mnbsleeve

Congratulations!!! I feel so fortunate to have this opportunity! It's an incredible journey! Best wishes!!!

Sounds like you are looking HOT, HOT, HOT!!! You go girl!!!!!!!

Great thread! Looking forward to the follow up! Thanks guys!

Excellent! Thank for the tip. I actually have the shaker cup with the ball whisk! I tried my bullet but as you say things tend to explode. Also, I tried the mixer you submerge, but it's messy, not enough liquid etc. Mixing slowly by hand left clumps. I never thougth of the ball whisk. DUH! Although I did try a regular whisk. Somehow I could not get the hang of it. I think putting it in that cup and whisking and releasing the pressure should do the trick. I don't like things too hot either so your technique should work. Can't wait to try it out. I'll let you know how it goes! Thanks again!

So glad that you are doing well over all! I hope all the gas pain gets resolved soon! Sending lots of good thoughts your way for a super speedy recovery!!!!! Now you will be a "big loser" like the rest of us Be well!

Cheri, how do you prepare it hot?! I love Hot drinks, especially now in the winter, but I can't seem to be able to get my Proteins to work in hot liquid -- they clump up or remain in a lumpy texture. Any tricks or tips?! Thanks!!!!

TRSJ, I know it's such a difficult and personal decision! And everybody is different in terms of how they come to this decision. Similarly, everyone is different how they respond. Some of us do incredibly well from the get go, others have a few challenges and still a few others face serious complications. I think that IN GENERAL, most of us deal with some gas pain in the first few days and the primary struggles center around sipping and getting fluids and Proteins in. There are varying degrees of nausea, some only a bit and other for a few days. You also need to walk and move your body. Most also experience some degree of pain in the incission - generally described as an intense abdominal workout. For some of us we have a "stitch" type pain for as long as a month. But overall nothing too painful - more anoying. A good number of us seem to have issues with getting our Protein in, specifically dealing with the various shakes - whether because of taste or being able to keep them down due to lactose intolerance. Some of us get a bit of the runs with some of the shakes - although there is less of us. This requires a bit of patience and dedication in trying different things and experimenting. Overall I would say that the main focus the first few days, and I do mean FOCUS, is on moving to help with gas pain, not lifting, and sipping your fluids to reach your goal! That's why everyone says "sip, sip, sip, walk, sip, sip..." Also, getting Liquid Protein in if so prescribed by your surgeon. Those are the main challenges. After the first week or so things really tend to look up and the challenge again is getting proteins in, and fluids of course which will continue to be the challenge. It's sort of starts again with soft food - the first few bites are scary and can result in a little pain or slim. This is my general impression from the experiences being posted on the board as well as my own. I had quite an easy journey, not without challenges but most have resolved. I didn't really have any pain and very little nausea for which I was prescribed raglan - only needed it a few days. I felt pretty energentic by the second week. Again, everybody is different. Some people, while only a few, face more serious complications. So I believe we do have to be ready should that occur. I hope this is helpful in some way. I just remember this very difficult place that you are in right now and hope to be able to offer some support. I've learned it ABSOLUTELY NORMAL to feel completely freaked out right before surgery!!! I wanted to run out of there even as my IV was put in!!!! I had all the supportive words of the good people on this board with me reminding me that they went throught the same fears and it helped calm me. It is scary and I really think we are an incredibly courageous bunch!!!!! And sometimes in life it just takes that leap of faith to reach our dreams. Best of luck to you!!!! We are all rooting for you!!!!! Please post and let us know how you're doing!!!!

Hey guys! just sending good thoughts your way!!! I'm so sorry for what you're going through. I hope you can have all this behind you soon!!!!

In weight watchers they would always say that it's not one day that will set you back. We're all human and will have our ups and downs. The main thing is getting back to it. So good for you for acknowledging a rough day and just moving forward!!! Thanks for your honest post!!!!

Are you on a good anticid?! If not, that could be the culprit. I'm on Prilosec... well stating to wean off... but in the begining without it it was not good. I experienced the symptoms you just described. Good luck kiddo!!!!! Hope you feel better very soon!!!

I know what you mean about the first 30 or 40 lbs. not being noticed. About a week ago I went to get my hair done and my stylist, who has seen me drop close to 80 lbs.!!! says to me, "wow, have you lost weigth?!" It cracked me up because I had been stalled and had finally dropped about 2 lbs. since my last visit!!! LOL I'm thinking, wow, you didn't notice the other 76 but these 2 little beauties did the trick!!! Obviously, proportionally speaking, a couple of pounds now really show whereas when I weighed well over 240 lbs. they were mere fluctuations! LOL I do take some offense when people ask "how much weight have you lost?" It's not appropriate and I put it right up there with questions like "how much money do you make? or have in your savings account?" It's really none of anybody's business and it's rude to take such liberties. But I think it's that cultural value that "fat people" somehow are fair game. No one askes a thin fit person about their food or weight etc. I LOVED the response from the poster above who said she responds " a lot." That says it all in a very polite way!!!! Happy losing everyone! :-)

LOL!!! High five!!! :-)

Same as PdxMan above. I had both done at the same time. I won't repeat everything said but I will say I am about 8 months out and I eat whatever I want. I mostly "choose" the right foods for nutrition and cal content. Red meat is still more difficult but then again it always was for me. Also, my quantities are small, between 1/4 cup and 1/2 at most. Dense proteins = less amount that I can get down sense they fill me up immediately! i.e., red meat! Regarding the cramp on the side: I struggled with that for quite a while. I was doing alot better and one day I sneezed and bam! again with the pain. I believe it's the muscle that was cut that is healing. It gets WAY BETTER!!! Hang in there! In a short while you will not be able to feel any difference in your body.. other than the weight loss and low food consumption... but you'll feel great!!!!!! It just takes an adjustment.

Yecats!!! So happy you are home and doing well!!!!!!! Sending lots of good wishes for a super speedy recovery! Welcome to the looser's bench!!!!!!!! :-)

My surgeon's fee were just under 9K and about 1K for anesthesiologist. It was the hospital fees that pushed it to about 20K. I got in just under the wire as the hospital increased their fees. I was sleeved in San Francisco, California. Great surgeon, great hopital, incredible care before,during and after. It really was a great experience. I don't regret it one bit and I am soooooooooo thrilled, and greatful, that I did not have to wait for insurance. I was ready and did not want to go through more. I am greatful I was able to do it. I know it's a huge hardship. But I made the decision to do this for me. Best of luck with this. I know it's a big decision!!! Let us know how things go.

I agree with Sunny. I would talk to your surgeon and/or MD. Many meds cannot be crushed and warn against it. Also, I know lots of people on this board that resume their medicine regime after surgery - without a problem. In terms of vitamines, you can get liquid or chewables, same with calcium. Otherwise, I would not crush anything on the advise of my NUT. Best of luck with this! Let us know what you find out.

Sending good thoughts for a speedy recovery!!!!! Hang in there!!!!

Yes, yes, and yes! :-) A few weeks ago I actually crossed my legs on a plane!!!!! I could not believe it! I'm always crossing them now (and switching when my knee digs in to the other leg) so I just unconsciously crossed them and WOW, I realized I was on an airplane seat... with my legs crossed!!! woo hoo, happy days :-)

Great post Fullofit!!! Congratulations!!! Looking forward to reading about your progress!!! It's a very exciting journey and I feel so greatful to have been able to do this! Happy losing!!! :-)

Forensikchick, you always inspire me... and crack me up!!! First, congratulations on all your progress! I've posted before that you and I have followed a similar pattern in weight loss in that we're slower, we drop and stall etc. But, we are surely getting there AND I believe you're like me in that we are loosing better than in the past anyway. I'm very happy for your sister and that she'll be ablt to join you in this experience - which I have considered a priviledge! Regarding the bones!!! YES SAME ISSUE!!! Just a few nights ago I was having a similar conversation with my spouse about the bones! I am now finding my knees also smash together when I sleep on my side and I have to rearrange my legs LOL. Sounds so funny. I woke up a few nights ago because of my ribs. NOTE: this is NOT a compaint!!! :-) Congratulations to you on all you've accomplished and thanks for being a supportive board buddy to all during your journey!!! You have a great spirit! PS: The Protein in orange juice was a super great suggestion that's worked out great for me!

YOU ROCK!!!!!

Crop Queen! I love your blog!!! You look wonderful, happy and full of energy. I turned 49 in November. I agree with Retired above. It's never too late to have a happy, fulfulling life!!!! Congrats to both of you inspiring ladies!!!!

You got this Lilee!!!!! You go girl!

I agree with all of the above! Also, as CowgirlJane suggested, switching antiacid can really help. I'm on prilosec and once on a trip switched to zantac (which works differently) and it was a huge negative difference. Check with your MD about switching. Also, get that sipping in! It's really hard in the begining, but you can do it!!!!! One hour at a time. Try popsicles, herbal teas, broths, hot, cold etc. Once sip at a time. Also, as others have said, if you need an IV, do it! You will start to feel better with fluids! Even now this far out, when I am having a bit of a crappy day, it's usually because I am low on fluids... and I get to sipping! YOU CAN DO IT!!!!! Seding good thoughts your way!

WOW! You look amazing! I love that red dress on you!!! You go girl!!!!