Beck Gal

Things are going well. Getting my Protein and fluids in isn't a problem. Just using the right products to get you to the magic number set forth by your surgeon. I had a couple bites of broccoli Soup tonight because I couldn't stand anything more sweet for the day and it's going fine so far.
I went out shopping today for about 2 hours and that was not the smartest. I was beat when I got home and didn't feel so great from just being out and trying to walk normal and quicker than I should have. Lesson learned.
A nap helped that though.

There's really nothing they can give you for it as far as they say while you're at the hospital. I kept walking and walking and walking and nothing helped. I wasn't afraid to start liquids because I was so damn thirsty, I just immediately started on ice chips and then worked up from there. Legs are a little crampy, but it'll get better.
I guess I'm upbeat about stuff because I made this decision and I'm working through it as best I can. Im sleepy and feeling a little beat, but I'm just staying focused on liquids and moving around every hour or so...
It'll be better soon!

Doing better everyday here. Yesterday was miserable with the gas pains after surgery, but I definitely feel a difference. I walked and walked and walked around my floor... And the gas pains didn't move out. Keeping up on the pain meds made a difference yesterday too. It's pretty easy to get the liquids in, thankfully. Diluted apple peach juice is my fave as well as Decaf Irish Breakfast tea.
How are the rest of yinz doing?

Yay! How is everything going, ladies? I've got 4 days left!!!! All my food funerals are planned, and I bought some stuff for after surgery (robe, GENEPRO, extension cord for my hospital stay, etc) getting kinda freaked out, honestly, but staying focused on the after surgery good stuff

Any of you have Instagram? My username is frankencupcakes I follow a bunch of people who have had the VSG for inspiration and ideas

Fairlife is also lactose free

I'm about 3.5 weeks post op now, and I hit a stall around my 20 pound loss. Now that weight for me was a point where my body has been REALLY comfortable over the years, so I kinda expected it. I've been at my stall for almost 2 weeks. Just know that everyone's journey is different and some people lose really fast and others stall out and maintain for a bit. Don't freak out or worry. Bodies react differently to weight loss just like all of our bodies have reacted differently to the surgery.
I've had minimal issues so far. I've been able to drink Water since I came to from surgery. Was getting in my Protein as of day 4 post op and I was feeling extremely normal as soon as I started taking my Vitamins at 2.5 weeks post op. Walking/jogging has been pretty easy, but i have a job where I'm on my feet all day, so I didn't expect any issues there.
I go back to work on the 18th of Jan and I was sleeved on 12/15. I really wanted to give my body time to rest and heal before pushing it to being physically, mentally and emotionally functional for 10 hours a day. I feel like that's a reason I've had very few problems.
The biggest problem I've had (which my surgeon never brought up as a possible problem, especially for people who are prone to it) is Constipation. It's no joke when you're not getting Fiber, and even though I've gotten in 64+oz of Water in everyday... It's been a struggle. Miralax or milk of magnesia... Have it on hand.
Best of luck to the new class of losers, Jan 2016!!!! ????????????????

Constipation is the worst!! Over a month out and still having issues!
Good luck everyone!!!!

I'm about 3.5 weeks post op now, and I hit a stall around my 20 pound loss. Now that weight for me was a point where my body has been REALLY comfortable over the years, so I kinda expected it. I've been at my stall for almost 2 weeks. Just know that everyone's journey is different and some people lose really fast and others stall out and maintain for a bit. Don't freak out or worry. Bodies react differently to weight loss just like all of our bodies have reacted differently to the surgery.
I've had minimal issues so far. I've been able to drink Water since I came to from surgery. Was getting in my Protein as of day 4 post op and I was feeling extremely normal as soon as I started taking my Vitamins at 2.5 weeks post op. Walking/jogging has been pretty easy, but i have a job where I'm on my feet all day, so I didn't expect any issues there.
I go back to work on the 18th of Jan and I was sleeved on 12/15. I really wanted to give my body time to rest and heal before pushing it to being physically, mentally and emotionally functional for 10 hours a day. I feel like that's a reason I've had very few problems.
The biggest problem I've had (which my surgeon never brought up as a possible problem, especially for people who are prone to it) is Constipation. It's no joke when you're not getting Fiber, and even though I've gotten in 64+oz of Water in everyday... It's been a struggle. Miralax or milk of magnesia... Have it on hand.
Best of luck to the new class of losers, Jan 2016!!!! ????????????????

Fairlife is also lactose free

I can't start Vitamins until the my first follow up appointment on the 29th when they hopefully advance me to soft/bland foods. Makes sense since the ones they suggest aren't pureed lol. I feel like all i do all day is drink, but that is the name of the game at this point. The fair life fat free milk has like 11 grams of Protein in a cup.. And then adding Protein powder (I use a half scoop of cellucor) gets me to around 25 grams.... And then I just need a half scoop of GENEPRO to get me to 40g. That was a struggle yesterday because the shake took me like over two hours to drink like 9oz!!! So crazy.
Since Yesterday was also the first time that my husband cooked a fantastic meal for a couple friends in front of me... I'm starting to get a little impatient for other tastes. Haha just being really careful about what I try. I just had like 1 full small spoon of Tomato sauce and that was lovely.

Well it went! They were 1.5 hours late taking me back. It actually helped me to calm down and take it all in. I hate shots and I was the most upset about getting a blood thinning shot into my belly!!
Seeing the operating room was pretty cool. Reminded me of the show my 600pound life. I fell asleep real quick.
Coming out of surgery, the nausea and gas pains are real. Take the pain meds and try to rest. They take your vitals like every 2 hours so not an easy task, but yeah. I took a couple walking stints to try to help relieve it, but the meds worked better.
I can drink Water pretty easily!! That's what I was most nervous about!!
All in all, not too bad. Except for being up at 430am lol

Well it finally happened, I made it to my originally stated goal and the one that my surgeon also agreed upon. I've so looked forward to this that I had built it up in my mind as a momentous occasion that would be a auspicious event and streamers and confetti would rain down from the sky while a baptist church chorus sang hallelujah.
Well that didn't happen. My stall before hitting goal had lasted 6 weeks and I thought for sure that would make the victory all the more sweeter, so I didn't mind the stall. I just kept on keeping on and working out. Then on the 22nd when I did my weekly weigh in it finally happened. 218 lbs, actually 2 lbs less than my goal. Know what I felt?
Alright, cool.
Then it hit me, "Wait a minute, that's under goal. Why aren't I whooping and hollering?!"
I am at the weight I was before I met my wife, some say that I look better than I ever have. (the grey hair makes you look distinguished!) My health is better than it has been in a decade. And I personally feel better than anytime that I can remember. This is what I wanted, this is what I asked for help in achieving. So why am I not elated?
I think it comes down to now that I know what I have accomplished, I think I know what I am capable of. I want more. I don't just want to be thinner and healthier. I want to be able to do the things I have never been able to do, even before I got fat. I want to be able to do a pull up. Just one. I want to have a chest and not any moobs. I want my wife to suck on her teeth and look at me like a piece of meat!
So that's the new goal. I figure it took 308 days to get here, so I'll give myself another 308 to get there.
So for posterity sake, here is the beginning and current pictures:
Fat Paul circa May 2014

And healthy Paul 12-22-2015

Clear Liquids for 2 days post surgery, full liquids for 5 days, pureed foods for 2 weeks, soft/bland foods for 3 weeks, then normal.

Pajama bottoms, robe, phone/charger, face wipes and Chapstick!
Oh and your own pillow!

Pajama bottoms, robe, phone/charger, face wipes and Chapstick!
Oh and your own pillow!

Well it went! They were 1.5 hours late taking me back. It actually helped me to calm down and take it all in. I hate shots and I was the most upset about getting a blood thinning shot into my belly!!
Seeing the operating room was pretty cool. Reminded me of the show my 600pound life. I fell asleep real quick.
Coming out of surgery, the nausea and gas pains are real. Take the pain meds and try to rest. They take your vitals like every 2 hours so not an easy task, but yeah. I took a couple walking stints to try to help relieve it, but the meds worked better.
I can drink Water pretty easily!! That's what I was most nervous about!!
All in all, not too bad. Except for being up at 430am lol

Well it went! They were 1.5 hours late taking me back. It actually helped me to calm down and take it all in. I hate shots and I was the most upset about getting a blood thinning shot into my belly!!
Seeing the operating room was pretty cool. Reminded me of the show my 600pound life. I fell asleep real quick.
Coming out of surgery, the nausea and gas pains are real. Take the pain meds and try to rest. They take your vitals like every 2 hours so not an easy task, but yeah. I took a couple walking stints to try to help relieve it, but the meds worked better.
I can drink Water pretty easily!! That's what I was most nervous about!!
All in all, not too bad. Except for being up at 430am lol

So today , this morning to be exact my scale read 170 pounds. Exactly 1 year and 2 days post surgery.
Whew! now the hard part.
My new motto has to be:
MAINTAIN NOT GAIN!

Things are going a lot better. Sleeved on 12/15. The day after surgery was sooooo painful. The gas pains made me want to cry and almost puke a couple times. I could hardly sleep and the whole keep moving thing that the nurses kept telling me did no help at all.
Now that I'm home, I feel a lot better. I found a good way to sleep so I'm comfortable. I am easily getting my fluids in and was able to drink some Protein too! I am excited to start pureed foods in a couple days.
You got this!!! Just stay focused on your fluids and rest. ????????????????

Things are going a lot better. Sleeved on 12/15. The day after surgery was sooooo painful. The gas pains made me want to cry and almost puke a couple times. I could hardly sleep and the whole keep moving thing that the nurses kept telling me did no help at all.
Now that I'm home, I feel a lot better. I found a good way to sleep so I'm comfortable. I am easily getting my fluids in and was able to drink some Protein too! I am excited to start pureed foods in a couple days.
You got this!!! Just stay focused on your fluids and rest. ????????????????

Well it went! They were 1.5 hours late taking me back. It actually helped me to calm down and take it all in. I hate shots and I was the most upset about getting a blood thinning shot into my belly!!
Seeing the operating room was pretty cool. Reminded me of the show my 600pound life. I fell asleep real quick.
Coming out of surgery, the nausea and gas pains are real. Take the pain meds and try to rest. They take your vitals like every 2 hours so not an easy task, but yeah. I took a couple walking stints to try to help relieve it, but the meds worked better.
I can drink Water pretty easily!! That's what I was most nervous about!!
All in all, not too bad. Except for being up at 430am lol

Well it went! They were 1.5 hours late taking me back. It actually helped me to calm down and take it all in. I hate shots and I was the most upset about getting a blood thinning shot into my belly!!
Seeing the operating room was pretty cool. Reminded me of the show my 600pound life. I fell asleep real quick.
Coming out of surgery, the nausea and gas pains are real. Take the pain meds and try to rest. They take your vitals like every 2 hours so not an easy task, but yeah. I took a couple walking stints to try to help relieve it, but the meds worked better.
I can drink Water pretty easily!! That's what I was most nervous about!!
All in all, not too bad. Except for being up at 430am lol

Well it went! They were 1.5 hours late taking me back. It actually helped me to calm down and take it all in. I hate shots and I was the most upset about getting a blood thinning shot into my belly!!
Seeing the operating room was pretty cool. Reminded me of the show my 600pound life. I fell asleep real quick.
Coming out of surgery, the nausea and gas pains are real. Take the pain meds and try to rest. They take your vitals like every 2 hours so not an easy task, but yeah. I took a couple walking stints to try to help relieve it, but the meds worked better.
I can drink Water pretty easily!! That's what I was most nervous about!!
All in all, not too bad. Except for being up at 430am lol

Well it went! They were 1.5 hours late taking me back. It actually helped me to calm down and take it all in. I hate shots and I was the most upset about getting a blood thinning shot into my belly!!
Seeing the operating room was pretty cool. Reminded me of the show my 600pound life. I fell asleep real quick.
Coming out of surgery, the nausea and gas pains are real. Take the pain meds and try to rest. They take your vitals like every 2 hours so not an easy task, but yeah. I took a couple walking stints to try to help relieve it, but the meds worked better.
I can drink Water pretty easily!! That's what I was most nervous about!!
All in all, not too bad. Except for being up at 430am lol