deedee

Barbara,

I think my, "what have I done?" moments are behind me (at least I hope;-). The last couple of months have been all about being grateful and amazed with this wonderful tool (okay, not all roses and sunshine, but pretty good).

Hey Barbara,

Thanks for the message, I just needed some time to get things in order. I hope things are going very well for you!

Hi Bitsy,

I think the all we can do for the excess skin is start with exercise (small weights and build up) as soon as possible. I've heard it has a lot to do with genetics, age, working out, how long/much weight you have to lose. Good luck!

Hi Diovies,

Welcome to VST! Congratulations on your recent surgery. I basically just followed my surgeon's plan (which was not as strict carb wise as others) and really incorporated a lot of exercise in. I wish you luck! Let me know if you have any specific questions.

Dee Dee

Hi Linda,

Thanks for the congrats! I can't believe it's been 11 months...hope things are going fantastic for you!!!

Dee Dee

Hi Nanna,

Thank you for the kind words. My goal is kinda fluid, still haven't figured it out. Right now it's a normal BMI (24.8), which for me is 148 lbs. I have 10.5 lbs. to go. What are you shooting for?

Hi, thank you so much for the compliment. I remember the beginning stage too and it really does go by fast. For exercise, I pretty much do Jazzercise 3-5 times per week and try to walk on the days I am not doing it. I actually made a fitness goal to become a Jazzercise instructor and managed to make it at the end of June.

Good luck and let me know if you have any other questions.

How are you doing? My incisions itched (and still do but less) like crazy too...last night I actually picked the glue off around one of them, I just couldn't take it any longer. Part of the scab came off as well, but it didn't puss and there was no liquid.

How are the full liquids coming? I found I really liked creamed soups (chicken and potato). I'm now on soft/mushy foods and it's sort of sad that the scale only moves 0.5-1 lb each morning now. I started weighing myself at the beginning of the week and the first few days it would drop 1.5-2 lbs. It made the fatigue sort of worth it. Good luck and let me know how you are doing.

I do 4 days a week of aerobics (Jazzercise--it incorporates aerobic routines with light weight routines and abdominal/thigh/butt routines) and 1 day of tap dancing. I also try to use my exercise ball 10-15 minutes during the week, but have not been so good about it these last couple of weeks. Before the winter started, I was walking at least 2 days a week as well.

I did sign up for the gym my husband goes to for one month to see if I'd actually use it, but it just didn't work out...I've never been a gym person, but love the social aspect of the classes I take. I think the secret to exercise is finding the things one enjoys doing. Good luck!

Juani,

I can definitely eat more now than previously. And I find no rhyme or reason to the days that I am ravenously hungry versus the days I can hardly eat. I don't worry too much about gaining all my weight back, although that might change the further out I get. If you're under your goal weight and happy and still indulging in sweets, I'd say be happy! (Just be sure that you're still getting some good nutrition:-)

Linda,

That bra was totally worth the money because it helped make that top FABULOUS! Happy New Year!

Dee Dee

Linda,

Are you ready? I'm getting nervous now, the time today seems to be dragging by so slowly. Good luck and I can't wait to talk with you post-op!!!!!!!

Linda,

How are you doing? I had my first follow-up appointment today and am now cleared for soft/mushie foods. I pureed some chicken tonight (looked like dog food) and was able to get about 5 baby spoons (I know, tomorrow I will start measuring), which is the most I've been able to have at one time. What food stage are you on right now?

Linda,

I'm so glad you are home and NOT hungry! I'm in the same boat. I was so ready to leave the hospital (very nice), but seemed to lose all energy when I got home. I'm trying to sip and get in some protein, but not much luck. I know I need to put more in me. Any advice? How's the walking going?

Linda,

It is funny how we are pretty much seeing the same exact results so far. Have you started solid foods yet? I started last week and thought I could try to get most of my protein in through food, but discovered that still using at least one shake in the morning helps keep me on track better. How are you doing?

Sorry, try this link...the one below seems to go to the new ticker I created.

Weight Loss - Diet Ticker

Thank you for the kind words. I remember as a pre-op and early post-op (and even now :-) how much I needed to see pictures for inspiration, so I try to make sure I post a lot of them for others.

The Wii Fit and I go in stages. I'll use it quite a bit 1 week and then not get on it for a few weeks. It's not because I don't like it, it's just that I am more of a social exerciser and enjoy dancy type stuff more. For me the Wii is like joining a gym, I just lose motivation and don't do it, where as my husband loves the gym and goes 7 mornings a week even when we're on vacation. So I guess it just comes down to what you need to keep the consistency of exercise a part of your life.

Good luck on your journey...you're less than a month away!

Thanks Cherie. I was self-pay. I actually started off with a surgeon and had a consultation visit before I found the complications insurance. My husband was pretty much putting his foot down on this procedure if I couldn't have some kind of insurance. I searched for quite a while and only found one company that insures for weight loss surgery self pay. If you follow this link, BLIS - Improving Access to Weight Loss Surgery, and look for a surgeon in your area hopefully you will find one. There was only one within a reasonable distance from my house, but he was excellent! All and all I ended up paying a little under $20,000. I'll try to give you a rough break down below from what I can remember:

Surgeon Fee: 5,000

Hospital Charge: 10,000

Pre-op Lab Work: 1,200

Anesthesiologist: 1,200

BLIS complications insurance: 1,200

Nutritionist: $580

Good luck! Let me know if you have any other questions.

Try this: (I'm going to do it as I go)

1. Go to Weight Loss - Diet Ticker (like before), choose your ticker-click next, choose your slider-click next.

2. Type your password and fill out the "weight measurements" and BMI optional if you want-click next.

3. Copy the "bbcode"

4. Paste the "bbcode" into your signature by doing the following

-go to your profile in VST

-click on the "customize profile" link (found below your avatar, above the messages)

-in your control panel, click on "edit signature" and paste the link from "bbcode" into the box; this is where you can also write your surgery date, dr, etc.

Hope this helps!

Welcome to VST Juani! Thanks for the compliment on my picture. I exercise about 5-6 days a week, mostly cardio (Jazzercise and tap dance), but I've been trying to work on my core (abs) and use light weights with some of my cardio routines.

Good luck with whatever stage of the process you are in. This is a great place, so feel free to ask any questions and/or share your experiences.

You're welcome. A site you can check out now (if you haven't already) and get some good ideas is theworldaccordingtoeggface

She has wonderful recipes for all stages.

Good luck on the dress shopping! I'm sure we will have plenty of opportunities to shop because it's become one of my favorite pastimes again :-)

Good luck to both you and your wife on your journey!

Good luck with your sleeve surgery!

Happy 3 month surgiversary! It is still a little unreal to me that we've made it this far. You are doing such a fabulous job, keep up the good work!