ShapeShifter

Can you try a netti pot for your sinuses and a salt and warm water gargle for your throat?

My surgeon / NUT recommends waiting a year. Whatever you decide, keep in mind that you will feel tipsy quicker and then feel sober quicker, but your blood alcohol level will remain elevated. So be sure to have a driver, even if you feel fine, because if you get pulled over and do a breathalizer, you may be illegal. Be safe!

Your body has been through great trauma. Please don't hold your recovery against it. We all heal differently and have different post-op experiences. One who did not experience an allergy and vomitting will likely settle in a bit easier. Everything I've read tells me that this too shall pass. It will get easier. We must believe this.
I am almost a month out, and am getting on okay, but suffer extreme fatigue by the end of the work day and struggle to stay awake while driving home. It is horrible! I am choosing to believe this is only temporary. Wishing you WELL, dear.

You look fabulous! Such a great smile. Also... love your pendant. : )

I was really worried about hair loss (I'm still pre-op), but now I'm embracing the possibility. I plan on getting a really cool, modern hair cut & color - something along the lines of Ellen Degeneres. I've had long hair all my life, I used it to cover my fat face/neck/double chin. So if I lose this 100 lbs, I will gladly give up my hair!
I watched my sister lose all of her hair to cancer, and I really learned alot from her courage and sense of humor. Losing your hair is not the worst thing that can happen to you.

I've chosen to tell people... for a few reasons. 1) One of my core values is honesty. When someone I care about asks me what I've been up to, it would be difficult not to mention the research that has consumed me, while considering a life altering procedure. (this does not mean I feel the need to announce it on facebook or to people who are more like acquantances.) 2) I *want* to hear the horror stories. I want to make an informed decision... if anyone I know has a friend that had this procedure who regretted it... I want to know! 3) I have been at this weight for 20 years, and everyone in my work and personal circles know that even on a diet of 1600 calories a day, I do not lose weight... when I am suddenly losing multiple pounds a week... I would rather not have to make up stories that are unbelievable. 4) If I should have any complications in the future, I want the people who surround me to understand how they can help me.
I've shared my concerns, my research, my possible future with more than 20 people... and have recieved overwhelming support, which has only affirmed the path I am on. This includes three of my doctors, and a friend I worried about telling the most, who cried with me, and offered to help me pay for the procedure. The people who love me want me to be healthy and pain-free (I'm already happy), and to avoid suffocating in my sleep (I have severe sleep apnea). I do know how very blessed I am, with a loving and supportive community. I wish the same for everyone!

Hi there! Have you been referred to theworldaccordingtoeggface.com? A great resource / blog by a post-op foodie. Lots of ideas for every stage.

I just wanted to leave you some love. I'm so sorry you are going through all of this. Stupid cancer.

The mantra I use to get through difficult times, which always works because I know it to be true... this is only temporary!
Everyone writes of difficult days in the beginning and that things do get better as the tummy heals. Believe that each day will get better and better... and it will. Wishing you WELL!

I am pre-op and have already incorporated protein drinks into my day. I have one for breakfast (sometimes made into a smoothie with frozen fruit), and sometimes I'll have one in the afternoon when I start to feel tired. The brand I have tried and liked the best, so far, is Isopure... they have no carb vanilla and low carb chocolate that are staples in my house. I do understand my taste may change post surgery... but they are definitely needed for the two-week liquid diet leading to surgery. I am planning to join Sam's or Costco for some of the offerings they have on protein.
All the best to you on your journey! I am a Melissa, too.

So sorry for your struggle emlefe. I have a friend who was housebound and started her exercise program sitting in her chair and curling canned goods. She eventually worked her way up to walking and other modes of free exercise. She has been on disability for many years, so her options were limited, too.
Try to replace those negative thoughts with positive ones. This is only temporary and things will get better. Wishing you WELL!

I have PCOS, too. Over the years I've joined WW with friends and watched them go down to a size 10, while I got all the way down to a size 18. Woohoo. I am beyond hopeful that this will be our solution to years of struggle. I often wondered if I was lying to myself about my eating, because surely I should be losing weight on less than 1600 calories a day. I was affirmed by the nutritionist who said that the only way for me to lose weight was through surgery. I wish it was not the case, but 20 years of doing the same thing (different types of diets) over and over again has not delivered a different result. It's time to stop the insanity! (I think that was Susan Powter... I did her program, too.)
All the best to you on your journey!

I am pre-op, but have read that the hunger can be stomach acid to be relieved by prilosec or something of that sort. Also, when you are hungry, drink water. It often is a signal that you are thirsty or dehydrated (that goes for pre-surgery hunger, too).
To avoid snacking, consider setting a schedule for consumption, i.e., your surgeon suggests 4 meals a day, so eat at 8am, 12pm, 4pm, 8pm (or whatever works for you, of course). If you feel hungry between those hours... drink water. Sometimes making rules to follow can help us follow our own guidelines, rather than being without boundaries.

I am pre-op, but have read that the hunger can be stomach acid to be relieved by prilosec or something of that sort. Also, when you are hungry, drink water. It often is a signal that you are thirsty or dehydrated (that goes for pre-surgery hunger, too).
To avoid snacking, consider setting a schedule for consumption, i.e., your surgeon suggests 4 meals a day, so eat at 8am, 12pm, 4pm, 8pm (or whatever works for you, of course). If you feel hungry between those hours... drink water. Sometimes making rules to follow can help us follow our own guidelines, rather than being without boundaries.

I am pre-op, but have read that the hunger can be stomach acid to be relieved by prilosec or something of that sort. Also, when you are hungry, drink water. It often is a signal that you are thirsty or dehydrated (that goes for pre-surgery hunger, too).
To avoid snacking, consider setting a schedule for consumption, i.e., your surgeon suggests 4 meals a day, so eat at 8am, 12pm, 4pm, 8pm (or whatever works for you, of course). If you feel hungry between those hours... drink water. Sometimes making rules to follow can help us follow our own guidelines, rather than being without boundaries.

Jenny, I am so happy for you! Hope is a good friend. I think I'll hold onto her as well. Thanks for sharing!

Good luck going back to work, and please be safe. Don't lift more than you should until you are cleared to do so. And... yay for YOU, sexy!

Relieved for this good news. Wishing you well upon your journey.

I did work with my therapist a few years back. It is well worth the time. I realized that I had an internal dialog of self-loathing. I decided that I was no longer willing to say to myself things that I would never say to another. Some of the conversations were started by my mother, who never intended to harm me by worrying about my weight... but things like... no man wants to marry a fat woman... were my daily bread. I no longer had room for rotten words, when I chose to sustain myself with love... with words that I WOULD say to others. We should all treat ourselves with as much kindness as we offer those we love.
I'm so glad you are doing this for yourself. You are worth every ounce of hard work. No one deserves your love more than you!

Stay Hopeful!!!! Believe, Pray and keep believing and praying!!!!
I was in your shoes, I also recall feeling like no hope. No money, no way of coming up with it. I looked to others to help, they didn't . I eventually had to rely on myself, my way.
I had yard sales, I found stuff people were giving away and sold that to. I am a waitress. I saved every nichol I could and put it in a bank (without an ATM card) in a savings account. My credit was not great. I somehow saved up over $2500. in 4 months. YEAH, ME WHO WAS BROKE LIVING WITH PENNIES, WEEK TO WEEK. I just wanted to be sleeved more than anything.
I still did not have enough and could not get a loan from a bank. My credit was not great and my husband's small family business was not doing well.
I woke up one night and remembered a lady I knew years ago that worked at a bank, She was really nice to me like 20 years before. I recalled her name, looked her up that morning, called her.... she ended up being (after all those years later) the head of the loan department. She helped me to attain a loan becuase she believed in me and who I was years before.
My point.... you keep believing, see it , taste it, know it, live like you are getting sleeved. Prepare yourself, walk into it..
Don't wait for your parents(relying on them). The door will open up. Taste it, dream it, breath it. Want it more than anything, it will happen if you want it.
Guess what.... it is worth it. I never thought I would see a size 14 ever again. I am only 3 months out, down from a tight 20 , really 22.
YOU CAN DO THIS.
I can not wait for the day you say, guess what... I am sleeved. Go to Mexico.
If you have no money, find a nichol put it in a piggy bank, they add up. Just do it!!!!!

Carrying you close and knowing that all shall be well.

You are doing GREAT, keep up(or is that down?) the good work.
I am 1 week post op today and feel great, 590lbs 1 year ago to 552lbs 1 week pre-op to 536 this morning I am so excited

I told everyone, family, friends, and everyone at work because I didn't want to have everyone asked me why I was out for two weeks or you look like you losing weight what's your secret. I personally wanted people to asked me questions or express their concerns before the surgery and not after. My family and friends was very supportive (mostly)...work was also supportive except for 1 person but she was a big B to begin with so I expected it. One of my work friends had a lot of questions about my experience...later to find out he is having by pass surgery at the end of the month.
I am a very strong person and out spoken at work so I know most people wouldn't say anything negitive to my face which is fine by me. But people will talk and not always nicely...people still think this is a easy way out, which it's not...and some people will just think your sickly/pitiful/weak which is not the case because you are doing something that will hopefully extend your life and give you a better quality of life. To those people, I say "Yes, I cheated...cheated heart failure, high blood pressure, back and knee pain, depression, and an earily grave...so yes, I cheated".
But to be honest, if I had to do it all over again, I would only tell my family and closest friends but not lie if asked by coworkers.

So sorry you are struggling (and hurting). Have you tried returning to the liquid, hi-protein diet to see if you can re-set your sleeve? I read about someone doing that. Also, if you go to YouTube and watch the journey of AmySDMOM, she has an entry on doing a yogurt fast for a couple of days, which helps her to lose up to 7 lbs.
Also, if you are depressed, that may have an effect on your movement. Can you take short walks, count your many blessings, drink more water? I wonder if the depression is keeping you from accomplishing some of your daily goals.
Surrounding you with light and wishing you WELL!

If you have 6 children to look after, I am certain you get more exercise than you imagine.
I am pre-surgery and tracking my calories and movement with a fitbit (pedometer that downloads to the computer). I consume 1100-1600 calories and get 1-3 miles per day of movement in normal activity. I gain and lose the same two pounds week after week, even though 'myfitnesspal' tells me I should lose several pounds over the next month.
Don't beat yourself up, your body is recovering from trauma, and our bodies don't all work the same. You are going to be amazing at this!