I lost 19 lbs, then I gained 1 lbs and have been at 195 for over a week. What is wrong with me? I weigh/log everything I put in my mouth. I brought my calories down to 600 per day, Protein 70 gm, fluids 64 oz or more, AND I walk at least 30 minutes or more per day. But, I am terribly constipated. Milk of Magnesia, here I come. Steph 213/195 VG 7/28/09

At my first f/u, I lost 17 lbs, but doc wasn't that happy w/me. I track everything I put in my mouth and showed it to him. On average, I had 700 calories per day and he said that was too much. And, I was walking 30-45 min per day and he wanted me to do more. Yea, it kinda got me down. Now, I am freaking out because my weight is already stuck. My Protein is at 70, fluids at 64 oz, and my urine is freakin full of ketones, cause my carbs are low. But, I have been super constipated and am taking MoM tonight..hoping to drop....a pound. By my next f/u on 10-30, Dr. C wants me down to 170-175. That means 10 lbs per month or more and at this rate..worried I won't make it. I have brought my calories down to 600, but just can't walk more than 50 min w/o getting overly tired right now. Steph 213/195 VG 7/28/09

Your not too old, I will be 52 on Oct 1st and had the sleeve in July. I read statistics on my surgeon's website that the average age for WLS is 48. Congratulations on your upcoming VG, how exciting! p.s. I also have a very low tolerance for pain, but they have very good drugs they give you. I took mine for two week post-op. You will be a little sore the first week. Just don't overdo exercising and strain something. It's okay to walk, and they make you walk at the hosp, but don't lift over 20 lbs until your MD says it's ok. Steph

I had the VSG on the same day, 7/28/09, w/Dr. Cirangle in SF. I too feel hunger now. It is easy for me to drink up to 32 oz within 30 min . And, I can eat 4 oz soft foods easier and faster than I expected. However, I want this to work so badly that I don't care I feel hungry. It's nothing like it used to be. Maybe some hunger should be expected, since we are eating only 600-700 calories and walking 30-45 min per day. Before the VG, I would never have been able to do that. I am consuming in 70 gms of Protein, 64 oz plus liquids, all vits, eating only 3 meals per day. When I feel very hungry, I have a Protein Drink. Even though I am compliant, I think being a middle aged woman who has dieted her whole life, has screwed up my metabolism. But all my labs were okay, so, no excuses. So far, I have dropped 17.4 lbs. Hooray! However, I am a little scared of my first follow up with the doc next Friday, cause I eat too fast, drink too fast and haven't lost 20 lbs yet. At least, I know that a few others are going thru the same thing. I was thinking my sleeve was too big also. But, Dr. C told me it would hold only 2 oz, but could stretch up to 8 oz maximum over time. So, I have to be more careful not to stretch it out too fast. However, it is far better than the 2 quarts it used to hold. At one time, I could consume an entire pizza...even though it felt like I would die after that. Now just 3-4 oz feels like I just consumed a Thanksgiving dinner..hooray! VSG 7/28/09 212.9/195.6/?? hoping for 135 51 yr old female, 5'2"