VSGAnn2014

OK, Imma say some things ... First, the people who vidblog about their WLS journeys on youtube are NOT typical WLS patients. I'm not saying there's anything wrong with them at all. But they are just not typical. You can probably count the ways they are different from most of us. You might be right, you might be wrong. I have my own list of ways they're different from me. But again, they are not typical WLS patients. And the exposure they and their perspectives get is disproportionate to their actual proportion among the WLS community. Second, I don't consider that plastics after WLS is either right or wrong. But remember that the vast majority of WLS patients do NOT get plastic surgery. And I'm hypothesizing that the majority of WLS patients don't want to get plastic surgery. Third (if anyone cares), I am not bothered (at this point) by my loose skin. If I were a lot younger or single and putting myself out there on the dating scene, I might feel differently about plastics. But I'm not in that cohort. On the other hand, if I were younger my skin would be more elastic and less loose. Instead, I'm 69, happily married, think I look great in clothes, and don't take 'em off for anyone other than my husband who already thinks I'm a sex machine. Plus, my major reasons for having WLS were to dramatically improve my health. Don't judge what's "normal" among the WLS population by what a few other people you see on youtube saying or doing or complaining about. My two cents' worth.

Thanks for answering my question. I wish you the very best.

Sure, go ahead and ask. But don't go taking this so personally. You're making yourself nuts, IMHO.

I also think you can fix this. But I have a serious question (if you would like to answer it): Why were you so unwilling to follow your surgeon's eating instructions? Your answer might prove helpful to others. Thanks in advance.

Not certain what "on track" means, but if you mean "making good food choices" then planning and recording my daily menus on www.myfitnesspal.com helps me do that. And if you mean "making good exercise choices" my Fitbit helps me do that.

I think it's funny to watch people go all existential about their absolute or relative degrees of honesty or dishonesty. Nobody cares. Do what you want.

It's time to post scar pix. I think someone gets off on 'em.

You're not eating enough Protein. 60-80 grams. I'm now up to 1,000-1,200 calories/day and am eating typically 100 grams of protein a day.

I wonder what you will do six months, nine months, twelve months from now when you CAN eat the whole thing.

Weird.

LOL! Had my surgery at 68 (am 69 now). 10 pounds to goal. Best weight loss program I EVER started.

I'm an "other" response, too ... I drink 1/2 to 1 cup of coffee a day (I pair each 1/2 cup of coffee with 1/2 cup skim milk for a homemade latte). Only rarely do I drink more than 1 cup of coffee. Like once every few months rarely. My doc's completely OK with this kind of coffee consumption.

My surgeon says no carbonation. No sodas, no beer, no sparkling Water.

@marbevsg ... How do you feel about what he said?

One of the things I loved most about "Star Trek" -- in addition to how it celebrated the adventurous human spirit -- was how well the four principals who were so different from one another managed to work together so well and "fill gaps." Together, Kirk, Spock, Doc, Scotty made a winning team. Likewise, the diversity of the ship's entire crew -- men, women, people of color, people of different species -- reflected our hopes that humanity can evolve beyond tribal loyalties to a culture of inclusion that takes us to a higher place where no man has gone before. Amen.

I had VSG surgery at 68. I'm now 69. Doing great. A guy in my surgeon's pre-op classes was 73, and he has had bypass surgery and is doing great. I know at least 3 people online who had VSG surgery after age 70. They're all doing wonderfully. Honestly, I think older people have a real advantage dealing with the changes required after WLS. We're very dedicated to finally beating the beast that has stalked us all our lives. Most of us are motivated by significant comorbidities or health hazards that challenge our ability to enjoy life. As older people, we've survived some tough things that life throws at you and learned how to roll with the blows. We are not whiners.

Uh ... I'm already eating over 1,000 calories, and I'm still losing weight. What your early post-op experience is doesn't translate to lifelong maintenance experience. IMHO.

Are you now eating later at night? Read this article written by a physician who treats patients with acid reflux: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/26/opinion/sunday/the-dangers-of-eating-late-at-night.html?_r=0

Do I hear $999? $99.99?

I think I know the big difference between healthy, normal-sized people and obese people: Healthy people get back on the horse. Obese people don't. See that animal over there with a saddle on it? Yup, the horse. Whatcha gonna do now?

Good work there. Really good.

Your decision is really threatening him. And now YOU are responsible for his being fat, too. LOL! Man, this guy really does not want anything in his life to change. Out of curiosity, how much do you and he each weigh?

I started eating cuts of beef much earlier than six months post-op, too -- maybe 2-3 months out. There was nothing in my bariatric surgeon's or nutritionist's instructions about waiting 6 months to eat beef. And chili (made of finely ground beef with Beans, tomatoes, onions, chili spices) was an early soft food (I started eating that around 1 month post-op). I experienced no problems that I'm aware of. Others' mileage may, of course, vary.

My bariatric P.A. (very UP on research and sharp person) says calcium citrate used to be preferred to calcium carbonate. But now either one is considered fine for sleeved patients. I use the Caltrate chocolate truffle chewables (15 calories). Each one contains 600 mg of calcium carbonate and 800 IU of Vitamin D3. It's my after-dinner sweet treat, too. Hubby chews 'em, too.

"I'm miserable! Be miserable with me, baby!" That's not healthy love. That's a self-destructive person who wants you to destroy yourself, too. I think your frustration and anger is appropriate. Take care of yourself first. Then if he wants your help, offer your help. If he doesn't accept your help, then that's on him.