helgaready

No regrets. I will admit (3) weeks of liquids post op was really tough...I had so much head hunger and I missed food so bad. And there are some days still that miss food, not because I can't eat certain things per se but more so that I can't eat in the volumes I want to. But I remind myself I wanted this for that very reason. The surgery makes you deal with your relationship with food and you finally are able to see just how much you had come to depend on food to get you through hunger, happiness, sadness, boredom, pretty much in any state except sleep...For me this part has been harder then the surgery itself. I pretty much had a textbook surgery so no really issues to report of in that respect.

Hard to be just a lil over 5 weeks ago, I was riddled with nerves wondering if I was making the right decision to have surgrey. Today, I know having the VSG was the best decision I could have made for my long-term health. It has re-engergized my motivation to work out and already so much of my confidence is being restored... Last week, I blogged about how I was bothered and now I guess I realized I am hurt that my ex-boyfriend had not acknowledged my weight loss. Well I talked to him about it and how that makes me feel. I am not sure what I expected to get out of it because I as reflect on the conversation, I am not sure he ever said he has noticed I lost weight. In fact, I do not realize much of the conversation, only that I walked away from it unsatisfied with his response. But life goes on... On the positive side, though my ex is not noticing so many other folk are noticing my weight loss and it is really a good feeling. I met up with friends over the weekend and none of them knew about the surgery and so I was worried about addressing the weight loss and not drinking. Well the not drinking never came up because I kept a cranberry juice in my hand and they only had good things to say about my weight loss...No questions as to what I was doing but just that I looked good...I also have began to see the weight loss in myself. When I was smaller, I always thought I had a long, giraffe neck so I hated my neck. Well I notice that giraffe neck coming back and I have never been happier to see it... And I am also noticing it in my midsection...It doesnt stick out under my boob like it used to...Shirts and dresses fix so much better...Yayy... Oan: Despite the warning against tomato based things because of acid issues, I thought I would give chili a try. Bad move. Other than the protein shakes that i grew tired of, it is really the only food that I have reacted bad too. Other foods have made me feel bad but more because I ate to fast and not because of the food itself. So for now, I am not doing tomato based because I already have enough issues with heartburn. I am pretty much able to eat most things. I went to our farmer's market this past weekend and ate fried noodles...It was just about a cup but still I know I was so out of line. It made me work out harder. I got mile 3 mile walk/run jog done in 43 minutes. I started out at 60 minutes... I am so happy that my stall/weight gain from last week did not carry on into this week. Last week I picked up two pounds by the time of weigh in. I actually picked up three pounds by Saturday evening. But today I am happy to report I got those pounds I gained off and then some... VSG 08/17/12 HW 232 SW 227 (5'8) Last Week 210.4 CW 205.4 ... It may be ambitious but I am going for 199.8 by Friday's weigh in. I am already down to 204 today so I gt 4.2lbs to make it happen. I am going to push the workouts and stick to high protein/low carb for the week. I want Wonderland...I want Wonderland...and with it so close it makes me go even harder for it.

Good work out of you...You are so close to goal already...

I am in..... Weight before surgery - 232 Date of surgery - 08/17/12 (227 day of surgery) Current weight 205.4 Goal weight for competition 185 I weigh in every Friday.... Oh my costume is going to look super fab...Let's post before and after pics at our final posts...Post in costume if you choose to dress up...

I too love Halloween and I usually am searching for my costume in July or August...I found one that I absolutely love plus size or not but as everyone said I am going to enjoy the days when a regular size (if that is what you call them) fits me...And when the one size fit all fishnets fit. I usually order them off line too because it hard finding cute ones in just any store...I have always wanted to be a dominatrix for Halloween but you absolutely have to be rocking hot to make it work and so that is my goal next year...

I started out around your weight...227 on the day of surgery...I am 5'8. I had a stall last week at 4 weeks out...In fact, I gained three pounds..It was the week I introduced soft foods and I also did not exercise that week...But this week I kicked my workout game up a notched and I lost the three I gained and an additional 3 mo pounds...So I thus far, I have lost 27lbs including 1 week pre-op where I lost 5lbs...While the sleeve is a great tool, I am doing my darnest to help it with the weight loss by sticking to a workout regime...I started walking 3 miles at 60 minutes about 2 weeks post op...Now I walk/jog 3 miles at 46 minutes. I am working toward 30 minutes...I say all this to say I want to really maximize the first 6 mo of the sleeve loss...I want to be that non-ideal case and hit my goal 155-160lb within 6 mo. And that only happens with hard work both in being good with diet compliance and working out...I got 50lbs to drop over the next 5 months...I am going as hard for it as I did for cold stone creamery ice cream on double stamp day Mondays...

I had surgery on 08/17/12 and at one month post op had lost 17 inches and 27lbs...So super happy...so having lost twice that amount, i am gonna take a guess and say you are super duper happy...lol...Keep up the good work...

I am a lil behind on posting as I was not to encouraged as this week I gained weight. I have read plenty posts about the dreaded 3 week stall or weight gain but I was convinced I would beat it...Not... But all in all it has been a good week. I started eating soft foods and it was a welcome addition. Eggs with cheese was my first meal. I have made some othe recipes from Emily Bites andTheworldaccordingtoeggface. Most of them have turned out pretty good...I even managed to eat some shrimp and handled it okay considering I did not like shrimp pre-surgery...However at 21g of protein and only 1.5g fat and 4g carbs, it will become a frequent visitor on my menu. Still eating about 2-3 ounces of food before I get full and still adjusting to making sure I chew my food well to avoid that stuck feeling in my chest. My body still has not figured out how to resume regular bowel movements. I could probably lose a few pounds justing taking a good ole dump...lol TMI I know...My heartburn has also become more frequent over the past couple of weeks so I am resolving to taking priolsec or something of that nature with my daily vitamins. I started but stopped but realizing at least for now this is not possible. This week I hung out with my cousin who had lapband surgery in Jan 2012. She has had minimal success with it. I was so amazed at how much she could eat compared to the amount I was able to eat. Now mind you she had 7 months on me but I still thought our eating habits would be the same. I took a high protein, low carb potluck dish over it went over well but all the things she made were so high in carbs or fatty. She also tend to graze which all the reading I have done said this is a way you "eat around" your band or sleeve. I also notice that her pantry was riddled with things I would be afraid to bring in the house because all willpower would be gone...I do not say all this to judge but i do so it to say that even with the surgery we have to still exercise healthy eating habits. The surgery is only a tool and if we do not use the tool properly it is unable to perform as intended. I was careful not to judge her because I did not want to come off as a surgery eating expert after just 4 weeks of diet compliance. It was just an eye opener to be cognizant to not let my old eating habits that led to me being overweight erode the sleeve. On to the good news...I started out my journey a size 18..Well, this week I got into a size 13/14 jeans I had bought about two years ago...A phenomenal feeling that was...so despite having gained two pounds this week, I looked over it as I twirled around in the mirror 4 sizes smaller than I was a month ago...And so many folk are noticing the weight loss and that too is a really good feeling. Something that nags at me is that thought no less than 20 people have told me I lost weight, my ex-boyfriend has not acknowledged my weight loss...I know he is an ex and I should not care...Obviously there was something that put him in the ex category and it wasnt good so I should let go. Easier said then done but that is another story. I also measured today (09/16/12) and was pleasantly surprised at those numbers as well. I first measured on 08/23 so just under a full month Neck -1 in Thigh -3/4 in Hi Wasit (just below breast) -2 in Natural Waist 2 in Belly Button (Abs) -3 3/4 in Chest 1 1/2 in Hips 2 1/4 in Biceps 1 in Shoulder -2.5 in.....Total Inches Lost 16.75.. :D VSG 08/17/12 HW 232 08/13/12 SW 227 CW 210.4

The websites theworldaccordingtoeggface and emilybites offer fantastic recipes...

I plan on doing Insanity...I did Insanity at my HW of 232...I lost 11 pounds and about 10 inches and I was only 6 weeks into the program. I ended up going out of town and never picked it back up as soon after I made the decision to have surgery and so I stopped working out about 2 months before surgery and needless to say I went back up to my HW of 232. I am only 3 weeks post op now and so can't start but I am hoping to start it at 1.5 or 2 months post op depending on how my body heals. I am doing find now so I hoping it is closer to 1.5 mo...For me its not so much about losing weight fast but I loved the workout and the toning that comes with it. I love that I can do the workout at home before i leave for work...Good start to the day....I also do not want to sit around and wait on the weight to fall off...I want to help Pedro (my sleeve) to do some of the heavy lifting and by starting a regular workout regime early on I am working to make working out as much a part of my lifestyle change as it the healthy eating habits...

I was sleeved on 08/17/12 and though the last couple of weeks of liquids have been tough...have been on liquids for total of 4 weeks...I am so happy I made the decision to get sleeved...Already down 24lbs...

Wow...where do I start.... I up my workout game this week. Moved from 2.5 miles to 3 miles of walking this week. I am really loving this sleeve knowing that the fruits of my workout will reflect in my body transformation. I walked into my office yesterday and one of the ladies said I looked stunning. It did wonders for my inner self. In fact, a number of people are commenting on my weight loss. I went to a BBQ on Labor Day (dat was torture) and I girl I had not seen in a few months, told me I had lost weight and looked good...Made me feel all giddy..especially since I am still about 50lbs shy of my final goal...I can only imagine what that will look like. But back to the BBQ...There was so much food and drink...I think I missed the alcohol more than I did the food. BBQ is almost a synonym for drinking and all could have was my light pink lemonade...The compliments made it better though...lol... This week also represents the week, I put on a two pair of shorts I could not wear pre-surgery and a pair of jeans...One pair of shorts was actually loose...I have this lil dress that I wore in the day that I absolutely loved. I am not sure if I would wear it again as an outfit as it is dated but I kept it because I wanted to get back into it...The day that happens....I think I am going to hit the floor....(but I also plan on taking pics to mark that day). I told my mom about the surgery this week. I had not told her before because when I tried feeling her out about it, she had so much negative stuff to say so I left her out of one of the most important decisions of my life. I felt bad and underhanded but I needed to mentally prepare for this surgery and so could not deal with her opinions. She still had some stuff to say about it but now that it is done, I do not receive her comments as hard. This Sunday I am able to start soft foods. I am so happy...These last two weeks I have really begun to miss food. I have planned about 30 first meals...lol..My body is over the protein shakes so I need some natural protein. My stomach is upset with the protein shakes. As I begin to eat, I am hoping I can once again tolerate them as they offer a good influx of protein if you are struggling to get it in. I am still not having regular bowel movements without assistance of a stool softner. Driving me crazy as I went everyday so to be only able to go once a week with assistance gets me so out of sorts. But with all that said...where I am today...I think I am beginning to see some changes..I measure next Friday so I am excited to see what those numbers reveal. VSG 08/17/12 HT 5'8 HW 232 (08/13/12) SW 227 CW 208.8 (-23.6lbs) I will take it...I had a goal (one of many) to be 205 by 09/17. I am on target to make it happen...(Sleeve don't fail me now..lol)

Today marks my 2 week mark since surgery... I must admit this has been a rough week. My sleeve has gotten fed up with all the sweets (sweet protein drinks, pudding, jello, fudgesicle, popsicles etc). To eat anyone of them anymore caused my stomach to be upset and I threatened throwing up several times...Top that all of with heartburn and finally getting to the point where I truly miss food...I am not at all hungry but I just want to chew. Some say chew gum but last time I did, I actually swallowed it so I am staying away from gum. I am on fluids for another week and then I moved to soft foods...Boy am I looking for to some salmon. I want sushi but not sure my sleeve will tolerate it. On the flip side, I did introduce foods that I did not like pre-surgery as I thought my taste buds would appreciate them now since they hadnt had much. Both cottage cheese and yogurt are on my full liquids list. I could not stomach either one before surgery but now I am loving both of them and given they are both high in protein that is a good thing... I also got into some pants I could not wear pre-surgery...My skin is clearing up because it doesnt have all the greasy fatty foods running through me...I love water now...and my pee is so clear and lady like... My incisions are healing quite well. I had glue and steri strips on my incisions and only two of the incisions (one being the largest one) still have on the strips. The tenderness is mainly gone but if I make a wrong move, I am reminded that I did get cut on recently. I also starting walking on the treadmill. I am doing 2.5 miles or 50 minutes...so a slow place...but did not want to push it too much. I plan on adding the other half mile next week...Get the walking on down so that at month one, I can begin to alternate walking and jogging...I even managed to mow a portion of my lawn on Wednesday. I left the hills to my ex boyfriend but I felt good I was able to do that without any pain. So while I had a rough week, I am not going to complain because this surgery is truly life changing. Sure the firsts few weeks are tough and everyday represents another day to stay committed to our new lifestyle but in exchange I get the body I have wanted a long time. I also get to participate in all the fun and crazy atheletic events (i.e. Tough Mudder) without fear of being the fat girl that gets stucks as the wall. So again I cannot be a complainer. I have such a wonderful future ahead of me thanks this tool. I have no regrets...no complaints... And for the numbers VSG 08/17/12 HT 5'8 HW 232 (08/13/12) SW 227 CW 212.8 Total Weight loss 19.2

I too have my surgery in Mexico on 08/17...While I would also say consult your dr as well, I will tell you what my surgeon listed for post-op testing...I am not exactly sure what all these are but here you go.... Pro-time, INr, PTT Iron, Total Binding Capacity, Ferritin, Transferrin Comprehensive Metabolic Panel Carnitine, Folate, Vitamin A, Vitamin B-6, Vitamin B-12, Vitamin D, Zinc Lipid Panel: Triglycerides, LDL, VLDL, HDL, Cholesterol tota I was also directed to not eat or drink 12 hours prior to testing so as not to affect the accuracy of the tests...

I am also 10 days post op and while the I am still struggling to get all my Protein and fluids in, things are better...My lil tummy just get full so fast. I am full liquids which includes creamy Soups...I about 5 baby spoons of Soup and was out of the count...And then even after waiting 45 minutes to drink fluids, it only took a few sips to put me back on full...So tomorrow, I think I am going to stick with more liquids so I can get in my protein and more fluids...and just have a lil soup for dinner instead of lunch... My gas is mainly gone...I have walked most every day since since surgery...I starting walking for exercise yesterday and today I was able to get 2.5 miles in at 50 minutes...taking it slow yet as I still have two incisions that are still healing... I have some awful sounding noises coming from my stomach...Who would have imagine something so tiny can make so much noise...lol

Congratulations...I am sure it is a feeling you cant really put into words...Happy doesnt do it justice... What were your numbers to start...

Today marks the one week mark since surgery. I am almost still in shock that the day has came and went. If not for my limited intake and the incisions on my belly and oh the weight loss (lol) I would not believe the surgery had taken place...Other than my own self induce discomfort, I have had no pain..My steri strips are beginning to come off now. The top incision just underneath my breast came off completly and the lowers ones are all peeling at some level. I am really surprised how tiny the incisions are and how unnoticeable they will be with a lil scar treatment. I overdid it a bit today shopping and running errands so my belly was a little tender from twisting, turning and bending. I took a pain pill and it has settled down. Yesterday, was my first day back at work and it went pretty well. I was able to get in the most fluids since the day of surgery. I had a couple of times where I rushed the next sip so there was some momentarily discomfort but really all in all the fluids went down well. I did work to get in 36 grams of protein as well...Need to increase that a bit more but overall I am feeling better about my ability to get my fluids in. I did notice today that I have yucky yellow-whitish tongue. After panicking for half a second, I realize that I both need to continue to push my fluids as I had did the today and yesterday as I was likely dehydrated and that I had also entered ketosis. Ketosis, is really a fancy word that means because my body starved of carbohydrates, it is using my stored fat for energy...Not a bad state to be in...I got a bit of energy reserve to spare...lol... I begin full liquids on Sunday...So I will have a better chance at getting all my protein in. And speaking of protein I highly recommend Unjury protein products. They are absolutely the best unflavored ones and so are considered clear and can be used during the clear liquid phase. I made my drinks with skim milk to give it an additional 8g of protein and a lil sugar free caramel syrup and it was super good. I am looking forward to having pudding and some cream soups...add a lil variety to my diet. And for the numbers Surgery Date 08/17/12 Height 5'8 HW 232 SW 227 CW 218 (Down 14lbs total)

I was sleeved with Dr Alvarez in Piedras Negras Mexico. He is one of the more expensive Mexican surgeon but I had a great surgery experience during the planning, the actual surgery and even after surgery...They are really only a phone call or email away... Welcome to the forum...It offers a wealth of information. Just about any question you have can be researched on this forum...It can become addictive especially the closer you get to surgery...

Short of going to see your doctor there is no way to tell whether it is a leak or gas. As others have said, I would suggest you follow-up with your doctor. I do hope it is only gas...I wish all my fellow sleevers only happy healings...steady weight loss and exciting new leases on life...Keep us updated. We are all thinking of you...

For me my left shoulder pain was trapped gas. I walked for about 15 minutes...walked again about half hour later about 15 minutes more...and it subsided. As I understand it, you need to release the gas back into your system in order to pass it. Gas X strips will not help the shoulder. Hope this helps.

Go to your patient profile and scroll just under where you entered your weight and surgery information and there are panels that allow you to load a before and after photo....

Today I feel really good...I had an amazing surgery experience...I had my surgery with Dr. Alvarez in Piedgras Negras, Mexico. After waking up from anethesia, I did not have any pain. I am sure the IV meds helped with that but overall I have not any any pain other than my travel day. The walking the airport and the turbelent plane ride and sitting in the plane seat itself was hard on my incisions but after taking a pain pill that night, I woke up just fine. About day three, I had gas (air they pumped in me to see while performing the surgery) trapped in my shoulder and that was a little umcomfortable. However, I took a 15 minute walk twice over about an hour and it released and has been fine since. I am still struggling to get all my fluids in and have only been getting in about 30 grams a protein each day, thanks to the Unjury brand protein products. I also have fallen in love with decaffinated chai tea made with skim milk and sugar free caramel syrup. I am still amazed how full I am off so little. It takes me hours to eat one jello cup. And drinking 8 ounces of liquid, I could do that without taking a breath before surgery...Now, I am taking in a teaspoonful every couple of minutes. I was not required to do a pre-op diet but I did a self-imposed 5 day liquid diet. It resulted in me losing 5lbs pre-surgery. My healing is going well. I have five incicisions with my excess stomach coming out of the incisions to the left (in attached photos has 4 steri strips). All my steri strips are still in place at this point and the only incision that I still really feel is the largest one that they took my stomach out of and even it does not prevent me from laying on it. I had planned on going back to work today but decided to give myself one more day in order to manage my fluids more. I got a little light headed yesterday after going for a walk and then to the grocery store...I have a desk job so no physical labor involved. Normally, I will weigh in and blog on Friday's as my sleeve day was a Friday. However, in my FB August Sleevers group, we weigh in on Wednesday so I thought I would post my first blog entry today as well. And for the numbers..... SD 08/17/12 HT 5'8 HW 232 SW 227 CW 221.8

As DDFinn says, CareCredit is unwilling to pay for any procedures not occurring in the U.S. My coordinator, said she has went around and around with CareCredit but they wont budge. You could try a local finance company, your credit union or perhaps Glamour Credit or MedicalFinancing.com. Both of the last two are higher interest but if you are really wanting the surgery and other financing is not an option, it is something to consider.

I had my surgery with Dr. Alavarez in Piedras Negras Mexico and I only have great things to say as well..I know the idea of having surgery in Mexico seems scary to most. However, my medical treatment with Dr. Alavrez was bars above any care I ever received in the states. My care was done with technology equal to that of the States, the experience to perform and the ability to explain the procedure to me was exceptional. The bedside manners of every one of the medical personnel I came in contact with was something I wish came common place in the states. They made sure my friend who traveled with me had something to eat, offering to take her out each night for dinner. The hospital was more reflective of a rural or county hospital but it was clean. My room itself was really modern with a nice big, tiled shower, hardwood floors, computer with wi-fi and sleeping accomondations for my friend. There was a phone to use free of charge to call back to the states as much as we wanted. And after being released from the hospital, I received a call from the medical coordinator, checking on me to see how I was doing. She said she would be routinely checking on me the first few months out to see how I was coming along. Very impressive...I could go on and on. But I will end just by saying everything from the coordination of the surgery, the surgery itself and the follow-up after surgery has been wonderful.

Congratulations lady...Go rock all those clothes you wanted to but never could...Show your true personality that you probably stifled a bit because of your weight...I may not know you but I am so happy for you...I can only imagine what this feels like... Stories like yours aided in my decision to have the sleeve and are encouragement for getting through these first months post surgery...