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great website! thanks for posting, PdxMan!

Just remember, there's a light at the end of the tunnel - its not permanent....its a means to an end. You cannot have your sleeve if you don't drink your protein!

will be praying for a swift recovery for you!

please don't use alcohol. Alcohol burns the edges of the skin and will prevent it from closing. Steri-strips to hold the sides of the wound together should be all you need along with keeping the wound clean with an anti-bacterial soap. Alcohol is actually stopping the closure.

Okay. This is very important. A calorie consumed does not necessarily equal the same as a calorie burned. In an optimal running machine, yes, that would be true, however, NONE of us are optimal running machines. You're also not taking into account your resting metabolic rate changing as well. Your body right now is consuming the extra fat stores, which don't necessarily equal a calorie consumed either. Your body has already stored that and will feed from that in the absence of consumed calories. Basically, you cannot solve for x when y and z aren't constants. Bigger equation is needed for that

We have to make informed decisions - that means with our minds and our instincts. I feel bad for anyone that has complications with ANY doctors. But it can happen anywhere. The surgeon that did my sister's surgery had 2 deaths. It happens. Especially when you're dealing with a surgery that is for many a last-ditch, life saving surgery. When you're doing your research, take into account FIRST HAND experiences, not the I heard from a friend of a friend of a friend crap. Read the ENTIRE account of what happened. Did the person follow their post op instructions? Did they not listen to signs and symptoms and make a situation worse? Did the doctor do everything they were supposed to? What was the outcome? Bottom line, Doctors do practice medicine. It has not been perfected. That doesn't mean you should accept substandard care - it should be superb care. But do not expect everything to go flawlessly, especially if you know you aren't following instructions. Negative comments travel at the speed of light. They also get distorted going through so many people. Take each comment, good and bad for what it really is. Is it a first-hand account? Is it based on facts you can see? Who is recounting the experience? The person who had it or someone that wasn't even there?

The absolute smallest they use is a 32. The largest size that has been used is a 60 - the largest size NOW used is a 48. I think you're just fine

I better heal fast! I can't go that long without my hot tub! haha

Good luck! My Dad had knee replacement and he's like a new man!

Thanks!

GREAT info! Thanks Capt Derel!

awesome! That is amazing!

oooh I bet this would work great in muffin-size portions! Gonna hafta try that in a few weeks or so! Thanks for sharing!!!!

God allowed us free will, which has done many things - it has allowed us to think for ourselves, which has created medicine and treatment options, including this surgery. Because you're doing this for the RIGHT reasons, I believe God is on board with this. You are not using this option to do harm to anyone or for any other reason than to be healthy. I think you're good to go!

I have found that using 1/4 of the packet of spices in a few cups of water is a GREAT alternative to just the regular broth - helps to stave off the cravings! Good luck! I have 4 more days of this!

walk walk walk. exercise that lower body - upper body uses too many abdominal muscles I would think. Definitely walk!

first of all, a calorie is not just a calorie. Calories in don't necessarily = calories burned. 3500 calories burned doesn't necessarily mean that you're going to drop a pound on the scale. Your body is going through some serious changes and its going to react differently than it may have before the surgery.

does it perhaps coincide with ovulation and menstruation? You may be low on iron.

That was awesome!!!!

Did anyone have cell phone service while they were either at the Hotel in the surgical clinic with Dr. Almanza?

Its so flippin hard to think of anything else. Its just a few days away - do I have everything I need? Did I triple-confirm my reservations? Is the dog sitter going to be okay? What time do I need to leave for the airport? Will my husband get off work in time to make the flight???? All of these things are fine but I still keep rehashing them. I still keep looking for information on how to make things go more smoothly. Am I prepared for when I get back? Yep - I am. Treadmill is set up and working just fine, hubby has a few things he has to get to before we leave. Hopefully he gets them done or I'm gonna be one angry mama!

I hope this gets better!

I would say that too - but I've also had plenty of experience where no one dealt with anything and I ended up having to do it anyway - sick, recovering, or not. I guess it just depends on the support system you do or don't have. If you have one that's reliable, go for it. If you don't, postpone.

I couldn't believe the belt I found. I could MAYBE fit it around my thigh now. And honestly, its not really all _that_ tiny. I saw this cashier at the store the other day and she was TINY. I wanted to feed her a sandwich. I think her waist was literally the size of my ankle, and i still have small ankles. She looked completely emaciated. I was buying pillows and she barely had the strength to lift those. Like, she struggled to lift them into a plastic shopping bag. What is the deal with this look? I mean, Kate Moss would look like a full figured model next to this girl - and it wasn't because of anything "wrong" - she doesn't eat - she stood there talking to her coworker about it. She's seriously ill - like anorexic. Sometimes I think that would be worse than being obese. My husband looked at me when we walked out of the store and said "you're not gonna look like THAT are you?" I was like uhhh. NO. But that girl needs some damn help.

congrats! My birthday is in 2 days and surgery in 4 !