madeformore

First thing: Do Not Weigh Every Day. Your body has natural swings with retaining Water and so on (you know that 64 oz of Water is 4 lbs all by itself, right? ). This is something you'll want to remember when you get post surgery, too - you will be much happier if you only look at your weight every week or two, at most.
You could be retaining water if it's "that time of the month" - that can be 2-5 lbs of weight difference. You might have had a bit more salt yesterday and retained more water than usual. Stress can cause short term retention. Those are just a FEW of the reasons why you might see a couple of pounds of extra weight for a few days.
Relax, stick with the program, get plenty of water (I know it seems counterintuitive if you're retaining water, but water helps your body flush wastes - drink up!). Get a full night of sleep every night. Get some exercise each day - at least a walk if you can. Now, when you weigh yourself next (ideally at least a week, but at least 4-5 days, okay?) you'll probably find that the scale is moving the right way!
Good luck - we're here for you!

I remember once when Oprah had lost a lot of weight...she heard that people were saying things like "Well, she's rich, it's easy to lose weight when someone cooks all of your food and does everything for you." She was talking about it on her show and basically said...she was the one who had to make healthful dietary choices every day and refuse her beloved Ruffles potato chips. Her wealth didn't do that for her. And she is the one who had to get her butt on the track and walk every day. She couldn't pay someone to do that for her.
I think it is so similar when people say that VSG is "the easy way out." We are the ones who have make sure that every morsel we put in our mouths is good fuel for our bodies and resist head hunger. The surgery doesn't do that for us. We're the ones who make special holiday meals for our families and then don't partake in most of it. The surgery doesn't do that for us. We're the ones who go to the gym even when the weather isn't good or we feel like going to bed early instead. The surgery doesn't do that for us. We're the ones who keep drinking (and drinking and drinking) Water when part of us would rather hang out with our old friend Diet Coke or Frozen Margarita. The surgery doesn't do that for us.
And you know what? I wouldn't have it any other way. Yes, the surgery is a tool, but I still feel that we own and deserve every hard-earned victory we see on the scale and every NSV. If others don't understand that, it's okay. I know that I haven't taken the easy way out, but I also know that what I'm doing is an investment in something very important--me. And that's something that money definitely can't buy.

Really make sure you are ready mentally to make the changes with food. I was not ready, and I'm more unhappy now post op than I was before surgery. Everyday I feel like I'm fighting with my sleeve. Surgery does not fix your food issues. I wish I had done intense therapy before getting this surgery.

We unfortunately won't ever be cured. As I said in my long boring post a few pages back, I live every day knowing that it would not take a whole lot to send me back to places that I never want to see again. But I don't fear that nearly as much as I used to. In fact I draw a lot of strength from it. You get a different perspective and seem to see the playing field more than you do when spend days, weeks and years under the influence. Will I ever be cured, no..I will always be an addict, but I can live with it and I can manage it. As I explained earlier, the food side for me is and always has been about choices not addictions. But the upside is that if you just focus on where you want to be and not where you have been, you can accomplish a whole lot. Recognizing your weaknesses and adapting is the best way of accomplishing your goal.

I deeply regret having had this surgery, which has left me with the likelyhood of needing a feeding tube for life. I caused my family horrific emotional pain, set my child's development back several steps, and suffered pretty horrible pain myself.
And now a dear friend of mine lies in a hospital bed with kidney failure as a result of her WLS (RNY). She was disconnected from all life support last week and is expected to die in the next few days. I know another woman who has a death sentence over her head as a result of the sleeve surgery.
I can't go back, so I have to go forward, but I'd be happy to see this surgery denied a lot more often until they can ensure safer outcomes. As the WLS market grows, so do the stories of people who literally are dying or have died because of WLS. I think it's a horribly overused treatment that should be a last ditch effort as a life saving procedure only. And even then...people will die.
I wish my dear friend had just stayed "fat". At least we'd still hear her laughter.

You are NOT alone...I have regretted my decision since that first night in the hospital after surgery. I am so sorry about your situation & your friends' situations. My heart goes out to you all. I will keep you in my thoughts & prayers. I just want you to know that anytime anyone posts anything other than.."I love my sleeve!" "This is the best thing ever!"....certain people will post negative comments to you, or even send you negative private messages...do NOT let that bother you. I got slammed with my first post about regretting it in many different directions. I let it bother me a couple of days. Now, I post anytime I see anything about regret. I will NOT be silenced about it. Our journey, our regret is just as significant and valid as someone who loves thier sleeve & loves their wls decision. I just wanted to say I support you & anyone who has any type of regrets...don't feel alone in your regret.

Hi Piplula,
I'm pretty new here. I wanted to say thank you for sharing your story and your pictures. Amazing success. I can only imagine how thrilled you must be!
I can really identify with your 'before' pics. I am pre-op, so your post and your info on what you have done as far as eating and exercise are such an encouragement to me.
Again, a heart felt THANK YOU for sharing with us.
Many congratulations to you!

I have a feeling I will be referring back to your post many times throughout my journey!! Thanks for sharing so much information with us!!! Congratulations! You look awesome!!!

Thank you! It is truly life changing! And you will be there very soon as well! Good luck in your journey! It's all about self discovery...

Alright here is my secret to success! Exercise, follow the meal plan, stay away from breads and sweets as much as I can because my body loves to hold into carbs, and I treat the sleeve with the respect it deserves because it is giving me back my life. Everyone is different on how we process nutrients so here's what helps me stay fit and healthy. Your dr may have different recommendations, so find what works for you! My dr recommended 50-60grams of Protein a day. I normally stick to that. Sometimes, I will go into the 70-80 g per day range and if it is seafood, I can easily hit 100g per day. I do chose chicken and fish most days only because with pork and beef, I have a harder time getting in what I need before I feel full. Nothing is fried ..I prefer roasted, baked, broiled, or grilled meats...reason why is I slime and then promptly vomit when I eat fried meats...or it takes my hours to eat small bites here and there and to me...that's just too much work and not worth the effort. I eat fruit and veggies everyday...without fail. Now I will indulgent in an occasional piece of chocolate, cake, bread, ect. But I find when I do, I 1) don't feel as well, 2) can't eat healthier foods because all that other stuff took up my space. Honestly, eating healthier has become such a habit that I actually will crave those foods and I don't miss too many of the old foods. I still drink a Protein shake daily to help with Protein intake, but I now mainly get my protein from foods. Now realize I am a year out and Protein shakes where the way I got my protein in for a long time. I also had lactose intolerance immediately after surgery so any milk or dairy was off the radar for 6 months. I lived on Soy milk and unjury Protein powder. Eventually my tiny tummy decided to start making lactase again so now I enjoy EAS Carb Advantage shakes, milk, cheese without worry of horrible diarrhea. So for those of you wondering when the diarrhea will stop...check to make sure you aren't lactose intolerant. And now...constipation is on board...so that's a whole other discussion.
Now onto exercise. I had a trainer in the beginning and it helped, but you don't need a fancy gym to become physically active. Walking is one of the best forms of exercise to do in the beginning. I walked but my favorite was yoga. I found a peace with yoga and my trainer informed me that yoga only burns 10% less than aerobics. And then proceeded to ask me do you ever see a yoga instructor that isn't fit? So, for the first 6 months...I strictly did yoga with the occasional treadmill and weight routine. Rodney Yee was my best friend and still is. Then once I got enough weight off to be able to run, I started the couch to 5 K app but due to incorrect form( thanks to a very special bud on here for correcting my form..you know who you are..many thanks to you!!) I injured my hip..so I am getting ready to start that back now that I have healed. So in the mean time, I got into Leslie Sansone's Walk Fit...love it. I exercise 5 days a week religiously...it's important for the success of your sleeve. Yes I have hanging skin...but I'd rather have sagging skin and less hair than diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. And I can always get plastic surgery.
Now onto fluids, I drink the majority of my fluids as Water. I do indulge in a glass of sweet tea here and there. I do not partake in carbonated drinks or artificial sweeteners. It's not that I have anything against these..it's just my preference. I do get some artificial sweetener in my Protein Shake ...so like I said I am not against it...it's just a personal preference. I also do not partake in alcohol. Again...I not opposed to alcohol, I just prefer not to drink it. I drank maybe 4 cocktails a year prior to surgery so for me that wasn't much of a stretch to stop. I could take it or leave it. Same thing with carbonated beverages. I grew up with tea and Water ...soda was a treat ..so that wasn't a stretch. Now I will mention one more thing before I end this...I drink from a straw. I get more fluids in. I asked my Dr and Nutritionist what the scientific basis of not using a straw was and they said there isn't any...it's just a recommendation. Ask your provider for studies showing that straws are detrimental to the sleeve...it's not there. So, if you get less air from a straw..I say use it. I gulp too much air without it. If you have anymore questions...please feel free to contact me! I will try to answer your questions to the best of my ability, but remember your surgery team is your best bet! Good luck everyone! You can do it!

How are you doing now? I was sleeved on Sept. 11th at UCSD!

I'm here. I made it!!!! I drive back home. I'm laying in bed. With a mix of Water and juice. Sipping to get hydrated again. Crying takes it outta ya!!!
1. I desperately need a hot tub.
2. I just beat God of War 3 yesterday. Damn it.
3. Prayers are awesome.
4. It's big blonde now, Laura lol
I sat there trying to come up with things I can eat. But I also HATE being sick. And I hate hating myself. I made it out without doing either!!!!!!
Thank you everyone from the bottom of my heart.

Hey... it could be worse! I have 6 weeks of Pre-Op diet!
I'm already on it and my surgery isn't until May!
Best wishes to you!