scsleever

Dee, It was really helpful to learn that you had seen and talked to some of his facelift patients...puts my mind at ease!

Dee, Thanks so much for sharing your journey with us! It seems that many of the surgeons that we discuss on this site have a lot of experience with tummy tucks, body lifts etc.. I'm hoping to find a Mexican plastic surgeon who has done many face lifts with excellent results! I'd appreciate it if members who have had face lifts would post about their surgery/results.

Congratulations!! You look flippin' amazing!!!

After a lifetime of being warm/hot, it is one heck of a change to think about bringing along a jacket or a sweater because I might feel cold. That extra fat certainly was an excellent insulator, but I'll take wearing a sweater instead of inches of fat!! As for the hot flashes, I have had a couple in the middle of the night... woke up feeling really hot. Congratulations to all of us who are now feeling cold instead of hot! We worked for it... and now (at 8 months after surgery), I have learned that I must continue to work every day. This is not EASY!!

Warm drinks just seem to really help me. I love my 20 oz. decaf coffee with 1 scoop of chocolate protein powder each morning... it is usually my afternoon snack, too. Tonight I was feeling hungry for something sweet so I made a cup of decaf tea with a little milk and splenda...filled me up and gave me that taste of sweetness that I was craving. It is so strange that I have trouble with cold drinks (which I loved before surgery)..but warm drinks are filling and satisfying.

I was sleeved on 2/21/2013 - at age 66 - by Dr. Garcia in Tijuana, Mexico. Medicare would pay for the RNY, but not the Sleeve, so I self-paid and went to Mexico. For me, getting sleeved was one of the best decisions of my life. VSG is not a magic bullet, but it is a wonderful tool that enables me to change how I eat and how I live. There are definite downsides...like feeling so miserable if I eat too much...but overall it is a gift. Don't let your age stop you from moving forward and changing your life!

Sleeved on 2/21/13 by Dr. Garcia! I'm very happy with my sleeve...although I agree with all those who have said "It is only a tool...you still have to do the work". My first six weeks were appetite-free, but I now experience hunger (both head hunger and true hunger) so I have to plan my day so that I get some protein every couple of hours. My diet plan is for 700-800 calories per day, although I have definitely exceeded those numbers on a few (unpleasant) days during the past few weeks.

Alert: my new picture will be uploaded soon! Hunger is a very individual issue. Some folks feel hungry often...others don't. For me, I had a honeymoon period of about six weeks while my stomach was healing, and I never felt hungry. After that, the hunger returned and I had to really focus on my hunger and my food...I tried a few different approaches in order to learn how to live with my sleeve. Right now (this could change), I need two or three tall 20 oz. protein drinks each day to be sure to get in my protein and water. Those drinks (110 calories and 25 grams of protein and 20 oz. fluid each) have made a huge difference for me. BTW, I mix chocolate protein powder with about 3 ounces of cold water and then fill up the glass with decaf coffee.

I have lupus, and had serious post-surgical blood clots many years ago. If your surgeon knows about your disorder, he/she will take extra care and will give you meds to prevent clotting during and after surgery. I received anti-clotting injections while in the hospital - as did most of the other bariatric surgery patients. And, of course, I did lots and lots of walking as soon as I could... because exercising those leg muscles is one of the best things you can do to prevent a blood clot.

Nope...I'm definitely looking at a vitaminwater ZERO bottle: 4 grams carbs. BTW, a packet of Truvia has 3 g carbs! Can anyone explain how you can have zero calories and four grams of carbs!?!

My food cravings have been alot less these past few days, too. Maybe it's the cycle of the moon!! But I'm also wondering if it could be tied to the fact that I ran out of Vitamin Water (my favorite drink...which happens to have carbs). Whatever the reason, I'm so grateful for relief from the craziness!!

Laura, Thanks so much for this thought-provoking thread. I am a food addict with alcohol/drug/food addiction family genetics and a lifetime of addictive "experience". The first five weeks after VSG surgery were heaven (no desire to eat at all!), but now my stomach has healed, the honeymoon is over, and I am grappling with my new reality. The sleeve is a great tool ...but the addiction battle continues and it is hitting me pretty hard right now. I want to be CURED, dammit!! It really helps to know that others are struggling and succeeding. I have this little voice that is whispering "You can't do this...you will fail". Thanks to all the VSTers who are helping me to believe that I don't have to be perfect, that I can pick myself up and keep going forward, and that I can change.

Wow, folks....take a breath!! This is a support forum.... the goal is to support each other. If you don't feel that you can lend support to a particular posting, just read it and move on. Each of us has experienced enough negativity and judgement in our lives. Let's not add to it here.

My surgery was Feb. 21st and I am doing great! I'm learning to live with my sleeve (which I love!)...but there are definite challenges. It's tough to get in 64 ounces of fluids, and I can't seem to learn to eat s-l-o-w-l-y. I found that I do better with four meals each day, rather than three - and that my sleeve likes moist/wet food. My daily calorie count is generally under 700. The wonderful "not even hungry" honeymoon period has ended for me, so I'm spending more time planning meals that will satisfy my desire for flavor. I'm using a tablespoon or two of sauce (carolina mustard bbq/portbella mushroom) to add some moisture and some zip to my tuna, chicken, and turkey meatballs. My "must haves" are protein powder, dannon light and fit greek yogurt (80 calories) and my "wand" blender. The most amazing part of this, for me, is being able to get rid of my too-big clothes as I lose weight. In the past, I've held onto them because I thought/feared/knew that I might need the bigger sizes again sometime in the future. Now I am confident that I will never be that size again! What a huge NSV!!

Amanda, You have been through one heck of a time, girl! I wish it had been a smoother journey for you. Now that you are home, I hope that those rough seas are behind you, and you can peacefully sail through the rest of your recovery. I'm pretty sure that being home and sleeping in your own bed will feel so good..and help you to heal. Hang in there... soon the numbers on the scale will bring a great big smile to your face!!