HONESTY

I like this post and thanks... I'm over all happy with my VSG. I love the way my life is changing what I mean is my clothes fit better, I feel cute and sexy! My hubby likes that...because I'm happier inside. I've had the ups and downs to....foamies once, I ate deviled eggs WAY TOO FAST! If I eat one bite too many I have to wait anoub 10 minutes and it passes, it just feels like uncomfortable pressure. Sometimes I wish I could eat a LOT more then I can, but this is only sometimes. Most of the time I'm happy and relieved that I can't stuff myself like before. I love being free from constant thoughts of food.... Heartburn is only an issue if I don't take my pepcid OT everyday. Then I'm fine. But I do believe everyone needs to tell their story the good bad and the ugly.... It's ok this is a place of support and friendship...I could not have gone throught this without you all! Thanks!!!

First of all, Christine you look amazing, your progress it inspiring.  I have missed seeing you around. I am not sure if you are not posting as much or if I am just missing them. either way, glad to see you. Second I so missed seeing you at the reunion, we had a ball, wish you had been there. Next year ( APRIL 29, 09 Vegas, baby) Third, great post!! I agree that everyone needs to post the good, the bad the ugly.  There are hard days and easy days. At this point for me there are more easy days. I have been one of the lucky ones. Although heartburn can get out of control. Did you move yet? How are things at the church? most important how are the grandbabies? Luv ya Bethany

Thanks, Bethany! We move early in June. Hubby is retiring (semi-retirement) at the end of July. Grandbabies are the best.... absolutely the joy of my life.  I just started a new job and I go over everyday after work and take the girls for a walk.  Their brother gets outside with their dad lots, but the twins don't have that same freedom yet....lol, then I go home and walk the dog.  Definitely helps to get moving.  How's your new puppy doing?  Are you back to walking too? Vegas next year is a real possibility!

I totally agree with your post.  In the beginning I was not happy with my sleeve which I did post and received many encouraging responses, but I did find days when I wouldnt post negatives because I felt like wasnt the "norm" on here.  I felt like everyone was "lovin their vsg" except me!  It is important to put it all out there so people who are deciding on surgery can get all the info, positives and negatives.  I still occasionally get foamies, and even throw up when I fall into old habits and eat too much and too fast, but now after 5 mos I have no regrets.

Thank you.  People like you who struggled... and we know you are not alone... should not be afraid of what you perceive to be the "norm".  The truth IMHO, is we are each individual and by sharing our individual journeys other people can sift through our experiences and hopefully find something that will help them.  I know that there are people out there who are afraid to ask questions or make comments that they feel might be upsetting, but I strongly believe that we each have something to say.  Yes, our experiences are our own, but we can learn so much by sharing and by asking questions.  How many times have we heard that "no question is a stupid question".  At 5 1/2 months out, I really need to hear the struggles of the people who are one and two years out...  and I am so thankful when they share them... it helps me to prepare for things that might happen.  When I was in the early post-op stages, I was extremely blessed to have no issues and complications.... but I'm thankful for the people who do have problems and share them.  Everyone is different and everyone has something to say. By the way, it is great to hear that you are doing well!

I felt that way too. It seemed like everyone loved their sleeve except me!

Of course, I like my sleeve now

Its also worth mentioning that the VSG is completely irreversible. So, we never have to do the worry of "I can get this undone if something is wrong." Our stomachs are gone, our intestines are not messed with, so there is nothing that can be "undone" about our surgery.

To me, thats the scariest part of the surgery. But, afterwards? Its actually kinda comforting. Even in my worst moments, I never have the doubt of "did I do the right thing." (Well, kinda, but not really.) Its more of "how do I work with this thing I am stuck with."

Oh yeah, the irreversibility ... I was and am okay with that idea, but sometimes I wish I could reverse it temporarily. Tonight we were watching a DVD about the Loire Valley, where we are going to be in three weeks. Naturally, they showed incredible French cooking and we were all oohing and ahing and saying how everything looked so good. My husband leaned over and said "Oh honey, you are probably going to wish you had your stomach back ..." I'll admit, I got a pang for a second, but I've just decided that for that week, if I want to graze all the livelong jour for the whole seven days, I'm gonna do it, not feel bad about it, and let the scales fall where they may!

Exactly. tHere is that inevitability that, to me, makes the VSG worth it. I never have to worry "did my intestines adapt? Did my stoma stretch? can I get my pouch smaller?" Its over, and done with, and I dont have any surgical options left for my stomach.

If its tiny french cooking, you might be able to eat it all

I agree... the VSG is permanent and you can not go back and have it undone.  People really need to do their research and be sure that this is what they want.  But I also have to agree that it is the irreversibility of it that makes it work for me... I can't go back and I only had fleeting moments as a pre-op of OMG.... what have I done.  But now.... no regrets!  I don't focus on the scale.... I focus on living life and moving toward a healthier lifestyle.  

Enjoy every bite during those 7 days.... and throw the scale out the window.  The tastes will be incredible... but thankfully the volumes will be far less than they would be with a full stomach.  I think that is one of the things I like the most about the VSG.... I can really enjoy life and use my tool to keep things in balance.  But it is a tool and we have to use it... it doesn't do it for us! Enjoy the Loire!