2 Months Post-Op - 73.6 Pounds Lighter

I weighed in last week on the 13th (exactly 2 months) and I am down 73.6 pounds since december. I am hoping to be 100 gone before I go back to Dr. H in April. Happiness... MKJ

Well, congradulations, Mark! That is a great accomplishment. My surgery was April 05 and I have lost 88lbs. I haven't really lost more than an inch or two, here or there since the last few months. The exercising does feel good now that I can move around with ease. Did you have the VGB done? I am still watching very closely what I eat, and drink. Are you having any problems with food or drinks? Best wishes, and I hope the loss continues until you are ready to stop. Carol

Yep, I had VBG. I watch portions carefully and am staying away from bread, sugar, rice, potatos, etc. So far the only foods that just disagreed with be have been scrambled eggs, pan sausage, and microwaved leftover fish. Honestly, my main stay has been Wolf Brand Chili (no beans - comes in very small cans about 4oz by volume, not weight) and sugar free popsicles to satisfy my late night tv cravings. I think where you start kind of dictates loss speed. I was 489.5, so I expect faster loss than someone only trying to loose 100 total (know what I mean?). I am worried though about stories from people who had VBG and then had to get revised to RNY or just didn't succeed after a long time. What do you think of that situation? Is it not using the tool or just a problem with the VBG? MKJ

Hello Mark, I have spoken with you before happy to hear of your great success. I am also a Dr. Harberg patient I am down 15 pounds in 2 weeks it is very hard for me to stay completely away from the forbidden foods. I went to my doctors appt yesterday and I still have 4 weeks of mush left, If you could can you give me an example of what you eat on a daily basis I need to know if Im eating the right things for the most part. I started at 351 and I am at 337. I am also worried about what I hear on oh about failed vbg and revisions, however I had two cousins who had surgery about 1 week apart one with rny and one with vbg from dr.harberg and the one who had rny has gained alot of her weight back and the vbger has not and they had there surgeries about 6yrs ago so I think it depends on the individual. Well keep up the good work and stay in touch because I need alot of support right now. Take care......

At your stage, my diet consisted of ... Sugar free pudding Sugar free Jell-O Low fat cottage cheese Tomato soup Potato soup Once a week Mexican (small portion of runny refried beans with a spoonful of ground taco or enchilada meat - beef) Once a week seafood - lobster or other bisque - mostly the juice part I found it critical to stay within portion (especially when eating out) and BORING!!!! But, it worked. If you get a 6oz. yogurt leave 2 behind. If you get a cup of soup, leave half in the cup, etc. NOW my diet consists of: 6-6:30 am sugar free instant oatmeal - about 3-4 oz. Head to work. Start on a 20 or 24 oz water bottle 10am - 4oz of yogurt, cottage cheese, sugar free pudding, or natural/sugar free apple sauce (only one of these) Noon - lunch - either a small portion of something not so solid (soup, fish, some casserole like king ranch chicken) from the cafeteria, or the same as 10am above 2pm - same as 10am above. Usually finish water started in AM by this time. 2:30 go to gym and work out...every day bike 3-4 miles, every other day upper body (arms and chest) weight machine circuit - DO NOT DO ANY WEIGHTS UNTIL dr. H OKs it. Can cause hernia. 3:00-3:15 get home - have another 20-24oz. water bottle usually finish within an hour 5:30-6pm - dinner - usually very small can 4oz by volume of Wolf Brand Chili no beans - sometime a portion of family dinner. Have had roast with carrots and gravy, baked chicken (very hard on me), meatballs with spaghetti sauce (also hard on me) 7:00pm - start another 20-24zo water bottle - usually done by 9:00-9:30 9:00-11:00pm - This is when the snackies/munchie**** me hard - I am almost always watching TV or computing or both at this time and my HEAD wants BAD FOOD - I have turned to Sugar Free Popsicles (I like the tropical flavors best) and I usually have 2 or 3 pairs - then head to bed At least once a week we go out for seafood. I usually get a bowl of bisque and stay with the soup part, or a get grilled fish and my wife eats the almost complete meal leftovers next day because I eat such a small portion of the plate. I did try to have my own leftovers one day, but CHUCKED. Apparently 2nd day fish from the nuker is changed substantially from fresh grilled. Also, at least once a week we go Mexican, and I have not changed what I eat there (runny refried and a little meat), but I may have a Frozen Rita. STAY AWAY FROM THE CHIPS. You CAN eat them, but SHOULD NOT. And we go to super salad sometimes. I stick to a cup of some soup. I have had trouble chewing allot. Hard habit to make for an ex-military 20 minute eater, and timing. Stopping between each bite is excruciating. I have stopped eating at the table with the family for 2 reasons. 1) they eat a whole plate in 10 minutes and that is hard to be near while waiting etc. 2) I have found if I am doing something else while eating (TV, Computer Game) it is easier for me to break in between mouthfuls. Also, learning to take very small bites it hard for me. Lastly, my food is ALWAYS cold before I finish...ALWAYS. At this point, I just eat it anyways. I have NOT had bread, potatoes (except soup in the early days), rice, cookies, chips, cake, basically all the good stuff since before my surgery. It is hard, but so far, so good. I hope this helps. I can say do the exercise, it helps battle the depression. My wife who is thin could not understand my depression when she was cooking Chicken Fried Steak and I knew I couldn't have any. People who are not like us DO NOT understand. For her, she says, but you should be happier you are loosing weight...like I ever wanted my life to be about that. BUT, it kind of is NOW. Like Dr. H says, it is a tool. You use it or you don't. You take care of it or you don't. Once stretched, can't be unstretched. Happiness... MKJ

Mark, Is that true? Once stretched, can't be unstretched? I had VBG almost 2 years ago (Dr. Harberg). I dropped 80 lbs. by Dec of 2004, but have not lost anymore since then. I'm now gaining back. I feel like I can eat and eat and eat. Any insights? -Wendy

I have been going to support, and they agree that once the pouch is stretched or the staples fail, the the only way to change it back is another surgery (revision is what they call it) and most go from VBG to RNY second time around. There are 2 people in my group like this and many more on the boards. BUT, you could still follow the 4-6oz restriction eventhough not forced to, and exercise, etc. In other words do the program even if you don't feel forced to anymore. Hope this helps. You could always call Dr.H's office to cross check. Happiness... MKJ

Wow, this was very informative! I am getting ready to have my surgery (hopefully at the end of March, beginning of April), and have chose VBG. I am very optimistic about the weight loss, but terrified of the surgery and any complications! Thanks for the typical day of eating, that was really helpful! Lisa

I am glad to help. I expect success, and I am doing my work. It is hard, but will be worth it. I researched all three main surgeries and thought that VBG gave best benefit vs. complication risk. Everyone has an opinion though. Good luck with your surgery. Happiness... MKJ

I had VBG in 1991. Just be very careful what you swallow! I suppose that's true with any of these procedures. Due to distance, I had to follow up with a local doctor, and he didn't do a good job. He gave me some medication that irritated my stomach and I developed a bleeding ulcer. Through multiple endoscopies, they had to remove the staples. I still did pretty well with the weight, but of course, I didn't retain the pouch. I'm now considering Lap Band before I get back to my all time high again! Sounds like you are doing great. Good for you!!! Janet