janep

Driver63 - I'm sorry about your leak. I didn't have any complications, but I replied here because I saw you were from Vero Beach. I'm from Vero too and had a sleeve done here in October. I hope your problems will all be resolved soon.

I was 37.1 BMI and self-pay. My surgeon also follows the guidelines and required 2 co-morbidities. I had high blood pressure, so that was one. For the second one we had to get a little more creative. I had higher than normal cholesterol, the program coordinator asked me if I ever had joint pain, and of course, EVER encompasses a lot, so that was a yes. I was able to get surgery within about a month of making the decision.

That formula actually worked for me. It came with a target BMI of 25.1 and I am at 25.2 right now. Two more pounds will put me in the normal range at 24.9. I am very happy with how I look at this weight and want to maintain here, so for me the formula was right on target.

I don't regret the surgery. Just over 3 months and 54 pounds down. However, I did get have to find what I could and couldn't tolerate. At first eggs and milk made me sick - I can do both now. I burp a lot - but they are dainty burps and I don't think people around me really notice - I get acid reflux at times which is new to me - but my Prilosec pretty much takes care of that. I would do it again even with the burps and reflux. I can eat small amounts of whatever I want and for the first time in my life I feel like the weight loss is permanent and I won't go back to being that fat person I was before.

Yep - I would be concerned enough to get it checked out. Swelling of the leg could be a sign of a blood clot. Not meant to scare you - but just get it checked out by a doctor to rule that out.

My program guidelines for Protein is that once you can eat three ounces of dense protein three times a day, you no longer require protein supplements. On average, they say you can achieve this during the 3-6 month period. If you can get the 3 ounces 3 times a day that is about 60 grams and that doesn't count any additional protein sources like milk or cheese. You do need Vitamins for life, but most people should be taking them for life anyway. Good luck.

Congratulations on turning 50 and on your weight loss. You've done a great job and I'm sure you will reach your goal before you know it.

It's hard to imagine anybody regaining weight with a stomach this small. I've seen a few people on OH that have had the sleeve and experienced regain. The surgeon told me the sleeve would be about the size of my thumb, but this visual really helps to see what a difference there is. It doesn't look like the bougie size is going to make that much difference. The difference between a 32 and 40 - the most common sizes - seems pretty irrelevant when you see what they actually look like.

I had very high blood pressure before surgery. During my pre-op diet I ended up off the BP meds, and stayed off for about 2 months after surgery. My BP started creeping back up a bit, so I started back on meds - but only 1/3 of what I took pre-op.

Unfortunately, all the exercise in the world isn't going to tighten loose skin. It will build muscle, but not tighten the saggy skin. Instead, you will probably need to accept that the new you includes saggy skin - but it's much healthier than the excess weight. I know this because I'm right there with you. That's why I was so adamant that I not go below 150. I know from past experience that everything including my calves, sag horribly at less that 150. I will still have excess skin that I need to deal with, but it can be hidden by clothes. I won't be getting plastic surgery either, so I will have to count on my clothes to cover up. I can give up wearing shorts with my saggy thigh skin, but I want to at least be able to wear capris, and under 150 I can't even do that. I understand how hard this is. The one area on me that can never be hidden is my neck. It sags already and I still have 25 pounds to go.

You will be very pretty. And you will still be you - but with a lot more confidence. Your inner self will not change but people may see you differently because of the confidence you will gain. I know for me when I am heavy I tend to stay in the background, but I am much more outgoing when I am thinner. You will not lose yourself in this journey. You will be you, but better.

How far out are you. It could just be a temporary stall. I had one for 3 weeks, but then it broke and the weight started coming off again. You can't survive on 400 calories so if it's only been a week or two I'd up the calories, up the exercise and ride the stall out.

I'm 8 weeks out too - surgery was 10/15. I feel just as good as you do - isn't it great. I've lost about 40 pounds and I love it. Congratulations on the first 8 weeks.

Why aren't you eating avocado if that's what you are craving? I had avocado's during my mushie stage instead of mayo with things like shrimp salad and chicken salad. They have fat, but they also have a ton of nutrients. Did your nutritionist tell you that was something you couldn't have?

Mine used a 40 on me also, and when he was describing the new size also used the thumb as an example. I'm only 2 months out so don't know long term, but so far a 40 is working just fine for restriction. I can't eat more than an ounce or two at a time. My surgeon does do a lot of oversewing which can make the size slightly smaller, and helps prevent post-op leaks.