RaginCajun

Keep your body in Ketosis, usually < 40 carbs per day. Using Ketostix great tool to check daily. -RC-

I have three things to add to this lengthy discussion: 1) Finding a new partner is like finding parking spaces at Walmart. All the good ones are taken, the rest are handicapped 2) If you are older, there is a mathematical formula to determine how much younger than you a partner might be. Take half your age and add 7, that age is the youngest person you could hook up with and not be considered a perv! 3) If you consider online dating, always have low expectations then you'll always be happily surprised. -RC-

Just close your eyes and look away and you won't feel anything but a little prick and then all is well -RC-

The magic switch is right in front of you ... Its your six year old daughter. Imagine her being 21 and getting married. Now imagine her telling all her friends in attendance that her greatest regret is that her mom couldnt be there, because she died several years ago. {{{{{Sigh}}}}} Pick your self up, look in the mirror, and do this!!! Think about WHY you are doing this every time you see your daughters dweet smile. -RC-

Everyone looks fantastic!!! -RC-

@LisaPunkinHead Had to chuckle when reading your reply post, possibly a typo in first line. But, you are right either way ... by taking control with VSG surgery, you will both "LIVE a lot longer" and "LOVE a lot longer" -RC-

You need to watch the 'Botched' TV show episode about the gal who loss much weight, and was using many special garments to hold everything in. Post surgery, the results were stunning. -RC-

Congratulations! Don't worry about what the stats say, you know what you look like and how great it is! -RC-

Looking good ... You are now officially inducted into the 'Goddess of Awesomeness' club -RC-

You are now officially inducted into the 'Goddess of Awesomeness' club -RC-

My situation is similar to yours. I had no pain, could easily drink, went to soft foods at one week, was eating shellfish at two weeks, etc. At my one month follow up visit with Doc, he explained to me that about 50% of folks have no issues, but that the other 50% have issues with severe restriction and can't drink much, can't eat much, can't hold much food down. So, from my vantage point, we hear more from folks with problems, than those with no problems. -RC-

30lbs, but most was result of 2 week pre-op liquid diet. -RC-

You are now inducted into the 'Goddess of Awesomeness' club -RC-

When that funny song from American Idol 'Pants on the Ground' is now about YOU -RC-

@@MissLiss Sorry to have not been clear. Its not mandatory that your body be in Ketosis, but the point is that WLS post-op diet is essential a high octane version of Atkins >>> High Protein / Low Carb / Low Sugar. So, if you check daily and your body is in Ketosis, you are in 'fat burning mode', and should be losing weight. For me, its great to have a daily measure using the Ketostix and verify that my body is burning fat. I also use an app (LoseIT!) to track all food that I consume and can make sure my carb count and caloric intake is appropriate. Lastly, my other point is about stalls. Some folks may experience stalls (seems to be more prevalent for females) and may not realize that while they are keeping calories in check, they may not be aware of the carb load they are eating. Or, reducing carbs further may get past the stall. Best of luck with your journey! -RC-

Greetings to Fellow Sleevers and Sleevers-to-Be - The purpose of this post if to provide some experience to the older crowd that might be considering VSG, as compared to usual ways to loose weight plus exercise. ME: I am 2 months post-op VSG. My surgery went incredibly well (4-16-2015). I had little to no pain, could drink Water soon after, could eat with no discomfort. Was moved to soft foods at one week post op (normal for my program if you are proceeding well). I was able to eat shellfish at two weeks post-op, btw. Can eat quite a bit with no issues, keep my daily calories < 700 and my daily carbs < 50. I use KetoStix to assure my body stays in state of Ketosis, which I personally believe is key to losing max weight during the critical 12-18 months post-op. So, my journey has been a great one. I have both knees requiring full replacement and have had back surgery/issues at L4/L5. So, I currently get little to no exercise. PS Part of my motivation for WLS was to drive BMI down to level having the knee replacements with much lower risk and better rehab potential. While preparing to start using a personal trainer at my VSG 3 month post-op timeline, I stumbled across some details and documentation on my weight loss the last time I was serious. This was at age 50 back in 2009. My approach then was NutriSystem. In January 2009, ironically, my weight was 385 - about same as it was on date of my VSG surgery. At the same time, I began to use a Personal Trainer at local Golds Gym. So, it was a very intense strict diet and 3x to 5x workouts a week. Those old records show that I successfully lost 65 lbs, taking 10 months to achieve that milestone. Approx. 6 lbs a week. Including working out (mostly cardio and weight machines). Reminding me of this time in my life, I have the cute little NutriSystem bears from 10 lbs lost to 60 lbs lost. BUT - no surprise, at that point I became bored with the diet and went back to bad habits, gaining all the weight back in approx. 2 years. Playing the movie forward, as of yesterday (6-19-2015) I have lost 65 lbs since my VSG. The staggering and compelling comparison is as follows: THEN >>> Time to lose 65 lbs - with focused diet program and personal trainer >>> 9 months. NOW >>> Time to lose 65 lbs - with VSG and little to no exercise >>> 2 months. What else do you need to know! VSG was the greatest decision I have ever made. I feel no hunger and plan to see this journey to my goal weight. Even if I wanted to cheat and eat bad things, I am a quantity eater, so its just a physical fact that I will not be able to hold much food. So, if you are a member of the older crowd of 50+ yrs of age, VSG can and will work for you. DO IT!!!!! -RC-

I really like and prefer the fusion Complete Chewable in Orange & Cream Flavor. They are solid, but break down really easy. Taste is quite good, tastes like orange cream. As GSV patient, I only have to take (3) three of these during the day, and NOTHING ELSE. -RC-

Generally speaking, you will not have sensation of physical hunger. Head hunger is likely the situation. Plus, even if you wanted to eat what the family is eating, you simply cant hold much. Remember, 90% of your stomach is gone. So, just feed yourself high Protein / low carb / low sugar, and you will be fine. Stay away from high carb stuff. You can completely disrupt your weight loss by eating carbs, even if keeping calories in check. -RC-

This is why WLS for the young crowd has risk. Those of us older are just 'tired of being tired' and dealing with life long struggles of being heavy. As a younger person, you have so much of your life to live, there will be many MANY temptations. But the one thing to know >>> if you are serious about weight loss and keeping it off for a LIFETIME >>> you need to create a mindset that your drinking days are over. Just my $0.02 ... -RC-

Every carb has the potential to be 'bad carb' unless it comes from certain fruits and legumes. Heavy starches such as bread and Pasta can cause weight loss to abate. Btw, I recommend that you use Ketostix to assure your body is in state of Ketosis at all times. Many folks who post here about stalls may actually have created the stall by consuming too many carbs, even if keeping calories in check. -RC-

@LipstickLady 100% Compliment. Didn't mean to offend. I personally plan to use that as description for my situation. Sent you a DM re same. -RC-

Lost 30 lbs on 2 week preop liquid diet. My Doc uses only Bariatric Advantage (nasty, I refer to as Franken-Shakes). I could only do 3 a day. But great way to jump start weight loss. -RC-

Welcome! You will do great. Geaux Tigers and Geaux Saints -RC-

WOW! You look awesome. You have definitely made the transition from 'Ton-derland' to 'One-derland' -RC-

@@LipstickLady You have definitely made the transition from 'Ton-derland' to 'One-derland' -RC-