TheRealMeIsHere!

You look TERRIFIC!!!!! I TOTALLY understand the emancipated shar-pei look when naked, LOL!!

TERRIFIC!! Good that you were able to do this while you are young. I wasted too much time as a fat/shy/unworthy feeling person, as my weight went from 275-113-275 repeatedly. Not to mention all those years of my skin being stretched, YUCK!! Hopefully your skin will be fine. I'm so happy for you, keep it up!

I had a high BMI (50) and many comorbidities. There should be an insurance coordinator that works with your doctor, to make sure all your ducks are in a row, before submitting for approval. Here is what I needed to do for approval: 1 pre-op class 2 support group meetings view an online tutorial supervised weight loss Psychologist, nutritionist and all the assorted medical clearances. I'm sure there was more, but that's all I can remember. Check with the insurance coordinator or else maybe Fidelis can give you a list.

I had no problem. Think it was 3-4 months supervised diet, which can be as simple as an appt. 1x/month with your primary to get weighed and discuss nutrition. Just make sure that is the ONLY reason for the visit, if the doc puts another reason for the visit, it won't count.

Sorry to hear that happened to you. When were you sleeved? If you are still in the liquid phase, that's a side effect (liquid in/liquid out) Could it be too much fat/carbs in your diet? Does it make a difference what/how much/how fast you drink? Or what/how much you had for your meal?

Good for you for standing up for yourself. The more you don't let yourself give in, the more the cravings will fade. One day you'll have a chance to eat a donut and either you won't have any desire or it won't taste as good as you remember. Also. recently heard that, mentally, it's better to tell yourself and others "I don't eat that" rather than "I can't", just a more empowering statement.

I was told 18 months out, and at goal for 6 months. All you can do is try, a lot of times, if you have bariatric surgery, they expect to pay for at least a panni. Heard it helps if the request states 'reconstuctive' surgery not 'cosmetic' or 'plastic'.

Egg white powder is fairly tasteless and can be added to most things (not too hot though) Fat free Greek yogurt sweetened with Splenda and vanilla or unsweetened cocoa powder or lime/lemon juice other extracts, etc.... Fat free ricotta with a little fat free/sugar free instant pudding powder. Fat free ricotta seasoned as you would for stuffed shells, a little mozzarella and low carb sauce. White meat turkey and fat free gravy Egg beaters (can also be eaten raw in shakes, puddings as it is pasteurized) sugar free hot chocolate made with Skim Plus (11gms/cup) fat free cream Soups with tuna or turkey, even baby food meat. hormel turkey chili, no Beans. I was told to avoid Pasta, potatoes, rice and starchy vegetables, till I reach goal. All other vegetables/fruit until I am reaching my Protein totals. At 14 months out, I still eat no more than an occasional bite of whole grain bread, fruits/veg., pasta, potatoes and rice. Actually, the carb cravings (if you have any) go away, when you stop eating those things. My nut says that as long as I take a multi-Vitamin each morning/night, it won't hurt to not eat produce, for now.

100% of my excess weight! 5'2" 117lbs. If you follow the doc's and nut's instructions, excercise, use the 'tool' of a tiny tummy and listen to your body, you can lose as much as you want.

I'm 14 months out, and still have alot of restriction (YEAH!!!) so this is what I've been eating since starting regular food. EAS AdvanEdge shake for Breakfast (otherwise I'm not a breakfast person) FF Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, hot chocolate with made with 1 1/2 cups of skim plus, egg beaters, lean meat, etc.... I eat as much as I can, about 1/2 cup 3 times a day. Lots of calorie free liquid. Nut assures me that it's ok that I have no room in my tummy to add in vegetables, yet. need to be able to get 60-100gms protein/day. Boy do I miss veggies, tho!!! She says that we should all be taking a Multivitamin morning and night and that makes up for the no produce. I must add that I feel AWESOME!!! Energy THROUGH THE ROOF!!!! Sitting still is like a form of torture! LOVIN the gym!! (who said that???, me???, really??? YEPPERS!!!, LOL) Have lost all my excess weight, surpassed dr.'s goal and reached my personal goal 5'2", 117 lbs, size 2 or 3. This summer, hopefully panni and whatever else ins. will pay for.

I agree with Quiny, get checked. You can call your doc's office and speak to a colleague, go to an urgent care or ER. Could be something benign or serious, better to know before whatever it is gets worse.

Great progress, 30 lbs. in 2 1/2 months! As far as the other things. Are you on a PPI? excess acid can make you hungry. Dehydration can also increase hunger and fatigue. Are you drinking enough? Along with getting your B12 checked, maybe iron also? How is your protein intake? Try not to eat any other foods, until you get all of your protein. That came from my nut., when I was having trouble reaching my protein goals. At 14 months out, I still eat very little that is not a source of protein. I don't waste the space in my tiny tummy. If you can resist the cravings, they do go away. Maybe find healthy alternatives. http://www.hungry-girl.com has great swaps for most junk/comfort/restaurant foods. Support groups are VERY helpful to see that others are going through the same thing, and what helps them. Keep your eye on the prize!

If you are looking for a powder, the one with the least taste is egg white powder. Possibly in the baking aisle. WM also has EAS AdvatEdge rtd shakes that are delicious, I still drink them at 13 1/2 months out.

EAS AdvantEdge is one of my faves. It's not thick like some others.

Just be careful that you aren't overdoing it. You can become very sick or do damage from too much of certain vitamins.

e-cigs are another option. VERY helpful if you are also addicted to the 'motion' of smoking. That is what I used. They are a bit heavier than standard cigs, but give the feel and taste of smoking. Can get any nicotine level you wish, can even use them to wean down if needed. Good luck, it's not easy, but well worth it.

My surgery was done by Dr. Hamdi on 1/23/12 at ORMC. Not familiar with Dr. Judd, but only hear good things. Good luck. BTW, have you been to the support groups, yet?

Can you doctor use the intercranial hypertension as a reason to make the process faster??

Feel better. You are doing the right thing by being in touch with your doc, good luck.

Surgery is safer if you do the supervised pre-surgery diet. It will reduce the size of your liver, thereby reducing the chance of it getting nicked. Possibly, if you have serious comorbidities they would consider a shorter time. Why do you want to forego that step?

Definitely let your doctor know, and...TEENY TINY sips

Getting more protein, helped my stalls. Your body tries to go into 'starvation mode' otherwise. It's hard 2 get enough protein from foods, till your tummy can handle more volume. Try adding another Protein shake. Someone mentioned that you may be losing inches while not losing weight, that also happens. Just be patient, and follow what your doc/nut tell you. A few months from now, you will be amazed at your progress.

I, too have wondered about the similarities to anorexia. Having been anorexic/bulimic in the past, the biggest difference is the mental attitude. I am not scared to eat, I feel no need to vomit, and I have no guilt because I LISTEN to my body and the signs taht I am full. I just feel like I have a better relationship with food, without the stressfulness of anorexia. Eat to live, not live to eat.

Life post sleeve takes a lot (maybe more than non-sleeved) of self control. You still need to make healthy food choices, listen to your sleeve when it says you are full, start and stick to an exercise regimen and limit 'slider foods'. The sleeve is a tool only, the self control still comes from you. That is why some people have long term success and some don't. Your husband may or may not understand this, maybe only those who have struggled, will. Best of luck to you.

Good luck, it all sounds exciting! Maybe not the pain and no sitting LOL!! But that will be a distant memory, soon. you said: Finally will be the breast lift and augmentation. I am getting the gummies. Just curious, what are gummies?