dot4you
5 Yrs out!
Dec 09, 2012
I can't believe it has been almost 5 years. I'm still very glad I did the VSG. I never would have been able to stop eating the large amounts of food...I have enjoyed a smaller body and higher confidence these last few years. Life is good.
I have some health issues right now that have to do with my iron levels. This is due in part to heavy periods and I think my diet could be better. I need to drop about 10-13 lbs and really take all my vitiams , EVERYDAY. This is so important. I have come to understand just because I am thinner and "look" healthy doesn't mean I am. This is where I am at this point. Refocusing my efforts on everything...food, fluid intake, exercise and vitamins. It is the same as the early days...I think I had forgotten that and slipped. But thankfully with VSG it is possible. The tool is still with me and works.
I hope to post back that my iron level has been corrected and my energy is up and my weight is down!!
Wish you all the best on your journey with VSG!!
2yrs post op !!!
Jan 25, 2010
I had coffee today with my friend that had surgery with me on the same day. We get together to chat and compare notes. She is so happy and is on top of the world! She has a new man in her life (kicked the old one to the curb because she was ready to change everything) she loves her new body and loves life all around too!!
For anyone thinking about having VSG I'd say understand what you're going to be doing here. Understand that this is forever and is a major change. The large amounts of food are gone forever. I eat and enjoy what I like, in very small amounts. I've grown accustomed to this and I'm happy with that. This took some time to adjust to. At first I wasn't happy about this after all I was "forced" to drop my addiction at the snap of the finger. It was OVER! SNAP! DONE! I'd say 6 months out I was at peace with this. For me it took this amount of time, for some it may that more time or less...I didn't understand how deep my relationship with food/eating was until my food was gone. It's as if a dark curtain has been lifted from around me and I can now see and experience everything I WANT to in life. It's wonderful! It's life-changing in so many good ways. I'm so thankful.
If you want VSG, RESEARCH and ask tons of questions...then go for it! Life is beautiful! Go out and live it to the fullest. You deserve it.
stats: 138lbs size 4-6
21months out
Oct 20, 2009
Anyone thinking of VSG do yur research and read read read then go for it!!
Best to you!
14 months out
Apr 12, 2009
Hello to all the people researching VSG! You're doing to right thing....READ READ READ......ASK ASK ASK every question you can think of...just when I thought I had someone else would post a good question. I read for hours and hours my husband thought I was nuts...Well when my day came for surgery there were no surprises. Everything that happened to me was something I had read about months earlier. That's what I think anyone needs to do before they have VSG.
This is a BIG DEAL! It changes everything as far as eating. Don't kid yourself, this surgery can not be undone. I'm glad. I tell people, "you have to be ready to give up for large amounts of food you eat now." If your not ready and you have VSG, well guess what it doesn't matter because the large amounts of food are OVER! I just can't do it now. VSG stops me when I want to keep eating. But you know what I'm grateful for it. I'm so glad I don't eat like I did before. I was so unhappy and caught in a cycle of eating for hours and gaining and wishing I could stop. Now I can... This is a journey and the people on this site who have had surgery understand that journey and I learned so much from them...You can to. You owe it to yourself to know what your getting in to...this is your body.
So I wish you the best in your journey... Mine has been so life changing...I know your not supposed to look at weight lose as "life changing" but for me I'm so much more confident and happy inside..smile more and enjoy people more. Things I didn't know I was missing....and yes I can wear small jeans and cute dresses...that's really cool. My husband has said he has a happier wife....Men check me out all the time...that's very new...funny...I'm the same person but they didn't even see me before. I blended into the woodwork, I think I wanted to....but now no more of that!!! I'm just lighter on my feet and it shows!
RESEARCH RESEARCH RESEARCH then go for it!!!!
One Year!
Jan 26, 2009
I'm one year out and I can't believe it!
It's been a really great ride! I feel amazing and I must say I think I look pretty good to!
I love that food is NOT what I am any more! I eat what my little tummy can hold and I'm done!
It feels so good to not think about eating day and night.
I have free time for other things in my life now...my husband told me last night I have a new confidence and that I'm happier.
I know these things and I'm glad it shows. I was so scared a year ago...I wanted surgery but I was so worried.
Now I'm so glad my friend Kathy was there to help me with my nerves...because without her I'm not sure I would have been so "brave". She's doing great to...down 100lbs and a size 6-8. I'm a 4-6 size and it feels great. I see something I like in the stores and I remember Oh, I could wear that now!
I'm only about 5 feet tall so being smaller really shows...I'm not a wide. More petite now.....thank you OH and all the wonderful people here that were so supportive....this is a wonderful site to gather info and support.
READ, RESEARCH and then GO FOR IT!
7 month update
Aug 21, 2008
I had the test done on my liver and everything looks fine...they have no idea what my problem was that night...I've been fine since. NO pain at all!
Very STRANGE! By I'm happy to report all is well...
As far as day to day life...I've gotten into my eating routine and drinking soooo much Crystal Light w/ ice....lots and lots. It works for me.
I'm loosing very slow but I'm ok with that. It seems like inches are coming off more then lbs. My pants get looser from week to week.
I eat lots of protein and nonfat cottage cheese..string cheese, chicken, fish, tuna....any kind of meat. If I want something I have it and never think too much about it...but I must say the desire for sweets is really gone...I'd say what does happen is if I'm eating something that's really yummy and I get full I sometimes am bummed that I can't eat more because it tastes so good. But what I'll do is save it for another meal and enjoy it again. That's nice, before I'd inhale it and it' would be gone.
My body is changing like crazy and people tell mme I look younger and skinny or tiny....I get uncomfortable w/ the attention, but I do like the compliments...does that make any sense???
My hubby is having fun buying me nighties and I think I'm going to have some pics done w/ a female photograpier..she does very tastful sexy pics. A friend went and loved the way hers came out. I think it would make a nice x-mas gift.....
VSG really does change everything...weight has had a impact on who I am and how I feel about myself. I was pretending before that it didn't. Lying to myself. I feel great now. Better about me and more confident. I'm so thankful for this surgery and that I could afford to have it.
I wish you the best on your journey....research research research....the go for it!
4 Month update
May 29, 2008
I was doing fine until the other night when a painful attack came from no where...and had to go to the ER in an ambulance. I've found out (the ER doc says) that this happens w/wls patients and they don't know why...he thought it was the muscles around the small intestine and there is not treatment it just rides it's self out. They want to do an ultra sound on my liver because the numbers were elevated slightly but he didn't think it was anything....god love ER doc's but I"m not sure they knoew everything about everything (you know)....
Back to the VSg life....I drink lots of fluids and eat lots of protein....I don't track it but should....
3 Month Update!!!
May 06, 2008
In the beginning it's all about getting in water and fluids....then liquid protein became very important....Now when I get up it's all about getting a big glass of iced crystal light in (about 20-24oz) before any food. This really gets me off to a great start for the day. Then I eat something w/protein. Cottage cheese is a favorite right now.
At this point in time things are very smooth going. Food has taken it's rightful place in my life...NOT FIRST! This took awhile for me. Looking back over the last 3 months I've had my moments were I really missed the large amounts of food I used to be able to eat. Now I eat and get it out of the way and move on to other things. I have no choice now. VSG has taken care of that issue for me.
I took things very slow in the beginning...10 days of clear liquids, 10 days of full liquids, 10 days of mushies...this is what my Doc wanted....it was hard at times....but I wanted to heal before having real food.
At 3 months I'm down 27lbs, I'm considered at "light weight" with a starting BMI of 33 and about 55-60 lbs to lose....I'm short and have tried to lose this weight for 20yrs. vsg is working for me.
Before I had thought that the surgery would be "on the easy side" as far as surgeries go and that learning to eat small amounts slowly would be the "REAL" test. I've found that to be true for me. But now I get it.... it's part of my daily routine.
I've also found that going to the gym and walking or riding the bike is helping the scale move down. It doesn't have to be a lot.
I always carry something to drink...ALWAYS.
I would tell anyone with a weight issue to have VSG, if you've done your research and are really ready to let the food go.
Then go for it! This is amazing! I really do LOVE my VSG!
Stages Of VSG
Mar 10, 2008
Stages of VSG Surgery…
Here is a list of experiences some of us have had with VSG: This info is from a post on the VSG forum.
1. First week you may have gas, bloating, diarrhea, pain, no pain, head hunger, exhaustion and nausea. Stay in…rest, sip, sip, sip, walk, walk, walk. you may or may not need pain meds.
2. Pain and bloating are gone and energy improves. Some go back to work in the 2nd and 3rd week. Follow what your doctor says about what foods you can eat at any stage.Some are on full liquids, thinned refried beans, “mushies” and soup does better for some because it’s warm. Some may start to have problems with nausea at this stage and need meds to help, they work for some.
3. By the 4th week we can eat foods like cheese, deli meat and are feeling more like ourselves. Eating is getting better as long as we remember we had VSG remember not to take large bites and eat too fast. We have to eat slow and chew well. Weight is falling off now and our clothes are getting loose. We’re starting to feel pretty good. Some of use are told by our doctors we can stop certain medications because health improves.
4. One month to 6 months: Some are still having nausea and unable to eat solid meats like hamburger or chicken. Some people love deli meat and cheese and do wonderful with it. Some don’t think of food and have to remember to eat. But some have head hunger and do think about food. Head hunger is when you think about eating but really aren’t hungry. Some people are feeling just great and working more.
5. 6 Months and beyond:It still doesn’t take much food to fill our new tummy’s up. Staying focused on healthy eating is key. Junk food is still a temptation but we’re not able to eat anywhere close to what we ate before VSG. Most are very happy they had VSG, feel normal again and enjoy eating out.
Part of Teresa's post: Teresa
“At about 6 months out I started feeling small twangs of hungry. It's nothing like i used to feel. It's more of a little reminder that it's time to eat. If I'm busy, I can ignore it and forget about it, without a problem. Before surgery, the hunger would have consumed me till I ate. I think what I feel now is more healthy, as before I could really forget to eat. lol
I LOVE the way I look and feel.
I'm almost 10 months out and have no regrets at all. I'm feeling wonderful. I still can't eat much. I can probably eat 4 oz of oatmeal, but only 2 oz of chicken or steak. I make sure I follow the rules regarding eating and drinking, and while it took some getting used to, it's not a problem anymore.
I also had decided I would never be addicted to caffeine again, and I had held true to that. I allow myself one cup of tea on the weekend (regular full leaded. lol), if we go out to eat, but during the week I drink decaf.”
please PM me if you'd like to add to the list above. Thanks
March 1st 2008
Mar 01, 2008
My clothes are getting big and some of my pants are done! They are way to big already and I'll never wear them again. I can tell now that clothes shopping will be my new thing to do...instead of eating...oh no that could cost more then eating! I'll have to watch that.
If you're thinking about VSG read, research and ask lots of questions...then when your sure GO FOR IT !
