cuteascanbelizzie

I do. I'm not quite 9 months out and I do for my allergic reactions. The Benedryl capsules didn't make me too sleepy before surgery but they do now so be careful when take them.

I agree talk to your principal. I was very open with mine about eating and drinking during class. I managed to keep a schedule so that it wasn't too distracting for my students and so I wasn't dehydrated or malnourished.

Starting weight: 292.4 Challenge Goal loss: 20 pounds Challenge Goal Weight: 272.4 Current Weight: 281.8 So I am 9.4 pounds from my challenge goal, but I still managed a loss! I have never weighed under 300 pounds as an adult (I'm 34) so I'm proud of myself for that. I'll try another challenge maybe not for pounds lost but for the amount exercise I do. I need motivation to move and I know the pounds will come off then. Happy losing everyone!

Starting weight: 292.4 Challenge Goal loss: 20 pounds Challenge Goal Weight: 272.4 Current Weight: 284.5 A long way from my goal. Analyzing my eating and exercise for the millionth time.

OMG! You guys are great! Thank you for all of your advice. I actually popped into my local Walmart and they were having a $5, $7, $9, $11 sale on women's clothes. I bought a XXL jacket for $5 that actually closes! I'm gonna stick with the cheap stuff until I get to a more permanent size. Thanks again!

Starting weight: 292.4 Last week: 291.4 Current Weight: 287.0 So I think PMS is on my side this week. Yay!

Or better yet, when did you throw out the old ones? Today I held up my jeans as I walked around work because I'd forgotten my belt. I have two closets FULL of clothes. I think I'm afraid I'll have nothing to wear if I start throwing stuff out but I can't keep looking crazy in last year's jeans. I was trying to wait until my panties got too big but that hasn't happened yet. What did you do in your "in between" stage?

Starting weight: 292.4 Last week: 291.4 Current Weight: 292.2 Food choices and lack of exercise are definitely an issue!

So I walked 2 miles a day for four days last week and... Starting weight: 292.4 Current Weight: 291.4 A pound loss is motivation gained! Gotta get back on my grind!

There is a first time for everything! So stoked to do this! Let's go! Current/Starting weight: 292.4 Challenge Goal loss: 20 pounds Challenge Goal Weight: 272.4

You are not alone! I was your polar opposite when it came to my period prior to sugery. My gyn put me on a Mirena IUD just to get my very irregular period to stop. I had the IUDfor about 9 months prior to surgery and during that time my period was scarce. Since my sugery (11/21/11) my period has come every month and is coming almost like clockwork. All of my PMS symptoms are very different too. Before I would have the occasional backache or headache and maybe a good cry but now its like I'm a different person the week or two before. I feel almost everything associated with my cycle and I am very very moody. I think we have to adjust as our bodies are adjusting. Prior to surgery my surgeon gave me suppositories in case I had nausea. You may want to ask about that or try a homeopathic remedy. I get nausea at certain smells too and that's without PMS and Aunt Flo. I'm sure the sensitivity of both your new physical changes and your period make this ten times worse. Hopefully things will get better as your body adjusts. Oh and I put a period tracker app on my phone that lets me track my symptoms and mood every day as well as tracking my cycle. That may help you get a handle on things before they start.

Honestly, I didn't do the soft food stage well. I made tuna with mayo and no salt seasonings and mashed it up with my fork. That was main staple. I did cottage cheese with cinnamon and splenda. I pureed some canned chili and seasoned it with salsa and lime juice. I didn't survive on any of that long before I would just find soft foods like chicken and fish to chew really well. Cheese of any kind was good too.

I chew gum a lot and I am 4 months postop. The only issue I have with gum is that it creates gas in my sleeve. I usually chew for the flavor and don't keep it in long.

You all are inspiring!

Today was my first day back to work since my surgery on November 21, 2011. I didn't pass out or throw up which were my two worst fears about going back to work. I had enough energy to deal with the body slamming hugs of my middle school students and even an impromtu after-school meeting. I find myself watching the clock to time my students, my meals, drinks, and make sure I'm not off schedule for vitamins. I guess its kind of like riding a bike, you feel uneasy at first but you never really forget how. I had tons of energy until I sat down on my couch and now I'm ready to hibernate. I cheated and ate a small bag of chips (my last tempatation). I think I did well enough today that I can cheat a little. I'll probably pay for it later though since my new tummy doesn't really like greasy foods. Now I'm working on lunch and dinner for tomorrow and the next day. Things I used to cook and make into 2 portions I can now make into 4. Hopefully, I won't be so picky that I can't eat the leftovers. (I haven't liked leftovers too much since surgery.) I figure if I can plan at least one day ahead I can survive. I hope I don't get too caught up with regular life and lose focus. On a different note, I got a quite a few compliments from my co-workers and a church friend yesterday. Apparently they can tell I've lost weight. I'm stalled at my initial 31 pound loss. I've attempted to resume my Wii workouts with Michael Jackson and now the Black Eyed Peas. I've also signed up for a couple of bootcamps via Living Social, Travel Zoo, and soon Groupon. I like the idea of working out with people and busting my ass at the same time. My goal is to keep a schedule of classes on my calendar so that I make time for me. So there it is I'm back on the real life wagon post-sleevery. I'm nervous but, think I can do it. I'm calling myself the Little Lizzie that Can. I think I can, I think can..

The Michael Jackson Experience and The Black Eyed Peas Experience. I love to dance! Six or seven songs and you've done at least 30 minutes.

I just read all of your comments today. You guys rock! I really appreciate the encouragement. I hope and pray the best for each of you on your journeys! XOXO

I love it!

Mullet head that website is great! I needed to get some fresh ideas in the midst of this. I think I've forgotten that I know how to cook and just needed to be reminded that I had surgery on my belly and not a labotomy. Indymom thanks for the suggestions. I have developed 2 major issues since surgery: 1) I find it hard to eat the same thing over and over again and 2) my new sense of smell often dictates what I eat. That being said chicken broth has become my food enemy after being my go to during my liquid stage. I am willing to try anything just to get through this stage though, so thanks again.

Hi guys! Let me first say thanks to all of you who post your experiences because I am learning a lot. I need a little help though with this puree stage. I'm in the last few days of this stage (I hope) and it's driving me nuts. I was sleeved 11/21 and followed my 2 weeks of liquids (mostly) and now I'm in purees. I was SO excited to be able to eat hummus and refried Beans and then the mush hit my throat and took forever to go down. I went back to liquids for a day just to get myself together. I know this was cheating but I made tuna salad (without blending it, but mashed it and chewed it well) and enjoyed it and it stayed down. I've also had some (very well chewed) tortilla chips with my hummus. This actually helped to get the hummus to stay down. I felt guilty so I went back to Soup, my chili puree, greek yogurt, and Protein drinks. I can eat 1/4-1/2 cup portions in about 60-90 minutes but the beans give me somewhat painful gas and take forever to digest. I am so eager to chew that I am avoiding meals just so I can get through this phase. Anybody have any advice/foods to help me pull through the long stretch?

Thanks for posting this Coffee! I'm SO glad you posted this. Thank you to those of you who gave your experienced feedback. I thought I was never gonna get out of this. I have one more week of purees and then I can get some balanced meals to get rid of the dragon breath. Yay!

My first VSG blog and it's going to be a vent session. I am truly frustrated! Admittedly the frustration is with me. I am struggling with getting in the protein in and I don't know what to do. I am in the pureed stage and I Yesterday I almost reached the goal (60 grams) and had one cup of refried beans to go. They were tasty but at my 2nd spoonful they got stuck. Guess I was eating too fast or not chewing them up enough but they were very stuck. Fortunately, I haven't vomited since coming home but last night I was very close. After about 30 minutes of pacing the floor I drank some hot water, which helped to get the beans down but not with the wave of nausea. Today I'm back on the liquid train just so I can try to manage this well. Also, I'm wondering why some people volunteer to help during this time and they don't do anything but cause frustration. I asked a co-worker to take the lead on a project during my recovery but nothing has gotten done. I consider the co-worker a friend and this situation really made me angry. Now my students won’t get something I really wanted to give them before the break. Lastly, is the basis of all of my frustration. I really want to be the old me because it was so much easier than actually having to take care of myself. I have never really been so concerned about eating to live. Eating is a part of life so I just did it. Now what I consume is even more important than ever and I'm frustrated with feeling so restricted by my own needs. I want to be able to cook a chicken breast, chew it, swallow and be done. No puree, no liquid protein, nothing! I want to be able to make sure I get to see my students before Christmas and be able to orchestrate everything I need to for them without having to worry about adult issues. I simply want to put my needs behind me and take care of everything else first. It's what I've always done and how I've never managed to lose enough weight to become healthy. I keep praying and asking God to help me deal with me. I know I have to take this one day at a time but I need a breakthrough! If you read this cazy vent please say a prayer for me. I know that prayer works and I have faith that I’ll pull through this rut of frustration.

Thank you Sandy! I made it safely and my ride had to make a stop so I was able to walk. Thanks again!