Armywife29

And I hit GOAL yesterday! Could not be more excited, although it seems a bit surreal that in 6 months and 2 days I have lost 81 pounds! Start weight was just under 220 at 5'4. Today's weight...138! I have gone from a size 20 jeans to a 6, and a 2XL top to a SMALL! My chest went from a 42DD to a 36D or 34DD depending on the fit! I am thrilled with my results, and while it hasn't been "easy" the whole time, the process for me honestly hasn't been that difficult. I log every.single.thing that passes my lips on MyFitnessPal and I workout for 90-120 minutes a day...running 3-6 miles 6 days a week and lifting weights with my amazing best friend and workout buddy, who has also been my biggest cheerłeader. Going to Mexico was hands down the single best decision I have ever made for myself. I finally have my life back, and truly feel like a new person. And don't mind my husband's closed eyes in the one photo...we could NOT get a good pic of him that night!

Thank you so much for all the kind compliments everyone! They mean more to me than you guys will ever know . As for my weight loss, I think my exercising has been an integral part of my faster loss. There are many days where I burn more working out than I can physically eat in a day. As for my diet, I shoot for 65+ grams of Protein and less than 40 grams of carbs in a day. I drink a minimum of 64 ounces of Water, it most days am closer to 72-80 ounces. I do allow myself a skinny iced vanilla latte or caramel macchiato from Starbucks on occasion...but they have replaced a daily full fat + whip cream frappacino that was having EVERY morning pre op . I love to mix 1.5 scoops of GNC Wheyolic Extreme 60 Protein powder with Click Mocha protein for a delicious morning shake that gets me halfway to my daily protein goal. I'm still trying to make room for veggies in my diet...but my sleeve is TIGHT. I have incredible restriction when eating dense protein (2oz maximum at this point) so it is tough for me to get the veggies in. I have been diligently taking Nexium and a good multi Vitamin since surgery, and my bloodwork at my 3 month check was amazing...plus I am no longer pre diabetic or hypertensive...and my cholesterol was NORMAL! Down from 260 pre op! I love to exercise....well really, I love to sweat...it makes me feel good and I workout HARD. I run and lift 5-6 days a week (depending on what our family schedule is like on Saturday mornings ). And we are generally much more active as a family now...taking long evening walks, bike rides, swimming, you name it. I even mow the lawn every week for a workout, which my husband is thrilled about, haha! I'm sorry it took me so long to respond to your posts...I was only getting emails that people had "liked". The post, to that they were responding to it . Feel free to message me with any questions, and my MFP username is LBraunstein

Thank you so much!

Hey everyone! Just wanted to give a quick update on my progress. Hopefully the picture I attached works, if not it can be seen on my profile. I had surgery on 1/22/2013 with Dr. Garcia at MiDoctor Hospital. My post op recovery has been amazing and my overall experience just fantastic! I have lost 62 lbs as of Mothers Day and I only have 20 to go until I hit my goal weight of 138! On surgery day I weighed 219.8 and today I weighed 158.4. I track every single thing that goes into my mouth on MyFitnessPal and highly recommend that every surgery patient use a similar program as well. I've also lost 37 inches total...most from my stomach! I hope everyone is doing well!

As far as scars go I just apply Mederma and Bio Oil faithfully twice a day. You use just plain vitamin E oil too I think. I started as soon as they were closed up all the way. Definitely keep antibiotic ointment on them as long as you can post op, I really think it helps keep them soft while healing. I did the bio oil on my c section scar and it too is almost invisible. I've had my appendix out too and you can't even see those scars on my belly can you? They were to the left and right below my belly button

I only lost a few pounds pre-op. my start weight when I began the process in September 2012 was 221. On surgery day I was 219.6. I was a "lightweight" but was already pre diabetic, hypertensive, and had chronic back pain from an old Army I injury. I lost like 28 pounds my first month I think (I have to go back and check the exact amount). And then another 12 this month. I was shocked to lose so much the first month...figured since I didn't weigh so much I'd lose "slower" but I guess that's a myth! I just committed and stuck to a plan of less than 600 calories, less than 40 carbs, and over 60 grams of protein a day...and I track every single thing that goes into my mouth on my fitness pal.

Posted my update here with photos! Down 40 pounds and 25 inches! Weighed in at 179.4 this morning =) http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/VSG/4615121/2-Month-Post-Op-Update-WITH-photos/ http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/VSG/4615122/Side-View-Photos-because-it-wouldnt-let-me-add-them-to-the/ I had to do 2 posts because it wouldn't let me upload two seperate picture collages...one is front view, the other side view. I've lost 10 inches off my waist alone and am now zipping into size 12 jeans at Gap very comfortably...can do 10s at Old Navy with their vanity sizing =)

Isn't that MY stomach!? Haha!

Thank you so much for all of your kind words everyone. It's been an awesome journey so far. I feel I have been very lucky. I had no complications, and while I can tolerate "most" foods, my restriction is amazing. I can't eat more than 4-5 bites of a meal. I highly recommend picking up some demitasse spoons and shrimp forks. These are my new "silverware.". They really help you to take appropriately small bites...if you take one that's too big you will know very quickly, and you will most likely vomit. I have learned this the hard way about 3 times.

] I am Lbraunstein on MfP! Definitely add me

http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/vsg/4608374/One-Month-Post-Update-WITH-PICS/ I posted my official one month post op update here complete with photos. Enjoy! I'm so thankful to Dr. Garcia and his team. They are truly changing my life =)

Hi Kat! Congrats on your upcoming surgery. Yes, each day my priority is protein and Water. I'm so glad discovered the GNC Wheybolic 60 because immable to bang out 90% of my protein goal by Breakfast. Please note that i make the shake at 7:30 am, and it takes me until nearly noon to finish it (when 2 scoops are mixed with 8 oz milk it makes about a 12-16 oz shake). I add some water too to thin it out a bit, otherwise it's pretty thick and sits heavy on my sleeve. As far as supplements, I take nexium (PPi) and Actigall (to preserve the gallbladder daily). I also take flintstones complete multi vitamins. I will only take the actigaull for 6 months, and the nexium as needed after that. I did purchase an Iron supplement just in case, but probably won't start it until my 3 month labs are done, and only if my iron is low at that point. I'm a big milk/yogurt eater too, so I haven't needed any Calcium supplement, I'd definitely meeting a healthy level each day. Honestly, I think the biggest key to my loss right now has been the gym. I started back at the 2 week mark doing low impact cardio (elliptical, bike, arc trainer, incline walking) and I'm pretty sure that helped me skirt past the dreaded 3 week stall that most people encounter. I had been weighing daily at that point and noticed my loss starting to slow dramatically (.4 pound for 3 days straight) and decided it was time to up the ante a bit. Since that point I've been losing .5-1 lb a DAY. Hoping to prolong this as long as possible...so if I see another slow down I will change up my gym routine again. My intake is around 450-550 calories a day, with 64 oz water/liquids and minimum of 60 grams protein a day...most days I'm hitting a good bit higher (today was 94!). Hope this helps!

I know the feeling Mary! I couldn't wait to have a scrambled egg either! Be warned, you probably won't be able to eat a whole one, and go easy on the salt and pepper. I was only able to eat about 1/3 of the egg the first time. You can also mix in a little skim cheese for a little bit more Protein.

The Ostrim jerk sticks are delicious! You can't really tell that it's "ostrich" it tastes just like any other jerk stick...except it is very lean.

Hey everyone! I just wanted to keep you guys posted on my progress since I know i really enjoy reading other peoples. I am now 24 days post op (just over 3 weeks) and have lost 25.6 pounds!!! It's looking like I will probably have a 30 lb loss for my first month, which as a lightweight, was completely unexpected for me! The transformation has already been amazing, and i will be posting before/1 month post op photos on the 22nd. I will also be retaking measurements on the 22nd as well (I'm doing this each month) but so far I am down from a snug 18 jeans to a loose 16 and I am only about 1/2" away from buttoning the 14s. It has been so cool to "shop" in the deep abyss of my closet where I stashed away all my skinny clothes. As far as food intake at this point, I'm convinced Dr. Garcia gave me a VERY snug sleeve. I had asked him before surgery for a snug 32F boughie and I think I got one because my restriction is incredible! I start each day with two scoops of GNC Wheybolic Extreme 60 chocolate Protein drink which starts me right off with 40 grams of protein. I mix it with Kroger carbmaster Milk which gives the whole shake a value of 51 grams of protein! And it is delicious. I drink Water until lunch, which is about 2-3 tablespoons of either chicken/egg/tuna salad mized with about a teaspoon of light mayo. I have a snack around 3 of an Ostrim Beef and Ostrich high protein Jerky for another 14 grams of protein! For dinner I have been pureeing home made chicken Soups and chili. I tried a little more solid food this week and I just wasnt ready...i can handle scrambled eggs. yogurt, Jello pudding, the light mayo salad, and the jerky really well. I got sick after trying a hardboiled egg the other day and decided to just back off and keep to soft foods a while longer...I have the rest of my life to eat solids right? I am also at the gym 5 days a week doing 45 minutes of cardio each day right now, gradually building up to a full 60 minutes. Starting next tuesday I am cleared to start lifting less than 10 pounds, so i will start my lifting program (New Rules of Lifting for Women) at that time....2 weeks later (at the 6 week post op mark) I will start lifting upwards of 20 pounds. I feel amazing. I still feel pretty tired at the end of each day, but I am sleeping SOOOO much better at night! Which leaves me feeling very rested and peppy in the morning...pretty good since my 2 year old gives me a 5:30 wake up call each day. I hope this helps! I am looking forward to seeing each of you on the losers bench =)

I'm sorry to hear that Beth! I actually stayed on liquids longer because I really wanted to try and get to 60 oz per day before moving up to any more solid food. I'm 12 days out and just tried Greek yogurt this morning, it went very well. I added some sugar free vanilla syrup to it. Just remember to not push the amount you eat, I have been eating with a shrimp fork and demitasse spoon which has REALLY helped me control my bite sizes.

Thanks Mike! And congrats on the weight loss! You are doing awesome! How are you feeling so far? I haven't started any solids yet...the Protein shakes really fill me up. I still haven't met 64 oz Water in a day either...although today I'm only 8oz away!

I actually found the guidelines somewhere in VST, though not sure where. I literally just deleted the bookmark I had on it like two days ago (dumb, I know!). But I just kept doing searches for it until I foundit. I had thought it was on a "sticky" at the top of one of the forums, but I can't find it now. It was in a post that had the link to like 7 different post op diets from various places, and it was one of the last links on the page. It took me t a PDF and I was able to print it. It's really hard to find because it's copywrited. But it was SO helpful! He has a whole appendix with all the different types of protein and their nutritional breakdowns. Really helpful for those who are diligent trackers

Hey LuLu! Great question . I actually opted to follow Dr. Cirangle's post op guidelines rather than Dr. Garcia. Dr. Cirangle is with LapSF in San Francisco and his patients are wildly successful at meeting or getting below goal. I frequent Obesity Help and have learned so much from his post op patients. His plan is more structured...and I don't know about you...but I really need structure. His guide is 35 pages long and has amazingly detailed informations down to the best quality yogurt brand to have. I'm glad that I stayed with clears a little longer too, because I wanted to make sure I could meet my Fluid goal of 60 oz per day before moving up. And. Am finally getting there. Yesterday I started regular Protein shakes and they filled me up quick! So far I am 9 days out and down 16 pounds and I feel incredible!

And I've lost exactly 14 pounds! I seriously can't believe it! I went in as a lightweight starting at 215.4 on surgery day (was 221 pre op and lost about 6 lbs on pre op diet) and this morning, exactly one week after surgery with Dr. Garcia I weighed 201.4! So exciting! I assumed since I was a lightweight I would lose slower, so I am thrilled with the results so far. I am anticipating a stall soon since I know one around three weeks happens to like 90% of people, but I okay with that I'm still doing Clear liquids including clear Protein drinks, but tomorrow I start full liquids. I have a bunch of sugar free pudding to make tonight and unflavored whey protein isolate to mix into it. I will NOT be sad to say good riddance to the blitz clear protein and Isopure RTD, OMG. They were tolerable pre-op when I tried them, but post op they are just gross. I'm wishing you guys so much success and please feel free to PM me with any questions you may have going forward. I will probably post more often on the post-op board now. Lauren

The hospital provided a spirometer for me right away. dr. velasco will bring it to you before surgery.

I didn't need to do much at the hospital because the nurses did a great job on wound care. The morning after surgery they will ask you to take a shower. I brought two bars of dial antibacterial soap with me (one for hospital and one for other afterwards). You will get in the shower with all your bandages on and take off the incision ones while you are in there. You leave you drain wound covered the whole time you are in the shower. They want you to use soap and Water to clean your incision sites while in the shower. Once out you just let the nurse know and she will come in and take care of cleaning them with antiseptic and rebandaging. She will also take off the drain bandage and change it at that time. You want to keep your drain site covered in the shower until it is all closed (7 days out and mine is still covered in the shower....but probably only for another day). After my shower I take off the bandage and let it air dry then apply antiseptic and neosporin and re cover. My incision sites have been uncovered since Dr. Luna took my staples out at the hotel. Hope this helps!

Sorry it took me so long to get back to you! I wasn't made aware of an 800# at the Marriott. But you could definitely ask at the desk. We used FaceTime the entire time to communicate through the Wifi and it worked great. We also used the phone at the hospital.

Just wanted to give everyone a quick update! We are in San Diego awaiting our flight hme now (flying first class! Yippee!). My recovery has gone SO smoothly! I feel very blessed to have had such an easy time of. I'm not sure if it's because I have had two previous abdominal surgeries or not (appendectomy and c-section) but I seem to have rebounded pretty quickly. My drain site is almost all the way healed! They said it could take two weeks, but looks like it will only be about 6-7 days for me. I credit my very careful wound care once released from the hospital for this! I brought neosporin, a small bottle of antiseptic spray, and the extra large antibiotic band aids. I cleaned my wounds each day with dial antibacterial soap in the shower and then let them air dry. I kept my drain site covered in the shower because you don't want any Water eating in there and then uncovered immediately after getting out. Once the sites were dry I treated with neosporin and the spray. I also made sure to bring a small bottle of hand sanitizer. If nothing else PLEASE pack these items! They are very small, but can make a world of difference. Wound infection is Dr. garcias most common complication. They send you to the hotel with gauze and tape which is helpful, but no cleaning stuff. As far as packing list, I packed VERY light...but still felt I overpacked. The items I used and brought were: Clean underwear for each day 2 lounge sets (the loose pants and zip up jacket style) with clean tank top to wear underneath each day One pair pajama pants, 2 pajama tops Tennis shoes Flip flops Slippers Gas X strips Hygiene items (you don't meet much unless you are particular, they provide shampoo and conditioner at both hotel and hospital). Definitely bring deodorant! The stuff at the hotel is all bath and body works! iPad and charger (FaceTime worked great, no need for cell phone really!) 3 soft bras, two sport style and one sleep bra Small bag of makeup...just used foundation and mascara most days. Ponytail holders! I didn't "do" my hair at all while I was there And the wound care items I mentioned earlier Also my PCP prescribed Nexium and that stuff has been a god send! Light cotton robe (a must for the hospital!) I wish I had brought a couple packets of crystal light (but only like 2 because you really won't be able to drink much at all) I also brought a larger 24 oz tervis cup which I used a lot for sipping, the kind with travel lid. Hope this helps! This really was all I needed and used. I only wore the hospital gown, robe and slippers while I was at MiDoctor.