settebee

Today the family and I went to the mall to do a little shopping, the Red Cross was there doing a blood drive. I walked passed at first afraid to ask if I would be able to after having surgery. When I walked by again, by this time i have eaten and was feeling brave, so I stopped and asked if I could talk to the doctor to ask her a few questions. I told the doctor i had vsg and ask if i was able to still donate? She asked first if it has been more than 6 months (check) and if i was feeling fine (check)! Five minutes later the doctor nurse pulls me back to check my vitals and to ask 100 questions. First she ask me my name, then the dreaded question, my weight, but this time I didn't lie! Haha. Then she checks my temperature, normal, then my pulse, it was like 96! I was a bit nervous because while I was waiting I literally saw a guy go into convulsions, but that's besides the point! Haha! Then the fun part! She uses the SMALL blood pressure cuff to check my BP and then my BP was an AMAZING 102 over 70. If she wasn't a doctor, I would have made her do it again! Haha. The grand finale, I was able to give blood without any problems! No convulsions for this lady!

Thank you so much ladies!! You sure make a girl feel proud!! Thanks for all the words of encouragement!!!

Thanks you guys!!

Ok, I'm really 8 months and 4 days out! Work has been crazy, so I'm just now posting my update!

Eight months out and going strong! I've gone from a tight 26/28 to a size 14/16. I am now down to 210 this morning from my highest being 325, but my surgery weight was 312. I am enjoying life to the fullest! I can now run and keep up with my three year-old little boy. It's the best feeling ever! As far as eating, I still can only eat 4 oz at a time, and still eat my Protein first. I do on occasion treat myself; popcorn is my weakness! Oh! Some would consider it a "curse", but I still can not eat breads and Pasta or even ice cream. I really don't miss it much. I'm Italian and grew up with my far share of pasta and pasta dishes! Haha!

I am getting married in three weeks, and crossing my fingers to be under 200 lbs! Eleven lbs in 21 days??! Maybe! As far as my final goal is to be 160 or 170, only 50-60 lbs to go!! Wish me luck!

Thanks for listening!

Suzette

This little girl made my day! I am a manager at a 'tween' girl clothing store. As I was helping this sweet, 11 year-old, she said to me, "I like your shirt! Did you get it here!" I just smiled and said, "No Honey, but you're sweet to think I can wear these sizes!"

Hi. I have Aetna. I actually got to choose from a 6 month supervised diet with my PCP or 3 months with the surgeon and his dietician and fitness psychologist. I of course went with the three month course. During those three months I had to have an upper gi done, ekg, psych evaluation, attend a support group each month and visit with the surgeon, dietician and fitness psychologist. I also had to have 2 years of documented weight history and a letter of support for my pcp. Then finally a two week pre-op diet. All was very painless, just time consuming. I started my journey May 5, 2010, and I was sleeved September 16, 2010. It took an extra month because I was denied at first because the insurance company didn't have enough weight history, so I appealed it with more information and won.

I hope this helps. Message me if you have any further question!

How far post-op are you?

I will be eight months on the 16th. Wow, time flew! I want to say I tried the candies probably 6 months out.

I had the SF Russell Stovers Coconut candies, and I did fine. Only have one because sugar alcohols can give you killer gas pains. Good luck to you.

Hahaha...Honey I lost all my mind and sanity years ago! Sorry, no help there, but good luck! Everything will be fine! I am planning my wedding too, (next month!) and I have a toddler. Sometimes I feel like I have two kids including the Hunny! Just take everything one day at a time, and know post-its are great! Hahaha. Good luck!

Ok, this is good and bad. But I guess thats how my last 26 days since surgery have been. I have had horrible very bad days...and great I can actually eat some food days. None in a row, never can predict which kind of day it will be...just gotta go with it. Stay positive and repeat the underlying mantra of this page..IT WILL GET BETTER!!!

But, did they laproscopically remove part of my brain!? I am just a scatterbrain, I forget things so easily, I don't do things I should..I brain blank at work on the computer some days, to date the most trips back in the house from the car to leave for work is 5, how can one person (usually a fairly smart intelligent together person) forget!!!...I am a full fledged WACKO! Did surgery do that to anyone else!?

On top of all that, if you see my ticker...I am planning a BIG wedding. Wonderful and fun, but also stressful and exhausting. On top of working full time and 5 teenagers! Will I survive all this???

So...to make me happy, I go and look at wedding dresses today. I wasn't going to, who knows what I will look like in MARCH! But, I did it. Found one, loved it...it was on SALE! So I bought it. Now...scroll down to before mentioned ticker....75lbs to go and what do I do!? I buy my size 16 butt a size 10 wedding dress. No pressure there right??? Right. Its done, no going back now...what did I do? Now I have to make it, I have to figure it out...oh and I have to WORK OUT MY ARMS! Its strapless...I cannot have saggy hanging bat wings!!!

So...as evidenced by the lapse in sanity today and forgetfulness and absentmindedness...has anyone else lost thier mind when they lost most of their belly!???

That's so good to know! I am almost 8 months out, and I don't do well with regular tortillas. I normally stay away from them completely, but maybe these are better! Thanks for the sugguestion!

Sette

Don't pack your tortilla's suitcase yet!! There are these incredible Carb Balance Tortillas by Mission, they are delish, and I do not get the stuck feeling with them. They only have 18 cabrs per tortilla, which trust me is more then what fits, I think 11 grams of Fiber, and 5 grams of protein!!! Trust me, they are a great alternative that is not actually an alternative.

When I'm craving something, I normally just grab something yummy to drink. sugar free orangeade is my new love! Crystal Light is perfect too. After a few swigs, my tummy is full, and I am satisfied. Hope that helps!

Vitamin C!!!

I do enjoy Dannon's fruit on the bottom greek yogurts. They are yummy. I'm not a huge fan of cottage cheese, but it is yummy with fruit mixed in. I hope this helps. Enjoy.

I hear ya about pizza! I am now 7.5 months out, and I've been able to enjoy 3/4 of a slice of thin crust pizza once. I tried it, and it just didn't let very well. Good news is I did find a great substitute! I go to the deli and get turkey pepperoni (once I got regular, and it came out greasey. Layer it with a few paper towels when you cook it to absorb the grease. Your new tummy doesn't do well with grease.) cut semi thick, spread on a tsp of spaghetti sauce, some shredded cheese, and pop it in the microwave for 20 seconds. Heaven! Hope this helps!

Thank you everyone so much for all the fabulous comments! You all are truly wonderful!! I'll keep you posted when I get out of the "teens"!!

Suzette

Yay! I'm excited to see everyones results!!

SN

Starting Wt

Current

Goal

Lbs to Goal

settebee

325 lbs

218.2 lbs

188 lbs

30 lbs to go!

Hey everyone!

I have been overweight nearly my whole life. About a year ago, I hit all time high of 325 lbs. I looked at my son, and thought I have to do something! On September 16, 2010, I was sleeved by Dr. Morton in Nashville, TN. It was the best thing I have done for myself! I absolutely love my sleeve!

Now for the fun part!! I know everyone gets excited about being under 200! Don't get me wrong, I will be too, BUT I'm thrilled to be in the "200-teens"!! I'm down to 218 as of this morning!!! Yay! Only 19 lbs to "onderland"! I'll probably just pass out when I hit under 200!!

Stay tune!!!

If you're in the mood for burgers, Red Robin is perfect. You can order your burger "low carb", and they bring it out on lettuce and all the trimmings on the side. Instead of fries, you can get fruit. Enjoy!

I eat them as well. I know it's way better then regular candies, but yes, be careful with the sugar alcohols.

I'm now seven months out and still don't handle breaded things or even bread very well. I like knowing/thinking I can't eat it, so that way I stay away from it. Hehehe Good luck!

Here recently I've notice little NSV's:

My honey can now pick me and up and twirl me around!

When I drive, I have to pull the seat almost all the way up!

I can know cross my legs and sit indian style with no effort.

I did a three mile walk/hike the other day and didn't feel tired or any pain.

I can sit on the love seat with my honey and not be sitting on half of his lap.

Life is good.

Reading your post made me smile!! You go girl!!

Hey everyone!

I'm currently 6.5 months, and lose at an average 10-12 lbs a month. Last month was rough losing only 5 lbs, but I know it was my fault, too many carbs and little exercise. Anyhow I went back to the basics, Protein first and low carb. Well this week I've lost 6 lbs! I'm not complaining, but is that normal for a 6 month sleever? I was dropping 6lbs a week at months one and two. Maybe because I still a little ways to goal, and I'm considered a "bigger loser". My stats are: HW 328, SW 312, Current 222 lbs. I hope to be at 190 by my wedding in 2 months! Thanks in advance for your feedback!

Sette

I'm almost seven months out, and I still don't do well with flour tortillas! I perfer corn tortillas, but just one at a time.

Here are my stats this week: HW 325

SW 312

Last week: 228

This Week: 226

Lost this week: 2lbs

Hope I can let go of that one pound to be down 100 from my highest.