4 Weeks Out

As of today, I am four weeks out.  I thought I would post a note just to let everybody know how well I am doing.  I am down at least 50 lbs (20 pre-op) and probably more like 52 or 53.  I am walking anywhere between 2-3 miles each day and am in the first week of my soft food phase.  For lunch on week-days, I found a place that is willing to serve me 1 oz of lump crab meat and is only charging me $1.50 for it.  Can't beat that with a stick.  Unfortunately, I still can't quite eat all of it. I attended my first support group meeting in Waldorf last week.... Okay, it's really White Plains, MD.  There were a lot of incredibly nice and informative people there and I got to meet several people on my friends list.  I must admit, though, that a huge amount of good info came from standing around talking with people in the parking lot after the meeting.  I definitely plan to return. On Thursday, I'm attending a post-op follow-up with the woman who did my phych eval.  She's big into hypnosis so I'm hoping she can help me remember to take my meds/vitamins, smaller bite sizes and not drink with meals.  I'm not really having any problems with this... yet... but want to see if I can nip it before it ever becomes a problem.  I'm still kinda craving pizza so maybe she can help me with that too. My only problem to date is that I have not been taking my Urso Forte pills.  I was supposed to be crushing them and adding them to food or a drink all along but I found that the powder turns my stomach.  The good news is that today is the first day that I am allowed to attempt to swallow a pill.  I think I'll probably cut one in half this evening, swallow it and see what happens. ------  For those of you who may be wondering what Urso Forte is... rapid weight loss increases your risk of getting gall stones.  Urso Forte thins your bile so this doesn't happen.  Some surgeons will even take out your gall bladder when they perform WLS for this reason. --Eric

Glad to hear you are doing so well. I have had thoughts of getting the sleeve insead of the lap band, but I was worried that it may be too much of a surgery for me. You sound as if it is fairly easy. Amy

I was originally scheduled to get the Lap Band and decided on the VBG w/sleeve about a week or so before my surgery date.  The VBG w/sleeve is still a restrictive procedure and supposed to give you results much faster than the Lap Band.  I'm thinking I'm quickly becoming living proof of that.   Now that I've had the surgery, I've also learned that a lot of surgeons aren't using the band much anymore and just doing the sleeve.  That's the VSG.  My surgeon never mentioned the VSG as an option but I think I would have went with the VBG anyway.

Eric  It sounds like you are doing great.   My surgeon at Sinai will not take out my Gall Bladder, so I have to take that med for one year after surgery.  My sister had surgery 3 years ago and she had to do the same thing.  I am having surgery on Sept 10 and worry what eating is going to be like.  I am sure the fear of food will pass and I will be able to eat my mush with a smile on my face.

Keep up the good work, Kristen

Did your sister experience nausea with it?

Sounds like you are doing very well. I stopped taking my anti-deoressant for the same reason you aren't taking the medication. It was just too nasty. I am now free and clear of all medications except for prevacid. I used to take 10 pills every day. I would suggest puting you vitamins in a spot where they will be in front of you face when it is time to take them. That's pretty much what I do. I have my routine for them down faily well. I mess up sometimes on weekends because I have no routine.  Keep up the great work.

Have you been on the Prevacid long-term?  I was under the impression that you weren't suppose to do that and that insurance companys don't usually cover it for long periods.

I will have to take Prevacid for life from what my surgeon told me. I have Barrett;s esophagus. I go next month for a repeat endoscopy to have it checked. I suppose the insurance company doesn't balk at the cost due to my diagnosis.

Hey Eric,I'm a new yorker that live on the eastern shore of maryland forom 1996-2000 and loved every minute of it.My daughter and her family live in salisbury still.I'm thinking of riding my harley with a couple of freinds to ocean city for bike week in sept..Keep up the good work.i had my surgery jan.4th 07 and i'm down 127 lbs. 339 to 212.I still can't beleive it !.You will be amazed with the way you feel and look.Compliments are daily and it feels great.If you plateau and all normally do...just keep on doing what you do and the weight will start to drop again.Take care and the best of luck, Bob

It's hard to reply to everybody but I must say that you are all inspirational to me.  127 lbs is amazing. I bumped into a couple people I haven't seen in a while today and the compliments are already rolling in.  It certainly makes it all worth it.