Izuri

Congratulations on your decision! It's a whirlwind - exciting and crazy. If you're going through insurance I would advise calling your insurance too, if you haven't already. Just to make sure there are no requirements that they require that your doctor's office does not. Most of the time the offices are pretty good about communicating the correct requirements to patients, but I've heard of cases where they have missed something - and it's better to put in one call now than to realize later that you didn't finish requirements and be set back for a couple months. Sit back and enjoy the ride =) You will be at your surgical date in no time!

That's not very small, that's huge! The temptation was right there and you kicked it's butt =) Good job!!

OP: I loved some turkey chili that I made and pureed. It was great. I didn't enjoy much else during the puree phase. I had a ton of cottage cheese. You should follow the plan your doctor gave you for your post-op eating. All doctors are different in what their patients should follow. Mine had me on 1 week full liquids, 1 week puree, then until 3 months out with soft foods. No regular foods until month 4. I've seen some people on liquids for weeks, some people on puree after days. So unfortunately no one can give you a better answer than your doctor's post-op instructions on that one. Hang in there! It will get better soon =)

14 days is getting close =) But it's still long enough that hopefully your cough will have plenty of time to stop. Make sure you're getting in fluids/a lot of rest so your body can go about getting better. Have you been continuing to follow your eating plan? There are a number of reasons your weight could be up - I know I can fluctuate quite a bit from Water weight. You could always mention it at the pre-op class and see what they say. I doubt you'll have problems if you just keep on your eating/exercising as you were directed. We can work to lose weight, but we can't always control everything.

I haven't seen anyone bully people on here about tell or not to tell, so this topic kinda surprises me. I have seen a number of opinions and advice, but on top of not seeing a lot of unsupportive comments on those threads, I also don't see how anyone would be bullied into telling the people they know irl.... This is a forum, I ask for advice, but if I don't like the answers/comments I get, I tend to ignore it. I chose to tell people and I'm happy with my decision. I know there are a lot of people who have taken the other route and are happy. I felt like people would notice, and that if I told people around me it would be easier to have a support group of my friends/family. Plus, maybe with some people they wouldn't notice, but I think over time that people would figure it out with me, I've never been any good at dieting =p

Today is day 19 of my week 3 stall and I'm trying hard not to let it drive me nuts - which is difficult because my hormones are going insane. I have not felt this moody is a long time. It doesn't help that my period has come at least three times this month for a few days each time and I think this is my second full period since surgery. There are also things going on in my life that are just not conducive to feeling good. I don't really feel like getting into them, but it's just friend stuff. I thought that getting a new scale that had a few weeks delivery that it would be long enough that my body would finally lose, but my new scale arrived over the weekend and I'm still in this stall, so I think I gave up today and put the scale away. It just makes me feel like I'm that one person who will never lose a significant amount of weight - which I logically know is nonsense. I'm sure that the added stress of it is making me retain even more weight, so at this point it's a why bother thing. I am trying my best to stay positive, but I think I need to ask my psychiatrist if I can increase my medication for a while. With all these crazy hormones I just feel like I need something more. She said that we definitely could post-surgery. She also said that I can start an antidepressant if I need to at some point, but I don't think that's necessary yet. I'm hoping a few weeks and I'll get back into school and things will level out a bit. I think it's combining with my anxiety about the school year starting. I had my first day back at work on Sunday night and it was awful. I couldn't get in any water and since we do not get any kind of break, I could barely get anything in. It was so ridiculously busy and every customer was mad. I started to get pretty painful on my side and so I took some tylenol liquid and then I think my blood sugar plummeted because I felt really light headed. I grabbed some muscle milk, which we thankfully carry and got a few sips in, which helped a little. I wish that in customer service people actually realized that we're human too. Sometimes I feel like they expect me to be a robot. I haven't felt like eating today. I know I haven't gotten even close to enough of anything in. I think I might just get in another protein shake and head to bed for the night. Maybe if I just let today be bad and get it in my head that tomorrow will be a good day, I will feel better when I wake up. TOMORROW WILL BE BETTER! I will end my rant now, but it feels good to get it off my chest.

I could start walking immediately and they wanted me to walk at least once a day. I am not allowed to do any kind of actual workout for 6 weeks. It's hard to wait that long, I'm itching to do something other than walk!

I am so sorry for what you're going through, it sounds awful. =( (((((HUGS)))) I'm glad that you have sought medical attention - what your going through really makes it sound like something is very wrong. Did they do a leak test? If you're still having problems is it possible for them to switch your antibiotic to liquid form? Many antibiotics are available in liquids It's not going to help if you can't even take the medicine, and I know some antibiotics can be like horse pills, very difficult to take. If you still cannot get them down, you should definitely let the doctors know that you are not getting them down, you may have to be readmitted to be given the medications IV. I know that sounds awful, but it will be worth it when your symptoms can finally clear up. I wish I could help with the depression. I know right now is a very stressful time, and I can't even imagine how hard it is, but you are strong and worth getting through this. Have you ever considered seeing a therapist? Do you have any family living with you or that are close by that might be able to spend a few days with you right now? You need some support right now to help get through this tough time. There is nothing wrong with needing someone to talk to. Are you able to sip on meal replacement shakes? I know that boost has quite a bit of sugar, but you might want to ask your NUT if it would be okay to drink for a few days while you recuperate. It's thin and maybe will be easier to get down than protein shakes. I'm really sorry that you're going through this, and if you need to vent or need a shoulder to lean on, we're here for you.

I feel your pain =( I am in classes that start next week and I am having flashbacks to last year when I couldn't sit comfortably in those auditorium type seats. The desk thing would never go down, I couldn't get any kind of comfortable, the chairs were too small. I was too embarrassed to say anything, but I really think they focus more on to getting students in a room than making sure they're comfortable - which is stupid because who can learn if they can't even put the desk thing down and concentrate? All I could seem to think about in these classes was how uncomfortable I was . It sounds like your situation is even worse - if it's bad enough that you're getting bruises you really need to see if the teacher will accomodate you somehow. (((((HUG))))) Hang in there, December will be here soon!

Oh wow! That is really neat, I hope that someday I can see my pelvic bones too! =) What an amazing difference.

I haven't had a lapband, but I know that from reading other posts sometimes the doctors will have you wait a while between removing the band and having the sleeve. Maybe this time in between will let you reevaluate how you are doing and what would be the best decision for you. I'm not sure what advice exactly to give you, but I do agree that at this point it definitely doesn't seem like you want to lose any more weight, which could happen with the sleeve. It sounds like you have been through a lot, are you still currently seeing a therapist? I know that you said you no longer binge/purge, but if you get the sleeve, you could seriously injure yourself if you fall back into that place. I am not saying you will, but maybe having some extra support and a doctor's point of view on whether you are ready. It sounds like either way you need to have the band removed, and you can always decide after giving yourself some time. I know you say you don't think you can remain that low on weight without help, but maybe you will end up surprising yourself. If not, at least you gave your body time to heal from getting the band out and really see where you are at afterward mentally and physically. I hope that no matter what you decide, that it works well out for you.

I just thought I'd follow up and let you guys know what I heard back in case anyone else experiences this and is worried/wondering. I did call my surgeon's office today and his medical assistant told me that the pale nail beds issue was a known side effect of the surgery and that it's just less common. She said to try the skin/hair/nails Vitamin that I have been planning to start anyway when I can take tablets. She said the color should return a week or two after starting it and if I continue to have problems to let them know. I guess it's probably related to something similar as the issue with hair - vitamin deficiency or something. I'll try and get more information when I go in for my 6 week checkup on September 6th. Thanks everyone for the suggestions - I was worrying about kidneys too, but they said since I have no swelling, no oliguria, and no back pain that they aren't concerned.

Yay!! Congratulations! I hope your surgery date comes up soon

90 pounds - that's awesome! I am one of those people who drops sizes slower too, always have been when I try and lose weight. They do eventually drop though. There are a number of posters who have been on here and are a few years out that have said they lost over longer than a year. Cheri is one of them I think, I always enjoy reading her posts, she's quite an inspiration. If you want to contact her, her username is clk. Don't give up! You can make it the rest of the way. How is your restriction? Are you still measuring your portions? Sometimes when I get off track eating if I go back to the basics I can get on the right course again. Are you exercising? Getting in all your Protein? I really do believe that you could pick right back up here and hit the end of the rainbow in your ticker. If you need any support/an ear to rant to (I know that helps me when I'm having a hard time), feel free to message me. I'm always happy to have new buddies.

I have been eating string cheese just fine. I also just have the light store brand kind. You're probably hitting the dreaded week 3/4 stall. It can come sooner or later, just depends on your body. Mine has lasted about 3 weeks and has only recently shown any signs of possibly letting me lose again, but I will have to wait a day or two more and see to be sure. I have heard of some people having it last only a week, while some have it last up to 6 weeks or more. Hang in there! Do you measure yourself? That can be a good way to gauge progress aside from weight. Your body just is taking a while to adjust to the surgery and all the changes. There have been some really good explanations lately, if you use the search tool and look for stall you will find a number of threads on this topic - it's just a frustrating time that most of us just have to tough out. If you keep doing everything right your body will sort itself out eventually.

Not only do you look sooo much happier, but you look like a new person! I know it's hard for us to see on ourselves, but wow, you can see a ton of changes. Congratulations!

Good luck! Things will go great =) Before you know it you'll be up and walking around taking your place here on the loser's bench!

Woohoo! Sending good healing thoughts your way! Let us know how it goes.

Your stall lasting for 2-3 weeks or even more is perfectly normal. I just possibly have started to get over my first stall, which lasted almost three weeks. We will see tomorrow when I get on the scale. Hang in there - our bodies are just adjusting. I was getting pretty ticked about it once it started to get over two weeks and found that just venting on my blog or going out and getting a bit of exercise helped me get it off my mind. It's hard not to be stressed about it, but stress just raises your cortisol level, which causes weight retention. The scale will start to move again, don't worry!

What a great compliment. Guess your hard work is really showing off =)

You can get through it! Last night I had a dream about being at the store picking out the most awesome ice cream sandwich ever and woke up craving one. Just trying to keep it off my mind. I know if I ate it I'd feel bad, and it's just not worth it! When I was craving pizza I made myself some shredded chicken with a little pizza sauce and some fat free mozzarella. High protein, low carb, and helped a little.

That's incredible that it's just 3 months, what a difference you've made! Keep it up, you're lookin great!

You look amazing, congratulations!!

That's awesome =) So is this your first semester? That's really exciting! I will be graduating in December 2013. We should keep in touch - it would be neat to get to know something who is going through something similar. We didn't do much lifting in lab, and when we did it was pretty much just turning the mannequins to do bed baths. I actually kinda wish we had lab this year - I liked having a chance to practice skills and stuff. We have 2 clinicals this semester. Where do you live? I'm in Michigan. You never know, some insurance companies do not require the 6 month diet. Or maybe if your teachers knew you were having surgery they'd let you take your finals a bit early? It sounds like you're in an accelerated program since you only have a couple of weeks off, is that right? That sounds brutal. I thought about accelerated, but I didn't wanna get burned out =p I'll keep my fingers crossed that it works out for you!

I dunno why, but I thought that today was going to be the day. I have been trying so hard to be positive and keep my head up. I feel so discouraged. I know that I've made progress in other places. And yes, I have been staying away from the scale as much as I can, but 17 days? Really? I expected a week, two weeks, but three weeks or more? Aughhhhhhh. I feel like I'm doing something wrong and just not seeing what it is. I walk every day, I have upped my calories a little, I have decreased them a little, I have added more protein, heck I have tried getting over 100g of protein to see if that helps, I am like drowning myself in water, I have decreased my carbs, am keeping my fat down. And the scale won't budge, not a bit. I feel like I should throw the stupid scale in the trash can. I have taken measurements, lost no inches. I am eating healthy things, I am following all their recommendations. Ok I'm gonna end my rant there. I just needed to vent. I know it will end someday. Maybe when I can finally add some good exercise in. Now that I've gotten all that negativity out, I'm gonna list some positives for myself so maybe I can focus on something else today. My NSVs: - I never huff and puff going up the stairs anymore - I can fit into a few of my 26s - I can walk for almost an hour - I have been able to stay on program for an entire month now - I have been getting in over my protein goal every day - I have been a happier, more productive person I go back to work tonight. I am not really looking forward to the shift (I hate working Sunday nights), but it will be nice to be back and get to see everyone. i have no clue what their reactions will be. I'm not sure if word made it around, but I bet it did. Yesterday I bought cardio ballet by one of the girls who was on DWTS. I never watched the show, but I came across the dvd on Amazon and it seemed like it'd be something fun to do when I am cleared to work out, which will probably be just around the time that it arrives.