sooz319

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I had surgery 10 weeks ago.  Seems like ages ago.  Adjusting to this new way of life has been virtually seamless for me.  Surgery went as expected.  I was back to work within a week.  All phases of post op went awesome.  The support I receive from Puget Sound Surgical Center is top notch.   I'm down a little over 30 pounds and feel amazing.  I lost a good chunk of weight on the pre-op diet and 19 since surgery.  That's 1.9 lbs per week.  Totally pleased with that rate of loss. 

So far the only food I can't tolerate is dairy milk in large amounts such as drinking just a plain glass of milk or with cereal.  I've felt the difference between slider foods and dense protein foods.  Wow, you really can screw things up with slider foods - never get that full feeling and keeps you going back for more.  Just a reminder that this is just a tool, and you have to use a tool the right way for it to work. 

I find that tracking my food with My Fitness Pal is invaluable for many reasons.  First, it's a great running total of where I am at for the day.  Second, I can see my protein intake and plan my next meal better if I am behind on my protein grams or other areas of my nutrition.  Lastly, My Fitness Pal also syncs with my FitBit and adjusts calories so that I refuel properly.

Holidays were awesome.  No pressure from family and friends to "eat more" or judge what I am eating.  I'm sooooo lucky that I have so much support.  The best part of being surrounded by holiday food and having this surgery is that I can only have tastes of all the foods and truthfully, that's what I always wanted to do prior to surgery - not gorge on food because I couldn't stop eating and enjoying all the flavors and textures.  Now with surgery, my new "tool", requires that I can't have more than a taste or else I will fill up and not be able to sample other things.  Then, the next day, back on plan with regular meals and following all the rules!  I now know how much better I feel when I am on plan compared to when I go willy nilly and eat foods that are not nutritionally dense.  Every day is a lesson.

In closing I just want to say that this "restriction" in my stomach has given me my freedom over food.  Food no longer rules my life.  I socialize more with friends and family during meals and my mind is not always on the next meal I get to have (while I was eating the current meal).

2015 is going to be awesome!

I've met all the bariatric center requirements for VSG.  Now I'm just waiting for the surgical team to clear me for surgery.  Then I can FINALLY set a date.  Getting antsy because I have a vacation in late November and I'd like to be able to dine on something other than clear liquids or pureed food. :-)  The whole journey has been enlightening.  All the labs, tests, etc., really outlined how my health has taken a downturn and all the issues are weight related, therefore solidifying that I'm making a choice to get my health back in check.  

I've been lurking on the site for a couple months and it has been helpful to hear other experiences and get an idea of what to expect pre and post surgery.  Thanks everyone!