alexsisv

I haven't read everyone's follow up posts but I think it's completely normal to feel regret to a degree. We'd be dishonest with ourselves to say this is a cake walk. I felt regret and disappointed when facing crummy GERD issues. As they resolve and I'm closer to hitting 50 lbs down, the regret lifts and the excitement begins. It's a transformation. Reality sinks in that you just can't eat big anymore. If you used food to self sooth, you now have to find something to replace it. For example, I wanted to enjoy a few sips of wine yesterday... burned like hell going down. That goes on the "Just not worth it" list. Anyhow, regret is normal. Spinning into depression means it's time to get help.

After the newness wears off, the pain meds are no longer needed and you start into mushies - that is when work really begins. This isn't easy, it's difficult and life long. Your relationship with food completely changes. I no longer eat something as it's on my plate... if it doesn't taste amazing, it's not worth it. I've become picky, choose what to make my family for dinner very carefully and enjoy preparing good, delicious food. My grocery bill has gone up because we aren't eating fast food, pizza or processed junk. Taste buds change and I'm more conscious of taste, texture and saltiness. You learn to listen to what your sleeve says and to stop before you get sick and slime.... have loads of patience with yourself and others. Feels like a wild ride. Don't get attached to your clothes as your going to breeze thru sizes. Be ok with plateaus.... they happen and can last 3 weeks or more. Breath and rely on other sleevers for experience when strange things happen and they will. Hope that helps. Get ready for a huge, amazing lifestyle change. You may mourn your former self where you might have been able to eat a whole sandwich. Now, you will get full after eating 1/2. Also, anticipate that it will take you a lot longer to eat a meal than a non-sleever. Hang in there. I'm nearly 3 months out.

Yay! Be there or be square. Lol

I'll throw it out there: Tuesday, 12/2 at Corner Bakery in the Irvine Spectrum. 4:30. Anyone available?

Hi guys, I'm over the 2 month mark since VSG. I write this trying to see if others have had similar challenges and can offer any tips. 6+ weeks of throat pain and feeling like something is stuck in my throat. Non stop and impacting quality of life. CT scan, upper GI are normal. Endoscopy shows esphogus is inflammed consistent with acid due to reflux and GERD. I reflux on everything - Protein shakes, yogurt.... have tried nexium double dose, Prevacid, take rolaids, tums, gavascon.... no relief. On rx called Reglan and now pain meds. Weight loss is slow but about 1-2 lbs. A week because I'm not working out as I'm in discomfort. I pray no one else is going thru this. Surgeon did warn me that reflux and GERD can result after vsg. Surgeon has been extremely supportive and helpful. Any suggestions or thoughts? I'd do anything to not be in this situation. Help.

After 6 weeks of constant discomfort, I think I'm turning a corner. I have more hours where my throat feels normal rather than constricted, painful and like I swallowed a golf ball and it's sitting lodged in my throat. Here's what seems to work: Reglan 1 hour before meals, continued Nexium 2 pills, started Prilosec. Eat 5-6 small meals. Drinking Water or beverages frequently. Really being careful to not lay down after meals for at least 2-3 hours. Soft, esphogus friendly foods like yogurt. .... back to more mushies than solids. So between a large number of ppi's, pain meds when it got really bad and just time... I think I'm turning a corner. Thank God!! Not 100% but so much better than what it was. Hang in there guys!

Would love to get together with any and all! Let's connect. Don't be scared :-D I'm open the next coming week, after like 3 PM. I have 2 bottles of Isopure if anyone wants them too... and a coconut Protein Water drink.

In all fairness, the surgeon mentioned it on two occasions, I just had no idea how uncomfortable esphogus inflammation could be. I thought no biggy, that's what PPI 's are for..... except in my case nothing is helping. Today I'm getting some relief - pray it lasts. @@onmyway14 - get well soon. I'm sorry you are in the hospital. That's a bummer. Did you feel like something was stuck in your throat too?

No acid reflux or any stomach issues prior to surgery. :-(

I'm in the same boat with you... just posted my situation here. Following your thread to see if others bring more suggestions. I'm sorry you are going thru this.

Have to be careful with foods that have crispy edges. Have to dip them in a sauce or liquid to help. Ex: tempura shrimp.... have to dip them. In general, I really listen to my sleeve and stop when full. Don't push it.

Totally normal. Deep breaths.... this is a long term aporoach.

my best advice would be to NOT base your success indicator solely on the scale. Think about how awesome it's going to be when you drop size after size. You are going for a long term solution and that might include the occasional plateau. I'm hearing that it isn't always the simple equation. Hang in there and great job!

B12?

How are all the September friends doing? Started up vitamins this week and feel pretty good. on calcium -- found the gummies coated with fine sugar didn't work for me. Too overly sweet. I found calcium chocolate chews that are like Viactiv or something that starts with a V. hit the plateau and just keeping patient. Thinking of you guys!

Down 1 lb. Surgery weight: 247, cw: 228. Thanksgiving goal is 215.

Way to go!

I'm game to meet up.

Let's do it, Gang! I don't even know if there's a formalized "group" out there but lets' kick it off. I'm Alexsis -- just about 40 and sleeved 9/15/14. Nice to chat with everyone. You have my full support.

I'm here in lake forest. Would love to connect with other sleevers.

Sorry.... so not worth the trouble to get down and the thought of the bun expanding would make we run the other direction.

Count me in too! :-) Surgery: 9/15/14 at 247 CW: 229 Thanksgiving goal: 215 Good luck everyone!

Anyone experience this? I'm 4 weeks post op. I think today I've finally hit the point where I'm accepting that it's just going to take more time until I'm able to eat anything "more solid" than say yogurt. Most mushies are making me uncomfortable to the point I don't want to try to eat further beyond. I went in kicking trying desperately a semi-chewable mushy but the sleeve pain tells me it's not ready. I'm ok with just going back to liquids at this point. The discomfort isn't worth fighting it for now. Anyone in the same boat? I guess I figure I have the rest of my life to keep working on this. :-)

Think about how you would drink a glass of wine.... that is a sip.

My favorite right now are the Ensure high protein