TES

hmmm...I would like to see a copy of that study! I may sound a bit cynical...but I'm a bit cynical....

oh, right, with stuff in between that and the lettuce to keep the lettuce from getting soggy, right?

Dressing is added when you eat them, right?

You could just say by eating less (and low carb if you are) and exercising (if you are)--still truthful. Or, "thank you for the compliment--I've been working really hard!"

Miralax works for me within 24 hrs. You might want to call your doctor and see what they recommend. For maintenance, daily Benefiber is an option (or veggies once you are cleared). Water is extremely important--more than you think you can drink to keep things moving. If you are severely distressed, check with doctor's office about an enema or something like Go Lightly. Don't do either without dr's approval though. Hope you feel better soon.

Days 2 and 3 were miserable for me...hang in there!

So sorry you went through this. I would like to make the point, though, that I'm not sure I would consider VSG to be an elective procedure. It is a surgery to treat obesity, which is universally recognized as a medical issue (it even has its own diagnosis and CPT codes for insurance purposes). Did you end up having to self-pay the $20K and $500K, if you don't mind me asking? (it was unclear from your post).

Wonderful--congratulations! You are already doing the physical and mental work that will help you be incredibly successful with VSG!

I wish I would have done the WLS when I was at your BMI instead of ending up getting it at a much higher BMI. But, you have to do what is right for you. I would see how it goes the next couple of months. The WLS is a great tool, not just for loss, but for maintenance. You seem like you have the dedication and the cooperation from your body (rate of weight loss) to be really successful with VSG.

Heartfelt congratulations! What an inspiration. BTW, I have seen those Pinterest canning jar salads--but the one I saw requires using a food Saver to keep the salads fresh. Can you actually just put them in a canning jar and seal them up? Any other tips?

I think that you should talk to your surgeon. I actually didn't have pain around my drain site (I did around my incisions, especially the larger one where the stomach came out), and while everyone is different, I would want to talk with my surgeon to rule out an infection or any other issues. I hope that you feel better soon!

PS--I am also impressed by your lack of loose skin, especially on your arms. Do you do a lot of strength training/toning?

Congratulations--you look great! Are you at goal? I love seing pics of people who have lost this amount of weight over a fairly reasonable amount of time. I am happy for those who can lose 100 lbs in three months, but it's so out of the realm of what my metabolically efficient body can do, it can be a bit discouraging. This type of story really reinforces how consistent, incremental losses over time really add up. You look like a different person! I would have never guessed that you were overweight/obese less than a year ago.

Beautifully stated!

that's great--congratulations!

I understand when people here call a BMI of 35 a "low BMI" because it's relative in the world of those who get WLS. However, I want to point out that 35 BMI is NOT "low" from a medical standpoint. It qualifies as morbidly obese! All you have to do is go to Pubmed and look up evidence-based articles about the risks of being morbidly obese to see that WLS could make sense for many people in this category, especially if they have tried and failed repeatedly on their own to lose weight and/or keep it off. Add to that any comorbidities such as diabetes, HBP, etc., and there's even more reason that WLS could be a life-saving (mortality but also morbidity/quality of life) option for people who are in that BMI range.

You are literally the posterchild for WLS! Congrats!

Whenever I read posts from people who were made to feel awkward by others about their decision to have surgery or who are being asked constantly how much weight they have lost when they are experiencing a stall or plateau, I am so glad that I observed my right to medical privacy by being very selective in whom I have told.

I find when I'm retaining fluid that extra water and protein help. Sometimes I retain fluid initially when I ramp up exercise. Also could be hormonal? If it continues, I would definitely check with your PCP to rule out a medical cause (high BP, edema, CHF, etc.).

I measure by volume, not weight, since my stomach's capacity is based on volume rather than weight. I was cleared for iceberg lettuce at 4 weeks and other veggies at 6 weeks and haven't had any issues. My surgeon told me that you can eat more vegetables, especially lettuce, than dense Protein by volume since lettuce is mostly Water. You need to make sure to chew very well of course. I have found this to be true--I can eat maybe 3 to 4 oz of Beans or soy protein, but I can eat a cup (8 oz) of veggies, maybe a little more if it's mostly lettuce.

My surgeon makes sure all patients receive an abdominal binder while in the hospital (and then you take it home with you). It helped me the most of everything as far as minimizing pain when making positional changes or when coughing, laughing, sneezing, etc. My first one was bloody from the discharge from the drain so the nurse gave me a new one before I was released. She offered to let me keep the old one and wash it, but I felt a little queasy at the time seeing the drainage and declined. Wish I would have kept it bc it would have been nice to have a back-up while I washed the other one. I also wore it under my clothes when I went out for the first few weeks bc it made me feel like my incisions were sort of protected if someone bumped into me, etc. The binder also supported my back when my abdominal muscles felt weak right after surgery. As you can tell, I really enjoyed my abdominal binder (I feel a little like I am writing out an infomercial pitch)--and would highly recommend using one!

congratulations! That must have been a great feeling. I loved the "thin, healthy, fit and glowing" comment. Are you a vegetarian? Can you share any info on your plant-based diet and what works best for you? (I'm a vegetarian so love to learn from VSGers ahead of me about a focus on plant foods.)

Congratulations!!! Doesn't most insurance cover VSG at a BMI of 35 or above with at least one comorbidity?

Fiddleman, the chicken skewers look like something my husband would like (I'm vegetarian but do cook meat for him). Did you find them fresh or frozen at Costco? Thanks.

I worry a little when I see someone post that he or she had "no pain, no gas, no nausea." I guess this is possible, but it is unlikely. Limited amount yes, but none at all? Maybe it's a difference in how pain and discomfort are described. Also, whether someone felt he or she didn't experience these things really has very little to do with the skill of the surgeon. You could have a surgery that is perfect from a technical standpoint and still experience pain, gas, and/or nausea.