PGee

Recently we were on vacation, and while walking in a quaint shopping district, I notice a woman's reflection out of the corner of my eye......I did a double take when I realized.......that's MY reflection. My poor husband....I stop and ask "do I really look like that?" He puts his arm around my shoulder, smiles, and kisses the top of my head I'm wearing 12's and 14's, loving it and being able to easily find clothes I like that fit, love being able to move easier, in less pain......I even wore a bathing suit and swam in public while on vacation LOL Even with my bat wings and flabby thighs.......it's all good.............BUT....... Somehow I'm still trying to shake that larger image of myself that is tatoo'd on my brain -- like everything else, I'm a work in progress, I guess....

I think we all have weight loss goals. After getting below 200, my next goal was to weigh less than my hubby.....177. When I hit 176 I did my skinny dance (glad no one took a video while I was acting silly) Yesterday hubby asked what I weighed.....169.....he gets on the scales, and, you've got it, he's 169, fully dressed......I couldn't tell him that's what I weigh buck naked.....totally took the wind out of my sails........I'm very happy for him....he's a skinny guy but carries a little weight around the middle (envision 1/2 a basketball) that he wants to lose. As I keep aiming for the finish line, I know I'll hit that goal [soon], again. Happy New Year everyone!

I haven't posted to my "blog" here in a while.....things are going good......still very thankful and happy to have had the sleeve......BUT there is ONE thing that really bothers me as a post op patient........ And, here it is: It's very difficult to cross my legs while I'm sitting at my desk. Ha Ha Ha Ha I can remember not being able to cross my legs, for many years...........74 pounds down, and I usually sit with my legs crossed...because I can.

I was talking with a woman who worked in my building, and I've known her for 16 years--however, I haven't seen her since they moved my office to another building a few years ago..... We talked for a few minutes---she helped solve an issue we were having......I thanked her, and when I started to leave, she asked "have we met before?"..... I explained who I was, and she looked very confused.......I pulled out my drivers's license, and said "you may remember me like this"..........she still had a hard time believing it. LOL I don't think that will ever get old!

Mary, You're doing great! I was sleeved 8/6 and you've lost more than I have.....and our start weight isn't that far apart (mine was 225). My weight has been a stalemate more than 1/2 of the time post op....If you're weighing yourself daily, don't.....that can get you down.....try weighing once a week or every other week.....I'm sure you're seeing a difference in your clothing.. sometimes I compare myself to others, and think I'm doing poorly....but I have to remind myself it's not a race, and we all lose weight at our own pace....no two bodies are the same.....Good luck, don't be so tough on yourself.....good luck

Spent the day with a friend & her extended family.....people I have seen off and on over the last 30+ years....they are all slim, but they have huge appetites.....I swear I was born into the wrong family, because even when I was a size 6, I couldn't eat the way they do.....but they do, and after all these years, they are still slim. I'm on pureed foods, so I packed a shake, just in case there wasn't anything appropriate.....they do not know about my surgery...I'm one of "those" who has kept it rather private, but my friend is used to seeing drink the RTD shakes. They had the usual trays of ziti, eggplant, and my fave chicken francaise.......plus all the mayo loaded salads, rolls, and don't even get me started on the desserts. I ended up having a slice of deli turkey, a very slim slice of hard boiled egg, and a bite of chicken.....literally a very small bite.....and slowly chewed my food until it was the pureed consistency.......a little scary that it all went down so easily. They gave me a hard time about using a small plate.....but I told them if I didn't, I'd overeat.......they didn't mention it again, and no one noticed what I did or did not eat...... I was afraid this was going to be very hard, but it was quite doable.....just wish I could have measured/weighed what I ate LOL It was so nice not to want to sample every food that was set out...what a wonderful change.

Love it, Too funny (although my scars will NEVER see the light of day LOL)

GamerGirl writes some of the best stuff.....I didn't want to lose this, so I'm keeping it on my "blog".......the 2nd week after surgery I had 5 days where my weight stayed the same......was it a stall? I didn't know and didn't care.......with everything I've read about VSG, I knew there would be bumps on this journey and not to get discouraged......but for more information, GG has posted some great reads below. Source: This is a Public Service Announcement concerning Stalls & Plateaus

Today was a girls day out.....and we scrapbook together......I brought my meals....I'm still on full liquids.....and thought I'd be all set......then dinner was brought out..........total head hunger....... I nearly reasoned that I could have a bite if I chewed it very, very well. Note: I've had this dinner before....it's not that great LOL But I still wanted it.............desperately..........and no, I wasn't hungry.....haven't been hungry since being sleeved. I sipped my protein drink.....still wanted the dinner..........so I left the room and called my hubby........You're probably sick of me saying this, but I've come to far to screw this up.............After taking a walk, chatting with hubby, I was able to put this behind me.....just needed a distraction to focus on. We've heard it before......and it's worth repeating.......whatever struggles we experienced before surgery, we will have them afterwards......and they need to be worked on/addressed.......the sleeve is only a tool, not a magic wand.. I'm glad I didn't give in to my old habit "a bite won't hurt".

My husband & I were talking, and I got a bit emotional about this journey and so thankful for his support.....the poor man, he is my sole support......well, that and VST! He's never asked how much I weighed, but knew I was over 200 pounds. I was 250 in January.....forget about getting to a healthy weight....I was feeling overwhelmed at the possibility at just getting below 200 and feeling I would never reach that goal. Today I weighted in at 217 and got teary eyed when I realized getting under 200 is possible, and it's in sight.....don't know how long it'll take to get there, but am giving it my all. My husband is hurt that I don't wear my wedding band/engagement ring. I already had them sized 5 years after we married...back in 1989....and I refused to have them sized again--unless it's smaller.....felt if I got them sized again to a bigger size it was acknowledging I'll never get to a healthy weight.....and I wasn't going down w/o a fight. He has no clue, but I can now wear my wedding rings......our anniversary is coming up in a few weeks....I plan on surprising him by wearing them....I'm so excited, I want to wear them now....but I don't want to ruin the surprise.....wish me luck!

Good for her---and how wonderful to have your best friend/sister as a support and cheerleader! You could ask on VST if anyone has used a doctor in her area as a recommendation and place to start....

Thank you all.....if that was gas pain in my arms, it was gone by this morning....happy for that. I measure out 1 ounce of liquid in a tiny cup and spread it out for 15 minutes....than repeat so I get 4 ounces in an hour.....at least that's the goal...and it's a lot of work keeping an eye on it....

The night before surgery....I kept myself busy and finally at 11 dropped from exhaustion.....and slept like a baby until the alarm went off at 4 a.m. I was in the OR, getting prepped for surgery, asked for something for nausea in my IV, we had a few laughs, and the next thing I know, I'm happily waking up in recovery... My eye sight was blurry for hours after the surgery....and as soon as they let me, I walked...blurry eye sight or not.....the fear of gas pain was my motivator, I walked as often and as far as they'd let me....and continued walking every hour starting the 1st day after surgery. When I was finally in a room (long delay), I felt utterly helpless and useless....like a beetle on its back. I'm not a fan of pain killers......don't experience pain like most people....I only took something late at night (not sure I needed it, but thought it couldn't hurt and sleep was important.) Morning came early, and the first thing I did was pee and walk...I don't think people knew what to make of me walking at 5:30 in the morning, so I just smiled and said good morning.....had the dreaded leak test this morning (wasn't so bad)....found it.hard to sip my liquids today, but wasn't too worried because I'm hooked to an IV......they are giving me prilosec in my IV, and I've never had nausea. I am sore, but not in any real pain. The only pain is when I breath in deep. The biggest problem I'm facing is high blood pressure.....it's all over the map.....so they are giving me something for that.....6 hours later we finally see a break. Day 2.....time to go home! Yeeha! so sick of being hooked up to an IV and having my pee measured and BP taken LOL The first thing I do is get up for my early morning walk.........and surprised how much easier it is to get up and out of that bed....wow! They give me another dose for my blood pressure.....will have my blood pressure checked on Monday with my PCP...may have to go on blood pressure medicine until some of this weight is gone (I've never been on BP meds before) I was dreading the self injections.....did that this morning, and it wasn't so bad. UPDATE: I did have a drain, and that for a brief second or two hat was some intense pain when it was take out---but again, very brief. I haven't experienced the gas pains yet....hoping all that walking worked it out....but I'm still walking..... I've experienced my restriction...took one little sip too many and felt it.....luckily it was a tiny sip and went away quickly. UPDATED: this pain I'm experiencing is a spasm, not a restriction....will try warm liquids and see how it goes. Now that I'm home, my arms are killing me.....I figure one is from the IV....no idea about the other....my IV was in my hand, and my hand is a little swollen and sore. I was told the priority and goal in the next few days is to get down the isopure (1/2 bottle mixed with water).....finding it difficult, but I sip as much as I can (I found in the hospital juice and broth went down much easier LOL) I haven't gained weight from the hospital (yet anyway) but I am swollen around the mid section. Right now I'm feeling rather fortunate....have not had a WTH did I do moment. I'm so thankful to have a wonderful man by my side for support. The things I packed that I used....a pillow (only for the ride home)....a maxidress w/o anything at the waist was great for going home with a cami underneath...a note pad/pen for notes/questions for when the doctor came in...my own tooth brush/paste, hiar brush, eye glass case, and my cell phone to check in with VST and for my email. I know this is just the first step in a life long journey, but rather than anxious as I have been, I'm looking forward to the ride.....

That's the whole thing.....it will be drastic (hopefully) and very noticeable....I like your response. Thanks.

I've struggled with telling people from the start of this journey. Mostly because I dread the negative reactions and rude comments. Another issue that I have is a direct result from a traumatic event that happened a few years ago. People focused on that constantly, for a couple of years....and it gets old---you try to heal, move on, live a normal life, and they can't help but ask about it, comment about it, and it can be a downer (even if their intentions are good). I don't want people to focus on this (I do enough of it on my own ) This morning I've figured at some point I may tell the truth when asked, but I won't put out a banner announcing it......and gmanbat's post below couldn't have come at a better time. THANK YOU GMANBAT! Source: VSG: status symbol?