ALIGAYLE

Shortness of breath from just turning yourself over in bed
Arms that are too short to clean yourself properly
Clothing sizes that begin with X
Shame when you hear the whispers and giggles behind your back
The appetite of three people

I was a huge coke drinker. Also a huge coke user (a long time ago in a far off galaxy). Wait don't judge let me finish......I remembered something I heard at a 12 step meeting "try our way for 90 days if you want your old life back it will be there waiting for you" so knowing they would be making coke well into the future I promised 90 days to myself and haven't looked back.90 days out fat was dripping off me like a pig in an oven and I wasnt gonna mess that up . Now I honestly see it for what it is 12 teaspoons of sugar in a can with bubbles and some other crap, gotta pass on that. I guess it comes down to this "nothing is going to change till ya change it" . so to answer your question yes you can; taper off , Water it down , cold turkey. Just decide you will stop and make a plan!

MK, I'm a year out and over 120 pounds down. I drink decaf diet coke, about 1 a day, sometimes 2. I also use a straw in my Water cup every day. I eat bread very rarely these days because it makes my sleeve hurt, and I used to LOVE fresh hot bread. I baked it every week for my family pre-op. Now I do well to eat a whole small tortilla...and I'm full for way too long afterwards, so I make that a very rare thing.
As for what you can never have, there's not much that you can't ever have again. That's the beauty and frustration of the sleeve. You CAN eat whatever you want once you are past the post-op diet, but you'll find yourself needing to make better choices in order to meet your Protein goals. I eat very few veggies these days and find that I have to deliberately plan them into my diet, but I eat anything I like protein wise. My sleeve doesn't like bread and it doesn't like spicy foods, but I don't miss them either.
For me, the sleeve has been a godsend..and I'd do it over again if I had to in order to lose almost 120 pounds in just over a year. What would you give up to weigh 120 pounds less? I think that bread and spicy food was a great trade for me!
Good luck, whatever you decide.

I had to go to the office mngr. I had to call the insurance and got the approval put into the system over the phone during the same call!!! I couldn't wait for my coordinator to continue to get paid for not providing a service apparently I wasn't the only one and heads are now turning in the office. I digress I am glad I am in no way bashful or intimidated by others lack of movement ;()
Cheers
Parris

I hit the 9 month mark last week and a friend sent me a picture she took of me after our morning run. It was so weird...I kept looking at the picture, thinking, "I almost look normal!!!"
This journey has been so amazing!! It hasn't been easy but it's been totally worth it!!! For more than 10 years I pondered the idea of WLS. I told myself over and over again that I "should be able to take the weight off on my own". I was one of those people that thought having surgery would be a cop out. I could not have been more wrong!! The initial stages of post op were torturous for me. I remember feeling like I was going crazy at about the 3 week mark. I just wanted to chew something and I wanted to kill my family!! LOL!! I had to mourn my love affair with food...probably the hardest thing ever.
Now that I'm past all that, I am here to say that my life is 1000 times improved and the NSV's are endless!! I can fit into a booth at any restaurant now!! I've stopped snoring and no longer have to wear a mouth guard in order for my partner to sleep!! I've completed a triathlon and am doing 2 more in the next 3 weeks!! My plantar faciitis is gone!! I can walk up a flight of stairs and I like it!! Shopping for clothes is fun again!! But the biggest NSV is that I finally feel like I have a "normal" relationship with food!! It no longer controls my life...I no longer live to eat, I eat to live.
So, here are my pics. The first one is from a cruise I went on in Nov 2010...I was at my heaviest weight and I was so uncomfortable!! In November of this year I'll be going on another cruise and I'll be exactly 1 year post op. I'm looking forward to taking the same picture!!

Update
Surgery done; no complications; comfortable at hospital and well cared for
:-)

Dana, I love almost everything you are saying here this is a huge step forward in your life. I'll say it's the best decision I've made aside fom marrying my wife & having my daughters.
The only thing I beg you to reconsider is going to your 401K for plastics. The potential risk to your future there is huge, besides youve got about 2 years after your surgery that your skin will still be shrinking. I think you could put together a plan to cash flow the surgeries you will need/want.
You've done such a great job asking questions & gaining perspectives for this journey, all I ask is that you continue to explore and find the best options for your financial future also.

I can reach her, but she's VERY busy. I'd call Cigna and ask them directly if they have everything they need.

Ok so my doctor said it's a spider bite or insect bites they r giving me antibiotics and cream. BUT IM OK FOR SURGERY TOMORROW!! yayyyyyyy!

I understand how you feel. I was the very same way. I don't like anything that has to do w/hospitals but I did this last week and I am glad I did. It is done and over with. You won't know it and there was no pain involved either. Try to relax and stay close to God, he does hear our prayers. My favorite scripture is ;
(Isaiah 41:10) 10 Do not be afraid, for I am with you. Do not gaze about, for I am your God. I will fortify you. I will really help you. I will really keep fast hold of you with my right hand of righteousness.’
I don't know your name, but try to think of some of the best times in your life, b/c their will be many more. This next time your body will feel better making those memories.
I hope to hear from you again. Take baby steps.
My name is Julie and I have all the confidence that you will do fine.

carol m
You are close/approaching goal
sometimes unintentially people sabatoge themselves, because they are scared of being successful.
you have done so great, don't stop now possibly because your scared about "winning".
you have a ways to go, but you'll get there in time - you do need carbs and sugar, but be careful
I know you want to continue to become a winner, but also to become a big "loser"
good luck
you can do this

that's so inspiring...I hope to be in your shoes in September!!

Dumping is a thing which happens with gastric bypass, not VSG. With VSG, a bagel will be fine after some time from surgery. Pretty much all bread products, for that matter. They tend to swell in your stomach, so you feel the restriction quicker. I pretty much try to avoid them as they are pretty much nutritionally void. I would rather have the space used for more nutritional options.

Hello Community! I normally don't post at forums. I either, never find the time or I am always on the run.
However, I felt the need to post my experience because comming to this forum and reading all the posts, helped me so much throught the process so I want to share my experiece so far.
Everything started six months ago when I learned that I needed the 6-month weight in process for insurance approval. For those of you felling disapointed for the wait, dont worry,it will past fast, so enjoy your six months!.
During the process I learned that I suffered form sleep apnea, That, added to my fatty liver and a BMI of 45 (324 Lbs, 5'11''), helped with Insurance approval the first time.
Procedure was approved on July 25th 2012 and scheduled with Dr. Whitwell for August 8th. Due to the quick turn around I had to start the liquid diet inmeditely and to be honest this has been the toughest part so far. Making the transition from eating anything I wanted to just liquids was really though, especially the headaches and temptations.
Surgery went well, for the next 2 days I felt horrible, I had sore muscles. I was not in a lot of pain but very unconfortable. My appettite was gone. On the 3rd day I was released form the hospital and Saturday and Sunday was very unconfortable with gas pains, soreness and the incisions hurt a lot especially while coughing or moving too much while sleeping. But Monday I started feeling much better and today I just walked the dog for 30 minutes.
I know it is just the beginning but I feel so good already that I wanted to share my experience, My apetite is gone and I feel full after just a few spoons of broth (hard to beleive). If you are doutbting yourself about the surgery, don't. I was there, I was at this forum the night before the surgery reading all kind of posts and the support was amazing!
So far I have lost 38 pounds and I am looking forward to where can I start exercising so I can start a running program!
It is amazing how a few months ago I was depressed without a clear goal in my life. I felt that I just gave up on myself.
Now I look at life in a different way and I feel great about how my wife and kids are so happy about my change!
Thanks and good luck with your journey!

Ok....here we go. My NSV's since losing 120lbs~
Can fit in a booth! No longer stuffed into my car, steering the wheel with my belly! Can shave my legs easily! Climb a flight of stairs without sweating! No longer have pillows on the tops of my hands and feet! Can see my veins! My collarbones protrude now! My face has a shape, and it's not round! All my old jewelry fits again! I have ankles and knees again! I take the time to look good in the morning now! I'm no longer the fattest person in the room! I can easily fit in a movie theater seat now! I can get up off the couch in one step now! I can polish my toenails without my stomach getting in the way! Nobody stares at me anymore! I get noticed by nice looking men now!! I get SO many compliments now! I enjoy walking around the stores now! I'm not exhausted all the time!
EVERYTHING IN LIFE IS SO MUCH EASIER NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I could go on and on and on and on........Can't wait to read everyone's!!

that was fun! And mine looked just like me, big ass and all...

that was fun! And mine looked just like me, big ass and all...

Whaaaaaaaaaaat? You poor thing! That must've been horrible! So glad you are feeling good with the sleeve!

stupid spell check It should say as well. Prozac is my drug of choice!

I just had my band removed in June, after having it for 7 years....my doctor was able to do both procedures the same day....my surgery took longer than he thought it would (2 hours) but it was because he had to clean the scar tissue around the band....
But he was able to do it.....I think doctors tell patients that so you can know what the worst case senario would be....when he told me that I could have 2 surgeries instead of the one, I starting praying to God....
God please guide Dr. Yu's hands so I can have 1 successful surgery, amen....every time I thought about the procedure I would say that prayer....
If you dont want to procedures, make sure you follow the 2 week pre-op diet to the letter and pray.....
prayer works!!

my MIL swears by these miracle noodles. They have zero net carbs. I haven't tried them yet. http://www.miraclenoodle.com/

Just had to share. I went to a water park tonight with my 2 children and my church and I went down the water slides. It has been over 20 years since I was comfortable enough to even attempt going on them. My girls were so happy and we had a blast. I will be attempting roller coasters next. BTW, I am 4 months out and down 94 lbs. Started at 330 and down to 236.

I will take people asking if I have been sick over are you pregnant (big Belly) any day!

There is another brand that I love that makes decaf! It is called Click and they have a decaf mocha one with 15g Protein. I usually split the package up and only use half at a time. Here is there site: http://drinkclick.com/

Hi Sleevers,
I went for my checkup with Dr. Dumkowsky in Florida. I was almost overcome when I went there. I surprised myself. I didn't think that I would be emotional, but I was. I didn't know how to say thank you for my life. I was so unhealthy with high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, joint pain, etc. I feel like a different person. I AM a different person. Thank you once again, Dr. Domkowsky for giving me the confidence to go forward with the sleeve. You're an angel.