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You all give me inspiration! I mix in running with my walking, either on a treadmill, or outside. I'll walk four minutes, run for one. That's when my legs get heavy and my stride gets kind of sloppy. This weekend I've been able to push it to a minute and a half. Baby steps, right? I've never been a runner...even back in school I was very athletic...played many sports, but struggled with running/track. At 52 I'm happy to be able to mix it in. But it would be awesome to run a mile or something like that. Maybe a 5k someday!

My groups states that straws are ok so long as you are not gulping down your liquids. If you find drinking via a straw is causing you a problem, don't do it. Kind of logical, right? Lol. Their concern was simply that people can throw "mindfulness' out the window when you start drinking through a straw.

yes, I'm told it is quite common. It was discussed recently in my WLS support group. Our bodies are going through a big adjustment, as others have pointed out. Generally, I think we will adjust over time as other muscles gain strength where needed. Core training is important. But if you think there's an underlying problem, I'd suggest getting yourself checked out.

I have this every other day. I use Water and a little low fat milk. I also add some ground flax seed, baby spinach, benefiber, and ice cubes for a yummy shake that lasts the morning. YUM!

I dealt with post op nausea that bought me an extra day in the hosptial while they found something that worked. Not fun, but they took good care of me. Then during week one I developed acid reflux. Had to find the right PPI for me. Again, not fun, but it was promptly taken care of. I wouldn't say that either was a horror story, lol. Just bumps in the road to what was really a pretty easy recovery. I was still back to work in two weeks and followed the food plan with no issues.

Have you made sure it is covered? I called and got a copy of the policy - that part that pertains to this anyway. I gave a copy to my NP in my WLS group. She has been documenting my rashes. She has also prescribed the antifungal cream for me. She said this will serve as the historical documentation for the insurance company. When I see the plastic surgeon, pictures will be submitted also (eek). I hope others that have gone through this will share their experience. I am just laying the ground work at this point for when the time comes.

Absolutely normal! I'd guess most of the folks on here had that fear, whether it was voiced or not. I know I did. I've made friends through my surgical group and some were vocal about that fear from the consult until surgery. They have done extremely well and near goal 8-9 months out. I went through a roller coaster of emotions, fears, and doubts until they wheeled me in. I happen to think that's healthy. It means you are taking it seriously. You should! The journey of WLS is different for everyone. There is no one-size-fits-all result. Think about what you want out of it and if it's reasonable. I hope you find all of your answers. Be confindent in what you decide :-)

it is SO not the easy way out. If I ate what I used to eat, I would not have lost an ounce. Seriously. This subject came up at my support group last week. The NP running it said that she believes those who had WLS work the hardest and if absolutely not the "easy way out". She deals with WLS patients and those going through other WL programs. She could have been pandering to the crowd, but I don't think so. You really can't walk away from what you've done to yourself. You have to face your demons and change your relationship with food, and change your lifestyle or it's not going to work. Changing the size of your stomach (sleeve) and rerouting your insides (bypass, etc) helps, but it's just a piece of the puzzle. ...the mentality of people who think people shouldn't look at options that would help them baffle me.

I've definitely seen a difference. Something as simple as strangers saying hi in the hallways at work (office building/public). This totally catches me off guard since previously it rarely happened. Now it happens all of the time. I do agree that in other aspects it's a direct response to how I come across now, more self confident I guess. But just walking in a hall...hmm. Lol

I get them on Amazon prime. They run the same price or a tad lower, and I get them in two days when I don't plan

It makes me wonder what they consider necessary. I mean, I get rashes. Some times, to me, they are "bad". Other times more like bright red inflamed, itchy, and - sorry - stinky red lines in the fold(s) that will get bad if I don't keep ahead of it. That will happen from just an afternoon of being outside on a nice day doing stuff. I hate it. I'm clean, shower, etc. lol. Not trying to scare anyone Do I need to let it get really bad? Infections? I don't want to... Does the doc have to take the pics? Can I document things?

@lmaher718 good luck!

I really LOVE to cross my legs now that I can, lol. But I am now avoiding it. That could be why things have gotten a little better, but there's really no way to really know if that's the culprit. I called my surgeon's office today. Since my labs were done in Feb and my levels were so perfect, they're reluctant to check the levels again so soon. I understand, seeing that nothing has changed in my diet or routine. I'm not missing my daily Vitamins, and I'm so bring with my meals, my food rotation is the same. We have been playing phone tag, so I will be having a talk with them - but right now it seems that they're not concerned at this point about a Vitamin deficiency. My daughter-in-law is a physical therapist. When I told her what's going on she looked up case studies. Based on that she really wants me to look in to vitamin levels and be sure... (she's so concerned. very sweet - she's a keeper!).

geez, been going through this myself. Came and went one day a little over a month ago. Then it came back and has lasted several days two weeks ago. I was having numbness along with the "drop". Although it has improved, it's certainly not back to normal. Saw my ortho yesterday. He said it was the peroneal nerve (injury/compression of some sort). But since it has been improving, he wants to regroup in 4 weeks before subjecting me to tests. I'm ok with that. But if it gets worse again, I won't wait. It's interesting that there seems to be a link to WLS. Not sure what this all really means.

Same here, I look forward to my morning shake. I didn't lose my sweet tooth. It lasts most of the morning too because I add a lot of ice. Not being a morning person either, it helps get me out the door faster

So sorry to hear. I actually had the opposite result. I had a rather urgent bladder prior to surgery and wrote it off to getter a little older. It's totally gone with the weight loss.

No, you are not being vain. Seriously....what's wrong with NOT having those problems?? Head them off now if you can - power to you!! Our lives are all too short to worry about "am I being vain?"...or the other one "is it the easy way out?". It your health and life. Make the best of it.

your sugars do sounds good. Your next A1C will tell the full story. But I bet the results will be good :-) Are you getting in enough Water? The light-headedness could be dehydration? Do you notice any correllation with when you feel that way and maybe high/higher carb consumption? I notice that if I eat something carby, I feel yucky (technical medical term, lol).

Thanks :-) I'm not personally in any hurry, but insurance wise I could be. I'm fortunate that it's covered on my husband's plan. I'm not sure how much longer we will have this coverage (his job is not terribly stable). So that's making me think about it sooner than I thought would have. I'm not at goal yet. I would prefer to be, of course. I'm very motivated to get there!

Hmmm...I've only been given a Protein goal. Told not to worry about calories or carbs. But of course I watch them Old (bad) habits die hard. Told to eat a varied (healthy) diet. But for daily goals I go by protein and Water intake. Work to get in exercise and that's really it. I guess as long as my labs are good, I feel good, and I'm losing, I'd go with it.

Ever since surgery I've noticed that I can't cough the way I used to. I don't have the same force behind my cough(s). They're "weaker" - for lack of a better term. I'm wondering if any one else has had this experience?

I called today and found out that I would be covered for skin removal (tummy). But they have "conditions". I've had the policy emailed to me. I'll have my bariatric group review it and go from there. I have had rashes in the folds, but wonder if that's enough. It's been recorded at my last appointment. I'm just curious if anyone has dealt with these folks before to know if there are major hoops to jump through - or if simple documentation is enough. If they cover the panni removal...I could probably pay for a full tummy tuck. Which would be awesome.

@@txfirefly979 you made me 28 lbs down - you're doing awesome! You'll be ready for that bkini in no time. Hubs better get that passport!

I went on a long weekend to Las Vegas with a girl friend for a "girls get away" this past weekend. Had lots of fun. She knew I had the surgery and has been a great supporter. As our time went on, I realized how different it would have been if we did this a year ago, pre-VSG. I would have waited behind for her to go run around instead of walking 8+ miles a day. I would have been planning our Breakfast, lunch, dinner, food treats, etc. instead of oops...we didn't get lunch. I would have been planning at least one nap if I wanted to stay up late, instead of going 36 hours w/o sleep the first day. After that about 4 hours a night. I would have felt out of place and awkward around all of the twenty-somethings in the places we went thinking they were looking at me. I think I would have croaked going up and down the broken escalotors around the strip. Instead I scaled them like a teen, and even passed a gasping 12 year old. The plane travel was also so much better. I usually get a window seat. Not only because I like the view, but because it was one less person I was inconveniencing - I could squish against the window. This time it was actually comfortable...dare I say roomy. I stepped on the scale this morning, and I'm 1.5lbs down. Who loses weight on vacation? The changes we go through are kind of gradual even though our clothing is getting smaller. It took something like this to really see what a change it's made to me. It's really awesome.

I was faithfully getting at least 80 grams a day very soon after surgery (I had no problems getting my shakes down). I also took Biotin daily. I had it coming out by the handfull. The good news is that it really does stop and come back. I'm 7+ months out and in full chia pet mode :-) Like so many stages of this journey, this too shall pass. As unnerving as it is, it will be OK. Promise!