Mrs.RRn

How long has it been?

My doc said absolutely not for the first year post op. Gotta keep health in mind!

Awesome!!

I don't have any real suggestion on what to eat (sorry). But I can say that I eat food now (post op) that I thought was completely disgusting before. Preop I tried Greek yogurt, and after 1 bite I threw the container out. And I NEVER EVER thought in a BILLION years that I'd ever eat cottage cheese. I was wrong. My post-op tastes buds love it. So, I'd suggest to go ahead and try things you may not think you like with an open mind. Good luck!!!

Some ppl believe the opposite: real cheese is better than the chemical-loaded stuff.

Breakfast: my usuals are any of the following: Greek Yogurt, eggs/omelette, Cream of Wheat with cheese, cottage cheese with fruit (~3 oz) Lunch: Protein shake or Quest bar Dinner: roll-ups (turkey), chicken, shrimp, fish, or beef (I'm trying for 3 oz now) with a bite of veggies (usually broccoli, green Beans, or cauliflower) Snacks: usual Snacks are Babybel cheese, yogurt, peaches, pears (snacks are usually ~ 2oz) my doc would like 1 snack a day, but I typically do 2 to maintain a good blood sugar. I also still add unflavored Protein powder to my softer foods (yogurt, cottage cheese, etc) * In my gallery I have a few food photos you can check out!

Yes! I work out everyday except Saturday. Typically I walk for 45 mins or jog for 25 mins. Then I do some strength exercises- light hand weights, squats, push-ups, crunches...anything that doesn't require $$. My usual exercise is between 1-2 hours a day. On rainy days I do Taebo or jump rope for cardio.

I'm so happy to look less applely. I didn't think that would happen! It's difficult to tell in my work uniform, but I'm def looking more and more hourglass. It's amazing how your body changes!

My doc said it was ok during week 2. I used a pillow to support it bc there was a slight "pulling" feeling. Not painful, just strange.

At 3 months out I have lost 62 lbs: Starting weight: 240 Current weight: 178 I still have quite a bit to go (as my height is 4' 11"). I'm so happy with this progress! I LOVE LOVE LOVE my sleeve. I've learned and lived through quite a bit in the last couple months.... THE GOOD: - Doing 175 squats will not kill you - I can see my clavicles! (This was a very happy NSV for me) - Eating at restaurants and parties is more manageable than I thought (just remember: protein first) - While shopping one day, I looked down and realized I couldn't see my belly, just boobs - I reached my surgeons first goal on 7/22/13, which gave me even more motivation to keep on track - NSV: I can wrap a bath towel around me! - I entered ONEDERLAND on 7/31/13 - This, to me, is by far the most exciting... My resting heart rate went from 120's- 130's down to the 70's!!! THE BAD - "Hunger" during your time of the month: oh wow, I feel like a monster! Lol. Just a tip: don't weigh yourself during your period, it'll just lead to frustration that isn't needed!! - I've come to terms that negative people will be negative. No use in trying to please or understand these people. THE UGLY - CONSTIPATION... Def never had this as an issue before surgery. My norm before was a couple times a day. Now, a couple times a week. Um, ouch. But I recently starting taking Colace. Hopefully that'll help. - Hair loss: Ok, I knew hair loss is a side effect, and it usually happens around month 3 or 4, BUT I wasn't really prepared for what it'd actually look like... Like a horror movie! It's quite disturbing to look have hand- fulls of hair while washing it or to look down in the shower and have a hair ball the size of a chinchilla near your drain! I'm lucky I have such thick (and long) hair to begin with, which is why I think it looks so disturbing. WHAT I'M DOING: Well, what I'm supposed to be doing. Protein first, lots of water, low carbs, and exercising. I'm not saying I'm perfect, but I find following this plan pretty simple. I don't feel deprived and I rarely feel hungry. It requires work, but the results are so worth the sacrifices. Just working towards and hoping for continued success!!!

Sleeved on June 11th, 2013--- 60 lbs gone (unofficial). And my dog (Latte) photo bombed the last one. Haha. I'm loving my sleeve!!!

It's NORMAL to stall around week 2&3. It's just your body readjusting. Don't worry, just keeping doing what you are supposed to do. It'll come off!

AWESOME!!!!

You did good-- ate and didnt feel left out... I have a friend who had the band last year and I'm amazed by how much (and what) she eats. She hasn't lost much and has been stalled for months. She's so discouraged. My heart feels so badly for her bc I know she isn't happy.

You go girl!!! At 5 days out, I was tired just washing my hair! Lol

Thanks! I took a little over 6 weeks off, but I work without benefits so I didn't have to worry about PTO or insurance or anything like that. I could've gone back at 3weeks out. I wouldn't have gone any sooner- my job is just too demanding. I work in a small hospital and I had to be ready to work any position- floor nurse, triage, ER, house supervisor. I wouldn't have had the energy any sooner than 3 weeks (but then my Dr doesn't start his patients on protein until week 2-that probably makes a big difference in energy levels).

Im in love with my sleeve.... Today makes 2 months since my VSG. I am so happy with the changes so far. As of today, I haven't had any complications and can tolerate every food I've tried. Here's progress pics! (I also have photos of what I eat in my gallery)

And the best one yet for me... Yesterday I had a follow up with my surgeon. While listening to my heart he said, "oh wow, your heart rate has gotten so much slower!" YAY!!!!! Prior to surgery my resting heart rate was 120's-130s. Now it's in the 60-70s!!!! I'm loving what all these changes are doing to my body!!!

I was a self-pay as well. My husband is dead-set against credit cards and financing anything but homes, so we starting saving cash. I felt like it was going to take forever. But we ended up refinancing our home (interest rate from 4.9% to 3%) and we were able to get money from that and still have a lower monthly payment. It was a win-win for us for sure.

For sure check with your doctor.. Not every medication can be crushed. And not every medication can be restarted soon after surgery.

YES!! That's actually the only time I ever felt hungry... And for the whole week! Ugh!

Totally agree- I like that idea!

I feel the same- I purchase items just because I can put them on. I can't wait for the day that I can choose my style!!! Congrats on your 78 lb weight loss!!

Great post!! I'm also loving not missing carbs and having very little cravings. The one thing I've been craving is steak, but I'm trying to hold off on that. I quite surprised that I am so satisfied by the food and the amount I can eat. It's such a relief!! My biggest con: having to plan so much ahead, but its really helpful to do so.