Ms Lady in NC

Like you, I am in dire need of a new wardrobe but refuse to slurge just yet. I buy undergarments as needed but found out after my first month how silly it is to spend hundreds on clothes for a few weeks only to repeat the cycle all over again. But being a female, doubt I could wait that long. I usually go to Ross or Marshalls and shop in the clearance section for basic colors or styles. There is also a consignment store I take my clothes to now and because I am a thrifty shopper, sometimes get more than I paid for an outfit and go buy a new size that way. I just can't seem to handle the "droopy" look in my pants but can get away with tops or skirts for a couple sizes if I buy them a little more tight fit in the beginning. I say treat yourself to at least 1 outfit every new size, if for nothing other than having it in case you need to go somewhere and not look so bad in unfit clothes.

I started the day after surgery. My coordinator Laurie was surprised to hear of me walking stairs and all the floors the next morn after surgery so after my leak test and a few hours of rest at the hotel, we hit the streets LITERALLY. We walked up and down the streets of Tijuana for a good 8 hours enjoying all the festivities and culture. Then a few days later at home I used my treadmill at home until that got boring and I went back to my gym where I have been since I was 2 weeks post-op. I mainly used the treadmill and bikes for a few weeks then went on to light weights and the dreadful stairmaster to finally back into my fav...boxing. I was told to basically do a little at a time to work your way back to where you once were and in a few weeks I was. It really all depends on you and your body. Pushing yourself before time will not get you to your goal any quicker so just remember to do what your doctor says. Good Luck!

You go girl!!! I am celebrating with you and know exactly how good and bad it feels. But just remind yourself you are doing this for you and not anyone else. As for the amount we need to lose, who cares? We all needed to and are or did so I doubt any of that matters to anyone here. Just enjoy the ride and work on the next thing for haters to talk of you about like maybe where in the world you got that new outfit from or what nerves you have to wear those skinny jeans or new hairstyle lol.

CoNgRaTs!!!!! Try to take the time between now and then to relax. I know me and a few friends that had the surgery all worried ourselves to death and stressed over the what ifs. Do you have a pre-op diet to do?

I was wondering what everyone's goal was around the area and if there was a plan besides surgery you had to meet it? I know before I had surgery and came back to my daily life I had plans to exercise and do everything by the book. But as we all know that is not easy to do as we would like. I have not went to the gym in the 2 months I have been post-op but I do try to exercise. As for my meals, they are few and far from the "book". I eat healthy yes but I know not nearly enough. I can go all day til 8 in the evening and not eaten a thing. I am geting better but not close to the 5 times a day rule. I am down but know that it would be further along if life were as easy as I wished. The pre-op diet I did for 3 weeks before was a cinch compared to post-op. Anyone else having probs sticking to anything?

I had Dr. Jaime Ponce DeLeon @INT Hospital in Tj, Mx. I wiggled the price down to $4500 so including airfaire and expenses I would not pay more than $5k. He was above excellent and he even came to check on me at the hotel. He also made my sleeve extra small per my request. I could not be happier and had a lot of fun with my coordinator.

I made this group private to give us a place to come and feel free to say whatever without feeling judged. We all are from NC so that is one automatic connection that will hopefully lead into a true support group. I hope no one is offended by my doing this but if you are please let me know and if the majority is, I will change it.

Hi Kim, Welcome to the group! Glad to hear you have your family's support and best of luck in your last month of dieting. Before I went across the border to have my surgery, I looked into other options here and those diets really surprised me. I salute you for staying on task. The few weeks I was on it was not hard but I doubt I could of stayed as faithful as I was for 6 or more months Keep us up to date and feel free to interact however you like. I really do hope we become an active, close knit group.

I know the economy is getting better but a lot of people really can't afford to buy a new wardrobe every size they lose. You can also swap anything else pertaining to weight loss like recipes, supplements, etc.(as long as it is legal) I will start... I have a lot of clothes that are getting too big for me. I have about 20 or more pieces of size 3x and 24W clothes. Some are for taller women but most are average. I even have a few that I never wore. I would rather only give summer clothes now since you will probably not need winter clothes. I also have some size 11 and 12 shoes (hey, at 6'0 tall I would tip over in a size 6 shoe lol) that I am looking to give away. I am gonna shop regardless as hubby is finding out lol, so nothing is needed other than a I live in Greensboro and you can pick them up or have them shipped. All have been washed or dry cleaned but may need to be re pressed from being in storage.

I chose the sleeve because I wanted to lose the weight and keep it off with the aid of something permanent like surgery. I really loved the idea of the DS but not the risks it held and hated the RNY's dumping syndrome, and the slippage of a lapband really made me see that the safest route for me was the sleeve. I spent 2 yrs researching and watching patients before I decided for sure and then made the arrangements. I told my coordinator I was worried that it would not work but she told me it was unlikely but if it didn't the DS could be done later and I took a chance. Being self employed, I have to pay for insurance and when the major companies turned me down I knew it was time to do something. I had high blood pressure and began to have serious heart problems that put me on nitroglycerin pills. But within the 2 wk pre-op diet, my bp was mormal and the pain around my chest had gone away. I almost changed my mind and didn't go through with it but knew the chances of me losing over 100 lbs and keeping it off was highly unlikely so i got on the plane after I said a prayer. Almost 2 months later and 50+ total pounds lighter I look back and wonder again if it was worth going so drastic? I have days that I say yea and no but everyday I live w/o taking a pill for bp or heart problems answers the question for me. A life change really did occur with me doing it and if I accomplish my goal with the sleeve or not, I at least began my journey. Do I love my sleeve? I don't fall in love easy but I respect it and am learning to get along with it because we have each other for life!

Raine, Welcome to the group and congrats on your sleeve!!! I think it's great you love NC enough to wanna stay. We plaan on moving to Florida when we retire but I know it will be hard since NC has always been home. I have a boxing bag that I sometimes kick but that's as close as I have gotten to martial arts. But it always was something that sounded fun to learn. Maybe I will take a class or two one day to see if I have the knack for it after I lose a little more weight. Please feel free to add any info or post new threads to help get the group started. I know quite a few "Yankees" and they always have something to say lol so feel free to do so here.

I guess I will start... My name is Regina, I am a 34 yr old wife, mother of 4, sister, daughter who is originally from NC. I had my surgery in Tijuana, Mx on April 8, 2011 by Dr. Ponce DeLeon. I am hoping to lose almost 150 pounds total but will settle for 120. I own a few small businesses and have a passion for music and handbags. I am a Blue Devil, Pittsburg Steeler, Boston Celtic, Dale Jr. sports fan though I have been too busy so far this year to really watch them on tv. I am happy my surgery went well and hope my weight loss is as successful.

I really think an active local support group will be great for our state and hope everyone will feel comfortable enough to share, comment, or ask anything that is on their minds.

We are the same height and almost the same staring weight(I was 330) but my goal is to be no more than 180 or 200 lbs. I could live with being a size 16 but not eating so little the rest of my life. Like you, I do want to eat like regular people or close to them and not like a bird. As for the slimes, I all too well understand!!! Hubby thinks the same thing as yours and I tell him at least I am not hungry or have a feeling of depriving myself. Please don't tell me my 4oz stomach will always be a 1/2 egg and strip of bacon meal I was hoping I would be able to eat a bit more. Maybe I should have agreed to the larger sleeve like my coordinator. Why have you stalled? My doc said I should see at least a 150 pound loss. I will be happy to see 100 but no less. I would consider it a failure and hate that I didn't have the DS like I wanted...

I actually am surprised to hear how there are similarities to my problems but so glad someone understands! As Meg said, it is a bit like taking steps back and forth. Just hope I too will become closer to "normal" again. Iegal, I have learned to watch what I eat and to be sure to take my time while eating. I am not a big fan of refried beans but cheese cubes are a treat ev now and then. I guess I will stick with my baby food and Soups for a bit longer and try meat once a week like I have been doing lately. Bilka, I felt so bad today when I went out to a business lunch and had to eat the way I did. I hate having to explain why I eat so little to people but as you all have said, soon I will be able to like others so my head will not hanag down to much longer. Thanks everyone for the encouraging words and wishes. Can't wait to be able to say I too love my sleeve like some. But for now, I am in agreeance with the respecting it.

I am trying my best to think good thoughts while dealing with my new sleeve but it is getting to be a handful with an already busy schedule. I know I can't turn back now but I really wish now I would have researched more with actual ppl how eating is after surgery. I know i'm only 6 weeks out but it is so irritating at times how my sleeve controls my life right now. I thank heaven that I do not have hunger or cravings but wish I was able to tolerate food or even shakes better. I eat an egg and can hardly get 2 spoonfuls down, or try tuna, chicken, etc. and it's the same thing. I am not babying my sleeve but hate the need to bring it up so much that I get my Protein from the 3oz shots I drink and may eat once a day praying it will stay down. I feel more and more like eating is another chore and don't enjoy handling that task at all. I know I have come a long way but really hope eating a couple of spoonfuls is not my permanent way of life. I feel like I am bulemic from the constant need to release what I eat more days than not. I know my stalls are from not eating but when you bring it back up as much as I do, you begin to ignore the "empty" feeling and hope the next day will be better. I went a few days last week problem free but the last few days put me back to square one. Baby food is beginning to get on my nerves but even pureed foods annoy my sleeve at times. I just feel tired and a bit of resentment that the sleeve I thought was a gift feels more like a curse...

I have not worn a bikini since I was a teen. And will probably be a one piece with a wrap after I do loose to my goal. But I also refuse to wear tank tops or anything sleeveless because I hate my arms. But I say if you feel fine in it, wear it ! You will unlikely be the biggest thing there and even if you are, so what? Gon' get ur freak on!!!

I bought a ProForm from a family friend and it had a limit of 250 but her hubby was almost 400 when he started his wls journey and I was 330 when I bought it. Had no problems or even lag when on it. I think it would be easier to go to Sears or somewhere to try them out first. You will drop to 250 in no time if diet and exercise is done right. I went from 330 to 300 in 2 weeks pre op. Why spend extra $$$ for a few days when I am sure you can get one at $500 or even $299 that will do you just fine. Good luck

I can't wait to eat more like a human and not a bird lol. I suffer from migraines but have not had a headache yet thank heavens. I say way to go!

I am almost a month out and find myself needing to take breaks more often. I think I read somewhere that it can take months to get back to where we were. Everyday gets a bit better but not by much in my book. I think with all the info we try to learn and use along with our bodies changing, makes us very sensitive in many ways and fatigue is not excluded. But like Rootman said, get checked out if you need to. Hope you feel better soon.

I have a 13-in scar from arm repair surgery after a bad car accident and used Mederma afterwards. It did not seem to work the few months I tried it but the scars from gallbladder removal and other abdominal surgeries actually almost disappeared totally on their own. I guess it all depends on how well the surgeon sews you up. I would say try it to see if it helps. As for the stitches being healed, it would depend on how your body heals. I was told to wait 3 months before trying it on my arm scar but never asked or worried about the little ones on my stomach.

Congrats!!! I wish you and the baby all the best

Hi everyone! Sorry about the late nite posts but I honestly can't get here until this time, but when am here I am truly reading and learning from all the great info. This site really helps me out more than anything else and for that I am soooo thankful! I just wanted to let everyone know how things went today. Here was my day : 11am: unsweetened all natural applesauce 3 tbsp 12pm: multivitamins and 1/2 cup of water 1pm: more water to finish the 20 oz. cup 3pm: 3 cheese cubes and 4 tbsp of tuna mixed with egg and slash of mayo 4pm: began another 20 oz of water 6pm: finished water 7pm: cup of chicken and stars soup 8pm: 1/2 of banana and 4 oz of whole milk 9pm: began 24 oz bottle of water and 2 quarter size pieces of deli meat Right now: finishing the rest of water So today I drank about 8 cups of water and was actually able to keep everything I ate down. Yay!!! I think the oatmeal early this morning really didn't count because the little I ate did come back up but I do think it was my fault in not making it thin enough. I tried a llittle skim milk but it too was not well tolerated but the whole milk went down with no problem. I think I will keep trying with the milk. I have also decided to plan my eating because that seems to be the only way I will do it. And after all that, I feel so much better. I agree with most that my doctor's advice on eating regular food is too much for my sleeve right now. So I will try to alternate with protein shots and softer foods as suggested. Although I still didn't quite make 800 cals, the water intake was a plus and I feel good. I even feel like I could eat now but am really too tired from this long day to eat another thing. My doctor also told me to take Prevacid so this is day 2 on that and maybe that helped a bit. I am just happy that I did not tear my sleeve from eating the way I was before. But question for anyone that could answer.... When is a good time to try to eat chicken or beef? I have not tried hamburger or steak at all and was just wondering since my post op diet is not a good one to follow obviously. Also, how much should I be eating at a time if it is soft foods? I feel full at 2-3 tbsp but know that will not help me reach calorie goals. I know eating more often will help so I hope adding the GNC/Walmart protein shots could be used to supplement a few cals and add protein. Thanks for all the great advice. I will try the cottage cheese in other things, greek yogurt, etc tomorrow and see how it goes.

I tried some oatmeal this morning and it was a bit too heavy I think but it stayed down. Only got 3 tbsps in but then I tried my Vitamins as suggested. So now I am headed off to work and have packed a baggy of cheese to snack on today. I will try the yogurt for lunch and add a hotdog for snack. I am drinking my Water now and will take 2 more bottles with me. I really don't think I am bad enough to need an IV but I am dehydrated. My doctor told me that I should be urinating 4 times a day and I have only gone 2 times a day since surgery. Luckily I am not tired (anymore than normal) that is why I am asking my friends here what to do. I know once I get that bad, I may have done damage and am trying to prevent that. I have read and truly thank you all for such good advice! I will use it all and hope it helps me stay out of the hospital. I read others post-op diets and I think mine was a bit too agressive so I will try to do my own to benefit my stomach. chicken will be limited and I will stay with Soups and soft things more for a few more days/weeks. Well I'm off to work, everyone have a blessed day!!!

Thx for the encouraging words. I really don't like cottage cheese and have not tried the greek yogurt only because the plain did not agree with me but will try some tomorrow. Cheese is great but milk will never be my friend now that it has to be skim or lowfat. I can't get used to the taste. I would rather Water down whole milk. Frustrating is to say the least! I want to eat and not feel like I have a eating disorder I know it's the beginning but this is really harder than the pre-op diet or even letting go of my cheesecake and other favs. I have no desire to eat anything anymore and really would rather drink than eat because of the side effects. I will give it a few more weeks and if things have not changed, I will make an appt to a nutrtionist.