Lisa_vsg

Baltimore, MD. Had my surgery 9/2014 at Franklin Square by Dr. You.

I read this from people on this forum all the time....and I don't understand why it bothers them so much....
Who cares if it is the easy way out??? It works, and that's all that matters !!!
In due time you will be be skinny, healthy and fit.....isn't that more important???
The end justifies the means.....
Everything in our society is aimed at the "Easy".....people take their car rather than walk...use a remote to change channels...microwave ovens...smart phones....garage door openers, EVERYTHING designed nowadays is focused upon how easy it is to make someones life easier.....so why should someone, who is doing something to better themselves, their families, not be a burden with all the associated health issues, etc, etc,...be ridiculed for doing something easy?
makes no sense, and should be dismissed as such.
I have finished this process years ago....lost all excess weight and have a healthy body fat %...work hard at the gym, wear normal size clothes off the rack, health issues have all been reversed.....and my self esteem and social life could not be better.
Do I feel guilty I did it the "Easy Way" and not struggle and fail with yo-yo weight loss/gains and constant dieting? That's what the rest of the world is constantly doing....that's all you hear. need to loose another 10 lbs, summer is coming, have you tried this new diet?
I for one am glad I have been set free from all THAT nonsense......
NO THANK YOU....I Like EASY! I'll take it any day of the week.
(BTW, this is exactly why I never told anyone...it is about me and mine, not theirs)

I actually feel sorry for her, people are at a bad disposition when uneducated and just plain ignorant about others, this wasn't easy for me, just like a recovering alcoholic I had make admissions, and cried at times, I also had to be willing to become dedicated to a different way of life, and learn wrong from right as far as how and what to eat, it was very hard telling my wife NO! When she asked for something and I had to go to the gym, now she smiles and I know she is proud that my selfishness at certain times is a positive one, I lost a couple of close friends in recent years to health problems, and my entire birth family, so it was easy for me to turn away a couple friends who became very ugly and negative when I announced my decision, ultimately the negative comments and remarks should have no bearing on you since this a very personal journey, we are all here to support each other but it's your body, your pain, and your failures and achievements, keep your head up and be proud of the scars you now have, choose to be the better person and walk away each time, let others begin to see it for what it is, eventually she or he will repel others away with their negativity...........

I would've been absolutely mortified if someone had tried to approach me with this, no matter how sensitive or caring their intentions were. It took me a long time to come to terms with the changes I needed to make to live a life after WLS and that's a very personal thing. As an obese person you absolutely dread anyone trying to "help" you make better choices. When people ask me now how I'm losing so much weight I tell them I eat a lot less food and do a lot more moving. Unless they themselves are in the same boat I was, then I explain my journey. But only if they ask. Otherwise, and this is hard for me at the best of times, I keep my mouth shut.

Hmmmm interesting because that's how I used to feel about smoking. I smoked for about 10 years and honestly, I loved it. I knew it was dangerous, knew I stank, knew it was a waste of money. BUT....I loved it and I didn't want to change. Sure, I tried quitting many times, but I never truly wanted to and that played a big part in failing every time.
As a matter of fact, I do believe I would still be smoking today if I had been allowed to proceed with my surgery without quitting. Thankfully, my doc required nicotine tests for 90 days prior to surgery. WLS was what tipped the scale in my desire to quit smoking. And now that I'm on a path to a healthier life and I'm free of that addiction, I would never dream of going back to it.
So I can relate to him. I guess many of us have something we know is bad but we just don't want to quit. It takes finding something you want more that makes it worthwhile. I guess if he's happy with his life, more power to him!

Female
Height: 5’ 6”
Starting Weight: 250
Starting Clothing Size: 20
Surgery Weight: 228
Surgery Clothing Size: 18
Current Weight: 140
Current Clothing Size: 4/6
In the beginning:
• I had a lot of restriction due to (I am assuming) increased swelling from the additional procedure of the hiatal hernia repair. I am comparing myself to 4 other family members who had the surgery with the same doctor and described their post-op experience as feeling sore and having the ability to drink 2-4 ounces of Fluid without difficulty. It was difficult to even consume 1 ounce. Week 1 post-op was what I called “hell week.” I was very weak due to the lack of ability to consume fluids/calories and remain properly hydrated.
• The 6 week post-op diet was difficult, but I reminded myself that I ate whatever I wanted (and in copious amounts), whenever I wanted for many years.
• Once I was released to a full diet, foods did not taste the same. Some of the things I use to think of as delicious, were now bland and without flavor. I read a study that links your sense of taste to your stomach lining. However, this “lack of tasting” does go away and food eventually does taste great again (uh-oh!).
• I monitored my calorie intake. I did, however, have my ups and downs. I slipped and fell into crappy eating habits. Despite the food restriction, I found that I could slowly graze on things and that the “bad” foods tend to be the “sliders”.
• However, I constantly caught myself falling back into consuming these bad foods and I would work on redirecting my behavior. I was constantly “checking and balancing” my eating habits; trying to change my way of living.
• Exercise started with walking (1 mile, 2 miles, 3 miles, and as my endurance and ability increased, 4 miles in one hour). As the weight began to melt off, along with my increased endurance, I upgraded to intervals of jogging (I would jog the straight-a-ways and walk the curves at the local school track). I would also use my elliptical trainer at home and by the time I reached my 6 months post-op point, I could complete a one hour, high intensity cardio session on my trainer. Feeling great!
6 Months Out:
• As the weight began to melt off (I was weighing 167 pounds at this point!), I did have that “fallen” face look. My skin was saggy and loose. So, I decided I wanted to fill up my loose skin with muscle. Weight lifting slowly trickled its way into my weekly workouts and—at first—it was about a twice-a-week affair. I also upped my Water intake and made hydrating my face, neck and body with creams and lotions a daily and nightly ritual (as hydration helps to increase elasticity in skin; my face doesn't look fallen anymore...it takes time, but it does retract!!!).
• My ability to consume fluids and food had greatly improved by this point. I seemed to be able to consume fluid the best after a good workout. I could drink water faster and in greater quantities! I continued to monitor my calorie intake and tried by my best to refrain from eating bad foods. Even when I did succumb to eating unhealthy foods (which happened on a weekly basis), I stayed within my calorie range.
• My Protein intake was still around 60-80 grams per day. I really like the Premier Protein shakes. They come in ready to drink 11oz containers, they are only 160 calories and pack 30 grams of protein.
About 12 Months Out:
• 153 pounds; size 10
• By this time I was lifting about 3x per week at home. I began to notice my skin firming up around the muscles I was developing. At this time I began taking pre-workout supplements (NO-Xplode), post workout supplements (Cell Mass) and I upped my protein (100-120 grams per day). My goal with the supplements was to create longer workout endurance, quicker muscle recovery repair. I knew that the more muscle I had, the more my calories my body would burn due, as well as a better a metabolism. Even though I wasn’t really dropping that much weight at this time, my waist size started to go down with the increased muscle mass.
• A little after the 12 month mark, I went down another 3 pounds, but I also went down an entire size! Typically, before the weight lifting, I would see a size drop about every 20 pounds. So, this was awesome!
• Still working on eating clean at this point. I probably ate clean about 80-85% of the time. Weekends were a killer for me! It was hard with the weekends off, kids at home, and being out and about. No routine!
Now, 22 Months Out:
• 140 pounds
• Size 4-6 misses
• I eat clean foods 90-95% of the time. “Dirty” foods tend to make me sick now.
• I have one cheat day, and I still limit myself and stay within my calorie range
• I consume 150-170 grams of protein (still drinking the Premier Protein)
• 1800-2000 calories on my cardio days (twice a week)
• 2200-2500 on my weight lifting days (5 days out of the week). YES…I do more weight lifting than cardio! And carbs (good carbs, not dirty carbs) are your friend!!! Key for energy retention/endurance and muscle building! I consume more on my weight lifting days. Key intake is about an hour/hour-and-a-half prior to workout.
• I still have really good restriction
• My skin around my face has firmed up! It doesn’t look fallen. I’m a high school teacher and I get mistaken for a student all the time!
• I do have some extra skin (and very little) in my upper arm area, upper thigh/groin; however, it isn’t that much! The muscle I have built really helps! The belly area has a little “apron” and—of course—the stretch marks from weight gain and 4 pregnancies make it look like a very wrinkly old grandma; but other than that, my stomach is flat! I do plan to have a Tummy Tuck this summer… so bikini here you come!
All in all, I LOVE my SLEEVE!!! I would do it all over again! They key thing—and most doctors tell you this from the get-go—you HAVE TO CHANGE LIFESTYLE for LONG-TERM SUCCESS! The weight will come off that first year, but once you’re in that maintenance mode you can easily put weight back on. Especially eating dirty foods that are higher in calories/sugars/fats. They slide through your restriction, they are full of empty calories (no nutritional value), and they will be your downfall. Does that mean you cannot enjoy a piece of cake, chips or some other dirty food? No, but you have to teach yourself to say “no” most of the time; and when you do say “yes,” limit yourself and eat in small quantities. Don’t make it a daily thing, make it a once-a-week kind-of-thing. EXERCISE! You don’t have to turn into a gym rat…in fact, you don’t have to go to a gym at all, but find some kind of active activity that you can engage in at least 3 days a weeks, for a MINIMUM of 30 minutes. It can be hard at first (grueling even), but before you know it—with consistency—your body will crave it! YES!!! Literally, your body will crave the activity! I wish all of your sleevers and soon-to-be sleevers the best of luck! I hope you find your success in this life changing journey!

i was in the Vitamin shoppe the moment they first arrived and im a chip freak! i was sooo happy i bought each flavor went home to watch football with some chips, I was in heaven...
Which turned quickly to being in hell...it looks like a chip, sounds like a chip, tastes like carboard mixed with ass. oh my, i do not think you couldve made something taste worse unless you ate those chips threw them up and tried to eat that. i was heartbroken and out the 12 bucks as well. sigh Now literally if i try anything i compare them to those chips, " well its not as bad as those Protein chips..". etc.
I personally at trader joes they sell an edamame rice mini chip that is amazing with hummus ( which are two things i thought i would never eat in my life if you had asked a year ago) also my local supermarket has these chickpea chips they have some protin which is nice and very low carbs for quite a lot more chips than i could fit with my sleeve lol, but like 6 to 8 chips with some fresh pico salsa is just heavenly , heres a link.
http://www.vitacost.com/maya-kaimal-chickpea-chips-seeded-multigrain-4-5-oz-1?csrc=GPF-PA-Food%20%26%20Beverages-853325005010&ci_gpa=pla&ci_kw=&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=853325005010&gclid=CJO838mWwcQCFUkR7AodYD4AYw

They have a nasty after taste. I can only eat half a bag at a time. I unfortunately bought 3 cases ???? I'll try to get through them this year...

If you looking to lose pre op, I would say to cut back on your carbs,do Proteins and veggies and exercise.Ween yourself off of caloric drinks and junk foods.You will notice a difference. As far as post op,it is basically the same down the road. Like one mentioned before,eat your proteins first,sip lots of Water, eat your veggies if you ccan and walk as soon as you are cleared to. Do not drink 30-45 minutes after you eat. I personally wait until 1 hour because I am usually still full. Make sure to sip sip sip to hopefully prevent dehydration.I come to realize that this sleeve is a tool,a jumpstart to a new beginning. Ypur journey is your own and it will not be the same as others.Do not let that deter you and don't don't be a slave to the scale. IT WILL KILL YOU! The non scale victories are awesome and you will see inches lost before you will see that scale move sometimes.

Honestly, and this may sound harsh, but it made me very angry. Here I'm doing everything in my power to get approved and she just threw her chance away. It also made it clearer to me why we are all made to jump through so many hoops to get authorization for surgery. Had she been made to jump through those same hoops she would have never qualified in the first place. Her excuses of never being told she had to lose weight while in the hospital, the scales being off, and the myriad rest, were simply examples that she never had any intention of making life style changes. From day one she refused to even stand up!
The doctor did everything in his power to help her from keeping her in the hospital for months after the surgery, and sending a physical therapist and a nutritionist to her home after she repeatedly missed appointments. She was arrogant, narcissistic, unpleasant, and clearly put her own wants before those of her son. True, her husband was a bit of an enabler, but in the end she owned every bit of that failure. She should had never of been operated on in the first place.
It just really brought it home to me how much you have to not only want this, but be willing to fight for it. To be willing to change your entire lifestyle forever. I will use her example of everything I will NOT do once I have my own surgery.
Now if you want true inspiration you should check out Olivia's episode.

There is no way I could possibly even begin to explain how important Protein is in your body. Protein is used In every cell in your body. You need protein for protein synthesis and DNA replication. The body's primary building block for muscle, bone, skin, hair, and many other tissues is protein. There are over 10,000 different Proteins that are found and needed in the body for maintaining life. After Water has been excluded 75 percent of your body weight consists of protein. Crazy huh?! Proteins play many important roles in the body including the structure of enzymes; these are important proteins that help reactions occur in the body, such as releasing from the food we eat. Proteins also function as transport proteins such as hemoglobin; an Iron containing protein that transports oxygen to exercising muscles via the bloodstream. Protein consist of amino acids. Amino acids are extremely important . There are twenty different amino acids of which eight are considered essential because they cannot be generated by the body but are necessary for survival. The body uses amino acids circulating in the blood stream, released from the breakdown of tissues, or consumed in the diet to make protein. It's incredible just how important protein is in our bodies not just for building muscle. Eat/ drink your protein whatever just get some I've been studying protien in college for years. Every one of my mastering courses that involves the human body has a section on the importance of protien. Ok, that's enough class for today!!! Class dismissed!

Sleeved 9/8 today's weigh in marks 81 pounds gone. ???????????????? so excited !

Hello,
I have been on here in awhile but I was sleeved on September 23rd and I'm done 60lbs. I'm so excited about my new body and the love of exercising. I have about 35 lbs to go until I'm under 200.

Sleeved 9/30/14 and I'm at another stall. This one had lasted a month. I've upped my Water to 80 oz. My Protein is between 60-80 grams. I do cardio/weights 30-60 mins 4 days a week. There is a difference in my clothes but the scale is another story. Got on the scale this morning and it said I gained a lb. So frustrating, but I won't give up. Rant over, thanks ????

@@tfarr - That's why I asked. However I do agree you can cut back and focus on getting your Protein from food. Personally I would quit the Protein Bars. They are high in calories and carbs. You can get the Protein they contain in other sources.
Otherwise if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Just keep in touch with your nutritionist and work with her to make sure you are on track.
I agree everyone's body is different. I too avoid breads, potatoes, rice, crackers. I eat probably 700 -850 calories a day. I try to keep my carbs at 50 or lower. I workout 5 -6 days a week. I have a protein shake in the morning if I am taking my 9am Water aerobics class. In part to get my protein in but also because I can't eat and workout first thing in the morning. Otherwise I get my protein from food. I do 3 meals a day and may do an afternoon snack if I need it. I've never had a stall. *knock on wood*

I'm down only 38lbs since surgery 9/30/14. I thought/think my loss is slow, but slow and steady wins the race ????. I'm getting 65-80 grams of Protein, could do better with my Water and exercising 3-4 days a week. I went back to shakes once a day and it has kicked my weight loss back in gear. I would like to lose about 40-45 more to get my BMI to 30.

What does your nutritionist advise? Mine recommended tracking but I was already doing that. I even did it while in the all liquids phase because I wanted to make sure I was hitting my Protein and I kept losing count trying to keep it in my mind. I find I do much better tracking because sometimes you assume things are better than they really are. Also for me looking at the micros such as sodium, carbs and sugars helps me see any potential barriers. For me if my sodium is too high even though I hit my Protein and keep my calories low, I won't lose. Since my nutritionist recommends I stay around 800 calories, it's just easier to see that if I track it.
What are you doing that's bad?

Let me try y this again. Here is start and current. 150 lbs down in this pic and still going!

I cant believe its been almost 4 months since my sleeve surgery on 9/17!!!! I feel fantastic and I just am settling into my new life. Lots of changes...
I have not yet tried to eat bread or Pasta and I am not sure when I will even attempt it. I have had a few bites of corn tortilla and corn chips. I have tried some potato chips...the magic number is 10 chips.
I have not eaten anything crazy, but I have tried to eat baked french fries, but usually the magic number is 5....
I eat a lot of greek yogurt...my fav is dannon light and fit..its only 7 or less grams of sugar and 12 plus grams of Protein.
I like baked chicken and cottage cheese and I try to drink one Protein shake with spinach and blueberries a day.
I have been hitting my Protein goal of 105 grams almost daily and only fall short on the weekend. its ironic the weekends used to be when I would gain weight for he week and now I almost all but forget to eat!
I am feeling much more energetic now and I love to try on my clothes that never fit before.
I would like to see some more weight loss and I know I need to work on working out.
For the most part, I am feeling GREAT!!!!

Four Month Check-in! Today is 4 months since surgery and I've lost 40lbs, about 10lbs per month, making a total of 75lbs since last feb!! Thanks for all your support!!!

As of this morning I am down 32lbs since surgery and 53lbs from my HW. I am ecstatic ???? I need to start taking some comparison pictures soon ????

Started at 299 now 159 ..5'8

Hello Everyone,
I am reading all of your posts/messages and responses... I would like to say congratulations to each and everyone of you on the courageous decision to have surgery. I was sleeved back on 2/27/2014 (under extreme duress) I went through a few hospital stays 4 (dehydration and subsequently learned that I am allergic to artificial sweeteners) I wanted to tell you all to be encouraged and truly work the process, give yourselves a chance, go at your own pace and watch the results! You will hit quite a few stalls and some will last for a few weeks at a time, but do not get discouraged, your body is simply trying to react to the rapid changes that it is going through. I was able to reach my goal in 8 months and 29 days after surgery 104 lbs lost!!!! what!!! yes!!!! Now, I am 5lbs past my goal !!!! I deal with the extreme physical changes that I see, some days are good and some are different, but I wouldn't trade it for the world. My quality of life and the ability to experience it at this size is priceless...I am still me, same woman...different size, I love it!
Many blessings too all of you

Hi, It's been a while since I have posted. I'm below 200 yeah!!!! Going to the gym every other day going to be making it everyday and one day off. Wish there was warmer weather.