kittenkate

At 1 month out, that's awful. I hope you told him how that made you feel. If he doesn't know it upset you he will probably do it again. At 1 month out I didn't want to eat ANYTHING. I used to eat McDonald's, Taco Bell, or In N Out every single day. For the first few months after surgery I had no desire to eat anything let along fast food. Now that I'm further along the cravings have come back. I don't deny myself anything though. I count calories so if I really really want an In N Out burger I save up enough calories for the 3 bites I'll be able to eat. The money thing helps too. Spending $8 on a meal I am only able to eat a tiny portion of is no fun. Sorry that happened. Just focus on the outcome. Don't trade what you want now for what you want most.

I wish I had been smarter about clothes shopping. Maybe I'm just too vain, but I hate being in clothes that don't make me feel good and walking around in super baggy clothes is the worst. I was buying new clothes every couple sizes. That probably helped contribute to the 2 giant contracter trash bags of clothes I just donated to good will the other day. I do most of my shopping at Ross now, they have cute clothes for pretty cheap.

Where do you get Biotin shampoo? I'm taking the supplements but I want to add the shampoo to that too!

Tall girls represent! I'm 5'11 and have been since 8th grade. My highest weight was 387, size 30 pants, 3X or 22/24 tops (sometimes 26/28), size 11 shoes. My current weight is 250, I'm in size 20 pants (almost too big), L tops (or XL is they're cut weird). Tops at Lane Bryant are too big now so I'm smaller than a 14/16. I'm 27 so I'm relatively young. I don't have any loose skin but I do have the flabby arms. My doctor told me that if I focus on weight training my arms that because I'm still young they should shrink to a normal size. You certainly aren't alone. When I first started this journey and realized I had 212 pounds to lose (my goal is 175, I don't care what "national standards" say....any less than that and I'll be too skinny. Girls should have SOME curves). 212 pounds is an overweight person, and thats how much I had to lose. It's very discouraging BUT this surgery will change your life, I promise. I had mine in January. I started out at 212 pounds from goal, now I'm only 75 pounds from goal. That feels like nothin', I can do that! It's not an easy journey but we are all here for you and it will be the best thing you ever did! <3 my tall girls!

Starting weight: 387 Surgery Date: January 18, 2012 Current Weight: 250 Goal Weight by Oct. 31, 2012: 220

My hair has always been fine but I used to have a TON of it and I can tell how much it's thinned out. You've colored your hair and had no issues with it?

*sigh* I wish that was my only problem. I've gone from a 44D to a very unhappy 38B. It's very sad. However! I have over 200 pounds to lose total. When I lost the first 100 I got myself a beautiful opal ring that I wear everyday. When I lose the next 100 I am getting myself a boob job. I can't wait!

I traveled to California 2 weeks after surgery and I was perfectly fine. As someone who travels to Disney 7 or 8 times per year let me give this piece of advice: Bring something from your doctor saying that you had the surgery. Sometimes they give a letter, sometimes they give a card for you to carry. Either is fine. This way you can order off of the kid's menu when you eat at the parks. food there is expensive and the kid's meals are still more than I can eat so I'd rather pay $8 for that than $28 for wayyyy too much food. It's Disney so they will be super accomodating but having that letter just helps anyway. Have a magical time!

I was told not to use a straw or drink carbonated drinks for 6 months. At 6 months to the day I tried a Diet Dr Pepper with a straw and it was perfectly fine. I try to only use them when it's necessary. I have real sensitive teeth so I always used a straw so I didn't worry about the ice hitting my teeth. Now I just get drinks without ice so no worries! I say just try it. I tried a straw at about 3 months out and it hurt quite a bit so I knew I wasn't ready. Now it doesn't hurt at all. Trial and error, that's the best advice I can give. Haha.

Popcorn is a big one for me. I can barely get through a few spoonfuls of tuna fish before I'm feeling full but I can eat a whole bag of popcorn without much trouble. I am of the mentality that I don't want to deny myself things that I really want. (That's food, of course. I really want a Porsche Caymen too but I will deny myself that one. lol) I love to have it when I go to the movies so I get the smallest bag of popcorn. No additional salt or butter. But thats the only time I allow it. Slider foods don't have to also be "never again" foods, you just have to (like everything else with this surgery) be mentally prepared and willing to say no.

Ha! That made me laugh. I missed beer SO much. I had my surgery a couple weeks before the Super Bowl....so I couldn't drink AND the Giants won. That was not a good day for me. I was told that after 6 months I could have carbonation but it would be best to let it sit and go a little flat first. It wasn't necessary but would be easier on me. I was so excited for that 6 months to hit that I went to VEGAS to have my first beer. It was a Guiness. And it was glorious. Since then I have discovered that beer from a bottle hurts me. I guess its more heavily carbonated? I just know that I got a beer from the beer man at the Rangers game and could only take about 3 sips before I had to just stop. It hurt too much. Draft beer, however, is fine. I have to drink it slow(er) but I don't have any problems with it. Same goes for soda. I can take a few sips and be just fine. Considering I used to drink 3 or 4 beers/sodas a day, I'm perfectly happy with this. Also, whiskey is my new best friend. Jameson and I - we have a special relationship. lol

Yep, this is a great idea. I think I have a project for the weekend now!

I'm in the south Dallas (Lancaster/Red Oak, etc) area but moving to Euless next month. I was sleeved January 18.

That's very common, I went through the exact same thing.

It's so sad that some people can't just be simply happy for someone because they've accomplished something. They have to find criticism in it because it helps to justify their own feelings of low self-worth. I don't hide it from anyone. If people ask, I tell them the truth. I have before and after pictures up at my desk for all to see. There are still a few people who don't know I had surgery but can obviously tell I've lost a lot of weight. They ask me what my secret is and I always tell them "Good insurance". Haha. I know it's easier said than done but try not to pay too much attention to the nay-sayers. Like I said, they do it because it makes them feel a tiny bit better about themselves. Much like bullies. You did this for yourself and you should be SO proud of your success. Don't let the small minds of insignificant people put a damper on that. Keep up the great work!!!! We all support you here!

Exact same thing happened to me. It was the first time I had ever had anything like that happen to me. I was 17 and it was the Batman the Ride ride at Six Flags Over Texas. It was mortifying! I haven't been back to Six Flags since (I'm 27 now) but I'm going this Sunday, for the first time, to make that ride my b***h, and I can not wait! Haha

Starting weight: 387 Weight day of surgery: 375 Current weight: 257 Total loss so far: 130 pounds!

I color my hair every few months, think I should wait before coloring again?

I only just noticed my hair falling out. It was slow at first but it seems like it's more and more now. Thankfully I had a TON of hair, it was just fine so it never looked like I had that much. I have started taking Biotin everyday. I can already tell a difference in my nails (I'm a biter, bad habit) so hopefully it's helping my hair too. I know it's not permanent but I really hate losing my hair.

I knew exactly what I wanted as my first solid, real food and that was crab legs. They are my very favorite thing, so thats what I had. Thankfully they are also really easy to eat. Pick something high in protein!

Gas pains are the most common but much like Gene I didn't have any gas pains. My surgeon was fantastic and got the majority of the excess gas out. The worst pain I remember was climbing stairs. I slept downstairs at my house for the first week because climbing up and down stairs pulled on the muscles and caused some pain. During the first night in the hospital I requested one shot of morphine and that was all I needed. Overall, the pain has been very minimal.

I have never had a problem with the spotlight being on me. I spent soooo many years in the shadows because of my weight that I am soaking up every ounce of positive attention I can get. Sometimes I think "If I had just lost this weight in high school I would have been so much more popular". However. I am very strong minded and strong willed and down to earth. That may not be the case had I not had to be strong and deal with the negativity from my peers growing up. That being said. The tables have turned and now its other people wanting to be MY friend instead of the other way around. Guys hold doors for me, buy me drinks, give me compliments. I'm strong enough and smart enough to be able to appreciate and enjoy the attention without leading them to believe something is going to happen that SO isn't. Everyone is different. You're either comfortable or you aren't. We had this surgery to improve our lives, not other people's lives. Surround yourself with people you trust and love. Everyone else is just trying to mooch off your happiness and success!

I'm 27. I appreciate everyone referring to ourselves as "youngsters" because 30 is creeping up on me and I feel anything but young. Haha. I had the surgery back in January and its 100% the best decision I ever made. Good luck with your process and keep us posted! Feel free to add me as a friend or message me if you have any questions. It's only been 6 months since surgery but I can assure you I have been through it ALL. Haha.

When I started this journey I needed to lose about 215 pounds. The idea of that seemed daunting and depressing. I didn't think I would EVER lose that much. As of today, I am less than 100 pounds away from that goal. I know that's still a lot of weight and I'm not done yet, but it feels like a light at the end of the tunnel. I love my sleeve!!!

I'm jealous of your all boobie all the time. I feel like that was the first thing to go. At 100 pounds lost I rewarded myself with a beautiful opal and pink sapphire ring. At the next (and final) 100 pounds lost I think I'll reward myself with a boob job. Ha!