RaginCajun

One tip on Water intake, especially if you are busy and drink only occasionally. Find a watch which has good and easy to use timer functionality and just set it for intervals of say 15 mins or 30 mins. Then, when the timer goes off, drink (as best you can) and reset the timer. I personally started using an Apple Watch just after my sleeve and it made the WORLD OF DIFFERENCE in my water intake. Before that, I would go hours and then remind myself to drink something. But couldn't drink as much as needed with that approach. Try this method for a few days and adjust as needed. I bet it really helps. -RC-

Ditto to what others are saying, a nice "Thank You!" is the best response and let that be another golden charm in your bank of support and encouragement to keep up the great work. Having said that, let me offer an observation (interested in what others may also think about this): Its very odd that the transformation we make of ourself creates an inverse perspective. Not to say that we had to hit 'rock bottom' before making the decision for surgery, but for many it came close. At least it was a moment of clarity for me, that this was the best option. My reference to 'inverse perspective' is this: As many of us lived a good part of our lives heavy and over weight, we sort of looked at the world 'thru the eyes of a skinny person looking out'. Either because we avoided reality or that we simply didn't acknowledge our heavy-ness, we went about our business eating often and substantial. Then ... we had surgery and started to loose weight. For many of us, a LOT of weight and fast. At this point, we transformed to seeing the world 'thru the continuing eyes of a heavy person looking out'. Either from guilt, or because we did eventually face reality and its very hard to see ourselves as the new person we have now become (not making the moth-to-butterfly analogy here, but it sort of fits). So, for the opposite reasons from before, we still don't see reality. But this time, its a great reality to WANT TO SEE Thats sort of how I see my situation, and perhaps it may apply to others. -RC-

Dittos that it really depends on many variables, primarily YOUR INSURANCE and YOUR DOCTOR. My experience was uneventful. I had a first visit with doctor on March 9 and was having the surgery on April 16. The insurance (BCBS admin for a private group plan) was easy and I had a few pre-op informational meetings to attend as required by the Hospital and Doctor and then the 2-week pre-op liquid diet. While the pre-op liquid diet really sucked, I did lose 30 lbs just in those two weeks. -RC-

Your hubby better treat you right! You look absolutely stunning. He is one lucky fellow. -RC-

You folks who don't need to do pre-op diet should thank your lucky stars! It was soooo nasty! However, I did loose 30 lbs just those two weeks, a nice jump start. Best of luck with your journey! -RC-

Look at you rockin' that new bod Make sure to post pics with your new 'doo ... -RC-

Ditto to all responses above. Your PCP is your life-line for after WLS care. Informing the PCP of ANY AND ALL medical issues/events in your life is a MUST. -RC-

Milestone this week. Having started my journey at HW of 387lbs, this weeks weigh day showed CW of 285lbs, so I have officially passed the half way point toward my goal of 185lbs. A reference pic included ... -RC-

Stalls are quite normal, more prevalent for gals, but happen to guys too. Just this week - and I am 5+ months post op - I encountered a stall. For some reason, my weight stuck at a number, then all of a sudden, I was back to losing. Each person is different, but this does happen. Keep ur head held high -RC-

Early on, there is high risk of issues if you eat starchy foods. Bread as a key example, because it just balls up in the stomach and can stick there. Over time (say 4 to 6 months out) you can eat tiny bites of starch. I have no desire for Pasta, but as a Sushi fan, I do miss rice. Occasionally, I will have 3-4 pieces of a cut roll, and even then I can feel it start to clog my tiny sleeved stomach. I have found one thing which works well for me, as I am 5+ months out. If you like french bread, a small cut loaf creates small slices that are about the size of a moderately sized cowboy belt buckle. I like steak, so I will have a small portion of rib-eye steak and will take a bite of the french bread after a bite of rib-eye. Its like eating a steak sandwich, which I love. Be careful, tho: 1) Must be deferred until you are 4-6 months out 2) Must be eaten only to tolerance, and in small portions 3) Must be monitored closely, easy to over due and dangerous foods to stall weight loss -RC-

Hi All - Friday is my weigh day and today I saw 287 lbs on the scale. Exactly 100 lbs since my VSG on 16-Apr-2015. WOOHOO!!!!! -RC-

Its the drinking. It IS the culprit. Stop today. Watch your weight loss resume in 7-10 days. You might also want to reduce your caloric intake to 700 cals during this 'jump start'. Then increase gradually. Keep carbs < 70 a day. Reclaim the mindset that led you to surgery. Embrace those feelings again. -RC-

Wow! You are a clear example of how taking the weight off also takes off years in appearance. In a good way, looking at your before/after pics are like looking at a mom and her daughter. You look FABULOUS! -RC-

Happened to click on the 'YEAR' view on the Health app dashboard on my iPhone. Was amazed to see improvement in walking steps taken over time since my GSV on 4-16-2015. You can clearly see the vast improvement and trend in my ability to walk. What is really awesome is that I have two bad knees, scheduled for replacement before end of year. So, its a miracle that I have improved my walking and steps taken each day this much. A huge NSV indeed -RC-

Good Golly Miss Molly ... You look like a diff person! congrats. -RC-

Congrats on starting your journey. Pls keep us posted with PICS along the way! -RC-

This will be the BEST decision of your life! Well, maybe after leaving your ex -RC-

AWESOME! -RC-

Hi All - Normally, I lurk and respond to posts, especially to offer encouragement. Today, I want to share some successes for me. It was an incredible day. Almost brought tears to my eyes. I am a 56 yr old male. VSG surgery on 16-April-2015. Heavy Weight right before surgery 2-week preop diet was 387 lbs. Some notable SVs and NSVs to share: SV --- Today I was so excited to see my weight was ... 299. Down 88 lbs since my surgery. I honestly do not remember the last time I weighed in the 200's. I suspect 15+ years ago. NSV --- Just this last week, I was amazed to find that my pants size is down from 60 to 50. Thats so hard to believe!!!! The bottom line here is that VSG works, and can work fantastically!!!!!! -RC-

Good luck! The journey starts now. -RC-

The irony on your situation is one we all may feel. When heaviest, we didn't see ourselves as fat and looked at meals and the world from the vantage point of a non-obese person. As we take the serious step of surgery to finally control our weight, we then shift to always thinking we are still heavy, even tho we have had incredible results and only a shadow physically of our former self. You will do fine. And, hey, please share the pics with us -RC-

Past abusive ex will get his due. Karma works like that. That you are on this journey and will be successful after all he did to you, proves he is a coward and you are brave. -RC-

My favorite is LoseIT ... I tried MyFitnessPal, but didn't care for it, altho it has a great database on foods. My preference for LoseIT is (with premium membership @ $39/yr) you have a great deal of control over the calorie budget. The UI and UX is great for adding foods via barcode scanning, select from prior meals, custom foods, custom recipes (that can be shared). Also, as an avid iPhone user, the integration with Health app seems to be superior with LoseIT, IMHO. -RC-

Good Golly Miss Molly >>> you look AWESOME! Nice touch wearing same digs -RC-

Your transformation is incredible. On occasion, major weight loss can take years off one's appearance. You now look like you could be your own daughter A-W-E-S-O-M-E -RC-