Lee

Hi Everyone. Jes, don't feel too bad about only losing 1 pound. This summer I've been working out 2-3 hours daily. I generally walk Lake Merritt twice a day, 30 minute walk at lunchtime and then do cardio and weights in the gym. I work out 7 days a week. Even with my sleeve, I have only lost 1 pound in 14 days. I thought for sure the weight would be flying off, but it's not. The only consolation is knowing that my heart and lungs are getting stronger by the day. We just have to keep working at it.

Congratulations on a job well done! You'll be at goal so soon!

Cherice, I'm glad you're getting your CPAP and moving along in the process towards surgery!

Labrys, I had my Sleeve at 59. My weight loss has been much slower than the younger folks on here. Sometimes it's a little disheartening, but then again, the pounds are coming off. I was taken off my BP and cholesterol meds on the day of surgery. At my 3 month check, my BP was a little high, something like 136/80 so I was put back on 1/2 pill daily. I've stayed off the cholesterol meds. I have my 6 month checkup on 8/26 so I'll be curious to see how my new bloodwork is. Good luck!

Hang in there Stacy. I know this must be so difficult for you right now. You've been looking forward to the surgery. Dr. Fisher is a great surgeon and worth listening to, but I think I'd want a second opinion as well if it were me. Let us know how you're doing. (I'm Bella over at lapbandtalk)

Hello, Has anyone here had the VSG performed at Kaiser Richmond in California? I went to an orientation last week and they mentioned that they now perform this surgery. Thanks! Lee

YAY John!! I have to shed another 9 pounds to make it to "overweight". I can't wait to join you there. Many kudos to you for working your sleeve!

Ali, Sleeve patients do not go to the group appointment. Robin will advance your food and any issues will be discussed with your surgeon at your three month follow-up appointment. Write down your list of any questions that you may have. :bolt:

Cukie, I'm sorry I didn't see this sooner. Tonight is the Kaiser meeting. I can't attend as I have too many things to do tonight. I hope to meet you soon!

Pam, good luck with Dr. Im!

Yesterday was 5 months since surgery. For anyone that thinks the Sleeve is easier, maybe it is, but then again, maybe it isn't. I've been on a big diet everyday since surgery. Think Atkins and you've got it, but I do add some veggies and a little fruit at this point. I track every bite of food and all exercise in Myfitnesspal. com Yesterday's exercise was: 90 minute walk outdoors 20 minutes recumbent bike, weight machines, 100 crunches and stretching 60 minutes pool time working on my arms and legs I ate 650 calories and burned 800. This morning was rewarded with 4 ounce drop on the scale after staying the same for several days. I fight for every ounce that comes off. Protein first always, hydrated always, vitamins always. There's no magic bullet, even with the surgery. Two months I shed only 3 pounds each month. The first time I wasn't exercising as much. The second time I was exercising 60 minutes a day. I don't want to have that happen again, so now I exercise 90-120 minutes daily and shed a little faster. I am trying hard to keep this up as everyone says that the first 6 months are the best time to lose the weight. I'd say I don't care how long it takes, but that would be a bit of a fib. I want to get there ASAP in these early months post-op. Top weight - 249 2/17/2010 - 229 3/17/2010 - 210 - measurements 42-36-50 4/17/2010 - 207 - tough month 5/17/2010 - 197 - started exercising 60 minutes a day 6/08/2010 - 194 - weighed early. Went to France- walked 120 miles in 2 wks 7/17/2010 - 186 - measurements 37-33-41 - Exercising 60-120 minutes a day, 7 days a week I :smile: my Sleeve and Dr. Baggs!

Tomorrow is five big months since surgery. So many changes. I started in a 22/24 pant, 2x or 3x top. Today-16's are loose, tops are L and getting too big. Was 42-36-50, today 37-33-41 Dr. Oz says that a woman's waist should be under 32 for health so I'm only an inch away. He says that at my age the normal BMI is 25-30 so at 31.8 I'm getting closer. Dr. Baggs challenged me to be "overweight - BMI 29.9" at my 6 month checkup which was 25 pounds from my 3 month checkup. Month 4 was a bomb with only losing 3 pounds. Month 5 has been better with close to 9 pounds. Now I have to really rock month 6 as I still have 12 pounds to shed. I've been exercising 60-90 minutes a day. A normal day is to walk 3.5 miles around the lake. Treadmill 20-30 minutes. Walk 30 minutes at lunchtime. That generally clocks me around 7 miles for the day on my pedometer. Then I do 100 crunches and weight machines in my gym. I also try to swim at least once a week to use different muscles. I've hired my son (who has been a professional soccer player in Bolivia and Muay Thai boxer in Thailand) to get me to my goal at six months. I have a feeling my workouts are about to get much tougher. I'm seeing a strong body emerge from these layers of fat. I like what I'm seeing and I love how strong I'm starting to feel. At one of the early Kaiser support meetings, someone said, you're going to have to replace all that "food time" with something else. She mentioned shopping, crafts, exercise and that day I prayed the exercise would become my new big hobby. So maybe it's actually happening. I still need a lot of encouragement (my son) so I'm lucky that he's staying until the middle of August when he has to go back to NY. What are you doing to challenge yourselves? Have a great weekend everyone!

John, tomorrow is our five month surgiversary. Congratulations! I love that we had back to back surgeries and can track our success together. Sherri, the most important thing for you to do right now is get in your fluids. Don't worry about anything else. Eat no sugar added popcicles, find a Sobe Lifewater 0 calorie that you like. Do anything to get in those fluids. It really gets easier with time. I had a smoother recovery and was drinking 64 oz by day 5, but others have difficulty drinking. If it doesn't get better, contact Kaiser because you should be able to get in your fluids. Are you walking? The saying goes sip, walk, sip, walk. If I'm feeling full, and it can be from fluids, walking around helps. Are you getting in your 30 minutes of walking daily? It can be in 10 minutes increments, or whatever. I'm a slow loser and I have to admit that I thought that working 9 hours a day gave me an excuse slip. In month three I started doing 60 minutes a day of exercise and it really picked up the weight loss. Sip, walk, sip, walk, sip, walk... and call Kaiser if it doesn't start getting better by Monday. I was in France last month and ate everything as a normal, thin woman. There was nothing I stayed away from except booze but I just ate small portions. Now that I've been home, I'm back on a stricter diet. I promise that it does get better and soon people won't even know that you had surgery, they'll just think you eat normally and don't snack.

Congratulations on all the pounds shed and on the upcoming surgeries! I'm doing ok. After being stuck for 9 days at 187, I walked 7.5 miles yesterday and was rewarded with the scale going down. It appears that I need to exercise 2 hours a day at least 4 days a week to lose 4 pounds a month. For those of you early out from surgery, keep maximizing these first few months!

Go Espana! I'm excited about the World Cup game later this morning. I've been watching all of the games. It was fun to watch France play while sitting at an outdoor bistro in France. Today I'm going to a party hosted by a friend of my son's. This is a girl who's soccer team he coached when she was in high school. Now she's all grown up and her family is hosting a Turkish BBQ. They were nice enough to invite Zach and I along with two other of his friends. I think I'll go to the farmer's market first and take along a big bowl of cherries so that there is a healthier alternative to chips, nuts etc. I'm eating great. Got in 6 miles of walking plus weight workout yesterday. I'm up to 100 crunches and hoping to get them in daily. It's so much easier with Zach home to motivate me and exercise with me. I'm still holding at 187 and facing down those 13 pounds that will make me "overweight" before my 6 month checkup. OH YES I CAN! What's everyone doing today? Have a fun day. :confused:

Hi Ali, I could have taken all the time I needed/wanted but it was important to continue to run my department at work. It was a personal choice. I would not have gotten full pay while out. The advice you've given is great for anyone who's facing surgery. Remember that you don't have to tell your HR dept or boss what your surgery is. I had my gallbladder out in November, then Sleeve in February and both times just said I was having a medical procedure and needed the week off.

I had my sleeve surgery on a Wednesday. I went back to work the following Tuesday but worked from home. I found myself working a couple of hours, then spacing out for an hour etc. I was back in my office the next Monday but worked 6 hours in the office and 2 hours at home. I wish I had taken 2 weeks off because I was tired and distracted a lot. That said, I'm 59 years old and probably don't have the energy that I did when I was 30.

Andrew, good luck with your orientation! Ali, Last week was my first week of hair coming out in handfuls. I hate it! Yesterday I had all my curls hacked off and I now have a short new summer do. My hair came out medically 10 years ago and I really hoped to never go through that again, but oh well. I'll take these skinny jeans and buy a hat if I need to! Lil'Mo and Ash, next Saturday the 17th turns out to be our summer pool party in Martinez. You're both on the guest list as my plus 2. Wander over to Obesity Help. com California forum and look for the Nor Cal post so that you can sign up for what you're bringing to pot luck etc. Nor Cal Get Together for July, NEXT SATURDAY!!! I'm so excited that I'll get to see you both! Time to get out there and walk my butt off!

Hey Kaiser peeps, I just wanted to say hello. I got my Sleeve at Kaiser Richmond with Dr. Baggs and couldn't be happier. I'm one of those slow losers but I can really see myself getting to goal. I LOVE my Sleeve! :thumbup:

Mo and Ash, I haven't been on Obesityhelp.com california forum since I got home. Go on there and look for the Contra Costa Luncheon thread and introduce yourselves. Mo, you've already been so just remind them who you are. I'll have to go RSVP myself and see what the name of the restaurant is. I remember that it's off Clayton Blvd somewhere. There's always a nice clothing exchange. I would LOVE to see you both there! Mo, this week I'm finally wearing the grey/pink sweatsuit that you gave me in January! It's been very cosy walking the lake at 5:30am this week. Kaiser meeting was small last night. Post-op was good meeting and then we joined the pre-ops. Liz was the facilitator last night. She reminded everyone to stay away from Protein Shakes because we don't need them and people who use them lose slower. The main theme was on not snacking.

Hi John! I go in spurts. I tend to stay the same weight for 10 days, then I'll drop a couple of pounds the next week. I'm walking a minimum of 60 minutes a day 4x a week and 3x a week it's closer to 2 hours. Exercise makes a huge difference for me. I'm just starting a weight routine in my gym. I've done it once last weekend and will get down there on Friday and Sunday. I'm going to work in 3x a week in the gym. I lose 4 pounds a month if I don't do this level of exercise. How close to Onederland are you? I read something on OH that said that to be on track to lose 100% excess weight, you need to be 50% there at your 6 month mark. I realized that I had 80 pounds from surgery morning and that I'm down 40+ pounds now so if I keep up what I'm doing, I have a good shot on getting to my goal. We're going to do this surgery buddy!

Tina, Dr. Baggs decided to do the liver biopsy based on my own personal history and what he saw when he was in there. Thankfully everything was perfect! I've never had a fatty liver but he wanted to check some things out. With your experience and pain in the behind with the band, I'd put aside any fears of surgery with the Sleeve because after two days it appears to be a much easier recovery in terms of maintenance etc. I bet you'd be at goal in a NY minute! I can't believe I'm only 38 pounds away from my goal. Dr. Baggs will consider my surgery a success when I get to 174 pounds. That is so darn close! I can't wait to be down 100 pounds from my high last year of 249. That will give me huge satisfaction if my body wants to go that low. :confused:

Lil'Mo, you'll be so happy to be out of the 190's. Make the push and get yourself movin on down. You can do it! I love the 180's! I don't remember the music at all. The first I woke up after the Sleeve was in the recovery room. I was in so much pain that I kept telling Dr. Baggs that there was an elephant on my chest. I didn't know that I had hernia repair plus a liver biopsy all at the same time. Three in one surgery! My friend who was in the waiting room said that Dr. Baggs came out and said that they were having a hard time controlling my pain. I think I was in that recovery room for over three hours before they wheeled me to a room. I remember that part because another of my best friends was sitting there waiting for me. It's a good thing we don't remember the feeling of the recovery room pain or we'd never do another surgery! Kinda like childbirth. :confused: Tamra, I'll see you tomorrow night at Kaiser. Anyone else coming? Who was asking about the luncheon that Mo and I went to? It's on the 17th this month. I plan to be there. Go to Obesity Help.com and look for it in the California forum. It's not at Mimi's anymore but I can't remember the name of the restaurant where we meet! ACK~ The San Leandro support group meeting is also on the 17th.

Pam, good job on always trying to figure out what's going on for you. You really do stick with that aspect of this journey and take good care of yourself. Many kudos to you for fighting this as a lifelong journey towards good health.

Sherri, Do you know who the second surgeon was during your surgery? If yes, I would email them and explain that you have this problem but that Dr. Fisher is not in until the 12th. I had Dr. Baggs with Dr. Fisher also there. John and I had surgery the same morning. He had Dr. Fisher with Dr. Baggs as the second. Maybe they are always paired up? Please let us know when you hear back from them.