BarbD

Send Message

Block

Add Friend

This has been an incredible, seemingly fast, journey.  Not easy, but not really difficult, either.  I did mourn the loss of food for several months which led to a mild depression.  I think much of the duration can be blamed on the never-ending winter we had last year.  We didn't see a sign of spring until the end of May.  Fortunately, I was seeing a psychologist who helped me through it with guidance and cheerleading.
From surgery date of 12/11/07 to 8/12/07 I went from 214lb to 124lb. 
From a size 2X to size 8-10.  The support and compliments I've had from family and friends has been outstanding.  I no longer take a pill for
arthritis, high blood pressure or high cholesterol.  I do take a Bcomplex vitamin, Flintstones Complete and lots of calcium throughout the day.
I have tracked with pen and paper everything that goes in my mouth (food and drink) since 1/1/08 when I was just 2+ weeks post op.  I've also always weighed and measured my food  .. and still do when I'm at home.  This helps me be sure I've gotten in the recommended ounces of liquid and protein; and I feel it's what has given me the knowledge, strength and commitment to follow through with my new way of life.  I never want to go back to where I was before.  Now at 9 1/2 months,  I am so comfortable with the way I eat -- 3 meals and 3 healthy snacks daily and I DO need those snacks.  Even though I can eat more now than earlier, I still can't eat enough at a meal to last me till the next one.  For snacks I have a protein ball, 3 oz yogurt, cheese stick, protein drink, half of a South Beach bar, or half bag of Revival soy chips.  To maintain my weight, since I can't eat much more, I've added whole wheat bread, rice, spaghetti and crackers into my daily menu (things I did NOT eat during my weight-loss mode).  The protein ball, soy chips and S.B. bar were "treat" snacks which I only allowed myself 3 or 4 times a week.  Now I have at least one of them daily.  Since I met my goal 6 weeks ago, my weight has fluctuated 2-3 lb up & down, but I realize it's going to take me and my body some time to adjust.  And a final thank you to Dr. Alvarez, Susan and his entire team!  What an outstanding group!  Good luck to everyone on their weightloss journey and to their new life.
Barb

Yesterday (6/11/08) was my 6 month surgery anniversary.  I'm down 68.5lb;
I've gone from a 2x knit pants to size 12.  From 1x tops to medium.
Almost unbelieveable, but so wonderful.   I've never had a stall and haven't lost any hair.  I REALLY feel fortunate about those things. My weight loss AVERAGES  2-3 lb per week.   I am COMPLETELY SATISFIED with the slow, but steady loss.   When at home I still use a baby spoon and cocktail fork.  I'm trying to train myself to always take small bites.  My psychologist says I have a bit of an obsessive, compulsive disorder regarding my surgery, new diet, and weight loss .... BUT if one is inclined to have an ocd, weightloss is the time to have it.   I hope to lose another 15-20 lb putting me between 125 and 130.  The "charts" say I should weigh considerably less, but I'll be sixty this year and have been fat for 50+ years.  I think I'd look pretty silly and sickly any lower than that.  But never say never.  We'll see. 

 

Today I’m 4 months post vsg.  I’m down 51 lb and 44 ½ inches.

 

Unbelieveable!!  My surgery and total experience with Dr. Alvarez and his staff went very well.

 

I had no pain, nausea, reflux or any problem after surgery. 

 

But I had taken notes of all the great info I’d read on this forum

 

and put all that information to use which I’m sure contributed greatly to my recovery.  Egg yolk is the only food I’ve had a problem with, so for awhile I used liquid egg whites, but now, I’m fine with the whole egg.  Using pen and paper, I write down everything that goes in my mouth.  I tried fitday and mydailyplate but I need something that is right here, right now, convenient.  I can’t trust my memory to recording my intake once or twice daily.

 

I’m fortunate that a new local bariatric group has allowed me to join their Support Group.  I enjoy meeting and talking to other

 

bariatric patients (even though all in attendance so far are rny and Lapband).  I’ve also had appointments with their nutritionist and personal trainer.  Which brings me to exercise.  I try, I do make an effort … it’s just not my thing.  Maybe (if) and when spring gets here I can “hit the streets.”  Until then, I’ll stick with my Richard Simmons’ videos (Sweatin to the Oldies and Totally Tonin) which, to my surprise, the trainer thought were great.

 

I can’t say this has been an easy journey, but it has been a good journey.  The sleeve is a TOOL.  How we use that tool and the success we have is up to us.  It is a lifestyle change … not a diet.

 

Thanks to everyone for all your help and wisdom.    BARB D. 

 

Starting weight:  214 lb 
Four months post op:  163 lb          

I'm down 40 lb and sooo many inches.  I weigh weekly on Tuesday and take measurements monthly.  Works for me.  
I'm seeing a nutritionist who's with a local bariatric group who says at three months post op I should have 3-4   1/2 cup servings of fruits/veggies per day.  Talk about a challenge!  I eat  3 meals and 3 snacks daily ... their program calls for "6 small meals a day."  I've started adding fresh fruit to my yogurt and protein shakes.  She also suggested substituting fruit or veg. for one of my "snacks" which means I'll be adding another protein shake to make sure I meet my protein quota.  I'm having a hard time with exercise.
I TRY to do Richard Simmons Sweatin' to the Oldiest 3 times a week,
walk my daughter's treadmill 2x week and do Richard Simmons Totally
Tonin' dvd 3 times a week.   As far as exercising goes, I've had good weeks and bad weeks but I keep at it.  Trying to keep up with clothes size change has been challenging.  Fortuneately, I've hit some good clearance sales and think I may be set till early summer.  Before my vsg I wore Lane Bryant 2X knit pants, now size 16.   Again, thanks to everyone on the vsg forum for your suggestions, advice and wisdom. 

Since I can't get my ticker working I'll update this way.  Surgery went well and the first 10 days of recovery I felt great, energetic, ready to go.  Matter of fact, I did go and did too much including helping my 2 yr old granddaughter up on my lap; which resulted in a pulled muscle or something on my left side (no where near any incisions).  Took 3 weeks plus before I noticed an improvement and now it's just a bit tender.  The first two weeks I had several bouts of diarrhea from eggs, Fuse drink, whey protein powder, and even a coconut sugar free popsicle.  Once or twice I said to myself, "What have I done?" but that period was short
lived.  I'm starting real people food now and so far, having just a little of whatever and chewing excessively.  To date, I've never finished (in one sitting) the 3 oz of food I've put on my tiny plate (and eaten with a baby spoon).  I have an appt with a nutritionist tomorrow morning because I'm sure I'll have a problem doing 70 grams of protein and 
64+oz of liquid a day.  On a much happier note, I'm down 20.5 lb at the four week mark and an unbelieveable amount of inches.  I look forward to the next couple months and increasing my intake.  Hopefully, I'll have a little more energy and can start on some type of exercise program.