UTGal99

There is a list somewhere on here of the things you could take to the hospital with you, but honestly you won't use most of it. Hospitals these days get you in and out pretty quick. You will probably stay 2 days at most. Here are some of the things I recommend: lip balm (lips are very dry after surgery and you can't have fluid or ice for quite sometime), magazines/book to read, pillow for added comfort for you, blanket (makes it feel more comfy than stiff medical grade blankets, toothbrush/toothpaste, hair brush, dry shampoo (this one was a BIG one for me!), deodorant. Good luck!

I drink regular caffeinated coffee everyday - now granted I only have one cup but I still need that pick me up in the morning. Water, crystal light, etc throughout the day - no soda.

I have not read the 5:2 book and am new to this concept but very intrigued. I am getting the book today and will read up, but my question is: "How can this possibly work?" Isn't weight loss really calories in (minus) calories out? If you follow this program you are really only cutting 1400 calories weekly off what you would normally take in. That isn't even a pound of weight loss! I don't want to sound ignorant just trying to get some further information from those of you that have been on and had success with this plan. I am almost 1 year out and really struggling. I have only lost 84 pounds in the year and feel like I should be further along. I NEED something to kick start my weight loss again and get this party moving. Like many, many folks on here....I am terrified of gaining weight and/or not being successful. Any advice is much appreciated!

How far out from surgery are you?

My relationship with my hubby was based on food too. We enjoyed eating out, trying new places, new foods and LOTS of it. I had surgery in October 2012 and decided this is what I needed to do to ensure my health for years to come. Fortunately for us, hubby had surgery in December 2012. We decided as a family we needed to do something and it needed to be drastic. It has worked well for us and we have adapted our lives to the new normal of enjoying other activities instead of food. And if food is involved, there is a lot less of it! Now, I'm going to give it to you straight: if your relationship is strong it will survive this surgery and adapt to the new norm for you. He will understand that this is what you had to do to get healthy and overcome the food addiction. Because honestly, I see obesity as no different than any other addiction. The only difference is you can choose not to drink and/or do drugs, you can not choose to not eat. This will help you overcome the addiction but keep in mind the sleeve is only a tool to help you get there it is not an easy fix. If he loves you and it is meant to be, your relationship will stand the test of time. If not, just remember you got to do what is right for you and the right person/relationship will follow. Take care and keep us posted!

I don't believe the shows producers would even accept a contestant that has been through that kind of procedure for that reason. It is a liability to the show if something happens to you. I attempted to go on Biggest Loser once and got pretty far into the approval process and they run every medical test under the sun, moon and stars on you including stress test, EKG, full panel bloodwork, etc.

I am 9 months post-op and down approximately 80 pounds. I find this process very interesting as it gets harder and harder to lose the weight the further out you go. I am very frustrated as it feels like I have been stuck at this 80 pound point FOREVER! I just can't seem to get the scale to move along. Worst of all, is that I have learned to "play the game." I have now realized that you can only eat a small portion in a sitting but you can graze all day if you want to. Now, I get the point that this is counterproductive but tell that to the "fat girl" hiding inside who desperately wants to eat! Any advice how to move past this slump I am in and get the weight loss rolling along again?? I refuse to be the one person who loses only 80 pounds and can't overcome the demons and gains the weight back....

I am a Lane Bryant fan myself. I have always bought their bras and they are awesome at fitting you anytime you need it. Because of the rapid weight loss and change in shape, they are always accommodating in fitting me whenever I need it. And, they are having a GREAT buy these days - buy 2, get 2 - scoop them up while you can!

I am 9 months out from surgery and I assure you it does stop. I was pretty stressed about it too. Mine started around 12 weeks post op and continued until about month 6. I started taking a Biotin 5000mg daily and that REALLY helped! No worries, once you get further out your body will stabilize and everything will return to normal. Just keep taking your recommended vitamins and supplements everyday. Also, making sure you are definitely getting at least 60 grams of protein per day is essential. Good Luck!

Congrats!

Really? hair loss! It is getting so aggravating. I am losing SO much hair. Not in clumps but lots of fine hairs to the tune of 20-50 a day. My hair is really starting to thin out and looks kind of gross. I am three months out (surgery date: 10/3/12). What should I be taking to help with this? Does it ever stop falling out/when can I expect it to stop? And, most importantly...will it grow back in? HELP!!!

Your body will kick in again, I assure you. It is very common to hit plateaus along the journey. Just keep doing what you are doing. You can lose those 17 pounds in 5 weeks, no problem. Sometimes when this happens and I need to jump start my metabolism I go back to Liquid Protein for a few days. Works everytime for me. Good Luck and keep us posted!

I feel exactly the same way. I am down 60 pounds and don't really feel like I have lost much. Other people see me around town and say "you look great!" BUT I just don't see it like everyone else does. I agree that it will take some time to adjust to a new self image of ourselves. Great job so far - keep up the great work!

I am sure the weight gain from being re-hospitalized for the pancreatitis is from the IV fluids they pump you full of. And yes, there is a week 3 stall, pretty much everybody goes through it. Just stick with the program, keep doing what you are doing and it will work...I promise!

You really won't be hungry for a few weeks....at least that was my experience and my hubby's and several other friends I know. You will get hungry, but you will learn to differentiate between true hunger, head hunger and the difference between true hunger and thirst. Good luck! You will do great!

I had lemon juice in my water as soon as I came home from the hospital - 2 days post op. I would say take it easy though - very acidic. Drink lots of clear liquids (water) to flush your sleeve out....AND...don't do that again for a few weeks!

Could not have said it better myself! Excellent response, jh!

You look great! Very toned too - what kind of exercises are you doing? Arms look awesome.

Also, my hubby had the same procedure 12 weeks after I did, so our son was very comfortable with the situation when it was Daddy's turn.

I have a 4 year old too and I was honest with him. I told him Mommy had to have some surgery on her stomach and that I would be at the hospital for a couple of days, but they would take very good care of me and that I would be back very soon all fixed up. He didn't even seem to worry. My husband brought him to the hospital each day to visit me too. He was fine with it. I believe honesty is the best policy on this one. Not all the details but just honesty. We (hubby and I) didn't want him to think that going to the hospital is a bad thing. We want him to know that the hospital is where you get better so he wouldn't be scared if he ever had to go himself.

I had surgery with Dr Nease out of Cabell Huntington Hospital in Huntington, WV. I have friends that have had surgery with Dr. Shin in Charleston. I hear he is a good doctor. You will do great!

Ok, I am going to give it to you straight: Yes, most of the bariatric Protein drinks are TERRIBLE! But I assure you I have found the one that tastes great! If you have a Sam's Club and/or costco in your town, head over there. They have Premier Protein shakes in chocolate and vanilla. They are truly amazing! They taste great! 12 premixed shakes for $18.88 at Sam's Club I promise you and many others on this forum will tell you the same - they do not disappoint. http://www.amazon.com/Premier-Protein-High-Shake-Chocolate/dp/B00796NFHS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1360964613&sr=8-1&keywords=premier+protein+shake Good Luck and let me know what you think!