Lissa

Congrats! Sliding over on the bench!

I just had to jump in here and say that I have another thing to be thankful for about this surgery... It's creating Eye Candy for us ladies!

Check out the pinned thread under the pre-op questions forum. It definitely will give you a better idea of what you need. Personally, I took too much to the hospital and I over-bought on the protein powder. Live and learn. At least I'm now using the protein powder in coffee and in protein ice cream, so it's not a total loss. It only took me six months to think of using it in those things!

Dooter, I have to agree. NO way am I telling anyone IRL what I weigh, now or after I reach goal. But, I post my weight here and on MFP every day without shame. I doubt I'll ever tell anyone what my high weight was, even after I reach goal, either! VST has made it possible for me to make it through this journey. I definitely appreciate all the help I get here daily!!!

the hunger feeling immediately post-op is usually head hunger OR acid. Head hunger is an issue each of us must conquer on our own, but an acid reducer may make that easier. Call your doctor about starting an acid reducer. It WILL help. I didn't take one until nearly 3 months out, and I was amazed at the difference the acid reducer makes! Good luck!!

I think Carnie is an amazing, beautiful woman! Whatever it takes for her to be happy with herself is what she needs to do. I'm not sure what the options are after a GB, but maybe the LB in combination works better than doing a sleeve. Maybe a sleeve isn't possible because of the GB? I wish her luck, whichever way she gets to her goals.

Congrats! You are rocking that sleeve! It's a major accomplishment to make it to Onderland!!

Wow! I'm intrigued and amazed by your story as well! My aunt's stomach is "upside down". I'm not sure how that works for her, but she's talked to my surgeon about possibly having surgery. I know that the body can do all kinds of crazy things and make us wonder how we ever lived with those things. Good luck with your sleeve journey!!

Oh, yeah, I'm having the hormonal changes BIG TIME!! My libido is completely out of whack; everyone is annoying me (which doesn't help with problem number one, lol), and I can't stand the smell of things I loved before surgery. I keep thinking that it will calm down, after all, I'm nearly 7 months post-op. But, NO, it is just getting worse! UGH The bright side is that my scale is moving again... even if it is very slowly.

Your doctor is an ass. I'd find someone else to do my follow-ups. The board probably won't print butt in the first sentence.

Yay, Tina! I thought about you while I was at the gym yesterday! I have been trying to get under 30 minutes for six miles for a while now. Knowing that you did 7 miles on your first trip challenged me to go a little faster and reach that 6 miles in under 30 minutes goal. Next goal? 7 miles in under 30 minutes, of course!!

MaryKatherine, my shoe size has gone down as well.

Have you looked at Chobani or Oikos yogurt? I know Walmart carries both. I was just told SF yogurt for my soft foods.

Swimmer, Talk to your doctor or dietician. You may actually need to increase your calorie intake at 8 weeks out rather than take more acid reducer. I have days where all I want to do is eat...and I crave protein foods. My doc's advice was to eat more protein! LOL

Congrats! Welcome to the loser's bench!! And only 1 incision IS cool!!!

Welcome!! You are starting a journey that will change your life in positive ways forever!!

Oh, what a difficulty! I love NSVs that really point out to us how much weight we've lost. You could just get the chains shortened, or wear them wrapped twice around your neck!

Andi, My doc nixes straws forever and ever. And, the same for eating while drinking. Someone posted a youtube video that shows the effects of eating and drinking together and it basically pushes the food right through your sleeve, so you get hungry faster. At least in active weight loss, that's not a good idea.

Did you get over-full? Has the feeling gone away yet? If not, a call to the doc might be in order. You probably did pull a muscle, but better safe than sorry if the feeling lasts more than a few hours.

Have faith. You will find a doc to do the endo!!

I agree. Don't get too excited about the smaller grocery bill until you see how much you're spending on clothes. I just hit the clearance rack at wally world for workout clothes and still spent about $40. I didn't really have much of a choice, though. The last time I rode the exercise bike, I felt like I'd have flashed anyone who walked in while I was riding because the legs of my shorts were so loose. NOW I know why most exercise shorts are tight in the legs!

liquid go through MUCH easier than solids will later. I doubt you have a leak unless you are running a fever or vomiting every time you drink. Yes, please call your doctor, but I'm sure you aren't feeling restriction because you are only drinking liquids. Be careful though. It's easy to drink right now, partially because your stomach is still swollen inside.This early post-op, most of your nerves are numb. You can easily over fill your stomach without feeling it because of that numbness. We are given restrictions on how much to eat or drink at a time because our sleeve can't send out normal signals.

I see a therapist, not just for food issues. I think it's an amazing tool to use to help yourself become more self aware. IMO, seeing her is one of the best things I've ever done for myself. As far as my food issues go, mine are deeply rooted in some childhood traumas, including lack of food for long periods of time. Slowly, I am learning to trust that food WILL be there when it's needed, but that's an issue that will take time to get past. For now, I'm working on one day at a time. I use My Fitness Pal to log everything I eat and drink, which really helps me be more aware of what I'm eating and if/when I'm working out properly.

Hunger this early post op typically has two causes: Head Hunger or Acid. Nothing will help the head hunger but you, however, the acid is an easy fix. Talk to your surgeon about starting an acid reducer now. You will be amazed how fast the hungry feeling goes away! Good luck!!

Working way too much!! I'm here now!