ProudGrammy

Rachael, i think they refer to alcohol as "empy calories." Not good to drink alot. I know its ok to have a little now and then, but overdueing, like food - isn't great. Remember, smaller portions and moderation kathy sorry for the interruption,/crash but...... Lissa, i see you have been creeping "down" in weight to losing 91 lb - how terrific is that? congrats kathy

Rainydayz my dr. told me to eat until i'm full, and then stop one mouthful earlier 100lbs congrats, you should be very proud continued best kathy

cowgirljane - take a few bows, you totally deserve them. congrats, and keep on keepin. on kathy

littlebits sorry your going through these problems. I think if you have a BMI under 40 there "might" be a problem - but since you have all those morbitites - to the best of my knowledge you should be approved. This is the only time where worse is better. Having all your medical problems is awful, but having these problems should allow you to have the sleeve surgery. Your PHP and surgeon are in your corner - so thats terrific. Sorry that the office staff is so cruel/mean - they are supposed to be helpful and curtious. They can't tell you if they think you will/will not be approved. i think once you change to another insurance company you have a 3 month waiting period/not sure - - but get more info, maybe you won't have to change insurance co. and get the sleeve done sooner than later with your present ins. co, - if you could get some help with business staff or even dr. hopefully things will go your way. wishing you luck kathy

I regret i never took measurements or early pictures., i would have known better where i stood kathy

giggles When my grandson was 2 yrs old (2 yrs ago) my daughter had to run after him all the time. He was into everything as 2 year olds are. She was so happy because she lost a lot of weight doing all this running around. she also had a 4 yr old and a 7 yr old. btw - these are the most beautiful and smartest grand-kids in the entire world all the work you do as a parent, running around et al, helped her lose alot of weight., was great for her figure. you are doing great by walking around so much now. ask your dr. when you can do more excersize, weights etc. - all dr. say different things. Just be patient when he tells you to go, have fun best wishes kathy

Awwwwww Ashley how wonderful is that? make sure you pull up those pants so they don't fall down. they say finding clothes in your closed that now all of a sudden fit, is like going shopping in the closet - only diffference you don't have to pay. congrats on the chair situation too. keep up the good work congrats kathy

tinytears i had always only heard of 2 WLS - the lapband & the gastric bypass. The gastric bypass, i call "the big one" - i always thought was way too complex for me. when i went for my initial seminar, and then talk with the surgeon, i was all set for the lapband. i had NEVER heard of the sleeve. the surgeon talked to my DH and myself about the sleeve. after much discussion i opted for the sleeve and have been happy with my decision since i had my WLS 4 months ago. others have stated the reasons for the sleeve correctly above. yes, the gastric bypass weight might come off very quicker/but thats not necessarily healthier/better . I also heard that there is quite a chance of regaining the weight. regaining weight is true with any WLS - thats why the sleeve is always called a "tool" to significantly help accomplish our weight loss. But your extended weight loss/maintenence - depends on you. you must continue to work as you should with eating correctly. Then again whatever weight loss you accomplish at any time - hoping to be successful in keeping your weight off - relies on you eating correctly always. I also feel the sleeve is the best choice. when you choose the sleeve - you will always have that assistance from the sleeve that helps you not to eat as much. The sleeeve only holds so much, at 4 months i'm only allowed to eat 1/3 cup per meal, but as i said, you have to comply with proper eating habits - to continue to have the sleeve to work for and with you. i hope you know what a wise decision you have made for yourself with the SLEEVE. everybody loses weight in there own time period. you should never compare your weight loss with anyone else. That being said, you asked how much weight/and time period it takes to lose some weight. in my case, it has taken me 4 months to lose 52 lbs - i need to lose about another 40 lbs. - your time period for weight loss could be similar to mine, quicker, slower whatever. but it will happen, we all work hard to eat our correct portions and everything that is necessary -99.99999% of us sleevers are very happy, successful etc. good luck with your surgery on to a better healthier life kathy

to all "seasoned sleevers" please speak to me and others about being sleeved the 1rst year mark and maybe into the 2nd....year. would like to know if the sleeve is still assisting you. Obviously, you need to be eating properly, and drinking. I've known since I was a "baby" sleever in diapers that the sleeve is only a tool. I fully get that. now that you have passed "childhood" and have made it to "adulthood" how goes it. I'm sure you can eat more, very carefully - how does the sleeve help you now? thanx kathy ps i know this has been asked before, please refresh my memory.

Miguel Thanx for your post. It was a great story. Great lessons you have learned from your experiences. I have heard that if you continue to work with the sleeve as a "tool" things will go well with your food eating, and weight. you have given me good info after the after life of the sleeve., over a year of the sleeve, thats always what i've been concerned with. Yes, they fixed my big stomach so i would lose weight, now i have to work on my brain to remember the reason i need to lose weight - and to not regain any weight back. Thank you for your honesty concerning your weight gain, that can be hard to admit, its important to be honest with yourself first. you said, basically it was your doing with eating certain extra things and too much food available at no price/ cost. Just kindof letting things go, not weighing yoursef. But you are back on that wagon, and are in the process of loosing that excess weight, good for you. we're human, and can gain, even with the help of the sleeve, but we must guard ourselves, so we don't gain and all that hard "torture" we initially went through was not in vane. As you can see, i'm still far from goal, but maybe i'm being naive, i cannot afford to gain my excess weight back in the future, but i know it will be hard. It sounds like the sleeve will continue to work for me, but i know its only a tool, and i have to work with it also. Tale care best wishes Kathy

hi atkin hiccups occur with me alot. I don't know the exact.......oops excuse me i just hiccuped. with me, sometimes it means i'm full - don't eat more. Not always though. sometimes i barely will have eaten anything when i'll hiccup hiccups can be common. don't know how to prevent them, or when they hopefully stop. BTW - I'm 4 months post-op. Eeegads, here comes another one..... kathy

SparklingSarah, legal, Coops, BlacBerry juice, & GlobeTrotters Ladies, i really appreciate you all (plus the others above) for responding to my posts. It seems like i don't usually get comments to my remarks to my post, so thanx for taking the time to respond to me. best kathy ps " about others not responding" - maybe i'm the only one that takes it personally, no tears for me pps on my way to cardiologist now for pre-op, having knee repacement one week from thursday had the left one done 5 yrs ago, knew the right one had to be done too later kathy

yes i do, i do - what are you still doing in the waiting room sorry lilee, couldn't resist have a great surgery, see you at the Water cooler best kathy

Cheri Thank you so much for answering my biggest concern/fear - that the sleeve will continue do "its job" even after a period of time. Of course still and always the sleeve is only a tool, we have to do the hard work , but thats fine. I don't like to exercise either. I know thats awful to stay, but the "truth sets you free" , right . I really know that i must go back to the gym, , it would really help me so i will not become as "flabby". I have a membership to a gym, so that gives me no excuse not to go but.......... I just keep on working on trying to go. Its the thought that counts. best kathy

i was told by my NUT the sleeve doesn't "really" stretch. well maybe a little i heard that the problem you would have with the sleeve possibly "stretching" is if you graze all day, and all day, and all day............. thats what causes it to stretch, and then regain your weight ok experts weigh in - did i say that kindof correctly? kathy

hi smilebig you are still early out in the game. take it easy and rest. first off drink is more important than trying to get in your Protein. water/any liquids - also popsicle. you must stay hydrated. the rest will come, the protein et. al Dry heaves are obviously no fun - hopefully with all this liquid that will go away, the dry heaves. don't know about the Vitamins. maybe your NUT can help you with that. Get rest, take it easy - one week out, give it time, and you'll be enjoying your sleeve more and more best kathy

Fellow sleevers Since my WLS DOS 12/15/11 i have lost 55 lbs. WooHoo. right? Well.... My heighest weight was 235, down now to 180. Sounds good right? not necessarily. When I went to my CPAP appt. today 4/17/12 - talked about my WLS and how i've lost 55 lbs. Doc was very happy for me. I was very hopeful to get rid of my machine. I asked what did i weigh earlier when i started CPAP back in Oct. 2010 - she told me 170 lbs. What? That is 10 lbs less than i weigh now at 180 lbs. Whats wrong with this picture? My jaw literally dropped. Luckily the appt. was just about over. Doc noticed i was bummed and felt bad. How could he not? I just couldn't believe it, i now am 180 - after losing 55 lbs. I had been so happy, now.. i'm bummed. whats wrong with this picture? I know, i know i should just be happy that i realized i was going up and up with my weight, and if i continued - i would turn into...... ...well lets use our imagination. So now i am trying to be responsible, looking only forward, realizing with the help of my new and improved wonderful sleeve i will not only make it to goal, but stay there for my health, and all the other good reasons we have. when i realized i better knock it off, and get a grip and lose this weight to get healthy etc. well, i know i'm on the right track, don't plan on being derailed? My sleeve and i will be fine - and i'll continue to get better and better day by day. From my lips to Gods ears your optimistic sleever kathy

ji

I'm sure this is an oldie but a goodie, my dr. told me to eat until i'm full, but stop eating one bite earlier kathy

hmmmmm, i'm 4 months post op - still haven't told my DH i could do some cleaning only kidding, truth is you probably should wait a bit, if you are really sore or just too tired, you should not vacuum and all that good stuff, relax, get some rest, let others take care of you for a bit ,remember you just had major surgery.. You'll know when you start to feel better, just use your common sense. kathy

Couple of weeks ago i made some de-------licious chili. I took maybe 3 or 4 regular bites, didn't chew correctly, and i think i even ate too fast, then said OMG, what have i done i just couldn't believe it. I actually wasn't even thinking about my sleeve. People have been shot for less than this Luckily i returned to my normal eating quickly kathy

Hi LeeLeeLosing You are only 4 weeks out, if your having soft foods, cottage cheese, yogurt,cheese - that will help your protein intake. I don't know if you are still doing the Protein Shakes? some people continue to use them whenever - so that will help too. You must take your vitamins religiously, this is what i do. I have one of those pill containers with the days of the week, am & pm - so i just put the vitamins in there proper slot. Helps me. As far as lips being really dry, i use to get that when i snored alot. Only comment on that. Blisters, can't really address that good luck kathy

I was 2 months out, when all of a sudden i was unable to eat or drink properly. Had the dry heaves, dehydrated - had to go to hospital to get hydrated. - what a bummer. just keep drinking as everyone says, protein will come in to play later - fluid/water more important as this time, take slow sips of liquid so you can keep it down. popsicles are also good, they are considered a liquid so they add for something, i really do love the purple popsicles. BTW - please nix setting your alarm in the middle of the night to try and drink. you need your rest too. good luck kathy

hi D1NOnlySexyLady I got those vitamins from my NUT - they came in a small pkg. Now ordering online - They are kind of large, and don't taste the greatest so i use my pill cutter to divide them in half. Don't taste as bad when you only take 1/2 at a time. good luck kathy