Lila21

Love it! Great idea! I tried this meatball recipe tonight, and it went down great! Just added it to marinara sauce--yums: http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/12498-share-your-favorite-allrecipes-links/page__gopid__114958#entry114958

I think it's totally different for different people. I had my bags packed, and was dressed and ready to go HOURS before my doc got there to check me out. But, I had no complications, and not much pain, so to me it felt like plenty of time. I just really, really wanted to go home!

Yes, you are sooooo close!!! I think they make anise tea, too!!! Although in a greek yogurt, I bet it would be more of a "treat." I hope that works for you!!!! Maybe also try going low carb for a while; I am amazed at how few cravings I have when I keep the carbs low. So weird!

Totally agree!! At size 16 and 6 feet, you are a skinny minnie!!! But, I know how you feel. One of my best friends is really tall, and these kinds of comments bother her, too, even though she's not overweight. :-(

Spin class is actually awesome for a beginner, and I'll tell you why! YOU control how far you crank the knobs! If your spin instructor tells you to crank it up 5 notches, but you only want to crank it up one notch, you can do that. It's not like bootcamp where you will fall woefully behind if you can't run a 10 minute mile or whatever. Also, here's MORE good news. Your girly bits WILL adjust.... I don't know how or why, but after a week or two, your body totally adjusts to the seat. As my cyclist friend said to me, it's one of great mysteries of life how your body adjusts to that evil seat.... but you do! So, stick with it! I am doing spinning classes right now at 260 lbs and out of shape, so feel free to shoot me an email if you want to commiserate! :-)

Yes, I think it's really good to realize that almost everyone has a different experience with pain. For me, I had almost no pain, but I had a lot of nausea. The only thing I remember around the surgery was the few minutes before surgery, and then dry heaving when I woke up (which wasn't pleasant, but wasn't painful, either). The period after that was a total blur. I don't recall leaving the recovery room, going to my hospital room, or most of the afternoon/evening after that. I woke up the next day fairly clear-headed and in very little pain. But, as Myrori pointed out, pain is different for everyone. Let's hope your experience is like mine!!

That sounds very unusual to me. Could he be talking about the outside possibilities (like worst-case-scenario?). For some people, they do stay on mushies for longer because they are more restricted, but typically (from what I've seen), you start moving into "real food" sometime around 6 weeks. I found it pretty easy (except for the first two weeks of liquids, which just got boring), and at about 6 weeks, I have a combination of mushy foods and a few solids. I don't think what he is describing is typical.

Yes, INSIST that your doctor do a full workup on you. None of this is normal, and you need your doctor to properly diagnose what is going on. And frankly, shame on him for not insisting you come in right away!! I'm sorry you are going through this, and I hope it gets better soon!

Angela! Congratulations!! I still think of you as an honorary "december sleever" :-)) Keep us posted on how you are going!

Thanks for all the advice, everyone! I'll try a dipping sauce and see if that works better. As Eureka-C pointed out, it might also be just the normal restriction at this point.

Prior to surgery, I ate a lot of chicken, but I am finding that since surgery, I can barely choke down a bite or maybe two--and then my stomach feels uncomfortable for a while after. I'm wondering how other people are preparing their chicken so that it's tender? I have to say my previous method of grilling skinless boneless chicken breasts under the broiler is a total FAIL!

Just thought I'd share this awesome eggface recipe. I made it for dinner tonight, and the pancakes were soooo good! Shelly's Ricottage Pancakes 1/4 cup Ricotta cheese (I used whole milk ricotta) 1/4 cup Cottage Cheese (I used pre-mixed pineapple Cottage Cheese) 1 Egg 3 Tablespoons Multigrain pancake Mix (I use this) 1 Tablespoon sugar free Lemon pudding Mix, dry ( I used vanilla and it worked fine) 1 Tablespoon almond flour or ground almond meal.. Whiz all ingredients in mini food processor. FYI for those who don't dig coconut the toasted coconut in the recipe is is not detected, it's merely for texture, almond flour could be subbed. Spray pan with non-stick spray. Cook on low till golden, flip, pat flat, cook till done. Nuke Shelly's Super Special Syrup for 25 seconds so it drizzles well. Serve each pancake with a drizzle of warm syrup. Makes 4 small pancakes or 8 silver dollar size. These can be frozen between slices of wax paper or kept in the fridge a day or 2 and reheated (nuke 25 seconds) for Breakfast during the week. Surprising good cold (lazy mornings). I served it with some applesauce and cinnamon rather than syrup.... sooooo good and 13 g. of Protein for 4 little pancakes (silver dollar sized)!!! Shelly's full post can be found here: http://theworldaccor...g-pancakes.html

I agree. The Fage is the best by far! LOVE IT!

Globetrotter, this sounds sooo good! Lemme know if you try it!!!

That is definitely one of the better NSV's I've heard. My mom uses a CPAP machine (when she's being scolded into it), and she HATES it. I can only imagine what a relief that must be!! Congrats, you!!!!

Somewhere (now I can't find it :-( ) on here, a lady posted pictures of her saggy skin before she starting lifting weights and after she started lifting weights, and the difference was amazing!! She totally sold me on lifting weights!

Good luck, tomorrow!!! I hope your surgery goes very smoothly, and we'll make some room over here on the loser's bench!

Coops, you look so fabulous, and I am so inspired by your steady progress.... it makes me feel really hopeful for my own journey, so thank you for sharing!!! By the way.... did I mention that you LOOK FABULOUS!!!! GOOOOOOO COOPS!!!!!!

Yeah, there are some of us who feel hunger and some who don't. I have hunger, but really, it's fine. The good thing is that you'll be satisfied with much less food.

Mini-me, I am so impressed, and it's so sweet of you to "pay it forward"-- I'm really hoping that a year from now I can write a post like yours! I am so excited for you, and so excited to hear that you are so happy with your results. It *is* going to be hard work, but it's so much easier when I see inspiration at the end of my road!!

I burped a lot in the first couple of weeks (especially after drinking protein shakes), but it seems to only happen now (at 6 weeks out) when I eat too quickly, or when I eat a bit too much.

Wow, that's so great to hear! I have to say that even though things are going fine, I'm so scared of failing, not losing all my weight, or gaining it all back. It's so wonderful to hear stories like this! Thank you for sharing!

But, the advice of walking is GREAT for all kinds of things. It helps get oxygen into your body which helps prevent blood clots (a very real danger after surgery), AND it makes you feel better, and your body starts to feel more "normal." Definitely walk, walk, walk!!!

Wonderful, congratulations!!! I hope you get there very soon!!!

Absolutely it's the water weight!! Please don't worry, you'll be on the loser's bench sooooo soon!! Feel better!