joatsaint

I had to do it 2 times, once to diagnose my apnea, once to calibrate the cpap machine.

I believe I can safely say that every sleever has been where you are now. I can only tell you what worked for me. DENIAL - really - I didn't let myself believe it was really happening till I scooted across from the gurney to the operating table. The 2 hour ride to the hospital - DENIAL, I was just driving over to Houston. Waiting for 4 hours for surgery, DENIAL, I was just in a room watching TV with my friends, I just happen to have an IV in my arm. Them wheeling me into the OR, DENIAL, it was just a fun ride down the hall on a table - Wheeee!

I think it was more stressful when they put the IV in before the endoscopy. Most have trouble finding my veins and I have to get stuck several times. But there was nothing to the scoping. They said I might feel some burning in the IV site as they injected the anesthesia, I closed my eyes and opened them (I thought I had blinked!) and it was done. The staff was making fun of me cause I put the bite guard back in my mouth. I thought I had let it fall out before test had started.

I don't know if it is a standard procedure for all docs, but there's nothing to it. They knock you out, run a Fiber optic camera into your stomach, take some embarrassing photos , and your done. It takes about 20 minutes and your throat might be a little scratchy.

I use to see them too. But in the past few months, I've started watching DVDs of my favorite shows.

Because beef jerky is meat minus the water content. So the protein is concentrated. The same way an ounce of raisins has more calories than an ounce of grapes.

Cool, I've always wanted my own stalker! I'm tired of sharing the one I have with my brother. The best advice my parents ever gave me: Never talk to strangers, unless they offer you candy AND a ride.

Did you ever bite one of your kids? Just to see if they tasted good????

The only videos I've made were right after surgery. http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/blog/2115/entry-5567-video-all-right-mr-demille-im-ready-for-my-close-up/

I have always used a regular teaspoon and a 4oz plastic Glad container as my bowl.

Really enjoyed reading your post. Especially about writing sleeve on your stomach! I wish I had thought to do something along those lines. At the hospital, every time a nurse would come in to give me meds, take blood pressure or anything, they'd ask me my name and birthdate - to verify that they had the right patient. Finally, I started saying my name and birthdate to anyone that walked in the room, just to be funny. Now I wish I had taken a sharpie and written my name and birthdate on my gut as well. :-P

Just be patient. I know it's frustrating when the scale doesn't move. I'm on week 11 and I've had at least 3 different weeks where the scale doesn't move for 7 days, then I'll mysteriously be down 2 - 3 pounds overnight. Your body is just acclimating to the lower calorie intake and sometimes it is holding onto every calorie, trying to replace the glycogen stores in the muscles. I don't have a formula for getting the scale moving again, but I do try to mix things up to keep my body from getting used to a set pattern. I walk a little extra, up my vegetable intake, or eat low carb for a day or two to see how my body will react. I was eating pistachio nuts and sunflower seeds last week and EEEEEKKKKKK! I gained 2 lbs that week. Monday I went back to basics of eating my refried Beans and chicken (eating 4oz every 2 hours), this morning I've lost the extra 2 lbs plus another 1lb. For the 1st time in 4 years I'm under 310lbs.

And cows, and sheep, and goats - why do the ugly animals taste the best?

No pickle craving for me, but I was willing to wrestle my mom for a banana I saw on her counter! Up until I saw it, I had no idea I wanted a banana so bad!

You're right. I always tell myself that "things could always be worse." And you know what? Things get worse.

Just wondering if anyone besides myself is tired of eating cold food? It takes so long to finish a meal that it's cold long before I'm done. I think I'm getting use to it though. I was just eating some cold chicken/cauliflower/brown gravy mixture and thought, "Hmmm, cold brown gravy aint too bad."

I can only offer my stomach testing method that works for me. Take a bite - about 1/2 teaspoon size, wait 5 minutes, if stomach doesn't get upset, repeat. I know that my stomach can handle a new food if it doesn't grumble after 2 bites.

I don't blame you for feeling that way. You sound like you've really got your plate full. In my 1st weeks post-op, I didn't worry about getting in the suggested Water and Protein. I just did what I could and slowly I built up what I was taking in. I'm single with no one to worry about but myself. I was extremely weak and tired for the 1st month, so I can't imagine what you're going through.

What are you? A corporate shill for Nike?

I just ride it out. Drinking only makes it worse for me. In about 20 minutes, I feel better. Walking might help.

Does your dog have juicy hind leg? Remember, if you don't use batter, you're still low carbing it!

At around 6 weeks, I could eat pretty much anything I wanted. At 11 weeks, I still have stomach grumblings when I eat hard to digest stuff like apple peels and cauliflower. I can eat it, but my stomach grumbles a little. Otherwise, no issues with chicken, steak, pork, ice cream, peanut butter, seeds, nuts...ect.

I didn't worry about how much Water or food I was taking in during the 1st and 2nd week. My sleeve was still swollen and there wasn't much room. I was eating about 1/2 popsicle and whatever water I could take in per day, the 1st week. On the 2nd week, I was eating about 1/2 can of Cream of Mushroom Soup per day and whatever water I could take in. It wasn't till about week 4 that I was able to get in the recommended daily Protein and water. Keep pimpin that sleeve!

I took mine with me. Just bring some extra water if yours uses it. The put sterile water in mine and it stunk so bad, I couldn't breath with the mask on.

Congrats. I'm looking to beat my monster (that didn't sound right! ) at the 250 lb mark. I've not been able to break that weight in 15 years. Keep pimpin that sleeve! And keep beating that monster like he owes you money!