CanyonBaby

If you want to know what you're getting yourself into, read this book: "Ultimate Gastric Sleeve Success" by Dr. Duc C. Vuong (surgeon) it'll tell you most of what you want to know. Scared is normal. Information is power. Become powerful. We'll help you!

You are such an inspiration! I love your spirit and also how encouraging you are to all who respond, and to all you respond to. Such a joy to have around! I would "like" you, but my computer won't let me like ANYONE! Sorry about that, but you are liked , anyway!

@, I think you should call yourself "catman"!

I just got an e-mail from my dietician, where I asked her about Biotin (what it does, how much to take) and she gave me the lowdown: Biotin does not prevent hair loss. Period. Large amounts of Biotin is unnecessary, and will cause the kidneys to work harder, and you "just pee it out, anyway". Suggested normal dose was 30mcg a day. Apparently the smaller dose can be hard to find. Biotin can potentially regrow hair!!! Sorry if this bursts anyone's bubble, just thought you might want to know.

Maybe it's time to call/see the doctor? Don't take chances, you paid the doctor for help, use it! Keep us informed! What you learn, we all learn from! Good luck to you!

I, too got in really soon, due to self-pay. I'm glad I did it, no regrets. Now is the time to make a huge list of your questions, so you're prepared for anything. This site is a good place to start. There are all kinds of theories on testing, vitamins, stages, foods to eat/not eat.....Your doctor should be able to answer any questions you have. Use the search box for specific subject matter. Question everything you are uncertain about. Be satisfied before you commit. If you think you need scoping or other tests, ask why and why not. It's good you've been researching, you can't do enough of that! Ultimately, you make your own decisions on what you will experience, good luck to you!

@@BLERDgirl Yeah, and I wonder about metabolic shutdown, if we go into that if we don't have the right balance or what? I understand that can be very difficult to come out of.

@@Rocky1 Again, I have to quote her for the dosage at 30mcg, a very small amount, indeed!

Congrats on being back at work! Do you think your hunger might be nerves? Did you let anyone at work know about your surgery? Anyone comment on the "new you"? Now that you're back to work, I'm sure you'll find your groove, and things will settle in. Good luck to you!

I wonder if the grits may have to much texture for you this soon in the game? I wasn't allowed anything like that until the pureed stage. Hope you feel better, soon!

Just a suggestion: go get a pair or two of elastic waist pants that are made of a stretchy material that can shrink with you. They are fairly inexpensive (because who wants to invest a lot of money while we're in this stage of losing?). Ands, NO BARE BUMS PLEASE (I hate those pants kids wear that are down near their ankles, or show everything when you bend over!!!)! My eyes thank you!

I will be starting soft food this week, and my NUT suggests half protein, half carb on the plate. She says to try anything that is easy to digest, easy to chew, and to try lots of new things but to go slow in eating it. Give each new thing a little time before taking another bite, to see how it goes. Good luck to us!!!

I like to make ice tea using chai spice or vanilla chai tea bags. It is sooo good, and no calories! You can also find it without caffeine!

And for all of you who believe we'll see our dear babies in heaven, we are another day closer to seeing them! Always look forward!

As far as being a diabetic, I was a diabetic for at least 3 years prior to my surgery (I say at least three years because I believe I was one for much longer, but was not diagnosed earlier). While on my pre-op diet I was told to watch my numbers, and if they went below 100 three times in a row, to go off my Victoza. They did, I did, and haven't been diabetic since! I was sleeved Dec. 3, 2014. This was my main reason for the surgery, as I was starting to go out of control and repercussions of diabetes were rearing their ugly heads. Doing this surgery was the best thing I could've done for yslffor this reason alone. There were other reasons, as well, but diabetes is so horrible, it was worth it! Good luck to you!

I just yesterday received 3 cookbooks: -The Bariatric Foodie Holiday Survival Guide -Eating Well After Weight Loss Surgery - Weight Loss Surgery Cookbook For Dummies Can't tell you how good they are, I'm still in the pureed stage. Let us know if you write one!!!

Hi! I just received 3 cookbooks I got off of Amazon.com: -The Bariatric Foodie Holiday Survival Guide -Eating Well After Weight Loss Surgery -Weight Loss Surgery Cookbook For Dummies There were a lot of other options, as well. Just got them yesterday, so I have yet to read them, but I'm liking the last one so far! As far as my hips go, I've always had problems with them, so I don't know what to tell you. Let us know what you find out ok? Good luck to you!

@ With your kind heart, you NEED to find another who NEEDS you so desperately. Yes, it is the most heartbreaking to lose the ones we have given everything we possibly can give to, I know this from experience, losing my own three in such a short period of time. We four went through many difficult times together, many surgeries for them and me, illnesses...but we went through it together. I know they wait for me in heaven. But the two new babies I have now needed a home, the best I can give, and give I will. And I, more than likely, will outlive them. And there will always be more for me to give a home to. And I will. Your loving heart needs to love again, and there is at least one baby out there who needs you to love them. They will never replace your other babies, they will find their own place in your heart. God Bless you, sir.

I can TOTALLY relate - this past year I lost 3 old ones, all within 6 months of each other. My life for the longest time. About 4 months before the last one left, I got a baby cockapoo (Cade) who loved his big brother Canyon. Loved is not big enough a word. When Canyon left, that same afternoon we brought home Canyon's Echo, a Golden Doodle who I am ABSOLUTELY certain holds big Canyon's spirit. The two are inseperable. Without them, I would only have my 4 black cats, who never leave their beds! Now, my husband may not be happy with what I just said, but he is away at work so much, and we have no children. I am happy you have a new baby, too, they are such a blessing! And they make me exercise! Good luck with your Isaac and Abraham!

At last! I have found where the fat has gone from my body!!!! It has found it's way from my body to the top of my head (yes, the dreaded greasy hair I have complained about for weeks!)! Mystery solved! p.s. there is not enough tea tree oil shampoo in the world to combat my problem....any suggestions?

There are a lot of people who will notice, but just not say anything. I mean how would we take it if someone says "Wow, you've lost weight! You look great!", or "You've lost weight, how much more do you need to lose?", or, worse yet "I bet you can't wait to lose the rest, huh?"? Everyone takes these things subjectively, and it can hit us so wrong on the wrong day, know what I mean? I'm sure you look great, I hope you're feeling great, and I hope you don't NEED anyone to tell you your great, cuz you already are! But it is nice to hear, so hear me!

This is a great place to meet nice folks who are in the same boat as you are, ask away...someone is bound to have an answer! Good luck to you, you are in my prayers....

And I think a lot of us have that negative image of ourselves, no matter how much we lose...Amen?! I have this thing where, when I look in the mirror, I see the arm seams (where the sleeve joins the body of the shirt) always hanging way down onto the arm, because my belly is so big I have to have a shirt size that is so much bigger than it should be to fit the other areas properly. Since we all have some type of issue, I think it's GREAT that we can frankly discuss this without judgement, and another AMEN!

As for what I mentioned in my first reply, the suggestion for trying the lifestyle was meant to get an idea if the VSG lifestyle is going to be what you want/don't want to do, can/cannot do...You could try it for a day, or however long you wish. Regain is always possible, as it is if we don't follow our programs after the surgery. Life is full of risks, but if you get a chance to "try it on" before you commit, I think that's a great opportunity!

Sometimes I think people (me included) have unrealistic expectations after surgery; as much as we want to, we will not wake up and find massive amounts of weight gone. It's easy to get into that way of thinking, especially after the very difficult pre-op diet, the pain of the recovery of surgery, and the "I can't see any results fast enough" mode we get ourselves into. It's because we want it sooo bad, and we've already done a whole lot to get there. We need to be patient and let our bodies now follow a course it is not only unfamiliar with, but maybe even fighting. The key is to keep focused on the goal, and especially, to BE PATIENT, Once you find your rhythm, all will kick in. When you can't sleep, try planning what you might wear for the summer months, or what fun exercise routine you can now do that you couldn't before. Or start reading some bariatric recipe books-it might kickstart your desire for breakfast...the key is to plan - always look forward, force yourself to look forward. We are all here for you on this site. We're rooting for YOU!!!