Lissa

It's really not that difficult to change up your activities. Instead of going out to eat with friends, why not go to a movie, or visit a bookstore? If you're up for more active things, taking walks, going swimming, or even playing pool require concentration without food involved. I'm working on getting back into some of my pre-op hobbies, like sewing and reading. I've also added a daily swim (more like a dog paddle) to my routine and, of course, hitting the gym. When going out to eat, if you're really close with someone, you could always share a meal instead of ordering two separate meals. It brings the cost down considerably as well.

Since you have a crock pot, the sky is the limit. I really like pork cooked in the crockpot, although you may have to get creative about sauces since tomatoes are out. Almost anything is better, in my opinion, with some kind of sauce cooked with it. You can do beans in the crockpot as well. Pink beans cook up easily and don't have the same gas properties as pinto beans, plus dried beans are really cheap. You can up the protein content of beans quickly with just a little meat, and it adds flavor. Cooked pinto beans can be turned into refried beans fairly easily and can be "just" pureed to make a dip of sorts if that sounds appealing to you.

That's very cool! Thank you!!

Well, I'm up to 12 minutes on the helliptical! I am doing the arms and legs together. I feel better balanced when I do both at the same time. I'm definitely feeling it in my thighs, especially the muscles just above my knees! I do my helliptical time, then my (at least) 30 minutes on the bike. I definitely see the results happening quickly!

Ayay, This is NOT a diet. This is a lifestyle change. I don't know how far post-op you are, but I'm guessing you're in the 3-5 weeks category. If so, search here for the 3 week stall. Almost everyone goes through that stall and finds that the scale is standing still for a bit. Take your measurements now, so you have something to refer to later, pay attention to how your clothes are fitting as well. Are they looser? If you did take pre-op measurements, are you losing inches? I lost my first pants size during my 3 week stall. I put them on, zipped them up, and they fell to the ground! I'm not following any diet except: 70grams of Protein and 64 oz of Water per day. I don't track calories, carbs, or anything else. I have started adding in more "good" carbs because I've upped my exercise routine, but that's about the only time I worry about carbs. Stalls will happen, but they happen because your body needs the time to adjust to the changes. I shape-shifted in the last few months, losing a good bit of mass in my hips and thighs and developing muscle definition in my arms, tummy and thighs. In that same three months, I lost 10 pounds. Now my weight loss has started up again, but I imagine that I'll go through another shift in a month or so. The best advice I can offer you is this: Don't let the scale run your life. Weigh less often and concentrate on your protein and water goals. The weight will take care of itself. Add in some exercise, even if it's 5 minutes on the treadmill or exercise bike. Once it's part of your routine, you'll miss exercise when you don't do it. Good luck!

I've been high energy ever since surgery, but the first few days were a struggle to walk more and I was still trying to figure out my full signal. I had lots of pain in my left shoulder, kind of a dull achy feeling. I finally figured out that my shoulder was telling me when my sleeve was full, Duh on me! I remember forcing myself to walk: up and down the hallway in my apartment, around the smaller end of my building. I took over walking my dog from my son just to make myself walk. People are sick of hearing it, but the best thing to do immediately after this surgery is walk, walk, walk and sip, sip, sip. It's the fastest way to help your body heal.

Lay-Lay, I'm only allowed Tylenol as well. I've had two migraines since surgery, on the same day. One was the silent, behind the eyes type, and the other was a full-fledged migraine. I took my tylenol, laid down with a cool cloth and killed every noise maker in the house. Both went away fairly quickly and I figured out later that I ate something with MSG in it, which is a trigger for me. One migraine since surgery is pretty good, IMO. I used to have about 1 a month, so 1 in 9 months is awesome! Especially considering that I figured out the trigger immediately.

If you think you're dehydrated, work on getting in some more fluids. Water, pedialyte, G2 are all suggestions I've seen. Some people have had luck drinking their liquids from a spoon to avoid nausea. Eat SF popsicles or some crushed ice to help with hydration. Try changing up temperatures. I personally loved broth early post-op. The warmth was soothing to my little sleeve. If you're severely dehydrated, it might be time to go to an urgent care of ER. That might not be a bad idea anyway. I always worry when people say they have thrown up bile/stomach acids. Good luck!!

Well, Change, I just have to say that VSG saved my life. I am a whole different person now than I was on August 30, 2011. I've lost over 100 pounds and I'm three days away from 9 months out. Before surgery, I could barely walk from my car to my front door and now I'm a gym rat! With a lower BMI, your results will be even more dramatic, not to mention that you'll avoid a slew of health problems caused by obesity and a sedentary lifestyle. It's always better to prevent future problems rather than treat them after they show up! Good luck! There's a search bar at the top right of the page. Use it freely. We discuss EVERYTHING here related to weight loss and quite a bit that isn't WLS related.

Don't get in too big a hurry pre-op about buying shakes or Protein powder. Most of us have had a major change in our tastebuds post-op. I couldn't stand anything sweet for months after surgery. As for going back to work afterwards, it will depend on what your job requires. I was back at work at 8 days, and probably could have gone back sooner, but I had a drain and didn't want to mess with that while working. I was back at work the same afternoon that hte drain was pulled, though. My energy level has been really high, but some people have reported that they felt like they were dragging afterwards. It is major surgery, and a lot depends on how you react to it.

No strawberries till six months is the only rule I had.

Stronger_Diva is doing Insanity right now and has a post about it here. She's documenting her journey with the Insanity tape. It may give you some helpful information to read that thread.

Sounds like everything is moving along nicely! Good luck!! You'll be sleeved a few days before my anniversary! August is a great month for sleevers!

I actually pulled a couple of stitches out that worked their way to the surface. I just used tweezers and it wasn't a big deal. If it's painful, leave it alone, but do keep it clean and dry. It will either dissolve or work it's way further out. You might want to call your doctor, just to make yourself feel better.

Lots and lots of people here went to Mexico. We even have a forum about Self-Pay and Mexico sleevers. Check it out for reviews of the various doctors and for posts about people's experiences there!

CT! I'm so happy to see you!! Yeah, she got you, but you're lucky to have her too, which I'm sure you know! I can't speak to the restriction (or lack thereof) because bread still kicks my butt. However, I wanted to say congrats and welcome home!

No, Laura. My MD is average weight, but he's of oriental extraction and I'm sure has never had a weight problem in his life. @@ He always had this disappointed look on his face when he saw my weight. I can't wait until I'm at goal and go in for my checkup, just to watch him eat his words!

Kathy, I self-paid. No insurance requirements and no need for a letter from him. I've been seeing my PCP since I was 11 and I'm 45 now. He's seen my struggles with my weight and how hard I've tried to lose it on my own, yet he still kept telling me no to WLS. I finally said FU and went my own way after major health complications. Oh, and while he was saying No to WLS, he kept listing me as a "non-compliant, morbidly obese female". Um, if I'm morbidly obese, maybe it's time to suggest WLS! Now, he gushes over my weight loss, even though he frowns every time I remind him that WLS got me started. What a moron. He needs replacing.

I started taking 2 Centrum chewables a day (1 morning, 1 night) during my pre-op and post-op liquid diets. When I got to solid foods, I dropped to one chewable multi per day. Because of other meds I was on, I took 2 Tums twice a day for calcium. I also take a 500 mcg B12 daily, plus Biotin. Starting at about 7.5 months, I switched to non-chewable Vitamins with slightly higher values than the chewables. Mine are Spectravite (CVS house brand) for women. All of my vitamins have been vetted and approved by two different doctors, my surgeon and my pulmonologist. I don't even ask my PCP questions because he is totally against WLS and is no support at all.

That's wonderful!! You're REALLY rocking that sleeve, lady!!

I hope you get the kind of back pain relief you're seeking. I know my knee pain has almost completely gone away. I say almost because I overdid it on Thursday night and had slightly sore knees yesterday. It's nice knowing the pain is from too much exercise, though, rather than being caused by my excess weight. Has your doctor indicated that taking the weight off might help with the back pain and frequency of your spinal epidurals? Either way, I hope it helps!! Good luck!!

AzQuilter, Onederland means that your weight now begins with a 1 instead of a 2, so down from 200+ pounds into the 100+ pound range.

Pookey has a good point. There's no point in having great reviews on a doctor in south Florida if you're in Michigan and can't travel that far. It's also nice to have a somewhat local doctor if you have questions or complications. Follow up care is much easier with a local doctor, too. There are some terrific surgeons in and out of the US. I bet 75% of us are happy with the doctors we chose as far as their care, so you'll have a really tough choice if you are able to travel anywhere in the States for your surgery.

Okay, I was doing fine till you posted about peanut butter frosting! Now I want a cupcake! No fair!!!

that conscious sedation was pretty cool!!