NancyJerry

For the large incision, I have a couple of stitches on the inside, but not on the out. I am 3 weeks post op and that is the slowest healing scar. I'm using Mederna , but can't yet on that large incision or the hole from the JP tube. I think, over all, things will heal up pretty well.

Oh my goodness! You look gorgeous! I bet you feel great too!! Keep up the amazing work - it's very inspirational to us newbies!!

I lost like 4 pounds and now I think I'm in the "oh-so-dreaded-STALL!!!!!!!" still hoping to make goal.....grrr!

Hi Hutch! You've come to a good place. Sounds like you and your bride are very lucky to have one another. I am about 3 weeks post op and already I've noticed a HUGE difference with my feet pain/heel spurs. Good luck to you! Keep us posted!

I've noticed a difference with my shoes after just 2 weeks, post-op. My Birkenstocks are FALLING off my feet. I wear custom orthodics and need new ones, but I'll be waiting a bit!

Me too! njerry Add me!

FUNNY - it is the same sweater. It's just happen-chance but at the same not not shocking as I have the world's smallest wardrobe EVER! I've always hated shopping. Maybe that will change for me now Thank you Everyone for the compliments. Holy Cow! My head isn't going to fit through the door when I get home tonight! LOL Good luck to us ALL!!!

Oh my gosh - that's awesome!! I hope to be a runner someday. Thanks for the inspiration!!

This is how it was for me too.

Yay You!!! Will be thinking of you today and anxious to hear how you are doing!

Christine & Giving it My All- When are your surgeries? Don't worry, walk a lot and sip slowly. You'll do great! Buffy - you too! enjoy the gift to yourself!! I got mine on March 27th (3weeks ago tomorrow). Rdoactv - Pictures are a blessing and curse, aren't they? Now that you are going through this - don't wait; take 'um! Dee, Robin, Cmullin, Niahri, Amy and Terry - Thank you, from the bottom of my heart for your compliments. Sometimes they are hard to hear (read) and believe. Looking younger is pretty cool for me. I don't think I've ever been carded! Good luck to us all, and thanks for the support. It sure goes a long way!

I would be very worried that your body will rob your muscles during weight loss rather than fat, without enough protein. And muscle weighs more than fat so if you are just watching the scale weight loss could be misleading. Be careful.

Aviiva, I use the EAS Advantage carb control. I like the chocolate fudge pretty well, but I was just wondering about the Myoplex. So, good to know, I think I will try them.

Monty, I'm only about 3 weeks out and feel like I could only hope to be as successful as you have been. Keep up the amazing job you are doing and find yourself a new doctor!

Walk, walk and walk some more. I had to pee like a race horse for 2 days due to the IV so I made a point to walk around the nurse's station every time I got up to use the bathroom. When I was too nauseous to walk (first day), the nurses brought me hot blankets to lay across my belly and chest. That helped too. Good luck and walk a LOT!!!! Oh, and I had next to no gas pain left after about 24-28 hours.

I wish I had!! But I'm doing it now! Great advice!!

Cream of Wheat, and Malt-o Meal. Someone here mentioned adding cottage cheese to spaghetti sauce and warming them up (not too much) and that is quite filling! I've also added cottage cheese to my tomato soup.

Oh boy! This was a toughie for me. I haven't liked my picture taken in a LONG time. If a picture got taken that I didn't like I would delete it immediately. In fact, I've been so embarrassed about how I look, I took down my wedding picture that I had on my desk at school, because I didn't look anything like the woman that married my husband. Each time someone reminded me of that, I became more and more ashamed. SO, I had to search far and wide for a few shots of me before my surgery and to be honest - they aren't the worst! - but they are all I have, I've also taken a couple of head shots since my surgery, and posted those, too. I haven't been brave enough to take a body shot, but will have to soon. My fear had been that for some reason (even though logic says once you've removed 85% of your stomach you SHOULD lose weight) I wouldn't be successful and I'd have a horrible picture of myself (another to delete). Well, I'm much more optimistic these days, so I'll have to fix that soon. In the meantime, I've added some pictures to my gallery. I just wanted to share this with my new found, and much appreciated support group. Thanks everyone.

Good luck to you. Keep walking and have a safe trip home!

Oh that sounds like so much fun. Congrats on your stars all lining up for you!

My wait was very similar to ChaCha's. And I'm almost 3 weeks post, too. Yeah, looking back that seems to have flown a lot faster than waiting to get out of my soft-food phase But now it seems like everything is a "I can't wait until....". I can't wait until I am in the 180's. I can't wait to have the strength and endurance to try jogging. I can't wait..., I can't wait...., I can't wait..... I guess the bottom line is journal a lot so you can look back and appreciate the WHOLE journey! Good luck to you and keep us posted!

SOOOO inspirational - Congrats to you!!

Wow! Your story is really something to look forward to. Sometimes it feels like these days are moving so slowly. I feel like one of my high school students that can't imagine life outside of school, away from the drama and growing up. For me, I can't imagine being one year post sleeve and at or near goal. Like you, I was size 16/18 when I had my surgery. I have lost about 27 pounds which I am very happy with, but I read so much about stalling and frustrations, and I'm so scared that this surgery , like all of those other things I've tried that have failed, is something that I will fail at too. Thank you for hope and inspiration. Congratulations to you!!!

Oh. It never ceases to amaze me the variety of timelines and techniques that people go through after getting the same procedure. I didn't have any stitches or staples except for the ones holding my new stomach together! Lol. So I was just curious. Thanks!