HoosierGirl

Thanks!

This is an impressive group of people! I am the Director of Procurement & Contacts for an energy company. (i.e. nerd)

It's been interesting to me that my taste hasn't changed per se, but my choices sure have because certain foods just don't sit that well anymore. For example, I love the taste and texture of potatoes fixed al most any way. However, they make me physically sick after I eat them. It's almost the sensation of a hangover - really weird. Would not say before surgery that I loved fish, it still tastes the same to me, but makes me FEEL good after I eat it. Post surgery, food is less enjoyment/satisfaction related and more of a "it's time to eat this food" like "it's time to get up". Eating is now just something that I do vs. something I enjoyed before. Hard to explain for sure.

Florida! And in a TANKINI! It was great to wear a real bathing suit for the first time in 10 years!

You are describing my exact build! I have a photo of me at 2 years old with the under the belly button stomach "pooch" as I call it. Like you, was never comfortable tucking in or wearing a belt, even when I was thin in HS/college because of that damned "pooch"! Two pregnancies, two C-sections and many pounds lost have made that area even worse. (Insert huge sigh here.) I have been exercising a lot so I am not flabby as I lose, but the "pooch" area is not rebounding as I hoped. It is certainly smaller, but is now hanging down and just looks ridiculous. My upper abs are fine and I would feel comfortable showing them off, but the lower, WOW - not good! I think after a year or so at my goal weight, if it still looks like a disaster, I am going to "reward" myself with some plastic surgery so that area no longer looks like a deflated, hanging down beach ball. I’d like to feel like I have a “normal” shape after the weight is gone. Good luck to you as you lose your weight and keep us updated on your “pooch” as the weight comes off! Hugs - Shelley

Loved your blog post! Wait until after you are sleeved and you sit down, excited about a meal you really want to eat, but just cannot do it for whatever reason. Some of my old favorites don’t sit well at all and I’ve developed an aversion to them (any type of potato makes me really sick….who knew?) Haven't shed tears, but have been really ticked-off and frustrated about not being able to eat with abandon! food just isn’t the entertainment or social outlet it was before. However, I will admit to crying in the fitting room when I slid into a size 12 jeans over the weekend. The feeling of gratitude/miracle/amazement was simply overwhelming. Here is to wishing you tears of joy AFTER your sleeve! Hugs and safe surgery next week!!! PS - you are welcome to check out my blog as I was sleeved in Tijuana earlier this year too! www.hoosierfatty.wordpress.com

Amen my friend! Keep us straight!!!

If you can keep your mind together in the pre-op phases, you are on your way to success! I was all over the place mentally before surgery. Figured if I could have lost the weight on my own in my many attempts over the past 20 years, I probably would not need surgery. My advice is to stay out of your own head - it can be a dangerous place to be! Hugs and good luck!

Thanks! I am viewing the cost as an investment to help me get to goal. With the 60 day program, it ends up being about $2 per day and I can afford that. If you wait a few months, it will probably for sale cheap on eBay or Craigslist! Lol...

As far as being easy to follow, I would suggest watching before doing so you don't have to stop and figure out what is going on. I really started heavy exercise about 3 months after surgery and just walked before that. So, i think the three month mark would be a good place to start. Also, when you start may depend on your weight. Obviously if you have a lot of weight to lose, all the jumping might be uncomfortable on joints. But if you can stand 25 minutes of going full blast, this is wonderful. I started the exercise and eating plan Monday and have lost 5.7 lbs and it is only Wednesday! Crazy but wonderful!

So far, I really like it. It's a lot of jumping and I wouldn't recommend if you have knee or ankle problems. Using my heart rate monitor, I am burning about 350 calories in 25 minutes, so it is really a good calorie burn! Will post some more info after I complete this week. The eating plan is very VSG friendly too! So far so good..

The Beachbody folks have a new workout from the creator of Insanity, Shaun T. (Beachbody has several well known fitness DVD programs out, P90X, Insanity, Turbofire). Focus T25 is similar to Insanity, but is only 25 minutes long, five days per week and lasts for 60 days. Guess I am an easy sell, because I was very excited to receive this! It comes with a easy meal guide with few ingredients, a road map to take you through the program, and two different sets of DVD's. Although I only started this today, I am hopeful it will get me most of the way to losing my last 30 pounds. Anyone else doing Focus T25?

Just to be clear.......they mean hair loss from your head. Just back from a beach vacation and the old bikini line was - uh - not affected by VSG hair loss.

Yes, I had surgery in February with Dr Ariel Ortiz at the Obesity Control Center. You are welcome to read my blog about surgery, travel, recovery, etc. Good luck...this surgery will change your life. www.hoosierfatty.wordpress.com

I was alone after surgery....my best friend was there for surgery Monday, made sure I was back at the hotel Tuesday and then flew home. I used Dr. Ortiz at the OCC as well and their driver took us in groups back and forth to the hotel/office. Was never alone with him and felt safe the whole time at the hotel and traveling in TJ. I saw several people sharing taxis to sight-seeing or shop. If you get to TJ the day before, get a taxi to Costco or WalMart, pay them to wait for you while you go buy Vitamin Water or Gatorade. Ask the hotel to keep it for you while you have surgery and bring it to your room after you check in again. Bottom line is if you aren't out partying and wandering alone, you will be fine.

I promise it gets better! If you just focus on sip wait a couple minutes, sip & wait, you will get your fluids in. Keep on walking. You are doing all the right things! And I will be thinking of you back at work on Monday. I did the same thing and wish I would have had another week to recoup. It wasn't ideal, but it can be done. WAY TO GO! You are going to ROCK your sleeve!

WOW! You look fantastic! And congrats getting off all your medications! Thank you for sharing.

I am 5.5 months post-op. Only took a week off work thinking I would be fine one week after surgery. Boy, was I surprised how tired I was for a full two weeks after surgery. My surgery was easy, no complications, felt great after, very minimal pain, but SO TIRED. Even after the two weeks when I could finally function all day without requiring a nap, I was still ready to go to bed early (like 7:30 or 8:00 pm). During the first 6 weeks, I wasn't trying to walk or anything, was just needing a lot of sleep. The tiredness was a big surprise to me. Today, 5.5 months out, I am full of energy, down 62lbs and off all medications. I can exercise until my hearts content and don't get run down. Be sure you are getting all your fluids in and give in to your need for sleep. It will help the healing. Good luck to you all!!!

In February, I took with me: pajamas with pants and top (elastic on jammies help hold the drain bag), comfortable elastic waist pants and loose fitting t-shirts, took Gas-X but didn't need it, brought my laptop for use at the hotel, cell phone, makeup. Marriott has hair dryers, etc. If you have a support person going with you, see if they will take a taxi to Costco or Walmart after your surgery and get you some Gatorade G2 or Vitamin water for you to drink when you are back at the hotel after surgery. That was WONDERFUL after surgery to taste something other than water. Take advantage of your time after surgery to sleep and rest as much as possible while at the Marriott. GOOD LUCK!

I am a SLACKER! No entries since May because of 8-year old all-star baseball this summer. Need to update my blog and include some pictures. Have lost 62lbs and feel fantastic.

Awesome post! Congratulations on your weight loss...and sharing with others here!

My girls best days are in the past. I guess they look like 42-year old Mom boobs. Dreaming if plastic surgery. Making due with push-up bras

AmandaRae - I am enjoying your new profile picture.....you are a very beautiful woman! So excited about your weight loss and cannot wait for the below 300 party! I will drive to Ohio...lol!

Yes...Dr Miranda is wonderful. Very knowledgable and helpful! She was my favorite person at OCC!