hollirrose

Ok..so no one here can give you any crap for smoking. *_* You quiting smoking is like telling an overweight person to just put down the fork and work out. Smoking is an unhealthy addiction just like food was for all of us. I quit a couple of months before surgery. I wanted surgery to go as smoothly as possible and not have complications from something I could prevent. I also did not pick back up the habit until a couple of months after surgery. I dont know why I lit up again... Well I guess I kinda do...I couldnt eat. Its amazing how eating is tied to your emotions. Im working on that now and will re quit by the end of the week. I wish you much success. My advice is to just stop. You have to want something more than nicotine.

You can do things to help like working out and following the advice you are getting here.... But you are either going to have loose skin or not. Its genetics and skin type. You know how people swear by certain lotions to prevent stretch marks durring pregnacy... Well its not going to really help. Look at your mother-- if she has stretch marks from having you-- chances are you are going to have them too. Same concept.

Yep.. half on here beleive it will strech the sleeve and the other half dont. Pop makes some people really uncomfortable because of the carbonation. Some are just fine. Some drink from straws and some dont for the same reason. You just have to decide what you believe. Search some past posts it may help. I personally have a diet coke about one a week. No problems for me.

I make my hot chocolate with my regular protein mix. It is chocalate flavored. I just microwave my almond milk to to the right temp and add a scoop. You have to stir it the entire time so you dont get clumps.

I ate them pre op all the time ... Now I keep my carbs below 40 and they dont work in my plan. When my carbs are high I am hungry, have cravings, and dont lose weight. You will deff lose weight with low calorie but you will lose weight quickly with low carb. I wanted to be at my goal weight yesterday so I am following the 600 to 800 calories/less then 40 carbs/more then 60 prot/min 64 oz fluid. I know each doctor is diffrent and every nut has their own suggestion. I am a mexico sleever and didnt like my doctors post op plan. He basically didnt have restrictions on carbs or calories. I am followingg the eating plan that a lot of the successful vets on here used. It is working for me. I have lost 122 lbs in about 5 1/2 months! Best of luck to you. I hope you find a plan that works for you!

It was 50 lbs to go from a 24 to a 22 and 75 lbs before anyone noticed I had lost weight. Im now down 122 lbs pre and post op and am in a size 16. It now only takes about 15 lbs to go down a size.

I go to panda express and order the kids meal when I have a hankering for chinese. The kids meal is under $5 bucks and there are a few low carb options. I always get the vegs and not the rice. I get about three meals out of it. Total value and kills the craving. Look online at the nutritional info....there really are options to fit into our eating plan.

Oh...I forgot to mention that I am a travel agent. The airlines only allow about 1/2 the seats to be assigned prior to travel. When you check in online change your seats at that time. Now you should try and get an aisle and a window in the same row. Then you just get the middle seat closer in if possible. At the airport the check in agent can help you also.

Just think ...in another year you wont have this problem with 3 seats! Imagine the money you will save and how comfortable you will be. *_*

I only told very close family at first. I was a little ashamed about it and also worried that I would fail. After I got back from surgery I had to let my lunch group in on it. It was kinda obvious with my 1 - 2 oz "meals" that something was diffrent. Then after losing the first 70 lbs there isnt anyone who didnt ask or compliment me on my loss and ask about it. I work in an office with about 100 other people. If you think people wont ask...trust me they will. Have your answer ready and stick with it. I still dont tell anyone who doesnt ask me directly but I have lost the fear of failure. I think this is a tough decision and I wish you the best of luck with it!

Congtats! What a big victory... But if there arent pictures --it didnt happen. Post some pics, if you are comfortable. *_*

I lost about 15ish pre op. I should have mentioned that. I have had stalls (or pauses) too but ususally they only last a week or two then a drop. I went on an 8 day cruise last month and ate on what I like to refer to as my "vacation" eating plan. I didnt gain anything but I sure didnt take anything off! I was a high bmi-er so I think I have taken off a good amount of weight and I hope it keeps on comming off. 85 lbs in 15 weeks is amazing! I will prey to the weightloss gods that your stall will end soon! :-)

I follow the 600-800 calorie/less then 40 carbs/min of 60 grams of protein/min 64 oz of Water. I track every bite of food on myfitnesspal.com (hollirrose) and weigh everything on my kitchen scale. I also walk about 2-4 miles a week. I wish I would jump on the exercise bandwagon but I am just not there yet. Thats it...seems to simple right?? The sleeve is an amazing flippin' tool! I always look for people with my same stats so I can see what to expect. Everyone does lose at their own pace but hopefully you can see what is possible. *_* Hell maybe you will do even better!

Hi - I'm a real person with a real job with a real family who had surgery in Mexico. ^_~ I also had some real concerns about going to Mexico. I live in Kansas so hopping over the boarder for surgery was a hugh leap of faith. I had my surgery in TJ with Garcia (my experience is posted in my profile) in April. No complications and I would do it again in a heartbeat! If my insurance had covered the surgery I def would have had it done locally.... And if the self pay cost was even close... Heck ya, would have had it done in my own back yard... But it wasnt. I am so glad that Mexico was an option for me. When you get back from Mexico in Nov and things go well, which I am sure they will, come back and post in this forum. You know how important it is reading real peoples experiences are. Is your husband going with you? Hopefully he is so that he can see first hand what it is like! He will be a believer as well! Best of luck!

Congrats on your choice! I just wanted to let you know that I started at the same weight as you and I am also 5'7. I am only 5 1/2 months out and down 121 lbs. From a tight size 24 to a 16 in no time at all. Your journey is your own and you will lose at your own pace... I wish you as much sucess as I have had!

I have seen several posts from coffee lovers making iced coffee and latt's with protein powder and coffee. Do a quick search...maybe you will find something you like.

It is aweful! Had them a couple of times when I first transitioned to "real food". Lesson learned to eat slow after that. Super yucky!!

I have a diet pop about once a week. For me there isnt any discomfort, it is not a trigger, and it doesnt change my weight loss. It doesnt taste as good as I remember...but it is a nice treat. Good luck with your decision.

I have always found it amazing that many people feel that it is ok to make weight comments to men. People do it to women as well... But far less often. I guess because you are a man -- you can take it.

I didnt feel I needed to share my surgery with everyone. At first I only told close friends and family. I was a little embaressed about telling anyone and secretly I was afraid I would fail. I have lost a lot (120 lbs) in a really short period of time... Everyone notices. I am so glad now that I didnt tell any white lies about it. I dont bring it up to anyone but if they directly ask me I own up to surgery. That is not for everyone and it is your personal decision but I can tell you from experience that people will ask and you should plan your response now.

I would hate if someone reported me to my boss if I said something they found inapproiate. I have said things that are not quite nice and I sure that most of us have been guilty of this at some point. They didnt say it to the patient and they still provided her would good care? If so, I dont see the problem. Who cares if they think we are lazy and took the easy way out. They have the right to feel that way, ya know?