Summer Rain

First and foremost, I am cold as a mothafookah! ALL THE TIME.

I am wearing jeans when most people are wearing shorts. I always have a tank top on under my sweater and am usually wearing fleece leggings under my pants. As a fatty, I never ever wore a coat unless I was skiing and now, not only do I wear one, but I carry a spare if I am going in to my kids' schools to use as a blanket.

I keep my house at 74 and I turn on the fireplace when I am downstairs. I set my car thermostat at 88 and can hardly bear to get out of my car and go into stores. The grocery, which is always colder than any other place including Antarctica, has me scurrying through as quickly as possible and shaking uncontrollably by the time I am out of there.
I sleep in wool socks, fleece leggings, a tank and a long sleeve tshirt. I wrap myself in a wool blanket and then get under the sheet, fleece blanket, down comforter and regular comforter. (Husband is pretty sure he's not getting any action until summer. He's probably right.)

I am cold cold cold cold cold and it's 45 degrees outside. I am probably not going to survive when it hits the teens.

Second is something I just figured out last night. I can no longer have a glass of milk with my brownie/muffin/cake. Yeah, yeah, I know. I am not supposed to be eating those things, but I had the sleeve so I could live a relatively normal life post op. I have a slight stricture so I am forced to follow the no drinking for an hour after eating rule or I will vomit. I don't like it, but I've leaned to live with it after 18 months.
Last night I ate half of the best chocolate chip muffin I've ever had. I wanted a glass of milk SO bad, I couldn't resist. I poured about two inches and it was so delicious, I chugged it. The milk and the muffin revisited. Quickly. I barely made it to the bathroom. Ugh.


SO YES. I found two things I hate about my sleeve. That said, there are so many HUGE things I love about it, I don't regret it for a minute. I can bundle up, I can wait on the milk. I can't imagine ever going back to where I was. I am thrilled about my decision despite these two stupid little things and I am so happy I had surgery. SO HAPPY.

I don't feel comfortable with "journey" though I've used it for lack of a better word. I've used process. I really like "adventure"!!!!!!!! That is spot on!

I cringe everytime I hear someone use the word "journey" when describing any life realted event - not just for WLS. I've never felt comfortable using the word... so I'm not knocking anyone that likes to use the word. But I finally found my word - adventure. What's your favorite word to describe your "adventure" in WLS?

Yup lol everyone has a story and the are not usually happy ones.
You have to wonder, with all of the horrible stories people pass on, how all of us here made it through surgery. ????

I had both done and had little pain or discomfort. I took two weeks off but I think I would have been fine with only one week. Good luck to you!

I am only 11 days postop so I weigh myself every day because it is new and exciting to see those numbers going down! I only record it weekly though.

Yup lol everyone has a story and the are not usually happy ones.
You have to wonder, with all of the horrible stories people pass on, how all of us here made it through surgery. ????

Yup lol everyone has a story and the are not usually happy ones.
You have to wonder, with all of the horrible stories people pass on, how all of us here made it through surgery. ????

Hang in there. The first week is not the best, but fast forward a few weeks when you are 10, 20, 30, or more pounds lighter.... it all becomes worth it. I am 9 weeks out and down 61lbs from my high weight and 45 since surgery! feel like a new man

I am living proof that VSG is a miracle! Wherever you are on your journey don't lose hope. You will one day be posting pics just like mine. Now for the pics - First of course is my before pic - 377 pounds of misery.


180 pounds strong and fit - ready to take on my first 5k.

Thats me on the top - at 377 pounds definitely would not have made it.

Finished the 5k - got the medal - and added my first 5k to my bucket list. Looking forward to many future adventures in life with my new healthy body!

I am still preop but I drink Syntrax
nectar Sweets chocolate Truffle. You can get little packets to try for like $2 at Vitamin Shoppe. I can mix it with Water or skim milk.

I had my surgery 1 year ago.....trust me it gets easier after a while....I have tried many protien powders....I find the syntrex chocolate truffle to be the best

Stay positive. YOU are important and special enough to succeed. Believe in yourself ... I would bet you are stronger than you giving yourself credit for.

@@BellaLuce4 @Mustang2013 Just read on the gastric bypass vets forum that you have to be at least six months out from your surgery and have at least 100 posts. I assume the rules would be the same for each vets forum. Sorry that I gave incorrect info earlier

Summer

I LOVE those little packets - makes it easy to try without committing to the whole canister.

I'm do to the surgery center in just under an hour. I appreciate your thoughts and prayers. So for my nerves are as solid as a rock! I know this is the right thing for me!

You are not the "fat girl" you are Jessie and Jill. You can be whoever or whatever you want to be now. It's a new beginning for all of us! Congratulations on your weight loss
Summer

You are not the "fat girl" you are Jessie and Jill. You can be whoever or whatever you want to be now. It's a new beginning for all of us! Congratulations on your weight loss
Summer

Suggestion -- which won't surprise to you -- every day, get dressed and leave the house.
Every day.
Doesn't matter where you go. Or for how long.
But do it every day.
You won't be able to build a life until you leave the house.

Start weight at preop liquid diet start: 273
Pre op after liquid diet: 265
1 week post op: 257
Day of Surgery pic! Can't wait to add my progress pics!

Thank you all for taking time to read my post and to care enough to write a reply. I will re-read these over and over in the near future because everyone of you had at least one pearl of wisdom that I am going to incorporate into my "new" life.
I was having a very down day yesterday (I am not sure why). I am, as of today, forcing myself to take a different outlook on life. Just because things have always been this way does not mean that they have to continue this way. It is up to me to stop just coasting through my life and take control.
I read all of these replies with tear filled eyes this morning. I don't think I realized how alone I have been. I am going to take baby steps to see what changes I can make and start re-engaging in my life again. I do know some changes have been made as I didn't stuff my face all day yesterday trying to numb my emotions. My husband even said something last night that hurt my feelings terribly (he said I took it wrong and it was meant to be funny) and I still did not turn to food. I told him that he hurt my feelings and several weeks ago I never would have admitted that to another living soul. I am learning some life lessons on this journey.
I did try to reply to each of you individually but something happened and I lost that post. I am somewhat computer illiterate. Everything is good as long as there are no problems lol.
I wish all of you the best that life has to offer and thank you from the bottom of my heart for your willingness to share so much of yourselves.
Thanks again,
Summer

Hi to Everyone!
I'm one week post-op today, and came across these forums as I while away my recovery time at home. All in all, I think I'm doing pretty well- off of pain meds and out walking 2 miles a day since 3 days post-op. I have to keep reminding myself that I didn't get this heavy in a week...I'm certainly not going to lose it in a week! I've got my first post-op visit with my surgeon on Monday & am hoping like crazy that I can be moved forward to delicious pureed food. I'm pretty sure at this point if I cut myself I'd bleed chicken broth ;p
I'm surprised at how well I'm not allowing the enormous bags of Halloween candy's incessant calls to me get under my skin, but I wont' lie- the smell of all the great food I still cook for my family (while I grapple with what kind of broth I want to indulge in each night) and the scent of some of my candles (hence the post title) really makes me miss the old life of "Want it? Eat it!" However, I'm stronger than that. And I'm sure there are others out there just like me. If anyone's interested in chatting, give me a holler, especially those who are contemplating RNY surgery and/or are at the same stage I am. Disclaimer: If you have a sensitivity or disapproval of an irreverent sense of humor, I might not be the best "pal" for you- I LOVE to laugh and find humor in just about everything! Good luck to all!

I laughed out loud when I read this title. Then I read it out loud to my husband and he chuckled and said "no, that's not wrong" haha. Thanks for the laugh

This morning I ran another 5K and I couldn't believe how much I have changed. In the past, on a rainy, cold Saturday morning you couldn't get me out of the bed. The day after Halloween would have been a drunken sugar high crash. But today I sprang up at 6:30am, got my family up too, and got ready to run. It was only 43 degrees out with sprinkles and wind, but being up and outside was almost magical. I love being a runner! My daughter ran a 1K fun run, then it was my turn. With gloves and earmuffs, I started out and ran my best mile ever at 12:14, then kicked ass to finish up at 40:06. When I saw the finish line a half mile off, I'd never tried so hard in all my life. It was glorious!!! My latest goal has been to finish a 5K under 40, so I am just *that close*!! I'm signed up for a Turkey Trot and I'm GONNA DO IT this time.

Hello all, I was sleeved this past Wednesday 10/29 in St. Francis Hospital in Roslyn, NY. Everything went so smoothly and quickly I am still in shock. I thought there would be a series of blood testing and everything like the pre surgical appointment a week prior but it was quick. Appointment was 8am so I was there by 730, by 8 I was already in a stretcher with blood drawn and answering questions. The anesthesiolgist came to see me and I can't remember much after that, I didn't even see the inside of the OR. I was already knocked out.
Woke up and was a little taken aback by how I felt, thought I would be in agonizing pain and I wasn't. They woke me up to go walking and I did, next thing you know I am in a room with a button in my hand for dilaudid. I wasn't really in pain but I kept pressing it because I was afraid the pain would hit me hard but it didn't. I felt fine, worst part was my room mate and I were saying how much we would pay for some Water, just a sip, or ice chips. That was hard! ChapStick and mouth swabs got me thru that day. Other than that, I felt great, I even did double laps when walking because I felt so good.
Next morning I was given some tea and Prostat to drink and just the 3 medicine cups had me feeling so stuffed. The staff was great, Doctor, NP and PA were all wonderful. But that morning I tried not to take any of the pain meds since I was going home and after that walk I could feel the rawness around the incisions and it hurt so I took 2 more hits before I had to go home LOL. PA said we can take tylenol also so I didn't fill the Percocet prescription. I take generic Tylenol I brought from costco that is extended release and in a capsule and I am fine with the pain.
When I came home, my family was a little shocked at how well I looked and seemed. My mother thought she would be here to help me do everything but I did for myself. Even washed my own dishes without an issue. I thought it would be worse than c-section pain but it really isn't at all to me. I wouldn't call it pain honestly, it's more of a discomfort, feels like a raw abrasion you might get on your knee or elbow.
Since being home I make sure to walk, I also thought that going up and down the stairs would be a problem for me but it wasn't, I was able to go up and down and much as I needed to without an issue and while I am walking around sometime I walk from the basement to the second floor 2-3 times for the exercise.funny thing is hardest part is getting the Protein and Water in. I'm on pureed for 4-6 weeks and it's so hard. I get full so quickly it amazes me. 3 teaspoons and I feel stuffed. I haven't eaten to the point of fullness out of fear of vomiting but I feel good, I feel lighter and the funniest to me is prior to surgery I was always hot, now even in the house I always have an oversized hoodie over my clothes and my Uggs on. I am so cold which is welcomed since I hated sweating all the time.
Not weighing myself yet but I feel great and know this was the best decision I have made for myself ever. I am wearing a comfy girdle that isn't too constricting along with moisturizing my skin constantly. I was also able to sleep in my bed the first night home with the help of a body pillow since I'm a stomach sleeper, I was able to sleep on my side and comfortably.
Getting here seems like forever then it comes and I realized it was all worth it. It is amazing to me that my perception of food has changed immediately. On the way home I passed a Wendy's and Checkers and normally love to stop there but the thought alone hurt my new pouch, lol. I can't even imaging being able to swallow a bite of a burger without being in pain. I'll pass. I cannot wait to see what lies beneath all these layers.
Thanks for reading!