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Hello everyone, I have been reading posts and exploring this website for a couple months now. I had my consult with the physician, behavioral medicine, nutrition and physical therapy. I haven't joined the six week class that they require yet, but I'm on the waiting list. Despite all this, I am feeling a little discouraged, I was really hoping the surgery would come sooner than what it seems. I know it will all be worth it in the end, and that none of these changes will come easy, but is there any other way to feel a little more control over the whole process?!

Just had my appointment with my surgeon. Wont go back now for three months. Surg aug 15th. down 34 lbs to date. pre and post. Started at 278. Now 243. Whoops make that 35 lbs can't add. LOL Feeling good overall. Stated noticing that I get light headed here lately. So trying to get more fluids in. And fatigue is finally setting in as well. So we will see what this week has to hold. Was at a stall for two weeks. but that broke the end of the week. And dropped like 3-4 lbs at once. Will break down and buy me two sets of new scrubs for work when I hit the 40lb loss mark. So I wont be baggy britches. Trying to hold off a bit longer on clothes. Just dont want to spend to much money on clothes since will have to keep replacing. Although I am NOT complaining by no means. Heres to a great week to everyone. Im off to bed. Work the next four nights in ER.

Yes, the biggest thing will be being able to pick her up I was restricted to not being allowed to pick up anything over 25 lbs until I was 2 months out. On the bright side though, I felt good enough to do just about any activity again after only about 2 weeks. No more pain, soreness, etc. Everyone heals differently, I would think even though you could not lift her, you would still be able to cuddle her, maybe if you have one of those carriers that you wear like a sling, nless she is too big for that? You could still sit and hold her in your lap, but I think it would be tough to get around being able to pick her up and hold her for your own safety. Talk to your DR. and see what he reccommends. Good Luck!

We have a patient started support group, one of FOUR I attend each month!! The other three are at area hospitals here in Plano....Our group is 'informal' - we do not have speakers. It is held at a local restaurant on the third Saturday of each month (Tomorrow!!) at 12:30. This place is known for healthy choices, healthy portions and lets us have a room in the back!! I think this is our sixth month/meeting.....our first one there were less than 20 and 47 have RSVP'd for tomorrow. Kevin, who started this group, introduces himself and give us a brief description of HIS story, then we go around the room and everybody else does the same. We visit, do questions and answers. Like I said, it's informal but it's good. We have had people who are pre-op and I'd say I'm one of the veterans that is furthest out. (3 years last month) It is good to have this meeting on a Saturday, there are many who cannot attend one after work during the week. I hope this helps. (West Texas? Where at?) Oh, the name of our group, THINspirations!!

Met with my surgion today. Every thing is looking good. Got my information for pre op diet and next thing is the surgery. I am so excited. I am scheduled for October 22nd, 4 weeks away. I am so happy.

It has been 17 weeks since my sleeve surgery, and I still can only eat mash pototoes and yogurt comfortably. It is a so uncomfortable trying to eat many types of foods, because everything feels like it is sticking at the bottom of my esophagus and not making it to my stomach. It leaves me with a gaging feeling in my throat. I am hungry every hour, because of this feeling I don't eat enough the first time. I am always walking around to make my food digest. Has anyone else ever experienced this problem before?

Currently I have Anthem, Ohio PPO. The "procedure" (I hate the "s" word) is covered, but Med Mutual also covered it a few years back and the clinic I went to then seemed to think it would be approved, but it was denied. I didn't appeal at the time because there was too much going on in my life right then to take of the fight (parent was diagnosed with a terminal illness in the same week as my denial). I'm going to a different facility this time which is 2 1/2 hours from me (the first was 45 minutes) because this one is in network and will save me considerable bucks. In addition, the out of network facility requires that the entire bill be paid in full and then the patient gets reimbursed by insurance. Ouch!

I can't believe this is really happening. I'm only a week and a half away. Somehow I have gotten lucky and only have to do a 2 day pre op diet (I was expected at least a week). Between now and then i know I'm probably going to eat an insane amount of food. But I'm ready to say goodbye to the foods that I was constantly going overboard on. I'm at peace knowing I'll never be able to eat the way I am now ever again. This is what I wanted in 2006 when I got the lap band. But somehow I've ended up almost right back where I started. My pre lap band weight was 285. I'm now at 250. 50 of those pounds, I gained in the last 6 months. Let's get this show on the road.

That's great Oceanspirit. I too get easily depressed when I'm losing only a pound a week or stall for a couple weeks. That is great about the inches that you are losing and I am encouraged that it's not all about the scale but about the inches too! Way to go!

Hi everyone i saw this forum and thought wow what a great way to talk to others who know just how i feel. I had my surgery on January 5, 2012 so i'm a little over 3 weeks out. I feel so much better but i do have my days. There are some where i just dont want to it and if i try i get nauseous. The surgery went great i really didn't have no problems. i was kept a couple extra days only because they were sure if i had a leak, but luckly everything was good. Home life has been so different i dont quite look at food the same way as i once had. And boy am i forced to deal with my feeling in a whole new way. i have had my ups and downs like when my daughter told my mom, " i wish mommy was her old self" boy did that bring up some guilty feelings. But she only 6 and one day she'll realize i did this to be here for her. My oldest daughter has protested about all the changes but i figure a healther life is a better life and she'll eventually get used to it and maybe some day thank me. I keep telling myself i did this for a reason and thats to be healther. I try my hardest not to just focus on the weigh loss but on the process of changing why i relyed on food so much. It's definatley a journey but i'm up for it. So i started out at 321 pound on the day of surgery and today i'm down to 295 so i Celebrate the fact that i'm no longer in the 3's. Some of my clothes have gotten big but i'm having a hard time letting them go. Yesterday my husband said time to give that one up. LOL so i did. I think i've just about gone down a size so I'm happy about that. i take it day by day but i also look forward to a future were i no longer have to hide who i am but to celebrate me.

I am SO jealous! I wonder why every doctor is different, interesting. In any event, I am following my Dr's diet to the T. For weeks 1-2 liquid-soft pureed foods only. Weeks 2-4 soft foods/mushies, 5 weeks regular food. Problem is, I am HUNGRY! I've had a yogurt couple bites of popsicles, and a few bites of mashed potatoes, but am still hungry. I've been drinking my protein shakes almost constantly to get my 60grams of protein. I will look forward to the day when I can eat a piece of turkey and put away the shakes!:thumbup:

I was told because of the air you swallow just as you do when drinking from a straw. Other than the first few days postop, I've had no issues with gas. I've been chewing gum and drinking from a straw almost daily since a week or so postop. I'm now 4 weeks postop and still have no issues with either.

Hi everyone......just thought I would let you all know, that at 8 months out, my hair is starting to grow back and it feels nice and healthy and strong. I also had a few extensions put in (same length as my own hair, and only 20 of them, cut in half, so 40 strands). I know people said not to do this but they've been in for a month and because there are so few of them, I don't feel like they are doing any damage. And it keeps my hair from feeling like you can 'see through' it. So for those of you who haven't gone through it, it does seem like it hits at the 4 month mark and for me, it lasted about a month of losing a lot of hair, then stablized and now I see it growing back. For those who are following my Year of being Sleeved, I am in Week 39 of 52 and just posted my Sunday post at the link below. Have a great week everyone!

Has anyone else noticed that their level of aches and pains has increased since the surgery? I am about 6 weeks post op RNY and down to 263lbs from 299 surgery weight. I work a mostly sedentary job although I've been making an effort to get out and walk. If i cannot walk outside i walk the stairs for 30 minutes a day. But recently i have noticed my back, hips, shoulders, etc have been so sore. I even have trouble sleeping at night due to all my new aches and pains. I was on 500mg of Naproxen prior to surgery have since stopped and perhaps that is the reason. My question is has anyone else experienced this and if so any suggestions on how to alleviate the pain? I don't want to OD on Tylenol! Thank you in advance for any advice!

Absolutely, I have a trainer also. Expensive but worth it - but I suggest you only use them about every third day, or three times a week. Do your core with your trainer, do your cardio on your own time!

I had shoulder pain for a few weeks after surgery as well, I just couldn't figure it out. It only hurt when i would sleep though, really weird. But then it just went away.

Just sent you a PM. Just stay focused. Try not to worry about the ups and downs so much. I've started my journey at 688 pounds, and this past week broke the 200 pounds lost mark. My VSG is this Friday. The nerves are kicking up a notch as each day passes, but I'm ready for the next phase I don't believe there is a way around the pre-op supervised diet. Insurance is going to want verification of the steps each step along the way. I too wanted to avoid a spring/summer surgery because I am unable to swim for several weeks. I totally understand the impatient part. I was that way too. Just don't rush it. The process will work its way out and soon enough you'll be rocking a body that no longer feels like an anchor. Best of luck to you!!

Don't be discouraged--we just have to be patint. I had my surgery Oct 2nd and I also started at about the same weight (223). I am now at 199. I lost the first 18 lbs during the first 2 weeks post op and then things just slooowed down to where I was afraid I'd never be able to reach my goal. At one point I even gained a lb - very discouraging seeing how I followed all the rules exactly as was told to do. I won't give up--I get on this forum daily and see where others have had this type of slow weight but eventually reach their goal! This gives hope and courage to keep on track. Today I finally lost a lb after over a week of being the same--hooray! Don't give up, have faith and you'll get there.

Careful with the bending over. I was advised to not do sit ups or crunches for 6 weeks due to suture healing and bending over is very similar to both. Have someone assist you.

I'm 3 months out and have just started tolerating solids. I still get almost all my nutrition from yogurt and protein water. Try the protein water, it is easier than shakes, imho. Do check with your doctor. Mine wasn't worried at 6 weeks, but he did send me for additional testing at 11 weeks. But as @Pearldrop says, we're all different and some of us heal more slowly. And I agree with @shelly420, this is a great opportunity for weight loss if your protein intake improves. Hope all goes well.

I’m sorry but this could be dangerous advice to give to someone. At seven weeks post op, my diet progression from my surgeon said that I should be able to eat salads, cooked vegetables, ground meats, well chewed pieces of soft meat, cereal, etc... Original poster is stating they are in pain just trying to eat some purée food, which most of us start post op at three to four weeks. There is a difference between wanting to lose weight quickly and encouraging someone to put their health and life at risk. Original poster could have symptoms of ulcer or structure. Please get checked out original poster to make sure you are ok.

I'm 7 weeks post-op and can't seem to get to solid food. Still on shakes and sometimes can't get more than one shake down. That's only 25 grams protein. Everytime I try a food (pureed) it hurts my pouch. Is this normal? Sent from my SM-N950F using BariatricPal mobile app

I think I just had my 1st, I don't regret this, moment . First of all I don't regret the surgery, but having been pretty uncomfortable since surgery I have wondered if I have done the right thing. Anyway I woke up this morning did the normal routine, realized I was REALLY thirsty so I went to the fridge and grabbed my G2. Without even thinking I took a big ol' drink, as I started to swaollowmi realized what I did and thought crap this is gonna hurt. Low and behold it didn't! I took a normal drink of cold liquid and it didn't hurt. I'm so excited! Of course that turned to fear that I broke my sleeve, but I doubt that's possible, and I'm going to choose to believe that. It felt so good to be thirsty and take a normal drink quench that thirst I guess it's the little things.

How many calories are you getting in? Your weight loss looks about like mine did at 2 months out (see the bottom of my signature). Stalls are pretty normal. If you are getting your fluids and protein and avoiding bad carbs plus exercising I am sure it's just a normal stall!

I am trying really hard to add a new entry to my blog every week or about a week between, but they have been getting just a little further apart each time! I am slipping.... It is really late right now and I am very tired, so this will be a short one, which will probably be pleasantly refreshing from my normal blog entries that look like War and Peace. (I know that is the gold standard as an example of a huge novel with tons of pages, but has anyone actually read the thing? I don't think I know anyone who has, including myself. Maybe that says more about the caliber of who I hang out with than about how many people have really read the book! :thumbup: Anyway, I have started my first class with the Art Institute online and I'm thrilled. I love school and always have and I am so excited to go back. PLUS because it is online I don't have to feel self concious because of my age, I don't have to sit in a room of 18 year old hard bodies, heck, I don't have to even wear pants!! (Sorry about that mental image! :laugh:) I really love the freedom to log on, read some stuff, post something here and there, and log off. Have an unexpected moment of quiet? (yeah right) Just hop back online and get more homework done. I just love it. Of course I tend to be VERY chatty and I am constantly responding to every person's posts. All the time. I am afraid that I am becoming THAT person and very annoying, but then again, I am really making suggestions or giving kudos for great ideas or whatever. I decided that I don't care - if I'm annoying someone oh well. they can just skip my post - they don't even have to actually listen to me! Plus, I don't have to see these people, so I don't have to care if they like me or not. Not that I want them to hate me, but I'm not as obsessed about not wanting to ever hurt someone's feelings or make sure that everyone likes me the same way that I do if I am actually in the room with them. I can't wait to be done with this class (Strategies for online learning) and get onto the "real" art classes. I am so excited. As soon as my GI Bill kicks in and I start getting that money, I can start getting some of my art supplies that I'll need for my next classes. YEAH! Right after the last fill, I felt like while it was doing a good job and not letting me eat more than one cup at a meal, I was starving again 2 hours later. There was no way I was lasting 4 hours. Now I seem to be settling out and it is lasting longer. But I do have to say that while I only eat one cup and I am not really hungry when I'm done, I'm not really full either. And I do mean comfortably full. so I think I need a little bit more of a fill eventually but I'm still really doing well. I am at 6ccs of a 10 cc band and it seems weird that I am so full and have so little room left and I'm still not at THE spot. But I do think I am really close, so I might only need a small fill next time and then be right where I should be. I am a little nervous about it thought - I only have 4ccs of room left. What if I max out and I am still not where I should be - still hungry or whatever?:smile2: But I have decided that there is no point borrowing trouble. IF that should happen, I can worry about it then - and discuss it with my dr. Until then, I am making more of an effort to relax a little - calm down and not stress at every little twinge, every ache, every bite, every number on the scale. Given that obsessing is part of my DNA, this is harder than it seems! But I'm going to give it hell...:tongue2: