Lissa

One other thing, my tech told me that insurance requires an average of 4 hours use a night for 90 days to continue to cover the machine. That was a great motivator for me to use the mask. I'd tell myself to just use it for the 4 hours and then I could take it off. Of course, I ended up sleeping through the night with it very quickly. That's the same head game I play with myself for exercise: "Oh, you only have to do so many minutes on the bike, or so many reps with the weights". By the time I'm done with that small amount of time or reps, I'm okay to continue to whatever my real goal is for the day.

I'd count every ounce of it!!!

Fear is normal. It's how we know we're alive. All of us go through it just before surgery, but the complication rate is very low, especially in an obese population, which is what we are. I have a diabetic aunt who has had 20+ surgeries due to her complications of diabetes. Eye operations, foot and toes operated on, including a toe amputation, surgeries to "release" a nerve in her arm, more eye operations to help prevent blindness, a stroke or 3, a couple of mild heart attacks and boils, boils, boils that have had to be lanced, cut out, and stitched to heal. SHE was my major inspiration for going through with my surgery. Well, her and my doctor telling me I had a year to live if I didn't get this weight off my body. Those two things also motivate me to go to the gym and exercise every day. One surgery is WAY better than enduring all the crap my aunt has suffered.

I've found that Wendy's chili is great for me. I can eat about half of a small (about $1.50 here) and save the other half for later. Tons of protein, easy to eat even if I'm driving (spoon? No thanks) and yummy. Since they give you a lid with it, it's easy to save. I always ask for a little cheese in mine, just to up the protein content a little more.

Capt Derel, Good to see a picture of you! I ate Easter dinner at my aunt's last weekend...and I planned it so that I could eat what I wanted. Holidays are one day where I don't worry about Protein or about whether or not something is going to fit into my eating plan. I had some turkey, ham, a devilled egg, a bite of sweet potatoes, green Beans, and mashed taters, and much later a little bit of cheese cake for dessert. I was SO full afterwards that I walked around the block to help things go on through. One of my other aunts made a comment about not wanting to be so restricted that she was forced to eat a single bite of each thing, then walk it off. I thought that was insane because I had plenty of food. I actually stood in the kitchen to eat and watched what everyone else put on their plates and ATE. My thoughts were "No wonder we're all fat!" A cousin made my mom's recipe for carrot cake and was (I heard later) offended that I didn't eat any of that. So, let me get this straight, now I'm offending you because I DIDN'T eat something? @@ It's a never-ending circle and some people will be offended no matter what we do. We have to make the choices that fit our lives and our sleeves. The upside is that apparently I was THE topic of conversation whenever I was not in earshot. Everyone is speculating on whether I'll actually "get skinny" and how long it will take me to gain it back. But, for the first time ever, I was smaller than all my aunts and all but one (very young) cousin.

While you're on the liquid stage, you do NOT have to wait half an hour before/after eating, because it's ALL liquid. I didn't have to wait before drinking until I started on mushies, although I didn't drink Water while I was drinking a shake or Protein source. You can also count the liquid on the liquid stages as part of your daily liquid intake, in case anyone didn't tell you that. It will get better. The head games our brains play with us SUCK.

obesity help message board

I'm forever indebted to the friend who told me to just make myself wear the mask. I use a full face mask (covers mouth and nose) and I'm so used to it now that I can't use the nose mask. I put the mask on for awhile during the day before the first night I slept with it. I did that to prove to myself that I can breathe through the mask even without the machine on and to get used to how it feels. My apnea has improved but it's not gone yet. Darn it! I am pretty much addicted to the mask/machine to sleep with now, even if I'm catching a nap. But, I notice that I don't need as much sleep as before and I feel so much better when I use it. You will get used to it, but it does take a night or two. I bought some Biotin gel to put in my mouth at night and it helps keep me from getting dry mouth.

Hope your buddy can keep up with you is all I can offer.

You're doing an amazing job with that sleeve!!

I'm a huge advocate of breastfeeding. You'd be surprised what the human body can do and how much it helps a child's immune system to breastfeed as long as possible. I nursed both of my boys until they were over 2 years old. My youngest had asthma, ear infections and a host of other health problems. When I discussed those with his pediatrician because I was worried that breastfeeding was causing problems, the pediatrician said "Imagine how much worse those problems would be without your immunities!" Youngest son was dx with diabetes at 14 and his endocrinologist said that my breastfeeding son for "so long" probably staved off the initial diagnosis by 10 years... so I believe in breastfeeding if at all possible. I agree that the OP should do her best to pump extra milk and freeze pre-op, then use that frozen milk post-op if necessary. I'm glad your surgeon is an advocate of lactating moms, too! Besides, breastfeeding DOES help mom lose weight and provides some pain relief all on its own. I don't see a down side to it! Good luck and please let us know how it goes!!

Good luck! Here's hoping all goes well and we're keeping your spot on the loser's bench warm for you!

I have a pretty good sized cup that I use for coffee. It's at least 16 oz and one scoop of protein powder (plus two splenda packets) is perfect for it!

Aww, Gman, Too bad we couldn't manage to meet up while you and the family were down here! That would have been great!

Considering that the man is 600 lbs, he may not be eligible for WLS. I always assume there's some kind of enabler in the background when I read these stories as well. SOMEONE is bringing food to this man, and we all know it. There's no way a person who weighs that much can get out and get his/her own food. I have a dear friend who has gained weight and is seriously in denial about what it is doing to him. He's 450+ at this point and still trying to tell me that he only weighs 300 pounds. Um, sorry, can't kid me..I've been there, done that. He's in heart failure and has a chiari (tumor on the brain stemp) and the doctors can't even operate to put in his desperately needed pacemaker because of his size. My friend has just about written himself off, which is frustrating to me, especially after being sleeved. My worst fear is that I'm going to get a phone call telling me that he's gone. There was a woman on Dr Oz (I think) awhile back who was on a mission to become the world's biggest woman. She was over 500 pounds and actively trying to gain. Dr Oz had a blood sample drawn from her and he showed it to her. The vial was almost totally white because her cholesterol level was So high. He offered her WLS and she turned him down! That woman was in total denial about her weight and her issues. To her, there was nothing wrong with her. I'm not bashing anyone above, but it's sad to see people at the point where they are actively committing suicide without wanting to do something to help. Hopefully the man in the article will get some help. Obesity is not a disease we can beat on our own, at least not once we're 100 pounds or more overweight, IMO.

Yee Haw!!! Great job and I'm so happy to see that you are healthy and fit!

Verve, I'm assuming you're a guy! It sounds like you are really rocking that sleeve and you should have no problem making your goal. 220 and 6'3, hubba hubba! Good luck and great job so far!

I'm 7 months post-op and the only shake I really like is the Premier protein shake. It's RTD, so no mixing involved. I've also discovered that the protein powders make a great "creamer" alternative in my decaf coffee. The coffee flavor masks the protein aftertaste and the powder does the same thing any flavored creamer would do for my coffee. Win Win, IMO, because it lets me use up the protein powder, plus get a little extra protein boost!

Good for you! Half this battle is dealing with our head issues and it sounds like you're doing an amazing job of handling those!

Aruba?! Sounds great to me!! At six weeks, you should be at least on soft solids and I imagine that Aruba will have tons of great seafood for you to try! Concentrate on your Protein and getting your Water in and you should do great. I'm jealous of your vacation! Enjoy!!

Oh, Mari! I could have almost written your post this time last year! Welcome to VST. Your doctors are right; this surgery IS life-changing! I went from barely able to walk from my car to my front door to (now) being able to ride 7 miles plus on the exercise bike in 30 minutes. But, I started out doing 5 and 10 minutes at a time. I'd literally walk up and down my hallway in my apartment right after surgery and now I can walk the length of the mall a couple of times without wanting to sit down every 10 feet. You will be amazed at your increased energy level and at how quickly the weight comes off your body! Starting now to drink more Water and get in the 70 grams of Protein a day will put you ahead of the game for post-op recovery! Good luck and here's hoping you're sleeved by my anniversary date, which is August 30!

Oh, I'm so sorry you ended up on iv fluids! This is definitely something we all must be totally aware of...drinking. We must drink our water and literally make it a priority in our day, each and every day. I'm so glad you didn't have any permanent damage from this!

Congrats!! Walk, walk, walk, sip, sip, sip, repeat. And, welcome to the loser's bench! Yay for you!!

I'm planning to try the ice cream this weekend! Glad to know it's yummy!

Your face and arms really show the difference and CHECK OUT THAT WAIST!! You are looking fantastic and, yes you are beautiful in both pictures!!!