Lissa

You look amazing! Congrats on your victory!! That last 10 pounds is WHERE?

I don't think a single babybel and 3 slices of turkey sounds like a lot, even for 7 weeks out. If you're chewing well, then you aren't hurting anything as long as you don't have pain after you eat. Protein is very important, so that sounds pretty good to me.

I think almost everyone gains a pound or two when they first start solids. It WILL pass. You cannot eat enough to truly gain anything right now. Chew well, eat what your sleeve tolerates and try not to eat anything that's too dense for your sleeve. It will be awhile before it can really handle steak or raw veggies, but you will get there. Good luck!!

Glad to see that you're back! I'm thrilled you're enjoying your Tatum! Have a safe trip!!

You should try the Mio drops. I love them because you can add as much or as little as you like. They also have unusual flavors like Strawberry and Watermelon, or Berry Pomegranate. Nowhere near as sweet as other SF drinks, IMO.

Yay for you!!

The only tips I can offer are actually against my doc's advice. Chew, chew, chew. But, I keep my phone next to me and I read, or post, or play a game while I'm eating. My nut and doc say to concentrate on the food, and I do, but I can't JUST do that. I've been multi-tasking for way too many years!

I go back and forth between ordering a meal and having the wait person bring me a box with the meal, or just ordering soup. I discovered something I love at bob evans the other day, bean soup! It tastes just like my mom used to make and they served it with a side of pumpkin bread. Two bites of the bread, most of the Beans, a little broth and I was pleasantly full. Bonus, I didnt' have to make beans at home later. I also love bbq chicken and ribs. I can usually eat 2-3 small ribs, or a leg/thigh of smoked chicken. I'm just starting to add veggies back in, so I order salad at the bbq place. I make mine very light on the lettuce, and heavy on eggs, broccoli, beets and such.

Congrats! What a great victory for you!!!

Amen!! I am looking forward to reaching goal in 2012. For the first time in my adult life, I am actually confident that I will WILL make it to goal. I love my sleeve, too!

I'm on the same "exercise plan" as coffee, although I'm not up to 2 miles a day yet. Go Coffee!!! I started out walking up and down the hallway in my house, then around the short end of my apartment building, then the long way around, until I walked around the lake in the complex about 3 weeks out. I felt like Rocky! Now, I'm walking 3 times a week on the treadmill, about 1.5 miles and that takes me a full 30 minutes, but I'm doing it! I alternate with riding the exercise bike... I'm working on getting to California via bike and treadmill so I can visit Lil Miss Diva! As for how to you change your mindset, you just do it a little at a time. Once the endorphins, or feel good hormones, start kicking in, it will be easier to make yourself walk/ride/run/lift weights, etc. BTW, if we're gonna have a crossover addiction, exercise is sure the way to go, IMO!!

That "bloated pain feeling" was my signal that I was full, or that I was drinking too fast, right after surgery. Walk, walk, walk, sip, sip, sip, repeat is the only thing I can suggest. And, of course, ask your doctor about anything that concerns you. It's much better to be proactive and ask questions than to suffer in silence! Welcome to the loser's bench and good luck on your journey!!

Sittng Pretty, Post some pics! We'll comment and brag on your weight loss! No, you don't NEED validation, but we'll provide it anyway.

Pammie, Good luck with your surgery today! I know you won't read this until you're on the other side, but my thoughts are with you!

Curious, Welcome to VST! I'm almost 4 months post op and down 70 pounds. This was the best decision I've ever made for myself. I had a ton of co-morbidities, and they are almost all resolved. I'm a few pounds away from my doctor removing my bi-pap because my sleep apnea should be completely resolved by then. Like you, I've had friends who have had other surgeries and I was repulsed by what they went through. One gal had a gastric bypass in the late 90's and was always running to the bathroom because she ate one bite too much. Then, after she lost her weight, she had major plastic surgery and I was "privileged" to see the stitches. UGH. Others have had different surgeries and gained back all their weight. I knew I wanted something that I could live with for life and that would help/make me resolve my food issues. For me, the sleeve has done that. I'm still a work in progress, but it helps me decide to eat what I should eat rather than stuffing myself with junk. By the time I meet my nutritional requirements every day, I don't usually have room for junk. However, I can still have a treat if I wish to do so without worrying about dumping syndrome. I am glad you're doing your research and I hope you'll choose the right weight loss surgery for you. Good luck on your journey!!

I was self pay and paid nearly $13k out of pocket. I advise talking to the hospital and surgeon and findng out what the worst case scenario is if you have to pay 30% of the cost. Then you can apply for a loan somewhere just to make sure you have your portion covered. There are tons of options, a bank loan, line of credit on the house (if you own), perhaps a loan from a family member. Last resorts are using credit cards or a medical loan (like Care Credit) for your portion. The hospital and doctor might even let you make payments before or after surgery to cover your portion. And, you might get incredibly lucky and they accept your insurance payments as payment in full. Don't let this be the reason you don't get surgery, especially after you've jumped through hoops for approval. As I always say IRL, there's more than one way to skin that cat. Although I've never figured out why anyone would want to skin a cat.... Good luck!!

Yep, call the doc now. I think some of the tiredness might be normal because this week I've been really tired. But, the low blood pressure, not a good sign. Please let us know what the doc says!

I think that's a major NSV!!! I am personally an NSV ho. I keep track of them and look for them like a monkey looking for somethng shiny! LOL I've stalled a couple of times, but every time I stall, I find lots of NSVs to concentrate on. Pants and clothes being too big? Oh, yeah, MAJOR NSV! I'd be happy-dancing, and did when I walked out of a pair of pants a few weeks ago. 42 pounds is phenomenal, and it will just keep getting better!

You are losing your fat layer. Between not having the "insulation" and the hormones being out of whack, you will be cold more than before. Apparently the fat stores lots of hormones and they are released as the fat goes away. The only thing to do is to keep a sweater with you at all times and add a couple of blankets to the bed. I have 3 quilts on my bed right now and, despite living in Florida, I keep a warm sweater handy all the time. Good luck!!

Crawford, I had some very minor stuff like gas and some shoulder pain, too. But I'm so happy I did this. And 70 pounds down in under 4 months isn't bad either!! Lissa

Sorry you had problems, but welcome to the loser's bench!! :$ Lissa

That Shepherd's Pie sounds yummy!! And, it's a good way to sneak in some veggies. I'll have to try it!!

Sheryl, Good for you that you can handle an egg. I am amazed that you ate a whole one, but each sleeve is different! 49erFamily, Just keep sipping. It will get easier to drink as time goes by and you'll find yourself forgetting to sip. Are you at least getting in 32 ounces a day? Good luck to you both!

I write my questions down in the note app on my phone as I think of them. When I go to the doctor, I ask my questions in whatever order they are in and write down the answers in the same app. If needed, I email the doc to myself so I can print the instructions he gave me. I'm sure my doc LOLs when I leave, because I always seem to be asking dumb questions. My last visit, I asked him to look at a lump on my side between where my drain was and the next incision in. After he spent a few minutes palpating the lump, he told me it was a fibroid and that I had lost the padding over it! I felt so dumb, but he was so kind about it that I got over that quickly...then I asked my next "dumb" question. Truthfully, the only dumb question is the one you don't ask and then spend days or weeks worrying over in your mind. I think a doctor would prefer a well-informed, curious patient over a nervous person who is afraid to ask questions. Good luck with your journey!! And, may I offer my sympathy for your mother!

KyGal, Nope, your weight loss isn't average. It's PERFECT for you!! I started at a higher BMI as well and have only lost two pants sizes since being sleeved. However, I have found tons of other changes that make the pants sizes not matter. I can walk better, feel better, have more energy. Even my DH being a Richard Cranium didn't sink me or sent me into a frenzy of eating crap. Being on the way to goal and knowing it has made a huge difference for me, and will make that difference for you as well! You're doing great and working (ROCKIN') that sleeve!! You go girl!!!