Lissa

Amen to that, BBJ! It is much easier to hyrdrate my 250 pound body versus my old 350 pound body!!

I drank during my power walks after surgery. Around the end of the building 3 times a day, then around the big end of the building 3 times a day! LOL at me. I can manage to get a drink on any cardio machine: elliptical, treadmill or bike. I try not to glug when I'm working out because it makes my tummy hurt. But, you will be able to drink more than a sip fairly quickly after surgery. We all suggest sipping because you don't want to overfill your new sleeve and make it hurt, especially early post-op!

Good luck! You're embarking on the hardest part of this journey! It will be over in a hurry, though. You can do ANYTHING for 14 days, right?!

As long as you know it's normal, just take a few deep breaths and remind yourself of why you wanted to take this journey. You'll be on the loser's bench soon and then you'll be wondering why you were so nervous. You get to do the easy part: take a nap. The doctor has to do the work!

Yep, the nerves affect us all differently. Take it as a bonus since you won't need to take something to clean out your system.

I swear by the exercise bike for my legs. The elliptical is good, too.

Well, we like new people, so come on in, pull up a seat, grab a protein shake, and hang out awhile!

I have no clue what plasmapheresis is, but it sounds terrifying! I'm not sure why your incisions would be purple. Are you perhaps allergic to something in the wine? Of course, it could be totally unrelated to the wine. You could have been really hot today and the incisions are dark because your body temperature is up. I'd call the doctor, but only because of your history with the leak. I hope it's nothing. Good luck!!

Good luck to both of you!! Candyman, I remember when you first posted that your family wasn't thrilled about your having the surgery. Have they come around? I hope so. You deserve their support and blessing!! Can't wait to see you on the loser's bench!

Oh, Neva, Everyone hits that three week stall. Yours may have come early since you have a lower BMI than a lot of us. Just keep looking for those NSVs and the SVs will follow right along! You're doing great!!!

De nada, Amy! You're the one doing all the work!!

You have a gift for motivational posts! I can only imagine how much your students love you!!! Thanks for the reminder that we're all here by the grace of God!

BTW, someone posted on another thread that they wanted to know where to get motivation to exercise? These pictures motivate the heck out of me!! I want to be where she is!!! This proves that it's possible... and notice that little tiny tummy? That's with NO surgery!! Yeah, Irene, YOU ROCK!!!!!!!!!!!!

I remember that it seemed like forever before I'd be sleeved and now the time seems like it's flying by again. It will get here sooner than you think. BTW, HOW do you have time to worry or think with FOUR small children? I'm in awe of you! Good luck!!

Great job on all three fronts! You're exercising, plus eating right and you dumped those nasty smokes! You go girl!!!

LOL, Tibbie! I'm sure he'll be rolling his eyes when I show up with neon green waders to match my pole!

Well, I'm living this deal and it seems like magic to me. I've lost 100 pounds in 8.5 months, something I couldn't even imagine before surgery!

Have you got a brand in mind? Look at the nutrition information. Most of the pills I've seen have collagen as the main source. Collagen Protein is NOT available to our bodies. The other thing I saw was that each pill had 1-2 grams of protein. I personally would not want to try to swallow 10 or 20 of those pills just to get in a few grams of protein. I'd drink more chicken broth (3g of protein per cup, plus some liquid toward your Water count) or find a Protein shake I could stand. If you're on mushies, mix some Protein powder into SF Jello or pudding or cottage cheese. Heck, mix some unflavored protein into the chicken broth. I wouldn't take the protein pills myself.

Chew ice. Even if you swallow the ice whole, it will dissolve in your tummy. It will give you the sensation of chewing. I do recommend that it be either crushed ice or Sonic ice, just because that will be easier. The bonus is that you'll get some more water. I didn't do this because I have sensitive teeth, but I thought it was brilliant when another new post-op posted it!

Square, At least you started researching what you wanted and have some knowledge. That guy is going to be one of the ones who is whining in six months that his weight loss stopped and he has no idea why. You, otoh, are going to reach your goal. He will be jealous of you!!!

Girl, You so fine!!!

I started at a 53 BMI. You can see my success in my tickers below! I think I'm a success story, and my surgeon and other doctors agree!

LOL at Pookey!! ForensicChick, I think you're the perfect person to do that at his seminar!!

Wow, Bubba!! Look at you go!! You need to change that from a turtle to a rabbit!!

Eggs get a lot of people. They go along fine eating the eggs pureed or fried, then they try scrambled and the eggs make them sick. It's a guessing game sometimes, but it does get better!