jamey

:cheer2:Ditto on sip sip sip, walk walk walk. Also it helped me to have a child's sippy cup at home for drinking. It was hard for me to regulate my sips at first and I had trouble getting in fluids but the sippy cup helped. Also make sure to have those sugar free popsicles. Best of luck to you!

Costco here I come.....

I know it is hard, energy is in short supply those first weeks. It really is easier to do the shakes, and they are good for getting in the protein requirements, but try try try to find a way to get in some solid protein. I know everyone is different but for me that makes all the difference. It fills you up and it lasts a lot longer. The shakes will just slide right through and then wham you are empty again. Don't get discouraged, it takes a little time to learn about how to work this new tool and you have only had yours for six weeks! I lived on ready made chicken from the deli at my grocery store and if you buy Lean Cuisines or Weight watchers frozen meals and eat the meat first, there is very little room left for the rest so you wind up with only 1/3 to 1/2 the calories and carbs. I hope this helps..:thumbup1:

hmmmmmm.. no "relaxed" fit or "stretch" jeans. I had forgotten they made anything else! Let us know how they fit...

Good for you! It is so nice to not have obese on the chart at the doctors office now! My bum, well the lack thereof, was the first thing I really noticed. I am kind of finding it hard to find pants that fit right now because my bum has lost quicker than my tum! It is really interesting because I have always lost weight in previous diets in my stomach and breasts first, this time has been my arms and butt. Are you noticing that you are losing differently than you previous attempts?

Thanks for your replies! I am glad to know this is just the normal pms and even though I am dreading next month already. But now I know that it will pass quickly and until it does I will find comfort in that I am not alone! Big hug to all!

Thanks Tiffykins! I am glad to know I am not going crazy (well, not any more than usual). You are so funny, I usually adore my hubby but a few days every month I consider murder (although I think with a female judge, we might be able to argue justifiable homicide, lol). I also just wanted to say how much help you are to those of us on this journey. From inspiration to encouragement to recipe ideas you are awesome! Thanks for being here.

For the first time since surgery (May 4, 2010) I seem to be experiencing PMS cravings. You know the ones, you just want to eat and eat and eat. I am not even hungry really, I just want to eat. It is freaking me out a bit because I hardly ever experience hunger, but I suppose they took the hunge hormone and not the other ones! When I go to eat my meal, I find I fill up very quickly but then an hour later my head and mouth just want to eat. Is anyone else experiencing this? Does anyone know of a supplement or herb that might help?

Similar story here. The final "aha" moment that led me to surgery was when I was weighing a suitcase I had packed to make sure it was under the 50 pound limit so I wouldn't have to pay the extra airline handling charge. It was so heavy when I put it on the scale I was sure it would weigh more...it didn't.... 45 pounds. Then it hit me like a sledgehammer, I am carrying around almost 3 times that in extra weight. I started researching gastric surgery the next day. I have now lost 73, so I still have a suitcase and a carry-on bag to go, but someday soon I will have lost all that excess baggage!

It's hard to say for sure, but I would probably go. You already know that there is something there you can have and at 9 days out after a little soup you will most likely be so full you won't even want to think about eating anything else, so you won't be sad. It would probably be sadder to miss out on these last moments before your parents go back. Next visit, you can have some of that burger.

Ugh! But you know, if she didn't really listen enough to hear you say VSG, odds are she might not really listen to any other valid questions or concerns you might have in the future. Could be a blessing in disguise. I am sorry for your the needless delay, i know you are excited to get going.

Yay! Congratulations and that .2 is important!!!! Those little points are what keep me going some days! How wonderful to be so close, and wearing size 8 jeans and little sweaters! Keep up the posts, it really helps those of us headed down to stay focused!

You will be there soon! It was last Saturday for me (3 1/2 months out). My family has been so great in adjusting their diets to match mine and they had just not asked for it until then. I think I could have done it at 2-2 1/2 months out though. I only ate the toppings and one bite of the crust. At this point, I just don't want to use the limited tummy space on breaded stuff, mostly due to daily protein needs vs. space. The suggestion of getting the thin crust and the tortilla pizza was a great idea,The World according to Eggface rocks! So don't worry, you will have it again. That is the best part of this, nothing is forbidden, you just want less.

Wow Tiffykins, Thank you so much! I am 3 months, 3 weeks out and am really wanting to get some flavor onto my little plate and this was information was just what I needed!

A BIG WOO-HOO and hug! That is great and I love your excitement! Way to go!

It was very hard for me to eat at first. I did have low grade nausea for a while but it went away around the end of the first month. Don't worry about rushing, your poor little tummy has been through alot! It has been cut and stapled and has a lot of healing to do. My doctor had me on full fluids for the first two weeks and the only real food on my list was greek yogurt. I have noticed from other posts that different doctors seem to recommend different things. So just do what your body is telling you for now. If you aren't feeling better after the weekend, perhaps you should just give a call and see what the doctor says.

According to Kaiser, I could either gain more weight or just sit around and wait until more comorbidities developed. I didn't like either option so I self paid at UCSD in San Diego. I am so happy and feel amazing. I looked at the loan as a new car, only this vehicle is going to last me for the rest of my life!

Don't worry, your energy will come back. And as those pounds melt away you will be so jazzed you'll be soaring!

Hi there, Welcome! 4 spoons of broth sounds about right. Don't worry, it will get better! Your new little tummy is very swollen and as the swelling subsides, the amount you can get in will increase. It is very slow in the beginning but luckily you will not be feeling much hunger, if any. In fact, you will probably have to force yourself to drink in the beginning. I found a child's sippy cup helped me control the flow of Fluid in those first few weeks and popsicles helped me get in extra ounces. Best of luck to you and you will find so much help and encouragement here.

Christie, your photos are amazing (I second Eureka-C as far as favorite shots). You are just beautiful. Keep blogging and posting please you're such a ray of sunshine and inspiration.

Prayers for a flawless surgery and a speedy recovery....

That is great news! Isn't it exciting to go see a doctor and get great news for a change? My blood pressure is way normal now and my resting pulse was that of an athlete. My back pain has all but disappeared now, no more pain pills! I wonder if the weight loss has an effect on women's estrogen as well? I noticed an increase in my libido but just assumed it was because I felt more confident in my body (not to mention the sheer logistics haha). I think I will investigate....Maybe it will keep the hotflashes away! Keep up the amazing work!

Thanks Kim, you are going to do great, your enthusiasm is so contagious. I remember the feeling I had when I got my date, it was so wonderful. I was jumping up and down squeeling on the inside and the outside! I think from the moment we make the decision to have the surgery there is no going back. You will only go forward and pretty soon we will all be looking at your after pictures...... You have found such a wonderful community of support here. Everyone here is so amazingly positive and helpful. Best wishes and keep me up to date!

OMG is right! That is sooo wonderful, I am so happy for you! When you do tell them, bring all the information you can so they can see why you are choosing this particular bariatric surgery. They have seen you struggle for years most likely. I found that in my 40's was when I started really seeing the scary effects of my obesity. I am 46 now and had my surgery in May. My thinking was that yes, with any surgery there are potential risks, but if I don't have the surgery, there are definite risks and I don't want them. I understand, it was hard to tell my family, but they were so supportive and I am sure yours will be as well. You will be in my prayers!

That is great news, Congratulations! You are almost there and just think, this year you will actually lose weight over the holidays! Big hug!