bgarner47

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...

I am almost 4 months since VSG and all of a sudden it seems my Hair loss is accelerating. I find it quite scary actually since I already have fine hair. I do the Biotin and special Shampoo and conditioner for hair loss but...….its not stopping it. Started to use a comb instead of a brush hoping it would help stop pulling out the hair. Sigh......
I have been stuck at 53 lbs weight loss and it aint going any further. Now I have to 'work' for it...…...can't be lazy anymore
Took some cute photos today with my animals

Clothes! Clothes! Clothes!
Besides necessity, there are a few reasons it is fun:
1. I am no longer limited to plus sizes. Exploring stores and having more options is amazing, whole new world of possibilities. 🤩
2. My body has a better shape so it is actually possible to look good in clothes. I don't feel like a blob anymore 😊
3. If done right, shopping is decent exercise. Lots of walking. Bring a water bottle and get to work! 😉
Side note: I do love pedicures, but have actually gone less since losing weight bc it is also kinda exciting how easily I can reach my toes! No more huffing and puffing!

Vacations to exotic places in so I save these for big milestones...

If I can lose 4 more pounds before the 10th - One big reward for reaching Onederland - a spa day while on vacation - I can hear the masseuse calling my name.
My first official goal would be reached in 7 lbs - not realistic to think that can / will happen in a week... that would 40lbs lost since day before pre-op - reward - Extended weekend away with the BF.

My non food reward was to buy a motorcycle! I did not want to be heavy on one so I always told myself if I lost enough weight I would finally get one!

I have a charm Bracelet (in the Pandora style, but it isn't Pandora-branded) that I'm adding a charm to, every time I lose 10 pounds.

Good luck Kimberlar will be thinking of you on Monday. No matter how you feel post op you must walk walk walk sip sip sip and try to walk at least every 2 hours. You can do this I’m 5 weeks out on Wednesday am down another 20 pounds in a month. Take care and no worries:)

October 22nd! Is the first day of the rest of my life!!! So excited and terrified!

Just added a countdown app to my phone - 44 days!! Looking forward to sharing the journey :)

It is hard. It is so hard! I'm going to work on this. I understand about the muffins. In my mind, I would say hey they are good and eat way more than I should, or have one everyday and it would make things worse. Dang the food! Well, I am thankful for my tool and don't want to mess this up. I'm going to work on thinking of more things to do in the evening. I need to also break my idea of tv and food as one.

You should absolutely be proud of yourself for coming to these realizations.
Honestly, I had to change my relationship with food. I had to think of food as a means to an end. I don't allow myself things that are super yummy (if I do, its rare). As an example, I bought these Protein muffins months ago.... and still haven't brought myself to eat them. They aren't bad, in fact, the sell them on the store here. BUT, I know in my heart... they may taste too *good* for me and it could lend way to other things. I also have replaced food with other forms of enjoyment or distraction. I kept a clean house prior to surgery. But my house is immaculate now. I'm always getting up and doing something to keep my mind off things.
Its about knowing you have a problem, and fighting that problem every day. Sometimes you lose, more often than not you win. But eventually it becomes normal. Your thought process changes, and its not such an up hill battle.

Hey guys! I wanted to chime in since I have been reading and not participating. I had surgery Oct 2nd and would love to connect with a few people. My process to get to surgery was rather quick and was not required to do the psychological exams/nutritional classes that seem to be the norm. I had my initial consultation on September 12th and my surgery date scheduled shortly after. I had been contemplating this for years, and had spent tons of hours researching and what not. My pre op diet was 7 days of Clear Liquids (with Protein shakes) which was difficult. I wasn’t necessarily overly hungry but more just wanting to chew. I was not enjoying the Protein Drinks at first but eventually threw in the towel and got hungry enough I guess. I had to go on a work trip for my fiancés company (getting married in January) which was a trip for the management teams/ execs spouses to meet in Marco Island Florida.) Now that was tough!! Banquet dinners and cocktail hours but I made it through and staying busy might have helped the time pass on liquids. I was very very nervous for surgery. My sleeve surgery was under and hour and was discharged a few hours later after drinking a certain amt, walking, and using the bathroom. Upon waking up the pain was pretty bad but they immediately gave me more pain medicine and I felt ok. The one thing I was not expecting was that I could not use my stomach muscles at all for 2 days. I could barely get up from laying down I felt like a turtle on its back. It is getting better every day and I would say the 3rd day so much better. The gas pain was like nothing I have never felt before but it would subside when I would walk. Had the worst diarrhea and stomach cramps the second night. The first few days are just not fun but the pain meds help tremendously. Day 4 I had a lot of reliefs all around and day 5 and 6 have been remarkably better. Be careful shampooing your hair, it pulled my stomach a little and made me light headed. The first 2-3 days I could barely drink protein and now it is not a problem at all. Water is the hardest thing for me to drink at this point which is so odd to me.. it hurts in my chest. Yesterday my appetite came back and was wanting some flavor and I ordered Pho broth and that was a life savior. I’m not sure if it’s more mental or I was actually hungry. It was pretty salty so I didn’t have much but it helped me a lot. Tomorrow I start on blended Soups and very excited for some flavor. I hope I didn’t scare anyone but I just want to be real about the pain. I know it’s all going to be worth it. I’m down 20 lbs from preop liquids to today and that feels good! I have my follow up appt today and everything was good. Good luck to everyone having surgery!! Please reach out for any questions, would love to help.

Newbie here! Joined the forum just to share my surgery date of October 9th. Excited to be in the October class with everyone! Should definitely keep in touch with each other on progress.
I am having the sleeve done at Wake Forest, in NC with Dr. Fernandez. I am definitely on the bigger scale for a sleeve patience (500lb), but I'm otherwise healthy so I'm hoping that it won't matter long term. Thanks for all the positive comments!

I am a newbie and so happy to have found this thread! I am scheduled for October 31st, Halloween day but I am not spooked at all. Estatic is a better word. I also am very apprehensive about sharing my news with certain family members out of fear of judgement....still debating if I will share my plan at all. My SO, brother and children are the only ones I have told and they are super supportive. Again. so glad to have found you all!

Start learning to separate your eating drinking by a half hour. Start learning to sip, no more chugging, no,lmore bolting that stuff down. Start eating slower, after surgery you want to chew into very smooth consistency. Traditionally they say applesauce, I personally say Apple Butter. May have to be 20-30,times each. Sounds rough, well,your new sleeve,on pounch is very tender and crabby at first. This is my,10th day,post, thought i,had this thing licked? Last,night my pouch and. I had a disaggreement, Precious Puch won that argument. This morning I'm sucking,on a suger free popsicle, wondering if we are still in a state of truce.
I am already on Stage 3, rare,but some doctors move THAT fast. Thursday diet and liquids went well, so I got,brave, wanted to venture to something else. Bad idea, right now I'm still figuring things after all. But,i am seeing positive body changes all ready. They are small, but they make me continue.
Found out I can and will do this. And in a month you will be where I am encouraging the November chicks and dudes. Stay strong it is beautiful,being where I am.
HW 355 10/2017
Sw 303. 9/05/2018
height 5ft 8in
Goal 175 and I am. 72 years old. If i can do it, most everybody,younger has a good chance of success.