nicksmommy

Picture on left is pre VSG and on right post VSG.... I hated the way I felt and looked. Got tired of all the diets, books, videos on weight loss which clearly were not working for me!
VSG is NOT an easy decision or change by any stretch of the imagination (in spite of what others may think). I thank God for the opportunity to save my own life. Looking forward to living healthier and happier for the rest of my days! WOO-HOO ‪#‎VSGworks‬

I recently contacted my surgical team because I felt that maybe I needed to get back on track in some ways. I was told that I should feel like a success because I lost close to a 100lbs in six months. I have now, seven months out, loss more than 100lbs. She said that most people do not make that much progress in a year let alone six months. I was also informed that most people never make it to a healthy BMI after surgery. I do not know about that, but I know I ain't gonna be one of them. I did not have surgery just to be a smaller obese person. I wanted to be at 150lbs a year out. Perhaps I may not make that goal, but I am going to get to or as close to 150lbs as I can. I am not concerned about what must people do I am concerned about what this person is gonna do. Her words have rekindled the fire. I'm fighting back...

I've lost a tremendous amount of weight with the band but started getting off track last year after I quit smoking. Well I started going back in for fills and I think I'm back in the green zone because I lost 23 pounds in 23 days!
Woo hoo!

Sleeved 11/30/15
SW 252
CW 167
GW 150
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Half way to goal pictures!!!
This is my "before" taken Easter Sunday 2016 at 252lbs

This one was take July 6th at 202lbs
And this one was taken today July 31st at 196lbs

Most recent "during" photo.
Just made it home from gym.....old dude tired but pumped up from the werk done.

I was a lap band to sleeve revision and had to do all the same requirements as an initial patient would do, but that was my insurance requesting it...
VSG 7/26/16, Newby to the Losers Bench

I also had surgery this afternoon. I was a ball of nerves, but surgery went well. Was in serious pain the first hour post op but since then it really hasn't been bad at all. I've been able to drink about 10oz of Water and a small bottle of Isopure which has shocked me. Getting my bladder to relax was a project, but I was determined as I did NOT want a catheter. Now if only I could get some freaking sleep in this place.
First day of my "new" life!!!!

Well i am 1 day post op and i feel pretty darn good. I didnt ask for pain meds a second ago for the pain but i asked for pain meds for my headache. Lol
Here is my surgery story.
I had the lapband in 2007 and did great with it at first. Then the last two years most everythi ng i would eat or drink would start coming up. Started having severe pain in my esophagus and started throwing up blood. An endoscopy revealed that i had a class c esophageal erosion. The band had to come out
Met with surgeon and determined the bnd would come out and he would revise to sleeve!!!! Scheduled my op for july 26 yesterday.
Had to be at the hospital at 5 am for an 8 am surgery. Prep for surger i got a patch for nausea to help with any nausea from meds. Then they gave me a shot in my tummy To help with possible clots. Met with sirgeon and andsthesiologist to discuss surgery. Then they gave me versed before wheeling me back to surg. Best "margarita" ever. Then i was totally worry free. I was still awake in or. They hooked me up with all the electrodes and the anesthesiologist said ok its nap time im putting u to sleep. I said just please make sure i wake up. Then make sure i wake up sleeved!!!!! I was so worried there would b such a mess in my body that wiuld have to hold off on the sleeve.
Next thing i knew theybwere waking me up. Zero pain. I just said yayy im alive and ong was i sleeved??? They said u sire were. Then my main concern was going to peepee. I had to go really bad. Surgery took an hour and a half and i was in my own room by 11. They immediately got me to the pot. Was sore but not bad pain.
No gas pains yet either. I wone up with a binder on which feels great. Especially when i get up to walk or go to the bathroom. Ive probabky walked about 6 laps. Blood pressure has been a little low but they said its expcted because of the pain meds
No fever. Nurses are amazing.
Getting woken up so often is for the birds tho. Other than that ive been sleeping a lot. sleep with my binder on and the pumps on my legs to prohibit clots.
I had a popsicle and some sips of broth and sips of Water. Did not hurt when first going down but i was apprehensive at first. I did take a swig too large and it was uncomfortable but not painful. Have only drank half bottle of Water. But staying hydrated thru iv for now
They did my barium swallow this mirning to check for leaks and NO LEAKS. Yayyyyyyy. I feel so so much better without the band in i can already tell a big difference. I have 6 incisions. Some are rather large but im ok with that. Ill attach a pic which shows three i think. Three large incisions mid tummy and the other smaller ones are up under breasts. It was all a success and very pleasant. So happy to be on the loser bench.
Fyi BIOTINE mouth rinse helps so so much with dry mouth. So get that for sure.
Hope everyone is doing well!!!!!! Here is a pic of my incisions. So excited to begin my healthier happy life!!!!!!!

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I AM SLEEVED!!
So I was here at 6:00 am this morning. Went in for surgery at 7:30 and woke up SLEEVED about 10:30. My surgeon came in just a bit ago and said my stomach wall wasn't too thick from the band. He also said I will be on Clear liquids about 2 weeks and not to push it because the area of the stomach at the top where the band was will end a little more time. I'm not In too much pain, no nausea.
I guess that $130 pill worked. And I AM SLEEVED!
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My name is christi I'm a married mom of 3 teenage kids and I run multiple business. I've lost and gained weight most of my life and after my mom and younger sister got weight loss surgery, I decided it was my last option. I did the sleeve on April 9,2015 and have lost 133 pounds. Going from a size 24 to a size 12. It feels very surreal. Walking into a store and being able to buy clothes that were never an option for me before. No more worries about overflow No my airline seat or needing an seat belt extender. Finally the rest of the world sees me as I have always seen myself and that is the most amazing part!
I am so glad I did it! It was hard and I had to jump through a lot of hoops and it was at times painful, esp after surgery! But I wish I would have done it a lot sooner. If your thinking about doing it, it could change your life!
Here some photos of me before and after.

10 days post op
Thanks for the delicious suggestion of Panera Tomato Soup so delicious
What a nice change from chicken broth : )
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It isn't quite panera, but ProtiDiet Tomato basil Soup (and ProtiDiet creamy chicken) really helped me get through the liquid phases.

Looks like I'm hitting Panera tomorrow! Getting so bored with my s/f Jello, pudding, and broths I have here at home. Thanks for the info. One more week of full liquids. I need to start getting creative!
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During liquids, you can only eat 2-4 Oz portions at a time. Not too much fat and carbs in such small amounts.
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Congrats!! So exciting!
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NSV - Fitting inside a toddler pool with my grandson! Loving summer.

God is so good! I'm approved and I will be having surgery September 8th. I'm sooooo excited! #soontobesleeved
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So I have been eating a lot of popsicles lately. Last night I scared the crap out of myself. I started having difficulties speaking and thought "holy shit -I think I'm having a stroke"! Well it wasn't a stroke (Thank God) - I had a frozen tongue from popsicles!
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I hear ya, @@Nick'sMommy! I leave Stage 2 semi-liquid phase and begin Stage 3 soft foods phase TOMORROW! Yay! Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I467 using the BariatricPal App

Thanks for the info!! Panera creamy Tomato Soup is fantastic!!
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I strained PF Changs egg drop Soup, which I don't know if I ever had or craved. When in liquid stage it was like returning to life having that soup!!

Looking at this progress pic makes the apples and string cheese I am eating taste just as good!!

I was warned about the social eating issues after sleeve. I try to shift my focus to PEOPLE rather than food. Meet someone new... Chat with someone who seems alone...
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I'm also not telling anyone about mine except my mom who is having it done the same day! I don't care if it falls off slow I know it will be a long process I know, I just don't want to gain anymore and eventually be small again! Good luck to you also!!!