VSGAnn2014

^^^^ Good golly, Miss Molly! I truly would not have recognized you a year ago. Congratulations on all your hard work.

Have you considered postponing your surgery until you're in a better place mentally to handle the physical burdens of surgery, post-op recovery, and all the lifestyle changes you'll be making after WLS? Not saying you should! Just saying that changing your surgery date is always, always, always an option for you. You should not feel forced or rushed by the calendar or other circumstances into this kind of surgery.

I'm late to this thread. I see that Thomas has already made an appointment with his doc. Good on ya, Thomas. Thomas, I'm befuddled as to how someone who's only 4 months post-op could possibly eat 20 ounces of steak. I have to wonder if your prior lapband history before being sleeved isn't implicated in some way to your ability to eat so much dense Protein. Hell, before I was sleeved I couldn't even eat half that much steak! As a reference point, I'm a "virgin" sleever (with no prior WLS experience before my VSG 2+ years ago). Earlier this week I had 4 ounces of steak (that's how much I'd put on my plate) and barely finished that portion. I could not have eaten any more steak if I'd tried. Also, to Sophie's comment that WLS should ensure that we're satisfied with a single egg -- yeah, that would be lovely if it were true. But after the sleeve is healed completely, that simply doesn't seem to be the case, unless you have an exceptionally tiny sleeve or a stricture or some other unusual complication. Finally, for those of you reading this thread who haven't been sleeved yet, please don't assume that having WLS alone will resolve all your future weight issues. Yes, the stomach restriction and ghrelin reduction from being sleeved are great aids. But many of us arrived at the point of needing WLS because we have other underlying physical and emotional issues that must also be addressed to successfully resolve our obesity / health / overeating problems. Some of us find that psychological therapy, vitamin/mineral and other supplementation, changes in our medications, physical therapy, significant lifestyle changes, and addiction treatment may also be necessary. Some also find they must make changes in their marital relationships, friendships, jobs or career choices, and other living arrangements to be successful long-term. It's trite, but true: "They operate on your stomach, not your brain."

What @@jennmonterrozo said ... canned soups don't have tons of Protein. I added unjury chicken-flavored Protein powder to my soups early on. And when you're ready for pureed or chopped meats, grind up chicken meat and add those to chicken-based soups. Vegetarians add non-animal protein powders to their soups. When you're ready for them, the various chili recipes out there are wonderful -- both beef- and chicken-based chilis. And adding Beans to soups ups the protein grams, too.

I'm not a tattoo person. But if I were and wanted to memorialize my WLS surgery successes, I think I'd get a tattoo of my goal weight, not my starting weight. Sometimes it is about a number, y'know?

I totally get this! No longer being imprisoned by our obesity is the ultimate reward for so many of us.

Jess, good on you for reaching out. I'm almost 2 years post-op now. Things that have helped me through the WLS and life's stresses since WLS are: * finding and seeing a good therapist * walking and exercising (yoga is my favorite non-walking exercise) * becoming active on online WLS message boards like this one (there are some truly super people on this forum -- as you've already seen) * staying focused on the enormous downside to being obese and the enormous upside to being healthy and normal-sized (I did a lotta lotta lot of journaling around these issues) Honestly, in your shoes I'd let those dogs talk me into going outside -- baby steps first. Then keep taking more baby steps. Moving and sunshine do a lot for me -- maybe they will help you, too.

I have used the free version of MFP for over two years and find it the second best tool to help manage my weight (the sleeve being the best tool). I've often wondered myself if a premium membership would be worth the fee. Thanks for the question and responses.

Jean, that is so cool! I have a few size 2s that fit me great -- same reaction here. Can hardly believe the huge changes in my body / life, thanks to WLS and, of course, my own hard work. Congratulations to you.

Hope you're doing well at this point. I'd like to offer a little context and encouragement for you re expectations for early post-op weight losses. Pre-op I lost 19-20 pounds. My first month post-op I lost 10.4 pounds. I felt like a champ! And my surgeon did nothing but praise me. I wish yours had done the same. In fact, I averaged 10-11 pounds lost / month the first 4 months post-op. Then Months 5-6 I averaged 8 pounds lost/month. Months 7-8 I averaged 5-6 pounds lost/month. Somewhere during Month 8 I hit my initial weight goal. Over the next 8 months I lost another 15 pounds. That totals up to 100 pounds total lost pre- and post-op. I've been maintaining at 135 pounds for nearly a year now. It does NOT matter how fast you lose -- but that you continue losing until you're happy with where you windi up. And then that you are successful maintaining your weight loss. And, of course, that you're eating nutritious foods and leading a lifestyle that helps you remain healthy for the rest of your life.

I'm 70 years old, female, and have been maintaining at 5'5" and 135 pounds for nearly a year now. Here's a list of all the meds / supplements I take daily because they're appropriate for me. Please note that your needs may well be different than mine: Midday (at least 4 hours after my thyroid pill): * Centrum chewable multi vitamin/mineral * Antacid (H2 blocker - Ranitadine 150 mg.) * Probiotic (10 billion units) * Biotin (5000 mcg. - for skin health) * Fish oil (1000 mg. + 300 mg. Omega-3) Evening: * Caltrate chewable (600 mg. / D3) * Antacid (H2 blocker - Ranitadine 150 mg.) * Stool softener (hey, I'm old!) Twice a week: B-12 (1000 mcg. - if I take them daily I get a little face acne - ugh) Sometimes at bedtime (not even half the time): Melatonin (10 mg.) OR Ambien (5 mg.)

^^^^ Fascinating! Sometimes I think each of us is a little ole genus/species unto ourselves.

Good on ya, Cassie. I keep learning from my own experience and hearing from those WLS patients much farther down the road than I am now (will be 2 years post-op this August) that we never reach the end of the road. The road (and we) just keep going over hills and through dales. Was in a conversation earlier this morning with some WLS patients (not on this board) who warned me that Year Three is a real booger. So I'm getting used to the idea that I won't ever be "home free." I think this may be why it's called "recovery" and not "recovered."

You do have a point. On the other hand, if it weren't for Snickers I wouldn't be here typing on this ridiculous thread on a lovely Saturday morning.

@@Cocojh ... erk! So sorry your confidences were betrayed. Not OK.

Most definitely feeling this good is OK. Congrats on landing one of those textbook WLS recoveries.

@@KindaFamiliar ...

"Fun" is not defined by how much you eat and drink. But if that's how you and your husband have defined "fun" (even if only partly defined it that way), you're going to have the opportunity for some interesting discussions in the coming year.

Awesome post, @@gowalking . Bon voyage! You so deserve it.

LOL!

You talkin' to me?

OK, we settled that. Next topic?

What weird advice! All that matters is that we are fully hydrated -- not how slowly we drink or sip. I think you're doing great.

The block / ignore function is amazing. Use it. I do. Or if you're that irritated, just leave. Please.