PamelaAM

You all are just AMAZING!!!! Thanks for posting these pics!

I just got home from Nashville last night! Went in for a big reception at ASCAP hosted by Larry Gatlin to benefit the organization that I founded in memory of my mom who died from pancreatic cancer. It was amazing - so many people came out for the event! Even Patrick Swayze's wife Lisa was with us for the evening! But coming from Southern California, I had never been in a tornado warning - SHEESH! When all of the sirens were sounding in the city I didn't know what in the heck to do - be worried or just know that all would be well. Thank goodness it wasn't that bad and I flew home safely last night! Have a great time there! Love Nashville!

Everyone is SO different. I wasn't ready to get back to work for 3 weeks. The first two weeks I could hardly get out of bed and was so weak. I started working from home after 3 weeks and physically went back to work at 6 weeks. But part of the reason that I stayed away for so long is because my commute is 140 miles round trip and I didn't want to get that far away from home and not feel good. Most people I have talked to have gone back to work in 2-3 weeks.

Are you taking an acid reducer?

I ended up starting 3 days early per my surgeon. I was on liquid for only 2 weeks after surgery. You should be fine. Just take it really slow.

I agree when they say that the protein drinks are just a small part of this process. Before you know it you will be able to get your protein in from real food. I was worried too about not ever being able to eat like I did again, but seriously it is so weird, you don't EVEN want to eat like you used to. I am almost 5 months out now and at breakfast yesterday morning I was telling my husband how weird it still feels to eat such a small amount and be totally satisfied. It really is like a miracle :-)

Congratulations! You are doing amazing!

Fabulous! I agree with the "Run, don't walk" sentiment! Wish I would have done this years ago. . .

With a new staple line and a freshly cut stomach, I would make sure to go really easy in the beginning. My surgeon was fairly lax, allowing mushies after 14 days (clear for 3 days, then full liquids until 14 days) and I struggled even with some of THOSE food choices. The other thing that was explained to us in our Options classes was that a regular stomach expands and contracts to help digest your food and your new one won't do that, at least in the beginning. So my suggestion would be to take it very slowly and when you DO start on solid food please remember to absolutely pulverize the food by chewing and chewing and then chewing some more. You don't want to suffer the pain and discomfort of food that is not digesting.

Isn't this a fabulous new life? Congratulations! I, too, was down 21 lbs in the first 11 days! Crazy!

You don't say how far out you are that you are only consuming 600 calories. If you are in the fist couple of months that is totally normal and the only way you will get your calories in. If you are past 3 months and only getting in 600 calories, that is not enough. As far as the eating small meals all day long. . .I am still doing that at almost 5 months out to get in the 1200 calories I need to have.

I am almost 5 months out now. While there are huge changes for you ahead, some things do get back to normal - like drinking water. I can totally gulp water and drink alot it. I can swallow large pills which I was afraid I would never be able to do again. I can eat whatever I want, just not that much of it. When I go to restaurants, I usually order something off of the appetizer menu and then still take half of it home. I can do soup rather well and can usually eat a whole bowl of soup. Some things go down easier than others. And everyone seems to be different. I've heard that some people can manage salad really well but I can't - just doesn't digest for me. My cravings are completely gone. I used to be a total chocoholic - really bad. Now I don't want anything to do with chocolate. Life gets back to normal - just a different normal. I still can't get my head around how cool it is to eat small portions and be totally satisfied :-) You will love your sleeve. Just remember, it keeps getting better each and every day.

Amazing progress! So inspirational! Thank you for sharing!

We all experience this. I just had an 11 day stall and all of a sudden within the past two days 1.5 lbs was gone! I am only losing about 3 pounds a month now which is not much but I'll take that any day over gaining 5-8 pounds in a weekend! I am absolutely noticing that I need to keep buying smaller sizes even though the scale isn't moving :-)

I had originally asked about the band as well until I went to a seminar and learned about the sleeve. I also have friends who had the lap band and are not at all happy with it. The sleeve is the perfect solution! Why wouldn't you want to have the size of your stomach reduced permanently? It is the best thing I have ever done. There are alot of people here on this board who are band to sleeve revisions - lots of problems and lack of success with the bands. Don't even go there. Go with a sleeve and have a lifetime tool!

There is not just one row of staples. There are actually 6 rows of staples and I know that my surgeon actually overstitched the whole thing as well. Not all surgeons do that part though.

Congrats Sophia!!! Maybe if I ever get around to getting my knee replaced I can do it with you! UGH! I can't even stand the thought of THAT surgery!

You look GREAT! I started at 250 also and can't wait until I am at 153!