Lissa

I tell anyone who asks about my weight loss how I did it. BUT, I have a different personality than many. I'm not intimidated by many people and I have no problem standing up for myself. At one time, my "level" was sleeve evangelist. I think that's a perfect title for me. I find myself wanting to tell obese strangers about my surgery and success so far!

I had a drain as well, but I was specifically told not to milk the tube. My instructions were to empty the drain morning and evening, collapsing the bottle by rolling it up to force out the air and putting the plug back in before releasing the bottle. It was kind of icky to drain it, but mine wasn't that horrible. Of course, I'm more than 4 months post op, so that may affect my memory of the drain.

Cali, You are rocking that sleeve, girl!!!! I see a HUGE difference in those two pictures. I'm a big fan of taking regular progress pics and comparing them, looking for the changes in our bodies! Great job!!!

When the doc pulled my drain I had that sensation you get on a roller coaster, like your tummy dropping.

You're doing well, despite the scale. Being able to walk further is amazingly wonderful, isn't it? I count shopping time as cardio on MFP! I am rooting for you! There is no way you're going to NOT rock that sleeve! You are going to get to goal, just like me!! Still loving seeing those smiling pics!!

Yay for NSVs!!! You look fantabulous!! No matter what size, you have a million watt smile! I'm so thrilled you're rocking that sleeve! Lissa

Down 81 pounds and so back to normal that the only time I remember I had surgery is when I sit down to eat. No fatigue, some coldness, walk better, more energy. I have brain fog today, but that's completely unrelated to surgery. Lissa

. It's all I could come up with. Maybe that will fix the weirdness. Lissa

Checked the battery in the scale? Lissa

Roll=will Lissa

Thank you all for your support! It's all such a shock right now and it's still sinking in for me. I am going to the gym in a few minutes to work out, then I will call the family. It's going to be strange not talking to her every day. I'm going to be pinch hitting for any work she had scheduled this week, so that roll help keep me busy, too. Lissa

The sleeve will help. It's a tool, not a magic wand, but it will help you lose weight. Nerves are normal before surgery, but you've done your research and you trust your surgeon, right? Then you should be fine!! Good luck!! Lissa

So, one of my best friends died yesterday. Because it was a sudden unexplained death, an autopsy will be done. I suspect a stroke. I'm totally in shock here and not dealing with it well. I need some suggestions for how to deal with this one, especially since I can't turn to my old friend food. Lissa

My drain site oozed a clear pink Fluid after the drain was removed 8 days post-op. doc put a big bandage on it for three more days and it quit draining by the time I took off the bandage. I would probably have someone take a look at it. Lissa

I got an amazing surprise from my sleeve, 10 pounds lost in two days!! So. CW is 271.0 Pounds to goal: 11 Lissa

I visited two surgeons as well. I spoke with dr Michael Cho at strax rejuvenation in ft lauderhill and he was nice, but his office made me feel like I was in line at a deli. I mentioned WLS to my best friend who worked in the ER at Sebastian River Hispital. She told me about this fantastic Wls surgeon who does his surgeries there. 1 seminar and three office appointments (and tons of research) later and I was sleeved on August 30, 2011 by dr Patrick Domkowski. I adore Dr D. They don't have Center of Excellence status yet, but they are working toward it and should be certified this summer. Lissa

I think you're doing fine. You are correct that you won't be able to eat much. You may not believe how fast your sleeve fills up once you are on solids. Congrats and good luck!! Lissa

I have told a couple of really worried looking waiters that I've had surgery. I've also used someone else's excuse of I had a big meal earlier. I even told one waiter that I am "working on losing weight" and had eaten my allotted calories for that meal. Those who know me know that I don't count calories, but it's an excuse no one questions. Lissa

Map=MFP. My fitness pal. Darn auto-correct!! Lissa

Your nut wants to know what you're eating now?? I didn't have to do that pre-op, but every program is different. I would ask them if they can d/l my fitness pal. If not, then do it on paper. I started out using a book to track my food, but map is easier because I always have my phone. Lissa

Oh, bionic broad, I def feel you on Man vs Food!! I could tolerate him before, but watching him eat now gags me, too!! I also cannot sit down for a meal with my 21 year old son and his girlfriend. Their table manners are fine, but I can't stand seeing the speed and amounts they eat! My son ate 4 hot digs at one 5 minute sitting the other night!!! And, restaurant portions are out of this world huge!! I ordered wings yesterday and the plate they brought me had 10 huge wings on it...for an appetizer portion! I guess it's me that has changed, but wow!! Years ago, the tv show ER had two doctors of African descent talking about portion sizes in America. One of the doctors said she had seen a woman drinking a "bucket of soda" that morning. I have a better idea what she meant now! Lissa

I don't worry about ANY numbers other than getting in my 70 grams of Protein and 64 oz of Water. Period. Your doc or nut may have different goals for you, but I've been successful so far with what I'm doing. I've list 81 pounds in 4 months. Good luck!! Lissa

I take several pills first thing in the am and I have found that one mini babybel cheese eaten just before taking the pills keeps me from getting nauseous. You're probably not up to cheese yet, but it may help down the road. I sent you a long pm, so I'll just say good luck!! Lissa

I can assure you I've never even noticed that aspect of a guy (how far down the jewels hang). Lissa

It is totally unacceptable for a man, ANY man, to talk to you like that!!! And to encourage your kids to chime in is inexcusable!! It is called ABUSE and it is exactly as if he hit you and then stood by while onlookers kicked and punched you. You say you have been putting up with this for Ten years?!? I would have told this bozo goodbye long ago. Verbal abuse is insidious and wears down our self esteem, then causes us to believe the crap the abuser is saying. I am thrilled that you are doing wLS for yourself! That is a positive step in the right direction. You need to also set some boundaries with your kids and hubby. The kids are not allowed to be rude and disrespectful to you, no matter what hubby says or does. I wouldn't let hubby continue with that crap either, even if it meant you are continually saying "you are not allowed to be rude and nasty to me". He will either get the picture quickly, or he would be EX hubby. My dh is very similar to yours in that he thinks he is allowed to say anything he likes to me and use me as a scapegoat for all his problems. The difference is that mine will soon be an ex because I won't tolerate being treated like that. Good luck!! Lissa