breezy

Hey April Sleevers! I wondered how everyone was doing?

I'm sorry I don't have any advice because I didn't feel much hunger at any stage so far. I just wanted to acknowledge you and hope that you get some good answers from others here. Being hungry is not fun.

Tiffy has posted some things about her journey that might interest you. She is currently underweight but feels like her body likes where she is. She eats more times during the day and has increased her carbs and calories to keep from losing more. I DREAM about the day when I'll have to eat a piece of cake to keep from losing weight!!!!!

No Silly Vests? No Southern Ventures? No Sullied Virgins? I like that last one!:thumbup: Kidding aside....Congratulations on your loss! (Now that sounds wierd, too, doesn't it?)

It's so cool that we have members from around the world!!!! I'm glad you found us! I'm wishing you a uneventful surgery and quick recovery!

Congratulations on your decision to make a lasting change in your life for the better! Keep us posted on your journey!

Congratulations & welcome to the "losers' bench!" I'm glad you're surgery was uneventful!

I had a problem with that about a week post-op, too. I started adding Benefiber to my protein drinks and kept trying to drink as much water as I could. I have diverticulosis and I need to keep things moving easily. Now that I am on solids, I continue the benefiber but have added salads, which I'm sure help.

Yeah, I had some difficult energy slumps in the first 8 weeks. I am over 3 mos now and my energy is coming back better than I've felt in YEARS. Be patient and listen to your body.

That is so cool! Congratulations! I don't know if I've EVER fit into a size 8 in my adult life! I can't even imagine how wide your grin must be!

I didn't have any difficult issues with my surgery. I just wish I could have had this surgery 30 years ago!

Not to get off subject here, but I loved the description of your Italian trip, so I looked at your pictures. WOW! You are a stone cold FOX!!! I love the red hair! Beautiful!!!:thumbup:

1. I'm a smoker, have been for 30 years. I wasn't asked to quit by my doctor, though of course, he said it would be better for my health if I did. I didn't have any surgery complications because of my smoking. I am a quick healer, despite the smoking, and my incisions healed fast. Like Tiffy, I want to quit and plan to try again after I get a handle on the lifestyle change the sleeve has initiated. 2. I already knew I had sleep apnea and use a cpap machine. My doctor only did a blood test on me. I am pretty healthy, despite the smoking, and a self-pay, so I didn't have to do anything else. 3. I only had a drain tube for a couple of days. It didn't hurt when they pulled it out, just wierd feeling. It didn't bother me much. 4. Do they catheterize you during surgery? No. 5. hair Loss. I'm at a little over 3 mos out and I haven't loss any hair that I've noticed. My hair was thin to begin with so I think I would have noticed. Knock on wood. Tiffy's list of questions to ask is a good one. I had back problems, too, but managed them pre-op with stretches. Now, after losing over 40 lbs, my back feels much better. As I exercise, I am getting stronger and stronger. I can play with my grandchildren much better now. I know it will only get better.

I absolutely hated the clear liquid protein I had in the 1st phase. I went to a whey protein in milk after that and didn't mind it at all. I still use it now to make my protein count. Sorry I don't have any good suggestions, but I understand how hard it is to drink something that makes you want to gag!

I was the support crowd for my daughter. I just went with her to everything, stayed by her side, got her anything she needed, tried to make her laugh & let her know I thought she was doing something wonderful for herself. (That was pre-op & right after surgery). I wanted to have her stay with me for a couple of days afterward, but she thought she didn't need anymore help. Getting educated on the process is a good step, and joining this forum is a step-above! Ask any questions that come to mind as you and your mom go through the journey. Someone here is likely to have a similar situation!

:lol0::thumbup::lol4::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl: That killed me!

I can sure understand being obsessed with it! I wish I had been able to get this surgery in my 20's! It is true that since you are aware of the obsession, you are not as far gone as you think. I hope you are able to get the surgery and work on getting healthier! It is not a cure-all for problems in life, by any means, but when we take care of ourselves many good things can happen!

I feel so bad for you. I don't have anything constructive to add or advice to give, I just wanted you to know I "hear" you. Sending healing thoughts...

I'm sending good thoughts, too! Write when you can.

I am concerned about my flabby arms, too, so will watch to see what suggestions you get!

I've been afraid to drink a pepsi (which is really the only soda I drank post-op and that wasn't very often). I tried a sip and the carbonation felt wierd. I'm sure I'll get to the point where Tiffy is and not worry about it. But I feel like others that I'm still worried about getting enough good fluids. I don't like diet pops either and I don't want the sugar in a pepsi right now. So I'll wait on pops until I'm able to drink water more normally.

I drink 1% in my morning protein shake. I got used to it years ago. I could use the skim in the shake, but I also like milk in my morning coffee and skim just doesn't cut it there -- I might as well be adding water. I don't drink milk other than that. I feel like 1% is a happy medium between 2% and skim, so I'm good with that.

Wow! Thanks for posting the pictures. It makes it so much more dramatic to see the changes! You even look YOUNGER! Thanks for the inspiration!

What a bummer to have your doctor react like that! It makes me feel even happier that my PCP was supportive (she found out after the fact also). Kind of stupid of him to berate you when you've already had the surgery. I could understand the reaction if he felt he had to be so hard on you to keep you from having it, but after it's done, it's his job to help you stay healthy. Losing weight will make you healthier, so it just seems wrong of him to have that reaction. Some doctors are really insensitive though. You may want to consider changing doctors if it keeps up.

I looked at the bento boxes too and thought they were too big! I just use a desert plate and regular silverware. My hubby and I went out for pizza recently and ordered an "individual" sized pizza. It was about 8" round. I was able to eat 1 slice and he ate 5 slices, which left 2. It was more than enough for us. I noticed another couple being served a huge pizza (which would have been us 6 mos ago) and thought "don't you realize that is WAY too much food!" I have a european friend who says that we in America have a much different measure of the amount of food to eat at a time.