LivingLife100

This is so inspiring! I am going into surgery in just a few hours. Great to see others doing well a year later! [emoji173]️

Hello my wonderful ESG family,
I am done with my procedure. It went smoothly. It was only a one hour- 90 minute procedure. Went under at 7:30AM and woke up in recovery at around 10:30AM. Thank you so much for all of your prayers, well wishes, and encouragement. I love you all and will post when I am not so groggy.

6 days postop and saw these cartoons on new York Times IG and had to laugh! Anyone else relate?  

LOVE THEM! Especially the blankets...so true. My husband makes Princess and the Pea jokes everytime we make the bed. We're sleeping with TWO down comforters, a fuzzy blanket, a cotton waffle blanket and heavy sheets.

Biggest challenge was just getting over the fear of surgery due to wanting to be there for my family. People here have been amazingly supportive and helped me jump that one. The next challenge thus far is just keeping that hydration up all day long! I feel really good (crazy!) 5 days out. I'm exhausted but can still walk around and "be a Mom". My DH has fully taken over laundry and other strenuous housekeeping tasks. I am irritable [emoji23] I am more quick to be annoyed by too much sound and such. I'm sure that will pass. [emoji23].

My dietian and also my trainer likened my weight loss journey thus far like this:
Before the surgery, you are trying to dig a big hole....with a spoon. You are amazingly focused and diligent but sometimes when you look up and see how long it takes with such effort, you just want to throw your spoon at the neighbors' home. The neighbors have huge shovels since birth and are very proud of them. Your humble spoon works but takes great diligence and time.
After surgery, (and I already can tell the difference with the feeling in my stomach and am adjust my mentality also), you have a new tool! It is an awesome big shovel! Now instead of spoonfuls for the effort you are shoveling great big chunks! You still have to be diligent and put in the effort; this new tool is so much more joyous and less frustrating to use than then one we have had our whole lives. Heck, no wonder some people enjoy digging!

Other changes: mostly mental for me. If I was willing to go to these lengths, then I am worth continuing that journey. So glad to share our journeys!

My surgeon had the same procedure on himself and he says that taking time to eat is the best way to not to stretch it. He also said only to eat when my full attention is on the food. Sounds like you taking an hour to eat a yogurt is a good thing! I would usually eat a yogurt preop in minutes!

Biggest challenge was just getting over the fear of surgery due to wanting to be there for my family. People here have been amazingly supportive and helped me jump that one. The next challenge thus far is just keeping that hydration up all day long! I feel really good (crazy!) 5 days out. I'm exhausted but can still walk around and "be a Mom". My DH has fully taken over laundry and other strenuous housekeeping tasks. I am irritable [emoji23] I am more quick to be annoyed by too much sound and such. I'm sure that will pass. [emoji23].

My dietian and also my trainer likened my weight loss journey thus far like this:
Before the surgery, you are trying to dig a big hole....with a spoon. You are amazingly focused and diligent but sometimes when you look up and see how long it takes with such effort, you just want to throw your spoon at the neighbors' home. The neighbors have huge shovels since birth and are very proud of them. Your humble spoon works but takes great diligence and time.
After surgery, (and I already can tell the difference with the feeling in my stomach and am adjust my mentality also), you have a new tool! It is an awesome big shovel! Now instead of spoonfuls for the effort you are shoveling great big chunks! You still have to be diligent and put in the effort; this new tool is so much more joyous and less frustrating to use than then one we have had our whole lives. Heck, no wonder some people enjoy digging!

Other changes: mostly mental for me. If I was willing to go to these lengths, then I am worth continuing that journey. So glad to share our journeys!

My surgeon had the same procedure on himself and he says that taking time to eat is the best way to not to stretch it. He also said only to eat when my full attention is on the food. Sounds like you taking an hour to eat a yogurt is a good thing! I would usually eat a yogurt preop in minutes!

You need to eat everything you're told. Or at least try hard to do so. The reason being...as you heal, you NEED to stretch it a little several times a day to keep the openings open, and reduce the odds of it developing a stricture from scar tissue. (that's what I was told)
4 ounces of yogurt in an hour is fine.
You won't stretch your pouch drinking fluids...they move right through. Most of the stuff you're eating right now does.
And of course you can drink more now...you're healing. it's a good thing:) Less risk of dehydration.

Look, someone thinks your legs are so sexy, they are throwing money at you! (see the money, fourth pic down?)
Progress is awesome! Good work:)

Not really. I wanted to make myself laugh in light of feeling kinda .. blah. I don't need encouragement. I don't want to be your "puppy with worms" and in constant need of fluffing.. I just am a tad down and want this process to speed up a few (what are those speed things called-rpm? No idea lol)

And, well these were my last few pics. And if you haven't realized I am a chronic picture taker in this venture because, well hello, memory
You all should do. If where we want to go, which is a healthier body and look smokin' cute ( and we shall), we want memories of us now, even if it makes us cringe ( now) there will be a time, when it won't
So, get your cameras out now and snap away
Vogue
Love, Joanna

That’s great to hear, LivingLife100. I’m glad we can go through journey together. I’m only one week behind you. What did you find was your biggest challenge? What makes you say this is a great tool? How are you feeling 5 days out? Do you notice any other change besides a decrease in hunger and appetite? I would definitely appreciate any information you could share. I have excellent “veteran” ESGers on this forum who have provided me with invaluable info about the procedure but I am always looking for more experiences especially since yours was so very recent. Thank you and I hope we can reach our goal together.

Same goals that I have! Day 5 postop and I can tell this is a great tool to get us to that goal!

I just did a screen grab of the progress tracker from my profile. My weight loss slowed down big time by last July and has stayed slow, but I've been fine with it. I have a ways to go but have been happy with where I'm at.
I was 350ish at my heaviest. 336 at the start of the 2 week diet. 318 the day of surgery (Jan 25, 2017).

No hunger the first month although I was so tired of liquids and soft foods. Was pretty run down with low energy the first few weeks. After the first month things got better quickly and really has been smooth sailing since then.

I was 321.8 on 11/9 (HW)
302.6 on 11/20 (SW)
243.4 today (CW, 10.5 weeks after surgery, down 78.4# total so far)
I seem to be losing faster than average. I healed quickly and was only off work for a week.
My first week after surgery I lost about 9 pounds. I was down 30 pounds the first month after surgery.
I stick to my diet, log every single thing, aim for 90g Protein and <40g carbs every day right now.

How are things going for you?

Started at 304 got down to 283 before sleeve on 8 August. Lost fast a beginning around 30 pounds first month, then it slowed down, nearly 6 months later I have lost 75 pounds. Now 229 and losing on average 2 pounds a week. Sometimes the scales don’t move but the tape measure does, I have gone down more that 5 dress sizes. I used to dread stalls, drove me mad in the beginning now I just follow the pattern and wait for it to pass. Its years since I have been so happy within myself. I feel normal, wear wonderful clothes and am so much healthier.
I want to lose more, and stick religiously to Proteins and very few carbs, I struggle with Water and never quite make it. However, if I didn’t lose another pound I would still be so much happier than this time last year.

Wow, great job! We're close to the same starting/surgery weights (you beat me by a few pounds) though different starting dates. But I'm losing very slowly now...I'd like to mirror your success but I'm trying to stay realistic for me.
I wore 28 pants now I'm down to 24. I'm hoping I can fit into non-lane bryant size 24 pants (haven't tried yet) because I'm not having luck at goodwill/thrift stores and don't want to spend $60+ for trousers if I'm going to keep getting smaller! (for work-not a dress/skirts person) Tops are easier to find for less!

Hi Macky,
i too had my surgery on the 30th and although I feel I’m having a hard time fitting in all the fluids and Protein, ,, I decided to just do the best I can because stressing about it makes me more .... worried.. broth is something I’ve come to really like and the popsicles helps a lot. I keep track of things in a special little book the program gave us.
i also had the patch as it always had worked well for me. But now that’s all good. I feel good, better than I expected even!!!! Except for now I’m tired.. really tired but I’m making small trips to the mailbox, the stop sign at the end of my street... but mostly need to remember to be good to my body,, it went through a complete makeover on the inside.
sounds like you are doing great now!! Keep us updated!!
#teamjanuary30th
we got this!

Aww thank you so so so much [emoji173]️ I really appreciate all the support and kindness I have received from you and this platform has been beyond what I was looking for within the bariatric/ weight loss community. And being active and getting in fluids in the beginning was hard but they’re the keys to my success along with getting in Protein and Vitamins. Thank you again for your kind and generous words [emoji846][emoji173]️

Age and how long you have been overweight are factors if the skin has a bit of bounce back. Reality is excess skin is only going away by having plastics.
As for lotions....Sigh. slathering lotion on loose skin...Does nothing. (my opinion)
Shapewear: try several kinds until you find what works for you.

Thanks so much Tex! I just breathed a sigh of relief. I’m so glad I’m not the only one who struggled with this. Whew! I’m looking forward to this now.
Btw, my children think I’m getting an endoscopic test done. My husband will be the only one who knows and so did my late mother of course. So you’re right that becoming healthy will be a great example to set for them. Although my 4 boys are and were all wrestlers so their fitness and activity level is already up there. I feel like the odd man out in my household so to speak. It would be great to just participate more actively with them. I have written about this with Mel and being more active in addition to getting the weight off is the main goal. Thanks again Tex!

hope4momof4, I had the same challenge with the pre-op liquid diet. I was still feeling my pm cravings, for me the worst hours were from 4-8 pm, seemed like I couldn't stop munching. I just don't have this physical or mental desire now post ESG, the procedure really helped my hormones in addition to reducing my stomach volume. I only did the Sunday and Monday on liquid only diet and my procedure was Tues AM. No impact to my procedure, last 2 days are what count. All turned out fine.
Your anti-nausea meds are the same as what I took. Your in our thoughts and prayers, your doctor sounds great very reassuring. You're going to make a real difference in your life and the life of your family next week! We're with you all the way!
Tex

Glad you are doing good.. I get the sore part.... but I had the patch behind ear so not nausea... kind of feels like a herd of horses are trotting by lol well not a herd but sore but not as bad I was expecting.
when did you have your surgery?

Hi everyone! I'm doing okay, just very sore. I had my gallbladder out also and the Dr said it was tough to get out. I had a lot of stones in there. I've been sipping Water and a Protein Shake today. I should be going home in the morning.

Sent from my SM-G935V using BariatricPal mobile app

Hi Katkatlady and everyone else..
I made it!!! It went fine. I started at 1’sh and in my room around 7pm.. felt really groggy.. not much pain but did have a bad headache from stuff given in surgery.. got my patch behind ear!! Since I got back to my room so late that they weren’t pushing me to walk around this floor.. but did get up ALOT to use the bedside commode. Couldn’t figure out why I was peeing so much... ohhh yaaa, the IV lol but have been cruising the halls since.. going home in a few minutes... it was better than I expected although my tummy is a bit sore and bloated... and so far NO GAS!!! I’m sure this is just the calm before the storm lol I don’t know my weight as if yet, will check tomorrow morning.. I had a little mini goal for myself before I went into surgery and I made it!! Woohoo. Dr said he took out a lot of old scars and adhesion from prior surgeries...
before I could leave I had drink 1 oz of Water which went down fine, slow but fine... and then later they had me try broth, Jello and tea. All was fine but not hungry so took me awhile... the staff was the best! I didn’t sleep much since surgery but that’s pretty normal...
ths is for sure my start of my new life and journey.. I’m excited for the new life.
side note tho,, my friend that came over from another neighbor island ended up being admitted to hospital for her kidney (which has a stone and now is greatly infected.. and she’s had a brain tumor for 7 years but recently started growing again so the soecialisthsre are helping her.. her island doesn’t have much medical so they are usually sent here for medical reasons... so I’m getting released and she is staying... interesting how God works..she’s getting the good care she needed here if she accepts it.
so how is everyone doing after their surgeries??? Been telling the nurses about this group and how I love hearing others start and progress...
blessing my bariatric family!