Happy Camper

Oh dogbone so very sorry to hear she passed away, wow please let your wife know we send her strength to get through this difficult time. Sandy

Ok, now I see it. You brought up the bad with the yellowish, she did not my error. Gosh I just seriously do not want anyone to have to go through what I did because I did not think it was "bad enough" and I waited, plus I never had a fever which is what we are all told to watch for. Thanks for the clarification.

I do NOT want to freak you out BUT I had the same hot pink and yellowish symptoms and had an abscess which required a second surgery. PLEASE DO NOT WAIT GO TO THE ER NOW!!!!!! This is not something to mess with. I ended up having a hole in my stomach after they cut out the infected tissue and stayed in hospital 2 additional days. The infection followed my drain line, once they removed the drain 2 weeks after surgery it went into my abdomen and caused this abscess. Please go to the ER now they can treat you, need to make sure no leaks and if they catch it better for you. Please go now.

I had a drain left in for two weeks and a subsequent abscess that followed the drain line down. The abscess required a second surgery and was a bit scary. Because of my case, my surgeon told me last Friday, he now only leaves the drains in for one week AND prescribes antibiotics post surgery. It was very fast when it came out, Lissa said it well-almost that "light feeling" you get on a roller coaster. No regrets!

Premier Protein - Chocolate from Costco, my favorite. Yummy!

SK, what a great post. I have always lived my life with a "half full" attitude. So thank you for the specific reminder. We all can look around and find successes, even if it is just that we are reading about getting healthy...it is a first step!

Sorry but my doc would say no. That is best for the mushie stage after and generally has sugars. Liquid is exactly that...protein shakes. You can do it!

Do you get them while you are eating or after? Seems to me I get a couple when I have either eaten too fast or maybe just a bit too much?

I use Torani sf vanilla with two Stevia and a splash of light soy vanilla. Sooooo yummy. No calories in the sf vanilla and only 60 cals in the soy, with just a splash I count it as 20 for 12 oz.

Pdxman - wow it does not seem like you eat much? What is the quantity you eat in each mean? Are you snacking on a regular basis or just when you run low? I think, my volume may be more than yours? To get my Protein in my typical day is: Breakfast: 2 slices of costco brown turkey breast (after 2 cups coffee with soy and Stevia). Sometimes a baby bel cheese round Lunch: 3 oz steamed shrimp and cocktail sauce 1/2 c lettuce with low fat dressing Dinner: 4 oz rotisserie chicken or BBQ tri-tip, vegetable Small Dannon Oiko's Greek yogurt - sometimes with granola added Best, Sandy

Good morning all, I have not participated in a challenge before, so I will put it out there for this one and try . Forensic, are we reporting in once a week or ? I am at 218 today, I would love to hit onederland, but I think 19 is just too far a reach these days. I will go for 10 and anything more will be a bonus!! Best, Sandy

Libbe, you are almost there lady! You look fabulous! Keep it up, like Irene said you have been through so much, thanks for all your sharing and caring. Sandy

Getting thinner, I do not want this to sound like I am lecturing but, dear you need to eat. Not eating does not fix your weight, it could cause more severe issues. The sleeve is a tool to help you -just not eating is scary unless there is something medically going on? If not, why not try going back to basics and moving forward slowly? Start with Protein shakes, scrambled eggs, refried Beans, split pea Soup and basically mushies. Then progress to lean meats like deli sliced turkey, then eventually more dense protein like rotisserie chicken, without skin. It is about learning and eating right for your health. If you are not comfortable, please contact counselor and nutritionist for assistance. We want you to be well. Many on this forum have great suggestions, Irene, Lil Misdiva, has a basics bootcamp and always offers great advise. Susan, Lissa, Feedyoureye (if you are vegetarian), and many more are here and they help folks with their personal experience and knowledge. Please take care of you, sip and get your protein/food on board. Don't want to see you back in hospital, want to see you prosper in your life journey. Sandy

Hi Susie, I gave up coffee until I was 3 months post op. I stayed with tea and progressed back to caffeine slowly just to let my stomach heal (this topic goes back and forth, I think it is all personal). My surgeon said ok for regular coffee at 2 month appt. I used to use half /half and splenda before surgery because of so many years of Atkins. Now post surgery I use a splash of Soy light, sf vanilla and 2 Stevia, really yummy. Just be careful with your new tummy. Sandy

I agree, just beautiful. Your EYES are gorgeous and really stand out

I agree with cowgirl Jane, please focus in knowing you are getting help and while you are going through a really difficult time, you have folks praying for you and you have support in this forum. It will get better...when I had my lowest moment, alone in the ER with my abscess at 2am, I released to God, and he was there to comfort me. After my emergency surgery for the abscess (It followed the drain line down), I began to heal properly and have not looked back (except I have a smiley scar across my tummy now). Best to you, Sandy

Yes definitely would do it again even after my complication and second surgery.... NSV today actually bought a size 12 jeans...I swear the tag must be wrong. I started at sixe 24 when I started my pre-op diet last Octoer. I have not worn a size 12 (if it is true) in over 25 years...... My loss has really slowed down, but that is okay for now. I am hoping my hair loss will slow down too. smiles everyone

Hubby and I ate out just today, tomorrow is my 5 month surgiversary and I had pulled pork with a side salad. I ordered just meat to go so it came to me in the container already and a small side salad. Gave hubby the crutons, and put a couple tablespoons of meat on my salad, put just a bit of spicy BBQ sauce (sugar I know), and used balsamic vinaigrette. Yummy..... I also travel for work at times, so I grab a rotisserie chicken, weigh out 3 to 4 oz and put in baggies without skin. Add in a few premiere Protein drinks, some home made jerkry, raw natural almonds, baby bel cheese rounds, premiere Protein Bars cut in half, waters and crystal light packages (love the iced tea and raspberry tea) and I have food no matter what Smiles, Sandy

Lissa f a n t a s t i c job! I am so impressed with your progress and change in lifestyle. I bet your son is so proud of you as well.

Anna and group (yecats glad to see you are doing well), This is such a personal decision. I was scared the entire 11 months I was on this board, but funny thing happened along the way. I gained knowledge..which became powerful, from people here like Tiffykins, who was a band to sleeve success, from mememe, Libbe who had a leak found weeks post surgery and others who shared their personal journey. I knew I was at the end and had to take a stand for my life, no matter what. KNOWLEDGE IS POWER! One day someone asked me "Sandy, How many morbidly obese elderly people do you see?"....that was my "ah-ha" moment. I continued and still continue to stay positive, follow doctor directions and I left it all in God's hands. Even with my complication (which could have killed me), this is the first time I have acknowledged this aloud, I have no regrets and I just knew everything would work out. Look what you have been through thus far...as a child, youth, young adult and into adulthood. There is risk, make no mistake but your life now is a risk. My best to you all, I hope you find the calm you need. Sandy

Tulip, Sorry that happened to you. Definately listen to your body... watch for fever. Good that you are walking, hopefully you are doing well otherwise. You are the first "popped stitch", I have seen on here so good that you shared. Take care of yourself! Sandy

My 25 year old daughter has the lap band, she lost slower than I have, I knew I needed to see fast results to stay motivated. I also want to travel in retirement and not to have to find places for fills...ultimately, the thought of something in me just did not sit well. My daughter has lost 70 lbs and is happy with her choice. I know another lady a little older than me...she is around 55, had the lap band and her loss is s l o w. Her daughter just had the sleeve and is happy. So, it is really such a personal decision. Read, read, read. I am very happy with my decision to have the sleeve (and I had a complication). Best to you!

Erin, I had heart palpitations and it was that my Potassium was too low. I am 4 mos post op and still take Potassium twice daily. Call your PCP or surgeon and see what your labs were and your levels now. Also dehydration can add to palpitations please make sure you are getting all of your fluids in. SERIOUSLY important to your health and recovery. Let us know...

http://www.fageusa.com/products/fage-total-classic/ this is a link to "Fage" plain yogurt. 190 calories, 10 g fat but 8 g sugar. What is better for us? Do we concentrate on fat or sugar? The Fage turns my tummy, and I was so excited about the oiko's brand type to have found greek yogurt with more Protein that I could eat. I like the 130 calories and 0 fat with oiko's but now the 18 g of sugars has me bothered...what do you all think? Thanks

Best wishes for speedy recovery to both of you! Today starts the rest of your life down a new path of good health! Congratulations.