Vad1988

I am on track to be sleeved in March or April. Right now I'm trying to start preparing for this big change and planning ahead. I have a tree nut and peanut allergy although coconut is okay. I was able to find a protein powder and vitamins that are nut free but I'm having a really hard time finding snacks that are nut free and affordable. All the bars and snacks have nuts in them, and the brands that are targeted to be nut free are over $2 per bar then I have to pay shipping because they are online only! I really like to find a bar/s or snacks that I can get locally that just don't have nuts in them. If anyone knows of anything or anyone who may be able to help I'd greatly appreciate it. Thanks

I have been plus sized basically my whole life and have done almost all my clothing shopping at Torrid. I LOVE Torrid, but I am now in a size 14 and the smallest they go down to is a 12, but even that's kinda rare. I am about to turn 28 years old in a week, so I don't feel I'm ready for the more mature stores yet. I'd like to find a store that is trendy but still tasteful. I've spent my whole life hating the "skinny/preppy" stores, and I still really don't want to shop at them still. I still feel like I do not belong in them. This is kinda difficult for me cause I'm right between being plus size and misses sizes. I kinda feel like I'm being judged at both the store types. I've looked at Forever 21 and Charlotte Ruse and their plus size section is nice but I won't fit in them much longer, and the normal sizes have way too much skin showing. I would just like to find a store that is trendy, tasteful, and affordable. Any suggestions?

I just want to thank everyone for your feedback. I checked out all the stores that everyone mentioned and I will say my personal favorites were New York & Co, Rue 21, Macy's, and Old Navy. I am going to check TJ Max and Marshall's out soon. @@LoseItKacy could you tell me how tall you are if you don't mind? Our starting stats are very similar and I'm just curious. I loved your outfits by the way

So I finally hit onederland a few days ago, and I really can't believe the scale sometimes. I started pre-op July 1 and am down 71.4 lbs since then! I'm really starting to feel better about myself. I got to go shopping for some new clothes, and it was actually enjoyable! I'm adjusting to my new life well, all accept loosing my hair. I've been wanting to cut and color my hair for a while now, but I am loosing it quickly. Would it be a bad idea to color it while I'm already loosing it? I have very fine hair as it is, but I feel like a new person and I want a new look to reflect that. Should I wait until my hair stops falling out at such a drastic rate, or is it gonna fall out no matter what I do? If it matters I want to go lighter with my hair. I've never been blonde before, so I wanna give it a try.

I have not colored my hair yet. I have very fine straight hair and I'm just to worried about loosing any more then I already have. I did ask a hair dresser and she recommended not putting color directly on the scalp. So I'll wait a few more months and color it then.

My stats are very close to yours. We started at about the same weight and are only an inch difference in height. I am now 191 lbs and wear a size 16 and could probably squeeze in a 14. Your at the point where 10-15 lbs is going to make a huge difference! As we get older we carry our weight differently. I have always carried my weight in my belly but that's where it tends to go as we age.

I felt this way also! I went through a period where I actually thought this has to be too good to be true, and felt guilty because I didn't have any pain or discomfort. But I'm 5 months post op now and down 75 lbs. I didn't have any big issues. I'm grateful for a quick recovery but when I asked my doctor he told me that most of the patients don't have any big issues. It's the few that have complications that you hear the most about. Good luck!

I had sleeve surgery in July and I still do not like to eat much at all in the mornings. Even water, to me, is uncomfortable until about 10-11 am. Doc says it's normal, and for some it goes away and for others that's just an adjustment you have to deal with. I don't like eggs so I can't help you there, sorry! My mom who had lap band a few years back has the same issue about eating in the mornings as well. Good Luck!

I am a current student and almost 4 months post op. My surgery went very well and have had no complaints whatsoever. For me, I had surgery on Tuesday and could have been back in class on Monday. Lucky for me, I had surgery in July so class didn't start till Aug. Everyone is different, but I hope that you don't have to miss too much class cause I know how impossible it is to catch up once you've missed too many days. Good luck!

No, I don't mind at all :-) I can't say that's normal for everyone but it has happened to me. There are days were I struggle to get down 40 and other days I have no issues. Same goes for food. Yesterday I was only able to get down a few things, and other days I can eat an entire piece of eggplant lasagna. I also went through a phase where I just didn't want to drink water and that's abnormal for me. It lasted about 2 weeks and now I'm able to drink it no problem. I would suggest you try to just take smaller drinks more often. I invested in a nice 32 oz water bottle that keeps my water cold for up to 24 hours. I just take a drink every 5-10 mins and I make sure that I refill it midday. Makes getting in all my fluids much easier. It's called a hydroflask of you're interested and they sell them on amazon. Feel free to ask me anything else you like!

I currently have a new sleeve, but I am asking all of the Lap-banders for some information for my mom. She had Lap-band a little over a year ago. I never worried about her until after I had my surgery, and now I feel like something just may not be right with her. We got out to eat often, and she seems to get stuck more then she is actually able to eat. I am only 6 weeks post op and I can get down more then she can most days. She had to go throw up several times, and she always asks for a glass of hot Water to try and open up her band. I can really only remember a handful of times that she was actually able to eat more then a bite or two. I don't even know why she tries to go out to eat anymore. Her band did slip about 6 months ago but luckily it did go back in place and since then she said it's been more strict about what will go down. It seems like such a sad way to live to me. She maybe gets twice a week where she can actually get down 2 meals on that day. The other 5 days she Snacks of nuts, deli meat, cheese, and her Protein shakes. Can anyone tell me if this is normal? I have expressed to her that I think she should have this looked into more but she insists that this just what some people who have had lap-band go through.

Unfortunately there is nothing they can do about a ruptured internal stitch. It just has to heal. I ripped my twice and I could physically feel it tear both times. It was terrible pain for like 3 weeks! My doc told me you can buy like a wrap to support it if you want but other then that and pain pills you just have to let it heal. Good luck!

I am 6 weeks post op and I can tell you that I had the same pain to the left of my belly button. I probably called my doctor's office 10 times about it. He told me that the incision on the outside don't really match up with what was on the inside. The pain next to your belly in probably the internal stitch they make and it takes a few weeks to dissolve. I sneezed and ripped mine so that's how I know for sure mine was a stitch. I would guess the other pain under your left breast is gas pain and it should go away within a week or so. Take my advice about the one next to your belly, if you feel a sneeze coming on push on it and hold it until your are done. That's the only complication I have had so far and it was all my stupid cold's fault lol.

Today marks 6 weeks since I had VGS surgery, and my journey has been amazing! No major issues at all. I have lost 40 lbs so far, (including pre-op) which feels amazing. I'd love to know how much you were down at the 6 wk mark! I do feel it should be a little bit more for me than just 40 lbs but for the past 1-2 weeks, hunger has hit me hard. I was telling my husband, the other day, that I feel like those people in the Snickers commercials when hunger hits me lol. I'm never hungry in the mornings, but by lunch and dinner time my stomach is mad at me and I feel ill. I actually liked the weeks before when I didn't ever feel hungry. The part that worried me most is actually how much I've been able to eat. I ate an entire piece of eggplant lasagna yesterday! That's at least a half cup of food! Is that normal for being this early in my journey? That was really the only "meal" I had all day but it kinda scared me when I actually saw how much I could eat, and this has happened to me a few times. Is this just another "phase" that I don't know about, or am I doing something wrong? Should I up my Protein intake? My Water isn't at 64 oz yet but it's close to 50. I guess I'm just scared of failing when I see myself eating so much because I was starving, then the scale not move as much as I'd hoped it would. I appreciate any advice as always

I felt the same exact way so I decided to make baked ricotta. Which is basically lasagna without noodles and meat. Just make sure to puree the sauce for any tomato chunks beforehand.

So I've been working for months to get all the tests and diet done for insurance and it's finally been submitted. I literally had everything done and submitted on day 90 of my diet. Now I'm really beginning to question if I want to have VSG. Let me start by saying that I am doing this for the sole purpose of getting healthy. I just turned 27 and I have a BMI of 47. I found out something was going on with my liver because they found some "spots" on it when I had a CT for a unrelated issue. And of coarse the first thing that anyone thinks when they see spots on a live is "are they tumors?" After they told me this I went to the first WLS meeting available because it scared me so much to think that I could not be around for my 2 year old daughter. She is my motivation for being healthy and really for everything I do. It took months to finally find out that yes they are tumors but I'm very lucky that they are benign but I do also have fatty liver disease. I have tried several diets over the years and failed. I know that by loosing the weight now I'm preventing soooo many life threatening complications. I want to set a better example for my daughter and be able to keep up with her. These are the reasons that have been pushing me to get this surgery done. I considered LapBand but my Hepatologist doesn't recommend it and my mom had it about a year ago and hers already prolapsed. Before all this happened with my liver I was a foodie and really still am. I love everything about food. I love to cook, try new things at restaurants, and I also do baking/cake decorating as a hobby. I really don't mind being overweight. Yes I do want to loose some weight because it has gotten a little out of control but never have I wanted to be skinny. And the thought of getting down to 120 lbs which is what is considered normal for my height scares me! I don't want to have a bunch of saggy skin and I love being curvy. I love my hips, boobs, and butt. My fiance loves curvy women and is also a foodie thought he's lucky to have a fast metabolizem. I don't want to be a skeleton with saddle bags of skin. So now I have the horrible idea in my head that I'm just not going to be happy after surgery. And what's the point of living a longer life if your not really enjoying it? Giving up my Pepsi and Taco Bell makes me sad and add being in a body that I don't love, and giving up baking all my favorite treats makes me almost depressed. Yeah I know it's what got me here but I can't help but feel this way. I can find the time to become more active, take my Vitamins, get the Protein I need daily, but to give up my fried food and sweets completely UGH! Will there ever be a time where I can go to taco bell and get a taco or to the cheesecake factory and eat a piece of cheesecake? The doctors are making it seem like if I even try to eat these things that I will dump and be sick. Yeah I know I can't eat this crap every day but I'd like to know that on my birthday I can go to my favorite restaurant and get whatever I want even if I can only eat a few bites. I'm really struggling with this. I know it sounds silly to most people but I literally am having anxiety right now just thinking about it. You guys on this board are great and always know what to say so I'm counting on you guys

Okay I want to start by saying I in no way am ungrateful for my surgery or recovery. I feel so lucky and blessed to have been able to have it and my insurance cover it. I had sleeve surgery 3 weeks ago and I was prepared for the worst. I kept reading how people were miserable for the first few weeks and that they at one point or another regretted it. My journey is completely the opposite. I went into surgery not really even nervous. I kinda looked at it as any other kind of surgery and that I needed it to get done so I can move forward with my life. I was up walking the halls with no problems about 5 hours after my surgery and left the hospital 24 hours later. I took 2-3 days of my pain meds before not needing those anymore. I never felt sick, or like I had an alien in me, absolutely nothing! As for eating I don't really miss it very much. salad I do but I know I can have that in a few weeks. The only thing I can honestly say that has been rough is getting in my Water everyday. I had a great surgeon and I know without a doubt that is a huge part of why I'm doing so well. The center I went to does the most sleeves in the country. But sometimes I feel like did they really take out my stomach? Did they forget it or not make it small enough? Is something terrible going to happen to me in the future cause this has been too easy. I know it's strange that I'm complaining about doing too good but it's like almost scary how amazing I am doing and feel. I'm down 32 lbs also from pre-op which also feels great. Everyone around me keeps telling me how surprised they are about how well I'm doing. My mother who had lap-band also commented on how she didn't feel as good as I do until like 6 months after her surgery. I am very thankful I am doing so well but it's kinda one of those things where you think to yourself if it seems to good to be true it probably is. I know everyone's journey is different and I sympathize for the ones who do have a harder road then me so I feel somewhat guilty for not feeling like this is hard. I have a long road ahead and I'm sure there will be plenty of rough Patches but so far I can't believe where I am. Can anyone relate to this at all?

@@Jooj Yes I hit that exact same stall but I'm back on track this week. So glad to hear you experienced that too!

I want to thank each and everyone of you for responding to me and being so kind. I was very hesitate to post this because I didn't want anyone to take it the wrong way or offend anyone. That's the last thing I would ever want. We are all on the same journey and we each have our own experience and I just wondered if anyone could relate to mine. @@wannaBthinsoon I'm so glad to hear from someone with the same surgeon! We are pretty close in starting weight and to see that you have lost so much in just over 4 months makes me so very excited for the future. Have you ever gone to the support groups at the Bariatric Center? I've been a little hesitant and not really sure what to expect.

I am 3 weeks post sleeve today and I never thought the thing I would miss the most is salad. I never realized how much lettuce I actually eat. Not just salads but tacos, sandwiches, and wraps. Would it be terrible for me to but a little shredded lettuce on my taco salad (without shell)? My doc says 8 weeks before raw veggies but I'm not sure I can make it that long! I've been doing better then I ever imagined since my surgery. Day 1-3 I did liquids, day 4-7 I did creamy, and day 8 I started soft. I've been eating pretty much everything that isn't crunchy or carbs for 2 weeks now. I just make sure to chew everything 100 times. I've thankfully not had any issues what-so-ever with my surgery. It's been a breeze! (Knock on wood) So I know I'm ahead of schedule but I want a freaking salad! I so miss my chicken salads. Would I be crazy to try it?

@@Elode do you remember eating it that soon after surgery? I'm just 3 weeks out...

Quick update everything I experienced was totally normal. I am now 2 weeks post op today and feeling almost back to normal.

So I had VSG on 7-14 so that makes today post-op day 5. Down 20 lbs since pre-op diet I have been feeling so much better then I ever expected, until today. Today has been a little different. The last few times I've stood up I've felt very light headed and like I may pass out. And I have a very strange pain/pressure about 4 inches below my stomach incision. It hurts to sit up straight. Maybe it's gas? Also, I haven't had a bowel movement in almost a week. I took softeners Friday and MiraLax yesterday and still nothing. Any advice? Sorry I know TMI but everyone has been here lol. I've had Greek yogurt, soup, pudding, jello, ect.

So today is Day 4 of my clear liquid diet for my VSG surgery on July 14. I'm on day 3 of a headache and today is the first day where I'm starting to feel pissed off and am about to give up cause I don't know if I can do this for 10 more days. The Protein shakes are all disgusting and making me literally gag. I've tried 7 different ones and they all are gross but I was able to tolerate them on days 1 and 2 but since yesterday I've been gagging and I just vomited my last shake up. Yesterday I gave in and ate some chicken because my doctor told me it was okay when I saw him Monday. I knew this was going to be hard but I physically feel ill. I feel nauseous, bloated, and have this awful headache. Is this normal?

Yes this last one I did in the blender with ice. I've tried water, milk, soy milk, and coconut milk also to mix. Nothing seems to be helping. I do have several kinds of broth and popsicles that are keeping me sane. I ordered some more protein stuff to try online but it's not going to be here for like a week cause the holiday. Not sure what to do till then and my doctor's office is closed today.