M2G

Mini...here is the lands end link http://www.landsend.com/ix/swimwear-swimsuits/index.html?tab=6&seq=1&page=1&pageSize=12&store=le&cm_re=SWIM_-D-1 They have more mix and match than anywhere else I've seen! Here is another online link that might have some good options http://www.swimoutlet.com/Womens_Boardshorts_s/383.htm And tops to mix and match with the shorts http://www.swimoutlet.com/Tankinis_s/1061.htm Happy Shopping!

Oh my gosh, you know what? I actually cringe when I see a before picture of myself. And let me tell you something else. I would have argued (at the time...pre-surgery) that I was healthy (no co-morbs, great cholesterol, great BP, not on any meds whatsoever) and I exercised 4-6 days a week, why did I need to cut off 85% of my stomach in order to lose weight (I'm not a binger/purger, not on antidepressents, no eating disorders, etc.) And I can tell you right now, even as healthy as I was, that losing almost 50lbs has made me feel 1000% better. I FEEL SO MUCH BETTER AND I DIDN'T FEEL SICK BEFORE. So yeah, I hear you. The fear of the unknown is a hard thing to get a handle on. And even typing it out ...it does sound drastic. 85% of my stomach. Gone. Forever. But I would do it all over again in a heartbeat to feel this good. And I'm not even halfway to goal yet. Glad you had your decision-making moment. I don't think you will regret doing this for yourself.

I haven't had any alcohol yet (I'm 4 months out), but I am not much of a drinker anyway, so it really hasn't been that hard. Not sure how long I will wait, definitely 6 months, but I can honestly see waiting until the 1 year mark.

Great job! And yay for another "couple" sleevers! My DH is getting sleeved in 2 weeks, I'm so excited for him!

Congrats to you both! I'm sleeved and my hubby is getting sleeved in 2 weeks (I'm 4 months out) so we will be close together but not exactly going through the same thing at the same time. He has been able to watch me and know what he is getting into. Best of luck to both of you and hopefully you can help each other during recovery!

Cool! I :heart: eggface and all of her recipes! Where did you find the mini-donut pan? And could you make them in a mini muffin pan and get similar results (do you think?)

For the first time in, um forever, I'm looking forward to this summer and swimsuit season. I got a Land's End catalog in the mail last week and they have SO many swimsuits. Of course it is way too early to buy one, hoping to lose a good chunk of change by May/June, but it is fun dreaming. And thinking of taking my kids to a waterpark or pool or something and not feeling like I want to hide from the entire world. I can't wait to get rid of all my swimdresses and replace them with new, cute, stylish swimwear. . Anyone else?

That is exciting. I would keep putting off plastics a little longer, lady! You rocked your sleeve during weight loss and are kicking a$$ at maintenance, woo hoo!

Ouch! Doug, that sounds awful. Can you get a hold of your dr. asap? I don't think that sounds normal (or fun!) I hope you are ok. My NUT's advice during mushies was only to replace one or two shakes a day with a new food, and only introduce one new food a day. My mushy list was REALLY small. It was refried Beans, cottage cheese, yogurt (I always do greek for 2x the protein), egg beaters (NOT real eggs yet) and SugarFree pudding (that you can add Protein Powder to for more protein.) I did those 5 foods for two weeks, before moving on. Keep us posted...

I am not sure, but here is my thinking. Bread at almost 4 weeks out was NOT on my plan. Therefore I wouldn't eat it. In my opinion you are not far enough out yet...sorry if that wasn't the answer you were looking for!

Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!! And I agree with Julie...the mini goals that we set (and are sometimes emotionally tied to) are the BEST by far!!!

WOO HOO!!!! I am so happy for you!

I'm going for a healthy BMI, and my goal weight was set by my surgeon. I haven't weighed my goal weight since I was probably 15 years old. But now that I believe in the sleeve I do think it is attainable. Might take a while, but I'm determined to get there. I didn't go under the knife to still be obese. I might be happy with "overweight" but I really do want that healthy BMI.

Woo hoo! :thumb:

Yep! I stalled at the 3 week mark too (for about 10 days.) I've also noticed a trend around the 3 month mark here where a lot of us have had a BIG stall (22 days.) So just be prepared. Even though will all *know* they will happen, and that they are mostly unavoidable, they still suck.

Fingers crossed that she recommends you as a candidate. I am so thankful that I wasn't required (by insur. or my surgeon) to lose any weight on my own. If I could do that, be successful and keep it off would I be looking at surgery? Aargh!

Self-pay means you only have to satisfy one person's requirements: Your Surgeon And I think a lot of good surgeons require a lot (labs, pulmonary, cardiac, psych eval, etc.) because a good surgeon won't operate on just anyone.

Ask specifically what your insurance requires. I had a very long phone visit with my Nurse Case Manager before I started down the path of the 6 month required weight-monitoring. I asked her specifically "do I need to lose weight" and the answer was "no" BUT (with insurance there is always a catch!) my approval would be based on the weight that was collected at the END of my 6 month visit. Since I had no co-morbidities, I could not have a BMI lower than 40.0 or I would be denied. (I really wasn't at risk of going too low as my BMI was 44) but I was double lucky that my surgeon didn't require me to lose any weight before the surgery. So I did my 6 consecutive months of weigh-ins and while I wasn't losing weight, I was preparing myself for surgery. The mental aspect, lowering my carbs, trying different Protein shakes, learning to not drink when eating, etc. It can be a tricky balancing act, doing what your insurance requires and also what your surgeon recommends. I didn't want to be a self-pay so I played along and followed all the rules to get approved. Good luck!

My dr. is very much against protein shakes past the 6 week mark. I still use them a couple of times a month, just when I'm running out the door and don't have time for a proper meal. I do get 60-90 grams of protein strictly from food. I use greek yogurt, lots of tuna, chicken, steak, egg beaters, etc. I eat about every 2-3 hours just to fit it all in, even though I'm not hungry, but it's the only way I can get the required amt of protein in one day.

I can't help you with the sour stomach (but from reading others experiences, I think it is normal and can be controlled with a PPI), but I can answer the fuzzy teeth thing. OMG. I hated that. It is a mixture of being in ketosis (your body burning fat) and doing protein shakes, and IT WILL IMPROVE. When your diet becomes more varied, it will gradually disappear. I found that breath mints were my new friends that traveled with me everywhere.

Welcome! First, do you get enough Protein post-op to retain muscle? Yes, that is the goal is to burn fat, and not muscle. Secondly, in the first few weeks, is there a lot of nausa and/or vomiting? I have yet to vomit, not even one single time (even in the anethesia-induced-notorious-for-making-you-sick environment). I did have a nausea patch before surgery that lasted a few days so I think that helped combat the anethesia stuff. Thirdly, do you have poopy problems as well, constipation and/or the opposite? I am doing a high protein, low carb diet (this works well for me) and that type of diet is notorious for giving people constipation. I drink a glass of benefiber almost daily (it is clear or orange flavored powder you mix with water) and that helps combat the lack of Fiber in my diet. I don't generally have bowel issues (before or after) so I think some of how you react to the change in diet is dependent on your body chemistry.

I too was originally interested in the band. My insurance forced a 6 month nutrition and weight monitoring routine upon my desired plans so I spent a LOT of time reading. Blogs, posts, stats on the band, etc. My husband decided he wanted WLS also a few months after I started my journey. He wasn't convinced about the band and begged me to research the sleeve. After a few weeks of intense research, we both decided we wanted the sleeve. He is due to be sleeved next month. I don't know much about plication, but I know for me I wanted something permanent. I agree with Go Kart that a huge piece of my success lies in the fact that I am never hungry. It's really impossible to tell someone how it feels to not have hunger. In my previous life (pre-sleeve) no hunger meant that my tummy was achingly full. But being sleeved doesn't feel like that. There is just not an interest in food like there was before. I like the taste/look/smell of food but to be able to eat a small amount and know that I'm done, is just life-changing. I don't think you will regret your sleeve one bit. I know I don't!

I was the opposite, I needed liquids only for 1 week post-op and I waited until 10 days out to start mushies because I was SCARED. lol And I remember being SO excited for mushies but at the end of 2 weeks (my surgeon only allowed 5 foods for the mushie phase) I was so sick of refried Beans, cottage chesse, etc. I was ready for soft food, but again was scared. Just take it slow and easy you will be fine. 3 full weeks of pure liquid sound like = pure torture. I feel for ya!

Welcome back. WOW!!! Amazing pictures, you look fabulous! I was wondering where you disappeared to...glad to have you back.

WOW!!! You look amazing! You've not only lost weight, but years off your face and body! Congratulations!!!