lookin' for VSG post-ops!! to "chime" in Would you do this again??

I am 16 months post op and check in here most days. Why? Well for one thing someone has to check and see what Jimbo is up to in case the authorities have to be alerted.

But there are lots of other reasons I check in here. First is that I researched vsg and my surgeon for months before making a decision and then to get mentally  prepared and OH was an important part of that process. I found other patients that used my surgeon and their advice was very helpful. Now I try to pay that forward when I can. I also won an insurance appeal and have tried to help others do the same. My story including all that is on my blog page.

Now that I am in maintenance phase, I still feel the need for information and support to keep this weight off as I never want to go back. Staying in touch with others in all phases of this process helps with this. If I was not interested in this or if my vsg had been a horrible experience, I would probably stay away from OH.

Yes I would go this again in a New York minute. Third best thing I have ever done (first being marrying DH and  second getting education). I was lucky to have a very easy surgery and recovery and a reasonably easy time losing though it was slow, but even if it were 10 times more painful or difficult, I would do it again. I truly believe it saved my life as my health was suffering and I felt like crap.

So I started the day with a martial arts class, grocery shopped, did laundry, did hours of filing and general junk clean up, laundry, worked on several pieces of artwork, groomed my dog in preparation for shows, cooked lime chicken and asparagus, played about 10 on line scrabble games and feel like i could still walk a few miles. Still will do some business work for my coop art gallery. Day ain't over.   Diane

I would do it again without a seconds hesitation. As I told her earlier, the sleeve is the best thing I have ever done for myself. I also love life.. love that I am more social, more out there.. but I still like to be on here too- I have FUN on here with my friends, while still offering support to newbies.. living life and being here are NOT mutually exclusive.

Oh, yes, definitely, I would do it again, only sooner.   I have been outside living my life and doing all the things I want to do and I come here in the evening to compare notes with others for support and encouragement.  I have found tips that helped me get through the tough times and recipes to keep things interesting.  I enjoy my support group immensely, but unfortunately it is 2 hours away, so I don't get there every single time.  But I can pop in here and read and occasionaly offer support.

I'm exactly 1 month out, and I would do it over again in a heartbeat.  I had been researching WLS for almost 15 years, and I never had any doubts about having it done.  When I finally worked for a company who's insurance covered it, I went for it and never looked back! 
I have been a member of this website since 2003, and although I don't come here every day, I still enjoy coming by a few times a week.  It's nice to read about other's successes, suggestions, and even providing support for those who's journey hasn't been as smooth as mine. 

Eydie

Would I do it again? YES, YES, YES. I continue to be THRILLED with my sleeve, and I am very much enjoying a wonderful life.

Why am I still here? Well, this has been, and continues to be, my support group. I have a wonderful husband and daughter (both thin) and great friends who love me and support me, but there is something very important about talking with people who've been there and done that and understand the issues we face. Plus, I KNOW that I could gain weight if I don't keep my head in the game and keep focussed. Why on earth would I NOT be here to both support others and learn from them?

Lizanne

Well I am just under 2 months out......But I have loved my sleeve even before I had it.  I knew it was going to change my life forever.   I think I am doing well for the little amount of time since surgery.. I only weigh in at the doctors so hopefully I will be out of the 300s.  I KNEW this was the right decision over the other surgeries because I wanted to still be held accountable for my food intake, but the sleeve helps me.  I had a pain free recovery, I have only had one food that I did not like after the sleeve (beef broth) and I have had food tastes change, everything is too sweet so for me, that is great.  I have never been sick due to over eating nor have i had trouble getting in fluids..I did not like the chewable calcium I had to take though and  I thank God someone invented citrical petites lol..Though I would chime in... I am not glad that I did not get surgery sooner, because I was not ready for the emotional changes I needed to do.  And if I had surgery before, it would have been the rny which would have been the wrong choice for me..

So GLAD all y'all are here....people before me, my sleeve sisters & brothers, and those to come behind me. MY gawd...the information, support and friendship on this forum is UNBELIEVABLE!
And I have NO regrets. I went out for a friends birthday dinner tonight and had Afghani butternut squash and mint yogurt. It was an appetizer...and I had about 5 small bites and was soooo satisfied. Brought the rest home. This cinched it for me. I could still go out with my friends and have a great time. What they ate didn't bother me in the least. WOW! I brought the rest home. $6 and I am a cheap date! lol. 
This was a big step, to go out to a restaurant 2 wks from surgery. I was scared ****less. But what I ate felt good, and the only people *****ally understand what that meant to me....are HERE on this forum.
Don't go ANYWHERE!
Linda B

I am only 2 months out and I would most certainly do it again in a heartbeat! 

 
Sorry I'm late..... I was out doing life !!!!

Road my bicycle along the Water Front went to the Fiery Building to have a Salumi Cup at Food Networks Chris Cosentino's store called Boccalone.....Than road down to Pier 39. Than went to my machine shop and built some rigging for a camera dolly I'm making......than worked on a custom motorcycle I'm building. Than meet a friend downtown for Thai Food......At 338lbs. all that wouldn't have happened.....pick one... and not the bicycle.

Here is how I see it.......

Everybody has a different experience.....

To me......It's been in phases.......

1- Decide to throw in the towel as I didn't have another diet left in me and a diet seemed like bringing a knife to a gun fight.

2- Study....Research....Get scared..... Eat....gain more weight.....study, research again.... repeat several times.

3-Discover VSG......and OH

4- Search the country for a surgeon....find one of the best in my backyard in my home city.

5- Have consultation.... than surgery 3 weeks later.

6- Learning and living with a new lifestyle. Breaking old habits.... adapting, conforming (I don't conform well and normally go left while everyone else goes right)

7- Going through the different food stages....still not really knowing why... just following directions.

8- About 3 months into it I just started getting the idea what life was going to be like.....still having difficulty adjusting. Life goes on and different situations arise.

9- About at six months is when the light went on and things began to come together. I was getting used to what things were going to be like.... A normal American portion was never gonna happen again... and I was fine with that as I had lost 100lbs.

10- At six months I also realized..... The weight lose is not really a problem..... I got other issues that seem to be harder to deal with.....As they say.... this surgery is on your stomach... not your head!

11- At about 7 months out I went to my first support group meeting..... I saw and meet some of the people here from OH at a San Jose Group (I go to both San Jose and San Francisco) and most were at goal weight..... I also meet a Heavyweight (Jimbo)Dr.C said he was working with.....I was surprised....I had the same thought as your newbie.....why are these people still on OH and why are they at these meetings......they are there...their done! Why???

12- Well..... After that meeting I than I told myself.... I'm gonna keep going to these things... If there going.... I'm going.....

13- Goal weight.....well goal weights....it changed like 5 times......

14- Goal weight is ground ZERO.......I've dug myself out of the hole......now to stay above ground and maintain.......FEAR sets in BIG TIME..... Every other time I've lost weight I've failed at maintaining..... gaining the weight back plus more every time !

15- Far less NSV's or everything is one big NSV......No more thrill's of the next size down......No more thrills of seeing the scale go down.....looking at the same 4 numbers 149-150-151-152

16- I'm in a pretty good phase now where most things are known and it's up to me to navigate this thing. Fine tuning and enjoying life again.......but I still have a huge question mark on my back.....will I maintain ????

17- I still participate on OH and go to support groups....still a lot to learn as I try and hone and tune my life physically, mentally and Professionally.

18- There are still many more phases ahead of me..... I'm not calling success till I'm 5 years out !!!!

Yah... I do get tired of some of the stuff that goes on in the main VSG board.....I chime in and try and share what I've learned along the way.... 

Would I do this again?
Should this even be a question.......hang on..... gotta put on my 31" waist Levi's and a $100 Armani shirt size M that hangs big on me..... goin downtown later to see some peeps at a friends place.

I know what this Experience has done for me......I got my life back...... I just wish the same for anyone who takes on this endeavor. Probably why I come across a little heavy handed....I just want you to get what I got !!!

Peace out, frisco

Dude....when I grow up  (or shrink down in this case!)  i wanna be just like you!!  Nice.....reply!