AliveAgain

Omeprazole (acid reducer) was the only capsule-pill my doctor "allowed" me to take normally with sips of water for the first three weeks. He and his NUT instructed me to use chewable vitamins for the first month simply because you don't have the stomach acid to break them down for proper absorption into the body. The chewables allow it to be broken down my your saliva, and then passed into the system through capillaries in your mouth. The membrane under your tongue is really great for this. After the first month, I started taking pill-form vitamins and calcium with food. The chewables can be sickly sweet, and can add to your carb count (i.e. gummies).

I was much like you, wanting to be prepared for coming home from the surgery. Unfortunately, I stocked up with a full stomach and still have SF Jello, broths, and other things in my cabinet from 4-5 months ago. It's good to have a few things on hand (Angie's list is good), but you'll be able to get up and out in the first week. So if you need anything, you can go to the store. Or have a friend or family member go for you. It's common that taste buds can change a little after surgery, especially in the first week. So whatever you buy, buy in small quantities. chicken, beef, and/or veggie broth. I like the Trader Joes stuff in the "box" so you can pour what you need and refrigerate the rest. Don't worry too much about low-sodium since you won't be getting much from the liquid diet, the regular version can actually help with low electrolytes. Ready-made Protein shakes and/or powders. Now is a good time to see what you like, but again - go in small qty's as some people find they like one shake pre-op and then don't like it post-op. Some brands like unjury and Syntrax nectar make sample packs to try different flavors. I highly recommend the Unjury chicken Soup, you can make with broth. I have some now from Healthwise that are tomato and beef, got them from my doctor's office e-store. SF popsicles Chewable or liquid Vitamins and Calcium, perhaps a sublingual B12 - careful of gummies and the "sweeter" chewables for hidden carbohydrates! Measuring cup for liquids

I am 36 and was not born into an obese family, but I have been yo-yo'ing with my weight for 20 years. I was sick of it. My husband and I want to try to have kids, if it's not too late. But I needed to lose about 100-130 pounds to be healthy enough to get pregnant, and have a healthy baby. The first time I had to lose weight was only about 20 pounds (college). Then later in life after a bad break up, another 40 pounds. I could always get it off and keep it off for a while, but then as soon as life got hectic and hard -- it would come right back on. This last time, I gained 100 pounds in a single year. Then another 40 over the next year. This weight just wasn't coming off so easily. I'd lose 20-30 pounds here and there, then gain it all back as soon as I lost focus. And I'll say having a full-size stomach was not helping me. The heavier I was, the more I dealt with emotions with food. It's not like before when I could deal with emotions with getting outside, planning trips, going to the gym. I was in a vicious cycle and needed to get out to save my life. Getting the sleeve was the right direction for me. I needed the tool of a smaller capacity stomach so that I could break the cycle of dealing with negative emotions with food. I wasn't a fast food person per se, we don't keep sweets and chips in the house. It wasn't about my food choices so much as about the quantity and my habits (going all day without eating, then having two portions of Pasta at dinner). Now, I'm so much the normal person it's scary. I can eat anything that is good for me, in the right size portions, and I'm exercising like crazy which is keeping my stress in check. I applaud anyone who can get the weight off on their own -- but the bigger battle is keeping it off, for the rest of your life. I just knew with my history that even if I lost 130 pounds on my own, that I was very likely going to put it back on sometime in the next five years. The surgery gives me the peace of mind that I will always have this tool to my disposal, keeping me vigilant.

Yes, you're staples were most likely titanium. You can go through scanners at the airport, MRI machines, xrays, etc. I have had a TENS unit on my back since surgery.

Seriously? I've been looking for a way to sell my stuff, some of it still has tags on it. When I look on eBay, the stuff is just sitting there at "0 bids" so I figured it never moved.

Can you elaborate on what you're experiencing, feeling? It seems like you've been dedicated for a long time, almost 9 months. Have you had doubts all along? If you're not ready, you're not ready. Honor that. But I'd really spend some time with those feelings, write them out, talk to someone, before making any decisions. Make sure if you're dealing with nervousness or actual doubts. Did they confirm that you are off the schedule? I had major swings back and forth in the week before, and of course the few days before. Just manic thoughts in my brain non-stop. But that happens to everyone, and it's that commitment to knowing this is the next best step for me that kept me on track. Maybe you're feeling otherwise?

My doc prescribed liquid Tylenel 3 / codeine. I can't do a lot of the heavier pain meds without vomiting. I used it for about two days then switched to just Children's liquid Tylenol, it did fine.

I agree with Debbie about only getting on the scale once per week. But I know I couldn't stay away from the temptation and still to this day get on (almost) every day. It is different for everyone, but I think it took me about 4-6 days to lose the 8lbs of IV Fluid weight. I really started to notice .5-1lb drops daily around day 10. Have faith, it will happen for you!!

Day 151: Too Normal This morning I weighed in at 185.2lbs and then I walked into my closet and stared at the emptiness. My closet is EMPTY. I literally cannot wear anything I was wearing five months ago. Well, at least not unless I'm going for the baggy look. I'm so surprised that I've stuck with it. I'm still doing all my protein, getting in all my fluids, taking my vitamins, and exercise is just a part of my life now. But my name is Miss Fickle, I'm known to grow tired of doing the same thing within a matter of weeks or months. I'm just amazed. I've been able to change my habits. Seriously change them. I still worry about the day I let my guard down, but I can't imagine it right now. I do not crave popcorn when I go to theaters, I feel *sick* after just a few tastes of my friend's ice cream (a splurge for me) -- and I'm not sad about it. Real food has never tasted so good to me. And the *fake* foods just do nothing for me now. I have a few bites of pasta, and I'm not jazzed about it like I used to be. Funny thing, I love the smell of the pasta cooking. Some days, I just don't know how I got here. It seems like just yesterday I was waking up from my surgery. It was just last Christmas I was huffing and puffing on my brother's stairs. I have gotten out of the habit of journaling. Not happy about that, but it's been nice to have a break. I got to the point I had almost every meal memorized, so I just stopped. I'd like to get back into it, I know I will. But so long as I'm still losing, I'm not too worried about it. I keep to what I know, only deviating for a bite here and there of special things on rare occasions. It's nice to feel normal again. To not worry when a friend wants to go out, to not panic when I'm going to be gone all day and need to pack snacks. I look at my scars and wonder if it was just a dream? Now, I just need to sell some of these clothes that are taking up all the space in my guest closet before my mom comes to visit!!

These types of posts make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. YAY! To both of you, welcome!

YES! You are a success right now, today, in this moment! I absolutely could not agree with you more. Sure, I have that ticker to show my progress with my "goal" weight at the right end. But I'm with you, when it's just me and my skin and being comfortable within it -- I'm a success, too. I get more jollies out of daily NSV's than I do with numbers on a scale. BMI charts are overrated and something for doctor's to cling to when they want to encourage more healthy behaviors in their patients. To this day, I remember sitting in my doctor's office when I was about 26 years old and he told me I was "overweight" and needed to lose about 10lbs. This was at a time in my life when I was riding my bike 20-30 miles per day, 4-5 days per week. Running, kaying, hiking every weekend and wearing a size 4/6. I was 138lbs and he told me I was "overweight." I felt the best I'd ever felt in my life and this man was telling me I could "do better." Love the new profile pic!

(Grateful05: Onederland is when you drop into the 100's on the scale i.e. 199 from 200. It's a great place to be!) I use nectar for Protein drinks about 80% of the time. My favorites are Roadside Lemonade, Lemon Tea, Natural Peach (not the same as Fuzzy Navel), and Cappuccino. Pink Grapefruit, Apple Ecstasy, and strawberry Kiwi are also good. But I would agree in trying the sample pack before buying the big canisters, everyone's taste buds' are different! I like them because I really do not care for the "milky" based vanilla or chocolate very often, so I prefer the fruitier flavors. I make mine with (filtered) Water, sometimes ice, in my Blender Bottles and they always mix just fine. I get the foam sometimes, too, but it goes away pretty quickly.

Does anyone know how to delete a post?

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Whoop Whoop! I can't wait for that NSV after years of squeezing into seats with metal jabbing me everywhere. Isn't it funny how bathroom stalls seem to be bigger now?!

I wish I could still do tuna fish, but for some reason I've lost my taste for it. I've tried it about ten times now, and just can't get jazzed about it. Used to eat tuna sandwiches somewhat often before surgery. SO ODD!

I used chewable calcium up until about my 5th or 6th week. My doctor told me I could start taking "pill" form at about 4 weeks, so I tried here and there until it felt comfortable. The hardest part was taking it with meals, which meant *some* Water with food (before or right after a meal), which my NUT said was fine just to wash it down. I use New Chapter Bone Health because (for some unknown reason) calcium citrate and carbonate both cause terrible headaches, body aches, and constipation with me. And that's taking it with magnesium, which usually helps prevent those things. However, another my PCP recommended trying these as a different form. She is not sure how well absorbed it is with my sleeve, but feels assured it's fine since my levels came back with good numbers. Plus, she really likes all the supplemental minerals that come with this version rather than JUST calcium and magnesium. It's only 770mg per 3 tablets, but she said so long as I still eat some soy or dairy in my diet -- that's perfectly fine for someone my age (36). And the tablets are much smaller than most calcium *horse* pills, they are more like ibuprofen-size.

I've read this study and that study, it's well-researched that there is a stigma against the obese. In simple terms, we're seen as part of the world's problem much in the same way people give dirty looks to those who still drive Hummer SUV's. When you have the news blasting at you all the time about the healthcare crisis, fuel costs, and bullying you start to want to blame someone. Often, it's the obese. I know I have a stigma toward smokers in the same way. I know they're people just like you and me, but I often think, "why do you keep up such a nasty habit? why can't you quit?" I'm sure some stranger looks at me the same way and thinks, "why can't you stop stuffing your face? you're the reason my health insurance premiums are through the roof!" It's the same because I never have been nor ever will be a smoker, so it's hard for me to understand what it must be like to try to quit. I truly believe they would be happier people if they quit. The same way that stranger can't understand that diets don't always work for everything, that there can be underlying hormonal or genetic issues as to why I'm carrying extra weight, but they also think I'd be a better person if I lost weight. It's happened to me, too. I've lost almost 80lbs and get more doors opened for me, more smiles from strangers, more engaged conversations. But I can't say it's all because of my weight. I know I've changed, too, from losing weight. I smile more, I laugh more. I'm overall a happier person. Perhaps the vibe I was putting off when I was 275lbs - plagued with migraines, painful PMS every month, constant fatigue, chronic illnesses - wasn't the most engaging? I've had a lot of people tell me that - literally - it looks like I had STRESS removed from my face. That made me do a lot of soul searching.... If you want to know more, there is the National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance with some interesting links.

Zero Water drinking filtration system, a glass-lined or metal reusable container -- no plastic due to the dangers of BPA (estrogen mimicking) especially when bottles get frozen, cold, or warm (in sun). Plus it's better for the environment, less waste, and over time cheaper. Sure, on the go I'm fine with picking up a bottled water if needed, but they never come into my house. Too many studies, frightening!!!!

Yes, it does get better! Everyone is different, so be patient with your body's own timeline. But for me, I was able to take "normal" drinks of water by 4 weeks out. By the second month, I was able to finish a 23oz water bottle during my one hour walk. I can't gulp and gulp and gulp on end without some feedback (usually a giant air bubble feeling then burp). I drink now just as I did before surgery, and you will too.

Check out this previous thread...

Yeah, been having issues using the Flickr services. Here is the full link that seems to be working now! http://flickr.com/gp/51124392@N03/C69F6h

Hi everyone! I've gone away from the PDF and have posted 90% of everything on Flickr. It's all there with sizes, descriptions, and asking prices. I'm willing to pack up, get estimate from post office, and then work via PayPal for simple payment. All so much cheaper than going out and buying from stores! I have some other items not yet photographed or pictured (storage limit on Flickr) -- like some professional work pants from Liz Claiborne, mostly in size 18-20. And some size 16 jeans from Lane Bryant. Let me know if you see anything you like via personal message

It's hard to say since everyone seems to bounce back differently. I don't think I could have gone to a concert that soon out of surgery in that hot of weather without exhaustion. Your body is going through MAJOR surgery and will be in healing mode, which means it's putting all it's energy into your abdomen and won't have much to give elsewhere. At 10-14 days post op I was still having a hard time just walking for 30 minutes in cool weather, with yoga pants on. I couldn't put on anything with a button, zip, or closure for about 2-3 weeks, comfortably. Plus, just because you will have the fluids with you may or may not mean you are able to get them in. Some new tummies do fine with sips, others have a hard time getting in what their bodies need. I think you'll know best before you go, but I'd have a back up plan of what to do if you can't. Don't push yourself and then end up back in the hospital -- IT'S NOT WORTH IT

I would advise against as they are VERY high in sodium, at least the ones in cans. Too much sodium is not good for the heart and won't help with hydration. Do you have a nutritionist who can advise you? Plus, nuts were off my plan until two months. Not sure where you are post op?