HadToDoIt40

I was always a water drinker prior to surgery. After surgery, for some reason I could not tolerate the taste of bottled waters....and I tried many. One night, I drank outta a jug of water that was sittin on the table...it was a jug of Distilled water (we use for the clothes steamer). This water did not make me gag! I started drinking this for weeks until my daughter told me about a water someone had her try....SmartWater. I loved it....my belly loved it. Wholefoods makes a generic equivalent, Electrolyte Enhanced Water. Try it. You can also try those Protein Waters that come in a dozen or more flavors...Walmart has a huge selection. Good Luck!

I have been researching "fruit infused water". Google it and maybe you will see some combinations that will entice you. I am going to try a cucumber basil one real soon. Or what about ice? You don't get as much but it might be a change.. Pre sleeved so I can't relate yet but I wish you the best!!

I switch it up with lipton diet green tea, citrus or watermelon. I think switching it up makes it a little easier to get fluids in. Maybe you could try some of that?

there's all sorts of tea flavors out there, too.. go to a health food store & look at all the teas.. you can smell the boxes to see if it's something appetizing to you.
you could also drink Soup broth or liquid soup, like tomato...
or get a v8 or try juicing.. carrot + granny smith apple & some Water.. that's one of my favorites.
might also try getting filters for your water, if you don't already have them for your water.. or try locating a local well & get well water.. it tastes different than tap water or bottled water from the store.. or if you have one of those places near you that sells alkalized water, you could start drinking that. it helps alkalize your body & you can get it by the gallon.. it's only like 10 bucks a month for unlimited water.
regular tap water from the city has fluoride in it, which may be good for your teeth, but it's bad for your brain. hitler used it to make people more docile and to more easily accept what he was saying... i try to stay away from fluorinated products. there's also other chemicals in your water, which may be partially why you don't like how your water tastes & why you're reacting to it the way you are... so.. if you can afford to, i'd look into getting a *REALLY* good filtration system on your faucet.

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Okay guys, I had my surgery on Tuesday , July 17 th and that night was rough and the following morning. By yesterday afternoon it was great. I also had my hiatal hernia repaired . I love me some SF icicle pops and the sipping of Water and broth is good. They removed the drain yesterday afternoon and that helped my pain tremendously. I cannot say enough about how Dr. Washington and Emily have been towards me, they both are very dedicated to there work and patients, very passionate about us all. They don't make a lot of surgeons that way anymore. The staff at Conway Medical Center have been fantastic. They have treated me so good that I might decide to stay a week..Hahahah, this is better than the Hilton with room service.. Seriouly I am ready to go home but I would not be if they had not helped me start my journey.
So if any of you out there are considering having the surgery and are near Conway, SC or want a fantastic team on your side please consider Dr. Morris Washington. I can only say good things about he and his assistant Emily. :-). I am a very happy girl

This made me think about how some skinny chicks will do a little song and dance about how fat people get treated in public. I really REALLY hate these. They're usually on TV shows such as Entertainment Tonight where they'll have say, Jessica Alba dress in a "fat suit" and wear fugly sweats and walk around town. Or she'll get on a crowded bus and have the camera follow her doing these things. Sitting there showcasing how rude people are to fatties. This annoys me to no end! First of all, if you've never been fat you will NEVER in your life know what it's like... so don't patronize me. Second... I don't need your pity!!!
Now if I were to start a Rants & Raves thread, that's what my topic would be about.
ETA: I understand wanting to believe it's us and that we have changed - but I cannot get on that bandwagon. I refuse to take responsibility for someone'd else's damaged views on others. I am the same person on the inside, only my outside has changed. Like I said, if anything I'm far more considerate of myself than ever. I'm not afraid to say what's on my mind or bothering me. Before I would always be quiet and nice, now? Hmphh!! So, others being more kind and helpful to me doesn't have anything to do with me, it's clearly them.

Even with just a 45 lb loss, people thatI really had no interests in, are now going out of their way to interact with me.
I have always been a confident, strong-minded (and strong-willed..LOL!) person and that has not changed. I did not have issues wih self esteem. Prior to surgery, people have told me that I "command attention when I walk into a room." I am still the same person... The only thing that has changed is my looks.
Post surgery I am a bit more self-conscious because I feel like I am on stage with all of the attention and because I feel like I am in the ugly duckling stage. My "curves" have all shifted and I don't have the same shape as before. Still trying to adjust to my new body.
Anyway...
People are shallow. Bottom line.

Even with just a 45 lb loss, people thatI really had no interests in, are now going out of their way to interact with me.
I have always been a confident, strong-minded (and strong-willed..LOL!) person and that has not changed. I did not have issues wih self esteem. Prior to surgery, people have told me that I "command attention when I walk into a room." I am still the same person... The only thing that has changed is my looks.
Post surgery I am a bit more self-conscious because I feel like I am on stage with all of the attention and because I feel like I am in the ugly duckling stage. My "curves" have all shifted and I don't have the same shape as before. Still trying to adjust to my new body.
Anyway...
People are shallow. Bottom line.

Even with just a 45 lb loss, people thatI really had no interests in, are now going out of their way to interact with me.
I have always been a confident, strong-minded (and strong-willed..LOL!) person and that has not changed. I did not have issues wih self esteem. Prior to surgery, people have told me that I "command attention when I walk into a room." I am still the same person... The only thing that has changed is my looks.
Post surgery I am a bit more self-conscious because I feel like I am on stage with all of the attention and because I feel like I am in the ugly duckling stage. My "curves" have all shifted and I don't have the same shape as before. Still trying to adjust to my new body.
Anyway...
People are shallow. Bottom line.

Yum! Sounds delicious! Thank you for the recipe. I am going to try it tomorrow....

Great low cal dinner with good Protein.
Minutes to Prepare: 15
Minutes to Cook: 35
Number of Servings: 12
Tips
Can add chicken. Add a diced, cooked chicken breast or two and calculate added protein.
Ingredients

Rice:
• 1 cup jasmine rice or aromatic basmati
• 2 cups Water
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
Shrimp:
• 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined, shells
reserved
• Vegetable oil
• 2 cloves garlic, smashed and finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon Thai red curry paste
• 1 (14-ounce) can unsweetened coconut milk
• 2 kaffir lime leaves
• 1 tablespoon Thai fish sauce
• 2 teaspoons brown sugar
• 1 lime, zested and juiced
• 4 shiitake mushrooms, julienned
• 1 green pepper (bell)
• 1/2 cup fresh pineapple, cut into 1/2-inch dice, for garnish
• Cilantro leaves, for garnish (optional)

Directions
Directions
For the rice: Combine the rice, water, and salt in a small saucepan. Bring the water to a boil. Cover the pan and reduce the heat to medium-low and cook for 15 minutes.
For the shrimp: Place the shrimp shells in a small saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil and turn off the heat. Let the shells steep in the water.
Coat a large, straight-sided saute pan with vegetable oil. Bring the pan to medium-high heat. Add the garlic and paste. Quickly add the coconut milk and stir to combine. Toss in the lime leaves. Add the fish sauce, brown sugar, lime zest, and juice. Bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer.
Strain the shrimp shell water through a strainer into a bowl. Measure out 1 cup and add it to the pan. Cook until the mixture has thickened to the consistency of heavy cream. Add the shrimp and mushrooms and cook until the shrimp turn pink, 3 to 4 minutes.
Fluff the with a fork. Spoon the rice into a bowl and spoon the shrimp mixture over top. Top with green pepper, diced pineapple, and cilantro leaves.
Serving Size: Makes around 12, half cup servings
Nutritional Info
Servings Per Recipe: 12
Amount Per Serving
Calories: 87.0

Total Fat: 2.8 g
Cholesterol: 55.3 mg
Sodium: 281.1 mg
Total Carbs: 9.1 g
Dietary Fiber: 0.6 g
Protein: 7.2 g

So I was out and about today and wanted a little pick me so I got a small diet lemonade from Chick-fil-A. NEVER AGAIN! I drank maybe 1/3 of it and the pain was so excruciating I thought I saw Jesus. It burned, it hurt, I got the shakes. All I could do was sit in the car cry. But other than that I am doing great
Today's lesson: Just say no to lemonade!

You are my inspiration! Great job ...you look amazing!

So, here's my 9 months picture. I'm FINALLY seeing the loss. That's my NSV for today!

Some of you know that I have a DVT (blood clot) and two pulmonary embolisms before surgery because of pneumonia. You might remember that I've been on coumadin since last June because of those clots. I had an appt with my pulmonary doctor yesterday and he told me that I could refuse to continue taking the coumadin. He couldn't NOT prescribe it because my test results still say I'm high on clot factor, but with my weight loss and activity level, he wouldn't argue with me if I refused the medicine, so I refused it.
As a precautionary measure, he ordered an ultrasound of my legs, the site of the blood clot before. I had that ultrasound today and my legs are not only clot free, the tech couldn't even tell where the clot had been!!
She also complimented me on the amount of muscle in my thighs, although that muscle made it harder for her to do the ultrasound.
I'm a happy and HEALTHY girl today!! I think I can predict that I will outlive the death sentence the doctors handed me last year! THAT is worth a happy dance all on it's own!!!

Hello my wonderful Sleeve family!!!!
This is my update at 5 months, 5 days!!! It seems like only yesterday I was complaining about my 6 month pre-op program... and now, I'm over 5 months out!!!
Let me say, I love SLEEVINA!!! She's saved my life.. but I have to admit she SLAYS me sometimes... but keeps me in line!!!
Regrets:... Just 1.. well, maybe 2... first, I wish I would have worked a little hard during my 6 month MSWL program.. especially with exercise... the only other regret is that I wasn't open with a lot of my family and friends from the beginning, thus missing out of their support from the beginning...
Reality:... LOL... well, I'm not the same person I was physically, emotionally or socially... I was prepared for the physical.. well, a little.. but the emotional upheaval that has transpired in my life has been healthy, hard and very necessary.. I believe I am a better person.. more grounded, compassionate and active in trying to help others make decisions that will transform their lives... The social aspect is a trip... mainly because.. I've always been a social butterfly, now... it's crazy the attention and stuff.. needless to say, I'm a little flattered and lot suspicious!!! LOL...
I've resigned myself to wearing dresses for the summer!!! I've not lost my luscious legs (Thank God!!)... I'm not including numbers in this update.. I'm doing weight and measurements for my 6 month post op update...
Rules: I cannot miss my water!! I cannot eat cake (I was, not Sleevina doesn't like sweets anymore YEAH!! Boo!!) LOL..
I just want to encourage those who need it... You can do this... Each day, each minute, dedicate yourself to the process of transformation, the work and yourself!!!
Love and hugs!!
Tina

I made Shelly's Italian crab bites for dinner tonite!! They were sooooo good! And mushy enough for me to enjoy on the soft stage! The recipie made about 24 bites, which will make a whole bunch of lunches and dinners for work!

So I had my 18 month post-op checkup this week (it's a smidge late due to scheduling conflicts, and now I"m actually closer to 19 months post-op, but hey better late than never) and was very happy with everything. From my stellar labs, to being -100lbs lighter, there is nothing bad I can say about the sleeve. It has given me hope in the never-ending weight battle. Never before would I have stayed the course through so many stalls (and for me personally there have been plenty!) I'm starting to see my body change even though the pounds are NOT melting away the way they did when I was a few months post-op.
Just thought I would share some photos since that was my biggest inspiration when I was researching the sleeve. The photos just don't lie, they tell the story.

Thanks so much everyone! I was so excited that I went back out this evening and bought another pair of pants and a shirt.

Congrats Cherry! Your surgery was one day after mine....can't wait to be where you are!

I'm 5.5 weeks out and have been bummed because I've been on a stall. Well, last night I bought a pair of pants to give me short term motivation and they already fit! Actually, they are a bit loose and I could probably get into one size smaller. I am so stoked and just can't believe it.
I've spent so many years trying on clothes only to have them not even fit on my body or be way too tight to wear. It felt so great to buy a size 4 sizes smaller than I have been wearing and have them slip right on.
Inspired! Just what a I needed!

What a roller coaster ride these last couple of weeks! I am still learning to "eat" with my new stomach. I am still trying to figure out how not to overeat. I have thrown up three times because it is true... dense Protein (chicken, tuna, fish...any type of meat for me) is so filling and after just a few bites, I am full. I usually don't know I am overfull until I feel like OMBAIP (one more bite and I will puke!) ....
I am doing really well with no drinking before or after a meal.
Anyway, enough with the rambling. I am down 24 pounds since my actual surgery.... happy about that but I am still VERY MUCH a work in progress.

I had an appointment with my doctor today. 10 weeks post op, started at 230, today I was 188. I am continuing to eat good. It is hard firguring out what to eat at times, but I am steadily growing and making healthy choices. My goal is 170, I expect to be there soon. I am pretty thin at 170 (8-10) in sizes, 5'9" Looking forward to staying healthy.