What is life like after having WLS

Hi,

I must have talked myself in and out of having WLS for at least 2 years before I had it.  I kept thinking, if I get a trainer and go to Weigh****chers I can do this myself. It was also about spending $$$$.  Then I had a very close friend that I worked with who had WLS.  I started to get more serious about it after asking her at least a 200 questions.  She was very patient with me--thank you Kristi.  Her suggestion was for me to do some research on my OWN and see what I could come up with.  That started my 6 month journey into WLS and all the kinds that were available.   I also realized I was worth the $$$$ I was about to spend. 

So I just didn't wake up one morning and say I am having WLS.  By the time I made my choice and where I was going to have it done, I had spent a lot of time educating myself. That is important to do.

As we all know there is always risk involved when it comes to ANY kind of surgery, so I considered that, and said to my husband (boyfriend) at the time that I wanted to have WLS.  He was there 200% for me.  He loved me just the way I was and it didn't matter to him that I was fat.
I was doing this for me and NO one else.

The 1st month was the hardest month I had to do after having WLS--I had the sleeve by the way.  I started to see the weight come off.  I had my ups and downs like stalling for 9 days in a row without any weight loss, lost some of my hair (yes it comes back), had to deal with constipation. Tried foods I never ate much of before and learned I loved them now.  Learned how to cook differently--healthy.  And most of learned that exercise was something that I actually enjoyed doing.

Would I tell someone this is what they should do.  It is an individual choice.  But, what I can say is that diet and exercise as I knew it wasn't working for me. I did the Yo Yo--lose it gain it back thing.  WLS was my tool to allow me to lose the weight.  It took me 14 months but I lost 105 pounds. 

I love my new healthy body and I feel sooooooooooooo much better and healthy and happy, and I have a zest for life.  I only wished I would have done it years before.  But, for me it was the right time.  You have to have your head in the right place for it to work.  This has to be for YOU and no one else. 

If you have any question, please ask away.  I am here to support and encourage you that you too can be successful.  It is really normal to have all kinds of feelings and emotions especially right before the surgery.

Hugs,
Suzanne

I still have awhile, but I do have a question. When they say to eat lots of protein, what is better? Is it better to eat or drink your protein? I know the first couple of weeks its liquids, then mushy foods. What types of drinks have the highest protein? If you have to sip slowly it seems like it will take forever to get down any protein. Thanks for the advice, and congratulations on doing so well.  Everyone on here is such an inspiration to me.

Different surgeons have different ideas about protein shakes. In the first few weeks post-op, most people simply cannot EAT enough protein, so many supplement with shakes. Some people have shakes for the rest of their lives, others don't.

Eating solid foods tend to keep most people full and satisfied longer, making it easier to not overeat when hunger comes back and stomach size increases. I personally have never done the shakes. With my DS, I require a LOT of protein, but fortunately, I can also EAT a lot of protein. (*grin*)

I *can* eat a lot of protein and could eat my minimums by 3 or 4 months out, but my body does not hang onto it - as evidenced by my laboratory studies.  At a month before surgery was 7 and 1 year after I was at 5, that's a full point below normal and a 2 point drop since before surgery.

VSG folks are *supposed* to function the same, absorption wise, before and after surgery, but for me, while I CAN eat up to 200 g per day of dense protein - my body just shuffles through it, or whatever, so unless I DRINK 70 g a day I cannot keep my levels up. 

There is much to learn!  Good on you for asking questions!

Hi,

For me it was potassium.  Mine was low and so I take a prescription now everyday of my life for my low potassium.  It is a small thing to have to do, considering how healthy the rest of my body is.  I love the "new me" and feeling this good again in life.

There is a lot to learn, and I love these discussion, because it gives ALL of us the opportunity to learn something and help other too.

Hugs,
Suzanne

Hi,

At first ( during the 1st Month) I drank 2 protein drinks every day.  And yes, you end up sipping them all day.  As time goes on it gets easier.  I drink Premier Protein Drink and I get it at Costco.  2 1/2 years later I am still drinking it for breakfast. 

They say you should have e about 70 grams of protein per day.  So drinking to drink boxes is a total of 60 grams of protein.  You need to watch that protein drinks are low in calories, and low in carbs, and low in sugar. Premier Protein drinks are all of those things.  I mix them in my Magic Bullet. and I put in about 4 small ice cubes.  It just taste better to me.  I also put in  one cap of Miralax to help with constipation--works great.

So at first drinking  the protein seems to work best.  Don't panic if you can't get it all in during that first month, just do the best you can. 

Now I have a drink box of protein in the morning and I get the rest of my protein during the day.  When you get close or you have had your surgery, please feel free to contact me.  I would love to help you if you have any questions.  I had a great doctor and so it made it 10 times easier for me.

Hugs,
Suzanne

Suzanne, I was looking at Isopure today at GNC. I just bought one to try it, and see if I will be able to tolerate the taste. It's 160 calories, 0 fat, 0 carbs, 0 sugar, 40g of protein, 55mg calcium,  80 mg of sodium, and 45mg of potassium. Is this a overall good drink or bad? How many calories do you normally have to work with in the beginning? Thanks for the help. I really appreciate it. Crissie

Hi,

LOL, I call it Isopuke--I HATE the taste of them.  It is good as far as being healthy, but I can't get one down.  I only bought one and poured it down the drain.  I love and use still to this day Premier Protein Drink, I get mine at Costco.  30 grams of protein, 160 calories, 1 gram of sugar.

I hope that helps,
Suzanne

We are almost surgery twins. I had my surgery (VSG) on January 29, 2010. I have lost the majority of my extra weight and working on the rest. I'd like to say my life has changed since the surgery, but it really hasn't. What HAS changed is the way I look at myself and the way I look at life. I'm glad I made this decision and I would do it again in a heartbeat.

Amalia