hope2Bfitand40

I used the Unjury chicken broth for a long time and it was a fabulous break from sweet protein shakes.

For me it was the towel. It has been so long since I could wrap a regular size bath towel around me!

I wouldn't eat them. I was supposed to stay away from strawberries for 3 months because of the seeds.

I don't think you can get back over with a birth certificate anymore. I believe things changed about two years ago...

I need help with this too. I'm starting to sleep more and also take a bath to relax...that's all I have so far...

I echo all of the other posts here, as I have experienced much the same as you all. One other option besides buying new clothes is to have your pants altered in the butt and waist. It helps to reduce the bulk around the middle and let some of your new shape show. One more thing, beautiful is not having a perfect body. Weight loss does not equal perfect. It is mental and physical health that is beautiful. Try to stay focused!

I worried about everything, wrote a will and goodbye letters to my family, just in case. I didn't have any complications, and didn't give those letters to my family. Complications happen, but the odds are in your favor!

I will be 5 months post op on the 6th, and yesterday I really cheated and ate a small 5 Guys hamburger with four or five fries for lunch. I didn't eat all of the bun, but otherwise, I ate the whole burger. I was full, it tasted pretty good, and settled fine with me. By dinner, I was back on track and had a Protein Shake. I know I won't do that all of the time, but bottom line is that you will feel mostly "normal" sooner than you think. Today, I remember that "normal" got me to 238 pounds, and I'm grateful to be less than "normal" now; but not freakishly focused on food and liquids as I was right after surgery. It is totally live-able once you heal.

Are you taking vitamins regularly? My hair loss seems to slow when I take my vitamins. I was sleeved on March 6.

Just to reiterate, I am 5 months out and I eat a lot more than 4 bites. I eat at least 3-4 ounces of meat plus a side of vegetables and sometimes even carbs, which I know I should not eat. It is actually very easy to live with the sleeve, the hard part for me is to learn what I need emotionally so that I don't stop losing. I CAN eat comfort food, but just because I can, doesn't mean I should. I think it's the emotional connection to overeating and bad food choices that I (and maybe we?) have to work on, but thank God for the sleeve to allow me to see a better choice than my overeating. It has restored my hope. In myself.

I slept on a narrow couch for about three nights. I used a pillow to brace my stomach when moving around, and I always took my pain meds. Don't be a hero and take the pain meds on a regular schedule for the first 5-6 days (or longer if needed).

Don't lose hope. I think you can take off another 10-20 pounds in the next 6 months, with just a little diligence. I think you are right about not having hunger. That's the best weapon we have now. I'm almost 5 months post op and have lost right at 40 pounds. I'm not losing much anymore, but my body is still changing. I am short and had only about 80 total pounds to lose which is why I think it is going to take longer and more work. I will consider myself done at 1 year out, in the meantime, I'm just going to try to lose as much as possible.

My husband said today that he loved my body before but since I am so much happier, that's all the better for him! I love good men.

It took me a couple of months to feel back to normal in terms of exhaustion. I hope you get your strength back soon!

Yeah, I'm with 2ndtimesacharm, 37 pounds off and three books of "50 shades of grey" and I'm in the mood all the time!

I would've never written it (out loud), but I have experienced some of these same improvements! (Yay!)

2 weeks

I added decaf instant coffee to my Protein shakes. It takes the sweet edge off. Hope you are doing better!

Yes, I took a nap everyday at lunch in my car for 3 weeks. I don't think I got my energy back until I was about 5-6 weeks post op. I feel really great now at 10-11 weeks post op. My advice is to get the rest you need.

Nanny, you can do it! Seriously, I have cooked without sampling and it is OK.

I am 10 weeks post op, and what I've come to realize is that change is hard, even "good" change. Someone on this board has said more than once that they operate on our stomachs, not our brains. This is an excellent perspective. We didn't get to the point of needing WLS without some kind of "stinking thinking" and the sleeve is merely one of the tools in our tool box. Doubts are normal. And I think mine were strongest right about 2-3 weeks. Keep working on your brain; take this opportunity to grow and change in a positive way. Have you looked at the blog The World According to Eggface? She seems to enjoy food in a healthy way. This blog has given me some insight and a few new food ideas. Best wishes!

I am about 10 weeks post op and I had brisket a couple of days ago. It did not settle well and was somewhat painful going down, big mistake. My nutritionist told me to eat ground meats and fish until I am 3 months post op. I've learned my lesson. I have had the most luck with ground turkey patties. I usually mix the ground turkey with egg and a little bit of bread crumbs. It makes a moist turkey patty, which is very satisfying, better than Greek yogurt. I'll be avoiding beef for a long time!

Just in case you need one more "no" vote, I'm in. Don't eat the popcorn.

I had back pain for a long time too, maybe a month. It still aches occasionally. I also had a hiatal hernia repair, and I don't know if it is related. My best explanation is that I think I was avoiding the use of my abdominal muscles which put a strain on my back. Hope you feel better soon, try to relax.

Yay, that is amazing!