LilMissDiva Irene

There seems to be two different scanarios, both polar opposites. Some folks can continue to drink fluids like they could pre-sleeve. Then the other side, which is where I fell into, we could only take the tiniest sips for the longest time. I felt like I was sipping all day long just to get the minimum 64 oz. It was tough! Tough it's very necessary. Both of these results are quite normal. Good luck!

Thanks darlin'! And just so you know, I have ZERO doubts you will be here too - and way before you think possible. *hugs* Keep me updated!!

I do believe Maidenform makes an amazing padded bra. Before I got mine done I used theirs and it added me back up to at least a D Cup and lifted them great! Also, Kohl's has some Daisy Fuentes bras that worked miracles too. I'm kinda glad I did use these bras because it's not so darned obvious that I got my boobies re-inflated. Good luck on your next venture!!! I love mine, and I'm sure you'll be super happy!

Congrats Mike!!! I can clearly remember the moment I was able to cross my legs too - and I agree, it's a great feeling!!

Remember too that this Fluid rule applies to ALL fluids you're taking in, it's not just meaning Water alone. That said, keeping well hydrated preventatively is much better than getting to the point you are dehydrated. Once you get "thirsty" it's really meaning you are behind the curve. I'm never ever really "thirsty" because I'm pushing around 100-120 oz of water a day, rain or shine. Aside from other mentions on why we should drink more, I'd like to point out that drinking plenty of water or fluids helps with the weight loss too. It helps to avoid water retention, and if you are eating low carb, it will flush out your spent fat stores. All the best to you in your journey!

Don't stress!! We all have our off days. I'm certainly not immune to that!! I'd just like to point out that it really looks like majority of everything you ate that day is pretty high in sodium. You will most likely notice a bit of a gain on your scale if you decide to weigh in. It will all be Water retention though... My suggestion would be to cut down on the salty foods for a few days and try to flush with as much water as you can stand. Good luck to you!!

I second that -- and NO its NOT because I'm on the Staff. Best wishes on your continued success!!!!

In regards to the getting cold fast theory. I can tell you this, I think my internal thermostat on both sides is screwed up now. I can still get cold extremely fast, and it's really hard for me to heat back up. I'm like this in my office every single day, where they keep the temperature at a mid-70's even. And now that summer has nearly gone, I can also tell you I can get overheated very quickly too. If it's really warm outside, I really can't be out very long as I start to feel like I'm going to have heat stroke. It's the most bizarre thing ever. That said, it really doesn't take much to cool me back off, which is nice. I'd like to add one thing to the list. It is HIGHLY likely that most everyone, depending on how much weight they needed to lose will end up with some kind of skin or fat deposit issues. I don't have a great deal much extra skin, but I do have some - considering I used to weigh 330 Lbs and I've lost 150 Lbs. However I do have some, and perhaps even enough that someday I'd like to have it removed. I'm going to wait a few years before addressing it though. Also, I needed to have my breasts re-inflated (for the ladies) because they seriously flattened out like pancakes and to me were gross!! I've also noticed that I did not lose my weight evenly, so I'm having some body contouring to help balance things out. Good luck with your list! This is a good idea.

Thank you my dear friends!! It's really very hard to believe I've entered the last phase of my journey. However, I will still re-evaluate a few years from now if I want to get the body lifts. I'm even thinking my arms too... but we really want to pay off these past few bills off first. Combined with the sleeve we're owing nearly 20K right now. It's all good, it will work itself out. Like I said too, the longer I wait the more chance my skin has to snap back as much as it ever will. It will be worth it I think. Again, who knows, maybe once I get there I'll just live with the little bit of extra skin I have. I realize I'm extremely lucky that I have such a little amount for as large as I was. We'll see... Not only that, I'm not embarrassed of my skin nor do I try to hide it or anything. The only part of my body I've noticed I actually go out of my way to cover up are my knees and I'm hopeful the body contouring will help with that. My Hubby is happy for me regardless and he loves me just as much today as he did when I was over 300 Lbs. I'm doing all of this for me, so I can feel complete and comfortable in my OWN skin... LOL Raine, you're right! I'm doing all I can using my lower body - and it sure's better than nothing. But I've grown such a love affair with running, it's almost like I'm mourning it's loss... I just have to keep in mind it's not forever!! (Though it sure feels like it)

WHOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOO BIG CONGRATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :Banane09: :Banane08: :Banane07: :Banane12: :Banane11: :Banane13: :Banane21: :Banane23: :Banane30:

Yep I do that too! Either that or Breath Savers (SF)... it really helps. It also helps to curb the "I wanna keep eating" feelings too.

Hey there! I'm attaching the photo here... Daisy you look lovely!!! Congrats, your procedure came out wonderful!!!

Thanks HDub!!! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Quick update... I just had my 2 week post op appointment with my surgeon. He said everything is progressing very very good. They look good and not many issues. The only one is that one of my incisions have some inner puckering to it. Other than that they look really good and the scarring is going to be pretty much zero, and since they are only about 1.5 Inches and in the crease of my breasts no one will ever even know they are there. The only people who will see it on a regular basis will be myself and my husband, and he won't be caring about no scars, trust that!!! LMAO!! Anyway it's not like I'm planning to do any centerfold photos, and even then I don't think anyone would be able to see them, they are so fine and small. Regarding the puckered incision, he said that if it still looks like that after 2 months, he can do local anesthetic and "unpucker" it. So no love lost, it's fixable. Besides, really honestly you can't even see it. I literally have to lift my boob up high to see it. I have been graduated to normal bras now!!! Yayyy!!! The only type of bras I can't wear are the underwire push up types. I have to wait for 2 months post op for those, and believe me - these girls are big enough where I'm not really worried about trying to push them up! They are large and trying to make them look bigger is just not necessary at all. I think its especially noticeable as my waist and my arms are very small in comparison. Kinda like the Dolly Parton look... haahaa!! Yeahhhh!!! I never thought I would aspire to have that type of figure... LOL!! But I do like it very much. I mentioned the pain and was told I would experience some pain probably for the first 6-8 weeks. I did not know that! Oh well, a small price to pay for being happy with my female figure. I love them and a little pain for a few weeks was worth it!! I also asked him how long before I'm able to start running again. I have not been able to lose any weight!! I didn't even realize how much my workout routine helped with my weight loss but I do now. He said I can't even think about it for at least 2 months post op... ugghhh... I guess that's the one thing that upsets me the most. I have to be extremely careful with my foods and intake right now. He just said again, no workouts using the upper body. I've been doing my elliptical but only on my legs, and my stationary bike. I have been walking as well but dang it still doesn't seem enough. That's really my only complaint right now. I think I'm going to sign up for a 5K for around January or February so I can get back on track ASAP. I don't want to let too much time go by before I get back to doing my favorite workout. It is what has gotten me thin and healthy and hit all my goals. I really truly miss it!!! I can also tell a big difference in my mood. I can't wait for the next few months to go by... So, that's me for the time being!! I'm 25% of the way through my 2 months recovery period. I guess it's going pretty fast, considering. I have another follow up set for the 26th...

Really I don't wait all that long BEFORE eating. The Water really leaves my stomach very fast. I don't get any hungrier any faster doing this, and it certainly doesn't stop me from eating less or anything. I usually don't wait any more than say 10-15 minutes. However AFTER eating I wait a minimum of 30 minutes. Good luck on your journey!

I just found these... and wow!!! Kicks the hunger and these are really really good.

Oh wow... well if anything it has sparked my interest! I'm going to give these a try... THANKS!!!

Hi meggs, I'm truly sorry you feel like you were being chastised. I personally didn't see any chastising, but perception is reality to each person. I'll tell you what I went through, and maybe you can take that as some advice and apply it to your own cause, or perhaps not. It's your journey and you should take whatever road you choose. Just remember, Oz is only found on one... so choose wisely. I was 2 months post op and was only on solid foods for a few weeks. I chose to eat a bowl of Cereal with real milk. I hadn't really even tried cold hard dairies like this yet, but I guess I wanted some so bad I didn't think about any consequences at the time. You know, this is a classic response from someone who is a food addict. Act now, think later... and perhaps suffer! That I did. I got the worst case of lactose intolerance and high blood sugar I think I've gotten to date. I was up sick all night long, worst stomach cramps, on the toilet, retching, sweating, heart pounding, dizzying effect ever. I can tell you this, it scared the **** outta me and I haven't had one single bowl of cereal since. I didn't ask for advice prior to, and yes I'd seen around that folks could get lactose intolerance but I guess I just didn't care or ignored the advice. I paid for it big time. Knowing milk made me sick, I didn't even want to consider what real ice cream would do to me!! Ice Cream would even make me sick sometime Pre-Opt... forget Post-Opt. Over time of not eating these foods, I began to realize that I didn't need these foods anyway. These were the foods that got me to over 300 Lbs, and needing to lose a grown human male's worth of pounds. I had a long journey that lay ahead, and I've already traveled a million miles to get where I was even then. I just found better, healthier alternatives to give in to the cravings I would have. I can have Yoplait Light Yogurt. Many don't like it because it's too sweet, but I love it. It's a better choice. I think the number one enemy to myself was always SUGAR. Sugar was my frenemy. It soothed me, made me happy, triggered all the responses in my brain that an addict gets when feeding that addiction. But, in return what would it really do for me? It made me Super Morbidly Obese, miserable, wearing clothes the size of circus tents, I looked terrible and I was extremely UNHEALTHY... both physically and mentally. Not everyone realizes this the second they have surgery. I sure didn't. It took me a few rounds of crazy sugar dumping to learn to cut the ties from it. Now, I look on every single label of every single thing I put in my mouth to see how much sugar is in it. My results for this diligence is me getting to all my goals, feeling great, healthy, having more energy than I have ever had in my life, being HAPPY and but best of all, being freed of the PRISON of FAT I was living in for decades. All the best to you, and your decisions from here on. ETA: I would also like to point out that our stomach heal quickly. I wouldn't dare eat some of the things I eat now at 2 weeks out. I'm glad I've chose to make better choices out in the beginning, because I can certainly eat much more now than in the beginning.

I began walking the same day of surgery. Every single day I did my very best to do more and more... even if that meant I only took an additional few steps. I think it's important part of your recovery, but I also think it's even more so important to heal and recover before trying to get too far back into working out. Believe me, I'm a workout freak too... I always have been. Yes, even when I was over 300 Lbs. That said, it took me an entire 4 MONTHS to get fully back on track!! I was really fatigued a lot and for a long time. No amount of working out helped this, I just needed to allow time to pass and to continue recovery the best way I could. Eventually the more time between me and surgery the better I felt. In time I started doing more than I ever could! I'm a runner now and before my last PS I could continuously run for up to an hour no problem. Just do what you can, and try to push yourself only a little bit every day. Doing the exercise bike is great. Just do what you can for now, perhaps watch your favorite TV show while doing it and it won't be so boring that way. Eventually you will be more athletic than ever!

Absolutely, positively, without a doubt... YES!!!!!!!!! However, and I beg you to take note that if you'd have asked me within the first few days or around there I would've told you no... LOL!! The first month is very very tough. I don't think many go into this really realizing that. But, it is. I'm a year out now, and so many things have gone well for me. So, there's no guessing on that one. I'd do it again today if I had to.

AWESOME AWESOME AWESOME!! You look happy and healthy!! That's what it's all about...

String cheese TSP of PB (Chunky!) 1/2 serving of all kinds of nuts... esp. peanuts or almonds (very filling) Greek Yogurt (I prefer Fage 2%) It's more than 100 Calories but I don't eat it that often. You'd need to measure out 100 Calories. I just eat the whole serving. Beef Jerky Yoplait Light 6oz Low Sodium Deli Slices, rolled up with Mixed Baby Greens inside. OMG this is so delish!! Can't think of much more right now, but these are my staples...

Hugs my dear friend. I know this is a bit of a bitter sweet NSV for you. I know you'll really do great, either way.

Good times! We're glad to have good people here to share their stories with others, so Thank YOU. Every single week will progress to newer and greater discoveries. It's like that funny story everyone tells you that you just don't quite get. You have to have just "been there" to get it. I love my sleeve!!!

WHOOOHOOOOO COOPS!!!!!! I just love ya girlie, and YOU ROCK!!!! You're such an inspirational wonderful person here, and you just keep on fighting and doing your thing. I have so much respect for you and I for one can not wait to hear your screams from across that big pond!!! I just know this, that no matter how fast or how slow we get there, the main goal and focus is to just GET THERE. I've made a million goals along the way, and even though I say I'm at goal I just keep making new ones. Nothing wrong with that either. Perhaps we will hit our goals at the same time... heehee :-D I'll save the awesome GOAL thread for you though. I think I've done enough around here. I just keep doing what I do. BIG BIG HUGS!!!!

Oh thanks!! I'll check out Walmart. And your secret is safe here... LMAO!