snsgreeneyedgirl

That's quite a journey you have gone through already. I personally have heard and seen hundreds of failed band stories. I know that for some it was a great choice, but from my perspective I have just seen so many people have the band fail them, or fail their band. Either way, having to start back over can be daunting and scary and I can only imagine the oh man not again apprehension. I think you are making an awesome choice getting the sleeve. I have pcos and had insulin resistance as a result. To the degree that I had what is called acanthosis nigricans. This is basically a browning and thickening of the skin most people develop it in the armpits and the neck but mine was on my sides. anyways I'm telling you this because just a few weeks after my surgery, it was gone! Something diet and exercise could never seem to do. That was the first thing I actually felt great about, this looming ever present sign of being unhealthy on my sides, gone and cleared up! While 225 pounds is not 350 or 400 pounds it definitely is something that will cause many health problems down the road. I personally love people that are getting the surgery for health reasons, it's great to look great and feel great about how you look but what I know this surgery has given me is literally more years of life with my family and friends. And that is priceless. No amount of temporary pain, or struggling with insurance companies, fear and apprehension or anything that anyone faces as a roadblock to this surgery should ever stop them from following through with it. This is life changing and transformative and worth it. Congrats on making that choice. Keep me posted.

I actually didn't utilize anything like this to ask a veteran questions. So I never really got a chance to get advice. As for the coworkers I had planted the seed that I was having a small surgery and I wanted to get healthy post surgery, use it as a start over. So when I came back to work I kinda acted as though I was on a high Protein low carb diet where you eat small portions multiple times a day. Kinda like the 6 small meals plan. But, I would get comments that all I did was pick. They said I was like a bird, picking at my food. In regards to driving, I think it was somewhere around day 7 or 8. It was awkward. I felt super protective of my abdomen so I think that played a role. I started driving normally around 2 weeks. I worked an hour away and I went back to work after 2 weeks.

Yea that's a tuff one. I have seen doctors with post surgery meal plans all over the place. But at my 4 week check up I was cleared for regular food. I remember saying, wait anything? Anything I want? My doctor said, well keep it healthy but yes. Time to start experimenting. I went home and had a Tuna fish sandwich on honey wheat toast. After all the precaution I was so scared. It went don't no problems. But I made a whole sandwich and was only able to eat 1/2 of a 1/2, to a normal person, the pre surgery me that's 1 big bite. The post surgery me was stuffed. Note 6 months out I can eat about 3/4 a sandwich. I kept my surgery from my all of co workers, it is possible. What is noticeable is the portion size. Slow and steady gives the impression that you're eating the entire time. I still get asked if there is something wrong with my food when we are at restaurants, because I don't eat but 1/4 of what is on my plate. That part is noticeable. There are always options early on like mashed potatoes, Soup, steamed veggies and fish are easy in the beginning.

I read back through and realized I didn't answer one of your questions. I don't have cravings at all like before surgery. But, I do crave what my body needs now. I know when I'm hungry exactly what I want, and at this point exactly how much. Example, in the past I would say to my husband... "you know what I want for dinner... stuffed crust pizza, ooo and some bbq chicken wings, and cheesy bread and chocolate ice cream for dessert." Then when dinner got there I would eat 4 slices of pizza, a 2 liter of soda, 1/3 the cheesy bread and so on... it all tasted so good. That was my fear. Losing the taste. Post surgery follow the rules and you will be amazed at how your tastes change and how you get tuned into what you need. Now I know for dinner I want a salad and mandarin oranges... I eat, im satisfied and full. Doesn't get much better than that.

Sorry it took so long for a response. I would say for me the great thing is there is no choice. You wake up from that surgery and boom your changed for life. There's no "I hate this diet I'm quitting" its a life change. Having said that I have been very lucky in that I am able to eat whatever I want just extremely small portions. But, fatty foods and sweets don't make me feel great so I tend to stick with stuff I crave like steak or chicken and salads and fruit. I think mentally the first few weeks maybe up to 2 months it's a learning experience and you might mourn some of the foods you use to eat, for me it was and sometimes is still soda. I quit soda a few months before the surgery and from time to time I want one, the fizz feels funny on my tummy do I don't drink them. It is a great choice, and for me the adjustment was very easy. Your body will crave what it needs and when you eat a little you get full. Pretty perfect if you ask me. Its not like you eat rabbit food and starve until the next meal. Your satisfied. Remember healthy doesn't mean bla tasteless food. Congrats and good luck.

I have. I was so excited at my 3 month appointment because my labs were perfect and I hadn't had any hair loss and my nails were growing like always... then month 4 hit and I started losing hair. I am very lucky that I had super thick hair to start with, because if I didn't I know out would have bothered me more. I have refocused on my Protein intake but I think it's just happens to some of us.

Anytime. Would you like to see post op.battle wounds? Let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you are able to have the surgery and go through with it, one of the best choices I have ever made!

Ps here is a before and current pic so.y'all know who your talking to. [ATTACH]39799[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]39801[/ATTACH]

Yes. I went through multiple stalls your body is trying to maintain itself, so stalling is normal. the first 3 months there were days where I would gain a pound, lose a pound, gained 2 pounds lose 2 pounds but overall the weight loss has been steady.

I can drink normally. Some of us are different in the amount of time it will take. I would say normal drinking happened somewhere around 3 months, I can't chug but I can drink very satisfying amounts comfortably. How far out are you. I have no trouble with gas, and trusting that, that is all it is. I have been very lucky with what I can tolerate. I would say to try to eat healthy foods that give you trouble a couple times before giving up on them completely. I am able to tolerate steak and eggs matter fact that's what I have for Breakfast most mornings. chicken and fish give me no problems things like nuts no problem. Sweets and fatty foods make me feel less comfortable, and so I avoid them but if I want a little bite of brownie or a bite of pizza I'm able to tolerate it. listen to your body, if you're craving glucose go for fruits, Proteins eat meat, my body tells me what I'm in the mood for, what I need. I have my 6 month check up coming up but at my 3 month my labs were perfect.

I was sleeved on July 8th. I have lost 92 pounds since surgery day.

Just reply to this thread.

[ATTACH]39792[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]39793[/ATTACH] I thought this would be a good comparison. What a defence 8 months makes. The fist picture was taken at a friend's wedding in May, my surgery in July and my wedding last Saturday.

Proudgrammy Thank you so much. Im the bride.

Hey everyone, I just wanted to share with you, that on Saturday the 4th of January I married my soul mate. My choice to have vsg surgery has been one of the best health and wellness decisions I have ever made. On the day of my wedding just a few days shy of 6 months post op I was down 92 pounds from day of surgery. I went from a size 22-24, 286 pounds to 194 pounds and a size 14 wedding dress! I feel amazing! If there is anyone wondering if they should do it, I hands down thank that you should do it. The changes are amazing. Toasting to me, my new husband, my healthier life, and to all of you who have taken the plunge into this journey as well as those who are standing on the edge... jump and be prepared to fly! Good bless you all!