ProudGrammy

@Abbie719 hi newbie!! i love my sleeve, its been my best friend for almost 6 years. most people on the board regret not having the sleeve surgery years earlier. What are OP comments/concerns about the sleeve??? one of the main problems that go with the sleeve, is possible acid reflux. if you already have heartburn, its usually not advisable to go with the sleeve. and there is a possibility to get heart burn PO.- this might be something your "friends" are talking about. problems can happen with any surgery, (WLS et al) . it's ok for OP to give their thoughts/opinions about sleeve (or any WLS) - listen "briefly" to OP, then politely tell them to go jump in the lake ooooops - i mean tell them you appreciate their words/ thoughts, but you are still making a decision. - if that doesn't work - THEN tell them to jump in the lake LOL - remember - opinions are like arshollllles - we all have one!! continue to research, read board,ask more questions from doc/NUT knowledge is power- at the end of the day YOU are the one that has to come to a decision and live with it!! (being biased i vote for the sleeve)any day of the week, and twice on sunday!! good luck for the rest of your healthier,happier, longer life!! kathy

@NikkiPen thanx for coming to my rescue with your explanation being 63 years YOUNG, i am brilliant and do look great, i am also very modest LOL PS when i say the above, i really am kidding - kind of kathy

i feel stupid, but at least i look great LOL kathy

@Dashofpixiedust8 your #s are staggering!! 540 to 248.6!! holy moly keep UP the good work while your weight continues to go DOWN!! kathy congrats @Iconcinnity hey bud no such thing as little victories you are showing 2 NSV's first - you wisely chose the sleeve 2nd - you are seeing a great new # continue good luck kathy congrats

@Tiamka i "remind" myself how bad i used to feel and look, and how great i feel and look now really DOES work for me (sometimes!) as for you my friend - remind yourself you've lost 93 lbs!! many lbs to follow. soon to be entering onderland. i can only imagine how hard nipping those feelings/thoughts of yummy foods. Damnnn the torpedoes and donuts. full speed ahead!! you are getting stronger and stronger every day -i have confidence that you will turn your head away from all those carbs, sugars, fats etc. if you can't do that, nobody can!! hope every day gets better and better good luck kathy

@Half-Tum hey dude why did you leave 3 days PO against medical advise? hope all is well good luck for the rest of your healthier, happier, longer life kathy

@BrownEyedBeauty wow, you've come a llllllllong way baby!! lookin' good chic keep up the great job. while your weight goes down keep on keepin' on!! kathy congrats

@gmanbat awwwww, you are the sweetie!!! i think we are forming the mutual admiration club kathy

@gmanbat hey dude nice to see you again sorry it's under these circumstances knowing the/your problem is half the solution! stand tall, head held high i KNOW you'll work hard again, and reach GOAL. i always loved seeing/reading your posts. you were/are always helpful, thoughtful - and one heck of a nice guy!!! you worked hard after WLS achieving GOAL. it might be hard now "coming home" here - looking for support.- but you did it!!! you take care - anxious to read more from you. welcome good luck kathy

test ooops sorry

@momof2littleones hi there you are all set to start your journey!! popscicles, protein shake, measuring cups, two more special things you need - PATIENCE and DETERMINATION !!! ready for a great ride -few bumps ahead, mostly smooth sailing, sorry you will be on your own going to the hospital. hopefully one or more of your friends can be more available to help you PO - you can lean on them for support- find a support group PO (your doc's office should be able to help you) finding a group, you will meet OP that are at your stage as a NEWBIE - you can grow up together. meeting people that are further out with WLS is also good (hear their experiences, get info) good luck bud speedy recovery kathy

@Dixie02 i went back to "work" the second i left the hospital my occupation.................. RETIRED good luck with your sleeve surgery speedy recovery kathy

hi all i am proudly telling you that i'm 5 .5 year PO 4.5 years GOAL with my sleeve!! It's a wonderful feeling i continue to use the information i learned as a NEWBIE especially drinking water - and protein i still "usually" use small utensils, small plate eat slowly, and chew a little at a time. don't like to go to restaurants any more - but when i do, i also don't deprive myself. i ALWAYS ask waiter/waitress for a take home container when she brings my food out. immediately put 1/2 away before i eat. i continue to follow my plan "most" of the time. i'm not perfect - then again one thing that keeps me at GOAL (2-3) lb fluctuate - is remembering my past weight, how unhappy i was,. never will go back there again!! keep up the good work you are doing great - i know you will be a continued success congrats and good luck kathy

@GotProlactinoma drinking problems are a bummer many OP are in that situation but, you are one day PO with the sleeve give things a chance to improve. i see you are a smartie pants!! you know to drink warm water, room temp to maybe help you drink better things will improve!! keep pushing the fluids - "God Grant Me Patience, Just Hurry About It" drinking is very, very important good luck newbie kathy

@Mrfeelgood i think about 98% of OP believe you. Why wouldn't they?? there were 2-3 people (i think that questioned your weight loss. that was so crazy!!) please continue to stay on the board- don't listen to people that don't know the difference between fact/or fiction!! newbies et al can learn from your success it made me sad that you felt you did/do have to explain yourself you lost 96 lbs - why would anyone question this amount?? no need to explain yourself I did see your initial post where you showed different pictures. I saw your handsome face in the navy uniform when you were thinner to the present pictures of you weighing a little more- if someone/anyone on the board insults you - or anyone else - make your one response - if they want to continue their rude comments/ remarks - that's their business - you take the high road!! you are doing terrific!!! keep up the good work for the rest of your healthier, happier, longer life good luck - kathy congrats

@BigTex hi Tex WELCOME WELCOME WELCOME and WELCOME!!!! listen to all the comments from OP, suggestions, and experiences. at the end of the day - listen ONLY your doc/NUT (and me too of course) you'll learn the important water rules you must follow - you must eat protein (lots of it) always watch your carb intake - there is a great place to enter your food on the board. MFP (my fitness Plan)this will show how much protein, carbs, veggies and calories you are taking in. NEVER compare yourself to anyone (people have been shot for less!!) ie don't compare your weight to others, how long/short it took them to lose weight - you are starting your new life in sleeveland from being a newbie/"middle be"/ to GOALEE!! then you are done with your story, right ??? wrong - your journey will continue and continue throughout you healtier, happier, longer, life - they call it................... MAINTENANCE!!! you'll do great!! I know it, i can feel it my bones good luck kathy

@Stevehud i've watched you grow "up" from 408 "down" to your present weight of 168. GOAL i read and enjoyed your blog!! come back here more often. newbies especially would be helped by your words. btw - we both were sleeved on 12/15!!! you in 2014 , me in 2011 GOAL since 2012 catch me if you can!! continued success !! You deserve it!! kathy congrats

@Jessie_5 sorry, don't know a percentage of people who were denied Never give up if you are denied There is an APPEAL process from the board i've seen on occasion, some ppl were denied 2 or 3 times before approval persistence , determination, patience is name of game all adds up to success!! Buttttt - don't look for trouble hopefully all will go well the more health problems the better!! sounds crazy, but it's true for approval!! fingers crossed for quick approval good luck bud Kathy

@Half-Tum @FamilyGuyNJ @boldnewginger @tomi71 hey dudes/dudette you all look great!! keep up the good job!! kathy congrats

?????? kathy

welcome to the wonderful world of WLS enter at your own risk!!!!! we "usually" don't bite LOL read the boards. books & U-tube good luck bud kathy

@chamilton0323 hey Tex I take many pills 2x a day i always took them with water - sometimes had that gag feeling one morning i took my vitamin (and everything else) with my protein shake. it went down sooo well - smooth - no problems- that's my advice for the day. try it, it might help -couldn't hurt good luck bud kathy

@Kawkab if you do have heartburn now, maybe you should have gastric bypass, or another WLS (you shouldn't have heartburn then) maybe talk to doc more - he already told you he doesn't think sleeve is best WLS for you - butttt, its your decision - i know your WLS is less than a week away, take your time - then make your choice. in the long run, its up to you!! as far as being excited/scare - extremely popular emotions that many peep go through. good luck bud kathy

@rayb70 welcome newbie GNC Total Lean Shake (swiss miss) pre-mixed btl - easy peasy!! 170 cal - 25 gr protein - sugar 2 gr fiber 3 gr carbs 6 my NUT told me to subtract sugar from carbs, soooo carbs are only 3 gr check with your NUT - nuts say different things good luck bud kathy

@Joe's wife that's great!! read your earlier post telling about DH surgery glad everything went well. tell joe, this beginning part of his journey, might have bumps in the road, everything usually improves. DOS 12/15/11 57 years OLD present 63 years YOUNG!! good luck to you and Joe - for the rest of your healthier, happier, longer life you both deserve the best kathy