.: Rana :.
5 years later.....
May 08, 2012
Hard to believe that 5 yrs ago today I was in the hospital, worried about what I had just done to my body. I remember it being VERY difficult at first-- I had MAJOR buyer's remorse. But guess what? It's not like you can undo having the majority of your stomach removed, so I learned to accept it. And it didn't take long until I was very glad that I had made the decision to have VSG.
So here's the stats:
STARTING WEIGHT: 231
HEIGHT: 5'3"
STARTING BMI: 39.6
LOWEST WEIGHT: 117;
HEIGHT: 5'4"
BMI: 20.0.
CURRENT WEIGHT: 148
HEIGHT: 5'3" (yes, I've lost about 1/2 inch again)
CURRENT BMI: 26.2
I was one of the folks who had a rather easy time losing weight. I was VERY compliant with Dr. Cirangle's diet. I didn't adhere to it perfectly, but I tried very hard to come as close as possible and IT WORKED. I made my goal of 140 lbs in 9 months and hit my low weight after a little over a year. In fact, I had a hard time stopping the loss. It took a bit of trial and error to figure out what worked best to stabilize my weight.
My weight was stable for quite a while. But then after about 2 yrs, I started gaining more than I would have liked to and it keeps creeping upward. This is due to too much sugar in my diet and not enough exercise. In fact, I had stopped exercising for a couple of years until recently when my back started acting up again. I've found that Pilates classes are cheaper than the co-pay for Physical Therapy.
I still eat MUCH healthier than I did pre-op. This whole experience has taught me that I NEVER could have lost this much weight without surgery, and I certainly never would have kept this much of the weight off for this long.
I can eat much more than I could that first year, of course, but my tiny tummy still keeps me from overeating as much as I normally would have. BTW, overeating was/is my problem and the reason I was obese in the first place.
So here's my advise after years of dealing with VSG (keep in mind that I spent many months researching WLS prior to VSG and that I was VERY active on these boards for the first few years)....
MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR FIRST 6 - 12 MONTHS!!!! It is easiest to loose weight right after surgery while the stomach is still swollen and so tiny. Use that to your advantage!
Don't think of this as a diet, think of it as food choices and lifestyle changes. I am not on a diet, but I do need to make wise food choices. I still try to limit my carbs to some extent and try to make sure that I get enough protein each day, along with trying to focus on fruits and veggies.
DRINK AT LEAST 48 - 64 OZ OF WATER EACH AND EVERY DAY!!!! There is data to prove that water/hydration aids in weight loss. I still track my water intake. I still have days that I don't' feel like drinking that much, but I have discovered that if I don't get at least 48 oz, I get this horrible, horrible stomach ache. And I don't drink any soda or alcohol-- it just isn't worth it. Don't get me started on the whole soda thing-- I don't care about the carbonation, it still has NO redeeming qualities regardless of whether it is diet soda or not. And High Fructose Corn Syrup is a hot button of mine. I am of the mindset that it should be banned altogether.
GET ENOUGH SLEEP! There are studies out there that support that lack of sleep can cause weight gain, and that getting plenty of sleep can aid weight loss. I have noticed this in my own life as well. When I don't get enough sleep I crave carbs/sugar the next day. This happens because the body needs the energy. But there is more to it than that-- you can research this for yourself if you'd like.
EXERCISE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Many of us got to the weight we are due to lack of exercise, along with poor food choices. Remember that exercise is not just about losing weight or keeping the weight off. That is just a side benefit. Exercise is about staying healthy and that is really what WLS is all about-- getting healthy. Make a point of doing whatever you can to be active, but also make a point of actually exercising your body. Trust me, I've seen the effects of exercise vs. non-exercise on my in-laws and parents. My in-laws are about 10 yrs older than my parents but have stayed very active (even when my MIL went through 2 bouts with serious cancer). My parents have never been the type to do much physical activity. My in-laws are still much healthier at 80 than my parents are at 70-- they are much, much more mobile and have far fewer health concerns.
1 comment
So here's the stats:
STARTING WEIGHT: 231
HEIGHT: 5'3"
STARTING BMI: 39.6
LOWEST WEIGHT: 117;
HEIGHT: 5'4"
BMI: 20.0.
CURRENT WEIGHT: 148
HEIGHT: 5'3" (yes, I've lost about 1/2 inch again)
CURRENT BMI: 26.2
I was one of the folks who had a rather easy time losing weight. I was VERY compliant with Dr. Cirangle's diet. I didn't adhere to it perfectly, but I tried very hard to come as close as possible and IT WORKED. I made my goal of 140 lbs in 9 months and hit my low weight after a little over a year. In fact, I had a hard time stopping the loss. It took a bit of trial and error to figure out what worked best to stabilize my weight.
My weight was stable for quite a while. But then after about 2 yrs, I started gaining more than I would have liked to and it keeps creeping upward. This is due to too much sugar in my diet and not enough exercise. In fact, I had stopped exercising for a couple of years until recently when my back started acting up again. I've found that Pilates classes are cheaper than the co-pay for Physical Therapy.
I still eat MUCH healthier than I did pre-op. This whole experience has taught me that I NEVER could have lost this much weight without surgery, and I certainly never would have kept this much of the weight off for this long.
I can eat much more than I could that first year, of course, but my tiny tummy still keeps me from overeating as much as I normally would have. BTW, overeating was/is my problem and the reason I was obese in the first place.
So here's my advise after years of dealing with VSG (keep in mind that I spent many months researching WLS prior to VSG and that I was VERY active on these boards for the first few years)....
MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR FIRST 6 - 12 MONTHS!!!! It is easiest to loose weight right after surgery while the stomach is still swollen and so tiny. Use that to your advantage!
Don't think of this as a diet, think of it as food choices and lifestyle changes. I am not on a diet, but I do need to make wise food choices. I still try to limit my carbs to some extent and try to make sure that I get enough protein each day, along with trying to focus on fruits and veggies.
DRINK AT LEAST 48 - 64 OZ OF WATER EACH AND EVERY DAY!!!! There is data to prove that water/hydration aids in weight loss. I still track my water intake. I still have days that I don't' feel like drinking that much, but I have discovered that if I don't get at least 48 oz, I get this horrible, horrible stomach ache. And I don't drink any soda or alcohol-- it just isn't worth it. Don't get me started on the whole soda thing-- I don't care about the carbonation, it still has NO redeeming qualities regardless of whether it is diet soda or not. And High Fructose Corn Syrup is a hot button of mine. I am of the mindset that it should be banned altogether.
GET ENOUGH SLEEP! There are studies out there that support that lack of sleep can cause weight gain, and that getting plenty of sleep can aid weight loss. I have noticed this in my own life as well. When I don't get enough sleep I crave carbs/sugar the next day. This happens because the body needs the energy. But there is more to it than that-- you can research this for yourself if you'd like.
EXERCISE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Many of us got to the weight we are due to lack of exercise, along with poor food choices. Remember that exercise is not just about losing weight or keeping the weight off. That is just a side benefit. Exercise is about staying healthy and that is really what WLS is all about-- getting healthy. Make a point of doing whatever you can to be active, but also make a point of actually exercising your body. Trust me, I've seen the effects of exercise vs. non-exercise on my in-laws and parents. My in-laws are about 10 yrs older than my parents but have stayed very active (even when my MIL went through 2 bouts with serious cancer). My parents have never been the type to do much physical activity. My in-laws are still much healthier at 80 than my parents are at 70-- they are much, much more mobile and have far fewer health concerns.
Not quite 4 yrs later....
Jan 29, 2011
Just a quick update:
Life is good and VERY busy. Thankfully, due to having lost so much weight (thanks to my VSG!) I am able to keep up with all of the activities. My health is very good, so far all of my labs have been good, and my bone density test was good. I do take 2 multivitamins each day (yes, twice the normal dosage as per my surgeon); 2000 IU of Vit. D; Magnesium; and calcium citrate with Vit. D and Magnesium. I also take a probiotic and also digestive enzymes in an effort to keep my carb cravings under control.
My weight was very stable for quite a long time. Then last year I broke my hand and had to have surgery. I know it sounds odd, but because of this I stopped exercising much. I gained about 4 lbs. Then came the holidays. I did fine right up to New Year's Eve. My indulgences cost me another 2 lbs. I now weigh 10 lbs more than what I consider my ideal weight. I'm trying to lose at least a couple of lbs, but more importantly I'm trying to get my hunger under control. The more research I do, the more convinced I am that sugars are causing my increased hunger. But knowing that is only part of the battle. The enzymes do seem to be helping though.
It is still a journey. It doesn't end. Just remember-- this is a marathon, not a sprint. I'm in it for the long haul! Oh, and never, EVER think that your weight is "gone forever". Dietary changes have to be FOREVER. Old habits die very, very hard and they can come back. If so, that weight is going to come back easier than you thought. But this is true for ANY form of weight loss or WLS. But the bottom line for me-- the VSG was the right choice for my lifestyle and my overeating.
1 comment
Life is good and VERY busy. Thankfully, due to having lost so much weight (thanks to my VSG!) I am able to keep up with all of the activities. My health is very good, so far all of my labs have been good, and my bone density test was good. I do take 2 multivitamins each day (yes, twice the normal dosage as per my surgeon); 2000 IU of Vit. D; Magnesium; and calcium citrate with Vit. D and Magnesium. I also take a probiotic and also digestive enzymes in an effort to keep my carb cravings under control.
My weight was very stable for quite a long time. Then last year I broke my hand and had to have surgery. I know it sounds odd, but because of this I stopped exercising much. I gained about 4 lbs. Then came the holidays. I did fine right up to New Year's Eve. My indulgences cost me another 2 lbs. I now weigh 10 lbs more than what I consider my ideal weight. I'm trying to lose at least a couple of lbs, but more importantly I'm trying to get my hunger under control. The more research I do, the more convinced I am that sugars are causing my increased hunger. But knowing that is only part of the battle. The enzymes do seem to be helping though.
It is still a journey. It doesn't end. Just remember-- this is a marathon, not a sprint. I'm in it for the long haul! Oh, and never, EVER think that your weight is "gone forever". Dietary changes have to be FOREVER. Old habits die very, very hard and they can come back. If so, that weight is going to come back easier than you thought. But this is true for ANY form of weight loss or WLS. But the bottom line for me-- the VSG was the right choice for my lifestyle and my overeating.
Feels like my whole life, not just 3 years
May 10, 2010
So, it's been 3 years since my VSG. What a difference time makes! (I'm going to keep this a little short since I'm still recovering from my broken hand and it's hard to type for very long)
I've been around OH for about Oct. of 2006, but joined after reading posts for a couple of months. I did a LOT of research on various WLS types before choosing VSG as the best option for ME. For those who don't know me, I'm a total research junkie.
So here's the stats:
I am 5'4" (actually, I'm 5'3.5"-- I think I've shrunk over the years) and weighed 231 when I started this journey, so that's a BMI of 39 point somethin'. I hit my goal of 140 lbs/24.9 BMI at 7 months post op. I continued to lose weight for another few months after that. I took it 5 lbs at a time until I hit a weight that I was comfortable with, although I continued to lose weight after that point. My lowest weight was 117 and that happened 14 months post op. That was too low so I made a point to regain a few lbs. At that time I was losing weight even though I wasn't trying to. Let me tell ya', losing weight was easy compared to figuring out how to maintain!
I liked being 120 lbs, but was not able to maintain that weight. My average weight for the last 2 years was about 124 lbs until I broke my hand 2 months ago. I now weigh about 128 but I've been trying to lose that extra 4 lbs. (yeah, it doesn't sound like much but I don't want that extra poundage to add up to bigger numbers!)
So here's my tips to the newbies: THIS IS NOT A MAGIC CURE!!! Never say that your excess weight is "gone forever". You must be willing and ready to make permanent changes in your food choices and activity level. Those who I've seen be successful here at OH have never gone back to those poor food choices and they also choose to spend time throughout the week being active and exercising. What WLS does do for you is give you a chance to break free from those old habits and makes it easier to make new ones. Use your first 6 months to commit to those new, healthy habits! Then choose to continue in those choices one day at a time.
0 comments
I've been around OH for about Oct. of 2006, but joined after reading posts for a couple of months. I did a LOT of research on various WLS types before choosing VSG as the best option for ME. For those who don't know me, I'm a total research junkie.
So here's the stats:
I am 5'4" (actually, I'm 5'3.5"-- I think I've shrunk over the years) and weighed 231 when I started this journey, so that's a BMI of 39 point somethin'. I hit my goal of 140 lbs/24.9 BMI at 7 months post op. I continued to lose weight for another few months after that. I took it 5 lbs at a time until I hit a weight that I was comfortable with, although I continued to lose weight after that point. My lowest weight was 117 and that happened 14 months post op. That was too low so I made a point to regain a few lbs. At that time I was losing weight even though I wasn't trying to. Let me tell ya', losing weight was easy compared to figuring out how to maintain!
I liked being 120 lbs, but was not able to maintain that weight. My average weight for the last 2 years was about 124 lbs until I broke my hand 2 months ago. I now weigh about 128 but I've been trying to lose that extra 4 lbs. (yeah, it doesn't sound like much but I don't want that extra poundage to add up to bigger numbers!)
So here's my tips to the newbies: THIS IS NOT A MAGIC CURE!!! Never say that your excess weight is "gone forever". You must be willing and ready to make permanent changes in your food choices and activity level. Those who I've seen be successful here at OH have never gone back to those poor food choices and they also choose to spend time throughout the week being active and exercising. What WLS does do for you is give you a chance to break free from those old habits and makes it easier to make new ones. Use your first 6 months to commit to those new, healthy habits! Then choose to continue in those choices one day at a time.
And now here's the down-side....
Mar 04, 2010
Don't get me wrong, I'm still very, very thankful for what this WLS has done for me. I still feel that it's the best decision I've made for myself regarding my health. But folks often ask about what to expect long-term and that data is still being formed. The problem is that if I'm not in the midst of a problem, then I feel like every thing's perfect. I'm now almost 3 yrs out and still have certain "issues". Maybe it's common, maybe it's not, but here is a sample of what I experience:
I still have evenings where my food just doesn't sit well. It's kind of hard to explain. I don't get an upset tummy, it's more in my chest/esophagus. Too often I still try to get that "one last bite" in, and still pay for it. It rarely comes back up (it often wouldn't stay down in the beginning), but it certainly isn't comfortable. It's usually the dense meat-protein that seems to cause this, yet that's what I need to eat for my health. For some reason, it's typically at dinnertime that I have this problem. It doesn't seem to occur at breakfast or lunch, but that's probably because I eat different foods at those meals.
I also still have to watch my fluid intake very closely. There is NEVER a day that I don't have to count how much water I've had to drink. It is certainly easier to drink now than it was in those first couple of months, but I still cannot chug a bottle of water. I've been told that folks can't ever chug after VSG (yes, I know, there are a few who can, but that's not the norm). I still cannot take more than 2 or 3 mouth fulls at a time. I have to admit, drinking still feels like a chore. But it's a chore that I must do for my health!
I still have days when I wish that I could eat more at one sitting. This feeling is often short-lived though, as I know that being able to eat so much is one factor in my previous obesity. This goes along with wishing that I could eat endless donuts with no weight gain-- it's a fairytale. I wish I could eat nothing but chocolate and milkshakes all day long and not end up with serious health problems, etc. It ain't going to happen, so I focus on making HEALTHY FOOD CHOICES (this is NOT a diet folks!). I still indulge in certain "bad" foods, but I try to minimize their unhealthy impact by staying away from all high fructose corn syrup and white flour products.
And one last item, but this one doesn't bother me so much these days. When I get very stressed, I cannot eat much. During the first year, it I got very stressed then food just wouldn't go down at all. That or it would just come back up a short time later. It used to be bad enough that if I knew I was going to be stressed (like if I had to fly on a trip), I would start taking my Prilosec again a day or two before. That helped a LOT. It's not that bad now and it hasn't bothered me lately.
So there you have it folks. For me, it's all been worth it though. I'd rather deal with these inconveniences rather than the day-to-day struggles I had with obesity and the health implications from my excess weight. Even if I had known that I'd have these issues (and probably will for the rest of my life), I'd still have chosen to have my VSG. It's still the best choice I could have made for ME.
0 comments
I still have evenings where my food just doesn't sit well. It's kind of hard to explain. I don't get an upset tummy, it's more in my chest/esophagus. Too often I still try to get that "one last bite" in, and still pay for it. It rarely comes back up (it often wouldn't stay down in the beginning), but it certainly isn't comfortable. It's usually the dense meat-protein that seems to cause this, yet that's what I need to eat for my health. For some reason, it's typically at dinnertime that I have this problem. It doesn't seem to occur at breakfast or lunch, but that's probably because I eat different foods at those meals.
I also still have to watch my fluid intake very closely. There is NEVER a day that I don't have to count how much water I've had to drink. It is certainly easier to drink now than it was in those first couple of months, but I still cannot chug a bottle of water. I've been told that folks can't ever chug after VSG (yes, I know, there are a few who can, but that's not the norm). I still cannot take more than 2 or 3 mouth fulls at a time. I have to admit, drinking still feels like a chore. But it's a chore that I must do for my health!
I still have days when I wish that I could eat more at one sitting. This feeling is often short-lived though, as I know that being able to eat so much is one factor in my previous obesity. This goes along with wishing that I could eat endless donuts with no weight gain-- it's a fairytale. I wish I could eat nothing but chocolate and milkshakes all day long and not end up with serious health problems, etc. It ain't going to happen, so I focus on making HEALTHY FOOD CHOICES (this is NOT a diet folks!). I still indulge in certain "bad" foods, but I try to minimize their unhealthy impact by staying away from all high fructose corn syrup and white flour products.
And one last item, but this one doesn't bother me so much these days. When I get very stressed, I cannot eat much. During the first year, it I got very stressed then food just wouldn't go down at all. That or it would just come back up a short time later. It used to be bad enough that if I knew I was going to be stressed (like if I had to fly on a trip), I would start taking my Prilosec again a day or two before. That helped a LOT. It's not that bad now and it hasn't bothered me lately.
So there you have it folks. For me, it's all been worth it though. I'd rather deal with these inconveniences rather than the day-to-day struggles I had with obesity and the health implications from my excess weight. Even if I had known that I'd have these issues (and probably will for the rest of my life), I'd still have chosen to have my VSG. It's still the best choice I could have made for ME.
VSG Overview
Feb 19, 2010
Okay, I know this is long but this is a compilation of info I've gleaned over the last few years.... 
By 2007, most surgeons had realized that 32 - 40 was most effective. Personally, mine is a 32 from back in '07. I lost 110 lbs when my goal was to lose 90 lbs. It took me 7 months to lose the first 90 lbs. If you look at my stats, you'll see that my low weight was 117, but that I've weighed 120 - 125 for well over a year now. Yes, it took some work but it hasn't been all that difficult.
I've been around these boards for over 3 yrs now (yikes!). I've seen all sorts of things come up. Yes, some folks do gain their weight back. Many never get to their goal. And a few don't lose much weight. But there are reasons for all of these scenarios. Here's what I've noticed over the past few years:
The ones who don't lose typically have other medical issues. For example, PCOS makes it very difficult to lose weight even after WLS. Often the ones who don't lose also don't do anything wrong, just that there were other issues beyond their control (physical or even mental).
The ones who don't make goal have a variety of reasons for that happening. Some have had a very large amount of weight to lose, but were very dedicated and did well even though they didn't lose 100% of the excess weight. Some of those who have a very high BMI have other "food issues" that caused them to gain so much weight, so WLS alone isn't enough. Others just start eating the way they used to. They go back to old habits.
Some didn't have all that much to lose, but they also didn't follow the "rules" well because they felt that just eating less was enough (yet found out the hard way that eating less isn't enough-- you need to make wise food choices also). That is why the best advise I got was to make the most of my first 6 months-- make new, healthy habits both in eating and exercise.
Those who make it to goal typically are the ones who totally change their eating habits, and often also got into exercising. They often think about WLS being a second chance to do all the right things. Remember, this is about making better food choices rather than having a "diet" mentality. Those who didn't yo-yo diet and haven't had prior WLS often lose weight much easier than those who did.
The one thing that I've see cause weight re-gain is sugar. Specifically, High Fructose Corn Syrup. If you are interested in more info about this, you can watch: http://www.uctv.tv/search-details.aspx?showID=16717. It's a video seminar done by the University of California. It explains exactly why HFCS is addictive and much, much worse for our bodies than normal sugar (and normal sugar is bad enough!). And you'd be amazed at how many foods contain HFCS!
Okay, I'm sure there's more I could share but I've rattle on (and on and on) long enough.
0 comments
By 2007, most surgeons had realized that 32 - 40 was most effective. Personally, mine is a 32 from back in '07. I lost 110 lbs when my goal was to lose 90 lbs. It took me 7 months to lose the first 90 lbs. If you look at my stats, you'll see that my low weight was 117, but that I've weighed 120 - 125 for well over a year now. Yes, it took some work but it hasn't been all that difficult.
I've been around these boards for over 3 yrs now (yikes!). I've seen all sorts of things come up. Yes, some folks do gain their weight back. Many never get to their goal. And a few don't lose much weight. But there are reasons for all of these scenarios. Here's what I've noticed over the past few years:
The ones who don't lose typically have other medical issues. For example, PCOS makes it very difficult to lose weight even after WLS. Often the ones who don't lose also don't do anything wrong, just that there were other issues beyond their control (physical or even mental).
The ones who don't make goal have a variety of reasons for that happening. Some have had a very large amount of weight to lose, but were very dedicated and did well even though they didn't lose 100% of the excess weight. Some of those who have a very high BMI have other "food issues" that caused them to gain so much weight, so WLS alone isn't enough. Others just start eating the way they used to. They go back to old habits.
Some didn't have all that much to lose, but they also didn't follow the "rules" well because they felt that just eating less was enough (yet found out the hard way that eating less isn't enough-- you need to make wise food choices also). That is why the best advise I got was to make the most of my first 6 months-- make new, healthy habits both in eating and exercise.
Those who make it to goal typically are the ones who totally change their eating habits, and often also got into exercising. They often think about WLS being a second chance to do all the right things. Remember, this is about making better food choices rather than having a "diet" mentality. Those who didn't yo-yo diet and haven't had prior WLS often lose weight much easier than those who did.
The one thing that I've see cause weight re-gain is sugar. Specifically, High Fructose Corn Syrup. If you are interested in more info about this, you can watch: http://www.uctv.tv/search-details.aspx?showID=16717. It's a video seminar done by the University of California. It explains exactly why HFCS is addictive and much, much worse for our bodies than normal sugar (and normal sugar is bad enough!). And you'd be amazed at how many foods contain HFCS!
Okay, I'm sure there's more I could share but I've rattle on (and on and on) long enough.
My cure for hunger?
Oct 07, 2009
I've been one of the folks who has had hunger all thought this journey. I had MAJOR hunger prior to surgery which added fuel to the overeating fire. Then, starting 3 days post-op, it started up again and never left. I learned how to deal with it though, and was successful in losing more than 100 lbs and keep it off (my goal was to lose 90 lbs). But day to day I would wonder if I could sustain this indefinitely.
Now I know that it would be hard to gain back all of my weight, but I do know that I could easily gain back a portion of it. And the problem is that I REALLY REALLY like my current weight.
But I may have stumbled on to something to change all of that. I have now gone several weeks without excessive hunger! I have normal hunger, like around meal times. But not that nagging hunger that happens throughout the rest of the day, enticing me to try and graze or snack on "bad" foods. Oh, and don't talk to me about head-hunger-- it's not that. I know the difference. And I don't need to take a PPI for this-- it's not stomach acid either. Tried all that and it didn't help.
So here's what I do now and for the first time in my LIFE, I don't have that nagging hunger all of the time.
1. DRINK! I get a minimum of 48 oz. every day, but most days I get 64 oz. I always shoot for 64.
2. SLEEP! This one is a hard one sometimes because I really like to stay up late. But I've seen several studies that tie weight loss to sleep. 8 hrs are the minimum! (I really need 9). Think of it this way-- do you want to diet or sleep?
3. PROBIOTICS! This is the one that I think made the biggest difference, but only in conjunction with #1 & #2. I take a general capsule-form plus I eat yogurt. I found a low-fat yogurt that has 8 strains of cultures-- nice and well rounded. Uberhealthy for only 100 calories! Do some research on the probiotics. Certain strains can help more effectively with certain symptoms.
This is what helped me. Your mileage may vary.
0 comments
Now I know that it would be hard to gain back all of my weight, but I do know that I could easily gain back a portion of it. And the problem is that I REALLY REALLY like my current weight.
But I may have stumbled on to something to change all of that. I have now gone several weeks without excessive hunger! I have normal hunger, like around meal times. But not that nagging hunger that happens throughout the rest of the day, enticing me to try and graze or snack on "bad" foods. Oh, and don't talk to me about head-hunger-- it's not that. I know the difference. And I don't need to take a PPI for this-- it's not stomach acid either. Tried all that and it didn't help.
So here's what I do now and for the first time in my LIFE, I don't have that nagging hunger all of the time.
1. DRINK! I get a minimum of 48 oz. every day, but most days I get 64 oz. I always shoot for 64.
2. SLEEP! This one is a hard one sometimes because I really like to stay up late. But I've seen several studies that tie weight loss to sleep. 8 hrs are the minimum! (I really need 9). Think of it this way-- do you want to diet or sleep?
3. PROBIOTICS! This is the one that I think made the biggest difference, but only in conjunction with #1 & #2. I take a general capsule-form plus I eat yogurt. I found a low-fat yogurt that has 8 strains of cultures-- nice and well rounded. Uberhealthy for only 100 calories! Do some research on the probiotics. Certain strains can help more effectively with certain symptoms.
This is what helped me. Your mileage may vary.
2 yrs. out!
May 08, 2009
And although it was the BEST decision I could have made for myself, I do not recommend WLS for everyone. You MUST be ready and willing to make changes in your life. You MUST be willing to change how you eat-- this is not dieting. But as with any WLS, you must be willing to make heathy food choices. If you think that VSG will just keep you from overeating and that's enough, you are WRONG. I am an overeater. Still am to some extent. Yes, this surgical intervention keeps me from overeating which is why I've been able to maintain my current weight for about a year now (see my stats in my sig. line). But just eating less never would have gotten me to goal and beyond. If I had relied on just eating less, I'd probably have lost only 1/2 of my excess weight instead of 100%+. That still would have been great, but not as good as the amount I was able to lose. You need to make the most of that first 6 months to make new, healthy habits if you want any chance of keeping the weight off! Oh, and if you have PCOS (which I do not), then it can be much more difficult to lose the weight even if you do everything right.
My original goal was to lose 90 lbs, but I never dreamed that was actually possible. I started off weighing 231 at 5'4", BMI of 39.7. I figured that if I could get to 160 then I would consider the surgery a success. I got there and was able to keep on going. I got down to 140 seven months after surgery. At that point I decided to take it 5 lbs at a time because I still felt fat (I carry all my excess weight in my abdomin). I still cannot believe that I weigh around 120-- that was always my dream! I did get down to 117 at one point, but gained back up to 120. I currently am pretty stable at 122- 124.
Life is good (eternal life is better! Love that song by Stellar Kart
). I cannot believe how much easier it is to do everything. I can walk and walk and walk and not get tired or sore. I can jump on a bike or join an exercise class with ease. The only thing that I find more difficult to do is swim-- I don't float like I used to! I clean my own house and keep up with chores. Although the downside to this is that the hubby doesn't help quite as much as he used to, but that's fine. He was doing more than his fair share for a long time because I was always too tired or too sore to do much.
My kids love that I've lost all that weight. I'm so much more active with them and love to get out and do physical activities with them. For example, I went on my younger son's Science Camp trip a couple months ago. I hiked 6 miles! 2 yrs ago I would not have physically been capable of doing that. Sure I was tired and sore (we hiked about 2 or 3 miles in the sand on the beach and only 1 brief rest), but it was soooo worth it! Another example is that I can ski again. I love downhill skiing!!! And it turns out that my daughter is a natural-born skier (just like her daddy!). And I love to go to amusement parks-- I can go on whatever ride I feel like and not have to worry that I won't fit.
One of the best compliments that I keep getting is how much I look like my daughter. Funny, because I never thought we looked that much alike, esp. because she is so thin-- she doesn't have an ounce of fat on her. But I still think my older son looks more like me than she does (but he's also rail-thin).
So, for all you newbies: keep on researching! Know what you are getting yourself into!!! Know what it will take to be a success and especially know what it will take to stay healthy. WLS is NOT for everyone. In some ways it is the easy way out. In others, it isn't (ie. you must stay on top of your fluid intake at all times for the rest of your life). You don't want to trade one set of health risks for another. If you don't take your vitamins and supplements, you could risk a whole 'nother set of problems. Even though we don't have the malabsorption issues, we also do not eat enough to get all of our nutrients. We are also at higher risk for osteopenia (yes, VSG in particular). I did this for my health. And almost all of my supplements are things I should have been taking regardless of my weight.
So here are the stats for those of you who like that sort of thing:
STARTING/CURRENT
size: 22 now 6
size: 2X-3X now Small/Med.
weight: 231/123
BMI: 39.7/21
Oh, and yes, I can eat a LOT more now that I could that first year!
Peace Be Yours,
Rana
1 comment
My original goal was to lose 90 lbs, but I never dreamed that was actually possible. I started off weighing 231 at 5'4", BMI of 39.7. I figured that if I could get to 160 then I would consider the surgery a success. I got there and was able to keep on going. I got down to 140 seven months after surgery. At that point I decided to take it 5 lbs at a time because I still felt fat (I carry all my excess weight in my abdomin). I still cannot believe that I weigh around 120-- that was always my dream! I did get down to 117 at one point, but gained back up to 120. I currently am pretty stable at 122- 124.
Life is good (eternal life is better! Love that song by Stellar Kart
). I cannot believe how much easier it is to do everything. I can walk and walk and walk and not get tired or sore. I can jump on a bike or join an exercise class with ease. The only thing that I find more difficult to do is swim-- I don't float like I used to! I clean my own house and keep up with chores. Although the downside to this is that the hubby doesn't help quite as much as he used to, but that's fine. He was doing more than his fair share for a long time because I was always too tired or too sore to do much.My kids love that I've lost all that weight. I'm so much more active with them and love to get out and do physical activities with them. For example, I went on my younger son's Science Camp trip a couple months ago. I hiked 6 miles! 2 yrs ago I would not have physically been capable of doing that. Sure I was tired and sore (we hiked about 2 or 3 miles in the sand on the beach and only 1 brief rest), but it was soooo worth it! Another example is that I can ski again. I love downhill skiing!!! And it turns out that my daughter is a natural-born skier (just like her daddy!). And I love to go to amusement parks-- I can go on whatever ride I feel like and not have to worry that I won't fit.
One of the best compliments that I keep getting is how much I look like my daughter. Funny, because I never thought we looked that much alike, esp. because she is so thin-- she doesn't have an ounce of fat on her. But I still think my older son looks more like me than she does (but he's also rail-thin
).So, for all you newbies: keep on researching! Know what you are getting yourself into!!! Know what it will take to be a success and especially know what it will take to stay healthy. WLS is NOT for everyone. In some ways it is the easy way out. In others, it isn't (ie. you must stay on top of your fluid intake at all times for the rest of your life). You don't want to trade one set of health risks for another. If you don't take your vitamins and supplements, you could risk a whole 'nother set of problems. Even though we don't have the malabsorption issues, we also do not eat enough to get all of our nutrients. We are also at higher risk for osteopenia (yes, VSG in particular). I did this for my health. And almost all of my supplements are things I should have been taking regardless of my weight.
So here are the stats for those of you who like that sort of thing:
STARTING/CURRENT
size: 22 now 6
size: 2X-3X now Small/Med.
weight: 231/123
BMI: 39.7/21
Oh, and yes, I can eat a LOT more now that I could that first year!
Peace Be Yours,
Rana
Did I really find the answer to my problem???
Apr 17, 2009
I am one of the few VSGers who never lost their sense of hunger. My hunger returned at day 3 (yes, THREE) and has not left since. It's been a struggle, but I've learned a LOT about dealing with hunger. I feel that what I've learned will help me to maintain my weight loss, esp. since I can eat so much more now.
First and foremost, I've found that I must stay well hydrated. I drink between 48 - 64 oz per day. I do much better with 64. Water helps control hunger, as well as keeping those kidneys functioning properly with this high-protein diet.
The other stuff I discovered by accident. I've been taking enzymes and a probiotic for a couple of weeks now (long story as to why, click HERE to read a little background about it). One side effect I noticed is that I cannot eat as much. I feel better restriction than I've had in a LONG time. This is most likely due to the enzyme (I just picked one up at Trader Joe's). So long as I remember to take it just prior to eating, I get full quickly.
Plus, for the first time in my life, I don't feel the compulsion to eat constantly! Prior to this, the only way I could keep from grazing was to keep drinking since I cannot eat and drink at the same time. Now I can finish my fluids and not feel like I must eat right away! This could be due mostly to the probiotic. [I now realize that I had symptoms of either yeast overgrowth or too much bad bacteria].
If you decide to start taking enzymes or probiotics, I recommend starting off SLOWLY. Ease up to the recommended dosage! Otherwise you'll have side-effects until your body adjusts.
0 comments
First and foremost, I've found that I must stay well hydrated. I drink between 48 - 64 oz per day. I do much better with 64. Water helps control hunger, as well as keeping those kidneys functioning properly with this high-protein diet.
The other stuff I discovered by accident. I've been taking enzymes and a probiotic for a couple of weeks now (long story as to why, click HERE to read a little background about it). One side effect I noticed is that I cannot eat as much. I feel better restriction than I've had in a LONG time. This is most likely due to the enzyme (I just picked one up at Trader Joe's). So long as I remember to take it just prior to eating, I get full quickly.
Plus, for the first time in my life, I don't feel the compulsion to eat constantly! Prior to this, the only way I could keep from grazing was to keep drinking since I cannot eat and drink at the same time. Now I can finish my fluids and not feel like I must eat right away! This could be due mostly to the probiotic. [I now realize that I had symptoms of either yeast overgrowth or too much bad bacteria].
If you decide to start taking enzymes or probiotics, I recommend starting off SLOWLY. Ease up to the recommended dosage! Otherwise you'll have side-effects until your body adjusts.
from the monthly update thread....
Feb 04, 2009
I'm currently about 21 months out. Yup, things change. For the most part it's been pretty easy to maintain. But I do notice that I must still watch what food choices I make. Refined carbs cause me to gain quickly. I notice that exercise helps this problem, but I don't do as much of that as I should.
Grazing became very easy recently, as well as eating a whole lot more than I could previously. I noticed that cutting the caffeine, upping the water intake, and getting more sleep pretty much took care of the trouble there. I also have to make sure to have plenty of healthy snacks on hand.
Otherwise LIFE IS GOOD!!! It is so much easier to be active! I do so much more with my kids and around the house (except for today-- I've caught a cold). In general, I'm a LOT healthier now. I take 2 multivit.s a day (Centrum Silver even though I'm only 41) and plenty of calcium (we are at increased risk after VSG!). I also take a magnesium suppliment.
0 comments
Grazing became very easy recently, as well as eating a whole lot more than I could previously. I noticed that cutting the caffeine, upping the water intake, and getting more sleep pretty much took care of the trouble there. I also have to make sure to have plenty of healthy snacks on hand.
Otherwise LIFE IS GOOD!!! It is so much easier to be active! I do so much more with my kids and around the house (except for today-- I've caught a cold). In general, I'm a LOT healthier now. I take 2 multivit.s a day (Centrum Silver even though I'm only 41) and plenty of calcium (we are at increased risk after VSG!). I also take a magnesium suppliment.
One and a half years later....
Nov 16, 2008
I'm 1.5 yrs out and what am I going to do? I'M GOING TO DISNEYLAND
!!!!
Actually, I already went. My son's high school marching band went on a 3 day field trip and part of it was marching down Main Street at D-land. I was such the proud mommy!!!
It was an intense weekend with very little sleep and lot of activity. I don't think I could have stuck with it 2 yrs ago. And I certainly could not have done all the walking 2 yrs ago. It was nice to go on rides and have plenty of room in the seats. And it was great to feel the same tired as the other thin, healthy mommies. I wasn't the one pooping out early or having to take Motrin for the pain (because there was NO pain!).
And the most bazaar thing happened to me the last night. I forgot to eat dinner! Never, ever in my life have I forgotten to eat-- food is just too important to me! One of the other moms commented on needing to get dinner and I couldn't remember what I had for dinner myself. I had to think through what I had done all evening and realized that I couldn't remember because I hadn't eaten. I still can't get over that! Btw, I did eventually eat.
Anyway, life has been good since surgery. Sometimes I get tired of having to constantly drink water or having to always be aware of my nutritional needs. But I'm so much healthier at this point. I have never thought of this as a "diet". I make healthy food choices now. And yes, I do have treats but no longer in the volume that I use to. LIFE IS GOOD (eternal life is better! Love that song... now I'm gonna have it stuck in my head
)
!!!!Actually, I already went. My son's high school marching band went on a 3 day field trip and part of it was marching down Main Street at D-land. I was such the proud mommy!!!
It was an intense weekend with very little sleep and lot of activity. I don't think I could have stuck with it 2 yrs ago. And I certainly could not have done all the walking 2 yrs ago. It was nice to go on rides and have plenty of room in the seats. And it was great to feel the same tired as the other thin, healthy mommies. I wasn't the one pooping out early or having to take Motrin for the pain (because there was NO pain!).
And the most bazaar thing happened to me the last night. I forgot to eat dinner! Never, ever in my life have I forgotten to eat-- food is just too important to me! One of the other moms commented on needing to get dinner and I couldn't remember what I had for dinner myself. I had to think through what I had done all evening and realized that I couldn't remember because I hadn't eaten. I still can't get over that! Btw, I did eventually eat.
Anyway, life has been good since surgery. Sometimes I get tired of having to constantly drink water or having to always be aware of my nutritional needs. But I'm so much healthier at this point. I have never thought of this as a "diet". I make healthy food choices now. And yes, I do have treats but no longer in the volume that I use to. LIFE IS GOOD (eternal life is better! Love that song... now I'm gonna have it stuck in my head
)
About Me
Near Grass Valley, CA
Location
22.0
BMI
Surgery
05/08/2007
Surgery Date
Dec 12, 2006
Member Since
Before & After
rollover to see after photo
