7carol3

Congratulations and good luck to you both!!

Don't let these 8 days you've put in be for nothing. You've come this far, don't turn back now!! The hunger is temporary. I admit the 2 week pre-op diet (mine allowed no food I had to chew!!) was the hardest thing I think I've done in my life. It's been almost a year since that business and I don't regret a single second of it. Look to the future. I promise you it will all be worth it!! Nothing comes to us for free, we all have to work a little bit and this is that time for you. Good luck, you can do it!!!

By the way Morgan I was never close to bald at any point!!

I hear ya! I'm not sure if the iron or Vitamin D will help. I can tell you that my one year mark is coming up on 11-14-12 and my hair is back to normal. I lost A LOT of hair!! It does get better.

I can only tell you my experience and let you take from it what you can. I too had reservations and a husband that wasn't happy about me taking this big step. I really thought about backing out and now I am very glad that I didn't. This is the only type of weightloss surgery I have had. I wasn't hungry for a long time. I did good with the water intake but was never good at the protein shake thing. I quit them as soon as I could start on soft foods like cottage cheese, but I am NOT a picky eater. I was protein deficient (not by much, not enough for the Doctor to worry or to cause health problems.) and I did lose some hair but it has come back now that I am 11 months out (started coming back at about 8 months out and I was NEVER close to bald.). When I left the hospital I was instructed to take a multivitamin and my meds for thyroid and depression but nothing else. Then at one month I had blood work done and my doctor decided that I needed to take potassium (which wasn't a surprise because I was potassium deficient when I was fat.). That was all I had to take up until my last round of blood work for my one year appointment. I had to add D3 to my supplements but I think that is because I am not a milk drinker and I don't spend a lot of time in the sun/outside. I ride my bike or walk for an hour or two some days but I'm not a gardener or anything that would cause me to be outside a lot. I take a supplement for hair and nails by my own choice. I think these supplements are a small price to pay for having normal BMI, blood pressure & cholesterol!! I eat pretty much what I want at this point as I am below goal and can't seem to come up from 143 pounds. Don't get me wrong, I make sure I get my 65-80 grams of protein in a day and try to stick with proteins. I don't eat bread for the most part but in the past year I have had 3 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches because I just love them sometimes. I do eat pizza, just not often. I keep track of my calories and pizza adds up QUICKLY!! I have cake when I am at parties, sometimes too much and I feel sick. I do indulge when I'm at social functions but I don't socialize A LOT so it isn't like an every weekend thing. I snack on rice cakes and peanut butter. I know many people here would say they would never do that and that is fine but I'm not gaining so I eat it. I also eat PopChips which are carbs but they are healthier than regualr chips and now that I have been without chips for so long the PopChips taste better to me. I still throw down an occasional salt and vinegar chip but I don't go crazy. My tip would be not to have sugary snack readily available in your house if that is your weakness. I think it is OK to have them in moderation just don't buy them at the store and have them readily on hand. Plan to snack smart, when you get to the full food stage. 100 calorie packs of almonds are great! I also eat popcorn. I have 100 calorie packs of 94% fat free butter popcorn in my desk at work. I don't eat potatoes very much but I have had them. I find once I eat my meat/protein I don't have much room for for than a tablespoon or so of potatoes or veggies of any sort. Although I try to always make room for my broccoli! I have recently had cereal and it was Fruity Pebbles. I measured (that's the key) out a cup and ate it with Almond Breeze unsweetened vanilla almond milk which has 40 calories. I hate milk so this is a welcome supplement to my diet. It tastes sweet but doesn't overpower with vanilla flavor. There is also plain and chocolate versions. Gosh, I could ramble on forever. Hopefully you didn't nod off reading this and hopefully I answered some questions. If you think of anything esle you can PM me or just ask here if you like.

I'm with you, no complaining about groping going on with this girl! I'm not a guy but I think losing weight changes the dynamics of your sex life no matter what it was like prior to surgery. I'm not sure that he will want it as much as you, it hasn't happened in my case, but you may be pleasently surprised. Everyone is different.

MY FAVORITE THING ABOUT WLS: Today I am very happy that I have my sleeve because... I can use the normal size bathroom stall in a public restroom and leave the handicapped stall for someone who actually needs it!! MY LEAST FAVORITE THING: Waitress: Was there something wrong with your meal? Me: (red faced) No it was wonderful, could I have a box? What are your favorite and least favorite things today? (Mine vary from day to day.)

Maybe he's mourning the naps then. Ha! Ha!

I'm sure that's it, he is just concerned for your well being. My husband worried a lot as well but never tried to sabotage my surgery or my plans for it.

The scale is my "frenemy"!! I don't own one because I obsess so I agree with...

It is great that you have so many people supporting you in this decision!! Wrap yourself up in activities with your kids and anyone who supports you. Kudos to you for being brave enough to leave a situation that doesn't make you happy. I hope that the "She only left because she got skinny" comments don't come up at all!! I hope the venting helped!

True for some, just a warning. I was a little "confused" the first time it happened to me because I thought it was just sugar free chocolate that had that effect. Now I always put that warning out there... (sorry TMI)

I eat sugar free hard candy all the time. Jolly Ranchers are my favorite. Just be careful because all sugar free foods/candy can have a laxative effect if you eat too many. As far as the Laffy Taffy goes I would say try a small amount and see how you feel. Honestly though, if they are your weakness (mine is Nutella and Jif --- not together) you may not even want to get started. I wish I hadn't started on my trigger foods...

My doctor told me two weeks for almost all physical activity. Just no heavy lifting (75 pounds or more) for a month at least. I would say whenever you feel comfortable is safe for you by this time. There are plenty of ways (as I'm sure you know) to perform that won't put any pressure on your tummy area. Good luck and have fun!!

My scarring is very minimal although I do look like I have two belly buttons now from the incision where they did the removal. I think it is just because I already had some hanging skin in that area after having two C-sections and losing about 20 pounds before surgery. I know other people who have scars that are different than mine, same surgery, same surgeon. The scars are the least of my worries, that being said, I have had several surgeries and have many scars. I do battle with my self esteem and the sagging skin, however, all the time! It is still worth it though, every bit of it!! I figure I didn't look good at 265 pounds when I was naked. I don't look good at 145 pounds naked either but I look DAMN good in my clothes now. I'll take that trade off any day! Who's with me?

I'm so with you on the sagging boobs! I call them my fried eggs now.

This reminded me that I have eaten cottage cheese with green onion and I like that too. I guess I just really like cottage cheese!

It is a cheese spread, kind of like cream cheese, which Laughing Cow makes as well. It is made with real milk.

You're welcome! Those are my ideas but I also get some great hints from www.hungrygirl.com . She has some great one or two person recipes.

I agree totally about different brands having a different taste. I also eat just the lowfat (2%) rather than fat free. I actually prefer store brands most of the time. I shop at Kroger & Meijer most so I buy their brands and like them both a lot.

Love Better Than Bouillon too! I haven't really tried to get it into liquid form/melt it. I think it would have to be very hot and you would probably have to still mash it or whisk it a little. I would be willing to try it. Good luck!