one_more_time

I have always been camera shy for many reasons, mostly due to my weight. This little collage shows me 8 days prior to surgery, the second is 1 month post op and the last is this my 5 month post op picture (this week) .
I can't believe the changes in myself in only 5 months. The old me would NEVER post pictures of myself. While I haven't lost any pounds in the last 2 weeks , I have dropped another pant size, going from 20 down to 12 so far. I love my sleeve, it's been life changing for me.

Lose my back fat/love handles
Incorporate jogging in my fitness regimen
Walk without my thighs rubbing together
Wear shorts and tank tops this summer
Get down to a size 6/8 in jeans
Be able to get off my blood pressure meds for good
Wear sun dresses without looking pregnant
Get rid of my muffin top when I wear pants
Like someone said above....stop having to adjust my clothes because they are riding up my stomach or fitting too snug

Disclaimer: Might be TMI....but thought I would post this info just in case someone found it useful.. you never know right?
At any rate... prior to surgery I had to do the "dreaded" bowel prep and it did it's job... thoroughly. Left the hospital on February 12th and my bowels were so loose I literally had to wear a pad every time when I left the house. So everything was moving right along...was passing gas... the whole nine. All of sudden about 4 or 5 days after I got home everything just STOPPED! Oh my! Called my doctor/went to see my PCP for a post surgery check up and both told me to use Miralax. Everything else I was told would be to harsh for my new pouch. I complied and this past Monday started mixing Miralax with my crystal light and taking Fiber gummies ( 2 twice a day).
My weight had stalled out at about 230 lbs for almost 2 weeks, even went up to around 231. Yesterday things got moving and this morning I woke up and I'm down to 228 lbs. So that's about 2-3 lb lost over the last two days and I believe my stall was due to things "locking" up. I will be taking Fiber Gummies twice a day along with my Vitamin supplements ...just make sure that things stay "regular".

We have felt no real hunger. You can get bored just like before surgery and sit down and graze on things. But turn your new life into something positive, get out of the house and walk the malls, or join a gym. I find that if I am not busy I can be rummaging in the kitchen, then I drink some Crystal Light and re-focus. Reading posts here you will see where people say they are eating the same as before. Read and absorb and make this sleeve work for you. You will be so happy. When your friend keeps telling you she is hungry go the other direction, do not let her affect your way of thinking.

Congrats on all of your surgery dates... speedy recoveries and here's to getting " Summer Time Fine" .....as my friend puts it.. lol...making room for you all on the loser's bench!

This is my second WLS..I had a revision because there were several things going on. The first surgeon made my original pouch larger than she should have therefore I didn't have "true" restriction. Over time pouches stretch... its a given fact..but I really didn't stand a chance because of her "measurements." There were quite a few other things going on that my current surgeon had to correct and so far my revision has been great.
Comparing this procedure to the first I can say that there were a few things I did wrong. I was trying to "hold" on to former eating habits and in doing so... I believe I stretched my already over sized pouch. Even though I may be able to tolerate certain foods now( they go down without complication/don't feel the need to throw up or feel too full) I still don't want to "introduce" my stomach to those things so soon. I guess I have an extreme phobia when it comes to "stretching" my pouch. I will remain on a soft foods/full liquid diet for at least another 2-3 weeks. I think it will help with weight loss and it will also allow my pouch to heal better. I equate the new stomach to a balloon. It's small but elastic and if were to fill a balloon with Water it would stretch to 3 or 4 times its original size ( maybe more).
At the end of the day everyone is different... and we all govern ourselves differently. Whatever works for you.. I say do it.. your success is just that your success. I know what works for me....and I am doing just that. Like I said.. I personally have a very real fear of stretching my pouch..so I am taking things VERY slowly one day at a time. There will be plenty of time to incorporate "new" foods later down the road. I am still having some separation anxieties with a few foods.. lol.. .so this time is really allowing me to get focused and kick some old eating habits.

You look great! Congratulations on your success...

It was just a year ago I first heard about the sleeve. I hit the grounds running and flew through all the hoops to make it happen. I was sleeved on May 3rd, and now I have hit my goal of losing 100 pounds! It has been a great journey!

And some people have the "nerve" to think weight loss surgery is an easy way out. They are totally uninformed... this is my "second" time around ( had a revision) and this is far from EASY. Not only do you have to deal with physically healing but emotionally and mentally you have to recondition your entire life and way of thinking ( well at least I did). When you think about all of the "social" interactions that we deal with daily...most of them are centered around food. I've gone through so many moments of "mourning" it is ridiculous. I've felt almost every emotion known to man... guilt, remorse, elation, confusion, anger. Our bodies go through a tremendous amount of stress from the surgery. I had a SEVERE anxiety attack my second day in the hospital after getting my sleeve. My blood pressure was like 200 over 120. My heart was racing and my heart was beating well over 100 beats per minute. The nurses started freaking out and even brought a crash cart into my room thinking I was going to have a cardiac arrest. I kept calm... prayed and allowed them to administer meds to get everything under control and within minutes my blood pressure came down and my heart rate slowed.
The doctor said my body was stressed. I went from eating around 2,500 calories a day to absolutely nothing not mention I had just had major surgery that took 5 hours....it was a lot of change to endure in two days. My body was like WHOA!!! hold on... what in the world are you doing. Like I said this is not an easy thing to do. We have to recondition our minds and body and it can be difficult. What you are feeling is normal and like someone posted above... your body is having to readjust and level off. Give it some time and just take things slow. Focus on the positives and the great transformation that is slowly taking place. I do believe it is all worth it in the end...
Oh and if your doctor has upset you or made you feel a certain type of way about your progress I believe you should express those feelings to him/her at your next visit and let them know how you feel. Hey, they get paid a lot of money for their services so you should be able to discuss ANY and EVERYTHING under the sun.
Best wishes to you

And some people have the "nerve" to think weight loss surgery is an easy way out. They are totally uninformed... this is my "second" time around ( had a revision) and this is far from EASY. Not only do you have to deal with physically healing but emotionally and mentally you have to recondition your entire life and way of thinking ( well at least I did). When you think about all of the "social" interactions that we deal with daily...most of them are centered around food. I've gone through so many moments of "mourning" it is ridiculous. I've felt almost every emotion known to man... guilt, remorse, elation, confusion, anger. Our bodies go through a tremendous amount of stress from the surgery. I had a SEVERE anxiety attack my second day in the hospital after getting my sleeve. My blood pressure was like 200 over 120. My heart was racing and my heart was beating well over 100 beats per minute. The nurses started freaking out and even brought a crash cart into my room thinking I was going to have a cardiac arrest. I kept calm... prayed and allowed them to administer meds to get everything under control and within minutes my blood pressure came down and my heart rate slowed.
The doctor said my body was stressed. I went from eating around 2,500 calories a day to absolutely nothing not mention I had just had major surgery that took 5 hours....it was a lot of change to endure in two days. My body was like WHOA!!! hold on... what in the world are you doing. Like I said this is not an easy thing to do. We have to recondition our minds and body and it can be difficult. What you are feeling is normal and like someone posted above... your body is having to readjust and level off. Give it some time and just take things slow. Focus on the positives and the great transformation that is slowly taking place. I do believe it is all worth it in the end...
Oh and if your doctor has upset you or made you feel a certain type of way about your progress I believe you should express those feelings to him/her at your next visit and let them know how you feel. Hey, they get paid a lot of money for their services so you should be able to discuss ANY and EVERYTHING under the sun.
Best wishes to you

And some people have the "nerve" to think weight loss surgery is an easy way out. They are totally uninformed... this is my "second" time around ( had a revision) and this is far from EASY. Not only do you have to deal with physically healing but emotionally and mentally you have to recondition your entire life and way of thinking ( well at least I did). When you think about all of the "social" interactions that we deal with daily...most of them are centered around food. I've gone through so many moments of "mourning" it is ridiculous. I've felt almost every emotion known to man... guilt, remorse, elation, confusion, anger. Our bodies go through a tremendous amount of stress from the surgery. I had a SEVERE anxiety attack my second day in the hospital after getting my sleeve. My blood pressure was like 200 over 120. My heart was racing and my heart was beating well over 100 beats per minute. The nurses started freaking out and even brought a crash cart into my room thinking I was going to have a cardiac arrest. I kept calm... prayed and allowed them to administer meds to get everything under control and within minutes my blood pressure came down and my heart rate slowed.
The doctor said my body was stressed. I went from eating around 2,500 calories a day to absolutely nothing not mention I had just had major surgery that took 5 hours....it was a lot of change to endure in two days. My body was like WHOA!!! hold on... what in the world are you doing. Like I said this is not an easy thing to do. We have to recondition our minds and body and it can be difficult. What you are feeling is normal and like someone posted above... your body is having to readjust and level off. Give it some time and just take things slow. Focus on the positives and the great transformation that is slowly taking place. I do believe it is all worth it in the end...
Oh and if your doctor has upset you or made you feel a certain type of way about your progress I believe you should express those feelings to him/her at your next visit and let them know how you feel. Hey, they get paid a lot of money for their services so you should be able to discuss ANY and EVERYTHING under the sun.
Best wishes to you

And some people have the "nerve" to think weight loss surgery is an easy way out. They are totally uninformed... this is my "second" time around ( had a revision) and this is far from EASY. Not only do you have to deal with physically healing but emotionally and mentally you have to recondition your entire life and way of thinking ( well at least I did). When you think about all of the "social" interactions that we deal with daily...most of them are centered around food. I've gone through so many moments of "mourning" it is ridiculous. I've felt almost every emotion known to man... guilt, remorse, elation, confusion, anger. Our bodies go through a tremendous amount of stress from the surgery. I had a SEVERE anxiety attack my second day in the hospital after getting my sleeve. My blood pressure was like 200 over 120. My heart was racing and my heart was beating well over 100 beats per minute. The nurses started freaking out and even brought a crash cart into my room thinking I was going to have a cardiac arrest. I kept calm... prayed and allowed them to administer meds to get everything under control and within minutes my blood pressure came down and my heart rate slowed.
The doctor said my body was stressed. I went from eating around 2,500 calories a day to absolutely nothing not mention I had just had major surgery that took 5 hours....it was a lot of change to endure in two days. My body was like WHOA!!! hold on... what in the world are you doing. Like I said this is not an easy thing to do. We have to recondition our minds and body and it can be difficult. What you are feeling is normal and like someone posted above... your body is having to readjust and level off. Give it some time and just take things slow. Focus on the positives and the great transformation that is slowly taking place. I do believe it is all worth it in the end...
Oh and if your doctor has upset you or made you feel a certain type of way about your progress I believe you should express those feelings to him/her at your next visit and let them know how you feel. Hey, they get paid a lot of money for their services so you should be able to discuss ANY and EVERYTHING under the sun.
Best wishes to you

I felt the exact same way. Not being in control... I'm a control freak myself and I felt so vulnerable thinking of others having control over me while I was under. I have had about 6 surgeries and I can honestly tell you.. each and every time ( all the surgeries were different/different surgeons/different hospitals) being "put to sleep" for me has been like blinking. Didn't realize I was even under anesthesia or the procedures were finished until I was awaken by the staff on hand. My "sleeve" took almost 5 hours ( revision) but to me it was like I closed my eyes really quick and then reopened them. You will be just fine... it happens so quick ( being put to sleep) that you won't even realize you have gone to sleep until after you awake.

Bariatric Advantage and Bariatric Fusion offer sample size packets. Also I know The Vitamin Shoppe has a few. My favorite was from Bariatric Fusion! I'm 5 months out now and have been drinking Premier Protein (ready to drink) those are the best, I get those at SAMs club!

This is my second WLS..I had a revision because there were several things going on. The first surgeon made my original pouch larger than she should have therefore I didn't have "true" restriction. Over time pouches stretch... its a given fact..but I really didn't stand a chance because of her "measurements." There were quite a few other things going on that my current surgeon had to correct and so far my revision has been great.
Comparing this procedure to the first I can say that there were a few things I did wrong. I was trying to "hold" on to former eating habits and in doing so... I believe I stretched my already over sized pouch. Even though I may be able to tolerate certain foods now( they go down without complication/don't feel the need to throw up or feel too full) I still don't want to "introduce" my stomach to those things so soon. I guess I have an extreme phobia when it comes to "stretching" my pouch. I will remain on a soft foods/full liquid diet for at least another 2-3 weeks. I think it will help with weight loss and it will also allow my pouch to heal better. I equate the new stomach to a balloon. It's small but elastic and if were to fill a balloon with Water it would stretch to 3 or 4 times its original size ( maybe more).
At the end of the day everyone is different... and we all govern ourselves differently. Whatever works for you.. I say do it.. your success is just that your success. I know what works for me....and I am doing just that. Like I said.. I personally have a very real fear of stretching my pouch..so I am taking things VERY slowly one day at a time. There will be plenty of time to incorporate "new" foods later down the road. I am still having some separation anxieties with a few foods.. lol.. .so this time is really allowing me to get focused and kick some old eating habits.

This is my second WLS..I had a revision because there were several things going on. The first surgeon made my original pouch larger than she should have therefore I didn't have "true" restriction. Over time pouches stretch... its a given fact..but I really didn't stand a chance because of her "measurements." There were quite a few other things going on that my current surgeon had to correct and so far my revision has been great.
Comparing this procedure to the first I can say that there were a few things I did wrong. I was trying to "hold" on to former eating habits and in doing so... I believe I stretched my already over sized pouch. Even though I may be able to tolerate certain foods now( they go down without complication/don't feel the need to throw up or feel too full) I still don't want to "introduce" my stomach to those things so soon. I guess I have an extreme phobia when it comes to "stretching" my pouch. I will remain on a soft foods/full liquid diet for at least another 2-3 weeks. I think it will help with weight loss and it will also allow my pouch to heal better. I equate the new stomach to a balloon. It's small but elastic and if were to fill a balloon with Water it would stretch to 3 or 4 times its original size ( maybe more).
At the end of the day everyone is different... and we all govern ourselves differently. Whatever works for you.. I say do it.. your success is just that your success. I know what works for me....and I am doing just that. Like I said.. I personally have a very real fear of stretching my pouch..so I am taking things VERY slowly one day at a time. There will be plenty of time to incorporate "new" foods later down the road. I am still having some separation anxieties with a few foods.. lol.. .so this time is really allowing me to get focused and kick some old eating habits.

Lol... "free morphine".... I recently saw my hospital/surgeon bill and that morphine was hardly free...

This is my second WLS..I had a revision because there were several things going on. The first surgeon made my original pouch larger than she should have therefore I didn't have "true" restriction. Over time pouches stretch... its a given fact..but I really didn't stand a chance because of her "measurements." There were quite a few other things going on that my current surgeon had to correct and so far my revision has been great.
Comparing this procedure to the first I can say that there were a few things I did wrong. I was trying to "hold" on to former eating habits and in doing so... I believe I stretched my already over sized pouch. Even though I may be able to tolerate certain foods now( they go down without complication/don't feel the need to throw up or feel too full) I still don't want to "introduce" my stomach to those things so soon. I guess I have an extreme phobia when it comes to "stretching" my pouch. I will remain on a soft foods/full liquid diet for at least another 2-3 weeks. I think it will help with weight loss and it will also allow my pouch to heal better. I equate the new stomach to a balloon. It's small but elastic and if were to fill a balloon with Water it would stretch to 3 or 4 times its original size ( maybe more).
At the end of the day everyone is different... and we all govern ourselves differently. Whatever works for you.. I say do it.. your success is just that your success. I know what works for me....and I am doing just that. Like I said.. I personally have a very real fear of stretching my pouch..so I am taking things VERY slowly one day at a time. There will be plenty of time to incorporate "new" foods later down the road. I am still having some separation anxieties with a few foods.. lol.. .so this time is really allowing me to get focused and kick some old eating habits.

People are just trying to be nice. Instead of concentrating on the words that YOU might have chosen, think about the intent in which the message was sent.
I hear you (I promise I do as most people p!ss me off on a daily basis with their ignorance) but I do think your (totally natural) stress and anxiety is working you up about nothing.

The EXACT same thing happened to me. I think I mentally blocked it out of my mind....that and I got approved so fast I was still in shock. How you feel is very normal. In some cases the surgeon will allow you to get a shot for anxiety to help you relax. I got one with my first surgery. When I had my VSG done the thought of getting up and leaving the hospital ran through my mind non stop. I am SOOOOO happy I went through with it...my family can already tell that im losing and im just 13 days post op. Think post op thoughts...focus on accomplishing your goal. You will do just fine.Saving room for you on the losers bench. :-)

This is my second WLS..I had a revision because there were several things going on. The first surgeon made my original pouch larger than she should have therefore I didn't have "true" restriction. Over time pouches stretch... its a given fact..but I really didn't stand a chance because of her "measurements." There were quite a few other things going on that my current surgeon had to correct and so far my revision has been great.
Comparing this procedure to the first I can say that there were a few things I did wrong. I was trying to "hold" on to former eating habits and in doing so... I believe I stretched my already over sized pouch. Even though I may be able to tolerate certain foods now( they go down without complication/don't feel the need to throw up or feel too full) I still don't want to "introduce" my stomach to those things so soon. I guess I have an extreme phobia when it comes to "stretching" my pouch. I will remain on a soft foods/full liquid diet for at least another 2-3 weeks. I think it will help with weight loss and it will also allow my pouch to heal better. I equate the new stomach to a balloon. It's small but elastic and if were to fill a balloon with Water it would stretch to 3 or 4 times its original size ( maybe more).
At the end of the day everyone is different... and we all govern ourselves differently. Whatever works for you.. I say do it.. your success is just that your success. I know what works for me....and I am doing just that. Like I said.. I personally have a very real fear of stretching my pouch..so I am taking things VERY slowly one day at a time. There will be plenty of time to incorporate "new" foods later down the road. I am still having some separation anxieties with a few foods.. lol.. .so this time is really allowing me to get focused and kick some old eating habits.

This is my second WLS..I had a revision because there were several things going on. The first surgeon made my original pouch larger than she should have therefore I didn't have "true" restriction. Over time pouches stretch... its a given fact..but I really didn't stand a chance because of her "measurements." There were quite a few other things going on that my current surgeon had to correct and so far my revision has been great.
Comparing this procedure to the first I can say that there were a few things I did wrong. I was trying to "hold" on to former eating habits and in doing so... I believe I stretched my already over sized pouch. Even though I may be able to tolerate certain foods now( they go down without complication/don't feel the need to throw up or feel too full) I still don't want to "introduce" my stomach to those things so soon. I guess I have an extreme phobia when it comes to "stretching" my pouch. I will remain on a soft foods/full liquid diet for at least another 2-3 weeks. I think it will help with weight loss and it will also allow my pouch to heal better. I equate the new stomach to a balloon. It's small but elastic and if were to fill a balloon with Water it would stretch to 3 or 4 times its original size ( maybe more).
At the end of the day everyone is different... and we all govern ourselves differently. Whatever works for you.. I say do it.. your success is just that your success. I know what works for me....and I am doing just that. Like I said.. I personally have a very real fear of stretching my pouch..so I am taking things VERY slowly one day at a time. There will be plenty of time to incorporate "new" foods later down the road. I am still having some separation anxieties with a few foods.. lol.. .so this time is really allowing me to get focused and kick some old eating habits.

Awwww....my beloved Turkey Bacon... how I miss it so! I can't WAIT to get back to a normal diet... but gotta follow doctor's orders....Everyone's breakfast sounds so good... just a few more weeks and I will be able to have my egg whites, spinach and portabello mushroom omelet...my favorite breakast!
In my Dory voice ( Finding Nemo)... "Just Keep Swimming"......3 weeks will come and go before I know it..

I think once you start losing and getting closer to goal... you are going to be SO elated that will want the world to know about your success. I watched videos for like 3 hours straight (been up since 5) and I was seriously considering starting a WLS channel. I have been SO inspired this morning by people who were larger than me or around my same weight that have reached their goal and most did it in under 12 months.
This one lady was like 220 lbs.. a size 18 and she is now a size 2 ...and you would NEVER think she was ever larger than her current size. The changes are phenomenal... and if it can happen for them it can happen for you and me and any one else who is willing to commit and stay focused. One thing she did stress is her low carb way of eating. In all my years of dieting ( since I was 9 years old)..truly the only thing that has worked for me has been watching/counting carbs. I am going to be very mindful of the "kind" of carbs that I eat.... especially processed sugars. I think natural sugars (in moderation) are okay......
I digress.. again you will do fine! And if you do decide to do a channel... let me know so I can subscribe...

Morning... I was thinking your surgery was on the 24th for some reason :-) I've been up looking at some youtube videos and saw you comment on one.. I was like wow she's all over the place too! lol... that's what it is all about research, research, research.
I don't really think you can compare your pre-op experience to your post-op. You have so many different factors going into play after the VSG. The "no" hunger issue, restriction... the possibility of your body going into ketosis..etc. etc. And you know as women our weight fluctuates so much due to nature. I lost 8 pounds prior to surgery and then 10 lbs the first week after...but haven't lost anything in a week... BUT I'm due this week (if you know what I mean) and I always get bloated and/or gain a about 2-3 pounds during that time.
It's just my two cents...but I don't think you should worry about it. Just focus on getting through the surgery and back home to recover. I am sure you will do just fine with your weight loss... just don't allow it to consume you. A watched pot never boils... I'm just focused on truly reaching deep within to resolve my love/hate relationship with food. Not using food for recreation but for sustenance and fuel.
And don't always look to the scale for your victories... focus on NSV (non-scale victories) as well. Case in point... my scale hasn't moved in a week....BUT my size 18's are very loose/baggy and my 16's are fitting me very comfortably. Not to mention my jawline is more pronounced.. so I know I am losing inches for sure.
Best wishes and a speedy recovery !