Tiffykins

Thank you all soooooooooooooooo very much. My internet at the house has been down for the last 5-6 days so I hadn't been able to log on and check in with everyone. If you sent me a message, I promise, I'm getting back with everyone, and thank you all again for your sweet comments, congrats, and encouragement. This is an amazing site, and we all learn from one another.

My shedding lasted 3 months solid. I use folicure extra care shampoo every other day. It helped with the regrowth as I had new growth coming in before the shedding stopped. It can dry your hair out so on the opposite days I used Nexxus dualiste anti-breakage shampoo and conditioner. My hair is still considerably thinner than it was pre-op, but it is growing back in. I lost literally half of my hair, and my stylist said it'll take a minimum of 12-18 months for it to come back close to pre-op volume. Try to avoid a lot of overprocessing, coloring, highlighting, a lot of heat applications or ponytails. I never took Biotin on a regular basis. I might have taken it once or twice a week, but nothing that would actually contribute to the new growth coming in.

You look really great ! ! ! Congrats

A lot of VSG women that have gotten pregnant did continue to lose weight. One lady on OH gained a total of 11lbs with her pregnancy, and lost it the first week home with the baby. Her baby was born full term, healthy, happy, and weighed in around 6lbs. They both did great.

Lovenox and heparin are pretty standard during, and after surgery to prevent DVTs. It hasn't ever messed with my periods, but the hormone flux, and stress from surgery caused mine to be out of whack.

My mom told me that I was being reckless by having my stomach removed. But, I told her me puking up food, and not being able to eat a normal diet because of the band was more reckless. She has a band and just "accepts" the band issues because she's lost 70ish pounds, but still has 40 to go before hitting goal. This is the best thing you can do for you and your family. My husband and son benefit because of my weight loss. I'm happier, healthier, and living a very normal life. My mom, and brothers all went through a weird phase when I had lost a large amount of weight. They accused me of being anorexic, and looking "sick". It caused a rift, but we worked through it. We live out of state so they didn't see me eat. When I went "home" for vacation, they saw me eat, they saw that I still have some fat on me, and were happy to know that I was indeed taking care of myself. I know that in my heart of hearts they were concerned. Their delivery of that concern just sucked. Do not allow anyone else take this from you. My husband wasn't extremely happy with the thought of me getting "skinny". He kind of likes thick girls, and liked me at 180ish pounds. Well, he still loves me, and has adjusted to having a wife that wears a size 3/4. Having support is fabulous, and definitely helps us through recovery, but I told my family "if you want to be negative, do it elsewhere, I need positive, strong people to lean on, if you can't be that for me, then don't bother." Stand strong in your decisions, hold tight to those that do support you, and have faith in yourself.

Just check with your doctor about which bc option will work best for you. For the pregnancy, the number one priority is to get out of ketosis. Meaning you have to eat a more balanced diet with carbs and stop the high or only Protein immediately. Ketosis can cause fetal brain issues, and is very dangerous. The baby will get what it needs from the mother's body. The key is feed your body to ensure you do not suffer from the baby draining everything out of your system. As for vacation, relax. You can get back on program when you get home. Stressing about it now isn't going to help you right now. Believe naturally skinny people vacation, and enjoy treats here and there. Remember, this surgery and lifestyle is about a lifetime commitment not just while we're home, and trying to get to goal. You'll do great, just enjoy vacation and worry about the other stuff after you get home.

I didn't care what the gowns looked like, and believe me as soon as I was awake enough I was rolling mascara on, and lipstick was applied shortly afterwards. The sizes were beyond accommodating, and I didn't worry about anything hanging out. I did take a front closure sport bra so I wasn't flashing high beams at everyone when I walked the halls. But, I honestly didn't care about what I was wearing. Between the leg stockings, the no-slip socks, the IV pole, the least of my concern was what the gown looked like. I was able to change into my lounge pants and big t-shirt once I was up and mobile after my band surgery.

Sorry this is off topic, but I'm from Bedford, Texas ! ! ! I have heard so many wonderful things about Dr. Barker. TexasT on here had her revision with him. A couple of my good friends have now had VSG with him, and they love, love, love him bunches.

You may be losing a portion of your stomach, but you are gaining a world of pure happiness that doesn't revolve around food. I'm 14 months out today, and let me just say that I eat out all the time. I mean it's practically 3-5 times a week. I eat anything and everything I want, seriously anything. Yes, for the first couple of months, you'll sacrifice some social events. BUT, I promise it isn't forever. I didn't believe people when they said that life would be normal after a few months, but I live it every day. I forget I even had surgery most days. Changing my eating habits and thought process on food, relationship with food has really just replaced my old eating habits, how I thought about food, and my relationship with food has completely changed. I still eat chips, Cookies, cupcakes, but I eat everything that isn't Protein based in moderation. I enjoy Pasta, rice, and potatoes. I just don't eat 2-3 cups of those foods anymore. Food actually tastes better, and believe me, I still love the hell out of food. I don't miss the big portions, I don't miss gorging myself with food, I definitely don't miss my fat pants. Take everything one day, and one meal at a time. You won't regret it ! ! !

Awww a girl after my heart ! ! ! Photo whore it up Jane, you look fab. . .

I only had drains because of my leak. My surgeon doesn't place them for standard VSG unless there is a specific reason. He does 3 leak test, one on the big portion in the OR, one the following day with contrast fluid that you drink and a ct scan.

Hi there, I had a leak while my husband was deployed as well. The recovery is extensive, but I made a full recovery. I was in the hospital an extra week, and then sent home with a picc line in my arm that fed me TPN Fluid for nutrients and medications. That lasted a couple of weeks, and then I went on the clear liquid diet then progressed unto the other stages. I know it is scary, and frustrating when you are not getting a lot of information. Right now they are trying to make sure the staple line holds, and doesn't leak anymore. I don't know the specifics on how they repaired her leak, and you might not have that information either. But, hang in there, and know that they are doing everything they can to get her to a full recovery. If you have specific questions, please message me.

Advice: make the husband eat outside LOL, and forbid him from entering the kitchen. In all seriousness, it should pass, but it'll take time. You may want to stick to liquids tomorrow so your stomach can relax and recover. Problem with eating foods too early, and things getting stuck is you don't want to do it often. Esophageal dilation sucks, and can be permanent. Also, being so early out, your staple line is still so sensitive. You don't want to induce vomit and stress it. Think of your stomach, like a newborn babies stomach. You wouldn't feed a 12 day old baby pork ribs, right? Your tummy doesn't want that type of food right now either.

I can give you the reason why I fought to have VSG instead of RNY for my revision. 1) regain stats for RNY are just scary 2) # of RNY patients seeking revisions to DS or ERNY because the malabsorption of calories/fat only lasts 2 years, BUT, the malabsorption of nutrients and Vitamins last a lifetime. Not really a fair trade off in my opinion 3) I didn't want to self punish myself if I wanted a cookie. I mean come on that's pretty evil to induce dumping syndrome. Skinny bitches have a cookie or two here and there. Plus, dumping only occurs in 30% of RNY patients, no guarantee it'd keep me out of the cookie jar. 4) I didn't want a blind stomach that can still develop cancer and ulcers yet is difficult to access for scopes, and nearly impossible to diagnose because of the complicated staple line. 5) The pouch caused by the RNY and band are pretty much the same. My body hated the pouch with my band. I knew it would be the same with RNY. It's not natural, I love having a normal, fully functioning tummy. NO pouch, NO stoma with VSG. 6) No Vitamin, nutrient deficiencies with VSG caused by malabsorption. 7) Long term complications with RNY were too numerous for me to even consider a malabsorptive procedure 8) Gastrectomies have been performed for decades upon decades for stomach cancer and ulcerative conditions. Out of all of my research, I found gastrectomy patients living very normal, full lives with partial or complete gastrectomies. Some people have their entire stomach remove and are able to live fairly normal lives. Of course, there are dietary changes and different requirements, but overall, their lives were close to normal. 9) I know several RNY patients in real life, personal close friends, that struggle with regain, Iron infusions weekly for 8 weeks then off for a month, and back on for 2, bowel obstructions, pouch dilation, and other issues related to RNY. 10) The weight loss stats with VSG are neck and neck with VSG and RNY. I knew restriction would be enough for me. Portion control and constant restriction is what I needed. RNY is a great surgery for some people, but for me, it was not a match. For me, VSG was the only option. If I could not have had VSG, my band would have been removed, and I would have stayed fat.

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Great job, and congrats on all the improvements you're already seeing ! ! !

You are so amazing Nikki ! ! ! I'm so proud of you, and you inspire me to keep on trucking. I remember just a few months ago, you were ready to hang up your sleeve, and go for the DS. BUT, you hung in there, you stayed on course, and you never gave up. You must know that that is so motivational, and inspiring to so many people. You look amazing, and I honestly can't tell you how proud of you I am. I'm sitting here glowing and smiling because you simply amaze me. You've already accomplished so much, there's many more victories in your future ! ! !

I wonder if some people just have no tact? When those comments are made, I think do you speak to your friends and family in a similar manner? I not only would have cut her, I would have slit her and dumped that antiseptic solution over her that is used to disinfect her little combs and scissors.

For the chicken salad, Miracle whip light or non-fat plain Greek yogurt should help in the calorie/fat department.

I have my eye on a pair of adorable black pinstripe pants. I have a black polka dotted shirt, that I could totally pair with red slacks, and accessorize with red jewelry to wear the shoes. I have a major thing with red, white and black. It's probably my favorite color combination. Or, I'll get some sleek black slacks, straight leg, I hate boot cut pants, and wear a very plain winter white top, and over accessorize with jewelry.

Something that I always hoped would happen once I lost weight is the ability to wear high heels without issue, or concern of eating pavement because I was too fat to balance in heels. Well, I've been wearing heels for months. But, these are my new loves. I typically stick to wedges because they are "more safe" than actual heels. I was prancing around in the enormous mirror at Charlotte Russe when I found these on the clearance rack. . . It was love at first sight, and they feel amazing on my feet. I can not wait to wear them out and about. Oh, how I love the way they make me feel ! ! ! This is really what living is all about. . .