zenoosh

I didn't take a robe, wore two gowns.
I took my laptop and didn;t use it but I have an iphone.
Find out about your cell phone charges for Mexico.
I used chewable gasx with no problem.
My first night was in a hotel in TJ so I took their shampoo but the hospital gave us a packet with soap and shampoo and some nifty hair gel lol.
I didn't take any mouth spray, the hospital gave us lemon swabs to wet our mouths but I never opened mine.
I took vitamins but didn't take them, I start tomorrow.
I also took nausea meds and didn't use them. I told the Dr upfront that I have nausea everytime I took pain meds and so I was given extra anti nausea in my IV.
I packed very light and still took to much stuff. Take two sets of PJ's and sweat/yoga pants. Take something long sleeved, a hoodie, a sweater, something because it gets cool in the late afternoon and evening.

Wow! Looking great! I even see a collar bone sticking out there...I'm pretty sure I don't have one. Will be nice to find mine. Keep up the great work!

Many of your issues mirror my own.
1) I miss Pasta terribly....I have dreams about it. Truely. And bread. Neither of which I have any tolerance for.
2) My breasts look TERRIBLE. I'm back to turning off the lights for "adult time" because I'm so embarrassed!
3) My hair continues to fall out in huge, noticible clumps. Patients at work comment that I must be "shedding", because no matter how dilligent I am, I always have stray hairs all over my scrubs, my back, etc.
4) I REALLY despise when people ask how many lbs I have lost....if I tell them an actual number, I can see the mental calculations taking place. I've had a coworker comment that I was lying about the amount. If I tell people "some amount", they keep pressing. I admit, I've become a bit bitter and have inelegantly snapped back, "You never told me - are you a nazi or a communist these days? Because that's about how offensive your question was to me".
5)It has reduced my already miniscule social life - I never get invited out now, because "we know you can't drink, and it wouldn't be fun for you"....BS.
6) I sag everywhere....like a candle left out in the summer sun. I knew that there would be some loose skin, but I wasn't prepared for this.
And last...
7)I hate the running commentary from those who know about my surgery, and feel the need to contribute their opinion as to the morality of an operation that has already taken place. "It goes against God's design!".....well, guess what, buster! Surgery already happened. So unless you have a time machine, feel free to put a sock in it. Or two.
/endrant
That being said, I would never have reached this weight alone. And for that, I am greatful.

I totally agree with Nate: you gotta relax and remember that physical trauma to the bod absolutely manifests itself mentally...Let's also remember that we are people with addictions to food....divorcing the food by diet or surgery doesnt change our heads...only time and behavior mod can do that. You gotta give yourself some time to heal and remember why you did this in the first place. You have many reasons, as do all of us, for wanting to be healthy.
I can tell you another thing, Klonopins can be heavy, so be really careful with those if they're new to you, or not new: losing weight can amplify the effects so don't over-do it....
This site has lots of great info, but make sure you keep in touch with your docs and therapists....and I bet there's a sleevers group in San Anton....google it and you can meet and talk with others that have had WLS and are feeling similar to you.
Good luck! Keep us posted...you're gonna do great

Hmm weird that you wouldn't feel full. The Softer foods do tend to fill you up less easy though.
As I'm sure you've read here a million times; the sleeve is a tool. We need to learn to use that tool properly. I really think they should send us to classes before we get sleeved to help us learn how to eat properly and healthier once we get the surgery. Not just recommend certain foods and tell us "this is good, this is bad, now go get em Tiger!"
I know myself when I ate prior to the sleeve I would eat and eat until I was stuffed full. I don't want to do that now. I just want to eat enough to be healthy and lose weight. The thought of being full never even crosses my mind any longer. There has been a rare occasion when I ate a little too much post sleeve and I got that I'm full and I probably over did it feeling and I didn't like it one bit.
If I could offer some advice it would be to go pick up a food scale somewhere and start measuring out your food. An ounce or two of Protein, another ounce or two of veggies, maybe an ounce of potatoes, stick with a 4-6 ounce meal. Learn to consume the food to live, Don't live to consume the food.

I totally agree with Nate: you gotta relax and remember that physical trauma to the bod absolutely manifests itself mentally...Let's also remember that we are people with addictions to food....divorcing the food by diet or surgery doesnt change our heads...only time and behavior mod can do that. You gotta give yourself some time to heal and remember why you did this in the first place. You have many reasons, as do all of us, for wanting to be healthy.
I can tell you another thing, Klonopins can be heavy, so be really careful with those if they're new to you, or not new: losing weight can amplify the effects so don't over-do it....
This site has lots of great info, but make sure you keep in touch with your docs and therapists....and I bet there's a sleevers group in San Anton....google it and you can meet and talk with others that have had WLS and are feeling similar to you.
Good luck! Keep us posted...you're gonna do great

I totally agree with Nate: you gotta relax and remember that physical trauma to the bod absolutely manifests itself mentally...Let's also remember that we are people with addictions to food....divorcing the food by diet or surgery doesnt change our heads...only time and behavior mod can do that. You gotta give yourself some time to heal and remember why you did this in the first place. You have many reasons, as do all of us, for wanting to be healthy.
I can tell you another thing, Klonopins can be heavy, so be really careful with those if they're new to you, or not new: losing weight can amplify the effects so don't over-do it....
This site has lots of great info, but make sure you keep in touch with your docs and therapists....and I bet there's a sleevers group in San Anton....google it and you can meet and talk with others that have had WLS and are feeling similar to you.
Good luck! Keep us posted...you're gonna do great

I know it's hard. Your body just went through a major trauma, and change. But you need to look at the big picture and remember why you went through what you did. You did it for you... for your health, and your happiness. It may seem overwhelming right now. But things will get better eventually. You have to just give it a little time for your body and mind both to come to terms with whats actually happened over the last week or so.. You're already doing great, you've been one of the fortunate ones to have a flawless recovery. That's something to be very happy about right there!

Whoo Hoooo!!!! You have a lap!!!!!

Yes! You totally answered everything....Thanks so much. I appreciate you showing us what can be done when we use the sleeve as a tool, not a cure. And its great to know that it can be maintained for a sustained length of time.
Thanks for sharing, and again, you really look fantastic.

Reading about everyone's pre-op diets make me feel terrible. My doctor only requires a 1 day liquid diet the day before surgery so I feel spoiled. I am trying to eat healthy bc I don't want to go into shock post-op, but I do plan to have sushi one last time this weekend bc I doubt I'll be able to eat it for a long time bc of the rice and sushi is my most favorite food.
Hang in there guys. You all seem to be doing good, even with a slip up here or there!

Awww Love you M2G! Thank you!!!!
Yes, the skin has tightened up somewhat and that's just with time. I can literally grab hand fulls of skin especially the stomach area above my belly button (below the belly button is pretty flat) and my back thigh/legs, also a ton under my arms . I've been working out 5-6 times a week since February 2012 (mainly weights and zumba). I took some before pics in February 2012 with just my bra and undies and will take after pics in February 2013 to see if it helped any. I think my biceps look good, but it's been difficult trying to get the triceps built up.
This tool is AMAZING! I STILL have pretty good restriction. Sometimes it's a few bites and that's it, then there are other times where I feel like I ate a whole lot (but it's really no where near a lot of food, more like a normal thin person would eat). The most difficult part is the head/body craving sweets , I LOVE candy and sweets. It's especially really difficult once a month during tom. But I didn't cut 85% of my tummy out to turn back. I refuse to give up. I do eat whatever I want, and If I get too close to my goal (I try to stay under lol), I just start to watch what I'm eating, and drink more Water and it works. Water ugh, that is really the most challenging, but even without sleevie we should be drinking more of it.
I hope I answered everything lol!

Wow...you really look amazing. And you seem very healthy and happy with your sleeve! As far as the loose skin, have you noticed it beginning to tighten up since reaching goal? I've heard time really helps ( and a LOT of lotion...)
Do you feel as though this can / will continue to work for you, or is it a struggle to limit your food intake?
And lastly, do you work out regularly? It looks as though you must do something on a regular basis...that's what im looking forward to: being able to sustain weight loss, while working out around 4-5 times/week and eating like a normal person: balanced, healthy meals and the occasional splurge. That's my dream...

Eating "normally" is a tricky question because most of us have individual "normals". Some people's new normals are super strict and very specific.... some people choose to do a less rigid approach. Its an individual's choice- thats the cool thing about the sleeve.... you get to define your lifestyle.
Whatever your definetion of "normal" is DO NOT RUSH TO GET TO YOUR "NORMAL In less than 3 months, you will be able to define your own normal and have a little bit of everything you want (yes, even ham sandwiches and fritos). In the meantime- do not rush the liquid, mushies or food stages- they are put in place by a medical professional for a reason.
That being said- I eat a pretty liberal diet.... a bit of anything I want (I still make pretty healthy choices tho). I waited until I was 3+ months out before I started deviating from a strict diet.
I am sure if you are strong enough to be proactive and take your health into your own hands.... you are strong enough to stick to the plan until you have the freedom to choose your foods. Reach out to us forum peeps if you need support- you CAN do it!

Thank you so much! You are so sweet! I do have TONS of LOOSE skin however most of it isn't hanging loose skin.
Girl thank you for always being there for me and motivating me and inspiring me! Love you tons!!!!!!!!!
Thank you ...no problems regarding the sleeve that I'm aware of. I need to get 2 year post op blood work done to make sure all my labs are fine. DON'T STOP taking your Vitamins

For Dr Garcia patients, I heard the broth at Marriott is awful...any suggestions for a good place to get broth close to the hotel ?

Seriously, you guys, I almost sharted reading all these posts! This is some funny S**T! LITERALLY! Im not laughing at you, and im sure once im sleeved, ill be laughing with you
My boyfriend always used to say "never trust a fart..."

Too funny!!! I'm single, so I can toot at home as much as I like. Sometimes though when I can feel one coming, I have this fear that I won't make it out of hearing/ smell range quick enough. Then, god forbid it just sneaks up on ya. This actually happened to me when I was in a guy's cube at work. I was doomed. I was sitting down and he was showing me some stuff on his computer. I knew if I stood up, I wouldn't make it out of the cube, so I was hoping my butt would keep the smell in the chair--- yeah, that didn't work. He didn't say anything, but I know he noticed. I was quite embarrassed but pretended like nothing happened. Those poor office chairs..... I tell ya.... sure makes a person think twice about getting a used office chair for one's personal use... LOL

Y'all are so funny! I needed this

I did not have a bm until day 7 post op... I was in the hospital on iv antibiotics for an infection and the nurse was getting worried.... Day 7 I thought as usual it was the famous gas and let it go... All over my bed! Felt so bad I apologized to the nurse! She laughed and came in so excited! They were waiting on that!!! I never thought I would see a nurse to happy to clean me and my bed up! Lol

I'm just over 7 months out & if I even have the feeling of gas or a bowel movement coming, I get to the nearest bathroom...because I'm not taking a chance of sharting! I'd rather run to the bathroom than crap myself & sometimes you can't tell what is going to happen... Better safe than sorry! In the beginning, I would run at the slightest rumble! LOL!!! I have become lactose intolerant since surgery so I started buying fat free, lactose free milk.

I also liked the "productive flatulance" term. That got me laughing.
I'm 5 days post op and everything just got going again Friday. Started with a good amount of gas and non-productive flatulance, but then Friday evening it hit. Just like you, I was tricked into thinking it was some simple gas, but no - it was actually a productive flatulance laying in wait.
After some grumbling I decided just to trash the underwear. I'm getting thinner anyway, so they'll need to go sooner or later. I'm still dealing with this. My body makes sounds now like the Titanic did as it was sinking, I never know what to expect. It's cheap entertainment for the kids, I guess.
Good luck!

Lol....what a nice way of putting it, "productive flatulance"
I just started pre-op a few days ago - I'm not even doing all liquids - just mushy at this point. Same thing ALMOST happened to me tonight.
Sounds gross, but... liquid in, liquid out. Makes sense to me.