shazz73

On 06/18/2019 at 10:43, sillykitty said:

I had no medical conditions whatsoever. I had the VSG to improve my immediate quality of life & to prevent future health issues. I only regret I didn’t do it sooner. Even without medical issues, I feel so much better now, both physically and mentally.



Also, most of the time diet and exercise don’t permanently keep the weight off. I wanted the best chance for long term success.



Finally, wouldn’t getting rid of the CPAP machine be enough of a reason? It seems like they would interfere with sleep quality and just beca general hassle

This exactly. No regrets!

Airline seatbelt is fastened and this was... extra?!?... I had to fight the urge to announce it to everyone around me on the plane! instead discreetly took a pic to share with you all... 😊

Told nobody. My doctor knows... and my surgeon... no regrets.

I bought and ordered quite a variety, and ended up chucking a lot of it. Premier Protein was my go to post surgery as well... costco has it by the case... it’s more expensive at London drugs but they carry it in packs if 4 so you could try it before investing in a full case... they also have chocolate...

I also found Protein Water at London Drugs. Turns out I really didn’t like the aftertaste so I’d suggest buying one and trying it before you stock up.

On 04/30/2019 at 08:07, FluffyChix said:

Yeah I think this is totally do-able as a vegetarian. You just have to be smart about things. I do think it's harder to do vegan, but still possible. Lacto-ovo vegetarians would have the easiest time of it as do pescatarians.

Vegetarian here, 6.5 months post vsg. :) Vegetarian for 23 years so it just feels normal to me at this point. I try and focus on Protein by including dairy, Beans, lentils, nuts, tofu etc. If I feel I’m missing the mark on protein on a given day I might add in a Premier Protein but it’s rare these days. Veggies also have protein... not so hard to do :)

Hello Teri,

I think we mostly hear from people who are “miserable” because they require support and they come to this forum and are able to get it - which is great!

That said there are those of us (lots of us I’m guessing) who have been fortunate to have near smooth sailing on this journey. I am just over 6 months post op. My recovery was smooth, I was back at work 4 days after surgery. I progressed through the stages as planned, am steadily losing weight and am closing in on a healthy BMI. I told nobody and somehow have managed to keep it that way (and yes, I do go out in public haha).

To top it off, my mental health, confidence and energy are strong. I am already noticing a career impact (shame on society that this is even a thing), and I am able to say “yes” to fun things with my kids without worrying whether I’ll have the stamina to do it.

My only small grumbles so far... my scars aren’t fading the way I had hoped (keloid maybe?), and I have been discarding clothing at an alarming rate ($$). Last night we ordered Thai food... normally I’d have a large plate loaded with all my favs. This time, a few bites and I was done... but my brain wanted more :(

Also, yes, you’ll want to get Water in and make Protein a priority, but one of the best things about this surgery for me, was NOT continuing to obsess over my meals and the scale. I eat well and don’t beat myself up for an occasional small treat. I go weeks where I forget to jump on the scale. It is a part of my life, not my entire life.

I in no way want to downplay the struggles and difficulty that some have had in this journey. I know how fortunate I am to have had it go so well!! Best of luck on your journey Teri... I’ll wish smooth sailing for you too!

3 weeks out and I drink normally now. Once in a while I forget and chug and feel the pressure in my belly but nothing terribly dramatic, just a good reminder to slow down a bit...

Surgery on Thursday, flew home Sunday, back at work Monday... wouldn’t necessarily recommend that but I didn’t have a lot of choice and just got lucky that it went as smoothly as it did...

I was glad I brought:
Heating pad
Phone and charger
Chapstick
Extension cord for heating pad and phone charger.
Slippers
That’s it!

On 10/17/2018 at 17:13, shazz73 said:

I’m wrapping up at work and heading to the airport. Surgery tomorrow morning. Nobody knows I’m going except my BariatricPal buddies, my PCP and my surgeon! Thank you all for being awesome. Scared, excited, ready!! Catch you on the flip side 😜

Hi All - I made it! I felt really prepared based on all of you having shared your experiences.

I was super emotional in the hour or two before my surgery yesterday, I was terrified, but climbed up on the table and got it done!!

I’ve been sleeping lots and pain is well controlled... very little incision pain, just gas pain mostly in my back.Still on Clear Liquids and I never knew diluted apple juice could taste so good. haha.

Tips that I picked up here that served me well included bringing the following things...
Heating pad ( has been so good on my sore back)
Chap stick
Extension cord
Phone and charger
Slippers

Off to sleep some more - it still feels kind of surreal that I actually had the guts to do this 🙃

I’m wrapping up at work and heading to the airport. Surgery tomorrow morning. Nobody knows I’m going except my BariatricPal buddies, my PCP and my surgeon! Thank you all for being awesome. Scared, excited, ready!! Catch you on the flip side 😜

On 10/10/2018 at 15:31, Snaver said:

Thought I posted a few days ago. Don’t see it, so here’s a re-post.

Started liquid diet on Sept 27 (Optifast 900), for surgery on Oct 18.

@snaver I have been waiting for you!! Finally I have a surgery twin :) hope pre-op is going well for you!

On 10/07/2018 at 11:38, Frustr8 said:

And after all of this is Over you will have joined a Select Sorority of Bariatric Winners. "Phi No-more Rump Omega" We may not have jackets but we do have banners. Mine will say " She saw a Need, She developed a Plan and She Did It!" What will YOURS say?🚩🎈🚩

I will gladly join this sorority and wave that banner! It pretty much nails it. 💜

“I tried to eat a mozzarella stick last night, I dont know why, but I did.”
Can I just say that one of the things I LOVE most about y’all is that you are so willing to keep it real! @vwlover0611 Thank you!! As someone who is taking this journey 100% alone I am so so thankful to this supportive community. VSG oct18. Ready to get it done!!

On 09/30/2018 at 12:06, emccomis said:

I am scheduled for surgery on October 9th! I am beyond nervous and excited at the same time. I will only be off from work for one week so I am a little nervous on how my return to work will go. I start pre-op liquid diet on Tuesday. I look forward to hearing from everyone as they start this new life. Good luck to you all!

Hi there, I need to be back on deck within a week as well... I am rolling the dice and hoping for a smooth recovery! I am trying to dodge booking commitments for the days immediately after (my work involves a lot of face to face meetings, working lunches etc). Scheduled for October 18th. Good luck as you move into pre-op!

On 09/30/2018 at 07:03, Jdesmond73 said:

Sleeved at 44 last December. Feeling fantastic

Congratulations on hitting your goal! Sounds like your hard work has paid off!!

On 09/23/2018 at 12:54, Suesloosinit said:

Did your Dr tell you no coffee? Ours said to change to Decaf, and I don’t think I could go weeks with out it. Maybe you could get coffee Protein Shakes to replace it🤗

Definitely no caffeinated coffee for the first 4 weeks after surgery and then we’ll see if it’s tolerated... I think decaf might just make me sadder haha. I heard it referred to as “brown sadness Water once” :)

Currently cleaning my coffee maker before I put it away (for now? Forever? ) I love coffee. I miss coffee. I suspect coffee misses me too. 25 days until the big day. One step closer.

On 09/21/2018 at 08:16, Screwballski said:

I just got my baby fine, thinning hair cut yesterday. I was waiting to have my extensions put bacon but there just wasn't enough left so...here it is...

If I met you today I would just think “what gorgeous flattering hair that suits her lovely ( thin!) face”. I say rock it!

Congrats - this will definitely be a post surgery goal for me too!

Anyone else scheduled for October 18? I need a buddy! :)

@leebick thank you for writing this. This, THIS, is Exactly what I am hoping for out of this surgery. Congratulations on all of your success 💜

October 18 for me. Time to start the excruciating process of breaking up with coffee. Heaven help those who need to be around me! LOL.

Would love to hear your recommendation for vegan Protein powder. Thanks for posting - your meals look fab!

Ok... on the “lighter” side of things... just in case anyone was wondering... when you are having an ECG, if you push your spanx-like undergarment (addicted) down onto your hips and it’s all bunched up and really tight across your hips, it WILL interfere with your ECG receptors on your legs. (insert mortified face here). One step closer to being ready...