Lissa

Good luck to all of you!!

So sorry about the problem, but thrilled it was discovered before you were into surgery! Good luck!! This isn't your day for surgery, but it will happen soon, I know!

That's wonderful!! So, instead of being "thinoneday", you should be "thinTODAY".

You're not going to stretch your sleeve with liquids only, so long as you don't keep drinking until you're in serious pain. Then you wouldn't stretch it, the damage would be much worse. I keep saying that I think we should all be required to have some mental therapy before and after surgery because there is so much mental work to be done after any WLS. Not just about food, but about body image and how to deal with other people. I seriously ate my problems before surgery. Now that I can't do that, I'm getting feedback from some of the problem-causers that I have an attitude problem. I've been talking to a therapist about this, because I try to be pleasant. What I'm learning is that pleasant does NOT have to mean doormat. That's just as an example of what I'm talking about above. We don't have a lot of choice but to deal with the issues that we used food to self-medicate before, unless we want to step into crossover addictions like drugs and alcohol. I've always wanted a clear head, so I'm having to really work on my issues. However, the work is worth it in the long run. As for being successful, you'll be just as successful as you want to be. There is definitely work to be done post-op, though. There is nothing easy about WLS, IMO.

23 pounds in 9 weeks is nothing to sneeze at!! Are you drinking enough Water? Getting in enough Protein? Doing some exercise? Avoiding refined sugar and carbs? All of those things make me lose more slowly. Perhaps now is a good time to try My Fitness Pal or another food logging site. List every bite you take and see if there is a trend. Patience is also the most overlooked tool in this journey. Sometimes we just have to keep doing what is required and working towards our goal while our bodies decide to start letting go of some weight. We didn't gain it overnight; we won't lose it quickly either.

Yay! Hope you're having a great time! It sounds like it.

Is there a fee for your help? Not trying to be rude, just wondering.

Congrats! You are doing this at the right time for YOU! It's great that your hubby supports you and that your niece is being sleeved around the same time! You'll have someone to compare notes with as you heal!

Chimera, I've had several major injuries to my left knee and was Dx with RA in both knees pre-op. For a few months after surgery, I had significant pain in both legs and was having a tough time walking/keeping my balance. I make sure I do low impact exercise so that I don't injure either knee. As my weight has dropped, I've noticed that I have less pain. I hope that will be the case for you. I can't offer any advice about your injury, but I will keep you in my prayers.

Diva, we're all a work in progress! Great quote!

On clear and full liquids, I did not have to wait 30 minutes. Once you're back on solid foods, though, if you have soup for a meal you should wait 30 minutes before drinking after eating.

It's when some food goes straight through you. I have this problem with milk post-op. I can drink regular milk and be in the bathroom (TMI) pooping it out in minutes. It's NOT common for sleevers, but it is common for gastric bypass and RNY patients. Mine is because I'm now lactose intolerant.

MyGastricSleeveLife gave a great explanation of bougie sizes. All I'm going to add is a picture of the bougie sizes that someone posted here earlier:

I hope it's nothing, too, but I always worry about the combo of pain and nausea because of seeing other people's experiences. Better to check it out and be safe, IMO. Good luck!

Thanks, Nancy! I actually was looking at an iPod this morning because I'd like to not take my phone into the gym with me. This will be great because I can use it for MFP, Fit Bit and my music without having my phone ring while I'm huffing and puffing.

That first stall is a KILLER, isn't it? It can undermine your determination so badly! Just make sure you meet your Protein and Water goals and keep the faith. Unless you're dumping a ton of empty calories into your body, you will lose weight. It's great that you are working out, but exercise can cause a stall when you first start all by itself. I don't know the reasons behind it, but I'm proof that it can happen that way. BTW, your nut sounds like a NUT job to me. 60 minutes 6 days a week is a great goal to reach, but it's not practical for most people, and it's not where you want to start with exercise. I think walking during lunch at work and doing the elliptical at home is a great start! I literally started with 5 minutes at a time on the treadmill! Now I do at least 30 minutes of cardio per day, plus weights 3 times a week. I've lost over 100 pounds with my routine and I have a lot more free time than many. I don't have 3 small children at home like you do, nor do I have a traditional 40 hour a week job because I'm self-employed. Listen to your nut, to a point. You have to find a routine that works with your lifestyle, not the idealized version of life your nut has dreamed up for you. Good luck! don't let your stall get you down. BTW, have you taken your measurements yet? If not, NOW is a good time to do that and keep them for future reference. I lose inches during stalls, and during stalls is where I notice that my clothes are getting bigger, too.

Congrats on making a great decision for yourself!! I love the list and agree that you should change it to WILL instead of need. You WILL accomplish all of those goals because you ARE determined to meet them.

Thanks, Nancy!!! I like your picture too! You look like you're having fun outside somewhere sunny! It's raining buckets here today (south Florida).

My doctor says no straws ever. I use an acrylic to go cup with a straw almost every day, though. However, I didn't start using it until 4 or 5 months post-op. For me, it helps me keep my water consumption high... and I'm more willing to drink my water if it's in something that keeps it cold.

I love shopping for undies now, although I have to make myself only buy a few pair since I know they won't fit for long. I dropped a size in them each time I drop a size in pants and the time frame depends on how fast I drop that pants size. In the last few months that's happend much faster than before.

BTW, GREAT choice for the member spotlight! PDXMan is one of my inspirations here!

Wow! Thanks!! I guess that, for once, my long-windedness is paying off! The iPod touch will be great for those gym workouts!

Michelle, I always order a glass of water when I'm out. I'll drink water until the food comes, then wait a few minutes before I start eating since the food usually needs to cool anyway. No one notices because I'll either ask for a to go box and take my time dividing up the meal, or I'll start pushing my food around my plate. By the time I'm ready to eat my little bit of food, most of them are seriously into their meals anyway.

Water dilutes the food in your sleeve and pushes it through faster, making it easy to eat more than you should. You want your protein to stay in your sleeve so that you don't get hungry quickly and mindlessly snack.

SDB is a man, so I'd take his advice on how to convince your husband to go along with surgery. However, my hubby wasnt supportive pre-op either. Nowadays, all he can do is brag to people about how much weight I've lost and how much better I look.