mnbsleeve

Questions about hair loss: will I lose hair? how much? what causes it? when does it return? do vitamines help? Questions about constipation or bowels (sorry, but I've read lots of these): what is it okay to take, especially in the begining when newly sleeved? will it get better? worse? Questions about energy and work: will I feel fatigue? will fatigue go away? When can I go back to work? how much time should I take off? I have more but lets see what others post....

Congratulations!!!! That is awesome!!!!!!!

Congratulations!!! That's awesome progress!!!

DOOTER!!!!!! You look FANTASTIC!!!!! Girl, you look like you lost way more than 44 lbs. Plus, you just look great all around! I sense another drop coming :-) Keep it up Dooter and thanks for your positive attitude.

Hi Kimmr! I will be perfectly honest. My kids are in their mid 20's. If I had small children I don't know that I would consider the surgery. Not just for fear of death but also complications and becoming a burden on the family as I worked through. I would probably put my energy on healthy eating and excercise till they got older. I really hesitate to write this because I have so much respect for the people who have made such difficult decisions to take care of themselves and I would never, ever judge them or not support them for a minute!!! I am just being honest about my own process. I passed up another important thing when my kids were very young when weighing the pros and cons honestly. My point is that your feelings are legitimate and if you deep inside feel it's not time, then maybe it's not time yet. And no one would blame or judge you for honoring your thoughts and feelings about how you assess your personal situation. It's a tough decision with many real consequences and we have to be in it 100% -- especially as parents. Good luck to you with all of this. I feel how hard it is!!!!

BTW, I don't think I want to know how many calories in that chocolate martini!!! Even in those few sips I had!!! :-)

I've had wine and champagne. Just some sips, not the whole glass. Also, I was at least 4 1/2, maybe 5 months out. I've only done it a few times on special occations. Oh, last weekend I had a chocolate martini! ... well, about three sips of one! But it was good! It was at a comedy club! I don't really want the emply calories and I've never been much of a drinker so If it turned out I could not have any alcohol at all, I would be fine with it. As long as I get my sleeve!!! :-)

That's awesome! Good for you!!!!! Loving your energy!

LOL! Too funny! Happy shopping!!!!! BTW, your friend must really appreciate your support! As we all know, surgery day can be pretty scary!!!

Hi Tif! I know it's so difficult! I've had many of the same feelings. I just came to accept that it's a process -- not unlike say pregancy -- our body is going to do what it's going to do and it doesn't matter what our timetable or ideas are. We are just along for the ride! LOL! I've always felt that if I am doing what I am suppose to do, the rest will follow. I just try to get into what I jokingly call "my zen space" and just deal! :-) and I put my energy into follwowing the plan. I'm 86 lbs. down so it's working! I know it's different for everyone and it can be very frustating and even scary at times. Good luck and hang in there kiddo!!!

Wow! Ashley Brooke, what an experience! So glad you are feeling so well and doing so well!!!!! I've not been through everything you've been through, but I always say how fortunate we are that we have this new technology and opportunity. Certainly in your case it's been a life saver in many ways... especially finding some physical relief too!!! Best wishes that it's all great things from here on out!!!!

Yes, this is a great site with some pretty awesome people!!!

OH YEAH!!!!! Your joy comes through!!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! Enjoy your new life.

I had to take everything off including any jewlery, like wedding ring. I've also been told no nail / toe polish, and of course, no make up. I had to shower right before (which I would have no matter anyway) with an antibacterial soap! We all have to do this because we are "taking the easy way out" you know! (hope sarcasm comes through! )

BlackberryJuice! So glad the Levis worked out for you!

Just wanted to wish you both good luck on your surgeries and send best wishes for a super speedy recovery!!!!

Yeah you is right!!!!! Great workout and what a wonderful gift to give yourself!!!!! You are a rock star!!!!!! Have fun at the gym!!!!

Sounds like you're feeling strong! Good thoughts your way for a great and speedy recovery!!! It gets easier each day. Welcome to the losers bench!!!!

HEY!!! They look GREAT!!! I would have never guessed you had them on if not for the before! They're working for you!!!!

I voted again!!! :-)

I was given a goal of one oz every 8 to 10 minutes - not more, but not much less either. It required constant sipping. Sometimes little teeny, tiny ones. I would line up the little one ounce cups like shots (especially my protein drink) and just keep it going. It is a huge chore BUT it does get easier!!!! The first few days are rough. That's why everyone says: sip, sip, walk! sip, sip, walk! It feels that it's all you do. But things do settle down. If you fall behind, it's difficult to catch up because of the volume restriction. But occasionally, when that happend to me, I would just resume where I was and keep the ounces going. I couldn't always get everything in. Again, it gets easier with each passing day. Hang in there kiddo!!! Congrats on your surgery. Hope you are feeling well!!!!

That is so awesome Joiebean!!! I've generally been a high energy person but yes, I do have more energy. For me it comes from a state of joy! LOL I'm so happy to have gotten so much of this weight off (still working towards goal) that I feel encouraged and upbeat. The single most frequent compliment I hear, besides "you've lost weight" is "you look so happy!" I think that's really fueling my spirit and then my body LOL Sheer happiness!

This is tough... I have not purchased any "goal clothes" because I've had to get things throughout my weight loss process! Initially I had things in several sizes (from all yo yoing!) But eventually, I needed things as I lost weight. I am still losing slow and steady so I hesitate to get too much more than the absolute necesary. For example, I had to buy a jacket!!! It's now getting too big but I'm pretty sure I will not be able to use it next year. So I an stretching its use and hoping to wear it through this season - even if a little baggy. When I got it very early fall, my husband encouraged me to get it size large (vs. XL which fit better). The Large was quite snug! He was right!!! Since it fit better rather quickly and now, like I said it's huge!!! One of the issues for me is that my body is changing in ways unfamiliar to me, and because I have been fat for a good decade and a half, I don't even know what looks good on my new body! I'm older now too -- since I was at this weight -- and for a long time I got things "because they fit" or "they had one in my size." Looking/feeling good in the clothes was secondary! So for me, I can't really imagine getting anything for my goal weight till I get there. Also it gives me time to "re-discover" my body and style. Having said that, it could be cool to have one or two pieces of something to work towards and help keep up the motivation. It's fun to see things that you could not even think about getting into to finally begining to fit eventually squeezing into them! I have an old leather skirt (ancient) that I've been doing that with! LOL Before I think I was lucky if it fit ONE thigh! Now I can get into it, albeit really, really tight!!! But it feels sooooo good! Best of luck with your journey! For me it has been so wonderful and I feel very, very, happy!!!!

I got terrrible cramping and diahrea in the beining from most protein shakes and I was lactose intolorant!!! The good news is that it finally went away!!! I think it does for most of us. In the meantime, I won't lie, it's a little work finding the right shake. But there are definitely soy based protein shakes on the market. The brand that works best for me is NECTAR. It's still whey protein but somehow it was the only one that did not affect me. I mixed in in Crystal light or in soy milk. It comes in lots of flavors such as vanilla torte or chocolate truffle as well as an assortment of fruit flavors. The down side is it comes in these huge containers of 32 oz. ! Which is a lot if it doesn't work. But somebody told me you can ask to try a sample before you buy. So, I'll know to do that next time. Good luck with this. I know it's a pain. But for me it was worth the trouble! :-)

I just remembered the post would sometimes read: "I told the NUT...." LOL I thought, "wow!" angry!!! LOL