TexasMommy80

It ended up being about 4 inches but I love it!  

Sent from my SM-G960U using BariatricPal mobile app

So today is August 19th and I am now over 4 months post VSG. I thought I would write an update on a few things that I regularly see asked on this forum.
1. hair loss-
I am definitely shedding more, and it is pretty annoying, but not alarming. I noticed it start at about 3 months out, and decided to add another Protein Shake to my daily intake. I figure it will last another month or two, based on what I have seen other people post. Honestly, though, it is not something I am worried about. I am not having huge clumps of hair fall out, and thank goodness for that! I have really fine hair already, LoL.
2. Vitamins and water-
I take my vitamins and drink at least 64 oz of Water daily. Those are two things I don't mess with. The one supplement that is not included in my Vitamin is Iron though, and it tends to give me stomach issues. I am able to regularly eat 1200 calories per day, and my blood tests have come out normal, so I am on kind of "wait and see" pattern for that one.
3. Caffeine and soda-
The food police will not appreciate my moment of honesty here. I do drink caffeine but it doesn't bother me at all. I drink the grape flavor of crystal light, and the small amount of caffeine helps me get going in the morning. Yes yes, I know that not all doctors approve of it, but I need a boost. And for soda, even before surgery, I had a calorie-free soda at night as a "bedtime snack". It was always my reward for drinking at least 100 ounces of water (I miss being able to chug water, lol). Well, I now have a small glass of sprite zero at night, as long as I hit my water goals beforehand.
4. Portion sizes -
I feel like I can eat decent size portions, similar to a kid-sized meal. I see people post that they can only eat 2 or 3 bites of food, and that just is not me. For example, we eat Breakfast tacos (with low carb tortillas) often. I can eat just over half of a breakfast taco. If we are eating crispy beef (or turkey) tacos, I can eat one whole one. I can also eat a small chicken breast, turkey patty, fish, etc. Honestly, I eat just about everything, although I make it a habit to make healthy choices most of the time (I am totally eating half of a strawberry shortcake cupcake as I write this, but don't tell anyone, lol). I still don't like rice (nothing new), and definitely can't eat fried foods anymore. I had issues with that after I had my gallbladder removed (5 months before surgery), and it is even worse now.
5. Daily caloric intake -
I am eating roughly 1200 calories per day and I am losing weight really quickly. I have lost 45 pounds since the day of my surgery, which is a good amount considering I started with a lower BMI (38). Today I weighed in at 184 and my personal goal is 170. My doctors think I will easily surpass that, but I would be content at just hitting that weight. I worry about that though, because my doctors want me to lose more. At a height of 5'6, they prefer that I weigh 140-150. If and when I get to 160, I will increase my calories to maintenance , and hopefully stay between 160-170.
6. Excess skin-
I am doing ok with this right now, although my arms look like wings at this point. Saying that, they have looked this way for years from previous weight loss and weight gaining patterns, so I don't contribute it to my VSG. I may consider having surgery in the future, but not until we are done having kids and I build my muscle back up. As for the rest of my body, I am doing well, no issues to report. I hope that it remains that way, but time will tell. I think at this point though, even losing 20 more pounds will not make enough of a difference to justify plastics (outside of my arms).

I am 3 months out and down 32 pounds from the date of my VSG. I have another 30 to lose to hit goal.

My boyfriend hasn't seen me wear fitted clothing in years because of my weight. We are going on vacation in two weeks so I bought this dress to wear. I'm not sure I am ready to wear it yet, but I am trying to gain the confidence for it. [emoji41]  

Sent from my SM-G960U using BariatricPal mobile app

This is uncalled for. I am sorry, but I am tired of people on the site being judgemental. Let's be honest, if you think you will go the rest of your life without eating a piece of pizza, or something that is unhealthy, you are not being realistic. The point of this surgery is to not punish you. You can eat healthy most of the time, exercise, and enjoy a piece of pizza once in a blue moon. We all have our favorite foods and if we can handle these foods in moderation, as part of a generally healthy diet, than that is ok. I would love to meet someone a year out that has not had anything unhealthy, or one of their favorite foods. At 9 months out, I am almost at goal, maintaining a healthy diet and exercising regularly. And you know what? I have had a ice of pizza! I've had a few pieces of chocolate even! And...my doctor is ok with that because he knows what is realistic and what is not.

Sent from my SM-G960U using BariatricPal mobile app

Pre-VSG and post-VSG. I have lost 61 pounds and hope to lose 10-15 more. 
Sent from my SM-G960U using BariatricPal mobile app

Fit4LifeAR
930 day streak, except I am more chubby than fit right now, LoL.
I am hoping the sleeve gets me back to where I want to be.
Height: 5’6
Age: 37
CW: 235
GW: 150-160

I have had issues with this myself. I had pretty low blood pressure even before surgery, but it is really low now. Adding a bit of salt has helped, but I just have to be aware of when I stand up. Sometimes if I feel the dizziness come on, I will bend over for a second and that seems to resolve it. I have had it so badly a few times that all I saw was black and my legs began to give out. That hasn’t happened in a while, but it was still scary.

I have had issues with this myself. I had pretty low blood pressure even before surgery, but it is really low now. Adding a bit of salt has helped, but I just have to be aware of when I stand up. Sometimes if I feel the dizziness come on, I will bend over for a second and that seems to resolve it. I have had it so badly a few times that all I saw was black and my legs began to give out. That hasn’t happened in a while, but it was still scary.

You have no motivation because you are two weeks out and surviving on hardly any food. Your energy levels are drained, and will be for about 2 months. Give yourself time to heal!

Sent from my SM-G960U using BariatricPal mobile app

You have no motivation because you are two weeks out and surviving on hardly any food. Your energy levels are drained, and will be for about 2 months. Give yourself time to heal!

Sent from my SM-G960U using BariatricPal mobile app

Pre-VSG and post-VSG. I have lost 61 pounds and hope to lose 10-15 more. 
Sent from my SM-G960U using BariatricPal mobile app

You have no motivation because you are two weeks out and surviving on hardly any food. Your energy levels are drained, and will be for about 2 months. Give yourself time to heal!

Sent from my SM-G960U using BariatricPal mobile app

You look awesome!!

Sent from my SM-G960U using BariatricPal mobile app

I got the sleeve because I have horrible osteoarthritis. At 36 I had a TKR, and my other knee is heading that way too. My doc allows ibuprofen after 6 weeks, but I have now started taking Celebrex. The Celebrex has been a life saver, but even without that, many doctors allow ibuprofen after sleeve, but not the bypass. Saying that, some other doctors do not allow it after either surgery, so do your research and be sure to see what your program recommends.
Sent from my SM-G960U using BariatricPal mobile app

This is uncalled for. I am sorry, but I am tired of people on the site being judgemental. Let's be honest, if you think you will go the rest of your life without eating a piece of pizza, or something that is unhealthy, you are not being realistic. The point of this surgery is to not punish you. You can eat healthy most of the time, exercise, and enjoy a piece of pizza once in a blue moon. We all have our favorite foods and if we can handle these foods in moderation, as part of a generally healthy diet, than that is ok. I would love to meet someone a year out that has not had anything unhealthy, or one of their favorite foods. At 9 months out, I am almost at goal, maintaining a healthy diet and exercising regularly. And you know what? I have had a ice of pizza! I've had a few pieces of chocolate even! And...my doctor is ok with that because he knows what is realistic and what is not.

Sent from my SM-G960U using BariatricPal mobile app

This is uncalled for. I am sorry, but I am tired of people on the site being judgemental. Let's be honest, if you think you will go the rest of your life without eating a piece of pizza, or something that is unhealthy, you are not being realistic. The point of this surgery is to not punish you. You can eat healthy most of the time, exercise, and enjoy a piece of pizza once in a blue moon. We all have our favorite foods and if we can handle these foods in moderation, as part of a generally healthy diet, than that is ok. I would love to meet someone a year out that has not had anything unhealthy, or one of their favorite foods. At 9 months out, I am almost at goal, maintaining a healthy diet and exercising regularly. And you know what? I have had a ice of pizza! I've had a few pieces of chocolate even! And...my doctor is ok with that because he knows what is realistic and what is not.

Sent from my SM-G960U using BariatricPal mobile app

This is uncalled for. I am sorry, but I am tired of people on the site being judgemental. Let's be honest, if you think you will go the rest of your life without eating a piece of pizza, or something that is unhealthy, you are not being realistic. The point of this surgery is to not punish you. You can eat healthy most of the time, exercise, and enjoy a piece of pizza once in a blue moon. We all have our favorite foods and if we can handle these foods in moderation, as part of a generally healthy diet, than that is ok. I would love to meet someone a year out that has not had anything unhealthy, or one of their favorite foods. At 9 months out, I am almost at goal, maintaining a healthy diet and exercising regularly. And you know what? I have had a ice of pizza! I've had a few pieces of chocolate even! And...my doctor is ok with that because he knows what is realistic and what is not.

Sent from my SM-G960U using BariatricPal mobile app

Have you seen www.realself.com?
‘Lots of great info there regarding what things cost near you, surgeons near you, photos, etc.
A close friend of mine had Brachioplasty done after weight loss. If I remember correctly it was around the 8k range but was bundled with another procedure so I don’t know if maybe there was a bit of a price break or what have you. Costs can vary pretty dramatically by state.

I had gastric sleeve about 8 months ago and I am down around 60 pounds. I am 8 pounds away from my personal goal and 17 from my doctor's goal.
Even before my sleeve, I had flappy arms. This was mostly due to weight fluctuations on various diets throughout the year. Obviously, having the sleeve has not helped. This is the only area of my body that I have this issue, and although I was originally against any kind of surgery, I am really thinking about saving the money and getting it done.
For those of you that had this done in the United States, what did you pay? I know insurance probably will not cover it, so I will have to pay out of pocket. As a teacher, it will probably take a good while to save up, but it will be worth it.
Sent from my SM-G960U using BariatricPal mobile app

I had gastric sleeve about 8 months ago and I am down around 60 pounds. I am 8 pounds away from my personal goal and 17 from my doctor's goal.
Even before my sleeve, I had flappy arms. This was mostly due to weight fluctuations on various diets throughout the year. Obviously, having the sleeve has not helped. This is the only area of my body that I have this issue, and although I was originally against any kind of surgery, I am really thinking about saving the money and getting it done.
For those of you that had this done in the United States, what did you pay? I know insurance probably will not cover it, so I will have to pay out of pocket. As a teacher, it will probably take a good while to save up, but it will be worth it.
Sent from my SM-G960U using BariatricPal mobile app

This is uncalled for. I am sorry, but I am tired of people on the site being judgemental. Let's be honest, if you think you will go the rest of your life without eating a piece of pizza, or something that is unhealthy, you are not being realistic. The point of this surgery is to not punish you. You can eat healthy most of the time, exercise, and enjoy a piece of pizza once in a blue moon. We all have our favorite foods and if we can handle these foods in moderation, as part of a generally healthy diet, than that is ok. I would love to meet someone a year out that has not had anything unhealthy, or one of their favorite foods. At 9 months out, I am almost at goal, maintaining a healthy diet and exercising regularly. And you know what? I have had a ice of pizza! I've had a few pieces of chocolate even! And...my doctor is ok with that because he knows what is realistic and what is not.

Sent from my SM-G960U using BariatricPal mobile app

This is uncalled for. I am sorry, but I am tired of people on the site being judgemental. Let's be honest, if you think you will go the rest of your life without eating a piece of pizza, or something that is unhealthy, you are not being realistic. The point of this surgery is to not punish you. You can eat healthy most of the time, exercise, and enjoy a piece of pizza once in a blue moon. We all have our favorite foods and if we can handle these foods in moderation, as part of a generally healthy diet, than that is ok. I would love to meet someone a year out that has not had anything unhealthy, or one of their favorite foods. At 9 months out, I am almost at goal, maintaining a healthy diet and exercising regularly. And you know what? I have had a ice of pizza! I've had a few pieces of chocolate even! And...my doctor is ok with that because he knows what is realistic and what is not.

Sent from my SM-G960U using BariatricPal mobile app

This is uncalled for. I am sorry, but I am tired of people on the site being judgemental. Let's be honest, if you think you will go the rest of your life without eating a piece of pizza, or something that is unhealthy, you are not being realistic. The point of this surgery is to not punish you. You can eat healthy most of the time, exercise, and enjoy a piece of pizza once in a blue moon. We all have our favorite foods and if we can handle these foods in moderation, as part of a generally healthy diet, than that is ok. I would love to meet someone a year out that has not had anything unhealthy, or one of their favorite foods. At 9 months out, I am almost at goal, maintaining a healthy diet and exercising regularly. And you know what? I have had a ice of pizza! I've had a few pieces of chocolate even! And...my doctor is ok with that because he knows what is realistic and what is not.

Sent from my SM-G960U using BariatricPal mobile app

Pre-VSG and post-VSG. I have lost 61 pounds and hope to lose 10-15 more. 
Sent from my SM-G960U using BariatricPal mobile app

This is uncalled for. I am sorry, but I am tired of people on the site being judgemental. Let's be honest, if you think you will go the rest of your life without eating a piece of pizza, or something that is unhealthy, you are not being realistic. The point of this surgery is to not punish you. You can eat healthy most of the time, exercise, and enjoy a piece of pizza once in a blue moon. We all have our favorite foods and if we can handle these foods in moderation, as part of a generally healthy diet, than that is ok. I would love to meet someone a year out that has not had anything unhealthy, or one of their favorite foods. At 9 months out, I am almost at goal, maintaining a healthy diet and exercising regularly. And you know what? I have had a ice of pizza! I've had a few pieces of chocolate even! And...my doctor is ok with that because he knows what is realistic and what is not.

Sent from my SM-G960U using BariatricPal mobile app