Artsy

So happy I didn't wait another year to have this surgery. Surgery date: May 9, 2012. ; 34lbs lost.

Thank you gmanbat for your response. Appreciate you taking the time to write.
Thank you gmanbat for your response. Appreciate you taking the time to write.
Thank you gmanbat for your response. Appreciate you taking the time to write.
Thank you gmanbat for your response. Appreciate you taking the time to write.

I am down 33lbs as of this week and I am starting to REALLY see my NEW ME!!!! If you are a beginner and down and out about your slow weight loss....DON'T BE!!! Once I got over the "special diet" 6 weeks my weight started melting off. I still eat healthy and I am TRYING to exercise as much as possible!!! Losing slowly ain't bad at ALL!!!! I haven't been on here as much since the Sleeve Group was started on Facebbook...I AM IN LOVE WITH MY SLEEVE!! LOL!!!

Jasleeve, it would be so nice to get another update from you---how about a May update??

Stop beating yourself up now. Here are a few things I would suggest in my opinion and if you've done them already, I'm sorry to sound redundant:
1. Sign up with an online tracker today, like my fitness pal or one of the others.
2. Clean your kitchen of any no no foods immediately. Shop for only the foods you are allowed to eat.
3. Pick yourself up by the bootstraps and know you can do this. Find a mentor, partner in this endeavor. And get with a support group ASAP.
4. Make a list of all the things you can do instead of eating the wrong things---includings eating out with friends.
5. You made the decision over a year ago to lose weight---that decision is still in you wanting to come out.
You were right to come on this site to ask for help and support. Above all ask your God or Higher Power for guidance. Hugs & blessings sent your way. Remember: today can be your first day!!!

I'm the same way. I'm almost 3 weeks out & must have Protein as soon as I wake in the morning. I usually cook a scrambled egg, followed by yogurt If I don't have protein right away, I will begin to get so fatigued by 10am. At work, this is not the optimal feeling I need. I've even had to go out to my car to take a nap. I hope this is temporary and will go away as soon as I can eat more.

Hello Bean406,
I just had to respond to you and give you a Big WELCOME because my nickname is Beanie and I live in Houston. I was sleeved on May 8 th--just a day before you by Dr Marvin. I've heard of Dr Yu and understand he is excellent. Were you at Methodist or Memorial City hospital?
I'm still in the full liquids stage. Last night my friend & I went to Olive Garden. I ordered one of the cream Soups. Ate the liquid, not the chunks. I've also started eating the baby sized yogurt--the ones very low in sugar & high in Protein. My tummy still favors warm over cold foods. One of my favorite food -- inside of baked potato.
Wishing you continued success.
P.S. Don't know where you're stayin in Houston, but Jenni's Noodle House Restaurant has some wonderful soups.

NSV -- I attended my niece's bridal shower!
I am 10 weeks post-op and I have rejoined life. A year ago I probably would have figured out how to NOT GO to the
bridal shower because of so many things--self-image, feeling judged, discomfort, etc. Yesterday, I was confident and
it made my niece and sister-in-law tear-up with happiness to have me there. During the sit-down luncheon, I was able to eat
a little of almost everything. It was a beautiful vegitarian luncheon but I had a Protein Shake before going into the
party so was comfortable I would get what I needed. I only had one person comment on how little I was eating. The
amazing thing that hit me was when we were preparing to sit at the table -- I chose a seat in the middle -- not
on the end. I have never done this before! I have always sat at the end so that I wouldn't overflow into someone else's
space. Yesterday, I was "normal". Thinking back on it, I was still probably one of the larger guests at the
party, but that wasn't even an issue for me as it would have been in the past. It was a very special day and
I am grateful that I didn't miss out on it.
I'm also grateful for this always-inspiring forum!

Hello Bean406,
I just had to respond to you and give you a Big WELCOME because my nickname is Beanie and I live in Houston. I was sleeved on May 8 th--just a day before you by Dr Marvin. I've heard of Dr Yu and understand he is excellent. Were you at Methodist or Memorial City hospital?
I'm still in the full liquids stage. Last night my friend & I went to Olive Garden. I ordered one of the cream Soups. Ate the liquid, not the chunks. I've also started eating the baby sized yogurt--the ones very low in sugar & high in Protein. My tummy still favors warm over cold foods. One of my favorite food -- inside of baked potato.
Wishing you continued success.
P.S. Don't know where you're stayin in Houston, but Jenni's Noodle House Restaurant has some wonderful soups.

Hi. I'm new here too. I had surgery 5/10, right after you. I feel good and have had no problems whatsoever. Today I ate a couple of scrambled eggs and they were so good. Last night I made some mustard egg salad and that worked great too. I'm looking forward to making some chilli this weekend and then running it through the blender.

I enjoyed canned dark& light meat chicken in a can of chicken gravy over mashed potatoes. Very homestyle flavor and very soft. Tastes like Thanksgiving. Wendy's chili pureed was wonderful.

Stop beating yourself up now. Here are a few things I would suggest in my opinion and if you've done them already, I'm sorry to sound redundant:
1. Sign up with an online tracker today, like my fitness pal or one of the others.
2. Clean your kitchen of any no no foods immediately. Shop for only the foods you are allowed to eat.
3. Pick yourself up by the bootstraps and know you can do this. Find a mentor, partner in this endeavor. And get with a support group ASAP.
4. Make a list of all the things you can do instead of eating the wrong things---includings eating out with friends.
5. You made the decision over a year ago to lose weight---that decision is still in you wanting to come out.
You were right to come on this site to ask for help and support. Above all ask your God or Higher Power for guidance. Hugs & blessings sent your way. Remember: today can be your first day!!!

Congrats! What an inspiration you are. You will be such an asset to other bariatric patients because you personally went through it!

Stop beating yourself up now. Here are a few things I would suggest in my opinion and if you've done them already, I'm sorry to sound redundant:
1. Sign up with an online tracker today, like my fitness pal or one of the others.
2. Clean your kitchen of any no no foods immediately. Shop for only the foods you are allowed to eat.
3. Pick yourself up by the bootstraps and know you can do this. Find a mentor, partner in this endeavor. And get with a support group ASAP.
4. Make a list of all the things you can do instead of eating the wrong things---includings eating out with friends.
5. You made the decision over a year ago to lose weight---that decision is still in you wanting to come out.
You were right to come on this site to ask for help and support. Above all ask your God or Higher Power for guidance. Hugs & blessings sent your way. Remember: today can be your first day!!!

Stop beating yourself up now. Here are a few things I would suggest in my opinion and if you've done them already, I'm sorry to sound redundant:
1. Sign up with an online tracker today, like my fitness pal or one of the others.
2. Clean your kitchen of any no no foods immediately. Shop for only the foods you are allowed to eat.
3. Pick yourself up by the bootstraps and know you can do this. Find a mentor, partner in this endeavor. And get with a support group ASAP.
4. Make a list of all the things you can do instead of eating the wrong things---includings eating out with friends.
5. You made the decision over a year ago to lose weight---that decision is still in you wanting to come out.
You were right to come on this site to ask for help and support. Above all ask your God or Higher Power for guidance. Hugs & blessings sent your way. Remember: today can be your first day!!!

Stop beating yourself up now. Here are a few things I would suggest in my opinion and if you've done them already, I'm sorry to sound redundant:
1. Sign up with an online tracker today, like my fitness pal or one of the others.
2. Clean your kitchen of any no no foods immediately. Shop for only the foods you are allowed to eat.
3. Pick yourself up by the bootstraps and know you can do this. Find a mentor, partner in this endeavor. And get with a support group ASAP.
4. Make a list of all the things you can do instead of eating the wrong things---includings eating out with friends.
5. You made the decision over a year ago to lose weight---that decision is still in you wanting to come out.
You were right to come on this site to ask for help and support. Above all ask your God or Higher Power for guidance. Hugs & blessings sent your way. Remember: today can be your first day!!!

Raven, so gad you are feeling better each hour!
You are so correct about this surgery not being the easy way out.

That's good! Wishing you the best in your continued recovery.

Stop beating yourself up now. Here are a few things I would suggest in my opinion and if you've done them already, I'm sorry to sound redundant:
1. Sign up with an online tracker today, like my fitness pal or one of the others.
2. Clean your kitchen of any no no foods immediately. Shop for only the foods you are allowed to eat.
3. Pick yourself up by the bootstraps and know you can do this. Find a mentor, partner in this endeavor. And get with a support group ASAP.
4. Make a list of all the things you can do instead of eating the wrong things---includings eating out with friends.
5. You made the decision over a year ago to lose weight---that decision is still in you wanting to come out.
You were right to come on this site to ask for help and support. Above all ask your God or Higher Power for guidance. Hugs & blessings sent your way. Remember: today can be your first day!!!

Hi Skinny again.....thanks for coming onto the VS forum and letting us know what is going on with you......it's the first step to continuing your (already successful) journey. I think I can speak for all of and tell you that 39 lbs is an amazing weight loss; (just try lifting two 20 lb weights!). And losing 39 lbs the traditional way would have been much more painful and slow (IMHO). I didn't know about the carbonated drinks so that information is very helpful for all of us! Thank you. I don't drink soda but I do drink sparkling Water which I will stop immediately.
This entire thread has been humbling to read.....I am 7 months out, started at 204 at surgery and have lost 53 lbs, not that much more than you, but I feel like an entirely new person! But I am only losing 1 lb a week for the last 20 weeks and I am happy with that because I never feel like I'm dieting, I just eat very small amounts. Also when you lose slowly I think it helps my skin adjust so I don't have loose skin in places.
I think the advice of writing everything down (even if it's for a month or two) will be very helpful to you. I write a blog every Sunday and it's one of the things that keep me happy with the decision; all I have to do is go back to the first weeks and see the difference between now and then; I would take now (even though I'm not at goal either) over THEN anytime!
Good luck and come back when you need us.

No, I think you are on target. That's 10 lbs a month. I was just sleeved this week. But my next door neighbor has lost 52 lbs in 7 months. ..... So you are doing well.

Gentle hugs to you blondegal. Thank you for letting us know how you are doing. I don't know if the air bubbles you are dealing with are anything like what you deal with after you have other types of laparoscopic surgery done, but I feel your pain. Have had many procedures done this way and the gas left behind ( excuse me), HURTS LIKE HELL!!!!! Ok sorry just had to say that. Have you tried gas-x, if you can use it? The first time I had anything done with laparscopy, my sister was with me. She had had the same thing done previously and told me what I would need after I got home. I was shocked when I found out her solution for the pain but it worked lol. She made me a HUGE cup of hot tea laced with whiskey, and laced is the understatement. Maybe I should say made me a cup of whiskey laced with tea? lol Have to say it worked or I just didn't care any more hahaha. I'm not saying to do this but would be a nice idea if we could Hope you get to feeling better.

Hi Lorna and congratulations for joining this site for support. Only you can make the decision about which surgery, I can only tell you about making my decision for the gastric sleeve and here goes: Lap band was never a consideration for me because I have had two friends who've had theirs taken out because of slippage or fill problems. I was interested in something permanent. To my advantage, my next door neighbor had the sleeve surgery last October so I was able to witness her recovery and weight loss first hand. Although she is much younger than I am & realize her surgery might go much better than mine, I began intensive research not only on this site but also read any news reports I could get my hands on. I interviewed several people who had the sleeve with the same dr I was intending to use. I spoke to those who mattered to me for their reaction & support. Then, I began to prepare myself the months of eating liquids, then mushies, then soft solids. The thing which has encouraged me so much is my neighbor. She is 7 months out and can basically eat anything she wishes but in small amounts--3-5 bites, then she's finished. She's lost 52 lbs so far Something I know about my body is that it dosen't handle anesthesia very well. So my first day after surgery was rough however the next day was so much better, then the next day was even better and so on. I'm walking a lot and progressing on point as much as I can tell. I know the sleeve seems so permanent but my question was why would I want the extra stomach back at some time?
Here are my stats:
Age 59
Height 4ft 11& 3/4 in
Weight at surgery 194 lbs
Have not weighed again since surgery---am waiting for first dr appt.
BMI 38
I wish you the best of luck in making your decision--it is not one to take lightly. And your comment about loosing weight on your own--of course that would be the optimal choice. I lost 59 lbs 6 yrs ago---it took a year of diligent work, eating low carb only, walking 3 miles a day for 5-6 days a week. Then you know what happened? I had an emotional crisis going on in my life so I began to eat as I did previously. I gained the lbs back and more. Then I went on a Quest to lose the weight year after year with nutri-system, HGC diet, Atkins, and nothing stuck. I am weak when it comes to food and like my dr told me, the sleeve will give me the control I need for those times when eating is out of control. I don't know if I've helped you but please continue to research. Oh by the way, I had little doubts pop up in my mind occasionally before the surgery, that is normal. This is a life altering experience.

God speed. Sending hugs to you for a good sleeve surgery. You will do great. Attitude is 1/2 of it.