xenophile

My experience with "sliming" is when I eat something--even a bite--that Sleevie doesn't like. It's like a really intense, sudden nauseous feeling. But then it goes away (unless I try to eat the same thing again.) Others' experiences are probably different. I think what you're describing is more of a "back-up" where food is "stuck" in the esophagus--there's just not room enough in your stomach for what you're trying to put in there. When I was at 2.5 weeks I could only handle a couple of tablespoons of really mushy stuff (applesauce, hummus, etc.) every 30-45 minutes. That was a frustrating stage; I felt really weak. But I started feeling a lot better at week 4 or so, once the stomach swelling went down and I could eat 1-2 ounces of food without discomfort (depending what it is).

Ditto on the "process of elimination" method. I have no problem with eggs, but I can't do most veggies yet (even in very small quantities). A few days ago I tried some tuna salad with a little bit of raw diced onion and carrot slivers. Sleevie was NOT amused.

Congrats--you're doing great! I've also had problem with getting enough Water. Seems like that's hard for a lot of us. I've just found a good solution for me, which might work for you, too. I bought a 64-ounce water bottle on Amazon (I think it was $8, made by Blue Wave), and I take it with me to work, school, and gym. It's a great visual reminder of how much I have left to go, and it's super convenient.

I'm not much of a cook, but this was super-easy and yummy... Ingredients: 1/4 piece of Flatout flat bread (I used Italian herb) -- pita would probably also work well 1 egg 2 slices of Swiss cheese 1/4 avocado salt & pepper to taste 1. cook the egg over well, preferably in a non-stick pan so you don't need oil 2. dice the avocado -- I made ~ 6 large chunks, but smaller would work, too 3. on the flat bread, place 2 slices of cheese (side by side), diced avocado, and salt & pepper 4. Put the cooked egg on one side of the flat bread, then fold over other side of the bread to make a sandwich 5. lightly toast the sandwich on both sides in the same non-stick pan -- until the cheese has melted enough to hold it together 6. enjoy (probably for 2 meals)! UPDATE on 2/8/12: I just made this sandwich again, but I added some cooked spinach with the egg. I also used provolone cheese instead of swiss this time around. It was even better! UPDATE on 2/12/12: I made another variation today, this time with a couple of slices of smoked salmon. Also very good.

Cool. I'll be starting on Feb. 13th. I'll let you know how it goes!

Hey bubbly. I had planned to start the program this week, but my body wasn't having it. I've been doing 20 min on a stationary bike this week, which feels ok. I'm planning to keep cycling for another week, then start the C25K program on 2/13. My three C25K days will be Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, with a yoga or Wii Fit day on Saturday or Sunday. When were you thinking of starting?

Hi, 2bfit. I had this issue right after my surgery--I drove back from San Diego to DC. It was quite the adventure! There are a couple of chains that seem to have consistently better choices: Love's and Pilot. There's another one--Flying J, I think?--but they weren't really common along the route I took. Pilot and Love's usually have Protein drinks in stock, including Bolthouse Farms, which is one of the few commercial drinks I can stomach. A lot of times they also have cheese sticks, boiled eggs, and yogurt of some kind. One of the chains (I don't remember which) usually has a Subway restaurant attached. They have a couple of Soup options. When I was driving they had a broccoli and cheese soup that made Sleevie very, very happy. Then there's the grocery store option. You could stock up on those tuna salad kits or similar pre-packaged meals--if you don't mind them, that is. Hope that helps. Good luck, and enjoy your trip!

That's awesome, cludgie! I look forward to hearing about your progress! Today will be my Day 1...hopefully my knees won't punish me too harshly, lol.

KellyL--thanks for those suggestions! I'll definitely put a crock pot on my list of gadgets to buy. PdxMan--great reminder! I had forgotten about that issue once I got through the crazy "hot flashes" stage of weeks 2 & 3.

Congrats on that great progress! I haven't started weights yet, but I'm starting the couch to 5K cardio program this week. Best of luck to you, and try to stay warm!!

Thanks for those suggestions, Lissa and longer-life. Moisture is definitely going to be key! I really like the dressings idea--time to experiment! I never was much of a cook before getting sleeved, but it looks like that's going to be my new hobby (along with my shiny new-to-me Wii, which I just got this weekend...now I just need to clean my living room so I can set it up!!! lol).

Found out last night that Sleevie detests cheesecake. That's a good thing, of course. {Sad sigh.}

Glad to hear it went well. As others have said, I definitely feel like the anxiety before the first few social occasions was way worse than the reality. Being able to resist all the goodies I would've devoured pre-op is actually really empowering. I have a potluck dinner to attend today, and I'm still a little nervous. But I know it'll be fine.

I've started eating some meats again, and I'm finding that I'm disappointed most of the time. After several chews every meat I've had (tuna, salmon, chicken, shredded pork so far--sadly, I'm allergic to shellfish) becomes so tasteless and yucky that I don't want to swallow it. {Big sigh.} Have others had this experience? I wonder if it's the quality or preparation of the food. Or maybe meat has always been this tasteless underneath all the spices and grease, and I was just inhaling it too quickly to notice?

I'm right there with you. I was sleeved on 12/28. I lost 26 pounds during the 2 weeks before and after surgery, but now I've regained a pound. I keep hearing about the infamous "3 week stall." I'm really hoping that's what's going on with both of us, though I don't have the meds to deal with. That must be frustrating. But hang in there! I'm sure our scales will start moving in the right direction soon!

That's so exciting! Congrats on a successful surgery. I look forward to seeing photos!

This topic reminds me of an article in the NY Times a while back. I don't think that the research was described all that well (at some point maybe I'll look at the original article--maybe on my next serious procrastination session), but it supports what several of y'all have been saying: the math isn't as straightforward as once thought. Here's the article: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/20/health/20brody.html?_r=2 BUT here's a decent critique of the study, for what it's worth: http://www.bulletproofexec.com/nutritional-fundamentalism-why-even-resolute-dieters-often-fail-nytimes-com/

Wow, I'm sorry about this--that must be a hard thing to hear after all the effort you've put into losing weight. Speaking of couches, I'm starting the Couch to 5K program this week. If it would be helpful, you're welcome to join me! Here's my post from earlier today: http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/30145-couch-to-5k-anyone-want-to-join-me/page__fromsearch__1 Either way, I wish you the best with becoming even healthier than you are now!

I'd always bail on plans with friends, saying I was tired or busy--when really I was just avoiding being uncomfortable (particularly in theater seats and little wooden restaurant chairs that felt like they would collapse under me). My favorite line to myself, which I stole from a bumper sticker, was "Fat people are harder to kidnap." That one still makes me giggle.

Congratulations on an awesome achievement! :cheer2:

That's awesome. Just goes to show how food symbolizes comfort!

Hi folks! Today is my 1-month surgiversary/sleeviversary/whatever, and I've decided to start the Couch to 5K program this week. I've just registered for a 5K on April 29th, so that gives me 13 weeks to get ready. (The program is set up for 9 weeks, but I'm giving myself a few weeks' cushion so I can start off slowly.) Does anyone out there want to do the program with me? The schedule is outlined here: http://www.coolrunni...2/2_3/181.shtml There are podcasts and additional resources here: http://www.c25k.com/ I just got the iPhone app, which was $2.99. It's pretty awesome. The most useful feature is the verbal cues to switch from walking to jogging, and vice versa. You can listen to music at the same time, which was important to me--I get bored really, really easily when I try to exercise without my music. If you're looking for a 5K, Active.com is a great resource. Here are their listings (which you can narrow by zip code, etc.): http://search.active...channel=Running Sooooooooo, who's with me? :behindsofa: :party4:

Thanks, everyone! I'm so glad I found this site--people here have been so supportive and helpful as I've begun my VSG journey!

I'm squarely in the money-burning camp, and have been for as long as I can remember. Ugh. I've also become totally obsessed with food, which is new. I'm hoping that will subside once I get into a new normal eating routine. (I'm just one month post-op.) I've been toying with the idea of getting a Wii and getting rid of my home internet connection. I waste so much time websurfing! (Guess that's another addiction to add to the list, right??)

Ditto what others have said--you're doing great! I was also sleeved on 12/28. I can't believe it's been a month!