My first 6 mos...

Hi there,

I had my 6mos post op on 10/10 which actually was 6 mos from my surgery date.  I got several pieces of good news.

My surgeon, who was deployed to Afghanistan on July 18 is due back in the states in Nov and back to his practice in Dec.  YAAAAY!!!

I saw his partner who also assisted in my surgery.  He was full of praise and said Id lost more than most of his bypass pts that started at my same stats or there abouts.  I dont think im anything above average as I see people on these boards who have lost more.  I never know if people are adding in pre op or from date of surg...not that it matters as a pound lost is a pound we arent carrying!  He wanted to make sure id be at the next supp group mtg as he would like me to share!  I told him honestly im following the program i was given and not incorporating any 'junk' per sey.  He checked me over, asked about any problems and talked to me re my bp as ive been feeling light headed and we both think my bp med is too much.  I had forgotten to take it the night before, which never happens, and my bp at 2p was 125/62.  He wants me to see my pcp.  He ran labs but also wants me to see pcp about my throid med.  Ok, i will d that. I dont have my labs back as we chat.  Hopefully all is well.

I feel so much better physically and am rolling with the punches emotionally.  It truly can be a roller coaster at times.

Im a band to sleeve revision, in one procedure.  Its odd for me that during my stressful or crappy times I KNOW now if im going to eat to soothe, its a wedge or 2 of laughing cow lite lol and not salsa cheetos.  I never knew this before even being banded 10 yrs.  Maybe im looking at this as truly  my last chance. Most times i honestly have no cravings for high carby food...a few times its been all about the head.

Would I do this again? In a heart beat!  Do I want to have to? NO lol.  Im more afraid of maintenence but Im not near there yet. 193 is my surgeons first goal for me and then on to 175 for him, 170 for me.  We shall see what happens. 

Only issue that is still with me is the bm jazz.  Smooth Moves Tea is a Godsend!!!!!  Also meat doesnt sit well which is ok as i never was a big meat eater.  Shrimp, pb and eggs are also the same.  Maybe in time.

Thank you all for your help and your posting of your own journeys.  I posted a pic on my site and someone posted it for me on the main vsg site.  Im comp illiterate.  If someone can post it here, Id be forever greatful.  :-)

tia...350SW......TW....231

Way to go! My 6 months anniversary is actually tomorrow (couldn't get the surgery, so have just changed eating and exercising), and boy are you right about the emotional rollercoaster. I have never actually lost more than 20lbs in my life, so to be soo much closer to goal is overwhelming awesome and sometimes hard to comprehend lol. My goal is more like 140-150, but we'll see how my body feels.  Here's to a great next 6 months

great going , my loss is going slowly the last few weeks don't know why, sticking to my plan 80 gm protein , 500-700 cal , ~ 30 carbs , what's your secret

 I had problems with constipation 1 month out and discovered  I was taking to many  calcium citrate pills  , I misread the dose

Thank you for posting that.  You are doing wonderfully well!  You have a lot to be proud of!

Re your cravings, so to speak, I am the same way.  The only foods I've "craved" (read: have even been remotely interested in eating postop) are lean, dense protein foods and a bit of cheese here and there, which fascinates me.  I've had zero cravings for the carb-laden stuff which got me to 357 pounds to begin with.  What a blessing this surgery is, in tandem with working our plans!

I guess losing the hunger hormone-producing section of your stomach makes all the difference.  It intrigues me to read what band-to-sleeve revision patients experience when they are sleeved, because the function and anatomy are so different. 

I think it's healthy to fear maintenance, actually, in that we need to respect its limitations while we simultaneously embrace its relative freedom.  I'm not on maintenance yet as I want to lose as much as possible and try to get to normal BMI weight, but as with you maintenance has been on my mind for a while. 

Keep up the great work!