msdw59

I'm from NYC, but haven't been on here much. I've been spending all of my time on FB in the Sassy Sleevers Group!!! How are you guys doing?

I re-read my post. And in two post i used a (1) hell, (1) damn and (1) arse. Sans those three words, the sentiments are the same. I want this woman to know the wonderfulness of the journey. Even with the struggles, as you get closer and closer to your goal and distances yourself from your heaviest weight, life starts to feel really good. All of your problems don't miraculously disappear. Debts is still there, Crap job is still there (or not there), your husband is still there (LOL), Kids are still there (Mind moved out at 26). But, the burden of the weight is lifted and that is so freeing. You will move better, look better, breathe better. A lot of health related issues are elimated or diminished. You get your mojo back. You become you again. Or better yet, you find the you that is you. I wasn't perfect in my journey, but I was consistant. I strung enough days together where I stuck my WL program and I lost 170+lbs! Did I want to make my Protein shake with Haagan Daz instead of skim milk and yogurt (don't try this folks - it's dangerous). Yes, I did. Did I do it - no I didn't! Because I put my head down and did the work. And it's work. Every moment of the day, there isn't a time where I am not thinking about food. If anything, the preoccupation of food is more than it was when I was 377lbs of fat. I'm in a constant dialogue with myself can it, should i, better not, maybe a little, no... blah, blah, blah. 8 days out from surgery and you're eating cake means you need to do the mind work and approach this clinically. If you were on life saving drugs, you would follow the medical protocol. Well your diet is the life saving medical protocol for obesity.

There are a couple of things going on here. Lack of focus Lack of willingness Lack of discipline My cousin said something that was freeing to me and also insightful. She said "Just because you have WLS - it does't stop you from liking the things that you liked. That doesn't go away. But, WLS does help you navigate more successfully with your diet" I think the blow back to this person is that it's 8 flipping days after surgery. It's perplexing. It doesn't make sense. And for many of us who struggle to stick our diet it's distressing. We all know we have a small window of opportunity to lose the majority of our weight. I'm personally in the home stretch of a personal goal with my weight. And the last 25lbs are doing my head in! I can only imagine the pain and heartache this woman is going to experience because she didn't do the work up front. The sleeve will not have failed her; she will have failed herself. I'm sad for her. And really, she's needs a foot on her arse for this dumb stunt she has pulled. She risked her life having this surgery for blessed Mary sake! Survived the surgery by the grace of God. But is now pissing the gift away. I'm sad, because she will probably never know just how wonderful life can and will be when you have taken the reigns of your life back.

You can try to spin this anyway you like to justify eating cake 8 days after surgery when you're suppose to be on a losing program, but it doesn't make any damn sense. What the hell are you playing at? Really, I'm at a loss. You were given a diet plan so that you can lose weight. You have small window in which to accomplish the lost of the majority of weight and you have just pissed it away. If you were 6 months after surgery, I would find some sympathy, but 8 days is just telling me and others, you're just messing about. Your head in not in it. All those cakes, cookies and pies ain't going anywhere obviously. They will all be there once you reach goal or are close to goal. Contact a mental health professional, because you're going to need some help navigating your thought process when it comes to food. Wishing you tons of luck.

i'm no longer shooting for perfection. Just consistancy. If i string more good day together than bad, I lose the weight. So, if you don't go off the rails too severely and it doesn't look like you did; get back on your WL program. You know what you need to do to lose the weight.

OK, After almost a year out, I will tell you that: My sleeve is tight in the morning and it's tight after a nap. Relaxing relaxes my sleeve. My sleeve is sneeky because some days it allows me to eat tons, and tons of food (usually bullshit carbs) and then it slams shut and will only allow me to eat maybe 3 ounces of dense Protein. some days, I am able to drink 6 ounces of Water in the span of 30 secs. and other days it's a struggle. The lead up to my period my sleeve opens up once again and allows me to eat more dense protein and bullshit carbs . Then when my period is about to end it slams shut. But here's the catch, I've gotten used to eating the increased volume and so now I'm sick and I need to throw up. Any of this sound familiar to you? How do you figure out if you have stretched your sleeve. You go back to basics. Start from the beginning and go back on a liquid diet. Do the pouch test. Mark my words, do a liquid diet for 3 days and you will see just how well your sleeve is working.

Here's what helped me. I started eating foods with big flavours! And I mean big! Indian Curries, Spanish Seasonings, Carribean, Creole, And I also incorporated:Shrimp, Crab, Beef, Lamb, Pork, Goat, All cooked low and slow, so that i could handle them. I'm at the point now, if my food doesn't have "big flavor" I'm not going to bother eating! Too the cookbooks for you. There are tons, and tons of recipes that incorporate Chillis, Ginger, Garlic, Oregano, Thyme, Rosemary, Garlic, Etc. Etc. Etc. Or you can pick up a bottle of sauce and start there. Boy, I've been where you are at, but i am no longer bored with my food. Hugs, Diane NY

Strong Language Advisory: OK, OK! You fucked up! Big f**king deal! We've all done it! You are not going to get it right every f**king day. But, if you string enough of those days together you will lose weight! Now here's my advice! KEEP YOUR EMEMIES OUT OF YOUR HOME! IF THE food ISN'T ON YOUR LOSING PLAN KEEP IT OUT OF YOUR HOUSE. NONE OF THAT, OH I'M GETTING IT FOR MY HUSBAND, BOYFRIEND, GIRLFRIEND, CHILDREN, GUEST, FRIEND, ETC. ETC. ETC. f**k 'em! Right now, this is about you. YOU!!!! And right now, you can't eat those foods and lose the weight. stop thinking you can eat the bullshit carbs (and that's what they are bullshit) and concentrate on your WL program. My cousin had weight loss surgery and helped me tremendously by saying the following to me when I was going through as similar situation like yours. She said "cuz, just because you have WL surgery; doesn't mean you stop liking the foods that you like" That freed me up mentally, because this is a mental game at this point. Yes, I like strawberry Ice cream (with a banana), but it's not on my losing program. So, I don't have it! I also know this. Those foods that you are wanting "AINT GOING ANYWHERE" They will all be there when you've lost your weight and made it to goal! This is the tough love txt msg. The one that I hope hits you in the solar plexes. You know what you need to do. After all, aren't you the big girl wearing the smaller panties now! Woman up and handle your damn business Love and Hugs, Diane NY

Better out than in!

if you have a juicer you can drink parsley and celery. And you have to drink lots and lots of water. Sounds like you're not getting in the water you need.

I waited about 2-3 months before I started using a straw. It's the only way I can get in my protein drink and ice water. I haven't had a problem. When I feel I've taken in too much. I just pause and give myself a little time for the liquid to move through my sleeve. Then I'm all good.

I would have to agree on the 15/30 rule\ 15 minutes wait once you have drank 30 minute wait once you have eaten When I break the rules the misery ensues: SLIME! ACID REFLUX!, VOMITING! NOT PLEASANT AT ALL

And I'm so exicited for you. I'm also a Monte Sleeve Alum.

3 1/2 months out from surgery is when I grabbed my 1st bag. The blessing of the sleeve is that although I purchased a monster size bag of white cheddar cheese popcorn - it took over a week to finish the bag! Crazy! Prior to surgery - that bag would have been consumed within an hour or two. Now it takes an entire flipping week eating it breakfast, lunch, snack and dinner!

Self-Diet: 70lb (9/1/2010 to 5/15) liquid diet: 12lb Post Surgery: 54lb As yes, I am still bloody flipping FAT! (But it's coming off - I LOVE MY SLEEVE)

So, basically there is no definitive answer! Damn and blast! About two weeks ago my PA asked where did I want to be weight wise. And, I was stumped. In my entire life, I have never set a weight goal. Maybe that's why I've had issues with my weight for 33 years (I'm 50). I finally told the PA, If I made it under 200; for me that would be the win. My highest weight was a whopping 377lbs. I went on a self imposed diet and lost 70lbs on my own. Then lost 12 on the pre-op liquid diet. 50lbs off since the surgery (June 13, 2011). Naked weight is now 238 and I look good at 238. Theoretically, I could loose the 39lbs in the upcoming 3 months and meet my goal (6 months post op). My weight upon entering high school was 153 and I walked out the door 4 years later weighing 177 (and at 177, I felt fat and depressed as a kid) If I made it to 177, hell I might walk down the street naked! LOL (No video please)

i'm reporting the same thing. 3 days of this and I'm ready to go to the emergency room.

Nysha, Like Annie G said: "YOU CAN DO IT!" I'm so greatful to this community of men and women who "Keep it real" You put it out there - and that takes courage! But, I'm going to quote from the Wizzard of Oz! "You always had it in you" You knew the answer to your question before you posed it. You knew, but like everyone - you were looking for the wiggle-room. Ain't no wiggle-room when it comes to this surgical (sp?) journey. Do the work - and you will lose the weight! Now, I can't guarantee how quickly the weight will come off. Some of us are quick losers, others and slow and then there is the vast majority that is right there in the middle, just cranking out the numbers consistenlty - week after week" Follow your program and you will lose your weight. AND DON'T DO THE MISTAKE OF COMPARING YOURSELF TO OTHERS HERE. I KNOW IT'S HARD, BUT ALL IT DOES IS DO YOUR HEAD IN AND MAKES YOU SECOND GUESS YOURSELF. DO YOUR PROGRAM - PERIOD. EXAMINE YOU ON YOUR PROGRAM. TWEEK YOUR DIET AND YOU WILL LOSE YOUR WEIGHT. IT WILL SAVE YOU A LOT OF HEARTACHE AND SELF DOUBT! HUGS, Diane NY

My pre-op diet was 2 Protein shakes and a small high protein dinner at nights. I actually moved the small meal to lunch time and did a shake at dinner. Oh and don't forget to do the 64 ounces of sugar free drink(s). I recommend Water. The more water you drink, the more you loose. Don't forget your multi-Vitamin. My diet was 30 days of hell, but hindsight being 20/20, the pre-op liquid diet was a cakewalk. A cakewalk compared to the post op clear liquid diet. Then the liquid diet, going to mushies (that was a right pain in the arse and I was sick all the time) So, what do you do if you're sick? You go right back to the clear liquid diet/liquid protein diet. I'm three months now and 54lbs down. Pleased you betcha, but it's so much easier now, I know my limits how much I can eat and I endeavour to drink my 64oz of liquid. And guess what, I'm still doing my Protein drinks (Yumm yumm!)

My advise: STICK YOUR PRE-OP DIET! Gain any weight during the pre-op stage and it's almost a signal to your doctor to put the stop on your surgery. And this is from someone that had difficulty with her own pre-op diet. I lost 12 lbs during the month. But, I was never able to sting more than 6 days, before wanting cheesy bread from Lil Ceasars. I did realized after my surgery on 6/13; that the pre-op diet did one thing. It got my mind prepared for the work that is needed while living with a sleeve. You will be glad post-surgery to be able to drink a shake and have a small meal! Get back to your pre-op diet and stick it!

i'm a rule breaker - i drink with a straw (there, I said it). What i find is that if I just drink from a glass, i get pain, and spasms. with a stray, nothing! i just make sure that i don't pull the very last of the drink from the straw.

Pre-op: I lost in total - 82lbs (70 on my own w/ 12 on the pre-op liquid diet) Pre-op diet was 31 gruesome days. I struggled big time and still I lost 12 during the month. The pre-op diet consisted of 2 Protein shakes a day and a light dinner (well that's what they wanted, but after the first week I was drawn to Lil Caesar pizza, now I can't imagine stuffing my sleave with such nonsense) I didn't have a specific amount to lose, I was just trying to lose in order to have Single Incision VSG. Post op (2.5 months): 50lbs 70 lbs to go!

Complications was the surgeon! I had surgery on 6/13 and my family was given a fright by the surgeon when he wanted them to co-sign for me to have a bypass. I never ever in all my contact with the the surgeon or his team mentioned that I wanted a by-pass. The surgeon actually left me on the table, while he made a call to family. You see I went to the hospital all by my lonesome and told family to meet me in about 2 to 3 hours in recovery. It's a good thing they were still at home, otherwise I would be talking about a bypass. Anyhow. he returns to the operating table and "proceeds" w/ the VSG. I'm in recovery with a nasal gastro tube up my nose and in my stomach to keep "the stomach" from not creating a stricture. Oh, I should tell you the first thing the surgeon tells me is that there were complications: your stomach was too thick, the liver was too large and that because I'm african american he had fear that I was going to form keloids along the staple line. and that he didn't think the surgery was going to work, so i was to prepare myself for the possiblity of having to go into surgery for a bypass ev eventually. I talked about if there was a stricture, would he attempt to open it with a boogie. He replied not an option. So for 5 days, I was laying in the recovery with all of that hanging over my head. Never heard of anyone with an NG tube. In the end I asked for a copy of my op report and image report. To date, I have not received a copy of the op report. But the contrast image report was interesting. IT INDICATED THAT THERE WAS ADDITIONAL SUTURING ON MY STOMACH NOT ALONG THE CURVATURE OF THE STOMACH. In otherwords, the surgeon began a bypass, was corrected. tried to get my family to co-sign for him to do the bypass. when he couldn't reach my family he had to sew back together what he cut and do the the sleeve. Just waiting for the op report to confirm what transpired. but that's pretty much what happened. Wasn't given an all clear to be able to eat anything until July 1st. Struggled. D

Great Question For myself, I went to the hospital all by myself. I didn't want my family sitting around stress while I was in surgery. I took a car service to the hospital and told my family to come up to the hospital around 4:00PM. They arrived earlier and were stressed because of a "complication" that my surgeon said he encountered during the surgery. He wanted them to give him permission to do a bypass. While in the hospital, by day 4 I was done, I had disconnected my IV. Told the surgeon to begin me on liquids and when I was able to demonstrate to them all that I could get 3.5 ounces of liquid down in an hour (I was able to do it in a 1/2 hour) I signed myself out. I had no one to take me home (they were all attending a funeral). Even with the complication, I was able to strut out of the hospital (in high heels). The wheelchair was used to transport my bag. No one really recongized me (Sick patient vs. a vibrant woman). Went home, sat up for an hour and then went to sleep in my own bed (on my stomach) LOL. Checking in and out (in NYC) alone is possible.

Hi this is MsDW59 - Diane NY representing the Boogie Down Bronx! Was sleeved "with some complications" on 6/13 and currently on the road to wellville!