DanaInNewOrleans

Oh Gawd!! Am I considered a senior at 49???? I think of "seniors" as 70 and older. Of course, the 25 year olds think of "senior" as being over 40!

So, you know how there's been so many controversial posts lately about the differences in physicians' post op instructions? Sally can only have Clear liquids for 2 weeks but Mike can have pureed immediately? Or Deb can't eat beef for 3 months but Dave is eating Wendy's chili week 3?
I had my first post-op appointment yesterday and was talking about this with the nutritionist and NP. I asked her to level with me.... I suspect that there is more to it than just being cautious about damage and healing of the sleeve and I really wanted an explanation. It was driving me crazy because it just did not make sense ( my husband says that I try too hard to understand EVERYTHING and always look for logic) I asked if it was also to make sure patients stay on calorie restriction for as long as possible ( I mean, how many calories can you consume in clear broth? ?? ) She said yes, that Dr. Lavin's post op conservative philosophy is really not just about the healing process ---it is also to help patients see significant weight loss immediately and once patients transition to more complex foods their weight loss tends to slow down.
This makes perfect sense.....

I see you just joined VST yesterday... this is such a great place for information and support. VST rocks!

I see so may posts that state the the sleeve "is just a tool". I think it does actually "teach" you a healthier way of living by the mere fact that you are incapable of eating large amounts of food. If you do, lots of bad things happen. So you learn to modify your eating habits to prevent those bad things...lol..... Negative Reinforcement Training!!! I personally think it's genius.... since I was a kid I used think, if only there was a way that if I ate too much I'd get sick. I used to think it that I'd like to have a disease that would require drastic treatment so that I could not eat. I was a kid when I was wishing for a disease that would require chemo so I would be incapable of eating. I'd like to tell you that I want this surgery for health reasons but if I'm completely honest I'll tell you that the primary reason is I just want to look normal. Vanity and being able to do things that I've never been willing or able to do because of fat is the real reason I am here. My health is secondary and an added benefit. Of course this is just me. I know there are many people who are doing it for health reasons. For me, I'm here for my MENTAL HEALTH.

Hoping and praying for that this is only temporary for you. Thanks for sharing and trying to help others avoid having to deal with this.
~Dana

New Orleans!

New Orleans!

Lisa, thank you so much for taking the time to put your experience down for us!! I LOVE reading everyone's stories---every little detail!!! It helps take the mystery and fear away. And yours was perfect!! I felt like I was there with you. Hell, by the time I finally get to surgery (late November) it will feel like deja vu after reading everyone's stories. Congratulations!
Ok Pre-Surgery VSTers, we need to all promise to try and write our stories -- think of how much this helped US and when we write our story we will be helping each other and all the new VSTers after us.
I promise!!

New Orleans!

My leak test was also done in surgery. Which to me makes much better sense -- why wait until you are out of surgery to detect a leak? If there is a leak then it's back to surgery. It also saves the patient from having to go through what appears to be a pretty miserable experience ( based on what I've read on VST). Just my opinion.

My husband actually hid the scale before I got home from the hospital! I had told him about how everybody gains weight in the hospital and he knows how I am...he was worried I'd drive myself crazy if I saw that I had gained weight. He finally brought it out of hiding about a week after surgery....

Oh Gawd!! Am I considered a senior at 49???? I think of "seniors" as 70 and older. Of course, the 25 year olds think of "senior" as being over 40!

Oh Gawd!! Am I considered a senior at 49???? I think of "seniors" as 70 and older. Of course, the 25 year olds think of "senior" as being over 40!

Hang in there....I've been the same weight for about 10 days .. wait, let me rephrase that...I haven't lost anything in 10 days, in fact the scale says I've gained 2 lbs.... crazy and frustrating...

50 pound down today! One of my biggest goals! Woot woot!!!! 45 more to lose! Rating about 10 pounds a month I can totally do this! So pumped

I am so sorry for my post last night I wrote that under heavy medication lol, I look at it right now and am saying wtf did i write? lol but im sure for the most part you get my point. However excuse my typos and lack of closings on my sentences lol. Oh yeah and today I reached my mini goal 50 pounds gone forever!

I am so thankful to all my December Sleevers. I read your posts every day and you help keep me going. I was so excited a week ago Friday as I was heading down to Humble (outside of Houston) to compete in my first TKD tournament since I began this process. I was getting close to having lost 40 lbs which is half way for me. 5 miles from our destination was go rear-ended and the person took off. Me and my girls were hurt - my youngest had a concussion. The rest of us also had whiplash. I got so depressed but I didn't binge eat. I kept thinking I wouldn't be able to work out and I couldn't compete. I have enough points right now for state champ in two categories and needed those points. However, believe it or not, I recovered very quickly. (Of course, muscle relaxants help!). A big note was that I didn't bing eat or emotional eat. I kept reading everyone's post and that kept me going.
Last Saturday, I got my assessment for soccer (I am a referee). The top assessor in the area assessed me. He hugged me three times. Told me how impressed he was with my running up and down the field. In areas of concern, he said "None at this time". That NEVER happens. Playing indoor soccer that night, everyone commented on how fast I was running.
Big goal reached this morning. I have lost 40.4 lbs. This is half way for me!!! I can now do so much more and my knees and ankles aren't hurting. I can finish a TKD class without my feet killing me! I have gone from 16/18 pants to size 12. I used to wear 1X to 2X tops and I am now in Larges. I can even steal my daughters close now!!! (Paybacks@!)
Sleeved: 12/13/2012
Starting: 195
Today (almost 12 weeks later): 154.6
Goal weight: 115
I am 5'1" - yep, I short!
Anyway, wanted to give a shout out to all my December sleevers! Y'all have been a big help to me. I am lucky to have a great support system at home and work, but everyone here really understands what I am going through and has really helped!
Everyone have a great day!

WAIT WAIT WAIT....are you telling us you LOST 100 POUNDS in 11 weeks??? I'm speechless...I did not realize that was even POSSIBLE!
Please please please fill us in your what you are doing????
(I'm still speechless AND jealous!)
Give up the secret!! I'm getting desperate....
Congratulations!!

WAIT WAIT WAIT....are you telling us you LOST 100 POUNDS in 11 weeks??? I'm speechless...I did not realize that was even POSSIBLE!
Please please please fill us in your what you are doing????
(I'm still speechless AND jealous!)
Give up the secret!! I'm getting desperate....
Congratulations!!

I agree in the last 3 months I have had 2 stalls one for 2 weeks the other for about 3 weeks and through both of them I came her to vent and felt supported and funny no matter the stall I am within the average December sleevers weight loss (I know we shouldn't compare) Some loose faster then others and more then others but I seem to be loosing at a steady paste now and thats fine with me. besides before the surgery I couldn't loose any weight or would loose a little then gain it back and then some. so I am grateful for the life changing choice I made. I am happy I am at a place I have not been in years with everything from walking up stairs to sitting.. Laugh if you will but the other day I discovered I can touch my knee to my head again lol (translation) my stomach is no longer in the way.. I love it! Its the simple things we dont even notice that bring the biggest smiles on our faces!

I LOVE THIS!!!
Thank you for putting it all in perspective!!

I know we are all dazzled/befuddled/annoyed/enthralled by the weight losses...the numbers oh how we watch the numbers on the scale. but I would like to humbly suggest we remember even if it's not perfect or falling off or we're stalled or we're making bad decisions or we're making great ones, we all made a commitment to our health in doing this. So, tonight, i will not share a weight update.
I will tell you I don't need to take a nap twice each weekend anymore.
I am taking classes at the gym I never thought I could do and I am proudly doing my push-ups against the wall - and no one even cares!
I am wearing clothes I never thought would go over my hips again.
My son says my face is way prettier now.
my Husband grabs my A$$. So did my mother :-)
I can do things well into the night and not feel exhausted every day.
I am smaller and I am healthier and even though I struggle to get through this, I am proud I did this.
It is saving my life.
We are all doing wonderfully and I am so happy to read the replies to our group.
Good night December sleevers. You rock.

Yep, I saw Alli today. She'll probably tell you to up your protein... Where in New Orleans are you? Don't you just love how easily guys can lose weight? My husband can say that he's going to cut back this week and he'll lose 5 lbs. I cut my calories to 800 and can barely lose 1 lb!
You can tell Alli on Wednesday that we're on a forum discussing our slow weight loss!

56 lbs is great! Are you on prescription Vit D? I've been on it on and off for a few years I can never keep mine up to a normal level.