Joiebean

Here's a trick I saw on TV that you could use until your concealer comes in. Make sure your hair is dry when you do this. Moisten your scalp with a little lotion and if you have dark hair, use a dark foundation powder (probably something that is for an african american women) and using a blush brush, gently apply the powder down in your roots. It'll take a try or two to get the hang of it, but it will work. If you have blond hair, get a color that matches your hair type. Its a temp fix, but it should get you through. Also, if you want extensions and you can't find any in sally's or another hair store, if you have a friend who's a beautician, they have specialty stores that only they can shop in with their beautician license. They have a lot better quality clip in extensions for less expensive. Even curly hair extensions I have really thick hair and it took two packs for me to add some length and it was a total of $80, $40 per package. So one pack may work fine. You can put them in right at your scalp, under the last row of hair. Then use your concealer to mask any scalp still show and voila....your hair will probably look better than it did pre surgery. I used to always get compliments on my hair when I had my extensions in and no one realized that it was the extensions, not my hair.

I also got sugar free popsicles for when I just couldn't drink anything, crystal light cause I couldn't get plain water down and those 16 oz rubbermaid drink containers so that I could easily measure how much I was drinking. I'm almost 2 months out and i still use those, although I'm getting a better sense of what a normal glass contains. Oh and comfy PJ's that you can wear home from the hospital and sleep in when you get home. you'll be tired. The Vitamin store also has liquid B12 that you can put in your water if you don't want to crush them. Oh and make sure to bring a robe and slippers to the hospital. You'll be so happy you did.

No kidding..I posted the SAME topic about two and a half months ago. I even called my surgeons office to ask if I could 'opt out' of the catheter (the answer was no.) I posted it on here and got a lot of good advice and you know, the nurses really don't care. As one of my friends said (she is a labor and delivery nurse so she definitely sees it all) its just like an arm to them, just another body part. So the day of surgery I requested that a female insert the catheter. I just felt more comfortable with it and they honored that request, very respectfully actually. And then after surgery, as much as I didn't want it, the last thing I wanted to do was get up so it actually turned out to be a good thing. The lady in the bed next to me didn't have a catheter (different surgeon) and she had to constantly get up and put this measuring cup thing in the toilet to measure how much she was going. They just checked my bag. And you know, I thought I was going to be embarressed walking around the hospital floor (doing my laps) with my bag hanging on that wheely thing....nope, no one cared. I supposed the old man yelling "I have to poop!" from his room so loud that a lot of people could hear him, lessened my anxiety about appearances. lol. Nor did I really care after surgery. After a day I asked to have it removed and because I was putting enough out, the nurse took it out, and it didn't hurt at all. I hear its a little more unpleasant for a guy, but nothing that's too bad. And then anytime I got up to go, I made sure to do a couple laps around the floor. It was painful enough to get in and out of bed so I figured lets make it worth it. The docs also thought I was going to have to stay for a couple extra days in the hospital because of an allergy they found out I had to morphine and was throwing up the first night, but because I was so diligent about walking and getting my breathing up to par, I was released after two days instead of three or four. Sorry for the long post, but I totally understand your fear about the catheter. I was RIGHT THERE too!! But you'll be okay. I wasn't nervous about the surgery at all, just the catheter....but trust me and everyone else says...it really isn't bad.

NCstatebabe-its hard but I KNOW we can do it. Maybe try to do a chore or something, or go for a walk when the desire to weigh yourself strikes. I know you can do it. There's nothing we can't accomplish.

okay, so I'll admit it, i've been weighing myself everyday...more to measure what I'm eating and how it effects my weight loss, so that I can strike a good balance. BUT with that said, I don't think I was eating enough....SO i have put the scale away in the closet and am not bringing it back out for awhile. Given i ended up in the hospital two days ago....I'm stopping with the "how much am I losing' and going with "how do I feel." Just putting it out there I eat things that make me feel good and I don't eat things that make me feel crappy...ie everything that I used to like that is all fatty and rich (which no longer tastes as good.) Maybe this isn't exactly what the doc said, but it makes me feel healthy and able to function.

Dorrie-I totally understand what you're saying too. I finally got passed that vicious cycle of "I used to love that..it tasted so good, I just want a little bit" and then eat it and want to throw up cause I felt so sick. I was in Boston last week and had new england clam chowder and actually did throw it up.....just tooooo heavy and greasy, even though I used to love it. Now all I really WANT to eat is healthy food cause I feel good after eating it. Not just psychologically, but my body is happy. Happy belly as my aunt and I call it (She had the lap band so we buddied up when we find something that gives us Happy Belly we email and text each other.)

thanks everyone! So far, so good. And i am going away for work tomorrow until thursday, where they DON"T have a scale...so that will be helpful!! i called ahead to make sure my hotel would put a fridge in my room and I am bringing all of the food that I know I can eat. I going with a coworker who doesn't really get my choice to have the sleeve so I'm sure we'll end up sitting at a bar somewhere for dinner. So, I'm going prepared :-) Its very empowering now (even though I know there will be some tough moments) that I can travel with work and still do what works for me. Thanks everyone for your kind works and support.

I used to love this show. I thought Adam Richman was just a really entertaining guy and thought his challenges were fun to watch. I gotta say...I watched it...well tried to watch it...last night and it really made me feel like I was going to throw up just watching him stuff this HUGE plate of nachos in his mouth. I know I keep saying it, but little changes in my perspective of food really amaze me. Any other moments like this for anyone else??

CVS has a really good one. Its the CVS brand, its in a foil looking bag and it comes in chocolate, vanilla and cookies and cream. The chocolate tastes just like chocolate milk to me and if you mix the cookies and cream with SF instant cheesecake flavor pudding...its awesome!

It took me about a month after surgery to be able to comfortably sleep on my stomach. I slept for about 2 1/2 weeks in a recliner with pillows surrounding me. It was reallly cosy, supported me from all side and allowed me to comfortably sleep on my side or back. Couldn't even lay flat for those two weeks in our bed so, sounds like you're ahead of the game.

to go to the hospital? I got to work this morning and almost passed out a few different times. A coworker walked me down to the nurse's station where she tested my blood sugar (78 normal/low), blood pressure and pulse sitting then standing up (which resulted in a blood pressure drop and a minor pulse increase) and a slightly elevated temp (99.2-but I am usually a 97ish temp.) She thinkgs it was that I haven't had enough to eat and am dehydrated. I'm not asking for medical advice, I'm just not sure at what point I need to go and get fluids via IV at the hospital. I'm really tired too......sorry to sound like a pain. I'm not deathly ill and my color is okay...just woozy.

update-I went to the hospital and they hooked me up to some fluids but I had been drinking so I think it wasn't as bad by the time I got there. They did some tests and everything seemed okay. I basically just hit a wall and my body was exhausted and dehydrated. Ugh...how long is this going to take to get back up to normal speed!

I talked with my doc's nurse and she said to go to the ER and get checked out. So I'm going (same hospital my doc works in) so we'll see. He will probably pop in too to make sure I'm alright (his orders to the hospital are if any of his patients come in, he's to be notified.) thanks everyone. Just needed the backing that I'm not overreacting. Better safe than sorry. My coworker is also an EMT and she suggested I go too....so...I'm on my way (well my husband is on his way to pick me up and take me cause I am to lightheaded to drive.) Thanks! I'll keep you posted.

Totally understandable on the nerves. I had to go through all the hoops too for insurance and all the pre-op appts, but I think the biggest thing with all of these appts is 1) they look at everything so if there is anything wrong, you will certainely know..and with that, it can give you peace of mind beforehand and then 2) I think a major reason is so that you can't rush into surgery without really thinking it through. Almost like a waiting period, which, now that I am a month and a half out of surgery, I think is really a good idea. This is really something to think about before you do it.

So at 5 weeks out I was cleared to start exercising (was delayed because the muscle was really sore where they cut it) but everything I want to do, other than walking on a treadmill, takes core muscles. Does anyone have a workout routine that gentle gets your core back into shape, without straining it tooooo much? I was thinking of doing a light pilates dvd, but thought I'd see if anyone had any suggestions on here first

update. Success!! I was able to walk on the treadmill last night for 30 minutes and then do some light weightlifting on my arms (light-like 10 lbs but no pain in my side like before. I'm really excited to go home and do it again tonight! Its amazing when your body will actually respond to what you are doing instead of working your butt off in (what feels like) vain. I did some stomach engaging moves will walking (like bring my knees up) and that seemed okay too. Thanks for your encouragement pookey and circa

Every victory should be celebrated right!!! Happy Dancing absolutely!!!! You go!

Maybe this is a good opportunity to start rocking some awesome hats!! Oh and you can get those clip in extensions that really blend with your hair and it will add some fullness back to it. I have them and no one knows when I'm wearing them or not.

Per the doctors orders, since I've lost over 10% of my body mass, am sleeping well and continuing to lose weight, the doctor has officially taken me off the CPAP machine!!!! WOOOHOOO!!!!

and you can try them on at home without the pressure of being in the store. Don't have to take people along with you, just try on in your house and send 'em back if they don't work. But I think you're underestimating yourself!! Go for it and see what happens!

Oh!! Totally...clearance and sales...especially online!! They have some awesome deals and if you google whatever store it is and coupons (retailmenot.com usually has them all) you can usually get free shipping! I'm still short on energy so shopping in the mall makes me tired really quickly. Online is great. Looking at your BMI....you are lower than me so the sites I've been looking on have been great. Speigel is doing an 80% off sale to get rid of inventory, Chico's has a great sale going on, 6pm.com has good deals on clothes, Supershoes has a huge variety of scrubs, there are a ton of them right now cause everyone is trying to get rid of their winter clothes. Venus.com is also a really fun site that I got a couple 14's. Their highest size is 14, but I know it will come!!

Sounds like she was completely insecure to me. She must have her own issues with food and put it on you. Maybe she was concerned about how much she is eating anyway and when she saw you eating less, it confirmed whatever misguided thoughts she had. Really sounds like it was her issue. Although it sucks that you had to bare the brunt of it.

For some reason, this nvs is hitting me more than any other one. When I started this whole journey, the doc said that since I had minor sleep apnea, it would probably go away with weight loss....and it was totally confirmed today. I DID IT!!! God i want to cry happy tears!!

Hey there Lisa. The anxiety about shopping is completely normal. I kept saying I was going to get rid of my clothes.....and I didn't, because I didn't think this would actually work. Nothing else had in the past, so who was I fooling. BUT I had a similar moment like this last week. I'm down 30lbs and it was jeans day at work. I put on my old 18's and, while I could deal with a baggy butt, I had a baggy front!! It looked awful. So I sucked it up, completely convinced I was going to fail...but I tried on my 16's and guess what...THEY FIT! They were snug but they fit and looked A LOT better than the 18's. And you know what....its okay if we "fail" when trying on clothes....cause those skinny little girls "fail" to. Imagine trying on clothes and having no chest to fill them out....or having no butt to fill out the back of your pants. We all have our "things" when trying on clothes. Hey...i really want a new bathing suit, but haven't even gotten close to braving that front yet! I keep putting it off. One thing at a time. Maybe just go get a new pair of scrubs...not cause you 'want' too but because you 'have" to. And then go from there. Start with shirts cause they tend to fit a variety of body types. Pants are hard. I'm just starting to break ground here. But I ordered some shirts last week from Chico's online and got them in last night. I put one on this morning and you know what??? It was tooooo big!! I ordered what I thought had to be my size (cause how far away from an XL could I really be, right?) well I should have ordered a medium. Go figure!! We have your back girl, and if it turns out to be a frustrating experience....well just come on here and tell us about it! Vent girl!

You go pretty lady!!! Woohoo!! Great feeling huh?? :-)