Meljp

I am 9 weeks post op. Down 44 lbs. and gone from an 18 to a 14. I already feel so much better with the weight I have lost. My knees especially. I just wanted to share what my husband Steve said to me night before last when he came in from work. He said "you sure are all dolled up". I asked "what do you mean?" and he replied "you just look so good"...Oh I love that man of mine!! Blessings~Melanie:)

I am 9 weeks post op. Down 44 lbs. and gone from an 18 to a 14. I already feel so much better with the weight I have lost. My knees especially. I just wanted to share what my husband Steve said to me night before last when he came in from work. He said "you sure are all dolled up". I asked "what do you mean?" and he replied "you just look so good"...Oh I love that man of mine!! Blessings~Melanie:)

I'm with you, Star! Nothing has bothered my sleeve, but like you, I haven't tried bread, Desserts or Pasta and i'm not missing it a bit. I did have a couple of small spoonfuls of Israeli Cous Cous and it tasted good! But, i concentrate on Protein. Tonight was Korean Style Short Ribs, grilled with an heirloom cherry Tomato salad and one stalk of brocollini. It was delicious and filled me up perfectly! My issue is getting in the 800 calories my NUT wants me to get in while still eating so little really. I'm at about 1/2 cup food each meal and cannot get in more and i eat five small meals a day! I'm still only consuming around 600 calories most days and that's with a RTD protein shake! I'm 8 weeks out tomorrow. How many calories are you getting in? I think we are eating the way we should and I'm not ready to test the waters with any fried food or sweets. It's just not worth it to me!

Only my husband, daughters and a select few friends know. The reason, I don't want to feel like I am under the microscope! Some people would sit back and say, "My, she looks horrible" or "I don't see her loosing at all" and the like! My life is an open book and I have always been the "tell all" kind of person, but not this time. I tell you it's the hardest thing I have ever done. My biggest surprise was when I told my mother in law. My God she is the greatest cook! and deserts! WOW I started out by saying I need to tell you something and I need your support. I don't have much family and I need you to support me. I explained the surgery. She knows I have battled my weight for the past 10 years. She thought I wouldn't be able to eat anymore! I said, "just in smaller amounts" and believe it or not yesterday she told me to take care of myself. It blew me away because we have had some stormy days in our relationship...
and today I get a get well card in the mail from her! Totally blew me away! God is Great!!! Blessings~Melanie:)

I am 9 weeks post op. Down 44 lbs. and gone from an 18 to a 14. I already feel so much better with the weight I have lost. My knees especially. I just wanted to share what my husband Steve said to me night before last when he came in from work. He said "you sure are all dolled up". I asked "what do you mean?" and he replied "you just look so good"...Oh I love that man of mine!! Blessings~Melanie:)

I am 9 weeks post op. Down 44 lbs. and gone from an 18 to a 14. I already feel so much better with the weight I have lost. My knees especially. I just wanted to share what my husband Steve said to me night before last when he came in from work. He said "you sure are all dolled up". I asked "what do you mean?" and he replied "you just look so good"...Oh I love that man of mine!! Blessings~Melanie:)

I dont find this hard to read, I don't think red is an issue. Its the cursive fonts that are hard and then to add bright colors on top leads to an immediate pass over.

Thank you, Melanie. I'll private message you. ONE MORE REASON to love this forum!

Sara that is awesome!! I am an artist as well! I design mostly jewelry. I work in polymer clay, mixed media as well as PMC...I belong to a wonderful Guild KY/TN with some very talented artists. We have one big retreat at Mammoth Cave each Oct. and bring in a BIG polymer clay artist for 4 days of workshops. We have already filled all 38 spots for this Oct. My goal is to open an Etsy shop this summer. I have a bag that opens up and hangs. It has at least 12 different size zippered clear pockets. I have said when I get that bag full it's time to open shop...If you haven't heard of Etsy you should really check it out as a venue to sell your art!! I would love to see some of it as I always love to buy from other artists!!! Please keep in touch with me! Blessings~Melanie:)

Oh, Favoredone, this is a wonderful challenge and you've made an impressive list! For years my brother has had the motto "Take A Risk". He has stickers with that saying that he hands out to everyone. It's so important to break out and try new things, even if its a bit scary.
I'm going to spend this next week working on a new line of cards with my art work and I'll spend this next month approaching some galleries and stores about carrying my art. It requires a large investment on my part to have the prints made on metal (which is how they show best) but I think this is one of those cases where you have to spend money to make money. I don't have a salesperson personality, so I've had a hard time putting myself out there around town.

Have you tried to google Amazon.com? I don't know if you can get stuff shipped over to the UK from it, but it may be a good try. . . if I can't find something, or the stores have run out, I can always find it on Amazon.com. . .good luck.

Watch out for greasy, fried foods. Your head will want them . . . you'll remember how good they taste . . . but chances are they will make you feel really icky when you eat them. I let my daughter get a small bag of Lay's potato chips as a treat at the gas station the other day. WIthout really thinking I grabbed a handful of them and munched on them . . . of course they were tasty, but about 5 minutes after eating them I really regretted it.
I figured out some workarounds, though - when someone orders mozzarella sticks at a restaurant, for example, I just peel off the greasy, nasty breading and dip the melty cheese in the marinara sauce. YUM. Instead of chips I do multi-grain baked crackers with laughing cow light cheese. Not exactly the same thing but it helps when I'm craving the "crunch" of something.

Pink IS my favorite color....in the immortal words of Steven Tyler and Aerosmith.

Child, BREATHE! Relax...it's okay.
First...DON'T HATE YOU! God created you and he don't make no junk!
Second... Think about before you were sleeved...if that's what you ate in one day, you'd be like "Dang, I hardly ate today!" It's okay. Nobody expects you to be perfectly strict with yourself to where your living like an obsessed maniac (and the repetitive negative self speak and inner monologue is our red flag). So now, just stop and breathe and remember;
1- your NOT on a diet- you are living a healthy lifestyle complete with healthy eating choices and a realistic and healthy self image.
2- you are making progress and growing. Anything that's not growing is dead. Your fully alive, which means sometimes your going to put things in your mouth you may regret later...and that's okay! You will continue to do your best to do #1.
3- The sleeve is only a tool. You also have exercise, prayer and meditation, supportive community (VST!), and mostly ENOUGH LOVE FOR YOUR LIFE THAT YOU DID SOMETHING SO THAT YOU COULD LIVE IT IN A QUALITY MANNER...
So no more hating out of you, young lady!
:wub:

Vitamin D deficiency is VERY common in obese individuals. It's because it's a fat soluble Vitamin and stored in fat cells. It has been in the news much recently as it's true many people are deficient, not just overweight people. It has recently been discovered that we need a lot more Vitamin D than previously thought and it's much more important to more body systems and functions than previously thought. Most of us don't even know we're vitamin D deficient until we get tested either before or after the weight loss surgery, but that is now changing too, as most doctors are starting to routinely test their patients, especially their 'larger' ones
Interestingly enough, it would be almost impossible for us to get as much vitamin D as we need from just the sun. I was reading an article (have to find it) that stated we would basically need to sit out in the full sun for 6 hours a day almost nude for our skin to soak up/convert as much vitamin D as we need.
I have been Vitamin D deficient for years and have to take two 2,000 IU capsules a day (or one 5,000 IU cap) to maintain a normal level. At first, you may need to double that to get UP to normal, then cut back to maintain.
There used to be concern, that since it is a fat soluble vitamin like Vitamin A and E, that if you take too much, it could be toxic (as excess is stored, not released through waste). But they have also released research that states up to 10,000 IU a day is safe (note I am NOT a doctor, so please ask yours or do your own research!)
There is a wealth of info out there on this topic now since there have been so many new studies done. I would listen to what your doctor told you to take for your deficiency and then have them monitor it every so often so you know how much to take for a maintenance dose.
Good luck!!

First and foremost, I would like to apologize to the everyone who was worried about me and thought something bad happened to me around my previous surgery date. I was going through a whole lot of chaos mentally, emotionally and physically with very little support, so i felt it would be best for me to postpone my surgery for a later date or until everything got better.
I know I haven't posted on here since October, maybe September, I don't recall but I'm here to let you know that I'm officially back on the bandwagon. This time im eady to lay all my cards on the table and finish what I previous started last year.
I recently received a new surgery date, April 26th, and I'm more excited than previous surgery date I received. Internally I feel at peace and now it time to let it show externally.
As most of you may already know, the only support I have is my sister and you all! Everyone else I spoke about it with are completely against my decision and desperately trying to change my mind, but I wont let that happen, no, not a chance in hell lol.
I also decided to start a podcast from the beginning of my journey all the way to the end of it. As soon as I get the ball rolling I will definitely keep you all informed.
To all my newly sleeved people, from sept. 2011-march 2012, I would like to congratulate you all on taken a major leap of faith and joining the journey to a better life and longer life. You have my FULL SUPPORT! To all my future sleevers I wish you all the best of luck on the pre-journey, I'm right there behind you cheering you on all the way to finishline!

At first I felt so restricted and closterphobic...but now that I am healing and able to do more, I actually love the feeling of getting full after a few bites. I am glad to get to this stage!!!

Where the #%$$# are you hiding 258 in that picture?!?!?!? I want whomever took that picture to follow ME around taking pictures!! LOL

I've always found it's best if we:
DO NOT FEED THE TROLLS
Whatever their reason for the nearly incomprehensible gibberish and attacks - by answering them we are just feeding whatever perverse desire motivates them to post this crap in the first place.
Please, please, please just let this thread die. Just ignore him, he will go away if he can't provoke anyone into an argument.

It seems that this is a person that just doesn't want to listen to reason. They claim to be a medical student, but yet it seems they knew absolutely nothing about this surgery before committing to it.
I had complications dealing with surgery. I was in the hospital three times, including an ER visit, within the first two weeks post-op. So I know this surgery isn't a magical, stress-free solution. Heck, at 3.5 months out, I still have trouble following a suitable diet plan. I overeat sometimes, and usually that makes me sick. Slowly, I'm learning. I know I have food issues, and this is a great forum to come and deal with it, whether you want to vent, inquire, or just learn from other people.
Whining about the surgery because you refuse to follow the plan isn't going to solve anything. Is your surgeon frustrated with you? Or do you just act this way on the internet, and all sweet towards her and don't tell her all the problems you're having? I have a feeling karma is going to bite you in the butt once you become a doctor and you have patients who refuse to listen to you.
Should this forum be all unicorns and rainbows? No, not really. People need to see the ups and downs, the pros and cons, the good and the bad of this surgery. It's a lifelong commitment. This surgery may help you with the physical aspect, but it doesn't help the emotional or mental one. You didn't get fat overnight. You didn't develop food related issues (because, really, pretty much all overweight/obese people have them) overnight. So this surgery isn't going to fix it overnight.
I hope your journey goes better for you.

I had a small portion of a baked pork chop with mushroom Soup gravy...the looks don't bother me at all because I know how good that dish was before pureed food!! Also I have a great tip for keeping your food hot. I have one of those electric coffee cup warmers and a small glass bowl. I turn it on and put the empty small bowl on it and then while I am pureeing <sp? it the bowl will be very warm and I can take my time eating and it stays delish!!

Only my husband, daughters and a select few friends know. The reason, I don't want to feel like I am under the microscope! Some people would sit back and say, "My, she looks horrible" or "I don't see her loosing at all" and the like! My life is an open book and I have always been the "tell all" kind of person, but not this time. I tell you it's the hardest thing I have ever done. My biggest surprise was when I told my mother in law. My God she is the greatest cook! and deserts! WOW I started out by saying I need to tell you something and I need your support. I don't have much family and I need you to support me. I explained the surgery. She knows I have battled my weight for the past 10 years. She thought I wouldn't be able to eat anymore! I said, "just in smaller amounts" and believe it or not yesterday she told me to take care of myself. It blew me away because we have had some stormy days in our relationship...
and today I get a get well card in the mail from her! Totally blew me away! God is Great!!! Blessings~Melanie:)

Happy to hear the surgery is over! Get rest and keep us posted....Blessings~Melanie:)

Whew.....you and your loved ones had to be so scared...Bless you!! Happy all turned out well and now you are home!! Keep us posted please....Blessings~Melanie:)

I've got a diamond anniversary ring hubs gave me on our 10th wedding anniversary that needs a diamond replaced. Going to do that and have the prongs and such checked. It is a bit too small. I can get it on, but it's snug. I thought about resizing it, but I know the weight is coming off so I'll wear a snug ring just to see how long it takes to get looser on my finger! BTW we will Celebrate our 25th this July 11....wow that's about 1/2 of my life! I've got a good-un too! My best friend and soul mate he is!!!