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I found that the better my skin care routine, the better my skin responded back. Stay hydrated and if you are looking for collagen, my dietitian suggests the brand "Vital Proteins". You can add to coffee, soup, smoothies etc and it comes in flavors or unflavored. I found it helps me also to keep up with extra protein. She also recommends biotin and it helps hair, nails and skin. I started it 3 months prior to surgery and have continued to take it now. Since I am a more mature lady (tomorrow I will be 63) I have studied Youtube videos just to learn better make up techniques and this has been the best to make me feel better about myself. There is one person I follow that has 25 years experience as a makeup artist for movies, TV, commercials etc and her advice if fabulous and designed for women over 40. For myself I think knowing how to enhance and disguise my flaws gives me more confidence and this has improved my personal look. If you feel good and believe you look good you smile more and that is the ticket for me. https://www.youtube.com/c/CleanBeautyBabeMichelleSpieler

Unless I missed it, I am wondering about your protein intake. Protein helps with brain clarity along with some fat. Skip the no fat and low fat products. Have you gone back to your dietician and had an analysis of your eating based on your labs? I wish you well and hope you find answers.

I waited until after 5-6 months until I ate raw vegetables and salad. Coleslaw seems to be the best for me but only about 2-4 tablespoons. I am also a big salad lover but use the chopped romaine and only about 1/2 a cup because I want to make certain that my protein comes first. I also only use one type of salad dressing and only need a tablespoon with the small amount of lettuce (litehouse thousand Island). Everything else tastes funny to me. With the fresh salad bars now opened, I carefully make my choices and add extra protein. With my purchase from Lunds & Byerlys I can eat 4 meals from it. I do not add salad dressing until I come home. As with many here, there are just days that salads taste so good. 🥗

Hi Elizabeth, I had my sleeve 12-14-2020 at 61 and have never regretted it. I did have some gas issues and found that infant gas drops and an ice pack on my chest make me feel better. Plus the best is walking as much as you are able right after surgery helps move the gas out. I have very little pain (I have a very high pain tolerance so that helps). Remember why you are doing the surgery and keep you focus. The old Mind over Matter thinking helps also. Best of luck to you and keep in touch.

I have lost 91 pounds at age 62 and would take the excess skin over the prediabetes, hypertension and exhaustion from being very obese. Clothes do hide the extra skin along with some supportive undergarments if needed. Exercise and hydration keep your muscles taught and looking good. I will be looking into surgery but not sure if it would be covered by insurance at all (breast lift and reduction due to continued back and neck pain maybe covered). I would be looking forward to ideas as to coverage hints and am not interested in surgery out of USA. Best of luck and you may feel this surgery is beneficial over the accumulation of fat in and around your organs/tissues.

I know when I felt I stalled or slowed down, I made sure I was exercising, eating my protein, no snacks and drinking water. You did not gain the weight over night and slow progress with get you to your goal. I think you are doing wonderful.👍

I totally agree with mswillis5. I had the fears in the beginning also . I have lost 71 pounds thus far and struggle with the person I see in the mirror. My struggle is not believing what I see. I try to reward myself with a new piece of clothing and feel when I am shopping that it just looks to small for me and am surprised when it fits!. My therapist did warn me that my head will play games with me for awhile. All in all, I am so happy that I made the choice to have a VGS. I cannot look back at the place I was prior to all of this. Trust the journey. Follow the dietary instructions and really try not to cheat. There are medical reasons as to why you need to eat and what you should eat and when. You have this and there are so many people here that will support you. Be sure to know who the people are in your life that are your supports also. That was also one of my biggest aids.

My favorite flavors of the protein shakes listed above are: white chocolate peppermint chocolate mint chocolate Peanut Butter I also like pure protein protein bars. They are very high in protein and lower sugar which I have to have for prediabetes.

I would not write them all out. As a group they all feel like they can attack the new you. What will your response be if one of them reached out to you with questions about this procedure and if you would do it again etc? That happened to a friend at work when was sleeved back in July 2020 and now is at goal. Our co-worker stated "why would you do that to your body?" and a couple weeks ago had many questions and it sounds like will be proceeding with her own weight loss surgery. Feeling the loss of friends support is a loss and is hurtful. You have a right to grieve this loss. I hope it all works out for you in the end and keep up your good work in a healthier you.

Would it help you to pour your ginger ale in a glass and let it "go flat" if the flavor packets do not work or if you cannot find them? One of my friends did that with diet dr. pepper and she was able to tolerate it even though it did not have the carbonation. I am so sorry you felt attacked. There are many positive and kind people here that have good advice.. I hope you feel better very soon.

There are Canada Dry Ginger Ale (sugar free) on the go mix packets for water that may help. I purchased mine at a Dollar general store. (this will eliminate the carbonation)

I noticed the same thing. I do have dry skin normally in the winter so I have been making certain that I keep up with water. Maybe someone will share a brand of lotion that makes a difference with dryness.

Clothes and no shoes (they provide a scale foot cover) . I always try to wear close to the same amount of clothes during my weigh ins. I can play really bad mind games with myself and I just want to keep it honest. Even in my past when my weight was 116 pounds, I played games with the scale so my relationship with it can be very unhealthy.

I appreciate your comments but will just let this go. thank you.

Thank you so much for saying that. I now do not feel safe in responding on much because I do not want to have my hand slapped or feel beat up. As an RN for 40 years, I do see things from 2 sides, the healthcare side and my personal experience side as being sleeved. I just have to remember there are people who feel they must correct everything and I need to just let it go.

You are doing great with your prep. Wishing you well with surgery and excited to hear how it goes for you. 😁

Wow. My statement did not have judgmental intent but I guess you took it that way. It is exactly what my dietician told me because I have trouble with sweets and candy and I was just sharing. Now I feel that I was judged. I thought sharing was ok?

I stated twice that "it may still occur" which is not a "blanket statement". Following the guidelines for no sweets is still the best and safest. I am so sorry if you took offense to something I said.

I absolutely understand. I have a sister in law that is the same. She feels she has the right since she has a Master's in counseling. I know when I see her she will be drilling for information. I just might tell her I had a stomach surgery and now exercise and log everything I eat into my Fitbit app. Or just smile and say I am working hard to make a change to take back my health.

Good Job and I am a Minnesota girl also. All the best to you.

Keeping you eye on weight gains and then going back to logging your eating with some exercise will drop your weight back down. Congratulations and celebrate your one year with something for you!! ( not food)

My dietician did tell me that as your body adjusts you may stall but making sure you manage your protein and water you will continue to lose. This was the time that I added exercise because I was so fearful of losing my muscle mass instead of fat. It did help me to continue to lose weight but slowed to 1-2 pounds per week. You seem to be doing great! Congratulations.

I lost 35 prior to surgery and am 9 weeks post surgery and am down another 26. I weigh myself everyday but keep my eye focused on my Monday weights. I am exercising daily and noticed I am slowing down but average about 500 calories (regular foods now) but 60 g of protein and 60+ ounces of water. I did not gain all of this in a day so even a weekly loss of 2 pounds is a win for me.

although something like orange slices could get stuck, cause a leak or obstruction but my physician did tell me that sweets may still lead to dumping syndrome with being sleeved. All my research before I had my surgery (VGS) stated that dumping syndrome may still occur.

Not true if you want to use FMLA. You have to have a signed document with reason of leave listed from the physician. I had to provide to HR and to then it must be approved by my boss since VSG was considered an elective surgery. Because I am an RN, they do not want to be short which would be worse for our patients especially during COVID times. I would guess if you request your time off as PTO of course no more information will be needed and not necessary to divulge. In the world we live in, people are too judgmental and feel they have the right to be condescending. That is why these groups are so important for people to feel safe and gain supportive words.