peacequeen

You have to admit,,you do look amazing,,even though you are a GORGEOUS girl before and after the weight loss.

"I can do all things through Him who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13

So sorry to hear all you have gone through but so glad it wasn't a leak. Like the others, I'm curious to know how you are doing now. (((hugs)))

I'm so happy for you and you look so pretty! Congrats!

I'm only 8.5 weeks out. Here's my current top 10. 1.*blushing* I'm so happy I can reach everything in the bathroom. 2. I can lift my grandbabies without straining or having someone set them in my lap. 3.Sex is getting better 4.I can see my face again. 5.I worked up a jog on the treadmill. 6.I'm sweating due to excercise instead of just sweating. 7.Got rid of some big bloomers. 8.My husband can wrap his arms around my waist. 9.I'm wearing jeans. 10.I don't have to scoot the seat back to get in my car.

That's a great NSV! Congrats,,that must feel so awesome!!

I'm sorry, I forgot,,,yes it's fixable. My leak was small and it was due to an area at the top of my stomach where stapling was missed. I was put on tpn (total parenteral nutrition..no food or liquids at all) right away and continued it for over 3 weeks. 9 days in ICU and the rest of the time, at home. It wasn't the greatest experience,,I thought since I wasn't eating or drinking that I would lose weight but I gained 13 pounds that I had already lost so I had to lose that weight twice. It was a long complicated and drawn out process but I am doing much better now.

I know several people here, including myself, that have had a leak and we had some of the same symptoms but our experiences were all different. I had nausea, fever, pain in my left shoulder..those were the main symptoms that I had. There's been quite a few posts about this topic if you want to try a search to get more info. A leak can be fatal if left untreated. I caught on pretty early. That's why it's important to pay attention to your body after surgery and if something doesn't feel right, call your doctor right away.

If you have unusual symptoms or things just don't feel right,,call your doctor. Although vst is very helpful and has lots of knowledge, don't come to the forums for answers because you could have something serious going on and wasting valuable time.

I've had to add more excercise in to break my stall. Brisk walking is great. I'm also trying to watch what I eat. I don't eat alot but have made some bad choices on what I was eating,,makes a big difference.

I cheat on food choices more than I care to admit and it's slowing my weight loss down,,I'll throw my own flame,,,Shame on me! (seriously)

One thing I have always and still struggle with is that I will dress up, makeup on, hair done..feeling so good about myself but then when I get to where I'm going,,I feel very insecure and not so pretty. I've done this since I was young and thinner and as my larger self. I don't know why. Does anyone else do this and do you have any suggestions as to how I can stop that?

Where is the Thursday post?

Insist on that leak test. Fever was the first symptom I had. You may have a leak and it not show on the test due to swelling. I believe mememe said she laid down and her leak showed up only then. Don't be afraid to make suggestions to find out if you have a leak. I personally don't think you should travel while you have that fever. The 101 temp is high, in my opinion. Make sure they check you thoroughly since you are out of country. Once you leave you will be on your own unless you have made arrangements for a doctor here in the US. Best of luck, prayers are going out to you!

hahahaha..Pookey,,you are hilarious!

Push ups and tricep kickbacks..here's a video: tip..when doing kickbacks..squeeze your arm tight as you lift the weight and keep your arm as close to your body as possible.

Well, I'm gonna just let it all out. I still find myself eating too fast or something and my food gets stuck,,I hate that so much and wanna kick myself for doing it! I'm still sick with cough and stuffy nose,,yuck! I hate protein shakes,,if I drink another one,,I'll just do something bad,,I don't know what...and they make me unable to poop so I have a crampy, bloated stomach due to IBS. I am menopausal so between that and getting sleeved,,I never know what season I'm living in because I'm hot and cold,,driving the family crazy.lol...but I'm laughing cuz I'm gonna be skinny

Try eating just soft foods and slowly incorporate some TINY bites of chicken and chew it till it's complete mush in your mouth. Soft foods like mashed cauliflower, cream of wheat, oatmeal, eggs, tuna, soft fish,,like cod. Something I found about chicken is that even though it's more fattening,,the dark meat like on a leg is much easier to swallow. Try to get protein in first, then veggies..you can mash just about any veggie and make it taste good..just lay off the starchy ones. Just stay on softer foods till you can talk to a nutritionist. You can find alot of diets online as well..just make sure they come from a reputable source.

My niece made sf jello jigglers for me,,they are more dense so much chewier than regular jello and they are richer in flavor..yummy..I still crave them. Freeze fruit flavored drinks like isopure,,you get to chew and get some protein in at the same time. I think it taste better frozen. I completed a week and 1/2 of liquids till I got a leak then on nothing..no food or drink just tpn for 2 1/2 weeks,,then back to square one when the leak healed..2 more weaks of liquids. And the sad part was while on tpn,,I gained back 13 pounds so I had to lose that same weight twice. Reason for long post,,is that if I can do it,,you sure can. Just hang in there..it'll be worth it real soon and you won't remember all this.

wow! you look awesome..congrats to you!!!

Alot of people take biotin, are you trying that? I've been taking it but I'm only 2 months out..most don't really notice it till around the 4th month. I think that when your body goes through so much trauma,,surgery, drastic changes in weight and hormones trying to balance out..as well as stress..these can all contribute to hair loss. I don't have a magic pill but I really feel for you, I hope your hair loss ends and everything is back to normal soon. (((hugs)))

Sounds like fun!

Yep,,I've had to do the 2 gown wrap..this is a big nsv!

Twice, I was out walking this past summer,,I made it about 1/4 mile and it took me about 10 minutes to do that. I ended up in ICU both times due to respiratory distress because of a rare autoimmune disease I have..it sent me into a Myasthenia Gravis crisis. My muscles in my chest wall just couldn't do the work..not to mention the extra weight those muscles had to try and lift. Today,,I walked at 2 mph on my treadmill for a mile!!!!!..no distress, no pain,,just energy and enthusiasm. I just thank God that this is finally happening for me. Steroids put most of the weight on and by golly I'm going to fight to get this weight off and get well!!!

Congratulations,,you look great!