neneh_vsg

I had Dr. Sudan -- great outcome. He uses the Da Vinci robotic system, so there's much less pain and faster healing than traditional laparoscopic surgery. He's quiet and thoughtful; I like that in a healthcare provider. Dr. Sudan published one of the first academic articles on DS, of which VSG is the first part and means that he has gobs of experience with the procedure.

I definitely think that there is some truth in this (at least for me). I broke up with my boyfriend a few months ago and I only realized after it was over just how wrong for me he was. I'm so much happier now' date=' and this realization made me think back to my past relationships and where they went wrong. I realized that every man I've been romantically involved with had one or more major flaws (bad job, history of cheating, drinks too much, etc.). Even worse, I KNEW this going into every relationship. It dawned on me that I have always looked for something to be "wrong" with a man because I don't think anyone would want to date me the way I am. Since I've realized this, I've decided not to do any dating until I'm at goal and comfortable with myself. I'm hoping that I'll regain confidence through this experience, and I'm determined not to date anyone with glaring flaws every again![/quote']

Hello? This is me, especially the bit about having at least one major flaw or incompatibility that I knew about before we got seriously involved. Getting my mind right through therapy along with this journey has helped to strengthen my expectations of myself and potential partners.

Today: going to the gym after a week away!

"The scenic route is beautiful" - thanks for that, coops!

Starting at a high weight of 246, I was 234.6 day of surgery on June 18. Over the 9 weeks I average 1.34 lbs lost, which I am thrilled about because my eating and exercise behaviors are sustainable for me. My body and mind also have a chance to catch up to the changes, as well.

I just came across one of your posts about slow losses and it's got me thinking about how I want to approach this journey. Do I want to hit the finish line as fast as possible by doing whatever it takes?

Or am I willing to admit that this is the rest of my life' date=' and what I need to do now, is start living it today as I mean to go on? (I mean, not literally today, I don't want to drink shakes and Soup for the rest of my life but you know...)

I'm leaning to living it as I mean to go on. Historically, I've given up everything else to lose the weight, stopped eating certain things, exercised like a fiend...and then when I go back to my regular life and moderation, it all comes back on and brings several more of its friends.

Maybe it's okay if it takes longer, but builds in me, sustainable habits. Maybe I will use that time to get my head in the right place, about long-term maintenance, about how many of society's bad views about fat people I have internalized, that I may need to let go of in the next few months.[/quote']

This is exactly where I've arrived, 9 weeks out. I'm pretending as if I'm already at maintenance and working on my "forever" behaviors and attitude. My professional training is behavior change -- physician, heal thyself -- and baby steps and moderation is more sustainable for most people than immediate, 180 degree change. Like you, I'm fine if my loss is slow (and it has been) because I'm bulding a strong physical, behavioral, and emotional foundation for long-term weight loss.

This happened to me between weeks 4 and 7 - permanent brow sweat and icky moistness everywhere else. One time, after walking to my office, a big drop of sweat rolled down the back of one leg... ewww. I live in a hot, humid area but c'mon. It's improved greatly at 9 weeks out.

I'm almost 8 weeks out and have been in the gym 3-5 times per week since Week 2. I do 30 minutes on the treadmill (started at 2.0, now at 2.5; fast for me) and work up a good sweat -- not making it rain, but I use the towel often. I then follow up with 15-20 minutes of weights, upper and lower body alternating days. The weird thing is that I continue sweating a little during strength training, during my short walk home from the gym, and for a good little while after I get home. I also begin to sweat when I do everyday activities that require a little exertion, such as running up and down the stairs (NSV!) or playing with a small child. Anyone else notice this? Any possible explanations?

You are so right everybody carries weight different. I went to the seminar and the lady attending looked @ me and said you don't look like you would qualify.

I got that look a lot at my surgeon's practice, though no one really said anything. The doctor who did the test where you have to swallow barium (forget the name) asked me "pre-op or post op?" I was pre-op! 5'4", 240ish, high blood pressure, joint pain, and prediabetes - invisibe comorbidities - and an hourglassy figure means that lots of people don't see how big I really am/was. I hear "you carry your weight well" a lot.

Heyher, RBF is now my favorite phrase ever.

Love my Paraguard -- no children so it hurt to insert (would have been the same with the Mirena) and I do find that my flow is slightly heavier and longer than it was before the IUD, but I'm not keen on using hormones unless absolutely necessary. And yes, you don't have keep it in the entire time -- that was also a selling point for me that if I wanted to get pregnant, I could just get it removed and not worry about having to wait for the hormones to clear from my system.

Planned Parenthood's website has good, clear information on the various birth control options.

One of the best bits of advice I have received is to look at the % of EBW you have lost' date=' not the number. While I may have "only" lost a little over 40 lbs, I am now over a third of the way to goal. As a "lightweight" with only a little over 100 lbs to lose, I know I am not going to see big dramatic losses on the scale. I am trying to enjoy the inches lost and maintain a healthy and patient mindset as I go. Good luck to all.[/quote']

That's a great point. I'm also a "lightweight" and am happy with my 1-2 lbs lost every week, which it's been almost from the beginning. My surgeon spoke in terms of EBW% at my follow up, not pounds lost. It's a good standard measure when comparing progress of people starting a different weights.

What made many of you choose Dr. Yoo from Duke instead of Dr. Sudan or Dr. Torquotti or anyone else for that matter? Just curious. I am contemplating either the sleeve or DS. I know Dr. Sudan is the only one that performs the DS but is there a surgeon that is considered the best in the sleeve procedure? Trying to get as many facts as possible. I would also love to hear all of your experiences with the sleeve and why you chose it over other surgeries. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks' date='

MCG[/quote']

I wasn't really given a choice, but have been thankful to have Dr. Sudan. Because he specializes in DS and the sleeve is the first step in DS, he has loads of experience. He does the surgery robotically, which meant a practically perfect recovery for me -- very little pain and easy healing.

HW 246 (Jan 2013)

SW 234.6 (June 18 )

CW 225.2

I'm 5'3.75"

Except for 1 week on full liquids, I lose 1-2 lbs per week. Been on soft foods since July 1st - nothing bothers my sleeve. Never thrown up. Work out at gym with treadmill and weights. This rate of loss will help me process the physical and mental changes well, hopefully!

Congratulations on all of your successes!

Thanks for this - I'm almost 5 weeks out and I see ominous wrinkles when I look at my cleavage. Starting at 38DDD, ending...?

Has anyone noticed their skin clearing up once they had the surgery? I'm hoping once I have my surgery in October' date=' my skin won't feel as dried,oily and not so many blemishes. Any info is helpful :-)[/quote']

Yes, somewhat - I'm almost 5 weeks out and the increased Water intake is helping, I think.

Bodyglide is my thigh-saver!

Thank you for the heartfelt honesty and your wonderful way with words.

Sometimes I feel like I eat too much. My sleeve is Miss Congeniality' date=' which isn't necessarily a good thing, lol.[/quote']

Mine too! Absolutely no probs. Yesterday was 1 month post op and I was down 7.2 lbs with no stalls and loads of inches gone. One day later I'm down another 1.2 lbs and my cycle started yesterday too. So happy! Total of 20 lbs down from my highest.

Some people are just slow losers...me included. My first week I barely lost 2 lbs. Some people even report gaining. With the amount of food/liquid you are able to consume' date=' you can't not lose weight. Remember that we didn't gain this overnight and it's not going to go away overnight. I get it the frustration though. You read about some who have lost like 18lbs their first week and it is a little maddening! But, you are on your own journey, not anyone else's.

At 4 weeks out I was down 12lbs, compared to others, not a whole lot, but it was 12 lbs I would still have on had I not had the surgery. Just keep your chin up and follow the plan your nutritionist gave you. It will come off when it's ready.

Hang in there and good luck![/quote']

This was my experience. I'm exactly 4 weeks post op and down 7.2 lbs from my surgery date, 18.6 lbs from my highest. The first week I lost 1.2 lbs and was briefly disappointed until I learned that some people retain much Water from surgery and it takes some time to pass. The scale may be moving slowly but the inches certainly aren't! Check your measurements, how your clothes are fitting, the way your skin looks (there's a lot going on with my thighs)... this may help in the meantime.

dinner was amazing. Homemade shrimp fried quinoa. Yum.

.

Recipe please!

What a moving story and lovely writing. Looking forward to reading more.

I'm 5'3.75" with a starting BMI of ~41 - HW 246 (Jan 2013), SW 234.6 (June 18), CW 227.2 - and wondered if your early weeks were as slow as mine. Still extremely happy with surgery.

I never had a puree stage - started soft foods (moist meats and anything mashable by fork, no veggies and fruit with skins) on Monday. I was sleeved June 18. The holiday was a joy of grilled food!