Lissa

You're really rocking that sleeve! You look fantastic!!!

Check with the hospital about a week before surgery to see if they need to "approve" your machine. The engineering dept at my hospital had to inspect my bipap before I could use it due to fire or electrical code issues. Also, you might want to ask the hospital if you must bring the machine or if just your tubing and mask will do. I could have just taken my mask and tubing, but my pressure is so high that my machine is set to gradually increase the pressure and I wanted that feature, especially right after surgery.

I did 3 weeks of pre-op diet and I remember how tough that was. Afterwards, I drank a lot of broth, ate SF popsicles and walked a lot. I've heard that some folks have found relief for the "hunger" (which is all in our heads) by chewing ice. It's tough on your teeth, but it IS chewing.

Oh, and don't try to force the whole 1/4 cup into your sleeve. Your nut probably intends for you to eat NO MORE THAN a 1/4 cup.

I had a book I used right after surgery as well. I switched to My Fitness Pal and it works so much better, plus you can track your exercise and weight progress on there. You can look under the summary and see where you're at with carbs, Protein, calories, sodium, etc as you go through the day, which I find very helpful. That tells me if I'm going to be able to have some veggies or fruit or if I need to stick to protein for dinner. I'm Lissa912 on MFP if you decide to join and want some friends.

My lactose intolerance is easing up in a big way. I ate some cottage cheese tonight and actually had some regular milk last week without problems. However, I was careful to keep the portions small. I never tried the lactaid pills.

That's awesome!!

I don't know either. I can do about 5 minutes on the elliptical and I'm dying, but I'm trying to incorporate it since it's supposed to be AWESOME cardio! It hits my first goal of cardio in a hurry, which is that I want to SWEAT like a pig while I'm doing cardio. I'm switching up because the bike is getting too easy... and the treadmill is harder on my legs than the elliptical. I'll be watching for answers from someone who knows better than I.

Congrats! The difference in your photos is amazing!!!

My word right now is energy! I have lost 94 pounds and I have so much energy it should be criminal!! I am now complaining about various areas of loose skin, but I'd rather have loose skin without the 94 pounds than firm skin with the 94 pounds. I do wear a 1 piece bathing suit these days to go to the pool or hot tub, and I'm down 10+ sizes (depends on the day of the week and TOM), so I suppose I have nothing to complain about.

I'm still using my BiPap machine at 90+ pounds down. My doctor thinks I will eventually be able to pack it up, but right now it's still sitting there. I'm used to it at this point and I don't sleep well when I don't use it. I did have a second sleep study about six weeks ago that proves I still need the darn machine. But, my repeat EKG shows good improvement in my heart function, so I'll tolerate the machine.

Huge difference! You're looking great! Keep rocking your sleeve!!

I didn't have any pain when my drain was removed. It was more like that sinking sensation from a roller coaster and it was over in a second.

You can google 5 day pouch test, but Lil Miss Diva has a pinned thread under (I think) Food and Nutrition that is a 5 day cleanse for us sleevers. Check it out.

Foxbins, I love the "food lube" comment! I eat a lot of shrimp, seafood, crab meat when I go out. At home, I usually do chicken or steak. I'm loving the individual steak fajita strips right now.

Nope, you don't want to be thanksgiving full, but the full feeling becomes more normal. Basically, as you heal, the swelling in your sleeve goes down and allows you to put more food into the sleeve. Once you get to that point, you'll start eyeballing or measuring your food so that you get your Protein first and then a little veggies. There's nothing wrong with using your fruits/veggies as your snack either. Lots of us do that. I'm 8 months out and still can't do much in the way of raw veggies or fruits, but I can eat 1/4 cup of steamed veggies, broccoli being my first choice with collard greens a close second. I'd put collards first, but I hate cooking them! It will become easier to get veggies in as you go along. Just keep working your sleeve and you'll get there.

If you suspect you are already dehydrated, 1 more day could be fatal. Go to the ER and tell hubby the best thing he can do is encourage you to drink more water. Water is a super food, especially right now.

Yay! That sounds like a blast!!!

Do what you can to make sure things will run smoothly in your absence. Remember why you chose VSG and the surgeon you're going to have do the surgery. Have faith that things will go well. 99% of the time, it's all over in a couple of hours, plus a couple of weeks of restricted diet pre and post op. After that, it's real life ramped up on energy and weight loss! I was convinced I'd die, but decided I'd rather die trying to control what I could than die because I couldn't control my eating. I have an aunt who has had over 20 surgeries related to her obesity. I decided I'd rather have ONE surgery than 20. Good luck to you all!

Have a SF ice cream or a cup of broth. Yum it up on the taste of either one! You'll be able to eat soon and all this will fade into the mists of time. I know it's tought, but it's SO worth it!!!

I have no regrets. Look under my picture and you'll see 1 reason why. Look at my ticker and you'll see the other. I'd have given my eyeteeth to lose 100 pounds and here I am, nearly there. I did have one moment of "What did I do?" about a month ago. I was actually thinking to myself "What if I starve to death because I can't eat enough later?" And then I smacked myself in the head, went back to working out and got over it. I'm in NO danger of starving to death, and won't be even when I hit goal. The only thing I regret is not having done this sooner.

I'm not an old timer, but I agree about the blood work. I feel tired when I don't take my b12 and Biotin. It may be in my head, but it's worth a shot. Good luck and please let us know if you solve it!

Take your pain meds! And walk! That's the two things that help the most. The pain meds are given to you for a reason and walking will help all that gas work it's way out of your system. I hope you feel better soon!

I had my consult with the "personal trainer" at my gym today. He's a very buff kid named Kyle and Kyle spewed forth the standard "High weights, low reps" crap. I listened, smiled, and did what I know works. He also recommended cardio as a warm up to my every other day weight routine, plus doing the bulk of my cardio after I work out with the weights. I do 30 minutes a day, period, but I may split that to before/after weights because I found that I had more energy for cardio after the weights. One thing he wanted that I refused to do was a "baseline" test to see if I can do a pull up. Um, no, I can't, and I'm not about to injure my shoulder to prove that to him. I seriously doubt I've ever met a woman who can do a pull up at 250 + pounds. I'm not sure I know many women who could do a pull up period, except maybe Lil Miss Diva or Blackberry Juice! The consult was interesting, but not super informative. The best information I got was on form as an essential in doing the weights properly.

Yay!!! I know I told you this before, but you inspire and motivate me to keep on keepin' on!! And I still adore your smile! It's a million watter!!