ChaChaBurch

Hey everyone! I'm down 50 lbs so far since my surgery on 3/22/12! Also down from a 24W to a 16! Loving my sleeve!

Looks like everyone's doing GREAT! I don't get the opportunity to get on the board as much as I did when I was recuperating, but still take quick looks.

My name is the same as on here "MommaChaCha" - you can add me too!

I have a friend who is Kindergarten teacher. She had a tremendous amount of cellulite on her thighs. She had heard about using a wooden rolling pin - the kind you use of pie crusts. She used it twice a day for 6 weeks, and almost all of her cellulite "smoothed" out. I haven't tried it, but I think that will be something I'll have to try soon.

WOW - You guys have tons of things that I think will benefit these folks. Thank you so much for sharing your ideas, thoughts, and experiences. This will really help!!

Also, don't forget about "Spanks" - which can be a girls best friend too!

My NUT and the Surgeon have invited me to speak at a meeting of people who are scheduled to have the sleeve sometime within the next 6 months. They said that I had handled the pre-op, post-op requirements really well, and was losing steadily. They and had told folks about how I was doing, and they wanted to do a Q&A with me. I was so surprised, seeing as how I've still got over 60lbs left to lose. But I told them I would be honored to answer any questions they might have to the best of my ability. My personal experience has been a complete and positive one from Day 1. So, my question to you is this: Is there anything that you wish you had know PRIOR to having the surgery? I feel that it's my responsibility to be honest, and up front with everyone that is there.

Congratulations! That's totally awesome.

I normally get the hiccups when I'm full, but for the first time last night, I had a few hiccups and then my nose started running. I told my DH, "Oh my, my nose is so runny, I wonder why?", and then I started feeling a slight bit of nausea. Finally, the light bulb went on, and I realized that I was full. This was the first time that it had ever done it. I remembered hearing some folks talk about it, but had never experienced before. It's amazing what our bodies will tell us if we will just listen to it!

My hair loss started at about 2 weeks post-surgery. At first it was a bit frightening, but other folks don't notice it (except the lady that cuts my hair) - she said not to worry about it, she has seen this a lot with WLS folks. It DOES grow back. I had worked really, really hard at letting my hair grow out, and now it's the longest it's been since I was a kid. But for me, thinner hair is on the low end of concerns compared to my over all health. I'm 4 months post-op and the hair is still coming out, just not as much now. And again, no one seems to notice it except me. My hair is thin and still looks fine. The good news? It's starting to grow back in, and I've been considering cutting it off short again, for the time being.

Probably the food I have most dreaded trying was salads. I have put off eating one for fear of it causing an issue. Well, Saturday I tried a small salad, and . . . TA-DA!!! No issues! I've had one almost every day since! Still no issues. So thankful I have missed having salads and now that it seems they aren't an issue, it's such a relief. I'm down 45lbs today, and am so happy!! This sleeve definitely rocks! I watched a series of videos on YouTube last night about a 19 year old boy in Houston, Texas who weighed 799lbs. It was heartbreaking. I thought about how easily that could have been me if I didn't get things under control. It's horrifying what "junk food" and "fast food" can do to one's body, and how horribly addictive those things can be. For me, NEVER AGAIN!! I am now in control of what I eat and what I don't eat. I never knew that the sleeve was an option for me, if not for this forum. I wouldn't have had the courage to go through with it if not for the encouragement and support of folks on this board! Thank the Lord I found it. :wub:

I'm a little over 2 months out and so far, I would rate it a 10. I'm 45lbs down, and feeling the best I've felt in over 10 years. So much more energy, and no issues with food. This is the best decision I've ever made regarding ME!

Congratulations on the weight loss! Regarding the "jiggly" stuff - I too have that, and I found a great item at Dillards (don't know if you have those in California) - but it looks like a T-shirt, but it's made to keep your tummy smooth. You can wear it under another shirt, or with an over-shirt, or just by itself. I bought one in white and one in black. My DH loves it!

It's the same as my name here - MommaChaCha.

I had my band in Jan. 2007. I had issues from the start, even though I lost around 45 - 50 pounds. I had my revision done just 2 months ago and all I can say is, WOW!!!!! What a difference! I feel better, eat better and have had zero complications. If any of you have a Facebook page, there's a great page called "Failed Lap-Bands and Realize Bands" and there is so much information about issues with the band and most of the folks on there have had revisions or are in the process of getting one. I would highly recommend it!

I use "My Fitness Pal" and it calculates how many calories I should eat to lose. Right now it's saying 1200 calories, but I typically eat between 800 - 900 daily.

Joni - for me, since I'm eating less food, I don't mind spending a little more on "quality" foods. After all, I'm worth it Also, I think that's a part of the reason my energy is so good. Now, if I could just get these massive hot flashes to settle down . . . .

Oh, one other thought. When I eat UNDER my calorie recommendation, I've been told that my body goes into "starvation mode" and hangs on to every single ounce!

Hey Everyone! It's been over a week since I've been able to get on the boards. Looks like everyone's doing well. I'm now at 2 months post-op and feeling awesome! Down 42lbs and the energy is amazing!! One thing that I've noticed about my weight loss is that the less I eat, the less I lose. When I get in more food, I seem to drop more weight. I know the science behind that is that more of the "right" foods helps out metabolism burn more fat, but somehow my brain just can't wrap around it. I know too, that that also mean staying within a certain caloric/fat/etc., amount, but still, it's hard to really believe. However, the scale doesn't lie. On the days when I forget to eat breakfast, or don't eat dinner because I'm not hungry, then the scale doesn't budge. But when I eat right, the scale moves.

I haven't been able to get on this website for about 3 weeks due to computer issues, and then family illness. Thankfully, that's all taken care of now! It's hard to believe that 2 months ago I had a life-changing, mind-blowing experience with the realization of getting my sleeve. After years of major struggles with the lap-band, and 2 years spent searching for a Doctor who would even consider seeing me, God opened the door for me at Dr. Kaler's office. Dr. Kaler had no hesitation in telling me, "Yes, I can do your revision". I remember sitting in his exam room with tears in my eyes, thinking "Finally, someone who can help me". The sense of relief that this ordeal was finally over was surreal. After years of struggling with the band, the sliming, the sticking, the not being able to eat out in front of anyone other than my DH, my mother's comments of "Oh honey, I just wish there was something that could be done for you", my revision was done in one surgery. The changes that have occurred in my life since have been amazing. No more sticking, no more sliming, eating out with friends, feeling like I'm 15 years younger, the energy, the ability to get out and move, the improved numbers from my bloodwork, actually enjoy life has been such a blessing. As of this morning, I am down 42lbs, and 3 dress sizes. I still struggle with my eyes being WAAAAYY bigger than my sleeve. I suspect this will be a challenge for quite a long time. But it's always surprising to me how much is left on my plate. My DH has enjoyed my leftovers many times and isn't complaining. To have the ability to eat without the expectation that it's going to be a painful experience, has made me realize that I have taken eating for granted. I no longer do that. I know truly enjoy my food, more as a true pleasure, and I'm focusing on making sure that those meals are well worth the effort. I'm learning new recipes, experiencing new foods, and focus on eating whole, healthy, fresh foods. And it's such a great time of the year to do this. With the Farmer's Markets that are open now, my vegetable garden, learning to can and freeze fresh fruits and vegetables, purchasing grass fed beef, free-range chicken, and the most recent addition to our little farm - a Devon pig, who will be filling our freezer this fall, our food quality has increased by leaps and bounds. No more pre-processed food, no more white carbs, a significant reduction in gluten in our lives has made a tremendous difference in not just my, but my DH's life. I never would have made these changes in our life had it not been for the sleeve. I'm eating pretty much anything I want, just in drastically smaller quantities, and the only thing I haven't tried yet is a salad. For some reason, that's the one thing that looms in my mind as the "The Big One". I'm sure it's just in my head that way, but I still see a Salad and think, "One day I'll be able to eat that and really enjoy it", but I haven't tried one yet. I'm not big on restaurant salads, but prefer to buy my own ingredients and make them at home. That way I can control what goes in to it. I will always encourage those who are thinking about getting the lapband toward the sleeve, and I will support those who want a revision by sharing my experience. Just as so many of the folks on this wonderful website have done for me.

My surgeon mentioned them, but my NUT is the one who went through everything much more thoroughly.

I think that 19lbs is great! That's 19lbs that you won't have to carry around again. But I'm wondering if maybe you are in an early stall. How fast did you lose the other 17lbs?

I had my 2nd follow-up with my surgeon on Wednesday 5/09. He was just thrilled with my weight loss so far. He said I was doing great and to just keep on doing what I'm doing. He told me I had no restrictions on my activities from here on out, so whatever I feel like doing, to go right ahead (Zumba, here I come)! He wants me to come back in 2 months to do some follow-up bloodwork. Different foods I've tried this past week are: Artisan Pizza (from Dominoes) - 1 slice of Chicken & Bacon Carbonara - No problems, just ate super slow and chewed, chewed, chewed! Veggie Burger (MorningStar Farms) - Really good and had no problem with a thin bun. Rib-Eye Steak - pan seared & served with Blue Cheese Butter (Better than a 5 star restaurant) Asparagus - sauteed in olive oil, garlic, and served with Parmesan cheese I'm so thankful that my sleeve has tolerated all these foods with zero issues. I just make sure that I chew, chew, chew! This next week is super busy, each and every day is filled with obligations, so I'm planning ahead and making sure I have plenty of protein bars, fruit, etc., to get me through it. Just because I can now tolerate most foods, is not permission to go out and eat them all! I had this surgery so that I could lose weight, get healthy, and still enjoy my life. While I enjoy a few of the "no-no foods", that's a rarity, and at least now when I eat pizza, it's just 1 slice, and then that's it. No desire to eat another bite! I've been walking 3 miles (4 times a week) with a friend, and I think that next week we'll try to push it to 3.5, and see how we tolerate it.

@Kat1 - welcome! So glad you found us! @tjmom - Congratulations on your success! So glad to hear your doing so well!

My restriction doesn't seem to fluctuate. About the same amount at each meal. I can eat approximately 1/2 cup at each meal.