Stephen F.

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So, it's been a while since I've posted. I'm now a few days shy of 4 months post VSG surgery and down about 115 lbs. This has not been easy by any means. I'm still nauseous after about half of my meals, but down to about 2-3 times per week of actually getting sick. Every time I feel like I can take a step forward and introduce a new food into the mix my insides disagree and I wind up feeling/getting sick.

Aside from that, I’m (obviously) getting more energy to do things and the stamina to stay active throughout the day. I did my first 5+ mile walk last weekend post-surgery and, aside from the expected sweating, felt quite well. That was the only day thus far that I hit 20,000+ steps, but I’m happy that I’m averaging around 7500 steps per day now.

My wife, Danielle, is also down 25 lbs since she started eating better with me. She says she has another 20-30 to go, but I’m proud of her - and it’s making my life easier to not see her binging as much as we used to.

I’m still drinking the protein shakes almost every day. They stay down good (especially the Premier Protein brand), and don’t taste bad. I find that the bars are hit-or-miss, and I haven’t found a good protein juice-type drink that doesn’t taste like I’m licking the outside of a splenda packet.

That’s all for now. I’ll try to write again soon.

I have been struggling with the whole liquid diet thing today. It is really starting to get to me today. I need to eat something. I'm sure it's 90% emotional, but it's just pushing me to my breaking point for some reason. Hopefully the next 5 days fly by so I can get to phase two before I start gnawing my hand while I sleep.

...and I feel pretty good for a guy missing 2/3 of his stomach. Since I got home I've just been on Tylenol (and the baby asprin to prevent a blood clot). Today was the first day I didn't need the Tylenol (yet). I went to the doctor for a follow-up yesterday and attended the group meeting to discuss what is expected for the next few weeks. After speaking with some of the other people I feel pretty lucky. One woman (who had surgery just 2 hours before me last Friday) was MISERABLE and in pain due to a compllication which left her in the hospital until Monday afternoon. Others were generally middle-of-the-road. I felt bad saying I felt (dare I say) fine. My doctor said he was happy with everything he saw thus far and that I would be coming back in a few more weeks for a follow-up.

My wife has been super supportive. She was totally on-board with my decision to get the surgery, which we thought was an important and necessary step after our daugter was born 9-months ago. I kind of feel bad, though, that she is doing so much since I'm physically not allowed to lift (almost) anything. She's a trooper, and I'm lucky to have her on my side.

The incision sites are mostly healed and scabbed over. One of the smaller incisions is still leaking a little bit, but nothing to be concerned with. I have a slight pain just above and to the left of my belly-button, which I'm told is a common complaint. Other than that, you'd never know I had surgery just 7 days ago.

As of this morning, I'm down to 470.6 pounds. I started June at 499 pounds. I went into surgery last Friday at 488.8 pounds.