tbrown9

I'm not close with my PCP either.. I went after three months told her I had the VSG surgery and she just gave me a quick look over and ran all my Vitamin levels/and lipid/metabolic panel. Everything was perfect and she told me to come back at my one year surgiversary in order to run the tests again.. and congratulated me on my success so far. Easy peasy.

I am so excited helping someone and seeing the sights a little

Lol after about a week then you'll probably get the right sleep. I was sleeved on June 24th and i would sleep for short periods of time and automatically wake up and sit on the side of the bed or walk around the room, but then i was so tired my body would justsay get back in the bed it's normal

It does get a little harder as time goes by huh?
I know that like me you have battled with the addictive quality of food.
Remember that book I gave you? It sounds like you are in thick of it with trigger foods
It's so hard to break it off once you start back up again. I just came back from vacation where my eating has been less than stellar and I'm having a tough time kicking the Snacks..
But the bottom line is we have to keep fighting this.
Might I suggest getting the crap out of the house?
Tomorrow make a commitment to get your Water.
I use a 32oz bottle and make sure I get at least two of those a day.

So I'm at work and this girl that weighs 90 pounds with wet clothes on says in a fatigued tone, "omg I was dancing all day at a concert in the park yesterday and I must have lost 10 pounds"....OH SHUT THE _____ UP. I gained 4 pounds since the end of may on a low calorie low carb diet! In addition to aerobics and strength training 3x/ week. UGH, granted I lost 31 pounds on my supervised diet but I can't stand gaining gaining gaining. I cannot wait to get sleeved. Everything in and waiting on approval from HIP. Just need to vent :-/

I canceled my appointment for an endoscopy and possible dilation today. Over the last week, I've started being able to eat moist meats without throwing it all back up. I can get down 8-16 ounces of Water in 15 minutes or less and if/when I gulp it down more quickly without thinking, it hurts, but it stays down.
I've had quiche, homemade BBQ (lean pulled pork from the crock pot), a bit of hamburger, shredded chicken, and a Protein Bar and it all stayed down. I've gone from vomiting 2-4 times a day to only once in a week.
I do think I was eating too fast or taking too big of bites. Using those ridiculous little baby utensils that other suggested work for me as does walking around a bit after each bite to slow myself down. An added benefit? I've been getting my 10k steps in and I can burp like a champ.
I think I'm good. I'm excited to start moving into different foods and I hope to never see anything else mayo based again!
I AM SO HAPPY!
Thank you for all the well wishes, notes of support and encouraging words. Y'all rock and I appreciate it.
:wub:

Hi There,
I just wanted to take a second to introduce myself. My name is Amanda and I started my weight loss journey in April 2012 when I got the lap band. For the first nine months I did really well. I had dropped 100 pounds and was exercising 5 times a week. My life had changed, but that is when things changed. I started getting sick after fills and throwing up almost everything I ate. I was hospitalized twice for severe dehydration. I also had never had acid reflux before but it was starting to get so bad. At that point I went to my surgeon and asked him to take it out. He said he wasn't sure if the problems were being caused by the band but he did day that I would like the sleeve 100 times better. Needless to say my doctor took out my band on June 28th 2013 and did the sleeve procedure. During surgery he found that my band had been causing the problems my band had slipped and I had a large hiatal hernia. I might have had some pain for the first three days and still some lingering muscle strain and the gas might be out of control but I am extremely thankful for the sleeve. Gone are the days of having to drink coffee before every meal to loosen my band, I also don't have to make bad choices so that I can eat anymore. Plus it has been five days since I have thrown up which is the longest period of time that I can remember for the last five or six months. My surgeon was amazing and I am thankful that his staff pushed the request through insurance and got me approved in under 2 weeks.
To all of you out there on your journey congratulations for taking life in your own hands and making the changes you need to get happy and healthy. Good luck on your journey and thank you for having a place like this where I can check in every time something new happens so I can know what it is and if it is something else others go through.

I'll be having surgery with Dr. Aceves on the 5th.

Tex
great idea.................
but for me...........
its like telling me to close the barn door after the horse is gone!!! !
do have a few old pics to remember me by(pictures nothing to brag about though )
DH took one picture of me about 2 weeks before surgery
then again about 2 weeks after goal!!!!
those 2 pictures are posted on my profile in "before" and "after" shots
go ahead ya all................
see how great i look :wub: :lol:
DOS
12/15/11
235 lbs
5'3
7/2/13
130 lbs
goal
59 years young
still 5'3

Go get one - You won't regret it, I promise!!!

I read on one of these forums prior to my surgery that we should get a disposable camera and have somebody take your picture the day before or the day of surgery.

Every month on your surgery 'date' have someone take your picture. After you 1 year anniversary picture is taken, take the camera and have it developed.

I did this and I am soooo glad I did. There is nothing quite like laying those pictures side by side and seeing your transformation over the past year. One of the best suggestions I got beforehand!

i'm using dr Garcia on the 5th, hope all goes well for y'all

I'm August 3. Would love to find a sleeve buddy. I'll be at MiDoctor with Dr. Elias Ortiz.< /p>

I'm officially 4 months out tomorrow and down nearly 50lbs-woot woot! Wanted to share this pic. The before was taken the day after surgery so I was def. more bloated then usual(lookin all sexy in my hospital gown with my drainage tube and pole) the after was taken last week. I was out hiking with my 1y.o german shepherd pup and outlasted her! I ended up having to cut the hike short cause I could tell she was dragging

I'm 6 months out and no longer have a craving or desire for subway. Don't get me wrong. If I went in there and tried one.. Sure I'd love it, but the desire is just gone so I've never even tried. I don't eat bread anymore. Love the smell though and I bake bread for others, but don't eat it.
My taste really hasn't changed but I no longer crave ice cream, and sweets. That's a huge weirdness for me because before I could eat 2 rolo mcflurrys and still want more. Dang.. It depresses me me how pigthetic I used to be

I just got back from TJ on Monday, and I can honestly say that I would not have minded at all if my surgeon showed up at my hotel room to "check my stitches" or anything else. My husband might have objected, though...

I think it's very normal to have these thoughts! I know I did many times. We are so excited to get this done and wait weeks or months for the big day and when the day gets closer our nerves start! I cried like a baby the day before i was scheduled to leave. I just knew I couldn't do it. I prayed on it all day! However the day came and when i got to the airport all my fears went away. When we got into MX and I seen the hospital, staff and my great surgeon I knew I made the right choice. If i had to go back i wouldn't change anything except that I would have done this sooner!!
I have many friends that have had the surgery here in the states have these same thoughts! I think since we are going to MX we add that plus the normal stress we go in circles. Remember you did your homework, I am sure you have read all the reviews and asked all the questions that you have. You will be fine! ((HUGS)) Hope you get to feeling better!

Just picked up the check for my final payment! We leave Sunday!

Many prayers for you nd ur success, a prayer for your wl nd surgical team and many prayers for ur recovery...keep us posted:)) Dee Dee

Hey there! I'm in Charlotte. My PCP is Jessica Kaiser at Carmel Family Physicians in Pineville. She is fantastic! She was totally on board with my WLS. She only accepts patients 3 days a week because she is now head of the practice and she is expecting a baby in October, so if you are interested, book now to see her. Their number is (704) 667-3600. They are a part of Carolina's HealthCare System.
My surgeon is at Carolina's Weight Management, which is affiliated with Carolina's HealthCare System also.
Good luck!

I am three years out next month - I had surgery with Dr. Aceves in July of 2010.
In my opinion? The hardest part is not recovery. It is not the diet, either pre-op or post-op. It is not learning how to enjoy exercise. It is not getting through the stops and starts and stalls of the loss period.
It's maintenance. It's getting to the root of whatever is causing the myriad of diets you have surely tried to fail. It is learning why you eat and how to stop it. Ultimately, for me, the biggest challenge has been realizing that I will not get to just reach goal and forget about food. I have to be vigilant for the rest of my life. I had to learn ways to eat that I can maintain and enjoy for life.
In the short term, things like post op aches and pains (normal), dealing with acid (normal), feeling frustrated when the scale won't move or even goes up (so normal, and still driving me nuts after three years) are all small hurdles.
Understand now that no matter what genetic or medical causes might also be behind your obesity, there is most likely also disordered eating in there somewhere. Be aware of it from the start. Know that the discomfort will pass. You will learn how to eat again. Some day, you will be able to eat pretty much whatever you want. Most likely, you'll only be on your PPI for a short time. You might lose in fits and starts but you will lose. You will find that magical balance of protein/carbs/fats that makes you happy and you lose on. And eventually, you will reach goal and be smaller than you've been in a long time.
But you and the why of your obesity? That's here to stay, unless you work on it.
Good luck! I do not regret my sleeve one little, tiny bit. But go browse the vet forum and really educate yourself - not just about what to expect post op (which it sounds like you're doing, great job) but on the very real challenges out there once you're at goal. Goal? That takes a year, maybe two, maybe three. Maintenance lasts forever. It's infinitely easier if you do the head work, though, so do it.
~Cheri

That desire to eat that overwhelms you and feels very real - only there is absolutely no physical hunger to back it up.
It's caused by boredom, or stress, or hormones or just a lifetime of eating whatever you want, whenever you want. It's triggered by foods that evoke memories or feelings in you, or that are just chock full of things your body is addicted to having.
Head hunger is the real enemy here. In several years here I have only run across a small, very small, handful of people that don't lose the physical hunger or who don't ever experience a huge amount of restriction. For the rest of us, the problem is staying out of the kitchen when life isn't easy, because for many of us, food has been a coping mechanism or a friend or a way to hide from unpleasant feelings.
~Cheri

Hey everyone... Just wanted to check in and say hello!! I started my journey over a year ago to research sleeve surgery and had the surgery in March 2013 with Fernando Garcia thru Ready4Achange.com in Mexico which was a very simple, easy and no regrets experience... I owe him a huge thank you for giving me such a gift! Im down over 50 pounds today and I feel amazing! 50 more to go to my goal but Im happy just to be this far! Some days I am a tiny bit more tired than others but most other days, I have this crazy energy and want to walk for miles.... but all days I have this new passion for life and well being!! I love sharing my journey with others, especially those who arent even aware of this surgery! It gives me a way to hopefully empower others to get this same fantastic journey started if they so choose because I hope others feel as good as I do. Not only do I feel and look good in clothing, but I really truly watch what I eat, not only to stay on the thin side but to stay on the healthy side!! This is the best nutrition and health education ever. When I look back on my old diet... What was I thinking? Id be more than happy to answer any questions, I just wish for everyone the same feeling of independence, self worth and fulfillment of a goal this is givng me. This is not an easy way out, daily it is work, but so fulfilling!! People who have never had a weight issue will never know the dark places being obese can take you to.... They dont understand us ... But I love seeing the light at the end of the tunnel and will never look back ....but I will also never forget where I once was!! Happy Sleeving! Also, attached is my so far before and afters and a little reminder I use daily of how to stay on track!!

When my mind starts winning, I take a Xanax
But seriously, I think everyone of us goes through this! Think about it like this, you are actually mourning the death of your old self! She literally can't exist anymore because you can't turn to food for entertainment/comfort/boredom/etc, like you probably used to. I know I did. I should throw my "fat self" a funeral!
Also - remember that as a woman, as you lose weight rapidly, your fat cells are going to release tons of extra estrogen because that's where it's stored. I feel like a psycho pms killer some days. The slightest thing will make me cry or yell. I just tell myself it's normal. If I have an actual medical reason for something, I don't stress about it as much. You are going to feel MUCH better 3 weeks from now - I promise!

Yay!!! I got my date today! I was initially aiming for July (my birthday month), but it's cool! It took a total of 4 months from my first consult in April 2013 until my surgery in August! I'm sooooo happy! *Doing a random silly dance* lol

I would like to answer your lecture about lecturing but I'm afraid I might lecture.
Edit:
Oops, I think I just did.