rene50

No, I'm sorry I don't know anyone else who was his patient. Dr. Hidalgo does surgeries at a few different hospitals in PVR, and CMQ seemed to have the best reputation. Good luck, and yes, I know it is a very nerve wrecking process and you want to make sure you make the right decison. I am over a year out now and have had no problems. I'm 3 pounds away from my orginal goal, but I seem to be holding steading at this weight, and that's okay with me. Wishing you the best!

I'm seven months out and have had alcohol several times. My surgeon said no alcohol for 6 months, but I had a few glasses of wine at a party at 5 months out. I don't drink on a regular basis, and never more than a few glasses of wine, but I haven't noticed it has a differnet affect than before surgery.

Of course, my sincere apologies! I should have read the first post and the intent of this thread.

I guess I'm a slow loser,probably genitics and age. I'm very happy with 60 pounds in 5.5 months. Now, I'm only losing a pound a week. My surgeon told me that losing slowly is best for excess skin. I think he is right. Even at my age, I'm not looking at surgery. A little flabby in tummy, thighs and arms but swimming is helping a lot. I'm still 20 pounds from goal, but feeling good that I'll make my goal.

Look at you, girl! You look amazing! Thank you so much for sharing.

For years, my doctor has told me to stop dieting. In fact, she's told me all the dieting I've done has made me fatter. She's preached lifestyle change, over and over, but I just couldn't make the change until now. She wasn't onboard with my surgery because I didn't have health issues, but I think she might be changing her mind because I'm doing so well. I haven't lost crazy-fast and I'm feeling great, labs are good. I'm only 5.5 months out, so it's still new, but I'm listening to my doc now. No crazy diets, just eating healthy and exercising. Maybe, just maybe, the surgery got me on track! Do you feel you have finally made a lifestyle change ?

Oh my goodness, you have done great! What stands out to me is that your surgery was in 2011 and you have maintained a 138 pound loss. I understand wanting to get to that ultimate goal, but how do you feel? Do you feel healthy at 177? We all want to be little-minnies, but what is reasonable for our age and height? You have done an amazing job, so I think you've got the eating under control, so maybe a new excercise regime that you like? Personally, I hate most exercise, but I love bike riding when not too hot, swimming, and yoga. I will never step foot on a treadmill or in a gym. 'Aint gonna happen! LOL!

I try to stay in the same calorie range 800-1000, and less than 50 carbs, even when doing heavy exercise. I'm still losing, only a pound a week now on average.

I'll be at 6 months in a few weeks, and yes, I can eat more than a 1/2 a cup, but not more than a cup. I'm still losing, but much slower. Our surgeries must have been around the same time. How about you? Can you eat more than 1/2 cup now?

I am so sorry! A chest tube is serious, I know. You will be in my prayers.

Just a note, my nails are better than they have been my entire life.

I'm in the same boat. Five months out and my hair is falling out like crazy despite taking Biotin and an arrary of other vitamins. My thick, beautiful hair, is now thin. Thankfully, no bald spots. I've read that at 6 months it subsides for most people, and I sure hope that's the case. Reading CannonRoar's post scares the beegeebeezies out of me!

I'm so sorry you've expereinced so many complications. May I ask where you had your surgery? Here's my take, and it's just based on the people I know, very limited: the people who have had it at local hospitals have ALL had some kind of problem. Every single person I know! The people who have it in Mexico or Las Vegas seem to do better. I think the surgeons in our area just don't have the volume and they are not as proficient as the surgeons who perform 1-2 a day. You also have to be careful about choosing a place where the surgeons perform too many surgeries a day.

Same here, no pain. I did feel a little "tug" in my stomach when standing up. I certainly wouldn't classify as pain.

I did the same thing; ate everything I loved before surgery. I mean EVERYTHING! Crazy eating disorder behavior! After surgery, it was amazing how my appetite changed. I never would have believed I would feel full after a cup of broth. LOL! You will, I promise. It is an amazing tool. The first 30-35 pounds flew off, no issues! Now, I'm having to work at it, but the restriction is still there and I keep losing 1-2 pounds most weeks. I don't have the cravings for the copious amounts of carbohydrates. I know a lady who had VSG 6 months before me. She's only lost 25 pounds in 11 months. From what I've gathered, she's eating the same things she ate before surgery on a more frequent basis. She is so sad and I feel terrible for her, but I really think she had to TRY HARD to eat enough to have such minimal results. I think she still has some restriction because she tells me about throwing up. I've never, not once, thrown up. I have felt nauseated after taking vitatmins, but never vomited.